Abstract: A herb stripper and method of use. The herb stripper includes a base with a plurality of differently sized holes therein and through which herb stems may be inserted and pulled to strip leaves from the stem. A cutting edge is provided adjacent each hole and may be around 0.001? in width and oriented at an angle relative to an axis of the hole. The cutting edge may be protected by recessing the cutting edge relative to the surrounding surface or by providing a raised overmolded region on the surface adjacent the cutting edge, or by forming the hole and cutting edge in a depression formed in the surface of the base. A groove circumscribes the cutting edge and aids in diverting cut leaves away from the hole through which the stem is being pulled.

Abstract: A cutting board, a plurality of accessories and a method of use is disclosed. The board includes a base with top and bottom surfaces and a hole defined therein. A retaining wall provided on the base partially circumscribes the hole. Wedge-shaped regions of a back wall and a side wall taper outwardly from the retaining wall. Foodstuffs cut on the base are moved toward the hole and the wedge-shaped regions and curved retaining wall funnel the cut foodstuffs through the hole. A scale assembly may be placed into a recess provided in the underside of the cutting board such that a visual display extends through the hole. Cut foodstuffs are constantly weighed by the scale. A container may be positioned under the hole and be engaged with the cutting board. An overlay assembly may be placed on the top surface of the base to provide an additional removable cutting surface.

Abstract: A protective insert for a ball cap and a cap incorporating the same. The insert includes a rigid shell and a complementary impact-absorbent liner that covers and protects only the forehead and portions of the sides of the user's head. Bottom edges of the shell, liner, and cap are generally aligned along the same horizontal plane. Alternatively, the shell and liner terminate a distance inwardly from the bottom edge of the cap. An adjustable band is secured to the ends of the shell and the band and shell encircle the circumference of the user's head. One or more engagement members may secure the insert to the cap. The material of the liner is thicker in a front central region and thinner toward the side regions of the insert. The liner material extends beyond the top edge of the shell so that the shell does not directly contact the user's head.

Abstract: A soap dispenser that is engaged to the aerator threads on a faucet. When the faucet is switched on, water flows through a first pathway in the dispenser and exits the dispenser through an opening on the lower front of the device. The dispenser includes a separate second pathway which holds a quantity of liquid soap. A roller assembly provided on the dispenser controls the flow of soap from the second pathway. A graphic image of a face aesthetically pleasing to children may be provided on the front of the housing. The graphic image is positioned so that the opening through which water flows forms the mouth of the face. A trough member in the first pathway smooths the water flow so that water flowing out of the opening takes on the appearance of a tongue sticking out of the mouth of the face.

Abstract: A cellular phone protection case that has four impact absorbing corners and a planar body extending therebetween. Portions of the planar body are asymmetrical relative to imaginary central axes associated with the planar body. Additionally, the four corners define free spaces therebetween to define a cell phone cover that is substantially free of planar sidewalls extending between respective corners. The corners may deflect to repeatably engage a cell phone at complementarily shaped cellphone corners.

Abstract: An electronic pill box for receiving a blister pack having a plurality of dosettes pre-loaded with doses of medication. The pill box includes a base module having a plurality of receptacles that receive the dosettes of the blister pack. The number of receptacles is sufficient to hold about a month of medication. A day module is engaged with the base module but is detachable therefrom. Individual dosettes are detached from the blister pack and loaded into receptacles in the day module. The base module and day module include capacitance sensors for determining if a dose of medication has been removed at the required time. The day module also includes a light sensor assembly that verifies whether the dosettes loaded into the day module's receptacles are the correct dosettes for the time of day a particular dose of medication should be taken.

Abstract: An electronic pill box having a housing with a base and grid and into which a blister pack is selectively engaged. The blister pack includes a plurality of vials prefilled with medication and sealed with a cover imprinted with pertinent information. Each vial is received in a chamber in the base having an LED and a sensor for determining whether medication has been removed therefrom. The LED and sensor are operatively engaged with a microprocessor including programming for dispensing medication from the pill box. An alert is issued if medication is not removed from an illuminated vial after a predetermined time interval. When all medication has been dispensed therefrom, the blister pack is replaced with another prefilled blister pack A card with patient information thereon may be provided on the prefilled blister pack and is detached and stored in the housing prior to loading the blister pack therein.

Abstract: An electronic pill box having a housing with a base and grid and into which a blister pack is selectively engaged. The blister pack includes a plurality of vials prefilled with medication and sealed with a cover imprinted with pertinent information. Each vial is received in a chamber in the base having an LED and a sensor for determining whether medication has been removed therefrom. The LED and sensor are operatively engaged with a microprocessor including programming for dispensing medication from the pill box. An alert is issued if medication is not removed from an illuminated vial after a predetermined time interval. When all medication has been dispensed therefrom, the blister pack is replaced with another prefilled blister pack A card with patient information thereon may be provided on the prefilled blister pack and is detached and stored in the housing prior to loading the blister pack therein.

Abstract: A steerable catheter control handle and method are provided for bi-directional control of a steerable catheter, the catheter including at least two control wires, a distal end of each of the control wires being coupled to the catheter at a distal region thereof. The control system comprises a housing. A wire actuation mechanism is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled to at least two control wires for enabling actuation of the at least two control wires. The steerable catheter control handle additionally comprises a proximal control knob that is operably coupled to the wire actuation mechanism to enable actuation of the at least two control wires. The control knob is positioned proximal to the wire actuation mechanism to enhance ease of use of the steerable catheter control handle. The rotation of the proximal knob causes movement of the wire actuation mechanism within the housing for tensioning one of the at least two control wires for causing a distal end deflection of the steerable catheter.

Abstract: A portable vanity lighting system has a plurality of segments comprising at least a first pair of first and second segments, the front face of each segment is provided with at least one illuminating member. The segments of each pair of segments are hingedly connected together and have securing members and recesses wherein the securing members and recesses are arranged such that the securing members are received in the recesses when the segments are moved to a closed position.

Abstract: An electronic pill box for receiving a blister pack having a plurality of dosettes pre-loaded with doses of medication. The pill box includes a base module having a plurality of receptacles that receive the dosettes of the blister pack. The number of receptacles is sufficient to hold about a month of medication. A day module is engaged with the base module but is detachable therefrom. Individual dosettes are detached from the blister pack and loaded into receptacles in the day module. The base module and day module include capacitance sensors for determining if a dose of medication has been removed at the required time. The day module also includes a light sensor assembly that verifies whether the dosettes loaded into the day module's receptacles are the correct dosettes for the time of day a particular dose of medication should be taken.

Abstract: A brush head for an electric toothbrush having a support structure rotatably oscillated by a motor in the handle of the toothbrush. A plurality of bristle tufts are mounted on the support structure in three ring-like series concentrically about a center point of the support structure. The bristle tufts are arranged in a unique arrangement whereby no more than two of the bristle tufts in the intermediate series and innermost series lie on a diameter line passing through the center point. The outermost and intermediate series of bristle tufts may be arranged in oval-shaped rings and the bristle tufts of the inner series may have a circular arrangement. All of the tufts preferably have the same height and diameter.

Abstract: A medication reminder and compliance system including a pill box, a pill box and electronic device; or a pill box, electronic device and remote server. The pill box includes several detachable dosettes, each divided into several chambers having a door. A two-color LED is disposed beneath each chamber and is activated when a specific reminder time is reached. The LED initially illuminates the associated chamber with a green light but changes to a flashing red light if the door is not opened within a preset time. A switch engaged with the door deactivates the LED when the door is opened. The electronic device communicates with the pill box and alerts the patient when it is time to take medication. A remote server which communicates with both the pill box and electronic device can be programmed to control the reminder schedule and monitor the patient's compliance with a prescribed medication regimen.

Abstract: A medication reminder and compliance system including a pill box, a pill box and electronic device; or a pill box, electronic device and remote server. The pill box includes several detachable dosettes, each divided into several chambers having a door. A two-color LED is disposed beneath each chamber and is activated when a specific reminder time is reached. The LED initially illuminates the associated chamber with a green light but changes to a flashing red light if the door is not opened within a preset time. A switch engaged with the door deactivates the LED when the door is opened. The electronic device communicates with the pill box and alerts the patient when it is time to take medication. A remote server which communicates with both the pill box and electronic device can be programmed to control the reminder schedule and monitor the patient's compliance with a prescribed medication regimen.

Abstract: A toothpick assembly that is engaged with a cover and is movable between extended, partially extended and retracted positions relative to the cover. The toothpick assembly includes a base with first and second ends; a locking assembly provided at the first end of the base that secures the base to the cover; and a toothpick provided at the second end of the base. The toothpick includes first and second regions. The first region defines sinusoidal grooves in the side faces thereof and a row of bristles extending outwardly from each groove. The bristles are integrally formed with rest of the toothpick assembly and taper in length from the base and towards the second region. The second region is bristle-free and terminates in an upwardly curving tip. The first and second regions taper in width moving toward the tip so that toothpick is easily inserted into an interdental space.

Abstract: A device for altering the airflow pattern from a ceiling vent diffuser by obstructing openings in a region of the diffuser. The device comprises a flexible member that is secured to a diffuser vane by a hook member and two tabs. The hook member has two or more engagement regions which enable it to engage vanes on different manufacturer's diffusers. The first end of the hook member is either pivotally secured to the flexible member or is engaged in an adjustment mechanism thereon. The adjustment mechanism allows the second end of the hook to be situated in different positions relative to an interior edge of the flexible member so as to accommodate different diffusers. An extension detachably engages the flexible member to increase the size thereof to accommodate larger diffusers.

Abstract: An electronic pill box having a housing with a base and grid and into which a blister pack is selectively engaged. The blister pack includes a plurality of vials prefilled with medication and sealed with a cover imprinted with pertinent information. Each vial is received in a chamber in the base having an LED and a sensor for determining whether medication has been removed therefrom. The LED and sensor are operatively engaged with a microprocessor including programming for dispensing medication from the pill box. An alert is issued if medication is not removed from an illuminated vial after a predetermined time interval. When all medication has been dispensed therefrom, the blister pack is replaced with another prefilled blister pack A card with patient information thereon may be provided on the prefilled blister pack and is detached and stored in the housing prior to loading the blister pack therein.