Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool includes a collapsible chute configured to receive the blowing wool, a separator mounted at an outlet end of the chute and configured to pick apart the blowing wool and a blower for distributing the picked apart blowing wool into an airstream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in normal hydrated tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. The invention replaces water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix with one or more plasticizers allowing for dehydration of the tissue, yet not resulting in an increase in brittleness of the plasticized product, and resulting in compressive and/or tensile properties similar to those of normal hydrated bone. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the dehydrated bone or soft tissue plasticized product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly integrated and flexible system for vending products and services to consumers. The system receives information in advance of the vend by having the consumer insert an identification (ID) card, preferably a driver's license, into a point-of-purchase terminal (referred to as an OSU device). The OSU device preferably contains an Optical Scanning Unit (OSU), capable of scanning the textual information on the ID card. In one embodiment, the scanned information is compared against optical templates present in the system to discern or verify the information on the ID card, and is then used by the system to enable or disable the vending transaction, and/or to allow access to several preregistered system accounts.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the density of insulation in a cavity of a structure that senses a force of the insulation against the sensor. The force is used to determine the density of the insulation, which, in turn, is used to determine the thermal resistance or R-value of the insulation. The apparatus may include a fixture for supporting the sensor and holding the sensor in the substantially fixed position. A method for determining the density of loose-fill, blown-in-place insulation in a wall cavity by the use of a sensor is that measures a force exerted on the sensor by the insulation. The measured force is used to determine the density of the insulation. The thermal resistance of the insulation is determined from the known cavity depth and insulation density.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the density of insulation in a cavity of a structure includes a sensor that is held in a substantially fixed position relative to the insulation for sensing the force of the insulation against the sensor. The force is used to determine the density of the insulation, which, in turn, is used to determine the thermal resistance or R-value of the insulation. The apparatus may include a fixture for supporting the sensor and holding the sensor in the substantially fixed position. A method for determining the density of loose-fill, blown-in-place insulation comprises the step of providing a structure with a cavity having a known depth. The cavity is covered with netting and filled with insulation. A sensor is held in a substantially fixed position relative to the insulation to measure force exerted on the sensor by the insulation. The measured force is used to determine the density of the insulation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone, and demineralized osteoinductive bone produced thereby. The process achieves demineralization of bone by subjecting bone, including for example ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution where the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the substantially closed container through an ion exchange media to remove calcium and phosphate thereby producing a regenerated acid, and returning the regenerated acid to the substantially closed container to produce osteoinductive demineralized bone. The process allows bone to be rapidly demineralized to a precise and specific desired residual calcium level, without sacrificing osteoinductivity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone. The apparatus demineralizes bone by subjecting bone, including, for example, ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to either a rapid high volume pulsatile acidification wave process or to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The pulsatile acidification wave process includes subjecting bone to two or more rapid pulse/drain cycles in which one or more demineralizing acids is rapidly pulsed into a vessel containing bone, and after a desired period of time, is rapidly drained from the vessel. The continuous acid demineralization process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution in which the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the container holding the bone through an ion exchange media.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of debriding bone including incubating the bone and associated soft tissue, with one or more debriding solutions where the debriding solution may include one or more alkaline solutions. Incubation is optionally carried out with one or more debriding agents including inert dry granular or particulate material including for example beads, and the granular phase of an alkaline agent, including for example granular sodium hydroxide. The incubating may be carried out with agitation. In another embodiment, the medullary canal of the bone is subjected to a positive pressure stream of debriding solution under conditions sufficient to loosen the associated soft tissue from the bone at the interface of the soft tissue and bone. In a further embodiment, the debriding solution is provided as a gel.

Abstract: A high frequency infrared radiation source including a hermetically sealed chamber with a plasma generating gas therein, a pair of spaced electrodes in the chamber for creating a plasma therebetween, a window in the chamber, and a collimating lens made of infrared radiation transmissive material disposed between the pair of electrodes and the window.

Abstract: The invention is an animal repellant composition containing one or more toxins, including for example one or more alkaloids isolated from for example, one or more members of the family Narcissus, and optionally containing one or more polymers, including for example one or more bioerodible polymers and/or more non-absorbable polymers. The animal repellant composition is useful for repelling animals from vegetation and for rendering vegetation unpalatable to animals. The invention also includes methods for repelling animals, as well as methods for treating vegetation to render the vegetation unpalatable to animals, such animals including for example, deer, voles, moles, ground hogs, mice, rats, rodents, raccoons, nematodes, larvae, worms, fungi, molds, bacteria, vegetative organisms, and insects. A suberin-polymer-repellant chemical complex and a method for treating damaged vegetation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A concentration detection system with a radiation source device which outputs a collimated beam of radiation across a sample path having an unknown concentration of fluid of interest and a detector device including a sample sensor, a reference sensor, and an integrating lens positioned to integrate the collimated radiation passing through the sample path evenly over the sample sensor and the reference sensor so that the instantaneous fields of view of the sample sensor and the reference sensor are the same to equalize any obscurations effects thereof.

Abstract: A method and system of effecting a payment from a payor in response to a payment request, comprising selecting a payment method from a set of payment methods. The payment method may be independent of a payment method selected for a payee. The payment may be effected by transmitting a message comprising a get funds trigger, a get funds type, a send funds trigger, and a send funds type, corresponding to the payment transaction. A method and system may receive a plurality of payment transaction notices, calculating a net account status value based on the plurality of transaction notice, and executing payment of the net account status value.

Abstract: A method and system of effecting a payment from a payor in response to a payment request, comprising selecting a payment method from a set of payment methods. The payment method may be independent of a payment method selected for a payee. The payment may be effected by transmitting a message comprising a get funds trigger, a get funds type, a send funds trigger, and a send funds type, corresponding to the payment transaction. A method and system may receive a plurality of payment transaction notices, calculating a net account status value based on the plurality of transaction notice, and executing payment of the net account status value.

Abstract: A method and system of effecting a payment from a payor in response to a payment request, comprising selecting a payment method from a set of payment methods. The payment method may be independent of a payment method selected for a payee. The payment may be effected by transmitting a message comprising a get funds trigger, a get funds type, a send funds trigger, and a send funds type, corresponding to the payment transaction. A method and system may receive a plurality of payment transaction notices, calculating a net account status value based on the plurality of transaction notice, and executing payment of the net account status value.

Abstract: An Interactive Communication System which solves the problem of enabling a participant (16) to participate in a broadcast program event (40) by using a dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) keypad (46) on an existing telephone (18) is disclosed. The broadcast program event (40) may be viewed on a television receiver (12) simultaneously with other participants (74). A computer (22) is driven by a plurality of DTMF receivers (122). The participant (16) gains access to a DTMF receiver (122) through a conventional telephone circuit (20a) terminating at a local telephone exchange (LTE). The participant (16) is prompted by the program event (40) to enter responses into the computer (22) through the DTMF receiver (122) by pressing keys (140) on the key pad (46). The DTMF receiver (122) has a digital character output (126). A microprocessor (124) processes the output (126) and sends it to a main memory (28) when enabled by associated logic (120,121,131,132,134).