Abstract: A sleeping bag having a mattress comprising a bottom insulating water-proof layer, which rests upon ground or camping surface. The mattress further includes a material filled layer attached to the top mattress surface. The sleeping bag is made with an inflatable canopy for further protecting a user, or to permit the mattress to be integrated within a tent. The canopy is inflated by means of introducing air into air tubes configured and integrated into the canopy. The inflatable canopy, optionally, has a vestibule for storing or keeping items for the user of the sleeping bag. The sleeping bag has a canopy, which may be drawn over the mattress to enclose a sleeper using the sleeping bag. The canopy is attached to the mattress by two-way zippers operable the full circumference of the mattress. The two way zippers and mattress are configured to attach and include the mattress within the tent.

Abstract: A catch basin configured to allow selective positioning of the outlet and inlet ports on the side walls of the catch basin's receptacle body. At least one of the receptacle side walls comprise a slide opening having opposing sides. A slide member has a pair of slide edges that slidably engage the sides of the slide opening to substantially close the slide opening. The slide member has a port section and two or more positioning sections, with at least one positioning section located above the port section and one below the port section. The port section has an outlet or inlet port integral therewith or fixedly attached thereto or the port section comprises a mechanism for attaching an outlet or inlet port thereto, such as a port cutout having a removable knockout plate. The slide member has section removal indicators to identify which positioning sections should be removed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for emergency rig monitoring are disclosed herein. The invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring an offshore rig. The rig monitoring systems and methods of use can relay information regarding the rig such as location, attitude (e.g. tilt, oscillation), and local water and weather conditions. The rig monitoring systems and methods can also facilitate emergency communication for rig personnel. Access to the information can be remotely initiated and the systems can be configured to automatically respond to such initiation. The rig monitoring systems are equipped with a self-sustainable power supply for operation under conditions where external power sources are unavailable. Such rig monitoring systems and methods are particularly useful on rigs that are located in waters subject to rapid and severe changes in local weather such as storms.

Abstract: Described are a system and a method for anti-counterfeit barcode labels. The system may include an automatic identification symbol reader obtaining item data and a first spectral signature data; a spectral signature reader obtaining a second spectral signature data from a spectral signature; and a processor for decoding and validating a automatic identification symbol as a function of a comparison of the first spectral signature data and the second spectral signature data.

Abstract: A solid-state imager and an electro-optical reader are mounted behind respective windows at a point-of-transaction workstation for capturing images of diverse targets useful for customer identification, customer payment validation, and operator surveillance, and for reading coded indicia. Each window allows light to pass therethrough to only one of the reader and the imager.

Abstract: Management data is uploaded and downloaded in the field to data capture systems, such as electro-optical readers, RFID readers, and imagers, either before, after, or during data capture in a manner transparent to the system without disturbing the data capture.

Abstract: A method for processing information wherein information is received from a plurality of bar code scanners, preferably reading web codes, the source and destination information for the received information is determined and data from the received information is distributed to at least one destination identified by the destination information.

Abstract: An integrated platform is provided for digitizing checks, driver licenses, and other documents, including the processing of the digitized checks in accordance with Check 21 standards and requirements and processing of driver licenses to obtain identification data, and for reading and decoding optical codes. The integrated platform includes a document scanner for digitizing checks, driver licenses, and other documents, and a data capture device for imaging and scanning optical codes, sensing RFID optical code signals, reading magnetic bars and smart cards. The processor executes application software for processing the digitized checks in accordance with Check 21 standards and requirements, for processing the digitized driver licenses, and for operating the data capture device.

Abstract: An integrated platform is provided for digitizing checks and other documents, including the processing of the digitized checks in accordance with Check 21 standards and requirements, and for reading and decoding optical codes. The integrated platform includes a document scanner or digitizer for digitizing checks and other documents, and a data capture device for imaging and scanning optical codes, and sensing RFID optical code signals. The processor executes application software for processing the digitized checks in accordance with Check 21 standards and requirements and for operating the data capture device.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, especially Type 2 diabetes and conditions associated with diabetes mellitus in a mammal such as a human, which method comprises administering an effective, non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable amount of a dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor and another antidiabetic agent, to a mammal in need thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cutting a corner post. The apparatus includes a blade disposed within the apparatus. A piston is coupled to the blade for actuating the blade. A trigger switch is coupled to the piston. The piston causes the blade to actuate when the trigger is depressed. The apparatus includes an opening through the apparatus for receiving the corner post through the opening. The blade is actuated to move through the opening and cut through the corner post.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for pleating a filtration material (1), having at least one filtration layer (2) and a stiffening layer (4), comprising preparing the filtration layer (2) as a non-woven layer of synthetic fibers, preparing the stiffening support layer (4) as a non-woven layer of synthetic fibers, with a majority of the fibers having an average denier at least two times the average denier of the synthetic fibers of the filtration layer (2) and sufficient in number and denier so that when attached to the filtration layer (2) produces a self-supporting composite (5), forming lines (7) of spaced apart perforations (6) in the support layer (4) with the lines (7) corresponding to intended folds (121) in a pleated filtration material (120), attaching the perforated support layer (4) to the filtration layer (2) to form the composite (5) thereof, and pleating the composite filtration material (5) by folding the composite filtration material (5) along the lines (7) of the perforations (6) in the support

Abstract: Management data is uploaded and downloaded in the field to data capture systems, such as electro-optical readers, RFID readers, and imagers, either before, after, or during data capture in a manner transparent to the system without disturbing the data capture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, especially Type 2 diabetes and conditions associated with diabetes mellitus in a mammal such as a human, which method comprises administering an effective, non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable amount of a dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor and another antidiabetic agent, to a mammal in need thereof.

Abstract: Improved liquid filtration media with lower pressure drop and increased dirt holding capacity includes a fibrous mat of randomly oriented meltblown polypropylene fibers, where mat has a mean flow pore size of 0.2 to 10 microns and has been corona treated.

Abstract: An integrated platform is provided for digitizing checks and other documents, including the processing of the digitized checks in accordance with Check 21 standards and requirements, and for reading and decoding optical codes. The integrated platform includes a document scanner or digitizer for digitizing checks and other documents, and a data capture device for imaging and scanning optical codes, and sensing RFID optical code signals. The processor executes application software for processing the digitized checks in accordance with Check 21 standards and requirements and for operating the data capture device.

Abstract: An integrated platform is provided for digitizing checks, driver licenses, and other documents, including the processing of the digitized checks in accordance with Check 21 standards and requirements and processing of driver licenses to obtain identification data, and for reading and decoding optical codes. The integrated platform includes a document scanner for digitizing checks, driver licenses, and other documents, and a data capture device for imaging and scanning optical codes, sensing RFID optical code signals, reading magnetic bars and smart cards. The processor executes application software for processing the digitized checks in accordance with Check 21 standards and requirements, for processing the digitized driver licenses, and for operating the data capture device.

Abstract: A method for the reduction of acrylamide in food products, food products having reduced levels of acrylamide, and an article of commerce. In one aspect, the method comprises reducing the level of asparagine in a food material before final heating (e.g., cooling). In another aspect, the method comprises adding to a food material an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the amide group of free asparagine. In yet another aspect, an article of commerce communicates to the consumer that a food product has reduced or low levels of acrylamide or asparagine.

Abstract: An anti-spill device used in conjunction with a disposable cup and lid combination for preventing spillage through a sip hole in the lid is disclosed. The anti-spill device includes a cup gripping member that forms two arcuate-shaped flexible arms for securing the cup to the device. The device includes at least one retaining latch that is attached to the cup gripping member by a first retaining channel is integrated into the gripping member. The device further includes a horizontally flexing member connected to the gripping member by a second retaining channel that is integrated into the gripping member. Finally, the device includes a flexible sealing member with a lid engaging area which is biased to cover the sip hole in the disposable lid. A user desiring to drink the beverage within the cup gains access to the sip hole by engaging the device to lift and shift the lid engaging area away from the sip hole.

Abstract: An improvement in filtration is seen by treating microfibers with a gaseous plasma at atmospheric conditions. The improvement results from etching the microfibers thereby increasing the surface area of the microfibers.