Abstract: A photographic processing system is disclosed in which subject and other data is stored in a database and such data is automatically linked to photographs taken using either a film or digital camera.

Abstract: A multi-section chute of a type suitable for directing mixed concrete compositions from a discharge end of a transit concrete mixer truck to a desired receiving location. The chute includes a plurality of elongate chute sections, each having a wall with a low friction concave inter-surface configuration and a convex outer configuration wherein each chute section includes a pair of longitudinal channel shapes along and integral to longitudinal edges of the wall and a central longitudinal rib, the channel shapes and the rib re-enforcing the chute section against longitudinal bending, and a fastening assembly for removably joining the plurality of chute sections together in a consecutive longitudinal arrangement and wherein the plurality of elongate chute sections further comprise cooperating nesting configurations that enable formation of a compact stable interconnecting nesting storage arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a person from a supine position to a seated position is disclosed, and comprises a base assembly for supporting a lower torso portion and legs of a user when the base assembly is rested on a ground surface, and a torso raising assembly for raising an upper torso portion of the user into a substantially upright position. The torso raising assembly is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. Optionally, the apparatus may include a decoy assembly for at least partially covering the user when lying supine on the torso raising assembly.

Abstract: A floor stripping machine having the electric motor and hydraulic pump placed just aft of the blade engages adds weight to the blade and provides for a narrower more compact design with a lower center of gravity for better maneuverability and ease of access to narrow halls, doorways and rooms. A battery powered floor stripping machine may have batteries stored in the housing under the seat and have auxiliary batteries behind the seat on top of the housing for easy of removing the batteries for recharging. Additional batteries and or weights can be used on either side of the housing. In alternative embodiments the floor stripping machine can be remote controlled. Battery management with the auxiliary batteries being recharged during the day allows for eight hours of use. A trunk may store batteries, which can be slid onto a trailing cart to change batteries.

Abstract: A planetary grinding machine having a simple design with a minimal number of parts, which are all easily accessible for maintenance and repair is disclosed. The machine has a rotating planetary disk with rotating screeding disks attached. The planetary disk is driven by a shaft extending through a top housing cover plate, which supports a transmission driven by a motor. As the planetary disk rotates, a single belt engages a stationary gear on the cover plate and pulleys on screeding disk shafts to turn the screeding disks as the planetary disk is turned. The belts and pulleys for the drive mechanism are sandwiched between the planetary disk and the top cover to protect the mechanisms from dust and debris. The bearings are sealed to prevent dust and debris from entering and oil from escaping. The bearings, being on the inside of the planetary disk, keep oil from landing on the floor.

Abstract: A container handling mechanism suitable for mounting on the side of a refuse vehicle for loading material from refuse containers is disclosed that includes a lift assembly, having a pair of spaced, generally parallel lift support members, attachable to a refuse vehicle, a carriage device reciprocally operable along the lift support members of the lift assembly, a container grabbing system carried by the carriage device and further including a pair of opposed grabber fingers and an actuator system for closing and opening the grabber fingers to engage and release containers of interest, the container grabbing system being vertically pivotable on a short radius for adjusting the position of and tipping a container. A chain and cylinder drive system operates the carriage device along the lift assembly, and a control system controls operation of the container handling mechanism.

Abstract: A method of designing a synchronous circuit of VLSI for Clock Skew scheduling and optimization is used to optimize the skew of a digital synchronous VLSI system and formulize the issue of skew optimization into the issue of quadratic equation programming. For estimation of reliability, a quadratic equation cost function is used to analyze an ideal value of skew and an error between feasible solutions. During operation, several algorithms are used to speed up the operation and lower the complexity, and ISCAS'89 is used as a testing circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kind of ultra-wide band wireless system, which changes the previous electronic structure for ultra-wide band pulse generator, and uses light to generate pulse signal, transformed by microwave differentiator to Gaussian monocycle pulse transmission signal, the derived pulse signal can provide several GHz bandwidth to transmit fast speed information, and further complete the new ultra-wide band wireless system. It reduces the complexity of electronic system and enhances output signal quality by means of light property, with considerable leading advantage. And the signal generated by this system has broader band and no infringe property, its 10 dB band falls within the range prescribed by the Federal Communication Committee of United States (FCC), successfully realizing the ultra wide band fiberoptic wireless collection network system, and further attaining the goal of seamless communication collection.

Abstract: A wiper blade for removing material from a conveyor belt attached to the conveyor belt frame near the nose roller such that the belt will not have material on the belt during the return portion of the loop. The wiper blade is easily attached to and removed from the conveyor frame for installing and replacing the wiper blades when they become worn. The wiper blade is slid out from its slot on the support bar and a new blade inserted into the slot and slid into a locking position for a quick and low cost change of blades. The support bar is rotatably attached to the conveyor frame to adjust the edge of the wiper blade to be proximate the conveyor belt. The wiper blade is made of an elastomeric material without any metal parts for ease of recycling.

Abstract: A live insect habitat that also serves as a retail receptacle for point of sale display of the insects. In particular, the invention comprises a cricket habitat and point of sale display receptacle for the sale of live crickets primarily for fishing bait and pet food purposes. The habitat/receptacle includes a housing having side walls with a sight window formed therein for purposes of permitting viewing of the inside of the housing and insect habitat from the outside. A habitat insert is located inside the housing and includes a multiple-sided member that partitions the interior space of the housing into discrete subspaces connected by passages giving the crickets ample room in which to crawl about. The housing and the habitat insert can be made of a moisture absorbent material in order to reduce the moisture content of the cricket environment. An item of cricket food is located in the housing whereby the retail habitat/receptacle has a prolonged shelf life while maintaining healthy live crickets.

Abstract: A waterproof heat dissipating structure is provided on an electronic signboard having a main body with a first surface as a display and an opposite second surface, and includes at least one through hole provided on the second surface of the main body of the signboard, and at least one waterproof breathable unit provided at each through hole as a protective layer. The waterproof breathable unit has an area not smaller than that of the through hole, and has the property of allowing gas but not liquid to pass therethrough. Therefore, air inside the main body heated by the heat produced by the display at the first surface of the signboard may pass through the waterproof breathable unit at the through hole to carry away heat from the main body to achieve the purpose of heat dissipation and maintain the main body at a pressure balancing state.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a compactor for a restaurant facility may include one or more of the following features: (a) a base, a first side panel, and a second side panel, (b) a first door for access to the compactor to place trash into the compactor for compacting, (c) a second door for access to the compactor to remove compacted trash, (d) at least one door operably coupled to a counterbalance weight to provide easy movement of the at least one door to move along a track, and (e) at least one continuous channel beginning in an upper portion of a back wall and traversing to a front of the base, the channel having a curved portion transitioning from the back wall to the bottom wall.

Abstract: A method of automatically checking digital camera images for dust on the image sensors of the associated cameras is disclosed that enables operators to check the performance level of digital cameras in real time and correct or take out of service those that do not pass the checking procedure.

Abstract: A re-hydration supplement composition particularly suitable to counteract dehydration stresses in mature bovine mammals in the form of a pelletized feed supplement is disclosed which includes relatively large fractions of carbohydrates including saccharides, cationic and anionic electrolytes and a minor amount of betaine osmolyte. A process for pelleting is also disclosed.

Abstract: An impact bed for use with belt conveyors comprises a base frame having parallel, spaced-apart side members extending lengthwise where the side members have an arcuate, concave upper edge. Attached to the upper edge of the side members is an arcuate, concave plate having plural rows, each of a plurality of apertures or alternatively a plurality of tubes or channels having apertures may be used. Completing the assembly are a plurality of polymeric bars, with a smooth upper surface and a plurality of lugs dimensioned and spaced to fit into the plurality of apertures of one of the plural rows. The apertures and lugs are designed to interlock with one another such that no special tools are needed to remove the bars form the top plate when the bars become worn out. Channels having flex points may be used to support the bars. Idlers may be used on the supports.

Abstract: A live insect habitat that also serves as a retail receptacle for point of sale display of the insects. In particular, the invention comprises a cricket habitat and point of sale display receptacle for the sale of live crickets primarily for fishing bait and pet food purposes. The habitat/receptacle includes a housing having side walls with a sight window formed therein for purposes of permitting viewing of the inside of the housing and insect habitat from the outside. A habitat insert is located inside the housing and includes a multiple-sided member that partitions the interior space of the housing into discrete subspaces connected by passages giving the crickets ample room in which to crawl about. The housing and the habitat insert can be made of a moisture absorbent material in order to reduce the moisture content of the cricket environment. An item of cricket food is located in the housing whereby the retail habitat/receptacle has a prolonged shelf life while maintaining healthy live crickets.