Abstract: The present invention provides an ignitable fire starting system, including the fuel and the means to ignite. A method is disclosed comprised of the steps of soaking a strip of cloth in a liquid fuel and laying one or more sources of ignition on the fuel soaked strip of cloth. The one or more sources of ignition can be one or more matches. The strip of cloth can be divided into a plurality of sections. The fuel soaked strip of cloth and the one or more sources of ignition may be rolled up to form a cylinder. When one wants to start a fire, one may unroll the cylinder and detach a first section of the fuel soaked strip of cloth. The liquid fuel may be a wax such as paraffin. The step of dividing the strip of cloth into a plurality of sections may comprise partially cutting the cloth along first and second lines where the first line and a first end of the cloth are the boundaries for a first section of the cloth and the second line and the first line are the boundaries for a second section of the cloth.

Abstract: A model, a counter, an actuator, and a termination device is provided. During a rest state the model is stationary in a first position and the counter is not counting. During a first transition state the model moves from its first position to a second position in response to actuation of the actuator and the counter begin counting. During an operation state the model is stationary in a second position and the counter is counting. During a second transition state, in response to a termination device the model moves from its second position back to its first position and the counter stops counting. A timing mechanism is provided for controlling the duration of the operation state. The counter can be any type, such as a dial counter, digital counter, or analog counter. The actuator may also activate a music box.

Abstract: This design, regarding to the correction tape, while former correction tapes have a possibility that dust or foreign materials stick on it, and are unhandy to carry, protects correction tape with a cap and cap holder when not in use. Also when in use, a cap can be placed on holder and it is handy to carry with an installation of clip, ring on the surface of the case and used for correction of writing errors or omitted words.

Abstract: A system and method of objectively testing the functional capacity of a patient over a range of motion and with a limited resistance are provided. A selected number of visual indicators are applied and maintained at selected points with respect to the patient. The patient is directed through a series of exercise movements. The patient's movements are captured on a video record. This video record is digitized. The motion of the indicators is tracked in the digitized video record. A patient data set is developed including performance parameters based, at least in part, on the position and the time of each indicator during the movements. The patient data set is compared to a base data set. If the patient's performance parameters fall within certain ranges, it can be determined that the patient is or is not exerting a true effort. The functional capacity of the patient is determined based, at least in part, on the comparison of the patient data set with the base data set.

Abstract: A mix network with superior privacy and robustness is provided. An apparatus comprising a duplicator and first and second operation modules is disclosed. The first and second operation modules are each comprised of first and second processors. Each processor is comprised of a partial operation device. The duplicator preferably duplicates a vector of encrypted inputs, and provides first and second substantially similar duplicated vectors, to the first and second operation modules, respectively. The partial operation device of the first processor of the first operation module partially operates on the first duplicated vector, then supplies the result to the partial operation device of the second processor of the first operation module which partially operates on it to provide a fully operated on first duplicated vector.

Abstract: A folding box is provided including a bottom panel having a rear edge, a left edge, a right edge and a front edge. A lip extends along the edges of the bottom panel. A rear panel is permanently hinged to the rear lip. The rear panel has a left edge and a right edge. A rear left side panel is permanently hinged to the rear panel along the left edge of the rear panel. A front left side panel is permanently hinged to the rear left side panel along an edge distal to the rear panel. A rear right side panel is permanently hinged to the rear panel along the right edge of the rear panel. A front right side panel is permanently hinged to the rear right side panel along an edge distal to the rear panel. A front panel has a left edge and a right edge. The front panel's left edge is permanently hinged to the front left side panel along an edge distal to the rear left side panel. The front panel's right edge is permanently hinged to the front right side panel along an edge distal to the rear right side panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing objects under water, such as fish or clams, is provided. First and second handles attached to a base are provided. A plurality of protrusions are attached to the base and protrude from the base. The first and second handles are part of first and second rigid members. The first and second rigid members are preferably elongated and each have a top and a bottom. The first and second handles lie at the top of the first and second rigid members. The base is preferably connected to the bottom of the first and second rigid members. The base preferably is more densely weighted than the first rigid member and more densely weighted than the second rigid member. The base, and first and second rigid members may have a plurality of openings which allow water to pass through. The first and second handles may have outer shapes comprised of first and second curves.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of tuning the frequency characteristics of a continuous-time filter. First and second test signals are provided to a filter means and the respective first and second responses of the filter means are measured. The first and second responses are compared and based on the comparison a tuning control signal is provided to the filter means to tune the frequency response characteristics of the filter means. During a tuning phase of operation, a first switch connects a test signal generator and disconnects a data signal generator from the transmission input of a continuous-time filter. A signal processor receives a signal from the transmission output from the continuous-time filter and produces a tuning control signal based on that signal. The test signal generator is comprised of means for providing a first test signal, which may be an alternating signal source ("A.C."), and means for providing a second test signal, which may be a direct signal source ("D.C.

Abstract: A reusable container system is disclosed including a folding sleeve selectively engaged to a rigid base. The rigid base includes a concave top surface with a top opening and a bottom opening. Legs are mounted to the base and extend downward toward the bottom opening. Tubes adapted to receive the prongs of a forklift are mounted to the legs. The sleeve is composed of a first side member hingedly attached to a second side member. Each side member includes a plurality of rigid plates connected by external hinges. The side members are attached to each other by internal hinges. The sleeve can be moved from an open position in which a cavity is formed inside the sleeve, to a closed position, in which the plates lie adjacent. In the closed position, the sleeve and entire container system takes up substantially less space and can be more easily stored and transported.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a handgun is provided. The handgun includes a barrel with a cylindrical cavity having a selected internal diameter. A handle has a selected length with a grip end and a platform end. The grip end is sized and shaped to be grasped by a human hand. The handle has a handle diameter. A platform has a flat, plate shape with a center point, a periphery and a platform diameter extending from across the platform through the center point. The platform diameter is greater than the handle diameter. An elongate member extends through the center of the platform and into the handle. The elongate member is selectively engaged to the handle and to the platform. A first rod has a first selected circumference and is rigidly mounted to the platform near the periphery. A second rod has a second selected circumference different from the first selected circumference and is rigidly mounted to the platform near the periphery.

Abstract: A speech transducer, a processor, and a display device are provided. The display device comprises a screen. The processor produces a plurality of windows on the screen at the same time, at least two of the windows comprised of different types of data. The processor also receives a speech signal from the speech transducer and modifies a parameter of one or more of the windows based on the speech signals. A plurality of data sources are provided at least two of which produce different types of data. Preferably one or more windows each comprising data from a different data source, are produced on the screen at the same time. The windows on the screen are arranged in a grid comprised of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The processor includes a voice input device for translating speech electrical signals into language signals and a language device for implementing language signals to modify a window on the screen of the display device.

Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment provides a metal detector comprising a coil, a circuit board on which the coil is etched, a digital signal processor, and a warning circuit, and battery power source. When a sufficient amount of metal is near the coil, the digital signal processor activates a device or devices in the warning circuit. In another embodiment the circuit board on which the coil is placed is used in conjunction with a one piece molded housing. In another embodiment the present invention, provides a metal detector comprising an elongated coil etched onto an elongated circuit board. At least one active device, which is part of detection circuitry is also preferably placed on the elongated circuit board. The detection circuitry in one embodiment, includes circuitry which together with the elongated coil forms an oscillator circuit. The elongated covering case in one embodiment is molded substantially seamlessly by blowmold, extrusion, or injection mold.

Abstract: This apparatus includes a sponge-like material approximately 2.times.3.times.0.5 inches, impregnated with a lotion, such as sun-tan lotion, in the middle of a length of cloth-like material of about 4 ft. by 2 inches in width. This comes in a leak proof container and is used to apply said lotion to the part of ones back difficult to reach by oneself. One grasps each end, flips it over the head and rubs in a side-to-side buffing motion.

Abstract: A sanitary cover comprised of a non-porous flexible material having a first opening is provided. The flexible material can be large enough to cover a toilet seat, and to tuck one or more portions of the flexible material underneath the toilet seat, to secure the toilet seat cover. The flexible material may be in the shape of a sheet or a bag. A bag shaped flexible material has a top opening which is large enough to fit over the toilet seat and to tuck one or more portions underneath the toilet seat. There is also provided a bottom opening in the bag shape which is preferably ovally shaped and slightly smaller than the opening in the toilet seat. An attachment device is provided through which a cord passes. The cord may be elastic or plastic and can be pulled to tighten and further secure the top of the bag shape underneath the toilet seat.

Abstract: A retaining member is provided having one or more openings which are adapted to elastically expand and to exert a contraction force to retain a receptacle designed for use in consumption. A substantially rigid retaining member is also provided for receiving objects. The substantially rigid retaining member has a first opening in its top surface and a second opening in its side surface for receiving objects. A tray comprised of a retaining member and a first and a second leg is provided. The first and second legs are attached to the retaining member so that the retaining member can be easily detached, such as by Velcro. A tray comprised of a retaining member, mounting strips, and a tray support is provided. A method is also provided comprising the steps of fixing mounting strips to a tray support, attaching a retaining member to the mounting strips, and inserting an object into an opening of the retaining member.

Abstract: A switching mechanism comprising a housing, a spring, first and second movable contacts mechanically attached to the spring, first and second substantially fixed contacts attached to the housing, and an actuator is provided. The spring comprises first and second edges substantially fixed to the housing. In a rest position the first and second movable contacts do not electrically contact the first and second substantially fixed contacts, respectively. The actuator centrally actuates the spring to cause the first and second movable contacts to move in the same direction as the central portion of the spring and to electrically contact the first and second substantially fixed contacts.The spring is preferably a snap spring shaped in the form of a cross comprising a column member and first and second protruding wings. The first and second movable contacts are preferably mechanically and electrically connected to the first and second protruding wings respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a better lottery ticket scraper. In one form of the invention a substantially circular disk is provided. The edge of the substantially circular disk is integral with at least one flat smooth protrusion. Preferably, the circular disk has four protrusions integral to its edge, each located integral with a pole of the circular disk. The four protrusions each may have the same thickness as the circular disk, or each may be bevelled outward from the disk to a thin edge. In addition, the protrusions may have one surface integral with one surface of the circular disk and the other surface perpendicular to the outer edge of the circular disk.

Abstract: This invention combines the nail clipper and the tweezer into one unit. The tweezer part of the Twipper is in the space between the opposing metal parts of the nail clipper, and is held in place by the post that anchors the lever in between the opposing metal parts. The tweezer does not effect the operation of the clipper unit it is rotated 180.degree., extending through the jaws of the clipper. At this position, exerting force on the lever, which compresses the jaws of the clipper, forces together the jaws of the tweezer (scissor, etc.).