Abstract: A powder rapid prototyping method includes steps of forming a thin layer 35a of a powder material, irradiating a heating energy beam to a specific region of the thin layer 35a of the powder material to thereby form a preliminary heating layer 35c whose temperature is elevated, and irradiating the heating energy beam to an inside region of the preliminary heating layer 35c whose temperature is elevated to melt and then solidify the thin layer 35a of the powder material to thereby form a solidified layer, wherein the respective steps are repeatedly implemented to fabricate a rapid prototyping model 51, 52.

Abstract: The present invention is a nectar feeder for birds. The nectar feeder has a container for storing nectar feed. A base tray is connected in fluid communication with the container. A float is positioned between the container and the base tray. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.

Abstract: A nectar feeder for hummingbirds is disclosed. The feeder includes a container configured and arranged to store nectar feed. The container has a top end and a bottom end. A spout depends from the bottom end of the container with an exit port defined thereon. A base tray positioned below the container. The base tray is further configured and arranged to contain nectar feed therein. A vertical member extends from the base tray. A float is positioned between the container and the base tray. The float engages the vertical member to prevent substantial independent lateral movement of the float within the base tray. The float carries a stopper with a substantially flush surface positioned below the spout. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the stopper engages the exit port on the spout to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.

Abstract: A nectar feeder for hummingbirds comprises a container, base tray, a base tray cover, a float, and a stopper thereon. The container, or bottle, is used for storing nectar feed. An exit port is defined on the bottom end of the container. The base tray is connected in fluid communication with the container and has at least one vertical member depending upwardly from a top surface of the base tray. A circumferential flange or ring is provided about the float for stabilization. The float engages the at least one vertical member to prevent substantial independent lateral movement of the float. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the stopper mechanism engages the exit port to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.

Abstract: A bird feeder has a body member, a base, and at least one feed port member. The body member is used for storing bird food having a top end, a bottom end and a sidewall with the sidewall of the body member defining at least one feeding aperture. A base is attached to the bottom end of the body member to prevent bird food from exiting the body member. The at least one feed port member is interfittingly engaged within at least one feeding aperture. The port member includes a frame member and a mesh insert attached to the frame member. The feed port member is releasably secured within the feeding aperture of the body member. In operation, the feed port member can be easily removed from the body member for easy cleaning or adapting to a particular bird feeder construction.

Abstract: An item tracking system including at least one signal emitting element directly or indirectly attached to a portion of at least one item, wherein at least a portion of the at least one signal emitting element extends from the at least one item. The system further includes a container, including: (i) a support surface configured to at least partially support the at least one item and having at least one opening extending therethrough, which is configured to at least partially receive at least a portion of the signal emitting element therethrough; and (ii) at least one signal receiving member configured for communication with the portion of the at least one signal emitting member extending through the at least one opening. An item tracking container and method of tracking are also disclosed.

Abstract: A powder rapid prototyping apparatus includes a decompressable chamber, a thin layer forming section which supplies powder material from a powder material housing container provided in the chamber to form a thin layer of the powder material, an energy beam source for heating which outputs energy beam for heating which sinters or melts and models the thin layer of the powder material, and a control section which controls the modeling, wherein the control section exposes the powder material to the decompressed atmosphere before starting modeling, and houses the powder material in the powder material housing containers in a divided manner.

Abstract: A feed port for a bird feeder is disclosed. The feed port includes a body portion having a number of edges defining a first opening through the body portion. A shroud extends from the body portion and depends downwards forming a space rear of the first opening. The shroud further defines a second opening in fluid connection with the first opening. An obstruction extends across the second opening.

Abstract: A specimen management system, including a storage unit having at least one access point to provide access to the storage unit, where the storage unit is at least partially associated with storage unit data and configured to receive and store a specimen, which is associated with an identification device associated with specimen data at least partially associated with the specimen. A local controller generates, receives, and/or transmits at least a portion of the storage unit data and/or the specimen data, and the controller initiates at least one action based at least partially on the storage unit data and/or the specimen data. A computer-implemented method for tracking at least one specimen in a tracking system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscope storage cabinet for use with at least one endoscope having at least one signal emitting member associated therewith and configured to emit a signal indicative of at least one attribute of the at least one endoscope to which it is associated, the cabinet including: an enclosed structure formed by a plurality of walls defining an inner area which is accessible by at least one door; at least one hanger arrangement configured to support at least a portion of at least one endoscope positioned thereon; at least one signal receiving device associated with the enclosed structure and configured to receive the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member; and a local control device in communication with the at least one signal receiving device and configured to receive and process the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member.

Abstract: The present invention is a nectar feeder for birds. The nectar feeder has a container for storing nectar feed. A base tray is connected in fluid communication with the container. A float is positioned between the container and the base tray. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.

Abstract: An item tracking system including at least one signal emitting element directly or indirectly attached to a portion of at least one item, wherein at least a portion of the at least one signal emitting element extends from the at least one item. The system further includes a container, including: (i) a support surface configured to at least partially support the at least one item and having at least one opening extending therethrough, which is configured to at least partially receive at least a portion of the signal emitting element therethrough; and (ii) at least one signal receiving member configured for communication with the portion of the at least one signal emitting member extending through the at least one opening. An item tracking container and method of tracking are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bird feeder has a body member, a base, and at least one feed port member. The body member is used for storing bird food having a top end, a bottom end and a sidewall with the sidewall of the body member defining at least one feeding aperture. A base is attached to the bottom end of the body member to prevent bird food from exiting the body member. The at least one feed port member is interfittingly engaged within at least one feeding aperture. The port member includes a frame member and a mesh insert attached to the frame member. The feed port member is releasably secured within the feeding aperture of the body member. In operation, the feed port member can be easily removed from the body member for easy cleaning or adapting to a particular bird feeder construction.

Abstract: The present invention is a nectar feeder for birds. The nectar feeder has a container for storing nectar feed. A base tray is attached to the container and connected in fluid communication with the container. A float is positioned between the container and the base tray. A ball is positioned on the float. The ball regulates the fluid communication between the container and the base tray. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the ball prevents fluid from flowing into the base tray.

Abstract: The present invention is a nectar feeder for birds. The nectar feeder has a container for storing nectar feed. A base tray is attached to the container and connected in fluid communication with the container. A float is positioned between the container and the base tray. A ball is positioned on the float. The ball regulates the fluid communication between the container and the base tray. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the ball prevents fluid from flowing into the base tray.

Abstract: A nectar feeder for birds has a body member with a base and a lid. The base has an open top end and a side wall. The lid is interfittingly engaged with the top end of the base. A hinge connects the lid to the base to allow movement of the lid relative to the base. The lid has a support extending from an upper surface of the lid. At least one feed port, preferably three, is defined through the lid. The feed port and the support are substantially aligned on the same horizontal plane. A latch is attached to the upper surface of the lid to prevent movement of the lid relative to the base. A moat optionally extends about the periphery of the body member.

Abstract: A removable seed deflector for a bird feeder is disclosed that can be installed into the bottom open bottom end and a side wall of the bird feeder. A base member interfittingly engages the bottom end of the tubular body member. The base member includes at least one aperture defining at least one seat, respectively. The base member is releasably secured to the tubular body member of a feeder. A seed deflector is releasably secured to the base member and includes at least one downwardly depending leg that releasably engages with the seats, respectively, in the base member.

Abstract: An endoscope storage cabinet for use with at least one endoscope having at least one signal emitting member associated therewith and configured to emit a signal indicative of at least one attribute of the at least one endoscope to which it is associated, the cabinet including: an enclosed structure formed by a plurality of walls defining an inner area which is accessible by at least one door; at least one hanger arrangement configured to support at least a portion of at least one endoscope positioned thereon; at least one signal receiving device associated with the enclosed structure and configured to receive the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member; and a local control device in communication with the at least one signal receiving device and configured to receive and process the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member.