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: An antenna arrangement including a first antenna module having a first antenna loop positioned in a plane for emitting a signal in a first spatial area, and at least one additional antenna loop positioned in substantially the same plane for emitting a signal in an additional spatial area. The arrangement includes at least one power source in communication with the first antenna module for providing current thereto. The first spatial area and the additional spatial area at least partially overlap, and the first antenna loop and the additional antenna loop are powered by the power source in a specified pattern. A method of identifying at least one item is also disclosed.

Abstract: A powder sinter layered manufacturing apparatus is provided with a first container 13 of a cylindrical shape for defining a first manufacturing region, a first manufacturing table 15 configured to move vertically along an inner wall of the first container 13, a second container 17 of the cylindrical shape for defining a second manufacturing region within the first manufacturing region, detachably fitted to the first container easily, and provided with a flange which covers an upper face located outside the second manufacturing region but inside first container 13, and a second manufacturing table 15b configured to move vertically up and down along an inner wall of the second container 17.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement including a first antenna module having a first antenna loop positioned in a plane for emitting a signal in a first spatial area, and at least one additional antenna loop positioned in substantially the same plane for emitting a signal in an additional spatial area. The arrangement includes at least one power source in communication with the first antenna module for providing current thereto. The first spatial area and the additional spatial area at least partially overlap, and the first antenna loop and the additional antenna loop are powered by the power source in a specified pattern. A method of identifying at least one item is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of filling a nectar bird feeder. The bird feeder includes a base with a nectar reservoir and an extension member that downwardly depends from the bottom surface thereof. A hanger is connected to the base and extends upwardly therefrom. A cover, which is releasably attached to the base, has a central aperture to receive the hanger therethrough. The cover is removed from the base and placed on a support surface. The base is then placed on the cover with the extension member being positioned through the aperture so it can be movably positioned so it is level for filling of the reservoir of the base with nectar. After filling, the base is removed from the cover and the cover is reattached to the base.

Abstract: A powder sinter layered manufacturing apparatus is provided with a first container 13 of a cylindrical shape for defining a first manufacturing region, a first manufacturing table 15 configured to move vertically along an inner wall of the first container 13, a second container 17 of the cylindrical shape for defining a second manufacturing region within the first manufacturing region, detachably fitted to the first container easily, and provided with a flange which covers an upper face located outside the second manufacturing region but inside first container 13, and a second manufacturing table 15b configured to move vertically up and down along an inner wall of the second container 17.

Abstract: A wireless networked monitoring system including multiple reader mechanisms for receiving, processing and transmitting signals, each reader mechanism associated with a read zone. Multiple signal emitting devices or tags are positionable within the read zones and emit signals containing data. A central processing device is in wireless communication with the reader mechanisms and receives, processes and transmits signals. In addition, the central processing device communicates with and controls the reader mechanisms and/or signal emitting devices.

Abstract: An identification apparatus for use in connection with a plurality of discrete identity source elements positioned in an identification apparatus signal identification area. The identification apparatus includes a plurality of signal receiving mechanisms forming a first signal receiving module and each of the signal receiving mechanisms having a respective field of detection, each of which comprises at least a portion of the identification apparatus signal identification area and at least partially overlaps another field of detection. Each signal receiving mechanism is individually powered in a specified pattern, and the first signal receiving module moves along an axis of movement. A control mechanism in communication with the signal receiving module.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement including a first antenna module having a first antenna loop positioned in a plane for emitting a signal in a first spatial area, and at least one additional antenna loop positioned in substantially the same plane for emitting a signal in an additional spatial area. The arrangement includes at least one power source in communication with the first antenna module for providing current thereto. The first spatial area and the additional spatial area at least partially overlap, and the first antenna loop and the additional antenna loop are powered by the power source in a specified pattern. A method of identifying at least one item is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bird feeder has a tubular body member having an open bottom end. A base member interfittingly engages the bottom end of the tubular body member and also has a means for releasably securing the base member to the tubular body member. The base member is releasably secured to the tubular body member by the engagement of a spring-biased pin that communicates with an aperture through the wall of the tubular body member. Preferably, there are two spring-biased locking pins on opposing sides of the feeder with corresponding lock eye apertures. User manipulatable buttons, which are mechanically linked to the locking pins, are depressed to cause the locking pins to retract to permit releasble attachment of the tubular body member of the feeder thereon enabling easy access to the interior of the feeder.

Abstract: A protective guard for a bird feeder is provided. The protective guard includes a substantially dome-shaped main body with a concave inner side, a convex outer side and an apex region. The main body includes a wire hanger receiving slot through the apex region of the main body. A circular wall downwardly depends from the concave inner side of the main body. The circular wall is located to surround the wire hanger receiving slot and is dimensioned to have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of a top cap of a bird feeder. The guard may be readily placed over and installed on a bird feeder by inserting a wire hanger of the bird feeder through the wire hanger receiving slot with the concave inner side of the main body resting on the upper surface of the top cap of the bird feeder thereby retrofitting the protective guard thereto. In addition, the guard may be connected to the bottom of a post mounted bird feeder to provide a squirrel baffle.

Abstract: An improved bird feeder includes a tubular main body having a top open end and a bottom open end. The tubular main body is made of wire mesh material. A bottom cap is attached to the bottom open end to enclose it. A tubular adapter sleeve is positioned in the top open end to protect and isolate the commonly sharp and dangerous top edge of the main body from the user. A top cap is removably positioned over the adapter sleeve to enclose the feeder to protect the feeder located therein. The adapter sleeve not only shields the user from a sharp and dangerous top edge of the mesh main body but also maintains the mesh main body in its original shape by avoiding flexing and bending of the mesh material of the main body.