Abstract: A method and device for detection of bone in meat identifies fragments larger than about 1 mm using spectral optical imaging and ultrasound. Spectral imaging can detect foreign material proximate to the surface and ultrasound can detect material within the sample. The sample is irradiated by light and reflected light or Raman scattered light measured. The sample is similarly irradiated by ultrasound and reflected or transmitted sound waves give a set of amplitude data points, which include temporal delay. These data points are then processed by statistical methods to derive a set of vectors in n-dimensional space, which are compared to a calibrated data set of derived vectors which have distinct identifying loci for each type of surface, are indicative of the presence or absence of defects.

Abstract: A method of removing backing film from a sheet element is provided. The sheet element has a preimpregnated layer, and sheets of backing film are adhered to the top and bottom of the preimpregnated layer. The backing film has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the preimpregnated layer, and a plane of the sheet element is defined by the peripheral edge. A shear strain is created between the backing films and the preimpregnated layer by cooling the sheet element. A fluid stream is directed at a portion of the peripheral edge, the fluid stream being directed in the plane of the sheet element. The fluid stream causes the backing films to separate from the top and bottom of the preimpregnated layer. A differential pressure is simultaneously applied to the backing films relative to the fluid stream to cause the backing films to be removed from the preimpregnated layer.

Abstract: A gel-pack has a plurality of self-contained components organized as layers in an interior chamber of the gel-pack. Each layer may be inserted into, and removed from, the interior chamber individually. The components include a solid-state gel layer that stores thermal energy, a first radiant energy barrier that prevents the transfer of thermal energy radiating from an exterior of the gel-pack into the solid-state gel layer, and a second radiant energy barrier that reflects the thermal energy radiating from the user's body into the solid-state gel layer.

Abstract: A drop pan system for collecting discharge samples from combine harvesters or other conveyed machines or implements features a support housing attachable to the machine, a drop pan receivable in a nested position within the housing, and a magnetic hold/release mechanism with electro-permanent magnets responsive to selective energization to switch from a holding state emitting an external magnetic field for holding the drop pan in the nested position, to a release state cancelling the external magnetic field to thereby release the drop pan from the housing. A power supply is positioned on the housing at an area that resides within a footprint of the drop pan's nested position. Differently sized drop pans may be included, and the housing may include alignment guides for self-aligning the drop pan during magnetically aided placement thereof. Electrical components of the housing may be contained in an enclosure that doubles as a support for the electro-permanent magnets.

Abstract: A drop pan system for collecting discharge samples from combine harvesters or other conveyed machines or implements features a support housing attachable to the machine, a drop pan receivable in a nested position within the housing, and a magnetic hold/release mechanism with electro-permanent magnets responsive to selective energization to switch from a holding state emitting an external magnetic field for holding the drop pan in the nested position, to a release state cancelling the external magnetic field to thereby release the drop pan from the housing. A power supply is positioned on the housing at an area that resides within a footprint of the drop pan's nested position. Differently sized drop pans may be included, and the housing may include alignment guides for self-aligning the drop pan during magnetically aided placement thereof. Electrical components of the housing may be contained in an enclosure that doubles as a support for the electro-permanent magnets.

Abstract: A pile testing device for testing ground includes (i) a tubular outer pile member having a helical flight mounted externally thereon, (ii) an inner pile member received within the second pile, (iii) a coupling assembly operable between an inserting position in which the inner pile member and the outer pile member are joined in fixed relation to one another so as to be arranged to be simultaneously driven into the ground and a testing position in which the inner pile member is longitudinally slidable relative to the outer pile member within a prescribed axial range but in which the inner pile member remains coupled to rotate together with the outer pile member, (iv) a jack coupled between top ends of the inner and outer pile members, and (v) a sensor adapted to measure longitudinal displacement of one of the pile members relative to the other pile member or the ground.

Abstract: A method for supporting cooling pipes and reinforcing bars in an ice rink is disclosed. The method provides rink chair support sections, each having a base structure with a first overlapping portion at one longitudinal end, a second overlapping portion at an opposite longitudinal end, and a middle portion intermediate the first and second overlapping portions. Each support section also has a support arrangement to support the pipes and bars, which is attached to the first overlapping and middle portions so as to stand upwardly therefrom. Further, the first overlapping portion has a hole that is arranged to receive a protruding element coupled to the second overlapping portion for longitudinally coupling support sections end-to-end. The method also involves arranging the support sections into a plurality of rows and coupling the support sections within each row so that each rink chair support of a support arrangement supports a different pipe.

Abstract: A medication compliance package includes an outer carrier of card defining a rear panel into which the pockets of a blister sheet are attached and covered by a foil layer. A front panel folds over the rear panel to cover its front face and the pockets. The front panel has a slot shaped opening along the mutual side edge with the rear panel to allow fingers of the hand of the user to extend through the opening, with the front and rear panels in the open position, from the rear face of the front panel to reach around the mutual side edge to the rear face of the rear panel. This simplifies the act of popping the medications out of the blister since the fingers engage the rear of the rear panel and the thumb can be used to apply pressure to the pockets.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for gaming or for other purposes where tracking of the relative location of a plurality of individuals can be used which includes for each person a wireless network device connected to a network. Each device detects a current location of the device while being carried for communication to a server arranged to communicate through the network with each of the devices having a downloaded program to obtain repeatedly an indication of the current location of the device. The server detects from the current locations when any two or more of the devices are within a predetermined distance and communicates to at least one of the devices when the location is within said predetermined distance. The signal can be used to trigger various events including actions in a gaming situation.

Abstract: A reversible gearbox features a first input gear mounted on for rotation about a first axis and a second input gear mounted for rotation about a second axis parallel to the first axis in a counter-rotational relationship with the first input gear. The input gears are arranged for selective coupling of either one thereof to a drive source rotatable in a predetermined direction, whereby at least one output gear is arranged within the gear train for driven rotation of the output gear in opposite directions depending on which of the first and second input gears is driven in the predetermined direction by the drive source. Accordingly, a unidirectional drive source can be used to drive the gearbox output in either direction by selecting from different input connections. The gearbox may be employed for an agricultural auger to be driven by the power take-off of a tractor.

Abstract: A method is provided for rapid prototyping of complex structures, such as complex bone structures and internal neural and cardiovascular pathways. The method involves loading the triangles from a polygonal mesh computer model of a 3D object having one or more internal void spaces, converting the triangles to voxels, separating the voxels of the model into watertight pieces, and printing the pieces using a 3D printer such as a ZPrinter™. The method allows realistic internal void space representation through removal of excess powder from printing which would otherwise be trapped in the whole object and also allows the application of a resin to internal surfaces which may provide realistic internal object density useful for medical and other applications. Pegs and holes may also be added to and subtracted from the pieces to allow for assembly of the printed object. A system and computer program product is also provided.

Abstract: In a fabric enclosure such as a tent wall there is provided an opening in the fabric panel with a fabric closure panel for closing the opening having a hinge line along one side connecting the closure panel to the wall panel. The opening and the closure panel each define an edge thereof opposite to the hinge line which is curved from an end at the hinge line around to an opposite end separated from the hinge line by a non-flexible rod with the edge of the closure panel overlapping the edge of the opening for closure thereon and a flexible bowing strip attached to the edge of the closure panel which is forced into a bowed shape to apply tension to the closure panel tending to maintain the panel flat.

Abstract: A groove is formed in a body of ice using a milling cutter to form lines of weakness for breaking up the body of ice. The shaft of the milling cutter is arranged to be supported in an upright orientation such that the shaft extends through a surface of the body of ice into the body of ice. Rotating the shaft as the milling cutter is displaced along the surface forms a groove which can follow a variable path to follow natural obstacles when cutting across a body of ice on a natural body of water for example. The ice milling cutter is compact and therefore safer to use on sheets of ice as compared to heavy equipment conventionally used for breaking up ice.

Abstract: A concrete block-molding machine having a concrete mix feed station, and a concrete molding and block ejection station adjacent to the feed station wherein the concrete molding and block ejection station has a vibratile plate having a plurality of holes in a pre-selected hole pattern, a mold having a mold interior positionable on the vibratile plate and having holes in the pre-selected hole pattern, and a support plate dimensioned and patterned to form a bottom face of a molded concrete block. An ejector plate having a plurality of projecting rods in the pre-selected hole pattern is positionable below the vibrating plate, with the rods of a diameter such that they pass through the holes in the vibratile plate and the mold. Means are provided for raising and lowering a pressure plate assembly so as to compress a concrete mix in the mold provided. Means are also provided for raising and lowering the ejector plate so as to contact and raise and lower the support plate out of and into the mold.

Abstract: A patch plug is provided that has a coating continuous over both the patch and plug portions, providing a strong and continuous seal to prevent seal failure and water and air introduction. The patch and plug portions may be formed separately, each with a coating element, and fused together in a press which bonds the coatings of the patch and plug portions together to form a single, continuous coating. Means known in the art, for example rubber cement, can also be employed to further ensure a firm seal between the patch plug and the tire. Methods of manufacturing and using the patch plug are also taught herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for drying and/or scenting sports equipment and the like. A sports bag is designed such that it has two openings which are covered by a mesh fabric or a rigid plastic screen. One opening is used to receive a blower fan engaged onto the mounting at the opening. The other opening is used to allow air to escape. Wet and/or foul smelling sports equipment is placed into the sports bag. An air freshener is inserted into a pocket located in the blower fan housing, or near to the opening of the intake opening of the sports bag. The fan is turned on (with or without a timer). In a relatively short period of time the sports equipment is dry, with little effort required or foul odor released outside the sports bag.

Abstract: A waste treatment system is herein described. A microbial additive containing a mixture of enzymes and bacteria designed to produce anoxic degradation of the waste is added to the waste composed of liquid waste containing solid content and the waste is shredded and mixed, thereby resulting in waste having a more homogeneous texture. The waste is then heated while shredding and mixing continues. The heating process eliminates pathogens. The result is that a combination of anoxic and anaerobic microbial activity within the waste is promoted while the organic portion of the solid content is largely dissolved into liquids, gases and biomass. Following heating, shredding and mixing, the treated waste separates into waste liquid and waste solid as the unsolubilized solids precipitate out of solution.

Abstract: A battery charging and conditioning circuit is provided wherein application of a charging current to a battery (B) is alternated with the application of short current spikes. The impedance characteristic and no load voltage characteristic of the battery are monitored and processed to select the charging current and spiked current applied to the battery. Processing of the impedance characteristic and no load voltage characteristic of the battery is made by a processing unit (5). The circuit used to generate the short current spikes responds to a timing signal produced by an oscillator (15) by opening and closing a switch (11) to release charge stored in a charge storage device such as an inductor (19), the released charge comprising a current pulse for application to the battery.