Abstract: A process that includes receiving, by a trimmer via a conveyor system, a foodstuff, automatically trimming, by the trimmer and based on trimming instructions, the foodstuff that results in trimmings and a trimmed foodstuff. The process also includes advancing, via the conveyor system, the trimmings of the foodstuff to a trimmings collector, and advancing, via the conveyor system, the trimmed foodstuff out of the trimmer. The trimmer is provided on the conveyor system prior to an injector such that the trimmer performs the automatic trimming of the foodstuff prior to injecting the foodstuff with a liquid solution by the injector.

Abstract: Various systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed for portioning and/or trimming cooked or pre-cooked bacon slices (or another food product) on a production line at full line speed. An exemplary system may comprise a food conveyor and a portioner. The food conveyor may have at least one transfer mechanism that carries bacon slices over at least one transfer comb. The portioner may have at least one fixed, stationary cutter positioned relative to the transfer comb in the path of the bacon slices. As the transfer mechanism moves the bacon slices across the transfer comb, the bacon slices contact the cutter and are moved by the transfer mechanism over the cutter, which cuts the bacon slices into two or more portions of shorter length.

Abstract: A spring-biased support pole 10 for supporting a boat cover 40 over a boat during transport of the boat as well as docking of the boat. The support pole comprises a base 14 and a support rod system 100 connected to the base. The support rod system comprises at least two support rod sections 110, 120 that are telescopically connected to one another and a spring 20. The spring is positioned between the telescoping connection of a first support rod section and a second support rod section, such that the spring controls vertical movement of the second support rod section with respect to the first support rod section and provides a biasing force that is applied to the second support rod section and to the cover supported by the support pole.

Abstract: Various systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed for portioning and/or trimming cooked or pre-cooked bacon slices (or another food product) on a production line at full line speed. An exemplary system may comprise a food conveyor and a portioner. The food conveyor may have at least one transfer mechanism that carries bacon slices over at least one transfer comb. The portioner may have at least one fixed, stationary cutter positioned relative to the transfer comb in the path of the bacon slices. As the transfer mechanism moves the bacon slices across the transfer comb, the bacon slices contact the cutter and are moved by the transfer mechanism over the cutter, which cuts the bacon slices into two or more portions of shorter length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for defining positions where characters such as text, numbers, symbols, or the like are to be inscribed. Specifically, the positions may correspond with geometric shapes including, without limitation, arcs, circles, angles, lines, rectangles, or the like. Even more specifically, the apparatuses, systems, and methods define the positions using a plurality of points, such that information such as coordinates, angles, radiuses, perimeters, centers, heights, lengths, circumferences, or the like are not required. Further, measuring tools, prints, or operator skill/knowledge is not required.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising first and second arms which are pivotally connected together, the free ends of the arms being connected by a spring member, and a device for attracting squirrels at the end of a cable extending from one of the arms, the arrangement being such that the motion is imparted when a squirrel attempts to jump on the device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions of durable skin marking compositions that remains legible and visible on the skin after being treated with an aqueous, alcohol-based solution. The skin marking composition of the present invention includes a cyanoacrylate component, a solvent, and a colorant. The composition can further comprise one or more of viscosity modifiers/thickening agents, stabilizers, plasticizers, formaldehyde scavengers, polymerization accelerators, perfumes, adhesion promoters, and antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, or anti-microbial agents. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to playground equipment and, more particularly, to a playground apparatus incorporating modular construction, which permits rapid simplified assembly, modification and universal arrangement of playground equipment modules without tools.

Abstract: A micro particle flow facilitator, includes: (a) a bourdon tube having a flexible duct capable of expanding and contracting in response to pulsations of a pressurized fluid, the duct being hollow, closed-ended and having an inlet port; and (b) a fluid pulsator for providing the pulsations of a pressurized fluid to the inlet port of the bourdon tube, the pulsator being in fluid-tight communication with the inlet port of the bourdon tube and having a fluid inlet port for connection to a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A portable air abrasion device has a dispensing chamber and a flow valve for controlling the flow rate from the dispensing chamber. The flow valve includes a fluid flow chamber for receiving granular materials exiting the dispensing chamber. The fluid flow chamber has a granular materials inlet port, a fluid flow inlet port for receiving the flow of a fluid to the fluid flow chamber and a fluidized granular material exit port for dispensing a fluidized mixture of the granular material away from the fluid flow chamber. The fluid flow chamber also has a flow regulator employing a lead screw to control the flow of fluidized granular material through the fluidized granular material exit port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a delivery system for providing an atomized treatment agent like a cleaner or lubricant to a specific internal location of a closed mechanical system like an internal combustion engine. The atomized treatment agent is delivered via a flexible, non-rigid conduit to the desired internal location of the engine between, e.g., the ID/OD coupling joint between the air inlet hose and the throttle body. A special conduit support guide, the end of which is inserted through the ID/OD coupling joint, provides the proper geometry for gently configuring the conduit to enter the ID/OD coupling joint without crimping and controlling the directional approach and distance of the conduit free end inside the engine.

Abstract: A sprinkler controller includes a central portion and a peripheral switch being moveable in an arcuate path relative to the central portion. The peripheral switch may be a peripheral dial that can be rotated about the central portion. The dial may be rotated to select a particular mode of the sprinkler controller. A display screen is positioned on the central portion. At least two controls are also positioned on the central portion. When a mode is selected by using the peripheral dial, the user may then employ the controls (and the display on the screen) to modify the settings for the sprinkler controller. A method of using the sprinkler controller is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual-band omnidirectional antenna is provided. The antenna comprises a vertically stacked antenna array, in the following order: a first dual-band dipole which resonates at a first frequency band and a second frequency band, a first single-band dipole which resonates only at the first frequency band, a second single-band dipole which resonates only at the first frequency band, and a second dual band dipole which resonates at the first frequency band and second frequency band. The first frequency band is of a higher frequency than the second frequency band.

Abstract: This liquid applicator (10) provides a container (14) having a valve assembly (50). The valve assembly (50) includes a unitary closure (12) having a passage with a partition (28) dividing the passage into first and second portions (26) and (27) providing a valve opening. A plunger (16) provides a valve element which has an intermediate tapered portion (29) received within the partition (42) opening to provide flow of liquid from the container (14). A spring (20) overfits the plunger (16) and engages a retainer (22) at the end of the closure (12) and a nib (18) interfits the closure first passage (25) to engage the plunger (16) to provide longitudinal movement of the plunger (16) to open the valve assembly (50) to dispense liquid from the container (14) and into the nib (18) when pressure is applied to move the plunger (16) out of the valve opening.

Abstract: A utility meter has an internal antenna for transmitting data. The antenna is positioned between the radome of the utility meter and its front surface. The antenna comprises dipole radiator that is generally curved to the shape of the meter housing. The dipole radiator comprises a dielectric substrate carrying two asymmetric curved radiating metallic sheets, each forming a portion of the dipole, which combined extend about 135° of the circumference of the utility meter. A balun feed is connected to the metallic sheets and a transmission line is coupled to a transmitter.