Abstract: A cleaning device is provided for cleaning pipes and receptacles. A handle is disposed on one end of the post, and a cleaning head is disposed on the other end. The cleaning head has at least one cleaning element. The cleaning head has a longitudinal section with an outer contour that is rotationally symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning head. At least a portion of the outer contour has a circumferential projection and/or a reduced diameter section.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (400) for detecting the presence of one or more chemical contaminants in/on a plurality of items, e.g., cork stoppers (110), using nose chips (310). The apparatus utilizes detection sensor electronics (225) that are separate from the nose chips such that each nose chip can be either reused or discarded after use. The apparatus moves the nose chips and the cork stoppers independently to align the cork stopper and a corresponding nose chip with one another. The testing apparatus uses multiple sensor units (135) to simultaneously test multiple cork stoppers for chemical contaminants (e.g., TCA). The invention provides a low-cost, reliable process for testing 100% of cork stoppers in a fast and cost-effective manner that is scalable to the general consumer product market.

Abstract: A custard caramel sauce formed of a pasteurized oil and water emulsion in which the oil can include butter and in which the water includes sugar dissolved in the water, and in which an enzyme-modified yolk (EMY) is present as an emulsifier. The present invention provides caramel and caramel sauces having an egg or custard-type flavor. Egg yolk is used as an emulsifier, at least partially in place of the cream conventional used to make caramels. The use of egg yolk is made possible by using enzyme-modified yolk in place of unprocessed egg yolk. As the mixture is heated, the proteins are able to thicken the sauce, but the EMY is able to keep the sauce from breaking into fat/oil and aqueous phases. The enzyme-modified yolk also enables providing a liquid custard caramel sauce that can be sold in a cooled refrigerated package and subsequently reheated without the unappealing coagulation of the egg yolk proteins and subsequent phase separation in the sauce after heating.

Abstract: A security hood assembly for a holster includes a hood that is movably supported in association with a holster body so that the hood extends over a portion of a holstered handgun or other service item when the hood in a closed position, to prevent unauthorized removal of the service item. A lever may be operably coupled to the hood for driving the hood toward an open position, to allow the service item to be removed from the holster. In some embodiments, a latch mechanism releasably engages when the hood is in the closed position to prevent the hood from being opened through direct manipulation of the hood. The hood is preferably formed of a substantially rigid material, such as injection molded plastic. Holsters including the security hood assembly may also include internal retention devices, hood biasing mechanisms, and electronic devices responsive to opening of the hood.

Abstract: A document production system is provided for preparing documents and managing a database of information pertaining to investigational studies of medical products. The document production system includes a data management user interface for providing user access to the database and for retrieving information from the database as specified by selected document templates for placement into word processor-compatible documents. Additionally, the data management user interface is capable of updating information stored within the database in accordance with information specified within a previously-prepared document.

Abstract: A method for measuring and reducing the cost of complexity in producing products or providing a service by comparing selected non-value added steps in the manufacturing or service process with the number of different products or services provided, so as to provide the non-value added cost of the product or service for various selected complexities. The number of products required to be processed or held in inventory for a particular demand, or the number of different specific services required for a particular demand of the service is determined by comparing the number of different product part numbers, or service categories offered, with selected non-value added steps in the respective processes. Mathematical analyses are derived from equations of motion of process improvement including the first derivative of process velocity.

Abstract: An alert transceiver in commuter vehicles in a line-of-site warning area receive line of sight (LOS) alert signals from another vehicle, such as an emergency vehicle. Upon detecting the LOS alert signal, the alert transceiver can relay the alert signals to other alert transceivers in commuter vehicles within a warning zone that are outside of LOS zone, thereby creating mobile tracking network (MTN). The alert signals can include any relevant information, such as information regarding a hazard that includes the type of hazard (emergency vehicle, fire, ambulance, etc.), the time stamped location, direction of travel, speed and planned route for the emergency vehicle; and/or the coordinates of warning zone as determined by alert transceivers.

Abstract: A rain gutter system comprising: a gutter having a trough for receiving water formed by a front wall, a bottom wall and back wall, and a shield, said shield having an exterior edge, a top portion and an interior section integrally formed with the rear wall, said shield covering at least a portion of the trough to prevent debris from entering the trough, and said shield terminating at said exterior edge in a downwardly and rearwardly curved fashion, wherein a gap is provided between a lower end of said downwardly and rearwardly curved section of said shield and the front wall; wherein said shield has at least one step down portion positioned at point or points on said top portion of said shield; and at least one connecting means for connecting said gutter, said at least one connecting means passing through said at least one step down portion and through said rear wall into the structure to which it is attached.

Abstract: The present process relates to forming of precooked egg patties for future heating within a microwave oven for consumption as a portion of a food article. The process involves the initial step of acquisition of liquid whole eggs, liquid egg whites and/or liquid egg yolks mixed with leavening ingredients (a mix of an acid and a base) to create an egg patty with improved texture and appearance for use within a breakfast sandwich following initial cooking. The following ingredients may be added to further improve the product: non-fat dry milk, modified food starch, gums, and emulsifiers. The process in summary involves adding to liquid eggs leavening ingredients or agents and then cooking of the mixed eggs and leavening ingredients prior to the dissipation of the leavening ingredients to form an egg patty having improved appearance and a light and airy texture.

Abstract: A firearm barrel includes an elongate metal insert member and a rigid sleeve surrounding the insert member along a majority of the length of the insert member. A casing is formed around at least a portion of the sleeve, preferably by injection molding. Breech and muzzle portions of the barrel may be fitted against the sleeve and are preferably tightly connected by the casing.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: receiving via internet a time, a date and a telephone number for a reminder telephone call (such as a wakeup call); storing in a database the time, date and telephone number of the reminder telephone call; and delivering to the subscriber via telephone the reminder telephone call at the specified time, date and telephone number. In one embodiment, the reminder call comprises a marketing message. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: receiving via the internet demographic information corresponding to the subscriber; matching the marketing message to the demographic information; and delivering the matched marketing message to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call. In other embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of receiving via the internet a personal reminder message or a selection for information, and delivering the personal reminder message or selected information to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call.

Abstract: A firearm barrel includes an elongate metal insert member and a rigid sleeve surrounding the insert member along a majority of the length of the insert member. A casing is formed around at least a portion of the sleeve, preferably by injection molding. Breech and muzzle portions of the barrel may be fitted against the sleeve and are preferably tightly connected by the casing.

Abstract: A method of encouraging timely period payments that are associated with a computer system includes the step of storing passwords in the computer system wherein each password is associated with a separate payment period. Another step of the method includes determining based upon the passwords stored in the computer system whether a supplied password corresponds to a current payment period. The method also includes enabling use of the computer system based upon determining that the supplied password corresponds to the current payment period. The method may further include the step of disabling use of the computer system based upon determining that the supplied password does not correspond to the current payment period.

Abstract: A device for controlling power to electrically powered equipment. The device includes one or more receptacles for engaging a first power line providing power to the electrically powered equipment. The device includes a second power line for receiving AC power from an AC power source. The device includes one or more switches for selectively interconnecting one of the receptacles to the fist power line. A control circuit controls operation of each of the one or more switches in an allowance mode, non-allowance mode, and in a timed-on mode. In the allowance mode, the control circuit controls the one or more switches so that the electrically powered equipment can only be energized between specified times. . In an non-allowance mode, the control circuit controls the one or more switches so that the electrically powered equipment cannot be energized between specified times.

Abstract: A computer-based 3D modeling system for constructing a virtual 3D representation from a plurality of data images of 2D cross sections having a mutual spatial relationship. The plurality of data images and the associated orientation and positioning information are extractable from a data source module. A frame creation module constructs a rectangular frame for each image slice. A texture-mapping module maps the image slice onto the associated frame as a texture. A rotation transform module rotates each frame appropriately about one or more axes based upon the orientation information associated with each data image to achieve the correct orientation in 3D space. A translation transform module translates each frame based upon the positioning information associated with each data image to achieve the correct position in 3D space.

Abstract: A system for facilitating simulations and modelling of market sales volume is provided including a server, an input device, at least one web pages, and software for projecting penetration of merchandise at a predetermined number of weeks, W, since a launch of a product, based on weekly data of initial purchases from a launch of a product. The software can also be operable for generating a curve from weekly sales data. The software can also be operable for retrieving a component of the curve (B) representing a degree of belly of the curve, retrieving a component from the curve representing a slope term (S) and performing a calculation to produce a predicted or continued value for components of market sales volume using the B component and the slope component (S) in a formula, wherein the formula is: Predicted=Exp(S)×W(B).

Abstract: A molding machine for machining workpieces of wood or plastic material has a transport path for transporting workpieces in a transport direction and adjustable spindles arranged sequentially in the transport direction on the transport path. Tools are fixedly connected on the spindles. Adjusting elements are drivingly connected to the spindles. First indicator devices are coupled to the adjusting elements and indicate a position of the spindles relative to a reference point of the machine, respectively. At least one data storage device is connected to the indicator devices and configured to save position data of the spindles and to allow retrieval of the position data of the spindles.