Abstract: A diaper changing pad having a main body, wherein the main body includes a head end, a foot end, and marginal side edges. There is at least one light source coupled to the diaper changing pad. The light source can be integrated or detachably attached to the diaper changing pad. Optionally, the diaper changing pad can have toy mobile and an audio device to keep the baby entertained.

Abstract: A slicer includes a base and a head. The base includes a plurality of fins extending upwards from the base. The head defines an open interior and is moveable about the plurality of fins to receive the plurality of fins within the open interior of the head. A blade set includes a plurality of blades. The blade set is positioned within the open interior of the head to be received between the plurality of fins when the plurality of fins are received within the open interior of the head. A slicing system includes a safety comb removably secured to the blade set. The safety comb includes a plate and a plurality of fingers that extend away from the plate. The plurality of fingers are adapted to extend between blades of the blade set.

Abstract: A dispenser for granular material such as sugar and salt or other granular ingredients, including a collection portion and metering chamber. A metering cartridge located in the metering chamber includes a portion recess which collects a predetermined amount of granular material to be dispensed. The metering chamber is actuated and the granular material located in the portion recess is dispensed.

Abstract: A sear tool includes an upper assembly and a lower assembly. The upper assembly includes a plurality of arms. Each arm of the plurality of arms terminates in an extension end. The lower assembly includes a sear plate and a plurality of projections that extend away from the sear plate. The lower assembly is movably engaged with the upper assembly such that the upper assembly and the lower assembly are movable between a compressed position and an extended position. A spring is disposed between the upper assembly and the lower assembly. The spring biases the upper assembly and the lower assembly into the extended position.

Abstract: User-selectable volumes of a viscous condiment such as ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise are consistently dispensed from a pressurized vessel. The vessel is pressurized using a small air pump, a cylinder of compressed gas or an external gas source. Pressure in the vessel is kept constant by sensing the pressure using a MEMS pressure transducer. Condiment flows from the pressurized vessel into a flexible tube, which passes through an electrically-actuated pinch valve. For a given pressure in the vessel, the amount of condiment to be dispensed is determined by the time that the pinch valve is open. A processor monitors the pressure, actuation of a user interface and controls operation of the air pump.

Abstract: Fixed-volumes of liquid are measured and dispensed from a container by empirically determining the liquid surface height and opening a dispensing valve for a time period that is calculated using a volume of liquid specified to be dispensed and the empirically-determined liquid surface height. The liquid surface height in the container is determined empirically for initial and subsequent volumes of liquid that are dispensed. Dispensing accuracy is maintained whether the container is full or nearly empty.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a process for using saline water, and saline reject water produced in water purification, to use for gold mining production, and growing and harvesting algae. The disclosure also describes a method for growing and harvesting algae utilizing saline water as growth medium for recycling waste water to extract the remaining metals out of waste water. The harvested algae may be used in various applications including but not limited to water purification for gold mining production and to extract metals out of remaining waste water.

Abstract: An EMF blocker having a blocking shield made of a material to sufficiently block EMF radiation emitted from electronic devices. The EMF blocker has necessary coupling mechanism to detachably couple to the electronic device so that an ideal relative positioning between the electronic device and the EMF blocker is ensured. The EMF blocker also has necessary coupling mechanism to couple to a user of the electronic device to the EMF blocker. The EMF blocker can be in the form of a bib, an apron, a blanket, an article of clothing, a panel. The electronic device can be any mobile electronic device, laptop computer, or even a desktop computer.

Abstract: A system and method for a check valve system is provided including a plurality of interlocking guide plates that are inserted into a guide plate retainer in order to maintain their relative position to one another. A retainer nut is positioned to structurally engage the guide plates. An insert adapter receives a check valve to open and close the valve. A threaded screw engages both the check valve and the retainer nut to form the check valve system. A valve spring is positioned between the guide plate retainer and the insert adapter to bias the check valve into a closed position and to maintain a closed position as desired. The check valve system provides a low mass solution the reduces initial pressure overshoot and instability oscillations as well as providing a good flow path for fluid and high capability for back pressure.

Abstract: A caddy for use in supporting a flexible bag of a substance to dispense as well as a system for dispensing a substance include a front wall and a back wall. A floor extends between the front wall and the back wall and angles from the back wall in a direction towards the front wall a cradle is connected to the floor and the cradle opens in a downward direction and a rearward direction. A dispenser includes a cabinet, a load cell, a valve, and a processor. The cradle engages the load cell and the processor calculates a valve open time at least in part based upon a measurement of a load impressed upon a load cell and a requested dispense volume. The processor operates the valve to open for the calculated valve open time.

Abstract: A puncturing device and a system for dispensing viscous food include a puncturing device for cutting self-sealing orifices in flexible containers containing viscous food. The puncturing device includes a housing. A plunger is translatable within the housing between a retracted position and an extended position. At least one blade is secured to the plunger. The at least one blade is configured to cut a self-sealing orifice in a flexible container containing viscous food.

Abstract: The inward and outward deflection of sidewalls of a holding tank for liquids is reduced or eliminated by sidewall reinforcing stringers that extend between the sides and which are located inside the tank. The stringers, maintain the separation distance between the sidewalls to keep the sidewalls substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method for ischemic muscle training or recovery by coordinated blood flow restriction and electrical muscle stimulation. The apparatus comprises a blood flow occluding element for restricting blood flow to a target muscle or muscle group in a user, and measuring resting systolic blood pressure (SBP); and an electrical muscle stimulator comprising at least one electrode and a control unit which, upon activation, is effective to send low amplitude electric pulses through the target muscle or muscle group forcing the targeted muscle to contract while the blood flow is restricted.

Abstract: Produce slicers for slicing produce include a frame. A blade assembly is removably and interchangeably received within the frame. A pusher head is removably and interchangeably received within the frame. The produce slicer includes a cover, at least one target ring in the cover defines a first target area. The blade assembly includes at least one blade set with a first frame bar and a second frame bar and a plurality of blades extend therebetween. The pusher head includes a pusher head body and at least one produce pusher with a plurality of fins extending in a direction away from the pusher head body.

Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle with a self-straightening mechanism/feature directed to self-correct or self-straighten the steering of the vehicle as it crosses varying types and conditions of terrain. The vehicle includes a main body, a front shaft connector to connect at least one wheel to the main body, a rear shaft connector to connect at least one rear wheel to the main body; and providing a spring piece to resiliently bias at least one of said front and rear shaft connector into a specified position.

Abstract: An output signal device and method that provides the operator force feedback similar to a pilot control joystick. These force feedback regions include free play, dead-band start of modulation, modulation, fore-warning bumper and hold near max angle. This output signal device may also vary the fore-warning feel and hold positions to be at any angle. This output signal device uses force sensing as the signal and has force slope changes used as auto-calibration of the output signal. This improves signal accuracy and provides a service prognostic signal. The prognostic signal may be used to activate redundant sensor. The variable force feedback may improve operation on rough terrain. The force feedback, may allow more productive operating positions to be learned. This enables productivity and other important job site criteria such as fuel usage to be optimized by interactive communication with this output signal device.