Abstract: A combination spoon and fork system capable of being stored in a nested configuration or used as a combination eating utensil with the spoon and fork connected end to end. An interlocking mechanism can interlock the spoon and fork in either the nested position or in the end to end configuration. The interlocking system allows the handle of the spoon to slide between rails on the handle of the fork and to snap and lock the spoon in place either nested with the fork or end to end with the fork to form an elongated combination eating utensil. The spoon and fork of the system can also be used separately from one another.

Abstract: A clamshell style utensil carrying case includes a pair of housing members coupled together by a double hinge and latch. Each housing member has a support arranged to hold an associated utensil in place with the utensil heads facing in opposite directions. A support stand that projects from the double hinge spine holds a third utensil. In a closed position, the housing members encase the utensils. In an open position the utensils are displayed side by side with the third utensil optionally being elevated relative to the others. To help minimize the visual thickness of the case, the interior surface of each housing member may include a depression in the region adjacent the head end of its held utensil. The depressions form corresponding bulges in the exterior surfaces of their associated housing members. The bulges—which are located on opposite ends and opposite sides of the case—provide additional room for the utensil heads without unduly impacting the visual height of the case.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an automatic archiver program which configures a processor to identify an unused application which satisfies one or more predetermined archiving criteria, and prompts a user to archive the identified application via a user interface. A user interface is provided such that the user may either confirm or decline archiving of the identified application. Upon receiving user input that confirms archiving of the identified application, the application is archived. Several techniques are disclosed to effectively render the application inaccessible by the operating system, so as to prevent the application from executing any background tasks associated with the archived application. The automatic archiver program has root level access to an operating system of a mobile device such that the program may perform access, create, modify and/or delete operations for archiving private data as part of archiving of the application.

Abstract: A distribution server is configured to receive from a web portal information about an order request for an accessory and digital content. The distribution server stores the digital content at the distribution server along with authentication information used to authenticate a retrieval request for the digital content from a mobile device. The authentication information includes a claim receipt for the digital content and a Mobile Directory Number (MDN) associated with the mobile device. The mobile device sends the retrieval request to the distribution server. Responsive to the retrieval request, the distribution server determines whether the mobile device is authorized to receive the digital content. Upon determining the mobile device is authorized to receive the digital content, the distribution server forwards the digital content over a communication network to the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an automatic archiver program which configures a processor to identify an unused application which satisfies one or more predetermined archiving criteria, and prompts a user to archive the identified application via a user interface. A user interface is provided such that the user may either confirm or decline archiving of the identified application. Upon receiving user input that confirms archiving of the identified application, the application is archived. Several techniques are disclosed to effectively render the application inaccessible by the operating system, so as to prevent the application from executing any background tasks associated with the archived application. The automatic archiver program has root level access to an operating system of a mobile device such that the program may perform access, create, modify and/or delete operations for archiving private data as part of archiving of the application.

Abstract: Methods include the injection of a gelled, gelling or gellable composition into a horizontal section of a well at a location, where produced well gases or a combination of well gases and injected gases are sufficient to move the pill through the horizontal section into heal section, sweeping the horizontal section of accumulated liquids. Once in the heal section, the pill and the accumulated liquids are uplifted to the surface resulting in a cleaned well.

Abstract: An aquatic harvester for use with an aquatic craft, the aquatic craft including sides, a bow and a stern, the aquatic harvester including a frame which includes one or more arms, the or each arm having a forward end portion and the or each arm being pivotally connected to the aquatic craft at a position spaced from the forward end, said forward end of the or each arm being adapted for connection with an implement, the apparatus further including means for controlling the pivotal position of the or each arm relative to the aquatic craft.

Abstract: A system transports a device into a piece of industrial equipment for the purpose of collecting data inside of the industrial equipment. In an embodiment, the industrial equipment is a furnace and the device is an IR camera. The system opens a door covering an opening on the furnace, moves the IR camera inside of the furnace for a short time, the IR camera captures images, and the system removes the camera from the furnace and closes the door.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for processing and viewing mail. The apparatus provides a structure for maintaining an environment for processing and viewing mail that is separate from the user so that if the mail is contaminated with biological material the contamination remains separate from the user processing and viewing the mail and contained within the apparatus. The apparatus includes glove box like enclosure for receiving mail, wherein at least one member of the glove box like enclosure is transparent. The apparatus includes gloves attached to glove ports, wherein the gloves allow a user to access and view the mail contained therein while still remaining separate from the environment of the glove box like enclosure.

Abstract: In a device for acoustic imaging of internal morphology of the respiratory tract which utilizes a hollow acoustic pipe having a speaker on one end and microphones on its side wall the improvement comprising a disposable tube or sleeve which is intended to be coextensive with the pipe, having a filter at its far end and filters to fit over the microphones along with a lip or ring at its outer end so as to avoid cross-contamination between patients whose breath enters the pipe.

Abstract: A hand-held scraper tool having a handle and a blade clamp and having a blade whose cross-section is in the shape of an arrowhead on a shank. The arrowhead shape of the blade has a blunt rear end that is sufficiently thick to deflect scraped material away from contact with the region of the blade clamp gripping the shank, to provide improved scraping efficiency and to minimize damage to the underlying substrate. The method of using the scraper blade and scraper tool is also within the scope of the invention. The invention avoids the problem common to prior art scrapers which are susceptible to chips or pieces of the scraped material becoming jammed between the blade and the gripping jaws of the scraper tool, causing blade misalignment that results in incomplete scraping and/or damage to the underlying substrate.

Abstract: In a device for acoustic imaging of internal morphology of the respiratory tract which utilizes a hollow acoustic pipe having a speaker on one end and microphones on its side wall the improvement comprising a disposable tube or sleeve which is intended to be coextensive with the pipe, having a filter at its far end so as to avoid cross-contamination between patients whose breath enters the pipe while protecting the speaker from humidity.

Abstract: A laryngeal stent for supporting anatomical features of the mammalian larynx, including a human larynx is formed by a gas-inflatable envelope fabricated from a resilient, deformable material can conform to the anatomical surfaces of the larynx within the mammal's esophagus when pressurized by the gas. In preferred embodiment stents, the surface of the envelope is coarse, allowing for the venting of air between the laryngeal surfaces and the envelope. However, the stent conforms so closely to the anatomical features of the larynx that sutures are not required to anchor the stent in place.

Abstract: A dispensing tap for flexible bulk beverage containers comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet, the axes of which are transverse, a piercer unit carried within the body adjacent the inlet by a shaft and an outlet sealing means comprising a valve element carried on a valve stem, the valve stem and the shaft being operatively connected such that axial movement of the latter towards the inlet causes the valve stem to move transversely to open the outlet.

Abstract: A dispensing tap of the type which is attached to a cask or a bottle is described. The tap body having an inlet and an outlet and a valve element controlling the outlet. A small bore capillary tube is attached to the inlet of the tap and a sleeve surrounds the junction between the small bore capillary tube and the tap body and pass the length of the small bore capillary tube. The valve element and body are formed with cooperating screw threads so arranged that rotation of the valve element causes movement thereof relative to the outlet to open or close the outlet. A releasable locking means is provided for preventing rotation of the valve element.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an improvement in the T-shaped tracheal stents and in the tracheal cannulas of the prior art, permitting one to conveniently have a complete and unitary unit including a closure member affixed to the device of the invention. Unidirectional retention sleeves are also described, which may be used in conjunction with the cannulas and the stents of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an improvement in the T-shaped tracheal stents and in the tracheal cannulas of the prior art, permitting one to conveniently have a complete and unitary unit including a closure member affixed to the device of the invention. Unidirectional retention sleeves are also described, which may be used in conjunction with the cannulas and the stents of the invention.

Abstract: A stoma stent system for treating patients after tracheostomy and maintenance of a tracheastomy tract includes a tubular stent for insertion in the trachea and several plug components which may be inserted into the open, free end of the stent for several functions. For example, a plug may have several inserts for progressively constricting air flow through the stent to wean the patient off the stent. The same, or another plug may include a vapor source for transferring moisture from exhaled air to inhaled air. A third plug may include a check valve which blocks exhaled air and redirects the air toward the vocal cords to permit the patient to speak and cough.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an improvement in the T-shaped tracheal stents and in the tracheal cannulas of the prior art, permitting one to conveniently have a complete and unitary unit including a closure member affixed to the device of the invention. Unidirectional retention sleeves are also described, which may be used in conjunction with the cannulas and the stents of the invention.

Abstract: A pouring device for use with a container, the device having a central liquid outlet and air inlets positioned annularly around the outlet so that whatever the axial alignment of the device when fitted to the container there is always an air inlet above the outlet; the device has a flared pouring lip which extends to a planar annular lip; preferably a bung is provided to close the outlet and inlets which may be attached to the lip of the device by means of a break away ring provided on the planar portion of the lip of the device.