Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a hand held liquid dispensing device which affords a storage capability for the device as well as affords the filling of containers and buckets. In a preferred manner the apparatus provides for the support of two dispensing devices and the filling of two containers or one container and a bucket.

Abstract: A mail handling system for handling mail pieces in a mail handling area is presented. The system avoids breaching confidentiality of the mail pieces, and includes a view port device, for providing filtered visual access to a portion of the mail handling area while at least some information contained in the mail pieces is filtered out. The system also includes a manual access area, for allowing manual access to the mail handling area while unfiltered visual access to the mail handling area is obstructed.

Abstract: A system for facilitating a transaction between a first party and a second party is controlled by a trusted third party system and is programmed to carry out the method by receiving the first party's instructions for fulfilling at least a part of the first party's obligations in said transaction. The system communicates with the second party and provides the second party with perceptible assurance that the second party is in communication with a trusted third party system through the system. The system transmits information to the second party to provide assurance that the first party's instructions have been or will be fulfilled. Thus trust in the third party is transferred to the first party and the second party can trust that the first party's obligations have been or will be fulfilled.

Abstract: A system and method including cameras for monitoring objects such as documents, at multiple locations, and for recording the objects' movement through space and time. The objects are marked with unique identifiers, and the invention is adaptable for recording and recognizing the objects' development using character recognition. A center receives the information from the cameras, and that information is searchable. Advantageously, the unique identifiers are printed with ink that is invisible unless it fluoresces or phosphoresces, the digital cameras include an ultraviolet flash to cause the identifiers to fluoresce or phosphoresce at a certain wavelength, and the cameras are equipped with filters to filter out wavelengths other than the certain wavelength. Packages or pads of pre-marked blank paper are adaptable for use with the present invention.

Abstract: A foam producing nozzle for attachment to a spray nozzle which is readily attached and removed therefrom. The foam producing nozzle has air channels which do not lend themselves toward leaking. The dilution rate of the chemical concentrate is not affected by the foam producing nozzle.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and maintaining databases of user profiles and value ratings for information sources, and for generating lists of information sources having high estimated values. User controlled systems for accessing information sources through the internet or other networks are monitored by a server. The server updates the user profiles and computes value ratings associated with the user profiles for various information sources in accordance with monitored information. Estimated values for information sources to a particular user are obtained as a function of the value ratings associated with profiles of other users and the degree of similarity between the particular user's current profile and other user profiles. Previous profiles are not deleted when updated but are retained and treated substantially as other profiles in computing value estimates. Information sources can be other users.

Abstract: A method and system, and computer readable medium for providing instruction for programming the system to carry out the method, for evaluating options based on ratings along various dimensions or characteristics. Type 1 databases are selected and accessed, each of the selected databases including at least one option rating, with respect to a dimension, where the option can differ among the selected databases; and selects and accesses type 2 databases each of the type 2 databases including at least one database rating for at least one of the type 1 databases. Weights are associated with the type 1 databases, the weights being calculated as a function of the database ratings. An overall rating is calculated for an option with respect to the dimension as a function of the weights and option ratings. The calculation is repeated for each remaining one of the options and a list of the options and associated overall ratings is generated.

Abstract: A wire spool spinner which holds and dispenses only a single spool of wire typically enables 80% of the wire on a residential building to be dispensed without moving multiple rolls of wire. The wire spool spinner comprises: a base fabricated from two similarly shaped tube portions; and, a spool spindle positioned on and above the base, said spool spindle secured by one and only one end thereof to the base in a generally horizontal position. When a spool of wire is slipped over and onto the unattached end of the spindle then the spool will turn, unrolling the wire, when an end of the wire is pulled. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the spindle slopes so that its unattached end is nominally above its attached end portion. When a spool of wire positioned on the spindle the spool tends to slide down the spindle toward its attached end portion, thereby staying positioned on the spool spinner.