Abstract: A system and a process for preparing a shaped-meat product are disclosed. The system includes an oven, a rack insertable into the oven, and apertured tubes onto which strips of meat are spirally wound. The tubes are arranged horizontally in the oven. The strips of meat are cooked and dehydrated using heated air for 3 to 4½ hours at a temperature ranging about 135 to 170° F.

Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing whole-meat, spiral shaped jerky curls produce a stylized spiral-shaped meat snack. The system includes a plurality of meat strips, an emulsion of seasoning, a refrigerator, a plurality of perforated tubes, and a drying oven. The method begins by cooling each meat strip within the emulsion of seasoning for a first specified period of time at a first specified temperature range with the refrigerator. Each meat strip is then wrapped around a corresponding tube from a plurality of perforated tubes. Each meat strip and corresponding tube is then racked into the drying oven. Each meat strip is heated for s second specified period of time at a second specified temperature range. Each meat strip in spiral-shaped curl is then removed from the corresponding tube and each meat strip is cooled in the spiral-shaped curl for a third specified period of time at an ambient temperature.

Abstract: Methods and treatment compositions for imparting durable antimicrobial properties to carpet are provided. The method includes applying a composition comprising a first antimicrobial compound and a fluoropolymer to the carpet substrate. The carpet substrate may be steamed thereafter. The treatment composition may comprise a fluoropolymer, an antimicrobial compound selected from a group consisting of zinc pyrithione, a silver-containing antimicrobial compound and combinations thereof, and a foamer. Carpet products treated with the treatment composition or treated in accordance with the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Lighting control systems, control modules for contactors, and methods of operating a lighting control system are described. In one example, a control module for a lighting contactor includes a controller, a power supply, and a control mode selector. The controller is configured to control operation of a lighting contactor in response to at least one control signal. The controller is selectively operable in a plurality of control modes. The power supply is configured to receive the at least one control signal and provide power to the controller. The control mode selector is coupled to the controller and operable to operate the controller in a selected control mode of the plurality of control modes.

Abstract: Lighting control systems, control modules for contactors, and methods of operating a lighting control system are described. In one example, a control module for a lighting contactor includes a controller, a power supply, and a control mode selector. The controller is configured to control operation of a lighting contactor in response to at least one control signal. The controller is selectively operable in a plurality of control modes. The power supply is configured to receive the at least one control signal and provide power to the controller. The control mode selector is coupled to the controller and operable to operate the controller in a selected control mode of the plurality of control modes.

Abstract: Methods and treatment compositions for imparting durable antimicrobial properties to carpet are provided. The method includes applying a composition comprising a first antimicrobial compound and a fluoropolymer to the carpet substrate. The carpet substrate may be steamed thereafter. The treatment composition may comprise a fluoropolymer, an antimicrobial compound selected from a group consisting of zinc pyrithione, a silver-containing antimicrobial compound and combinations thereof, and a foamer. Carpet products treated with the treatment composition or treated in accordance with the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and treatment compositions for imparting durable antimicrobial properties to carpet are provided. The method includes applying a composition comprising a first antimicrobial compound and a fluoropolymer to the carpet substrate. The carpet substrate may be steamed thereafter. The treatment composition may comprise a fluoropolymer, an antimicrobial compound selected from a group consisting of zinc pyrithione, a silver-containing antimicrobial compound and combinations thereof, and a foamer. Carpet products treated with the treatment composition or treated in accordance with the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for over-current protection. The method comprising monitoring a load current value of a load current passing through a plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices, determining if the monitored load current value varies from a predetermined load current value, and generating a fault signal in the event that the monitored load current value varies from the predetermined load current value. The method also comprises diverting the load current from the plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices in response to the fault signal and determining if the variance in the load current value was due to a true fault trip or a false nuisance trip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remote operable over-current protection apparatus. The apparatus includes control circuitry integrally arranged on a current path and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path. The apparatus further includes a communication connection in signal connection with the control circuitry such that the control circuitry is responsive to a control signal on the communication connection to control a state of the MEMS switch.

Abstract: Methods and treatment compositions for imparting durable antimicrobial properties to carpet are provided. The method includes applying a composition comprising a first antimicrobial compound and a fluoropolymer to the carpet substrate. The carpet substrate may be steamed thereafter. The treatment composition may comprise a fluoropolymer, an antimicrobial compound selected from a group consisting of zinc pyrithione, a silver-containing antimicrobial compound and combinations thereof, and a foamer. Carpet products treated with the treatment composition or treated in accordance with the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A motor starter is disclosed. The motor starter includes control circuitry integrally arranged with at least one current path and a processor included in the control circuitry. The motor starter further includes at least one processor algorithm residing on the processor, the at least one processor algorithm containing instructions to monitor characteristics of current on the at least one current path and to provide data pertaining to a condition of the at least one current path. The motor starter further includes a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the at least one current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the control of an electrical current, passing through the at least one current path.

Abstract: A motor starter is provided. The motor starter includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current from a motor connected to the motor starter. The switching may be performed between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for over-current protection. The method comprising monitoring a load current value of a load current passing through a plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices, determining if the monitored load current value varies from a predetermined load current value, and generating a fault signal in the event that the monitored load current value varies from the predetermined load current value. The method also comprises diverting the load current from the plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system, devices in response to the fault signal and determining if the variance in the load current value was due to a true fault trip or a false nuisance trip.

Abstract: A motor starter is disclosed. The motor starter includes control circuitry integrally arranged with at least one current path and a processor included in the control circuitry. The motor starter further includes at least one processor algorithm residing on the processor, the at least one processor algorithm containing instructions to monitor characteristics of current on the at least one current path and to provide data pertaining to a condition of the at least one current path. The motor starter further includes a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the at least one current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the control of an electrical current, passing through the at least one current path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remote operable over-current protection apparatus. The apparatus includes control circuitry integrally arranged on a current path and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path. The apparatus further includes a communication connection in signal connection with the control circuitry such that the control circuitry is responsive to a control signal on the communication connection to control a state of the MEMS switch.

Abstract: A motor starter is provided. The motor starter includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current from a motor connected to the motor starter. The switching may be performed between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.

Abstract: A stack light having both steady and flashing light capabilities is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the light stack or signaling light beacon comprises a light module containing a socket for a lamp, circuitry for operating the light module, and a jumper connector connected to the circuitry for selecting between flashing and steady light within the light module.