Abstract: A device for propelling a vessel through water that includes an elongated handle; a grip at one end of the elongated handle; a paddle-shaped frame at an opposite end of the handle; a pair of blades that are pivotally supported at opposed respective sides of the frame and that have an open position and a normally biased closed position; and a cam supported by the frame and operated from the grip end of the handle. The cam is constructed and arranged to control the position of the blades so that in one position thereof the blades are partially opened allowing the blades to pivot, and in another position thereof the blades are nested against the frame so that the blades are maintained in the closed position.

Abstract: A system and a method store a data storage device, and a method manufactures the system for storing the data storage device. The system has a base made from a foam material with a first side and a second side. The base has one or more slots and/or a hole which extend from the first side of the base through the base to the second side of the base. The data storage device is insertable into and/or is received by one of the slots of the base for storing and/or for displaying the data storage device with the base. A first edge and/or a second edge of the slot in the base abuts sides of the data storage device within the slot of the base. The first edge and/or the second edge holds, connects and/or attaches the data storage device to the slot of the base. A layer is attachable and/or is connectable to the first side of the base for receiving and/or for displaying indicia on the base.

Abstract: A filter cartridge comprises a filter medium including a plurality of layers of a spunbond nonwoven fabric of continuous filaments. The filter medium may also include one or more additional layers such as a thermal or resin bonded carded nonwoven fabric, a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric or a fabric formed from caustic cotton fibers. The filter medium is formed into a pleated configuration. The filter medium may suitably comprise from 2 to 15 layers of the nonwoven fabric that are bonded to one another to form a relatively stiff multi-layer structure. The overall thickness of the filter medium is preferably from 0.25 to 3 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of printing documents comprising a plurality of pages sourced from a computer network. The methods provide a zoom property attribute to scale the document (FIG. 10). In one implementation a preview window (1702,1703) is displayed which shows the pages in the document scaled based on the zoom property attribute. A user selection (1701), within the preview window, is then determined for the pages of the scaled document. A subset (1804 cf. 1802) of the pages according to the user selection are then printed. In another implementation it is determined whether an amount of content (1008) on a last page of a scaled multi-page document (1002), which is scaled based on the zoom property attribute, is less than a predetermined amount. When the amount of content (1008) is less than the predetermined amount, the scaled multi-page document is further scaled down to fit to a nearest whole page. The further scaled multi-page document (1010) may then be printed.

Abstract: A system and a method store a data storage device, and a method manufactures the system for storing the data storage device. The system has a base made from a foam material with a first side and a second side. The base has one or more slots and/or a hole which extend from the first side of the base through the base to the second side of the base. The data storage device is insertable into and/or is received by one of the slots of the base for storing and/or for displaying the data storage device with the base. A first edge and/or a second edge of the slot in the base abuts sides of the data storage device within the slot of the base. The first edge and/or the second edge holds, connects and/or attaches the data storage device to the slot of the base. A layer is attachable and/or is connectable to the first side of the base for receiving and/or for displaying indicia on the base.

Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner that can include a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions. The ion generator can include a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. An air conditioner device can include a first electrode array and a second electrode array. Self-cleaning mechanisms are disclosed including a mechanism that cleans the electrode(s) in a first electrode array having a length of material that projects from a movable member in the housing towards the first electrode array. As a user moves the second electrode array up or down within the conditioner housing, the electrode(s) in the first array is frictionally cleaned.

Abstract: An air conditioning device comprises a substantially thin collector electrode capable of forming ions at a front and/or rear edge when charged. The thin collector electrode preferably having an insulating material disposed on the front and/or rear edge to prevent ions from being emitted therefrom. The collector electrode capable of being in the form of a thin elongated blade whereby an emitter electrode is upstream of the front edge or alternatively downstream of the front edge. The collector electrode alternatively in the form of a cylindrical structure or a porous grid having a plurality of air passageway cells therethrough.

Abstract: An air transporting and/or conditioning device comprising a housing having an inlet grill and an outlet grill, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, a driver electrode removable from the housing independent of the collector electrode and the grills. The driver electrode is preferably removable from the housing through a side portion of the housing. Preferably, the driver electrode is insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. Preferably, a removable trailing electrode is configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode. Preferably, a first voltage source electrically is coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically is coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source.

Abstract: An air transporting and/or conditioning system comprising a housing, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, and a integrally shielded germicidal lamp to selectively direct UV light emitted therefrom. The system preferably includes a driver electrode is preferably removable from the housing through a side portion of the housing. Preferably, the driver electrode is insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. Preferably, a removable trailing electrode is configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode. Preferably, a first voltage source electrically is coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically is coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air-conditioning system therein, whereby the air-conditioning system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and/or at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability of remove the collector electrode as well as driver electrode allow for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and/or the trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode.

Abstract: An air transporting-conditioning device comprising: a housing, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, a removable trailing electrode configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode, a first voltage source electrically coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, wherein the first voltage source energizes the emitter and collector electrodes to create a flow of air downstream from the emitter electrode to the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source. The housing includes a grill, whereby the trailing electrode is removably secured to the grill. Alternatively, the trailing electrode is removable from the housing by other means or fixed in the housing.

Abstract: An air transporting-conditioning device comprising: a housing, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode. The device preferably increases the ions produced for a period after the device is initially turned on, wherein the device automatically decreases ion production after the desired period. The device preferably includes a first and second voltage source to selectively increase and decrease voltages applied to the emitter and/or collector electrode to adjust the ion production. In one embodiment, the device includes a voltage controller to selectively adjust the voltage provided by the voltage source for the start up period and normal operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air-conditioning system therein, whereby the air-conditioning system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and/or at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability of remove the collector electrode as well as driver electrode allow for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and/or the trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode.

Abstract: An air transporting and/or conditioning device comprising a housing having an inlet grill and an outlet grill, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, a driver electrode removable from the housing independent of the collector electrode and the grills. The driver electrode is preferably removable from the housing through a side portion of the housing. Preferably, the driver electrode is insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. Preferably, a removable trailing electrode is configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode. Preferably, a first voltage source electrically is coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically is coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air-conditioning system therein, whereby the air-conditioning system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and/or at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability of remove the collector electrode as well as driver electrode allow for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and/or the trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to air conditioner systems and methods. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system includes at least one emitter electrode and at least one collector electrode that is downstream from the emitter electrode. The emitter electrode has a plurality of pins axially arranged about a center. Preferably, the pins are arranged in a circle about the center. A driver electrode is located within the interior of the collector electrode. Preferably, although not necessarily, the driver electrode is insulated. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to at least one of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode to thereby provide a potential difference therebetween. The embodiments as described herein have some or all of the advantages of increasing the particle collection efficiency, increasing the rate and/or volume of airflow, reducing arcing, and/or reducing the amount of ozone generated.

Abstract: An air transporting and/or conditioning device comprising a housing having an inlet grill and an outlet grill, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, a driver electrode removable from the housing independent of the collector electrode and the grills. The driver electrode is preferably removable from the housing through a side portion of the housing. Preferably, the driver electrode is insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. Preferably, a removable trailing electrode is configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode. Preferably, a first voltage source electrically is coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically is coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air-conditioning system therein, whereby the air-conditioning system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and/or at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability of remove the collector electrode as well as driver electrode allow for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and/or the trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to air conditioner systems and methods. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system includes at least one emitter electrode and at least one collector electrode that is downstream from the emitter electrode. The emitter electrode has a plurality of pins axially arranged about a center. Preferably, the pins are arranged in a circle about the center. A driver electrode is located within the interior of the collector electrode. Preferably, although not necessarily, the driver electrode is insulated. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to at least one of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode to thereby provide a potential difference therebetween. The embodiments as described herein have some or all of the advantages of increasing the particle collection efficiency, increasing the rate and/or volume of airflow, reducing arcing, and/or reducing the amount of ozone generated.

Abstract: An air conditioner with a cleaning member having an opening, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The member is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when a collector electrode array is moved. A lifting arm is mounted to the collector electrode. The lifting arm can move the member to clean the wire-like electrode as the collector electrode is moved (e.g., removed from the air conditioner for cleaning).