Abstract: A method of collecting and loading a plurality of insects of a particular type into respective insect holders includes extracting a plurality of insects from an insect habitat to a storage chamber which is operable to allow access to a plurality of exit holes and allowing access to the exit holes, followed by luring and/or compelling the insects to leave the storage chamber via the exit holes for subsequent loading into an insect holder.

Abstract: This invention is a two-part device for suspending a ring around a wearer's neck in the form of a pendant. The two-part device has a cover and an interior ring holding assembly where the interior ring holding assembly is suspended from a neck chain that also supports the cover. The device is structured so that the interior ring holding assembly may be readily removed from the cover and the ring thereby removed at will. Various configurations allow the ring to be either suspended with the stone down or suspended with the stone in an upward position. The device is intended to provide a secure means of transport and displaying a ring from a neck chain.

Abstract: In the use of ethylene oxide as a sterilizing agent, toxic chemicals known as chlorohydrins may be formed in the sterilized materials. Chlorohydrins are difficult to remove using the normal pressure vacuum air purge cycles specified in the ethylene oxide sterilization process. Introduction of ammonia vapors in one or more of the pressure vacuum purge cycles provides a means to reduce chlorohydrin concentration in the sterilized materials.

Abstract: An insect holder for holding an insect of a particular type, e.g. a forager honey bee, comprises a housing with a chamber adapted to receive an insect of the particular type, an inlet to the chamber through which an insect of the particular type can pass to enter the chamber, a head opening to the chamber adapted to permit the head of an insect of the particular type in the chamber to pass therethrough to the exterior of the housing while retaining the insect in the housing, and retaining means for retaining an insect of the particular type in the chamber with the head of the insect protruding through the head opening to the exterior of the housing, such that the insect is unable to turn around in the chamber. In use, an insect of the particular type enters the chamber via the inlet, and is then retained in the holder by the retaining means. The insect is retained in the chamber, with its head protruding through the head opening of the chamber.

Abstract: Monitoring apparatus comprises a support device for receiving a plurality of items to be monitored in an array, each item having a unique machine-readable identifying reference associated therewith, the arrangement being such that the items are movable to different positions in the array; a sensor device for intermittently and repeatedly monitoring each item in the array to monitor changes in a variable associated with each item and to read the reference associated with each item; device for supplying data to the monitored variable and machine-readable reference of each item to a computer, wherein the computer relates the monitored variable to the reference to each item independently of the position of the item in the array.

Abstract: A combination food freezer/dining table comprises a chest-type food freezer having a table top secured to the lid thereof. The table top overhangs at least one of the exterior walls of the food freezer other than the back wall to adapt the combination food freezer/dining table for placement against the wall of a room, and preferably overhangs all four exterior walls of the food freezer to adapt the food freezer for placement away from the walls of a room. A peripheral protective knee-barrier is removably secured to and spaced apart from the exterior freezer walls which are overhung by the table top, the peripheral protective knee-barrier preventing contact between the exterior walls of the food freezer and a user's knees. In another embodiment, table leaves are hingedly mounted to the freezer side walls, and pivot between a horizontal operative position and a storage position. Secondary side walls are mounted to the freezer side walls to prevent contact therewith.