Abstract: A method of producing leached compost casing may include washing compost to remove nutrients from the compost, drying the compost and using the compost as casing to grow plants. In some applications the compost may be pasteurized or sterilized while it is being leached.

Abstract: A system and method for converting fingerprint cards into electronic files is provided having a computer system for inputting biographical information from each of the cards into memory of, or accessible by, the computer, and encoding the biographical information into a barcode which is printed by a printer on a label for affixing to the card. A scanner is operated for scanning each of the cards having the affixed label associated with the card. For each scanned image of a card, the computer system or another computer system decodes the biographical information from the barcode in the scanned image, segments fingerprint images of the fingerprints of different types of fingers at locations in the scanned image, and stores at least the decoded biographical information and the fingerprint images in an electronic fingerprint file for the card and/or a record in a database.

Abstract: A system and method for converting fingerprint cards into electronic files is provided having a computer system for inputting biographical information from each of the cards into memory of, or accessible by, the computer, and encoding the biographical information into a barcode which is printed by a printer on a label for affixing to the card. A scanner is operated for scanning each of the cards having the affixed label associated with the card. For each scanned image of a card, the computer system or another computer system decodes the biographical information from the barcode in the scanned image, segments fingerprint images of the fingerprints of different types of fingers at locations in the scanned image, and stores at least the decoded biographical information and the fingerprint images in an electronic fingerprint file for the card and/or a record in a database.

Abstract: A sterilization wrap protector separates a sterilization tray from a sterilization wrap, the protector may include a foam plastic material having an inside engagement surface. The inside engagement surface may include a first inside surface that is generally planar, a second inside surface which extends from the first inside surface and that is generally arcuate in cross section and a third inside surface which also extends from the first inside surface and is also generally arcuate in cross section. An outside engagement surface may include a first outside surface that is generally planar, a second outside surface that is generally planar and which extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the first outside surface and a third outside surface that is generally planar and which extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the first outside surface and to the second outside surface.

Abstract: A utility stand comprising a substantially U-shaped item support member, a base member, and a vertical support that extends between the base member and the item support member. In particular embodiments, the item support member is adapted to be rotated between: (A) a first position, in which the item support member is in a substantially horizontal orientation when the utility stand is in an upright position, and (B) a second position, in which the item support member is in a substantially vertical orientation when the utility stand is in an upright position. In various embodiments, the base member is adapted to be rotated between: (A) a first position, in which the base member is in a substantially horizontal orientation when the utility stand is in an upright position, and (B) a second position, in which the base member is in a substantially vertical orientation when the utility stand is in an upright position.

Abstract: A binder composition for fibrous substrates that includes a low-pressure polymerized emulsion resin comprising vinyl acetate monomer units and post-crosslinking monomer composition. The inventive compositions enable fibrous substrates with high tensile strengths and excellent curability, and are particularly useful as binders in synthetic fiberfill applications.

Abstract: A pouch is disclosed for protecting delicate medical instruments during ethylene oxide and steam sterilization procedures, which is formed by opposed front and rear panels, wherein one of the panels has a flap portion for enclosing the pouch when a medical instrument is placed inside for sterilization.

Abstract: A sterilization wrap protector separates a sterilization tray from a sterilization wrap, the protector may include a foam plastic material having an inside engagement surface. The inside engagement surface may include a first inside surface that is generally planar, a second inside surface which extends from the first inside surface and that is generally arcuate in cross section and a third inside surface which also extends from the first inside surface and is also generally arcuate in cross section. An outside engagement surface may include a first outside surface that is generally planar, a second outside surface that is generally planar and which extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the first outside surface and a third outside surface that is generally planar and which extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the first outside surface and to the second outside surface.

Abstract: An instrument organizer for at least partially supporting one or more surgical instruments includes a base structure having opposed terminal ends and at least one end post fixedly positioned at one terminal end of the base structure. The instrument organizer also includes at least one movable stabilizing structure that is mountable on the base structure at a location spaced from the end post, to thereby stabilize and at least partially support the one or more instruments. At least one of the base structure and the movable stabilizing structure may include a radiopaque material. Also, the end post may include a generally triangular shape in cross section and a coupling device for coupling multiple instrument organizers together. Further, a method of applying a radiopaque substance to the instrument organizer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent liner for use in a sterilization process and, more particularly, to an absorbent liner for cushioning surgical instruments and sterilization packs and providing an advantageous moisture absorption functionality during and after completion of a sterilization process. The absorbent liner functions advantageously with steam or ethylene oxide gas as the sterilization agent. The absorbent liner is fabricated from a material having a desired level of moisture absorption, e.g., on the order of at least about thirty percent (30%) by dry weight, and is preferably fabricated from a hydrophilic polymeric foam material, e.g., a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The disclosed absorbent liner may be advantageously utilized in sterilizing surgical instruments and in conjunction with sterilization carts such that potential residual moisture is eliminated from the surface of the sterilized surgical instruments and the shelves of the sterilization carts.

Abstract: A process in which a ridge flow analysis of a fingerprint image can be used to determine a fingerprint classification. Areas of like valued ridge flow are collected as regions and said regions are then joined together when edges of the regions exist. These vertices are then reduced to form polygons. Polygons that have a predetermined number of vertices (i.e., 8) and contain values from across a range of the possible ridge flow values (i.e., one of each possible ridge flow value) from the ridge flow table are primary polygons associated with singularity points. These singularity points are further identified as cores or deltas allowing the print image to be globally classified as loop, arch or whorl. Further techniques including, but not limited to, ridge counting can be used to classify the fingerprint as a left or right loop, plain or tented arch, or whorl.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a super-absorbent trayliner for use in a sterilization process and, more particularly, to a super-absorbent trayliner for cushioning surgical instruments and providing an advantageous moisture absorption functionality during and after completion of a sterilization process. The super-absorbent trayliner functions advantageously with steam or ethylene oxide gas as the sterilization agent. The super-absorbent trayliner is fabricated from a material having a desired level of moisture absorption, e.g., on the order of at least about thirty percent (30%) by dry weight, and is preferably fabricated from a hydrophilic polymeric foam material, e.g., a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The disclosed super-absorbent trayliner may be advantageously utilized in sterilizing surgical instruments such that potential residual moisture is eliminated from the surface of the sterilized surgical instruments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent liner for use in a sterilization process and, more particularly, to an absorbent liner for cushioning surgical instruments and sterilization packs and providing an advantageous moisture absorption functionality during and after completion of a sterilization process. The absorbent liner functions advantageously with steam or ethylene oxide gas as the sterilization agent. The absorbent liner is fabricated from a material having a desired level of moisture absorption, e.g., on the order of at least about thirty percent (30%) by dry weight, and is preferably fabricated from a hydrophilic polymeric foam material, e.g., a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The disclosed absorbent liner may be advantageously utilized in sterilizing surgical instruments and in conjunction with sterilization carts such that potential residual moisture is eliminated from the surface of the sterilized surgical instruments and the shelves of the sterilization carts.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing an article in a sterilization unit, the method including placing the article within a foam plastic instrument pouch having a closed cell construction, and positioning the closed cell foam plastic instrument pouch containing the article within the sterilization unit. The sterilization unit is then operated such that the article within the instrument pouch is sterilized, whereby the instrument pouch containing the article is removed from the sterilization unit. An instrument pouch for containing and protecting an article during sterilization is also provided. The pouch includes a foam plastic backing sheet for lining a base of a tray, the base having a multiplicity of holes, and a foam plastic pocket secured to the backing sheet such that at least a portion of an article can be received between the pocket and the backing sheet.

Abstract: A movable stabilizing structure for use with an instrument organizer including an elongated base having a uniform, predetermined width and fixed posts extending upwardly from the base. The movable stabilizing structure includes two gripping legs with opposing, inwardly facing surfaces spaced-apart a distance substantially equal to the predetermined width of the base of the organizer, so that the opposing, inwardly facing surfaces of the two gripping legs will grip opposite sides of the base of the organizer so that the movable stabilizing structure can be attached to the base at any point between the fixed posts of the organizer and held in place by the gripping legs to help maintain instruments in an organized and upright state on the organizer.

Abstract: An instrument organizer for at least partially supporting one or more surgical instruments includes a base structure having opposed terminal ends and at least one first end post fixedly positioned at one terminal end of the base structure. The instrument organizer also includes at least one movable stabilizing structure that is mountable on the base structure at a location spaced from the first end post, to thereby stabilize and at least partially support one or more instruments. At least one of the base structure and the movable stabilizing structure may include a radiopaque material. Also, the end post base may include a generally triangular shape in cross section and a coupling device for coupling multiple instrument organizers may be provided. Further, a method of applying a radiopaque substance to an instrument organizer is also presented.

Abstract: A trayliner for cushioning an article contained in a tray during a sterilization process, the tray including a base having a multiplicity of holes. The trayliner has a multiplicity of holes arranged such that at least a portion of the holes of the trayliner will be generally aligned with at least a portion of the holes of the base of the tray when the trayliner is positioned on the base of the tray. A method of sterilizing an article is also provided and includes positioning a closed cell polyethylene foam plastic trayliner having a multiplicity of holes into a tray, and positioning the article onto the trayliner. The tray containing the trayliner and the article is placed in a sterilization unit, and the sterilization unit is operated. According to one aspect, a base of the tray includes a multiplicity of holes.

Abstract: A lightweight vehicle immobilization device useful to prevent theft of a vehicle or to prevent driving of said vehicle by its owner having a hub shield, an adjustable arm, a upper arm and a lower arm, each of said arms having ends which are adapted to traverse the tread of a tire of said vehicle and engage the inside of said tire so as to prevent removal of said device when said device is adjusted to the circumference of said tire; the improvement comprising means on said hub shield to limit the degree of outward rotation of said upper and lower arm to about 120 degrees when engaged on said tire, and a wedge shaped member having two surfaces which are about 120 degrees from each other, said wedge shaped member adapted to slide on said adjustable arm and, when locked in position, functioning to prevent inward rotation of said upper arm and said lower arm and to prevent movement of said adjustable arm.

Abstract: A one piece "Denver Boot" type vehicle immobilization device which may be effectively stored, transported to the site, and very quickly and efficiently applied, having a hub shield which prevents access to a lug nut of the immobilized vehicle's tire and which has an integral locking housing. The device has an adjustable arm which slides in the housing to open and close the device for application and removal, which locks in the immobilizing position, and which is interconnected to two articulating arms which traverse the tire tread and engage the inside of the tire in the immobilizing position.