Abstract: A handheld appliance suitable for skin treatment and/or personal care operations comprises an applicator structure having a thermally conductive element supported so as to be exposable to controlled release of pressurized fluid within a gas-expansion chamber. The just-expanded gas causes an endothermic reaction in which heat is removed from the applicator. The applicator is usable to then draw heat energy from skin, etc. When applied to skin, a numbing effect is experienced which can ease pain associated with depilation, discomfort associated with exfoliation, be useful in treating wounds, etc.

Abstract: A method for creating hexahedron or cubed nut cluster having a high level of nuts or seeds. The invention is an improved process for manipulating and shaping high content nut and seed food products. In one aspect, the invention manipulates processing conditions to provide a nut slab high nut content nut slab that is conducive to slicing and cutting. In one aspect, the invention manipulates unit operation conditions so as to provide a method of slicing a high content nut slab into longitudinal strips in a continuous operation that minimizes or eliminates jamming at the cutting and/or stabbing conveyors.

Abstract: An actuator-controlled strike comprising a housing disposable within a doorframe and including a cavity for a spring latch and a dead latch of a mortise-typelockset. A keeper is pivotably mounted within the chamber to engage the spring latch. A pivotably mounted kicker cooperates with the keeper. A pivotably mounted dead latch release is supported by the keeper when the spring latch is within the strike. The keeper is released by the actuator and rotates into a position to ramp the spring latch out of the strike, also allowing the dead latch release to release the dead latch into the cavity, allowing the spring latch to be ramped out of the strike. Pivoting the keeper causes the kicker to urge the spring latch onto an exit ramp on a face of the keeper. The dead latch release can be installed in a plurality of different locations in the housing.

Abstract: An electrical appliance includes a power cord having a GFCI device and an associated remote test/reset unit. The power cord includes a first end portion provided with a plug adapted to be inserted into an electrical outlet. The first end portion extends to a second end portion that is electrically coupled to a plurality of electrical components in the appliance. The test/reset unit is spaced from the GFCI device along the power cord. Preferably, the test/rest unit is connected to the power cord through an extension lead. With this arrangement the test/reset unit is actually remote from the GFCI device, allowing easy access to service personnel.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed food slicing machine including a rotatable blade for slicing bulk food product, a motor operably connected to the rotating blade, and a base portion located below the rotatable blade which defines a food slice receiving area. The machine may be provided with a sliced food receptacle operably connected to a scale, a visible indicia correlating to the distance between the gauge plate and rotatable blade, a blade sharpening assembly, a sled for securing the food product and an operator adjusted optimum stroke setting system for automatic operation of the slicing machine.

Abstract: A locking system wherein the latch is rotatable to provide either a first beveled surface for use as a ramp in latching or a second beveled surface for use as a ramp in unlatching. An entire latch module may be rotated about its axis by a rotary solenoid to achieve this function, and the first and second ramping surfaces are physically the same surface repositioned by rotation 180°. Alternatively, a releasable latch has a beveled surface for engaging a striker plate during bolt entry and a non-beveled surface for locking. The latch is pivotable to allow the non-beveled surface to become the beveled ramp for unlocking. The releasably pivotable latch mechanism may be used with a deadlock. The mechanism is readily incorporated into a rim exit device for releasably securing a door such as an emergency exit and may be actuated either electrically or manually.

Abstract: An strike door keeper assembly having first and second bodies matable to form an assembly body, a keeper subassembly disposed within said assembly body, and an actuator member such as an electric solenoid disposed within said assembly body the actuating member terminating in a blocker, wherein said keeper subassembly includes an axle journaled in at least one of said first and second interlocking bodies, a keeper flange pivotable on an axis of said axle and protruding through an opening in one of said first and second interlocking bodies, and a tang extending into interfering relationship with said blocker to fix said keeper flange in a locking position when said solenoid is in one of an energized and a de-energized state. In one aspect of the invention, the assembly includes a faceplate assembly having flanges and keys for mounting and preventing rotation of the door keeper assembly.

Abstract: An anchor system for securing a lead to a patient's skull is disclosed. The lead is of the type that passes through a burr hole created in the patient's skull and includes a distal end which is implanted within the patient's brain at a target site. The anchor, according to a first embodiment of the invention includes a stem, an integrally formed rim plate, and a peripheral clamping structure. The clamping structure is adapted to receive and snugly hold a portion of the lead. The stem is sized and shaped to fit within the burr hole, leaving the rim plate positioned flush with the patient's skull. A flared passage is provided within the stem and rim plate so that the lead may pass through the stem and into the rim plate, at which point the lead follows the contours of the flared passage and communicates with the peripheral clamping structural.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a storage/display region, a dispensing chamber including a product access opening, and an anti-pilfer device that prevents unauthorized removal of products from the storage/display region through the product access opening. A delivery door is provided which can be shifted from a closed position to an open position to enable the removal of products from the dispensing chamber. The anti-pilfer device includes a plate coupled to a lower portion of the delivery door. When the delivery door is moved from the closed position, the anti-pilfer plate shifts, over a guide element, into a position that prevents products from being withdrawn from the storage/display area. Preferably, the storage/display region and dispensing chamber are separated by a product door, with the anti-pilfer plate preventing the product door from opening when the delivery door is shifted from the closed position.

Abstract: A method for creating hexahedron or cubed nut cluster having a high level of nuts or seeds. The invention is an improved process for manipulating and shaping high content nut and seed food products. In one aspect, the invention manipulates processing conditions to provide a nut slab high nut content nut slab that is conducive to slicing and cutting. In one aspect, the invention manipulates unit operation conditions so as to provide a method of slicing a high content nut slab into longitudinal strips in a continuous operation that minimizes or eliminates jamming at the cutting and/or stabbing conveyors.

Abstract: A folding utility knife for holding a razor blade. The knife includes a handle and two independently pivotal planar blade-holding jaws that are, in turn, pivotally attached to the handle. The jaws define an interposed blade-receiving space that is sized and shaped to receive and hold a blade, when the jaws are in a closed position, and release the blade, when the jaws are in an open position. A locking clip is slidable along one of the jaws between a locked and unlocked position. The locking clip can be slid into the locked position when the two jaws are located in the closed position so that the jaws remain closed. When the clip is slid to the unlocked position, the jaws are permitted to pivot to the open position, so that the blade can be removed or inserted. Another embodiment provides a ratchet lock mechanism in place of the slider locking clip.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed food slicing machine including a rotatable blade for slicing bulk food product, a motor operably connected to the rotating blade, and a base portion located below the rotatable blade which defines a food slice receiving area. The machine may be provided with a sliced food receptacle operably connected to a scale, a visible indicia correlating to the distance between the gauge plate and rotatable blade, a blade sharpening assembly, a sled for securing the food product and an operator adjusted optimum stroke setting system for automatic operation of the slicing machine.

Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus provides for improved handoffs for wireless-networking devices when roaming in a wireless network. An exemplary embodiment includes a session initiation protocol (SIP) device that includes a SIP enabled application for securing a plurality of registered internet protocol (IP) connections to respective wireless access points. The device also includes a network interface for issuing a SIP message for notifying a SIP server to handoff the connection from a first access point to a second access point with which the device already has a registered connection. The SIP message can include an IP address previously assigned to the device by the second access point.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a storage/display region, a dispensing chamber including a product access opening, and an anti-pilfer device that prevents unauthorized removal of products from the storage/display region through the product access opening. A delivery door is provided which can be shifted from a closed position to an open position to enable the removal of products from the dispensing chamber. The anti-pilfer device includes a plate coupled to a lower portion of the delivery door. When the delivery door is moved from the closed position, the anti-pilfer plate shifts, over a guide element, into a position that prevents products from being withdrawn from the storage/display area. Preferably, the storage/display region and dispensing chamber are separated by a product door, with the anti-pilfer plate preventing the product door from opening when the delivery door is shifted from the closed position.

Abstract: A portable chamfer tool includes a housing configured to support a blade to cut a tenon into a workpiece as the housing is rotated about the workpiece. The portable chamfer tool also includes a passage through the housing configured to receive the workpiece and expose the workpiece to at least one blade to form the tenon and at least one sighting hole disposed in the housing to expose a portion of the workpiece as it travels through the passage. The portable chamfer tool further includes a plurality of measuring markers disposed about the at least one sighting hole to indicate a measure of a length of the portion of the workpiece exposed by the at least one sighting hole. Accordingly, the portable chamfer tool provides a means to form a taper on a first end of a peg disposed in a tenon and mortise joint that is substantially matched to a preformed taper on a second end of the peg that was driven through the tenon and mortise joint.

Abstract: Code processing for promotional games and the like. In a preferred application, a lottery ticket holder who has purchased a lottery ticket is encouraged to access a designated Internet site by rewarding access thereat on the condition that information visibly supported on the lottery ticket from a given drawing is input at an Internet site and a test indicates that the information so-input matches lottery numbers that were picked for that drawing. Access to predetermined Internet-based services or sites can also be had as an award to an individual for inputting an iconic code at a machine connected to the Internet if the input code tests as valid, with the code being marked so as to be usable only once. Preferably, the iconic code is input by click-selecting displayed icons one after another in an order that corresponds to that of a code provided to the individual. POS methods for code processing are also described.

Abstract: Code processing for promotional games and the like. In a preferred application, a lottery ticket holder who has purchased a lottery ticket is encouraged to access a designated Internet site by rewarding access thereat on the condition that information visibly supported on the lottery ticket from a given drawing is input at an Internet site and a test indicates that the information so-input matches lottery numbers that were picked for that drawing. Access to predetermined Internet-based services or sites can also be had as an award to an individual for inputting an iconic code at a machine connected to the Internet if the input code tests as valid, with the code being marked so as to be usable only once. Preferably, the iconic code is input by click-selecting displayed icons one after another in an order that corresponds to that of a code provided to the individual. POS methods for code processing are also described.

Abstract: A RFID reader panel includes separate and isolated reading coils identified by distinguishing identifiers that allow a tag-holder to “tap” against one or more reading panels in a known sequence to increase the security of the transaction.

Abstract: A cell phone directory management system includes at least one name and associated telephone number stored in an on-board electronic memory, a timing chip for keeping track of current date and time and a means for date and time stamping the name during a call event (a call event occurs when either the cell phone holder places a call to the named person or when that named person calls the cell phone holder). When a future call event occurs, the present management system indicates or otherwise conveys to the cell phone holder the amount of time that has elapsed between events for that particular named listing in the directory. The means for conveying the time between call events for any particular person listed in the directory can be numerically displayed, audibly conveyed, or graphically displayed.

Abstract: An automotive safety system is includes a power window that is automatically lowered a prescribed distance from a fully raised position in response to the car being put into reverse so that the driver may hear outside sounds. According to a second embodiment, the radio system is also turned down when the car is put into reverse.