Abstract: A paint can lid remover and punch comprising a handle having a hollow interior, a first end and a second end, the first end having a hole with a bore communicating with the hollow interior, the second end having a hole with a threaded bore communicating with the hollow interior, a sheath, the sheath being a hollow tube having a flange, a punch having a sharpened first end and an opposite second end, an end cap having a threaded portion for engaging the elongate body second end threaded bore, the end cap threaded portion being attached to the punch second end, a spring attached to the end cap and spanning between the end cap and the sheath flange and a “j” shaped paint can lid remover attached to the elongate handle.

Abstract: A diode-pumped microlaser in accordance with the present invention includes a diode pump, a first lens, a second lens and a laser glass. The diode pump generates an input pump beam. The first lens and second lens manipulate the pump beam by collimating the pump beam in focal planes that are perpendicular to each other. The laser glass receives the manipulated pump beam from the second lens and converts the pump beam into a laser beam. The laser glass is further doped with predetermined amounts by weight of Erbium and Ytterbium to ensure that an output laser beam with an eyesafe wavelength is generated. The microlaser further includes a passive Q-switch made of a Cobalt-spinel material, which receives the output laser beam and generates laser pulses using passive switching techniques, independent of any external temperature control. This configuration allows the microlaser to function as a laser rangefinder over extended temperature ranges in a manner that is eyesafe to the user.

Abstract: A diode-pumped microlaser in accordance with the present invention includes a diode pump, a first lens, a second lens and a laser glass. The diode pump generates an input pump beam. The first lens and second lens manipulate the pump beam by collimating the pump beam in focal planes that are perpendicular to each other. The laser glass receives the manipulated pump beam from the second lens and converts the pump beam into a laser beam. The laser glass is further doped with predetermined amounts by weight of Erbium and Ytterbium to ensure that an output laser beam with an eyesafe wavelength is generated. The microlaser further includes a passive Q-switch made of a Cobalt-spinel material, which receives the output laser beam and generates laser pulses using passive switching techniques, independent of any external temperature control. This configuration allows the microlaser to function as a laser rangefinder over extended temperature ranges in a manner that is eyesafe to the user.

Abstract: A method dealing with an overflow capacity of a fluid screening system is disclosed, the system (20) including a first screen (22) for screening objects of a first predetermined size from a fluid channel (21) the method comprising the step of: providing an ancillary screening system (23) upstream of the screen (22) and operational upon fluid within the channel (21) reaching a predetermined limit, the ancillary screening system screening objects of a second predetermined size from the fluid channel (21). The second predetermined size can be less than the first predetermined size. The ancillary screening system preferably can include a screen (23) placed substantially tangentially to the main flow of fluid within the fluid channel and includes a raking mechanism for cleaning objects lodged substantially adjacent the ancillary screening system. The output of the ancillary screening system can be interconnected to the fluid channel downstream of the first screen (22).