Abstract:
An evidence chain of custody system that is application-specific auditable and trackable secure smart mobile containers (SMC) for securely storing evidence items that are collected at crime scenes and search locations pursuant to subpoenas or warrants. Each SMC includes a electronics package that can read RF tags applied to evidence bags or totes placed in the SMC or for oversized items, associated with the event or scene, that are tagged with active RF tags. The electronics package also includes condition sensors and an RF transmitter module to permit remote reporting and monitoring of GPS/RSSI location and condition. The SMC includes an electronic lock that provides access security and an audit trail of all opening, closing, and other events.
Abstract:
A cargo transportation system comprising secure (fully closeable and lockable), sealable, stackable, trackable, universal, auto-latching “pallet boxes” that may be used in two main ways: 1) secured to the undercarriage transverse I-beams of over-the-road semi-trailers by means of loading alignment and hanger assemblies that provide positive locking-in-place; and 2) stackable, up to three or more high, inside the trailer bodies. The inventive pallet boxes are designed to be secured by auto-latching hanger assemblies that are retrofittable on individual types of semi-trailer undercarriages, both US and metric (European, Central and South American, and Asian) standard dimensions. The pallet boxes include vertical sidewall load-bearing channel members permitting stacking fully-loaded pallet boxes three or more high. The pallet boxes may be refrigerated, insulated, or atmospherically controlled, e.g., chargeable with preservative, security or disinfecting gases, during shipping.
Abstract:
Safety systems for vehicles, primarily passenger vehicles, comprising automated systems and methods for preventing entrapment of children, disabled, aged or infirm persons, or pets from being trapped in closed vehicles left in the sun, so that they will not suffocate from the heat. The invention is characterized by use of one or more systems to sense the occupancy state and temperature inside the vehicle passenger or load space, and provide one or more outputs which can selectively be employed to provide interior and exterior warning of a trapped passenger in a dangerously hot car to permit rescue, and/or to activate vehicle electro-mechanical systems to relieve the heat, such as rolling down windows, unlatching seat belts, unlocking doors, starting the car and/or fans or air conditioning systems and the like. The exterior warnings may be any suitable warning, such as sounding the car horn or alarm siren, flashing head, tail or special lights, placing an emergency call via a vehicle dedicated cell phone, CB radio, GPS system, or the like.
Abstract:
Method for disposal of water soluble sodium sulfur oxide-containing wastes resulting from industrial processes producing fly and/or bottom ash from fossil fuel utilization and waste or excess sodium sulfur oxide compounds, particularly disposal of sodium sulfite and/or sodium sulfate resulting from wet or dry sodium alkali scrubbing of tail or flue gases to reduce SO.sub.x emissions therefrom as from smelters, power plants, paper plants, glass plants and industrial boiler operations. Process involves mixing sodium sulfur oxide wastes with an alumina and silica-containing fly ash and/or bottom ash, forming an agglomerate, such as a pellet or briquette, and sintering in the range of about (1000.degree.-2300.degree.F). The resultant sintered particle shows lower solubility than the current standard of calcium sulfate, being 10.sup..sup.-2 to 10.sup..sup.-4 as soluble as the starting sodium sulfur oxides, has increased density (as high as 2.3 g/l), and reduced volume as compared to the dry fly ash or sodium sulfur oxide wastes, and fixes heavy metals. Fly ash leaching and dusting problems are substantially overcome. Sodium sulfur oxides include sodium sulfite, sulfate, bisulfite, bisulfate, thiosulfite, persulfite (pyrosulfite), thiosulfate, persulfate (pyrosulfate), and mixtures thereof. Sintered particle may be disposed of by known landfill techniques, or used as an aggregate for mulch, road beds, concrete, asphalt or the like.
Abstract:
Smart cargo container system comprising auditable, secure, sealable, stackable, trackable and pollable, universal, “pallet boxes” used: 1) auto-latchingly secured to the under-carriage transverse I-beams of over-the-road semi-trailers by means of a guiding latching system; and 2) stackable, up to three or more high, in the trailers or warehouses. Sophisticated battery-powered electronic locks, sensors and alarms are provided, as well as an RF communications and GPS locator module that radios to a base station the time, location and status of the inventive smart cargo container, and any anomalous events as they occur, including unauthorized attempts to open or break into the container, or potential damage events. In addition, both the locks and comm modules are programmable, and provide extensive, and selectably pollable and downloadable event, access and transport history and audit trails. The comm system permits remote tracking and real time status check via the Internet, LAN or WAN wireless networks.
Abstract:
An incentive-based grocery cart washing and disinfecting system including a consumer special-offer coupon applying apparatus, for use in a batch or continuous process comprising a housing having at least one pipe manifold with nozzles positioned therein to provide at least one treatment zone selected from pre-wash, wash, disinfecting, and rinse zones. In addition, blown air water-stripping/drying zones may be provided, with a heating source to assist drying. Following drying, a strip of specially adapted grocery coupons is optionally applied to the grocery cart handle, so that the coupons can be redeemed by customers during their subsequent shopping. The coupon strip comprises a leader portion and a coupon portion, and the leader can be wrapped and fixed around the grocery cart handle manually or by means of the automated machinery described. The system of the invention may be a fixed or mobile system, with the use preferably being on site at stores.
Abstract:
A multi-stage, batch or continuous, manual or automated process and apparatus for safely depressurizing, de-capping (decrimping plus pulling caps), and recycling aerosol cans, propellants, solvents, chemicals, dip tubes, and can tops. The apparatus includes a synchronized sorting and loading unit for guiding the cans onto an advancing line. The cans are first depressurized by a vacuum head unit comprising a vacuum seal and a reciprocable hollow needle which punctures the can recessed top cap and removes the propellants by suction for later reuse or disposal. The cans are advanced to a decapping unit where the cap member is removed by decrimping to crack the seal followed by being vertically pulled off without damage to the can's rolled lip. The reciprocating decrimper/decapper head includes a plurality of specially adapted pincers for gripping and radially inwardly deforming the cap nozzle neck (stem or insert) member thereby causing the crimped (rolled) flange of the cap to deform and unroll from the can lip at selected portions around the flange. Upon raising the decrimper head the cap member pops off the can lip. The loosened cap is released to rest atop the can. The method include unloading cans bottom side down, passing them at preselected, indexed intervals and rate along a disassembly line for depressurization, removal and recovery of propellants, and de-capping. The can top, plastic dip tube assemblies, and residual solvents and chemical contents are recovered for disposal or recycling. The cans are washed, rinsed and dried. The cans then may be de-lithoed, relabeled and refilled (repacked), or smelted for recovery of metal values. Top fill dip tube or piston type cans may be disassembled and recycled. Can process rates are high, typically in multiples of 24 cans/minute.
Abstract:
Bar soap for personal use having a structural center selected from an open celled sponge material, or woven or non-woven organic filamentary material, which is preferably fully soap-impregnated. The sponge core is revealed after the soap bar is reduced to a sliver, providing support, preventing breakage and making washing more effective and reducing wastage. Water soluble oxycellulose polymers may be used. The sponge may be configured in the form of a character or animal shape for children. The core may extend to at least one surface and can be configured to provide a hanger support. The core permits dipping to build up the bar, and layered soap of different compositions or colors is disclosed.
Abstract:
Combination mailer comprising postcard-weight stock having therein at least two areas, a first right hand area for an address and postage and a left hand area which includes a partially perfed (die cut) index card which may be removed from the combination mailer. The index cards may be standard small size or a larger size depending on the size of the mailable card used. The index card may be oriented horizontally or vertically. A vertical boundary between the left and right side areas is defined by a scoring, perf line, printed line or dashes in order to assist in removing the index cards from the mailer. Only partial perforations are used to define the index card margins to prevent the mailer from being folded, mutilated, lost or delayed in the mailing. Microperfs are preferred. Preferably, the index card is oriented vertically with only the T-shaped notches along the bottom margin being perfed out, leaving the bottom margin or top margin to be cut with scissors. A tab can also be defined by perfs inset from the top edge of the index card. Preferably the card stock is paper, plasticized paper or plastic, and may be in bright or neon colors. The combination mailers may be printed "four-up" on standard 81/2".times.11" sheet and may be removed from the sheet along a single horizontal and a single vertical line. This orientation of the index card in the postcard permits preprinting the sender's information regarding its business on the index card along with a promotional message on the back side of the mailer correlating to the address portion. Auxiliary information regarding the sender's business may be provided on the back side of the index card, or may be left blank for the user. This permits mailing the index cards at a lower postal card rate, and obviates all the costs of envelopes accompanying letters, collating and stuffing of full sized envelopes.
Abstract:
Smart, rollable, mini-pallet cargo container system comprising robust, auditable, secure, sealable, lockable, trackable and pollable, universal, half/quarter-sized boxes particularly useful for moving highly valuable or sensitive, personal, political, military or commercial materials, embodiments include truly verifiable ballot boxes, verifiably secure moving containers. Blast attenuation inserts are disclosed. The boxes include electronic locks containing event memory, sensors and alarms, and RF communications and GPS locator module(s) that radio to a base station the time, location and status of the inventive box, and anomalous events as they occur, including unauthorized attempts to open or break into the container, or potential damage events. In addition, both the locks and comm modules are programmable, and provide extensive, and selectably pollable and down-loadable, printable event, access and transport history and audit trails. The comm system permits remote tracking and real time status check via the Internet, LAN or WAN wireless networks.