An induction heating system includes a base having a controller and an electromagnetic radiation source in communication with the controller. The electromagnetic radiation source is configured to emit radiation. The base also includes a mounting surface configured to receive one of a plurality of interchangeable heating surfaces. The system further includes a heating surface mounted to the mounting surface of the base. The heating surface includes a ferromagnetic material that heats via induction responsive to the radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation source.

A method of verifying product authenticity includes emitting, by an electromagnetic radiation source in communication with a processor, radiation to heat one or more pieces of ferromagnetic material in or on a product. The method also includes detecting, by a heat sensor in communication with the processor, heat emitted from the one or more pieces of ferromagnetic material that are in or on the product. The method further includes determining, by the processor, if the product is counterfeit based on the detected heat.

A method and apparatus for the collection of parasitic arthropods. In one specific example, the parasitic arthropod is a tick, which prefers to cling to the tops of foliage, while waiting for a passing host. The apparatus collects the tick. In one example the apparatus is a roller that includes a cylindrical carrier that is covered with a cloth-like material designed to have a tick attach itself thereto, so that when the roller is passed over a surface where ticks are believed to be present, the ticks attach to the roller. The cloth-like cover material is disposable, as is the cylindrical carrier. The disposable cover material may be conveniently disposed in a refuse container. An advantage of the invention is the mitigation of ticks and the diseases, such as Lyme disease, that the ticks may be carrying, without exposing a user to chemical insecticides.

A compact improved bug killing gun includes a compressed gas source fluidly connected to a chamber connected to a barrel. A compressed gas release mechanism is connected to the compressed gas source. A projectile storage magazine stores particulate projectiles and is located adjacent the chamber. A projectile loading mechanism moves the projectiles into the chamber from the magazine. A cocking mechanism is mechanically connected to the compressed gas source, the compressed gas release mechanism, and the projectile loading mechanism. When the gun is cocked, the projectile loading mechanism loads a quantity of the particulate projectiles into the chamber. When the compressed gas release mechanism is activated the projectiles are ejected from the chamber into the barrel and expelled from the gun. The gun optionally includes a laser sighting mechanism. The battery operated laser sighting mechanism is removably attached to the barrel or permanently attached with an integral, trigger operated switch.

A compact improved bug killing gun includes a compressed gas source fluidly connected to a chamber connected to a barrel. A compressed gas release mechanism is connected to the compressed gas source. A projectile storage magazine stores particulate projectiles and is located adjacent the chamber. A projectile loading mechanism moves the projectiles into the chamber from the magazine. A cocking mechanism is mechanically connected to the compressed gas source, the compressed gas release mechanism, and the projectile loading mechanism. When the gun is cocked, the projectile loading mechanism loads a quantity of the particulate projectiles into the chamber. When the compressed gas release mechanism is activated the projectiles are ejected from the chamber into the barrel and expelled from the gun. The gun optionally includes a laser sighting mechanism. The battery operated laser sighting mechanism is removably attached to the barrel or permanently attached with an integral, trigger operated switch.

A steam sprayer for delivering steam onto and beneath a field surface is provided. The steam sprayer comprises a support frame having a plurality of steam spraying nozzles mounted thereto and oriented substantially downwardly for spraying steam onto and beneath the field surface. At least a steam generator is connected to the steam spraying nozzles for providing steam thereto. A water heating tank is connected to each of the at least a steam generator for providing heated water at a substantially constant pressure thereto. Compressed air is provided to the water heating tank for pressurizing the water heating tank. Power is provided to the water heating tank and each of the at least a steam generator.

A lice removing apparatus and method of using it are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flexible fabric sheet having a pair of pockets defined on a first side of the sheet adjacent opposite ends of the sheet. A second side of the sheet includes a plurality of projections, or other physically coarse material, that strip nits from a person's hair when passed there over. A user inserts his fingers and thumb into the pockets, folds the sheet around a lock of hair, and runs the sheet along the length of the hair while squeezing the folded sheet into constant contact with the hair. Thereafter, the sheet is discarded and a new one is used for cleaning a subsequent lock of hair. The sheets may be stored in a contained in a manner that provides easy access for grasping the sheet and removing it from the container with one hand.

A lice removing apparatus and method of using it are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flexible fabric sheet having a pair of pockets defined on a first side of the sheet adjacent opposite ends of the sheet. A second side of the sheet includes a plurality of projections, or other physically coarse material, that strip nits from a person's hair when passed there over. A user inserts his fingers and thumb into the pockets, folds the sheet around a lock of hair, and runs the sheet along the length of the hair while squeezing the folded sheet into constant contact with the hair. Thereafter, the sheet is discarded and a new one is used for cleaning a subsequent lock of hair. The sheets may be stored in a contained in a manner that provides easy access for grasping the sheet and removing it from the container with one hand.

A vacuum machine has a rectangular deck, having a centerline, a width and a length, an underside and an upper side, a front edge and a rear edge, and side edges. Sidewalls extend below the deck along the side edges. There is an opening through the deck, substantially centered between the front edge and the rear edge, and between the sidewalls, a powered air blower coupled through a plenum above the deck to the opening, such that operating the blower draws air through the opening from beneath the deck, a killing mechanism disposed at an outlet from the blower, adapted to kill insects entrained in air drawn through the plenum, and a horizontally-oriented passage coupled to the outlet from the blower, directing air having entrained insects dead or alive away from the machine. The machine travels in the direction of the centerline advancing the first front edge of the deck.

A system for monitoring an area includes a processor and an electromagnetic radiation source in communication with the processor. The electromagnetic radiation source is configured to emit radiation to heat a metallic object that is in or carried by a target. The system also includes an array of temperature sensors in communication with the processor, where the array of temperature sensors is configured to detect a first temperature associated with the target and a second temperature associated with the target. The first temperature is detected prior to emission of the radiation and the second temperature is detected subsequent to emission of the radiation. The processor is also configured to determine whether to trigger an alert based at least in part on a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.