A method of analyzing shipments of goods includes receiving, by a transceiver of a shipment analysis system, a heat map template, where the heat map template is an expected heat map for a plurality of packages in a shipment. The method also includes directing electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source to the package to heat any ferromagnetic material in or on a package. The method also includes generating, by a processor of the shipment analysis system, a heat map based on the heating of any ferromagnetic material in or on the package. The method further includes generating, by the processor, an alert responsive to a determination that the generated heat map does not match the heat map template. The alert indicates that the package is not one of the plurality of packages in the shipment.

A device, for trapping an item in an intake hose of a vacuum before the item reaches a collection bin of the vacuum, includes a body and a screen. The body has a chamber, an entrance, and an exit. The chamber is configured such that when the chamber is coupled to an intake hose of a vacuum and the vacuum draws fluid into the intake hose, the fluid flows through the chamber. The entrance is couplable with an intake hose of a vacuum and configured such that when fluid flows through the body's chamber, the fluid enters the chamber through the entrance. The exit is coupleable with the intake hose of a vacuum and configured such that when fluid flows through the body's chamber, the fluid leaves the chamber through the exit. The screen of the device is disposed inside the body's chamber, and sized and configured to allow fluid that the vacuum draws in to flow through the body's chamber while preventing large objects suspended in the fluid from flowing through the body's chamber.

A system to verify product authenticity includes a transceiver configured to receive information regarding one or more pieces of ferromagnetic material that are in or on a product. The system also includes an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit radiation to heat the one or more pieces of ferromagnetic material in or on the product. The system also includes a heat sensor configured to detect heat emitted from the one or more pieces of ferromagnetic material that are in or on the product. The system further includes a processor in communication with the transceiver, the electromagnetic radiation source, and the heat sensor. The processor is configured to determine if the product is counterfeit based on the received information and the detected heat.

A device for detecting a group of offending objects and determining that the number of offending objects is above a predetermined threshold of offending objects. The device uses an image capturing system to scan areas to detect flying objects such as flying insects to detect a presence of a swarm of such flying objects. An action head on the device is configured to automatically respond once a swarm of objects is identified. The action head may disperse the swarm by expelling a substance such as a mist, smoke, repellant or insecticide.

A cleaning apparatus engageable with a vacuum source is provided. The vacuum source can be used to draw fluid through an interior space of a housing of the cleaning apparatus through an inlet tube so that debris entrained in the fluid collects in a debris collection zone upstream of a downstream opening in the inlet tube. Methods of using the cleaning apparatus are provided.

A device for detecting offending features on individual granular objects or small objects. The device uses an image capturing system to scan batches of granular or small objects such as wheat, grain, rice, seeds, legumes or nuts to detect any undesirable feature such as disease, mold or spoilage. An action head on the device is configured to automatically respond once an undesirable feature is identified. The action head may capture the individual objects having undesirable features or it may cast them aside.

A system to verify product authenticity includes a transceiver configured to receive information regarding one or more pieces of ferromagnetic material that are in or on a product. The system also includes an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit radiation to heat the one or more pieces of ferromagnetic material in or on the product. The system also includes a heat sensor configured to detect heat emitted from the one or more pieces of ferromagnetic material that are in or on the product. The system further includes a processor in communication with the transceiver, the electromagnetic radiation source, and the heat sensor. The processor is configured to determine if the product is counterfeit based on the received information and the detected heat.

A bug-removal vacuum machine has a horizontal deck, and a structure providing a trapezoidal-shaped air passage directing insects drawn by vacuum-induced air flow through an electrified killing matrix, and into a collection tray.

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.