getting a little bit low tech too :
couldn't a simple capacitor in it's transition phase do a nice pseudo exponential job,
I may be mistaken, but i believe this is the case
(i know capacitors are expensive)

i'm curently at work so i dont have time for calculation but basicly a non charged capacitor will first be more able to take intensity (and as the load is predicted resistive voltage)
Maybe a set of resistors could help to have the capacitor uncharge in case of device(load)disfunction : laden capcitors are still that dangerous (my arm still remember a shock from a 330 µF 480V capacitor) ,
another solution would be a relay detecting AC current and cutting lines when the system is "not plugged"

maybe i just haven't caught the subjet
wouldnt a simple zero detection circuit, triggering a fast switching device (triac maybe i'm not that good when there are no coils and capacitors only involved) do ? basically a sine in nearly a ramp (when taken at te right moment and well a bending ramp on a windy day)