Abstract: Systems and methods for mechanical Cannabis harvesting which utilize a harvester having two counter-rotating rollers, each having a brush thereon, where the brushes serve to strip leaves and buds from the stalk of a standing Cannabis plant introduced to a harvesting space between them. The brushes transport the stripped leaves and buds to a series of conveyors that eventually deposit the leaves and buds in a hopper. The stripped stalk of the Cannabis plant may be left standing in the field to be cut down later, or may be knocked or cut down by the harvester.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing a differential pressure across an air filter in a motor vehicle. The sensor includes a sensor body having a first air passageway communicating with an atmosphere and a second air passageway communicating with an interior cavity of a manifold of a combustion engine. The sensor further includes a differential pressure sensor disposed within the sensor body and a microcontroller. The differential pressure sensor is coupled to the first air passageway and to the second air passageway. The differential pressure sensor is configured to measure a differential pressure between the atmosphere communicated to the differential pressure sensor via the first air passageway and the interior cavity of the manifold communicated to the differential pressure sensor via the second air passageway. The microcontroller is configured to receive the measured differential pressure from the differential pressure sensor. The microcontroller outputs an indication of how dirty the air filter is.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user and creates at least one workflow related to the direct mail printing job. The workflow comprises at least one job activity. The method automatically transmits requests for bids on the job activities to entities for allowing the entities to bid on performing job activities within the workflow. Bids are received on the job activities from the entities and from rate cards previously established by the entities. The method identifies the lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and the rate cards and outputs the lowest bids to the user. The method receives an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within the workflow from the user and performing the workflow to output the direct-mail printing job.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user and creates at least one workflow related to the direct mail printing job. The workflow comprises at least one job activity. The method automatically transmits requests for bids on the job activities to entities for allowing the entities to bid on performing job activities within the workflow. Bids are received on the job activities from the entities and from rate cards previously established by the entities. The method identifies the lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and the rate cards and outputs the lowest bids to the user. The method receives an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within the workflow from the user and performing the workflow to output the direct-mail printing job through the selected entity.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user and creates at least one workflow related to the direct mail printing job. The workflow comprises at least one job activity. The method automatically transmits requests for bids on the job activities to entities for allowing the entities to bid on performing job activities within the workflow. Bids are received on the job activities from the entities and from rate cards previously established by the entities. The method identifies the lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and the rate cards and outputs the lowest bids to the user. The method receives an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within the workflow from the user and performing the workflow to output the direct-mail printing job through the selected entity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a workpiece, such as an automotive fuel tank, that includes a connection between a male connector and a female connector, one of which includes a tab that is only removable following the connection. The tab includes a computer-readable code that is read by the computer. During manufacturing, the workpiece is loaded into a workstation, the connection is made, and the tab is removed. The tab is presented to a computer to verify the connection. In the event that a command is received to release the workpiece and the computer has not verified the connection, the computer issues an alert. In a workstation that comprises a computer-controlled release mechanism, a preferred alert comprises a refusal to release the workpiece prior to verification of the connection.

Abstract: A clip for attaching a component to a container. The clip has a generally tubular body including folds giving the clip a corrugated appearance. The clip and container are formed from similar plastic materials so that when the clip is placed in contact with a container having latent heat from formation, the exterior surface of the folds melts to the container to form a bond area. The folds also define a passageway in which the component is retained.

Abstract: A conduit for use with a polymeric fuel tank. The conduit attaches to a fuel tank and includes an outlet port having first retention barb formed from a layer capable of being welded to a fuel tank and a second retention barb formed from a permeation resistant layer. When welded to the fuel tank, the permeation resistant layer may be spaced from the weldable surface of the fuel tank to prevent contamination of any weld joint.

Abstract: A clip for attaching a component to a mounting surface of a container has a generally tubular body with outwardly extending projections and a component retaining aperture. The clip and the container are formed from similar plastic materials with the container material having the same or lower melt index value. The component is assembled with the clip by insertion through a gap in the clip wall widened under a deflecting force. The clip is placed in contact with the mounting surface while the container has latent heat to melt at least one of the contacting projections and form a bond area attaching the component/clip assembly to the mounting surface of the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a mask (200) on a multi-site wafer (100) is accomplished by first creating a first mask key (204) which contains information, such as alignment cues and test structures. A copy of the first mask key is modified to produce a second mask key (201). When the two mask keys are transferred to adjacent sites on the wafer, they physically overlap, preventing double-exposure of the information in the first mask key.