Abstract: A method for demand charge management at public charging stations may be provided. The method may comprise collecting information related to electric vehicle (EV) charging from a plurality of interested parties by an infrastructure service cloud, computing charge rate offers based on the collected information by the infrastructure service cloud, transmitting the computed charge rate offers to a driver of an EV by the infrastructure service cloud, and reserving a charge spot for the driver using the infrastructure service when the driver accepts an offer.

Abstract: A dispensing device is disclosed having an ampoule with at least four storage lumens extending axially along the length of an ampoule body, a mixing tip coupled to a distal end of the storage lumens, the mixing tip having at least four gasket seats formed therein, each gasket seat corresponding to one of the storage lumens, and an outlet lumen in fluid communication with the storage lumens.

Abstract: A method of dispensing an analytic reference material includes providing a dispensing device including an ampoule having at least two storage lumens extending axially along the length of an ampoule body, an analytic reference material subunit in each of the storage lumens, distal gaskets sealing the analytic reference material subunits from a distal end of the ampoule, and an outlet lumen. The method also includes providing a plunger assembly coupled to a proximal end of the ampoule, the plunger assembly in communication with the storage lumens and depressing the plunger assembly to force the distal gaskets into gasket seats in the dispensing device and expelling the analytic reference material subunits from the storage lumens via the outlet lumen to form the analytic reference material.

Abstract: An automated banking machine is operable to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that can read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The machine is operative responsive to read card data to carry out transactions that transfer and/or allocate funds between accounts. The machine can also provide machine users with a receipt for transactions conducted. The machine includes a cash dispenser that can dispense cash to users, and cause the value of dispensed cash to be assessed to accounts corresponding to the read card data. The machine also includes a sheet accepting device that can receive currency notes and/or checks from users. An account that corresponds to the read card data can be credited for the value of received notes and/or checks.

Abstract: A container used for chromatographic sample analysis has (a) at least one silica uppermost layer, which is deposited onto the container using a liquid phase deposition process, and, optionally, (b) at least one indicator present in at least part of the at least one silica uppermost layer for visually distinguishing the container from other containers, and/or determining the “use status” of the container, and/or identifying the proper orientation of the container when it is to be put in use, and/or providing a means of decoration, identification, or counterfeit detection. In one preferred embodiment, the indicator is thermochromic. In another preferred embodiment, the indicator is photochromic.

Abstract: A hard coated confectionary product having a consumable, soft, high solids chewy core fortified with heat sensitive medicaments and vitamins with the core encapsulated in a hard consumable coating and a method for making the fortified confectionary is described.

Abstract: A gas chromatography inlet liner comprises a glass tube formed by a glass wall, the glass wall having pore channels formed therein, and an indicator present in the pore channels in at least part of the inlet liner. The indicator may be any element, compound, dopant, or mixture additive that modifies color or transparency of the inlet liner.

Abstract: A method of forming a carton including a sleeve member is disclosed. The method includes the steps of locating a sleeve member blank in registration with a carton body blank in a pre-determined position, and attaching an inner surface of the sleeve member blank to an external surface of the carton body blank prior to forming and/or erecting the attached carton and sleeve blanks into a required erect carton shape.

Abstract: A thermal interface material is provided for use to fill a gap between surfaces in a thermal transfer system to transfer heat between the surfaces. The thermal interface material includes a base material and thermally conductive particles dispersed within the base material. The thermal interface material is conditioned under reduced pressure (e.g., prior to being placed in the gap between the surfaces, while being placed in the gap, after being placed in the gap, etc.) and, within about forty-eight hours or less of conditioning, the conditioned thermal interface material is either positioned in a container that inhibits ambient gas from contacting it (either alone or applied to the surfaces), or used to transfer heat between the surfaces. As such, the thermal interface material is substantially free of cracks following exposure to thermal cycling comprising a temperature change of at least about 100 degrees Celsius for at least about 10 cycles.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operative to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader that is operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine is operative responsive to the card data to carry out transactions that transfer and/or allocate funds between accounts. The automated banking machine is further operative to provide users with a receipt for transactions conducted. The automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser operative to dispense cash to machine users and to cause the value of cash to be assessed to financial accounts corresponding to card data. The automated banking machine is further operative to receive currency bills or other sheets from a user and to process and store such sheets through operation of a currency accepting device. The account corresponding to card data may be credited for the value of bills or other sheets received.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operative to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader that is operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine is operative responsive to the card data to carry out transactions that transfer and/or allocate funds between accounts. The automated banking machine is further operative to provide users with a receipt for transactions conducted. The automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser operative to dispense cash to machine users and to cause the value of cash to be assessed to financial accounts corresponding to card data. The automated banking machine is further operative to receive currency bills or other sheets from a user and to process and store such sheets through operation of a currency accepting device. The account corresponding to card data may be credited for the value of bills or other sheets received.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve the current QuEChERS technology. In one aspect of the invention, the buffer-salt powder mixture of the first stage of the QuEChERS process is compressed into a solid dosage form before it is used in the first stage of the QuEChERS process. Replacing the QuEChERS powders (the buffer-salt powder mixture of the first stage of the QuEChERS process) with solid aliquots eliminates the need for using centrifuge tubes for packaging the product.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from user cards to accept checks and dispense cash to authorized machine users. The machine can compare image data and magnetic data obtained from a check to determine the genuineness of the check. The machine can also determine whether a machine user is authorized to exchange a check for cash. A cash dispenser can be operated to dispense cash to a machine user in exchange for a deposited check. The machine dispenses the cash responsive to communications with a transaction host.

Abstract: A reservoir assembly (40) comprises a container (4), a support assembly (42) on which the container (4) is mounted and fixed and a rotary electric vibrator device (44) coupled to the support assembly (42). The container holds a shear thinning additive for a plastics material. The reservoir assembly is arranged so that on operation of the device (44), an appropriate frequency and amplitude of vibration is applied to the container (4) and, therefore, its contents. As a result, a liquid dispersion in the container is shear thinned and recovery of dispersion from the container is increased.

Abstract: A mount (30) for a fluorescent lamp (32) has a glass flare (34) with a first portion (36) penetrating the fluorescent lamp (32) and a second portion (38) the fluorescent lamp (32). Two spaced-apart lead-in wires (40, 42) are sealed in the glass flare (34): and an electron emitter (12) is fixed between the spaced-apart lead-in wires (40, 42) and mated thereto by an electrical connection (46). The electron emitter (12) comprises a substrate (10) of a first material having an electron emitting material (11) thereon and two ends (20,22) and an element (23) mechanically and electrically fixed to each of the ends (20, 22), the element (23) comprising a second material different from the first material and is used to make the electrical connection (46) between the ends (20, 22) and the lead-in wires (40, 42).

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from user cards to accept checks and dispense cash to authorized machine users. The machine can compare image data and magnetic data obtained from a check to determine the genuineness of the check. The machine can also determine whether a machine user is authorized to exchange a check for cash. A cash dispenser can be operated to dispense cash to a machine user in exchange for a deposited check. The machine dispenses the cash responsive to communications with a transaction host.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a sheet picking mechanism (210). The sheet picking mechanism includes a rotatable picking member (212). With each rotation an end sheet (266) can be picked from a stack (264) of sheets. The picking member (212) has an outer surface section that includes a high friction portion (256) axially adjacent to a low friction portion (258). The low friction portion comprises an arcuate projecting portion that reduces risk of damage to a leading edge area of the end sheet due to opposed picking and stripping forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for folding protein comprising providing an aqueous solution of a protein in non-native conformation and a linear or branched sugar polymer comprising three or more saccharide units, or a derivative thereof at a concentration suitable to permit folding of the protein and incubating the solution to permit folding of the protein.

Abstract: A mount (30) for a fluorescent lamp (32) has a glass flare (34) with a first portion (36) penetrating the fluorescent lamp (32) and a second portion (38) the fluorescent lamp (32). Two spaced-apart lead-in wires (40, 42) are sealed in the glass flare (34): and an electron emitter (12) is fixed between the spaced-apart lead-in wires (40, 42) and mated thereto by an electrical connection (46). The electron emitter (12) comprises a substrate (10) of a first material having an electron emitting material (11) thereon and two ends (20,22) and an element (23) mechanically and electrically fixed to each of the ends (20, 22), the element (23) comprising a second material different from the first material and is used to make the electrical connection (46) between the ends (20, 22) and the lead-in wires (40, 42).

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from user cards to accept checks and dispense cash to authorized machine users. The machine can compare image data and magnetic data obtained from a check to determine the genuineness of the check. The machine can also determine whether a machine user is authorized to exchange a check for cash. A cash dispenser can be operated to dispense cash to a machine user in exchange for a deposited check. The machine dispenses the cash responsive to communications with a transaction host.