Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing an integration framework that enables tools to be integrated. The integration framework enables tools participating in the framework to be encapsulated in a manner that hides their implementations, thereby preventing them from taking deep dependencies on each other. The integration framework also enables the tools participating in the framework to carry formal type definitions called service and data contracts that describe the public behaviors they offer. The integration framework also provides support for migrating integration logic from tools into pluggable commands to further reduce coupling between the tools.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing systems that include computer applications hosted on hosting environments are disclosed. The hosting environments are modeled to include hosting environment settings and constraints placed on applications. The applications are also modeled to include application settings and constraints placed on the hosting environments. Hosting environment and application models are then used to validate designs by confirming that settings are in compliance with the constraints.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing an integration framework that enables tools to be integrated. The integration framework enables tools participating in the framework to be encapsulated in a manner that hides their implementations, thereby preventing them from taking deep dependencies on each other. The integration framework also enables the tools participating in the framework to carry formal type definitions called service and data contracts that describe the public behaviors they offer. The integration framework also provides support for migrating integration logic from tools into pluggable commands to further reduce coupling between the tools.

Abstract: An improved transparently packaged bar, having increased light transmission, and a method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The packaged bar has an increased level of light transmission which is believed to be caused by the cooling of molten soap in direct contact with the stretchable transparent wrap which is used to package the bar. The bar has an unique shape which enhances its light transmission. The bar may also contain voids which enhance the appearance of the soap bar or reduce its density, or both. The soap bar, and method of manufacture, are particularly well suited for transparent, translucent, and pearlescent soaps, or a bar which is poured with a combination thereof. Additionally, objects both solid and amorphous, and flexible or rigid, may be placed within the bar which have an enhanced level of visibility inside the packaged soap bar. If desired, hues or pigments may be dispersed through some portion of the soap bar to obtain a desired artistic appearance.

Abstract: A plurality of tapered sample strips are secured at one end to a border strip to faciliate the performance of perfumery by a relative novice in the field. The tapered sample strips include the fragrance of a note, which is an essential oil, used in the perfume industry to manufacture perfumes. The series of tapered sample strips secured to the border strip are prepared for sampling by first separating two sets of border strips with their associated tapered sample strips from a die-cut sample sheet of heavy paper. The identifying indicia and color for each fragrance is clearly indicated. A tiered sample rack or case, including a plurality of capped bottles, corresponding to the number of tapered sample strips on each border strip, contains different notes or essential oils which correspond in order to the marked indicia on the tapered sample strips. Each tier of bottles corresponds to a separate border strip and its associated tapered sample strips.