Abstract: A tray which is adapted to be securely and stably carried by a hand of a user, the tray comprising a support portion having an upper surface adapted for supporting the beverages or foodstuffs; a wall portion extending upwardly from the upper surface of the support portion; and a raised portion connected to the wall portion, the raised portion having upper and lower surfaces wherein the lower surface of the raised portion is located above the upper surface of the support portion when the tray is in an operable position the raised and wall portions defining a recess which is laterally accessible the raised portion being adapted to be gripped by the hand of the user whereby the thumb of the user engages the upper surface of the raised portion and the recess is adapted to receive the fingers of the hand of the user so as to enable the lower surface of the raised portion to be engaged by the fingers of the user at the same time that the thumb of the user engages the upper surface.

Abstract: Various methods, devices, systems, and computer programs are disclosed relating to the use of models to represent systems and processes (such as manufacturing and production plants). For example, a method may include generating a first model and a second model using operating data associated with a system or process. The method may also include using the first and second models to predict one or more events associated with the system or process. The one or more events are predicted by generating one or more initial event predictions using the first model and adjusting the one or more initial event predictions using the second model. The first model may represent a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) model, and the second model may represent a Fuzzy Logic model.

Abstract: A foldable eating utensil includes an elongate handle member having a food-engaging blade extending integrally from one end thereof when operatively disposed, the blade being hingedly connected about a transverse axis to the inner edge of a connector plate of the handle member extending laterally between spaced handle arms of the handle member which define therebetween an opening to receive the blade to lie coplanar with the handle member when the blade is hinged to storage disposition, the blade including a longitudinally extending neck portion at its hinged connection to the connector plate and adapted to lie against the connector plate when operatively disposed, the handle arms being foldable each about a lengthwise axis adjacent the connector plate, and the parts being so made and arranged that when the blade has been hinged to operative disposition, the handle arms may be folded digitally towards each other and brought to and held in co-acting relationship in which parts of the handle member engage the b

Abstract: When conventional mechanical equipment for removing branches or limbs from a tree trunk is used, stumps of the branches removed remain on the tree trunk. The present invention avoids the creation of such stumps when a trunk (or a length of a trunk) is being transported through a mill or compression debarking equipment and is simultaneously rotated. The invention uses an elongate helical milling head, mounted at the end of a support arm and rotated by a motor to remove the branches. The milling head axis is positioned parallel to the axis of the trunk with the cutting surface of the milling head close to the bark of the trunk. Normally a brace member is included to stiffen the mounting of the milling head. Preferably the milling head is formed as a plurality of short milling heads mounted colinearly and with their helical cutters aligned.

Abstract: Apparatus for debarking a log using the compression debarking technique includes rollers which apply radial pressure to the log to separate the bark from the wood of the log. Three double-cone rollers, each having its double cones tapered to the middle of the roller, are arranged with their axes of rotation at substantially 60.degree. to each other and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the log through an aperture defined by the three rollers. Pressure is applied to the bark of the log by the double-cone rollers. The apparatus may include cutting means, such as a knife blade on the outer surface of all three of the double-cone rollers, which slices the bark which has been separated from the wood of the log by the pressure applied by the rollers, so that strips of bark fall from the log. The invention is especially suitable for removing thick stringy, fibrous bark from logs.

Abstract: Apparatus for debarking a log using the compression debarking technique includes rollers which apply radial pressure to the log to separate the bark from the wood of the log. Pairs of rollers mounted in a bogie-like arrangement on the end of respective arms bear against the log. At each roller contact location, the log is also contacted by either a fixed roller or another pair of bogie-mounted rollers. At least two of the rollers of each set are driven by a reversible motor, to rotate the log while pressure is applied to it. The (preferably variable) angle which the planes of rotation of the rollers make with the longitudinal axis of the log ensures that the log is transported through the set of rollers as pressure is applied to the log. Cutting means, such as a knife blade on the outer surface of at least one roller, slices the bark which has been separated from the wood of the log, so that strips of bark fall from the log.

Abstract: A system for controlling the HVAC system of a building to reduce overall electrical costs is disclosed. The system develops an energy usage and storage strategy which is a function predicted ambient temperatures, predicted building load requirements and the power company's rate structure.