Abstract: A cargo and storage rack for increasing the carrying capacity of a vehicle having a spare tire mount on the exterior of the vehicle. Retaining features of a mounting boss engage the retainment features of the spare tire to the spare tire mount. The mounting boss is adapted to receive storage brackets above or below or both of above and below the mounting boss, to secure cargo securing features at desired distances of engagement from the boss. Rails of any bracket secured to the boss provide support for alternately translating and selectably locatable cargo supporting features, such that the rack can secure cargo without a bracket that provides its own securing features. Optionally, the rack can support cargo with any combination of selectably locatable cargo supporting features on the rails and a bracket, and the rack comprises methods of construction and customization that facilitate rapid reconstruction of the rack and removal from the vehicle.

Abstract: An appropriately constructed and configured internal combustion engine with a control system to safely stop engine operation in the event of a release of flammable gas within the external area surrounding the engine that may consequently enter the engine combustion chamber is provided. The overall device includes an air intake shutoff valve and an externally located remote interface box constructed of a properly rated enclosure material housing necessary sensors and shutoff controls for automatic activation of the air intake shutoff valve. Furthermore, the device includes a separately provided operator control panel for manual override in case of other system failure, including any compromise of the remote interface box controls for any reason. The overall engine and shutdown system, as well as the method of utilizing such a system, are thus encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: A thermal barrier maintains a beverage within a container at a desired temperature. The barrier may include gas or liquid filled microcapsules and a base material having microencapsulated solid-liquid phase change material, or combinations thereof. The thermal barrier may include a cooling element attached to the exterior of the container, the interior of the container, or free-floating within the container. Other embodiments include a container holder incorporating phase change materials to control temperature of the beverages. The holder includes enclosing sidewalls and a plurality of cavities to receive one or more containers. Gaps between the cavities and the enclosing sidewalls are filled with phase change materials, such as microencapsulated phase change materials. Another embodiment provides a double walled pitcher with phase change materials and a base material filling the space between the walls. The phase change material and base material sealed between the walls enable the pitcher to be re-used.

Abstract: A system, method and device determine the state of a beverage and communicate information regarding the beverage. A communication device runs an application that determines the start temperature of the beverage to be cooled and sets a desired end temperature. Thermochromatic inks are used on the container label or packaging of the container to convey temperature information. A camera of the communication device senses temperature information of an image of the container. The application then determines an amount of time for cooling the beverage also taking into consideration the type and size of container. The beverage is placed in a cooling device, a timer is initiated by the user, and the application later generates a message indicating the beverage has reached the desired end temperature. The user may link information generated from the application to social networking sites for purposes such as generating invitations to friends within the social network.

Abstract: A method and system for printing documents with one or more embedded security features is provided. Security features are embedded in the document by co-printing magnetic and non-magnetic toner on a receiver before fixation by a fixing station. The combination of magnetic and non-magnetic toners in the image results in image elements that easily show alteration or are undetectable by visual means.

Abstract: A method of applying thermal inks to beverage containers includes use of a selected printing process for transferring controlled and discreet amounts of thermal inks to pre-designated portions of a beverage container. In a preferred embodiment, thermal ink(s) are transferred to the opening tab of a metallic container. During manufacturing, the ink can be applied in registered print rows that align with a plurality of corresponding spaced rows of tabs formed in tab stock. Each of the opening tabs has a pre-selected pattern of the applied thermal ink that can be used as a temperature indicator for a beverage within the container. Applying thermal ink to the opening tabs as opposed to larger areas of the container on the sidewall results in reducing the amount of thermal ink used.

Abstract: A thermal barrier maintains a beverage within a container at a desired temperature. The barrier may include gas or liquid filled microcapsules and a base material having microencapsulated solid-liquid phase change material, or combinations thereof. The thermal barrier may include a cooling element attached to the exterior of the container, the interior of the container, or free-floating within the container. Other embodiments include a container holder incorporating phase change materials to control temperature of the beverages. The holder includes enclosing sidewalls and a plurality of cavities to receive one or more containers. Gaps between the cavities and the enclosing sidewalls are filled with phase change materials, such as microencapsulated phase change materials. Another embodiment provides a double walled pitcher with phase change materials and a base material filling the space between the walls.

Abstract: A system, method and device determine the state of a beverage and communicate information regarding the beverage. A communication device runs an application that determines the start temperature of the beverage to be cooled and sets a desired end temperature. Thermochromatic inks are used on the container label or packaging of the container to convey temperature information. A camera of the communication device senses temperature information of an image of the container. The application then determines an amount of time for cooling the beverage also taking into consideration the type and size of container. The beverage is placed in a cooling device, a timer is initiated by the user, and the application later generates a message indicating the beverage has reached the desired end temperature. The user may link information generated from the application to social networking sites for purposes such as generating invitations to friends within the social network.

Abstract: A thermal barrier liner maintains a beverage within a container at a desired temperature. The liner may include a closed cell substrate, a base layer having gas or liquid filled microcapsules, a base layer having microencapsulated solid-liquid phase change material, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, an integral cooling element incorporates solid/liquid phase change material. The cooling element can either be attached to the exterior of the container, the interior of the container, or free-floating within the container. Other embodiments include container holders or direct beverage holders incorporating phase change materials to control temperature of the beverages. The embodiments may further include thermochromatic ink to provide a visible color indication of temperature changes for the beverage.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for passing timing information over packet networks. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a transmitter inserts a timestamp into various packets being transmitted. A receiver determines the packet delay for each of these packets. The receiver monitors the packet delays of received packets over time to estimate a minimum packet delay for the network. Thereafter, the receiver uses the timestamps of received packets in order to update a local receiver clock signal so that the local receiver clock signal is synchronous to the clock signal used by the transmitter to generate the timestamps. However, the receiver filters the received timestamps such that the effects of packet delay variation to the synchronization of the local clock signals are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatographic toner that has a condensation polymer binder having carboxylic acid end groups and an acid number of 4 or greater. The carboxylic end groups are converted to metal salts having the structure; (—COO?1)nM+n where M is selected from groups IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, or IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA and VIIIA of the periodic table and n is an integer from 1-4. The present invention also provides a developer of carrier particles and the electrostatographic toner.

Abstract: A thermal barrier liner is preferably spray coated onto the internal surface of a container. The liner is provided in embodiments including a closed cell substrate, a base layer having gas or liquid filled microcapsules, a base layer having microencapsulated solid-liquid phase change material, or combinations thereof. For the closed cell substrate embodiment, when the liner is under pressure within the container prior to the container being opened, the liner maintains a minimum thickness. When the container is opened and as pressure is released within the container, the liner expands to achieve equilibrium. The liner can be supplemented with a foaming agent to create cellular structures. Voids created by the microcapsules enhance the thermal barrier characteristics of the liner. The phase change material changes phase from a solid to a liquid state upon absorbing heat.

Abstract: A hydraulic system with thermal shock protection. The hydraulic system can include a controller that limits when hot hydraulic fluids may be directed to cold hydraulic components. The hydraulic system can be used in machines such as trenchers to protect hydraulic components such as hydraulic motors from failure due to thermal shock.

Abstract: The present invention is toner particle that includes a continuous phase of binder polymer and a second phase of hydrocolloid. The particle has a porosity of at least 10 percent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fuser member having as its outermost layer, a cured composite comprising: a) a continuous phase of an elastomer; and b) thermally conductive particles dispersed in the elastomer, where the conductive particles comprise inorganic particles coated with a layer of fluoroplastic.

Abstract: A method and system for printing documents with one or more embedded security features is provided. Security features are embedded in the document by co-printing magnetic and non-magnetic toner on a receiver before fixation by a fixing station. The combination of magnetic and non-magnetic toners in the image results in image elements that easily show alteration or are undetectable by visual means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous toner. The porous toner has a porosity of greater that 20 percent. The toner can include vinyl polymers, copolymers of styrene monomers and polyesters. In addition a method of manufacture of the toner particles is provided.

Abstract: A packaging container is used to package a regulated fluid dispensing system including a regulated fluid dispensing device and a beverage container. The packaging includes carry handles, and a perforation pattern that allows a front panel of the packaging container to be removed thus exposing working parts of the dispensing device. The dispensing system may remain housed within the packaging during use that assists in stabilizing and protecting the dispensing system.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for dispensing a beverage from a pressurized container. The dispensing device includes an integral source of compressed gas for maintaining the beverage within the container at a desired pressurized state. The dispensing device also includes a regulator for controlling the flow of gas from the compressed gas source to the interior of the container, as well as a pressure relief mechanism that accounts for potential over pressurization of the container. The beverage is selectively dispensed by actuation of a tap handle. Delivery is achieved through the device by a resilient delivery tube, and the delivery tube is either pinched closed or allowed to decompress by the actuation of the tap handle. In another embodiment, a check valve is used to control flow of the beverage in which the tap handle activates a transfer rod to seat and unseat a check element.

Abstract: A method and system for printing documents with one or more embedded security features is provided. Security features are embedded in the document by co-printing magnetic and non-magnetic toner on a receiver before fixation by a fixing station. The combination of magnetic and non-magnetic toners in the image results in image elements that easily show alteration or are undetectable by visual means.