Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for grinding and storing, for example, herbs or spices. In particular, the grinding device of the present disclosure is preferably integrated directly with a mason jar. The grinder can generally include a bottom portion configured to be inserted into the threaded mouth of the mason jar and captured thereto with a common mason jar screw ring. The bottom portion can include a bowl with a plurality of teeth extending upward therefrom. The grinding device can additionally include a top portion with an annular wall extending from a disc portion and teeth extending from the bottom surface of the disc. The top portion can be sized and dimensioned to be received in and engage the bowl of the bottom portion. The user may twist the top portion freely in the bottom portion in order to grind materials therein.

Abstract: An external medical device includes a fluid inlet, an inlet valve in fluid communication with the fluid inlet to control fluid flow through the fluid inlet in response to fluid inlet control signals, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir, a fluid pump configured to deliver a therapeutic fluid from the fluid reservoir through the fluid outlet in response to fluid outlet control signals, a fluid sensor configured to monitor the therapeutic fluid between the fluid pump and the fluid outlet and further configured to output sensor data corresponding to a monitored condition of the therapeutic fluid, and a control module configured to receive the sensor data and output, based on the sensor data, the fluid inlet control signals to the inlet valve and the fluid outlet control signals to the fluid pump.

Abstract: Flexible braille indicia signage and methods are provided. Preferably, the flexible braille indicia signage takes the form of braille directional identifiers for use on railings or the like. In one example, the braille indicia signage is made by providing a flexible substrate and printing a first layer of ink on a first side of the flexible substrate in a pattern defining desired braille indicia. Multiple layers of ink are then printed in registration with the pattern atop of the first layer of ink such that the desired braille indicia has a height of at least 0.6 mm (0.79 mm for braille directional identifiers) relative to the first side of the substrate. A sealing layer of ink is then printed atop the substrate and multiple layers of ink. The result is a braille sign with braille indicia that does not separate from the substrate on a condition that a portion of the substrate bearing the braille indicia is flexed in an arc of a 10 mm, i.e.

Abstract: A food preparation appliance and associated components and methods. The food preparation appliance is configured to support transmission of operations updates and other data to/from a local or remote computer. In some embodiments, the food preparation appliance provides a virtual data bus for transmission of the updates or data. The virtual data bus may be bridged to a physical data bus of the food preparation appliance. The food preparation appliance can be configured to receive operations updates regardless of an operational mode of the food preparation appliance.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media server and parsing engine, 3rd party mobile aggregator, client servers, and a plurality of communication devices that are each associated with a user and a user profile. The media server can provide one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to media content, with the access being provided at a time selected by the user. At least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices can transmit a critique of the media content. The media server can award points to the user based on performing the critique, and can transmit the critique and user information from the user profile to the client server. The media server can provide the at least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to at least one of services or goods to be purchased with the points.

Abstract: A device for sealing a transmission is presented. The device has a base with an upper surface and a lower surface. The device further has a protruding portion. The protruding portion has an inner surface and an outer surface. The protruding portion has a predetermined length. The protruding portion is attached to the base of the device. A locking mechanism is also presented to lock the protruding portion to the base. The locking mechanism is made of a plurality of locking members. Each of the locking member is positions apart from the protruding portion and is located around a periphery of the base of the device.

Abstract: A LED grow-light system is disclosed. The LED grow-light system includes dual-layer grow-light canopies with linear LED light bars to provide upward and downward lighting in a central illumination area. The LED light bars are preferably configured to move up and down relative to a grow bed through stepper motors attached to the grow-light canopies and vertical pole structures for supporting the grow-light canopies over the grow bed. The LED light bars include modulated LEDs, or LED arrays, to provide uniform light distribution over the grow bed while maintaining grow-light canopy footprints that are similar in size to the grow bed.

Abstract: A LED grow-light system is disclosed. The LED grow-light system includes dual-layer grow-light canopies with linear LED light bars to provide upward and downward lighting in a central illumination area. The LED light bars are preferably configured to move up and down relative to a grow bed through stepper motors attached to the grow-light canopies and vertical pole structures for supporting the grow-light canopies over the grow bed. The LED light bars include modulated LEDs, or LED arrays, to provide uniform light distribution over the grow bed while maintaining grow-light canopy footprints that are similar in size to the grow bed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media server and parsing engine, 3rd party mobile aggregator, client servers, and a plurality of communication devices that are each associated with a user and a user profile. The media server can provide one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to media content, with the access being provided at a time selected by the user. At least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices can transmit a critique of the media content. The media server can award points to the user based on performing the critique, and can transmit the critique and user information from the user profile to the client server. The media server can provide the at least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to at least one of services or goods to be purchased with the points.

Abstract: A sensor, such as a motion sensor and/or an occupancy sensor, a soft switch relay controller, or a power pack can significantly reduce the in-rush current and thereby extend the life of relays and other electrical components susceptible to damage caused by in-rush current or voltage surges. The sensor, soft switch relay controller, and/or power pack can reduce the in-rush current when enabling or disabling a light source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a coating film, optionally in the form of sheets or slabs, especially for the coating of a carrier layer (3), optionally textile materials and/or peelable polyurethane foams and/or a textile carrier layer (3), wherein the coating film (100) has an optionally multilayer upper layer (1) and a bonding layer (2) bonded thereto and optionally having multiple layers (2?, 2?) for bonding to the carrier layer (3). It is envisaged in accordance with the invention that the bonding layer (2) creates an uncrosslinked, polyurethane layer having thermoplastic properties and having a thickness between 0.080 and 0.500 mm, preferably between 0.200 and 0.500, especially between 0.120 and 0.

Abstract: A sensor, such as a motion sensor and/or an occupancy sensor, a soft switch relay controller, or a power pack can significantly reduce the in-rush current and thereby extend the life of relays and other electrical components susceptible to damage caused by in-rush current or voltage surges. The sensor, soft switch relay controller, and/or power pack can reduce the in-rush current when enabling or disabling a light source.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for grinding and storing, for example, herbs or spices. In particular, the grinding device of the present disclosure is preferably integrated directly with a mason jar. The grinder can generally include a bottom portion configured to be inserted into the threaded mouth of the mason jar and captured thereto with a common mason jar screw ring. The bottom portion can include a bowl with a plurality of teeth extending upward therefrom. The grinding device can additionally include a top portion with an annular wall extending from a disc portion and teeth extending from the bottom surface of the disc. The top portion can be sized and dimensioned to be received in and engage the bowl of the bottom portion. The user may twist the top portion freely in the bottom portion in order to grind materials therein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to utilizing an application workflow framework to manage workflow on an application executing on a computing device. An illustrative workflow routine can include multiple tasks than need to be completed in order to complete the workflow routine. Accordingly, a workflow framework has a workflow definition that that matches the specific workflow routine. Each of the specific tasks defined in the workflow routine can be represented by a number of interface elements within the application. At least some of the interface elements can have a number of states of execution defined by the workflow definition and having different content and display attributes. In one embodiment, the states of execution can include a pre-active state, an active state, and a post-active state.

Abstract: A barrier for concealing text of a transactional card has a layer of adhesive and a layer of foam. The barrier has a primary side connected to a secondary side at a hinge point. The hinge point has a plurality of perforations. The primary side of the barrier is configured to overlay at least a portion of text on the front face of a transactional card. The secondary side of the barrier is configured to overlay at least a portion of text located on the rear of a transactional card. The barrier has a tab protruding from an outer perimeter edge of the barrier and at least one recess configured to be oriented to overlay the embossed text of a transactional card. The barrier can have an opening configured to make at least a portion of the text of a transactional card visible through the opening to a user.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media server and parsing engine, 3rd party mobile aggregator, client servers, and a plurality of communication devices that are each associated with a user and a user profile. The media server can provide one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to media content, with the access being provided at a time selected by the user. At least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices can transmit a critique of the media content. The media server can award points to the user based on performing the critique, and can transmit the critique and user information from the user profile to the client server. The media server can provide the at least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to at least one of services or goods to be purchased with the points.

Abstract: A multi-purpose system is disclosed which utilizes a lawn sprinkler in the shape of a fire hydrant to provide a stimulus to a dog. A remotely programmable portable water sprinkler is provided, which can be programmed to run for a period of time for normal watering of a lawn, and it can be programmed to trigger and spray when a series of dog barks are detected. This spraying of water is intended to be a stimulus to the dog.