Abstract: A dosing device or system for dispensing tablets, which can include at least one active ingredient for an automatic washing process, into an automatic washing machine, wherein the dosing device or system is for dispensing one or more, but not all, of the tablets at once into the automatic washing machine, and wherein the dosing device or system can be for dispensing only one tablet at once.

Abstract: A dosing device or system for dispensing tablets, which can include at least one active ingredient for an automatic washing process, into an automatic washing machine, wherein the dosing device or system is for dispensing one or more, but not all, of the tablets at once into the automatic washing machine, and wherein the dosing device or system can be for dispensing only one tablet at once.

Abstract: A tray (50) configured for receiving replaceable portions (26, 26?) of an electronic smoking device (10) is disclosed. The tray (50) has cavities (52) each configured for receiving a replaceable portion (26, 26?) for being releasably clamped therein. The replaceable portion (26, 26?) is releasably clamped by a movement (R) with respect to the tray (50).

Abstract: A drain valve that includes a body having an upper opening. The drain valve further includes a valve located in the body having a valve opening that is alignable with the upper opening when the valve is in an open state. The valve is configured to release oil that enters the valve through the upper opening when the valve is in an open state. The valve is rotatable about the body in a first rotational direction to move the valve from the open state to a closed state. The valve is rotatable about the body in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction to move the valve from the closed state to the open state. A method of draining fluid from a system.

Abstract: A tray (50) configured for receiving replaceable portions (26, 26?) of an electronic smoking device (10) is disclosed. The tray (50) has cavities (52) each configured for receiving a replaceable portion (26, 26?) for being releasably clamped therein. The replaceable portion (26, 26?) is releasably clamped by a movement (R) with respect to the tray (50).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a drain valve that includes a body having an upper opening. The drain valve further includes a valve located in the body having a valve opening that is alignable with the upper opening when the valve is in an open state. The valve is configured to release oil that enters the valve through the upper opening when the valve is in an open state. The valve is rotatable about the body in a first rotational direction to move the valve from the open state to a closed state. The valve is rotatable about the body in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction to move the valve from the closed state to the open state. A method of draining fluid from a system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body is provided that reduces positional error by establishing a reference origin closer to the device and/or simplifies the system by integrating components and functions. In one embodiment, a pair of drive electrodes are affixed to opposed surfaces of the body and create a pathway for transmission of current through a position sensor related to the medical device. A pair of reference electrodes proximate the drive electrodes are coupled to a common reference node outputting a reference signal establishing the reference origin. An electronic control unit determines the position of the medical device responsive to the position signal and the reference signal. In another embodiment, a patch affixed to an external surface of the body has a base layer and multiple devices supported on the base layer, electrically isolated from one another, and configured to perform different functions.

Abstract: An oil drain valve including a ball valve having at least one valve opening that is exposed to an external environment through a housing, the ball valve including a drain opening for releasing oil through an opening of the housing. The housing is rotatable about the ball valve in a first rotational direction to move the ball valve from the open state to a closed state with respect to the housing. A method of draining oil from a vehicle including providing an oil drain valve having a housing and a ball valve, rotating a housing about a ball valve, opening the ball valve with respect to the housing, accepting oil into the housing through the ball valve, and releasing oil through a conduit at a bottom of the oil drain valve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oil drain valve that includes a ball valve having at least one valve opening that is exposed to an external environment through a housing, the ball valve including a drain opening for releasing oil through an opening of the housing. The housing is rotatable about the ball valve in a first rotational direction to move the ball valve from the open state to a closed state with respect to the housing. Further disclosed is a method of draining oil from a vehicle that includes providing an oil drain valve having a housing and a ball valve, rotating a housing about a ball valve, opening the ball valve with respect to the housing, accepting oil into the housing through the ball valve, and releasing oil through a conduit at a bottom of the oil drain valve.

Abstract: A coffee beverage system is described including a first coffee bean packaging cartridge, a second coffee bean cartridge and a coffee brewing apparatus. After a first predetermined number of servings of coffee, transportation component of the first cartridge for transporting coffee beans of the first cartridge to a metering chamber of the system are disabled. The transportation component of the second coffee bean cartridge are not disabled or only disabled after a second predetermined number of servings of coffee which is larger than the first predetermined number of servings of coffee.

Abstract: A hemostasis valve has a housing having proximal and distal ends defining proximal and distal openings configured for passage of a medical device therethrough. The housing further defines a cavity between the proximal and distal ends. One or more rollers are received within the cavity and define end sections and a central section having a smaller diameter than the end sections. Sleeves are disposed about the rollers and are elastically deformable to form a fluid seal around the device. The sleeves each assume a first form when the device is absent from the cavity wherein a radially inner surface of the sleeve is located at a first distance from the central section of a roller and a second form when the device is present in the cavity wherein the surface is located at a second distance, less than the first distance, from the central section of the roller.

Abstract: A coffee beverage system is described including a first coffee bean packaging cartridge, a second coffee bean cartridge and a coffee brewing apparatus. After a first predetermined number of servings of coffee, transportation component of the first cartridge for transporting coffee beans of the first cartridge to a metering chamber of the system are disabled. The transportation component of the second coffee bean cartridge are not disabled or only disabled after a second predetermined number of servings of coffee which is larger than the first predetermined number of servings of coffee.

Abstract: A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body is provided that reduces positional error by establishing a reference origin closer to the device and/or simplifies the system by integrating components and functions. In one embodiment, a pair of drive electrodes are affixed to opposed surfaces of the body and create a pathway for transmission of current through a position sensor related to the medical device. A pair of reference electrodes proximate the drive electrodes are coupled to a common reference node outputting a reference signal establishing the reference origin. An electronic control unit determines the position of the medical device responsive to the position signal and the reference signal. In another embodiment, a patch affixed to an external surface of the body has a base layer and multiple devices supported on the base layer, electrically isolated from one another, and configured to perform different functions.

Abstract: A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body is provided that reduces positional error by establishing a reference origin closer to the device and/or simplifies the system by integrating components and functions. In one embodiment, a pair of drive electrodes are affixed to opposed surfaces of the body and create a pathway for transmission of current through a position sensor related to the medical device. A pair of reference electrodes proximate the drive electrodes are coupled to a common reference node outputting a reference signal establishing the reference origin. An electronic control unit determines the position of the medical device responsive to the position signal and the reference signal. In another embodiment, a patch affixed to an external surface of the body has a base layer and multiple devices supported on the base layer, electrically isolated from one another, and configured to perform different functions.

Abstract: A coffee beverage system is described including a first coffee bean packaging cartridge, a second coffee bean cartridge and a coffee brewing apparatus. After a first predetermined number of servings of coffee, transportation component of the first cartridge for transporting coffee beans of the first cartridge to a metering chamber of the system are disabled. The transportation component of the second coffee bean cartridge are not disabled or only disabled after a second predetermined number of servings of coffee which is larger than the first predetermined number of servings of coffee.

Abstract: An air register for diffusing air away from an existing air duct may include a body with an open panel and plurality of louvers situated therealong. The body may include a plurality of planar side walls extending orthogonally to the panel and disposed inwardly from an outer perimeter thereof. A mechanism may be included for articulating the interconnected louvers between open and closed positions. A second mechanism may be included for magnetically affixing the planar walls to the existing air duct. In operation, the magnetically affixing mechanism may be automatically displaced outwardly and away from the planar side walls while the interconnected louvers biasing mechanism is toggled between the open and closed positions. In this manner, the body may be maintained at a substantially stable position during articulation of the interconnected louvers by maintaining the magnets firmly against the walls of the air duct.

Abstract: A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body is provided that reduces positional error by establishing a reference origin closer to the device and/or simplifies the system by integrating components and functions. In one embodiment, a pair of drive electrodes are affixed to opposed surfaces of the body and create a pathway for transmission of current through a position sensor related to the medical device. A pair of reference electrodes proximate the drive electrodes are coupled to a common reference node outputting a reference signal establishing the reference origin. An electronic control unit determines the position of the medical device responsive to the position signal and the reference signal. In another embodiment, a patch affixed to an external surface of the body has a base layer and multiple devices supported on the base layer, electrically isolated from one another, and configured to perform different functions.

Abstract: An image processing and handling system is provided for the efficient combination of image data from multiple sources and of different types. The system includes an image processing device having an electronic control unit (ECU) that receives a first set of image data from an image data provider such as a PACS server over a telecommunications network. The first set of image data includes image pixel data from a first image of a physical structure in a living being and may be obtained from a DICOM compatible file. The ECU is further configured to combine the first set of image data with a second set of image data to form a combined set of image data. The second and combined sets of image data may each include pixel data for second and combined images, respectively of the physical structure.

Abstract: A vehicle information identifier apparatus comprises a display, a receiver, a deactivation device, and a substantially encasing member. The vehicle information identifier apparatus, or similarly, the vehicle information apparatus may be practiced according to a vehicle information system by following a method of use thereof.

Abstract: A member information identifier apparatus comprises a display, a receiver, a deactivation device, and a substantially encasing member. The member information identifier apparatus, or similarly, the member information apparatus may be practiced according to a member information system by following a method of use thereof.