Abstract: A system include a server configured to: receive a request from a computing device to unlock a delivery box; determine whether the request is authenticated; and send an unlock signal to the delivery box in response to the request being authenticated, such that when the unlock signal is sent to the delivery box, the delivery box is remotely unlocked in response thereto. The delivery box may include a container comprising an interior configured to hold an item; an access door configured to close the container; a system configured to be activated to disinfect/sanitize the interior. The controller is connected to a network and a user is configured to control the controller over the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely diagnosing sensor environments are provided. In one embodiment, a remote diagnostic system comprises a backend cloud server configured to analyze at least one set of sensor data received from at least one remote system. The backend cloud server may be configured to receive the at least one set of sensor data via a cellular network. In another embodiment, a command module of a remote diagnostic system comprises at least one sensor port. Each sensor port is configured for electrical connection with a sensor chip that measures a parameter or condition and may be configured to receive sensor data obtained by the respective sensor chip. The command module also includes a cellular communication device configured to transmit the sensor data via a cellular network to a backend cloud server for diagnosing characteristics of the sensor data.

Abstract: A liner for an appliance is formed by a plastic sheet formed into a three dimensional shape corresponding to at least a portion of a compartment of the appliance. A plurality of electrically conductive ink pathways are applied on a surface of the plastic sheet, and a sealer material is applied to the plastic sheet to cover said pathways.

Abstract: An appliance includes a dispenser for dispensing a mixture of a diluent and a consumable. The mixture may be a beverage wherein the diluent is water and the consumable is a flavorant. The dispenser includes a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The rate at which the consumable is added to the diluent is dependent upon the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The consumable may be provided in a single container, or a user may specify a particular type of consumable from a plurality of containers provided on a rotation carousel.

Abstract: A system and method that supplies fluid, the system comprising a removable container having a magnet, a dispenser defining a cavity to receive the removable container, a sensor disposed adjacent to the cavity, and a control circuit configured to supply fluid to the removable container in response to the sensor (1) detecting a presence of the magnet and (2) detecting that a change in flux of the magnet is greater than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A liner for an appliance is formed by a plastic sheet formed into a three dimensional shape corresponding to at least a portion of a compartment of the appliance. A plurality of electrically conductive ink pathways are applied on a surface of the plastic sheet, and a sealer material is applied to the plastic sheet to cover said pathways.

Abstract: A liner for an appliance is formed by a plastic sheet formed into a three dimensional shape corresponding to at least a portion of a compartment of the appliance.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system of dispensing beverages. A dispensing module includes a body, a mixing chamber in the body, and a conduit in the body whereby the mixing chamber and conduit have separate inlets and outlets. The separate inlets can be translated selectively between a discharge end of a diluent source such that from the single module either diluent directly from the diluent source can be dispensed or diluent through the mixing chamber can be dispensed to a container. The mixing chamber can be pre-loaded with concentrate or flavoring for mixing with the diluent or concentrate or flavoring can be added to the mixing chamber from a separate source. Thus, the two flow paths are isolated from one another but allow at least two beverage choices through the same module.

Abstract: An appliance includes a dispenser for dispensing a mixture of a diluent and a consumable. The mixture may be a beverage wherein the diluent is water and the consumable is a flavorant. The dispenser includes a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The rate at which the consumable is added to the diluent is dependent upon the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The consumable may be provided in a single container, or a user may specify a particular type of consumable from a plurality of containers provided on a rotation carousel.

Abstract: A liner for an appliance is formed by a plastic sheet formed into a three dimensional shape corresponding to at least a portion of a compartment of the appliance.

Abstract: A liner for an appliance is formed by a plastic sheet formed into a three dimensional shape corresponding to at least a portion of a compartment of the appliance. A plurality of electrically conductive ink pathways are applied on a surface of the plastic sheet, and a sealer material is applied to the plastic sheet to cover said pathways.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, and a battery. There is at least one fan disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and electrically connected to the battery. The battery powers the at least one fan during a power outage to thereby circulate air from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment. The at least one fan may be a direct current operated fan. The refrigerator may also include an inverter and the at least one fan may then be an alternating current operated fan electrically connected to the inverter. The battery may be disposed within the refrigerator cabinet or may be external to the refrigerator cabinet.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, and a battery. There is at least one fan disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and electrically connected to the battery. The battery powers the at least one fan during a power outage to thereby circulate air from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment. The at least one fan may be a direct current operated fan. The refrigerator may also include an inverter and the at least one fan may then be an alternating current operated fan electrically connected to the inverter. The battery may be disposed within the refrigerator cabinet or may be external to the refrigerator cabinet.

Abstract: A control for raising and lowering a lift axle (16) on a motor vehicle (10) having an ignition switch (106) for turning the motor on and off. The control has a circuit (32) that is fed through the ignition switch when the ignition switch is on but not when the ignition switch is off and that has a first switch device (102F) that requires actuation to enable the lift axle to be lowered and a second switch device (94D) that, once the first switch device has been actuated to enable the lift axle to be lowered, is effective upon being actuated to cause the lift axle to be lowered. Placement of the vehicle transmission in reverse automatically raises the lift axle if it has been lowered.

Abstract: The invention provides a bushing for insertion into a cylindrical aperture defined by a mounting bracket. The bushing further provides for retention of a cylindrical sensor housing which is enveloped around its circumference by the bushing and positioned adjacent a rotating flux focusing element. The bushing is formed from a sheet of spring metal and shaped into a cylinder. A pair of outwardly projecting retaining brackets extend from a first end of the sheet and are positioned at one end of the cylinder. In addition, a pair of outwardly projecting dimples are formed in the sheet near the edge of the sheet opposite the first edge, the dimples being sized to allow insertion of the bushing into a cylindrical aperture but function to resist extraction for the bushing after passing completely through the cylindrical aperture.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser and self-filling container system, including a liquid supply line, a liquid container, a liquid dispenser positioned to deliver a supply of liquid to the container from the liquid supply line, a valve positioned in the liquid supply line to selectively deliver liquid to the liquid dispenser, an optical sensor positioned relative to the liquid container to detect the presence of the container and a level of liquid in the container, and a control circuit connecting the optical sensor and the valve to open the valve when the sensor detects the presence of the container and a level of liquid below a maximum desired liquid level in the container and to close the valve when the sensor detects at least one of the absence of the container and a maximum desired liquid level in said container. Such a liquid dispenser may be a water dispenser in a refrigerator.

Abstract: A control for raising and lowering a lift axle (16) on a motor vehicle (10) having any ignition switch (106) for turning the motor on and off. The control has a circuit (32) that is fed through the ignition switch when the ignition switch is on but not when the ignition switch is off and that has a first switch device (102F) that requires actuation to enable the lift axle to be lowered and a second switch device (94D) that, once the first switch device has been actuated to enable the lift axle to be lowered, is effective upon being actuated to cause the lift axle to be lowered. Placement of the vehicle transmission in reverse automatically raises the lift axle if it has been lowered.

Abstract: The invention provides a bushing for insertion into a cylindrical aperture defined by a mounting bracket. The bushing further provides for retention of a cylindrical sensor housing which is enveloped around its circumference by the bushing and positioned adjacent a rotating flux focusing element. The bushing is formed from a sheet of spring metal and shaped into a cylinder. A pair of outwardly projecting retaining brackets extend from a first end of the sheet and are positioned at one end of the cylinder. In addition, a pair of outwardly projecting dimples are formed in the sheet near the edge of the sheet opposite the first edge, the dimples being sized to allow insertion of the bushing into a cylindrical aperture but function to resist extraction for the bushing after passing completely through the cylindrical aperture.

Abstract: The invention provides a bushing for insertion into a cylindrical aperture defined by a mounting bracket. The bushing further provides for retention of a cylindrical sensor housing which is enveloped around its circumference by the bushing and positioned adjacent a rotating flux focusing element. The bushing is formed from a sheet of spring metal and shaped into a cylinder. A pair of outwardly projecting retaining brackets extend from a first end of the sheet and are positioned at one end of the cylinder. In addition, a pair of outwardly projecting dimples are formed in the sheet near the edge of the sheet opposite the first edge, the dimples being sized to allow insertion of the bushing into a cylindrical aperture but function to resist extraction for the bushing after passing completely through the cylindrical aperture.

Abstract: A backshell for an electrical connector gives the electrical connector handedness to force a particular orientation of the connector with respect to a device in order to limit the choice of devices to which the electrical connector can be attached. The backshell fits around the connector and a portion of a cable connected to the connector. The cable is forced into a right angle turn in the interior of the backshell to give the device handedness.