Abstract: A method for manufacturing a container includes forming a top portion of a preform by injecting a first material into a mold. A bottom portion of the preform is formed by injecting a second material into the mold to form inner and outer layers of the bottom portion and injecting a third material into the mold to form an intermediate layer of the bottom portion that is positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. The third material includes virgin polyethylene terephthalate and an additive.

Abstract: A method includes: hosting, by a computing device, a videoconference among plural users; receiving, by the computing device, input from a sharing user of the plural users, wherein the input initiates a screenshare in the videoconference; creating, by the computing device, document twins of a document shown in the screenshare; and providing, by the computing device and to other users of the plural users, access to respective ones of the document twins in an interface of the videoconference; wherein each of the other users may scroll within a respective one of the document twins independently of other ones of the other users and independently of the screenshare.

Abstract: An improved resilient composite structure for connecting two surfaces together where the structure includes an elastomeric joint body connected to one of the two surfaces and at least one reinforcement membrane at one end of the resilient composite structure, where the reinforcement membrane wraps around the end of the resilient composite structure such that one end of the reinforcement membrane is positioned along a side of the resilient composite structure and the other end of the reinforcement membrane is positioned on the opposite side of the resilient composite structure.

Abstract: A floating modular stair system includes a wall mounting plate that is attachable to a vertical wall, and a base mounting plate that is anchorable to a horizontal floor. A monostringer beam is attachable to the wall mounting plate and to the base mounting plate. The monostringer beam includes an integrated hook attachment for variable angle adjustment and attachment to the wall mounting plate. Stair tread brackets are attachable to the monostringer beam for equal spacing of stair treads after installation of the monostringer beam to the wall mounting plate and to the base mounting plate. Each of the stair tread brackets are also designed for individual variable angle adjustment and leveling after attachment to the monostringer beam, and the stair tread brackets are rotatable through an adjustable anchor point about a fixed pivot anchor point to level the stair treads of the floating modular stair system.

Abstract: A memory card comprising a flexible substrate (a “flex”) which is integrated in the memory card and folded in a prescribed manner subsequent to having various active and passive devices (e.g., controller and memory devices) surface mounted thereto. The active and passive devices are attached to a common side of the flex, and electrically connected to a conductive pattern disposed thereon. The conductive pattern itself electrically communicates with external signal contacts also formed on the flex. The use of folded flex technology in the memory card of the present invention allows the same to support four or more standard, pre-packaged memory devices, thus providing the memory card with substantially increased capacity.

Abstract: A system for providing an automated axial force to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a wheelchair. An electronic transmission control receives one or more input signals generated by throttle position or other variables. The microprocessor generates an output signal that adjusts the axial force applied to a CVT thereby automatically adjusting the input to output ratio. The invention also provides a manually controlled variator is designed for use on a wheelchair. The manual shifter hydraulically adjusts an axial force imparted on a variator in communication with a wheelchair wheel and a hand rim. Application of the axial force causes the hand rim input and wheelchair wheel output ratio to change, permitting a wheelchair operator to manually adjust the input to output ratio to more easily operate the wheelchair.

Abstract: A system for providing an automated axial force to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a wheelchair. An electronic transmission control receives one or more input signals generated by throttle position or other variables. The microprocessor generates an output signal that adjusts the axial force applied to a CVT thereby automatically adjusting the input to output ratio. The invention also provides a manually controlled variator is designed for use on a wheelchair. The manual shifter hydraulically adjusts an axial force imparted on a variator in communication with a wheelchair wheel and a hand rim. Application of the axial force causes the hand rim input and wheelchair wheel output ratio to change, permitting a wheelchair operator to manually adjust the input to output ratio to more easily operate the wheelchair.

Abstract: A system for providing an automated axial force to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a wheelchair. An electronic transmission control receives one or more input signals generated by throttle position or other variables. The microprocessor generates an output signal that adjusts the axial force applied to a CVT thereby automatically adjusting the input to output ratio. The invention also provides a manually-controlled variator is designed for use on a wheelchair. The manual shifter hydraulically adjusts an axial force imparted on a variator in communication with a wheelchair wheel and a hand rim. Application of the axial force causes the hand rim input and wheelchair wheel output ratio to change, permitting a wheelchair operator to manually adjust the input to output ratio to more easily operate the wheelchair.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for writing and verifying servo frames written on a storage medium, for verifying data areas of a storage medium, and for writing and verifying servo frames and data areas of a storage medium. In one example, the writing of at least a portion of a position field of a servo frame to a track of the storage medium is interleaved with reading of at least a portion of a previously written logic field of a servo frame of a track of the storage medium whereby said portion of the previously written logic field can be verified during the servo writing process.

Abstract: A kit for improving the repair of a transmission. The kit presents components in a well organized fashion. The kit includes certain individual components and groups of components in preassembled subassemblies. For example, a subassembly can be preassembled to factory level tolerances. Thus, during the repair, the defective, subassembly can be removed and the preassembled replacement can be installed, saving a significant amount of repair time. It also makes the refurbished transmission less likely to fail. If the kit contains all of the transmission parts, then it is likely that all or only a portion of the parts will be used during the repair. Any unused parts can then be placed back into the kit, along with the used parts, and the kit can be returned for a partial refund or a credit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for recruiting students. Using the methods and apparatus disclosed herein, educators can more efficiently recruit prospective students. Educational institutions can increase the efficiency of recruitment efforts by automatically generating outbound calls to prospective students. Outbound calls to prospective students are automatically generated when a prospective student is directed to call a recruitment center and the prospective student fails to call within a set time period. Outbound calls to prospective students are also automatically generated when a student is performing an online process to set an appointment and requests an immediate call. In addition, educational institutions can simplify the appointment scheduling process by incorporating an administrator's schedule into a student database.

Abstract: A combination brake and motor-generator comprises a disc brake including a brake caliper and one or more rotors; a brushless pancake electric motor-generator including a stator of one or more electromagnets and a rotor having a plurality of radially arrayed, angularly-spaced permanent magnets of alternating polarity. The rotor of the disc brake and the rotor of the motor-generator can be coupled to rotate together or the disc brake and motor-generator can share a common rotor.

Abstract: A friction stir tool is provided to perform friction stir riveting using a partially consumable pin, wherein the pin includes a cutting edge on a bottom surface thereof, wherein the tool is rotated at a first speed to enable cutting by the pin into a first material that is overlapping a second material, wherein after the pin has cut to a sufficient depth, the rotational speed of the tool is increased to thereby enable plasticization of the consumable pin, the first material, and the second material, wherein the tool is then rapidly decelerated until stopped, enabling diffusion bonding between the pin, the first material and the second material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally toward item management systems and associated methods. Aspects of the invention are directed toward receiving items, inducting the items into the item management system and storing the items. In certain embodiments, inducting the item can include imaging at least a portion of the item and providing that image to a remote user. Other aspects of the invention include retrieving the items form storage and processing the items. In selected embodiments, processing an item can include processing the item in accordance with instructions provided by a remote user. In certain embodiments, at least some of the items that have been processed can then be returned to storage. Still other aspects of the invention can include monitoring various portions of the item management process. In selected embodiments, various aspects of the invention can be automated and/or computer controlled.

Abstract: A wall mount for attaching water treatment system to a wall plate consists of a platform and a vertical portion. The water treatment system rests on the platform. The water treatment systems extend through the back of the wall mount and extend through passages in the wall mount and into the water treatment system. The water tubes, when placed within the water treatment system, assist in maintaining the water treatment system on the wall mount.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming servo bursts on a magnetic storage disk are disclosed. The method comprises forming at least one phase-encoded servo burst to a surface of the disk using a printing-process step that writes all parts of the phase-encoded servo burst substantially simultaneously. The phase encoded by the at least one phase-encoded servo burst varies continuously with radial position.

Abstract: An air treatment system includes features for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. In one embodiment, a sensor air passage utilizes a low pressure region created by the blower to draw air through the passage. In another embodiment, a filter frame includes a plurality of connectors formed integrally with the filter frame. In another embodiment, a screen is positioned adjacent to the blower intake. The screen includes a plurality of angled strands oriented in a particular direction. In another embodiment, a remote control holder is formed integrally with the housing. In another embodiment, a gasket is positioned between the blower and the housing, forming a seal between the blower and the housing.

Abstract: A coaxial helically actuated disc brake is provided. The coaxial disc brake includes a pressure plate that is rotationally actuated and helically guided by a brake support structure to axially engage a brake pad carrier with a rotor. The pressure plate, brake pad carrier and rotor are all coaxial with the rotating member upon which the coaxial disc brake acts. Multiple concentric pressure plates and brake pad carriers can be used. Multiple brake pad carriers acting as stators can be coaxially stacked between multiple coaxial rotors. A low friction device, material or element can be placed between the pressure plate and brake pad carrier to allow for easier disengagement of the brake.

Abstract: A gaming machine symbol-bearing reels which are used to play a main game involving, the selection and display of a symbol combination. Bonus events or modifiers are also selected and displayed. This may be an automatic machine function, or the player may have the opportunity to operate a further selection reel, or control buttons. The selected bonus event or modifier may be applied to features associated with or separate from the main game, such as a feature game display to which play can transfer from the main game, or may be applied to subsequent main games which may consist of free spins of the reels, or may be paid for by the player.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally toward item management systems and associated methods. Aspects of the invention are directed toward receiving items, inducting the items into the item management system and storing the items. In certain embodiments, inducting the item can include imaging at least a portion of the item and providing that image to a remote user. Other aspects of the invention include retrieving the items form storage and processing the items. In selected embodiments, processing an item can include processing the item in accordance with instructions provided by a remote user. In certain embodiments, at least some of the items that have been processed can then be returned to storage. Still other aspects of the invention can include monitoring various portions of the item management process. In selected embodiments, various aspects of the invention can be automated and/or computer controlled.