Abstract: A method of operating a beverage preparation machine that permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

Abstract: A helmet assembly includes an upper member, a lower member, and rigid or semi-rigid plates connected between the two members. The helmet may include a series of fluidly connected air compartments beneath the plates is disclosed. Embodiments of the helmet may dissipate impact energy in multiple ways including deformation of the plates, shifting of the plates, cushioning of the plates against a resilient compressible material present in the upper member, compression of air within the air compartments, movement of air within the air compartments, and/or expansion of air in non-impacted sections of the air compartments which causes the shifting of non-impacted plates. Springs with or without resilient, compressible inserts may be positioned between movable plates and a frame member. A spine including compressible material may extend along a top section of the helmet and connect plates on opposite sides of the helmet.

Abstract: A helmet assembly includes an upper member, a lower member, and rigid or semi-rigid plates connected between the two members. The helmet may include a series of fluidly connected air compartments beneath the plates is disclosed. Embodiments of the helmet may dissipate impact energy in multiple ways including deformation of the plates, shifting of the plates, cushioning of the plates against a resilient compressible material present in the upper member, compression of air within the air compartments, movement of air within the air compartments, and/or expansion of air in non-impacted sections of the air compartments which causes the shifting of non-impacted plates. Springs with or without resilient, compressible inserts may be positioned between movable plates and a frame member. A spine including compressible material may extend along a top section of the helmet and connect plates on opposite sides of the helmet.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

Abstract: A method of operating a beverage preparation machine that permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

Abstract: A pill container and dispenser includes pill dispenser cap having a rotatable carousel with a pill receiving chamber. The carousel is rotatable between a position in which the chamber receives pills from a storage component of the pill dispenser, and a position in which the pill can be dispensed from the chamber to a user. The pill dispenser includes systems for detecting the dispensing of the pill, and systems for recording and/or reporting pill dispensing events to a mobile device or remote server to allow compliance tacking.

Abstract: A helmet assembly includes an upper member, a lower member, and rigid or semi-rigid plates connected between the two members. The helmet may include a series of fluidly connected air compartments beneath the plates is disclosed. Embodiments of the helmet may dissipate impact energy in multiple ways including deformation of the plates, shifting of the plates, cushioning of the plates against a resilient compressible material present in the upper member, compression of air within the air compartments, movement of air within the air compartments, and/or expansion of air in non-impacted sections of the air compartments which causes the shifting of non-impacted plates. Springs with or without resilient, compressible inserts may be positioned between movable plates and a frame member. A spine including compressible material may extend along a top section of the helmet and connect plates on opposite sides of the helmet.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

Abstract: A frozen drink dispenser includes a housing and a dispensing station supported by the housing and configured to dispense a precise quantity of a flavored fluid from a variety of flavored fluids into a blender cup. The dispensing station includes a first support configured to support the blender cup and weigh contents within the blender cup. The frozen drink dispenser further includes a shaved ice and blend station supported by the housing and configured to dispense a precise quantity of shaved ice within the blender cup and to mix the contents within the blender cup. The shaved ice and blend station includes a second support configured to support the blender cup. The frozen drink dispenser further includes a rinse station configured to rinse and clean the blender cup.

Abstract: A fully sealed, low cost pushbutton switch for mounting in a panel without use of a tool comprising a single pole double throw switch enclosed within a boot/gasket housing. Two wire leads are attached to terminals on the push button switch in a cavity area which is filled with an epoxy, and a base cover forms and seals a lower surface of the terminal cavity areas.

Abstract: Armor-piercing rounds having improved penetrators therein providing high al moments of inertia, and hence, high gyroscopic stability which is attributable to the variously configured non-circular cross-sections of the penetrators.

Abstract: Armor-piercing rounds having improved penetrators therein providing high axial moments of inertia, and hence, high gyroscopic stability which is attributable to the variously configured non-circular cross-sections of the penetrators.