Abstract: A passive identification tag includes a non-conductive substrate and a resonant structure disposed on the non-conductive substrate the resonant structure is configured to generate a baseline response from a detection signal incident thereon. A characteristic layer disposed on the substrate to modify at least one of an amplitude, phase, group delay, and phase delay of the baseline response to generate a tag response.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a cart assembly having a lower deck, an upper deck, and a gantry. The lower deck has designated areas for empty containers and for filled containers. The gantry includes a gripper system configured to grab at least one container from the empty-container staging area and transport it to a receiving site, where a crop harvesting apparatus deposits a crop in the container. Once the container is filled, the gantry moves the filled container so as to position it within a filled-container staging area of the lower deck. The gripper system then releases the container. The process is continued while the cart assembly is transported throughout a crop harvesting facility to harvest crops.

Abstract: An aqueous fluid irrigation system for protecting a region of a subsurface irrigation tube from root or microbial mass intrusion, comprising a porous cover covering a subsurface irrigation tube, wherein the cover essentially covers the region of the tube surface, and wherein the cover comprises a non-plexifilamentary material characterized by a peak void volume of less than 35 microns, and any planar region of the non-plexifilamentary material of an area of 500 square microns or less contains a contiguous polymer structure that remains contiguous when exposed to aqueous fluid.

Abstract: A valve for communication of a measurement while drilling system includes a first structure having a central portion and one or more elongate portions radially extending from the central portion, and a second structure having one or more portions which substantially bound a central orifice region and one or more elongate orifice regions radially extending from the central orifice region. At least one of the first structure and the second structure is configured to be rotated about a rotation axis to produce a relative rotation between the first structure and the second structure such that a flow path through which mud can flow varies as the at least one of the first structure and the second structure rotates about the rotation axis. The central portion has a maximum inscribed circle encircling the rotation axis and having a first radius and the central orifice region has a maximum inscribed circle encircling the rotation axis and having a second radius greater than the first radius.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a source of fluid pressure adapted to supply a braking force to at least one brake actuator and a modular valve unit fluidly coupling the brake actuator to the source of fluid pressure. The modular valve unit includes a plurality of valve modules. Each of the plurality of valve modules includes a housing in which working elements of the valve module are contained and at least one port in the housing adapted to be an input port or an output port, the at least one port being adapted to cooperate with and be directly fluidly connected to at least one port of another of the plurality of valve modules, thereby obviating the need for tubing or piping. Each of the plurality of valve modules is self-contained and defines a stand-alone unit capable of operating independently of any other of the plurality of valve modules.

Abstract: Methods and systems for seamlessly integrating an end-to-end acquisition process using a flexible data structure are disclosed. A flexible data structure consistent with these methods and systems may connect the buyer's requirement to the vendor's proposed solution, facilitating a requirement-by-requirement evaluation process allowing buyers to evaluate content as well as price of a proposal. Embodiments of the present invention standardize the format of proposals, allowing buyers to more easily compare vendors' proposals side-by-side. Still other embodiments of the present invention produce an error checking report to further aid vendors in improving proposals and buyers in evaluating proposals.

Abstract: Methods and systems for seamlessly integrating an end-to-end acquisition process using a flexible data structure are disclosed. A flexible data structure consistent with these methods and systems may connect the buyer's requirement to the vendor's proposed solution, facilitating a requirement-by-requirement evaluation process allowing buyers to evaluate content as well as price of a proposal. Embodiments of the present invention standardize the format of proposals, allowing buyers to more easily compare vendors' proposals side-by-side. Still other embodiments of the present invention produce an error checking report to further aid vendors in improving proposals and buyers in evaluating proposals.

Abstract: Provided is a touch-sensitive input apparatus including a capacitive sensor with a plurality of adjacent capacitive, touch-sensing regions for detecting a foreign object in close proximity to a surface of the capacitive sensor. The foreign object can be brought into contact with, or at least in close proximity to the surface to enter an instruction for controlling a device associated with the touch-sensitive input apparatus. A controller receives a signal indicative of a capacitance sensed by a first region included in the plurality of touch-sensing regions during application of a shield signal to a second region included in the plurality of touch-sensing regions. The second region is located adjacent to the first region.

Abstract: A valve for communication of a measurement while drilling system includes a first structure having a central portion and one or more elongate portions radially extending from the central portion, and a second structure having one or more portions which substantially bound a central orifice region and one or more elongate orifice regions radially extending from the central orifice region. At least one of the first structure and the second structure is configured to be rotated about a rotation axis to produce a relative rotation between the first structure and the second structure such that a flow path through which mud can flow varies as the at least one of the first structure and the second structure rotates about the rotation axis. The central portion has a maximum inscribed circle encircling the rotation axis and having a first radius and the central orifice region has a maximum inscribed circle encircling the rotation axis and having a second radius greater than the first radius.

Abstract: Embodiments may relate to a means for retrieving one or more infant items when thrown by an infant. According to some embodiments, a retrieval means can include a manual or spring-loaded means. Furthermore, embodiments can comprise a means for attaching the system to a support structure, or the embodiment may be built into the support structure instead. Suitable support structures may include, without limitation, one or more of an infant car seat, an infant high chair, an infant walker, an infant playpen, an infant stroller, an infant carrying device, or an infant cradle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for seamlessly integrating an end-to-end acquisition process using a flexible data structure are disclosed. A flexible data structure consistent with these methods and systems may connect the buyer's requirement to the vendor's proposed solution, facilitating a requirement-by-requirement evaluation process allowing buyers to evaluate content as well as price of a proposal. Embodiments of the present invention standardize the format of proposals, allowing buyers to more easily compare vendors' proposals side-by-side. Still other embodiments of the present invention produce an error checking report to further aid vendors in improving proposals and buyers in evaluating proposals.

Abstract: Methods and systems for seamlessly integrating an end-to-end acquisition process using a flexible data structure are disclosed. A flexible data structure consistent with these methods and systems may connect the buyer's requirement to the vendor's proposed solution, facilitating a requirement-by-requirement evaluation process allowing buyers to evaluate content as well as price of a proposal. Embodiments of the present invention standardize the format of proposals, allowing buyers to more easily compare vendors' proposals side-by-side. Still other embodiments of the present invention produce an error checking report to further aid vendors in improving proposals and buyers in evaluating proposals.

Abstract: Methods and systems for seamlessly integrating an end-to-end acquisition process using a flexible data structure are disclosed. A flexible data structure consistent with these methods and systems may connect the buyer's requirement to the vendor's proposed solution, facilitating a requirement-by-requirement evaluation process allowing buyers to evaluate content as well as price of a proposal. Embodiments of the present invention standardize the format of proposals, allowing buyers to more easily compare vendors' proposals side-by-side. Still other embodiments of the present invention produce an error checking report to further aid vendors in improving proposals and buyers in evaluating proposals.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a two-part, reclosable pouring element for a liquid packaging, wherein the pouring element has a base member and a closure lid, wherein said closure lid is hinged on said base member by means of two bearing necks and has an opening to accommodate a tamper-proof closure and wherein said closure lid can be tilted inside the packaging material for opening of the packaging.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a source of fluid pressure adapted to supply a braking force a brake actuator including a parking brake chamber, and a combination valve fluidly coupling the brake actuator to the source of pressure, the combination valve having an inlet fluidly coupled to the source of pressure and an outlet fluidly coupled to the brake actuator. The combination valve includes within a single housing (i) a solenoid responsive to electrical signals to move from one position in which the parking brake chamber is fluidly coupled to the source of pressure in order to pressurize the parking brake chamber and release the parking brake, and another position in which the parking brake chamber of the brake actuator is vented in order to exhaust pressure within the parking brake chamber so that the parking brake is applied, and (ii) at least one of a manifold, an inversion valve, a double check valve and an anti-compounding valve.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a source of fluid pressure adapted to supply a braking force a brake actuator including a parking brake chamber, and a combination valve fluidly coupling the brake actuator to the source of pressure, the combination valve having an inlet fluidly coupled to the source of pressure and an outlet fluidly coupled to the brake actuator. The combination valve includes within a single housing (i) a solenoid responsive to electrical signals to move from one position in which the parking brake chamber is fluidly coupled to the source of pressure in order to pressurize the parking brake chamber and release the parking brake, and another position in which the parking brake chamber of the brake actuator is vented in order to exhaust pressure within the parking brake chamber so that the parking brake is applied, and (ii) at least one of a manifold, an inversion valve, a double check valve and an anti-compounding valve.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a source of fluid pressure adapted to supply a braking force to at least one brake actuator and a modular valve unit fluidly coupling the brake actuator to the source of fluid pressure. The modular valve unit includes a plurality of valve modules. Each of the plurality of valve modules includes a housing in which working elements of the valve module are contained and at least one port in the housing adapted to be an input port or an output port, the at least one port being adapted to cooperate with and be directly fluidly connected to at least one port of another of the plurality of valve modules, thereby obviating the need for tubing or piping. Each of the plurality of valve modules is self-contained and defines a stand-alone unit capable of operating independently of any other of the plurality of valve modules.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade of an ice skate includes the steps of providing a T-shaped stock piece of material having a plate and a leg extending from a center of the plate; machining the plate to form at least one mounting platform for connecting the blade to a skate shoe; machining the leg to form a skate body section that extends from the platform and includes a blade runner holder portion having a diamond cross-sectional shape with a downwardly directed slot. A separate blade runner is fixed to the blade runner holder portion within the slot and positioned for contacting the ice when in use. The blade runner is formed by providing a blade runner-shaped workpiece having a substantially constant thickness; using a vein cutting tool, and machining both lateral sides of an upper edge region of the blade runner-shaped workpiece simultaneously to form a thinner base region. The base region is sized to fit and be secured within the slot.

Abstract: Represented and described are a method for the manufacture of a reclosable pouring element and a pouring element manufactured in accordance therewith, whereby the pouring element features a basic body (1) and a closure cover (2), and whereby the closure cover (2) is connected in jointed fashion to the basic body by means of two bearing pivots (4).