Abstract: A nanoparticle for well-treatment applications and compositions and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The nanoparticle can include a carrier material and an asphaltene inhibitor. The asphaltene inhibitor is capable of being released from the carrier material. The nanoparticle can have a size of 10 nanometers (nm) to 500 nm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a modular configuration of dispensing modules of a vending machine are provided. The vending machine includes a grid of mounting modules to which the dispensing modules can be removably attached. Accordingly, the arrangement of dispensing modules can be readily modified to accommodate different sized items. Some items may be placed across two dispensing modules that are operated in parallel to dispense the item. The dispensing modules may also include an indication unit. The indication unit can be used to provide assistance to servicepersons during a restocking event.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an enclosure having an open front side and a rear side opposite the front side, a bottom side, a top side opposite the bottom side, and a pocket open to the top side and open to the rear side. The pocket has an inner surface which is angled from the front side and the top side toward the rear side and the bottom side. The loudspeaker includes an audio transducer positioned within the enclosure and configured to emit sound from the front side of the enclosure, and a handle coupled to the enclosure, arranged at least partially within the pocket, and having a first portion elongated in a first direction and a second portion elongated in a second direction which is angled with respect to the first direction. The first portion includes a curved surface facing the pocket and terminating at lateral edges of the first portion.

Abstract: A vision measurement device includes an eyepiece with a lens; an outer tube connected to the eyepiece including a target having a predetermined pattern, the target being movable along an optical axis of the lens with respect to the outer tube; a diopter indicator with an indicating portion and a pointing portion; where during the movement of the target with respect to the outer tube along the optical axis of the lens, one of the indicator portion and the pointing portion moves along with the target with respect to the outer tube while the other of the indicator portion and the pointing portion does not move, and when an eye is capable of clearly seeing the predetermined pattern on the target through the eyepiece, the value of the scale indicated by the pointing portion corresponds to the diopter of the eye.

Abstract: A power pack vending system comprises a plurality of kiosks including a magazine having a plurality of slots, and a plurality of rechargeable power packs. Each power pack has a unique identifier and is sized to be received within one slot. Each kiosk includes a computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot the power pack is in, and current power pack information. The kiosk computer controls a charging unit for charging the power packs. The system includes a central management operation comprising a central computer and central database. The management operation communicates with each kiosk and the central database includes a database storing power pack information for every power pack and a database storing customer information. The central management operation receives, stores and processes information received from the kiosks and sends information to each of the kiosks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vision measurement device including: an eyepiece with a lens; an outer tube connected to the eyepiece including a target having a predetermined pattern, the target being movable along an optical axis of the lens with respect to the outer tube; a diopter indicator with an indicating portion and a pointing portion; wherein during the movement of the target with respect to the outer tube along the optical axis of the lens, one of the indicator portion and the pointing portion moves along with the target with respect to the outer tube while the other of the indicator portion and the pointing portion does not move, and when an eye is capable of clearly seeing the predetermined pattern on the target through the eyepiece, the value of the scale indicated by the pointing portion corresponds to the diopter of the eye.

Abstract: A power pack vending system comprises a plurality of kiosks including a magazine having a plurality of slots, and a plurality of rechargeable power packs. Each power pack has a unique identifier and is sized to be received within one slot. Each kiosk includes a computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot the power pack is in, and current power pack information. The kiosk computer controls a charging unit for charging the power packs. The system includes a central management operation comprising a central computer and central database. The management operation communicates with each kiosk and the central database includes a database storing power pack information for every power pack and a database storing customer information. The central management operation receives, stores and processes information received from the kiosks and sends information to each of the kiosks.

Abstract: A power pack vending system comprises a plurality of kiosks including a magazine having a plurality of slots, and a plurality of rechargeable power packs. Each power pack has a unique identifier and is sized to be received within one slot. Each kiosk includes a computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot the power pack is in, and current power pack information. The kiosk computer controls a charging unit for charging the power packs. The system includes a central management operation comprising a central computer and central database. The management operation communicates with each kiosk and the central database includes a database storing power pack information for every power pack and a database storing customer information. The central management operation receives, stores and processes information received from the kiosks and sends information to each of the kiosks.

Abstract: A power pack vending system comprises a plurality of kiosks including a magazine having a plurality of slots, and a plurality of rechargeable power packs. Each power pack has a unique identifier and is sized to be received within one slot. Each kiosk includes a computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot the power pack is in, and current power pack information. The kiosk computer controls a charging unit for charging the power packs. The system includes a central management operation comprising a central computer and central database. The management operation communicates with each kiosk and the central database includes a database storing power pack information for every power pack and a database storing customer information. The central management operation receives, stores and processes information received from the kiosks and sends information to each of the kiosks.