Abstract: A system and method that provides an enhancement to an overdraft protection program at a financial institution. The debt protection of the program is funded by the financial institution rather than by a consumer/user of the financial account at the financial institution. Under the debt protection program, if the consumer dies, becomes disabled, or becomes involuntarily unemployed and such facts are established to a reasonable degree, the debt protection program will automatically repay the overdraft in full including cost and fees up to a predetermined maximum amount. The payment can occur in a single payment or over a period of time, for example monthly, until the predetermined maximum amount is reached.

Abstract: A solenoid valve controlled by wireless communication, in which the operation of the valve is controlled by wireless communication, thereby reducing costs and labors necessary for installation and maintenance. The solenoid valve includes a valve body having an inlet port, through which fluid is introduced, and an outlet port, through which fluid is discharged; a plunger movably mounted inside the valve body to open or close one or both of the inlet and outlet ports; a solenoid, which drives the plunger to a position, in which the plunger opens or closes one or both of the inlet and outlet ports, when electric power is supplied; and a communication module provided on the valve body. The communication module receives a wireless control signal transmitted from outside and controls the electric power supplied to the solenoid valve depending on the wireless control signal.

Abstract: A system for cutting blocks of food product into bars of substantially equal weight. The system includes a cutter conveyor configured to receive incoming blocks of food product and move the blocks along an in-line processing path in a plane for cutting; a programmable logic controller coupled to the cutter conveyor; and, multiple stations associated with the cutter conveyor. One such station is a camera vision system configured to create an image of the slab portion, and further including a camera controller coupled to the vision system and the PLC, and configured to determine an optimized cut solution of the slab portion from the image and data related to the food product, and is configured to provide the cut solution to the PLC. The PLC is configured to control the cutting of the food product, based on the optimized cut solution, into bars of substantially equal weight.

Abstract: An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.

Abstract: A filter element, and filter apparatus, include a filter pack, a seal member, and a seal support frame operatively connecting the seal member to the filter pack. The seal support frame includes an annular extension, which is preferably canted at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis, for supporting the seal member. The seal support frame also preferably includes a first end thereof including the annular extension, and a second end thereof spaced from the first end thereof along the longitudinal axis, with the first and second ends of the seal support frame joined by a hub of the outer peripheral sidewall of the seal support frame to define a cavity within the seal support frame for receiving the filter pack. The first and second ends of the seal support frame, and the filter pack are preferably joined and sealed to one another by a single bead of adhesive.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing located between a fluid inlet region maintained at a first pressure and a fluid outlet region maintained at a second pressure. A movable metering plate is located within valve housing. A fixed metering plate interacts with the movable metering plate to meter fluid flow through the valve housing. An armature is coupled to the movable metering plate and is configured to move the movable metering plate from a closed position toward an open position. The fluid admission system further includes a balancing region to balance pressure related forces acting on the movable portions of the valve, including the metering plate. A balance passageway is in communication with the balancing region and the fluid outlet region to maintain the balancing region at the second pressure of the fluid outlet region when the movable metering plate is in the closed position.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) device comprises a base and a cover packaging of a rectifier diode chip and a light emitting diode chip connecting in series with a metal wire. The LED device can be plugged directly into the socket of the LED light string without any other external rectifier circuits. Moreover, the device has advantages of small size, easy-to-use and easy-to-change. By adopting different connection methods with the LED device, it can achieve anticipative functions, such as half-wave, full-wave and bridge rectifier, etc.

Abstract: Transmembrane receptors in the signaling pathways of bacterial chemotaxis systems influence cell motility by forming noncovalent complexes with the cytoplasmic signaling proteins to regulate their activity. The requirements for receptor-mediated activation of CheA, the principal kinase of the Escherichia coli chemotaxis signaling pathway, can be demonstrated using self-assembled clusters of a receptor fragment (CF) derived from the cytoplasmic domain of the aspartate receptor, Tar. Histidine-tagged Tar CF can be assembled on the surface of unilamellar vesicles via a lipid containing the Nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid moiety as a headgroup. The stability of such a complex can be controlled by the properties of the template including the size and composition, which can be used, for example, to vary the 2-dimensional concentration of receptor fragments. Surface-assembled CF is also found to serve as a substrate for receptor methylation, which is catalyzed by the receptor transferase.

Abstract: A hopper spreader apparatus adapted for mounting to a vehicle, to be towed by a vehicle or to be pushed by hand, includes a sprayer apparatus for spraying liquid material as well as dispensing dry free-flow material. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a variable discharge mechanism, allowing adjustment of both the flow rate and the distribution pattern of the dry free-flow material particulate material being dispensed. The operation of the hopper spreader apparatus can be controlled remotely using radio frequency (RF) signaling. The hopper spreader apparatus obtains electrical power from an on-board battery and includes a battery charger to allow the battery to be charged when the hopper spreader apparatus is not in use.

Abstract: Charging cable locking device for electric vehicles with a receptacle 2 on the vehicle side to receive a charging cable 4 that can be connected with a charging station 20, and a locking unit 8 arranged at the receptacle 2, wherein the locking unit 8 is arranged for locking and releasing the charging cable 4 with the receptacle 2. Secure charging is possible in that the locking unit 8 is coupled with a closing unit 32 of the vehicle such that on activation of the closing unit 32, the charging cable 4 can be locked with the receptacle 2, and that on deactivation of the closing unit 32, the charging cable 4 can be released from the receptacle 2.

Abstract: Disclosed are tetratopic carboxylic acid phenyl for use in metal-organic framework compounds. These compounds are useful in catalysis, gas storage, sensing, biological imaging, drug delivery and gas adsorption separation.

Abstract: A container is provided. The container includes a lid, a bottom and a compactor. The compactor is contained within the container and serves to collect, accumulate or compact any loose products within the container. The compactor and lid can mate such that rotation of the lid can transfer torque to the compactor to adjust a storage portion of the cavity of the container to collect, accumulate or compact the loose product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.

Abstract: A plastic container having a container body and a permanently attached container lid is provided. The container lid is attached to the container body by a living hinge such that the entire plastic container is a one-piece construction. The container lid is pre-curved such that in an open state the container lid is curved. However, when the container lid mates with the container body in a closed state, at least a portion of the container lid that was previously curved becomes substantially planar such that portions of the lid remain biased into the container body.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting parts in a tape and reel packaging system in which a plurality of parts are packaged on linear tape wound onto a reel. The apparatus includes a measuring device, and a meter body. The meter body includes electronic means for calculating and displaying a quantity of parts in the tape and reel packaging system. The calculation is based on inputs supplied by a user employing the measuring device. In an embodiment, the apparatus is portable and configured to be hand-held.

Abstract: Method for the manufacture of carbon nanotubes by thermal decomposition of at least one gaseous hydrocarbon (14) in the presence of a solid catalyst in a reactor (4) into which the catalyst is introduced via an inlet lock chamber (17) flushed by an inert gas (21, 22, 25, 26) and from which the carbon nanotubes are withdrawn via an outlet lock chamber (37) which is flushed with a flow of inert gas (39, 40).

Abstract: A retail merchandise hook which includes a hook for hanging retail merchandise therefrom and a security frame including a front stop which is separate from and arranged in a spaced relation to the hook, wherein the security frame is designed to prevent the theft of the retail merchandise. The retail merchandise hook also includes a pusher moveable relative to the hook and operable to bias retail merchandise hanging from the hook into engagement with the front stop.