Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a fabrication container that is provided between first and second storage containers which heat a powder material stored therein to first and second predetermined temperatures, respectively, and that heats the powder material stored therein to a third predetermined temperature higher than the first and second predetermined temperatures, and lets the powder material be irradiated with a laser beam from a laser beam emission unit based on a model to be fabricated; and an evaluation unit that, when the powder material in the first storage container is carried into the fabrication container, evaluates the carrying based on a comparison between a threshold value and a change in the temperature of the powder material stored in the second storage container calculated based on the temperature detected by a temperature measurement device.

Abstract: Described are a system, method, and computer program product for tracking endoscopes in a forced-air drying cabinet including a compressor, a support arrangement, and an inner area accessible by a door. The method includes receiving a signal from a signal emitting member attached to or associated with an endoscope and determining an identifier of the endoscope. The method includes determining a drying protocol for the endoscope based on the identifier and identifying the support arrangement, associated with an airflow output, to support the endoscope. The method includes determining a connection status indicative of whether the endoscope has been connected to the airflow output. The method includes, in response to the connection status indicating the endoscope has been connected to the airflow output, initiating a drying process according to the drying protocol for the endoscope by causing the compressor to create an airflow from the airflow output through the endoscope.

Abstract: Described are a system, method, and computer program product for tracking endoscopes in a forced-air drying cabinet including a compressor, a plurality of support arrangements, and an inner area accessible by a door. The method may include receiving a signal from a signal emitting member attached to and associated with an endoscope. The method may also include determining an identifier and a drying protocol of the endoscope. The method may further include identifying a support arrangement to support the endoscope and determining a connection status of the endoscope to a first airflow output and a second airflow output. The method may further include initiating a drying process, when the endoscope is connected, according to the drying protocol by causing the compressor to create at least one airflow through the endoscope from the first airflow output, the second airflow output, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus has an energy beam emitting section for outputting an energy beam, a thin layer forming section for forming a thin layer of a powder material, preliminary heating means for pre-heating the thin layer of the powder material, and control means for controlling modeling, wherein the control means performs forming the thin layer of the powder material, pre-heating the thin layer of the powder material, and modeling based on slice data, in which irradiation of the energy beam is started from the central region of the thin layer, and sequentially moved to a peripheral region of the thin layer.

Abstract: The bird feeder provides a bird feeder with an improved rain shield that is removably supported above the reservoir of the feeder. A plug is secured to the hanger rod to support a rain shield above the base of a feeder while also allowing a user to pass the cover over the plug to access the reservoir in the base for access to the interior of the feeder, such as for adding more feed to the feeder and for cleaning.

Abstract: A system for storing and tracking at least one item includes a housing having an interior with a plurality of item storage arrangements disposed in or associated with the housing. A plurality of signal receiving arrangements is configured to receive data from a plurality of signal emitting members, and at least one signal receiving arrangement is adjacent to each item storage arrangement. The system also includes a controller in communication with the plurality of signal receiving arrangements, the controller programmed or configured to simultaneously scan at least two signal receiving arrangements from the plurality of signal receiving arrangements. An item storage cabinet and a method of tracking items are also disclosed.

Abstract: A signal emitting member attachment system for attaching at least one signal emitting member to an item to be tracked, which includes an adjustable band configured to be placed on the item; and at least one fob. The adjustable band and the at least one fob are configured so that the at least one fob is connectable to the band. The at least one signal emitting member is disposed on the at least one fob.

Abstract: The removable seed tray is quickly and easily removable from a removable bird feeder base that is attached to the main tubular body of a bird feeder. The seed tray effectively serves the function of a seed tray while also permitting access to the portions of the removable base to permit the removable base to be detached from the tubular bird feeder body while the seed tray remains attached thereto.

Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus has an energy beam emitting section for outputting an energy beam, a thin layer forming section for forming a thin layer of a powder material, preliminary heating means for pre-heating the thin layer of the powder material, and control means for controlling modeling, wherein the control means performs forming the thin layer of the powder material, pre-heating the thin layer of the powder material, and modeling based on slice data, in which irradiation of the energy beam is started from the central region of the thin layer, and sequentially moved to a peripheral region of the thin layer.

Abstract: The bird feeder provides a bird feeder with an improved rain shield that is removably supported above the reservoir of the feeder. A plug is secured to the hanger rod to support a rain shield above the base of a feeder while also allowing a user to pass the cover over the plug to access the reservoir in the base for access to the interior of the feeder, such as for adding more feed to the feeder and for cleaning.

Abstract: The bird feeder body includes a base with a number of perches connected thereto by a coil spring, which is tensioned and configured so that when an animal of a predetermined weight is positioned thereon, the perch will collapse to move the animal to a position that is enough below the feed aperture of the feeder body to make unwanted feeding much more difficult if not impossible for the unwanted animal. In addition, a magnet is positioned underneath the feeder base above the desired location the perch for normal feeding by a desired bird. The magnet assists in locating the perch in the correct position and helps retain it in place. Also, the magnet attraction between the magnet and the perch can be modified to help control how much weight is needed on the perch before it collapses and breaks away.

Abstract: A system for supporting and tracking at least one item includes a plurality of support structures adapted to support at least one item, at least one signal receiving arrangement associated with the plurality of support structures, at least one indicator arrangement associated with the plurality of support structures, and at least one controller in communication with the at least one signal receiving arrangement and the at least one indicator arrangement. The at least one signal receiving arrangement is configured to receive data from a transponder associated with the at least one item. The controller is programmed and/or configured to control the plurality of indicator arrangements based at least partially on at least a portion of the data received from the at least one signal receiving arrangement.

Abstract: An item storage and tracking unit for holding a plurality of discrete items may include a housing including a plurality of receptacles positioned therein and defining a plurality of associated inner areas. A signal emitting device is associated with at least one item and configured to emit a signal. At least one movement sensor and/or at least one weight sensor may be associated with each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. At least one signal receiving arrangement is associated with each receptacle and configured to scan at least a portion of the inner area of the associated receptacle for the signal emitted from the signal emitting device associated with the at least one item. The scan is initiated at least partly in response to a determination by the at least one movement sensor, the at least one weight sensor, and/or an antenna associated with the associated receptacle.

Abstract: A nectar feeder for hummingbirds comprises a container, base tray, a base tray cover, a float, and a stopper thereon. The container, or bottle, is used for storing nectar feed. An exit port is defined on the bottom end of the container. The base tray is connected in fluid communication with the container and has at least one vertical member depending upwardly from a top surface of the base tray. A circumferential flange or ring is provided about the float for stabilization. The float engages the at least one vertical member to prevent substantial independent lateral movement of the float. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the stopper mechanism engages the exit port to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.

Abstract: A nectar feeder for birds. The nectar feeder has a container for storing nectar feed. A base tray is attached to the container and connected in fluid communication with the container. A float is positioned between the container and the base tray. A ball is positioned on the float. The ball regulates the fluid communication between the container and the base tray. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the ball prevents fluid from flowing into the base tray.

Abstract: A powder rapid prototyping apparatus includes a decompressable chamber, a thin layer forming section which supplies powder material from a powder material housing container provided in the chamber to form a thin layer of the powder material, an energy beam source for heating which outputs energy beam for heating which sinters or melts and models the thin layer of the powder material, and a control section which controls the modeling, wherein the control section exposes the powder material to the decompressed atmosphere before starting modeling, and houses the powder material in the powder material housing containers in a divided manner.

Abstract: An item storage and tracking unit for holding a plurality of discrete items may include a housing including a plurality of receptacles positioned therein and defining a plurality of associated inner areas. A signal emitting device is associated with at least one item and configured to emit a signal. At least one movement sensor and/or at least one weight sensor may be associated with each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. At least one signal receiving arrangement is associated with each receptacle and configured to scan at least a portion of the inner area of the associated receptacle for the signal emitted from the signal emitting device associated with the at least one item. The scan is initiated at least partly in response to a determination by the at least one movement sensor, the at least one weight sensor, and/or an antenna associated with the associated receptacle.

Abstract: A nectar feeder for hummingbirds is disclosed. The feeder includes a container configured and arranged to store nectar feed. A spout depends from the bottom end of the container with an exit port defined thereon. A base tray positioned below the container and contains nectar feed. A vertical member extends from the base tray. A float engages at least one vertical member to prevent substantial independent lateral movement of the float within the base tray. The float also includes a rounded bottom surface to further help stabilize it on the liquid feed to prevent leaking. The float has a stopper therein positioned below the spout. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the stopper engages the exit port on the spout to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.

Abstract: An endoscope storage cabinet for use with at least one endoscope having at least one signal emitting member associated therewith and configured to emit a signal indicative of at least one attribute of the at least one endoscope to which it is associated, the cabinet including: an enclosed structure formed by a plurality of walls defining an inner area which is accessible by at least one door; at least one hanger arrangement configured to support at least a portion of at least one endoscope positioned thereon; at least one signal receiving device associated with the enclosed structure and configured to receive the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member; and a local control device in communication with the at least one signal receiving device and configured to receive and process the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member.