Abstract: A method for improving L* color of polyethylene terephthalate polymer, the method including bis-hydroxylethyl-eneterephthalate being polycondensed to produce said polyethylene terephthalate polymer in a polyethylene terephthalate manufacturing process, and wherein said process requires an antimony-containing catalyst, the method comprising the steps of: i) adding said antimony-containing catalyst at a temperature in a range of a melting point of said BHET to an upper temperature of 220° C.; and ii) exposing said BHET in a molten state to glycol removal before addition of said antimony-containing catalyst.

Abstract: The inventive disclosures pertain to an improved roofing-protection system that features enhanced leak-detection and analytical capabilities. The improved system features RFID-enabled moisture-sensing elements contained in a moisture-sensing membrane, and can measure impedance changes across the moisture-sensing membrane. In some variations, the system is designed to detect and measure moisture leakage and roof loading by way of biplanar capacitance measurements. RFID tags for moisture sensors are read by drones or robots and wirelessly transmitted to the Cloud/Internet for remote data analytics.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for distributing and receiving fax transmissions via a data connection that is owned by a service provider. In one embodiment, a fax server receives a signaling protocol invite from a telephone service provider in response to the telephone service provider receiving, over a circuit switched network and from a source device, an incoming call signal to a fax telephone number of the service provider. The server responds to the invite by establishing a data connection based on the signaling protocol with the telephone service provider, where the data connection is owned by the service provider. The server receives an incoming fax message that is in a fax format and is routed by the telephone service provider as the source device transmits the incoming fax message. The server transmits the fax message to a destination address.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for validating wash processes and related operations for food processing, including preventing undesirable deviations in such food processing. One example method for validating a process for a food processing system generally includes: operating the food processing system on a food product according to the process, wherein the operating is performed for at least a validation period; measuring a process metric at multiple times during the validation period while the food processing system is operating according to the process, wherein the measuring generates a set of process metric measurements; and determining whether the process for the food processing system is valid, based on the set of process metric measurements.

Abstract: A saddle includes an arcuate central portion defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first flange portion bent radially inward from the arcuate central portion at the first end; and a second flange portion bend radially inward from the arcuate central portion at the second end.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor system includes a product transfer pan linked to a shaker base via spring arms. Vibration transferred from the shaker base to the spring arms causes the product transfer pan to oscillate and convey products across the product transfer pan. The product transfer pan has apertures defined therein, such that excess coatings on (or fallen from) the conveyed products tend to fall through the apertures. A chute situated beneath the apertures collects the fallen coatings, and preferably diverts it to a side of the conveyor for collection and subsequent reuse or disposal. The chute is preferably linked to the product transfer pan such that the chute and pan oscillate in tandem.

Abstract: A bicycle helmet that fits over a surface of a head of a user generally includes at least one segment of flexible cell structures that form a radial honeycomb matrix movable between a folded condition where each side of the at least one segment is disposed generally parallel and an expanded condition where the radial honeycomb matrix of the at least one segment is configured to be expanded at least partially over the head of the user and arranged radially relative to the surface of the head of the user.

Abstract: A method to reduce bag rupture in a spray dispensed from a nozzle involves detecting one or more bags rupturing from an initial spray pattern of the spray dispensed from the nozzle, the one or more bags comprising a thin membraned semi-spherical protrusion extending from the spray, where the initial spray pattern is a region of the spray initially exiting the nozzle that forms a continuous sheet-like portion. The spray includes an agricultural spray including water, at least one polymer, and at least one perforation-aid type adjuvant. The agricultural spray exhibits fewer fine droplets exhibiting a diameter less than about 150 ?m formed via the bag rupture approach to droplet formation.

Abstract: Drift reduction adjuvant composition and agricultural sprays containing such agricultural compositions contain water, a rheology modifier (e.g., guar gum or polyacrylamide), an emulsifier such as a polyoxyethylene sorbitan emulsifier, and an oil. When the agricultural spray containing the drift reduction adjuvant composition and a pesticide is delivered from an agricultural nozzle, it produces fewer droplets less than 150 ?m in diameter and either reduces, maintains or increases (e.g., by up to 30 percentage points) the number of ultra-coarse droplets above 622 ?m in diameter compared to an agricultural spray of the pesticide without the drift reduction adjuvant composition sprayed under the same conditions.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a casing connected to a top cap structure that consists of an adapter flange extending to an adapter barrel that is configured to fit wholly within the casing. The adapter barrel can be separated from the casing by an annulus that is filled to a predetermined annulus pressure while an internal chamber defined by the adapter barrel contains a gas having a small molecular size at a storage pressure that is greater than the predetermined annulus pressure.

Abstract: A method comprises transporting a first stream of a carrier gas to a delivery device that contains a liquid precursor compound. The method further comprises transporting a second stream of the carrier gas to a point downstream of the delivery device. The first stream after emanating from the delivery device and the second stream are combined to form a third stream, such that the dew point of the vapor of the liquid precursor compound in the third stream is lower than the temperature of the plumbing that transports the vapor to a CVD reactor or a plurality of CVD reactors. The flow direction of the first stream, the flow direction of the second stream and the flow direction of the third stream are unidirectional and are not opposed to each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an analytics tracking system is disclosed that comprises an interface in electronic communication with one or more consumer devices configured to enable a corresponding consumer to access the interface via a mobile application. The system further comprises a consumer data store comprising data regarding at least one consumer, a movement data store comprising data regarding locations and/or movement of the at least one consumer, and an online behavior data (OBD) data store comprising data associated with browsing and/or application data histories of the at least one consumer. The system further comprises a dynamic analysis system configured to analyze data from the consumer data store, the movement data store, and the OBD data store to generate at least one of custom information for the at least one consumer or identify a location for presentation of information to the at least one consumer.

Abstract: Plant growth compositions include a mixture of inert compounds and an active component combination of auxin, gibberellin and cytokinin. The plant growth compositions are auxin-dominant, and the ratio of cytokinin to auxin in the active component combination ranges from about 1:10.5 to about 1:4.5. The amount of cytokinin ranges from about 0.1 to 10 wt % by weight of the active component combination in plant growth compositions formulated for in-furrow application to corn plants. Methods of improving plant growth involve in-furrow, seed and/or foliar application of one or more plant types with a plant growth composition. Improvements in plant growth include increases in the average number of bushels produced per acre.

Abstract: An improved draping system with a drape and a lock device. The drape includes an area defined by a predetermined length and a predetermined width, as well as a selectively separable portion. The drape also has a first perforation, as well as a z-shaped fold over the perforation. The lock device may be a poly seal with a second perforation. The draping system is secured to an operating table to maintain sterility about that operating table. When ready for removal, the draping system is simply pulled in opposite directions. When this occurs, the second perforation breaks, which disengages the lock device. Upon further pulling, the z-shaped fold is unfolded. Further pulling still results in the second perforation breaking.

Abstract: A computer-based system for facilitating the execution of law enforcement duties is disclosed. More particularly, according to one aspect of the invention, an electronic system is configured to facilitate the performance of law enforcement duties by quasi-instantaneously providing actionable intelligence to its users, such as front-line law enforcement officers, in response to a real-time query. According to another aspect of the invention, a system implements a set of automated status classifications for subjects with suspected or confirmed involvement in criminal activities. The status classifications specifically and concisely establish the subject's involvement in criminal activities. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a system executes a streamlined electronic process for handling and processing seized items so as to ensure that criminal assets are efficiently and effectively seized, and that asset forfeiture actions are effectively initiated against the seized items.

Abstract: A plant metabolism promoting composition for promoting metabolic processes in plants includes an L-amino acid, or a salt or a derivative thereof, having a chemical formula of HO2CCH(NH2)CH2CH2CONHR, wherein R is an alkyl or an alkenyl. An amount of the composition applied to one or both of a seed and a plant is sufficient to augment one or more of: i. growth of a plant growing from the seed or growth of the plant, ii. health of a plant growing from the seed or health of the plant, iii. quality of yield from a plant growing from the seed or quality of yield from the plant, and iv. quantity of yield from a plant growing from the seed or quantity of yield from the plant.

Abstract: An AMU system includes an Autonomous Mobile Unit (“AMU”), base station, lanyard, and Warehouse Management System (“WMS”) configured to communicate with one another over a network. The AMU includes a microphone configured to receive verbal commands from an individual. The individual can further provide verbal commands through the base station and the lanyard when worn by the individual. The lanyard can also provide a geo-fence around the individual where the AMU slows down to enhance safety.