Abstract: A collapsible container and a method of using the collapsible container are provided. In one embodiment of the container, the container comprises a collapsible fold area associating a base portion with a nestable portion, the collapsible fold area being structured such that a collapsing of collapsible fold area results in disposal of at least a portion of the nestable portion within the base volume. In one embodiment of the method, the method comprises the steps of nestling the collapsed containers with one another for efficient space storage when said collapsed containers are not in use, and releasing a vacuum or applying a force to return a collapsed container to its full or expanded position.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sweetening composition may include providing a stevia extract and heating the extract under acidic conditions. Treatment may subject the stevia extract to conditions sufficient to alter the glycoside composition of the extract, suppress bitter aftertastes, or provide a sweetening composition with a taste profile similar to that of sucrose sugar.

Abstract: Methods of improving the shelf life of beverages may involve applying a coating mix to a label thereby forming a coated label, curing the coated label, applying the coated label to a container, and adding a beverage to the container, wherein the coated label increases a gas barrier property of the container. Beverage containers such as PET containers may be tailored for specific beverages using certain coated labels.

Abstract: A device capable of retaining a portable electronic component includes a frame having a front surface and a rear surface and a handle coupled to the rear surface of the frame, wherein the handle is movable between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions with respect to the rear surface of the frame along an axis of rotation that is horizontally offset from a vertical centerline of the frame. The rear surface of the frame may include a recessed handle receiving well having a depth capable of housing a portion of the handle in its retracted position. The handle may have a depth dimension approximately equal to the handle receiving well of the rear surface of the frame such that the handle in its retracted position is generally flush with the rear surface of the frame.

Abstract: A method of improving the shelf life of a beverage may involve selecting a container for containing a beverage, the container having a first gas barrier property; selecting a blended label having a second gas barrier property; applying the blended label to the container such that the container has a resultant gas barrier property that is greater than the first gas barrier property; and placing the beverage in the container. A beverage container may have a PET wall having a first gas barrier property and a blended label adjacent the PET wall, the blended label having a second gas barrier property, wherein the container has a resultant gas barrier property that is greater than the first gas barrier property. Two different beverage products may be bottled in the same type of container using blended labels that have different gas barrier properties tailored for each beverage product.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for dissolving gases in a beverage, the apparatus including a product conduit that is fluidly communicable with a product supply and a product dispenser, a gas conduit configured to transport gas from a gas supply to the product conduit, the gas conduit including at least one flow control mechanism; and at least one additional gas conduit configured to transport an additional gas from at least one additional gas supply to the product conduit, the gas conduit including an additional flow control mechanism.

Abstract: A light source system capable of dissipating heat includes a AC power supply for outputting a first power, a switch device for adjusting an output ratio of the first power according to a light setting, a light emitting device for generating a light source, and a control device for generating an active signal sequence, an heat-dissipation signal sequence and a burst signal according to lighting features of the light emitting device, and combining the active signal sequence and the heat-dissipation signal sequence, to generate a driving signal sequence, for timely outputting the driving signal sequence according to the burst signal, so as to generate the control signal.

Abstract: A bulk material shipping container in one embodiment including a pallet, a bottom compartment mounted on the pallet, a top compartment mounted on the bottom compartment and movable from a retracted position relative to the bottom compartment to an expanded position relative to the bottom compartment, a plurality of top compartment supporting assemblies configured to support the top compartment in the expanded position relative to the bottom compartment, and configured to release the top compartment from the expanded position to enable the top compartment to move downwardly into the retracted position, a material unloading assembly, a material loading assembly, and an extension assembly.

Abstract: A bulk material shipping container in one embodiment including a pallet, a bottom compartment mounted on the pallet, a top compartment mounted on the bottom compartment and movable from a retracted position relative to the bottom compartment to an expanded position relative to the bottom compartment, a plurality of top compartment supporting assemblies configured to support the top compartment in the expanded position relative to the bottom compartment, and configured to release the top compartment from the expanded position to enable the top compartment to move downwardly into the retracted position, a material unloading assembly supported by the bottom compartment and the pallet, a material loading assembly attached to the top compartment, and an extension assembly attached to the top compartment and configured to enable a loader to move the top compartment upwardly from the retracted position to the expanded position.

Abstract: A comparative sizing method in which at least one well-fitting source item is received having at least one source item property associated therewith and a target item having at least one associated target item property for which a resultant comparative sizing recommendation is being requested based on the at least one source item as specified by its at least one source item property associated therewith. Each source item and the target item is correlated with each database item having associated database item properties in a database based on source-database item matches and target database item matches. The resultant comparative sizing recommendation is determined based on the correlated source-database item matches and target-database item matches.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for dissolving gases in a beverage, the apparatus including a product conduit that is fluidly communicable with a product supply and a product dispenser, a gas conduit configured to transport gas from a gas supply to the product conduit, the gas conduit including at least one flow control mechanism; and at least one additional gas conduit configured to transport an additional gas from at least one additional gas supply to the product conduit, the gas conduit including an additional flow control mechanism.

Abstract: A method for controlling a driving circuit of a light-emitting device is disclosed. The driving circuit is utilized for transforming an input power into a driving power for the light-emitting device according to a plurality of state values. The method includes receiving the input power, outputting a first state value of the plurality of state values to the driving circuit, and outputting a second state value of the plurality of state values to the driving circuit according to variation of the input power.

Abstract: A cosmetic appliance and method of use for temporarily lifting, gathering human skin of the breast or smoothing the human breast and skin of the breast, and which is not readily apparent once applied, formed in predetermined shapes from thin, generally translucent flexible sheeting or tape and or of a silicone gel formed into the shape of cup, to one side of which a reusable adhesive has been applied and covered with a peel-away layer for temporarily lifting, gathering, covering or smoothing the skin of the breast, nipple and areola areas, and which is not readily apparent once applied.

Abstract: A driving device for driving a light emitting unit includes a power supply for generating power according to a control signal, an active signal generator for generating an active signal sequence according to lighting features of the light emitting unit, a heat-dissipation signal generator for generating a heat-dissipation signal sequence, a multiplexer coupled to the active signal generator and the heat-dissipation signal generator for combining the active signal sequence and the heat-dissipation signal sequence, so as to generate a driving signal sequence, a burst signal generator for generating a burst signal according to the lighting features of the light emitting unit, and a logic unit coupled to the multiplexer, the burst signal generator and the power supply for timely outputting the driving signal sequence according to the burst signal, so as to generate the control signal.

Abstract: A cosmetic appliance and method of use for temporarily lifting, supporting or smoothing the skin of selected areas of a user's body, including the eyebrows, eyelids, throat, neck, breasts and other areas, and which is not readily apparent once applied, formed in predetermined shapes from thin, generally translucent flexible sheeting to one side of which adhesive has been applied and covered with a peel-away layer.