Abstract: An interactive toy comprising a function device for performing user-perceptible, controllable functions. The interactive toy also includes a rechargeable power source and a charging circuit for contactless receipt of electrical energy and for charging the rechargeable power source when the interactive toy is positioned in a charging zone of a contactless charging device. The interactive toy is adapted to determine a charging rate at respective positions relative to the charging device and to generate a user-perceptible output indicative of the determined charging rate.

Abstract: A disposal system includes a sink; a disposal unit located under the sink and connected in fluid communication with a drain of the sink; a control unit configured to operate the disposal unit; and means for detecting an unintended object that passes through the drain of the sink and enters the disposal unit, resulting in stopping operation of the disposal unit. The means for detecting an unintended object that enters the disposal unit resulting in stopping operation of the disposal unit comprises a sensor and associated circuitry that detects an unintended object and triggers the control unit to stop operation. In different preferred embodiments the sensor respectively includes a capacitive sensor; a capacitive plate; magnetic shielding surrounding the disposal unit in the area of the sensor; a double “D” coil arrangement; a concentric detection coil for detecting magnetic ringdown; an ultrasonic sensor; a microphone; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A blueberry plant particularly distinguished by large oblate fruit with sweet flavour, crisp texture, strong blue colour and abundant bloom; rounded leaves with a puckered surface texture; upright plant habit with good vigour and green appearance and deciduous foliage, is described.

Abstract: A disposal system includes a sink; a disposal unit located under the sink and connected in fluid communication with a drain of the sink; a control unit configured to operate the disposal unit; and means for detecting an unintended object that passes through the drain of the sink and enters the disposal unit, resulting in stopping operation of the disposal unit. The means for detecting an unintended object that enters the disposal unit resulting in stopping operation of the disposal unit comprises a sensor and associated circuitry that detects an unintended object and triggers the control unit to stop operation. In different preferred embodiments the sensor respectively includes a capacitive sensor; a capacitive plate; magnetic shielding surrounding the disposal unit in the area of the sensor; a double “D” coil arrangement; a concentric detection coil for detecting magnetic ringdown; an ultrasonic sensor; a microphone; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A scrapless thermoforming machine includes a plurality of transport trays having frames configured to hold thermoplastic billets and billet clamps. An oven is configured to heat the billets and a forming press is configured to form the billets into containers. A loading and unloading station has a billet loading side and a container unloading side. The loading and unloading station includes a clamp transfer station having a clamp transfer shuttle configured to move the clamps from the container unloading side to the billet loading side and a transport tray unloading mechanism on the container unloading side configured to unload the clamps and formed containers from a selected transport tray to the clamp transfer station.

Abstract: A thermoforming system includes a thermoplastic preprinted billet and a thermoforming machine. The thermoforming machine includes a loading station configured to load the preprinted billet onto a frame. The thermoforming machine also includes a heating apparatus configured to heat the preprinted billet and a forming station configured to form the preprinted billet into a container.

Abstract: A system and for discreetly expressing milk from a woman's breast and storing the milk in a container to the side or underneath the breast. The system contains an expression mechanism including various mechanisms for massaging the breast, thereby stimulating the breast to aid in lactation. Both of the user's hands are free during operation of the system allowing the user to perform other tasks during expression or pumping.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting traffic cones from a surface to a vehicle, or dispensing traffic cones onto the surface from the vehicle, includes a conveyor disposed in use between the vehicle and the surface for transferring cones therebetween. The apparatus further includes means for actuating the conveyor in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular with the direction of movement of the vehicle during use. This allows the apparatus to lift and lay cone tapers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a breast pump that supports a mother's and infant's breastfeeding needs and facilitates the lifestyle of the mother's choice. The breast milk expression system disclosed allows breastfeeding mothers to obtain milk comfortably, hands-free, conveniently and with discretion. The breast milk expression system disclosed includes at least two contact points which mimic hand-expression as well as infant suckling and effectively stimulate the secretion of oxytocin and prolactin to provide a healthy, safe and efficient breastfeeding session. The system disclosed has a gentle rhythmic massage means and is located a distance from the base of the nipple and massages in all quadrants of the breast. The rhythmic forward pressure is provided by a plurality of opposing pairs of expression bellows that move the milk from the lactiferous sinuses through the nipple pores, bio-mimicking the techniques of hand expression.

Abstract: A thermoforming machine includes a loading station configured to load a thermoplastic billet onto a frame. The frame has an outer ring and a billet support blade defining a channel therebetween. The billet support blade engages the billet to maintain the billet on the frame during heating of the billet. A heating apparatus is configured to heat the billet and a forming station is configured to form the billet into a container.

Abstract: A thermoforming machine includes a loading station configured to load a thermoplastic billet onto a frame. The frame has an outer ring and a billet support blade defining a channel therebetween. The billet support blade engages the billet to maintain the billet on the frame during heating of the billet. A heating apparatus is configured to heat the billet and a forming station is configured to form the billet into a container.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting an equipment housing such as a telecommunications equipment shelf to a rack, the mounting bracket comprising a bracket body for rigid attachment to the housing, a fastener for rigid attachment to the rack, and a damping member coupling the fastener to the bracket body. The damping member isolates the equipment within the housing from the rack such that earthquake vibration resistance is improved. The damping member is preferably an elastomeric material such as very high density silicone. It is preferably configured to preferentially absorb vibrations at resonant frequencies of the rack structure.

Abstract: To address the need for a method to determine an optimal quantity of channel resources to reserve for data services in communication systems that support both data and voice services, the present invention provides two methods. The methods determine a minimum quantity of voice channel resources that are required to provide an acceptable voice quality of service. The methods also determine an additional quantity of data channel resources needed to provide data services. The methods then determine whether encroachment by the voice services onto the data channel resources requires that a number of the data channel resources be reserved for data services exclusively. Finally, if data channel resources need to be reserved, the methods determine a minimum number of data channel resources to reserve to provide an acceptable data quality of service.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting an equipment housing such as a telecommunications equipment shelf to a rack, the mounting bracket comprising a bracket body for rigid attachment to the housing, a fastener for rigid attachment to the rack, and a damping member coupling the fastener to the bracket body. The damping member isolates the equipment within the housing from the rack such that earthquake vibration resistance is improved. The damping member is preferably an elastomeric material such as very high density silicone. It is preferably configured to preferentially absorb vibrations at resonant frequencies of the rack structure.

Abstract: A reinforced pallet (20) and method for making the same are disclosed. The pallet (20) includes a body (28) having a pair of laterally spaced apart edge portions (56) with a central span (60) extending therebetween. A flexible tensile member (26) extends between the edge portions (56) and generally beneath the central span (60). The tensile member (26) may be in the form of a mesh affixed between upper and lower decks (22,24) of the pallet (20). When the edge portions (56) of the pallet (20) are simply supported and a load is place atop the pallet (20), the central span (60) of the pallet (20) will vertically deflect in response to the load. The central span (60) will bear upon the tensile member (26) with the tensile member providing support against deflection. A method for retrofitting a pallet (200) includes adding a tensile member (210) to the pallet (200) to reduce the amount of deflection of the pallet (200) when simply supported in response to a load placed atop the pallet (200).

Abstract: A plastic pallet has improved strength characteristics by the use of bosses arranged so as to avoid forming hinge lines in the deck. The arrangement is generally non-symmetrical about any axis of the deck. The bosses can be of varying sizes and varying depth.

Abstract: A process for the production of a detergent composition or component having a bulk density of less than 700 g/l which involves mixing a particulate starting material compound with a liquid binder in a mixer/granulator having both a stirring and a cutting action wherein the starting material contains a component, which is not a detergent active compound, having a bulk density of not more than 600 g/l is disclosed.

Abstract: A blueberry plant particularly distinguished by large oblate fruit with sweet flavour, crisp texture, strong blue colour and abundant bloom; rounded leaves with a puckered surface texture; upright plant habit with good vigour and green appearance and deciduous foliage, is described.