Abstract: Method and apparatus are presented for monitoring environmental parameters in one or more abandoned wellbores. A mandrel with a radially expandable sealing element is positioned downhole, such as in a tubing string, to provide pressure isolation. A measurement tool having one or more sensors or gauges is positioned below the mandrel to measure the environmental parameters. The data is transmitted to the surface via wire or wirelessly.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly for dispensing small items such as pieces of candy or gum is disclosed herein. The dispenser assembly includes a first container including a first storage chamber for storing small items, a second container including a second storage chamber for storing small items, the second container including a dispenser opening, the second container movable between a dispensing position and a storage position, wherein the dispenser opening is in communication with the second storage chamber in the dispensing position and the dispenser opening is blocked off from the second storage chamber in the storage position, wherein the second container is removably attachable to the first container and refillable with small items from the first storage chamber of the first container when the second container is still attached to the first container.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing small items such as pieces of candy is disclosed herein. The dispenser includes an outer housing and an inner housing slidably coupled to the outer housing, the outer housing and the inner housing defining a main cavity thereinbetween. The dispenser includes a pocket within the inner housing that can be separated from the main cavity by slidable movement of the inner housing with respect to the outer housing. The outer housing includes a divider for at least substantially blocking off the pocket from the main cavity when the inner housing moves from a closed position to an open position such that small items cannot enter the pocket. When the inner housing is in the closed position, a small item can enter the pocket but cannot be accessed from outside the small item dispenser, and, when the inner housing is in the open position, the pocket can be accessed from outside the small item dispenser without small items being able to enter the pocket from the main cavity.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing small items such as pieces of candy is disclosed herein. The dispenser includes a base and a cover rotatably coupled to the base, the base and the cover defining a main cavity thereinbetween. The dispenser includes a pocket within the base that can be separated from the main cavity by rotatable movement of the cover. The cover includes a divider for at least substantially blocking off the pocket from the main cavity when the cover moves from a closed position to an open position such that small items cannot enter the pocket. When the cover is in the closed position, a small item can enter the pocket but cannot be accessed from outside the small item dispenser, and, when the cover is in the open position, the pocket can be accessed from outside the small item dispenser without small items being able to enter the pocket from the main cavity.

Abstract: An ice dispenser includes an ice chute door. The dispenser further includes a shaft coupled to the door, a motor coupled to the shaft, and a biasing device, such as a spring, coupled to the door. The motor rotates the shaft to open the door. To close the door, the motor is de-energized after a predetermined time period, and the biasing device then closes the door with a strong sealing force.

Abstract: An approach for automatically ensuring compatibility of a requested code module for a program-code environment is provided in which the requested code module provides an indication of at least one compatible operating system version which can execute the requested code module. This indication is automatically compared to version information of a currently-running operating system of the program-code environment when the currently-running operating system loads the requested code module. Compatibility of the requested code module is ensured upon the automatic comparison establishing agreement between the indication and the version information of the currently-running operating system. In another aspect, when the requested code module is to be loaded in response to a request to access the requested code module, a code-module version requirement of a requesting code module is automatically compared to version information of the requested code module to ensure compatibility of the requested code module.

Abstract: A method of facilitating computing-environment control of a resource to be accessed by existing program code is provided which includes transparently replacing an uncontrolled resource referenced by existing program code with a resource controlled by a computing environment. The method also includes transparently interposing at least one resource management service of the computing environment between the existing program code and the resource controlled by the computing environment, wherein the at least one resource management service provides computing-environment control of the resource to be accessed by the existing program code. The replacing of the uncontrolled resource prevents the existing program code from directly accessing the resource.

Abstract: An environmentally resilient building product of a vinyl laminated formed-sheet metallic substrate wherein the vinyl laminate is adhesively attached to the formed-sheet metallic substrate to provide a durable and attractive surface. Possible decorative and resilient surfaces include, but are not limited to solid colors, metallic finishes, and graphical images or patterns, all available in a variety of textures.