Abstract: Described are implants for placing in a body, tools for delivering the implants, and systems and methods for using implants and tools for placing in a body and more particularly to nasal implants, tools for delivering nasal implants, and systems and methods for using such implants and tools. A tool may include a hand-held implant delivery device that cuts, holds, moves, orients, inserts, or shapes an implant. An implant may be a biodegradable, longitudinal implant that may be oriented for implantation by an implant delivery device.

Abstract: A grow tray including a perimeter wall and a base. The base includes an irrigation opening extending through the base for allowing fluid to enter and leave the grow tray. The base is couplable to a conduit to allow fluid communication between the conduit and the base via the irrigation opening.

Abstract: An inhaler for delivery of a medicament by inhalation includes an inhaler body for receiving a canister having a dispensing valve. A drive mechanism is provided for driving the canister from a rest position in which the valve is closed to an actuating position in which the valve is open. A resetting mechanism is provided for resetting the drive mechanism. A return mechanism is provided for returning the canister from the actuating position to the rest position, wherein the return mechanism comprises a damping system that is configured to enable the canister to automatically return from the actuating position to the rest position within a predetermined time period. A method of operation of an inhaler is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems and GUIs for providing situational awareness about emergency incidents to emergency service providers (ESPs), for example, between different Public Safety Answering Points. In particular, the use of data indicators, notifications and banners can be used to provide a GUI rich in situational awareness for efficient emergency response.

Abstract: Processes for producing two or more different C2-C6 linear or branched olefins are disclosed herein. In one exemplary implementation, the process can include contacting a first feed stream that includes ?-valerolactone with one or more first catalysts in a first reactor to form a mixture. The mixture includes two or more different C2-C6 linear or branched olefins at a yield of at least 60%, and the one or more first catalysts include a doped zeolite. Processes for converting levulinic acid to ?-valerolactone are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A grid framework structure, configured to support one or more load handling devices, includes: a first set of grid members extending in a first direction and a second set of grid members extending in a second direction, to form a grid structure having grid cells. A plurality of vertical uprights create a storage space for storing containers in a stack such that load handling devices operative on the grid structure can lift containers through a grid cell from a stack below the grid structure. The vertical uprights are arranged such that a section of the grid structure including four adjoined grid cells is supported by five or fewer vertical uprights.

Abstract: Processes for oxidative pretreatment of carbohydrate dehydration products are disclosed, which relate to the discovery that functional groups of humins, such as those that result in, or lead to, color formation (e.g., aldehyde groups and/or groups having conjugated double bonds) may be more readily converted by oxidation (in some cases “bleached”) than FDCA-forming furanics. This selective oxidation of humins may use milder oxidation conditions and/or a different reaction system, compared to respective conditions and systems used for oxidation of furan ring-containing compounds. Oxidative pretreatment can beneficially promote the selective oxidation of humin functional groups over FDCA-forming furanics, with the overall result of modifying humins in a manner that can provide a number of improvements.

Abstract: A gripper for latching to a storage container is disclosed which includes: a gripper housing; a pair of gripper arms held in the gripper housing, wherein the gripper arms have cooperating shapes; and a movable rotatable actuator held in a channel between the pair of gripper arms for moving the gripper arms between closed and open positions. A load handling device for lifting and moving storage containers can include one or more grippers. A method of using a gripper, and a grid-based storage and retrieval system which can include at least one load handling device containing one or more grippers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A grid framework structure configured to support one or more load handling devices thereupon includes i) a grid structure including a plurality of grid cells; and ii) a load bearing framework, wherein the grid structure is suspended from the load bearing framework by three or more tension elements connected to a respective number of suspension points on the grid structure, each of the three or more tension elements having a length configured to suspend the grid structure in a substantially horizontal plane.

Abstract: A grid framework structure configured to support one or more load handling devices includes a grid structure including a first set of grid members extending in a first direction and a second set of grid members extending in a second direction, the second set of grid members running transversely to the first set of grid members in a substantially horizontal plane in a grid pattern containing plural grid cells; plural vertical uprights supporting the grid structure; and an adjustable grid levelling mechanism for adjusting the level of the grid structure.

Abstract: A system for guiding the movement of one or more load handling devices in operation includes: a) a first set of parallel tracks and a second set of parallel tracks, the first and second sets of parallel tracks sharing a common track, each track of the first and second set of parallel tracks providing a track surface; and b) a first load handling device and a second load handling device, each having a wheel assembly engaging with the track surface and with the track surface of the common track; wherein each track of the first and second sets of parallel tracks include only two guide surfaces extending from the track surface for guiding the first and second load handing devices along their respective first and second sets of parallel tracks.

Abstract: A track for a grid framework structure configured to guide a load handling device operative to move one or more containers, the rid framework structure including a plurality of grid members converging or intersecting at nodes in a grid pattern to form a grid structure 40 including a plurality of grid cells. The track comprising a plurality of track sections mountable to the grid structure to form a track surface upon which the load handling devices may move on the grid structure, wherein each track section of the plurality of track sections is formed as a unitary body so as to provide a track surface extending in transverse directions.

Abstract: A grid framework structure configured to support one or more robotic load handling devices includes: a grid structure having a first set of parallel grid members extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel grid members extending in a second direction to form a grid pattern of grid cells; a track system; and a supporting framework structure for supporting the grid structure above ground to create a storage space for containers such that load handling devices can lift containers through a grid cell; wherein: the supporting framework structure includes a plurality of prefabricated modular panels.

Abstract: An inventory handling station assembly for a storage and retrieval system is disclosed. A grid framework structure includes a plurality of upright columns for one or more containers to be stacked, the plurality of upright columns being interconnected at their top ends by grid members which support first and second sets of tracks for a load handling device to move containers on the grid framework structure. A supply zone includes at least one vertical chute. A buffer zone vertically accumulates containers and includes at least one bin lift device. An access station is intermediate of the supply zone. A conveyor system conveys containers 10 from the supply zone to the buffer zone via the access station.

Abstract: A shear ram system includes an upper block coupled to a first arm, the upper block positioned to transition from a first location outside a bore to a second location within the bore, the upper block including an upper blade having a cutout formed at a radially outward end, the cutout having a cutout profile. The shear ram system also includes a lower block coupled to a second arm, the lower block positioned to transition from the first location outside the bore to the second location within the bore, the lower block including a gap control arm including a wear insert arranged axially higher than a lower blade, the gap control arm having an arm profile that substantially conforms to the cutout profile. The wear insert of the gap control arm is configured to engage the cutout when the upper block and the lower block are moved to the second location.

Abstract: Processes for the oxidation of carbohydrate dehydration products, such as furanics that can be oxidized to the bio-based monomer 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), are disclosed, according to which certain co-feeds, having been discovered to impart a beneficial reaction stabilizing effect, are oxidized together with the carbohydrate dehydration products. This can advantageously counteract, in whole or in part, detrimental effects of humin impurities present in oxidation feed, with such impurities having been generated as byproducts of the upstream dehydrating step. An important co-feed is para-xylene that can be co-oxidized to form the petroleum-based monomer terephthalic acid (TPA), such that co-processing can beneficially yield two valuable monomers, while improving performance, particularly in terms of reaction stability, over comparable processes in which only the first monomer is produced.

Abstract: The technology disclosed in this patent document for optical devices for modulating light using nonlinear optical materials exhibiting electro-optical effects. Suitable nonlinear optical materials can be formed over a silicon-based semiconductor substrate via a silicon processing compatible process. In one application, such a device can be implemented for steering light based on a unique two-dimensional array of phased optical modulators using integrated photonic chip fabrication technologies to provide high performance and small footprint device packaging. The phased optical modulators can be phase shifting elements, each of which can be configured as a vertical-cavity surface-emitting phase shifter (VCSEP) to provide effective phase changes via both the control of the optical refractive index of the nonlinear optical material and the metal-dielectric surface plasmon effect.

Abstract: Processes for converting one or more C1-C5 linear or branched alcohols to one or more C2-C5 olefins are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the process can be a single stage process for the direct conversion of C1-C5 alcohols to olefinic mixtures (e.g., C2-C5) carried out in a reactor using a catalyst that includes zeolite doped with boron and phosphor. Systems for carrying out these processes are also provided.

Abstract: Various processes for preparing aldaric acids, aldonic acids, uronic acids, and/or lactone(s) thereof are described. For example, processes for preparing a C5-C6 aldaric acid and/or lactone(s) thereof by the catalytic oxidation of a C5-C6 aldonic acid and/or lactone(s) thereof and/or a C5-C6 aldose are described.