Abstract: In some embodiments of a fluid dispensing system: (1) two or more mixing channels are fluidly connected to (a) a mixing chamber fluidly connected to a dispenser, (b) a particular two or more solvent reservoirs, and (c) a respective one or more ingredient reservoirs, wherein each of the ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense into a respective one of the mixing channels; and (2) a controller is programmed to receive a request for a fluid mixture, and, in response control the system to: mix, in the mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture, a respective predetermined amount of solvent from each of the particular solvent reservoirs and a respective predetermined amount of the ingredients from some of the ingredient reservoirs; flow, to the mixing chamber and then to the dispenser, the intermediate fluid mixture; and dispense the requested fluid mixture (including the intermediate fluid mixture) via the dispenser.

Abstract: Fluid mixture dispensing systems, devices and methods are disclosed. A device includes a set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs, a mixing area configured to receive at least one ingredient from the set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs, a pressure source, an accumulator chamber, a set of valves, and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the set of valves to pressurize the accumulator chamber using the pressure source. The controller is further programmed to operate the set of valves to set a pressure in at least one of the set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs using the accumulator chamber.

Abstract: A fluid mixture dispensing system using a membrane to seal multiple reservoirs is disclosed. The multiple reservoirs each contain a respective ingredient. The reservoirs are coupled to respective orifices in a plate. The respective ingredients are dispensable via the respective orifices. The membrane seals the respective orifices. The ingredients are dispensed into one or more channels formed between the membrane and the plate. In specific embodiments, the membrane is an integral part of a cartridge which contains the multiple reservoirs. In specific embodiments, the cartridge includes an inlet and an outlet. A solvent flows from the inlet to the outlet through the one or more channels, and the ingredients are dispensed into the solvent in the one or more channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sanitizing a fluid mixture dispensing system are disclosed. One system comprises at least one reservoir for storing a substance, a mixing area, and a controller. The controller is programmed to cause the system to execute a mixing cycle and a cleaning cycle. During the mixing cycle the substance is dispensed from the at least one reservoir to the mixing area to prepare an ingestible fluid mixture. During the cleaning cycle, the substance is dispensed from the at least one reservoir to the mixing area to sanitize the mixing area.

Abstract: In an illustrative system, a point-of-sale scanner is equipped to respond to multiple different symbologies printed on a single product. The scanner captures many frames per second, as products are swiped through a viewing volume. Each frame is decoded, yielding one or more payloads. A reconciliation module compares each newly-decoded payload against a list of payloads previously output by the module, to determine if the current payload is semantically-equivalent to a previously-output payload. If so, the previously-output payload is output again, in lieu of the just-decoded payload. If no equivalent is found, the current payload is output and added to the list for comparison against future payloads. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Ingredient dispensing systems and methods are disclosed. A disclosed system includes an ingredient reservoir and an electromechanical valve configured so that, when the electromechanical valve is activated, an ingredient is dispensed from the ingredient reservoir. The disclosed system also includes a current sensor configured to measure a current draw of the electromechanical valve. The disclosed system also includes a controller programmed to sample the current draw from the current sensor and to detect a dispense error of the electromechanical valve based on the sampled current draw.

Abstract: The parameters of an optical code are optimized to achieve improved signal robustness, reliability, capacity and/or visual quality. An optimization program can determine spatial density, dot distance, dot size and signal component priority to optimize robustness. An optical code generator employs these parameters to produce an optical code at the desired spatial density and robustness. The optical code is merged into a host image, such as imagery, text and graphics of a package or label, or it may be printed by itself, e.g., on an otherwise blank label or carton. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: In an illustrative system, a point-of-sale scanner is equipped to respond to multiple different symbologies printed on a single product. The scanner captures many frames per second, as products are swiped through a viewing volume. Each frame is decoded, yielding one or more payloads. A reconciliation module compares each newly-decoded payload against a list of payloads previously output by the module, to determine if the current payload is semantically-equivalent to a previously-output payload. If so, the previously-output payload is output again, in lieu of the just-decoded payload. If no equivalent is found, the current payload is output and added to the list for comparison against future payloads. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying eligibility and contribution level for services and/or products across multiple insurance platforms for provisioning benefit (and non-benefit) services and products to a patient. Benefits plan details for a plurality of benefit plans, and from a plurality of insurers or benefits management entities can be acquired and mapped to an inventory of products and/or services by one or more service providers. Business logic derived from the benefits plan details and the business logic can be used to read a personal benefits plan of an individual and determine personalized pricing for one or more of the inventory products. The benefit plan details and provider inventory items are correlated for a particular patient to render in near real-time available benefits, corresponding services, and patient-borne costs based directly on the benefits plan under which the particular patient may be covered.

Abstract: Provided, in one aspect, is a groove measurement system. The groove measurement system, according to this aspect, includes a go measurement apparatus, the go measurement apparatus having first and second go gages protruding from one or more surfaces thereof, the first go gage having a go width (WG) generally equal to a minimum desirable groove width (WMI) of a desired groove, and the second go gage having a go depth (DG) generally equal to the minimum desirable groove depth (DMI). The groove measurement system, according to this aspect, additionally include a no-go measurement apparatus, the no-go measurement apparatus having first and second no-go gages protruding from one or more surfaces thereof, the first no-go gage having a no-go width (WNG) greater than the maximum desirable groove width (WMA), and the second no-go gage having a no-go depth (DNG) generally equal to the maximum desirable groove depth (DMA).

Abstract: In an illustrative system, a point-of-sale scanner is equipped to respond to multiple different symbologies printed on a single product. The scanner captures many frames per second, as products are swiped through a viewing volume. Each frame is decoded, yielding one or more payloads. A reconciliation module compares each newly-decoded payload against a list of payloads previously output by the module, to determine if the current payload is semantically-equivalent to a previously-output payload. If so, the previously-output payload is output again, in lieu of the just-decoded payload. If no equivalent is found, the current payload is output and added to the list for comparison against future payloads. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Methods of preventing creaming and age gelation in heat treated dairy based products are provided herein. Heat treated dairy based products are also provided, in which physical instability is prevented.

Abstract: A floating coil configuration for a compressor of a closed cycle cryogenic cooler, the coil configuration comprises a coil having a positive end and a negative end and first and second springs concentrically located within the coil, each spring having a first end and a second end. The positive end of the coil is coupled to the first end of the first spring and the negative end of the coil is coupled to the second end of the second spring. The second end of the first spring is electrically coupled to the first end of the second spring such that the first and second springs define an electrical path across the coil.

Abstract: A tray mounted lateral guide for use between trays of a cargo bay having a bay floor includes a main body defining a roller slot. The tray mounted lateral guide further includes a roller configured to be at least partially positioned in the roller slot and to facilitate conveyance of a pallet through the cargo bay. The tray mounted lateral guide further includes a lifter coupled to the main body and configured to be coupled to a tray and to maintain the main body in at least one of a lowered position or a raised position, the main body being further from the bay floor when in the raised position than when in the lowered position.

Abstract: In an illustrative system, a point-of-sale scanner is equipped to respond to multiple different symbologies printed on a single product. The scanner captures many frames per second, as products are swiped through a viewing volume. Each frame is decoded, yielding one or more payloads. A reconciliation module compares each newly-decoded payload against a list of payloads previously output by the module, to determine if the current payload is semantically-equivalent to a previously-output payload. If so, the previously-output payload is output again, in lieu of the just-decoded payload. If no equivalent is found, the current payload is output and added to the list for comparison against future payloads. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The parameters of an optical code are optimized to achieve improved signal robustness, reliability, capacity and/or visual quality. An optimization program can determine spatial density, dot distance, dot size and signal component priority to optimize robustness. An optical code generator employs these parameters to produce an optical code at the desired spatial density and robustness. The optical code is merged into a host image, such as imagery, text and graphics of a package or label, or it may be printed by itself, e.g., on an otherwise blank label or carton. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A universal handle attachment for C-clamps. The handle attachment includes a rigid body having a first side to engage a C-clamp, and a second side opposite to engage a rotation tool. In the first side, a first channel and a second channel which are perpendicular with one another each are configured to receive a T-bar of the C-clamp. A center space in the first side at the intersection of the first channel and the second channel is configured to receive a top end of the screw. Each channel includes clip spaces on both sides of the center, and clips situated in the clip spaces. The clips each have an opening to secure the T-bar within the channels.

Abstract: A tray mounted lateral guide for use between trays of a cargo bay having a bay floor includes a main body defining a roller slot. The tray mounted lateral guide further includes a roller configured to be at least partially positioned in the roller slot and to facilitate conveyance of a pallet through the cargo bay.

Abstract: A filter formed essentially from a staple fiber is provided. A nonwoven staple fiber is compressed in to a mat or sheet of selected porosity. The mat or sheet does not include a binder or bicomponent fibers. The staple fibers may be heat treated. The sheet is formed into a selected geometric shape and the staple fibers are thermally fused to bind the staple fibers into a porous filter element. The preferred shape is a helically wound tube or plural sheets, each sheet being self-overlapped and compressed to overlap another sheet. Each sheet is preferably heated and compressed individually and the sheets may be selected to have different porosities and densities.

Abstract: A universal handle attachment for C-clamps. The handle attachment includes a rigid body having a first side to engage a C-clamp, and a second side opposite to engage a rotation tool. In the first side, a first channel and a second channel which are perpendicular with one another each are configured to receive a T-bar of the C-clamp. A center space in the first side at the intersection of the first channel and the second channel is configured to receive a top end of the screw. Each channel includes clip spaces on both sides of the center, and clips situated in the clip spaces. The clips each have an opening to secure the T-bar within the channels.