Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for automated following behind a lead vehicle. The lead vehicle navigates a path from a starting point to a destination. The lead vehicle and the following vehicle are connected via V2V communication, allowing one or more following vehicles to detect the path taken by the lead vehicle. A computerized control system on the following vehicle (a Follow-the-Leader, or FTL, system) allows the following vehicle to mimic the behavior of the lead vehicle, with the FTL system controlling steering to guide the following vehicle along the path previously navigated by the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the lead vehicle and following vehicle may both use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position coordinates. In some embodiments, the following vehicle may also have a system of sensors to maintain a gap between the following and lead vehicles.

Abstract: Described herein is N-[4-[4-(4-morpholinyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-6-yl]phenyl]-4-[[3(R)-[(1-oxo-2-propen-1-yl)amino]-1-piperidinyl]methyl]-2-pyridinecarboxamide, including crystalline forms, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the compound, as well as methods of using the compound, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide dispensers, and particularly automatic dispensers, and even more particularly, automatic soap dispensers for dispensing a foamed soap or another cleaning or antibacterial substance to a user's hands. The dispensers provide an internal working system that allows soap or foam to be dispensed from an inverted bottle via movement of an actuator.

Abstract: The application describes small hand-held dispensers suitable for use with creamy flowable products such as cosmetics. The dispensers are of a kind having a top plate (4) with a dished pick-up surface (42), and a product discharge opening (43) opening into the pick-up area (42). Specific proposals include positioning the pick-up surface (42) and an actuator (8) side-by-side on the top plate. The actuator (8) operates a pump (6), desirably positioned beneath the actuator and offset from the pick-up surface (42). A corresponding transverse outlet conduit (69) may be provided. The container (1) may be plastics or a metal container. Embodiments using plastic pump springs and resiliently deformable pump chamber walls are also described. Also, embodiments in which actuation is by tilting of the top plate in its entirety, the pick-up area then optionally being central.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide dispensers, and particularly automatic dispensers, and even more particularly, automatic soap dispensers for dispensing a foamed soap to a user's hands.

Abstract: The application describes small hand-held dispensers suitable for use with creamy flowable products such as cosmetics. The dispensers are of a kind having a top plate (4) with a dished pick-up surface (42), and a product discharge opening (43) opening into the pick-up area (42). Specific proposals include positioning the pick-up surface (42) and an actuator (8) side-by-side on the top plate. The actuator (8) operates a pump (6), desirably positioned beneath the actuator and offset from the pick-up surface (42). A corresponding transverse outlet conduit (69) may be provided. The container (1) may be plastics or a metal container. Embodiments using plastic pump springs and resiliently deformable pump chamber walls are also described. Also, embodiments in which actuation is by tilting of the top plate in its entirety, the pick-up area then optionally being central.

Abstract: Certain pump dispensers, for example foam dispensers, are specially adapted for inverted use. One feature especially useful in a foam dispenser having both an air cylinder and a liquid cylinder with respective pistons is an intake conduit arrangement to increase the clearance of liquid from the container. An intermediate shell fits over the upright liquid cylinder body and carries an inlet valve positively urged upward to the closed position to prevent leaking. A conduit shell fits over the intermediate shell and creates an intake conduit extending down the side of the liquid cylinder to an intake opening lower down the pump body.

Abstract: A dispensing container assembly for two flowable products according to the present invention includes a first container constructed and arranged for receiving a first flowable product and a second container positioned inside of the first container and being constructed and arranged for receiving a second flowable product. The two products are dispensed concurrently in a desired ratio. Each container includes a dispensing outlet with at least a portion of a dispensing closure being assembled to each outlet such that product from within the selected container is dispensed through that portion of the dispensing closure that is connected to that container outlet. The flow outlets are sized to create the desired mixing ratio for the two products.

Abstract: A dispensing container for two flowable products for separately dispensing the two flowable products includes a first container receiving a first flowable product and including a first dispensing outlet and defining a hollow interior, a second container receiving a second flowable product and including a second dispensing outlet, the second container being positioned in the hollow interior. A fitment is assembled into the first dispensing outlet and connects to the second dispensing outlet. The fitment defines an inner outlet for dispensing the second flowable product and an outer outlet for dispensing the first flowable product. An adapter sleeve is assembled to the fitment. A hollow dispensing spout is inserted into the inner container, through the inner outlet, and defines an open outlet. A threaded closing cap is connected to the adapter sleeve and includes a plug portion for closing off the open outlet of the dispensing spout.

Abstract: An automatically operable safety shield system for use with a syringe that comprises an inner holder in which said syringe may be inserted and an outer shield mounted outwards from the inner holder axially movable between retracted and extended positions in which a spring positioned between said inner holder and said outer shield urging the outer shield to its extended position and the inner holder having at least one first opening, distally thereto, at least one first indentation, and the outer shield having at least one first stop member engageable with the opening when the outer shield is in the retracted position engageable with the first indentation when the outer shield is in the extended position and the outer shield may be released from its retracted position by action of a trigger positioned within the inner holder or by protrusion on the syringe plunger.

Abstract: A molded plastic drinking sleeve for push-on assembly to a neck portion of a container according to a typical embodiment includes an annular body formed by an annular sidewall having a uniform taper from a first open end to an opposite second open end, the annular sidewall defining an open interior. The annular sidewall further includes a series of external threads and a roller abutment at the base of the threads for stopping the roller equipment used to help fabricate a metal closing cap that is designed to thread onto the plastic drinking sleeve. The annular sidewall further includes an inner surface formed with at least one raised, inwardly-extending projection constructed and arranged to contact the neck portion with an interference fit.

Abstract: A childproof lock for a reciprocating fluid dispensing pump of the type that is threaded into a locked position. In one set of embodiments, the lock requires simultaneous displacement in a direction other than unthreading to permit reciprocation of the pump. In another set of embodiments, fluid flow is permitted only when a lock is simultaneously displaced in a direction other than reciprocation of the pump.

Abstract: A product dispensing apparatus for a granule product includes a unitary, plastic housing having an open first end closed by a cap and an open second end for the dispensing of product. The housing includes a product storage compartment that is accessible by way of the first end when the closing cap is removed. A plunger is received within the housing and defines a cavity for receipt of product from the storage compartment. The plunger is a two-component assembly including a unitary body member and a unitary slide member, the slide member fitting within the body member and being movable relative thereto to vary the cavity size. As the plunger travels during its cycle, product is transferred into the cavity and then dispensed from the cavity through the second end. The size of the cavity defines the volume of the dose to be dispensed.

Abstract: A product-dispensing apparatus for manually dispensing a quantity of product, such as a herbicide with a foam consistency, includes a gripping member in the form of a handle and a cooperating container holder that is assembled with the gripping member and is constructed and arranged to receive a product-dispensing container. The container is preferably a foamer positioned in an inverted orientation utilizing a depressing plunger to dispense a foam-consistency product. The gripping member and container holder are assembled to a dispensing tip such that there is relative movement between the container holder and the dispensing tip for activation of the container plunger. A child-resistant locking ring is received by the container holder and cooperates with the dispensing tip for alternately configuring the product-dispensing apparatus in either a locked or unlocked condition. In the locked condition, foam product is not able to be dispensed from the container.

Abstract: An airless dispenser pump assembly includes a pump mechanism with an inlet valve that is configured to efficiently pump viscous fluids and that is able to be pre-primed when the pump mechanism is attached to a container. In one form, the inlet valve includes a seal member that seals an inlet port of the pump and an outer support member that secures the inlet valve to the rest of the pump mechanism. Two or more legs generally extend in a circumferential direction between the support member and the seal member in order to create a large flow opening for fluid flow through the inlet valve when opened and to rapidly close the inlet valve. The pump mechanism further includes an outlet valve that is configured to draw fluid back from a nozzle of the pump after dispensing in order to minimize build up around the nozzle.

Abstract: An airless dispenser pump assembly includes a pump mechanism with an inlet valve that is configured to efficiently pump viscous fluids and that is able to be pre-primed when the pump mechanism is attached to a container. In one form, the inlet valve includes a seal member that seals an inlet port of the pump and an outer support member that secures the inlet valve to the rest of the pump mechanism. Two or more legs generally extend in a circumferential direction between the support member and the seal member in order to create a large flow opening for fluid flow through the inlet valve when opened and to rapidly close the inlet valve. The pump mechanism further includes an outlet valve that is configured to draw fluid back from a nozzle of the pump after dispensing in order to minimize build up around the nozzle.

Abstract: Pump dispensers are specially adapted for inverted use. One feature, especially useful in a foam dispenser having both an air cylinder (5) and a liquid cylinder (6) with respective pistons, is an intake conduit arrangement to increase the clearance of liquid from the container. An intermediate shell (7) fits over the upright liquid cylinder body (6) and carries an inlet valve (73) positively urged upwardly to the closed position, to prevent leaking. A conduit shell (8) fits over the intermediate shell (7) and creates an intake conduit (85) extending down the side of the liquid cylinder to an intake opening (81) lower down the pump body.

Abstract: A childproof lock for a reciprocating fluid dispensing pump of the type that is threaded into a locked position. In one set of embodiments, the lock requires simultaneous displacement in a direction other than unthreading to permit reciprocation of the pump. In another set of embodiments, fluid flow is permitted only when a lock is simultaneously displaced in a direction other than reciprocation of the pump.