Abstract: A surface cleaning head includes a housing having a front side and back side, a brush roll rotatably mounted to the housing within a suction conduit and having at least a portion proximate the opening of the suction conduit, a leading roller mounted to the housing in front of the brush roll, and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the brush roll and the leading roller for driving the brush roll and the leading roller at same time. The brush roll includes an agitator body and a first bristle/flap arrangement comprising a first deformable flap extending from the agitator body and a first bristle strip and/or row of tufts extending from the agitator body and disposed adjacent to the first deformable flap. The first deformable flap is disposed at an aggressive angle and the first bristle strip and/or row of tufts is arranged at a passive angle.

Abstract: A system is disclosed including at least one scanner identifying an identification associated with a receptacle. At least one dispenser is configured to dispense a first desired amount. At least one dispensing area has a measuring instrument that measures a dispensed amount and an unused amount, and associates with the identification. At least one storage device stores a program, and at least one controller which, when executing the program, is configured to receive information and associate the information with the identification. Collected data associated with the identification is recorded. A second desired amount based on at least some of the collected data in at least one file in the database is recommended. The at least one dispenser is controlled by the at least one controller based on the first desired amount or the second desired amount. The at least one dispenser is configured to dispense the second desired amount.

Abstract: A system is disclosed including at least one scanner identifying an identification associated with a receptacle. At least one dispenser is configured to dispense a first desired amount. At least one dispensing area has a measuring instrument that measures a dispensed amount and an unused amount, and associates with the identification. At least one storage device stores a program, and at least one controller which, when executing the program, is configured to receive information and associate the information with the identification. Collected data associated with the identification is recorded. A second desired amount based on at least some of the collected data in at least one file in the database is recommended. The at least one dispenser is controlled by the at least one controller based on the first desired amount or the second desired amount. The at least one dispenser is configured to dispense the second desired amount.

Abstract: A system for scanning a client's hair color and dispensing hair coloring to change the clients hair color from an initial color to a target color is disclosed. The system comprises an input for reading the measured color from the scanning device, a processor configured to compare the measured color to a desired target hair color and develop a coloring protocol for changing the clients current hair color to the desired target color, and a dispenser for dispensing one or more formulations that follow the protocol.

Abstract: An apparatus for dye dispensing is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a controller and a tray. The tray communicates with the controller and is configured with at least one opening. At least one canister is configured with an identifier and a dye. The dye is associated with the identifier. A reader communicates with the controller. A dispenser comprises an actuator communicating with the controller and a lever arm. The lever arm is coupled to the actuator and configured with a projection. The reader, based on the identifier, identifies a selected dye in a selected canister associated with a dye formulation. When the selected canister is aligned with a dispensing area, the dispenser applies a downward force on the selected canister and dispenses the selected dye.

Abstract: A system is disclosed including at least one scanner identifying an identification associated with a receptacle. At least one dispenser is configured to dispense a first desired amount. At least one dispensing area has a measuring instrument that measures a dispensed amount and an unused amount, and associates with the identification. At least one storage device stores a program, and at least one controller which, when executing the program, is configured to receive information and associate the information with the identification. Collected data associated with the identification is recorded. A second desired amount based on at least some of the collected data in at least one file in the database is recommended. The at least one dispenser is controlled by the at least one controller based on the first desired amount or the second desired amount. The at least one dispenser is configured to dispense the second desired amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for dye dispensing is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a controller and a tray. The tray communicates with the controller and is configured with at least one opening. At least one canister is configured with an identifier and a dye. The dye is associated with the identifier. A reader communicates with the controller. A dispenser comprises an actuator communicating with the controller and a lever arm. The lever arm is coupled to the actuator and configured with a projection. The reader, based on the identifier, identifies a selected dye in a selected canister associated with a dye formulation. When the selected canister is aligned with a dispensing area, the dispenser applies a downward force on the selected canister and dispenses the selected dye.

Abstract: An apparatus for dye dispensing is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a controller and a tray. The tray communicates with the controller and is configured with at least one opening. At least one canister is configured with an identifier and a dye. The dye is associated with the identifier. A reader communicates with the controller. A dispenser comprises an actuator communicating with the controller and a lever arm. The lever arm is coupled to the actuator and configured with a projection. The reader, based on the identifier, identifies a selected dye in a selected canister associated with a dye formulation. When the selected canister is aligned with a dispensing area, the dispenser applies a downward force on the selected canister and dispenses the selected dye.

Abstract: A system is disclosed including at least one scanner identifying an identification associated with a receptacle. At least one dispenser is configured to dispense a first desired amount. At least one dispensing area has a measuring instrument that measures a dispensed amount and an unused amount, and associates with the identification. At least one storage device stores a program, and at least one controller which, when executing the program, is configured to receive information and associate the information with the identification. Collected data associated with the identification is recorded. A second desired amount based on at least some of the collected data in at least one file in the database is recommended. The at least one dispenser is controlled by the at least one controller based on the first desired amount or the second desired amount. The at least one dispenser is configured to dispense the second desired amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for dye dispensing is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a controller and a tray. The tray communicates with the controller and is configured with at least one opening. At least one canister is configured with an identifier and a dye. The dye is associated with the identifier. A reader communicates with the controller. A dispenser comprises an actuator communicating with the controller and a lever arm. The lever arm is coupled to the actuator and configured with a projection. The reader, based on the identifier, identifies a selected dye in a selected canister associated with a dye formulation. When the selected canister is aligned with a dispensing area, the dispenser applies a downward force on the selected canister and dispenses the selected dye.

Abstract: A professionalized cash management service for the event community consolidating a plurality of individual merchant accounts into a master TPS account, aggregating a plurality of transactions to obtain substantial discounts on transaction fees, and sharing discounts with the merchants. The service delivers a fully automated, centrally controlled payment processing service to festivals and merchants with minimal overhead.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automating the interaction between the producers of festivals and events and potential festival and event sponsors for the purpose of selling, sourcing and exchanging sponsorship assets. The system receives data input from producers regarding sponsorship assets and from potential event sponsors about their marketing campaign requirements. Data is combined with data from other sources and programmatically integrated, then programmatically analyzed, matched and optimized to return event sponsorship assets which meet sponsors' requirements and packages and campaigns are created. The packages are then proposed either by the sponsors to the producers or vice versa. Throughout the negotiation and purchase process, the system allows event producers to track multiple sales through the sales process and sponsors to track assets proposed and purchased from multiple events for a campaign.

Abstract: An ISDN interface is provided on a card, which is adapted for mounting in a terminal computer and which is operable to exchange data with a terminal computer and an ISDN. The ISDN interface card includes a protocol processor that is programmable to process data encoded in accordance with a number of different protocols and a digital signal processor that is programmable for data compression, encryption and facsimile applications, and u-law and a-law conversion, among other applications. The ISDN card dynamically allocates data calls between one or two B-channels to achieve a data transmission rate of 128 kbps. A power supply with a ring generator is provided to allow for the use of an analog telephone with the ISDN card. The ISDN card is programmable to allow users to create customized screens for various call processes, and to allow for the updating of a flash ROM coupled to the protocol processor through the terminal computer and the ISDN.

Abstract: The rigid coaxial transmission line disclosed herein is made up of multiple sections having outer conductors which are joined together at flanges and make up a desired length. Rather than being of equal length, the sections vary in length progressively to prevent the reflections caused by the flanges from accumulating at any frequency within the band at which the transmission line is to operate.

Abstract: The coaxial connector disclosed herein accommodates differential expansion between inner and outer conductors in a multi-section run of coaxial transmission line by utilizing a coupler assembly which connects adjacent inner conductors, one of the inner conductors being fixedly connected to the coupler with axial movement being permitted with respect to the other inner conductor. Electrical connection between the coupler and the movable conductor is established at a single axial position by an annular conductive spring member while longitudinal alignment is maintained over the rest of the length of the coupler by insulating rings set into annular grooves. A tubular shield extends from the coupler over the adjacent end of the movable inner conductor without electrical contact. The axial length of the shield is larger than the differential expansion which occurs between inner and outer conductor sections.

Abstract: Metal casting apparatus comprises a casting container having an outlet nozzle in the bottom wall thereof, and an upright stopper within the container having a lower nose end thereto, the stopper being selectively movable between an operative position in which the nose end thereof seats on, to close, the nozzle and an inoperative position in which said nose end is displaced from, to open, the nozzle. The apparatus further comprises a barrier member positioned between the nose end of the stopper and the outlet nozzle and of a refractory material such as ceramic fibre capable of withstanding temperatures associated with pre- and post-heating of the apparatus but which is combustible at temperatures associates with molten metal, the material of the barrier member also being deformable whereby, with the stopper in its operative position, the barrier member conforms with the shape of the nozzle and the nose end of the stopper.

Abstract: A clean in place or sterilize in place valve includes both over pressure and vacuum protection. The apparatus can be remotely operated and monitored to assure that the valve did or will function correctly. The valve housing has a bore that communicates with a vessel. The bore is valved with separately movable pressure valving and vacuum valving members, each separately adjustably set at desired positive/negative pressure valve settings. The vacuum release can be operated independently of the pressure release.

Abstract: A stopper for a casting machine is comprised of a hollow rod of a refractory material which is supported at its outer periphery by a clamp carried by a transversely extending arm, the transversely extending arm having a threaded end that extends through an elongated slot in a block carried by a vertically moveable support shaft, the transverse arm being securable to the block in a desired position of adjustment of clamping nuts.

Abstract: An improved water ring rotary air compressor in which the rotor assembly has a cylindrical bore while the port head includes a cylindrical port sleeve, made from a high lubricity thermoplastic material, which fits within the bore. The use of a high lubricity thermoplastic port sleeve eliminates the need for shimming the port head following an overhaul of the compressor. The port sleeve includes a plurality of longitudinal slots which eliminate cavitation during start up under pressure. A needle valve built into the manifold allows bypass of a portion of the discharge air into the air inlet. Adjustment of the needle valve permits the maintenance of constant air flow as the compressor becomes worn.