Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making at least one polyester comprising: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 10 to 50 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, which is a combination of greater than 80 mole % of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and less than 20 mole % of trans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, or greater than 85 mole % of cis-2, 2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and less than 15 mole % of trans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, or greater than 90 mole % of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and less than 10 mole % of trans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, or greater than 95 mole % of cis-2, 2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and less than

Abstract: An interactive planning system is provided to allow a user to create and manage plans in online, offline, and intermittent connectivity environments. In some embodiments, the interactive planning system comprises a mobile, web-based application with an in-browser database configured to allow the user to create and manage plans in an offline environment and synchronize the plan when online connectivity is restored. In some embodiments, the interactive planning system comprises a fitness planning system configured to allow users to create and manage physical fitness plans in online, offline, and intermittent connectivity environments; to provide instructors the ability to enter fitness plan attributes, detail focus areas and timeframe for fitness plans; to provide instructors the ability to highlight macro-level phases to inform plan analytics; and to provide an ability to share programs to groups.

Abstract: A distributed ledger system includes marine blockchain servers, a method performed by apparatuses, and communication channels between a vessel, its engine, and stakeholders. The system includes an Engine Permission Switch (EPS), a time and location service, electronic fuel (Sec) authorized by the owner, a distributed blockchain contract (Marine Blockchain) connecting a vessel, an engine, coupled to a communication channel, The engine is on only when the EPS provides electronic fuel (Sec). The Marine Blockchain has the entire history of on/off states of the engine. The Marine Blockchain encodes self-executing operating Rules. A Sec counter is decremented by time and by nautical location displacement. Unless replenished by the Marine Blockchain, achieving thresholds cause warnings, requests, and ultimately engine stop.

Abstract: Peppermint plant selection 18-14-185, denominated ‘Palisade’ peppermint is a new Mentha sp. cultivar that produces an essential oil different in composition than commercially grown mint varieties known to the Inventor. The essential oil is similar to standard Peppermint plant oil in components composition but differs substantially in the ratio of said components. Organoleptically, it differs from typical peppermint oil. It is more resistant to Verticillium dahliae mint wilt than current commercially grown varieties. Furthermore, ‘Palisade’ produces an oil type that varies minimally in oil profile based on plant maturity.

Abstract: A cartridge and an associated beverage mixture dispensing system are disclosed. The cartridge is detachable from the associated beverage mixture dispensing system. The cartridge includes a casing and at least twenty ingredient reservoirs located within the casing and storing at least twenty respective ingredients. The cartridge also includes a dispensing interface for dispensing the at least twenty ingredients into the beverage mixture dispensing system. The at least twenty ingredient reservoirs include a first reservoir of a concentrated salt and a second reservoir of a concentrated food grade acid. The remaining ingredient reservoirs include additional concentrated ingredients. The beverage mixture dispensing system includes a solvent reservoir and a receiving interface for receiving the at least twenty ingredients from the cartridge. The beverage mixture dispensing system also includes a mixing area fluidly connected to the solvent reservoir and the at least twenty ingredient reservoirs.

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: 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: 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: Ingredient dispensing systems and methods in a fluid mixture system using a monitored chamber pressure are disclosed. One system includes a chamber, an inlet to the chamber, a set of ingredient reservoirs, in the chamber, storing a respective set of ingredients and sealed by a respective set of valve, a pressure source, and a controller. The system is programmed to set a pressure of the chamber using the pressure source and the inlet to the chamber. The system is also programmed to dispense, using the pressure, at least two ingredients from the respective set of ingredients by actuating at least two valves from the respective set of valves.

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: 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: A process for producing alkoxylates features a high growth ratio without the need of interim storage of a pre-polymer produced in a first reactor. The process may involve reacting a monomeric educt in the presence of a catalyst and a starting material in a first reactor equipped with a first circulation loop and thereafter passing a pre-polymer that is produced of the first circulation loop to a second reactor equipped with a second circulation loop, where a desired polymer is produced. The first reactor may comprise a smaller volume than the second reactor. The growth ratio, defined as a final batch volume of the second reactor divided by a minimum initial volume of the starting material in the first reactor, is at least 80:1.

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: 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: 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: A cartridge and an associated beverage mixture dispensing system are disclosed. The cartridge is detachable from the associated beverage mixture dispensing system. The cartridge includes a casing and at least twenty ingredient reservoirs located within the casing and storing at least twenty respective ingredients. The cartridge also includes a dispensing interface for dispensing the at least twenty ingredients into the beverage mixture dispensing system. The at least twenty ingredient reservoirs include a first reservoir of a concentrated salt and a second reservoir of a concentrated food grade acid. The remaining ingredient reservoirs include additional concentrated ingredients. The beverage mixture dispensing system includes a solvent reservoir and a receiving interface for receiving the at least twenty ingredients from the cartridge. The beverage mixture dispensing system also includes a mixing area fluidly connected to the solvent reservoir and the at least twenty ingredient reservoirs.

Abstract: Peppermint plant selection 18-14-185, denominated ‘Palisade’ peppermint is a new Mentha x piperita cultivar that produces an essential oil different in composition than commercially grown mint varieties known to the Inventor. The essential oil is similar to standard Peppermint plant oil in components composition but differs substantially in the ratio of said components. Organoleptically, it differs from typical peppermint oil. It is more resistant to Verticillium dahliae mint wilt than current commercially grown varieties. Furthermore, ‘Palisade’ produces an oil type that varies minimally in oil profile based on plant maturity.