Abstract: An example antenna system includes a plurality of dielectric rod stacks and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of independently controlled output circuit boards. Each independently controlled output circuit board includes a respective dielectric rod stack. The respective dielectric rod stack includes a plurality of respective dielectric rods. The control circuit selects: (i) the dielectric rod stacks, and (ii) the respective dielectric rods of the respective dielectric rod stack to adjust a beam of emitted or received radio frequency (RF) waves.

Abstract: An example antenna system includes a zig-zag antenna array. The zig-zag antenna array includes a stack of conductive disks and at least one crossed zig-zag antenna extending through the stack of conductive disks. The at least one crossed zig-zag antenna includes an element pair that includes a plurality of crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs between the stack of conductive disks. A respective crossed zig-zag antenna segment pair extends between a respective lower conductive disk and a respective upper conductive disk. The example antenna system further includes a control circuit coupled to the element pair to switch the crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs to drive the crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) waves with polarization states that include vertical, horizontal, elliptical, or circular polarization.

Abstract: An example antenna system includes a plurality of dielectric rod stacks and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of independently controlled output circuit boards. Each independently controlled output circuit board includes a respective dielectric rod stack. The respective dielectric rod stack includes a plurality of respective dielectric rods. The control circuit selects: (i) the dielectric rod stacks, and (ii) the respective dielectric rods of the respective dielectric rod stack to adjust a beam of emitted or received radio frequency (RF) waves.

Abstract: An example antenna system includes a plurality of dielectric rod stacks and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of independently controlled output circuit boards. Each independently controlled output circuit board includes a respective dielectric rod stack. The respective dielectric rod stack includes a plurality of respective dielectric rods. The control circuit selects: (i) the dielectric rod stacks, and (ii) the respective dielectric rods of the respective dielectric rod stack to adjust a beam of emitted or received radio frequency (RF) waves.

Abstract: An example antenna system includes a zig-zag antenna array. The zig-zag antenna array includes a stack of conductive disks and at least one crossed zig-zag antenna extending through the stack of conductive disks. The at least one crossed zig-zag antenna includes an element pair that includes a plurality of crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs between the stack of conductive disks. A respective crossed zig-zag antenna segment pair extends between a respective lower conductive disk and a respective upper conductive disk. The example antenna system further includes a control circuit coupled to the element pair to switch the crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs to drive the crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) waves with polarization states that include vertical, horizontal, elliptical, or circular polarization.

Abstract: An example antenna system includes a plurality of dielectric rod stacks and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of independently controlled output circuit boards. Each independently controlled output circuit board includes a respective dielectric rod stack. The respective dielectric rod stack includes a plurality of respective dielectric rods. The control circuit selects: (i) the dielectric rod stacks, and (ii) the respective dielectric rods of the respective dielectric rod stack to adjust a beam of emitted or received radio frequency (RF) waves.

Abstract: An example antenna system includes a plurality of dielectric rod stacks and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of independently controlled output circuit boards. Each independently controlled output circuit board includes a respective dielectric rod stack. The respective dielectric rod stack includes a plurality of respective dielectric rods. The control circuit selects: (i) the dielectric rod stacks, and (ii) the respective dielectric rods of the respective dielectric rod stack to adjust a beam of emitted or received radio frequency (RF) waves.

Abstract: An example antenna system includes a plurality of dielectric rod stacks and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of independently controlled output circuit boards. Each independently controlled output circuit board includes a respective dielectric rod stack. The respective dielectric rod stack includes a plurality of respective dielectric rods. The control circuit selects: (i) the dielectric rod stacks, and (ii) the respective dielectric rods of the respective dielectric rod stack to adjust a beam of emitted or received radio frequency (RF) waves.

Abstract: An example antenna system includes a plurality of driven elements and at least one dielectric antenna array. The at least one dielectric antenna array include a central hub. Each driven element extends transversely through the central hub. The at least one dielectric antenna array further includes a plurality of dielectric rods extending outwards from the central hub. Each dielectric rod is driven by a respective one of the driven elements. The antenna system further includes a control circuit coupled to the at least one dielectric antenna array to switch the driven elements to drive one or more of the dielectric rods to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) waves.

Abstract: An example antenna system includes a plurality of driven elements and at least one dielectric antenna array. The at least one dielectric antenna array include a central hub. Each driven element extends transversely through the central hub. The at least one dielectric antenna array further includes a plurality of dielectric rods extending outwards from the central hub. Each dielectric rod is driven by a respective one of the driven elements. The antenna system further includes a control circuit coupled to the at least one dielectric antenna array to switch the driven elements to drive one or more of the dielectric rods to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) waves.

Abstract: A medical tool kit is provided for packaging, storing, and transporting medical instruments and tools of various types. The medical tool kit is capable of providing continuing sterilization to the medical instruments and tools kept inside the medical tool kit after the tool case is opened during its normal use in a medical procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding fastening hardware in place on a workpiece having an arrangement of through-holes. The apparatus includes a body having a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides of the body. The first surface has at least one projection extending from the first surface and a recess configured to hold the fastening hardware, with the recess being open to the first surface. A brace extends from the second surface of the body and is configured to hold the first surface in an installation position relative to the workpiece. The at least one projection is inserted in a first hole of the arrangement of through-holes when the first surface is in the installation position. The fastening hardware is held by the recess in a position to receive a complementary fastener through a second hole of the arrangement of through-holes when the first surface is in the installation position.

Abstract: A medical tool kit is provided for packaging, storing, and transporting medical instruments and tools of various types. The medical tool kit is capable of providing continuing sterilization to the medical instruments and tools kept inside the medical tool kit after the tool case is opened during its normal use in a medical procedure.

Abstract: A locking device is provided and operable to retain an article intended for display and handling in a designated area. In particular, the locking device is formed with an adjustable fastening loop, which can assume an extended position to receive a free end or a portion of the article, and a retracted position to secure the article in the fastening loop. The fastening loop can be adjusted between the extended position and the retracted position, so that the locking device is adapted to receive and secure articles of various sizes. The locking device is preferably mounted to a fixture, such as a display table or counter via a tether cable. When the cable is mounted to the fixture, the locking device is capable of retaining an article in the designated area and preventing the article from being removed from the designated area. For example, the locking device can secure a sample item to a designated area, such as a display counter in a retail store.

Abstract: A pusher system for dispensing articles includes a pusher track, on which the articles can be stacked for storage, displaying, and dispensing. The pusher system also includes a pusher plate assembly having a pusher plate urging the articles stored on the pusher track toward a dispensing location under the action of a driving unit, such as a coil spring. The pusher plate assembly has a retaining portion to be movably received in a longitudinal channel formed in the pusher track to retain the pusher plate assembly on the pusher track and allow the pusher track assembly to translate along the longitudinal channel formed in the pusher track. According to the various embodiments, the pusher plate assembly is configured to be in a rolling engagement with the pusher track as the pusher plate travels along the pusher track. Such rolling engagement can reduce friction between the pusher plate assembly and the pusher track, thereby facilitating travel of a pusher plate during the dispensing and reloading operations.

Abstract: A bin system includes a plurality of bins arranged in stacks, wherein each of the bins in a stack includes a first element which interlocks with a second element in a lower bin in a stack of bins. The interlock holds the upper bin in a defined position on the lower bin. The first element includes a projection and the second element includes a lateral recess in a side wall of the bin. The system further includes two cross beams for supporting the stacks of bins, wherein the first element of the lowermost bin of a stack of bins is received between the two cross beams. The first element may comprise at least one additional projection arranged to engage an inner side of the side wall for additional support. The interlock between the first and second elements provides a self stacking function in that the interlock retains the upper bin on the lower bin.

Abstract: A display system for product stored in bins includes a first track member which can be fixed to an elongate support member, and a second track member which can be fixed to the first track member in a selected one of a plurality of relative positions to form a track having a height dimension which is dependent on the relative position selected. A plurality of product holders can be secured side-by-side in the track, the relative position of the track members being selected dependent on the height dimension of the product holders. A plurality of bins can be arranged side-by-side on shelves adjacent to the track, the elongate support member preferably being fixed to the distal end of a cantilever beam.

Abstract: A locking device is provided and operable to retain an article intended for display and handling in a designated area. In particular, the locking device is formed with an adjustable fastening loop, which can assume an extended position to receive a free end or a portion of the article, and a retracted position to secure the article in the fastening loop. The fastening loop can be adjusted between the extended position and the retracted position, so that the locking device is adapted to receive and secure articles of various sizes. The locking device is preferably mounted to a fixture, such as a display table or counter via a tether cable. When the cable is mounted to the fixture, the locking device is capable of retaining an article in the designated area and preventing the article from being removed from the designated area. For example, the locking device can secure a sample item to a designated area, such as a display counter in a retail store.

Abstract: A display system for product stored in bins includes a first track member which can be fixed to an elongate support member, and a second track member which can be fixed to the first track member in a selected one of a plurality of relative positions to form a track having a height dimension which is dependent on the relative position selected. A plurality of product holders can be secured side-by-side in the track, the relative position of the track members being selected dependent on the height dimension of the product holders. A plurality of bins can be arranged side-by-side on shelves adjacent to the track, the elongate support member preferably being fixed to the distal end of a cantilever beam.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler for delivering a pharmaceutical aerosol formulation comprises a canister containing the pharmaceutical aerosol formulation therein; a ferrule attached to said canister, the ferrule comprising a valve body having at least one opening therein to allow a quantity of the pharmaceutical aerosol formulation to pass from the container into the valve; and a polymeric film positioned between the ferrule and the canister, the polymeric film being present so as to serve as a moisture barrier relative to said canister.