Abstract: A bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser includes a compartment configured to receive and store bulk food material. A valve separates the compartment from an outlet. The valve operates to open and close to selectively permit bulk food material to pass from the compartment through the outlet. An electromechanical motor is communicatively connected to a controller and mechanically connected to the valve. The controller operates in response to receipt of a dispense instruction input to produce a control signal to the electromechanical motor. The electromechanical motor operates to move the valve between a closed position and an open position to dispense a portion of the bulk food material.

Abstract: A conveyor toaster includes a toaster cabinet, an opening extending through the toaster cabinet and configured to receive a food product, and a conveyor assembly positioned in the toaster housing and associated with the feed opening. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt configured to be operated by a drive motor to transport the food product past a heating element. The conveyor toaster further includes a an input sensor arranged proximate the opening and configured to detect the food product and a processor operably coupled to the input sensor and the conveyor assembly. The processor is configured to change between an operating condition with a first belt speed and an idle condition with a second belt speed based upon a signal from the input sensor.

Abstract: A gravity-feed dispensing system includes a hopper configured to hold a bulk material for dispense. A hopper identifier encodes an identification of the bulk material in the hopper. A valve of a gravity feed dispenser is operable by an actuator assembly between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper into a consumer receptacle. A controller is configured to receive an indication of a dispense of bulk material from the hopper and to receive the identification of the bulk material in the hopper. A retail endpoint is configured to receive the indication of a dispense and the identification of the bulk material in the hopper and configured produce a sale indicator from the indication of the dispense and the identification of the bulk material in the hopper.

Abstract: A conveyor toaster includes a toaster cabinet, an opening extending through the toaster cabinet and configured to receive a food product, and a conveyor assembly positioned in the toaster housing and associated with the feed opening. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt configured to be operated by a drive motor to transport the food product past a heating element. The conveyor toaster further includes a an input sensor arranged proximate the opening and configured to detect the food product and a processor operably coupled to the input sensor and the conveyor assembly. The processor is configured to change between an operating condition with a first belt speed and an idle condition with a second belt speed based upon a signal from the input sensor.

Abstract: A gravity-feed dispenser is connected to a hopper configured to hold a bulk material for dispense. The gravity-feed dispenser includes a spout and a valve separating the hopper from the spout. An actuator assembly is connected to the valve and includes a detectable element. The actuator assembly is operable to move the valve between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper out of the spout. A fixture is configured to engage and support the gravity feed dispenser. A sensor is connected to the fixture and is positioned relative to the actuator assembly. The sensor operates to detect the detectable element of the actuator assembly and produce a signal indicative of the open condition or the closed condition.

Abstract: A gravity-feed dispensing system includes a hopper configured to hold a bulk material for dispense. The hopper includes a mouth. A dispenser includes a valve operable between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper through an outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser is configured to selectively connect the valve to the mouth of the hopper.

Abstract: A bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser includes a compartment configured to receive and store bulk food material. A valve separates the compartment from an outlet. The valve operates to open and close to selectively permit bulk food material to pass from the compartment through the outlet. An electromechanical motor is communicatively connected to a controller and mechanically connected to the valve. The controller operates in response to receipt of a dispense instruction input to produce a control signal to the electromechanical motor. The electromechanical motor operates to move the valve between a closed position and an open position to dispense a portion of the bulk food material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a low magnification dark-field microscope system and method for producing a dark-field image. The method includes transferring a biological specimen to a surface of a sample plate, and pre-treating the biological specimen using one or more pre-treatment steps selected from (1) heating the biological specimen using a heating device; (2) applying ultrasound energy using an ultrasound transducer and ultrasound generator; and (3) doping the biological specimen with a metallic nanoparticle. Following pre-treatment, the method includes imaging a region of interest the biological specimen on the sample plate using a dark-field microscope to generate a dark-field image of the biological specimen.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a low magnification dark-field microscope system and method for producing a dark-field image. The method includes transferring a biological specimen to a surface of a sample plate, and pre-treating the biological specimen using one or more pre-treatment steps selected from (1) heating the biological specimen using a heating device; (2) applying ultrasound energy using an ultrasound transducer and ultrasound generator; and (3) doping the biological specimen with a metallic nanoparticle. Following pre-treatment, the method includes imaging a region of interest the biological specimen on the sample plate using a dark-field microscope to generate a dark-field image of the biological specimen.

Abstract: A conveyor toaster includes a toaster cabinet, an opening extending through the toaster cabinet and configured to receive a food product, and a conveyor assembly positioned in the toaster housing and associated with the feed opening. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt configured to be operated by a drive motor to transport the food product past a heating element. The conveyor toaster further includes a an input sensor arranged proximate the opening and configured to detect the food product and a processor operably coupled to the input sensor and the conveyor assembly. The processor is configured to change between an operating condition with a first belt speed and an idle condition with a second belt speed based upon a signal from the input sensor.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include configuring a first connector of a particular type included in a first multipurpose port located on a first side of a computing device to connect the computing device to a first peripheral device, transporting one or more of power, high-speed data, and display data between the computing device and the first peripheral device using the first multipurpose port, configuring a second connector of the particular type included in a second multipurpose port located on a second side of the computing device to connect the computing device to a second peripheral device, and transporting one or more of power, high-speed data, and display data between the computing device and the second peripheral device using the second multipurpose port.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include determining an orientation of a plug inserted into a connector included in the computing device, providing a plurality of display data signals to a reordering switch included in the computing device, selecting, by the reordering switch and based on the determined orientation of the plug, a display data signal from the plurality of display data signals, providing the selected display data signal to at least one of a plurality of multiplexers, the plurality of multiplexers being orientated back-to-back, providing a data signal to the at least one of the plurality of multiplexers, enabling the at least one of the plurality of multiplexers, selecting the display data signal for output by the at least one of the plurality of multiplexers, and providing the selected display data signal to a contact included on the connector.

Abstract: The inward and outward deflection of sidewalls of a holding tank for liquids is reduced or eliminated by sidewall reinforcing stringers that extend between the sides and which are located inside the tank. The stringers, maintain the separation distance between the sidewalls to keep the sidewalls substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device may include a plurality of voltage regulators including a first voltage regulator and a second voltage regulator, and a multi-phase oscillator, connected to the first voltage regulator and the second voltage regulator, configured to synchronize the first voltage regulator and the second voltage regulator.

Abstract: Fixed-volumes of liquid are measured and dispensed from a container by empirically determining the liquid surface height and opening a dispensing valve for a time period that is calculated using a volume of liquid specified to be dispensed and the empirically-determined liquid surface height. The liquid surface height in the container is determined empirically for initial and subsequent volumes of liquid that are dispensed. Dispensing accuracy is maintained whether the container is full or nearly empty.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include receiving, by a computing device, an indication of movement of the computing device, receiving, by the computing device, an input from one of a touchpad, a touch-sensitive surface of a lid portion of the computing device, a trackpad, one or more mouse buttons, and a keyboard during the movement of the computing device, determining, based on the received indication of the movement of the computing device, that the received input is a false input, and ignoring, by the computing device, the received input based on determining that the received input is a false input.

Abstract: A caddy for use in supporting a flexible bag of a substance to dispense as well as a system for dispensing a substance include a front wall and a back wall. A floor extends between the front wall and the back wall and angles from the back wall in a direction towards the front wall a cradle is connected to the floor and the cradle opens in a downward direction and a rearward direction. A dispenser includes a cabinet, a load cell, a valve, and a processor. The cradle engages the load cell and the processor calculates a valve open time at least in part based upon a measurement of a load impressed upon a load cell and a requested dispense volume. The processor operates the valve to open for the calculated valve open time.