Abstract: The invention relates to a pet toy wherein a two-piece molded plastic encasement contains apertures that allow a ball or balls to protrude and extrude as a result of rotation of the top of the toy and fixed raised protrusions which naturally cause a ball to essentially “appear” and “disappear” and an animal must solve by attempting to retrieve the moving ball or balls.

Abstract: A decentralized tracking system is discussed herein. The decentralized tracking system can be comprised of two or more tracking elements and be used to track packages moving on a conveyor system. Each tracking element can operate independently, despite being highly sophisticated and dynamically coordinated with one or more other tracking elements. The conveyor system can be a modular and/or accumulation conveyor system that has sorting functionality. The decentralized tracking system can be used to divert packages for sortation by, for example, embedding a destination zone into the package's tracking data and/or preprogramming conveyor zones to sort specific packages based on a package identifier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reusable pet chew toy made of hard rubber and rawhide laces with a compartment to accommodate treats wherein the pet must chew through rawhide laces to break open the compartment to obtain the treat.

Abstract: Flexible foot apparatuses and methods of using the same are disclosed. In one aspect a flexible foot apparatus is disclosed which can attach to and/or frictionally engage a standard crutch tip. The apparatus can include upper, lower, and intermediate body portions. The intermediate body portion can pivot during crutch assisted walking and can have a diameter smaller than diameters of the upper and lower body portions. The pivoting motion of crutch assisted walking can increase the amount of surface area available to engage a floor by pressing a bottom surface of the apparatus against the floor. Thus, stability at the crutch to floor interface can be improved.

Abstract: A drive controller for controlling movement of a plurality of packages by an accumulation conveyor. The drive controller is configured to determine a length of each of the packages and to coordinate driving of a number of zones needed to accommodate the package. For example, a sensor in each of the conveyor zones communicates blockage by the packages to the drive controller. The drive controller determines a sequence of blockage of the sensors in adjacent zones. Blockage of the sensor in an upstream zone before the sensor in a downstream zone indicates an oversized package that extends longer than a zone length of the downstream zone and into the upstream zone. The drive controller is configured to drive the downstream zone and upstream zone simultaneously when detecting the oversized package.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the inventive ballistic garment includes a front panel and a rear panel; a plurality of connecting element, wherein each connecting element having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each connecting element is operatively fastened to a first end of a respective anchor element and each of a second end of each respective anchor element is operatively fixed to the rear panel of the ballistic garment; a locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly is operatively fixed to the ballistic garment; at least one releasable plug for releasably engaging the locking assembly, wherein the at least one releasable plug is operatively attached to the second end of at least one connecting element, and wherein the front panel of the ballistic garment is attached to the rear panel of the ballistic garment when the at least one releasable plug engages the locking assembly.

Abstract: A drive controller for controlling movement of a plurality of packages by an accumulation conveyor. The drive controller is configured to determine a length of each of the packages and to coordinate driving of a number of zones needed to accommodate the package. For example, a sensor in each of the conveyor zones communicates blockage by the packages to the drive controller. The drive controller determines a sequence of blockage of the sensors in adjacent zones. Blockage of the sensor in an upstream zone before the sensor in a downstream zone indicates an oversized package that extends longer than a zone length of the downstream zone and into the upstream zone. The drive controller is configured to drive the downstream zone and upstream zone simultaneously when detecting the oversized package.

Abstract: A decentralized tracking system is discussed herein. The decentralized tracking system can be comprised of two or more tracking elements and be used to track packages moving on a conveyor system. Each tracking element can operate independently, despite being highly sophisticated and dynamically coordinated with one or more other tracking elements. The conveyor system can be a modular and/or accumulation conveyor system that has sorting functionality. The decentralized tracking system can be used to divert packages for sortation by, for example, embedding a destination zone into the package's tracking data and/or preprogramming conveyor zones to sort specific packages based on a package identifier.

Abstract: A drive controller for controlling movement of a plurality of packages by an accumulation conveyor. The drive controller is configured to determine a length of each of the packages and to coordinate driving of a number of zones needed to accommodate the package. For example, a sensor in each of the conveyor zones communicates blockage by the packages to the drive controller. The drive controller determines a sequence of blockage of the sensors in adjacent zones. Blockage of the sensor in an upstream zone before the sensor in a downstream zone indicates an oversized package that extends longer than a zone length of the downstream zone and into the upstream zone. The drive controller is configured to drive the downstream zone and upstream zone simultaneously when detecting the oversized package.

Abstract: A drive controller for controlling movement of a plurality of packages by an accumulation conveyor. The drive controller is configured to determine a length of each of the packages and to coordinate driving of a number of zones needed to accommodate the package. For example, a sensor in each of the conveyor zones communicates blockage by the packages to the drive controller. The drive controller determines a sequence of blockage of the sensors in adjacent zones. Blockage of the sensor in an upstream zone before the sensor in a downstream zone indicates an oversized package that extends longer than a zone length of the downstream zone and into the upstream zone. The drive controller is configured to drive the downstream zone and upstream zone simultaneously when detecting the oversized package.

Abstract: A vehicle messaging system operably connected to a communications network that is configured to receive, store, manipulate, view and transmit data. The vehicle messaging system is mounted within the interior of a vehicle and further includes the necessary electronics to determine its geographic coordinates and transmit that data across the communications network. The communications network functions as a conduit to allow organizations or individuals to send and receive information such as but not limited to advertising messages to vehicle messaging systems connected to the communications network. The vehicle messaging system is operably connected to the communications network utilizing wireless technology such as but not limited to short-wave, RF or cellular frequencies.

Abstract: A conveyor system that includes a zoned conveyor surface and a loading sensor. The loading sensor is configured to detect placement of a load into the zone. A loading timer is activated by loading detection by the sensor and while activated, a controller system halts movement of the zone. This stops movement of the zone, facilitating placement of the load in the zone. Also, a sensor blocked signal may be sent to the upstream zone to stop movement of any loads in the upstream zone into the zone while loading. Normal movement in the upstream zone is handled by triggering a travel timer for a predetermined period of time, during which the loading timer is overridden so that the upstream load travels normally downstream.

Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing fluids includes a container body having an upwardly extending annular neck portion defining a container opening and terminating into an annular rim having a generally flat, upwardly facing sealing surface and an inwardly extending flange. A separate spout member includes an annular wall having an inwardly extending portion defining a pour spout and an outwardly extending lip at one end thereof, wherein the lip includes a downwardly facing sealing surface. The annular wall also includes an outwardly extending shoulder below the lip for engaging the rim flange, wherein the annular wall is configured to be received within the container opening and wherein the annular wall shoulder is capable of being snap-fit over the rim flange to create a seal between said rim sealing surface and said lip sealing surface. The container also includes a removable lid that threadedly engages the container neck.

Abstract: Metal cans having openings formed therein with plastic fitments inserted therein provide a pouring spout for convenient dispensing of the contents of the metal cans. Many classes of chemicals are shipped in such cans. These chemicals can cause the plastic fitment to swell and soften. This swelling causes interference with the screw cap and increases the torque necessary to remove the cap and dispense the contents. At the same time, the softening of the fitment by the chemical shipped in this package causes a decrease in the spin resistance of the fitment in the formed opening of the can. A can, therefore, is provided that comprises a top wall, an opening in the top wall, a substantially cylindrical surface located on the top wall and surrounding the opening, the cylindrical surface includes an outer portion and an inner portion, and a non-rotational surface positioned on the inner portion, the non-rotational surface resists rotation of a fitment positioned in the opening.

Abstract: Solid-state membrane modules comprising at least one membrane unit, where the membrane unit has a dense mixed conducting oxide layer, and at least one conduit or manifold wherein the conduit or manifold comprises a dense layer and at least one of a porous layer and a slotted layer contiguous with the dense layer. The solid-state membrane modules may be used to carry out a variety of processes including the separating of any ionizable component from a feedstream wherein such ionizable component is capable of being transported through a dense mixed conducting oxide layer of the membrane units making up the membrane modules. For ease of construction, the membrane units may be planar.

Abstract: Method of making an electrochemical device for the recovery of oxygen from an oxygen-containing feed gas comprising (a) preparing a green electrochemical device by assembling a green electrolyte layer, a green anode layer in contact with the green electrolyte layer, a green cathode layer in contact with the green electrolyte layer, a green anode-side gas collection interconnect layer in contact with the green anode layer, and a green cathode-side feed gas distribution interconnect layer in contact with the green cathode layer; and (b) sintering-the green electrochemical device by heating to yield a sintered electrochemical device comprising a plurality of sintered layers including a sintered anode-side gas collection interconnect layer in contact with the anode layer and adapted to collect oxygen permeate gas, wherein each sintered layer is bonded to an adjacent sintered layer during sintering.

Abstract: Method for processing an article comprising a mixed conducting metal oxide material, which method comprises (a) contacting the article with an oxygen-containing gas and reducing or increasing the temperature of the oxygen-containing gas; (b) when the temperature of the oxygen-containing gas is reduced, reducing the oxygen activity in the oxygen-containing gas; and (c) when the temperature of the oxygen-containing gas is increased, increasing the oxygen activity in the oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A gasket singulation apparatus for separating one gasket from a web-connected stack of gaskets includes a mandrel for receiving the web-connected stack and an arrangement of cylinders which are used to support the web-connected stack of gaskets and to pull one gasket away from the remainder of the web-connected stack so as to singulate that one gasket. A first plurality of cylinders are used to support the web-connected stack. A second plurality of cylinders are used to pierce any connecting material between the gasket to be singulated and the remainder of the stack. Once the web material is pierced, cylinder movement is effected so as to pull the selected gasket away from the stack, allowing any connecting material to sever and thereby singulate one gasket from the stack. Once the gasket is singulated, various insertion mechanisms are disclosed for inserting the singulated gasket into a pail lid groove.

Abstract: A blow-molded, plastic paint container for storing and dispensing paint includes a blow-molded container body defining an externally-threaded neck portion, an injection molded plastic closing cap, internally-threaded so as to be threadedly securable to the neck portion for closing the container body, a liner assembled into the closing cap and a depending annular wall positioned between the neck portion and the liner in order to cause any paint skin that forms to be formed into two portions, one portion being adjacent to the liner and the other portion being adjacent to the container body. Each paint skin portion adhering to its corresponding structural portion of the paint container and remaining intact. In a related embodiment, the annular wall is replaced with three cutting blades.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a network management system is capable of performing a coordinated discovery operation on devices in a network using a number of discovery and aggregator agents. Data collected and generated by the agents may be coalesced into a database file. New agents may be added to the system as plug-ins by registering an XML file with a network manager.