Abstract: An ice bagger is provided. The ice bagger includes an ice hopper into which ice is disposed from an ice manufacturer. The ice hopper further includes an ice agitator and defines an ice trough there beneath. An ice auger, housed inside the ice trough, transports ice to an ice delivery chute. A hatch is positioned beneath the ice delivery chute, upon which the bag rests while filling. A scale is positioned on the hatch. The scale weighs the ice being deposited into the bag. When the bag is full, the bag is sealed by a sealer. When the bag is sealed, the hatch opens and the bag of ice is deposited in an bag depository. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to improve a topic modeling system that tunes a topic model for a set of topics from a corpus of documents, by allowing users to pre-inform the tuning process with bias parameters for desired associations in the topic model. In embodiments, the topic model may be a Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model. In embodiments, the bias parameter may indicate a fixed association where a particular word in a particular document is associated with a particular topic. In embodiments, the bias parameter may specify a weight value that biases the inference process with regard to a particular association. Advantageously, the disclosed features allow users to specify a small number of parameters to steer the tuning process towards a set of desired topics. As a result, the topic model may be generated more quickly and with more useful topics.

Abstract: A device for controlling a fluid flow in an array of fluid pathways on a microfluidic chip is provided. The device comprising: two or more resistors provided upstream of the chip wherein each upstream resistor is configured to provide a resistance at an upstream end of a fluid pathway; two or more resistors provided downstream of the chip wherein each downstream resistor is configured to provide a resistance at a downstream end of a fluid pathway, wherein the values of the resistances are selected in order to control a proportion of fluid that flows through each fluid pathway.

Abstract: A frame used for mounting a bicycle eliminates bending loads typically observed in U-shaped frames, where an axial load is forced on the rear axle of a bicycle wheel. The frame uses the rear axle of the bicycle as a structural member to change the loading such that bending is eliminated. This reduces the requirements for the material strength of the frame. An axle interconnect system facilitates quick adjustment and mounting of the rear axle to the frame, and may use an existing skewer of the bicycle wheel. A resistance unit may be attached to the frame, or affixed to a joint in the frame, to facilitate use with a stationary trainer. Flexible frame members may be used to permit a rocking motion of the wheel when used for stationary training, or to allow for use on unlevel ground when training outdoors or for warmup before a race.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a disposable undergarment, with the lateral edges of the undergarment bonded by means of an ultrasonic horn. When a blank is formed for an individual undergarment, the lateral edges of opposing edges of the blank will form the seam. When the edges are sealed together, a seam is formed. The individual undergarments may be later separated along the seams.

Abstract: An ice bagger is provided. The ice bagger includes an ice hopper into which ice is disposed from an ice manufacturer. The ice hopper further includes an ice agitator. The ice hopper defines an ice trough positioned beneath the ice hopper. An ice auger is housed inside the ice trough. The ice auger transports ice to an ice delivery chute. A hatch is positioned beneath the ice delivery chute, upon which the bag rests while filling. The ice delivery chute and the hatch define a bag filling area such that, when bags are present in the bag filling area, the bags are positioned to be filled. A scale is positioned on the hatch. The scale weighs the ice being deposited into the bag. When the bag is full, the bag is sealed by a sealer. When the bag is sealed, the hatch opens and the bag of ice is deposited in an bag depository. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A sample capture and transport unit comprises a housing defining a substrate chamber for containing a sample-capture substrate. The housing comprises at least a first part and a second part which are movable relative to one another ? i) from a first closed configuration in which the substrate chamber is inaccessible; ? ii) to a first open configuration in which access to the substrate chamber is enabled to allow capturing of a skin-print on a sample-capture substrate contained within the substrate chamber; and subsequently ? iii) into a second closed configuration in which the substrate chamber is again inaccessible. The unit further comprises a retaining mechanism for retaining it in the second closed configuration. The retaining mechanism is disablable to permit movement of the unit out of the second closed configuration. A sample can be obtained at a first location, secured for transport and analysed at a second location.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a disposable undergarment, with the lateral edges of the undergarment bonded by means of an ultrasonic horn. When a blank is formed for an individual undergarment, the lateral edges of opposing edges of the blank will form the seam. When the edges are sealed together, a seam is formed. The individual undergarments may be later separated along the seams.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a disposable undergarment, with the lateral edges of the undergarment bonded by means of an ultrasonic horn. When a blank is formed for an individual undergarment, the lateral edges of opposing edges of the blank will form the seam. When the edges are sealed together, a seam is formed. The individual undergarments may be later separated along the seams.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing stationary and/or moveable cutting components provide limited interference with web processing operations, such as pad spin and pitch alteration. Heat, laser, fluid, or mechanical cutting operations may be used, including respectively, a heated element (e.g., wire, ribbon, bar, or embossing or perforating element) that may be triggered inductively, water or steam jets, or improved knife/anvil cooperation.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing stationary and/or moveable cutting components provide limited interference with web processing operations, such as pad spin and pitch alteration. Heat, laser, fluid, or mechanical cutting operations may be used, including respectively, a heated element (e.g., wire, ribbon, bar, or embossing or perforating element) that may be triggered inductively, water or steam jets, or improved knife/anvil cooperation.

Abstract: A series of elastic break brakes are provided throughout a travel path of elastics in a machine operation. Elastic strands thread through each individual brake mechanism, and if an elastic strand breaks downstream, a natural snap back of the elastic, which ordinarily travels through the system under tension, drives an immediately upstream cam mechanism back, and holds the elastic thread in place at the elastic break brake immediately upstream of the break as to minimize rethreading required downstream of the elastic break brake.

Abstract: Computer implemented electronic trading systems and methods for spotting and hedging a plurality of electronic trades in order for multiple parties to execute and hedge the electronic trades at prices controlled by a common spot. The trading systems include one or more computer systems capable of, and the methods include steps for, collecting and analyzing a plurality of spot-designated electronic trades of a financial product that is traded with respect to a reference price of a reference financial product. The systems and methods determine a common spot for multiple electronic trades including one or more electronic trades of the financial product and one or more associated electronic trades of the reference financial product, and distribute instructions for the multiple electronic trades to be executed at prices controlled by the common spot. Some such trading systems, and related methods, are capable of determining multiple common spots for different electronic trades.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a skin-print provided on a first surface of an optically transparent substrate. The method comprises the steps of exposing the skin-print on the first surface of the optically transparent substrate to one or more reagents selected to bind with one or more metabolites present in the skin-print; transmitting electromagnetic radiation onto the skin-print through the optically transparent substrate using a radiation source to thereby produce an optical signal of said one or more reagents and/or said one or more metabolites; and detecting an optical image of the optical signal through the optically transparent substrate using a sensor. Also a skin-print analysis apparatus and a reagent cartridge for use in carrying out the method.

Abstract: A leash for an animal is provided that includes a collar end and a handle end positioned opposite the collar end. An intermediate portion of the leash is located between the collar end and the handle end of the leash. The intermediate portion includes two separate strands wherein a first end of each strand is attached at the collar end of the leash and a second end of each strand is attached at the handle end of the leash. The leash is configured to encircle the abdomen of the animal by passing the handle end of the leash through a loop formed between the two separate strands such that the leash forms a constrictive loop around the animal's midsection or abdomen, specifically the portion of the animal's torso located between animal's hind legs and the animal's ribs. Methods for using the leash are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a disposable undergarment, with the lateral edges of the undergarment bonded by means of an ultrasonic horn. When a blank is formed for an individual undergarment, the lateral edges of opposing edges of the blank will form the seam. When the edges are sealed together, a seam is formed. The individual undergarments may be later separated along the seams.

Abstract: A pulpless core is provided with flexibility for superabsorbent expansion by using elastic strands stretched and coupled to a nonwoven layer, and then relaxed partially to create receiving valleys (puckers) and the puckers are provided with superabsorbent polymer, and then a layer of nonwoven or acquisition film can be coupled on top of nonwoven/elastic/sap carrier layers to create an absorbent core laminate. A tubular core can be created and placed into a product with or without additional absorbent material between adjacent tubular members. A printed back sheet corresponding to either the tubular core shape, or void spaces between tubular members can be provide. A forming drum pocket can be profiled to match tube or tube shaped zones and elastic placements between adjacent tubes, if desired.

Abstract: A cycling resistance apparatus includes an adjustment mechanism configured to be attached to a frame, such as a stationary frame or the frame of a bicycle, and a magnet assembly attached to the adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is configured to position magnets of the magnet assembly at an active position so that a face of each magnet is positioned within a diameter of a bicycle tire and within a width of the bicycle tire, so as to be adjacent an electrically conductive rim of the bicycle wheel. When in the active position, the one or more magnets of the magnet assembly induce eddy currents in the electrically conductive rim of the wheel to provide resistance against rotation of the wheel in the frame.