Abstract: An apparatus for use in boarding a person onto a seat of an aircraft or vehicle, or lowering a person into a pool, which includes a ramp, a top mount, a bottom mount, a carriage assembly, and a mechanism for moving the carriage assembly. The ramp has a first end and a second end. The top mount is removably attached to the first end and has a mounting panel and base support. The mounting panel is pivotally connected to the base support and configured to be locked in a pivoted position. The bottom mount is removably attached to the second end. The carriage assembly is removably mountable on to the ramp. The hoist assembly is configured to move the carriage assembly up and down the ramp.

Abstract: An environmental control system for controlling environmental conditions within an open interior of an agricultural building includes a main controller, and a plurality of zone systems. Each zone system is configured to control environmental conditions within one of a plurality of zones within the open interior, and includes at least one environmental control device, a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature signal indicating a temperature within the zone, and a smart hub configured to control the at least one environmental control device of the corresponding zone based on low and high setpoint temperatures for the zone issued by the main controller and the temperature signal issued by the temperature sensor of the zone. The main controller is configured to prevent activation of an environmental control device in one of the zones by the smart hub based on an operating condition of an environmental control device in another zone.

Abstract: An environmental control system for controlling environmental conditions within an open interior of an agricultural building includes a main controller, and a plurality of zone systems. Each zone system is configured to control environmental conditions within one of a plurality of zones within the open interior, and includes at least one environmental control device, a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature signal indicating a temperature within the zone, and a smart hub configured to control the at least one environmental control device of the corresponding zone based on low and high setpoint temperatures for the zone issued by the main controller and the temperature signal issued by the temperature sensor of the zone. The main controller is configured to prevent activation of an environmental control device in one of the zones by the smart hub based on an operating condition of an environmental control device in another zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in boarding a person onto a seat of an aircraft or vehicle, or lowering a person into a pool, which includes a ramp, a top mount, a bottom mount, a carriage assembly, and a mechanism for moving the carriage assembly. The ramp has a first end and a second end. The top mount is removably attached to the first end and has a mounting panel and base support. The mounting panel is pivotally connected to the base support and configured to be locked in a pivoted position. The bottom mount is removably attached to the second end. The carriage assembly is removably mountable on to the ramp. The hoist assembly is configured to move the carriage assembly up and down the ramp.

Abstract: A stepped-frequency radar signal is transmitted through a barrier. A transmitter of the stepped-frequency radar is on a first side of the barrier, a first object is on a second side of the barrier, and a second object that is distinct from the first object is on the second side of the barrier. A signal including a reflection of the transmitted signal from the first object and a reflection of the transmitted signal from the second object is sensed. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine that a first detection is associated with the first object and a second detection is associated with a second object.

Abstract: A stepped-frequency radar signal is transmitted through a barrier. A transmitter of the stepped-frequency radar is on a first side of the barrier, a first object is on a second side of the barrier, and a second object that is distinct from the first object is on the second side of the barrier. A signal including a reflection of the transmitted signal from the first object and a reflection of the transmitted signal from the second object is sensed. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine that a first detection is associated with the first object and a second detection is associated with a second object.

Abstract: A field olfactometer includes a mixing chamber connected to a mask. A sample flow path is defined through the olfactometer as is a diluent flow path. The sample flow path extends from a sample air inlet to a sample air outlet which is open to the mixing chamber. The diluent flow path extends from a diluent air inlet to a diluent air outlet which is also open to the mixing chamber. The sample flow path and diluent flow path are isolated from one another so that the sample air flowing through the sample flow path and diluent air flowing through the diluent flow path cannot mix until the two streams of air exit their respective flow path and enter the mixing chamber where the two streams mix thoroughly prior to reaching the mask. The diluent flow path includes a filter medium to remove odor-causing chemicals from ambient air drawn through the diluent flow path.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal machine in conjunction with a product supply apparatus provides a continuous, heat sealable plastic film and zipper tape and provides separate, product filled, reclosable, top opening sealed bags. The apparatus includes a means for supplying the continuous plastic film, a means for supplying zipper tape, a means for sealing the zipper tape sections to the film, a vertical fill tube assembly, a feeding means including a film drive roll upstream, film pull belts adjacent the vertical fill tube, a vertical sealing means for sealing the edges of the continuous film to the edges of the continuous zippered cap strip, a horizontal sealing, perforating, and severing means for severing the plastic tube between the first and second horizontal seals, and a tensioning means for horizontally elongating the flexible plastic tube transverse to its length prior to formation of the horizontal seals.

Abstract: An explosive detection system includes an unmanned vehicle and a manned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle includes a reflector. The manned vehicle includes a ground penetrating radar. The manned vehicle also includes electronics configured to process radar signals that are reflected by the reflector to detect an explosive device. The manned vehicle follows the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: An explosive detection system includes an unmanned vehicle and a manned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle includes a reflector. The manned vehicle includes a ground penetrating radar. The manned vehicle also includes electronics configured to process radar signals that are reflected by the reflector to detect an explosive device. The manned vehicle follows the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A reclosable back-seam bag having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall is disclosed. The front wall is joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal. The reclosable back-seam bag includes a reclosable fastener that includes two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip having a front wall connecting flange and a second continuous elongated profile strip having a back wall connecting flange. The first continuous elongated profile strip includes a male interlocking profile having at least one male interlocking member, and the second continuous elongated profile strip includes a female interlocking profile having at least one female interlocking member. The male interlocking member is configured so as to cause the male interlocking profile to be separated from the female interlocking profile with a substantially equal opening force when being separated in a direction toward said top seal as when separated in a direction toward said bottom seal.

Abstract: A device includes a compressible conductive element including a first end and a second end, and an adjustment element coupled to the compressible conductive element, the adjustment element configured to adjust the compressible conductive element to a state of compression between an uncompressed mode and a compressed mode. The compressible conductive element is configured to couple to a source of electrical current at the first end and to radiate electromagnetic energy from the second end.

Abstract: A field olfactometer includes a mixing chamber connected to a mask. A sample flow path is defined through the olfactometer as is a diluent flow path. The sample flow path extends from a sample air inlet to a sample air outlet which is open to the mixing chamber. The diluent flow path extends from a diluent air inlet to a diluent air outlet which is also open to the mixing chamber. The sample flow path and diluent flow path are isolated from one another so that the sample air flowing through the sample flow path and diluent air flowing through the diluent flow path cannot mix until the two streams of air exit their respective flow path and enter the mixing chamber where the two streams mix thoroughly prior to reaching the mask. The diluent flow path includes a filter medium to remove odor-causing chemicals from ambient air drawn through the diluent flow path.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal machine in conjunction with a product supply apparatus provides a continuous, heat sealable plastic film and zipper tape and provides separate, product filled, reclosable, top opening sealed bags. The apparatus includes a means for supplying the continuous plastic film, a means for supplying zipper tape, a means for sealing the zipper tape sections to the film, a vertical fill tube assembly, a feeding means including a film drive roll upstream, film pull belts adjacent the vertical fill tube, a vertical sealing means for sealing the edges of the continuous film to the edges of the continuous zippered cap strip, a horizontal sealing, perforating, and severing means for severing the plastic tube between the first and second horizontal seals, and a tensioning means for horizontally elongating the flexible plastic tube transverse to its length prior to formation of the horizontal seals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dissolution test apparatus comprising, a first chamber 2 connected in series to at least a second chamber 10, wherein the first chamber 2 is capable of transferring solid test samples to the second chamber 10 and the second chamber 10 is capable of retaining the solid test samples. Further, the apparatus includes a first reservoir 21 and at least a second reservoir 22 for continuously supplying one or more media into the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 10, respectively, the chambers having stirrers 4, 11 for mixing the solid test samples and the media together. In addition, the first chamber 2 has a sample holder 38 for introducing the test samples during the continuous supply of the media into the first chamber 2. Processors 5, 16, 20 for analyzing an effluent from the chambers are also provided.

Abstract: An improved reclosable fastener profile assembly is provided, said assembly comprising a continuous supply of a first profile strip this first profile strip being substantially flat but having at least one rib that extends from the surface of first strip; and a continuous supply of a second profile strip opposite the first strip; this second strip being substantially flat but having at least two ribs that extend from the surface of this second strip. The rib of the first strip and the ribs of the second strip are adapted to sealingly engage and maintain an airtight seal when so engaged. A compression molded segment seal portion fuses the first profile strip, the second profile strip and the ribs of the first profile: strip and second strip. The compression molded segment seal includes a fused section of the first and second profile strips formed through the application of heat and pressure without further filling material or plastic.

Abstract: A modular reciprocating heat seal jaw assembly is disclosed for sealing reclosable fastener strips to a web of thermoplastic film and for sealing the web of thermoplastic film into a series of reclosable bags. The jaw assembly includes first and second sealing jaws and means for slidably mounting the sealing jaws on a pair of parallel shafts near the lateral ends of the first and second sealing jaws in a horizontal configuration. A mechanical system is providing for selectively effecting reciprocal movement of the first and second sealing jaws together and apart as required. A modular frame is provided for supporting the ceiling jaws and the first and second pairs of parallel shafts and for maintaining the lateral and vertical position of the first and second sealing jaws as they are moved toward or away from each other. The modular frame and heat seal jaw assembly may be inserted into existing form-fill-seal machine to make them more efficient and accurate.

Abstract: A fastener strip comprising a reclosable portion including an elongated first backing, including a trough extending lengthwise along the first backing and an elongated second backing, including a ridge extending lengthwise along a second backing, the ridge removably insertable into the trough to essentially prevent air flow across the trough, and a generally planar portion including essentially no ridge and essentially no trough, and a plug that joins the ridge of the reclosable portion and the trough of the reclosable portion at the adjacent end of the reclosable portion to the plug in an airtight seal that prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion.

Abstract: Carpet yarn is provided which is significantly less sensitive to changing ambient environmental conditions. As such, the carpet yarns exhibit substantially uniform wet bulk properties across a wide range of ambient temperature and/or atmospheric moisture conditions so as to reduce significantly (if not eliminate entirely) visible streaks in carpets formed of such yarns. In especially preferred embodiments, the carpet yarns when made are subjected to a substantially higher draw ratio and a substantially higher precrimp temperature prior to being brought into contact with water supplied by means of a non-peristaltic, continuous pressure, steady stream pump. The resulting yarn moisture content is increased to a greater level as compared to conventional carpet yarns not possessing the environmental desensitivity exhibited by the yarns of the present invention.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. The handle includes a lower portion and an upper portion pivotally connected to the lower portion and pivoted between an upper position for use and a lower position for storage. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to one of the base portion and the handle. A recovery tank removably mounted to one of the base portion and the handle and is in fluid communication with a suction nozzle secured to said base portion.