Abstract: An sensor unit has an analog Hall-effect sensor coupled to a microprocessor containing an analog to digital converter. It is mounted to the frame of a cell door. A magnet is mounted to the cell door so that when the door is closed, they are in close-proximity. A calibration initiates the storage of digital voltage signal presented by the Hall-effect sensor, via an analog to digital converter, when the cell door is closed. This door-closed value is constantly compared to the current value based on the position of the cell door. If this value deviates within preset limitations of the stored value, the sensor unit signals a fault condition to a connected central control panel which sends a “door ajar” notification to a designated user's cell phone as well as activating a local alarm.

Abstract: An sensor unit has an analog Hall-effect sensor coupled to a microprocessor containing an analog to digital converter. It is mounted to the frame of a cell door. A magnet is mounted to the cell door so that when the door is closed, they are in close-proximity. A calibration initiates the storage of digital voltage signal presented by the Hall-effect sensor, via an analog to digital converter, when the cell door is closed. This door-closed value is constantly compared to the current value based on the position of the cell door. If this value deviates within preset limitations of the stored value, the sensor unit signals a fault condition to a connected central control panel which sends a “door ajar” notification to a designated user's cell phone as well as activating a local alarm.

Abstract: A method of fabricating coffee pods at a point of sale location using a coffee pod dispensing device with shell less, expandable coffee pods. The fabrication is initiated by tactile input from a control panel that determines the parameters of the coffee pods to be fabricated and generates the operational signals for the dispensing device. Fabrication there after progresses sequentially through a series of operations that involves the loading of the coffee pods onto a pod advancing means which then takes the coffee pods through the steps of expansion, filling, sealing and delivery. To accomplish this the pods are compressible pods arranged in a linear array that allows for pleated or stacked storage in a pod loading means within the device's enclosure, as well as continuous feed capabilities.

Abstract: A point of sale coffee pod dispensing device for use with shell less, expandable coffee pods. The compressible pods are arranged in a linear array that allows for pleated or stacked storage in a pod loading means within the device's enclosure, as well as continuous feed capabilities. The pod advancing means moves the pods from a pod loading station to the pod delivery station, there between sequentially passing through stations for pod expanding, coffee filling, and sealing. An operating system allows input of signals for the operation of the device based on tactile input from a control panel on the device's housing that determines the parameters of the coffee pods to be fabricated.

Abstract: A display includes a light guide plate, a plurality of light sources disposed along an edge of the light guide plate, and a flexible carrier to which the plurality of light sources are secured. The flexible carrier includes a plurality of flexures, each flexure of the plurality of flexures disposed between a respective pair of adjacent light sources of the plurality of light sources to allow a spacing between the pair of adjacent light sources to change.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display frame, a light guide plate disposed within the display frame, and a light source disposed along an edge of the light guide plate. The light source is secured to the display frame. The electronic device further includes an enclosure in which the display frame and the light guide plate are disposed. The enclosure is configured to allow thermal expansion of the display frame and of the light guide plate. The light guide plate and the display frame have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display frame, a light guide plate disposed within the display frame, and a light source disposed along an edge of the light guide plate. The light source is secured to the display frame. The electronic device further includes an enclosure in which the display frame and the light guide plate are disposed. The enclosure is configured to allow thermal expansion of the display frame and of the light guide plate. The light guide plate and the display frame have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display frame, a light guide plate disposed within the display frame, and a light source disposed along an edge of the light guide plate. The light source is secured to the display frame. The electronic device further includes an enclosure in which the display frame and the light guide plate are disposed. The enclosure is configured to allow thermal expansion of the display frame and of the light guide plate. The light guide plate and the display frame have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A point of sale coffee pod dispensing device for use with shell less, expandable coffee pods. The compressible pods are arranged in a linear array that allows for pleated or stacked storage in a pod loading means within the device's enclosure, as well as continuous feed capabilities. The pod advancing means moves the pods from a pod loading station to the pod delivery station, there between sequentially passing through stations for pod expanding, coffee filling, and sealing. An operating system allows input of signals for the operation of the device based on tactile input from a control panel on the device's housing that determines the parameters of the coffee pods to be fabricated.

Abstract: A method of fabricating coffee pods at a point of sale location using a coffee pod dispensing device with shell less, expandable coffee pods. The fabrication is initiated by tactile input from a control panel that determines the parameters of the coffee pods to be fabricated and generates the operational signals for the dispensing device. Fabrication there after progresses sequentially through a series of operations that involves the loading of the coffee pods onto a pod advancing means which then takes the coffee pods through the steps of expansion, filling, sealing and delivery. To accomplish this the pods are compressible pods arranged in a linear array that allows for pleated or stacked storage in a pod loading means within the device's enclosure, as well as continuous feed capabilities.

Abstract: A shell less, biodegradable coffee pod for use with a point of sale coffee pod dispensing device. The pod is compressible for pleated or stacked storage and linearly linked to a series of substantially similar pods by a flexible, hingeable separable tab bridging between adjacent pods. The pods have a support structure that is affixed to a fillable well. Each well is expandable with an expanding means (utilizing a burst of air, a vacuum or mechanical pusher) as the series of pods is mechanically advanced along a tractor feed style conveyor belt that passes the pod to a ground coffee bean filling unit, a sealing unit and a pod separating unit.

Abstract: A display includes a light guide plate, a plurality of light sources disposed along an edge of the light guide plate, and a flexible carrier to which the plurality of light sources are secured. The flexible carrier includes a plurality of flexures, each flexure of the plurality of flexures disposed between a respective pair of adjacent light sources of the plurality of light sources to allow a spacing between the pair of adjacent light sources to change.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display frame, a light guide plate disposed within the display frame, and a light source disposed along an edge of the light guide plate. The light source is secured to the display frame. The electronic device further includes an enclosure in which the display frame and the light guide plate are disposed. The enclosure is configured to allow thermal expansion of the display frame and of the light guide plate. The light guide plate and the display frame have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A container for storing phase-change ink includes a housing that is comprised primarily of a thermally insulating material and an inductive heater element positioned within the housing. The inductive heater element is formed in a manner that increases the surface area of the heater and enables frozen ink in the vicinity of a reservoir outlet to melt quickly to enable printing operations.

Abstract: A portable imaging device has been developed. The portable imaging device enables a printhead to be mounted to a surface to print an image on the surface. The printhead moves in two or more directions while mounted on the printing surface enable the printhead to eject ink onto the surface to form the image on the surface.

Abstract: A printer includes a release agent detector that responds to release agent contacting the detector by generating a signal. The signal is processed by a controller to alter operation of the printer.

Abstract: A portable imaging device has been developed. The portable imaging device enables a printhead to be mounted to a surface to print an image on the surface. The printhead moves in two or more directions while mounted on the printing surface enable the printhead to eject ink onto the surface to form the image on the surface.

Abstract: A system manufactures molded fatty acid based material products by forming a fatty acid based material paste and injecting the paste into a mold having internal cavities. The system includes a controller that regulates heat generated by a movable member in the barrel of an injection molding machine and a cooling jacket on the exterior of the barrel to enable nearly melted fatty acid material and nearly solid melted fatty acid material to mix within the barrel to form a paste that is ejected into a mold to form the products. The paste enables the products to form a skin that is less susceptible to shrinkage during cooling so the product is formed without voids that cause breakage or mar aesthetic appearances of the product.

Abstract: A volumetric container for storing phase-change ink includes a housing that is comprised primarily of a thermally insulating material and a heater element positioned within the housing. The heater element is positioned in the container to melt solid ink quickly to enable printing operations.

Abstract: A method manufactures molded fatty acid based material products by forming a fatty acid based material paste and injecting the paste into a mold having internal cavities. The method includes generating a fatty acid based material paste, injecting a portion of the fatty acid based material paste under pressure into a cooled mold having at least two separable shells that form product cavities, and separating the shells of the cooled mold to release molded fatty acid based material products from the product cavities.