Abstract: A flex duct fitting system includes: a flex duct with an inner lining, a flex duct fitting device, including a connector portion, including a connector portion body, a flex fitting assembly with a peripheral protrusion and a peripheral indentation; a circular fastener, such that the inner lining is pulled over the flex fitting assembly, such that the at least one circular fastener is positioned in the peripheral indentation and tightened around the connector portion body, with the inner lining tightened in place between the at least one circular fastener and the peripheral indentation.

Abstract: A flex duct fitting system includes: a flex duct with an inner lining, a flex duct fitting device, including a connector portion, including a connector portion body, a flex fitting assembly with a peripheral protrusion and a peripheral indentation; a circular fastener, such that the inner lining is pulled over the flex fitting assembly, such that the at least one circular fastener is positioned in the peripheral indentation and tightened around the connector portion body, with the inner lining tightened in place between the at least one circular fastener and the peripheral indentation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hierarchical data structure, and systems and techniques for using the same. In one example, first device data including a plurality of files and corresponding to message data generated by one or more components of a device during a time period, may be received. The first plurality of files may be stored on one or more data stores and at a first location according to a hierarchical data structure, the hierarchical data structure based at least in part on a message time, a data identifier, or a device identifier. Second device data, associated with the time period and including a second plurality of files, may be obtained. The second device data may then be stored at a second location on the one or more data stores according to the hierarchical data structure.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser (11) is disclosed for use in combination with a water cooler, wherein the water cooler comprises a water bottle (1) and a cooler housing (2) comprising an outlet (3, 4) for dispensing water, and wherein the beverage dispenser is intended to be positioned between the cooler housing and the water bottle. The beverage dispenser comprises: a dispensing station (19), a conduit (13) for supply of water from the water cooler to the dispensing station, a connector (22) for attachment to a container (12) comprising concentrate, a conduit (23) for supply of concentrate from the container to the dispensing station, and a passage (120) to allow the water bottle (1) to remain in fluid communication with the outlet (3,4) of the cooler housing (2) when the dispenser (11) is positioned between the cooler housing and the water bottle.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser (11) is disclosed for use in combination with a water cooler, wherein the water cooler comprises a cooling device (5) and a water bottle (1) and the beverage dispenser is intended to be positioned between the cooling device and the water bottle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for brewing a beverage in a brewing apparatus, wherein a cartridge containing infusible material is connected to a brew chamber and will form the bottom of the brew chamber. By the introduction of air through the filter of the cartridge, water and infusible material are mixed, and an effective brewing process is conducted. After brewing the beverage is discharged into a receptacle through the filter of the cartridge, leaving infusible material behind in the cartridge. The invention also provides a cartridge for use in the method.

Abstract: The present invention has as an objective to provide an apparatus for brewing a beverage that provides an attractive brewing experience for the consumer, which can perform an effective and efficient brewing process, and which also can be easily rinsed to remove any spent infusible material. These objectives have been met by a beverage brewing machine having an at least one water inlet port that is arranged at an angle of less than 4 degrees relative to the wall of the brew chamber to direct water around the wall of the brew chamber. The apparatus also provides for improved agitation of infusible material. Moreover a method is provided to brew a beverage using the brewing machine of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for facilitating consistent application of price polices on every sales transaction supported through a customer relationship management system, in order to identify price exceptions in violation of stated corporate pricing objectives. Having such capabilities coupled with a customer relationship management system enables embodiments of the present invention to reduce the time to identify and evaluate price exceptions that impact revenue and margin. Agents responsible for sales interaction with customers can immediately identify violations of price policies. Those responsible for authorizing exceptions can easily determine the effect of those exceptions upon impacted markets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for brewing a beverage in a brewing apparatus, wherein a cartridge containing infusible material is connected to a brew chamber and will form the bottom of the brew chamber. By the introduction of air through the filter of the cartridge, water and infusible material are mixed, and an effective brewing process is conducted. After brewing the beverage is discharged into a receptacle through the filter of the cartridge, leaving infusible material behind in the cartridge. The invention also provides a cartridge for use in the method.

Abstract: The present invention has as an objective to provide an apparatus for brewing a beverage that provides an attractive brewing experience for the consumer, which can perform an effective and efficient brewing process, and which also can be easily rinsed to remove any spent infusible material. These objectives have been met by a beverage brewing machine comprising an at least one water inlet port that is arranged at an angle of less than 4 degrees relative to the wall of the brew chamber to direct water around the wall of the brew chamber. The apparatus also provides for improved agitation of infusible material. Moreover a method is provided to brew a beverage using the brewing machine of the invention.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for motivating a user of a spirometry system having a display screen, an air-tube, a flow measurement sensor operatively associated with the air-tube, a display screen, and an associated processor. A motivational animation is displayed on the display screen having a first aspect that reflects a relative evaluation of a determined peak flow rate to a goal value therefor and having a second aspect that reflects a relative evaluation of a determined total flow volume to a goal value therefor. The processor repeatedly updates the motivational animation during the period of use of the spirometer to reflect the degree of achievement of both of the goal values by the user.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser (11) is disclosed for use in combination with a water cooler, wherein the water cooler comprises a cooling device (5) and a water bottle (1) and the beverage dispenser is intended to be positioned between the cooling device and the water bottle.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser (11) is disclosed for use in combination with a water cooler, wherein the water cooler comprises a water bottle (1) and a cooler housing (2) comprising an outlet (3, 4) for dispensing water, and wherein the beverage dispenser is intended to be positioned between the cooler housing and the water bottle. The beverage dispenser comprises: a dispensing station (19), a conduit (13) for supply of water from the water cooler to the dispensing station, a connector (22) for attachment to a container (12) comprising concentrate, a conduit (23) for supply of concentrate from the container to the dispensing station, and a passage (120) to allow the water bottle (1) to remain in fluid communication with the outlet (3,4) of the cooler housing (2) when the dispenser (11) is positioned between the cooler housing and the water bottle.

Abstract: A retrieval apparatus for retrieving golf balls is disclosed. The retrieval apparatus may be attached to a golf club handle and may include a flexible collar disposed for attachment around the golf club handle. The retrieval apparatus may also include a pair of tines projecting distally from a neck portion and the collar wherein the neck portion bridges the collar to the pair of tines and, wherein the tines define a substantially circular forked carrier for holding the golf ball. The tines may also include a sloped surface on each of the tines disposed to lift the golf ball and guide the golf ball into the forked carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for facilitating consistent application of price polices on every sales transaction supported through a customer relationship management system, in order to identify price exceptions in violation of stated corporate pricing objectives. Having such capabilities coupled with a customer relationship management system enables embodiments of the present invention to reduce the time to identify and evaluate price exceptions that impact revenue and margin. Agents responsible for sales interaction with customers can immediately identify violations of price policies. Those responsible for authorizing exceptions can easily determine the effect of those exceptions upon impacted markets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for facilitating consistent application of price polices on every sales transaction supported through a customer relationship management system, in order to identify price exceptions in violation of stated corporate pricing objectives. Having such capabilities coupled with a customer relationship management system enables embodiments of the present invention to reduce the time to identify and evaluate price exceptions that impact revenue and margin. Agents responsible for sales interaction with customers can immediately identify violations of price policies. Those responsible for authorizing exceptions can easily determine the effect of those exceptions upon impacted markets.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for discovering, qualifying, and activating software add-in components. An add-in components manager discovers one or more add-in components at the computer system are of a specified type of add-in component requested by an application. The add-in component manager qualifies at least one discovered add-in component based on the at least one discovered add-in component satisfying one or more qualification constraints. The one or more qualification constraints are representative of functionality that is to be associated with an add-in component for the add-in component to interoperate with the application in a desired manner. The add-in component manager activates a qualified add-in component in accordance with the one or more qualification constraints for use with the application.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for motivating a user of a spirometry system having a display screen, an air-tube, a flow measurement sensor operatively associated with the air-tube, a display screen, and an associated processor. A motivational animation is displayed on the display screen having a first aspect that reflects a relative evaluation of a determined peak flow rate to a goal value therefor and having a second aspect that reflects a relative evaluation of a determined total flow volume to a goal value therefor. The processor repeatedly updates the motivational animation during the period of use of the spirometer to reflect the degree of achievement of both of the goal values by the user.

Abstract: A retrieval apparatus for retrieving golf balls is disclosed. The retrieval apparatus may be attached to a golf club handle and may include a flexible collar disposed for attachment around the golf club handle. The retrieval apparatus may also include a pair of tines projecting distally from a neck portion and the collar wherein the neck portion bridges the collar to the pair of tines and, wherein the tines define a substantially circular forked carrier for holding the golf ball. The tines may also include a sloped surface on each of the tines disposed to lift the golf ball and guide the golf ball into the forked carrier.

Abstract: A hand held personal care appliance, such as a hair dryer, has a liquid delivery system for delivering a spray of liquid from the appliance. The liquid delivery system has a reservoir for containing a supply of liquid and a liquid transfer system. A rotatable drum has a surface in fluid communication with the liquid transfer system for receiving liquid onto the surface of the drum. A drive system rotates the drum such that the liquid is thrown from the drum by centrifugal force of the rotating drum for delivering liquid from the appliance in the form of a spray of droplets. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer system includes a first wick for delivery of the liquid to the drum and a second wick for delivery of liquid to the first wick. The reservoir and other parts of the liquid delivery system may be a disposable cartridge.