Abstract: A display system for a motor vehicle is provided. The display system comprises a holographic projector assembly and a steering wheel assembly. The steering wheel assembly includes a ring-shaped member configured to be held by a driver of the vehicle and rotated about a central axis in order to steer the vehicle. The holographic projector assembly is configured to produce a holographic image inside a central region about which the ring-shaped member circumferentially extends.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel assembly may include a ring-shaped member comprising a slot and an internal recess, wherein the slot and internal recess extend circumferentially about the ring-shaped member, the slot being provided in a surface of the ring-shaped member and forming an aperture into the internal recess; a support portion configured to be coupled to a vehicle support structure, the support portion extending through the slot; and a guide portion coupled to the support portion, the guide portion being slidably disposed in the internal recess such that the ring-shaped member is rotatable.

Abstract: A vehicle door system having an upper door configured to cover a top portion of an opening in the body of a vehicle and to open in an upward direction, and a lower door configured to cover a bottom portion of the opening and to open in a sideways direction. The upper door includes a deployable portion configured to form at least a portion of a canopy extending away from the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: An ultrasonic haptic control system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system includes a steering wheel assembly comprising a ring-shaped member configured to be held by an occupant of the vehicle, and rotated about a central axis in order to steer the vehicle; and a plurality of ultrasound emitters associated with the steering wheel. The ultrasound emitters are configured to focus ultrasound waves within a central region about which the ring-shaped member circumferentially extends and/or radially outside of and adjacent to the ring-shaped member. The focused ultrasound waves are configured to form one or more haptic control surfaces. A method of operating a haptic control system is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle door system having an upper door configured to cover a top portion of an opening in the body of a vehicle and to open in an upward direction, and a lower door configured to cover a bottom portion of the opening and to open in a sideways direction. The upper door includes a deployable portion configured to form at least a portion of a canopy extending away from the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cytotoxicity method for medical devices that has equivalent sensitivity, and greater efficiency compared to the colony formation assay (CFA) direct contact method is developed. The quantitative, direct contact cytotoxicity test method uses Mouse lymphoma TK or human lymphoblastoid TK6 suspension cells for medical device safety assessment. The advantages of using the suspension cell assay over adherent V79-4 cells is that this approach is quantitative, automated, not susceptible to potential mechanical damage imparted by the overlying test materials, and avoids issues related to non-adherence of cells to the test material which might impact the interpretation of test results.

Abstract: A method of making a stable detersive surfactant containing personal care composition comprising the steps of emulsifying a stabilizing agent in the presence of anionic surfactant to form an emulsion containing droplets having a particle size of from about 0.1 to about 10 um. These particles are then cooled to form a stabilizing premix at a rate of about 10 to about 1000 C/min to form crystals from the droplets, the crystals having a maximum dimension of about 0.1 to about 3 um. These crystals are then added to a detersive surfactant containing personal care composition to increase stability.

Abstract: An ultrasonic haptic control system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system includes a steering wheel assembly comprising a ring-shaped member configured to be held by an occupant of the vehicle, and rotated about a central axis in order to steer the vehicle; and a plurality of ultrasound emitters associated with the steering wheel. The ultrasound emitters are configured to focus ultrasound waves within a central region about which the ring-shaped member circumferentially extends and/or radially outside of and adjacent to the ring-shaped member. The focused ultrasound waves are configured to form one or more haptic control surfaces. A method of operating a haptic control system is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a stable detersive surfactant containing personal care composition comprising the steps of emulsifying a stabilizing agent in the presence of anionic surfactant to form an emulsion containing droplets having a particle size of from about 0.1 to about 10 um. These particles are then cooled to form a stabilizing premix at a rate of about 10 to about 1000 C/min to form crystals from the droplets, the crystals having a maximum dimension of about 0.1 to about 3 um. These crystals are then added to a detersive surfactant containing personal care composition to increase stability.

Abstract: A display system for a motor vehicle is provided. The display system comprises a holographic projector assembly and a steering wheel assembly. The steering wheel assembly includes a ring-shaped member configured to be held by a driver of the vehicle and rotated about a central axis in order to steer the vehicle. The holographic projector assembly is configured to produce a holographic image inside a central region about which the ring-shaped member circumferentially extends.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel assembly may include a ring-shaped member comprising a slot and an internal recess, wherein the slot and internal recess extend circumferentially about the ring-shaped member, the slot being provided in a surface of the ring-shaped member and forming an aperture into the internal recess; a support portion configured to be coupled to a vehicle support structure, the support portion extending through the slot; and a guide portion coupled to the support portion, the guide portion being slidably disposed in the internal recess such that the ring-shaped member is rotatable.

Abstract: A combination vending/return apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a series of rows and columns for receiving, storing and dispensing unfilled and filled large-volume water-containing bottles from and to consumers. The apparatus includes a computer-operated vending keyboard for making bottle selections for purchase and returns, and to handle electronic payment and credit transactions. Also included is a method to vend large-volume water bottles and retrieve used and emptied large-volume water bottles.

Abstract: A combination vending/return apparatus includes a series of stacked counter-sloped, gravity fed track assemblies with radiused transition segments to receive and store empty large-volume bottles and to deliver pre-filled large-volume fluid-containing bottles. The apparatus is configured to accommodate, among other sizes, at least one of three (3) gallon, (4) four gallon, or (5) five gallon size bottles. A. dual elevator subassembly permits filled bottle dispensing and empty bottle receiving from a single door. The apparatus includes a processor-controlled transaction panel to make bottle selections for purchases and returns, and to handle electronic payment, promotional and credit transactions. Also disclosed is a method to vend large-volume fluid-containing bottles and retrieve used and emptied large-volume water bottles.

Abstract: A method of making a stable detersive surfactant containing personal care composition comprising the steps of emulsifying a stabilizing agent in the presence of anionic surfactant to form an emulsion containing droplets having a particle size of from about 0.1 to about 10 um. These particles are then cooled to form a stabilizing premix at a rate of about 10 to about 1000 C/min to form crystals from the droplets, the crystals having a maximum dimension of about 0.1 to about 3 um. These crystals are then added to a detersive surfactant containing personal care composition to increase stability.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for receiving payment information via a first channel and receiving additional information via a second channel are provided. In some examples, a determination may be made as to whether the received payment information matches the received additional information. If so, the payment and additional information may be associated and used to identify an associated outstanding invoice. If not, a determination may be made as to whether a potential match exists. If so, additional processing may occur to determine whether the potential match is an actual match.

Abstract: A method of making a stable detersive surfactant containing personal care composition comprising the steps of emulsifying a stabilizing agent in the presence of anionic surfactant to form an emulsion containing droplets having a particle size of from about 0.1 to about 10 um. These particles are then cooled to form a stabilizing premix at a rate of about 10 to about 1000 C/min to form crystals from the droplets, the crystals having a maximum dimension of about 0.1 to about 3 um. These crystals are then added to a detersive surfactant containing personal care composition to increase stability.

Abstract: A combination vending/return apparatus includes a series of stacked counter-sloped, gravity fed track assemblies with radiused transition segments to receive and store empty large-volume bottles and to deliver pre-filled large-volume fluid-containing bottles. The apparatus is configured to accommodate, among other sizes, at least one of three (3) gallon, (4) four gallon, or (5) five gallon size bottles. A. dual elevator subassembly permits filled bottle dispensing and empty bottle receiving from a single door. The apparatus includes a processor-controlled transaction panel to make bottle selections for purchases and returns, and to handle electronic payment, promotional and credit transactions. Also disclosed is a method to vend large-volume fluid-containing bottles and retrieve used and emptied large-volume water bottles.

Abstract: A combination vending/return apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a series of rows and columns for receiving, storing and dispensing unfilled and filled large-volume water-containing bottles from and to consumers. The apparatus includes a computer-operated vending keyboard for making bottle selections for purchase and returns, and to handle electronic payment and credit transactions. Also included is a method to vend large-volume water bottles and retrieve used and emptied large-volume water bottles.

Abstract: A modular structure with ballistic protection that is readily transportable within conventional shipping containers.

Abstract: A method of making a stable detersive surfactant containing personal care composition comprising the steps of emulsifying a stabilizing agent in the presence of anionic surfactant to form an emulsion containing droplets having a particle size of from about 0.1 to about 10 um. These particles are then cooled to form a stabilizing premix at a rate of about 10 to about 1000 C/min to form crystals from the droplets, the crystals having a maximum dimension of about 0.1 to about 3 um. These crystals are then added to a detersive surfactant containing personal care composition to increase stability.