Abstract: A system for a packaged dry pet food is provided. The system includes a container having a plurality of individual packages of dry pet food. The dry pet food contained within each of the individual packages comprises between 80 to 99 percent by weight of the same ingredients and an equal percentage by weight of a protein. At least a first package contains a dry pet food of a first flavor, and at least a second package contains a dry pet food of a second flavor that is different from the first flavor.

Abstract: Method of operating a measurement system comprising a coordinate measuring machine (200), a configurable tool rack (100) that can accept a plurality of stations (105,106), each station capable of holding a tool (95). In the method, the system measures a workpiece according to a measuring plan that includes tool change operations and measures of the workpiece with different tools available in the rack. The tool change operations are changed automatically based on a set of operational parameters acquired by electronic devices and sensor installed on the tool rack or on the tool stations or on the tools in the rack, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Dental treatment monitoring systems and methods may include accessing an input image of teeth taken at a particular time during dental treatment, and determining virtual-camera parameters that represent an estimated position and orientation of a virtual camera for producing a generated image from a time-projected 3D model of the teeth. The virtual-camera parameters may be iteratively adjusted by: generating a first generated image by modifying the virtual-camera parameters based on a first jaw in the generated image; determining a pixel-associated cost based on a comparison of the first generated image to the input image; generating a second generated image by modifying the first virtual-camera parameters based a second jaw in the first generated image; and determining a pixel-associated cost based on a comparison of the second generated image and the input image. The generated image may be generated from the time-projected 3D model using the adjusted virtual-camera parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a dental patient's progress during treatment. A first teeth mask for a captured 2D image of teeth at a particular time during treatment and a second teeth mask for an expected 2D image of the teeth may be generated. The expected 2D image may be generated from an expected 3D model representing an expected configuration of the teeth at the particular time. The captured 2D image and the expected 2D image may be compared, with the first and second teeth masks aligned, to determine whether the teeth are within a threshold level of correspondence to the expected configuration. An indication as to whether the dental treatment is proceeding as expected based on whether the configuration of the teeth is within the threshold level of correspondence may be provided.

Abstract: A rear trailer hostler can be used to move a parked trailer without otherwise disengaging pneumatic brakes thereof. For example, the rear trailer hostler can lift the wheels of the trailer off of the ground, thereby allowing a front hostler to move the trailer without a gladhands connection to the trailer pneumatic lines. Alternatively, the rear trailer hostler can move the trailer independently. For example, the trailer can be parked atop the rear trailer hostler and disconnected from the truck. With the rear trailer hostler supporting the locked wheels and the landing gear, the trailer can be moved without requiring the pneumatic brakes to be disengaged. The rear trailer hostler can also provide one or more safety or convenience features, such as a bridging platform or a safety door stop.

Abstract: A control system (202) can directly or indirectly measure force applied between a trailer (112) and a prime mover vehicle (102) coupled to the trailer. Based on the measured force, the control system can determine an operational state of one or more features of the trailer. For example, static resistance, rolling resistance, and/or acceleration rate of the trailer can be measured while applying a specific braking actuation level to the service air brakes of the trailer. Based at least in part on the measured static resistance, rolling resistance, and/or acceleration rate, an operational model (206) for actuation of the service air brakes can be applied. In some examples, the control system can be part of the prime mover vehicle, for example, an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A control system (202) can directly or indirectly measure force applied between a trailer (112) and a prime mover vehicle (102) coupled to the trailer. Based on the measured force, the control system can determine an operational state of one or more features of the trailer. For example, static resistance, rolling resistance, and/or acceleration rate of the trailer can be measured while applying a specific braking actuation level to the service air brakes of the trailer. Based at least in part on the measured static resistance, rolling resistance, and/or acceleration rate, an operational model (206) for actuation of the service air brakes can be applied. In some examples, the control system can be part of the prime mover vehicle, for example, an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Tool rack for an automatic machine comprising a control unit and a positioning platform connectable to a plurality of tools, the tool rack having a linear guide, one tool station or more than one tool stations connected to the linear guide for receiving and/or providing at least one of said plurality of tools in an operating volume of the positioning platform, a position transducer for detecting a position of the tool station or at least one of the tool stations relative to the linear guide and transmitting the position to the control unit.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an instrument for pacing, mapping, sensing, and/or ablating cardiac tissue that includes an electrogram filtering circuit. To supply radio frequency energy, the disclosed instruments are only optionally connected to a radio frequency generator. When connected to a generator, the electrogram filtering circuit can be provided in a handle of the instrument, or in a connector, for example, to protect the instrument from potentially high-powered radio frequency energy. Alternatively, various disclosed embodiments are capable of pacing/sensing as a standalone device. The connector can be provided separately from both the instrument and the generator. In some embodiments, the electrogram filtering circuit is adaptive to suit a variety of generators.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a dental patient's progress during treatment. A camera coordinate system of a virtual camera is aligned to be coincident with a world coordinate system of a 3D) model representing a expected configuration of the patient's teeth at a particular time during treatment. One or more expected 2D images generated by mapping points from the 3D model to points on an image plane of the virtual camera. One or more 2D images of the patient's teeth taken at the particular time during treatment are compared to the expected 2D images to determine whether a configuration of the patient's teeth is within a threshold level of correspondence to the expected configuration of the patient's teeth. An indication about whether the dental treatment is proceeding as expected based on whether the configuration of the patient's teeth is within the threshold level can be provided.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems for monitoring a dental patient's progress during a course of treatment. A three-dimensional model of the expected positions of the patient's teeth can be projected, in time, from a three-dimensional model of the patient's teeth prepared prior to beginning the treatment. A digital camera is used to take one or more two-dimensional photographs of the patient's teeth, which are input to a monitoring system. The monitoring system determines virtual-camera parameters for each two-dimensional input image with respect to the time-projected three-dimensional model, uses the determined virtual-camera parameters to generate two-dimensional images from the three-dimensional model, and then compares each input photograph to the corresponding generated two-dimensional image in order to determine how closely the three-dimensional arrangement of the patient's teeth corresponds to the time-projected three-dimensional arrangement.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing and dispensing a beverage has an outside housing (30) having one or more outside faces (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d). The machine includes a user-interface device (31) movable from: a deployed operative position adjacent to a face (30a) of such one or more outside faces (30a, 30b, 30c) so that the device (31) is accessible by a user; to a retracted storage position in the outside housing (30). The user-interface device (31) is movable from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa along a first direction (31?) and a second direction (31?) that is non-parallel to the first direction (31?).

Abstract: The invention relates to a package (11) containing one portion of beverage precursor (2) for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation apparatus (100). The package comprises a pair of packaging sheets (12, 13) sealed to one another for enclosing and sealing the portion of beverage precursor (2) individually in a substantially oxygen and external humidity impervious manner by the sheets being sealed together about the portion (2). In the package, the sheets (12, 13) are forming a cavity (14, 15) covering the beverage precursor portion (2) on each side, wherein the cavity (14, 15) is provided with a ridge (18, 19) on at least one of the sheets (12, 13), the ridge (18, 19) being configured to cooperate with a protrusion part (31, 41) of the beverage preparation apparatus (100).

Abstract: A container for stacked food products, such as potato chips, is provided. The container includes composite laminate that includes one or more layers of cardboard. The container has a non-circular shape. The container has a horizontal cross-section with end portions that have a constant radius along their length and side portions that have a changing radius along their length wherein the end portions and the side portions transition between each other continuously.

Abstract: A machine (1) has a unit for preparing and dispensing via an outlet (36) a beverage. The machine includes: an outside housing (30) with one or more outside faces (30a,30a?,30b,30c,30d); and at least one placement member (30e) for resting onto a generally flat external support surface (5) in a configuration such that the unit is in an orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the beverage outlet (36) to a beverage dispensing surface (5,37). At least one placement member (30e) is movable and has: a deployed placement position providing a stability of the unit in this orientation on the external support surface (5); and a retracted rest position within the outside housing (30) or collapsed against the outside housing (30).

Abstract: A container for stacked food products, such as potato chips, is provided. The container includes composite laminate that includes one or more layers of cardboard. The container has a non-circular shape. The container has a horizontal cross-section with end portions that have a constant radius along their length and side portions that have a changing radius along their length wherein the end portions and the side portions transition between each other continuously.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing and dispensing a beverage includes a beverage preparation and dispensing unit that has: an ingredient container (46, 50, 50a); a dispensing head (35) with a beverage outlet (36) for dispensing the beverage to a beverage dispensing surface (5, 37); and a liquid circuit for processing the beverage and delivering such beverage into the beverage outlet (36). The liquid circuit has at least one activatable unit (40, 51, 52) that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation. The machine further includes: a power unit (54?) connected to a main switch (54) and to the activatable unit(s) (40, 51, 52); and a functional part that is configured to perform a function other than actuating the main switch (54) and that has a beverage preparing and dispensing position and that is movable into a different position in which no beverage is intended to be prepared or dispensed.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems for monitoring a dental patient's progress during a course of treatment. A three-dimensional model of the expected positions of the patient's teeth can be projected, in time, from a three-dimensional model of the patient's teeth prepared prior to beginning the treatment. A digital camera is used to take one or more two-dimensional photographs of the patient's teeth, which are input to a monitoring system. The monitoring system determines virtual-camera parameters for each two-dimensional input image with respect to the time-projected three-dimensional model, uses the determined virtual-camera parameters to generate two-dimensional images from the three-dimensional model, and then compares each input photograph to the corresponding generated two-dimensional image in order to determine how closely the three-dimensional arrangement of the patient's teeth corresponds to the time-projected three-dimensional arrangement.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems for monitoring a dental patient's progress during a course of treatment. A three-dimensional model of the expected positions of the patient's teeth can be projected, in time, from a three-dimensional model of the patient's teeth prepared prior to beginning the treatment. A digital camera is used to take one or more two-dimensional photographs of the patient's teeth, which are input to a monitoring system. The monitoring system determines virtual-camera parameters for each two-dimensional input image with respect to the time-projected three-dimensional model, uses the determined virtual-camera parameters to generate two-dimensional images from the three-dimensional model, and then compares each input photograph to the corresponding generated two-dimensional image in order to determine how closely the three-dimensional arrangement of the patient's teeth corresponds to the time-projected three-dimensional arrangement.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing and dispensing a beverage has an outside housing (30) having one or more outside faces (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d). The machine includes a user-interface device (31) movable from: a deployed operative position adjacent to a face (30a) of such one or more outside faces (30a, 30b, 30c) so that the device (31) is accessible by a user; to a retracted storage position in the outside housing (30). The user-interface device (31) is movable from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa along a first direction (31?) and a second direction (31?) that is non-parallel to the first direction (31?).