Abstract: A method and apparatus for simplifying battery pack encapsulation is provided. The battery pack includes a pair of complementary housing members with each housing member including a plurality of cell constraints into which the ends of corresponding battery cells are inserted during assembly. One or both housing members also include at least one, and preferably a plurality, of raised encapsulant injection ports. The raised encapsulant injection ports are designed to extend above the surface of the respective housing members and beyond the injected encapsulation material, thus ensuring that the ports remain open after encapsulation material injection.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a bottom clamshell and a top clamshell sandwiching a first battery and a second battery, with a fill port extending from a top surface of the top clamshell through to the bottom surface of the top clamshell and to a space between the first and second batteries. The embodiment includes a protrusion coupled to the top clamshell proximate to the fill port and extending into the space, wherein the protrusion at least partially occludes a direct path through the fill port to the space.

Abstract: A tilt sensor for a cleaning device makes use of an optical sensor to interrupt operation of the device. In one implementation, the tilt sensor shuts off a UV light included in the cleaning device's operations. The tilt sensor includes a housing with at least one chamber defined therein. A sliding or moving element is located in the chamber. The optical sensor is operatively associated with the chamber so that, in response to certain movement of the element within the chamber, the optical sensor signals the tilt sensor to turn off the UV light.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment and a method of control of the vacuum cleaner attachment are described. The vacuum cleaner attachment comprises an ultraviolet light source to irradiate and disinfect various cleaning surfaces. Various embodiments of the attachment include one or more safety features concerning activation, enabling, and disabling of the ultraviolet light source based on various parameters such as distance between the attachment and a cleaning surface, time that such a distance is greater than a predetermined time period, and temperature of the ultraviolet light source in order to enable safe and effective operation of the attachment.

Abstract: A portable handheld canister vacuum comprising an upper, central, and lower housing is disclosed. First and second grills can separate the housing sections. An air intake opening can direct air and dirt in a first axial direction to a dirt capturing device in the lower housing. An air propulsion device directs air in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction into the central housing and from there into the upper housing. An exhaust opening disposed through the upper housing and leading to the interior region of the upper housing allows air to exit the interior region of the upper housing. The exhaust can exit the upper housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second axial directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simplifying battery pack assembly that allows inspection of the cell-to-housing bonding region is provided. In particular, a battery pack housing member is provided that includes an interior surface that partially defines the interior region of the battery pack and that includes a plurality of cell mounting wells and an exterior surface that includes a plurality of bonding wells. Adhesive introduced into the bonding wells forms a mechanical bond between an exterior surface of a cell introduced into an adjacent cell mounting well and the housing member.

Abstract: A tilt sensor for a cleaning device makes use of an optical sensor to interrupt operation of the device. In one implementation, the tilt sensor shuts off a UV light included in the cleaning device's operations. The tilt sensor includes a housing with at least one chamber defined therein. A sliding or moving element is located in the chamber. The optical sensor is operatively associated with the chamber so that, in response to certain movement of the element within the chamber, the optical sensor signals the tilt sensor to turn off the UV light.

Abstract: A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simplifying battery pack encapsulation is provided. The battery pack includes a pair of complementary housing members with each housing member including a plurality of cell contraints into which the ends of corresponding battery cells are inserted during assembly. One or both housing members also include at least one, and preferably a plurality, of raised encapsulant injection ports. The raised encapsulant injection ports are designed to extend above the surface of the respective housing members and beyond the injected encapsulation material, thus ensuring that the ports remain open after encapsulation material injection.

Abstract: The adverse effects of the dielectric material covering the lateral outer surface of a conventional battery are eliminated by replacing it with a dielectric barrier that covers less than 20 percent of the lateral outer surface of the cell case; more preferably less than 15 percent of the lateral outer surface of the cell case; still more preferably less than 10 percent of the lateral outer surface of the cell case; and yet still more preferably less than 5 percent of the lateral outer surface of the cell case. The dielectric barrier may be shrunk-fit, bonded, friction-fit or otherwise held in place. An electrically insulating disk may be interposed between the dielectric barrier and the end edge portion of the cell case.

Abstract: A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a bottom clamshell and a top clamshell sandwiching a first battery and a second battery, with a fill port extending from a top surface of the top clamshell through to the bottom surface of the top clamshell and to a space between the first and second batteries. The embodiment includes a protrusion coupled to the top clamshell proximate to the fill port and extending into the space, wherein the protrusion at least partially occludes a direct path through the fill port to the space.

Abstract: A remote advertising system and method are provided. The advertising media (such as video, pictures, audio and text) may be stored on computer servers. The advertising media is downloaded to one or more kiosks at scheduled intervals and displayed on a rotating schedule. Users may interact with the advertisement to request additional information relating to the advertisement to be displayed, purchase the advertised products and services, or print out tickets, coupons or the like for related or unrelated products and services.

Abstract: A sports gaming and entertainment system has a plurality of kiosks to allow customers to access legal sports gaming opportunities, obtain sports information, view different sporting events, and make sports related purchases. A secure server is coupled to the plurality of kiosks. The secure server sends selected information from an internet system to the plurality of kiosks to allow the plurality of kiosks to offer legal sports gaming opportunities, obtain sports information, view different sporting events, and make sports related purchases.

Abstract: A device or sachet (3) for maintaining or modifying the atmosphere in a package suitable for meat, beef, lamb, pork, etc. the device including at least two containing layers (4, 5), a moisture activated chemical substance (6) contained by the containing layers, and at least one absorbent layer (7). Moisture within the package is soaked up by the absorbing layer. The moisture is then transferred from the absorbing layer to permeate through a micro-porous layer (5) as water vapor and activate the chemicals. The gas produced by the chemicals then passes through the sachet and into the package's atmosphere. This modifies the atomosphere to ensure that there is an adequate quantity of CO2 for achieving the desired shelf life of the packaged food.

Abstract: Methodology for packaging and packages for meat or other foodstuffs in a carbon dioxide rich low oxygen environment by including without the packages carbon dioxide generating material and oxygen removing material where the production of carbon dioxide is not dependent upon removal of oxygen.

Abstract: A charcoal grill includes a mechanism whereby a user may adjust the vertical distance between a fuel grate and a cooking grid by rotating a control knob located on the surface of the charcoal grill. This mechanism provides a safer and more convenient way of adjusting the distance between the burning fuel and the food being cooked. The charcoal grill further includes a removable ash collector located at the bottom of the charcoal grill. To empty ash a user slides the ash collector out from its position at the bottom of the charcoal grill, empties it, and then replaces it to resume ash collection. Thus a user may conveniently dispose of ash without the use of an ash sweep tool and without interrupting operation. Furthermore the charcoal grill includes a metal skirt inside its lower shell, which protects the lower shell of the charcoal grill from excessive heat, lengthening its operational life.

Abstract: A component configuration for enhancing the serviceability of a dispenser includes a platform positionable on the housing of the dispenser. A refrigeration unit mounts at a center and rear portions of the platform. An electronic control is disposed within a housing that is mounted at a center portion of the platform adjacent to the refrigeration unit. The electronic control housing permits access to the electronic control from the front of the dispenser. An evaporator coil of the refrigeration unit includes concentric coil sections defined by an inner coil section, an intermediate coil section, and an outer coil section.

Abstract: A method of image formation which comprises (a) providing a radiation sensitive plate comprising a substrate and a coating containing a heat softenable disperse phase, an aqueous soluble or swellable continuous phase and a radiation absorbing substance, (b) image-wise exposing the plate to at least partially coalesce the particles of the disperse phase in the image areas, (c) developing the image-wise exposed plate to remove the coating in the unexposed areas, and (d) heating the developed plate or subjecting it to irradiation to effect insolubilization of the image. Good quality images of high durability are obtained.