Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to setup single-use equipment/processes. An example disclosed herein includes configuring a control interface via an object-oriented programming interface, the object-oriented programming interface including an object class representative of a single-use component in the single-use process. The example method also includes activating a single-use object in the control interface by detecting all ports associated with the single-use component are connected, and verifying the single-use component.

Abstract: A safety grip system comprises first and second safety grips that are mountable to a support structure. Each safety grip comprises a main body sized to overlie at least a portion of the support structure and have a textured exterior surface. The first and second safety grips are interlockable such that when the first safety grip is non-rotatably mounted to the support structure, the second safety grip is also non-rotatably mounted to the support structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of persons with urinary incontinence. More particularly, the invention extends to a set of introducers (also commonly referred to as tunnelers) shaped to accommodate the Altis® suburethral sling (Coloplast Corporation), which is commonly used in surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.

Abstract: A locking member for a gate apparatus comprises a body mountable to a gripping array of a support, said body having a mating form mutually engageable with the gripping array, whereby axial motion of said body relative to said gripping array is inhibited. A member extends away from said body, said member defining a cross-tie mount for receiving a mating end of a cross-tie. The cross-tie mount has a cross-tie end retainer which is movable between a first position securing said cross-tie in said cross-tie mount, and a second position permitting release of said cross-tie from said cross-tie mount, whereby the cross-tie may be moved to function as a gate.

Abstract: A connector apparatus has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion mounts to an upright that has knobby hand grip protrusions. The second portion provides a connection for a laterally extending cross-member. The first portion interacts with the knobby hand grip protrusions to have a combination of a first degree of freedom permitting motion in one direction, while inhibiting motion in a second degree of freedom. The second portion has a releasable connection to the cross-member, and when engaged, has a degree of freedom of motion about an axis of the second portion cross-wise to the axis of the upright. The second portion has a releasable, retained, pin connector with a quarter-turn lock to prevent accidental disengagement. The connection of the second portion is offset such that when two connectors are seated back-to-back their cross-tie connections stand in substantially the same horizontal plane relative to the ground.

Abstract: An improved process for producing perfluoroalkyl iodides of formula (I) F(CF2CF2)n—I??(I) wherein n is an integer from 2 to 3, wherein the improvement comprises thermolyzing at least one perfluoroalkyl iodide of formula (II), optionally in the presence of perfluoroethyl iodide, formula (III) F(CF2CF2)m—I??(II) F(CF2CF2)p—I??(III) wherein m is an integer greater than or equal to 4, and p is 1, wherein a) the molar ratio of formula (III) to formula (II) is less than 1.0, b) the residence time is from about 0.1 to about 10 seconds, and c) the temperature is from about 450° C. to about 500° C.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for creating and managing a virtual operating environment on a physical machine connected to a distributed network, the virtual operating environment is virtualized by the physical machine. The invention may categorize the virtual operating environment using a tiered data structure, where each tier of the tiered data structure defines an attribute for categorizing the virtual operating environment. The invention generates a graphical representation of the tiered data structure for display via a user computing device that enables a user to communicate requests for causing the virtual operating environment to perform a function and communicates commands to the physical machine based on receiving such requests. The invention may additionally update the graphical representation after the virtual operating environment has executed the function.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for creating and managing a virtual operating environment on a physical machine connected to a distributed network, the virtual operating environment is virtualized by the physical machine. The invention may categorize the virtual operating environment using a tiered data structure, where each tier of the tiered data structure defines an attribute for categorizing the virtual operating environment. The invention generates a graphical representation of the tiered data structure for display via a user computing device that enables a user to communicate requests for causing the virtual operating environment to perform a function and communicates commands to the physical machine based on receiving such requests. The invention may additionally update the graphical representation after the virtual operating environment has executed the function.

Abstract: A method of performing an asynchronous, interactive workflow is provided. The method includes generating a workflow comprising one or more tasks and executing at least a portion of the one or more tasks of the workflow automatically, without user interaction, and in response to a trigger. The method further includes detecting that a current task of the one or more tasks of the workflow requires user interaction, adding the current task to a to-do list of tasks requiring user interaction, and determining that one of an at least one user associated with the workflow has logged on, presenting at least one task from the to-do list to the user, receiving the required user interaction, and executing the at least one task from the to-do list based on the received user interaction.

Abstract: A method wherein either crude oil or a used oil lubricant is processed to produce an intermediate lube distillate which is then hydrotreated to produce a hydrotreated base oil which is then processed by solvent treatment to produce a higher viscosity index base oil (such as Groups II+ and/or III) and a lower viscosity index base oil (such as Groups I and/or II), in each case as compared with the viscosity index of the hydrotreated base oil. In the solvent treatment, one or more solvents are utilized to selectively separate higher viscosity index components from lower viscosity index components found in the hydrotreated base oil, and after the separations have occurred, the solvent is preferably recovered for re-use in the process.

Abstract: An improved process for producing perfluoroalkyl iodides of formula (I) F(CF2CF2)n—I??(I) wherein n is an integer from 2 to 3, wherein the improvement comprises thermolyzing at least one perfluoroalkyl iodide of formula (II), optionally in the presence of perfluoroethyl iodide, formula (III) F(CF2CF2)m—I??(II) F(CF2CF2)p—I??(III) wherein m is an integer greater than or equal to 4, and p is 1, wherein a) the molar ratio of formula (III) to formula (II) is less than 1.0, b) the residence time is from about 0.1 to about 10 seconds, and c) the temperature is from about 450° C. to about 500° C.

Abstract: A connector apparatus has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion mounts to an upright that has knobby hand grip protrusions. The second portion provides a connection for a laterally extending cross-member. The first portion interacts with the knobby hand grip protrusions to have a combination of a first degree of freedom permitting motion in one direction, while inhibiting motion in a second degree of freedom. The second portion has a releasable connection to the cross-member, and when engaged, has a degree of freedom of motion about an axis of the second portion cross-wise to the axis of the upright. The second portion has a releasable, retained, pin connector with a quarter-turn lock to prevent accidental disengagement. The connection of the second portion is offset such that when two connectors are seated back-to-back their cross-tie connections stand in substantially the same horizontal plane relative to the ground.

Abstract: A method of performing an asynchronous, interactive workflow is provided. The method includes generating a workflow comprising one or more tasks and executing at least a portion of the one or more tasks of the workflow automatically, without user interaction, and in response to a trigger. The method further includes detecting that a current task of the one or more tasks of the workflow requires user interaction, adding the current task to a to-do list of tasks requiring user interaction, and determining that one of an at least one user associated with the workflow has logged on, presenting at least one task from the to-do list to the user, receiving the required user interaction, and executing the at least one task from the to-do list based on the received user interaction.

Abstract: A safety grip system comprises first and second safety grips that are mountable to a support structure. Each safety grip comprises a main body sized to overlie at least a portion of the support structure and have a textured exterior surface. The first and second safety grips are interlockable such that when the first safety grip is non-rotatably mounted to the support structure, the second safety grip is also non-rotatably mounted to the support structure.

Abstract: A fluid container includes an outer shell including a plurality of sidewalls forming a hollow interior, a first one of the sidewalls having an opening formed therein and a first flap extending therefrom, the first flap having a retention feature formed therein, and an inner liner disposed within the hollow interior of the outer shell configured to receive and store a fluid, the inner liner including a spout providing fluid communication with an interior thereof, wherein the retention feature is in substantial alignment with a portion of the opening formed in the first one of the sidewalls, the opening and the retention feature cooperating to receive and support the spout in a position extending outwardly from the first one of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting the profit attributable to a proposed sales promotion of a product, wherein the product has a wholesale price and a manufacturing cost per unit sales, including establishing a base volume for sales of the product in the absence of promotions; determining a sales lift for the plurality of single promotions; and correlating the sales lift with promotion information to provide a sales lift model. The method and system also include proposing a promotion having a cost per unit sales for a promotion time period and having a planned sale price for the product; applying the sales lift model to the proposed promotion to predict sales of the product for the promotion time period; and calculating manufacturer profit based upon the product's predicted sales, cost per unit sales for promotion, wholesale price, and manufacturing cost per unit sales during the promotion time period.

Abstract: A fluid container includes an outer shell including a plurality of sidewalls forming a hollow interior, a first one of the sidewalls having an opening formed therein and a first flap extending therefrom, the first flap having a retention feature formed therein, and an inner liner disposed within the hollow interior of the outer shell configured to receive and store a fluid, the inner liner including a spout providing fluid communication with an interior thereof, wherein the retention feature is in substantial alignment with a portion of the opening formed in the first one of the sidewalls, the opening and the retention feature cooperating to receive and support the spout in a position extending outwardly from the first one of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting the profit attributable to a proposed sales promotion of a product, wherein the product has a wholesale price and a manufacturing cost per unit sales, including establishing a base volume for sales of the product in the absence of promotions; determining a sales lift for the plurality of single promotions; and correlating the sales lift with promotion information to provide a sales lift model. The method and system also include proposing a promotion having a cost per unit sales for a promotion time period and having a planned sale price for the product; applying the sales lift model to the proposed promotion to predict sales of the product for the promotion time period; and calculating manufacturer profit based upon the product's predicted sales, cost per unit sales for promotion, wholesale price, and manufacturing cost per unit sales during the promotion time period.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system (10) for enabling use of a communication network by a subscriber. The system includes a database (12) including data on a plurality of subscribers and identification means for remotely identifying subscriber. The systems further includes a verification means for verifying subscriber details with reference to the database and a stock of enabling codes (20) which, when fed into the network allow commutation via the network to a predetermined extent. In use, the subscriber is identified remotely, his details are verified and he is then provided with an enabling code permitting communications via the network.

Abstract: A process is provided herein for preparing molecularly imprinted polymers for detecting a target analyte by Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT). The process includes providing a complex having the formula L?3#191M wherein L is a ?-diketone ligand containing a chain transfer moiety and L?3#191 can be the same or different ligands, and M is a lanthanide element; reacting the complex with the target analyte to provide an adduct containing the target analyte; co-polymerizing the adduct with a monomer and cross-linking agent to provide a polymer; and, removing the target analyte from the polymer to provide the molecularly imprinted polymer.