Abstract: A flipping station including a moving surface upon which an upside-down food item is placed and a ramp spaced from the moving surface so that a gap is defined between the moving surface and the ramp. The moving surface is moving at a sufficient speed so that the upside-down food item has sufficient momentum to travel past the gap and land on the ramp. A contact surface that is positioned past the gap at a contact position and is positioned above the ramp so that the upside-down food item is deflected backwards by the contact surface into the gap and the upside-down food item rotates 180° so as to land right-side up on a landing surface located below the ramp.

Abstract: A flipping station including a moving surface upon which an upside-down food item is placed and a ramp spaced from the moving surface so that a gap is defined between the moving surface and the ramp. The moving surface is moving at a sufficient speed so that the upside-down food item has sufficient momentum to travel past the gap and land on the ramp. A contact surface that is positioned past the gap at a contact position and is positioned above the ramp so that the upside-down food item is deflected backwards by the contact surface into the gap and the upside-down food item rotates 180° so as to land right-side up on a landing surface located below the ramp.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for smoking or smoke-infusing beverages for human consumption, and the smoked or smoke-infused beverages produced thereby. The method includes the steps of: providing a beverage to be smoked or smoke-infused; providing a smoking or smoke-infusing system, apparatus, or device; operating the smoking or smoke-infusing system, apparatus, or device to provide a quantity of smoke or a smoke-infusion element; conveying the quantity of smoke or the smoke-infusion element to the beverage; and operating the smoking or smoke-infusing system, apparatus, or device to provide a smoked beverage or a smoke-infused beverage. The method may include providing a product container and operating the system, apparatus, or device to smoke the product container before adding the beverage; or to smoke or smoke-infuse the beverage in the product container. The method may also be used to smoke or smoke-infuse foods.

Abstract: A flipping station including a moving surface upon which an upside-down food item is placed and a ramp spaced from the moving surface so that a gap is defined between the moving surface and the ramp. The moving surface is moving at a sufficient speed so that the upside-down food item has sufficient momentum to travel past the gap and land on the ramp. A contact surface that is positioned past the gap at a contact position and is positioned above the ramp so that the upside-down food item is deflected backwards by the contact surface into the gap and the upside-down food item rotates 180° so as to land right-side up on a landing surface located below the ramp.

Abstract: A delivery system that includes a surface having a surface upon which a food item is placed. An array of sensors positioned above the surface and which takes multiple readings of the food item on the surface. A processor that analyzes the multiple readings and generates a height profile for the food item and determines a characteristic of the food item based on the height profile, wherein the characteristic is selected from the group consisting of 1) whether the food item is right side up or upside down, 2) whether the food item is misoriented; 3) whether the food item is missing a portion of food; and 4) whether the food item is damaged.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel fishing tackle storage device and method formed by combining at least one connector and one collar, when operably assembled, efficiently supports and stores fishing tackle, and may be carried and positioned in a receptacle. In preferred embodiments, the various elements of the device, each configured, and when operably assembled form a fishing tackle storage device capable of both internal and external fishing tackle storage. The preferred embodiments of the aforementioned device includes the importance of apertures, caps, plugs, adhesives, methods of attachment, and their role in applications of internally and externally storing fishing tackle and its accessibility. Also included in these embodiments is the importance of the materials which make up their composition to accept and store fishing tackle effectively.

Abstract: A LED based lighting apparatus is disclosed. The light engine used in the lighting apparatus may use printed circuit board and have a plurality of LED groups that are independently controllable by a control unit. The power supply input and return paths connected to each LED group may be implemented on different layers to allow a compact footprint that may be used with traditional fluorescent encasements with relatively little modification. The LEDs may comprise a subset of LEDs having a first colour and a subset of LEDs having a second colour different from said first colour intertwined on the light engine.

Abstract: A LED based lighting apparatus is disclosed. The light engine used in the lighting apparatus may use printed circuit board and have a plurality of LED groups that are independently controllable by a control unit. The power supply input and return paths connected to each LED group may be implemented on different layers to allow a compact footprint that may be used with traditional fluorescent encasements with relatively little modification. The LEDs may comprise a subset of LEDs having a first colour and a subset of LEDs having a second colour different from said first colour intertwined on the light engine.

Abstract: A medially stabilized surge suppressor has longitudinal members joined together at opposite ends of the members and a medial disk supporting the members. The longitudinal members are fastened to the medial disks by tabs that pass through elongate slots located in the longitudinal members. The longitudinal members each include a number of flow orifices that enable fluid through the flow orifices as well as between the longitudinal members. The end portions of the longitudinal members are joined at each of first and second junctions by a pin and a washer forming a non-rotable connection between them.

Abstract: Control apparatus and system for controlling an output of a constant current driver are disclosed. A control apparatus is coupled between a constant current driver and a load, such as a lighting module, in order to add functionality to the overall system. The control apparatus is powered by the constant current driver and may control the dimming of the constant current driver by controlling the 0-10V dim input into the driver. The control apparatus may comprise one or more switching elements between the constant current driver and the load to allow for mixing of groups of LEDs of various colors or color temperatures. The control apparatus may include a buffer load to mitigate negative impacts of turning on the lighting module after a period of deactivation. The control apparatus can also be adapted to operate as a dim-to-warm module within a lighting apparatus.

Abstract: A LED based lighting apparatus is disclosed. The light engine used in the lighting apparatus may use printed circuit board and have a plurality of LED groups that are independently controllable by a control unit. The power supply input and return paths connected to each LED group may be implemented on different layers to allow a compact footprint that may be used with traditional fluorescent encasements with relatively little modification. The LEDs may comprise a subset of LEDs having a first colour and a subset of LEDs having a second colour different from said first colour intertwined on the light engine.

Abstract: Control apparatus and system for controlling an output of a constant current driver are disclosed. A control apparatus is coupled between a constant current driver and a load, such as a lighting module, in order to add functionality to the overall system. The control apparatus is powered by the constant current driver and may control the dimming of the constant current driver by controlling the 0-10V dim input into the driver. The control apparatus may comprise one or more switching elements between the constant current driver and the load to allow for mixing of groups of LEDs of various colors or color temperatures. The control apparatus may include a buffer load to mitigate negative impacts of turning on the lighting module after a period of deactivation. The control apparatus can also be adapted to operate as a dim-to-warm module within a lighting apparatus.

Abstract: A LED based lighting apparatus is disclosed. The light engine used in the lighting apparatus may use printed circuit board and have a plurality of LED groups that are independently controllable by a control unit. The power supply input and return paths connected to each LED group may be implemented on different layers to allow a compact footprint that may be used with traditional fluorescent encasements with relatively little modification. The LEDs may comprise a subset of LEDs having a first colour and a subset of LEDs having a second colour different from said first colour intertwined on the light engine.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus that may comprise a voltage converter operable to supply a current to at least two LED channels coupled between a high voltage rail and a low voltage rail coupled to the voltage converter output is disclosed. The LED channels may be operated to selectively allow a current to flow through them. The lighting apparatus may also have a control module operable to control the total current from the voltage converter and the current through each of the LED channels. The control module may also be operable to set the respective control signals to maintain a constant total current from the voltage converter while permitting aspects of the light output including, the intensity, color, and color temperature to be set and varied. Additionally, the control module may be operable to synchronize the various control signals, obtain a representative sample of the current through the voltage converter, and operate in different modes.

Abstract: A LED based lighting apparatus is disclosed. The light engine used in the lighting apparatus may use printed circuit board and have a plurality of LED groups that are independently controllable by a control unit. The power supply input and return paths connected to each LED group may be implemented on different layers to allow a compact footprint that may be used with traditional fluorescent encasements with relatively little modification. The LEDs may comprise a subset of LEDs having a first colour and a subset of LEDs having a second colour different from said first colour intertwined on the light engine.

Abstract: Control apparatus and system for controlling an output of a constant current driver are disclosed. A control apparatus is coupled between a constant current driver and a load, such as a lighting module, in order to add functionality to the overall system. The control apparatus is powered by the constant current driver and may control the dimming of the constant current driver by controlling the 0-10V dim input into the driver. The control apparatus may comprise one or more switching elements between the constant current driver and the load to allow for mixing of groups of LEDs of various colors or color temperatures. The control apparatus may include a buffer load to mitigate negative impacts of turning on the lighting module after a period of deactivation. The control apparatus can also be adapted to operate as a dim-to-warm module within a lighting apparatus.

Abstract: A LED based lighting apparatus is disclosed. The light engine used in the lighting apparatus may use printed circuit board and have a plurality of LED groups that are independently controllable by a control unit. The power supply input and return paths connected to each LED group may be implemented on different layers to allow a compact footprint that may be used with traditional fluorescent encasements with relatively little modification. The LEDs may comprise a subset of LEDs having a first colour and a subset of LEDs having a second colour different from said first colour intertwined on the light engine.

Abstract: Control apparatus and system for controlling an output of a constant current driver are disclosed. A control apparatus is coupled between a constant current driver and a load, such as a lighting module, in order to add functionality to the overall system. The control apparatus is powered by the constant current driver and may control the dimming of the constant current driver by controlling the 0-10V dim input into the driver. The control apparatus may comprise one or more switching elements between the constant current driver and the load to allow for mixing of groups of LEDs of various colors or color temperatures. The control apparatus may include a buffer load to mitigate negative impacts of turning on the lighting module after a period of deactivation. The control apparatus can also be adapted to operate as a dim-to-warm module within a lighting apparatus.

Abstract: A LED based lighting apparatus is disclosed. The light engine used in the lighting apparatus may use printed circuit board and have a plurality of LED groups that are independently controllable by a control unit. The power supply input and return paths connected to each LED group may be implemented on different layers to allow a compact footprint that may be used with traditional fluorescent encasements with relatively little modification. The LEDs may comprise a subset of LEDs having a first colour and a subset of LEDs having a second colour different from said first colour intertwined on the light engine.

Abstract: Control apparatus and system for controlling an output of a constant current driver are disclosed. A control apparatus is coupled between a constant current driver and a load, such as a lighting module, in order to add functionality to the overall system. The control apparatus is powered by the constant current driver and may control the dimming of the constant current driver by controlling the 0-10 V dim input into the driver. The control apparatus may comprise one or more switching elements between the constant current driver and the load to allow for mixing of groups of LEDs of various colors or color temperatures. The control apparatus may include a buffer load to mitigate negative impacts of turning on the lighting module after a period of deactivation. The control apparatus can also be adapted to operate as a dim-to-warm module within a lighting apparatus.