Abstract: A method for breathing of scheduling algorithms for a storage device (110). The method including: (a) computing a worst-case duration of a breathing cycle (P) for the storage device (110); (b) starting a breathing cycle; (c) determining if one of the following becomes true before the end of P: (i) a number of real-time requests is at least a predetermined threshold based on a number of data streams and performance parameters of the storage device; and (ii) a number of pending requests for any single stream becomes more than one; (d) if at least one of (i) and (ii) remain true during the duration of P, starting a subsequent breathing cycle after completion of the breathing cycle; and (e) if both of (i) and (ii) are not true during the duration of P, waiting P time units from the start of the breathing cycle before starting the subsequent breathing cycle.

Abstract: During image compression alternative video compression technique are selected under control of an extent to which a computational resource is detected to be available for compression. A less or more resource intensive compression technique is used when more of the resource is available respecrtively. At least part of a frame from a sequence of frames from the video information is encoded alternatively using a first process by means of change information relative to a neighboring frame or using a second process independent from any neighboring frame in said sequence, dependent on the extent to which the resource is available it is selected to encode.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a coupling for a liquid product packaging and dispensing assembly in which liquid is pumped from a container via the coupling through a tube to the point of use. The coupling has a first interconnectable member with a hollow post and a biased sleeve closing openings in the hollow post and a second interconnectable member with a hollow sheath and a biased piston closing an opening at the end of the sheath. The parts are configured so that, upon connection, the post unseats the piston while the sheath displaces the sleeve, thereby allowing liquid flow. An elastic ring is present between the sheath and the sleeve which ring is compressed in the axial direction and expanded in the radial direction toward the post so as to establish a close fit around the post.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a coupling for a liquid product packaged and dispensing assembly in which liquid is pumped from a container via the coupling through a tube to the point of use. The coupling has a first interconnectable member with a hollow post and a biased sleeve closing openings in the hollow post and a second interconnectable member with a hollow sheath and a biased piston closing an opening at the end of the sheath. The parts are configured so that, upon connection, the post unseats the piston while the sheath displaces the sleeve, thereby allowing liquid flow. The piston and the post are configured such that, upon connection, any fluid residing between them is displaced.

Abstract: A container (1) for storing and dispensing fluid material, in particular liquid detergents or the like, comprises a flexible collapsible storage portion (4) for storing the fluid material, and a dispensing portion (5) in communication with the storage portion in order to dispense the fluid material from the storage portion in a controlled manner. The storage portion has a substantially rectangular rounded shape. One side (7) thereof contains the dispensing portion. The dispensing portion (5) is pivotally connected to the edge (6) of said one side (7) of the storage portion (4), which slopes away inwardly from the dispensing portion in order to accommodate the folded-in dispensing portion. The invention also includes a combination package which comprises said container (1) and an outer cover (2, 2′). The outer cover has a rectangular shape and includes walls (14, 15) fitting around the filled container and having a portion allowing the passage of the dispensing portion when in use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device coupled to a fluid container. The device contains a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and is capable of dispensing fluid into the fluid container. The device also contains an alarm to warn a user that the container is substantially empty.