Abstract: The invention pertains to methods for monitoring the operational status of a home automation system through extrinsic visual and audible means. Initial training periods involve capturing image and audio data representative of nominal operation, which is then processed to identify operational indicators. Unsupervised machine learning models are trained with these indicators to construct a model of normalcy and identify expectation violations in the system's operational pattern. After meeting specific stopping criteria, real-time monitoring is initiated. When an expectation violation is detected, contrastive collages or sequences are generated comprising nominal and anomalous data. These are then transmitted to an end user, effectively conveying the context of the detected anomalies. Further features include providing deep links to smartphone applications for home automation configuration and the use of auditory scene analysis techniques.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods for monitoring the operational status of a home automation system through extrinsic visual and audible means. Initial training periods involve capturing image and audio data representative of nominal operation, which is then processed to identify operational indicators. Unsupervised machine learning models are trained with these indicators to construct a model of normalcy and identify expectation violations in the system's operational pattern. After meeting specific stopping criteria, real-time monitoring is initiated. When an expectation violation is detected, contrastive collages or sequences are generated comprising nominal and anomalous data. These are then transmitted to an end user, effectively conveying the context of the detected anomalies. Further features include providing deep links to smartphone applications for home automation configuration and the use of auditory scene analysis techniques.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods for monitoring the operational status of a home automation system through extrinsic visual and audible means. Initial training periods involve capturing image and audio data representative of nominal operation, which is then processed to identify operational indicators. Unsupervised machine learning models are trained with these indicators to construct a model of normalcy and identify expectation violations in the system's operational pattern. After meeting specific stopping criteria, real-time monitoring is initiated. When an expectation violation is detected, contrastive collages or sequences are generated comprising nominal and anomalous data. These are then transmitted to an end user, effectively conveying the context of the detected anomalies. Further features include providing deep links to smartphone applications for home automation configuration and the use of auditory scene analysis techniques.

Abstract: An actuator is disclosed for actuating an aerosol valve for dispensing an aerosol product from an aerosol container. The actuator comprises an actuator button being rotatable relative to a base for movement between a locked rotational position stop and an unlocked rotational position stop. The actuator button is movable relative to the base for actuating the aerosol valve to dispense the aerosol product when the actuator button is rotated into a unlocked rotational position. The actuator button is inhibited from actuating the aerosol valve when the actuator button is moved into a locked rotational position. In one embodiment, an arcuate projection inhibits unintended movement of the actuator button between the unlocked rotational position and the locked rotational position. In another embodiment, a linear projection inhibits unintended movement of the actuator button between the unlocked rotational position and the locked rotational position.

Abstract: An aerosol dispenser is disclosed for actuating an aerosol valve comprising a base and an actuator. A container mount secures the base to an aerosol container. A base opening is in the base. A nozzle coupled to the actuator extends between the aerosol valve and a terminal orifice. An actuator mount secures the actuator to the base. The terminal orifice aligns with the base opening for defining a dispensing position. The terminal orifice is non-aligning with the base opening for defining a non-dispensing position. The actuator is pivotably displaced for positioning the actuator between the dispensing position and the non-dispensing position. A primary base pivot terminator is in the base. A primary actuator pivot terminator is in the actuator. The primary base pivot terminator abuts with the primary actuator pivot terminator for defining an interlock and terminating pivoting of the actuator in the dispensing position.

Abstract: An improved actuator for actuating a container of a pressurized fluent product includes a body having a dispensing flow path to direct a pressurized fluent product from the container to an exterior of the actuator via an exit orifice located at an end of the flow path. The body further includes a front exterior face located adjacent to the exit orifice and a hollow extension defining a portion of the flow path and extending along, and centered on, a longitudinal axis. The hollow extension configured to retain an accumulation of the fluent product at the exit orifice at a location that is spaced away from the front exterior face.

Abstract: An improved actuator (20) for actuating a container of a pressurized fluent product includes a body (56) having a dispensing flow path (76) to direct a pressurized fluent product from the container to an exterior of the actuator (20) via an exit orifice (80) located at an end of the flow path (76). The body (56) further includes a front exterior face (84) located adjacent to the exit orifice (64) and a hollow extension (88) defining a portion of the flow path (76) and extending along, and centered on, a longitudinal axis (92). The hollow extension (88) configured to retain an accumulation of the fluent product at the exit orifice (80) at a location that is spaced away from the front exterior face (84).

Abstract: A dispensing system (40) includes a body (54) having an outer wall (64) defining a volume for storing a substance, the outer wall (64) having a top end (66) and a sealed bottom end (70). The top end (66) is covered by a flexible lid (56) that is attached to the body (54). The lid (56) has a press portion (88) for being engaged to move the lid (56) from a first position into a second, deflected position. A post (58) is connected to the lid (56) and is configured in the second position of the lid (56) to breach the sealed bottom end (70) forming a dispensing orifice (80) to accommodate movement of a substance out of the body (54). In one form, the outer wall (64) includes at least one bottle stop projection (218) defining one or more vent channels (219).

Abstract: An aerosol spout dispenser is disclosed for dispensing an aerosol product from an aerosol container through an aerosol valve. The aerosol spout dispenser comprises a base secured to the aerosol container with a dispensing head mounted to the base. A dispensing spout extends outwardly from the dispensing head beyond the mounting cup of the aerosol container. A depression of the dispensing head actuates the aerosol valve to dispense the aerosol product from a terminal orifice. A dispensing head retainer cooperates with a base retainer for inhibiting separation of the dispensing head from the base when a separating force is applied between the dispensing head and the base. An auxiliary latching mechanism inhibits separation of the dispensing head from the base when a separating force is applied between the dispensing spout and the base.

Abstract: An improved actuator (20) for actuating a container of a pressurized fluent product includes a body (56) having a dispensing flow path (76) to direct a pressurized fluent product from the container to an exterior of the actuator (20) via an exit orifice (80) located at an end of the flow path (76). The body (56) further includes a front exterior face (84) located adjacent to the exit orifice (64) and a hollow extension (88) defining a portion of the flow path (76) and extending along, and centered on, a longitudinal axis (92). The hollow extension (88) configured to retain an accumulation of the fluent product at the exit orifice (80) at a location that is spaced away from the front exterior face (84).

Abstract: A lockable metering aerosol dispenser is disclosed for dispensing an aerosol product from an aerosol container through an aerosol valve. The lockable metering aerosol dispenser comprises a base secured to the aerosol container with a cup rotationally mounted to the base between a locked rotational position and an unlocked rotational position. A metering cup is secured relative to the base and communicates with the aerosol valve. The cup is capable of actuating the aerosol valve for dispensing the aerosol product into the metering cup when the cup is rotated into the unlocked rotational position. The cup is inhibited from actuating the aerosol valve when the cup is rotated into the locked rotational position.

Abstract: A 2D material such as graphene is produced on a forming sheet disposed on a carrier and exposed to a donor gas within a furnace. A first furnace surface is disposed immediately adjacent to and spaced apart from the forming sheet to define a volume. A purge gas is used to purge the volume of undesirable molecules, such as oxygen, and then a donor gas is introduced into the volume to supply an element or molecule necessary for the formation of a 2D material. Multiple carriers and forming sheets are moved in a train into the furnace during the presence of the donor gas, and each forming sheet is heated to a temperature sufficient to form 2D material on the sheet. The furnace is constructed of a nonreactive material, such as quartz, and the first furnace surface is provided by a quartz plate. Gas passageways and gas ports are formed in the quartz plate with the ports extending through the first furnace surface.

Abstract: A trigger operated aerosol dispenser is disclosed for dispensing an aerosol product from an aerosol container through an aerosol valve. The trigger operated aerosol dispenser comprises a base secured to the aerosol container with a dispensing head mounted to the base. A nozzle extends through the dispensing head for communicating the aerosol valve with a terminal orifice. A trigger actuator extends from the dispensing head for actuating the aerosol valve upon depression of the trigger actuator to dispense the aerosol product from the terminal orifice. The trigger operated aerosol dispenser may incorporate a lock for inhibiting the trigger from actuating the aerosol valve. In one example, the trigger operated aerosol dispenser may be actuated in an alternate manner upon a depression of the dispensing head. Preferably, the trigger operated aerosol dispenser is formed from a two piece unit.

Abstract: An aerosol spout dispenser is disclosed for dispensing an aerosol product from an aerosol container through an aerosol valve. The aerosol spout dispenser comprises a base secured to the aerosol container with a dispensing head mounted to the base. A dispensing spout extends outwardly from the dispensing head beyond the mounting cup of the aerosol container. A depression of the dispensing head actuates the aerosol valve to dispense the aerosol product from a terminal orifice. A dispensing head retainer cooperates with a base retainer for inhibiting separation of the dispensing head from the base when a separating force is applied between the dispensing head and the base. An auxiliary latching mechanism inhibits separation of the dispensing head from the base when a separating force is applied between the dispensing spout and the base.

Abstract: A trigger operated aerosol dispenser is disclosed for dispensing an aerosol product from an aerosol container through an aerosol valve. The trigger operated aerosol dispenser comprises a base secured to the aerosol container with a dispensing head mounted to the base. A nozzle extends through the dispensing head for communicating the aerosol valve with a terminal orifice. A trigger actuator extends from the dispensing head for actuating the aerosol valve upon depression of the trigger actuator to dispense the aerosol product from the terminal orifice. The trigger operated aerosol dispenser may incorporate a lock for inhibiting the trigger from actuating the aerosol valve. In one example, the trigger operated aerosol dispenser may be actuated in an alternate manner upon a depression of the dispensing head. Preferably, the trigger operated aerosol dispenser is formed from a two piece unit.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a non-linear notch cut without the presence of a significantly laterally extending resulting piece. The resulting absorbent article having a front end edge and a back end edge which are complementary. The front end edge having at least three tangential points (a1, a2, b). Tangential point b is longitudinally inboard of a1 and a2. The back end edge having at least three tangential points (x1, x2, y), wherein y is longitudinally outboard of x1 and x2. The absorbent article being longitudinally folded about a first fold line. The first fold line may be drawn between points a2 and x2. The absorbent article being longitudinally folded about a second fold line, said second fold line may be drawn between points a1 and x1.

Abstract: Disclosed are fluid dispensers comprising: a) a fluid reservoir, b) a fluid feed line, c) a fluid transfer zone, d) a capillary overflow, e) a capillary control valve, and f) a porous applicator head, wherein: i) the fluid feed line communicates with the fluid reservoir and the fluid transfer zone; ii) the fluid transfer zone is intermediate to the porous applicator head and capillary overflow; iii) the capillary overflow is in communication with the transfer zone and/or the fluid feed line; and iv) fluid is drawn through the porous applicator head by means of capillary action; and v) the capillary control valve regulates the flow of fluid in and out of the capillary overflow.

Abstract: A product comprising a liquid cosmetic composition (3) and a device (14) for applying the same, said device (14) comprising a porous polymeric applicator head (1), an absorbent material (2) fixed in intimate contact therewith, and a reservoir (4) for the liquid cosmetic composition (3) from which said composition is delivered to the absorbent material (2), characterised in that the total capacity of the absorbent material (2) for the liquid cosmetic composition (3) is less than the amount of liquid cosmetic composition (3) that may be held in the reservoir (4).

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a non-linear notch cut without the presence of a significantly laterally extending resulting piece. The resulting absorbent article having a front end edge and a back end edge which are complementary. The front end edge having at least three tangential points (a1, a2, b). Tangential point b is longitudinally inboard of a1 and a2. The back end edge having at least three tangential points (x1, x2, y), wherein y is longitudinally outboard of x1 and x2. The absorbent article being longitudinally folded about a first fold line. The first fold line may be drawn between points a2 and x2. The absorbent article being longitudinally folded about a second fold line, said second fold line may be drawn between points a1 and x1.

Abstract: An applicator for liquid cosmetic products, wherein product is dispensed primarily by capillary flow of the cosmetic product through the applicator and wherein the liquid cosmetic composition has a flow rate outward from the porous polymeric applicator head of about .05 to about 1.0 cc/s when a pressure gradient of 0.5 psi is applied across the applicator device. The cosmetic products are preferably antiperspirant and/or deodorant products comprising an antiperspirant and/or deodorant active.