Abstract: An evacuation station includes a base and a canister removably attached to the base. The base includes a ramp having an inclined surface for receiving a robotic cleaner having a debris bin. The ramp defines an evacuation intake opening arranged to pneumatically interface with the debris bin. The base also includes a first conduit portion pneumatically connected to the evacuation intake opening, an air mover having an inlet and an exhaust, and a particle filter pneumatically the exhaust of the air mover. The canister includes a second conduit portion arranged to pneumatically interface with the first conduit portion to form a pneumatic debris intake conduit, an exhaust conduit arranged to pneumatically connect to the inlet of the air mover when the canister is attached to the base, and a separator in pneumatic communication with the second conduit portion.

Abstract: A method and a system for automated plant surveillance and manipulation are provided. Pursuant to the method and the system, images of target plants are obtained through a machine vision system having multiple cameras. The obtained images of the target plants are processed to determine tissue candidates of the target plants and to determine a position and an orientation of each tissue candidate. A tool is manipulated, based on the position and the orientation of each tissue candidate, to excise each tissue candidate to obtain tissue samples. The tissue samples are transported for subsequently manipulation including live processing of the tissue samples or destructive processing of the tissue samples.

Abstract: A method and a system for automated plant surveillance and manipulation are provided. Pursuant to the method and the system, images of target plants are obtained through a machine vision system having multiple cameras. The obtained images of the target plants are processed to determine tissue candidates of the target plants and to determine a position and an orientation of each tissue candidate. A tool is manipulated, based on the position and the orientation of each tissue candidate, to excise each tissue candidate to obtain tissue samples. The tissue samples are transported for subsequently manipulation including live processing of the tissue samples or destructive processing of the tissue samples.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a motor vehicle using autonomous conveyance of a vehicle chassis and a control system to execute functions including steering, acceleration/deceleration, environment monitoring and obstacle avoidance.

Abstract: A method of controlling phytopathogenic diseases on useful plants or on propagation material thereof, which comprises applying to the useful plants, the locus thereof or propagation material thereof a combination of components (A) and (B) in a synergistically effective amount, wherein component (A) is a compound of formula I compound of formula I wherein R is hydrogen or methoxy; Q is R1 is hydrogen, halogen or C1-C6alkyl; R2 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C3-C6alkinyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl-C3-C6alkinyl, halophenoxy, halophenyl-C3-C6alkinyl, C(C1-C4alkyl)?NO—C1-C4alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, C1-C6haloalkoxy, C2-C6haloalkenyl, or C2-C6haloalkenyloxy; R3 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6alkyl; R4, R5and R6, independently from each other, are hydrogen, halogen or —?—R7; with the proviso that at least one of R4, R5 and R6 is different from hydrogen; R7 is hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl or C1-C4alkoxyalkyl; and R8 is hydrogen or methoxy; and agrochemically acceptable salts/isomers/structural isomers/

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of finger-mountable utensils and related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a utensil generally includes a handle for supporting a utensil piece. The handle has a distal stem portion and an opening proximal to the distal stem portion. The opening is configured to receive one or more user fingers to support the handle and utensil piece without the received one or more fingers having to contact the distal stem portion during use of the utensil.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of finger-mountable eating utensils and related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, an eating utensil generally includes a handle for supporting a utensil piece. The handle has a distal stem portion and a widened portion proximal to and substantially coaxial with the distal stem portion. The widened portion has an opening configured to receive two or more user fingers to support the handle and utensil piece without the received fingers having to contact the distal stem portion during use of the eating utensil.

Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments include apparatus and methods for providing additives to beverages, such as bottled water. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus generally includes a base and a reservoir for holding the additive. The reservoir generally includes a bottom, a sidewall, and an open top. A cap covers the open top of the reservoir. A plunger is coupled to the cap. The plunger is selectively operable for puncturing the bottom of the reservoir. This creates an opening in the bottom of the reservoir that allows the additive to flow from the reservoir and into a bottle or other container when the apparatus is attached thereto.

Abstract: A soap saver comprises an original soap bar and a soap fragment. The original soap bar comprises a cavity. The cavity comprises a predetermined shape, a cavity wall, and a cavity bottom surface. The cavity wall will be a continuous wall and will be connected to the cavity bottom surface. The cavity wall will have a smooth surface around the wall. The cavity bottom surface will not be a smooth surface. The soap fragment will be inserted into the cavity so the soap fragment can be reused with the original soap bar. Water will combined both the soap fragment and the original soap bar together.

Abstract: The invention is for a method of forming and delivering a treatment fluid into a wellbore. In one aspect, a method is provided for pumping a first fluid having a relatively high concentration of a particulate suspended therein and pumping a second fluid having either none of the particulate or a relatively low concentration of the particulate suspended therein, and then merging at least the first and second fluids to form a treatment fluid having a merged concentration of the particulate. According to this aspect, the first fluid has a relatively high concentration of a hydratable additive and the second fluid has either none or a relatively low concentration of the hydratable additive.

Abstract: The invention is for a method of forming and delivering a treatment fluid into a wellbore. In one aspect, a method is provided for pumping a first fluid having a relatively high concentration of a particulate suspended therein and pumping a second fluid having either none of the particulate or a relatively low concentration of the particulate suspended therein, and then merging at least the first and second fluids to form a treatment fluid having a merged concentration of the particulate. According to this aspect, the first fluid has a relatively high concentration of a hydratable additive and the second fluid has either none or a relatively low concentration of the hydratable additive.

Abstract: The invention is for a method of forming and delivering a treatment fluid into a wellbore. In one aspect, a method is provided for pumping a first fluid having a relatively high concentration of a particulate suspended therein and pumping a second fluid having either none of the particulate or a relatively low concentration of the particulate suspended therein, and then merging at least the first and second fluids to form a treatment fluid having a merged concentration of the particulate. According to this aspect, the first fluid has a relatively high concentration of a hydratable additive and the second fluid has either none or a relatively low concentration of the hydratable additive.

Abstract: The inventions are for methods of forming and delivering a treatment fluid into a wellbore. In one aspect, methods are provided of pumping a first fluid having a relatively high concentration of a particulate suspended therein and pumping a second fluid having either none of the particulate or a relatively low concentration of the particulate suspended therein, and then merging at least the first and second fluids to form a treatment fluid having a merged concentration of the particulate. According to this aspect, the first and second fluids are pumped at different average bulk fluid velocities through different pumping chambers of fluid pumps. This helps reduce wear on the pumps.

Abstract: The inventions are for methods of forming and delivering a treatment fluid into a wellbore. In one aspect, methods are provided for pumping a first fluid having a relatively high concentration of a particulate suspended therein and pumping a second fluid having either none of the particulate or a relatively low concentration of the particulate suspended therein, and then merging at least the first and second fluids to form a treatment fluid having a merged concentration of the particulate. According to this aspect, the first fluid has a relatively high concentration of a hydratable additive and the second fluid has either none or a relatively low concentration of the hydratable additive. This helps reduce wear on the pumps.

Abstract: The inventions are for methods of forming and delivering a treatment fluid into a wellbore. In one aspect, methods are provided of using higher-quality water for one portion of the water for a treatment fluid and lower-quality water for another portion of the water for a treatment fluid, and merging the two portions to form the treatment fluid after pumping the fluid portions toward the wellbore. This allows the use of lower-quality water for some of the water required for making up the treatment fluid.

Abstract: The inventions are for methods of forming and delivering a treatment fluid into a wellbore. In one aspect, methods are provided of treating a base aqueous solution to obtain a first aqueous solution, for example, to have a substantially reduced concentration of at least one component relative to the concentration of the component in the base aqueous solution, and using the first aqueous solution and a lower-quality water, such as the base aqueous solution, to form a treatment fluid. The first aqueous solution and the lower-quality water are merged after pumping the fluid portions toward the wellbore. The component is selected for being deleterious to the use or performance of a treatment fluid. More particularly, the component is selected from the group consisting of: a dissolved ion, oil, grease, a production chemical, and suspended, water-insoluble solids. This allows the use of lower-quality water for some of the water required for making up the treatment fluid.

Abstract: The inventions are for methods of forming and delivering a treatment fluid into a wellbore. In one aspect, methods are provided of treating a base aqueous solution to obtain a first aqueous solution, for example, to have a substantially reduced concentration of at least one component relative to the concentration of the component in the base aqueous solution, and using the first aqueous solution and a lower-quality water, such as the base aqueous solution, to form a treatment fluid. The first aqueous solution and the lower-quality water are merged after pumping the fluid portions toward the wellbore. The component is selected for being deleterious to the use or performance of a treatment fluid. More particularly, the component is selected from the group consisting of: a dissolved ion, oil, grease, a production chemical, and suspended, water-insoluble solids. This allows the use of lower-quality water for some of the water required for making up the treatment fluid.

Abstract: A process of increasing the viscosity of a gel, or the yield of a hydratable material includes heating a hydratable material, an aqueous component or both, prior to mixing the hydratable material with the aqueous component. In certain instances, the aqueous component is heated to a temperature of at least about 100° F., and the hydratable material component and the heated aqueous component are mixed together to form a gel in certain instances, the hydratable material component is heated to a temperature of at least about 100° F., and the heated hydratable material component and the aqueous component are mixed together to form a gel.

Abstract: Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a viscosified treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a gelling agent that comprises a clarified xanthan; and placing the viscosified treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the method comprises placing the viscosified treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the viscosified treatment fluid may also comprise a plurality of particulates. In some embodiments, the viscosified treatment fluids may be placed into at least a portion of a pipeline. Additional methods are also provided.