Abstract: A threaded closure comprises a vent assembly that can be actuated to release pressure from a container on which the closure is located. The vent assembly is made from a flexible material that allows a vent to be uncovered by tearing the material. In one embodiment, the vent assembly allows pressure to be released form a container prior to removal of the closure.

Abstract: A material collider apparatus includes at least one rotor disposed for rotational movement having a plurality of circumferentially disposed pockets, each of the pockets retaining a portion of a flow velocity regulator and an adjustable retention mechanism. The adjustable retention mechanism includes a first wedge portion and a second wedge portion, the wedge portion each having inclined surfaces that are engaged with one another. An actuating member is disposed through the first and second wedge portions, in which the second wedge portion includes a mounting surface in contact with an edge of the velocity regulator and the first wedge portion includes a mounting surface in contact with an edge surface of the pocket. The second wedge portion is movable relative to said first wedge portion when the actuating member is engaged, thereby permitting tightening and release of the velocity regulator in a defined rotor pocket.

Abstract: An integrated focal plane provides two co-aligned, overlapping pixel arrays in two formats, one with large pixels and low pixel count, the other with small pixels and high pixel count. Typically, the large pixels are 10 to 100 times larger in area than the small pixels. The dual arrays are disposed in a single detector substrate flip-chip bonded to a single readout circuit. They are sensitive to two infrared colors, one shorter and one longer wavelength band. The dual array focal plane concurrently provides two distinct pixel instantaneous fields of view within the same overall field of view as well as simultaneous fast and slow frame rates. The dual frame rates allow for combined fast sensing with sensitive imaging. Differing spatial and temporal data enables enhanced image processing for improved clutter rejection and detection performance. Differing gains combined with the dual frame rates provide an extended dynamic range.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for remotely managing an environmental control and monitoring device are provided. Remote management of an environmental control and monitoring device may be implemented by receiving, via a network, a device action including notification of at least one of an environmental, maintenance, repair or usage status of an environmental control and monitoring device. A management action is determined based on the device action, and the management action is transmitted, wherein the management action includes a command to execute an operation of the environmental control and monitoring device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for remotely managing an environmental control and monitoring device are provided. Remote management of an environmental control and monitoring device may be implemented by receiving, via a network, a device action including notification of at least one of an environmental, maintenance, repair or usage status of an environmental control and monitoring device. A management action is determined based on the device action, and the management action is transmitted, wherein the management action includes a command to execute an operation of the environmental control and monitoring device.

Abstract: A beverage container holding a beverage includes a cap that can be used to prevent contamination of a beverage between drinks. The cap is sized to fit over the foot of the beverage container for use as a non-slip coaster. The beverage container is shrink wrapped to retain the cap on the top of the beverage container. The shrink wrap includes a pair of vertically disposed perforations which facilitate opening of the beverage container. The shrink wrap also aids in keeping the beverage container sanitary by preventing contaminants from reaching surfaces of the beverage container.

Abstract: A beverage container holding a beverage includes a cap that can be used to prevent contamination of a beverage between drinks. The cap is sized to fit over the foot of the beverage container for use as a non-slip coaster. The beverage container is shrink wrapped to retain the cap on the top of the beverage container. The shrink wrap includes a pair of vertically disposed perforations which facilitate opening of the beverage container. The shrink wrap also aids in keeping the beverage container sanitary by preventing contaminants from reaching surfaces of the beverage container.

Abstract: A fragrance dispensing device includes a housing, a fragrance assembly, a cover panel, a fan, and a drive assembly. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion, which moves relative to the first portion. The housing includes an intake opening and an exhaust opening. The fragrance assembly rotates within the housing's interior cavity and defines a plurality of receptacles for receiving fragrance inserts. The cover panel substantially seals one or more receptacles and defines an opening. The fan is coupled to the housing's second portion. The drive assembly rotates the fragrance assembly such that at least a portion of a user-selected fragrance insert is aligned with the cover panel's opening. The fan moves air from the housing's intake opening, across the cover panel's opening, and out the housing's exhaust opening, thereby releasing a fragrance into an environment. The drive assembly may include a shaft with helical threads.

Abstract: A user input comprising a climate control parameter is received. A climate control subsystem that is configured to modify an environment based on the climate control parameter is activated. A payment message that is based on a usage parameter is transmitted to a billing system. The payment message results in a charge being made to an account of the user.

Abstract: A user input comprising a climate control parameter is received. A climate control subsystem that is configured to modify an environment based on the climate control parameter is activated. A payment message that is based on a usage parameter is transmitted to a billing system. The payment message results in a charge being made to an account of the user.

Abstract: A material collider apparatus includes at least one rotor disposed for rotational movement having a plurality of circumferentially disposed pockets, each of the pockets retaining a portion of a flow velocity regulator and an adjustable retention mechanism. The adjustable retention mechanism includes a first wedge portion and a second wedge portion, the wedge portion each having inclined surfaces that are engaged with one another. An actuating member is disposed through the first and second wedge portions, in which the second wedge portion includes a mounting surface in contact with an edge of the velocity regulator and the first wedge portion includes a mounting surface in contact with an edge surface of the pocket. The second wedge portion is movable relative to said first wedge portion when the actuating member is engaged, thereby permitting tightening and release of the velocity regulator in a defined rotor pocket.

Abstract: An integrated focal plane provides two co-aligned, overlapping pixel arrays in two formats, one with large pixels and low pixel count, the other with small pixels and high pixel count. Typically, the large pixels are 10 to 100 times larger in area than the small pixels. The dual arrays are disposed in a single detector substrate flip-chip bonded to a single readout circuit. They are sensitive to two infrared colors, one shorter and one longer wavelength band. The dual array focal plane concurrently provides two distinct pixel instantaneous fields of view within the same overall field of view as well as simultaneous fast and slow frame rates. The dual frame rates allow for combined fast sensing with sensitive imaging. Differing spatial and temporal data enables enhanced image processing for improved clutter rejection and detection performance. Differing gains combined with the dual frame rates provide an extended dynamic range.

Abstract: A pixel interconnect circuit that can be added to a focal plane array to enable subpixel location capability (subpixel sensing) for an imaged point source, facilitating very high frame rate operation. The pixel interconnect is typically added as a circuit component within the readout integrated circuit. The interconnect function can be turned on or off flexibly. It allows very low pixel count arrays, such as 128×128 pixels, to achieve the positional accuracy of multi-megapixel arrays. In turn, these small arrays can be clocked at very fast frame rates for enhanced threat and fast event detection. Existing systems can be upgraded by adding the pixel interconnect, which will greatly improve tracking and position accuracy without increasing data processing requirements. By modifying the focal plane while leaving other components unchanged, the pixel interconnect provides an economical upgrade for threat warning and tactical sensor systems.

Abstract: A beverage container holding a beverage includes a cap that can be used to prevent contamination of a beverage between drinks. The cap is sized to fit over the foot of the beverage container for use as a non-slip coaster. The beverage container is shrink wrapped to retain the cap on the top of the beverage container. The shrink wrap includes a pair of vertically disposed perforations which facilitate opening of the beverage container. The shrink wrap also aids in keeping the beverage container sanitary by preventing contaminants from reaching surfaces of the beverage container.

Abstract: A beverage container holding a beverage includes a cap that can be used to prevent contamination of a beverage between drinks. The cap is sized to fit over the foot of the beverage container for use as a non-slip coaster. The beverage container is shrink wrapped to retain the cap on the top of the beverage container. The shrink wrap includes a pair of vertically disposed perforations which facilitate opening of the beverage container. The shrink wrap also aids in keeping the beverage container sanitary by preventing contaminants from reaching surfaces of the beverage container.

Abstract: An environmental control and monitoring method is provided. An electronic communication including a selection of a climate control operational mode to modify an environment within a particular designated area is received from one of a plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices via a network, wherein each of the plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices include one or more climate control subsystems for modifying an environment within a designated area. The selection of the climate control operational mode is associated with a climate control parameter and the one of the plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices. An operation of a particular climate control subsystem of the one of the plurality of environmental control and monitoring devices is initiated to modify the environment within the particular designated area based on the climate control parameter.

Abstract: A pixel interconnect circuit that can be added to a focal plane array, which enables subpixel location capability (subpixel sensing) for an imaged point source and facilitates very high frame rate operation. The pixel interconnect is typically added as a circuit component within the readout integrated circuit. The interconnect function can be turned on or off, allowing for flexible operation. It allows for the use of very low pixel count arrays, such as 128×128 pixels, to achieve the positional accuracy of multi-megapixel arrays. In turn, these small arrays can be clocked at very fast frame rates for enhanced threat and fast event detection. Existing systems can be upgraded by adding the pixel interconnect, which will greatly improve tracking and position accuracy without increasing data processing requirements. By modifying the focal plane while leaving other components unchanged, the pixel interconnect provides an economical upgrade for older threat warning and tactical sensor systems.