Abstract: A personal vaporizer device, especially an electronic smoking article, comprises a cartridge which includes a reservoir for storing a liquid to be vaporized; and an elongate body portion to which the cartridge is connected. The elongate body portion comprises a cover member which is movable in a longitudinal direction of the body portion between a first position and a second position, wherein the cartridge is substantially covered or obscured by the cover member in the first position. In the second position, the cover member is retracted.

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) for actuating a dispenser (10) is disclosed. The dispenser (10) is in the form of a glass ampoule assembly (10) having a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14) wherein the outer container (14) has a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the first open end (22). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has a base member (102) configured to mount on the outer container (14). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) also has an actuator assembly (104) operably connected to the base member (102) wherein the actuator assembly (104) has a first actuator arm (132a) and a second actuator arm (132b) each pivotally connected to the base member (102).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology provide compositions and methods for a sweetener composition comprising stevia leaf extract, stevia glycosides, and/or Luo Han Guo fruit extract. The sweetener composition provides enhanced taste and/or flavor properties as compared to other non-caloric or low-caloric sweeteners. The sweetener composition has a reduced aftertaste relative to stevia leaf extract and/or purified steviol glycoside. The sweetener composition may be formulated into any edible sweetened substances.

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) has base member (102) and an actuator arm (104) that is configured to crush a glass ampoule assembly (10). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14), the outer container (14) having a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the first open end (22). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has the base member (102) that is configured to mount on the outer container (14). The actuator arm (104) is pivotally connected to the base member (102). The actuator arm (104) is pivotable from a first position to a second position that is configured to engage the outer container (14) to crush the glass ampoule (12) wherein the flowable material (M) is dispensed from the glass ampoule assembly (10).

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) has base member (102) and an actuator arm (104) that is configured to crush a glass ampoule assembly (10). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14), the outer container (14) having a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the first open end (22). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has the base member (102) that is configured to mount on the outer container (14). The actuator arm (104) is pivotally connected to the base member (102). The actuator arm (104) is pivotable from a first position to a second position that is configured to engage the outer container (14) to crush the glass ampoule (12) wherein the flowable material (M) is dispensed from the glass ampoule assembly (10).

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: A device for positioning an orthopaedic fixation device includes: a compression attachment mechanism; a fastener guide coupled to the compression attachment mechanism; and a spring member disposed in the fastener guide.

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) for actuating a dispenser (10) is disclosed. The dispenser (10) is in the form of a glass ampoule assembly (10) having a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14) wherein the outer container (14) has a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the first open end (22). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has a base member (102) configured to mount on the outer container (14). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) also has an actuator assembly (104) operably connected to the base member (102) wherein the actuator assembly (104) has a first actuator arm (132a) and a second actuator arm (132b) each pivotally connected to the base member (102). The first actuator arm (132a) and the second actuator arm (132b) extend from the base member (102) in generally opposed relation defining a first position.

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: A ratchet fastener includes a base including a fastening portion including threads and a ratchet portion including teeth and a ratchet wheel disposed in mating arrangement with the teeth. The ratchet fastener is configured to receive a tether. The ratchet wheel is configured to be rotated to tighten the tether.

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) actuates a dispenser (10). The dispenser (10) is a plastic ampoule (10) having a container (48) having an outer wall (50) and membrane (52) collectively defining a first chamber (54) containing a flowable material (M). The membrane (52) has a weld seam (56). The actuator assembly (100) has a base member (102) configured to mount on the container (48). A fracturing mechanism (116) is operably connected to the base member (102). The fracturing mechanism (116) has a first extending member (132a) and a second extending member (132b), the first extending member (132a) and the second extending member (132b) positioned on the base member (102) in opposed relation. Each extending member (132a,132b) has a projection (150a,150b) positioned proximate the membrane (52).

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) has base member (102) and an actuator arm (104) that is configured to crush a glass ampoule assembly (10). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14), the outer container (14) having a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the first open end (22). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has the base member (102) that is configured to mount on the outer container (14). The actuator arm (104) is pivotally connected to the base member (102). The actuator arm (104) is pivotable from a first position to a second position that is configured to engage the outer container (14) to crush the glass ampoule (12) wherein the flowable material (M) is dispensed from the glass ampoule assembly (10).

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for dispensing a flowable material M has a container (12) having an outer wall (20) and membrane (14) collectively defining a first chamber (22) configured to contain the flowable material M. The membrane (14) has a thickness and a weld seam (40) wherein the weld seam (40) has a thickness less than the thickness of the membrane (14). A fracturing mechanism (16) is operably connected to the container (12). The fracturing mechanism (16) has an extending member (64) projecting from the outer wall (20) of the container (12). The extending member (64) has a projection (66) positioned proximate the membrane (14), wherein in response to deflection of the extending member (64), the projection (66) deflects the outer wall (20) proximate the membrane (14) wherein the weld seam (40) fractures creating an opening (41) through the membrane (14) configured to allow the flowable material M to pass therethrough and from the dispenser (10).

Abstract: An implant positioning device including a guide and holder for fasteners used in orthopaedic fixation for use in affixing a plate-like member to a bone or other part of a patient. The guide and holder includes a base adapted to align with the plate in a manner to orient fasteners with the plate for fixation. A plurality of fastener holders are on the base and adapted to releasably hold a fastener in a manner where the fastener is exposed at a proximal end for access by a fastener driver and aligned at a distal end with an aperture on the plate through which the fastener is to be driven.

Abstract: An active noise cancellation (ANC) system may include an adaptive filter divergence detector for detecting divergence of the one or more controllable filters as they adapt, based on dynamically adapted thresholds. Upon detection of a controllable filter divergence, the ANC system may be deactivated, or certain speakers may be muted. Alternatively, the ANC system may modify the diverged controllable filters to restore proper operation of the noise cancelling system.

Abstract: A sensor is configured to infer a rotational speed of a tire of a vehicle. A frequency generator is configured to synthesize frequencies of a tire cavity resonance according to the rotational speed of the tire to generate a sense signal. An active noise control filter is configured to generate an antinoise signal from the sense signal. A loudspeaker configured to convert the antinoise signal into antinoise and to radiate the antinoise to a listening position. The antinoise signal is configured so that the antinoise reduces sound of the tire cavity resonance at the listening position.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately estimating engine noise at a virtual microphone location, such as an occupant's ear position, in an acoustic space in order to enhance performance of an Engine Order Cancellation (EOC) system is provided. A set of weights and transfer functions that are dependent on various vehicle parameters, such as frequency, load, and speed, may be employed to estimate noise at a position where there are no physical microphones present. The accurate estimation of engine noise at virtual location, such as an occupant's ear position, may be achieved using a frequency dependent weighted sum of filtered and unfiltered error signals measured at microphones mounted at various locations inside an acoustic space, such as a vehicle cabin, which may not be located near virtual location.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for dispensing a flowable material M has a container (12) having an outer wall (20) and membrane (14) collectively defining a first chamber (22) configured to contain the flowable material M. The membrane (14) has a thickness and a weld seam (40) wherein the weld seam (40) has a thickness less than the thickness of the membrane (14). A fracturing mechanism (16) is operably connected to the container (12). The fracturing mechanism (16) has an extending member (64) projecting from the outer wall (20) of the container (12). The extending member (64) has a projection (66) positioned proximate the membrane (14), wherein in response to deflection of the extending member (64), the projection (66) deflects the outer wall (20) proximate the membrane (14) wherein the weld seam (40) fractures creating an opening (41) through the membrane (14) configured to allow the flowable material M to pass therethrough and from the dispenser (10).

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) for actuating a dispenser (10) is disclosed. The dispenser (10) is in the form of a glass ampoule assembly (10) having a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14) wherein the outer container (14) has a distal end segment defining a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has a base member (102) having an opening (110) configured to mount to the outer container (14). The base member (102) has an outlet aperture (280) configured to be in fluid communication with the outer container (14). The base member (102) has an applicator (250) integrally formed thereon and extending from the base member (102). The applicator is in fluid communication with the outlet aperture (280).