Abstract: A pitcher assembly comprises a pitcher including a wall connected to a bottom defining a picture volume. The wall defines an opening at the top edge of the pitcher and a spout is formed at the top edge of the pitcher. A lid is removably fitted to the opening, the lid having a vertical wall extending from the skirt at the spout, and a second wall extending into the spout. The first and second walls cooperate with the spout and the skirt to at least partially block liquid from unintentionally splashing out of the pitcher volume. The lid may also include an energy-absorbing material disposed between a vertically displaceable float body and the lid.

Abstract: A check valve which includes a valve body having an inlet end, an outlet end and a flow bore that extends between the inlet and outlet ends; a valve seat which is positioned across the flow bore; and a flapper which is configured to seal against the valve seat. The flapper is connected to or formed integrally with a pivot pin and is pivotable between a closed position in which the flapper is positioned against the valve seat and an open position in which the flapper is displaced from the valve seat. The pivot pin has opposite first and second ends, each of which is supported in a corresponding resilient bushing which is supported in the valve body. The resilient bushings allow the flapper to better align with the valve seat when the flapper is in the closed position.

Abstract: This application relates to a building energy analysis and management system for measurement and verification of building performance. The system can analyze, optimize, manage, maintain, trouble shoot, and/or modify building systems, such as HVAC systems, in connection with the building energy usage. Measurements may be gathered for one or more HVAC units coupled to pressure independent valves, and sent to one or more Surge Panels that pass data to remote analysis servers, which can receive other system or external data. The analysis servers compare measurements to predicted values and can standardize the predicted values to account for external conditions. The comparison can result in difference values used to generate probable causes and optimization recommendations. The system outputs reports or other data display using a graphical user interface that can be adjusted for an anticipated user.

Abstract: Razor handles with integrated spring elements and/or methods of fabricating the same. In one example, a handle for a razor can comprise a head portion and a spring element having a distal end and a proximal end that longitudinally opposes the distal end to define an arc length of the spring element. The head portion can facilitate coupling razor cartridges in pivotal relation with the handle. The spring element can extend integrally from the head portion at the proximal end. The spring element can deflect as an abutment surface on the distal end travels in sliding engagement with a cam surface of a razor cartridge to an end point of the cam surface while exerting progressively increasing return torque as the razor cartridge rotates about a front pivot axis from a neutral position. The end point can fall proximal to a rear edge of the razor cartridge.

Abstract: A twist-tie dispenser comprises a twist-tie cluster and a base. The base includes a top portion, a rear wall extending downward from the top portion, and an open front.

Abstract: A device or implant is configured to be positioned within a native heart valve to allow the native heart valve to form a more effective seal. One or more portions of device or implant can expand and contract. For example, one or more portions of the device or implant can narrow during delivery and expand on implantation on the native heart valve. Delivery systems are configured to narrow and expand the one or more portions of the device or implant.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system may include a deadbeam extended between a first wheel at a first end of the deadbeam and a second wheel at a second end of the deadbeam, an electric motor disposed forward of the deadbeam, a lateral link operably coupling the deadbeam to a chassis of the vehicle, a first half shaft operably coupled to the first wheel and the electric motor, a second half shaft operably coupled to the second wheel and the electric motor, a first suspension assembly operably coupling the first wheel to the chassis, and a second suspension assembly operably coupling the second wheel to the chassis.

Abstract: A method of automated database element processing includes training a wide machine learning model with historical feature vector inputs to generate a wide ranked element output. The method includes training a deep machine learning model with the historical feature vector inputs to generate a deep ranked element output. The method includes generating a set of inputs specific to an individual entity, obtaining a set of current article database elements, and creating a feature vector input according to the set of inputs and the set of current article database elements. The method includes processing the feature vector input with the wide machine learning model to generate a wide ranked element list, processing the feature vector input with the deep machine learning model to generate a deep ranked element list, and merging database elements of the wide and deep ranked element lists to generate a ranked element recommendation output.

Abstract: An acoustic attenuation structure for a gas turbine engine includes a periodic structure having a first unit cell, the first unit cell having a first central body and a first axial tube disposed on the first central body and a second axial tube disposed on the first central body, opposite the first axial tube, each of the first axial tube and the second axial tube being in fluid communication with one another through the first central body.

Abstract: Combined neuromodulation techniques are disclosed to treat metabolic disorders. The combined neuromodulation techniques may include dual-site neuromodulation or single-site neuromodulation. In embodiments, the neuromodulation may be administered as a combined therapy with a pharmaceutical treatment.

Abstract: A build on-demand chassis with a universal bay system that can be assembled into different configurations to support different system requirements from end users includes positionable partitions and a bay support assembly for each set of devices. A controller communicates with a microcontroller unit (MCU) in each bay support assembly to determine a slot identifier and a type of device supported by the bay support assembly to provide greater flexibility in what configurations are possible. When a processor in the information handling system sends an instruction for a type of device, the controller knows the location and capabilities of the device and manages the communication.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel method to fabricate magnetic silica nanomembranes using thin polymer cores based on silica deposition and self-wrinkling induced by thermal shrinkage. These micro- and nano-scale structures have vastly enlarged the specific area of silica, thus the magnetic silica nanomembranes can be used for solid phase extraction of nucleic acids. The magnetic silica nanomembranes are suitable for nucleic acid purification and isolation and demonstrated better performance than commercial particles in terms of nucleic acid recovery yield and integrity. In addition, the magnetic silica nanomembranes may have high nucleic acid capacity due to significantly enlarged specific surface area of silica. Methods of use and devices comprising the magnetic silica nanomembranes are also provided herein.

Abstract: Content rules engines for playback devices are disclosed herein. A media playback system receives a first command to form a synchrony group comprising a plurality of playback devices. The system receives a second command for the synchrony group to play back first audio content. In response to the second command, the first audio content is played back via the synchrony group. The system receives (i) second audio content to be played back by one or more of the playback devices of the synchrony group and (ii) content source properties associated with an audio source of the second audio content. The system accesses a rules engine to determine playback restrictions based at least in part on the content source properties. Based at least in part on the playback restrictions, operation of one or more of the playback devices is restricted.

Abstract: A hybrid pump-action vehicle and therapy device may include a pumping arm attached to a lower pump-action assembly. As the pumping arm is actuated, the lower pump-action assembly moves forward and rearward in response to the pumping action and powers movement of the vehicle. The lower pump-action assembly may be releasably connected to the pump arm so that the pump arm can be disengaged from the pumping action but still be usable for steering. A motor may also be provided to provide assistance or full power to the vehicle based on a user-selectable amount of assistance. And finally, the vehicle may be configured such that it can be collapsed to a fraction of its operating footprint to enable easy transport and storage.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an engine assembly having a nacelle partially surrounding an engine, and a thrust reverser having a first element movable relative to the nacelle between a stowed and deployed position, a first hydraulic actuator configured to move the first element between the stowed and deployed position, the first hydraulic actuator being connected to a fluid source and a return reservoir, and a second element movable between a stowed and deployed position, a second hydraulic actuator configured to move the second element between the stowed and deployed position, the second hydraulic actuator being connected to the fluid source and the return reservoir, and a fluid control system having a servo valve operable to selectively route fluid between the fluid source, the first hydraulic actuator, and the return reservoir, and a controller configured to operate the servo valve.

Abstract: Mechanisms are described for scanning items while they remain loaded on a forklift (or other mobile carrier), or while the items are being loaded or unloaded in the normal course of warehouse operations. An apparatus including any number of scanner(s) (such as image capture device(s) or other devices for capturing information about physical items) may be affixed to the mobile carrier, and may be configured to automatically actuate during loading and unloading operations. The scanner(s) may be configured to automatically commence information capture when loading/unloading operations commence, and to automatically stop capture when loading/unloading operations are completed. Automatically actuated lamp(s) may also be provided to aid in information capture.

Abstract: A method for configuring a digital light projector (DLP) of an augmented reality (AR) display device is described. A light source component of the DLP projector is configured to generate a single red-green-blue color sequence repetition per image frame. The AR display device identifies a color sequence of the light source component of the DLP projector and tracks a motion of the AR display device. The AR display device adjusts an operation of the DLP projector based on the single red-green-blue color sequence repetition, the color sequence of the light source component of the DLP projector, and the motion of the AR display device.