Abstract: A form-fill-seal system includes a tube feeding system, an end seal carriage, and a computing device. The tube feeding system feeds a tube of flexible material at a first velocity. The computing device controls the end seal carriage to cause an increase in a velocity of the end seal carriage to substantially the first velocity, a start of a dwell time of the end seal mechanism on the tube of flexible material while the velocity of the end seal carriage is at substantially the first velocity, and an increase in the velocity of the end seal carriage to a second velocity during the dwell time. The end seal mechanism cuts a package from the tube during the dwell time. The increase in the velocity of the end seal carriage to the second velocity results in an increased distance of the package from the tube.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal system includes a tube feeding system, an end seal carriage (420), and a computing device. The tube feeding system feeds a tube (410) of flexible material at a first velocity (v1). The computing device controls the end seal carriage (420) to cause an increase in a velocity of the end seal carriage to substantially the first velocity (v1), a start of a dwell time of the end seal mechanism (424, 422) on the tube (410) of flexible material while the velocity of the end seal carriage is at substantially the first velocity (v1), and an increase in the velocity of the end seal carriage to a second velocity (v2) during the dwell time. The end seal mechanism cuts a package (440) from the tube during the dwell time. The increase in the velocity of the end seal carriage to the second velocity (v2) results in an increased distance of the package from the tube.

Abstract: Techniques for managing one or more buildings, including collecting historical building data, real-time building data, historical exogenous data, and real-time exogenous data and receiving the collected data at an adaptive stochastic controller. The adaptive stochastic controller can generate at least one predicted condition with a predictive model. The adaptive stochastic controller can generate one or more executable recommendations based on at least the predicted conditions and one or more performance measurements corresponding to the executable recommendations.

Abstract: A balloon holder includes a stem for locking a balloon tail in place. The stem includes an inner channel for receiving the balloon tail. The inner channel is located between side walls of the stem, and pairs of locking fingers extend from the side walls into the inner channel. The application of a deforming force to the locking fingers causes the locking fingers to bend, thereby allowing the balloon tail to enter the inner channel. When the deforming force is removed the locking fingers return to a substantially planar state, thereby locking the balloon tail in place within the inner channel.

Abstract: An improved balloon cup for mounting and supporting a balloon with the valve tail on a stick includes a frustoconical top for supporting and holding a balloon with a first depending slot therethrough for passing the balloon tail therethrough. A stem depends from the top with an open inner channel circular in cross section extending the length of the stem. The channel is in open communication with the slot through an elongated channel opening for receiving the balloon tail therethrough. After the balloon tail is placed within the inner channel, the stick is transversely placed into the circular inner channel through the elongate channel opening and the stick and balloon tail are held in place by opposing bias flanges along the elongate channel opening.

Abstract: A property management system is provided. The property management system includes a property management console that is coupled to a plurality of building subsystems. The property management console aggregates data from the building subsystems, historical databases, and external sources such as weather predications. From the aggregated data, property management console displays information for a building manager indicating the current energy consumption and expected energy consumption. The property management console further allows the building manager the ability to drill down into the data by selecting one of the aggregated indicators.

Abstract: A card-and-balloon combination is disclosed wherein the inflatable stem portion of a non-latex balloon is pinched between a card half and an attachment band secured thereto, in close proximity to the inflated balloon body, to maintain the balloon body in a substantially upright position, whereby the designs on the card and balloon are readily visible.

Abstract: A rigid stem dial gauge, such as a thermometer has an assembly which connects the thermometer stem to the pointer shaft and permits the two parts to be disposed at a range of angles to each other. The assembly comprises a pair of cylindrical housings, one mounted coaxially and rotatably within the other, the inner housing being connected to the thermometer stem shaft of the gauge and the outer housing being connected to the pointer shaft. The stem and the shaft are interconnected by a flexible drive accommodated within the housings.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for excavating and removing a settled body of discrete mineral solids (e.g., a tailings pond from a mining operation) by procedures which progress downwardly from the surface of the body. High pressure streams of liquid are traversed along a path in a pulping zone lowermost in first region of the body. The liquid forms a pumpable slurry with the mineral solids in the zone, and the slurry is then pumped from the zone leaving an undercut cavity sufficient to cause collapse of the overburden of solids. The collapsed overburden is then formed into additional pumpable slurry which is removed by pumping. Successive stages of excavation are carried out by moving the streams of liquid downwardly to a second region where the foregoing steps are repeated. In the apparatus a caisson is disposed vertically in the body and stabilized by means of a plurality of circumferentially positioned pilings.

Abstract: Hydraulic underground mining system adapted to operate through a small diameter well bore and into a subterranean body and including a mining capsule carried on the lower end of an elongate support structure. The mining capsule includes a liquid jet nozzle at its upper end for forming a laterally directed jet stream to impact material in the ore body and to pulp the same into a slurry. An orifice having a grate for preventing entry of excessively large material is positioned below the jet so that freshly pulped slurry flows into the orifice, the latter being connected to an elongate positive displacement pump mounted below the orifice. Suitable hydraulic power means are provided for operating the pump and for progressively moving the jet stream .[. .]. .Iadd.through .Iaddend.at least a portion of an arc. Fixed liquid jets are also provided at the pump inlet for flushing and priming and to the lowermost portion of the capsule and to facilitate movement of the apparatus in the well bore.