Abstract: An energy absorbing bushing may have a base portion and a tubular portion attached to the base portion, and a split extending through the base portion and the tubular portion. The split may have three portions each at a different angle with respect to one another.

Abstract: A steam generator includes a pre-heat chamber configured to heat incoming water to a temperature less than the boiling point of water, where the pre-heat chamber is configured to heat the water such that if the water contains a calcium compound, the calcium compound is caused to take a particulate form. The steam generator also includes a filter assembly in fluid communication with the pre-heat chamber, the filter assembly including a removable particulate filter element, where the filter element is reusable and cleanable. The steam generator also includes a water pump in fluid communication with the filter assembly, and operative to cause water flow through the steam generator and a boiler in fluid communication with the water pump, where the water pump is configured to cause water to flow to the boiler, and where the boiler is configured to boil water such that steam is produced.

Abstract: Some implementations of the present disclosure are directed to a computer-implemented method that includes: detecting a plurality of characters from a photo of an object; generating a set of character-based features based on the plurality of characters; matching the set of character-based features with a template of feature sets obtained from known objects; based on a matching set of character-based features, establishing a matching transformation between the object in the photo and the template of feature sets; and projecting the matching transformation to the photo such that the object is segmented from the photo.

Abstract: A movable contact element for a pressing device for pressing meat products, in particular frozen and/or partly frozen meat products, preferably fresh meat products and/or bacon, comprises a base part; an attachment part; a transverse sliding part; and a height part that are connected to one another at respective connection points and that form a contact surface for a product at one side of the contact element during the pressing. The contact surface has an effective length along a first direction of extent and an effective width along a second direction of extent perpendicular to the first direction of extent, with the effective length and the effective width of the contact surface being variable.

Abstract: A steam generator includes a pre-heat chamber configured to heat incoming water to a temperature less than the boiling point of water, where the pre-heat chamber is configured to heat the water such that if the water contains a calcium compound, the calcium compound is caused to take a particulate form. The steam generator also includes a filter assembly in fluid communication with the pre-heat chamber, the filter assembly including a removable particulate filter element, where the filter element is reusable and cleanable. The steam generator also includes a water pump in fluid communication with the filter assembly, and operative to cause water flow through the steam generator and a boiler in fluid communication with the water pump, where the water pump is configured to cause water to flow to the boiler, and where the boiler is configured to boil water such that steam is produced.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether an eye image includes a left eye or a right eye image is described. After obtaining an eye image, the centers of the iris and pupil in the eye image are located. A horizontal displacement between the centers of the iris and pupil is determined. In addition, neural network classifiers are used to perform eye corner detection to identify inner and outer eye corners in the image. A determination is made as to whether the eye image includes a left eye image or a right eye image based on the detected eye corners and horizontal displacement.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting eye corners using neural network classifiers is described. After an eye image is received, the eye image may be processed by at least two neural network classifiers including an inner eye corner neural network classifier and an outer eye corner neural network classifier. The neural network classifiers provide periocular information including a distance or coordinates of an eye corner location from a center of an iris of the eye, and an outcome of whether the eye corner is an inner eye corner or an outer eye corner. Output from the various neural network classifiers are combined to generate a decision on the location of eye corners in an eye image.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a roll angle in an eye image is described. A center of an iris, an inner eye corner, and an outer eye corner in an eye image may be determined. The eye image may be normalized and transformed to a polar eye image using the center of the iris as a reference for the transformation. A shift associated with the inner eye corner and a shift associated with the outer eye corner may be determined. The shifts associated with the inner eye corner and the outer eye corner may be indicators of an orientation of the eye image or roll angle, and may be used for subsequent eye image processing and matching.

Abstract: A therapeutic, tilting, split table, traction apparatus for home use manually operated by the user to relieve back pain and/or to stretch lumbar spine and exercise back muscles and provide mechanical traction with the user in supine position. The apparatus having a upper tilting frame ,one end being back and head support and opposing end being a rolling or sliding carriage, pivotally hinged on base frame with approximately 13 kilograms of upper body weight offset unto the back support to offset the effect of the 13 kilogram spring used to retract the rolling or sliding carriage and keep body weight balanced for ease of use. Lower body is anchored by pelvic or waist harness to the rolling or sliding carriage. As the user releases latch, the frame tilts and simultaneously pushes up a rod and roller assembly, which is hinged to under back support and under rolling carriage, along the 35 degree incline track thereby pushing carriage away from back support creating traction/distraction force.

Abstract: A transport device and a method for the transport of articles are disclosed. The transport device is provided with a plurality of single lanes for the single articles having a width (BE). Each single lane is provided with one separating element. Adjacent single lanes are separated by one of the separating elements. The widths (BE) are adjustable with at least one displacing means. At least two adjacent single lanes form a group of lanes with a width (BG). Several of the groups of lanes formed in such a way are slidable to each other. The widths are adjustable with at least a further displacing means.

Abstract: Therapeutic, tilting, split table, traction apparatus for home use manually operated by the user to relieve back pain and/or stretch, lumbar/spine/exercise back muscles/and provide mechanical traction with person in supine position. Apparatus having a upper tilting frame (one end being back and head support and opposing end being a rolling or sliding carriage), pivotally hinged on base frame with approximately 13 kilograms of upper body weight offset unto the back support to offset the effect of the 13 kilogram spring used to retract rolling or sliding carriage and keep body weight balanced for ease of use. Lower body is anchored by pelvic or waist harness to rolling or sliding carriage, As person releases latch, frame tilts (head lower then feet) and simultaneously pushes rod and roller assembly (hinged to under back support and under rolling carriage) up the 35 degree incline track pushing carriage away from back support creating traction/distraction force.

Abstract: An individual, customized individual cooling unit operably retainable to (i) a metallic container for holding chemicals, such as polyols/blowing agent mixture for use in the production of polyurethane foam to be cooled, wherein the container has an outer surface, and (ii) a refrigerator. The cooling unit has (a) a metallic thermal conductor having a first surface contractable with the container adjacent the container outer surface; and a second surface; (b) a thermal insulation layer adjacent the second surface; (c) coolant first conduit between the outer surface of the container and the thermal insulation layer, and having a coolant first inlet and a coolant first outlet; and (d) a retainer for retaining the cooling unit to the container outer surface. The cooling unit and the refrigerator provide for the storage of the chemical at a safe temperature in a convenient, clean manner, with minimum energy usage in temperature control.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover is disclosed. At least a layer of the golf ball is made from a low compression, high coefficient of restitution material, and is being supported by a low deformation, high compression layer. The resulting golf ball has high coefficient of restitution at high and low impact speeds and low compression for controlled greenside play.

Abstract: A sectional, self-propelled barge for use in lake, island and waterfront communities for the transportation of equipment and supplies to construction sites, for example, to a site where a septic system is to be installed and methods of use thereof. The barge is operable with a vacuum tank and transportable therewith to a waterfront property for draining a septic system at the waterfront property. A containment box is provided for confining potential leaks from the vacuum tank.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover is disclosed. At least a layer of the golf ball is made from a low compression, high coefficient of restitution material, and is being supported by a low deformation, high compression layer. The resulting golf ball has high coefficient of restitution at high and low impact speeds and low compression for controlled greenside play.

Abstract: A sectional, self-propelled barge for use in lake, island and waterfront communities for the transportation of equipment and supplies to construction sites, for example, to a site where a septic system is to be installed and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A sectional, self-propelled barge for use in lake, island and waterfront communities for the transportation of equipment and supplies to construction sites, for example, to a site where a septic system is to be installed and methods of use thereof. The barge is operable with a vacuum tank and transportable therewith to a waterfront property for draining a septic system at the waterfront property. A containment box is provided for confining potential leaks from the vacuum tank.

Abstract: A sectional, self-propelled barge for use in lake, island and waterfront communities for the transportation of equipment and supplies to construction sites, for example, to a site where a septic system is to be installed and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Leaks are detected in a vapor compression system using fluorescent and daylight visible in situants which are introduced to a system by way of a carrier and dissolved into the systems oil or lubricant. This invention teaches the use of POE oil as a universal carrier fluid, alone or in combination with an alcohol, and combined with one or more “in situants”. The in situants are compounds which are the same or substantially similar to compounds already present in oils or lubricants. An on-off UV light source, such as a xenon light, can the be used to visually detect the leak from the vapor compression system components.

Abstract: Leaks are detected in a vapor compression system using fluorescent and daylight visible in situants which are introduced to a system by way of a carrier and dissolved into the systems oil or lubricant. This invention teaches the use of POE oil as a universal carrier fluid, alone or in combination with an alcohol, and combined with one or more “in situants”. The in situants are compounds which are the same or substantially similar to compounds already present in oils or lubricants. An on-off UV light source, such as a xenon light, can the be used to visually detect the leak from the vapor compression system components.