Abstract: A system including a processor may filter a population to identify a group having members, and deliver, over an electronic network, a survey to members of the group to determine value preferences and value gaps. The survey may be made according to a set of paired comparisons or other related techniques. The system may generate vectors according to the determined value preferences and value gaps for members of the group, which may have lengths equal to numbers of determined values for the members. The system may cluster members of the group into segments by calculating patterns of differences between generated vectors. Results of this process enable the creation of a predictive model to estimate segment membership, which can be used in the generation of a promotion for display corresponding to a clustered segment, and deliver the promotion to a client device associated for display.

Abstract: A collapsible snow paddle. The paddle includes an elongated handle, a rotatable coupling affixed to one end of the handle, and a generally planar snow remover, the rotatable coupling affixed to a rear surface of the remover so that the remover may be collapsed against the handle for storage and extended transverse to the handle for use. The snow remover may have a scraper edge inclined at an angle relative to the surface of the snow remover for scraping ice and a relatively soft capped edge for removing snow.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding one or more boards during martial arts training, includes a support frame configured to hold various training station assemblies, each of the station assemblies structured differently to provide different training functionality, the first station including a number of plates that work together to hold the board(s) at a position such that upon striking of the board(s) a portion of the first station collapses to allow for follow through during the striking motion, the second station including a number of plates that work together to the board(s) at a desired and modifiable angle, and the third station being configured to hold the board(s) at a hanging position beyond the profile of the support frame, which may be positioned on a support base resting on a horizontal surface such as a floor or may be directly affixed to a vertical surface such as a wall.

Abstract: A collapsible snow paddle. The paddle includes an elongated handle, a rotatable coupling affixed to one end of the handle, and a generally planar snow remover, the rotatable coupling affixed to a rear surface of the remover so that he remover may be collapsed against the handle for storage and extended transverse to the handle for use. The snow remover may have a scraper edge inclined at an angle relative to the surface of the snow remover for scraping ice and a relatively soft capped edge for removing snow.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method can include receiving multiple survey response sets, where each survey response set includes the responses of a survey taker. A maximum weight spanning tree can be defined. Each node of the maximum weight spanning tree can represent a survey question. Directional edges can connect nodes. A weight for each directional edge can be defined that represents mutual information of two nodes connected by that directional edge. A fraud detection score can be defined for each survey response set based on a conformance of response values for that survey response set to the mutual information represented by the edges of the maximum weight spanning tree. A distribution of the fraud detection scores can be determined, and a subset of the survey response sets can be classified as fraudulent based on the fraud detection scores associated that subset being statistical outliers in the distribution of fraud detection scores.

Abstract: Methods of making personal care compositions, such as dentifrices, involving the addition of rheology modifiers at a later stage in the personal care composition formation process.

Abstract: Methods of making personal care compositions, such as dentifrices, involving the addition of rheology modifiers at a later stage in the personal care composition formation process.

Abstract: A smoking article package inspection system configured to inspect a smoking article package is provided. The system includes imaging devices configured to capture images of the smoking article package and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices and determine whether the smoking article package is defective. The imaging devices may be positioned and configured to capture images of the smoking article package at least one of: before and after enclosing a plurality of smoking articles in the smoking article package, before and after printing an identifier on the smoking article package, and before and after wrapping the smoking article package with an outer wrapper. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A system including a processor may filter a population to identify a group having members, and deliver, over an electronic network, a survey to members of the group to determine value preferences and value gaps. The survey may be made according to a set of paired comparisons or other related techniques. The system may generate vectors according to the determined value preferences and value gaps for members of the group, which may have lengths equal to numbers of determined values for the members. The system may cluster members of the group into segments by calculating patterns of differences between generated vectors. Results of this process enable the creation of a predictive model to estimate segment membership, which can be used in the generation of a promotion for display corresponding to a clustered segment, and deliver the promotion to a client device associated for display.

Abstract: Smoking article inspection systems configured to inspect smoking articles are provided. The systems may include imaging devices configured to capture images of an exterior of the smoking article and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices. The analysis unit may execute an edge detection tool configured to determine a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article and a defect detection tool configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. The imaging devices may be configured to capture images of the smoking articles during the assembly thereof. Thereby, the analysis unit may determine any operations during assembly causing damage to the smoking article from analysis of the images of the smoking article captured during assembly. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system including a processor may filter a population to identify a group having members, and deliver, over an electronic network, a survey to members of the group to determine value preferences and value gaps. The survey may be made according to a set of paired comparisons or other related techniques. The system may generate vectors according to the determined value preferences and value gaps for members of the group, which may have lengths equal to numbers of determined values for the members. The system may cluster members of the group into segments by calculating patterns of differences between generated vectors. Results of this process enable the creation of a predictive model to estimate segment membership, which can be used in the generation of a promotion for display corresponding to a clustered segment, and deliver the promotion to a client device associated for display.

Abstract: A system and associated method for analyzing a smoking article filter is provided. An emitter emits an initial signal toward a smoking article filter. The initial signal may have a frequency between about 0.1 teraHertz and about 10 teraHertz. A sensor may detect a resultant signal resulting from interaction of the initial signal with the smoking article filter. An analysis unit may receive the resultant signal from the sensor, determine a filter status based on the resultant signal, and output an indicium indicative of the filter status. The filter status may include a capsule presence within the smoking article filter, a capsule absence from the smoking article filter, a proper insertion of a capsule into the smoking article filter, a defective insertion of a capsule into the smoking article filter, a proper capsule within the smoking article filter, and a defective capsule within the smoking article filter.

Abstract: A reconstitution device having an opening surrounded by a neck, and a cap including a first end, a second end, and an inner bore having a central aperture. A stopper is positioned in the opening of the neck and includes a portion capable of being perforated. A plunger is located at the second end of the cap, is configured to slide along the inner bore of the cap, and includes a shaft extending downwardly in a direction towards the stopper and having a pointed end for piercing the stopper. A locking mechanism is located in the cap and includes an aperture. The locking mechanism is configured such that when the plunger is pushed downwardly the shaft is allowed to pass through the aperture, but when the plunger is pulled upwardly the second aperture changes shape such that the shaft cannot freely pass through the aperture.

Abstract: A vibration-dampening polymeric sleeve is provided for installation within the tubular receiver extension of an AR-10 derivative assault rifle before the action spring and buffer are installed therein. The presence of the sleeve dampens noise and vibration caused by the action spring of an AR-10 derivative assault rifle slapping against the cylindrical wall of the receiver extension. For one embodiment of the sleeve, a generally rectangular sheet of laminar polymeric plastic material equipped with tabs at the rear thereof, that is rolled into a tube. The tabs, which are inwardly bent, are held against the closed, rear end of the receiver extension by the action spring, whether the spring is fully compressed or only partially compressed. For an alternative embodiment, the sleeve, a solvated liquid polymer compound is sprayed into the cylindrical chamber of an axially-rotating receiver extension and allowed to dry.

Abstract: Smoking article inspection systems configured to inspect smoking articles are provided. The systems may include imaging devices configured to capture images of an exterior of the smoking article and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices. The analysis unit may execute an edge detection tool configured to determine a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article and a defect detection tool configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. The imaging devices may be configured to capture images of the smoking articles during the assembly thereof. Thereby, the analysis unit may determine any operations during assembly causing damage to the smoking article from analysis of the images of the smoking article captured during assembly. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A smoking article package inspection system configured to inspect a smoking article package is provided. The system includes imaging devices configured to capture images of the smoking article package and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices and determine whether the smoking article package is defective. The imaging devices may be positioned and configured to capture images of the smoking article package at least one of: before and after enclosing a plurality of smoking articles in the smoking article package, before and after printing an identifier on the smoking article package, and before and after wrapping the smoking article package with an outer wrapper. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of making personal care compositions, such as dentifrices, involving the addition of rheology modifiers at a later stage in the personal care composition formation process.

Abstract: A method of making a personal care composition, such as dentifrice, using compacted rheology modifiers to control viscosity development.