Abstract: A voice-controlled question answering system that is capable of answering questions using both a knowledge base and a search engine. The knowledge base is used to answer questions when answers to those questions are contained in the knowledge base. If an answer using the knowledge base is unavailable, and if the question is suitable for answering using an unstructured search approach, the system may obtain an answer using a search engine. The search engine results may be processed to obtain an answer to the question suitable for output using a voice user interface.

Abstract: The removable sealed closure portion of the dispensing tube of a flexible thermoformed dispensing package for flowable materials is provided with an enlarged safety tab that can be integrally formed with, or separately secured to the sealed closure portion, the enlarged safety tab being dimensioned and configured to avoid inadvertent ingestion by a human or small pet when the tab is removed to open the dispensing tube in preparation for dispensing the product. In addition to functioning as a “flag”, the surfaces of which can be printed with source-identifying indicia and other consumer information, the enlarged safety tab formed in an open-ended folded configuration and provided with interior fields of repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive, serves as a protective cover and seal when removed and placed over the open end of the dispensing tube to preserve any remaining material in the container portion of the package.

Abstract: A highly flexible thermoformed stand-up dispensing package for a flowable material that is produced from one or more highly flexible heat-sealable polymeric sheets is formed with a trapezoidal front wall and opposing back wall and is dimensional and configured so that the corner of the package formed by the intersection of the top and the projecting side wall, or walls, that extend at an obtuse angle from the base is removable along a weakened tear line that is positioned upon removal to provide an integral pour spout for the controlled dispensing of the flowable material; and the container portion of the package is dimensioned to (1) maintain the center of gravity of the flowable material in the package over the base wall when the base wall of the filled package is in contact with a horizontal surface, and (2) to maintain the level of flowable material in the opened package is below the opened integral pour spout.

Abstract: A highly flexible thermoformed stand-up dispensing package for a flowable material that is produced from one or more highly flexible heat-sealable polymeric sheets is formed with a trapezoidal front wall and opposing back wall and is dimensional and configured so that the corner of the package formed by the intersection of the top and the projecting side wall, or walls, that extend at an obtuse angle from the base is removable along a weakened tear line that is positioned upon removal to provide an integral pour spout for the controlled dispensing of the flowable material; and the container portion of the package is dimensioned to (1) maintain the center of gravity of the flowable material in the package over the base wall when the base wall of the filled package is in contact with a horizontal surface, and (2) to maintain the level of flowable material in the opened package is below the opened integral pour spout.

Abstract: A flexible thermoformed dispensing package for a flowable material that can be massed produced on a horizontal thermoform-fill-seal (HTFFS) machine includes a container portion that is dimensioned and configured with a flat self-supporting base, integral opposing side walls and a rear wall extending from the base, and a top wall or seam integrally formed from a single sheet or web, the side walls tapering from the base toward the integral rear wall and terminating at the top wall or seam; and a front wall that is heat-sealed as a separate sheet to the periphery of the periphery of the base, side walls and top wall to form a fluid-tight package that maintains a stand-up orientation when in use, and optionally includes an integral dispensing tube with an optional internal extension terminating proximate the supporting base for withdrawing liquid contents from the package.

Abstract: A flexible thermoformed stand-up dispensing package for a flowable material is mass produced using dies that provide a container portion, optionally with a dispensing tube, the package having in use a base wall of relatively large area for stably supporting the opened package on a horizontal surface without loss of the flowable contents in either an up-right configuration with a relatively narrower upper region or a low profile package. which optionally includes a dispensing tube.

Abstract: A flexible thermoformed stand-up dispensing package for a flowable material is mass produced using dies that provide a container portion, optionally with a dispensing tube, the package having in use a base wall of relatively large area for stably supporting the opened package on a horizontal surface without loss of the flowable contents in either an up-right configuration with a relatively narrower upper region or a low profile package. which optionally includes a dispensing tube.

Abstract: A flexible thermoformed stand-up dispensing package for a flowable material is mass produced using dies that provide a container portion, optionally with a dispensing tube, the package having in use a base wall of relatively large area for stably supporting the opened package on a horizontal surface without loss of the flowable contents in either an up-right configuration with a relatively narrower upper region or a low profile package, which optionally includes a dispensing tube.

Abstract: A flexible thermoformed dispensing package for a flowable material includes an integrally formed dispensing tube extending from the container portion having an internal extension spaced apart from the side walls defining a recessed chamber defined by a pair of integral thermoformed walls extending from the bottom surface of the container chamber and terminating proximate the base when the package is in a vertical position to facilitate sipping of a beverage from the container portion; alternatively, a straw is placed in the dispensing tube to reach the base of the package. In another embodiment, at least one integrally formed internal dividing wall extends from the sealed end of the dispensing tube and intersects an interior wall to define separate dispensing chambers, where the sealed ends of each of the dispensing chambers can be independently opened along a weakened transverse parting line and separated into separate dispensing channels along a longitudinal parting line.

Abstract: A flexible thermoformed dispensing package for a flowable material that can be massed produced on a horizontal thermoform-fill-seal (HTFFS) machine includes a container portion that is dimensioned and configured with a flat self-supporting base, integral opposing side walls and a rear wall extending from the base, and a top wall or seam integrally formed from a single sheet or web, the side walls tapering from the base toward the integral rear wall and terminating at the top wall or seam; and a front wall that is heat-sealed as a separate sheet to the periphery of the periphery of the base, side walls and top wall to form a fluid-tight package that maintains a stand-up orientation when in use, and optionally includes an integral dispensing tube with an optional internal extension terminating proximate the supporting base for withdrawing liquid contents from the package.

Abstract: A flexible thermoformed stand-up dispensing package for a flowable material is mass produced using dies that provide a container portion, optionally with a dispensing tube, the package having in use a base wall of relatively large area for stably supporting the opened package on a horizontal surface without loss of the flowable contents in either an up-right configuration with a relatively narrower upper region or a low profile package. which optionally includes a dispensing tube.

Abstract: A flexible thermoformed dispensing package for a flowable material includes an integrally formed dispensing tube extending from the container portion having an internal extension spaced apart from the side walls defining a recessed chamber defined by a pair of integral thermoformed walls extending from the bottom surface of the container chamber and terminating proximate the base when the package is in a vertical position to facilitate sipping of a beverage from the container portion; alternatively, a straw is placed in the dispensing tube to reach the base of the package. In another embodiment, at least one integrally formed internal dividing wall extends from the sealed end of the dispensing tube and intersects an interior wall to define separate dispensing chambers, where the sealed ends of each of the dispensing chambers can be independently opened along a weakened transverse parting line and separated into separate dispensing channels along a longitudinal parting line.

Abstract: A flexible thermoformed dispensing package for a flowable material includes an integrally formed dispensing tube extending from the container portion having an internal extension defined by one or more integral thermoformed walls extending from the bottom surface of the container and terminating proximate the base when the package is in a vertical position to facilitate sipping of a beverage from the container portion; alternatively, a straw is placed in the dispensing tube to reach the base of the package. In another embodiment, at least one integrally formed internal dividing wall extends from the sealed end of the dispensing tube and intersects an interior wall to define separate dispensing chambers, where the sealed ends of each of the dispensing chambers can be independently opened along a weakened transverse parting line and separated into separate dispensing channels along a longitudinal parting line.

Abstract: A flexible thermoformed dispensing package for a flowable material includes an integrally formed dispensing tube extending from the container portion having an internal extension defined by one or more integral thermoformed walls extending from the bottom surface of the container and terminating proximate the base when the package is in a vertical position to facilitate sipping of a beverage from the container portion; alternatively, a straw is placed in the dispensing tube to reach the base of the package. In another embodiment, at least one integrally formed internal dividing wall extends from the sealed end of the dispensing tube and intersects an interior wall to define separate dispensing chambers, where the sealed ends of each of the dispensing chambers can be independently opened along a weakened transverse parting line and separated into separate dispensing channels along a longitudinal parting line.

Abstract: A self-evacuating vertical downspout adapter includes an elongated adapter body defining open top and bottom ends, and an enlarged-volume debris trap with a debris outlet between the top and bottom ends. A drainage grate is located inside the adapter body and defines a drain-through floor of the debris trap angled downwardly towards the debris outlet. A hinged outlet door is attached to the adapter body adjacent the debris outlet, and is urged in a normally closed position to prevent substantial escape of rainwater through the debris outlet. The outlet door is adapted for being pivoted on-demand to a temporarily open position by debris captured on the drainage grate and gravity-fed towards the debris outlet for automatic evacuation.

Abstract: A package for containing a viscous substance in a transport configuration and for dispensing the viscous substance in a dispensing configuration is disclosed. The package includes first and second sheets disposed in opposing relation that are sealed together around a perimeter. The package has a compartment that defines a space for holding the viscous substance. The package further includes an integral tube having a first end in fluid communication with the compartment, and a second end that is closed in the transport configuration. The second end can be opened such that the viscous substance contained in the package can flow from the container, through the integral tube, and exit the package via the opening. The second end of the integral tube is positionable independent of the compartment for depositing the substance at multiple, spaced apart target locations without moving the compartment.

Abstract: A package for containing a viscous substance in a transport configuration and for dispensing the viscous substance in a dispensing configuration is disclosed. The package includes first and second sheets disposed in opposing relation that are sealed together around a perimeter. The package has a compartment that defines a space for holding the viscous substance. The package further includes an integral tube having a first end in fluid communication with the compartment, and a second end that is closed in the transport configuration. The second end can be opened such that the viscous substance contained in the package can flow from the container, through the integral tube, and exit the package via the opening. The second end of the integral tube is positionable independent of the compartment for depositing the substance at multiple, spaced apart target locations without moving the compartment.

Abstract: A package for containing a viscous substance in a transport configuration and for dispensing the viscous substance in a dispensing configuration is disclosed. The package includes first and second sheets disposed in opposing relation that are sealed together around a perimeter. The package has a compartment that defines a space for holding the viscous substance. The package further includes an integral tube having a first end in fluid communication with the compartment, and a second end that is closed in the transport configuration. The second end can be opened such that the viscous substance contained in the package can flow from the container, through the integral tube, and exit the package via the opening The second end of the integral tube is positionable independent of the compartment for depositing the substance at multiple, spaced apart target locations without moving the compartment.

Abstract: A blade aligning device is adapted for use with a hand-held saw. The saw includes a cutting blade. The aligning device includes a forked alignment member having an elongated body, first and second diverging legs, and a crotch region formed by a junction of the first and second legs. The first and second legs engage a workpiece located at the crotch region, and cooperate to stabilize the saw and align the cutting blade relative to the workpiece during cutting. A pivot pin attaches the alignment member to the hand-held saw.