Abstract: A ladle strainer assembly for straining solids from a liquid includes a handle is hollow wherein the handle is configured to be gripped by a user. A bowl is coupled to the handle for dipping into a liquid to scoop a predetermined volume of the liquid. A strainer is pivotally coupled to the handle and the strainer is positionable in a closed position to facilitate liquid to be drained from the bowl while retaining solids in the bowl. An opener is movably integrated into the handle and the opener is in communication with the strainer. The opener urges the strainer between an open position and the closed position to facilitate the user to open and close the strainer without touching the strainer.

Abstract: A mechanism for connecting a first object, such as a chassis and/or motherboard, to a second object, such as a faceplate and/or daughterboard. A first link may be connected to the first object and a second link may be connected to the second object. The second link may have a slot and the first link may have a pin which is releasably connectable to the slot to form a pivot connecting the first link to the second link. The pin may be releasable from the slot at a first point of travel of the pivot and the pin may not be releasable from the slot at a second point of travel of the pivot. The first link may include a first retaining lobe and the second link may include a second retaining lobe disposed to interlock with the first retaining lobe.

Abstract: A cylindrical array of tightly spaced optical discs is arranged such that all optical discs in the array share the same axis of symmetry. An optical system is aligned with the optical disc array. The optical system includes a light source, such as a diffuse reflector, and a photo detector, such as a photo detector. The photo detector is aligned to receive either light transmitted through the optical disc array or light reflected off the optical disc array. Illumination directed at the optical disc array results in a pattern of alternating light and dark illuminations, or bands. The photo detector focusing on the cylinder surfaces of the optical discs detects the light/dark transitions and thus enables counting of discrete optical discs.

Abstract: A cylindrical array of tightly spaced optical discs are each positioned vertically on edge to form a horizontal stack. Lifting a subset of optical discs enables that subset of optical discs to be grasped by their perimeters with much more room for robotic grippers between adjacent optical discs. An optical disc storage container includes a molded tray for vertically aligning a plurality of optical discs into the cylindrical array. The molded tray includes a bottom surface and side surfaces to support the optical discs and one or more openings formed in the bottom surface. A lifting mechanism is positioned along the one or more openings and is configured to lift the subset of optical discs a short distance relative to the remaining optical discs in the array, thereby enabling robotic grippers to grab the portion of the lifted optical disc protruding from the non-lifted optical disc array.

Abstract: A mechanism for connecting a first object, such as a chassis and/or motherboard, to a second object, such as a faceplate and/or daughterboard. A first link may be connected to the first object and a second link may be connected to the second object. The second link may have a slot and the first link may have a pin which is releasably connectable to the slot to form a pivot connecting the first link to the second link. The pin may be releasable from the slot at a first point of travel of the pivot and the pin may not be releasable from the slot at a second point of travel of the pivot. The first link may include a first retaining lobe and the second link may include a second retaining lobe disposed to interlock with the first retaining lobe.