Abstract: A beverage apparatus, the beverage apparatus being hand-holdable by a user of the beverage apparatus to be portable, can include a beverage chamber housing that includes a chamber for storing a consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include a dispensing assembly that includes a receptacle. The receptacle can retain a vessel. The vessel can include an electronic tag and can contain an additive. The dispensing assembly can be operatively controllable by a controller to output the additive from the vessel into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include one or more sensors, devices, or assemblies that can be used to detect a volume of liquid in the chamber or a liquid level in the chamber. The beverage apparatus can include an apparatus processing portion (ACP) and an apparatus database portion. The beverage apparatus of the disclosure can include various additional features.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly. In certain embodiments, one or more positive displacement pumping mechanisms are configured to pump additive liquid from additive containers into a beverage chamber.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a comparative modeling system is configured to receive selections of a data set, a transform scheme, and one or more machine-learning algorithms. In response to a selection of the one or more machine-learning algorithms, the comparative modeling system determines parameters within the one or more machine-learning algorithms. The comparative modeling system generates a plurality of models for the one or more machine-learning algorithms, determines comparison metric values for the plurality of models, and causes presentation of the comparison metric values for the plurality of models.

Abstract: A beverage apparatus, the beverage apparatus being hand-holdable by a user of the beverage apparatus to be portable, can include a beverage chamber housing that includes a chamber for storing a consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include a dispensing assembly that includes a receptacle. The receptacle can retain a vessel. The vessel can include an electronic tag and can contain an additive. The dispensing assembly can be operatively controllable by a controller to output the additive from the vessel into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include one or more sensors, devices, or assemblies that can be used to detect a volume of liquid in the chamber or a liquid level in the chamber. The beverage apparatus can include an apparatus computer processor portion (ACP) and an apparatus database portion.

Abstract: A sloped roof vent has a coated steel plate with a raised center and a gasket receiver is formed around a central hole. A structural body is crimped with a gasket in the receiver. The body has an outer wall extending downward over the receiver. A sloping wall extends inward and a vertical wall supports a second sloping wall with an inner rim. A damper staked to an axle covers the rim. Inserts keep the damper from chattering and fully closing. Wind walls prevent outer drafts from lifting the damper. Two fasteners attach caps to the outer wall. Lanced and pressed ledges on a push-in hose connector permanently engage windows on the inner rim of the structural body. A snap-in screen and a hose connector reducer complete a package.

Abstract: A sloped roof vent has a coated steel plate with a raised center and a gasket receiver is formed around a central hole. A structural body is crimped with a gasket in the receiver. The body has an outer wall extending downward over the receiver. A sloping wall extends inward and a vertical wall supports a second sloping wall with an inner rim. A damper staked to an axle covers the rim. Inserts keep the damper from chattering and fully closing. Wind walls prevent outer drafts from lifting the damper. Two fasteners attach caps to the outer wall. Lanced and pressed ledges on a push-in hose connector permanently engage windows on the inner rim of the structural body. A snap-in screen and a hose connector reducer complete a package.

Abstract: A sloped roof vent has a coated steel plate with a raised center and a gasket receiver is formed around a central hole. A structural body is crimped with a gasket in the receiver. The body has an outer wall extending downward over the receiver. A sloping wall extends inward and a vertical wall supports a second sloping wall with an inner rim. A damper staked to an axle covers the rim. Inserts keep the damper from chattering and fully closing. Wind walls prevent outer drafts from lifting the damper. Two fasteners attach caps to the outer wall. Lanced and pressed ledges on a push-in hose connector permanently engage windows on the inner rim of the structural body. A snap-in screen and a hose connector reducer complete a package.

Abstract: Provided are methods of inserting seedlings into soil plugs. The method includes: a) automatically identifying a target seedling located in a pick-up area using seedling detection apparatus; b) pick-up up the target seedling with an automated seedling handling apparatus; c) transporting the target seedling to an insertion area; d) providing a first soil plug in the insertion area to receive the target seedling, the first soil plug having a first plug end, a second plug end longitudinally spaced apart from the first plug end and a longitudinal slit extending from the first plug end toward the second plug end; e) spreading the slit in the first soil plug; f) inserting a root portion of the seedling into the slit while a stem portion of the seedling is positioned outside the first soil plug; and g) stripping the target seedling from the handling apparatus whereby the seedling remains received within the slit in the first soil plug.

Abstract: A separator device for separating coils of a heat exchanger assembly has a top surface opposite a bottom surface, and an inner portion opposite an outer portion. The inner portion and the outer portion extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. The separator device further includes a pair of sides extending between the inner portion and the outer portion, each of the sides defining a concave curve having an apex. A lug is provided to connect the apex of each concave curve. At least one ramp is defined on the top surface and/or the bottom surface, extending from the inner portion toward the lug. The lug is arcuately shaped to project away from the top surface and the bottom surface and is shaped to correspond to a gap between adjacent coils of the heat exchanger assembly.

Abstract: A pet feeding system includes amongst its features a bowl member, at least one plate member, and an annularly contoured lid member. In the bowl member, a lower base plate and an upper base plate are integrally formed with a sidewall to define a liquid containing chamber between the lower and upper base plates. Moreover, the sidewall extends vertically above the upper base plate. The plate member is mounted on the upper base plate. In certain exemplary uses, the upper base plate has a recessed surface to receive the plate member. The plate member is adapted to receive an ingestible good product. Furthermore, the annularly contoured lid member is rotationally and fixedly attached to the sidewall of the bowl member.

Abstract: An aircraft simulation system for development of aircraft-specific application software including at least one development node running virtual software simulating an aircraft component having application software and a processor configured to execute the application software, at least one non-development node in communication with an aircraft component, and a communications network for interconnecting the at least one development node and the at least one other node, wherein the aircraft simulation system operates to simulate at least a portion of the aircraft component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for dispensing and aerating a beverage such as fine wine that has undergone long term bottle aging. The apparatus provides an elevated illuminated cradle upon which the bottle neck can be rested during dispensing of the beverage into a decanting vessel. Illumination is directed through the neck of the bottle to enable a user to detect the onset of the presence of sediment and then halt the dispensing process. The apparatus includes a removable flow channel portion with a downwardly inclined flow channel populated with protuberances to cause the beverage flowing thereon to cascade turbulently over the protuberances and thereby provide ample aeration as the beverage flows down the flow channel to the decanting vessel for collection. The flow channel portion further includes a removable filter to prevent any inadvertent passage of sediment from reaching the decanting vessel.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for simple yet reliable replacement and sealing of existing vent pipe penetrations through an external surface of a structure such as a building's roof. The system and method replace a portion of an existing vent pipe with a sealed replacement pipe extension. The replacement pipe extension and remaining portion of the existing vent pipe are preferably combined with a pipe flashing structure to provide a sealed replacement pipe solution capable of withstanding torsional and side loads encountered in rooftop applications. The system and method enable replacement and sealing tasks quickly and at low cost.

Abstract: A roof-penetrating pipe is covered with a sealing pipe. An annular part overlies the roof-penetrating pipe and a downward extension fits into the roof-penetrating pipe to center the sealing pipe. A flexible seal has an upper part tightly gripping the sealing pipe. A compression ring compresses the upper part against the sealing pipe. The flexible seal is slid downward on the sealing pipe. A base on the flexible seal is secured to the roof. A roof penetrating pipe which is difficult to seal or which cannot be sealed due to corrosion, breakage or oxidation is covered with a cover sleeve apparatus. The cover sleeve provides a smooth sealing surface for application of a standard roof pipe flashing device. The cover sleeve is manufactured from materials to withstand the elements and to meet industry standard sizing.

Abstract: A separator device for separating coils of a heat exchanger assembly has a top surface opposite a bottom surface, and an inner portion opposite an outer portion. The inner portion and the outer portion extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. The separator device further includes a pair of sides extending between the inner portion and the outer portion, each of the sides defining a concave curve having an apex. A lug is provided to connect the apex of each concave curve. At least one ramp is defined on the top surface and/or the bottom surface, extending from the inner portion toward the lug. The lug is arcuately shaped to project away from the top surface and the bottom surface and is shaped to correspond to a gap between adjacent coils of the heat exchanger assembly.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for selectively containing and dispensing a predetermined liquid material in and from a source container in failsafe manner, wherein a housing is disposed to receive a pressurized fluid stream, and a selectively operable valve assembly is disposed in a flow path defined in the housing. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, which is formed with an admission port for admitting the predetermined liquid material. The valve assembly is disposed between the housing's inlet and outlet, and may be selectively operated to alternatively open and close access of the predetermined liquid material into the housing. The valve assembly is operably actuated responsive at least in part to the pressurized fluid stream in the flow path, whereby admission of the predetermined liquid material into said housing is keyed by introduction of the pressurized fluid stream into the flow path.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material from a container having a storage compartment. The system includes a container, a collapsible receptacle disposed within the container, and a disposing control unit coupled to the container. The container defines a storage compartment and an access opening in communication therewith, while the collapsible receptacle is disposed within the storage compartment for sealed storage of the liquid material therein. The dispensing control unit includes a control valve portion operable to selectively direct a flow path of at least a portion of a pressurized fluid stream that it receives. The dispensing control unit further includes a response valve portion coupled to the collapsible receptacle which is reconfigurable responsive to the pressurized fluid stream directed selectively thereto by the control valve portion to alternatively seal and open the collapsible receptacle.

Abstract: A decoration system having a base object, receiving rings, decorative objects, and means for releasably coupling the decorative objects to the receiving rings. One or more of the receiving rings may rotate relative to the base object for a specified duration of time.