Abstract: A dispenser assembly having a base member and a receptacle. The base member has a bowl. The receptacle has a dispensing opening defined at the first end thereof. The receptacle is configured to fit on to the base member such that the dispensing opening is positioned to dispense contents of the receptacle into the bowl of the base member in an in-use orientation. The receptacle is dimensioned and shaped to at least partially fit into the bowl in a stowed orientation such that in the stowed orientation the receptacle and base member occupy a volume that is less than a volume corresponding to the in-use orientation.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a spine providing a fixation system, the fixation system including, a bone fastener, and a modular assembly attachable to the bone fastener. The modular assembly includes a tulip element and a ring element positioned in the tulip element to restrict motion between the bone fastener and the tulip element to uniplanar motion.

Abstract: A sandwich crimper for producing a sealed sandwich from two slices of bread comprises a crimper base 10 with a substantially flat lower surface 12 and a crimper lid (30, FIG. 2) with a substantially flat upper surface (32, FIG. 2). A bottom set of peripheral crimping teeth 14a is disposed along the outer edge of the crimper base 20 and a top set of peripheral crimping teeth (34a, FIG. 2) is disposed along the outer edge of the crimper lid (40, FIG. 2). The teeth in each set of crimping teeth (14b and 34b, FIG. 2) are formed from protruding trapezoidal prisms and the top and bottom sets of crimping teeth (14a and 34a, FIG. 2) are complementary to each other along every edge of the crimper base 20 and crimper lid 40. A peripheral retaining wall 18 is disposed along the outer edge of the bottom set of crimper teeth 14a for aligning the bread relative to the crimping teeth (14b and 34b, FIG. 2) and restraining the sandwich during the crimping process. See FIG. 1.

Abstract: A pet kennel and method of construction is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the pet kennel includes a body and a door assembly. The body has an interior space configured for a pet and includes at least one aperture sized and shaped for the pet. The door assembly is attached to the body at the aperture. The door assembly includes a latching part pivotally attached to a hinge part. The latching part includes a latching mechanism configured to lock and unlock the door assembly. The hinge part is fixedly attached to the body so as to substantially surround a perimeter of the aperture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sharing data about the contents of storage bags or containers with external devices are described herein. In several embodiments, a food storage system can operate to track/record data about the contents in multiple storage bags and to allow for the identification of the contents in the storage bags based on a unique identifier associated with the storage bags. In some embodiments, the food storage system can provide reminders, recommendations, or other prompts regarding the contents in the storage bags.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment a semiconductor device comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD), a plurality of source/drain (S/D) contacts in the first ILD, a plurality of gate contacts in the first ILD, wherein the gate contacts and the S/D contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern, and wherein top surfaces of the gate contacts are below top surfaces of the S/D contacts so that a channel defined by sidewall surfaces of the first ILD is positioned over each of the gate contacts, mask layer partially filling a first channel over a first gate contact, and a fill metal filling a second channel over a second gate contact that is adjacent to the first gate contact.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment a semiconductor device comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD), a plurality of source/drain (S/D) contacts in the first ILD, a plurality of gate contacts in the first ILD, wherein the gate contacts and the S/D contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern, and wherein top surfaces of the gate contacts are below top surfaces of the S/D contacts so that a channel defined by sidewall surfaces of the first ILD is positioned over each of the gate contacts, mask layer partially filling a first channel over a first gate contact, and a fill metal filling a second channel over a second gate contact that is adjacent to the first gate contact.

Abstract: An implant is insertable in the joint space to separate bones of the joint. The implant has two endplates each configured to engage a separate articulating bone of the joint, and a threaded member positioned between the two endplates and configured to increase the space between the two endplates when the threaded member is rotated. A rotatable gear is engaged with the threaded member, and is engageable with a rotating gear of a connected implantation tool, so that rotation of the gear on the tool causes rotation of the threaded member and expansion of the implant to separate the bones. Connector portions on the tool and the implant may be rotated together to securely engage the implant and the tool so that the gears of the tool and the implant can be rotated using an actuator outside of the body, when the implant is inside the body.

Abstract: A carrier includes a body and a cover portion. The body has a generally circular bottom portion and a generally circular top portion and an opening in the top portion. The bottom portion is configured to be placed on a surface. The opening is the only opening sized and configured to enable an animal to enter or exit the body and enables an animal to enter or exit the body in a vertical manner when the bottom portion is placed on the surface. The cover portion is sized and configured to fit within the opening of the top portion. The cover portion is hingedly attached to the top portion at a first side and includes a latching mechanism at a second side. The latching mechanism enables the cover to be disposed in a latched state to close the opening in the top portion.

Abstract: An odor reducing device for a cat litterbox includes a housing and a fastener. The housing has a front sidewall and a rear sidewall. The front and rear sidewalls together defines a top opening that opens to an interior of the housing. The fastener is attached to the housing and is configured to support the housing on the litterbox.

Abstract: A pet food feeder includes a base, a hopper, a bowl and a food dispensing mechanism. The hopper holds foodstuffs. The hopper is detachably supported to the base. The bowl for receives foodstuffs from the hopper via the base. The food dispensing mechanism is supported to the base. The food dispensing mechanism is rotatable with respect to the base to dispense foodstuffs from the hopper to the bowl in predetermined increments.

Abstract: A water dispenser includes a bottle support area, a bowl and a channel. The bottle support area has a nozzle receiving portion defined by a circular sidewall that is configured to abut a nozzle of a water bottle. The bowl is fluidly connected to the bottle support area. The channel has a pair of first and second sidewalls extending from the nozzle receiving portion to the bowl to fluidly connect the nozzle receiving portion and the bowl. The channel has a maximum diameter that is less than a maximum diameter of the nozzle receiving portion. The channel further includes a pair of first and second protrusions extending from the first and second sidewalls of the channel towards each other. The first and second protrusions define a minimum diameter of the channel.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment a semiconductor device comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD), a plurality of source/drain (S/D) contacts in the first ILD, a plurality of gate contacts in the first ILD, wherein the gate contacts and the S/D contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern, and wherein top surfaces of the gate contacts are below top surfaces of the S/D contacts so that a channel defined by sidewall surfaces of the first ILD is positioned over each of the gate contacts, mask layer partially filling a first channel over a first gate contact, and a fill metal filling a second channel over a second gate contact that is adjacent to the first gate contact.

Abstract: A rotating grooming brush comprising a brush hub having grooming elements and shroud elements, and method for grooming a surface having an unwanted material thereon. The elements extend from the brush hub and may be positioned near its outer periphery. The elements may be grooming elements forming an array and shroud elements forming a shroud array. A rigid or elastomeric shroud extending from the brush hub surface may optionally be included about the edge of the brush hub, to the outside of the grooming elements. Rotation of the grooming attachment brush causes a low pressure region to build in the central area of the brush. This low pressure region creates a resulting force that forcefully attracts the grooming attachment brush to the surface to be groomed. The resulting force is controlled by the diameter of the brush hub, arrangement, of the elements and the speed of rotation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument enables dispensing of a series of fasteners within a patient's body. The device includes a magazine sized and dimensioned to hold a series of fasteners, the series of fasteners insertable through an opening at the end of the magazine. A splined guide bore is rotatably supported within the magazine, and slidingly supports a shaft having an external surface mateable with the splined guide bore to restrict radial rotation of the shaft with respect to the support about said longitudinal axis. A biasing element is connected between the support and the shaft, to urge the shaft along a longitudinal axis towards a distal end of the instrument. A ratchet is connected to the shaft and engages the magazine to permit sliding of the shaft in a direction for dispensing fasteners only, unless disengaged with the magazine.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods related to spinal stabilization are provided. A system can comprise a plurality of cross-links. Each of the cross-links can include a central rod holder that extends substantially along a mid-line of the spine and a pair of extension members extending from the central rod holder. The extension members can be secured to a vertebral body via a fixation device, such as a spinal screw or a hook member having serrations and/or side-cuts. One or more rod members can be extended across the central rod holders of the cross-links, thereby forming a stable spinal stabilization system providing bilateral stress distribution across different levels of the spine.

Abstract: A surgical instrument enables dispensing of a series of fasteners within a patient's body. The device includes a magazine sized and dimensioned to hold a series of fasteners, the series of fasteners insertable through an opening at the end of the magazine. A splined guide bore is rotatably supported within the magazine, and slidingly supports a shaft having an external surface mateable with the splined guide bore to restrict radial rotation of the shaft with respect to the support about said longitudinal axis. A biasing element is connected between the support and the shaft, to urge the shaft along a longitudinal axis towards a distal end of the instrument. A ratchet is connected to the shaft and engages the magazine to permit sliding of the shaft in a direction for dispensing fasteners only, unless disengaged with the magazine.

Abstract: A rotating grooming brush comprising a brush hub having grooming elements and shroud elements, and method for grooming a surface having an unwanted material thereon. The elements extend from the brush hub and may be positioned near its outer periphery. The elements may be grooming elements forming an array and shroud elements forming a shroud array. A rigid or elastomeric shroud extending from the brush hub surface may optionally be included about the edge of the brush hub, to the outside of the grooming elements. Rotation of the grooming attachment brush causes a low pressure region to build in the central area of the brush. This low pressure region creates a resulting force that forcefully attracts the grooming attachment brush to the surface to be groomed. The resulting force is controlled by the diameter of the brush hub, arrangement, of the elements and the speed of rotation.