Abstract: A launch system and method for orbital or suborbital air-launch of a payload involving releasably coupling a launch vehicle with a towed aircraft via an articulatable carriage to form an air-launch assembly, towing the air-launch assembly via a tow aircraft and interconnected tow cable to a first altitude, releasing the air-launch assembly from tow at or above the first altitude, activating the towed aircraft propulsion system and initiating a pull-up and climb maneuver of the towed aircraft to a second altitude, articulating the articulatable carriage to shift the air-launch assembly from a stowed position to a deployed position with the launch vehicle spaced from the towed aircraft, releasing the launch vehicle from the articulatable carriage and thus from the towed aircraft, and activating the launch vehicle propulsion system for further altitude gain or to meet specific mission requirements.

Abstract: A tow cable system and method of use wherein, in the context of towed flight of a glider behind an aircraft, positive load or tension of the cable therebetween is achieved through one or more of cable design and material selection, cable pre-tensioning, in-flight cable tensioning, and/or load dampening device(s), and the related interplay of such various components or sub-systems of the overall tow cable system.

Abstract: A launch system and method for orbital or suborbital air-launch of a payload involving releasably coupling a launch vehicle with a towed aircraft via an articulatable carriage to form an air-launch assembly, towing the air-launch assembly via a tow aircraft and interconnected tow cable to a first altitude, releasing the air-launch assembly from tow at or above the first altitude, activating the towed aircraft propulsion system and initiating a pull-up and climb maneuver of the towed aircraft to a second altitude, articulating the articulatable carriage to shift the air-launch assembly from a stowed position to a deployed position with the launch vehicle spaced from the towed aircraft, releasing the launch vehicle from the articulatable carriage and thus from the towed aircraft, and activating the launch vehicle propulsion system for further altitude gain or to meet specific mission requirements.

Abstract: A tow cable system and method of use wherein, in the context of towed flight of a glider behind an aircraft, positive load or tension of the cable therebetween is achieved through one or more of cable design and material selection, cable pre-tensioning, in-flight cable tensioning, and/or load dampening device(s), and the related interplay of such various components or sub-systems of the overall tow cable system.

Abstract: A tow cable system and method of use wherein, in the context of towed flight of a glider behind an aircraft, positive load or tension of the cable therebetween is achieved through one or more of cable design and material selection, cable pre-tensioning, in-flight cable tensioning, and/or load dampening device(s), and the related interplay of such various components or sub-systems of the overall tow cable system.

Abstract: A tow cable system and method of use wherein, in the context of towed flight of a glider behind an aircraft, positive load or tension of the cable therebetween is achieved through one or more of cable design and material selection, cable pre-tensioning, in-flight cable tensioning, and/or load dampening device(s), and the related interplay of such various components or sub-systems of the overall tow cable system.

Abstract: Another exemplary dispenser includes a refill unit and a refill unit frame member. The refill unit frame member has a bracket for receiving a lower portion of the refill unit. A back plate for mounting the dispenser is also included. An actuator is hingedly connected to the bracket. A curved push bar is connected to the actuator. An anvil is connected to the curved push bar. Movement of the actuator toward the back of the dispenser causes the anvil to move toward the front of the dispenser.

Abstract: Another exemplary dispenser includes a refill unit and a refill unit frame member. The refill unit frame member has a bracket for receiving a lower portion of the refill unit. A back plate for mounting the dispenser is also included. An actuator is hingedly connected to the bracket. A curved push bar is connected to the actuator. An anvil is connected to the curved push bar. Movement of the actuator toward the back of the dispenser causes the anvil to move toward the front of the dispenser.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of foam pumps, refill units and dispenser systems are disclosed herein. Some embodiments have a foam pump that includes a chamber having a liquid inlet, a vacuum outlet, a pressurized air inlet and a liquid air mixture outlet. An exemplary foam pump includes a liquid inlet valve to allow liquid to enter the chamber and to prevent liquid from exiting the chamber through the liquid inlet. Vacuum pressure applied to the vacuum outlet causes fluid to flow through the liquid inlet, past the liquid inlet valve and into the chamber. Pressurized air flows through the pressurized air inlet and mixes with the liquid and the liquid air mixture is forced out of the liquid air mixture outlet. The foam pump includes a mix media. The liquid air mixture flows through the mix media and flows through an outlet to be dispensed as a foam.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of foam pumps, refill units and dispenser systems are disclosed herein. Some embodiments have a foam pump that includes a chamber having a liquid inlet, a vacuum outlet, a pressurized air inlet and a liquid air mixture outlet. An exemplary foam pump includes a liquid inlet valve to allow liquid to enter the chamber and to prevent liquid from exiting the chamber through the liquid inlet. Vacuum pressure applied to the vacuum outlet causes fluid to flow through the liquid inlet, past the liquid inlet valve and into the chamber. Pressurized air flows through the pressurized air inlet and mixes with the liquid and the liquid air mixture is forced out of the liquid air mixture outlet. The foam pump includes a mix media. The liquid air mixture flows through the mix media and flows through an outlet to be dispensed as a foam.

Abstract: An exemplary foam dispenser includes a housing, a plate located in the housing, a first dispensing wheel located proximate the plate. The first dispensing wheel has a plurality of pinch members and is rotatable about an axis. The exemplary dispenser includes a second dispensing wheel located proximate the plate. The second dispensing wheel having a plurality of pinch members and rotatable about the same axis as the first dispensing wheel. Rotation of the first dispensing wheel is configured to pinch a first flexible tube against the plate and to move a first liquid through the first tube; and rotation of the second dispensing wheel is configured to pinch a second flexible tube against the plate and to move a second liquid through the first tube. The exemplary dispenser includes a motor for rotating the first and second dispensing wheels and a motor controller for starting and stopping the motor.

Abstract: A ticket dispenser includes a first engaging member advancing a ticket at a first rate of speed, a second engaging member advancing the ticket at a second, greater, rate of speed and a third engaging member advancing the ticket at a third, even greater, rate of speed. The ticket has length greater than a) the spacing between the first and second engaging members and b) the spacing between the second and third engaging members. As the ticket advances through the ticket dispensing mechanism, the second engaging member engages the ticket before the first engaging member disengages the ticket and the third engaging member engages the ticket before the second engaging member disengages the ticket. A force of the second ticket engaging member is greater than that of the first and third engaging members.

Abstract: A ticket dispenser includes a first engaging member advancing a ticket at a first rate of speed, a second engaging member advancing the ticket at a second, greater, rate of speed and a third engaging member advancing the ticket at a third, even greater, rate of speed. The ticket has length greater than a) the spacing between the first and second engaging members and b) the spacing between the second and third engaging members. As the ticket advances through the ticket dispensing mechanism, the second engaging member engages the ticket before the first engaging member disengages the ticket and the third engaging member engages the ticket before the second engaging member disengages the ticket. A force of the second ticket engaging member is greater than that of the first and third engaging members.

Abstract: An encapsulated ballistic protection system (EBPS). In one embodiment, an EBPS for protecting a human or an object from a projectile includes one or more ballistic protection material layers at least substantially encapsulated by encapsulation material having a tensile strength of 20,000 psi or greater. Additionally, in one embodiment, an EBPS includes one or more ballistic protection material layers that are substantially encapsulated by the encapsulation material on a first side adapted to face the human or the object and on a second side opposite the first side and adapted to face the projectile, and the EBPS further includes a compressible layer between the one or more ballistic protection material layers and the encapsulation material on the first side, the compressible layer configured to at least one of dissipate energy, reduce velocity of the projectile, and reduce backface deformation.

Abstract: An encapsulated ballistic protection system (EBPS). In one embodiment, an EBPS for protecting a human or an object from a projectile includes one or more ballistic protection material layers at least substantially encapsulated by encapsulation material having a tensile strength of 20,000 psi or greater. Additionally, in one embodiment, an EBPS includes one or more ballistic protection material layers that are substantially encapsulated by the encapsulation material on a first side adapted to face the human or the object and on a second side opposite the first side and adapted to face the projectile, and the EBPS further includes a compressible layer between the one or more ballistic protection material layers and the encapsulation material on the first side, the compressible layer configured to at least one of dissipate energy, reduce velocity of the projectile, and reduce backface deformation.

Abstract: A modular bingo system (A) includes a separate primary console (10) and ball console (20). The ball console (20) includes: a bingo ball chamber (22) into which a plurality of numbered bingo balls are loaded and from which the bingo balls are dispensed in an unpredictable order; a ball tray (26) into which the operator places dispensed bingo balls; a first switch matrix (70) that identifies where bingo balls have been placed in the first ball tray (26); and, a ball console computer (40) that monitors the first switch matrix (70) and transmits data regarding its state.

Abstract: A random gaming selection device includes a ball-scrambling chamber, a ball guide in communication with the ball-scrambling chamber, an outer chamber receiving the ball-scrambling chamber and an electrostatic discharge mat disposed on a wall of the ball-scrambling chamber. The ball-scrambling chamber accommodates at least one associated ball and includes a ball outlet. The ball guide communicates with the ball-scrambling chamber via the ball outlet. The ball-scrambling chamber includes an air impermeable wall.

Abstract: A modular bingo system (A) includes a separate primary console (10) and ball console (20). The ball console (20) includes: a bingo ball chamber (22) into which a plurality of numbered bingo balls are loaded and from which the bingo balls are dispensed in an unpredictable order; a ball tray (26) into which the operator places dispensed bingo balls; a first switch matrix (70) that identifies where bingo balls have been placed in the first ball tray (26); and, a ball console computer (40) that monitors the first switch matrix (70) and transmits data regarding its state.

Abstract: A packaging and disposal system for sealing waste and related materials within flexible plastic tubing for odorless and sanitary disposal. Improvements in the latch, including the addition of a transverse mounted latch spring, and improvements in the support retention springs serve to increase the ability of the device to operate efficiently and effectively and reduce the potential of accidental spills or other exposure of the waste package. The latch requires two independent motions to actuate and incorporates a transversely mounted latch spring. The reduced cross-sectional area of the retention spring design concentrates force applied to the package to increase the effective holding ability of the system.

Abstract: A carrier supporting multiple filters is inserted jointly with the filters into an air sampler. The carrier includes an indexing structure to ensure correct positioning within the air sampler. A memory device physically associated with the carrier stores sample collection data provided by the air sampler. The stored data can be read by a read/write station at a lab, and transmitted to a processor. The processor also receives a weight reading from a communicating balance for each collected sample, and calculates therefrom mass concentration for each sample.