Abstract: A banner support system for suspending a banner is disclosed. The banner support system comprises a banner, a first support pole, a second support pole, an upper support line, a lower support line, a first tensioning line, and a second tensioning line. The first support pole comprises a winch located within the first support pole, a first support line coupler defining a first anchor point, a second support line coupler defining a second anchor point, a first aperture located between the first and second support line couplers, a first access port configured to provide access to the winch, and a second access port configured to provide access to the aperture. The second support pole comprises a third anchor point, a fourth anchor point, and a second aperture located between the third and fourth support line couplers, and a third access port configured to provide access to the second aperture.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to molecular diagnostic devices configured to amplifying a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus and discriminate between two or more allelic variants of the SNP, indicating presence or absence of a target allele. In some embodiments, the molecular diagnostic devices are capable of detecting, at point-of-care, SNPs associated with resistance or susceptibility to antibiotic treatment of organism infections. In other aspects, the disclosure provides methods of treatment for disease or disorders (e.g. organism infections) where treatment is guided by presence or absence of an allele at a SNP locus as determined by such molecular diagnostic devices.

Abstract: A connection assembly for connecting a banner to an upper support line, a lower support line, and a first tensioning line of a banner support system supporting a banner, the connection assembly comprising first and second lateral lines attached to the first tensioning line of the banner support system, an upper support line connection portion connecting the first lateral line to both an upper corner of the banner and the upper support line, the upper support line connection portion being slidably coupled to the upper support line, and a lower support line connection portion connecting the second lateral line to both a lower corner of the banner and the lower support line, the lower support line connection portion being slidably coupled to the lower support line, and the lower support line connection portion being operable to allow the lower corner of the banner to rotate away from the lower support line and to return back toward the lower support line

Abstract: A banner support system for suspending a banner is disclosed. The banner support system comprises a banner, a first support pole, a second support pole, an upper support line, a lower support line, a first tensioning line, and a second tensioning line. The first support pole comprises a winch located within the first support pole, a first support line coupler defining a first anchor point, a second support line coupler defining a second anchor point, a first aperture located between the first and second support line couplers, a first access port configured to provide access to the winch, and a second access port configured to provide access to the aperture. The second support pole comprises a third anchor point, a fourth anchor point, and a second aperture located between the third and fourth support line couplers, and a third access port configured to provide access to the second aperture.

Abstract: A berm comprises fill material having a sloped face portion, a plurality of reinforcing members disposed within the fill material, and an impermeable membrane encapsulating the fill material. The impermeable membrane is impermeable to fluid and comprises a plurality of joined impermeable membrane segments. The sloped face portion is encapsulated by at least a portion of each of two or more of the impermeable membrane segments. Where two impermeable membrane segments encapsulating the sloped face portion meet, an upper end portion of a lower one of the impermeable membrane segments extends into the fill material and a lower end portion of an upper one of the impermeable membrane segments overlaps the lower one of the impermeable membrane segments in a shingled fashion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for charitable fund raising. The method can include the initial operation of identifying a charitable cause in need of funding. A further operation is providing a plurality of flags to be displayed as a healing field. The display of the healing field can be linked to the charitable cause in need of funding. The healing field can also be displayed as part of a public awareness campaign. Finally, the flags that are displayed in the healing field can be sold, with the profits from the sale going to the charitable cause in need of funding.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for determining a property of a solid material relating to wettability, and for evaluating chemical additives. A solid particle is positioned at an interface between a lighter fluid phase, such as oil, and a denser fluid phase, such as water. An external force is applied, preferably with a centrifuge, so as to urge the solid particle into the denser fluid phase. An observation is made as to whether the particles has passed through the denser fluid phase, and based on the observation the contact angle is calculated. The calculation is also based on the densities of each fluid phase, of the solid material, the amount of the external force applied, size of the solid material, and interfacial tension between the two phases. The calculation also preferably accounts for two curvatures representing the interface between the first phase and the second phase as deformed by the solid material.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for determining a property of a solid material relating to wettability, and for evaluating chemical additives. A solid particle is positioned at an interface between a lighter fluid phase, such as oil, and a denser fluid phase, such as water. An external force is applied, preferably with a centrifuge, so as to urge the solid particle into the denser fluid phase. An observation is made as to whether the particles has passed through the denser fluid phase, and based on the observation the contact angle is calculated. The calculation is also based on the densities of each fluid phase, of the solid material, the amount of the external force applied, size of the solid material, and interfacial tension between the two phases. The calculation also preferably accounts for two curvatures representing the interface between the first phase and the second phase as deformed by the solid material.

Abstract: A flagpole winch that fits inside the internal hollow space a flagpole and is configured to alternatively wind or unwind a cord spool or to lock the cord spool into a rotational position. The winch uses a release spindle that unlocks an actuator mechanism when turned in either direction, allowing the cord spool to be positively rotated in either direction. Once the positive input or turning ceases, the continuous tension on the cord causes the actuator mechanism to automatically lock to arrest the cord spool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a halyard system configured to suspend a flag to a flag pole. The halyard system includes a holding member, a line member and a weighted-down mass structure. The holding member is coupled to the flag pole. The line member is operatively coupled to an upper side portion of the flag and extends through an upper portion of the flag pole to be removably coupled to the holding member. The weighted-down mass structure is operatively coupled to a lower side portion of the flag and operable to freely hang from the lower side portion of the flag. With this arrangement, the weighted-down mass structure is operable to place tension on the line member and a peripheral side of the flag so as to substantially maintain the peripheral side of the flag in a suspended position along side the flag pole.

Abstract: A control system for use with a multi-layer molding device having an inspection device for measuring a characteristic of a product of a cavity of the molding device and a controller adapted to receive information corresponding to the at least one characteristic from the inspection device and to alter the molding device based on the information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for forming a plurality of multiple layer plastic articles. The methods and systems utilize shooting pot technology in combination with a combination of thermal control elements and in some instances, specialized flow bore geometries to control a thermal property and a flow parameter of selected polymeric material flowing through the system to mold the plurality of multiple layer plastic articles. Both the systems and methods are well suited for use to perform simultaneous flow injection or sequential flow injection to form the plurality of multiple layer plastic articles. The systems and methods described therein beneficially reduce the mold cavity pitch size for multiple layer molds used with systems having shooting pot technology to a mold cavity pitch size found on conventional monolayer molds to provide a plurality of multiple layer plastic articles having a cost similar to monolayer plastic articles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for combining two or more streams of a polymeric material to form a plastic object. The method and apparatus are capable of ending an interior layer of the plastic object at a desired length to avoid the need to clean selected surfaces of components used to form the plastic object. The method and apparatus increase the velocity of the polymeric material used to form the plastic object in certain components used to form the plastic object. The increase in the velocity of the polymeric material facilitates the ending of the interior layer of the plastic object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a halyard system configured to suspend a flag to a flag pole. The halyard system includes a holding member, a line member and a weighted-down mass structure. The holding member is coupled to the flag pole. The line member is operatively coupled to an upper side portion of the flag and extends through an upper portion of the flag pole to be removably coupled to the holding member. The weighted-down mass structure is operatively coupled to a lower side portion of the flag and operable to freely hang from the lower side portion of the flag. With this arrangement, the weighted-down mass structure is operable to place tension on the line member and a peripheral side of the flag so as to substantially maintain the peripheral side of the flag in a suspended position along side the flag pole.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for forming a plurality of multiple layer plastic articles. The methods and systems utilize shooting pot technology in combination with a combination of thermal control elements and in some instances, specialized flow bore geometries to control a thermal property and a flow parameter of selected polymeric material flowing through the system to mold the plurality of multiple layer plastic articles. Both the systems and methods are well suited for use to perform simultaneous flow injection or sequential flow injection to form the plurality of multiple layer plastic articles. The systems and methods described therein beneficially reduce the mold cavity pitch size for multiple layer molds used with systems having shooting pot technology to a mold cavity pitch size found on conventional monolayer molds to provide a plurality of multiple layer plastic articles having a cost similar to monolayer plastic articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is flagpole assembly comprising a flagpole; a flag having a periphery; upper and lower flag couplings configured to couple one side of the periphery of the flag to the flagpole; and at least one flag positioning ring configured to be positioned around the flagpole with a tight fit and between the upper and lower flag couplings and adjacent the upper flag coupling to maintain a substantially fixed position of the upper flag coupling, wherein the at least one flag positioning ring is configured to be removably attachable to the flagpole and independent from the flag and the upper flag coupling.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for charitable fund raising. The method can include the initial operation of identifying a charitable cause in need of funding. A further operation is providing a plurality of flags to be displayed as a healing field. The display of the healing field can be linked to the charitable cause in need of funding. The healing field can also be displayed as part of a public awareness campaign. Finally, the flags that are displayed in the healing field can be sold, with the profits from the sale going to the charitable cause in need of funding.

Abstract: A method of co-extruding a plurality of plastic material flowing streams into a mold cavity produces a molded product. Inner and outer streams of covering plastic materials are combined with at least one interior stream that is to serve as an interior core of a resulting molded plastic product. The combined streams are forced to flow along annular flow paths, with the annular interior stream encased within the inner and outer annular covering plastic material stream layers. The flows of the interior stream and the inner and outer streams are controlled so that: the interior stream has a flow velocity that is greater than an average velocity of the combined stream, and the interior stream does not flow along or across a zero-velocity-gradient streamline of the combined streams.

Abstract: A control system for use with a multi-layer molding device having an inspection device for measuring a characteristic of a product of a cavity of the molding device and a controller adapted to receive information corresponding to the at least one characteristic from the inspection device and to alter the molding device based on the information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evenly distributing a fluid that exhibits shear heating is disclosed herein. The method and apparatus provide an intersection geometry for an intersection of a bore and sub-bore. The intersection geometry controls distribution of a flow asymmetry of a working material to facilitate the division of shear heated material into substantially equal portions at subsequent downstream locations. At least one method is disclosed for forming the flow bore intersections of the present invention.