Abstract: A pet refuse collection apparatus, and methods of use of the pet refuse collection apparatus, are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first frame portion with refuse bag support members and a first handle, and a second frame portion with a refuse bag receptacle member and a second handle. The frame portions are crossed over each other at distal ends for enhanced usability. A sliding handle grip may be provided for securing the first handle and the second handle together. The apparatus can be maneuvered using the sliding handle grip. The methods include supporting a refuse bag with the support members, threading the bag through these members, and adjusting the support members and receptacle member using the sliding handle grip. This setup ensures secure holding and efficient collection of pet refuse. The invention provides a hygienic, efficient, and user-friendly solution for managing pet waste, improving convenience for pet owners.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to form elevated profiles in mounted turn-up raised profile tapes for paper processing. In some embodiments, the raised profile tape may be a combination of a tape substrate coated on one side with a web grabbing adhesive and on the other side with a mounting adhesive and a release liner having a release liner substrate fully coated on a first side with a release layer and zone-coated on a second side with a release layer. In some embodiments, an elevated profile may be formed during the application of the raised profile tape with specialized apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to form tear-off paperband composites that adhesively attach a paper web to an empty web spool. In some embodiments, the paperband composite is applied in several layers to an empty web spool, each layer suitable for fixedly attaching a paper web to the empty spool. Multiple layers of paperband composite allow for use during multiple turn-up procedures with one layer of paperband composite used per turn-up procedure. In some examples, the paperband composite may be applied to a paper spool tangentially along the spool face and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool. In other examples, the paperband composite may be spirally wrapped around the paper spool.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for administration of ophthalmic treatments into a patient's eye. Apparatus may include a wire form with a horizontal upper frame, temples that rest on or hook over the ears, nose pads, and semi-circular receivers to accept the tip of an eye drop-dispenser bottle. In some examples, distance sensing apparatus and signaling capabilities may be present to support the administration of ophthalmic treatments. In some examples, the apparatus may be enhanced for the purposes of aiding the application of eyedrops by a deep upper horizontal frame that rests on the forehead to prevent the apparatus, and thereby the eye dropper bottle, from approaching the eye too closely.

Abstract: A beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, having a body with side walls formed from one or more substantially air- and liquid-impermeable sheet materials defining a chamber containing a beverage preparation ingredient and further defining an outlet channel having an upstream end in fluid communication with the chamber for escape of beverage from the chamber. At least a region of the outlet channel is filled by a filtration material for filtering the beverage escaping from the chamber. Also provided is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from such a capsule, the clamp assembly comprising two or more clamp members, wherein an inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving the capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the concave base surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule.

Abstract: A beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, having a body with side walls formed from one or more substantially air- and liquid-impermeable sheet materials defining a chamber containing a beverage preparation ingredient and further defining an outlet channel having an upstream end in fluid communication with the chamber for escape of beverage from the chamber. At least a region of the outlet channel is filled by a filtration material for filtering the beverage escaping from the chamber. Also provided is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from such a capsule, the clamp assembly comprising two or more clamp members, wherein an inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving the capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the concave base surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing an interface for conducting an investigation concerning at least one suspected unauthorized entry to an environment. A set of tabbed sub-interfaces for accessing information related to the environment can be provided in a first region of the interface. An interactive map of the environment can be provided in a second region of the interface, wherein the interactive map identifies locations within the environment that are associated with access control readers, and wherein the interactive map identifies locations within the environment that are associated with respective cameras that capture visual data describing those locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing an interface for conducting an investigation concerning at least one suspected unauthorized entry to an environment. A set of tabbed sub-interfaces for accessing information related to the environment can be provided in a first region of the interface. An interactive map of the environment can be provided in a second region of the interface, wherein the interactive map identifies locations within the environment that are associated with access control readers, and wherein the interactive map identifies locations within the environment that are associated with respective cameras that capture visual data describing those locations.

Abstract: A beverage preparation capsule including front and back sheets that are bonded together along a top edge, first and second side edges, and a bottom edge. A region of bonding along the bottom edge may be releasable to allow escape of beverage from the capsule during beverage preparation. There may be a transverse seal that is interrupted by a gap that provides fluid communication between a beverage ingredient chamber located above said gap and a beverage outlet chamber located below said gap. A folded filter strip extending across the capsule includes a fold extending transversely below said transverse seal and front and back side panels extending upwardly through said transverse seal that are bonded to the front and back sheets of the capsule, respectively. The front and back side panels may not extend more than about 10 mm into said beverage ingredient chamber above said transverse seal.

Abstract: A beverage preparation apparatus for preparation of a beverage from a capsule in a clamp assembly (30). The clamp assembly has a first clamp member (31) and a second clamp member, where the inner surfaces of the first clamp member and the second clamp member form a clamp chamber (33) for substantially enclosing and supporting a capsule (10) during beverage preparation. The second clamp member comprises a rigid peripheral frame (32) having a central void and a resilient layer (37) extending across said central void. There is a piston (36) positioned in the central void and resiliently coupled to the peripheral frame (32) to allow limited resilient movement of the rigid peripheral frame (32) relative to the piston (36).

Abstract: A beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, having a body with side walls formed from one or more substantially air- and liquid-impermeable sheet materials defining a chamber containing a beverage preparation ingredient and further defining an outlet channel having an upstream end in fluid communication with the chamber for escape of beverage from the chamber. At least a region of the outlet channel is filled by a filtration material for filtering the beverage escaping from the chamber. Also provided is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from such a capsule, the clamp assembly comprising two or more clamp members, wherein an inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving the capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the concave base surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule.

Abstract: A beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, having a body with side walls formed from one or more substantially air- and liquid-impermeable sheet materials defining a chamber containing a beverage preparation ingredient and further defining an outlet channel having an upstream end in fluid communication with the chamber for escape of beverage from the chamber. At least a region of the outlet channel is filled by a filtration material for filtering the beverage escaping from the chamber. Also provided is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from such a capsule, the clamp assembly comprising two or more clamp members, wherein an inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving the capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the concave base surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule.

Abstract: A control subsystem, for a utility delivery subsystem having an effector for enabling or disabling delivery of a utility from a source to an output device via a conduit, includes an effector host configured to receive the effector at a port. The effector host operates the effector in response to an instruction received via a wireless communications interface. The subsystem includes a control gateway having a two communications interfaces, a first to establish a connection with the effector host, and a second to connect to a network. The control gateway includes a memory storing schedule data received via the second interface, and a processor configured to send the instruction to the effector host via the first interface, based on the schedule data. The subsystem includes a server having a memory storing the schedule data and a server communications interface for transmitting the schedule data to the control gateway.

Abstract: A beverage preparation apparatus for preparation of a beverage from a capsule in a clamp assembly (30). The clamp assembly has a first clamp member (31) and a second clamp member, where the inner surfaces of the first clamp member and the second clamp member form a clamp chamber (33) for substantially enclosing and supporting a capsule (10) during beverage preparation. The second clamp member comprises a rigid peripheral frame (32) having a central void and a resilient layer (37) extending across said central void. There is a piston (36) positioned in the central void and resiliently coupled to the peripheral frame (32) to allow limited resilient movement of the rigid peripheral frame (32) relative to the piston (36).

Abstract: A beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, having a body with side walls formed from one or more substantially air- and liquid-impermeable sheet materials defining a chamber containing a beverage preparation ingredient and further defining an outlet channel having an upstream end in fluid communication with the chamber for escape of beverage from the chamber. At least a region of the outlet channel is filled by a filtration material for filtering the beverage escaping from the chamber. Also provided is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from such a capsule, the clamp assembly comprising two or more clamp members, wherein an inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving the capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the concave base surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule.

Abstract: A beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, having a body with side walls formed from one or more substantially air- and liquid-impermeable sheet materials defining a chamber containing a beverage preparation ingredient and further defining an outlet channel having an upstream end in fluid communication with the chamber for escape of beverage from the chamber. At least a region of the outlet channel is filled by a filtration material for filtering the beverage escaping from the chamber. Also provided is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from such a capsule, the clamp assembly comprising two or more clamp members, wherein an inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving the capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the concave base surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule.

Abstract: A power management device for an electrically powered apparatus includes a plurality of cell management circuits and a controller. Each cell management circuit includes a set of terminals to receive one power cell; a boost converter connected to an output of the terminals; and an energy storage component selectively connected to one of an output of the boost converter, for receiving and storing energy from the boost converter, and an output of the cell management circuit, for delivering energy to the apparatus. The controller is configured, for each cell management circuit, to: obtain a cell output level; based on the cell output level, select a boost output level for the boost converter; and alternately connect the energy storage component to the boost converter output to collect energy from the boost converter at the boost output level, and the management circuit output to deliver the energy to the apparatus.

Abstract: Techniques for automatic file system migration to a network attached storage (NAS) device or system. For example, a method comprises the following steps. A first network attached storage system and a second network attached storage system are designated. A file system on the first network attached storage system is selected to migrate to the second network attached storage system, at least one criterion of the file system on the second network attached storage system is defined, and a configuration of the second network attached storage system is automatically determined based on the defined criterion.

Abstract: Large number of animals and fowl are shielded against deleterious sun rays and heat by a transportable device equipped with a large sized canopy. The shielding device includes an elevated deploying unit which pivotally hinges canopy supporting arms for deployment to either an open shielding position or a closed position longitudinally aligned for highway transport by a wheeled vehicle.