Abstract: A system and method for determining the orientation of an object using one or more RFID tags on the object; and an RFID reader to determine the orientation of the object; wherein the RFID reader is configured to emit a signal to activate at least one of the RFID tags, receive return signals from the RFID tags that are activated, and determine the orientation of the object based on relative signal strengths of the received signals, and the system may be a visospatial testing system.

Abstract: A device, system and method for analyzing a user's motion using a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations, an EEPROM to record data associated with the plurality of deformation signals, and a transceiver to receive at least a portion of the recorded data from the EEPROM and to transmit data, wherein the analysis may determine an abnormality in the user's gait.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the orientation of an object using one or more RFID tags on the object; and an RFID reader to determine the orientation of the object; wherein the RFID reader is configured to emit a signal to activate at least one of the RFID tags, receive return signals from the RFID tags that are activated, and determine the orientation of the object based on relative signal strengths of the received signals, and the system may be a visospatial testing system.

Abstract: A device, system and method for analyzing a user's motion using a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations, an EEPROM to record data associated with the plurality of deformation signals, and a transceiver to receive at least a portion of the recorded data from the EEPROM and to transmit data, wherein the analysis may determine an abnormality in the user's gait.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a composition comprising storing at least one acid in an acid storage container, storing at least one acid-degradable component in a component storage container, and mixing the at least one acid from the acid storage container and the at least one acid-degradable component from the component storage container such that the at least one acid and the at least one acid-degradable component mix together to form the composition. A method and apparatus for providing a selected beverage from a plurality of selectable beverages comprising storing a number of non-sweetener beverage component concentrates separately in a respective number of beverage component storage containers and in response the selection of the selected beverage, automatically dispensing, continuously in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, any combination of at least two or more of the number of non-sweetener beverage component concentrates and a dituent.

Abstract: A telephone contains a loudness indicator to assist persons hard of hearing in speaking into the telephone receiver at a moderate level. The indicator contains a microphone, which detects the level of the user's speech. An electronic circuit conditions the microphone output, and outputs one of three signals, depending upon the level of the microphone output. The first signal is output when the speaker speaks at the usual level, driving a first indicator light, which is colored green, to indicate a “go” to the user, that is, increase the level of speech. The second signal is output when the microphone output is slightly above the normal range, and the corresponding indicator light is colored yellow to so indicate. The third signal is output when the microphone output is of a level which far exceeds the normal range of speech. The corresponding indicator light is red, to indicate a “stop” to the user.

Abstract: A pulsation dampener for beverage dispensers and fountain equipment decreases the irregularities in concentrate flow from a single action pump and volumetric dispensing valve combination within a beverage dispenser. The pulsation dampener includes a tube for functionally connecting a pump to a valve, thus providing a flow line between the pump outlet and the valve inlet. The pulsation dampener can also provide a flow line between other beverage equipment functional modules or equipment installed between the pump and the valve. The tube retains and collects concentrate flow from the pump outlet to maintain a minimum fluid pressure on the valve inlet. A retainer around the tube prevents the internal fluid pressure within the tube from exceeding the maximum elongation stress of the tube material. Clamps at each end of the retainer, secure the retainer around the tube.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispensing valve for dispensing syrup and soda in the desired ratio without the need for flow controls for periodic adjustment of the ratio. The valve includes a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the soda and a pump for dispensing metered quantities of syrup. The pump preferably includes a chamber within a ceramic sleeve having first and second distal ends and a double-acting ceramic piston mounted for reciprocating sliding movement within the sleeve. A solenoid valve control system including a pair of solenoid valves controls syrup flow through the pump, in response to signals from the flow meter. The valve preferably also includes a syrup flow regulator. The valve can include a single externally manually adjustable flow rate control to vary the dispensing flow rate to any desired value.

Abstract: The invention reduces cracking catalyst fines in decanted oil by mixing the decanted oil (DCO) containing cracking catalyst fines with a resid oil and then treating the DCO-resid mixture with a non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent in an extraction unit or in a multi-stage deasphalting unit.

Abstract: A binary syrup system for beverage dispensing including a pair of syrup containers holding different syrup components, a metering device with two inlets connected one to each container and a single syrup outlet connected to a dispenser. The metering device includes a flow channel therethrough for each component, a diaphragm device for equalizing the pressure in each channel, and a metering orifice downstream from the diaphragm device. This pressure equalization in combination with the metering orifices provides the necessary flow control and a constant predetermined volumetric ratio of the two syrup components when mixed to form the complete syrup.

Abstract: A carbonator unit for a post-mix beverage dispenser having a carbonator tank immersed in a liquid flotation tank. The carbonator tank floats up and down with changes in the amount of water and head space in the carbonator tank to actuate a switch device mounted externally of the carbonator tank. Actuation of the switch causes a water pump to become operative to supply uncarbonated water to the carbonator tank. When the volume of carbonated water increases to a predetermined amount, the carbonator tank sinks to deactivate the switch.

Abstract: A motorless carbonator including a single acting pneumatic water pump connected between a carbonator tank and an uncarbonated water supply with the pump having a gas return spring integral therewith. The pump is driven by the carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) fed to the carbonator tank. A CO.sub.2 saving device is coupled between the water pump and the carbonator tank and includes a spring biased diaphragm connected to a piston rod and an O-ring support member which operates to control the venting of CO.sub.2 to the atmosphere so as to reduce the amount of CO.sub.2 required to operate the pump during both a pumping stroke and a return stroke.

Abstract: In a post-mix beverage dispenser in which the concentrate is metered (or portioned) by a positive displacement metering pump having check valves, the improvement of a pressure control device for pressurizing the outlet line from the pump to prevent "blow-thru" of pressurized concentrate through the check valves of the pump, whereby the dispenser can be inexpensively used with a pressurized concentrate source. In addition, a post-mix beverage dispensing system including such metering pump and pressure control device and also including a pressurized canister holding pliable 5+1 juice concentrate at a temperature below 32.degree. F., and a heater for heating the concentrate in the concentrate line.

Abstract: Caking coals can be solvent extracted in high yields without agglomeration by a first stage extraction of 380.degree. C. to 420.degree. C. and at a pressure above the critical pressure of the solvent, followed by a second stage at a temperature above the critical temperature of the solvent in the range 440.degree. C. to 490.degree. C. Conveniently, the extraction is done by a cocurrent flow, using a hydrogen donor solvent.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for a chilled-product vending machine including a refrigeration compressor, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature within said vending machine and turning the compressor ON and OFF to define a compressor cycle in response to the detection of predetermined temperature limits, an evaporator coil and evaporator fan means for blowing air across said evaporator coil and circulating said air throughout the vending machine.

Abstract: A machine for refunding the deposit on empty containers such as bottles or cans for encouraging their return is disclosed. The machine includes an access door through which an empty container is introduced to an inspection station whereupon an inspection device determines if the empty container is marked with a proper identifying mark unique to that brand of container. The inspection device includes an ultraviolet light source which directs ultraviolet radiation onto an identifying mark on the container and causes fluorescent emmission of a narrow band of light. The radiation detection scheme of the present invention employs at least a pair of photodetectors, one which detects the very narrow band of radiation emitted from the fluorescent identifying mark, and the other which monitors whether or not any adjacent light bands are emitted from the object to a significant degree.

Abstract: A material is separated from a fluid mixture by contacting the mixture containing the material with a first side of essentially solid, water-insoluble, hydrophilic, semi-permeable membrane in contact with an aqueous liquid barrier having ions which combine with the material to be separated to form a water-soluble complex. The partial pressure of the material on a second side of the semi-permeable membrane is sufficiently less than the partial pressure of the material in the mixture to provide separated material on the second side of the membrane. The separated material can be removed from the vicinity of the second side of the membrane by a gas stream. The second side of the membrane is contacted with an aqueous liquid medium to reduce the loss of the aqueous liquid barrier from the membrane which may otherwise decrease in separation efficiency during use due to water losses. The gas stream used to remove the separated material may be supersaturated with the aqueous medium, e.g.

Abstract: Method for the manufacture of membrane separation units suitable for the separation of components from mixtures containing them. These separation units can be made from elongated anisotropic hollow fiber membranes and can be used for the separation of olefinic compounds from saturated materials.

Abstract: There is described the preparation of hydrophilic, semi-permeable film membranes having an increase in pores and containing complex-forming metals. The films can be formed from solutions having film-forming material and pore-forming material dissolved in a solvent. The films can be useful for separating a component, e.g. an aliphatically-unsaturated hydrocarbon, from mixtures by the combined use of liquid barrier permeation and metal complexing techniques. The liquid barrier is at least partially within the hydrophilic film membrane during use, and the barrier contains complex-forming metal ions in aqueous solution. The metal ions may be, for example, noble metal, nickel, mercurous, cuprous or other metal ions, and mixtures of these metal ions, and the aqueous solution may contain other cations. The separation of ethylene from ethane and methane is of particular interest.