Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel approach for storing, analyzing, and/or accessing biological data in a cloud computing environment. Sequence data generated by a particular sequencing device may be uploaded to the cloud computing environment during a sequencing run, which reduces the on-site storage needs for the sequence data. Analysis of the data may also be performed in the cloud computing environment, and the instructions for such analysis may be set at the originating sequencing device. The sequence data in the cloud computing environment may be shared according to permissions. Further, the sequence data may be modified or annotated by authorized secondary users.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

Abstract: A continuously tunable radio frequency (RF) sensor system is provided. The system includes a pump laser system that includes first and second pump lasers, at least one frequency modulator to modulate frequencies of first and second laser light from the pump lasers to first and second select frequencies, a switch system to selectively pass one of the first and second laser light, an amplifier to amplify the passed laser light, a frequency doubler to double the frequency of the amplified laser light to generate pump light. A laser source lock system is in communication with the pump laser system to ensure a frequency of the pump light is referenced to atoms in a vapor cell and provide a probe light. The pump light and probe light are transmitted through the vapor cell. A detector measures the probe light that passed through the vapor cell.

Abstract: A fluid heating element includes first and second conduits. The first conduit has a first inlet and a first outlet. The first inlet is configured to receive a first portion of the fluid, and the first outlet is configured to discharge the first portion of the fluid. The second conduit has a second inlet and a second outlet. The second inlet is configured to receive a second portion of the fluid, and the second outlet is configured to discharge the second portion of the fluid. The fluid heating element further includes an electrothermal coating associated with the first and second conduits and an electrical lead configured to apply an electric current across the electrothermal coating. The electrothermal coating converts the electric current to heat that is transferred to through the first and second conduits to the fluid.

Abstract: A substantially white powder for use as a filler and/or extender derived from by-products of manufacturing vitreous low alkali, low iron glass fibers, and a method for producing the powder. The filler has very low alkalinity and by virtue of its being essentially free of crystalline silica is non-hazardous to health and therefore safe for consumer-based and industrial-based uses.

Abstract: A substantially white powder for use as a filler and/or extender derived from by-products of manufacturing vitreous low alkali, low iron glass fibers, and a method for producing the powder. The filler has very low alkalinity and by virtue of its being essentially free of crystalline silica is non-hazardous to health and therefore safe for consumer-based and industrial-based uses.

Abstract: A substantially white powder for use as a filler and/or extender derived from by-products of manufacturing vitreous low alkali, low iron glass fibers, and a method for producing the powder. The filler has very low alkalinity and by virtue of its being essentially free of crystalline silica is non-hazardous to health and therefore safe for consumer-based and industrial-based uses.

Abstract: A white pozzolan derived from by-products of manufacturing vitreous low alkali, low iron glass fibers, and to the method for producing the white pozzolan. The invention relates as well to cement compositions based on the white pozzolan, such as white and pigmented blended pozzolanic cements of high durability for use in applications such as white or colored architectural concrete, building materials, and manufactured cementitious products. The white pozzolan also functions as a high performance pozzolan with grey cement.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting supplier instability is disclosed. Warning indicators such as annual warning indicators and early warning indicators are assigned values and analyzed to determine the stability of a supplier. Annual and early warning indicator values are based on supplier data related to profit, financial, quality, cost, delivery, development, management, and sensing data. As a result of the analysis of the annual warning and early warning indicator values, each supplier is assigned a supplier stability measure or level. Suppliers that are determined by the company to be unstable are guided by the company through a recovery process to restore stability. The present invention allows a company to maintain a smooth and stable supply of products, parts, or materials to its business operations.

Abstract: An improved dried lavender processing apparatus and method comprises a multi-module system comprising a first de-stemmer unit that receives the dried lavender in bundles, separates the buds (corollas/calyxes) from the stems and leaves, collects the stems and leaves as waste, and provides the buds to a second separator/classifier unit. The second, separator/classifier unit employs air or vacuum transport to convey, separate and classify the final bud product from the minor stem, leaves and minor debris and to exhaust and remove the hazardous dust and organic particulates. The system may include a third unit comprising a dust collector system. The final product flower buds are collected in an output hopper in clean condition for immediate bagging as a potpourri or sachet product, or may be further processed for the essential oils.

Abstract: A white pozzolan derived from by-products of manufacturing vitreous low alkali, low iron glass fibers, and to the method for producing the white pozzolan. The invention relates as well to cement compositions based on the white pozzolan, such as white and pigmented blended pozzolanic cements of high durability for use in applications such as white or colored architectural concrete, building materials, and manufactured cementitious products. The white pozzolan also functions as a high performance pozzolan with grey cement.

Abstract: A white pozzolan derived from by-products of manufacturing vitreous low alkali, low iron glass fibers, and to the method for producing the white pozzolan. The invention relates as well to cement compositions based on the white pozzolan, such as white and pigmented blended pozzolanic cements of high durability for use in applications such as white or colored architectural concrete, building materials, and manufactured cementitious products. The white pozzolan also functions as a high performance pozzolan with grey cement.

Abstract: A white pozzolan derived from by-products of manufacturing vitreous low alkali, low iron glass fibers, and to the method for producing the white pozzolan. The invention relates as well to cement compositions based on the white pozzolan, such as white and pigmented blended pozzolanic cements of high durability for use in applications such as white or colored architectural concrete, building materials, and manufactured cementitious products. The white pozzolan also functions as a high performance pozzolan with grey cement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the carbon content of fly ash are disclosed. The fly ash is subjected to an inclined surface having first and second vibratory sources for respectively moving the fly ash from the elevated end of the incline to the lower end and to disaggregate and stratify a high carbon fraction from an enhanced fly ash fraction. The second vibratory source, in combination with the inclined surface, separates the lighter, high carbon fraction while the heavier enhanced fly ash fraction travels toward the lower end of the incline. An air jet and associated vacuum draft pull the high carbon fraction from the incline, leaving the enhanced fly ash portion for use, after removal from the surface, as an example, as acceptable mineral admixture for use in Portland Cement concrete.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing materials of various consistencies includes a pair of mixer shafts having radially extending blades thereon for mixing the material as the shafts rotate. Each shaft is driven by a hydraulic motor and the hydraulic motors are located in separate hydraulic fluid circuits. The relative rotational orientation of the shafts to each other is controlled by appropriate control of the separate hydraulic fluid circuits. In addition, a mixer body incorporating the mixer shafts is suspended from a frame of the apparatus by means of cables such that the mixer body may be lifted and lowered relative to the frame. The mixer body is provided with an aperture through which material may be loaded into the body and through which material may be emptied out of the body by actuating the cables to rotate the body to an inverted position.

Abstract: An improved classifying apparatus and assembly for the tensioning of vibratory screens includes a rigid frame, a pair of classifying screens in the frame and means for tensioning the screens. The improvement in the means for tensioning the screens includes a stationary anchor at one end of the screens and elongate rotatable elements adjacent the other ends of the screens. Levers are mounted to the ends of the rotatable elements outside of the frame and a tensioning cable extends between the levers. A tensioning member is positioned in the cable which, when adjusted, rotates the rotatable elements to simultaneously and uniformly adjust the tension on the screens.

Abstract: A weather vane-type rotatable inflatable wild fowl decoy. The decoy includes a relatively rigid or semi-flexible head and neck portion adapted to be rotatably supported by a spindle stuck in the earth, and an inflatable bag body adapted to be secured to the head and neck portion for rotation therewith. The decoy may be set up in the field in standing or sentry position and also in bent-over feeding or landing position. The body is imprinted with a non-reflective, mattefinish pattern simulating a species of wild fowl desired to be lured by the decoy. Specific means for mounting the decoy head on a spindle are disclosed, along with specific fastening means for securing the body. Preferably the spindle has some springiness or slight flexibility.

Abstract: Classifying apparatus and methods for the separation of solids of differing sizes includes a screening deck having an inclined frame and a screen in the frame on which the solids are deposited and moved downwardly. A plurality of beams extend beneath the screen transversely of the frame and the ends of the beam are mounted to the frame by a resilient mounting to isolate vibrations of the beam from the frame. A tappet assembly is fixed to each of the beams and contacts the underside of the screen and a vibrator motor is mounted to each of the beams to directly vibrate the beam, the tappet assembly of each beam, and the screen. Controls may be provided for independently operating each of the vibrators to vary one or both of the frequency or the amplitude of the vibrations of the screen over its length.

Abstract: An error checking apparatus and method for detecting a plurality of errors in a digital data word includes means for generating a unique syndrome word for each one of a plurality of error patterns in a word containing up to N-1 bits in error, where N is the number of bits in said word.