Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for measuring the volume of liquid contained in a vessel. A sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors and a laser apparatus comprising one or more lasers can be positioned relative to each other such that lasers beams emitted from the laser(s) can be received by the sensor array. The vessel can be positioned such that each laser beam intersects the vessel at a certain predetermined height. A liquid level's height may be determined by the volume of liquid in the vessel. A refraction of a laser beam may be influenced by the presence or absence of liquid at that predetermined height, which could be the result of the liquid level's height being above or below that predetermined height. Readings from the sensor array may determine where refraction occurs, allowing ranges or values of the volume of liquid in the vessel to be extrapolated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for measuring the volume of liquid contained in a vessel. A sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors and a laser apparatus comprising one or more lasers can be positioned relative to each other such that lasers beams emitted from the laser(s) can be received by the sensor array. The vessel can be positioned such that each laser beam intersects the vessel at a certain predetermined height. A liquid level's height may be determined by the volume of liquid in the vessel. A refraction of a laser beam may be influenced by the presence or absence of liquid at that predetermined height, which could be the result of the liquid level's height being above or below that predetermined height. Readings from the sensor array may determine where refraction occurs, allowing ranges or values of the volume of liquid in the vessel to be extrapolated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and container locator means for moving a container among one or more work-flow stations within an apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention may include a means for automated loading, a means for automated transfer and/or a means for automated unloading of a container (e.g., a specimen container). In one embodiment, the apparatus can be an automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample. The detection system also including a heated enclosure, a holding means or rack, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and automated loading mechanism for loading an apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention may include a means for automated loading, a means for automated transfer and/or a means for automated unloading of a container (e.g., a specimen container). In one embodiment, the apparatus can be an automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample. The detection system also including a heated enclosure, a holding means or rack, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and container locator means for moving a container among one or more work-flow stations within an apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention may include a means for automated loading, a means for automated transfer and/or a means for automated unloading of a container (e.g., a specimen container). In one embodiment, the apparatus can be an automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample. The detection system also including a heated enclosure, a holding means or rack, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.

Abstract: A portable screen assembly includes a first side support and a second sides support, where the first side support and the second side support are connected to a fabric. The portable screen assembly also includes a center support brace connected to the fabric. A first support leg extends downward from the first side support and the a second support leg extends downward from the second side support. A motorized portable screen assembly includes a fabric, a first side support, a second side support, and a center support assembly. The fabric is connected to the first side support and the second side support. An expandable support brace is connected to the first side support, the second side support, and the center support assembly. An automatic deployment mechanism is connected to the expandable support brace, and the automatic deployment mechanism drives the expandable support brace to open in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A portable screen assembly includes a first side support connected to a fabric, a second side support connected to the fabric, and a center support assembly. An expandable support brace is also included in the portable screen assembly. The expandable support brace is connected to the center support assembly, the first side support, and the second side support. A portable screen assembly capable of reproducing sound includes a first side support, a second side support, and a center support assembly. A speaker capable of reproducing sound is incorporated within at least one of the first side support, the second side support, and the center support assembly.

Abstract: A portable screen assembly includes a first side support assembly connected to a fabric, a second side support assembly connected to the fabric, and a center support assembly. The first side support assembly has a first engagement subassembly fastened to the first side support assembly and the second side support assembly has a second engagement subassembly fastened to the second side support assembly. The center support assembly has a first receiving subassembly to receive a first engagement tab of the first engagement subassembly and also has a second receiving subassembly to receive a first engagement tab of the second engagement subassembly. The first receiving subassembly, the second receiving subassembly, the first engagement subassembly, and the second engagement subassembly hold the first side support assembly and the second side support assembly to the center support assembly.

Abstract: A portable screen assembly includes a first side support and a second sides support, where the first side support and the second side support are connected to a fabric. The portable screen assembly also includes a center support brace connected to the fabric. A first support leg extends downward from the first side support and the a second support leg extends downward from the second side support. A motorized portable screen assembly includes a fabric, a first side support, a second side support, and a center support assembly. The fabric is connected to the first side support and the second side support. An expandable support brace is connected to the first side support, the second side support, and the center support assembly. An automatic deployment mechanism is connected to the expandable support brace, and the automatic deployment mechanism drives the expandable support brace to open in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A portable screen assembly includes a first side support connected to a fabric, a second side support connected to the fabric, and a center support assembly. An expandable support brace is also included in the portable screen assembly. The expandable support brace is connected to the center support assembly, the first side support, and the second side support. A portable screen assembly capable of reproducing sound includes a first side support, a second side support, and a center support assembly. A speaker capable of reproducing sound is incorporated within at least one of the first side support, the second side support, and the center support assembly.

Abstract: A portable screen assembly includes a first side support assembly connected to a fabric, a second side support assembly connected to the fabric, and a center support assembly. The first side support assembly has a first engagement subassembly fastened to the first side support assembly and the second side support assembly has a second engagement subassembly fastened to the second side support assembly. The center support assembly has a first receiving subassembly to receive a first engagement tab of the first engagement subassembly and also has a second receiving subassembly to receive a first engagement tab of the second engagement subassembly. The first receiving subassembly, the second receiving subassembly, the first engagement subassembly, and the second engagement subassembly hold the first side support assembly and the second side support assembly to the center support assembly.