Abstract: A container includes a finish, a shoulder portion, a body, and a base portion. The finish defines an opening. The shoulder portion extends from the finish. The body extends from the shoulder portion and defines a chamber. The base portion extends at an end of the body opposite to the shoulder portion and is moveable from an as-blown position to an expanded position and from the expanded position to a retracted position. The base portion includes a standing ring, a pivot area, and a central area. The pivot area is disposed between the standing ring and the central area. The pivot area is configured to flex and move the central area along the longitudinal axis when the base portion moves from the as-blown position to the expanded position, and from the expanded position to a retracted position.

Abstract: A container includes a finish, a shoulder portion, a body, and a base portion. The finish defines an opening. The shoulder portion extends from the finish. The body extends from the shoulder portion and defines a chamber. The base portion extends at an end of the body opposite to the shoulder portion and is moveable from an as-blown position to an expanded position and from the expanded position to a retracted position. The base portion includes a standing ring, a pivot area, and a central area. The pivot area is disposed between the standing ring and the central area. The pivot area is configured to flex and move the central area along the longitudinal axis when the base portion moves from the as-blown position to the expanded position, and from the expanded position to a retracted position.

Abstract: A container including a finish, a sidewall portion, a base portion, and an inwardly directed rib member. The finish has a thread portion and an opening formed by the finish. The sidewall portion extends from the finish. The base portion extends from the sidewall portion and encloses the sidewall portion to form a volume for retaining a commodity. The inwardly directed rib member is disposed circumferentially about the finish.

Abstract: A novel and useful sensor and sensing system employs a transmission electrode which provides a length of transmission electrode that is greater than the physical length of the sensor, allowing for the effective and accurate determination of the moisture content of a volume of material using high-frequency measurement methods. The construction of the sensor allows the sensor to be directly inserted into the material, without requiring excavation or backfilling of the sensors in the material. The sensor can be employed as part of a sensing system, with one or more sensors preferably being managed by a field node, which in turn, interoperates with a system master node.

Abstract: A novel and useful sensor and sensing system employs a transmission electrode which provides a length of transmission electrode that is greater than the physical length of the sensor, allowing for the effective and accurate determination of the moisture content of a volume of material using high-frequency measurement methods. The construction of the sensor allows the sensor to be directly inserted into the material, without requiring excavation or backfilling of the sensors in the material. The sensor can be employed as part of a sensing system, with one or more sensors preferably being managed by a field node, which in turn, interoperates with a system master node.

Abstract: A novel and useful sensor and sensing system employs a transmission electrode which provides a length of transmission electrode that is greater than the physical length of the sensor, allowing for the effective and accurate determination of the moisture content of a volume of material using high-frequency measurement methods. The construction of the sensor allows the sensor to be directly inserted into the material, without requiring excavation or backfilling of the sensors in the material. The sensor can be employed as part of a sensing system, with one or more sensors preferably being managed by a field node, which in turn, interoperates with a system master node.

Abstract: A container comprising a finish, a sidewall portion extending from the finish having a thread portion and an opening formed therein, a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity, and an inwardly directed rib member. The inwardly directed rib member is circumferentially disposed about the finish. In some embodiments, the inwardly directed rib member is positioned between the opening of the finish and the start of the thread portion.

Abstract: A novel and useful sensor and sensing system employs a transmission electrode which provides a length of transmission electrode that is greater than the physical length of the sensor, allowing for the effective and accurate determination of the moisture content of a volume of material using high-frequency measurement methods. The construction of the sensor allows the sensor to be directly inserted into the material, without requiring excavation or backfilling of the sensors in the material. The sensor can be employed as part of a sensing system, with one or more sensors preferably being managed by a field node, which in turn, interoperates with a system master node.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the dielectric constant of a fluid uses time of flight measurements. The sensor has a conduit for the fluid, preferably a transmission line. The dielectric constant of the fluid affects tranmission of electrical energy along the transmission line. An electrical generator, having as output an electrical transient, is operably connected to one end of the transmission line for transmitting the electrical transient along the conduit, where propagation of the electrical conduit is affected by the fluid. A receiver is connected to the other end of the conduit for detecting electrical transients that have passed along the conduit from the electrical generator.