Abstract: In a general aspect, an apparatus can include an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) device configured to control charging and discharging of an ignition coil and a two-stage voltage clamp coupled with the IGBT device. The two-stage voltage clamp can include a high-voltage portion coupled with the IGBT device and a low-voltage portion coupled with high-voltage portion and the IGBT device. The apparatus can further include a sense device coupled with the two-stage voltage clamp and a timing circuit coupled with the sense device. The timing circuit can be configured to provide a control signal to cause the sense device to enable or disable the high-voltage portion of the two-stage voltage clamp.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a bridge circuit can include a first bridge including a first plurality of MOSFETs and including a first input terminal and a second input terminal, and a second bridge including a second plurality of MOSFETs and including a third input terminal and a fourth input terminal. The first bridge and the second bridge can be coupled in parallel and being coupled to a first load terminal and a second load terminal.

Abstract: The claimed invention is an apparatus to assist and encourage a person to take long, deep and steady breaths. The invention is designed to provide improved health for the user by fostering; improved breathing and relaxation, aroma delivery and positive smell association, calmer clearer thinking, reduced stress and anxiety, as well as providing a substitute for potentially harmful habits such as smoking, over-eating, over-drinking and other forms of drug abuse. This invention may also reduce the impact of some existing physiological and psychological health conditions.

Abstract: In a general aspect, an apparatus can include an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) device configured to control charging and discharging of an ignition coil and a two-stage voltage clamp coupled with the IGBT device. The two-stage voltage clamp can include a high-voltage portion coupled with the IGBT device and a low-voltage portion coupled with high-voltage portion and the IGBT device. The apparatus can further include a sense device coupled with the two-stage voltage clamp and a timing circuit coupled with the sense device. The timing circuit can be configured to provide a control signal to cause the sense device to enable or disable the high-voltage portion of the two-stage voltage clamp.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a bridge circuit can include a first bridge including a first plurality of MOSFETs and including a first input terminal and a second input terminal, and a second bridge including a second plurality of MOSFETs and including a third input terminal and a fourth input terminal. The first bridge and the second bridge can be coupled in parallel and being coupled to a first load terminal and a second load terminal.

Abstract: A method of making a beverage in a beverage making machine includes filling a beverage diluent receptacle with a beverage diluent liquid, a beverage making cartridge further comprising at least one of a beverage ingredient, and the beverage diluent receptacle, and storing the beverage making cartridge in a refrigerated appliance separate from the beverage making machine, wherein at least the beverage diluent liquid is chilled. The method further preparing a beverage by retrieving the beverage cartridge form the refrigerated appliance, inserting the beverage making cartridge, into the beverage making machine, and dispensing selectively a predefined ratio of the beverage ingredient and a beverage diluent liquid to form the beverage.

Abstract: The claimed invention is an apparatus to assist and encourage a person to take long, deep and steady breaths. The invention is designed to provide improved health for the user by fostering; improved breathing and relaxation, positive smell association, calmer clearer thinking, reduced stress and anxiety, as well as providing a substitute for potentially harmful habits such as smoking, over-eating, over-drinking and other forms of drug abuse. This invention may also reduce the impact of some existing physiological and psychological health conditions.

Abstract: A cyanoacrylate-based adhesive composition is disclosed. The cyanoacrylate-based adhesive composition includes a cyanoacrylate monomer, and a bleachable dye including a Michler's hydrol cation or derivatized Michler's hydrol cation, paired with a non-nucleophilic anion that provides a stable color to the cyanoacrylate-based adhesive.

Abstract: A device for cutting media is provided. The device includes a cover having a sidewall extending therefrom; a guide disposed substantially beneath the cover and comprising a blade; an actuating mechanism disposed in at least one of the cover and the guide; and an actuating wall disposed between the cover and the guide. Engagement of the actuating mechanism creates a cutting action between the blade and the actuating wall.

Abstract: An adhesive composition includes 5 to 40% wt polyvinylpyrrolidone; 3 to 20% wt alkanoate blend including a first Cn carboxylic acid salt and a second Cm carboxylic acid salt, where n and m are integers in a range from 12 to 22; 20 to 60% wt of a water-soluble or water-dispersable solid material; 0.5 to 30 wt % of a liquid polyhydric alcohol; and 15 to 60% wt water. The adhesive composition can be clear and in glue stick form.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method comprises combining at least a polymer adhesive material, a thickener, and water to form adhesive compositions having a pH of 4 to 10, and identifying the adhesive compositions having a stringing length of 9 cm or less and one or more of the following properties: a set time of 180 seconds or less, a phase lag of 45 degrees or less, a viscosity of 3,000 to 50,000 cP, a complex shear modulus of 50 to 1000 Pa, and a sag distance of 10 mm or less.

Abstract: The folded collapsed boxes containing substantially no open gaps are provided. A plurality of different size folded collapsed boxes can be bundled together to yield a display that has the maximum number of folded collapsed boxes displayed thus conserving space.

Abstract: Techniques are described for performing a one-touch search to locate a selected item associated with an RFID tag. The techniques allow, for example, an RFID reader to perform a search where a user selects an item from a list, and the RFID reader, without any further input from the user, interrogates one or more RFID tags until an RFID tag associated with the selected item is found. The RFID reader may also allow a user to associate items with an RFID tag, view items associated with an RFID tag, and edit item lists associated with an RFID tag. In this way, an RFID reader may associate any number of items to an RFID tag, repeatedly edit existing item lists associated with an RFID tag, and quickly search multiple RFID tags until a desired item associated with a particular RFID tag is found.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a media cutting tool for cutting a media. The media cutting tool comprises a cutting blade and a tool guide. The cutting blade is in a first plane and comprises a cutting edge. The tool guide is in a second plane. The tool guide and the cutting blade are of a similar composition and connect to form a unit. The first plane of the cutting blade and the second plane of the tool guide intersect at a connection line.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for cutting media, such as paper, cardboard, and metal foils. The device has a body that includes a sidewall extending from the body. The device has means for cutting the media disposed in the body. The means for cutting the media has a cutting edge having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The sidewall shrouds at least a portion of the cutting edge. The sidewall has a media contact point that is disposed away from the trailing edge in the direction of the leading edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative device for a non-food item, kits relating to the device, and methods of making the device. In one embodiment, the decorative article includes a non-food item having a first portion, a second distal portion, and a middle section disposed between the first and second portion. A decorative article is attached to the first portion of the non-food item. And, a decorative base is attached to the second portion of the non-food item. In another embodiment, the decorative article does not extend to the second portion of the non-food item.

Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition includes a polymer adhesive material having a pH of less than 7, a cationic thickener or an anionic thickener formed from at least one anionic monomer having a pKa of less than 3, and water. The adhesive composition has a stringing length of 9 cm or less and a sag distance of 10 mm or less.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a stacked pad of adhesive tape sheets is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a base having transversely spaced first and second major surfaces, first and second longitudinal ends defining a length, and first and second lateral sides defining a width. The dispenser further comprises a pair of laterally opposed side tabs proximate the first longitudinal end of the base which are transversely spaced from the first major surface of the base and laterally extend inward from the sides of the base so as to extend over the first major surface of the base. Substantially the entire first major surface of the base remains exposed.

Abstract: An item monitoring system and method of using an item monitoring system. The present invention relates more particularly to an item monitoring system including a sensor, that senses a plurality of items in a first amount of space associated with the sensor and that senses both items containing metal and items containing no metal, a communications network, and a computer that receives information from the sensor through the communications network. The present invention also relates more particularly to a method of monitoring items to determine the number of items within a first amount of space associated with the sensor.