Abstract: The present application provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing a number of cutlery utensils. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing, a front cover enclosing the housing, a dispensing wedge, and a dispensing trough positioned on the front cover. The dispensing wedge angles a leading cutlery utensil into the dispensing trough for dispensing therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology providing an axial positioner for a rotatable shaft that is selectively extensible along an axis of rotation. The apparatus includes a sleeve having a first race operably fixed in rotation with the shaft, and a second race operably fixed at a predetermined rotational position. The races define opposing bearing surfaces operably supporting the first race in rotation with respect to the second race. The apparatus also includes an indicia device attached to the second race.

Abstract: A disc caddy and associated method for handling is characterized by a disc cassette having opposing longitudinal side walls joined to opposing lateral end walls forming a substantially rectangular structure defining open first and second ends. A first removable cover is provided for closing the first end, and a second removable cover is provided for closing the second end. The second removable cover defines barb members that latchingly engage respective strikes defined by the first removable cover that extend substantially parallel to the end walls. The disc cassette has protuberant features defining reference hold-down surfaces, and the first removable cover defines clearance apertures through which the hold-down surfaces extend.

Abstract: This invention pertains to improved methods for the synthesis of long, double stranded nucleic acid sequences containing difficult to clone or variable regions.

Abstract: The present application provides a cutlery dispenser for use with a number of cutlery utensils. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing and a front cover. The front cover may include a dispensing opening and a spring loaded retainer such that the cutlery utensils may be loaded through the front cover and may be dispensed therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology providing an axial positioner for a rotatable shaft that is selectively extensible along an axis of rotation. The apparatus includes a sleeve having a first race operably fixed in rotation with the shaft, and a second race operably fixed at a predetermined rotational position. The races define opposing bearing surfaces operably supporting the first race in rotation with respect to the second race. The apparatus also includes an indicia device attached to the second race.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to devices and methods for using pressure measurements to teach a robot a teaching point location. In certain embodiments, a method includes measuring pressure at multiple points across a target. A location of a robot teaching point is determined based on the measured pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for orienting a workpiece during processing. A fixture supports the workpiece adjacent a noncontacting biaser. At least one of the fixture and the biaser are selectively movable in a first direction with respect to the other. The biaser directs a first magnetic force capable of moving the workpiece relative to the fixture in a different second direction without physical contact between the biaser and the workpiece during a travel path segment of movement between the fixture and the biaser. The biaser further directs a second magnetic force capable of moving the workpiece relative to the fixture in a third direction, that is different than the second direction, without physical contact between the biaser and the workpiece during a subportion of the travel path segment of movement between the fixture and the biaser.

Abstract: The disclosed invention pertains to improved oligonucleotide manufacturing methods, including novel support compositions that are optionally labeled, their methods of preparation and use. The compositions and methods are particularly well suited for high throughput oligonucleotide manufacturing in that the automated support recognition facilitates loading of the wells with the proper supports. In addition, the labeled supports can be used to confirm that each well of a multi-well plate, such as a 96 or 384 well plate, was properly loaded.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for orienting a workpiece during processing. A fixture supports the workpiece adjacent a noncontacting biaser. At least one of the fixture and the biaser are selectively movable in a first direction with respect to the other. The biaser directs a first magnetic force capable of moving the workpiece relative to the fixture in a different second direction without physical contact between the biaser and the workpiece during a travel path segment of movement between the fixture and the biaser. The biaser further directs a second magnetic force capable of moving the workpiece relative to the fixture in a third direction. that is different than the second direction, without physical contact between the biaser and the workpiece during a subportion of the travel path segment of movement between the fixture and the biaser.

Abstract: A bat, golf club or stringed racket has the sweet spot replaced by a ring with a ball-catching net secured to a backside thereof to enable the user to develop the necessary hand-eye coordination to consistently engage the optimum portion of the sporting goods device to contact the ball, thereby improving performance/results.

Abstract: A service level agreement between a network service provider and a network user may require that specified service metrics or parameters be maintained within predetermined limits. To reduce the chance those limits (and the service level agreement) will be violated, the service metric is sampled periodically over successive sampling intervals. The mean value and the standard deviation of the set of samples obtained during the most recent sampling interval are used to screen out unreliable data. If the set of samples satisfies the reliability screening, the set is used in combination with past acceptable sets to determine the trend in the sampled service metric. If the trend is toward a violation, the time of the violation is predicted based on the assumption the current trend will continue. If the predicted time of violation is sufficiently near the current time, an alert is sent to the service provider to permit the service provider to initiate anticipatory corrective action.

Abstract: A workpiece presentment system and associated method for workpiece presentment with a pick and place device is provided. The system includes a pair of parallel stationary rails, and first and second shuttle rails respectively disposed adjacent first and second ends of the stationary rails. Each shuttle rail is independently moveable laterally to a longitudinal alignment with a selected one of the pair of stationary rails. A control circuit is configured to circulate only two pallets simultaneously in the same rectangular path of travel to load trays to the pallets on one of the stationary rails while presenting the trays to the pick and place device on the other stationary rail.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for rotary positioning is provided in an apparatus having an outer housing disposed around an inner housing, wherein at least one of the housings is rotatable with respect to the other housing. The rotary positioner also has a utility circuit having a first flexible circuit connected at one end to the outer housing and connected at an opposing end to the inner housing and forming a loop therebetween having a first u-shaped bend pointing in a first rotational direction in a space between the housings, and having a second flexible circuit connected at one end to the outer housing and connected at an opposing end to the inner housing and forming a loop therebetween having a second u-shaped bend pointing in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction in the space between the housings.

Abstract: Monitoring compliance with a service level agreement is provided by generating an early warning notification indicating that failure to meet a service level objective of the service level agreement by a resource is about to occur. The early warning notification may include an indication of how close the resource is to failing to meet the service level objective.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronously building a Ziv-Lempel dictionary during online insert processing. In one embodiment the invention includes a method for processing information that includes the steps of initiating a process for adding data to a data object including a table and determining if a predetermined condition exists for triggering the creation of a compression dictionary. The compression dictionary is then created if the predetermined condition exists. Once created, the dictionary may then be inserted into the data object.

Abstract: A workpiece presentment system and associated method for workpiece presentment with a pick and place device is provided. The system includes a pair of parallel stationary rails, and first and second shuttle rails respectively disposed adjacent first and second ends ofthe stationary rails. Each shuttle rail is independently moveable laterally to a longitudinal alignment with a selected one of the pair of stationary rails. A control circuit is configured to circulate only two pallets simultaneously in the same rectangular path of travel to load trays to the pallets on one of the stationary rails while presenting the trays to the pick and place device on the other stationary rail.

Abstract: A disc caddy and associated method for handling is characterized by a disc cassette having opposing longitudinal side walls joined to opposing lateral end walls forming a substantially rectangular structure defining open first and second ends. A first removable cover is provided for closing the first end, and a second removable cover is provided for closing the second end. The second removable cover defines barb members that latchingly engage respective strikes defined by the first removable cover that extend substantially parallel to the end walls. The disc cassette has protuberant features defining reference hold-down surfaces, and the first removable cover defines clearance apertures through which the hold-down surfaces extend.

Abstract: A transporter which is attachable to the tow package of a vehicle for transporting a container from one place to another. The transporter includes a lifter which manually engages, lifts and holds the container for transportation.