Abstract: A method for generating one or more navigational charts for a geographic area is described. The method includes determining a frequency of travel between a plurality of destinations for the geographic area, the geographic area including a number of travel routes therein, defining one or more bounding boxes for placement within the geographic area, where the placement optimizes the number of travel routes within each bounding box, and generating one or more navigation charts for the area that have boundaries based on the bounding box definitions.

Abstract: A method for generating one or more navigational charts for a geographic area is described. The method includes determining a frequency of travel between a plurality of destinations for the geographic area, the geographic area including a number of travel routes therein, defining one or more bounding boxes for placement within the geographic area, where the placement optimizes the number of travel routes within each bounding box, and generating one or more navigation charts for the area that have boundaries based on the bounding box definitions.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging restroom door is provided. The apparatus comprises an actuator, a control unit, and a power assisted drive mechanism that can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism. The actuator comprises a proximity sensor and further comprises a series of iconic symbols corresponding to predetermined proximity zones. The control unit is in electronic communication with the actuator with which signals are exchanged. The power assisted drive mechanism is in electronic communication with the control unit and can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism wherein the actions of the door closing mechanism are reversed and the door is opened.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging restroom door is provided. The apparatus comprises an actuator, a control unit, and a power assisted drive mechanism that can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism. The actuator comprises a proximity sensor and further comprises a series of iconic symbols corresponding to predetermined proximity zones. The control unit is in electronic communication with the actuator with which signals are exchanged. The power assisted drive mechanism is in electronic communication with the control unit and can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism wherein the actions of the door closing mechanism are reversed and the door is opened.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging restroom door is provided. The apparatus comprises an actuator, a control unit, and a power assisted drive mechanism that can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism. The actuator comprises a proximity sensor and further comprises a series of iconic symbols corresponding to predetermined proximity zones. The control unit is in electronic communication with the actuator with which signals are exchanged. The power assisted drive mechanism is in electronic communication with the control unit and can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism wherein the actions of the door closing mechanism are reversed and the door is opened.

Abstract: An automatic, water dispensing, filter shutoff device having a disposable and replaceable filter. The shutoff device is in removable engagement and fluid communication with a water container such as a water bottle, and is adapted to disable dispensing after a predetermined amount of dispensing has occurred, which may but need not substantially correspond to the filtration capacity of the filter. In a preferred embodiment, the shutoff device includes a monitoring and disabling with plunger components moveable between dispensing and disabling locations, and a rotating indexing mechanism. At the disabling location, a plunger component is placed in an interfering position with the engagement between the shutoff device and the water container. The shutoff device can distinguish between water bottles having different volumetric capacities, and terminate dispensing accordingly. Preferable, a replaceable filter cartridge is provided which, when removed, causes the indexing mechanism to be reset.

Abstract: An automatic, water dispensing, filter shutoff device having a disposable and replaceable filter. The shutoff device is in removable engagement and fluid communication with a water container such as a water bottle, and is adapted to disable dispensing after a predetermined amount of dispensing has occurred, which may but need not substantially correspond to the filtration capacity of the filter. In a preferred embodiment, the shutoff device includes a monitoring and disabling with plunger components moveable between dispensing and disabling locations, and a rotating indexing mechanism. At the disabling location, a plunger component is placed in an interfering position with the engagement between the shutoff device and the water container. The shutoff device can distinguish between water bottles having different volumetric capacities, and terminate dispensing accordingly. Preferable, a replaceable filter cartridge is provided which, when removed, causes the indexing mechanism to be reset.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser for periodically dispersing a predetermined quantity of an item, such as chlorine or vitamin gel, into a liquid to be dispensed such as water or coffee.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging restroom door is provided. The apparatus comprises an actuator, a control unit, and a power assisted drive mechanism that can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism. The actuator comprises a proximity sensor and further comprises a series of iconic symbols corresponding to predetermined proximity zones. The control unit is in electronic communication with the actuator with which signals are exchanged. The power assisted drive mechanism is in electronic communication with the control unit and can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism wherein the actions of the door closing mechanism are reversed and the door is opened.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser for periodically dispersing a predetermined quantity of an item, such as chlorine or vitamin gel, into a liquid to be dispensed such as water or coffee.

Abstract: A thermostatic expansion valve for a vehicle air-conditioning system includes a valve body with a condenser passage and an evaporator passage, and a power element supported on one end of the body. The power element includes a diaphragm and a pressure pad disposed against the lower surface of the diaphragm. The pressure pad includes a valve stem engaging a valve assembly in the valve body to control the flow of refrigerant between the condenser and evaporator. The valve assembly includes i) a plunger retainer threadably received in the condenser passage, ii) a plunger moveably connected to the plunger retainer and having a throttling member controlling the flow through an orifice in the metering passage, and iii) a spring extending between the plunger retainer and the plunger and biasing the plunger, and hence the throttling member, toward the orifice.