Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus and system to increase the capacity for grasping or engagement of an object using an accessory tool. Methods of increasing the capacity of a tool can include: engaging an accessory tool with a tool, where the tool includes a first vacuum cup and the accessory tool includes one or more second vacuum cups; securing the tool to the accessory tool with a securing mechanism; drawing a vacuum through the first vacuum cup, where the vacuum is drawn through the one or more second vacuum cups in response to drawing a vacuum through the first vacuum cup while the accessory tool is engaged with the tool; and grasping an object with the second one or more vacuum cups in response to vacuum drawn through the one or more second vacuum cups and the one or more second vacuum cups engaging a surface of the object.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus and system to increase the capacity for grasping or engagement of an object using an accessory tool. Methods of increasing the capacity of a tool can include: engaging an accessory tool with a tool, where the tool includes a first vacuum cup and the accessory tool includes one or more second vacuum cups; securing the tool to the accessory tool with a securing mechanism; drawing a vacuum through the first vacuum cup, where the vacuum is drawn through the one or more second vacuum cups in response to drawing a vacuum through the first vacuum cup while the accessory tool is engaged with the tool; and grasping an object with the second one or more vacuum cups in response to vacuum drawn through the one or more second vacuum cups and the one or more second vacuum cups engaging a surface of the object.

Abstract: A storage apparatus is provided. The storage apparatus defines a storage cavity having an opening at the upper surface of the storage apparatus with a substantially planar flange extending outwardly from the opening of the storage cavity and defines a plurality of support structures, each support structure (a) having an opening at the upper surface of the storage apparatus and (b) adapted to support the storage apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may provide a modular conveyor that includes a conveyor frame including an access opening, a plurality of conveyor buckets configured to move along a continuous path within the conveyor frame, and an access station where the contents of a conveyor bucket disposed at the access station may be accessible through the access opening. Each of the plurality of conveyor buckets may be configured to be substantially enclosed by the conveyor frame when not at the access station. The conveyor frame may include at least one channel disposed about a perimeter of the continuous path, where each of the plurality of conveyor buckets include at least one projection configured to engage the at least one channel. The conveyor buckets may be driven along the continuous path by a drive mechanism disposed outside of the conveyor frame.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for dispensing items. In one embodiment, a magazine defining a channel adapted to store a plurality of items of substantially similar size in a uniform manner is provided. The magazine may also define (a) a rake element path adapted to allow one item of the plurality of items to be engaged and (b) a dispensing opening adapted to allow the engaged item to be urged out of the dispensing opening. In such an embodiment, a receptacle may also be provided. The receptacle may comprise a storage cavity and a rake element, wherein the rake element is adapted to (a) pass through the rake element path of the magazine to engage the item and (b) urge the item out of the dispensing opening of the magazine into the storage cavity of the receptacle.

Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving the efficiency of medication distribution within a healthcare facility. In particular, embodiments may provide for dispensing medications needed and medications anticipated to be needed to an authorized medical person for administration to a patient in a healthcare facility. A method may include anticipating, by a processor, the need for one or more unit dose medications for a patient; directing the one or more unit dose medications to be placed into a patient specific overpack; directing the patient-specific overpack to be staged at a first location; receiving a request for the one or more unit dose medications; and causing the one or more unit dose medications to be dispensed to an authorized medical person in response to receiving the request.

Abstract: A storage apparatus is provided. The storage apparatus defines a storage cavity having an opening at the upper surface of the storage apparatus with a substantially planar flange extending outwardly from the opening of the storage cavity and defines a plurality of support structures, each support structure (a) having an opening at the upper surface of the storage apparatus and (b) adapted to support the storage apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may provide a modular conveyor that includes a conveyor frame including an access opening, a plurality of conveyor buckets configured to move along a continuous path within the conveyor frame, and an access station where the contents of a conveyor bucket disposed at the access station may be accessible through the access opening. Each of the plurality of conveyor buckets may be configured to be substantially enclosed by the conveyor frame when not at the access station. The conveyor frame may include at least one channel disposed about a perimeter of the continuous path, where each of the plurality of conveyor buckets include at least one projection configured to engage the at least one channel. The conveyor buckets may be driven along the continuous path by a drive mechanism disposed outside of the conveyor frame.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for dispensing items. In one embodiment, a magazine defining a channel adapted to store a plurality of items of substantially similar size in a uniform manner is provided. The magazine may also define (a) a rake element path adapted to allow one item of the plurality of items to be engaged and (b) a dispensing opening adapted to allow the engaged item to be urged out of the dispensing opening. In such an embodiment, a receptacle may also be provided. The receptacle may comprise a storage cavity and a rake element, wherein the rake element is adapted to (a) pass through the rake element path of the magazine to engage the item and (b) urge the item out of the dispensing opening of the magazine into the storage cavity of the receptacle.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for matching one or more batteries that were charged in a charging station with a remote device that is depleting its availble battery power. In providing such matching functionality, the system can be configured to, for example, monitor the amount of power the remote device, such as a rechargeable battery-powered device used in a hospital, requires over one or more periods of time, monitor the health of a number of batteries, match one or more of the batteries to the rechargeable battery-powered device, and then convey to a user which rechargeable battery-powered device should have its depleted battery replaced with a remotely-charged battery.

Abstract: A wiper assembly for a vehicle having at least one vision block within an outer face, generally consisting of a guide cylinder supportable on the vehicle, disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the face of the vision block; a piston disposed in the guide cylinder and displaceable along the length thereof, provided with a magnetic element; a follower mounted on the guide cylinder, displaceable along the length thereof, provided with a magnetic element magnetically coupled to the magnetic element of the piston for displacement therewith; a wiper carried by the follower, having a portion engaging the outer face of the vision block in wiping relation therewith; and means operatively connectable to a source of fluid under pressure for alternately supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of the guide cylinder for reciprocating the piston and correspondingly the wiper along the outer face of the vision block.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an occupant of a vehicle possibly subjected to upsetting forces generally consisting of a base member mountable on a body portion of the vehicle, an occupant seat means for restraining an occupant positioned on the seat, means operatively interconnecting the base member and the seat for guiding the seat along a line of travel when the seat is displaced relative to the base member, means operatively interconnecting the base member and the seat for dampening a force imposed on the seat in first direction along the line of travel and means operatively interconnecting the base member and the seat for dampening a force imposed on the seat in a second direction along the line of travel.

Abstract: A Kentucky bluegrass variety known as ‘North Star’ (experimental code PST-A7-60), and seed used to produce the grass are provided. Methods of using the grass plant and the seed are also provided. This grass is particularly suitable for use in lawns, golf courses, sod, and other turfs where excellent turf quality is desired.

Abstract: A Kentucky bluegrass variety known as ‘Brilliant’ (experimental code PST-B2-42), and seed used to produce the grass are provided. Methods of using the grass plant and the seed are also provided. This grass is particularly suitable for use in lawns, golf courses, sod, and other turfs where excellent turf quality is desired.

Abstract: An ion beam sputtering target assembly has six sputter targets arranged in pairs on three paddles and disposed upon the circumference of a circular holder. The circular holder can be rotated about its axis in such a way as to bring any one of the target pairs to be exposed to the sputtering ion beam to deposit a film on substrate. The paddle is rotated to bring a desired target in the pair into position for sputtering. An alternative embodiment is provided with an enlarged region which allows one of the target paddles to be rotated about its axis while that target paddle is in an inactive, non-sputtering rotary position.