Abstract: A cutter assembly, which may include a rotatable cutting element disposable within a pocket of an earth-boring tool, a sleeve configured to receive the rotatable cutting element, and at least one retention mechanism configured to secure the rotatable cutting element within the sleeve. The rotatable cutting element may include a substrate, a table, which may be comprised of a superhard, polycrystalline material disposed on a first end of the substrate, and a recess extending into a second, opposite end of the substrate. The sleeve may comprise at least one radial bearing surface, a backing support sized, shaped, and positioned to extend into the recess of the rotatable cutting element, and at least one axial thrust-bearing surface located on the backing support and positioned to contact the substrate within the recess.

Abstract: One variation of a method for guiding cooking with a cooking vessel includes: receiving a selection for a recipe; retrieving a target cooking time and a target cooking temperature for the recipe; presenting a prompt to apply a level of heat to the cooking vessel; initiating a timer for a duration corresponding to the target cooking time; receiving a temperature measurement wirelessly transmitted from the cooking vessel; in response to receiving the temperature measurement greater than the target cooking temperature, presenting a prompt to reduce the level of heat; in response to receiving the temperature measurement less than the target cooking temperature, presenting a prompt to increase the level of heat; adjusting the duration of the timer based on a difference between the second temperature measurement and the target cooking temperature; and, in response to expiration of the timer, indicating completion of the recipe.

Abstract: One variation of an apparatus for cooking over a burner includes: a vessel including a base defining a channel extending along an external surface of the vessel and over a center of the base, the channel including an undercut; a handle extending outwardly from the vessel; a temperature sensor arranged within the channel proximal the center of the base of the vessel; a closing panel arranged within the channel, constrained by the undercut, and cooperating with the base of the vessel to encapsulate the temperature sensor; an electrical conductor interposed between the base of the vessel and the closing panel, the electrical conductor extending from the temperature sensor to the handle; and a wireless communication module arranged within the handle, coupled to the electrical conductor, and transmitting a unique identifier and a value corresponding to an output of the temperature sensor to an external computing device.

Abstract: Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body including a blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway. The blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway includes at least one internal fluid passageway formed in the bit body and a cuttings filtering feature formed in the at least one internal fluid passageway configured to prevent at least some cuttings from flowing through the at least one internal fluid passageway. In one embodiment, the cuttings filtering feature includes at least one lateral member extending transversely across the at least one internal fluid passageway. In another embodiment, the cuttings filtering feature includes forming a central portion of the at least one internal fluid passageway with a width along a lateral axis thereof less than an average width of a fluid path extending through a nozzle disposed at least partially within the at least one internal fluid passageway. Methods of forming the blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for engaging a subterranean borehole includes a bi-center bit having backup cutting elements thereon. The bi-center bit includes a pilot bit section and a reamer bit section adjacent to the pilot bit section. The pilot bit section includes at least one primary cutting element and at least one backup cutting element rotationally trailing and laterally offset from the at least one primary cutting element. Methods of drilling a subterranean borehole include engaging a first portion of a borehole with a reamer bit section of a drill bit and simultaneously engaging a second, opposing portion of the borehole with a pilot bit section adjacent to the reamer bit section.

Abstract: Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body including a blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway. The blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway includes at least one internal fluid passageway formed in the bit body and a cuttings filtering feature formed in the at least one internal fluid passageway configured to prevent at least some cuttings from flowing through the at least one internal fluid passageway. In one embodiment, the cuttings filtering feature includes at least one lateral member extending transversely across the at least one internal fluid passageway. In another embodiment, the cuttings filtering feature includes forming a central portion of the at least one internal fluid passageway with a width along a lateral axis thereof less than an average width of a fluid path extending through a nozzle disposed at least partially within the at least one internal fluid passageway. Methods of forming the blockage-resistant internal fluid passageway are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for positioning a bore needle into a specific position within a vein includes a first body defining proximal and distal ends. A first needle extends from the distal end, establishing fluid communication through the first body from the distal to the proximal end. A second body co-axially supports the bore needle for rotational orientation in the specific position, and has a distal end with an aperture that defines an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the bore needle. The first and second bodies are respectively mounted to first and second opposed sides of a web body that defines an angle between the first needle and the bore needle when the bore needle is received in the second body, for positioning the aperture of the bore needle in the specific position in alignment with the first needle and opening substantially in the longitudinal direction of the first needle.

Abstract: A corrugated bulk container for shipping, storing and dispensing liquids and semi-liquid fluids. The container is a laminated triple wall open-ended tube having side walls and end walls, and a bag assembly is supported in the tube for containing the liquid or semi-liquid fluid. The bag assembly includes a bag having a fill valve and a dispensing valve attached to it, a bag cassette to which a bottom end of the bag is attached, and a fill valve support plate to which a top end of the bag is attached. The bag cassette has structure to receive and hold the dispensing valve in position relative to a dispensing valve opening in the tube, and the fill valve support plate has structure to receive and support the fill valve. The container is attached to a pallet by severable structure, and the fill valve support plate is attached to the tube by severable structure so that the bag assembly can be removed from the container, for easy collapse of the container for disposal or recycling.

Abstract: An audience response system is provided. In various implementations, the response system includes a base station, handheld units, and a wireless network. The response system may have a prompted mode and an unprompted mode of operation. In the prompted mode of operation, the base station transmits questions to the handheld units over the wireless network. The questions are displayed to users on their handheld units. The users respond to the question, and their responses are transmitted to the base station via the wireless network. In the unprompted mode, answer templates are transmitted and displayed to the users, with the actual questions being conveyed in some other manner, such as verbally or by written handout.

Abstract: A wireless classroom response system wireless network is located proximate to a classroom, a base station that coordinates the activities of the wireless network, and a plurality of handheld units. Each handheld unit is associated with an attendee of a class (either on a long-term or “owned basis, or on an ad-hoc or “shared” basis). Each handheld unit performs a discovery process that includes the steps of randomly choosing a wireless channel, attempting to discover the presence of the wireless network on the channel, and repeating these two steps if no wireless network is discovered.

Abstract: A wireless classroom response system includes multiple wireless networks, each serving a different classroom. Each network has a computer located proximate to the classroom that the wireless network serves. The computer executes a communications server and an application program, wherein the application program facilitates classroom activities. The system also includes a wireless access point located proximate to the classroom. The wireless access point is communicatively linked to the computer. The system also has a plurality of handheld units. Each handheld unit displays, to a user, a list of the networks, and receives a user input indicating which one of the wireless networks the handheld unit should connect. The handheld unit connects to the chosen wireless network, thereby becoming a node in the wireless network. It also transmits data to the application program via the wireless access point and the communications server.

Abstract: The present invention improves upon conventional composting by adding a dryer to the system to evaporate moisture. In the high efficiency composting process of the present invention, recycled, dehydrated compost material replaces the bulking agent to adjust the moisture of material entering the fermentor. The invention results in a substantial volume reduction of the fermentor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dehydrated food waste product including a dry additive of recycled, dried food pellets and utilizing a mixer and pelletizer is disclosed, which includes maintaining a distance of less than about one meter between mixer and pelletizer.

Abstract: A 3D wavelet-based filter for visualizing and locating structural features of a user-specified linear size in 2D or 3D image data. The only input parameter is a characteristic linear size of the feature of interest, and the filter output contains only those regions that are correlated with the characteristic size, thus denoising the image.

Abstract: A corrugated bulk container for shipping, storing and dispensing liquids and semi-liquid fluids. The container is a laminated triple wall open-ended tube having side walls and end walls, and a bag assembly is supported in the tube for containing the liquid or semi-liquid fluid. The bag assembly includes a bag having a fill valve and a dispensing valve attached to it, a bag cassette to which a bottom end of the bag is attached, and a fill valve support plate to which a top end of the bag is attached. The bag cassette has structure to receive and hold the dispensing valve in position relative to a dispensing valve opening in the tube, and the fill valve support plate has structure to receive and support the fill valve. The container is attached to a pallet by severable structure, and the fill valve support plate is attached to the tube by severable structure so that the bag assembly can be removed from the container, for easy collapse of the container for disposal or recycling.

Abstract: A stand device for supporting a personal, miniature, or mobile computer, such as a PC notebook or laptop computer. The stand device is comprised of a base platform (A) for supporting the notebook computer, and at least two hinged legs (B) for elevation and angling of the (A) base and attached computer. The stand device is made from a material such as aluminum to help absorb and dissipate heat away from the computer. The stand device is designed so that it can be attached to the bottom side of the notebook computer with Velcro™ disks. This allows the stand device to be carried, stowed and used while attached to the notebook computer.

Abstract: A lightweight fabric structure is provided with a fabric membrane having a pocket type configuration formed along the center seam of the membrane with a T-shaped center pole positioned in the pocket. The lightweight fabric structure may have one or more pockets and corresponding T-shaped center poles. The pavilion type tent structure includes at least four side poles staked about the periphery of the structure with a flexible fabric membrane in tension between the side poles. The shape and configuration of the panels provide tension distribution over the entire fabric structure. The longitudinal center seam of the fabric membrane carries the maximum force. The T-shaped center poles with pocket configuration facilitates the redistribution of the forces from the point where multiple panels of the membrane converge at a single location.

Abstract: A lightweight fabric structure forming a pavilion type tent structure having fabric arches stretching from corner to corner, which define the periphery of the structure. Curved corner poles and a center hub with an extended rod are used to maintain tension and hold the arches upright. A base is provided at each corner to secure the corner poles and the fabric. The corner poles are extended from the base to tighten the fabric and achieve the desired tension needed to provide a smooth and wrinkle free fabric structure.

Abstract: A lightweight fabric structure having a plurality of arches, and more particularly, a pavilion type tent structure having arches to define the periphery of the structure with a flexible fabric membrane in tension between the arches. Adjustable length tension bars are placed between adjacent arches to maintain tension and hold the arches upright. Adjacent segments of the membrane are sewn back-to-back to provide a reverse curve seam to increase the usable space inside the fabric structure without the use of a center support or tension lines.

Abstract: A light-weight portable structure having a plurality of planar panels joined together to form a dome-shaped structure. The generally trapezoidal-shaped panels have arcuate side edges instead of linear side edges in order to create the proper tension and cause the flexible panels to form the desired dome structure. The individual panels are joined together by H-shaped connectors extending the full side length of the panels. The side edges of the panels are fitted with a U-shaped locking caps before being inserted into the connectors. The caps of adjacent side panels are inserted into the open ends of the H-shaped connectors and are held in place by the connectors. As the panels are connected in series standing upright on the base edges of the panels, the cumulative forces used to insert the panels causes the partial structure to curve in a spiral manner.