Abstract: A computer-implemented method for concept matching using a machine learning model, may include: receiving, from a user, a search query comprising: at least one criterion that represents at least one concept; inputting the received at least our criterion into at least one neural network for processing the search query; determining, using the at least one neural network, the at least one concept represented by the at least one criterion; retrieving, from a storage, at least one data item winch matches the determined at least one concept, through a cross-modal data retrieval method of retrieving a data type different from an input data type; and outputting the retrieved at least one data item in response to the search query.

Abstract: Air stream-driven power-generating systems for electric vehicles have been described and illustrated.

Abstract: A smart and secured system to receive packages from online shopping; automatically download list of incoming packages from one or multiple linked online-shopping accounts; provide navigational support to postal carriers and/or autonomous delivery; print receipts for validation; send encrypted confirmation to home-owners when any packages arrives; and implement an a. The system compromises of a secure box with a magnetic lock to store packages; a control circuitry, mini thermal printer and embedded processor to recognize and validate the arrived packages; a radio-frequency transceiver to wirelessly communicate with other electronic devices to notice information of the packages; and global positioning system (GPS) tracking tags for anti-theft protection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring facial characteristics of patients. In various embodiments, the system uses a geometric pattern to determine a reference scale for an image that includes the geometric pattern and at least a portion of the patient's face. The system may determine the reference scale based at least in part on a known measurement within the geometric pattern. The known measurement may include a distance between two geometric attributes of the geometric pattern. The system may be further configured to correct for errors caused by an orientation of the geometric pattern within the image and/or distortion of the geometric pattern within the image. The geometric pattern may be disposed on a reference device that may be configured to enable a user to attach the reference device to the head of the patient or a pair of eyewear worn by the patient.

Abstract: An in-line insert folder system includes a continuous roll of preprinted inserts, and a cutter for cutting individual inserts from the roll. A transport serially conveys the individual inserts in a downstream direction to a buckle folder that receives the inserts and folds each one along at least one fold line. An applicator serially receives the folded inserts from the buckle folder and applies the inserts to consumer packs such as cigarette packs, for example. The folded inserts may be directly applied to the packs before placement of flexible outer wrap or the folded inserts may be applied onto the flexible outer wrap before that wrap is placed around the packs.

Abstract: A device for deflecting a loose fill product from the seal zone of a bag and sealing the bag is provided. The device includes a product stopper. The product stopper is adjacent to the sealing element of a bagging machine. The product stopper includes a mount that mounts the product stopper to a bagging machine and a pinching element that pinches a bag proximal to a sealing zone before the bag is sealed by the sealing element at the sealing zone. In one embodiment, the pincher includes a spring loaded mechanism for pinching the bag proximal to the sealing zone. In another embodiment, the pincher includes an air assist mechanism for pinching the bag proximal to the sealing zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cigarette making apparatus 10 which may comprise a housing 12 with mechanical and electrical features. Cigarette apparatus 10 has a solenoid-assisted hopper 14 for accepting loose tobacco 15, a cigarette tube filling cassette 16 with nozzles 30 and a hinged lid 34 for assisting in maintaining cigarette tubes 24 in a predetermined alignment for loading tobacco 15, a filling area 17 with a indexing means for aligning cigarette tubes with a tobacco pushing means inside the apparatus, a cigarette tube loading and tobacco packing means 18 with guide pins 20 for guiding the cassette 16 in engagement with flattened tip pins 22 that compress tobacco 15 into cigarette tubes 24 after tobacco 15 has been inserted, and an electronic control area 26, which may include an electronic display for controlling the cigarette tube filling and packing apparatus.

Abstract: A hinge lid pack has a lower pack outerframe and an upper lid hingedly attached to the lower pack outerframe for movement between opened and closed positions. The lid includes front, top, back and opposite sidewall portions. An innerframe is within and upwardly extends from the outerframe, and the innerframe has front and opposite sidewall portions. Microencapsulated aroma surfaces on the pack move across roughened perforations on the pack upon opening of the pack to thereby release flavor by rupturing the microcapsules.

Abstract: A hinge lid pack has a lower pack outerframe and an upper lid hingedly attached to the lower pack outerframe for movement between opened and closed positions. The lid includes front, top, back and opposite sidewall portions. An innerframe is within and upwardly extends from the outerframe, and the innerframe has front and opposite sidewall portions. Microencapsulated aroma surfaces on the pack move across roughened perforations on the pack upon opening of the pack to thereby release flavor by rupturing the microcapsules.

Abstract: A consumer pack with flexible outerwrap around the pack has a tear tape between the pack and the outerwrap for separating the outerwrap into upper and lower portions when the consumer pack is opened. A multi-layer aromatic strip is positioned on an outer surface of the outerwrap just outside the tear tape, and the aromatic strip is secured thereto by an adhesive layer. The aromatic strip includes a fibrous substrate soaked with fragrance and an outer barrier surface that seals in the fragrance. When the tear tape separates the outerwrap into upper and lower portions, the outer barrier surface and the fibrous substrate are broken open to release fragrance to the surroundings.

Abstract: A device for deflecting a loose fill product from the seal zone of a bag and sealing the bag is provided. The device includes a product stopper. The product stopper is adjacent to the sealing element of a bagging machine. The product stopper includes a mount that mounts the product stopper to a bagging machine and a pinching element that pinches a bag proximal to a sealing zone before the bag is sealed by the sealing element at the sealing zone. In one embodiment, the pincher includes a spring loaded mechanism for pinching the bag proximal to the sealing zone. In another embodiment, the pincher includes an air assist mechanism for pinching the bag proximal to the sealing zone.

Abstract: A pocket-size hand-held container for containing a supply of consumer items comprises a frame, a lid, and preferably a bag is disposed in the container for holding the items being stored. The frame includes front and back portions, top and bottom portions, and side portions, the frame forming an internal storage compartment that stores the items. The front portion forms an access opening for the storage compartment, the access opening being situated closer to the top end portion than to the bottom end portion. The lid is attached to the front portion to be slid linearly between fully closed and fully open positions. In its fully closed position, the lid overlies the access opening, and in its fully open position, the lid lies within the footprint of the container. A securement structure formed by the lid and the frame yieldably holds the lid in the closed position. The bag is formed of a flexible plastic material and includes an openable window situated behind the access opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cigarette making apparatus 10 which may comprise a housing 12 with mechanical and electrical features.

Abstract: A process for the on line production of cigarette filters comprises the steps of conveying a continuous thin flexible substrate past a source of smoke altering particulate material, such as adsorbents, catalysts and flavorants. An electrostatic charge is applied onto the substrate upstream of the source of particulate material. A layer of particulate material from the source is deposited onto the substrate with the thickness of the layer depending upon the strength of the electrostatic charge. The coated substrate is then cut into pieces, and the pieces are placed into the cavities between spaced apart filter components. In an alternative process, filter paper is coated with smoke altering particulate material by electrostatic deposition techniques, and spaced apart filter components are placed onto the particulate coated filter paper which is then folded around the filter components.

Abstract: A consumer pack with flexible outerwrap around the pack has a tear tape between the pack and the outerwrap for separating the outerwrap into upper and lower portions when the consumer pack is opened. A multi-layer aromatic strip is positioned on an outer surface of the outerwrap just outside the tear tape, and the aromatic strip is secured thereto by an adhesive layer. The aromatic strip includes a fibrous substrate soaked with fragrance and an outer barrier surface that seals in the fragrance. When the tear tape separates the outerwrap into upper and lower portions, the outer barrier surface and the fibrous substrate are broken open to release fragrance to the surroundings.

Abstract: A sealed pocket formed on a package overwrap, such as the overwrap around a cigarette package, is provided with an aromatic. The pocket containing the aromatic is placed proximate to a tear strip. As the tear strip is pulled along and removed from the package the pocket is opened, the aromatic is exposed to the air and an aroma is released.

Abstract: A hinge lid pack has a lower pack outerframe and an upper lid hingedly attached to the lower pack outerframe for movement between opened and closed positions. The lid includes front, top, back and opposite sidewall portions. An innerframe is within and upwardly extends from the outerframe, and the innerframe has front and opposite sidewall portions. Microencapsulated aroma surfaces on the pack move across roughened perforations on the pack upon opening of the pack to thereby release flavor by rupturing the microcapsules.

Abstract: Films for enveloping packages include tear-tapes that define tear-away strips of the films. The tear-tapes help to maintain the shape of the tear-away strips when removed from the films.

Abstract: A sleeve is wrapped around a package and enveloped within a film. The sleeve can be removed from the interior of the film and used independently of the package and film. The sleeve can include printed information for use by consumers such as product identifier information. The interior of the sleeve can be printed with information such as coupon or prize information.

Abstract: A process for the on line production of cigarette filters comprises the steps of conveying a continuous thin flexible substrate past a source of smoke altering particulate material, such as adsorbents, catalysts and flavorants. An electrostatic charge is applied onto the substrate upstream of the source of particulate material. A layer of particulate material from the source is deposited onto the substrate with the thickness of the layer depending upon the strength of the electrostatic charge. The coated substrate is then cut into pieces, and the pieces are placed into the cavities between spaced apart filter components. In an alternative process, filter paper is coated with smoke altering particulate material by electrostatic deposition techniques, and spaced apart filter components are placed onto the particulate coated filter paper which is then folded around the filter components.