Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for close formation flight are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of sensing three dimensional (3D) airflow by an aircraft includes: collecting measurements characterizing airflow near the aircraft; analyzing the collected measurements; creating, by a processor, a computer model predicting one or more 3D airflow patterns parameter values based on the analyzing; obtaining one or more additional measurements characterizing airflow near an aircraft of the plurality of aircraft, and evaluating an error between an airflow parameter value predicted by the computer model and the one or more additional measurement.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a drone with a flattened tubular part protrudingly mounted on a module located on the fuselage of the drone, where the free distal end of the drone may also include a Pitot tube dynamic pressure front air intake. An internal duct may further connect the air intake to a pressure sensor mounted on the module. The tubular part may be mobile with respect to the module and may further include a means or mechanism for the mechanical coupling to a contractor mounted on the module. The tubular part may further include a light guide in light communication with a luminescent element mounted in the vicinity or at the level of the proximal end thereof. The tubular part may also include two sectionalized portions that are nested and in continuation of each other, where the base portion may be permanently linked to the module and a removable protruding portion may be located at the top base portion, which may include a front air intake and an internal duct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable, externally mounted device for aircraft used to provide user selectable readings of airspeed, pressure, temperature, orientation, heading, acceleration, and angular rate. The present invention is self-contained and wireless and is portable from aircraft to aircraft. The present invention is externally mounted on the aircraft.

Abstract: An electronic landing platform state module is configured to generate a state estimation of a platform surface at sea includes a plurality of electronic platform state process modules configured to receive an output from a respective spectral sensor. The plurality of electronic platform state process modules are further configured to output a monitored spectral platform state signal in response to applying a spectral process on a respective output. Each spectral process corresponds to a particular spectral modality of the respective spectral sensor. The electronic landing platform state module further includes an electronic platform state estimator module configured to determine a corrected dynamic state of the platform in response to fusing together the individual monitored spectral platform state signals.

Abstract: A light source includes a circular light element having a light source diameter, and a reflector disposed at least partially within the circular light element, the reflector having a first end with a first diameter and a second end with a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is less than the light source diameter and the second diameter is larger than the light source diameter, the second end having a plurality of slits.

Abstract: A portable launch rig (PLR) may include a support structure including two side supports defining an interior space for lifting and filling a balloon envelope of a balloon. Wheels on each of the side supports enable the PLR to be moved in various directions in order to prepare the PLR for launching the balloon. The side supports are connected by a lateral support beam having a pair of cranes arranged thereon. Each crane has an arm arranged over the interior space that is connected to a spreader beam. The spreader beam includes a lift assembly configured to lift and inflate the balloon envelope within the interior space. The PLR includes a platform and perch for supporting and moving the balloon envelope. A door assembly of the PLR includes a plurality of hangar doors configured to block wind from a respective direction of each hangar door entering the interior space.

Abstract: A taxi tug includes a chassis, a motive power source, and an auxiliary power services system. The chassis has at least one drive wheel. The motive power source is operatively connected to the at least one drive wheel. The auxiliary power services system is disposed on the chassis and is configured to provide at least one of electric power, pneumatic power, and low pressure conditioned air to an aircraft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the control of the attitude of earth orbiting satellites and the orbit and attitude control of a novel gravitational wave detection satellite configuration located near the sun-earth Lagrangian points L3, L4 and L5, utilizing the control of solar radiation pressure by the use of electrically controllable variable reflection glass panels to provide the torques and forces needed.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing spacecraft includes a body, a plurality of engines provided in the body to produce a jet flow and generate thrust, an abnormal signal acquiring unit that acquires an abnormal signal indicative of a presence of an abnormal engine among the plurality of engines, and an engine control unit that outputs a stop signal that stops a specific engine among a plurality of operating engines based on the abnormal signal.

Abstract: Vehicles with control surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a rocket can include a plurality of bidirectional control surfaces positioned toward an aft portion of the rocket. In this embodiment, the bidirectional control surfaces can be operable to control the orientation and/or flight path of the rocket during both ascent, in a nose-first orientation, and descent, in a tail-first orientation for, e.g., a tail-down landing. Launch vehicles with fixed and deployable deceleration surfaces and associated systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid. At least three branch assemblies extend from the fitting. Each branch assembly includes a tube coupled to the fitting at a first end, a balloon comprising a neck portion having a second end of the tube inserted therethrough, and a fastener removably coupling the balloon to the tube. The fastener is configured to permit fluid from the pressurized supply of fluid to pass through the tube and into the balloon and to automatically restrict the fluid from exiting the balloon through the neck portion upon decoupling the balloon and fastener from the tube.

Abstract: An arrangement for closing a filling opening in a base of a beverage container that is open on top, the arrangement including a magazine which includes closures for the filling opening; an emptying device which unloads the closures individually from the magazine; and the beverage container, wherein the beverage container is arranged so that an upper opening of the beverage container is positioned under the emptying device so that the beverage container is in contact with the emptying device so that the emptying device is displaceable together with the beverage container so that the emptying device unloads an individual closure from the closures from the magazine and the individual closure drops into the beverage container under the emptying device.

Abstract: A method of preparing a double chamber container (1) comprises the steps of: filling a substance in the interior of the double chamber container (1), freeze-drying the substance inside the double chamber container(1), inserting a middle plunger (81) in the interior of the double chamber container (1) such that a distal chamber and a proximal chamber are formed, wherein the middle plunger (81) seals the distal chamber from the proximal chamber and wherein the freeze-dried substance is inside the distal chamber, filling a reconstitution medium in the proximal chamber of the double chamber container (1), and sealing a distal opening (14) of the double chamber container (1) and a proximal opening (13) of the double chamber container (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for banding rolls of bags is disclosed. It can include a bag machine and/or a winder as the source of rolls. The bander includes multiple banding stations. The source of rolls provides rolls at a faster rate than any banding station can apply bands. By selectively using each banding station the bander can have the same throughput as the source of rolls of bags.

Abstract: A product wrapping machine with a plurality of counter-jaws homogenously distributed in a forward movement direction (X), a plurality of jaws moving perpendicular to the forward movement direction (X) from an open position to a closed position against the counter-jaws for sealing together the films wrapping the product to one another and cutting them. The machine also includes a jaw actuator for each jaw causing the corresponding jaw to move in the closing direction. The jaws move together simultaneously in the forward movement direction (X) and move independently from one another in the closing direction. The machine further includes a tensioner suitable for collecting part of the film wrapping the product when a jaw leaves the closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed, is a dosing apparatus [1] which is configured to provide a predetermined amount of material from one vessel to another vessel. The dosing apparatus [1] may comprise a dosing head having a dosing tube [9] and a dosing rod [12] which is movable within said dosing tube [9]. The dosing rod [12] may comprise a dosing chamber [10] which may be filled with a predetermined amount of material. Also described, is a method of dosing which utilizes the dosing apparatus [1] disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise providing a dosing apparatus [1], extending the dosing rod [12] with respect to the dosing tube [9], loading the dosing chamber [10] with a predetermined amount of material, and, retracting the dosing rod [12] with respect to the dosing tube [9] to close the dosing chamber [10]. One or more air and/or liquid cleaning steps may be employed, wherein a cleaning unit [17, 117] may be utilized to clean the dosing rod [12] and/or a funnel [4].

Abstract: A long-handle film packing device includes a first rod and a second rod connected with each other. The first rod is formed with an axial limit groove. The second rod is provided with a limit member corresponding to the limit groove. Through the limit member limited to the limit groove, the length of the long-handle film packing device can be adjusted quickly. Through a positioning pin, the long-handle film packing device can be positioned quickly. The present invention can be applied to different lengths of packing film rolls. In addition, the packing film roll can be first mounted, and then the length of the film packing device is adjusted. Except that the length of the present invention can be adjusted and positioned quickly, the present invention has better practicability and convenience for installation.

Abstract: A food and label apparatus is provided including a food assembly apparatus and a labeling apparatus coupled to the food assembly apparatus. The labeling apparatus configured for holding a label corresponding to a food order and the food assembly apparatus for assembling food corresponding to the food order.

Abstract: A linerless label printer having a printing module (100); a cutting module (200) and a water application module (300) are sequentially arranged so that the cutting module (200) is provided in front of the printing module (100), the water application module (300) is provided in front of the cutting module (200); the water application module (300) comprises a shell (301) for storing water, a water application piece (303) fixed on the shell (301) and capable of obtaining water in the shell (301) to maintain moisture; the water application piece (303) comprises a water application surface (304) exposed out of an upper surface of the shell (301); a label press (302) is provided above the water application surface (304) of the water application piece (303); the water application piece is a PVA water absorption sponge. The linerless label printer has the advantages of simple structure, easy installation, as well as stable water application performance.

Abstract: This disclosure provides new containers, preforms, methods, and designs for small and light-weight carbonated beverage packaging that provide surprisingly improved carbonation retention and greater shelf life, while still achieving light weight. This disclosure is particularly drawn to small PET containers for carbonated beverages, for example less than or about 400 mL, and methods and designs for their fabrication that attain unexpectedly good carbonation retention and shelf life.

Abstract: A blow-molded container including a finish and a base. The finish defines an opening at a first end of the container that provides access to an internal volume. The base includes a diaphragm and a standing surface. The diaphragm extends radially outward from a central push-up portion. The standing surface of the container is at a second end of the container. In response to an internal vacuum caused by hot-filling and closing the container, the diaphragm is configured to move passively from an as-blown first configuration to a second configuration in which the diaphragm is closer to the first end of the container as compared to the as-blown first configuration. The diaphragm is configured to move from the second configuration to an activated third configuration in which the diaphragm is closer to the first end of the container in response to the diaphragm being externally actuated by a tool.

Abstract: A container including a finish defining an opening at a first end of the container that provides access to an internal volume defined by the container. A base portion of the container includes a diaphragm that is concave relative to an exterior of the container. The diaphragm extends from a standing surface of the container to a center push-up portion of the base portion. The standing surface is at a second end of the container opposite to the first end. The diagram is configured to move from an as-blown first configuration to a second configuration in which the diaphragm is closer to the first end as compared to the first configuration in order to reduce residual vacuum within the container. The diaphragm is generally hemispherical in cross-section when in the second configuration.

Abstract: A rollable heat preservation cup, comprising a cup cover, a fixing ring, a bottleneck, and a two-layered cup body which further comprises an inner-layer cup body and an outer-layer cup body, wherein the two-layered cup body is a rollable and soft cup body, wherein a heat-preserving material layer is disposed between the inner-layer cup body and the outer-layer cup body, wherein a fixing ring is disposed between the bottleneck and the cup body, wherein the upper end part of the two-layered cup body is firmly embedded into an inner space formed by the fixing ring and the bottleneck.

Abstract: A blow-molded container including a finish and a base portion. The finish defines an opening at a first end of the container that provides access to an internal volume defined by the container. The base portion is at a second end of the container opposite to the first end. The base portion includes a fold proximate to a sidewall of the container.

Abstract: A dual-opening carton has a front, rear, and opposing side panels. A flap extends over the top of the carton, allowing the top to be opened and re-closed. A score line extends around the carton to facilitate the removal of a top portion of the carton. The score line has segments extending along the front panel, the rear panel, and rear portions of the side panels that have a relatively low cut length to land length ratios that maintain relatively high structural integrity. The score line also has segments extending along the front of the side panels have a relatively high cut length to land length ratio to facilitate tear propagation. The score line extending along the side panels is angled so that a pull force vector removing the top portion of the carton runs along a plane generally parallel to the score line.

Abstract: A package includes an outer sleeve and a slider for holding a blister pack slidably mounted within the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve includes a wall having an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel has a locking edge formed at a terminal end thereof spaced from and facing a closed end of the sleeve. A locking flap is formed at a terminal end of the slider extending in a direction away from a closed end of the outer sleeve for engagement with the said wall of the outer sleeve. The flap has a free edge for engagement with the locking edge of the inner panel to prevent the slider from being removed from the outer sleeve when the slider is fully received within the outer sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus to display packaged products that includes a base that includes a bottom segment, at least two supporting segments, and a top segment, the top segment provided with a plurality of apertures and supported at least in part by the at least two supporting segments such that the bottom segment and the top segment are generally parallel; and at least two side portions, at least one of said side portions comprising a support column, the at least two side portions being generally perpendicular to the bottom segment and the top segment. Methods of assembling the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A blank of sheet material is provided for forming a container convertible from a shipping configuration to a display configuration. The blank includes a glue panel, a front panel, a top panel, a rear panel, and a bottom panel coupled together in series by a plurality of generally parallel fold lines. The glue panel includes an opening mechanism and is configured to couple in face-to-face relationship to the bottom panel when the container is formed. The blank also includes a pair of top side panels extending from opposing side edges of the top panel, and a pair of bottom side panels extending from opposing side edges of the bottom panel. An edge perforation line extends along an edge between the top panel and the rear panel, and a face of each of the top panel, the bottom panel, and the pairs of side panels is devoid of perforation lines extending therethrough.

Abstract: A blank of sheet material for forming a container includes a front panel, a top panel, a rear panel, and a bottom panel coupled together in series by a plurality of generally parallel fold lines. The blank also includes a pair of front side panels extending from opposing side edges of the front panel, a pair of top side panels coupled to opposing side edges of the top panel, and a pair of bottom side panels coupled to opposing side edges of the bottom panel. A side tab extends from each bottom side panel along a tab perforation line. Each side tab is configured to couple to one of the front side panels in a face-to-face relationship. A face of each of the top panel, the bottom panel, the pair of top side panels, and the pair of bottom side panels is devoid of perforation lines extending therethrough.

Abstract: A carton for containing a product. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first end panel, a first side panel, a second end panel, and a second side panel. At least one top flap is respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The at least one top flap at least partially forms a closed top end of the carton. A reclosable lid is positionable between an open position and a closed position. The reclosable lid comprises a central panel that is foldably connected to the at least one top flap. The reclosable lid can be downwardly folded relative to the at least one top flap in the closed position.

Abstract: A foldable basket, attachment mechanism and/or method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and/or for transporting, in particular, flat parts, including a storage device, which has a floor or floor sections, and a dividing structure, through which individual compartments lying alongside each other can be formed inside of the storage device where the floor or floor sections can be adjusted in height relative to the dividing structure and, for this purpose, the dividing structure has preferably delimiting elements between individual compartments of the storage device, where openings are configured in the delimiting elements and a lifting device is, for instance, provided for raising and/or lowering the floor, so that the parts between the delimiting elements are raised or lowered.

Abstract: Module for playing a plurality of promotions, including: a plurality of fixtures sequentially configurable into the plurality of promotions by rotating at least one fixture while maintaining an original position of each fixture within the reconfigurable module, each fixture including a plurality of sides; and a plurality of fasteners to combine the plurality of fixtures into the reconfigurable module. Key words include corrugate, modular, and rotate.

Abstract: A soft core bottle includes a bottle housing and a liner. The liner includes a first bottle opening and a first bottle body. The first bottle body is made of a soft material. The bottle housing is made of a hard material. The liner is attached to the bottle housing via the first bottle opening in an assembled state.

Abstract: A rim enlarger collar to be applied around the lower ledge of the rim of the neck of a glass bottle for beverages to enlarge the current rim in order to provide a greater support surface for the hand holding said bottle by the neck and prevent the bottle from slipping from the hand. The device is composed of: an external element with the function of ergonomic support surface for the hand, a cavity in the center of the external element with the function of containing the neck of the bottle, an internal gasket protruding from the external element towards the interior of the central cavity with the function of fixing the device under the lower ledge of the rim of the bottle.

Abstract: A container is provided. The container has a lid and a tray. The lid has a contiguous array of walls extending therefrom. The tray has a recess for receiving soft food material. The recess is sized to receive the array of walls of the lid. The tray has a contiguous array of ridges corresponding to the array of walls of the lid. A top surface of the ridges of the tray contact a bottom surface of the walls of the lid when mated to form sealed compartments. A sealing mechanism is provided along a perimeter of at least one of the lid and the tray sealing the lid and the tray along perimeters thereof, and restricting separation of the bottom surface of the walls of the lid from the top surface of the ridges of the tray when mated. At least one of the lid and the tray is formed from a flexible material so that the lid and the tray can be partially separated to remove a food portion formed in one of the compartments without breaking all of the seals of the compartments.

Abstract: A plug for releasably sealing a connection channel connecting an upper chamber comprising a first component with a lower chamber comprising a second component of a two-chamber container, comprising a plug body for being inserted into the connection channel with a sealing force, a guiding member for guiding the plug in axial direction inside the upper chamber, wherein the guiding member comprises a larger extension in radial direction than the plug body and the guiding member is axially spaced to the plug body by an unsealing distance, and a head part for pushing out a folded nozzle sealing the upper chamber, wherein the head part protrudes from the guiding member away from the plug body.

Abstract: This invention is comprised of geometric features that are added to the bottom side of a common ceramic coffee cup or mug, and can be used on any drinking vessel. It is designed to allow the vessel to dry completely during the typical wash and dry cycle of a common dishwasher. The current art has a concave bottom which retains water and debris even after the wash and dry cycle is over, and then spills that water and debris when it is pulled out of the dishwasher and set right side up. My invention has a convex bottom that does not retain water or debris, and has legs around the bottom edge to hold the vessel upright, not letting the radius of the convex feature at the bottom to touch the flat surface the vessel will sit on when in normal use.

Abstract: A storage container with a spout is provided that can store a coating material. The storage container can include a container body having a shape, which may be a circular shape, polygonal shape, or a rounded-polygonal shape. The container body includes a side wall having first and second ends. The storage container with a spout can include a first opening with a corresponding lid and the spout providing a second opening with a corresponding cap. The storage container can further include a handle formed with an aperture through a side of the container body.

Abstract: A plastic food storage bag having a spout at a top corner of the bag for facilitating pouring out the contents of the bag. The bag can be sealed with the spout in a closed position, just inside the press-seal or zipper-seal of the bag. The spout is rotatable from the closed position into an open position in which it extends out of the bag, for guiding the contents of the bag while being poured out the bag. The spout may be formed of a wedge-shaped plastic piece folded symmetrically along a central fold line, with front and back outside surfaces respectively secured to front and back major surfaces of the bag.

Abstract: An oil tank includes an outer wall with a side limitation and an interior enclosed by the outer wall. A view passage extending from the side limitation into the interior of the tank allows external visual reading of the oil fill level of the tank at or close to the tank center, where changes in the oil fill level caused by inclined positions of the tank are minimal. The view passage includes a beginning of the passage formed in the area of the side limitation that includes a first optically transparent window. An end of the passage includes a second optically transparent window. A passage wall extending between the beginning and end of the passage delimits the view passage against the interior of the tank.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that facilitate the opening of a mouth of a plastic bag when removing the plastic bag from a plastic product bag dispenser. The plastic product bag dispenser includes a frame including a spindle configured to hold and permit dispensing of a roll of plastic produce bags, a bag separator coupled to the frame configured to permit separation of a leading plastic produce bag from an adjacent plastic produce bag along the line of weakness, and a bag opening facilitator including a frictional element having a higher coefficient of friction relative to surfaces of the front and rear sidewalls of the plastic produce bag than portions of the bag separator adjacent the bag opening facilitator.

Abstract: A glue extruding device for tube of glue is composed of a base, on which the device is placed vertically; two side plates, of which at least one is pressing plate with extrudable elastic connection to the base and a pressing surface on inner wall to contact outer surface of aluminum tube and facilitate glue extrusion; a retaining clip above the base, with one end to connect to the top of a side plate and a through-hole in the middle from which the mouth of tube can extend out. There is an accommodating cavity between the base, the two side plates and the retaining clip to place and position tube body.

Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal bottle seal that is disposed on the curl of the metal bottle. The bottle seal may be held in place by crimping of the curl. In addition, adhesive may be used to hold the bottle seal on the curl. Adhesives can be used that fill discontinuities that may exist in the curl as a result of substantial drawing and ironing of the metal. Further, the metal bottle seal can be made of a material or laminated with a material that is soft enough to fill the discontinuities. The seal can be preformed as a continuous annulus for easy application to the top of the metal bottle. The metal bottle seal can also be used in conjunction with a cap seal to ensure an adequate and reliable seal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a transparent lid sheet for being punched to a transparent sheet lid to be attached to a container to produce a package, said lid sheet comprising: a transparent base layer, which comprises a transparent polyethylene terephtalate layer with a barrier layer coated onto the polyethylene terephtalate layer, the base layer having a first major surface, which preferably substantially coincides with an outer major surface of the barrier layer, and a top layer providing a welding layer for welding the sheet lid to the container, the top layer coinciding with the first major surface.

Abstract: A metal lid for a tobacco can is provided. The metal lid includes a circular lid top having a central recess and a shoulder. The shoulder extends radially outwardly from and vertically above the central recess. The side wall is unitarily formed with the shoulder, depends downwardly from the shoulder, and is disposed below the central recess of the lid top. The side wall includes a bead and a hem. The bead extends circumferentially around the side wall. The hem is formed from a distal portion of the side wall folded over onto an intermediate portion of the side wall. The hem functions as a guide, forms a safety edge, and permits the lid to be more easily grasped by a consumer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lid for drinks cans or the like, which is arranged and fixed over the annular upper projection of drinks cans, as a result of its general circular form that has a peripheral wing extending downwards and into the inside space as if tucked in, defining an inner stepped portion into which the upper annular edge of the can fits. Furthermore, an annular protrusion is defined on the upper surface of the lid, of a height and dimensions such that it defines an inner space wherein the annular protuberance of the cans fits, allowing the cans to be stacked in a stable and balanced manner.

Abstract: A cover for a container, comprising a central web comprising a first web part and a second web part; and a hinge pivotally connecting the first and second web parts; wherein a first one of the web parts comprises at least one rib on an edge thereof facing the hinge, and a second one of the web parts comprises at least one corresponding recess on an edge thereof facing the hinge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage box that is easy to open and close and is easy to keep it open. The storage box includes a top panel, side walls, and a bottom. One of the side walls serves as a door and is adapted to swing about a first end connected with the bottom and serving as an axis into an opened position or a closed position. The side wall serving as the door is adapted to be fastened in a closed position by bringing a first fastening part and a second fastening part into contact with each other, the first fastening part being provided at a second end of the side wall serving as the door, the second end being located opposite the first end, the second fastening part being provided at a location other than the side wall serving as the door.