163results about How to "Less-expensive to produce" patented technology

Described is a motivational fitness device, which controls the audio output of a television or audio component in response to the heart rate. The user must exercise in their specific heart rate target training range to keep their entertainment device turned on at an enjoyable volume. A heart rate sensing device relays heart rate to a processor unit. The processor receives and compares the user's heart rate to the specified target range and sends control signals (or not) to the entertainment device. If the user's heart rate drops below the target range, the volume of the audio output of their entertainment device will gradually decrease until the user reacquires their target. Conversely, if the user is exercising too vigorously, the volume will increase, motivating the user to reacquire their target heart rate range.

Described is a motivational fitness device, which controls the audio output of a television or audio component in response to the heart rate. The user must exercise in their specific heart rate target training range to keep their entertainment device turned on at an enjoyable volume. A heart rate sensing device relays heart rate to a processor unit. The processor receives and compares the user's heart rate to the specified target range and sends control signals (or not) to the entertainment device. If the user's heart rate drops below the target range, the volume of the audio output of their entertainment device will gradually decrease until the user reacquires their target. Conversely, if the user is exercising too vigorously, the volume will increase, motivating the user to reacquire their target heart rate range.

This invention discloses advanced means for the formulation and preparation of solid-chemical compositions which provide sources of water-soluble nutrients, electron acceptors and other agents for agriculture and waste-treatment, in particular, the bioremediation of contaminated environmental media. The disclosed formulations and means of production of the slow-release solid-chemical compositions of the present invention utilize a novel and economical "biphasic" chemical-system technology which involves a combination of a first "nutrient" component (1) which comprises water-soluble nutrients and other biologically utilizable substances with a second component (2) which comprises an inorganic geochemical-binder system. The simplest embodiment of the geochemical-binder system comprises one or more salts of phosphoric acid. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention intended for the slow-release of the ingredients contained in the "nutrient" component (1), the geochemical-binder system of component (2) comprises a combination of one or more salts of phosphoric acid with a inorganic binder matrix preferably containing a mixture of low-solubility carbonates, carbonate minerals, phosphates and phosphate minerals. The different embodiments of the geochemical-binder system of this invention allows a wide variation of formulations of the nutrient component (1) to be prepared in both conventional and slow-release forms using an improved high-shear granulation process whereby the dangerous chemicals typically used in the granulation process are largely or completely replaced with water. The present invention discloses means by which such compositions can be economically prepared in large quantities so as to meet the specific needs of different sectors of the agricultural / agribusiness and phytoremediation / bioremediation markets. The disclosed solid-chemical compositions of the present invention provide improved, cost-effective means for slowing and controlling the release-rate profiles of water-soluble nutrients, such as nitrogen- and phosphorus-rich compounds, and improved means for enhanced and / or time-targeted nutrient uptake by plants and microorganisms. The present invention also provides improved means for the reduction of nutrient run-off from agricultural areas into surface waters and means of preventing or minimizing nutrient-contamination of ground-water aquifers.

The present invention provides a crossbow stringing and cocking device whereby one person may easily and safely draw back the string of a crossbow to engage the trigger mechanism for shooting of a projectile, and may also be utilized to unstring and string the bow. The invention utilizes a pulley system, mounted inside the barrel for convenience and safety.

A natural language understanding system is described to provide generation of concept codes from free-text medical data. A probabilistic model of lexical semantics, is implemented by means of a Bayesian network, and is used to determine the most probable concept or meaning associated with a sentence or phrase. The inventive method and system includes the steps of checking for synonyms, checking spelling, performing syntactic parsing, transforming text to its "deep" or semantic form, and performing a semantic analysis based on a probabilistic model of lexical semantics.

The invention provides a low density paperboard material for use in producing an insulated container, and is especially well-suited for making cups. The paperboard material comprises a paperboard web including wood fibers and expanded microspheres, and has a relatively low density ranging from about 6 to about 10 lb / 3MSF / mil, a relatively high caliper ranging from about 24 to about 35 mil, and an internal bond strength of at least about 80×10−3 ft-lbf preferably at least 100×10−3 ft-lbf. For applications such as cups the material is also coated on one or both sides with a barrier coating, preferably low density polyethylene, to limit liquid penetration into the web. The low density paperboard material of the invention is convertible for manufacture of containers, particularly cups, and the surface of the low density board may have a Sheffield smoothness of 300 SU or greater.

Provided are processes for the production and high efficiency processing of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from carbon sources comprising carbon-containing gases or materials.

This disclosure provides a communications system using a span-loaded flying wing, traveling at relatively slow speeds, that can remain airborne for long periods of time. The communications system uses the airplane as a long term high altitude platform that can serve at lest one of a number of potential functions. One function is to link to a ground station using radio wave signals and a satellite using optical signals. Another function is to serve as a relay station between ground communication nodes and individual end-users. Because the aircraft can tightly hold a station, the end-user's antennas do not need to be continuously adjustable. For such a system, a large number of aircraft can be used, with the end-user antennas being configured for a narrow beamwidth so as to allow frequency reuse for different communication links.

A method for producing a consumable nicotine-alternative composition includes measuring a quantity of a cigarette nicotine-alternative alkaloid and / or a larger quantity of lobeline. The quantities of cigarette nicotine-alternative alkaloid and / or lobeline are diluted into one or more successive intermediate solutions, a last of which constitutes a final solution. The final solution is apportioned so that each portion contains a precise quantity of cigarette nicotine-alternative alkaloid and / or lobeline appropriate for consumption in a single use by a single person. Each portion is introduced into a separate single-serving dispenser.

A method of producing a hydrodynamic cavitation fluid injector, hydrodynamic vacuum pump, venturi fluid injector, or similar device in which a special cylindrical insert is combined with a suitable body, such as one of any number of common off-the-shelf or purpose built pipe and tube “tee” fittings. In its various embodiments, the insert has features, geometry, dimensions, and material characteristics suitable to the intended application, and is installed into the body through any of a variety of methods including threads, epoxy, press-fit, barbed press fit, plastic welding, solder, O-ring, bushing, flange, clamp, etc. to produce the complete injector / vacuum pump assembly. While the term hydrodynamic ordinarily applies only to liquid fluids, for the purposes of descriptions and claims of the present invention it should also be taken to include gaseous fluids. The injector / vacuum pump insert concept works just as well with gaseous fluids as with liquid fluids.

A latch system includes a latch bolt, a pawl for releasably retaining the latch bolt in a closed position, a first release member, a first transmission path connecting the first release member to the pawl, a second release member, and a second transmission path connecting the second release member to the pawl. A portion of the first transmission path and a portion of the second transmission path have a common portion, the common portion including a lock link having a first position at which the lock link completes the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that operation of either the first release member or the second release member opens a latch, and the lock link having a second position at which the lock link breaks the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that a single operation of either the first release member or the second release member does not open the latch. The latch system includes a first device capable of holding the lock link in the second position, a second device capable of holding the lock link in the second position, and a third device capable of holding the lock link in the second position.

A method for marketing products, by selecting a product having a product identifier from a catalog, entering the product identifier into an online computer system, and using the online computer system to generate a customized sales sheet. The catalog may be in an abbreviated format to reduce the size and / or weight, and may include product codes enabling more expeditious access to the product information in the online system. The sales sheets are customizable with such information as product images complete with logos specific to a retail customer, a distributor, or both. The invention may also be embodied as a system for producing marketing materials.

The present invention relates to the use of sweet steviol glycoside compounds, particularly rebaudioside B, in sweetening compositions. Sweetening compositions comprising selected amounts of rebaudioside B have been shown to possess favorable flavor profiles when compared to other high intensity sweetener compounds and are useful in the preparation of consumables.

A method and apparatus for making a metallic nanofiber structure are disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a first solution including a first material and a second material, wherein the second material includes at least one metal; forming the first solution into composite fibers including the first material and the second material; and removing the first material from the composite fibers under conditions effective to produce a metallic nanofiber structure that includes a plurality of metallic nanofibers. Also disclosed are metallic nanofiber structures prepared according to a process of the present invention, which can be used as fuel cell catalysts. Fuel cells containing electrodes that include these metallic nanofiber structures are also disclosed.

In accordance with the present invention, lyocell products can be made with unbleached pulps resulting in products with high amounts of hemicellulose and high amounts of lignin as compared to conventional lyocell products. The lyocell products of the present invention are advantageously less expensive to produce but retain the desirable strength of conventional lyocell products.

This disclosure provides a solar rechargeable aircraft that is inexpensive to produce, is steerable, and can remain airborne almost indefinitely. The preferred aircraft is a span-loaded flying wing, having no fuselage or rudder. Traveling at relatively slow speeds, and having a two-hundred foot wingspan that mounts photovoltaic cells on most all of the wing's top surface, the aircraft uses only differential thrust of its eight propellers to turn. Each of five segments of the wing has one or more motors and photovoltaic arrays, and produces its own lift independent of the other segments, to avoid loading them. Five two-sided photovoltaic arrays, in all, are mounted on the wing, and receive photovoltaic energy both incident on top of the wing, and which is incident also from below, through a bottom, transparent surface. The aircraft includes hinges and actuators capable of providing an adjustable dihedral for the wing. The actuators can be motors or control surfaces. Alternately, the actuators can be movable masses within the wing, which may be capable of deforming the wing to alter the aerodynamics of the wing, and thereby actuate the hinges. Because of wing dihedral, the aircraft includes motors both above and below the center of drag, and the aircraft uses differential thrust to control aircraft pitch. The aircraft has a wide variety of applications, which include serving as a long term high altitude platform that serves to link a ground station using radio wave signals and a satellite using optical signals.

An armor includes a face sheet, a spall liner, and a core disposed between the face sheet and the spall liner. The core includes a polymeric matrix and a plurality of ceramic rods disposed in the polymeric matrix. The armor further includes a first shock dissipation layer disposed between the face sheet and the core. The armor optionally includes a second shock dissipation layer disposed between the spall liner and the core.

The present invention provides peptides and analogs and derivatives thereof having antimicrobial activity at least against Streptococcus uberis for the treatment of a range of infectious disease mastitis, otitis externa, clostridial intestinal disease and respiratory disease.

An SPR sensor comprising: a thin conducting layer comprising at least one conductive element formed on a surface of a transparent substrate; an illumination system controllable to illuminate an interface between the conducting layer and the substrate; a photosensitive surface that generates signals responsive to light from the light source that is reflected from a region of the interface; a flow cell formed with at least one flow channel having a lumen defined by a wall at least a portion of which is formed from an elastic material and a portion of which is formed by a region of the conducting layer; and at least one hollow needle having an exit orifice communicating with the needle's lumen and wherein fluid flow is enabled between the flow channel and the needle's lumen by puncturing the elastic material with the at least one needle so that the exit orifice communicates with the flow channel lumen.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to processes for the production and processing of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from carbon sources. In several embodiments, PHAs are produced at high efficiencies from carbon-containing gases through the utilization of a regenerative polymerization system.

A wireless terminal device is provided for use in a wireless system, wherein the wireless terminal device is communicatively connectable to a host computer. The device comprises a case having a power supply and an input device to accept input from a user, wherein the input is directed to the host computer through a switching device connected to the host computer. The wireless terminal device further includes a visual display of information responsive to the input, and control functionality and memory relating to operations of the wireless terminal device, wherein the control functionality and memory are mounted to the case. The wireless terminal also includes a device mounted to the case for transmitting and receiving signals formatted for digital Internet Protocol (IP) data capable of being routed over a computing network, wherein the signals include an identification of the wireless terminal device, and wherein the wireless terminal device is caused to emulate the operation of the host computer.

The pallet constructed of a rubber composite is made from rubber that includes recycled rubber, natural rubber, sulfur and a filler material. The pallet has an upper member and a lower member that interconnect to resemble a traditional American model wooden pallet. Although an assembly of just two molded components, it appears to be constructed of a number of planks attached to two or more cross beams. In an alternative embodiment, it resembles a European model wooden pallet by appearing to be constructed of a number of planks attached to two grids, each of which is attached to opposite surfaces on a plurality of support blocks.

A ventilation system with hardware to direct two independent airflows, wherein an outer airflow (at least partially) surrounds the an inner airflow. Preferably the inner and outer airflows come from different sources such that the air of the inner airflow has higher associated costs than the air of the outer airflow. For example, the inner airflow may be more cleaned and / or more thermally conditioned than the outer airflow. The inner airflow may have a different velocity than the outer airflow. Preferably, the ventilation system is a PVD, but other applications are also contemplated, such as: (i) spot-cooling; (ii) air curtains (for example for a refrigerated food section or case in a market); (iii) medical devices (for example, oxygen supply devices, “blankets” of thermally conditioned and / or cleaned air for infants, patients in surgery or burn victims, shields of cleaned air for protection against microbes for patients with compromised immune systems); (iv) personal humidifiers; (v) personal dehumidifiers; (vi) thermal and / or humidity control for plant or animal enclosures; and / or (vii) any other ventilation system for controlling at least one type of air characteristic (see Definitions section).

A woven fabric that has the appearance of a neoprene fabric is obtained with a double face fabric in which the warp yarns passes at least three weft yarns on each side of the fabric.

The method for making the fiber optic Fabry-Perot sensor includes securing an optical fiber to a substrate, and forming at least one gap in the optical fiber after the optical fiber is secured to the substrate to define at least one pair of self-aligned opposing spaced apart optical fiber end faces for the Fabry-Perot sensor. Preferably, an adhesive directly secures the at least one pair of optical fiber portions to the substrate. The opposing spaced apart optical fiber end faces are self-aligned because the pair of optical fiber end portions are formed from a single fiber which has been directly secured to the substrate. Also, each of the self-aligned spaced apart optical fiber end faces may be substantially rounded due to an electrical discharge used to form the gap. This results in integral lenses being formed as the end faces of the fiber portions.

This invention concerns the formulation and preparation of ammonium- and urea-free solid-chemical compositions for the anaerobic bioremediation of environmental contamination using the biological process of denitrification. The composition includes nitrate salts and may also include additional sources of nutrient phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. The use of complex phosphates (i.e., salts of phosphoric acid) is used as a combined binder-nutrient system. The use of complex phosphates in this manner enables the water-based agglomeration of the composition into granular forms in a manner which greatly improves upon the safety of the commonly known "Tennessee Valley Authority" type granulation processes by reducing or eliminating the use of the highly toxic and dangerous chemicals anhydrous ammonia, sulfuric acid, and phosphoric acid.