628results about How to "Improve marketability" patented technology

A system and method is provided which includes using a liquid treatment apparatus, which is equipped with cyclonettes, for example, to subject a liquid medium processing stream in an alcohol production process to hydraulic cavitation, i.e., to shear under vacuum, at one or more locations. The liquid treatment apparatus, in one embodiment, is directed to the formation of a central axial jet and a vacuum chamber that can be sealed by the exiting jet. Cavitation is generated by directing a high velocity jet of liquid medium processing stream through a volume of vapor under a vacuum created in the chamber through which the jet travels. This can reduce the production cost of alcohol, such as ethanol, by improving alcohol yield per bushel, among other benefits. In one embodiment, the alcohol production process is a dry grind process, a modified dry grind process, or a wet mill process. In one embodiment the alcohol production process utilizes grain as a starting material.

An apparatus and method for non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM). The NILM apparatus is aimed at updating reference data of a storage unit established by a generalized method to increase reliability of the storage unit. The NILM apparatus includes: a sensor unit configured to collect information about power consumed by an appliance; a controller configured to acquire a power consumption pattern of the appliance based on the collected power information, and to identify the appliance using the power consumption pattern; a display unit configured to display the result of the identification so as for a user to determine whether the result of the identification using the power consumption pattern is correct; and storage unit configured to store the result of the identification if it is determined that the result of the identification displayed on the display unit is correct.

Disclosed is a press system having advantages of preventing a molded product panel from bursting or being torn due to a difference in molding depth caused by a protrusion shape to improve the moldability and marketability of the product panel when press molding is performed on a material panel. An illustrative press system comprises: a lower die punch provided on a bolster and having a lower surface shape of a product panel; a blank holder provided on the outside of the lower die punch and mounted on the bolster through cushion pins; an upper die having an upper surface shape of the product panel, mounted on the slider, and pressing a material panel together with the lower die punch to mold the product panel; and a sub blank holder unit provided inside the lower die punch by performing the molding while holding a portion of the material panel to be molded into a protrusion shape together with the upper die such that a difference in molding depth is compensated when molding is performed.

A system for and methods of processing non-traditional payment transactions on a traditional payment network is disclosed. More specifically, a payments system includes one or more payment program managers (PPMs), which are the providers of alternative payment products, in combination with one or more payment program processors (PPPs), which serve as processors for the PPMs. The PPMs and PPPs operate on a payment network, such as a traditional payment network. The payments system includes the utilization of traditional bank identification numbers (BINS) in order to process non-traditional transactions on a traditional payment network. Surrogate numbers are issued on BIN ranges to the non-traditional transactions in order to process them on the traditional payment network. Additionally, the payments system includes pricing structures that are associated with alternative payment products. These pricing structures are implemented and processed on the payment network, alongside the pricing structures of traditional payment products.

In a storage system having a plurality of control units each connected with a plurality of disk units, it is provided that a replication is created in the volume of the disk units connected to different control units. The replication creation unit of a given control unit creates a replication in the volume of the disk unit connected to other control units in such a manner that the original volume information, the replication volume information in the control unit and information on the other control units are registered as volume pair information. Based on this volume pair information, a replication creation request is transmitted to the other control units.

A motorcycle with a seat frame and seat attached to a seat post. The seat frame is covered with the seat as viewed from above and is structured so as to hold an article in an exposed state thereon to form an article accommodating space below the seat. The rear wheel of the motorcycle is driven by a motor to which power is supplied from a battery. The voltage of the battery is converted by a charging and voltage conversion section to supply power to electrical equipment. The charging and voltage conversion section is attached in an exposed state to a vehicle body frame. A battery for supplying power to a motor is provided with a charging and voltage conversion apparatus for charging the battery. A charging cable for energizing the charging and voltage conversion apparatus is disposed in a hollow portion of a vehicle body frame.

A lamp including a light source, a petaline reflector, and aspheric lenses. The petaline reflector is formed of a plurality of reflecting surface units combined radially around the center axis of the light source. Each of the reflecting surface units is obtained by cutting, radially around the center axis, a portion from a spheroid having a first focal point located on the center axis and adjacent the light source and a second focal point located on a line passing through the first focal point and tilted appropriately from the center axis such that the cut portion spans a range of 15.degree. to 60.degree. around the center axis. The aspheric lenses are disposed to correspond to the respective second focal points of the reflecting surface units of the petaline reflector and converge reflected light beams from the respective reflecting surface units. Shades for forming a light distribution pattern are disposed at the respective near-focal points of the aspheric lenses.

Apparatus and methods for assessing component health for reconfigurable control are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operating a product includes monitoring a first diagnostic information of a component of the product, and monitoring a second diagnostic information of a system that includes the component. The first and second diagnostic informations are then combined, and based at least partially on the combined first and second diagnostic information at least one of the component and the system are reconfigured.

A food container system that comprises a tray member that is the primary storage container, a first lid member that is molded to comprise a plurality of recesses of either similar or varying sizes to house various foodstuffs, and optionally a third lid member. When assembled, the foodstuff in the first lid member may be retained by a foil that adheres to the mouths of the recesses or the optional third lid member which may be formed to snugly fit over the recesses of the first lid member. The foodstuffs may be mixed in any combination desired. Embodiments of the invention will include for the tray member that may be releaseably attached to either the first or second lid member via a snap-fit grip mechanism; additionally, the first and second lid members may be releaseably attached to each other in a similar manner. The utility of the container system is magnified through the multi-compartmentalized lid member.

A display device includes: a display portion; and a storage member configured to house the display portion and including an opening through which the display portion passes, wherein the display device further includes: a plurality of cover members configured to cover the opening and to travel from the opening to a region of the storage member adjacent to the opening so as to be folded up and overlapped with each other at the region; travel control means configured to cause the plurality of cover members to transfer to a first condition in which the opening is closed by the plurality of cover members, and also to a second condition in which the plurality of cover members are folded up and overlapped with each other, and configured to cause the display portion to transfer to rise-up and storage conditions; and only one drive source configured to drive the travel control means.

A method for designing a line of products across different functional categories. The method includes the steps of selecting certain performance components and grading the components from one product to the next to tailor the product to the appropriate functional category. At the same time, the products include common, yet varied, design elements that interrelate the products and create a morphing or evolving appearance from one functional category to the next. The present invention further discloses a method for marketing footwear across different functional categories as a line of products by providing the products with evolving or morphing functional and design components.

Itemized inflatables and their accessories relating generally to party, advertising, and, ornamental goods and supplies are disclosed herein to include invisible and / or non-invisible (visible) designed clear transparent inflatables made of diversified materials of varying sizes, shapes, and, forms, extently using fluorescent, phosphorescent, and, standard (invisible and / or visible) paint means, said inflatables resiliently adhesively combined with multiple varieties of electric (battery operated) black ultra violet lights and standard lights fixtures, adaptedly comprising numerous different and common inflator nozzle means, so as to permit said inflatables to demonstrably emanate, never before seen, out of the ordinary distinct iluminations of carefully, strategically, and, articulately positioned designed images, that appear and disappear in whole or in part, from the hidden to the visible and back to obscurity, thereby, imparting to viewers, continual repetitions of unique, dramatic, multiple stupendous, exciting visual displays and effects, of truly unlimited epic proportions.

Provided is a lighting unit for a vehicle capable of implementing surface light emission from a single light emitting surface. The light unit can function to implement a light emitting region in which at least two light colors are displayed or different light colors are implemented, or to locally emitting light.

A lighting device can have a simple configuration which can be formed compactly in the direction of its optical axis in particular, and with a light weight. The lighting device can also have a functional, three-dimensional innovative appearance for the sake of enhanced merchantability and novelty. The lighting device can include a light source and a projection lens which is situated so that its source-side focus lies near the light source and its optical axis generally coincides with that of the light source. The projection lens can be a distribution control lens of convex form, having an exit surface shaped aspherically so that the direction of emission is continuously refracted into specified directions with respect to the angle of incidence from the focal position.

A valve timing control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of accurately and delicately controlling an amount of intake air, and thereby maintaining excellent combustion state and reduced exhaust emissions. The valve timing control system variably controls the valve-closing timing of an intake valve with respect to valve-opening timing of the same as desired via a variable intake valve actuation assembly. The ECU of the engine determined a basic value of a target auxiliary intake cam phase according to the demanded drive torque of the engine. The ECU calculates a control input to the variable intake valve actuation assembly such that the cylinder intake air amount converges to a target intake air amount and at the same time the auxiliary intake cam phase is constrained to the basic value of the target auxiliary intake cam phase.

An elastomeric urethane composition includes the reaction product of a resin composition, including a polyol, and an isocyanate. The resin composition and the isocyanate are reacted, in the presence of a first and a second catalyst, to form a polyurethane elastomer. The first catalyst includes a metal selected from the group of iron, titanium, zirconium and hafnium. The second catalyst includes an amine. The elastomeric urethane composition may be used in a method of making an article. The method includes reacting the resin composition and the isocyanate to form the elastomeric urethane composition, applying the elastomeric urethane composition to a mold cavity, and allowing the elastomeric urethane composition to cure to form a first layer. The method also includes applying a urethane composition, different from the elastomeric urethane composition, to the mold to form a second layer, curing the article in the mold, and de-molding the article from the mold.

an extruded metal flow 3D printer comprising a rack including a workbench capable of moving along n X-axis and Y-axis direction, and a head capable of moving along an Z-axis direction; a printing device including a printing head, a highfrequency coil and a high frequency electric induction heating device; the printing heal including a tungsten steel nozzle, a ceramic tube bank, a high temperature resistant ceramic protective sleeve, and a stainless steel end cover; the tungsten steel nozzle having an extrusion hole; a feeding device; the head comprising at least one laser mounted on a lower end face thereof and configured to locally preheat and melt a metal layer printed from the metal wire or enhance a binding force between metal layers, so that the print effect and model molding effect of the present invention can be improved, enhancing the marketability.

A vehicle control device includes a lane determining unit which, in the event there is a branching path or a merging path in a planned travel route of a host vehicle, is adapted to determine whether or not a lane in which the host vehicle is traveling differs from a lane in which the branching path or the merging path exists, and a lane change instructing unit which, in the event it is determined by the lane determining unit that the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling differs from the lane in which the branching path or the merging path exists, is adapted to set a route so that the host vehicle automatically performs a lane change into the lane in which the branching path or the merging path exists.

A method and system for supplementing the taxes owed by gaming participant winners such that winners of games of chance, including lotteries, are able to collect more of the advertised jackpots. Included is a method for conducting a game of chance with a tax supplement component such that participants are permitted to purchase a game ticket with a tax supplement component. A first portion of the ticket price is allocated to a tax supplement pool representing a tax supplement for at least a portion of applicable taxes on respective prizes. A second portion of the ticket price is allocated to a prize pool. Winners who purchased the tax supplement ticket are provided a tax supplement payment. The method and system also provide for the purchase of a tax supplement option, making the purchasers of the option eligible to receive a tax supplement payment in the event they win the prize.

A food container system that comprises a tray member that is the primary storage container, a first lid member that is molded to comprise a plurality of recesses of either similar or varying sizes to house various foodstuffs, and optionally a third lid member. When assembled, the foodstuff in the first lid member may be retained by a foil that adheres to the mouths of the recesses or the optional third lid member which may be formed to snugly fit over the recesses of the first lid member. The foodstuffs may be mixed in any combination desired. Embodiments of the invention will include for the tray member that may be releaseably attached to either the first or second lid member via a snap-fit grip mechanism; additionally, the first and second lid members may be releaseably attached to each other in a similar manner. The utility of the container system is magnified through the multi-compartmentalized lid member.

When any one of the commodities displayed in commodity image display areas is sold out during an operation of a vending machine, a substitute commodity for a sold-out commodity is selected from among commodities other than the sold-out commodity, and a display of a commodity image display area including the sold-out commodity is replaced with a display of a commodity image display area including a commodity image of the selected substitute commodity.

A book having a storage tube attached thereto for storage of manipulatives for use with enjoyment of the book is disclosed.

Disclosed herein is an attaching device for extension eyelashes adapted to attach false eyelashes to natural eyelashes by overlapping the false eyelashes containing an adhesive with the natural eyelashes and applying heat to the adhesive. The device includes a body defining a space therein and shaped to be held by a hand. A support is formed on an end of the body to support the false eyelashes. An inner grip is shaped to surround the support, and grips the natural eyelashes and the false eyelashes. An outer grip is shaped to surround the inner grip, further grips the natural eyelashes and the false eyelashes that are gripped by the inner grip, and applies heat to the adhesive contained in the false eyelashes. A manipulating portion is slidably coupled to an exterior of the body and moved to sequentially operate the inner grip and the outer grip.

A hands-free system control method for a vehicle may include determining whether a variation in physical quantity may be sensed for a kick action of a user, and indicating that the kick action may be an invalid kick action, using a device that may be perceived by the user from the vehicle, when it may be determined that the sensed variation in the physical quantity may be invalid.

Disclosed are system and method for abrasion warning of a brake friction pad of a vehicle. The system may include a friction pad abrasion sensing system (ESC) including a pressure sensor. The ESC system may recognize a speed change in association with a wheel speed sensor of the vehicle, measure a braking pressure using the pressure sensor included in the ESC system when the vehicle is decelerated, calculate and accumulate an abrasion index proportional to the measured braking pressure, and generate and output a notification message when the accumulated abrasion index is more than a predetermined reference value.

A display device is provided and includes: a display portion; a storage member configured to house the display portion and including an opening through which the display portion passes; a plurality of cover members configured to cover the opening and to travel from the opening to a region of the storage member adjacent to the opening so as to be folded up and overlapped with each other at the region; and travel control means configured to cause the plurality of cover members to transfer to a first condition in which the opening is closed by the plurality of cover members and also to a second condition in which the plurality of cover members are folded up and overlapped with each other.

A vehicle navigation device including a destination setting means that sets a destination; a route searching means that searches for a route to the destination that has been set by the destination setting means; and a search condition setting means that sets a specified search condition from a plurality of conditions that include a type of facility serving as a search object and an area serving as a search object, in which the route searching means, in the case of an input operation of a specified search condition being performed by the user, searches for a waypoint and a route thereof based on the search condition.

A computer system for changing signals to separately value components temporally decomposed from residential property, the computer system including: an input device operable for converting input data representing the residential property into input signals representing the input data; a computer having a processor, the processor connected to the input to receive the input computer signals, the processor programmed to change the input signals to produce modified signals representing a separate market-based valuation of each of a plurality of components temporally decomposed from the property, the components including a residential estate for years interest and a residential remainder interest; and an output device connected to the processor to convert the modified signals into an illustration including the respective valuation of each of the components.