Abstract: A composite or so-called “half and half” bag has a first side wall formed from a synthetic resin mesh material and a second side formed from a synthetic resin film material. A reinforcing strip extends horizontally along the upper end portion of the mesh side wall of the bag. The reinforcing strip overlaps the upper edge of the first side wall such that it is joined to the first side wall through a horizontal seam positioned well beneath the top edge of the reinforcing strip to form an extension that protrudes well above (e.g., ½ inch to 1½ inches or even more) the upper edge of the mesh side wall. In order to strengthen the seam at the sides of the bag, the side edges of the reinforcing strip are joined to the second film side wall along at least most of the vertical extent of the extension. This film-to-film bond is considerably stronger than a bond through an intermediate mesh layer, as occurs along the remainder of the side seams of the bag.

Abstract: A graphical programming interface for use in developing computer programs providing computational decision-making capabilities. The interface uses a structure of graphically displayed positions, arguments and linkages to enable the development of computational decision making programs. The positions are primarily characterized by position values that may represent outputs although they may have a variety of other function features such as thresholds. The arguments are characterized by argument values that may represent inputs. The arguments are associated with particular positions and the values of the arguments associated with a given position are combined to determine the value of that position. The linkages extend between different positions and arguments and define different types of functional relationships between them.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus of operating a scanning probe microscope (SPM) including oscillating a probe of the SPM at a torsional resonance of the probe, and generally simultaneously measuring an electrical property, e.g., a current, capacitance, impedance, etc., between a probe of the SPM and a sample at a separation controlled by the torsional resonance mode. Preferably, the measuring step is performed while using torsional resonance feedback to maintain a set-point of SPM operation.

Abstract: A ratcheting mechanism for a hand-held tool is provided. The mechanism includes a housing having a central opening and a pair of slots disposed on opposite sides of the opening. Each slot has an arcuate or circular end portion opposite the central opening which circumscribes an arc of greater than 180° in order to pivotally retain a generally circular stem of a pawl therein. Due to the presence of a pair of biasing members within the housing, each pawl is biased inwardly towards the central opening and into engagement with teeth located on the exterior of a gear rotatably disposed within the central opening. A cap rotatably connected to the housing over the pawls and the central opening is able to selectively disengage one of the pawls to allow the rotation of the gear within the central opening in a specified direction.

Abstract: A combined football/basketball game is provided. In the game, initially an offensive team attempts to score a touchdown against a defensive team pursuant to an American rules football style of game play. When the offensive team scores a touchdown, the mode of game play shifts to a basketball-mode in which the offensive team attempts to make a basketball shot to score additional points against the defensive team. When the ball is controlled by the defensive team during basketball mode, i.e., after a missed shot or a made shot by the offensive team, the defensive team becomes the offensive team and attempts to score a touchdown in football mode. The game continues in this manner until the end of the time allotted for playing the game.

Abstract: A controller for a mold vacuum unit uses a programmable logic controller to provide flexible translation of pre-existing signals present on the injection-molding machine avoiding the need for modification of that machine by the addition of limit switches or the like. Simple adjustment of real time of time delays is provided by the integration of two self-contained timer units working in conjunction with the fixed programming of the programmable logic controller. Removable memories for the programmable logic controller allow the vacuum unit to be used with a variety of different injection-molding machines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining a potential at a surface of a sample in a polar liquid, for example, across an electrical double layer, includes the step of immersing the sample in a polar solution to form a potential gradient at the surface. A tip of a scanning probe microscope probe is then positioned in the solution generally adjacent the surface. During operation, the method includes measuring a potential of the probe. Relative scanning movement between the sample and the probe may be provided, and, in one mode of operation, a feedback signal is generated based on the measured potential. In that case, the tip may be moved generally orthogonal to the surface in response to the feedback signal to maintain a generally constant separation therebetween. The polar solution may have an associated ionic concentration, and the ionic concentration can be modified to tune the operation of the SEPM.

Abstract: An energy cylinder for operating a valve of a turbine, in particular of a steam turbine, is disclosed, wherein a cylinder housing and a control block are combined into a common block. The latter has two diametrically arranged lateral surfaces on which a control valve and a logic valve for controlling the pressure medium flows are arranged.

Abstract: Improved adhesion, electrical connection, and thermal connection between an electrical heater and a wax motor element are obtained by using multiple zones of different adhesives optimized for different properties. The location of the zones and the area of the zones may be a controlled to effect a trade off between different properties and to limit the expression of the conductive adhesive.

Abstract: An optical coupler (1) comprises two optical fibers (2, 3). Each of the optical fibers connects a sender unit (4) to a first end (9, 10). Then each of these fibers is connected independently to two independent receivers (6, 8). At the sender unit (4), the fibers are bared to be inserted into the same sleeve (15) which may be presented before the optical beam sent out by the sender unit. The bared intermediate zone between the sleeve and the non-bared cable portion is protected by a first sheath inside which the bared optical fibers are floating, and by a second protective sheath.

Abstract: A kayak ballast system is comprised of a cradle member configured to be fitted within the interior of the kayak. The cradle member defines a receiving unit for securely receiving weight, thereby providing a ready means for adding weight to a kayak and increasing the center of gravity and overall stability of the vessel. The ballast system is used to increase the boats center of gravity in the inventive method. The ballast system may be positioned throughout the interior of the kayak including the forward end of the cockpit and the cargo holds.

Abstract: An overheating protection system for a control unit includes an interrupter element, which, in its initial position defined with respect to a circuit board, electrically connects the opposite facing ends of at least one track on the circuit board, and an actuating element which is activated with the overheating of the transistor, and which on actuation against the interrupter element takes effect and releases it at least so far from the tract that the electrical connection is interrupted. A preassembled actuating unit for the interrupter element of the overheating protection is comprises an accommodation housing, in which an actuating element is accommodated and which can be brought into interaction with the interrupter element and which is held releasably by a one-piece latching element formed on the accommodation housing under pretension. An electrical heating device with a control unit protected against overheating is also provided.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonant device provides practical portable operation through the use of a low power high efficiency LED source and a high-efficiency prism sample cell pre-loaded with probe molecules and sealed for field use. A simple mechanical control allows adjustment of angulation of the light and camera for accurate response outside of the laboratory.

Abstract: A catheter includes a body having an outer surface defining a lumen and an expandable tip on a distal end thereof. The tip includes an opening axially extending therethrough. Upon insertion of a device having a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the expandable tip, the opening permits passage of the device therethrough. The tip expands commensurately with a difference between the outer diameter of the device and the inner diameter of the expandable tip. The expandable tip includes a tubular wall having an axially extending weakened portion formed from (1) at least two axially aligned slit segments and (2) at least two axially aligned segments that are strengthened when compared to the slit segments. One of the strengthened segments is positioned between two of the slit segments. Another of the strengthened segments is formed between a distal-most slit segment and a distal end of the expandable tip.

Abstract: A connection device is provided for interconnecting a grid element to a support rail for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The connection device includes a generally flat base having first and second sides and an inner surface for engaging the grid element. First and second connection arms depend from opposite sides of the base. The connection arms have terminal ends receivable in corresponding first grooves in the support rail. A flyer extends from the connection device for raising a scrap portion of the carton above the grid element after a blanking operation.

Abstract: An electric furnace has a furnace wall, a cylindrical spiral member made of a wire of heat resistant material, a part of the cylindrical portion of which being embedded into the furnace wall and the remaining cylindrical portion of which being projected from an inner surface of the furnace wall, and a heating member inserted into the remaining cylindrical portion of the spiral member. The wire is wound along circles, ellipses, triangles, or quadrangles. The heating member has a circular, quadrangular, triangular or elliptical cross section.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an inductive component intended to be installed on a printed circuit involves initially winding an electrically conductive wire to form a winding without using a former end connecting the opposed ends of the winding to inner ends of connecting terminals. The body formed of a block of an insulating material is then over-moulded onto the coil and onto the inner ends of the connecting terminals with the body including a central opening that passes through the body along the axis of the coil. Finally, a core made of ferrite is placed on the body such that the core surrounds the body in a center plane containing the axis of the coil with a center core element passing through the opening in the body.

Abstract: A method of extracting the shape of a probe tip of a probe-based instrument from data obtained by the instrument is provided. The method employs algorithms based on the principle that no reconstructed image points can physically occupy the same region as the tip during imaging. Sequential translates of the tip shape or volume sweep out an area or volume that is an “exclusion zone” similar to morphological erosion. The embodiments of the alternative method use either the region defined by the tip boundary or simply the tip boundary.