Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method of producing photosensitive printing plate blanks comprising the steps of: a) forming a first photocurable layer on a backing sheet; b) curing the first photocurable layer with actinic radiation to create a hard floor layer throughout the first photocurable layer; and c) forming a second photocurable layer on top of the cured first photocured layer that is processible by actinic radiation to form a relief image printing element. The printing plate blank having the precured floor layer may then be delivered to a print shop customer for further processing to produce a relief image printing element.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for a tire that can be favorably attached to tires at low temperature and to tires such as studless tires is provided, as is a method for manufacturing the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for a tire. For the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for a tire and the method for manufacturing, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for a tire includes a substrate and an adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer includes a hot melt-type adhesive composition and satisfies adhesive characteristics (A) and (B), where (A) loop tack adhesion at 5° C. is 14N/25 mm or more, and (B) loop tack adhesion at 40° C. is 5N/25 mm or more.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a precision release aerosol dispenser for dispensing material from a pressurized source of material. The precision release aerosol dispenser comprises dispensing means for dispensing into the environment the material from the source of material, a microchip coupled to the dispensing means for controlling the release rate of the material to be dispensed, and means for initiating the dispensing means. The microchip usable in the precision aerosol dispenser of the invention is a multilayer device fabricated using MEMS fabrication techniques.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for an electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises a casing within which is positioned at least a display assembly for displaying information, wherein the illumination assembly comprises an electroluminescent assembly, coupled in the module, having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is in facing alignment with the display assembly; a translucent ink/film layer having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is positioned in facing alignment with the second surface of the electroluminescent assembly, and wherein the translucent ink/film layer has indicia therein or surface indicia thereon; a lens in facing alignment with the second surface of the translucent ink/film layer; wherein the illumination assembly is sealed in the module; and whereby upon illumination of the electroluminescent assembly, the visibility of the indicia is facilitated. In a specific embodiment, the wearable electronic device is a wristwatch.

Abstract: An electrolytic copper plating process comprising two steps is proposed. The process is particularly suited to plating in very confined spaces. The first step comprises a pre-treatment solution comprising an anti-suppressor that comprises a sulfur containing organic compound, preferably incorporating an alkane sulfonate group or groups and/or an alkane sulfonic acid. The second step comprises an electrolytic copper plating solution based on an alkane sulfonic acid.

Abstract: A subassembly for use in a brake assembly, the subassembly comprising a shim, a backing plate and a friction pad formed of a friction pad material, wherein the friction pad material extends into at least one pass-through hole in the backing plate; and wherein one or more flanges perimetering at least one opening in the shim are encased in the friction material; whereby the shim is resisted from movement at least in part by the one or more flanges being encased in the friction pad material. A preferred methodology of forming the braking subassembly comprises the steps of forming the friction pad on the backing plate and at least partially filling the at least one pass-through hole with said friction pad material such that the one or more flanges perimetering the at least one opening in the shim is encased in the friction pad material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved adaptor for easily and removably coupling a drawbar of a tractor or other vehicle to a standard receiver hitch and a method of using the improved adaptor. The adaptor of the invention includes an adaptor body configured to receive a section of the drawbar, a leg coupled to the adaptor body, the leg extending essentially perpendicular to the adaptor body and having an opening for receiving an end of the receiver hitch. The drawbar is couplable to the adaptor body and the leg is couplable to the end of the receiver hitch.

Abstract: An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gasses. The constituent gasses and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which can exhibit an excellent charge eliminating effect by erasing a transfer memory using a precharging device with optimized conditions even when a positively-charged single-layer-type electrophotographic photoconductor is used as a photoconductor. In the image forming apparatus which sequentially arranges a charging device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a charge eliminating device around a single-layer-type electrophotographic photoconductor, the charging device charges a surface of the single-layer-type electrophotographic photoconductor with a positive polarity, a precharging device having a conductive member is arranged on an upstream side of the charge eliminating device, the conductive member is brought into contact with the electrophotographic photoconductor, and a current density Ib (?A/m2) of the injected current into the photoconductor from the conductive member is set to a value of 700 (?A/m2) or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic monocomponent developer which can obtain a stable conveying performance for a long period and an image forming method which uses the developer. In a magnetic monocomponent developer which is used in a developing unit which includes a developing vessel which accommodates a magnetic monocomponent developer therein, a developer carrying body which carries the magnetic monocomponent developer and conveys the magnetic monocomponent developer to a developing region, and a developer layer thickness restricting member which restricts a layer thickness of the magnetic monocomponent developer, the magnetic monocomponent developer includes toner particles which contain at least a binder resin and magnetic powder, and also includes following constitutions (a) to (c). (a) an average particle size of the toner particles may being set to a value which falls within a range from 6 to 9 ?m.

Abstract: A method of creating a digital mask in situ for use in a process of making digital flexographic printing elements. The digital mask is created by laminating the negative image that is the by-product of a thermal proofer to a photosensitive printing plate. Thereafter, the photosensitive printing element can be imaged, exposed, and developed in the usual manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toner for electrostatic latent image development and a method of magnetic monocomponent development using the toner which can prevent the toner adhesion to a photoconductor for a long time period and can obtain an image having high quality by maintaining functions of the toner for a long time period or by favorably adjusting the conveying property of the toner on a developing sleeve. In a toner for electrostatic latent image development which contains toner particles and inorganic particles and a method of development using the toner, the toner particles exhibit a shape factor SF-1 which satisfies the relationship 115?SF-1?150 and a shape factor SF-2 which satisfies the relationship 115?SF-2?145 and, at the same time, a quantity of inorganic particles which are in a floating state is set to a value which falls within a range from 10 weight % to 25 weight % with respect to the total quantity of the inorganic particles.