Abstract: Copolymers are formed by suspension polymerization of monomers, including one or more styrenic monomers, and one or more acrylic monomers. The monomers can be polymerized in the presence of polymeric seeds. The polymerization can be carried out in the presence of one or more blowing agents, producing polymers that can be expanded. The methods are useful, for example, in forming expandable polymeric particles. The expandable polymer particles are useful in processes such as forming patterns for lost foam molding techniques.

Abstract: An adapter for securing a cable to a housing has a flange that is attachable to the housing and a plurality of concentric cable ports connected to the flange. Each cable port has a side wall. The side wall of each cable port overlaps a side wall of an adjacent one of the plurality of cable ports. Each cable port has a respective diameter and a respective height with respect to the flange, and the heights of the cable ports increase monotonically from the cable port having the largest diameter to the cable port having the smallest diameter. Each cable port other than the cable port having the smallest diameter has a flat surface at a distal end opposite the flange. Each pair of successive cable ports differ from each other in height by a constant amount that is at least a thickness of a blade used to cut unused ones of the plurality of cable ports from the adapter. Each cable port may have a ledge proximate to the distal end.

Abstract: The invention describes a silicone oil emulsion stabilized with soap. The soap is formed in situ from one or more fatty acids and a cation of a base during the emulsification process. The invention also provides a method of forming a soap stabilized oil-in-water emulsion including the steps of forming a first mixture comprising a silicone oil, a base, and initial water, combining the first mixture with a fatty acid component and emulsifying the resultant combination.

Abstract: A system for delivering fluids which includes a pump (such as a peristaltic pump for example), a pump cartridge, a fluid reservoir, and a variety of fluid dispensers, including oral fluid dispensers. By providing a number of oral fluid dispensers, the one best suited for the needs of a particular application can be selected. The pump cartridge and/or the fluid dispensers may be disposable. The operation of the pump may be controlled based, at least in part, on the type of fluid dispenser being used. Further, a selectable mode can be used to further control the operation of the pump. The amount of fluids delivered over given periods of time may be monitored such that a reminder (such as an audio and/or visual alarm for example) may be provided if too much or too little fluid is delivered (and presumably consumed). The thresholds for such alarm conditions may be set and modified by a user. Further, the state of the fluid delivery system itself, as well as trends in fluid delivery, may be monitored.

Abstract: A container cap dispensing apparatus includes a cover member and a base member. The cover member is disposed over a portion of the base member, and the base member is secured to a container. The cover member is secured to either the base member or the container to allow the cover member to rotate relative to the container. The cover member and base member cooperate to drive a plug of the base member axially away from a dispensing opening defined in the cover member in order to permit the discharge of contents from an attached container. The cover member is permitted to rotate relative to the container but is not displaced axially relative to the base member.

Abstract: An assembly has a housing with an opening. The housing may be a building entrance protector. The housing has first and second cable ports aligned with the opening and aligned with each other. The first cable port extends outwardly from the housing, and the second cable port extends into the housing. A cable passes through the first and second cable ports. The cable may contain optical fibers. A first cold shrink tubing is placed over the first cable port and a portion of the cable that extends outward from the housing. A second cold shrink tubing is placed over the second cable port and a portion of the cable that extends into the housing. The first and second cable ports may be integrally formed from a single tubular piece of material having a single mounting flange. Alternatively, the cable ports may be separate and distinct from each other, and may each have a respective mounting flange. Alternatively, the cable ports may be integrally formed as a part of the housing.

Abstract: Polymers are formed by suspension polymerization of monomers, including one or more styrenic monomers, in the presence of polymeric, emulsion based seeds. The polymerization can be carried out in the presence of one or more blowing agents, producing polymers that can be expanded. The methods are useful, for example, in forming polystyrene which can then be expanded to form expanded polystyrene. The methods utilize suspending agents, and surfactant can be used in an amount insufficient to form an emulsion.

Abstract: An integrated circuit has a plurality of signal paths, at least one of which has a delay cell. The delay cell has an input terminal for receiving an signal from the signal path, and a plurality of delay paths for generating a corresponding plurality of delayed signals delayed by different delays from the input signal. At least one of the delay paths employs two different-delay subpaths coupled in parallel to provide a delayed signal delayed by an interpolated delay. A multiplexer (MUX) of the delay cell provides one of the delayed signals as an output signal to the signal path based on a control input signal applied to the multiplexer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for measuring loads applied to a platform, wherein the accuracy of the measurements is not adversely affected by any moments or torques resulting from the application of the load to the platform. The present invention is particularly suitable to platforms used to measure large loads and braking capability of trucks at weigh stations located along interstate highways.

Abstract: Image signals are encoded following a spatial decomposition pattern that is based on a selected location within the image. The resulting sequence of sets of encoded image signals may be transmitted to a remote node for decoding and display. The display of the decoded signals is progressively updated as subsequent sets of encoded image signals are received and decoded. In a prefeired embodiment, the first set of encoded image signals comprises DC transformed signals corresponding to the original image, while the subsequent sets of encoded signals comprise AC transformed signals corresponding to the original image.

Abstract: Mechanical pipe connections are provided by this invention which include the feature of coupler recesses with discontinuous locking grooves on the pipes. The interlocking system may also include male and female portions which mechanically mesh together to form binding contact between the pipes to reduce the individual rotation of the pipes relative to one another.

Abstract: A building entrance protector assembly includes a building entrance protector housing having an opening. The housing includes a plurality of concentric cylindrical side walls around the opening. Each side wall at least partly overlies another one of the side walls. At least one annular surface is provided at an end of the side walls distal from the flange. The distance between the flange and each distal (annular or disk shaped) surface increases monotonically from an outermost annular surface to an innermost annular or circular surface. Each annular surface is located at a respectively different distance from the flange. Each side wall is connected to an adjacent side wall by one of the annular surfaces. One or more of the inner side walls may be cut away to accommodate a variety of cable sizes. A cable passes through an innermost one of the side walls. A heat shrink tubing secures the cable to the adapter. The heat shrink tubing is adhered to the cable and the outermost side wall.

Abstract: A telephone call from first telephone device to a second telephone device is initiated by a call directly from the first telephone device to a first gateway. The first gateway receives dialed digits from the second telephone device, identifies an address on a packet switched network of a second gateway associated with the second telephone device, which identified by the dialed digits. The first gateway contacts the second gateway via the packet-switched network. The second gateway initiates a circuit-switched telephone connection to the second telephone device. When a ringing signal or busy signal is received from the second telephone device by the second gateway, the second gateway provides a signal via the packet-switched network to the first gateway. The first gateway provides the corresponding signal to the first telephone device.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for multiplexing a plurality of optical signals of different wavelengths to provide a multiplexed output optical signal. A plurality of input waveguides receive the plurality of optical signals. A first free space region is connected to the plurality of input waveguides, and an optical grating comprising a plurality of unequal length waveguides is connected to the first free space region. A second free space region is connected to the optical grating, and an output waveguide is connected to the second free space region for providing the multiplexed output optical signal.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a method of calculating the total laser energy needed to produce one or more selected laser induced surface modification reactions in a substrate moving relative to a laser beam. The present invention is further directed to a method for programming a programmable feedback control system with the calculated total laser energy such that the control system may be used to control laser beam power level and beam width in a process for producing a laser induced surface modification.