Abstract: The present invention relates to flame retardant polycarbonate compositions with improved weathering performance, said compositions comprising one or more cyanoacrylic esters. The invention also relates to methods for improving the flame retardancy and weathering performances of polycarbonate compositions by incorporating cyanoacrylic ester(s). Finally, the invention further relates to articles manufactured from flame retardant polycarbonate compositions comprising cyanoacrylic ester(s).

Abstract: A method for preparing a polycarbonate comprises preparing a free hydroxyl-containing polycarbonate and reacting the hydroxyl-containing polycarbonate with a mixture of (B) a symmetrical optionally activated aromatic carbonic acid diester and (C) an optionally substituted aromatic hihydroxy compound, diol or diacid. A copolymerization reagent comprises a mixture of (B) a symmetrical optionally activated aromatic carbonic acid diester and (C) an optionally substituted aromatic hihydroxy compound, diol or diacid. A copolymer comprises [polycarbonate]x moieties; (B) [symmetrical optionally activated aromatic carbonic acid diester]y moieties and (C) [optionally substituted aromatic hihydroxy compound, diol or diacid]z moieties, wherein x, y and z are mole percents of the copolymer.

Abstract: A halogen-free, flame retardant polyester composition comprises, based on the total composition, (a) A poly(ethylene terephthalate) with a molecular weight of at least 50,000 or a blend of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with another polyester, taking into account that the ratio poly(ethylene terephthalate)/other polyester should be at least 55/45. (b) A combination of at least one N-containing compound, selected from the group of triazine, guanidine, or (iso)cyanurate compounds, and at least one P-containing compound, selected from the group of BPA-diphosphates or phosphoramides with the proviso that the ratio of the total amount of P- and N-containing compounds over the total polyester amount should be between 0.3 and 0.6 and the ratio of the P-containing compound over the N-containing compound should be higher than 0.8. (c) An anti-dripping agent in an amount of 0.01-2 weight percent of the total composition. (d) A reinforcing filler in an amount of 0-40 weight percent of the total composition.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor is provided for use with a container. The sensor protrudes through an opening in the container. The sensor includes a float linked by means of a linkage to a first magnet axially rotatable on a first axis. The first magnet has a magnetic moment with a nonzero component at a right angle to the axis. A divider separates the first magnet from a second magnet having a magnetization and axially rotatable on a second axis. The second magnet has a nonzero magnetic moment at a right angle to the second axis. The first and second magnets are juxtaposed in magnetic linkage so that the second magnet is urged to follow the first magnet in rotation. The divider plugs the opening in the container. A magnetic field sensor is positioned to sense axial magnetic field strength at a location offset from the second axis.

Abstract: A passively mode-locked optically pumped semiconductor vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (OPS-EXSEL) is disclosed. The laser is mode locked by a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) which forms part of an external cavity. Both the beam-quality limitations of edge-emitting lasers, and the power restrictions of electrically pumped surface-emitting lasers are overcome. The laser uses a semiconductor wafer in which a stack of quantum wells is grown adjacent to a single Bragg-mirror structure. Light from one or more multi-mode high-power diode lasers is focused onto the face of the wafer and pumps the wells by absorption in the barrier regions. The area of the laser mode on the active mirror can be about 104 times larger than the mode area on the facet of an edge-emitting laser, offering scope for the generation of high average power and large pulse energy. At the same time the external cavity enforces fundamental mode operation in a circular, near-diffraction-limited beam.

Abstract: A transparent, fire resistant polycarbonate composition comprises polycarbonate, poly(methylphenylsiloxane) and a salt based flame retardant. These polycarbonate compositions can attain UL94 V0 ratings at 1.6 millimeter thickness, previously possible only with a halogenated fire retardant.

Abstract: A package storage and delivery system includes electronically controlled lockers disposed at or near customer locations. Each locker is unlocked by a courier, preferably by means of a short-range transceiver or transmitter carried on the courier's person. The customer can unlock the locker and receive the delivered package. Cryptographically signed communications are employed along with nonvolatile usage logs to minimize the risk of loss of a package or fraud by courier or customer. The lockers may be stackable, permitting a delivery courier to add lockers in the event a customer receives too many deliveries to fit into a single locker. Each box has, of course, a physical location, and has associated with it an address code indicative of the physical location, for example by means of a human-readable or compressed representation of the precise latitude and longitude. A package delivered to such a box preferably bears the address code.

Abstract: A messaging proxy system is disclosed for the purpose of delivering data in the form of a portable message format from a producer running on a mobile or non-mobile computer, over any wireless network, by passing this data through an intermediary proxy computer program, to one or more recipients running on mobile or non-mobile computers. The system includes a message proxy computer program with at least one pluggable transport protocol adapter. The proxy contains a command subsystem for sending and receiving command- and message-tokens to and from the mobile clients. The system further includes a thin messaging middleware client to run on mobile devices. The thin messaging middleware client includes at least one pluggable protocol adapter. The client also comprises a command subsystem for sending and receiving command- and message-tokens to and from the proxy. The proxy also contains a communication subsystem for sending and receiving messages via a state of the art message oriented middleware.

Abstract: Polyphthalate polyesters or polyester/polycarbonates are prepared from phthalates and 4,4′-[1-methyl-4-(1-methyl-ethyl)-1,3-cyclohexandlyl]-bisphenol.

Abstract: A polyester composition includes a poly(butylene terephthalate), a nitrogen-containing flame retardant, and a phosphorus-containing flame retardant, such that the weight ratio of the total of the nitrogen-containing flame retardant and the phosphorus-containing flame retardant to poly(butylene terephthalate resin) is at least about 0.70, and the weight ratio of the phosphorus-containing flame retardant to the nitrogen-containing flame retardant is at least about 1.0. The compositions have excellent color stability under ultraviolet light aging, good flame retardance, and high impact strength.

Abstract: A method for end-capping polycarbonate resins, comprising the step of processing a mixture comprising a polycarbonate having free hydroxyl-end groups and an end-capping reagent in a melt transesterification reaction to produce a polycarbonate resin, wherein the end-capping reagent comprises a mixture of: (a) at least one species of a symmetrical activated aromatic carbonate, and (b) at least one species of an optionally-substituted phenol, whereby said end-capping reagent reacts with at least some of the free hydroxyl end-groups of the polycarbonate to produce an end-capped polycarbonate resin.

Abstract: The universal folding bicycle according to the invention has the front arm (1) that is attached to the head assembly (2) on the frame (3) where the front swing arm (4) with the front wheel (22) are attached. The freely adjustable handlebars (9) are attached. The freely adjustable handlebars (9) are attached to the head assembly (2) via the rotary joint (5), the telescopic rod (6) and the handlebar axis (8) or via the handlebar attachement (7). The back wheel (13) is attached to the back swing arm (10) connected to the central assembly (11) formed by the pedals and cranks 12) and mounted on the frame (3). The back swing arm (10) can be equipped by the accessory arm (26). The seat (16) on a telescopic stem (15) is attached to the end of the frame (3) or via the pin (14) to the beginning of the frame (3). The seat (16) may be located in the swing arm (23) and may be equipped by the telescopic seat springing (24) or by the arm springing (25).

Abstract: A loading apparatus includes a loading tube with an input end and an output end, the input end positioned between three and six feet above a surface, the output end positioned between six and twenty feet above the surface. The surface is sufficiently strong to support a concrete mixer. The loading tube further comprises at least one nozzle positioned at the loading tube between the input end and the output end, the nozzle disposed so that air passing through the nozzle into the loading tube flows toward the output end. A valve is connected with the at least one nozzle, disposed to permit and deny air flow through the valve to the at least one nozzle. To use the apparatus, the loading tube and a concrete mixer are positioned so that the fill opening of the mixer is below the output end. Air is caused to flow through the at least one nozzle. A predetermined number of water-soluble bags of material are counted, and the bags are placed, one by one, into the input end of the tube.

Abstract: Flat articles are taken over from a supply device supplying the products e.g. in the form of an imbricated stream and, for creating groups, are transferred to a conveying-away device. Thereby the supply direction and the conveying-away direction are angled in the horizontal plan view. For the transfer of the articles devices are used having a circulating conveying organ with laterally protruding gripper arms and grippers arranged on the gripper arms. The circulation track of the conveying organ extends in a take-over direction through a take-over zone and in a transfer direction through a transfer zone and represents a deflection between take-over and transfer zone.

Abstract: A method is provided for replicating DNA, and in particular for replicating large segments of DNA. A primer is combined with a target DNA molecule to be replicated. The primer is designed to be at least partially homologous to a known site on the target DNA, and to create a D-loop when hybridized with that site. A replisome is then assembled at the D-loop, and this replisome creates a copy of the DNA, starting at the primer binding site. By utilizing two species of D-loop primers which bind to remote sites on the DNA flanking a region to be replicated, large sections of DNA can be replicated in a manner comparable to PCR. The replicated DNA can be analyzed to detect variations in the genetic sequence of the target, for linkage mapping and as a source of longer DNA molecules having a desired sequence.

Abstract: Several watches (1.1-1.4) are placed in an arrangement and interconnected by connecting means (2.1-2.3). The watches (1.1-1.4) have cover glasses (11.1-11.4), dials (12.1-12.4), cases (13.1-13.4), winders (14.1-14.4) and time indicating means (15.1-15.4). The connecting means (2.1-2.3) are e.g. located on a carrier element (20) containing the dials (12.1-12.4) of all the watches (1.1-1.4). The carrier element (20) has preset breaking lines (3.1-3.3) in the form of perforations and cross-sectional reductions between the watches (1.1-1.4), so that said watches (1.1-1.4) can be separated from one another. The arrangement or watches (1.1-1.4) separated therefrom can be used as fashion accessories jewellery, pendants, etc. There are no practical limits to the design of the arrangement and its watches (1.1-1.4). The arrangement can be manufactured in a simple, advantageous manner, so that it is in particular possible to take account of rapidly changing fashions.

Abstract: A wireless host is used with a computer having a BIOS, an operating system, a serial bus interface coupled with the BIOS, the wireless host operating under a protocol that functions only in the presence of a corresponding wireless communications driver in the operating system, and the BIOS characterized in that human interface device information received via the serial bus interface is made available to the operating system by means other than the wireless communications driver. Human interface device information is received via the wireless host. Depending on a predetermined condition, the human interface device information is passed to a wireless communications driver in the operating system, or is passed to the serial bus interface and is made available to the operating system by means other than the wireless communications driver.

Abstract: A mechanical joint including a circular seal (4), a gland ring (5), an elastic ring (6) and a back-up ring (7), as well as a body (1), with closure and backing part (2), while the joint can further contain a counterseal as an option, the body can further contain the closure and backing part as an option, and the elastic ring (6) is optionally equipped with two symmetrical pitch union nuts (9, 10) and two gaskets (11, 12), as well as with a symmetrical pitch screw (13). The joint has application to all pipe couplings, with alignment stress or with misalignment tolerance.

Abstract: A pair of devices (400, 401) appear to be a Common Channel Signaling (CCS) network nodes on each end of a point-to-point digital data link, that is, a normal CCS signaling link (402, 403). Multiple transport methods may be used to provide a redundant and diverse path for the signaling link. These methods include the encapsulation of the CCS protocol, at one or more layers, within other network protocols. In another embodiment, the present invention implements a virtual Signal Transfer Point by means of one or more encapsulating STPs (eSTPs). A packet data network (408) using standard packet-switched data protocols, rather than a backplane bus or special-purpose network, connects the encapsulating STPs (405, 406), and CCS messages are dynamically routed across the internal packet data nework to an appropriate eSTP for transmission to the appropriate next hop address.

Abstract: An anti-static thermoplastic resin composition of 90-99.95 weight % of a thermoplastic resin and correspondingly 10 to 0.05 weight % of a halogenated carbon sulfonic acid salt of a polysubstituted phosphonium compound such as a fluorinated phosphonium sulfonate and wherein the thermoplastic resin is either an aromatic polycarbonate, polyetherimide, polyester, polyphenylene ether, polyphenylene ether/styrene polymer blend, polyamide, polyketone, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, blends thereof and blends thereof with other materials. Preferably the thermoplastic resin is a transparent aromatic polycarbonate.