Abstract: An improved fluid transfer accuracy, information collection, and overall management. A system may utilize a pump to transfer fluid from a source to a target vessel, a meter for measuring an amount of fluid transferred, a density meter to detect actual fluid density, and a control unit to determine actual fluid transfer amount based on density. As an example, a fluid flow meter can be coupled with a flow conduit to determine fluid volume, along with the density meter to detect real-time density of transferred fluid. During a fluid transfer event, such as aircraft refueling, LPG fueling, or other refined fuels or valuable liquids, fluid volume can be converted to fluid weight in real-time based on actual density. The real-time fluid weight can be used to determine if a target fluid weight has been reached, and fluid flow can be shut off at the appropriate time.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for accurately determining the volume of liquid in a container, such as after or prior to a fluid transfer into/from the container. The volume of liquid flowing through a flow meter can be measured at multiple data intervals by a flow meter. Further, the height of a liquid inside the container can be measured by a liquid level sensor at the multiple data intervals. A register can receive data indicative of the respective measurements, and the volume of liquid in the container can be determined based on the relationship between data indicative of the measurement of the volume of liquid flowing through a flow meter at the multiple data intervals and the measurement of the height of a liquid inside the container at the multiple data intervals.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for accurately determining the volume of liquid in a container, such as after or prior to a fluid transfer into/from the container. The volume of liquid flowing through a flow meter can be measured at multiple data intervals by a flow meter. Further, the height of a liquid inside the container can be measured by a liquid level sensor at the multiple data intervals. A register can receive data indicative of the respective measurements, and the volume of liquid in the container can be determined based on the relationship between data indicative of the measurement of the volume of liquid flowing through a flow meter at the multiple data intervals and the measurement of the height of a liquid inside the container at the multiple data intervals.

Abstract: An improved fluid transfer accuracy, information collection, and overall management. A system may utilize a pump to transfer fluid from a source to a target vessel, a meter for measuring an amount of fluid transferred, a density meter to detect actual fluid density, and a control unit to determine actual fluid transfer amount based on density. As an example, a fluid flow meter can be coupled with a flow conduit to determine fluid volume, along with the density meter to detect real-time density of transferred fluid. During a fluid transfer event, such as aircraft refueling, LPG fueling, or other refined fuels or valuable liquids, fluid volume can be converted to fluid weight in real-time based on actual density. The real-time fluid weight can be used to determine if a target fluid weight has been reached, and fluid flow can be shut off at the appropriate time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using stored-value cards in a manner that mimics post-paid (credit) accounts. The systems and methods disclosed herein allow for the use of a stored-value card to make purchases without requiring the stored-value card to be loaded with funds prior to making a purchase. The systems and methods allow for an unfunded stored-value card to be issued to a consumer at the consumer's request and the funds to be loaded onto a stored-value card at the time of a purchase by the consumer.

Abstract: A lighted balloon system is provided including an inflatable, metallized polyfilm balloon device, having a surface, and a relatively lightweight, flat electroluminescent display device mounted to the surface of the balloon device. The lighted balloon system further includes a power supply, and one or more circuits disposed on the surface of the inflatable device electrically communicating the power supply and the display device for illumination thereof.

Abstract: A differential pressure sensor apparatus for use in a fuel delivery system measures the differential pressure of the fuel between a point immediately upstream and a point immediately downstream of a fuel monitor element. The differential pressure sensor apparatus uses an electronic transducer to monitor differential pressure and may be used with interlocks to shutdown fuel delivery if the measured value of the differential pressure is above a predetermined threshold value and to notify an operator of the fuel delivery system of such an increase in the differential pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming meltblown material from a molten polymer includes a die configured with channels in the tip of the die through which molten polymer is extruded for forming meltblown fibers. Air plates are disposed relative to the die tip to define air channels proximate to the die tip for directing attenuating air against the molten polymer fibers extruded from the tip. The air channels include a zone of convergence adjacent the apex of the die tip at an included angle that is within a range of about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees such that each of the air channels defines a convergence angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the polymer channels of between about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees.

Abstract: A liquid-permeable laminate includes at least one layer of spunbond material and at least one layer of spunblown material. The laminate is apertured. The inclusion of the spunblown material results in hole uniformity in the apertured laminate. The invention also includes a method of forming the liquid-permeable laminate.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric composite that comprises at least one extensible layer of elastomeric fine fibers treated with a wetting agent is provided. The nonwoven fabric composite can be used a barrier layer or a wrap for an absorbent materials to prevent particles form migrating out of the absorbent material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for producing nonwoven fibrous webs. The apparatus comprises an extrusion die, first and second fluid supplies in cooperation with the die, first and second extrusion capillaries, first counterbores allowing fluid communication between first capillaries and first supply and second counterbores allowing fluid communication between second capillaries and second supply, each first counterbore having at least two first capillaries extending therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a meltblown die which has a considerable smaller width in the machine direction of the meltblowing process compared to conventional and commercially used meltblown dies. The meltblown die of the present invention has a. a die body; b. a die tip mounted to the die body; c. a first air plate mounted to the die body; and d. a second air plate mounted to the die body. In addition, the small size of the meltblown die of the present invention provides advantages over conventional meltblown die, including improved air entrainment.

Abstract: A die tip adapted for extruding a plurality of meltblown multicomponent filaments that includes at least two series of conduits that extend and converge in to the interior of the die tip to convey a multicomponent thermoplastic structure in to the interior of the die tip to a series of capillaries that extend to a series of die opening for extruding multicomponent filaments is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling the width of a plurality of extruded filaments comprising providing a polymer supply and an extrusion die comprising a plurality of extrusion capillaries and a plurality of counterbores allowing fluid communication between the extrusion capillaries and polymer supply, providing an adjustable insert for interrupting fluid communication between the polymer supply and at least one extrusion capillary, providing at least one fluidized polymer, conveying the polymer through the polymer supply, counterbores and extrusion capillaries to extrude a plurality of filaments, and interrupting the fluid communication between the polymer supply and at least one extrusion capillary by adjusting the insert.

Abstract: High loft, low density nonwoven webs are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of A/B bilateral morphology in an unheated fiber draw unit. The fibers are then heated and cooled in the absence of impeding forces to achieve maximum crimp in the z-direction and produce a web of lofted material. The resultant material is particularly suitable for use as an insulator. Particulates may be added to the webs if desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process of using electrostatics in the formation of nonwoven webs. In the process of the present invention, a source of fibers is provided. The fibers and filaments are subject to an electrostatic charge which is generated via an electrostatic unit having a first side and a second side opposed to each other, wherein the electrostatic unit has an array of protrusions on the first side and the second side of the electrostatic unit. Once subject to the electrostatic charge, the fibers are collected on a forming surface to form a nonwoven web. The present invention also provides an apparatus for forming a nonwoven web. The apparatus of the present invention has a source of fibers, a device for applying an electrostatic charge to said fibers, wherein device having a first side and a second side opposed to each other, wherein the device has an array of protrusions on the first side and the second side of the device; and a forming surface for collecting said fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web, the method including the steps of providing plurality of fibers and subjecting the fibers to a pneumatic attenuation force which imparts a velocity to the fibers, reducing the velocity of the fibers in a diffusion chamber which is formed substantially between opposed diverging sidewalls, subjecting the fibers to an applied electrostatic charge, and thereafter collecting the fibers into a web on a moving forming surface. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a fiber attenuation chamber, a diffusion chamber formed substantially between opposed diverging sidewalls, the diffusion chamber located below the fiber attenuation chamber, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web with desired fiber orientation, the method including the steps of providing a source of fibers, subjecting the fibers to an electrostatic charge, deflecting the fibers with a non-contacting deflecting device, collecting the fibers on a moving forming surface to form the nonwoven web. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming fibrous nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a device for applying an electrostatic charge to the fibers, a non-contacting fiber deflecting device adapted to affect the fibers while the fibers are under the influence of the applied electrostatic charge, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a fibrous nonwoven web.