Abstract: Methods of improving the drying rate of a cellulosic web, such as a tissue web, by providing an apparatus having two noncompressive dewatering devices, such as two through-air driers, where the temperature of the drying medium supplied to each device is separately controlled. The temperature of the medium supplied to the first device may exceed 450° F., such as from about 450 to about 600° F. On the other hand the temperature of the medium supplied to the second device may be less than the temperature supplied to the first, such as from about 350 to 450° F. Drying the web in this manner not only improves drying efficiency, but also limits or prevents degradation of the web, such as the combustion of cellulosic fibers making up the web or monosaccharides associated therewith. As such, webs that are substantially free from furan and acetaldehyde may be produced by the present methods.

Abstract: Methods of improving the drying rate of a cellulosic web, such as a tissue web, by providing an apparatus having two noncompressive dewatering devices, such as two through-air driers, where the temperature of the drying medium supplied to each device is separately controlled. The temperature of the medium supplied to the first device may exceed 450° F., such as from about 450 to about 600° F. On the other hand the temperature of the medium supplied to the second device may be less than the temperature supplied to the first, such as from about 350 to 450° F. Drying the web in this manner not only improves drying efficiency, but also limits or prevents degradation of the web, such as the combustion of cellulosic fibers making up the web or monosaccharides associated therewith. As such, webs that are substantially free from furan and acetaldehyde may be produced by the present methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a decorative tissue product, while controlling tensile degradation in a predicable fashion. The foregoing properties may be achieved using differential depth embossing in conjunction with an embossing pattern having particular characteristics. The use of an engraved roll, such as an embossing roll, having protuberances of differing depths and patterns not only improves the properties and characteristics of the fibrous structure, but may also be used to impart a unique pattern that provides the product with a distinctive look and is appealing to consumers. Generally the unique pattern results from a first set of protuberances having a first height and defining a first pattern and a second set of embossing elements having a second height and defining a second pattern, where the first height is greater than the second height.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a decorative tissue product, while controlling tensile degradation in a predicable fashion. The foregoing properties may be achieved using differential depth embossing in conjunction with an embossing pattern having particular characteristics. The use of an engraved roll, such as an embossing roll, having protuberances of differing depths and patterns not only improves the properties and characteristics of the fibrous structure, but may also be used to impart a unique pattern that provides the product with a distinctive look and is appealing to consumers. Generally the unique pattern results from a first set of protuberances having a first height and defining a first pattern and a second set of embossing elements having a second height and defining a second pattern, where the first height is greater than the second height.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a decorative tissue product, while controlling tensile degradation in a predicable fashion. The foregoing properties may be achieved using differential depth embossing in conjunction with an embossing pattern having particular characteristics. The use of an engraved roll, such as an embossing roll, having protuberances of differing depths and patterns not only improves the properties and characteristics of the fibrous structure, but may also be used to impart a unique pattern that provides the product with a distinctive look and is appealing to consumers. Generally the unique pattern results from a first set of protuberances having a first height and defining a first pattern and a second set of embossing elements having a second height and defining a second pattern, where the first height is greater than the second height.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a decorative tissue product, while controlling tensile degradation in a predicable fashion. The foregoing properties may be achieved using differential depth embossing in conjunction with an embossing pattern having particular characteristics. The use of an engraved roll, such as an embossing roll, having protuberances of differing depths and patterns not only improves the properties and characteristics of the fibrous structure, but may also be used to impart a unique pattern that provides the product with a distinctive look and is appealing to consumers. Generally the unique pattern results from a first set of protuberances having a first height and defining a first pattern and a second set of embossing elements having a second height and defining a second pattern, where the first height is greater than the second height.

Abstract: A protective lens attachment is configured to couple to a camera lens ring to protect a camera lens during operation. The protective lens attachment can include a compressible structure, on which a force is exerted by a camera lens ring when the camera lens ring is inserted into the protective lens attachment. The compressible structure is configured to exert a reciprocal force onto the camera lens ring, creating a friction force between the compressible structure and the camera lens ring, and securely coupling the protective lens attachment to the camera lens ring.

Abstract: A protective lens attachment is configured to couple to a camera lens ring to protect a camera lens during operation. The protective lens attachment can include a compressible structure, on which a force is exerted by a camera lens ring when the camera lens ring is inserted into the protective lens attachment. The compressible structure is configured to exert a reciprocal force onto the camera lens ring, creating a friction force between the compressible structure and the camera lens ring, and securely coupling the protective lens attachment to the camera lens ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for emitting a fragrance includes an enclosure that has at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The at least one outlet has a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the at least one inlet. The enclosure further includes a Venturi-type nozzle that defines the at least one outlet. The apparatus also includes a fragrance source positioned within the enclosure and an air mover positioned within the enclosure. The air mover is operable to draw fresh air into the enclosure through the at least one inlet and drive the drawn fresh air across the fragrance source to transfer fragrance material from the fragrance source to the fresh air to form an air-fragrance mixture. The Venturi-type nozzle of the enclosure accelerates the air-fragrance mixture through the at least one outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for emitting a fragrance includes an enclosure that has at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The at least one outlet has a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the at least one inlet. The enclosure further includes a Venturi-type nozzle that defines the at least one outlet. The apparatus also includes a fragrance source positioned within the enclosure and an air mover positioned within the enclosure. The air mover is operable to draw fresh air into the enclosure through the at least one inlet and drive the drawn fresh air across the fragrance source to transfer fragrance material from the fragrance source to the fresh air to form an air-fragrance mixture. The Venturi-type nozzle of the enclosure accelerates the air-fragrance mixture through the at least one outlet.

Abstract: A field-installable multi-fiber ferrule has two portions and one portion has optical fibers already secured therein. The second portion receives optical fibers to mate with the secured optical fibers. A tool is provided to assist in inserting the optical fibers into the multi-fiber ferrule by aligning and holding the optical fibers while they are secured in the multi-fiber ferrule.

Abstract: A field-installable multi-fiber ferrule has two portions and one portion has optical fibers already secured therein. The second portion receives optical fibers to mate with the secured optical fibers. A tool is provided to assist in inserting the optical fibers into the multi-fiber ferrule by aligning and holding the optical fibers while they are secured in the multi-fiber ferrule.

Abstract: A field-installable multi-fiber ferrule has two portions and one portion has optical fibers already secured therein. The second portion receives optical fibers to mate with the secured optical fibers. A tool is provided to assist in inserting the optical fibers into the multi-fiber ferrule by aligning and holding the optical fibers while they are secured in the multi-fiber ferrule.

Abstract: A field-installable multi-fiber ferrule has two portions and one portion has optical fibers already secured therein. The second portion receives optical fibers to mate with the secured optical fibers. A tool is provided to assist in inserting the optical fibers into the multi-fiber ferrule by aligning and holding the optical fibers while they are secured in the multi-fiber ferrule.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motion of a gas valve in a gas feed line coupling a supply device to a burner is provided. The method includes receiving a signal representative of a user-selected desired level of heat output of the burner, translating the received signal to a first current signal, measuring a second current signal in a conducting medium that is operatively coupled with the valve, deriving a third current signal from the first and second current signals, and providing the third current signal to the conducting medium to control the motion of the valve.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motion of a gas valve in a gas feed line coupling a supply device to a burner is provided. The method includes receiving a signal representative of a user-selected desired level of heat output of the burner, translating the received signal to a first current signal, measuring a second current signal in a conducting medium that is operatively coupled with the valve, deriving a third current signal from the first and second current signals, and providing the third current signal to the conducting medium to control the motion of the valve.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter system for sampling an input signal includes at least one offset channel. Each channel includes a differential amplifier with a signal input coupled to the input signal, an offset input for receiving an offset signal and an amplified difference output, an analog-to-digital converter having a signal input coupled to the amplified difference output and having a signal output, and an offset index signal source coupled to the differential amplifier offset input. The system further includes an offset controller having at least one output coupled to a corresponding at least one offset index signal source and at least one input coupled to a corresponding at least one analog-to-digital converter signal output. The system also includes a signal constructor having at least one input coupled to a corresponding at least one analog-to-digital converter signal output and operable to provide a relatively high resolution digital output signal.

Abstract: In order to obviate the problem wherein localized lens aberration causes a pattern of low yield which cannot be corrected by conventional stepper correction/adjustment and which leads to the determination that the stepper lens is the source of the problem, the reticle is modified to produce an error which is selected to cancel the error that is being produced by the lens aberration and thus enable desired critical dimensions to produce on all dice. The modified reticle is then dedicated to the particular stepper.

Abstract: Critical dimension variation of photolithographically formed features on a semiconductor substrate is reduced by measuring the reflectivity of a photoresist layer and an underlying layer, such as a polysilicon layer, and adjusting the exposure level of the photoresist in accordance with the measured reflectivity. This allows precise control of feature width on the photoresist, which in turn allows precision etching of the underlying layer to accurately form a feature, such as a gate electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning dried photoresist from a photoresist dispensing nozzle. The tip of the photoresist dispensing nozzle is inserted through an opening in a nozzle base. A catch pan is positioned beneath the nozzle base. A solvent dispensing needle is inserted through an opening in the catch pan to face the photoresist dispensing nozzle tip and sprays solvent onto the photoresist dispensing nozzle tip. The catch pan collects the solvent and dissolved photoresist particles. The catch pan includes a drain for draining the solvent and the dissolved photoresist particles.