Abstract: The present invention provides a photo media has an imageable substrate having opposing first and second surfaces. An image receptive coating is disposed on the first surface of the inkjet printable sheet. A repositionable adhesive is disposed on the second surface of the substrate, but the adhesive does not cover the entire second surface. A liner is disposed on the second surface of the substrate. The photo media has a gloss value at 60° of greater than about 25%, an adhesion to polyester of less than about 200 gram/inch and a static angle test adhesion value of greater than about 600 seconds.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use in accordance with such systems as web sites operating electronic commerce (e-commerce) applications, interactive voice response (IVR) systems and workflow systems for providing automated monitoring of user activity and personalized action taking based on such activity, in accordance with an on-line decision support mechanism which combines formal and heuristic reasoning. In a web-based system, for example, the on-line decision support provided in accordance with the invention can be used in a wide variety of e-commerce applications requiring automated, real-time, intelligent interventions, including targeted promotions and discounts, assisting with navigation through self-help material, supporting dynamic price negotiations, and even selecting large portions of page content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to foam-paperboard laminates (foam-paperboard laminates) prepared using an in situ foaming process. The foam-paperboard laminates of the present invention are formed by extruding LDPE polymer onto a moisture containing paperboard to provide a LDPE-coated paperboard material. Upon heating of the LDPE-coated paperboard, the moisture in the paperboard causes steam to act as a blowing agent for the LDPE and a LDPE foam is obtained. The foam is adhered to the paperboard by way of physical adhesion of the polymer to the paperboard. The foam-paperboard laminates of the present invention exhibit insulating and cushioning properties. The foam-paperboard laminates are suitable for use, for example, in insulating beverage cups, food service containers, packaging material, and in other products where laminates can be useful.

Abstract: A hanging file folder or other management article, e.g., file folder, report cover, notebook, binder, or media cover, comprising retractable hangers.

Abstract: A file folder management system comprising means for releasably attaching file folders to one another.

Abstract: A document management article, e.g., file folder, comprising a track member that comprises a multiplicity of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically deformable ribs. Repositionable index tabs may be attached thereto.

Abstract: A soil measurement probe (21) includes a window (38) mounted in an opening (40) in the outer surface (34) of the probe, a light source (42) disposed within the probe and directed toward the window for illuminating the soil in situ, with light of wavelengths corresponding to the colors red, blue and green, in succession. A photo-detector (44) disposed within the probe is directed toward the window, the photo-detector responsive to light of each of the first and second wavelengths as reflected from the soil in situ. The probe is useful for measuring the color of the soil as an R-G-B measurement. Other soil parameters are obtained by correlation with soil color.

Abstract: A detection system includes a detection device and an anti-evaporation device. The detection device comprises a region configured to merge at least two small drops and to detect a potential transient signal generated by the merger of the drops. The an anti-evaporation is configured to enclose the region and limit evaporation from the region. A method for detecting a signal includes the following steps: depositing drops of potentially reactive chemical solutions on a detection device within a drop-merging region; placing an anti-evaporation device over the drop-merging region to form a seal around the drop-merging region; merging the drops of potentially reactive chemical solutions; and measuring a signal occurring within the merged solution drops.

Abstract: In a data processing system, a note can be displayed and an image can be displayed in the note. The image may be acquired by a camera such as photographic camera, a digital camera, or other camera.

Abstract: The invention is an article comprising a housing having a bottom wall and a top wall supportively engaged to the top wall. The top wall defines a slot extending through the top wall for sheet material. A voice recorder is secured to the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, a stack of sheet material is positioned within the housing. The stack includes plurality of vertically aligned sheets of material which are releasably adhered to each other along opposite edges of successive sheets by a narrow band of pressure-sensitive adhesive. A first sheet of material is capable of passing through the slot in the top wall of the housing. In a second embodiment of the invention, sheet material disposed in a roll is positioned within the housing. A continuous stripe of a narrow band of pressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed generally proximate to one longitudinal edge of the sheet material. A transverse edge of the sheet material is capable of passing through the slot in the top wall of the housing.

Abstract: A lubricated surface and method for lubricating moving parts. The lubricated surface includes a thin film coating of a lubricant composition containing a base oil of lubricating viscosity and from about 9.5 to about 25 percent by weight of an additive comprising a nitrogen containing olefin copolymer derived from an olefin copolymer having grafted thereon from about 0.15 to about 1.0 carboxylic groups per 1000 number average molecular weight units of the copolymer. The copolymer has a number average molecular weight ranging from about 10,000 to about 100,000. The amount of additive in the lubricant composition is based on a total weight of the lubricant composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of reducing the deleterious effects of water production in a subterranean formation by placing an aqueous phase polymer and/or resin, which at a designated set up time, solidifies and blocks water conduits. This invention pertains specifically to a method of placing the polymer and displacing the polymer and/or resin to establish post treatment gas and oil permeability.

Abstract: A measurement operation, such as a calorimetry measurement, is performed using a measurement array and a replaceable passivation membrane (e.g., a parylene membrane). The passivation membrane is used to cover the measurement array to provide temporary electrical and chemical passivation, while still allowing measurement of the parameter of interest (e.g., temperature, in a calorimetry measurement). By only replacing the membrane instead of the entire measurement array between measurement operations, the cost of the measurements can be significantly reduced over conventional methods. The passivation membrane can be mounted on a frame to simplify handling of the membrane.

Abstract: A method and system for exposing the delicate structures of a device encapsulated in a mold compound such as an integrated circuit (IC). A laser is used to ablate the mold compound and thus remove it, exposing the underlying structure. The laser beam can be steered in a desired raster pattern onto the surface of the device or the device can be moved in the desired pattern relative to the laser beam. Spectral analysis can be performed on the laser plume emitted by the ablation process in order to determine the composition of the ablated material. Thus, in addition to exposing defects in the underlying structure, the system can also be used to analyze the encapsulating material in order to determine whether it contained any defects or anomalies. A system for precisely cutting a circuit board or an IC in a user-selected pattern is also described. The system directs a laser along a path that a user can specify using a graphical interface.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use in accordance with such systems as web sites operating e-commerce applications, IVR systems and workflow systems for providing automated monitoring of user activity and personalized action taking based on such activity, in accordance with an on-line decision support mechanism.

Abstract: A yard debris collecting system for providing a chute for facilitating the insertion of lawn debris into a collection bag. The yard debris collecting system includes a pivoted frame, a chute couplable to the frame, a collection bag couplable to the frame such that the chute extends into and opens into the open bag. In an embodiment, a packing tool is provided for compacting debris within the collection bag. In an embodiment, a distal lower edge of the chute is weighted for holding the distal lower edge against the ground during use.

Abstract: An acoustic coupler adapted for use with an intracanal receiver module can be deeply inserted into the ear canal of the user while making minimal contact with the walls of the ear canal. The minimal contact feature of the invention allows the acoustic coupler to seal the ear canal acoustically and anchor a hearing device at an optimal depth within the ear canal, while maximizing the user's comfort. The acoustic coupler is manufactured from a soft, pliable elastomer that allows it to conform readily to the shape of the ear canal. The acoustic coupler incorporates structural supports that allow the coupler to maintain an acoustical seal and withstand the inward pressure of the ear canal wall while making minimal contact with the ear canal. The invention incorporates a cerumen-protecting feature that prevents damage to a hearing device from infiltration of earwax into the sound port of the receiver. A vent pathway for control of occlusion effects is also provided.

Abstract: A method for simulating changes to the topography of a workpiece, e.g. a semiconductor wafer, as it undergoes process steps. The method may be used to simulated isotropic or anisotropic deposition or etch process steps. A solids modeling system is used to define and deform material solids. Material solids represent the different materials on a workpiece. A plurality of trajectory solids are constructed to cause the deformation of the material solids. Deformation of a material solid is accomplished through the performance of boolean operations between the material solid and one or more trajectory solids. A characteristic of a trajectory solid, e.g. a radius or height, relates to the rate of etch or deposition for the particular process step. The method of construction of trajectory solids in the present invention enables simulation of spatially varying process steps, avoids the creation of invalid self-intersecting surfaces and minimizes the creation of small edges that lead to irregular surfaces.

Abstract: A snowshoe includes a perimeter frame carrying sheet-type floatation and having a hinge rod secured in transverse relation thereto. A claw plate is pivotally supported on the hinge rod and supports a binding for attaching the snowshoe to a user's boot or the like. A bridle strap or cable cooperates with the claw plate and hinge rod to limit upward pivotal movement of the claw plate relative to the frame.

Abstract: A topography simulator using a "Generalized Solid Modeling (GSM) method" to simulate isotropic or anisotropic deposition and etch process steps on a workpiece. A solids modeling system that utilizes a boundary representation model for representing material object solids provides a basis for the topography simulator. A workpiece in the model is comprised of a collection of material solids. The present invention provides for accurately representing the interfaces of different material solids. The airspace above the top surface material is defined as an air solid. Boolean set operations between the various material solids and the air solid are performed to deform the wafer topography. The present invention further provides means for simulating an etch process step at the interface of materials with different etch rates.