Abstract: An apparatus for cooling thermally processed media exiting from a thermal processor comprising: a heat conductive member which has first and second opposite sides which is positioned to receive media from a thermal processor, and which removes heat from the heated media as it passes over the first side of the member; and means for removing heat from the member by passing air in contact with and past the second side of the member to remove heat from the member.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling thermally processed media exiting from a thermal processor comprising: a heat conductive member which has first and second opposite sides which is positioned to receive media from a thermal processor, and which removes heat from the heated media as it passes over the first side of the member; and means for removing heat from the member by passing air in contact with and past the second side of the member to remove heat from the member.

Abstract: A linear translation system for use in a laser imaging system. The linear translation system includes a base member including a pair of longitudinally extending guide rails positioned parallel to each other. A carriage mechanism is carried by the base member, wherein the carriage mechanism is slidably coupled to the guide rails using a three position kinematic design. A rotary to linear motion mechanism is coupled to the carriage mechanism which slidably moves the carriage mechanism along the guide rails. A laser imaging assembly is coupled to the carriage mechanism.

Abstract: A composite structure contains a lofty corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber that is maintained in a corrugated condition by securing a fabric to the corrugated web at the valleys of the corrugations. The composite structure is made without substantially effecting web loft by (i) introducing the nonwoven web to the ends of a plurality of spaced paddles, (ii) causing the spacing between the ends of the paddles to decrease to corrugate the nonwoven web, and (iii) securing the fabric to the corrugated nonwoven web at the valleys of the corrugations. A composite structure of this construction made by this method provides very good filtration performance, making it particularly suitable for use as a filter in a cup-shaped face mask. The composite structure also is very suitable for use as thermal insulation in apparel.

Abstract: Corrugating apparatus that includes paddles and an ultrasonic welding device. The paddles are attached at one end to a transport that moves about a path. The paddles extend radially from the transport, and each paddle has a free end that is capable of supporting a web as the paddles move about the path. The free ends of the paddles are able to move towards each other to cause the web to corrugate. The ultrasonic welding device is located downstream to where the paddles' free ends move towards each other. The ultrasonic welding device has a horn and an anvil, and the anvil includes the free ends of the paddles.

Abstract: Apparel having thermal insulation containing a corrugated nonwoven web and a means for retaining the shape of a corrugated web. The shape-retaining means is not coextensive with the corrugated nonwoven web and is secured to the valleys of the corrugations. The corrugated nonwoven web has a solidity of 0.1 or less and contains microfiber and crimped staple fibers that have a percent crimp of at least 15 percent.

Abstract: Corrugating apparatus that includes paddles and an ultrasonic welding device. The paddles are attached at one end to a belt that moves about a path. The paddles extend radially from the belt, and each paddle has a free end that supports a web as the paddles move about the path. The free ends of the paddles are able to move towards each other to cause the web to corrugate. The ultrasonic welding device is located downstream to where the paddles' free ends move towards each other. The ultrasonic welding device has a horn and an anvil, and the anvil includes the free ends of the paddles.

Abstract: A composite structure contains a lofty corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber that is maintained in a corrugated condition by securing a fabric to the corrugated web at the valleys of the corrugations. The composite structure is made without substantially effecting web loft by (i) introducing the nonwoven web to the ends of a plurality of spaced paddles, (ii) causing the spacing between the ends of the paddles to decrease to corrugate the nonwoven web, and (iii) securing the fabric to the corrugated nonwoven web at the valleys of the corrugations. A composite structure of this construction made by this method provides very good filtration performance, making it particularly suitable for use as a filter in a cup-shaped face mask. The composite structure also is very suitable for use as thermal insulation in apparel.

Abstract: A cassette for use in an electronic radiographic imaging system having electronic components. The cassette includes a positioned photoreceptive medium, a light-tight frame, at least one power storage device, and an electronic interface structure for connection to electronic components within the radiographic imaging system. The cassette can also include an electrical interface structure for connection to a power source within the radiographic imaging system.

Abstract: A filter that is capable of removing particulate and gaseous contaminants from a fluid, which filter comprises:a first filter element that is capable of removing particulate contaminants from a fluid, the first filter element comprising a corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber having a solidity of 0.1 or less and a means for retaining the corrugated shape of the corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber, the shape-retaining means being secured to the corrugated nonwoven web to maintain the corrugated shape of the corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber, anda second filter element comprising a sorbent material capable of removing gaseous contaminants from a fluid;the first and second filter elements being secured to each other and having a shape adapted for attachment to a respirator.

Abstract: A composite structure contains a lofty corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber that is maintained in a corrugated condition by securing a fabric to the corrugated web at the valleys of the corrugations. The composite structure is made without substantially effecting web loft by (i) introducing the nonwoven web to the ends of a plurality of spaced paddles, (ii) causing the spacing between the ends of the paddles to decrease to corrugate the nonwoven web, and (iii) securing the fabric to the corrugated nonwoven web at the valleys of the corrugations. A composite structure of this construction made by this method provides very good filtration performance, making it particularly suitable for use as a filter in a cup-shaped face mask. The composite structure also is very suitable for use as thermal insulation in apparel.

Abstract: A composite structure contains a lofty corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber that is maintained in a corrugated condition by securing a fabric to the corrugated web at the valleys of the corrugations. The composite structure is made without substantially effecting web loft by (i) introducing the nonwoven web to the ends of a plurality of spaced paddles, (ii) causing the spacing between the ends of the paddles to decrease to corrugate the nonwoven web, and (iii) securing the fabric to the corrugated nonwoven web at the valleys of the corrugations. A composite structure of this construction made by this method provides very good filtration performance, making it particularly suitable for use as a filter in a cup-shaped face mask. The composite structure also is very suitable for use as thermal insulation in apparel.

Abstract: Thermal insulation contains a corrugated nonwoven web and a means for retaining the shape of a corrugated web. The shape-retaining means is not coextensive with the corrugated nonwoven web and is secured to the valleys of the corrugations. The corrugated nonwoven web has a solidity of 0.1 or less and contains microfiber and crimped staple fibers that have a percent crimp of at least 15 percent.

Abstract: A method of making a corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber, which method comprises:(a) introducing a nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber having a solidity of 0.1 or less into a corrugating apparatus that has a plurality of paddles secured at a first end to a means for moving the paddles about a path, the nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber making contact with spaced second ends of the paddles opposite to the paddles' first ends; and(b) reducing the spacing between the second ends of the paddles to cause the nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber to become corrugated, wherein the corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber has a solidity of 0.1 or less.

Abstract: A radiographic image reader acquires electronic signals corresponding to a latent image of an object produced by radiation exposure of a photoreceptive medium within a cassette. The radiographic image reader comprises a light-tight enclosure with at least one access port for inserting and removing the cassette. A scanner subsystem is mounted within the light-tight enclosure for scanning the photoreceptive medium within the cassette to initiate the acquisition of the electronic signals representative of the latent image. A cassette registration and interface subsystem within the light-tight enclosure comprises an electronic interface structure for electronically connecting the photoreceptive medium within the cassette to an electronic component external of the cassette to obtain the electronic signals corresponding to the latent image.