Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece of similar material and vibrating the junction piece at high speed while pressing the first and second members in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece. Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members. Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: A multi-fold leaf (30,31) joinery assembly has a joinery bogey unit (2) that is pivotally connected to a joinery leaf. A seal (20) is provided on a moveable edge of the leaf adjacent to the bogey unit, the seal being adjacent to a frame seal (25) for a head or sill of a frame of the assembly when the at least one leaf is in a closed position. The pivot connection is off-set so that the seal moves away from the frame seal when the leaf is opened, thus avoiding scrubbing.

Abstract: A framed panel and related method of manufacture are disclosed. A framed panel unit includes a panel along the edge of which thermoplastic frame members are disposed. The frame members have first and second opposed side walls which define a channel for receiving the edge of the panel. The channel of each frame member has spacers between the panel and each side wall for spacing the panel from the side walls. Prior to welding together the ends of the frame members, the spacers retain the frame members on the panel. The panel may include multiple opposed sheet members with a spacer between the sheet members spacing them apart, and a reactive thermoplastic sealant material bonding the sheets to the frame members. An associated method of forming a named panel, frame members for a panel, and a spacer component for use in mounting a panel within a channel of a frame member are also disclosed.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece of similar material and vibrating the junction piece at high speed while pressing the first and second members in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece. Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members. Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece of similar material and vibrating the junction piece at high speed while pressing the first and second members in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece. Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members. Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members (32, 33) of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece (47) of similar material and vibrating the junction piece (47) at high speed while pressing the first second members (32,33) in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece (47). Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window-frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system (120) which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members (134, 135, 136, 137). Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: A plant-growing container made of translucent plastics sheet material with a base and sides, and the sides extended at the top by a mulch mat that can be drawn about the stem of the plant at final planting. The container is marked circumferentially with a cutting line indicating an extent of the lower part of the container, which can be removed and discarded.

Abstract: A Metal air cell and cell system is provided. In general, the cell includes a cathode structure comprising opposing cathode portions and a space configured for receiving an anode structure. The anode structure includes a pair of rigid structures having plural apertures for allowing ionic communication and anode material between the rigid structures. A separator is disposed between the anode and the cathode to electrically isolate the anode and the cathode. The rigid structures of the anode structure facilitate removal of the anode structure from the cathode structure. In certain embodiments, anode structures are formed with bimodal gelling agents to promote an even distribution of anode material and electrolyte gel.

Abstract: A power generating system is described including a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cells are generally arranged in sections that are selectively activated individually or in combination to produce power from selected cell sections. A method of generating power is also described. A first group of one or more electrochemical cells of an array of cells are selectively activated based on requirement of an associated load. The system switches to a second group of one or more electrochemical cells of the array when the first group is discharged.

Abstract: A fenestration sealed frame insulating glazing panel has an integral planar frame formed by four rigid plastic profiles interconnected end-to-end to define corners, the profiles having a low heat conductivity. Two glazing sheets are arranged in a spaced parallel relationship attached on opposite sides of the frame in a rigid manner by thermosetting adhesive to form an integral structure having an insulating cavity enclosed by the frame. The front face of each frame profile facing towards the cavity is covered by a low permeability sealant. The sealed frame glazing panel can include a third glazing sheet positioned in parallel between the first two glazing sheets and likewise interconnected at its perimeter to the frame to divide the insulating cavity into two parallel coextensive sub-cavities. The profiles of the frame can be made from structural plastic foam material, glass fiber, oriented thermoplastic, or various other materials of low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: The invention is directed, in one embodiment, to systems and methods relating to managing rights associated with digital content.

Abstract: A fenestration sealed frame insulating glazing panel has an integral planar frame formed by four rigid plastic profiles interconnected end-to-end to define corners, the profiles having a low heat conductivity. Two glazing sheets are arranged in a spaced parallel relationship attached on opposite sides of the frame in a rigid manner by thermosetting adhesive to form an integral structure having an insulating cavity enclosed by the frame. The front face of each frame profile facing towards the cavity is covered by a low permeability sealant. The sealed frame glazing panel can include a third glazing sheet positioned in parallel between the first two glazing sheets and likewise interconnected at its perimeter to the frame to divide the insulating cavity into two parallel coextensive sub-cavities. The profiles of the frame can be made from structural plastic foam material, glass fiber, oriented thermoplastic, or various other materials of low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A power generating system is described including a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cells are generally arranged in sections that are selectively activated individually or in combination to produce power from selected cell sections. A method of generating power is also described. A first group of one or more electrochemical cells of an array of cells are selectively activated based on requirement of an associated load. The system switches to a second group of one or more electrochemical cells of the array when the first group is discharged.

Abstract: Anti-virus state information for a file is stored within an associated data structure that is created and/or maintained by the file system of the computer. The data structure can be a file directory entry with the anti-virus state information being stored in unused fields of the entry. For file systems that maintain separate entities for the data and resource information of a file, the anti-virus state information can be stored in the resource entity or in a specifically created entity.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members (32, 33) of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece (47) of similar material and vibrating the junction piece (47) at high speed while pressing the first and second members (32,33) in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece (47). Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window-frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system (120) which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members (134, 135, 136, 137). Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: A power generating system is described including a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cells are generally arranged in sections that are selectively activated individually or in combination to produce power from selected cell sections. A method of generating power is also described. A first group of one or more electrochemical cells of an array of cells are selectively activated based on requirement of an associated load. The system switches to a second group of one or more electrochemical cells of the array when the first group is discharged.

Abstract: An architectural building panel comprises a sealed glazing unit having at least two spaced apart parallel glazing sheets which define a cavity closed by a peripheral seal. Opaque strip elements on the building panel provide the appearance of window frames surrounding transparent glass areas, with regions of the panel outside these frames being provided with surface area patterns that simulate the appearance of conventional building materials such as brick or the like. The building panel can be used in any convenient size, and may be of a size to extend between structural floors of a building so that a curtain wall for the building can be composed of exteriors of such building panels.

Abstract: A window-and-wall assembly comprises an exterior support wall of a building enclosure defining a frame opening carrying a window frame for mounting on the exterior side of the exterior wall to span the frame opening. The window frame has an area that is bigger than that of the frame opening so as to largely overlap the frame opening at the edges. A glazing and frame assembly is supported in the window frame and may be fixed or openable. An air barrier sheeting located on and covering the external side of said support wall surrounds the window frame, and rigid insulation sheeting is positioned on the support wall exteriorly of the air barrier sheeting. The sandwiched barrier sheeting thus combines the function of the traditional air barrier and weather barrier and is less prone to perforation or damage than either.

Abstract: A power generating system is described including a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cells are generally arranged in sections that are selectively activated individually or in combination to produce power from selected cell sections. A method of generating power is also described. A first group of one or more electrochemical cells of an array of cells are selectively activated based on requirement of an associated load. The system switches to a second group of one or more electrochemical cells of the array when the first group is discharged.

Abstract: In the production of glass sheets particularly for use in heritage windows, a method and apparatus is provided for applying decorative strip material in mutually aligned registration to opposite surfaces of the glazing sheet. The decorative strips may comprise continuous strips of tape or the like as well as strips of paints, inks, ceramic frits, etc. applied by means of brushes, rollers, sprayers and the like. The sheet to which the strips are to be applied is carried on a support structure, and a pair of strip application devices are mounted relative to the support structure in mutually spaced registering positions on a guide structure which accommodates longitudinal relative movement between the strip application devices and the sheet enabling placement of a pair of thin registering strips on opposite surfaces of the sheet.