Abstract: A system and method for facilitating annotation of a digital document between first and second computing devices is provided. The system comprises a database/server that receives an original digital document from the first computing device and communicates a shared digital document to the second computing device. The second computing device receives and displays the shared digital document for annotation. The annotation produces an annotated digital document which includes annotated document data overlaying the original document without modification to the original document data. The original digital document may be edited at only the first computing device.

Abstract: A control valve having a valve body, seat member, valve member, and solenoid including a housing, bobbin, and coil. The valve member has a head portion disposed within the bobbin and a valve portion, disposed within the valve body, that has a seat engagement member operating to open and close ports in the valve body when the valve member slides between first and second positions. A permanent magnet, disposed within the bobbin, applies an attractive force of variable magnitude to the valve member in a direction opposing a biasing force created by a biasing component. Pulses of electric current applied to the coil change the variable magnitude. The permanent magnet pulls the valve member to the second position when the attractive force is greater than the biasing force and the valve member returns to the first position when the attractive force is less than the biasing force.

Abstract: A pneumatic control valve manifold assembly including a modular manifold segment with first and second valve receiving bores, inlet and exhaust cavities, and fluid passageways. The modular manifold segment has a mating face and a back-side face. The fluid passageways are arranged in fluid communication with the first and second valve receiving bores, are open to the modular manifold segment mating face, and have multiple configurations. The modular manifold segment mating face includes an abutment surface surrounding the fluid passageways that has a plurality of shapes depending upon the configuration of the fluid passageways. The modular manifold segment back-side face includes a plurality of sealing ribs arranged in a pattern that universally mates with each of the different shapes of the abutment surface such that multiple modular manifold segments with different fluid passageways can be stacked next to each other.

Abstract: A multi-port valve having a longitudinal axis and a solenoid coil wound about a bobbin. Coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis is an armature, at least partially disposed within the bobbin. The armature is coupled to a valve member that forms a sealing relationship with at least one valve orifice. A two-piece can having a first can component and a second component that cooperate to define an interior region. The solenoid coil, bobbin, pole piece, and at least part of the armature are disposed in the interior region of the two-piece can. The second can component is adjustably threaded to the first can component such that a longitudinal dimension of the interior region of the two-piece can may be adjusted to vary the size of a gap between the pole piece and the armature.

Abstract: A pneumatic control valve manifold assembly including a modular manifold segment with first and second valve receiving bores, inlet and exhaust cavities, and fluid passageways. The modular manifold segment has a mating face and a back-side face. The fluid passageways are arranged in fluid communication with the first and second valve receiving bores, are open to the modular manifold segment mating face, and have multiple configurations. The modular manifold segment mating face includes an abutment surface surrounding the fluid passageways that has a plurality of shapes depending upon the configuration of the fluid passageways. The modular manifold segment back-side face includes a plurality of sealing ribs arranged in a pattern that universally mates with each of the different shapes of the abutment surface such that multiple modular manifold segments with different fluid passageways can be stacked next to each other.

Abstract: A control valve having a valve body, seat member, valve member, and solenoid including a housing, bobbin, and coil. The valve member has a head portion disposed within the bobbin and a valve portion, disposed within the valve body, that has a seat engagement member operating to open and close ports in the valve body when the valve member slides between first and second positions. A permanent magnet, disposed within the bobbin, applies an attractive force of variable magnitude to the valve member in a direction opposing a biasing force created by a biasing component. Pulses of electric current applied to the coil change the variable magnitude. The permanent magnet pulls the valve member to the second position when the attractive force is greater than the biasing force and the valve member returns to the first position when the attractive force is less than the biasing force.

Abstract: A multi-port valve having a longitudinal axis and a solenoid coil wound about a bobbin. Coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis is an armature, at least partially disposed within the bobbin. The armature is coupled to a valve member that forms a sealing relationship with at least one valve orifice. A two-piece can having a first can component and a second component that cooperate to define an interior region. The solenoid coil, bobbin, pole piece, and at least part of the armature are disposed in the interior region of the two-piece can. The second can component is adjustably threaded to the first can component such that a longitudinal dimension of the interior region of the two-piece can may be adjusted to vary the size of a gap between the pole piece and the armature.

Abstract: A solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in the solenoid body. A valve body cartridge is connected to the solenoid body. A polymeric snap-in seat assembly includes first and second deflectable claw arms each having a barb engaging the valve body cartridge retaining the snap-in seat assembly in direct contact with the valve body cartridge. A seat engagement face when contacted by a valve seal member defines a valve closed position, and is displaced away from the seat engagement face in a valve open position when the coil is energized. A valve body cartridge body end portion includes a barb engagement face having pitched contact edges each having a continuous pitch directly contacted by the barb of the first and second deflectable claw arms to rotatably and frictionally lock the snap-in seat assembly to the valve body cartridge.

Abstract: THIS invention relates to an applicator. More specifically, the invention relates to applicator for containing, dispensing and spreading flowable content onto another object. Although the invention may be used in respect of any flowable content, it is envisaged that the applicator will be used primarily in respect of edible spreads, i.e. butter, margarine, etc. The applicator includes a container for holding flowable content and at least one flattened end on the container for in use spreading flowable content dispensed from the container. The applicator further includes one or more dispensing apertures defined by the container for dispensing flowable content therethrough, wherein the one or more dispensing apertures are located at or near the flattened end of the container, and further wherein the one or more dispensing apertures span, or are spaced relative to one another, along the width of the flattened end.

Abstract: A normally open solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body receiving a coil and pole piece. A polymeric material valve body portion is releasably connected to the solenoid body. An armature/valve member slidably disposed in both the solenoid body and the valve body portion has a male threaded end shank. A polymeric material thread-in poppet/valve member includes an internal threaded portion engaging the male threaded end shank to retain the thread-in poppet/valve member on the armature/valve member. A resilient material valve ring is retained on the thread-in poppet/valve member. A cylindrical tube portion receives an armature/valve member rod portion. A biasing member acts against the armature/valve member and thereby acts to normally bias the valve ring away from contact with a valve seat surface created in the valve body portion defining a modular valve normally open position.

Abstract: A solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in the solenoid body. A valve body cartridge is connected to the solenoid body. A polymeric snap-in seat assembly includes first and second deflectable claw arms each having a barb engaging the valve body cartridge retaining the snap-in seat assembly in direct contact with the valve body cartridge. A seat engagement face when contacted by a valve seal member defines a valve closed position, and is displaced away from the seat engagement face in a valve open position when the coil is energized. A valve body cartridge body end portion includes a barb engagement face having pitched contact edges each having a continuous pitch directly contacted by the barb of the first and second deflectable claw arms to rotatably and frictionally lock the snap-in seat assembly to the valve body cartridge.

Abstract: A solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in the solenoid body. A valve body cartridge is connected to the solenoid body. A polymeric snap-in seat assembly includes first and second deflectable claw arms each having a barb engaging the valve body cartridge retaining the snap-in seat assembly in direct contact with the valve body cartridge. A seat engagement face when contacted by a valve seal member defines a valve closed position, and is displaced away from the seat engagement face in a valve open position when the coil is energized. A valve body cartridge body end portion includes a barb engagement face having pitched contact edges each having a continuous pitch directly contacted by the barb of the first and second deflectable claw arms to rotatably and frictionally lock the snap-in seat assembly to the valve body cartridge.

Abstract: A solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in the solenoid body. A valve body cartridge is connected to the solenoid body. A polymeric snap-in seat assembly includes first and second deflectable claw arms each having a barb engaging the valve body cartridge retaining the snap-in seat assembly in direct contact with the valve body cartridge. A seat engagement face when contacted by a valve seal member defines a valve closed position, and is displaced away from the seat engagement face in a valve open position when the coil is energized. A valve body cartridge body end portion includes a barb engagement face having pitched contact edges each having a continuous pitch directly contacted by the barb of the first and second deflectable claw arms to rotatably and frictionally lock the snap-in seat assembly to the valve body cartridge.

Abstract: A normally open solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body receiving a coil and pole piece. A polymeric material valve body portion is releasably connected to the solenoid body. An armature/valve member slidably disposed in both the solenoid body and the valve body portion has a male threaded end shank. A polymeric material thread-in poppet/valve member includes an internal threaded portion engaging the male threaded end shank to retain the thread-in poppet/valve member on the armature/valve member. A resilient material valve ring is retained on the thread-in poppet/valve member. A cylindrical tube portion receives an armature/valve member rod portion. A biasing member acts against the armature/valve member and thereby acts to normally bias the valve ring away from contact with a valve seat surface created in the valve body portion defining a modular valve normally open position.