Abstract: A system and method are described for processing a spoken request from a user. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for attempting to recognize a spoken request from a user with a speech recognition engine above a predetermined level of accuracy. If the spoken request is not recognized above the predetermined level of accuracy, the spoken request is provided to a level one agent. If the level one agent does not recognize the request, a voice connection is established between the user and a level two agent. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for determining whether a silent response system recognizes a spoken request from a user above a predetermined level of accuracy. A response is provided to the user if the silent response system recognizes the spoken request. Otherwise, a voice connection is established between the user and a call center.

Abstract: Fibers and nonwoven materials comprising polymeric blends and polymeric mixtures that incorporate a blend of a first metallocene polypropylene and a second polypropylene are described. The first and second polypropylenes have a predetermined relationship for the melt temperature and the melt flow rate of the individual polypropylenes. Also described are fibers (including bicomponent fibers) and nonwoven materials made from the fibers where the fibers are extruded using the polymeric blends, and/or the polymeric mixtures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cowl for a turbomachine nozzle, the cowl including a plurality of repetitive patterns disposed to extend a trailing edge of said cowl and spaced circumferentially apart from one another. Each pattern is in the form of a quadrilateral having a base that is formed by a portion of the trailing edge of the cowl and two vertices that are spaced downstream from the base and that are connected thereto via two sides, each side having the shape of a parabola. Each pattern is asymmetrical relative to a midplane of the pattern containing a longitudinal axis of said cowl, and it comprises a first portion inclined radially towards the inside of the cowl, and a second portion inclined radially towards the outside of the cowl.

Abstract: In a carton for beverage containers having a series of main panels (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) for forming a sleeve and having at least a pair of end closure panels (38, 40) for closing the opposed ends of a sleeve, a carrying handle (8) is formed from a strap (98) of material. Each end of the strap is secured between one of said end closure panels and an additional securing panel (65, 65a). Each securing panel is connected to an adjacent end closure panel and folded into overlapping relationship therewith to sandwhich the end of the strap so that a strong reinforcement to the carrying handle is provided.

Abstract: A run flat safety support ring intended to be mounted on a wheel rim inside a tire equipping a vehicle for supporting the tire tread in case of loss of inflation pressure has a generally cylindrical crown intended to come in contact with the interior of the tire tread in the event of the loss of inflation pressure, but has a clearance from the tire tread interior at normal pressure. The ring also has an annular body located radially inward of the crown, the annular body comprising a grid of continuous reinforcement composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a water-absorbing material comprising the steps of a) spray-coating water-absorbing polymeric particles with an elastic film-forming polymer in a fluidized bed reactor in the range from 00 C to 1500 C and b) heat-treatment of the coated particles at a temperature above 50° C., wherein in step b) the duration of the heat-treatment is chosen that the CS-SFC value of the obtained polymeric particles is at least 10% of the optimum CS-SFC value, and the water-absorbing material obtainable by this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a water-absorbing material comprising the steps of a) spray-coating water-absorbing polymeric particles with an elastic film-forming polymer in a fluidized bed reactor in the range from 00 C to 15O0 C and b) heat-treatment of the coated particles at a temperature above 50° C., wherein in step a) and/or b) a coalescing agent is added and the water-absorbing material obtainable by this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a water-absorbing material comprising the steps of a) spray-coating water-absorbing polymeric particles with an elastic film-forming polymer in a fluidized bed reactor in the range from 0° C. to 1500° C. and b) heat-treatment of the coated particles at a temperature above 50° C., wherein in step a) and/or b) an antioxidant is added and the water-absorbing material obtainable by this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer for a bypass turbomachine, the mixer comprising a cylindrical member having a sinusoidal portion at its downstream end defining inner lobes and outer lobes distributed circumferentially, each outer lobe comprising a pair of radial walls interconnected by an outer curvilinear dome, each inner lobe comprising a pair of radial walls interconnected by an inner curvilinear dome, the walls of the outer lobes radially extending the walls of the inner lobes, the radial walls of the outer lobes and of the inner lobes presenting an outline that is substantially curved with at least one point of inflection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an annular cover for a turbomachine nozzle, the cover having a plurality of patterns extending a trailing edge of said cover and spaced apart circumferentially from one another, each pattern having an outline that is substantially triangular in shape, with a base formed by a portion of the trailing edge of the cover and a vertex spaced downstream from the base and connected thereto by two sides. For each pattern, the vertex presents an outline that is substantially curved; each side is connected to the trailing edge of the cover following an outline that is substantially curved having a radius of curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of the outline of the vertex; and the outline of each of the sides includes at least one point of inflexion having a tangent that is substantially parallel to the base.

Abstract: An outer cover for use with an absorbent article having a layer of nonwoven fibrous material and optionally including a polymeric layer laminated or printed onto the layer of nonwoven fibrous material. The outer cover includes at least one plastic component and at least one elastic component in the nonwoven fibrous material and/or optional polymeric layer. The outer cover can have different structural combinations of spunbond fibers, meltblown fibers, and/or nanofibers. The combination of plastic and elastic components results in an outer cover that has favorable mechanical, physical, and aesthetic properties. The outer cover can be rendered either uniaxially or biaxially stretchable via a mechanical activation process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tough and ductile biodegradable, aliphatic polyester blend compositions and methods for preparing such compositions. It relates to products made out of such blend compositions, including, but not limited to, films, fibers, nonwovens, sheets, coatings, binders, foams and molded products for packaging. The products exhibit a desirable combination of high strength, ductility and toughness, while maintaining flexibility, biodegradability and compostability. The products are useful for a variety of biodegradable articles, such as diaper topsheets, diaper backsheets, disposable wipes, shopping and lawn/leaf bags, agricultural films, disposable garments, medical disposables, paper coatings, biodegradable packaging, binders for cellulose fibers or synthetics, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air inlet for a nacelle of a jet engine with a front fan, comprising an upper part (115S), a lower part (115I), an inner lateral part (115int) and an outer lateral part (ext), defining a leading edge (115) between an external wall (111) of the nacelle and an internal wall (113) forming the air supply channel of the jet engine. According to the invention, the air inlet is characterized in that the leading edge of the outer lateral part (115ext) is to the rear with respect to the leading edge of the inner lateral part (115int). Preferably, the leading edge of the upper part (115S) is likewise to the rear with respect to the leading edge of the lower part (115I).

Abstract: A carton of the wrap-around type has a pair of overlapped base panels. One of the base panels which carries a locking tab overlies a tongue protruding from the end edge of the other base panel. The protruding tongue is formed with a complementary locking aperture engaged by the locking tab to secure the overlapped panels together. On either side of the locking tab, the said one base panel has a hinged tab protruding from the end edge of that panel. Each of the hinged tabs underlies the end edge of the other base panel, one on each side of the protruding tongue. This ‘over and under’ arrangement presents less of an externally overlapped edge than is the case of a simple complete overlap and thus mitigates against the base panels being skewed or prized apart leading to tearing and/or dislodgement of the locking means.

Abstract: Polymeric blends and polymeric mixtures that incorporate a blend of a first polyethylene and a second polyethylene are described. The first and second polyethylenes have a predetermined relationship for the density and the melt index of the individual polyethylenes. Also described are fibers (including bicomponent fibers) and nonwoven materials made from the fibers where the fibers are extruded using the polymeric blends, and/or the polymeric mixtures.

Abstract: A carton and blank having a tear line comprising a plurality of perforations or short slits arranged in at least three rows. There is also provided a carton and blank for forming a carton having a wall provided with a tear open feature which comprises a tear initiating tab formed in the wall and at least three tear lines extending from the tear initiating tab toward the perimeter of the wall, wherein each tear line comprises a plurality of perforations or short slits arranged in at least three rows.

Abstract: Both a mold blade for forming sipes and the sipe so formed in a tire tread element have three dimensional portions. In the formed sipe, the three dimensional portion creates a constant interlocking of the opposing sipe faces. The blade and the sipe have at least one row of alternating polygonal shaped recesses and protrusions. The recesses and protrusions terminate in a vertex; the vertex has a planar, or two-dimensional, configuration that is parallel to either-the blade centerline or the sipe centerline.

Abstract: A run flat safety support ring intended to be mounted on a wheel rim inside a tire equipping a vehicle for supporting the tire tread in case of loss of inflation pressure has a generally cylindrical crown intended to come in contact with the interior of the tire tread in the event of the loss of inflation pressure, but has a clearance from the tire tread interior at normal pressure. The ring also has an annular body located radially inward of the crown, the annular body comprising a grid of continuous reinforcement composite.