Abstract: A printer tear bar and presenter system for printing on a strip of media and presenting a portion of the media to a user. The media comprises a plurality of perforations and a plurality of bridges of connecting material separating the perforations. The tear bar comprises first and second side portions and a center portion. The side portions and the center portions are adapted to abut the surface of the media so that friction creates stress on the bridges of connecting material. The first and second side portions are preferably tapered to concentrate tearing stress on corresponding bridges of connecting material. The printer and control circuitry are adapted to advance the media rapidly after the printer has finished printing to prevent users from pulling on the media prematurely.

Abstract: A printer tear bar and presenter system for printing on a strip of media and presenting a portion of the media to a user. The media comprises a plurality of perforations and a plurality of bridges of connecting material separating the perforations. The tear bar comprises first and second side portions and a center portion. The side portions and the center portions are adapted to abut the surface of the media so that friction creates stress on the bridges of connecting material. The first and second side portions are preferably tapered to concentrate tearing stress on corresponding bridges of connecting material. The printer and control circuitry are adapted to advance the media rapidly after the printer has finished printing to prevent users from pulling on the media prematurely.

Abstract: Programmable light assemblies that may function in various operating modes, such as to function as marker lights and/or emergency lights, or have other functions, are disclosed. The protocol and architecture of the light assemblies enables the associated light fixtures to provide a constant current output despite the presence of substantially large voltage ranges, and even when submerged in water. Alternative embodiments of the programmable light assemblies of the invention provide many other features as described herein.

Abstract: A modular printer system comprising a support frame, a chassis, a media holder, and a printer assembly. The support frame supports the other components and may be attached to other devices. The chassis is slidably attached to the support frame so that it may be at least partially removed from the support frame thereby exposing components attached to the chassis. The chassis is adapted to hold the media holder and the printer assembly. The media holder holds media that may be printed on by the printer assembly. The printer assembly may be removed from the chassis to service the printer assembly and give full access to the media path. The printer assembly comprises a printer for printing on the media and a controller for controlling the printer and communicating with other devices.

Abstract: A laser optical bench for use with a laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometer. The laser optical bench includes a laser for producing light, a focusing structure that receives light from the laser and focuses predominantly in a single plane, an attenuator that receives light from the focusing structure, beam steering structure for directing light from the attenuator from the target; and a final focusing element for focusing light from the beam steering structure on the target. Further focusing elements may be included for further focusing and dispersing the light beam in different planes. Additionally, photodetectors or photodiodes may be included for energy measurement and sensing a lasing event.

Abstract: A sports bottle cap having a pressure differential valve is provided which allows water to flow out through the bottle cap only when the bottle is inverted and squeezed or alternatively a straw may be threaded through the pressure differential valve, thereby deactivating it, and attached to the bottle cap allowing the user to draw liquid from the bottle through the straw. In operation the bottle cap of the present invention allows the user to dispense fluid from within the bottle in two different ways. The first manner of use allows liquid to be dispensed only when the bottle containing the liquid is inverted and squeezed. Squeezing causes the pressure to increase on the inside of the bottle thereby causing the pressure differential valve to open and liquid to exit; however, when the bottle is not squeezed the pressure differential valve remains in the closed position sealing bottle.

Abstract: The invention provides an analytical instrument comprising an affinity capture probe interface, a laser desorption ionization source, and a tandem mass spectrometer. Also presented are new methods for protein discovery and identification and for characterization of molecular interactions that utilize the instrument of the present invention.

Abstract: The valved filter assembly of the present invention utilizes a bi-directional pressure differential valve in fluid communication with a filter body housed within a container, such as a bottle. This unique structure allows the user to dispense filtered fluid from a bottle only when the bottle is inverted and squeezed. Squeezing the bottle causes the pressure to increase on the inside of the bottle thereby causing water to traverse the filter body thus contacting and opening the bi-directional pressure differential valve thereby allowing liquid to exit; however, when no pressure is applied to the bottle the bi-directional pressure differential valve remains in the closed position sealing the bottle.

Abstract: A modular printer system comprising a support frame, a chassis, a media holder, and a printer assembly. The support frame supports the other components and may be attached to other devices. The chassis is slidably attached to the support frame so that it may be at least partially removed from the support frame thereby exposing components attached to the chassis. The chassis is adapted to hold the media holder and the printer assembly. The media holder holds media that may be printed on by the printer assembly. The printer assembly may be removed from the chassis to service the printer assembly and give fall access to the media path. The printer assembly comprises a printer for printing on the media and a controller for controlling the printer and communicating with other devices.

Abstract: A health care test kiosk includes a carrel body that supports a console housing and has a vacant knee-space beneath the console housing. The carrel body includes a support side panel forming a lateral side and extending beyond the console housing and the knee-space. A physiological test interface is connected to and supported by the carrel body on the support side panel. A retractable seat is movably connected to the support side panel of the carrel body for selective positioning in a location ranging from withdrawn into the knee-space beneath the console housing to extended completely from the knee-space.

Abstract: A health care test kiosk includes a carrel body, a controller, a physiological test interface, a seat, and a weight scale. The carrel body supports a console housing and includes a support side panel forming a lateral side and extending beyond the console housing. The controller is housed within the console housing and includes a display and user interface. The physiological test interface is coupled to and supported by the carrel body on the support side panel. The physiological test interface is communicatively coupled to the controller for supplying physiological information to the controller for analysis and display. The seat is coupled to the support side panel of the carrel body. The weight scale is coupled to and supported by the seat. The weight scale is communicatively coupled to the controller for supplying weight information to the controller for analysis and display in combination with the physiological data.

Abstract: Embodiments of a portable water filter are described and shown, each embodiment being adapted to fit and seal into a bottle neck without modification of, or attachment to, the bottle or its cap or other closure. The filter has a flange system that rests on the lip of the bottle neck and that has slanted or curved surfaces to seal with the neck and the bottle cap when the cap is screwed onto the bottle. The filter further includes a connector for attachment to a straw for an alternative use of the filter in a cup or mug. The filter water inlets are preferably in the lower region of the filter housing, to facilitate suctioning of the liquid from the bottom of the cup or mug even when the liquid level is low.

Abstract: A printer tear bar and presenter system for printing on a strip of media and presenting a portion of the media to a user. The media comprises a plurality of perforations and a plurality of bridges of connecting material separating the perforations. The tear bar comprises first and second side portions and a center portion. The side portions and the center portions are adapted to abut the surface of the media so that friction creates stress on the bridges of connecting material. The first and second side portions are preferably tapered to concentrate tearing stress on corresponding bridges of connecting material. The printer and control circuitry are adapted to advance the media rapidly after the printer has finished printing to prevent users from pulling on the media prematurely.

Abstract: Embodiments of a portable water filter are described and shown, each embodiment being adapted to fit and seal into a bottle neck without modification of, or attachment to, the bottle or its cap or other closure. The filter has a flange system that rests on the lip of the bottle neck and that has slanted or curved surfaces to seal with the neck and the bottle cap when the cap is screwed onto the bottle. The filter further includes a connector for attachment to a straw for an alternative use of the filter in a cup or mug. The filter water inlets are preferably in the lower region of the filter housing, to facilitate suctioning of the liquid from the bottom of the cup or mug even when the liquid level is low.

Abstract: A modular printer system comprising a support frame, a chassis, a media holder, and a printer assembly. The support from supports the other components and may be attached to other devices. The chassis is slidably attached to the support frame so that it may be at least partially removed from the support frame thereby exposing components attached to the chassis. The chassis is adapted to hold the media holder and the printer assembly. The media holder holds media that may be printed on by the printer assembly. The printer assembly may be removed from the chassis to service the printer assembly and give full access to the media path. The printer assembly comprises a printer for printing on the media and a controller for controlling the printer and communicating with other devices.

Abstract: An illuminated switch assembly employs a piezoelectric film as both a transducer and a circuit substrate. Preferably some or all of the transducer portion of the film is light transmissive in order to facilitate illumination of the activation surface of the switch. Use of a piezoelectric film provides the ability to reduce or eliminate relatively moving parts, resulting in an increase of the useful life of the switch. Providing conductive traces, interconnection and circuitry mounted directly on the piezoelectric film reduces the need for interconnecting a number of different parts during assembly and/or manufacture and thus reduces the cost of the switch.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a cell assembly for a spectrophotometric analysis or detection of a substance within a small sample volume. The assembly includes a cell body with a small sample bore, along with windows engaging said body to allow radiation to pass through the sample bore and the windows. A sealing arrangement is provided for each window via a sealing washer which is loaded by two means. An inner portion of the sealing washer engages the window and is loaded by a first spring loaded assembly, such as a Belleville washer and plunger. An outer portion of the sealing washer is separately loaded by a ring pressed against the cell body.