Abstract: A core forming method is provided for forming a core. The core forming method includes forming one or more mold parts of water-soluble polymer (WSP), each mold part including a bond area and a part forming area, moistening the bond areas, bonding the mold parts together with the bond areas moistened and the part forming areas aligned to form a cavity shaped as a negative of the core, injecting a slurry, which is non-reactive with the WSP, into the cavity and removing the WSP with water once the slurry is cured.

Abstract: A core forming method is provided for forming a core. The core forming method includes forming one or more mold parts of water-soluble polymer (WSP), each mold part including a bond area and a part forming area, moistening the bond areas, bonding the mold parts together with the bond areas moistened and the part forming areas aligned to form a cavity shaped as a negative of the core, injecting a slurry, which is non-reactive with the WSP, into the cavity and removing the WSP with water once the slurry is cured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chainsaw workbench for safely controlling a chainsaw during sharpening of blades thereof. The chainsaw workbench includes a base placed on a fixed support; a first elevation platform attached to the base to rest the handle of the chainsaw; a second elevation platform attached to the base to rest the handle of the chainsaw; a first mount extending upwards from the base along the edge of the first elevation platform; and a second mount extending upwards from the base along the edge of the second elevation platform, wherein the distance between the first mount and the second mount is sufficient to receive the blade of the chainsaw; wherein the chainsaw blade rests on the first mount and the second mount. Further, the chainsaw workbench includes a tool box placed on the base to store tools. Furthermore, the chainsaw workbench includes a first screw to tight the first mount; and a second screw to tight the second mount.

Abstract: A method of operating a production line comprises the steps of supporting equipment in the production line on a plurality of crawlers comprising at least one rolling track and a structural support for supporting the equipment. A first plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an interior surface of said at least one rolling track is configured to oppose a second plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an exterior surface of said structure support to lift the structural support, such that the structural support floats between and within said at least one rolling track. The magnetic fields experienced by the first and second plurality of lift magnets are adjusted to translate the at least one rolling track, such that the crawlers move along the production line.

Abstract: A method of operating a production line comprises the steps of supporting equipment in the production line on a plurality of crawlers comprising at least one rolling track and a structural support for supporting the equipment. A first plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an interior surface of said at least one rolling track is configured to oppose a second plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an exterior surface of said structure support to lift the structural support, such that the structural support floats between and within said at least one rolling track. The magnetic fields experienced by the first and second plurality of lift magnets are adjusted to translate the at least one rolling track, such that the crawlers move along the production line.

Abstract: The invention is a tamperproof electronic voting machine with intuitive user interfaces that is accessible and usable by voters with a wide range of disabilities, including those voters that are blind, deaf, blind deaf, or have dexterity disabilities. The voting machine preferably records votes through a button based interface or an ink probe interface. The invention accommodates cumulative voting and instant runoff voting.

Abstract: A tamper proof electronic voting machine with intuitive user interfaces.

Abstract: An equipment-carrying crawler (20) includes a rolling track (44) and a structural support (70). The structural support (70) supports equipment (16). Lifting magnets (72) are coupled to the rolling track (44) and to the structural support (70). The lifting magnets (72) are configured to oppose each other, lift the structural support (70), and aid in the translation of the rolling track (44).

Abstract: The present invention is an ink-based electronic voting apparatus that generates a paper ballot for every voter. The voter marks a ballot with a probe as he/she would with a conventional ink-based system. In one embodiment, the paper ballot is situated underneath the surface of an input board electrically connected to a computer. A vote is cast when the probe is depressed onto the ballot at a designated input point. The electrical interaction between the probe and the input board generates a vote signal for recording and causes ink to be released from the probe to mark a corresponding spot on the paper ballot. As such, votes are electronically recorded for fast tabulation while paper ballots are generated for manual and/or optical scanner recounts to safeguard against computer errors and tampering. Furthermore the voting apparatus has a built-in mechanism to prevent undervoting and overvoting and thus increases valid votes.

Abstract: Commercial production transport systems, mechanisms, and guides for food processing are configured so as to automate food transport. The system can direct food to travel serially over side-by-side predetermined travel lanes using one or more of a pick-up mechanism and/or router guide channels to pick-up and/or laterally translate the food product form the first travel lane to the second travel lane so that it travels greater than one, and typically a plurality, of revolutions about a tier or level in a vertically stacked food processing unit before moving to the next tier. Associated methods redirect and/or laterally translate food being transported in an automated food processing system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an improved suturing system and method of use. Certain embodiments include a suturing device with a base and a hook end capable of being maneuvered to a certain position with respect to the base. The hook end may be maneuvered to a position, such as a straight position or a desired angle. The hook end may be locked at the position. The hook end may also be detachable from the base, for example. The hook end may be selected from a plurality of hook attachments having different characteristics, for example. In an embodiment, the suturing device also includes a control for maneuvering the hook end with respect to the base. In an embodiment, the suturing device further includes a locking mechanism for locking the hook end to the base.

Abstract: The present invention is an ink-based electronic voting apparatus that generates a paper ballot for every voter. The voter marks a ballot with a probe as he/she would with a conventional ink-based system. In one embodiment, the paper ballot is situated underneath the surface of an input board electrically connected to a computer. A vote is cast when the probe is depressed onto the ballot at a designated input point. The electrical interaction between the probe and the input board generates a vote signal for recording and causes ink to be released from the probe to mark a corresponding spot on the paper ballot. As such, votes are electronically recorded for fast tabulation while paper ballots are generated for manual and/or optical scanner recounts to safeguard against computer errors and tampering. Furthermore the voting apparatus has a built-in mechanism to prevent undervoting and overvoting and thus increases valid votes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and associated devices for supplying support members to a product loading station, loading, and automatically removing loaded members therefrom include: (a) advancing in spaced-apart relationship, a plurality of carrier members having opposing first and second ends and an associated width and length, along a selected travel path to a loading station; (b) presenting, in serial order, the carrier members to the loading station in a substantially horizontal orientation; (c) discharging elongated product from a winder arm that moves in a selected pattern about the carrier member at the loading station; (d) straddling elongated product over each respective carrier member at the loading station responsive to the discharging step so that portions of the elongated product are serially draped over the carrier member along a length thereof, the straddling being carried out so that certain lengths of the elongated product hang from opposing sides of the carrier member; and (e) advancing the carrier mem

Abstract: An equipment-carrying crawler (20) includes a rolling track (44) and a structural support (70). The structural support (70) supports equipment (16). Lifting magnets (72) are coupled to the rolling track (44) and to the structural support (70). The lifting magnets (72) are configured to oppose each other, lift the structural support (70), and aid in the translation of the rolling track (44).

Abstract: A Vector Network Analyzer is equipped with receivers for measuring a1, b1, a2 and b2 and which can each be tuned to track either the RF signal (F1) applied to the FTD or to the IF (F2) produced by the FTD. Additional forward side and reverse side mixers are provided and are driven by the auxiliary LO for the FTD. The additional mixers can be located in the RF/IF path, such that there is a sequential double conversion of the RF/IF: one by the auxiliary LO followed by another conversion of those results by the main LO. The additional mixers could also be located it the LO path, such that the main LO is first converted to an image involving the auxiliary LO, and the RF/IF is then subsequently converted using that image as an ‘artificial’ LO. During a forward direction measurement of an FTD, the applied RF signal (F1) is converted to the IF with the additional forward side mixers that feeds the receivers for a1 and b1.

Abstract: Commercial production transport systems, mechanisms, and guides for food processing are configured so as to automate food transport. The system can direct food to travel serially over side-by-side predetermined travel lanes using one or more of a pick-up mechanism and/or router guide channels to pick-up and/or laterally translate the food product form the first travel lane to the second travel lane so that it travels greater than one, and typically a plurality, of revolutions about a tier or level in a vertically stacked food processing unit before moving to the next tier. Associated methods redirect and/or laterally translate food being transported in an automated food processing system.

Abstract: The present invention is an ink-based electronic voting apparatus that generates a paper ballot for every voter. The voter marks a ballot with a probe as he/she would with a conventional ink-based system. In one embodiment, the paper ballot is situated underneath the surface of an input board electrically connected to a computer. A vote is cast when the probe is depressed onto the ballot at a designated input point. The electrical interaction between the probe and the input board generates a vote signal for recording and causes ink to be released from the probe to mark a corresponding spot on the paper ballot. As such, votes are electronically recorded for fast tabulation while paper ballots are generated for manual and/or optical scanner recounts to safeguard against computer errors and tampering. Furthermore the voting apparatus has a build-in mechanism to prevent undervoting and overvoting and thus increases valid votes.

Abstract: The present invention is an ink-based electronic voting apparatus that generates a paper ballot for every voter. The voter marks a ballot with a probe as he/she would with a conventional ink-based system. In one embodiment, the paper ballot is situated underneath the surface of an input board electrically connected to a computer. A vote is cast when the probe is depressed onto the ballot at a designated input point. The electrical interaction between the probe and the input board generates a vote signal for recording and causes ink to be released from the probe to mark a corresponding spot on the paper ballot. As such, votes are electronically recorded for fast tabulation while paper ballots are generated for manual and/or optical scanner recounts to safeguard against computer errors and tampering. Furthermore the voting apparatus has a build-in mechanism to prevent undervoting and overvoting and thus increases valid votes.

Abstract: A flexible circuit board assembly and method includes a rigid circuit board having a first portion and a second portion separated by a bending region. A plurality of grooves are cut into the bending region. The grooves are cut substantially parallel to an axis about which the bending region is bent. Preferably, the grooves are located on an inside bending radius of the circuit board, but can be located on the outside radius or both.

Abstract: A flexible circuit board assembly and method includes a rigid circuit board having a first portion and a second portion separated by a bending region. A plurality of grooves are cut into the bending region. The grooves are cut substantially parallel to an axis about which the bending region is bent. Preferably, the grooves are located on an inside bending radius of the circuit board, but can be located on the outside radius or both.