Abstract: A crack-propagation line is separate from a seal joining two shells of a confectionery packaging. The confectionery packaging is opened by separating the packaging along the crack-propagation line such that a portion of at least one of the parts of the confectionery packaging is broken to form an opening through which the packaged confectionery can be removed. Consequently, there is provided a method of forming a confectionery packaging and a method of packaging a confectionery product wherein two shells of a confectionery packaging are sealed together and a crack-propagation line is formed in a portion of at least one of the parts of the confectionery packaging. Suitably, the crack-propagation line extends away from the seal joining the two parts. The confectionery packaging is opened by separating at least one of the parts of the confectionery packaging, leaving the seal substantially unaffected.

Abstract: A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication of identification of said subject, wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system. The finger guide device may have a curved inside surface to contour to a wide variety of fingertip shapes and sizes, wherein the sides and front have shorter radii of curvature than the rearward portion of the finger guide device.

Abstract: A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication of identification of said subject, wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system. The device may contain an outer surface ridge which feels somewhat uncomfortable due to application of a high pressure per square inch on small areas of the finger when the finger is incorrectly positioned to encourage correct placement of the finger. The finger guide device may have a curved inside surface to contour to a wide variety of fingertip shapes and sizes, wherein the sides and front have shorter radii of curvature than the rearward portion of the finger guide device.

Abstract: A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication or identification of said subject wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system. The device may contain an outer surface ridge which feels somewhat uncomfortable due to application of a high pressure per square inch on small areas of the finger when the finger is incorrectly positioned to encourage correct placement of the finger. The finger guide device may have a curved inside surface to contour to a wide variety of fingertip shapes and sizes, wherein the sides and front have shorter radii of curvature than the rearward portion of the finger guide device.

Abstract: A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication of identification of said subject, wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system. The device may contain an outer surface ridge which feels somewhat uncomfortable due to application of a high pressure per square inch on small areas of the finger when the finger is incorrectly positioned to encourage correct placement of the finger.

Abstract: A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication of identification of said subject, wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system. The device may contain an outer surface ridge which feels somewhat uncomfortable due to application of a high pressure per square inch on small areas of the finger when the finger is incorrectly positioned to encourage correct placement of the finger.

Abstract: A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication of identification of said subject, wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system. The device may contain an outer surface ridge which feels somewhat uncomfortable due to application of a high pressure per square inch on small areas of the finger when the finger is incorrectly positioned to encourage correct placement of the finger.

Abstract: A crack-propagation line is separate from a seal joining two shells of a confectionery packaging. The confectionery packaging is opened by separating the packaging along the crack-propagation line such that a portion of at least one of the parts of the confectionery packaging is broken to form an opening through which the packaged confectionery can be removed. Consequently, there is provided a method of forming a confectionery packaging and a method of packaging a confectionery product wherein two shells of a confectionery packaging are sealed together and a crack-propagation line is formed in a portion of at least one of the parts of the confectionery packaging. Suitably, the crack-propagation line extends away from the seal joining the two parts. The confectionery packaging is opened by separating at least one of the parts of the confectionery packaging, leaving the seal substantially unaffected.

Abstract: A means for applying and beneficially using durable hydrophobic, superhydrophobic, oleophobic, superoleophobic, paintphobic, superpaintphobic, tunable liquid-phobic and superliquidphobic coatings, collectively called X-phobic coatings, which are solvent resistant, ultraviolet light resistant, water resistant, and food safe is claimed while also improving adhesion and durability of the materials used to create the desired properties. These X-phobic surface coatings are usefully applied to a host of tools, devices, systems, and methods which benefit from the coatings, including but not limited to equipment used in painting and applying protective coatings. These include storage containers of containers used during coating or painting such as roller pans, buckets, and trim cups.

Abstract: A device to store and transport materials and tools, for example, paint and painting implements, to and from a worksite while shielding the floor, floor covering, table, table covering, or other supporting surface from material splatter. The sides of the device serve as coating material splatter guards, acting as a protective tarp, when working yet are folding to serve as an integral part of the material and tool container when during transport and storage. The device has a capability of storing a coating medium. The device may also include a compartment and carrier to store and transport various tools required at a worksite. The folding splatter guard sides fold up to enclose the structure, enabling easy transport between worksites.

Abstract: A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication or identification of said subject wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system. The device may contain an outer surface ridge which feels somewhat uncomfortable due to application of a high pressure per square inch on small areas of the finger where the finger is incorrectly positioned to encourage correct placement of the finger. The finger guide device may have a curved inside surface to contour to a wide variety of fingertip shapes and sizes, wherein the sides and front have shorter radii of curvature than the reward portion of the finger guide device.

Abstract: A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication or identification of said subject wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system. The device may contain an outer surface ridge which feels somewhat uncomfortable due to application of a high pressure per square inch on small areas of the finger when the finger is incorrectly positioned to encourage correct placement of the finger. The finger guide device may have a curved inside surface to contour to a wide variety of fingertip shapes and sizes, wherein the sides and front have shorter radii of curvature than the rearward portion of the finger guide device.

Abstract: A finger guide positions a finger on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the operation of authentication or identification while grasping a stylus. The finger guide may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system through one or more readings of generally the same relevant portions of the fingerprint for translation into a template for future comparison. The finger guide non-forcibly guides the subject writer's finger into a position where a relevant portion of the finger is aligned with the fingerprint sensor so that said relevant portion of the sensed fingerprint correlate with generally same relevant portions of the fingerprint previously translated into the template. The finger guide and stylus may be used with a dynamic signature verification system to authenticate or identify the writer or to verify that the writer has signed his name.

Abstract: A finger guide positions a finger on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the operation of authentication or identification while grasping a stylus. The finger guide may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system through one or more readings of generally the same relevant portions of the fingerprint for translation into a template for future comparison. The finger guide non-forcibly guides the subject writer's finger into a position where a relevant portion of the finger is aligned with the fingerprint sensor so that said relevant portion of the sensed fingerprint correlate with generally same relevant portions of the fingerprint previously translated into the template. The finger guide and stylus may be used with a dynamic signature verification system to authenticate or identify the writer or to verify that the writer has signed his name.

Abstract: A detachable fiber optic connector has an improved nose block (800) which enhances cooling of power dissipating components, simplifies assembly, improves yield and reduces cost. The improved nose block (800) includes an upper tray (802) and lower tray (804) which slidingly receive an improved aluminum nitride optical subassembly (700). The subassembly (700) and nose block (800) are held together, properly aligned, and then fixated. The nose block (800) also has symmetrical protrusions (850) which allow the nose block (800) to be placed easily and precisely into mating protrusions (230, 240) in a seal ring (200). The nose block (800) provides a direct thermal pathway between power dissipating components, such as an opto-electronic component (750) and optical driver IC (730), and an aluminum package base (400). Various alternative nose blocks (810, 820, 830) are illustrated, and an alternative base (410) is also shown.

Abstract: A detachable fiber optic connector provides connection from an optical source or sink through a hermetic connection to a removable attached optical fiber. Ferrules and a split ring are used for alignment. A variety of alternative embodiments are illustrated for providing coupling force between the ferrules and retaining forces to prevent movement of the connection during movement of the fiber relative to the optical source or sink. These detachable fiber optic connectors provide great benefit when combined with hermetic packaging.

Abstract: A detachable fiber optic connector provides connection from an optical source or sink through a hermetic connection to a removable attached optical fiber. Ferrules and a split ring are used for alignment. A variety of alternative embodiments are illustrated for providing coupling force between the ferrules and retaining forces to prevent movement of the connection during movement of the fiber relative to the optical source or sink. These detachable fiber optic connectors provide great benefit when combined with hermetic packaging.

Abstract: A detachable fiber optic connector provides connection from an optical source or sink through a hermetic connection to a removable attached optical fiber. Ferrules and a split ring are used for alignment. A variety of alternative embodiments are illustrated for providing coupling force between the ferrules and retaining forces to prevent movement of the connection during movement of the fiber relative to the optical source or sink. These detachable fiber optic connectors provide great benefit when combined with hermetic packaging.