Abstract: A digging apparatus has a blade end and a handle having a central axis mounted to the blade end. The blade end has at least one substantially planar interface area for a user's foot substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the handle, the interface area equal to or greater than six square inches.

Abstract: An autonomous monitoring apparatus for monitoring air, water, soil, or other substance for bioagents. A collector gathers a quantity of the air, water, soil, or other substance being monitored. A sample preparation system prepares a sample of the selected potential bioagent particles. The sample is analyzed by a system for detecting said bioagents.

Abstract: A cigarette package formed by the steps of placing a group of cigarettes in a foil wrapper, forming a foil bundle, and placing the foil bundle with an inner frame, wherein the foil bundle and inner frame form a framed bundle. The framed bundle is inserted through an open end of an outer box to fill the outer box, and the end flaps of the outer box are closed to form the cigarette package.

Abstract: Contact based rigid pin tool technology is utilized to print one or more indicator chemistries on an optical array or a disposable sheath configured on such arrays. Each indicator chemistry contains predetermined material, such as, light energy absorbing dye(s), optically responsive particles, etc., whose optical characteristics change in response to the target ligand or analyte. By spectrally monitoring such changes using fluorescence and/or absorption spectroscopy, detection and/or quantitation of the target ligand or analyte can be obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for painting using a holder having a first loop portion configured to receive an edge of a paint container, and second loop configured to receive an edge of a paint container, and a clip for releasably receiving a paint applicator such as a paint brush. Each loop portion may be positioned at a different location on the holder, and may have an opening facing in a common or in an opposite direction to the opening of the other loop portion. Additional loop portions may also be provided, at different locations and/or having openings pointing in different directions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying, altering, constructing, or retrofitting an existing newspaper press having a first cut-off length, to have a second cut-off length which is different from and generally less than the first. These systems and methods generally provide for the machining of new bore holes into the existing press unit frame. The new bore holes will generally completely encompass the old bore holes and allow for linear translation of the axes of rotation of the new cylinders relative to the positions of the axes for the old cylinders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying, altering, constructing, or retrofitting an existing newspaper press having a first cut-off length, to have a second cut-off length which is different from and generally less than the first. These systems and methods generally provide for the machining of new bore holes into the existing press unit frame. The new bore holes will generally completely encompass the old bore holes and allow for linear translation of the axes of rotation of the new cylinders relative to the positions of the axes for the old cylinders.

Abstract: A fully collapsible pallet is provided with easily adjustable rear stops, lower rear stops, and side restraints. A telescoping member is provided to allow shipment of partial pallets of windshields. Extensions allow the pallet to be used with windshields of various heights. The pallet is stackable in a folded condition as well as a loaded condition, even when extensions are used. A latch is provided to prevent leaning of the pallet even when the load is not centered in the pallet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying, altering, constructing, or retrofitting an existing newspaper press having a first cut-off length, to have a second cut-off length which is different from and generally less than the first. These systems and methods generally provide for the machining of new bore holes into the existing press unit frame. The new bore holes will generally completely encompass the old bore holes and allow for linear translation of the axes of rotation of the new cylinders relative to the positions of the axes for the old cylinders.

Abstract: A guardrail extruder terminal includes a rail feeder chute associated with a downstream end of the guardrail extruder terminal. The terminal also includes an impact portion associated with an upstream end thereof. The impact portion is coupled to the upstream end of the rail feeder chute and includes an impact plate positioned to face oncoming traffic, a first side member coupled to the impact plate and positioned on a roadway side of the guardrail extruder terminal, and a second side member coupled to the impact plate and positioned opposite the first side member. The impact portion may include a top plate and a bottom plate, each being coupled between the first and second side members. The top and bottom plates each have a traffic side edge positioned to face a roadway that is approximately flush with a traffic side of the rail feeder chute.

Abstract: The device enables the inspection (10, 11, 12), marking (9) or other processing or monitoring of a printed sheet (1), conveyed in register on a radial path by means of a rigid, rotating sheet conveying device (2, 3, 4, 5), from the inside, that is to say the concave side of the movement path.

Abstract: The head of an optical fiber comprising the sensing probe of an optical heterodyne sensing device includes a planar surface that intersects the perpendicular to axial centerline of the fiber at a polishing angle &thgr;. The planar surface is coated with a reflective material so that light traveling axially through the fiber is reflected transverse to the fiber's axial centerline, and is emitted laterally through the side of the fiber. Alternatively, the planar surface can be left uncoated. The polishing angle &thgr; must be no greater than 39° or must be at least 51°. The emitted light is reflected from adjacent biological tissue, collected by the head, and then processed to provide real-time images of the tissue. The method for forming the planar surface includes shearing the end of the optical fiber and applying the reflective material before removing the buffer that circumscribes the cladding and the core.

Abstract: A head assembly for a guardrail extruder terminal device. A head assembly is described that is lighter and more effective than prior art head assemblies. The head assembly provides a throat that receives a corrugated guardrail. The rail is flattened by a narrowing of the throat or through combined action of the throat and a curved deflector plate. A curved plate contacts the flattened rail and extrudes it away from the head assembly. The throat is constructed from a pair of side members. The first side member is an elongated plate while the second side member is a short plate. The impact plate of the head assembly is vertically elongated and presents upper and lower overhangs that assist with vehicle engagement. In addition, the impact plate is provided with flanges on either side to help stiffen the plate. The head is also asymmetrical and streamlined. When the impact head is mounted on a rail member, the central point of impact is off-center with respect to the axis of the head.

Abstract: The head of an optical fiber comprising the sensing probe of an optical heterodyne sensing device includes a planar surface that intersects the perpendicular to axial centerline of the fiber at a polishing angle &thgr;. The planar surface is coated with a reflective material so that light traveling axially through the fiber is reflected transverse to the fiber's axial centerline, and is emitted laterally through the side of the fiber. Alternatively, the planar surface can be left uncoated. The polishing angle &thgr; must be no greater than 39° or must be at least 51°. The emitted light is reflected from adjacent biological tissue, collected by the head, and then processed to provide real-time images of the tissue. The method for forming the planar surface includes shearing the end of the optical fiber and applying the reflective material before removing the buffer that circumscribes the cladding and the core.

Abstract: Bauxite, particularly high alumina bauxite, and brucite are used as flame-retardants in non-aqueous organic polymer formulations particularly for electric insulation or sheathing or encapsulation, and also in bitumen. The formulations are suitable for shaping e.g. by casting, moulding or curing at temperatures of 150° C. or 200° C. Water resistance and other properties including cost of bauxite and brucite compare favourably with the conventional flame-retardant aluminium trihydrate.

Abstract: An implantable orthopedic prosthesis has a macro/micro-textured bone and soft tissue attachment surface to which a spiked washer is clamped by a threaded bolt received through said washer and threaded into said prosthesis. Soft tissue is secured to the prosthesis by clamping between said washer and said soft tissue attachment surface. The tissue attachment surface is arranged as a regular grid of depressions separated by orthogonal ridges formed by electrodischarge machining of the prosthesis using a machining electrode having a mold-opposite surface texture with a micro-textured roughened surface finish. The spacing of the spikes is and integer multiple of the spacing of the depressions to assure registry of the spikes with the depressions.

Abstract: A selector assembly for dividing a continuous line of products moving along a processing path is positioned between a product infeed line and packaging machine line. As the line of products enters the selector assembly, the products are engaged by a rotating starwheel which meters the further flow of the products into a product grouping area of the selector assembly. Thereafter, the lugs of upper and lower selector belts selectively engage the line of products to divide the line of products into groups of products for packaging. The selector lugs engage the groups of products at the product infeed speed and thereafter are progressively accelerated to accelerate the groups of products up to the speed of the packaging machine line for transfer of the groups of products to the packaging machine line.