Abstract: A method of modeling a material using a generalized constitutive model includes assembling a plurality of behaviors, the plurality of behaviors assembled without reference to a particular material to be modeled, and assembling a plurality of couplings, each of the plurality of couplings associated with at least one of the behaviors of the plurality of behaviors and defined without reference to a particular material to be modeled. The method also includes selecting at least one behavior from the plurality of behaviors to define a model for a particular material, performing simulations using the model for the particular material to define a simulation output, and making a determination regarding the material according to the simulation output. A system is also provided to carry out the method.

Abstract: A modeling method for predictive modeling of a product, which may be but one example of a family of such modeling methods, includes receiving one of a processing condition of a process used to make a fibrous material into the product or a measurement of a property of the fibrous material or the tampon product, and calculating a virtual outcome from the one of the processing condition or the measurement received. The virtual outcome is one or more of not physically measured or not physically measurable, and has a relationship to the processing condition and a relationship to the measurement. The method also includes providing a measurement if the processing condition is received or a processing condition if the measurement is received, according to the virtual outcome calculated. A computing device may be programmed to carry out the method.

Abstract: A modeling method for a fibrous material to be made into a product, which may be but one example of a family of such modeling methods, includes analyzing processes and conditions under which the fibrous material is made into the product, determining that moisture, temperature and rate conditions should be tested according to the analysis of the processes and conditions, and testing the fibrous material under at least one of moisture, thermal or rate conditions similar to those under which the fibrous material is made into the product to obtain test results. The modeling method further includes defining a constitutive model for the fibrous material according to the test results. A computing device may be programmed to perform simulations using the model.

Abstract: A computing device is provided with a multiple process architecture for running plug-in code modules in their own dedicated processes for increasing both the security and reliability of software systems using plug-in design patterns.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method whereby flameless combustion is precipitated and maintained in a combustion chamber having a surface that is either convex concave, straight or any combination thereof without the need for catalysts or high temperature oxidants. The apparatus allows the combustion chamber to operate in a conventional combustion mode and a flameless combustion mode. The method provides for hot air and fuel gas to both be inerted prior to their mixing so long as their blend temperatures are within the 1000° F. to the 1400° F. range. The inert hot air and the inert fuel gas flow side by side along the chamber's internal surface so that the two gases mix more uniformly, thereby allowing flameless combustion at lower temperatures resulting in low NOx emissions.

Abstract: A system and method whereby on-line cleaning of black oil heater tubes and delayed coker heater tubes may be effectuated by injecting a high pressure water charge through the tubes during normal process operations so as to prevent tube fouling and heater downtime. The high pressure water charge begins the on-line cleaning process once it enters the heater tube by undergoing intense boiling and evaporation. The cleaning occurs by two methods—a scrubbing action and a shocking action. The scrubbing action occurs because of the complete turbulence caused by the water charge's intense boiling within the heater tubes. The shocking action is caused by the expansion and contraction of the heater tubes resulting from the colder water charge flowing through the heater tubes which is then followed by the hotter process fluid flowing through the heater tubes.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a juvenile belt positioning booster car seat which folds, has an adjustable back height, and has folding armrests which ships in a minimally sized carton thereby reducing shipping and warehousing costs and which has a smoother exterior surface and enclosed height adjust mechanism to prevent pinch points and protect vehicle upholstery.

Abstract: A car seat for transporting a child in an automobile is described which is convertible from a rear-facing infant carrier into a forward-facing toddler carrier by the inclusion or removal of a separable headrest. The car seat features a belt adjustment system as well as a crotch belt adjustment system in addition to front and rear restraint attachment components.

Abstract: A stepladder includes a longer inclined frame provided with steps coupled to a shorter stabilizer frame provided with rungs for movement relative to the longer inclined frame between an expanded use position and a collapsed storage position. The stepladder also includes a top-step lock to lock the top step in a fixed position relative to the two frames.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method whereby flameless combustion is precipitated and maintained in a combustion chamber having a surface that is either convex, concave, straight or any combination thereof without the need for catalysts or high temperature oxidants. The apparatus allows the combustion chamber to operate in a conventional combustion mode and a flameless combustion mode. The method provides for hot air and fuel gas to both be inerted prior to their mixing so long as their blend temperatures are within the 1000° F. to the 1400° F. range. The inert hot air and the inert fuel gas flow side by side along the chamber's internal surface so that the two gases mix more uniformly, thereby allowing flameless combustion at lower temperatures resulting in low NOx, emissions.

Abstract: Example embodiments address current problems associated with changes in service contracts by providing automated mechanisms to update portions of an existing service implementation. For example, one mechanism modifies an implementation's skeleton (e.g., methods, method signatures, data structures, etc.) in order to conform to changes to an NPDL (e.g., WSDL) contract. In such an embodiment, the developer may only need to make the necessary changes, if any, to the business logic, which typically will not be known from the contract definition. Accordingly, such automatic modifications to the implementation facilitate a developer's adopting a contract based approach to web service development.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system in which a network system includes a virtual graph composed of a plurality individual networks. A first individual network is associated with a first user. The first individual network includes a plurality of service modules modeled to be representing a first set of network elements. The second individual network is associated with a second user. The second individual network includes a plurality of service modules modeled to be representing a second set of network elements. The second set of network element differs in the type of network elements included in the second individual network and the topological order of the network elements in the second individual network than the first set of network elements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for defining a contract for a web service. The contract may be defined, for example, in Web Service Definition Language (WSDL) or SOAP Service Description Language (SSDL) format. According to one embodiment of the invention, a software application is provided which implements one or more rules or assumptions to limit the functionality of a web service which the contract defines, such that a user interface provided by the application is less visually confusing to the user than conventional interfaces and the user may define the contract in a more intuitive manner.

Abstract: A foldable step stool includes pivotable front and rear leg units and steps coupled to the front leg unit. A utility tray pivots relative to the front leg unit.

Abstract: A step stool includes a frame and a tray coupled to the frame. The tray includes a pair of container receivers. Each container receiver is adapted to receive a container on the container receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing systems that include computer applications hosted on hosting environments are disclosed. The hosting environments are modeled to include hosting environment settings and constraints placed on applications. The applications are also modeled to include application settings and constraints placed on the hosting environments. Hosting environment and application models are then used to validate designs by confirming that settings are in compliance with the constraints.

Abstract: An infant carrier and car seat combination is illustrated which provides releasable lockability between the carrier and its base, infant seat belt tensioning and height adjustment, improved handle movement which resists twisting and carrier base adjustment through a movable base within the carrier base.

Abstract: Data which is transmitted over the internet or other transmission networks is first divided up into individual information packets, transmitted and then reassembled into useful data after reception. Parity packets are included in with the information packets in the transmission of data in order to enable the regeneration of any information packets which were lost or damaged during transmission. The grouping of information packets and parity packets derived therefrom is termed a chunk. Chunk arrangements to recover from all cases of single and double lost packets are disclosed. Bursts of lost packets are recovered by interleaving the transmission of packets from different chunks. If the recovery is not successful then retransmission occurs in a manner similar to TCP.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lifting mechanism to raise and lower a truck cap relative to a truck box, the mechanism comprising a pair of lifting devices, which comprise a support member for engagement with the truck cap, a base attached to the truck box, at least one first and at least one second guide attached to the base, each of the guides having at least one block slidably engaged therewith, each of the blocks being connected to a link extending to the support member and means for moving the blocks along the guides, the blocks on the second guide being adapted to move in an opposite direction to the blocks on the first guide, whereby movement of the blocks result in scissor-like movement of the links.

Abstract: A method for selective dissolution of tin and/or lead- or tin-containing alloys from printed circuit boards is provided comprising contacting a printed circuit board with a solution comprising Ti(IV) and an acid which forms stable and soluble salt of Ti(III), Ti(IV), Sn(II) and Pb(II), under conditions to effect dissolution of substantially all of the Sn and/or Pb- or Sn-containing alloy therefrom, as Sn(II) and/or Pb(II) and recovering from the solution by electrolytic reduction substantially all of the Sn(II) and/or PB(II) species as Sn and/or Pb. After the electrolytic reduction step, the oxidant metal species is regenerated by oxidation and recycled to the first stage of the process.