Abstract: A method for preparing discontinuous zipper chain for use in apparel manufacturing includes: programming a teeth-securing machine to secure zipper teeth at specified intervals along an edge of each of a pair of zipper tapes; feeding the pair of zipper tapes into the teeth-securing machine so as to secure interlocking zipper teeth to the zipper tapes at the specified intervals, thereby forming a discontinuous zipper chain having successive toothed sections positioned along a length thereof and spaced apart from one another by gap sections without zipper teeth; and spooling or packaging the discontinuous zipper chain for use in apparel manufacturing.

Abstract: A method of preparing a cut length of slide fastener chain for operational use includes: providing a system that includes first and second machines; providing a cut length of slide fastener chain; introducing a notch to one end of the cut length of slide fastener chain, using the first machine; orienting a slider body onto a positioning device, using the second machine, so that the slider body is in a fixed position; inserting the notched end of the cut length of slide fastener chain into a mouth of the slider body; and pulling the cut length of slide fastener chain through the slider body by a distance, thereby mounting the slider body to the cut length of slide fastener chain.

Abstract: Zippers components such as a traditional pin and box assembly may be affixed to zipper stringer tapes by a simple injection molding process. When a non-traditional magnetic alignment assembly is used in place of a traditional pin and box assembly, other means are needed to adequately affix the components of the magnetic alignment assembly to the zipper stringer tapes in order to provide a durable finished zipper.

Abstract: Zippers components such as a traditional pin and box assembly may be affixed to zipper stringer tapes by a simple injection molding process. When a non-traditional magnetic alignment assembly is used in place of a traditional pin and box assembly, other means are needed to adequately affix the components of the magnetic alignment assembly to the zipper stringer tapes in order to provide a durable finished zipper.

Abstract: An annuloplasty prosthesis includes a bowed core (10) having an inner edge (10) and an outer edge (12). A plurality of openings (16) are defined by, and spaced apart along, the core so that struts (18) are defined between adjacent openings (16). The openings and struts provide anchoring sites (20) for annuloplasty sutures in use anchoring the prosthesis to a heart annulus. The anchoring sites (20) are not adjacent the outer core edge (14).

Abstract: A system for generating a magnetic field for excitation of a leadless marker assembly. The system of at least one embodiment includes a source generator that generates a plurality of alternating electrical signals each having an independently adjustable phase. A plurality of excitation coils are configured to simultaneously receive a respective one of the alternating electrical signals at a selected phase to generate a magnetic field. The phase of the alternating electrical signal for each excitation coil is independently adjustable relative to the phase of the alternating electrical signal for the other excitation coils so as to adjust the magnetic field from the respective coil. The magnetic fields from the excitation coils combine to form a spatially adjustable excitation field for excitation of the remote leadless marker assembly.

Abstract: A nanocomposite ceramic composition and method for making the same, the composition comprising a uniform dispersion of nanosize ceramic particles composed of at least one ceramic phase, interspersed and bound throughout a tough zirconia matrix phase.

Abstract: Articles such as luggage to be carried aboard aircraft are screened by a first stage examination unit (14) such as a CT scanning unit which identifies suspect regions (16) having a relatively high probability of containing contraband. Articles containing such suspect regions are then examined at a physically separate unit (20) by energy dispersive x-ray diffraction (EDXD) with diffraction occurring at locations within the identified suspect regions. Because EDXD examination is concentrated on the suspect regions, the EDXD examination can be performed rapidly.

Abstract: A composite ceramic including a first phase of ceramic material and a second phase of ceramic material, the first and second phases forming three dimensional interconnected networks of each phase and having a nano-scaled grain size. The composite ceramic is produced in a method which utilizes rapid solidification at cooling rates of at least ˜104° K./sec to produce a metastable material formed by a solid solution of a two immiscible ceramic material phases, and which also utilizes relatively high pressure/low temperature consolidation to complete densification of the metastable material, while simultaneously generating a composite structure with nano-scale grain dimensions through a controlled phase transformation.

Abstract: A wavefront measuring system and method for detecting aberrations in wavefronts that are reflected from, transmitted through, or internally reflected within objects sought to be measured, e.g., optics systems such as the human eye. The system includes one or more reticles in the path of a return wavefront from the object, and a detector at a diffraction pattern self-imaging plane relative to the reticle(s). A diffraction pattern of the wavefront is analyzed and results in a model of the wavefront phase characteristics. A set of known polynomials may be fitted to the wavefront phase gradient to obtain polynomial coefficients that describe aberrations in the object, or within the wavefront source being measured.

Abstract: A system for generating a magnetic field for excitation of a leadless marker assembly. The system of at least one embodiment includes a source generator that generates a plurality of alternating electrical signals each having an independently adjustable phase. A plurality of excitation coils are configured to simultaneously receive a respective one of the alternating electrical signals at a selected phase to generate a magnetic field. The phase of the alternating electrical signal for each excitation coil is independently adjustable relative to the phase of the alternating electrical signal for the other excitation coils so as to adjust the magnetic field from the respective coil. The magnetic fields from the excitation coils combine to form a spatially adjustable excitation field for excitation of the remote leadless marker assembly.

Abstract: Adhesion of polyester yarn, tire cord or fabric in polyester reinforced rubber goods such as tires is improved by fluorinating the polyester yarn, tire cord or fabric prior to incorporation into the tire and rubber goods.

Abstract: To enable a scaffolding structure to serve horizontally curved structures such as storage tanks, a connection is provided to allow horizontally adjacent scaffold transom element to be relatively inclined to one another in a horizonal plane. The joint includes connection means including a wedge to engage a socket afforded by a scaffold upright and such connection means is pivotally mounted on a scaffold cross member, such as a transom element, which itself affords a socket for the connection of a further cross member, such as a ledger element. Alternatively, the connection means may be pivotally mounted on a part provided with two such sockets for the releasable connection of a transom element and a ledger element.