Abstract: A display holder for a tubular cylindrical roll, such as a lint roller. The holder includes a planar main section constructed of a flexible material as well as a roll support which is pivotally mounted to the lower end of the main body between an operable position and a collapsed position. In its operable position, the roll support extends outwardly from the main body and supports the lower end of a roll inserted over the main body. Conversely, in its collapsed position, the roll support folds flatly against the main body for shipping and high density packing.

Abstract: A reliable, cost effective system and method are disclosed for exchanging fluid-filtration filters associated with electrical discharge machines (EDMs) and other applications. The basic system comprises a housing to receive the filter, the housing having a top that opens and a bottom cap with an interior inlet fitting coupled to a supply line carrying fluid to be filtered. A pair of opposing swing arms, each having one end pivotally connected to a filter cabinet or other suitable base and another end pivotally connected to an opposing side of the housing, facilitate a first state, wherein the housing and filter are vertically oriented with the bottom opening of the filter sealed against the fitting for filtering operation, and a second state, wherein the housing is pivoted such that the top is oriented downwardly allowing the filter to disengage from the fitting and slide out of the housing.

Abstract: A method of determining the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine 12, more particularly when operated on a test rig, wherein fuel is supplied in a circuit to the internal combustion engine and discharged therefrom and wherein a quantity of fuel is supplied to the circuit 11 via a branch line 22 from a fuel tank 23 and measured in the branch line, wherein temperature-related changes in the volume of the fuel are determined in the circuit 11 and wherein the consumed quantity {dot over (m)}S determined in the branch line 22 is corrected by a corrective quantity {dot over (m)}K corresponding to the temperature-related changes in volume in the circuit.

Abstract: A hybrid motor vehicle is operated in a front-loaded electrical power mode. The motor vehicle includes a first, electrical based, propulsion system which is powered by electrical energy stored in a rechargeable battery, and a second, fuel-based propulsion system, which is powered by oxidation of a fuel. According to the method, the amount of electrical energy stored in the battery is measured, and a percentage of that measured level is selected. A distance D which the first propulsion system, operating singly, and using that stored energy, can propel the vehicle is determined.

Abstract: An instructional system for teaching music theory incorporates a human-readable harmony matrix which displays at least one repeat pattern of indicia corresponding to a particular placement of the notes of the twelve note scale. This pattern is arranged so that major or minor chords may be formed by rotations and/or inversions of a basic set of patterns. These patterns depict the interrelationship of the various chords. Transposition of chords from one key to another may be readily accomplished by moving the pattern across the matrix. The matrix pattern may also be used to depict and build chord progressions. The system operates to provide a two-dimensional representation of the relationship between musical tones and may be implemented in a variety of systems for teaching music theory.

Abstract: A composition is provided that includes in combination fertilizer particles inclusive of a plant nutrient component and a binder inhibitive of particle disintegration. The fertilizer particles are mixed with and dispersed in concert with bait particles attractive to a pest and inclusive of a pesticide or pest reproduction control agent. The bait particles remain sufficiently devoid of adherent fertilizer particle fragments so as to remain attractive to a target pest. Composition homogeneity is maintained by density matching between the fertilizer particles and bait particles or compensating for differences in density by sizing the lower density particles larger than the higher density particles.

Abstract: A showerhead system for communicating a fluid supply, the system including a fixed fluid dispensing unit supported at a location, the fixed dispensing unit including a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A removable fluid dispensing unit is releasably secured to a receptacle established within the fixed dispensing, the removable unit further including at least one additional nozzle. The fluid supply is adapted to be in selective communication with either or both the fixed and removable fluid dispensing units, such as through the provision of a fluid diverter element located at an inlet of the fixed unit and from which extends a conduit in separate communication with the removable unit.

Abstract: There is provided a radar system for detection of one or more objects. The radar system comprises a radar wave transmitter for simultaneously transmitting a CW radar signal and a FM-CW or MF radar signal, and a first radar wave receiver for receiving CW and FM-CW or MF radar signals, reflected from one or more objects present in a detection range of the radar system. The system may further comprise a first CW mixer for mixing CW transmission signals and reflected CW signals received by the first receiver, and a first FM-CW or MF mixer for mixing FM-CW or MF transmission signals and corresponding reflected FM-CW or MF signals received by the first receiver.

Abstract: A leaf spring suspension includes a plurality of leaf springs fixedly secured together by a bolt in the form of a stack. A first leaf spring of the plurality of leaf springs has ends configured to be coupled to a vehicle frame. A pin extends through each leaf spring except for the first leaf spring to prevent splaying between the leaf springs during transverse loading of the suspension.

Abstract: A lint roller holder having a pair of elongated housing parts which are substantially identical to each other. Each housing part includes an elongated handle section and semi-cylindrical lint roller support section which is longitudinally adjacent the handle section. The housing parts are secured together in a facing relationship, such that an outer peripheral edge of both of said semi-cylindrical lint roller support and said handle sections abut against each other to form both a cylindrical lint roller support and a handle. The outer peripheral edges of the housing parts are then secured together by ultrasonic welding. Each housing part also includes at least one cut-out in the semi-cylindrical lint roller support section to reduce raw material usage requirements.

Abstract: A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body/object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description.

Abstract: An electric-field-driving reflective display apparatus is provided. The electric-field-driving reflective display apparatus includes a barrier wall which has a plurality of driving grooves and first and second surfaces, a reflecting member which is disposed within the driving groove and has an electric charge, a first electrode which is disposed on the first surface of the barrier wall, and a second electrode which is disposed on the second surface of the barrier wall, wherein areas of cross sections of each driving groove parallel to the first and second surface are equal to each other.

Abstract: Cylindrical extrusions having multiple colors, capable of serving as parisons for subsequent blow molding operation, are formed in an apparatus in which plastics of each color to be incorporated in the finished product are fed by separate extruders to an extruding head having a stack of cylindrical spools each formed with a number of apertures around their periphery. The apertures in each spool are interleaved with corresponding apertures in the other spool or spools. The interiors of the apertures are fed into a conduit which extends coaxially with the axes of each of the spools so that the outputted plastic has multicolored stripes along its length. In an embodiment in which the spool is rotated in timed relation to the feed from the extruders, the output is twisted along the central axis to form a “barber pole” stripe arrangement. In an alternate embodiment a programming plate is disposed beneath the output.

Abstract: A deformable vehicle door pull cup is provided which is both sufficiently strong for use during closing of the door and which also deforms during a side impact collision. A deformable vehicle door pull cup includes a weakening groove and dimple system in preferred embodiments. Dimples are placed within grooves to enhance crack propagation in a side impact collision.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an instrument panel assembly affording for installment in a motor vehicle as one unit even though the assembly has a final width that is greater than a predetermined maximum width criterion for passing the assembly through a doorframe. The instrument panel assembly includes an instrument panel having a front side and a rear side, the front side having a temporary attachment structure and a permanent attachment structure. The assembly also includes an electronic panel with a temporary attachment structure and a permanent attachment structure, the electronic panel being operable to temporarily attach to the instrument panel in a position that affords for a reduced width of the instrument panel assembly. A process is also disclosed for installing an instrument panel assembly having an overall width that is greater than a predetermined maximum width criterion.

Abstract: Methods and compositions comprising immunoassays for the detection of antigens and antibodies in a sample are described. In particular, the present invention provides assays that are useful for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple different antigens and antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the assays include fluorescent labels of multiple wavelengths or intensities, which are used to label the antigens and antibodies directly and to label beads coated with molecules specific for the antigen or antibody. The detection of a fluorescence shift indicates the presence or identity of the antigen or antibody in the sample.

Abstract: A package with integral tracking device and method of forming includes a panel having an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and two side edges that form a flexible pouch. A tracking device is disposed within an air pocket formed in a seal. An opening means is integrally formed in the panel for accessing a product contained within the pouch. In another embodiment, the package is a container having a base wall and a side wall extending upwardly from an edge of the base wall. A cover removable encloses the container, and a valve is disposed in the cover for venting a gas from the container. The tracking device is disposed within an enclosed air pocket integrally formed in a base wall or a side wall of the container.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for an automotive console of an automotive vehicle having at least one sidewall which extends upwardly from the floor of a vehicle. The mounting bracket includes a base adapted for connection to the floor of the vehicle. A central leg extends upwardly from the base and has a top attached to its upper end. The top includes a portion which lies in a substantially horizontal plane and is adapted for connection to the console. In addition, a side flange is attached to and extends outwardly from the top and abuts against the console sidewall to provide additional lateral support. The mounting bracket is of a one-piece construction.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first component, a second component and a frame. The first component has a first aperture. The second component has a second aperture. The frame has a main wall. The frame includes a generally cylindrical boss extending outwardly from the main wall. The boss has an outer surface. The boss has a bore aligned with the first aperture of the first component to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the first component to the frame. The boss extends through the second aperture of the second component such that the outer surface locates the second component relative to the frame along a plane generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the boss. The second component is disposed between the first component and the frame so as to be constrained along the longitudinal axis of the boss.