Abstract: Ultrasonic end stops and methods of making ultrasonic end stops are provided. The present invention relates to plastic reclosable fasteners with sliders for opening and closing the reclosable fasteners on plastic bags and the like and particularly to the use of protruding end stop structures on reclosable fasteners to prevent travel of sliders past the fastener ends. The end stop structures include at least one of high density polyethylene, to medium density polyethylene, polypropylene, a cyclic olefin copolymer, a high density material, or a high modulus material and may optionally include low density polyethylene or linear low density polyethylene.

Abstract: Projection factors are used to project product sales data from sample retail outlets to the universe of outlets. Weekly forecasts of market conditions and product demand are generated based on the projected product sales data. The projection factors and the weekly forecasts are updated during the course of the forecasted week, for example, daily, as data on actual product sales during the forecasted week is received.

Abstract: An improvement to a container of the type that includes a vacuum formed transparent base and lid, the container having opposite sides that each forms a base flap (20) and a lid flap (22) that lie adjacent and parallel to each other, wherein the container indicates if it has been opened after a store clerk has loaded food into the container. An indicator sheet (34) lies between the base and lid and has cut-out characters (60) lying in holes (62) of a carrier (64), the carrier being bonded to the base flap and the characters being bonded to the lid flap. The container is opened by a person pulling up the lid flap, with the characters lifting out of their holes as they move up with the lid flap, and with the carrier that forms the character holes remaining on the base flap. When the lid is closed by pressing down the lid flap against the base flap, there will be some misalignment of the characters with the holes that they previously lay in, creating gaps that are readily noticeable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the reduction of atherosclerotic plaques and the decrease in the level of total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, serum LDL cholesterol, and serum HDL cholesterol.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for estimating material weight, mass and volume in real-time are disclosed. The amount of material in the container is measured. An estimate of the amount of material in the container is then obtained using the measured amount of material in the container, a desired rate of change of material, and a container system model. The estimate of the amount of material in the container is then adjusted based on the difference between the estimated and measured amount of material in the container.

Abstract: A method for detecting intrusions in the operation of a computer system is disclosed which comprises gathering features from records of normal processes that access the files system of the computer, such as the Windows registry, and generating a probabilistic model of normal computer system usage based on occurrences of said features. The features of a record of a process that accesses the Windows registry are analyzed to determine whether said access to the Windows registry is an anomaly. A system is disclosed, comprising a registry auditing module configured to gather records regarding processes that access the Windows registry; a model generator configured to generate a probabilistic model of normal computer system usage based on records of a plurality of processes that access the Windows registry and that are indicative of normal computer system usage; and a model comparator configured to determine whether the access of the Windows registry is an anomaly.

Abstract: A circuit includes an input terminal adapted to receive an input voltage, a MOSFET having its drain terminal and its source terminal connected together, a first switching arrangement configured to be controlled by a first clock signal and adapted to selectively couple the gate terminal to the input terminal, and a further switching arrangement configured to be controlled by a further clock signal in timing relationship with the first clock signal and adapted to selectively couple the source terminal and a first voltage which is capable of pulling carriers out of a channel when the first switching arrangement is not coupling the input terminal to the gate terminal.

Abstract: Nestable packaging lids are described. Generally, the packaging lids include a generally planar lid member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of dome expansions extending upwardly from the lid member, and a plurality of elongate projections extending downwardly from the lower surface of the lid member. Each dome expansion defines a downwardly facing recess and includes a base perimeter defining a base center, and the dome expansions are arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse columns. In an implementation, at least one projection is disposed transversely between a longitudinally adjacent pair of dome expansions and at least one projection is disposed longitudinally between a transversely adjacent pair of dome expansions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel agropolymers, which comprise a carbohydrate and/or silica matrix substantially devoid of proteins, tannins and polyphenols and which comprise metal binding reactive sites. A method of producing the agropolymers is also disclosed wherein the agropolymers are derived from plant materials such as seed coats, seed covers, husks, or hulls of various agricultural crops. The agricultural crops typically used to produce the agropolymers include Oryza sativa, Panicum miliaceum, Setaria italica, Cajanus cajan, Vigna mungo, Vigna radiata, Triticum sp., Ricinus communis, Helianthus annus, Gossypium sp., and Arachis sp. The agropolymers of the present invention are capable of purifying aqueous solutions polluted or contaminated with metals and/or ions. Thus, the present invention also discloses a method whereby agropolymers are used in the purification of contaminated water and other aqueous solutions.

Abstract: High throughput systems and processes for recrystallizing thin film semiconductors that have been deposited at low temperatures on a substrate are provided. A thin film semiconductor workpiece is irradiated with a laser beam to melt and recrystallize target areas of the surface exposed to the laser beam. The laser beam is shaped into one or more beamlets using patterning masks. The mask patterns have suitable dimensions and orientations to pattern the laser beam radiation so that the areas targeted by the beamlets have dimensions and orientations that are conducive to semiconductor recrystallization. The workpiece is mechanically translated along linear paths relative to the laser beam to process the entire surface of the work piece at high speeds. Position sensitive triggering of a laser can be used generate laser beam pulses to melt and recrystallize semiconductor material at precise locations on the surface of the workpiece while it is translated on a motorized stage.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongated shaft with a tubular member which forms at least a portion of the shaft and which is formed of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic polymeric material, and a method of forming the catheter shaft by radially and longitudinally expanding the tubular member to biaxially orient the polymeric material. A catheter of the invention has an improved combination of low bending stiffness, high rupture pressure, and high tensile strength, for improved catheter performance.

Abstract: A process and system are provided for processing at least one section of each of a plurality of semiconductor film samples. In these process and system, the irradiation beam source is controlled to emit successive irradiation beam pulses at a predetermined repetition rate. Using such emitted beam pulses, at least one section of one of the semiconductor film samples is irradiated using a first sequential lateral solidification (“SLS”) technique and/or a first uniform small grained material (“UGS”) techniques to process the such section(s) of the first sample. Upon the completion of the processing of this section of the first sample, the beam pulses are redirected to impinge at least one section of a second sample of the semiconductor film samples. Then, using the redirected beam pulses, such section(s) of the second sample are irradiated using a second SLS technique and/or a second UGS technique to process the at least one section of the second sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separation of diols from a mixture comprising diols and polyols, for example, from a reaction mixture obtained from hydrogenolysis of sorbitol. In particular, the present invention relates to separation of diols from the mixture using a combination of a wiped-film evaporator and a molecular evaporator to obtain diols in a high yield.

Abstract: A carrying bag includes a bag body including first and second panels cooperating to substantially form a first compartment therebetween; an expandable compartment configured for housing an object, the expandable compartment including first and second areas cooperating with each other; the first area being connected to the bag body, the first area having two end portions, each end portion comprising a protrusion, and the first area having a fold line approximately along its center, the second area comprising three regions configured to cooperate with each other; and a cord capable of cooperating with the second area for facilitating the cooperation of the three regions. The shape of the protrusions of the end portions prevents the visibility of the first area to a user when the compartment is in an unexpanded configuration.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functions including a function of executing an operation involving use of a consumable, a selecting unit that selects one function from the plurality of functions, a detector that detects a remaining level of the consumable and a controller. The controller is operable to switch displayed contents to information corresponding to the one function when the one function is selected, instruct execution of an operation corresponding to the changed displayed information, display a warning indication when the remaining level of the consumable is not more than a predetermined level, determine whether the selected one function is the function of executing the operation involving use of the consumable, and inhibit the switching the displayed contents when one function is selected and is determined to be the function of executing the operation involving use of the consumable while the warning indication is displayed.

Abstract: A main tank has a storage space which stores a liquid. A sub tank has a predetermined interior space and an atmosphere communicating hole which makes the interior space communicate with an atmosphere, formed therein, and has an opening and closing valve which opens and closes the atmosphere communicating hole. When the main tank is not mounted on a main tank installing portion, the opening and closing valve closes the atmosphere communicating hole. When the main tank is mounted on the main tank installing portion, a discharge operation of discharging the liquid from the nozzles of the head with the atmosphere communicating hole closed by the opening and closing valve is carried out. Thereafter, the opening and closing valve opens the atmosphere communicating hole. Accordingly, the liquid is prevented from being leaked out from the sub tank when the main tank is removed.

Abstract: A door is constructed with a separate member joined to the door edge by a tongue-and-groove coupling and screws so as to be readily removable and replaceable. The separate member sustains the impacts imparted to the door by carts or wagons pushed past the door and can be readily replaced when damaged, thus avoiding replacement of the entire door. A flexible cover snaps over the outer surface of the separate member to add impact resistance and aesthetic appeal. Intumescent strips may be inserted inside or outside of the cover to enhance sealing between the door, and as adjacent door or door frame, thereby improving the fire resistance rating of the door. Accent strips or reveals of contrasting or complementary colors may be incorporated to add to the aesthetic appeal of the door. The door construction is of particular utility in schools, health care facilities and other institutions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods that may offer protection from irritants as well as antimicrobial protection. Preferred embodiments of the invention include topical antimicrobial compositions that lack conventional antibiotics or preservatives, wherein the antimicrobial benefit is created by essential oils (or their active ingredients), emollient solvents and, in some instances, anti-inflammatory agents.