Abstract: An improved web-winding means with a durable thermoplastic polyester resin or polyester resin blend support structure and web capture slot (gate) formed in an interior portion of the support structure. The interior portion is joined to an inner annular surface that has increased lubricity, toughness and creep resistance resulting in decreased debris generation plus increased structural integrity and dimensional stability.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for changing the width of an internal die cavity (12) to accommodate product width changes has a die end plate (14) with a front surface facing the internal die cavity (12), a rear surface and defines an opening that extends through the front and rear surfaces. An internal deckle mounting block (16) attaches to the rear surface of end plate (14). An internal deckle has inner (18) and outer (20) members and mounts on the mounting block (16). Inner member (18) extends through the opening of the die end plate (14) and defines a chamber (22) and a first longitudinal slot (24). The outer member (20) is positioned about the inner member (18) concentric therewith and defines a second longitudinal slot (26). The inner member (18) rotates about the outer member (20) to vary alignment of the slots and create a passageway narrower than either slot to control coating thickness.

Abstract: A nanocomposite optical plastic article has a plastic host material with a temperature sensitive optical vector (x) and a core shell nanoparticulate material dispersed into the plastic host material. The core shell nanoparticulate material is characterized by a core defined by a nanoparticulate material which has a temperature sensitive optical vector (x1) and a shell defined by a coating material layer coated onto the core. It is important to the invention that temperature sensitive vector (x1) is directionally opposed to the temperature sensitive optical vector (x) and nshell<nplastic host<ncore.

Abstract: An optical nanocomposite material has a nanoparticulate filler dispersed in a host plastic material. According to the method of making the nanocomposite material, a predetermined temperature sensitive optical vector, such as refractive index, of the plastic host material and nanoparticulate filler are directionally opposed resulting in a nanocomposite material having significantly improved stability of the refractive index with respect to temperature.

Abstract: A flame front diverter element is designed to cause a minimal pressure drop under normal venting conditions when process vapors need to pass through the explosion protection system and to other equipment connected to the manifold system. In the event of a deflagration, the flame front diverter directs the high-speed pressure wave towards a bi-directional rupturable disc causing the rupturable disc to open thus creating an aspiration effect on the opposite bi-directional rupturable disc.

Abstract: A method of constructing a liquid crystal display element or similar article of manufacture includes providing a first transparent substrate bondable to a second transparent substrate. The second transparent substrate has a plurality of vias passing through opposing active faces. A dispensing technique is used to fill the vias void-free with an optical grade adhesive material to form the LCD element.

Abstract: A method for controlling widthwise contraction of a conveyed web utilizes a serpentine web conveyance path. Web conveyance path may be formed by opposing first web carrier belts and opposing second web carrier belts forming a generally serpentine transport path for supporting opposite lateral edges of the conveyed web.

Abstract: An apparatus and method having short stroke motion for gripping and releasing an object utilizes a programmable stepper motor for controlling various short stroke, generally arcuate motions of the gripper. Gears associated with each of the at least one gripper jaws supported on a carrier shaft engage a common ring gear that is driven by drive means including the stepper motor which imparts synchronous motion of the grippers for opening and closing about the object.

Abstract: A process for producing a zirconia ceramic having a tetragonal phase crystal grain structure includes compacting a powder including zirconium oxide and dopant in the presence of binder to form a green part; and sintering the green part. The part is sintered and cooled at specific rates in specific increments to obtain the tetragonal crystal structure.

Abstract: A postacquired spectrophotometer, for use with a sample and reference. The spectrophotometer has a filter unit, defining an axis of movement, and pluralities of designated sites and dark sites disposed in uniform relation to the axis. The designated and dark sites are disposed in alternation. Alternating designated sites have apertures and filters covering the apertures. Further, a main member, coaxial with the filter unit, has sample and reference beam paths, which are intersected by the sites. The main member has disposed, in operative relation to the actuators, an actuator sensor, which generates an integration actuator signal upon alignment with each integration actuator and a clamping actuator signal upon alignment with each clamping actuator. Moreover, a drive continuously moves the filter unit relative to the axis and beam paths.

Abstract: An interface device (10) connects in a light tight manner a feeding device (11) with a receiving station (12) fitted with a feed opening (13) and a driving device (60) liable to move a web (153) inserted into the feed opening (13) with a given tension force. Provided are first means for connecting the interface device (10) to the feeding device (11) and a second means for connecting the interface device (10) to the receiving station (12). A driving roller (42) is provided for pulling the web (153) out of the feeding device (11) in order to form a loop (53) which controls a regulating system (56). Regulating system (56) controls the speed of the rotation of motor (41) connected to driving roller (42).

Abstract: An apparatus 10 and method for removing contaminants from a web conveying roller 12 in a machine enclosure 14 comprises a cleaning head 16 that is manually operably controlled external to the machine enclosure 14 so as to resist introducing foreign contaminants into the machine enclosure 14 and reduce environmental emissions. The cleaning head 16 slidably moves lengthwise along the roller to a predetermined location under the influence of first rotatable shaft 30 and is urged into contact with the roller 12 and retracted therefrom under the influence of second rotatable shaft 40.

Abstract: An apparatus, and a method for its use, for measuring particulate contamination on a web (10) in a web-cleaning system having means for contacting and removing particles from the web (12). The means for contacting and removing particles has a particle-collecting surface (14). A light source (16) is positioned to direct a light beam against the particle-collecting surface. A sensor (18) senses the intensity of light reflected from the particle collecting surface and generates a signal R.sub.0 representative of the initial reflected light intensity prior to particle collection by the particle collecting surface and a signal R.sub.f representative of the reflected light intensity after particle collection by the particle collecting surface, the difference between R.sub.0 and R.sub.f being a measure of the particulate contamination level on the web.

Abstract: A high impact resistant package system 10 for a container of fragile products, such as X-ray cassettes, has a plurality of shock absorbing polyethylene plastic foam corner protector members 12 mounted on corner edges 14,16,20,22 of the container. Alternatively, a flexible material layer 50 overwraps the product container 18 and corner protector members 12, thereby forming a unitized package system. Portions of the corner protector members 12 extend beyond the corner edges 14,16,20,22 and sides of the container so as to fully absorb exposure to shock during handling and shipment. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible layer 50 is provided with a peelable strip 40. An end portion 42 of the strip 40 is allowed to extend through an aperture 44 formed in the flexible layer 50. In this embodiment, access to the container is gained by grasping the end portion 42 of strip 40 and pulling it away from the container 18.

Abstract: A pallet assembly 10 with a select container 16, 18, 20, or 22 thereon comprises a body member 11 having a rear face 12 and front face 14, and sidewalls 48 supportably surrounding the rear and front faces 12, 14. In an alternative embodiment, a face plate 27 having a plurality of contoured openings 32 is affixed to rear face 12. Rear face 12 has at least one cavity 24 and a base 26 extending upwardly into cavity 24 defining a container receptacle 28. Front face 14 has at least one cavity 30 having a base 34 extending inwardly of cavity 30 and means cooperatively associated with the cavity 30 for defining a container receptacle 36 in front face 14. In practice, either the front face 14 or rear face 14 can be used to transport and store thereon a select container 16, 18, 20. 22.

Abstract: A flexible fiber optic illuminator 10 for inspecting an interior space, comprises a thin fiber optic element 12 composed of a plurality of optic fibers 20 arranged in at least one substantially planar layer having front and back sides 32,34. Thin stiffner members 24,26 are arranged adjacent to the optic fibers 20 to provide reinforcement. First and second layers 28,30 of adhesive material having adhering means on one side only, are fixedly adhered to the back and front sides of the planar layer 22. A protective jacket 36 for optic fibers 20 and stiffner members 24,26 is therefore defined by first and second adhesive layers 28,30. A light source 14 coupled to the fiber optic element 12 is provided for illuminating the optic fibers 20.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer is described, comprising a single light source, a single detector, optics for dually and alternatively reading a sample and a reference, and only one moving part. That moving part is a chopper containing multiple pass-through apertures, each filled with a unique bandpass filter to select wavelengths to specifically illuminate the sample or reference. To inform the spectrophotometer whether and when it is reading the sample or the reference, trigger means are provided in at least twice the number of the pass-through apertures.

Abstract: A cap is attached to a mold core with a T-shaped connector instead of screws. The core cap has an air distribution channel and the core has cooling fluid distribution channels which are maximized by using the T-connector. The fluid distribution channels promote maximum cooling of the core, and, along with the air distribution channel, facilitates ejection of small articles from the mold.

Abstract: A device for monitoring for fluid leakage in a double stem seal valve (24). The valve housing (25), stem (28), primary stem seal (30), and secondary stem seal (34) define a chamber (36) bounded therebetween. A pressure gauge (44) having a pointer (48) for registering and retaining a maximum pressure reading is mounted on the valve (24) and via a port (38) is in fluid communication with the chamber (36). Fluid leakage into the chamber (36) sufficient to increase the chamber pressure can be registered and retained by the pointer (48), indicating the failure of the primary stem seal (30) and the occurrence of a leak.