Abstract: A strap cutting and removing device comprising a pole having a handle end and a gripping and cutting mechanism connected to a gripping actuating means. The device is capable of holding and cutting a strap, wherein the strap remains held as the strap is severed. A method for removing straps is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved die for use in textile processes involving nonwoven melt blown fabrics. In a melt blown process, molten polymer resins are injected into a melt blowing die and ejected or extruded from the die in the form of filaments. The present invention is directed to an improved die faceplate in combination with an extension plate that provides an extended flow path for an air jet to extrude a molten polymer filament of a reduced diameter in the melt blowing process.

Abstract: A cocktail reagent preparation for the rapid production of serum contains thrombin, snake venom, and protamine sulfate. The preparation employs very small quantities of clot promoting substances which behave in a synergistic manner such that rapid clotting of highly heparinized blood is achieved without altering the chemical analysis of the blood enzymes, proteins, sugars, or electrolytes. Thus, clinicians who rely upon the results of such tests can more closely monitor organ and tissue function and adjust patient therapies accordingly.

Abstract: A method and system for testing a circuit. A test program is downloaded into the circuit, which causes the circuit to provide a serial test output pattern comprising a series of identical signals to indicate whether the circuit passes the test. Signals of the test output pattern are compared against corresponding signals of an expected test output pattern only for non-masked signals of the expected test output pattern, wherein the expected test output pattern is masked for a maximum tolerable time period around an expected test output pattern start time.

Abstract: A modular plug is provided having a dielectric housing including a first end and a second end. The first end defines an electrical connector section having signal conductors arranged to mate with a modular jack. At least two substantially planar blades are positioned adjacent to one another in the first end such that a dielectric wall is positioned between the blades with an edge portion of each of the blades being electrically and mechanically accessible, wherein each of the blades is aligned with one of the signal conductors. A modular jack is provided that includes an insulating body having an interior cavity communicating with a modular plug receiving opening formed in a front end of the body for receiving a complementary modular plug. A plurality of openings in the body communicate with the cavity and are sized and shaped to each receive a jack contact. A plurality of jack contacts are mounted within the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) comprising one substantially transparent electrode (12), a second shielded electrode (10) where the document (26) is to be placed between the first and second electrodes (12, 10), an optical device (18) capable of generating a rapid optical pulse that would be incident upon the document and an electrical impulse detection device connected to the second electrode (10) for detecting charge given off by the piezoelectric material in response to the optical pulse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a die nosepiece for use in textile processes involving nonwoven melt blow fabrics. In a melt blown process, molten polymer resins are injected into a melt blown die and ejected from the die in the form of filaments. The present invention is directed to an improved die nosepiece comprising a slit with serrated edges through which resin filaments are ejected.

Abstract: In block based video compression, a frame is divided into blocks which define a tiling pattern. The tiling pattern is varied from frame-to-frame to prevent an accumulation of errors which tend to appear at tile edges and can increase over time when using block-based compression. In a preferred embodiment, a normal frame is padded by a border all around the normal frame size. The padding is operable to extend any blocks around the periphery of the image frame which might be smaller in dimension than the standard blocks, such as those within the interior of the frame, such that they can be treated by the block-based compression systems as full size blocks.

Abstract: A capillary writing medium colorant reservoir system for a writing instrument and process for producing the colorant reservoir. The main problem in such colorant reservoirs is the storage time. During this time, the writing capacity of new writing instruments declines since the walls of the writing instruments are, if only slightly, permeable to solvents. In the long run a stored writing instrument thus dries out and loses the major proportion of its original writing capacity. To this end, the invention has a colorant reservoir with an elongated reservoir body made of fibrous material. The reservoir body is surrounded by a sleeve which is permeable to liquids and gases and gives the reservoir body its shape. The reservoir stores colorant to produce liquid writing medium, the colorant being stored between the fibers of the fibrous material of the reservoir body in dry form. A single-part or multipart wick projects from either side of the reservoir body.

Abstract: An injector for medical use, in particular with semisolid substances, the injector comprising a case and at least one injection electric motor pressing against a piston acting on the moving end of a cartridge, the motor being movable in translation inside the body in order to exert force on the axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating an access identifier (ID) for a communications line of a communications network capable of providing a relatively low bandwidth channel and at least one relatively high bandwidth channel over the communication line. According to one embodiment, a virtual circuit is established with an access ID server using the relatively low bandwidth channel. An access ID is requested from the access ID server over the virtual circuit that will enable a circuit to be established using the at least one relatively high bandwidth channel.

Abstract: A digital cross-connect module with a housing formed of two portions which slidably engage one another. One of the portions includes tabs which engage slots formed in the other portion. The two portions are formed of plastic, so the module housing is lighter and easier to produce than conventional housings. The housing contains a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB has a first plurality of jacks adjacent the front of the housing and a second plurality of jacks adjacent the rear of the housing for cross-connecting digital signals.

Abstract: A wavelength-stabilized laser system includes a laser that produces a laser light. The laser light has an amplitude and a wavelength that varies with the temperature of the laser and/or a bias signal provided to the laser. A temperature control device controls the temperature of the laser. A first detector outputs a first signal representing an amplitude of a laser light. A filter receives the laser light and outputs a filtered light having an amplitude that varies with the wavelength of the laser light. A second detector outputs a second signal representing the amplitude of the filtered light. An electromagnetic radiation source transmits electromagnetic radiation through the filter and through a diverging lens. A third detector receives the electromagnetic radiation that passes through the diverging lens. The second detector may be between the diverging lens and the third detector. The third detector outputs a third signal representing an amplitude of the electromagnetic radiation.