Abstract: An apparatus for separating flexible packages has a first stage. The first stage has an inclined conveyor having a lower end for receiving flexible packages and an upper end. The inclined conveyor has an inclination sufficient for causing an overlying flexible package to slide relatively to an underlying flexible package as the flexible packages travel from the lower end to the upper end. A drum is rotatably mounted for receiving the flexible packages from the upper end. The drum has a plurality of radially extending resilient paddles for successively engaging and carrying the flexible packages as the drum rotates. The successive engagements and rotation vibratingly separate the flexible packages and discharges a stream of substantially separated flexible packages.

Abstract: An overlap processor receives and temporarily stores a plurality of aligned scan lines. Each scan line is representative of a lane or zone of an image. The processor sequentially reads the plurality of scan lines and then synchronously and selectively outputs the scan lines producing an output comprising one scan line representative of one lane or zone plus a predetermined amount of scan line data from an adjacent lane or zone or both adjacent lanes or zones.

Abstract: A power supply includes a fuel cell stack, a thermoelectric module and a burner module. The fuel cell stack generates a primary source of electricity and secondary source of heat. The thermoelectric module generates a secondary source of electricity. The burner module is juxtaposed to the fuel cell stack and the thermoelectric module, to provide primary heat to the system and to generate a temperature differential across the thermoelectric module, and to pre-heat a fuel and an oxidant for the fuel cell stack. The burner module is regulated to maintain a given system temperature, or when needed by the thermoelectric generator for secondary power generation.

Abstract: A closure for a container such as a paper cup. The container has an extended upper border having a series of crease lines extending downwardly from an upper edge, which when folded inwardly form a series of rectangles, each having a diagonal corner portion to form a closure panel. The panels may be displaced inwardly of the border in a mutually overlapping relation to close the container. By selecting a fold-over angle greater than neutral, the panels will converge in a mutual reactive relation to converge and lock in an inclined closure cone. The crease lines incorporate an adjoining reinforcing band to fold over within the upper border to form a reinforced band therearound. The containers are stackable when in an unfolded or partially unfolded condition.

Abstract: A feminine menstrual hygiene product has an absorbent pad. The pad is in a folded condition. The pad is folded longitudinally and transversely and then folded diagonally presenting an interlabial insert and orthogonally opposed panels. The pad is tacked to retain the absorbent pad in the folded condition. The interlabial insert is positionable fully within the vestibule of a wearer to occlude menstrual fluids. The pad is covered by a hydrophobic web overlying the interlabial insert and opposed panels and an impermeable membrane underlying the opposed panels.

Abstract: An adjustable socket for removing threaded fasteners has a split collet socket, a collet ring and an outer barrel. The split collet ring has at least two fingers. The collet ring is mounted about ends of the fingers. The outer barrel threadably engages the split collet socket and frictionally engages the collet ring. Rotating the barrel relative to the split collet socket in one sense urges the collet ring to close the fingers for gripping a head of the threaded fastener. Continued rotation of the barrel in the one sense increases the grip and applies a torque to the threaded fastener for removal thereof. Counter rotation of the barrel relative to the split collet socket relaxes the collet ring allowing removal of the head of the threaded fastener.

Abstract: A method for generating 3D data of an object using a laser projector uses the steps of calibrating at least two laser projectors to a known coordinate system relative to an object; projecting a first laser beam along a path to a point on the object; placing a reflection target at the point for reflecting the first laser beam for generating a first feedback signal indicative of the first laser beam hitting the reflective target; calculating first vector coordinates of the path of the first laser beam; projecting a second laser beam towards the point; moving the second laser beam in a predetermined pattern until the second laser beam reflects off of the reflective target generating a second feedback signal indicative of the second laser beam hitting the reflective target; calculating second vector coordinates of the path of the second laser beam; triangulating the first vector coordinates with the second vector coordinates establishing a digitized 3D coordinate of the point relative to the coordinate system; re

Abstract: There is provided a novel class of additives, specifically coals, which are useful in zinc extraction processes involving one or more pressure leach stages carried out at temperatures above the melting point of sulphur. Such processes may include those incorporating a single stage pressure leach, a process involving two stage countercurrent or cocurrent pressure leaches or a multistage leach process for recovering zinc, lead and silver from zinc bearing sulphidic materials which also contain lead and silver.

Abstract: A gas burner for use in gas fireplaces provides a yellow flickering flame such as that seen in a real wood fire while maintaining a low level of carbon monoxide production. The gas burner is simple in design and compact in size and may be used in either direct vent or gravity vent gas fireplaces. An air baffle plate may be affixed to the rear of the gas burner to maintain the critical balance between primary and secondary combustion air when using liquid propane gas.

Abstract: A fractionation apparatus has a displaceable piston operably mounted for displacing liquids from a centrifuge tube as the piston is inserted therein. The fractionation apparatus has a collection tip which has a seal for sealingly engaging an inner wall of the tube and has an axially extending passageway for passing liquids from within the tube to a collector as the piston is inserted into the tube. The passageway is generally a trumpet shape having a wide end and a narrow end. The wide end is presented to the liquids and the narrow end connects to the collector. The trumpet shape enhances laminar flow through the collection tip and reduced unwanted mixing between layers during fractionation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for forming a T-shaped slot a sheet of material. The sheet of material is clamped to a top surface of an arbor. The arbor has a uniform T-shaped cross section having two undersides of the T-shape. The sheet of material is first formed into an inverted U-shape and then the sheet of material is bent to conform to the undersides of the arbor forming the T-shaped slot. The arbor is withdrawn from an open end of the formed T-shaped slot.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly has a housing having a central passageway including a pressure chamber and a vacuum chamber. The pressure chamber is connectable with a pressure source and the vacuum chamber is connectable with a vacuum source. The pressure chamber and vacuum chamber are in fluid communication with each other. A bearing assembly has an outer race rigidly mounted within the pressure chamber and an inner race for frictionally engaging the drill bit. A bracket mounts the housing with the drill bit extending through the central passageway. A seal is formed between the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber as fluid, such as air, from the pressure source flows into the pressure chamber to the vacuum chamber for exhausting to the vacuum source.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning an object includes a fixed vertical frame and a carriage to support the object. The carriage includes a first end with rollers to engage the frame and a second end with a bearing to engage a floor or other surface. Also at the second end is a gate which can be moved from a position wherein it is parallel to said carriage to a position wherein it is perpendicular to said carriage. A drive operates a cable linkage to move the first end of the carriage along the frame and to rotate driven wheels in the bearing to move the carriage between vertical and horizontal positions.

Abstract: Selective demetallization of an etchable metal layer supported on a polymeric material or other microwave transparent material, or a self-supporting etchable metal layer, particularly aluminum of thickness at least about 1 micron adhesively joined to a flexible polymeric material substrate, is described. A web of polymeric material bearing the etchable metal layer, or an unsupported etchable metal layer, has a pattern of etchant-resistant material first applied and then the web is immersed in and passed through a bath aqueous etchant, particularly hot aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, for a time at least sufficient completely remove the etchable metal from non-protected areas of the web. The demetallized web is washed and dried. Specific structure incorporating the selectively demetallized etchable metal layer also are described.

Abstract: A device for controlling an AC output with an AC load from an AC supply comprises a power amplifier module connected to the AC supply and a control module in communication with the AC supply and the power amplifier module. The power amplifier module converts an AC supply to DC and then converts the DC to an AC output. The control module extracts predetermined characteristics, such as current, voltage and frequency from the AC supply and compares the predetermined characteristics with stored load characteristics of the AC load. The control module responsively triggers the power amplifier module to generate an output waveform of the AC output substantially in phase with respect to the AC supply.

Abstract: A screen module for a size reduction machine has a rigid screen having a tapered apertured wall formed in a frusto-conical shape. The rigid screen has an open wide end and a flat end. The wide end is mountable within a channel of the size reduction machine at a predetermined distance from a complementarily shaped impeller. The module has a fine screen nested within the rigid screen and against the tapered apertured wall. The fine screen has a wide end and a narrow end corresponding to the apertured wall. An adaptor disc is releasably secured within the rigid screen at the flat end. The adaptor has a tapered outer perimeter for seating against the tapered apertured wall when the adaptor disc is secured within the rigid screen, clamping the narrow end of the fine screen therebetween. A clamp ring is releasably secured at the open wide end of the rigid screen.

Abstract: A transit packaging having a reduced content includes a blank of a corrugated cardboard having flutes in a longitudinal direction. A first and second transverse score are made at opposite end regions of the blank defining side panels of the packaging. A plurality of longitudinally aligned pairs of notches are at opposite ends of the blank. A retainer releasably retains like containers onto the blank preventing relative sliding movement. A plurality of straps, each positioned in one of the aligned pairs of notches, wraps about the blank when the like containers are retained on the blank.