Abstract: Loose tube fiber optic cable containing a core of S-Z stranded strands comprising optical fibers having first and second alternatively repeating first and second sections, and a sheath circumscribing the core. The ROL transition points defined by the junctures of first and second strand sections along the length of the cable have been provided at an optimized reduced distance therebetween that is approximately 1/2 of the longitudinal length of the sheath entry window created during mid-span entry of the loose tube fiber optic cable. Thus, at least one (1) ROL transition point will be located within the sheath entry window during mid-span entry access to the cable, and most suitably either two (2) or three (3) ROL transition points will be located.

Abstract: A system, method, device, and/or computer program product for remotely managing a plurality of remote mail processing devices. The system comprises receiving means for receiving operation related information from each of said plurality of remote mail processing devices. The system also includes monitoring means for remotely monitoring operation related information from each of said plurality of remote mail processing devices. Features of the present invention include the ability to create threshold settings for separate mail processing devices and individual jobs running on the separate mail processing devices. Violations of the threshold settings will result in an alarm indicating deviation from pre-set job goals. A user also has the ability to remotely create, maintain, and communicate valid mail processing device operator lists for specified mail processing devices.

Abstract: Magnetic Vector Steering (MVS) and Half-Cycle Amplitude Modulation (HCAM) are novel techniques which enhance the powering and control of multiple arbitrarily oriented implant devices. Together, these techniques enable arbitrarily oriented implants to receive power and command, programming, and control information in an efficient manner that preserves battery life and transmission time while reducing overall implant device bulk. By steering the aggregate magnetic field from a near-orthogonal set of AC-energized coils, selected implants can be powered or communicated with at desired times. Communication with individual implants can also be enhanced through half-cycle amplitude modulation--a technique that allows bit rates up to twice the energizing frequency. Unlike prior art systems, power and data transfer can be realized over the same frequency channel.

Abstract: A portable applicator for dispensing flowable material from a container, the applicator comprising a carrying frame for wearing by a user and for supporting a container such that a valve of the container faces substantially downwardly; an inlet mounted to said carrying frame for sealable engagement with a valve of a container for receiving material from the container when the valve thereof is in an open condition thereof; and a dispenser outlet communicating with said inlet for dispensing material received via said inlet.

Abstract: An improved filter media that is stable in both the lengthwise and widthwise directions and that does not stretch or similarly distort during pressure stops and starts. The filter media is formed from a circular knitted felt fabric having a napped face and a knitted back.

Abstract: A smudge-free sheet material handling apparatus and method are disclosed. The device moves sheet material by only pushing on the edges of the sheet material. Since there is no toner or ink at these locations, the sheet material can be fed without risk of smudging the toner material on the sheet surfaces. Furthermore, since no high friction parts come into relative contact/movement with the surfaces of the sheet material, smudging is even further reduced.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna has four equally spaced monopole elements mounted in a symmetric array on the outer surface of a solid cylinder structure. The cylinder has a high dielectric constant, and extends from a conductive ground plane. The monopole elements can be switched by switching elements so that one or more is active, with the others acting as parasitic directors/reflectors being connected commonly to ground or left in an open circuit condition to be effectively transparent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swaging method and apparatus for swaging flemish eye splices. In particular, the invention concerns the production of swaged joints in which, by virtue of providing ferrules (5) and swage blocks (16, 17) of a particular construction, during a swaging operation displaced material of the ferrule (5) is channeled into the swage blocks, rather than out of them, and hence ovality of the swaged ferrule is avoided. In this manner, the swage blocks (16, 17) can be brought fully home in a single operation until top and bottom flats (10e, 10f) of the ferrule (5) are in contact with top and bottom flats of the swage blocks (16, 17).

Abstract: The method of this invention is directed to a treatment of depression in men and women by administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of chromium in a pharmaceutically acceptable form. Chromium, preferably in the form of chromium picolinate, is administered to the patient at dosages in a preferred range of about 200 to about 500 micrograms chromium.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for managing a plurality of mail processing devices are provided. A mail insertion device is represented on a computer display as an interactive icon. Visible indicia is associated with each icon for displaying in real time operational status information about the mail inserting machine represented by the icon. The indicia changes appearance in response to a change in the operation related information received from the respective mail insertion machine. Each interactive icon is responsive to user actions for displaying selective operation related information about a respective mail insertion device.

Abstract: A stager interface apparatus and method for staging two-up printed material are disclosed. The stager interface apparatus and method, in the form of a cutter stager, by independently holding each piece of printed material, allow side-by-side printed material to be released downstream either simultaneously or sequentially dependent upon downstream requirements.

Abstract: A carpal tunnel release apparatus and method including a surgical knife including an elongated handle having a forward portion and a rearward portion with the forward portion of the handle terminating in a cutting head. The cutting head has top edge and a bottom edge with the cutting head terminating in a substantially linear cutting edge extending from proximate the bottom edge of the cutting head toward the top edge of the cutting head. The cutting edge intersects and forms an angle with an upper guide finger which is the only structure which projects forwardly past the plane of the cutting edge and which at least partially forms the top edge of the cutting head. The guide apparatus includes an elongated bar defining one or more elongated grooves therein.

Abstract: A method of generating a residence time measurement of a particulate-containing food product while passing the product as a continuous stream through a thermal processing apparatus is described. The method includes the steps of inserting at least one detectable particle, and preferably many detectable particles, tagged with at least one magnetic implant into the stream at pre-selected intervals; detecting the at least one implant using at least one sensor located at a detection point downstream from a location of the inserting of the at least one detectable particle; determining a time of passage of the at least one detectable particle in the stream using output from the at least one sensor; and generating a residence time measurement for the stream using the time of passage for the at least one detectable particle. The method also includes the use of multiple sensors for detecting the implants. A suitable system and detectable particle for carrying the method are also described.

Abstract: A telephone having a speaker, microphone, processor, control unit, inhibit unit, and audible indicator. When the telephone is used to communicate conventionally with another telephone, for example to enable respective users to speak to each other, electronic signals corresponding to the speech are transmitted to and received by the telephone at an input and output, respectively. The processor electronically processes the signals. Signals from incoming calls are relayed from the input to the speaker, and signals from outgoing calls are relayed from the microphone to the output. The control unit identifies the presence of a command signal with the incoming calls. If a user of another telephone wishes to call the telephone, the user dials the number of the telephone in the conventional way.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying additional momentum to the movement of a body adapted to reciprocate or flex through a substantially linear or arcuate path, notably of increasing the impact velocity of a linearly travelling weight upon an object. The apparatus includes an element for retracting the body from its rest position, notably for retracting a weight from the point of impact between the weight and an object located at the rest position of the weight and an element for biasing the body towards its rest position, notably for urging the weight towards the object so as to impart additional impact velocity to the weight as it travels toward the object. The apparatus is characterized in that: a) the element for biasing the body towards its rest position is an elastic polymeric material which is retained under tension or compression when the body is in its rest position; and b) the biasing element is one which undergoes strain crystallization. Also a method for breaking or penetrating a surface using the apparatus.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant cash acceptor for paper currency is provided for use with dispensing apparatus, and more particularly fuel dispensing apparatus. The tamper-resistant cash acceptor comprises a cash acceptor with forwardly removable cash cassette, a mounting bracket, a door actuator mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The cash acceptor can be moved relative to the mounting bracket from a forwardly oriented operating position to a lowered and rearwardly oriented cash cassette removal position and cash acceptor servicing position by movement of the door actuator mechanism from an upright and closed position to a laterally extending and open position. The locking mechanism is operatively associated with the door actuator mechanism and serves to interlockingly engage together the door actuator mechanism, the mounting bracket, and the cash acceptor when the cash acceptor is positioned in its forward and raised operating position in order to prevent access to the cash acceptor.