Abstract: A method for making sheets and/or plates that are thermoformable as of a temperature of 80-90° C. and heat-tackifiable as of 80-90° C., and suitable for use as a heat-tackifiable reinforcing material. According to the method, 30-70 wt % of granules of one or more polymers that have a low melting point (50-90° C.) and are thermoformable as of 80-90° C. are mixed with 70-30 wt % of one or more polymers with a higher melting or softening point, in the form of granules or a powder having a particle size greater than around 500 &mgr;m, and preferably of 500-1000 &mgr;m, both kinds of polymers being thermoplastic and at least partially compatible, and optionally with the usual additives; the mixture is extruded under low-shear conditions at low temperatures of 100-140° C.

Abstract: Authenticating an object includes marking the object with a mark containing at least two markers wherein each marker fluoresces when illuminated with one of UV and IR, but does not fluoresce when illuminated with visible light. The marking may be in the form of a bar code containing a number or alphanumeric codes uniquely identifying the object to be marked with the particular mixture of markers used. A spectral analysis of the marking ink or the code is used to define spectral peaks for use as part of the authentication signature. The authentication signature may be defined using the identified peaks and logical conditions imposed upon them such as minimum threshold amplitude values and ratio values among peaks.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the reduction of particulate material generation by workpiece handling components. Reduced levels of scratching, abrasion, wear and particulate generation are achieved by improved smoothing and flattening of the surface and, in a preferred embodiment, through the application of an ion beam assisted diamond-like-carbon film coating deposition.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for virtual memory mapping and transaction management for an object-oriented data base system having at least one permanent storage means for storing data and at least one data base, at least one cache memory for locally storing data addressed by physical addresses, and a processing unit including means for requesting data utilizing virtual addresses to access data in the cache memory, means for mapping virtual addresses to physical addresses and means for retaining the cached data after the conclusion of a transaction. The apparatus and method further provide that data retained in the cache across transactions will often not need further translation, referred to as forward relocation.

Abstract: Capacitive discharge system for ignitors of internal combustion engines with one ignition coil (T) per ignitor with one or more capacitors (6) and shunt switch means (5) associated with each such coil, together forming a coil primary ignition circuit of Type II topology and resonance oscillation capability, each switch means being a series combination of shunt diode (D) means and switch (SD) across the coils primary winding, with a voltage drop element (Vdb) across switch SD, the system constructed to produce capacitive ignition initial spark discharge of duration less than a quarter period of the resonance oscillation of the primary ignition circuit followed by an essentially triangular distribution decaying spark discharge of longer duration than the initial discharge, with switch SD to be turned off near or after spark circuit zero to divert residual primary discharge circuit through the voltage drop element.

Abstract: A non-rigid object holder unit for use in examination of an object, the unit having a base support, a member movably mounted with respect to the base support to accommodate various sized object. A removable resilient membrane is attached to the first member forming an inflatable component for holding the object to be examined between the inflatable component and the base support. A pressure system operably connected to the inflatable component for controllably inflating the inflatable component. A source of electromagnetic radiation optically associated with the base support and inflatable component for providing a beam of light to the object and an optical detecting system optically aligned with the source of electromagnetic radiation for receiving the electromagnetic radiation passing through and/or being backscattered from the object. In addition, both the base support and member containing the inflatable component are movable together to accommodate various sized patients.

Abstract: An integrated circuit testing apparatus includes a probe card and a probe unit. The probe unit includes a plurality of conductive elastic bumps and a plurality of conductors positioned to conduct signals from the bumps to the probe card. The testing apparatus can further includes a substrate disposed between the probe card and the probe unit, and a flexible member disposed adjacent the substrate.

Abstract: A high efficiency high voltage ignition coil with segmented high voltage bobbin (15) with the last few bays (16,17,18) having fewer secondary winding turns than the average and thicker flanges separating the bays, and further including an inductor (20) of inductance at least 0.5 mH with a core material which is lossy in the 100 KHz to 1 MHz range, the inductor located between the end of the high voltage winding and the spark gap (7b) so as to reduce the peak voltages across the last few high voltage bays immediately following the spark gap breakdown.

Abstract: A light assembly includes a linear light source has a longitudinal axis and a refractor and/or a reflector. A main refractor extends along the length of the light source and parallel thereto. The main refractor has a rear portion coated with a reflecting material in a desired pattern extending along the length of the main refractor.

Abstract: A method and means of dispensing T-shirt type plastic bags from a rack mounted beneath a counter from a tray which slides horizontally into an existing industry standard rack which interlocks with the rack but when needed for loading, can be pulled forward, tilted downward, and loaded with bags and slid back into the rack, where it will align, hold and dispense bags. Optionally, a new frame can be mounted under the counter and a second tray (similar to the first tray) is held within the same frame so that it can hold two different size bags, allowing one frame to dispense two different size bags. Alternatively, a frame can be made to hold only one tray if space is limited. In all three forms the horizontal tray slides forward and tilts downward to receive pads of plastic bags. Only the T-shirt handles and the upper half of the bags are contained within the frame or rack. The lower half of the bags drape over and downward from the front of the rack.

Abstract: The invention comprises measuring or responsive instruments, including (but not limited to) viscometers, having a music wire (20) or like high tensile wire support between driving/driven shaft assemblies (18, 16) and appropriate mounting to eliminate drag, friction, radial misalignment, vibration problems, especially at high rotational speeds, and afford an enhanced accuracy and speed of measurement or other response of the instrument as a whole, including such specific features allowing large angular deflections or small ones (full scale under one degree) and axial and radial rigidity. The instrument can also be used with a plate for cone plate, oscillation and normal force measurements.

Abstract: A lighting assembly which includes light source means and collimating means for substantially collimating the light from the source. There are transmission means for transmitting the substantially collimated light to a point remote from the collimating means, and, in one arrangement, having an upper section which allows transmission of light therethrough and a lower section which reflects light. Light direction modifying means such as a lens or a reflector is located in the transmission means and remote from the collimating means for receiving light from the collimating means and modifying the direction of the light to pass outside of the transmission means through the light-transmitting section. The light direction modifying means includes a large plurality of prisms on the outer surface thereof. The prisms may be arranged so that the radii of several adjacent ones substantially meet at a point, thereby to form a “wave” lens.

Abstract: A pressure operated normally closed control valve operates to open at a predetermined pressure between the system minimum and maximum pressures to open the valve and allow the discharge of condensate from the system which has a source of pressure to provide a minimum and a maximum pressure. The system is subject to the formation of condensate. There is an inline filter at the inlet end of the valve and a discharge nozzle at the outlet end of the valve. The entrance to the discharge nozzle may also have a filter. The assembly can also be arranged so that the control valve is normally open and operates to open at a predetermined pressure at or below the system minimum pressure whereby condensate is removed, and to close the valve and prevent the discharge of condensate from the system when the pressure falls below the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: From a quasi point source, light distribution means produce a selected one or ones of broadly distributed ambient light, non-shadowing task illumination, multi-beam display lighting, projective lineal lighting and projective surface washing illumination lineally or radially distributed. Collimation optics shape light from a quasi point source into a disc of selected axial thickness. Containment optics contain divergence of and direct light from the collimation optics to distribution optics. The distribution optics modulates and redirects the radiant energy into a shape or shapes useful in illuminating architectural space. The distribution optics may reflect or refract light to direct and shape it for a particular architectural illumination requirement. The efficient combination of the optics provides for a system of minimized thickness, permitting maximum flexibility in integration with or within shelves, soffits and other structural members.

Abstract: A product authentication system and method employs a unique mark that is simple and cost-effective to apply, but provides several layers of protection, including anti-counterfeit and anti-diversion, against counterfeiters. The unique mark contains a product control code that is printed in invisible ink comprising a UV ink and an IR ink. The first layer of protection is invisibility. The second layer of protection is the code itself. The third layer of protection is the presence of the IR ink in the invisible code. The fourth layer of protection is the IR emitting characteristics of the invisible code.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods to carry out the task of both reducing the surface roughness (smoothing) and improving the thickness uniformity of, preferably, but not limited thereto, the top silicon film of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer or similar thin-film electronic and photonic materials (workpiece). It also provides a method and apparatus for smoothing the surface of a (preferably) SOI wafer (workpiece) and for making the surface of the silicon film of a (preferably) SOI wafer cleaner and more free from contaminants.

Abstract: A pair of haircut scissors having hair-catching slits on one of their haircut edges are disclosed. Each slit is provided with a filler having a renewable microscopic nick on its top edge to prevent hairs from sliding along the haircut edges. The filler prevents hairs from entering the slits, and as the nick is renewable, the hair-holding property of the pair of haircut scissors will be permanently retained.

Abstract: An ionizing rod comprising a core having an outer surface with a plurality of ionizing points disposed along the outer surface of the core. The plurality of ionizing points are sufficiently dense upon the core surface such that air between the plurality of ionizing points and an object is sufficiently ionized to remove static charge from the object. The core material can be electrically conductive, insulative, or static dissipative. The methods to attach the ionizing points to the core include a pullover sleeve, made of fibers including ionizing points, and glue to adhere either fibers in electrical communication or not in electrical communication depending on whether conductive or non-conductive adhesive are employed. Alternative embodiments include a device for the ionizing charged particles to travel to ground or electrically charged and a grip.

Abstract: A bi-directional full duplex clocked bus including eight data lines, a clock line and a control line. The bus signals are low level differential with suitable drivers and receivers. The bus operation includes a protocol of sending groupings of eight bytes transmissions where a byte is sent on the rising and the falling edges of the clock signal. When reading the received data, delayed clocks are used that are formed at the center of both of the received clock signal phases. The delayed clocks may be used to output data on the outputs lines. The delayed clocks are arranged to be symmetrical with substantially no skew and centered to the phases of the received clock signal.

Abstract: Lithium niobate and tantalate crystal rods or boules are sawed to wafers with diamond edged saws in the presence of inert fluorinated lubricating liquids.