Abstract: A system for managing the production of retail tickets in accordance with a ticket order includes a ticketing services bureau adapted to receive the ticket order and a print center to print tickets in accordance with the ticket order. The system additionally includes a client connected to the ticketing services bureau via an electronic network. As part of an interactive ticket proofing process, the client is capable of electronically retrieving an on-screen ticket proof from the ticketing services bureau and, if necessary, dynamically modifying the on-screen ticket proof in real time. The ticketing services bureau then generates an output data file based on the original ticket order, the edited on-screen ticket proof and print characteristics of the printer that will execute the ticket order. In this manner, the print center uses the output data file to generate tickets that closely resemble the on-screen ticket proof approved by the client.

Abstract: A one-handed operating mechanism for opening and closing umbrella comprises a handle (1) connected to the bottom end of the stem of the umbrella, an elbow member (2) at its curve pivotally connected to said handle (1), a connecting member (3) with its upper end connected to a slide sliding along the stem to open or close the umbrella, said handle (1) is provided with a channel (4) extending from the upper end to the lower end of the handle to accommodate said elbow member (2) and said connecting member (3) to be moving therein, said channel (4) possesses a bottom side (13), said elbow member (2) possesses a handgrip section (5) exposed outside said channel (4) for palm squeezing, and an actuating section (6) located inside said channel (4) for mutual driving with said connecting member. The connecting member is driven by way of operating the elbow member, thereby driving the slide to slide along the stem to push the runner upward toward the crown to open the umbrella.

Abstract: A selective membrane having a high fouling resistance. In one embodiment, the selective membrane is a composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane in which a hydrophilic coating is applied to the polyamide layer of the membrane, the hydrophilic coating being made by covalently bonding a hydrophilic compound to residual acid chlorides of the polyamide membrane, the hydrophilic compound including (i) at least one reactive group that is adapted to covalently bond directly to the polyamide membrane, the at least one reactive group being at least one of a primary amine and a secondary amine; and (ii) at least one non-terminal hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A method for labeling fabrics, such as fabric garments, and a heat-transfer label (311) well-suited for use in said method. In one embodiment, the heat-transfer label (311) comprises (i) a support portion (313), the support portion (313) comprising a carrier (315) and a release layer (317); (ii) a wax layer (319), the wax layer overcoating the release layer (317); and (iii) a transfer portion (321), the transfer portion (321) comprising an adhesive layer (323) printed directly onto the wax layer (319) and an ink design layer (325) printed directly onto the adhesive layer (323). Each of the adhesive layer (323) and the ink design layer includes a non-cross-linked PVC resin. The ink design layer may be screen printed onto the adhesive layer (323) or may be printed onto the adhesive layer (323) using thermal transfer printing, ink jet printing or laser printing.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a gas recycling and re-pressurizing assembly. In one embodiment, the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, the stack having an oxygen outlet and an oxygen inlet. The fuel cell system additionally includes two gas/water separator tanks, each of the tanks containing a quantity of water and a quantity of oxygen gas. Both tanks are capable of being fluidly connected to either the oxygen inlet or the oxygen outlet of the fuel cell stack. In addition, the two tanks are connected to one another so that water may be transferred back and forth between the two tanks. The system also includes a pump for transferring water back and forth between the tanks.

Abstract: A medical waste receptacle includes a housing shaped to define an interior cavity into which a waste collection bin is disposed. The housing is also shaped to include a slot in communication with the interior cavity, the slot being selectively enclosed by a disposal drawer adapted to pivot between closed and open positions. A movable latch selectively engages the drawer, the position of the latch being regulated by an electronic controller. In use, a barcode scanner in electrical connection with the controller retrieves an access code provided on a refuse container to be dispensed. If the access code is deemed valid, the controller disengages the latch from the drawer, thereby enabling the container to be dispensed into the bin through the slot. In the absence of receiving a valid access code, the controller retains the latch in engagement with the naturally closed disposal drawer, thereby precluding access to the bin.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing electronic properties of a semiconductor sample includes illuminating the surface of the semiconductor sample with a pulse of light, measuring a photoconductance decay in the semiconductor sample after the cessation of the first pulse of light, and analyzing the photoconductance decay. The electronic properties include properties associated with at least one of the bulk of the semiconductor sample and the surface of the semiconductor sample. The pulse of light has a predetermined duration and photon energy higher than energy gap of the semiconductor. The analyzing step determines a first component of the photoconductance decay substantially associated with point imperfections in the semiconductor sample and at least one second component of the photoconductance decay substantially associated with extended imperfections in the semiconductor sample.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a rigid, non-electrically-conducting support, the support preferably being a sheet of polyimide having a thickness of about 7.5 to 15 microns. The support has a plurality of cylindrical pores extending perpendicularly between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the support. The pores, which preferably have a diameter of about 5 microns, are made by laser micromachining and preferably are arranged in a defined pattern, for example, with fewer pores located in areas of high membrane stress and more pores located in areas of low membrane stress. The pores are filled with a first solid polymer electrolyte, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer. A second solid polymer electrolyte, which may be the same as or different than the first solid polymer electrolyte, may be deposited over the top and/or bottom of the first solid polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A method is described for the amplification of nucleic acids, in which the segments to be amplified are first hybridized with at least two primer oligonucleotides that have two domains, wherein the sequence-specific domain found at the 3-end hybridizes to the segment to be amplified, while the generic domain found at the 5-end does not hybridize. Then an amplification reaction is conducted by means of a polymerase and subsequently a labeled primer oligonucleotide, which binds to the generic domain of the first primer, is hybridized to the amplificate which is formed. In the last step, the sequence of the amplificate is investigated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the coating or flocking of articles, especially of textile material, mats, ceramic, plastic, paper, wood, metal or the like, with a container (12) for receiving a flock or coating material, and with a setting device (16) which is arranged on the container (12) and which has a stencil frame (23) having at least one printing motif (27), the setting device (16) receiving at least one adjusting element (32) which acts in the X- and Y-direction and engages on the stencil frame (23), and the setting device (16) comprising arranged fixing elements (34) which are provided outside the stencil frame (23) at least for arranging an aligning device (38) for the stencil frame (23), in order to align the coating or printing motif (27) of the stencil frame (23) in the X- and Y-direction with respect to the fixing elements (34) by means of the aligning device (38).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decomposing biogenic material, wherein a percolator is charged with biogenic material, a percolation liquid is separated by sieving and re-sprayed again onto the biogenic material, excess percolation liquid is pumped into a buffer from where it is transported into a biogas reactor and fermented to form biogas. The method is characterized in that the purified percolation liquid is transferred as waste water to a storage buffer container from where it can be retransferred to the percolator.

Abstract: Water slide with a chute which opens into a discharge area and has an initial section and a discharge section opening into the discharge area, characterized in that at least one loop section is provided between the initial section and the discharge section, the loop section having an angle at circumference of at least 270° and, at least between a starting point and an apex point of the loop section, being inclined by 5° to 80° in relation to a vertical.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a valve arrangement and to a valve arrangement for an expansion valve, which is provided in a vehicle air conditioning system operated with refrigerant and has a basic opening in the valve seat, the cross section of this basic opening being produced for a predetermined mass flow by material removal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining physiological parameters of a slaughtered animal body or piece thereof with respect to determining its commercial value and/or its processing. The method will lead to a more exact calculation of meat proportions and weight proportions and preferably to a more precise determination of cutting-up points for automated cutting up, in particular by including volumetric parameters. In order to solve the problem, the object, i.e., the slaughtered animal body or one of its pieces, is acquired by means of an image acquisition device. Then a software-supported evaluation of the image acquired from the respective object is made. According to the invention, the object to be evaluated is thus acquired, however, not with a video system of the conventional type, but rather a tomographic method, such as computer tomography or nuclear spin tomography is used as the imaging method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a molding through generative processing methods, in particular through selective laser melting, wherein a model of a molding is built from a powder material according to CAD data, wherein an application unit is used to apply a powder layer and the powder layer applied is fixed to a layer arranged there under or a base plate by means of radiation, characterized in that prior to applying a first layer onto a build platform or a base plate, a sensor assembly having a sensor level which is located in relation to the levelling level of a levelling assembly for the applied powder layer is allocated to the build platform or the base plate, the build platform or the base plate is moved in relation to the sensor assembly until the sensor assembly emits a signal for stopping the build platform to a drive in an intermediate position, and starting from the intermediate position, the build platform or the base plate is moved by a distance to adjust the layer thickne

Abstract: A shipping container for a product mounted on casters, weighing on the order of about 150 to 300 pounds and including a box shaped housing. The shipping container comprises a base. A pair of elongated, parallel disposed and spaced apart support members are fixedly mounted on the top of the base. Each support member includes a block of foam material fixedly mounted onto the base and having a tapered front end and a rear end. A strip of low friction material is fixedly mounted on top of the block of foam material.