Abstract: A diagnostic method is disclosed wherein the potential preserved visual acuity in the retina of a patient is determined from the amount of tissue connecting the inner and outer plexiform layers remaining in the retina.

Abstract: A capping method and its cap for hydrogen-reduced water or hydrogen-reduced food production are characterized by fine carbon particles absorbing hydrogen being attached to the cap. After filling and capping the container, the hydrogen will be dissolved into the food. In addition, the fine carbon particles, flavorings, processed and unprocessed food are attached to the cap, and during the heating and sterilizing process, the extraction or cooking can be finished, omitting conventional extraction and heating steps when cooking. This result can be used in all food production fields.

Abstract: A printing roll release and retainer mechanism to facilitate the insertion of a printing roller into a printing head of a thermal printer and to facilitate the locking thereof to the printing head and to facilitate the removal of the printing roller from the printing head wherein a holder is provided for receiving and permitting withdrawal of the printing roller and a pair of oppositely spaced members is provided for to hold the shaft roller.

Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission includes a power splitter connected with the vehicle engine and having two outputs. A differential and a clutch are connected with the outputs of the splitter. Separate gearboxes including alternating sequential gear mechanisms are connected with the differential and clutch. The differential and clutch are independently operated under control of an electronic control unit to provide continuous flow of power from the engine to the gearboxes which may be simultaneously operated.

Abstract: A device for closing and opening curtains, which are movable along a rod (1), said rod near its ends being provided with a means for limiting the movement of said curtains. The rod (1) is provided with channels (2) in which an endless toothed belt (3) is received which at the ends of said rod (1) is guided by toothed wheels (7,13) from which one can be driven. Said toothed belt (3) is provided with at least one carrier (4) which can be connected to a curtain and can extend it self downwards through a slot (5) in said rod (1). A connector element (11) is provided which is connected to the rod (1) and extends substantially in line with this and comprises a sideways extending housing (10), in which said drivable toothed wheel (7) is present. The driving of said toothed wheel (7) takes place by means of an electric motor (9), which can be operated by means of a hand switch either by means of a time switch either by means of a light sensor.

Abstract: A perforable closure for a container, is provided with at least a annular portion (2) fit to joint the container and connected to an end portion (3), perforable by means of a perforator (P) of an outflow or the like. At least the annular (2) and end (3) portions of said closure (1) are integral.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping a product with a plastic film including a supporting frame with which a ring arrangement is associated that rotates around a wrapping axis of the film and around the product. The supporting frame further supports a carriage arranged for supporting a reel of the film and for supporting a first roller and a second roller for unwinding and stretching the film. A first motor and a second motor are mounted on the supporting frame and coupled, respectively, with the first roller and the second roller.

Abstract: A versatile fabric for use as a towel includes multiple surface areas that are formed of different materials. A support web has hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials woven therethrough. The hydrophilic material is interlaced with the web to define loops of material which extend from a first portion of the web surface and loops of material which extend from a second portion of the web surface which is longitudinally spaced from the first portion. Similarly, the hydrophobic material is interlaced with the web to define loops of material which extend from a third portion of the web surface and loops of material which extend from a fourth portion of the web surface which is longitudinally spaced from the third portion. The first and third portions of the support web surface are arranged opposite each other and the second and fourth portions of the support web surface are arranged opposite each other to define four surface portions of the fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring doses includes a forming arrangement for forming an object from a dose of flowable material and a transferring arrangement for transferring the dose to the forming arrangement. The transferring arrangement has a recess for receiving the dose. The recess is provided with a rolling arrangement for guiding the dose inside the transferring arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving containers into or from a chamber provided with at least a supporting surface for the containers, comprises a pushing element for engaging the containers and a driving arrangement for moving the pushing element through the chamber along a sliding direction, the driving arrangement comprising, a modular rod assembly for supporting the pushing element and including a set of rod elements which can be mutually and removably associated, an assembling arrangement for connecting or disconnecting the rod elements to or from the modular rod assembly so as to change a length thereof and to move the pushing element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carrier assembly for and a method of manufacturing an optical device. The method comprises providing a silicon substrate; attaching a number of optical dies on the silicon substrate to form an optical device carrier assembly; providing a corresponding number of through holes in the silicon substrate to permit the passage of light therethrough and further providing guide holes in the silicon substrate to present means for passive alignment of an external optical connection; and dicing the optical device carrier assembly to form individual optical devices. Preferably, the step of attaching a number of optical dies comprises using self-alignment of solder bumps using gaseous flux, the through holes are dry etched into the silicon substrate, and/or the volume between the optical die and silicon substrate is filled with a transparent polymer. Preferably, the transparent polymer is silicone rubber or epoxy.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting objects in a preset direction, in particular objects that have a cavity having an opening at one of the ends of the objects, comprises a conveying device for the objects comprising a conveying surface tilted by an angle with respect to a horizontal plane, on the conveying surface there are arranged hooking elements that are suitable for interacting with the cavities, the conveying surface being movable in an advancing direction oriented from a lower end of the conveying device to an upper end of the conveying device.

Abstract: An accessory for fishing lures of the type including strands of material camouflaging a hook is characterized by a disk formed of flexible material having a flat surface on one side and a tapered surface on the other side. The disk is positioned on the hook of the lure adjacent to a tying collar and extends the profile of the strands of material to provide a more realistic appearance of baitfish for the lure. With the flat surface of the disk adjacent to the tying collar of the lure, the profile of the strands is extended farther than when the disk is oriented with the tapered surface adjacent to the tying collar of the lure.

Abstract: Processing requirements for acoustic echo cancellation in voice communications are significant and are even more so as the bandwidth of the communication increases. Whilst voice communication occupies a relatively narrow band of frequencies the processing requirements and so forth for wideband communication render acoustic echo cancellation difficult to achieve in a cost effective manner. The invention provides for acoustic echo cancellation within wideband communications by dividing the communications into sub-bands and applying acoustic echo cancellation to some sub-bands whilst processing other sub-bands according to the status of the communications. Additional sub-bands are transmitted at either full-duplex or half-duplex.