Abstract: Broadly, the present invention is directed to a method for making a metal tag bearing visible indicia thereon and which can be welded onto a workpiece. Such inventive method commences by providing a metal sheet having a top face, a bottom face, and a pair of ends. The top face bears a painted zone upon which is imprinted with visible indicia. At least one of the ends of the bottom face has exposed bare metal. Such bare metal end is folded so as to reveal the bottom face bare metal adjacent to the imprinted painted zone. The thickness of the folded ends is effective for the metal tag to be welded onto a metal workpiece at such folded tag end. Another aspect of the present invention is a metal tag bearing indicia thereon and which can be welded onto a metal workpiece. The tag includes a metal sheet having a top face, a bottom face, and a pair of ends. The top face bears a painted zone upon that is imprinted with visible indicia.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for carrying out the multi-level stacking and moving of merchandise units using lift trucks configured for slipsheet palletizing. The system employs a blocking assembly in conjunction with slipsheets employed for such warehousing practices. This blocking assembly preferably is formed of a corrugated polymeric material having a forward flap-like blocking component which extends downwardly from a die-formed crease over the packaged components of a lower assembled merchandise unit. The crease provides sufficient compressive stress distribution from abutting engagement with an errant lift truck forward fork tip to avoid damage to upper level packaged merchandise within the lower unit. The blocking assemblies are quite light and thin, and the flap-like blocking components thereof may be utilized as a slipsheet in the event that the grasping tab of a slipsheet is torn by the gripping mechanism of a lift truck.

Abstract: A free space imaging system utilizing a doublet form of optic. The doublet is configured with two large Fresnel lenses configured such that their echelon groove components are mutually oppositely disposed within the optical path of the system. The method includes an arrangement wherein the output focal plane deliberately is curved and generated with a relatively wide field of view to evoke an emulation of three-dimensionality.

Abstract: A concrete paving system of a variety employing an array of vibrators which consolidate dispersed concrete over a roadbed or the like as the concrete is introduced to the mouth of a slipform pan or mold. The rate of vibration of these vibrators is monitored utilizing an accelerometer in conjunction with a vibration conversion network treating the acceleration signals to derive vibration rate data. The vibration rate data then is used with a monitor and control function employing a user inputted RPM and ground speed based algorithm to derive an RPM error output which is summed with the then existing control current applied to the solenoid function of a proportional control valve to adjust the flow of hydraulic fluid from a constant fluid flow source to a hydraulic motor within a vibrator. A controller with the system provides for the development of upper limit and lower threshold alarm limits which may be displayed along with audible warnings.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying magnetic flux to tissue utilizing strip-shaped flexible polymeric permanent magnets. The magnets are reinforced with an adhesively applied tape and removably inserted into retainer pockets or channels formed within a support structure. In one embodiment, the support structure is formed of two flexible mat components which are sewn together to form the retention pockets. A wrist rest embodiment utilizes a thin flexible platform to support the magnetic components within retention channels in combination with a foamaceous support structure.

Abstract: An automated method for identifying those claims of a raw claims insurance claims database for which reinsurance is applicable. The method develops a database of uniquely clustered catastrophic events such as storm reports. This "CatNodes" database may be developed manually or automatically through the use of a neural network approach. A fuzzy degree of belonging is employed to quantify the likelihood that a given insurance claim is properly associated with a given catastrophic event or storm. The assignment of a degree of belonging is derived by approaches which consider four factors: the date of the loss; the location of the loss; the type of the loss; and the presence of special keywords in the claim description.

Abstract: Modular power supply apparatus wherein a plurality of d.c.-to-d.c. converters are coupled to an internally structured heat exchange channel through which fan driven air is passed in an unobstructed manner along a flow axis. Each of the converter modules is combined with a dedicated module circuit board which provides regulated output terminals in an orientation or direction arranged transversely to the flow axis. The opposite end of the module circuit boards are plugged into a main interconnect circuit board positioned along one side of the heat exchange channel. A support channel is provided outwardly of the main interconnect circuit board within which principal components of supporting circuitry are contained.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for labeling an object for its identification in order to counter product diversion and product counterfeiting. This method includes providing an encapsulated biologic marker labeled with an agent that emits selected detectable wavelengths of energy when exposed to infrared radiation (IR), and associating the labeled marker with the object, whereby, the object to be identified can be exposed to IR and emitted select wavelengths of energy from said agent detected. The agent can be an upconverting phosphor, a lanthenide ion (bound to a naphthalene group), or other chemical that emits selected detectable wavelengths of energy when exposed to infrared radiation (IR). Biologic markers include, inter alia, one or more of a protein, a nucleic acid sequence, an antibody, a polypeptide, or an antigen. The encapsulant for the biologic marker preferably is casein which has been cross-linked with itself.

Abstract: A fender assembly for a harness racing sulky of a variety having at least one bifurcate wheel support including a pair of downwardly-extending fork members spaced-apart to receive a wheel of a given circumference therebetween and an arcuate portion extending above the wheel intermediate the fork members. In one embodiment, a mounting bracket having an upper surface and a lower surface is attachable to the wheel support to extend above the support over the wheel. A fender is provided as having an inner and outer surface defining a generally curved periphery corresponding to the circumference of the wheel. The fender is removably fastenable with a fastener at a proximal end to the upper surface of the mounting bracket for rearward suspension over a portion of the circumference of the wheel from the proximal end to a freely-extending distal end.

Abstract: Broadly, one aspect of the present invention is an articulated combine having increased on-board grain storage capacity (e.g., 1,200 bushels) and which is composed of a forward unit having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, and being devoid of an on-board grain bin; and a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward section and having, steerable and powered wheels, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The grain transfer assembly, joint, and grain off-loading assembly and controls, form other aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for marking objects for their identification. The inventive system includes a laser that emits a select band of radiation and a coating system for application to an object or workpiece to be marked. The coating system is composed of two contrasting coats of paint, a topcoat and a basecoat, which have been coated sequentially on the workpiece. The topcoat, while still wet, can be ablated by the beam of said laser while the basecoat, while wet, dry or tacky, is refractory to the beam of said laser. The laser, thus, can generate alphanumeric and graphic characters (product identification indicia) on the workpiece by its beam being directed onto the coating system for ablating the topcoat to reveal the basecoat to generate the characters by dint of the visible contrast between the two coats of paint.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of volcano-shaped field emitters forming low-cost, large area manufacturing of ungated and gated vertical field emitter arrays. Gate and emitter thin films are deposited onto a substrate on which arrays of posts have been previously fabricated. These conformal films cover the substrate, the sidewalls of the posts, and the post top surfaces or plateaus. By using chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP), some or all of the thin films are selectively removed, leaving an intermediate structure that, after removing a small portion of the gate-to-emitter insulating film, is suitable for cold electron emission. One embodiment discloses a method of forming these devices without resort to a planarization layer. A second embodiment discloses a methodology employing a planarization layer.

Abstract: Broadly, the present invention is directed to an edge protector method and system for protecting an outside corner, e.g., of a room, which corner is formed by two walls or faces. The novel tape for protecting such outside corner is formed from polymeric material desirably having a thickness of from about 5 to 20 mils and which is formed from a pair of sides with an interconnecting hinge, said sides formed from a relatively stiff polymeric material compared to said hinge which is formed from a relatively flexible and elastic polymeric material compared to said sides, said hinge preferably being arcuate in shape, said tape having a front surface and a rear surface which is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The novel tape is applied to the corner by its unrolling from the roll with the hinge in axial alignment with the outside corner followed by pressing of the coated rear surface sides on each face extending from the corner to form a corner edge protector for the corner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing metal acid or salt evolved from electrolytic baths housed in electrolytic tanks during electrolytic operations. This method involves covering all of the surface of the electrolytic bath with a layer of shredded foam (e.g., polymeric foam, metal foam, glass foam, or vitreous material foam). The shredded foam is irregular in shape, lacking in uniform particle size, is inert to the electrolytic operation, and floats at the surface of the electrolytic bath. Desirably, the layer of shredded foam is about 3 to 4 inches (76-102 mm) in thickness. Examples of specific processes benefiting from the present invention are anodizing, electroplating, electrowinning, and electrophoresis operations.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing salt granular materials upon a highway pavement at practical speeds. The deposition forms two narrow bands of the salt through utilization of two impeller-based mechanisms which are canted downwardly at an acute angle toward the pavement. The dump bed of trucks utilizing the apparatus is maintained in a down orientation through the utilization of a salt transport mechanism implemented as dual augers extending the length of the truck bed. Two embodiments of the apparatus are described each being self-contained and mountable upon a truck bed with relative ease. In one embodiment, a brine formation tank of generally triangular cross-sectional configuration is combined with a brine holding tank to form the sides of a V-box hopper structure. The brine formation tank is charged with salt and water to form a saturated brine which is permitted to migrate through a baffling system to the brine holding tank.

Abstract: A surgical probe wherein a heat sterilizable and reusable detector component is combined with a disposable handle and cable assembly. The reusable detector component incorporates a detector crystal and associated mountings along with preamplifier components. It is formed having a positioning shaft extending therefrom to a contact supporting surface carrying a pattern of electrical contact surfaces. The disposable handle employs an insert member having a receiving cavity. The electrical contact carrying tip of the shaft moves into electrical engagement with a pattern of electrical contacts mounted within the handle in conjunction with a permanently affixed flexible cable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single phase vitreous material and to its production from a melt of a glass-forming multi-component feed mix. The process includes the preparation of a single phase melt in which there are mobile cations from a glass forming feed mix. The melt in passed in contacting relationship with and sequentially between devices made of low electrical resistance material from device to device. These devices are in and complete with the melt and a direct current voltage source an electric circuit. A voltage is regulated in the electrical circuit so that a direct electrical current is created in it and the concentration of the mobile cations in the melt is lowered thereby with reduction on the cathode of the metals of the same kind as the mobile cations. The melt, lowered concentration of the mobile cations, is cooled to produce the material as a structural article. In another embodiment, the anode is separated from the melt by a medium which is substantially inert with respect to the melt.

Abstract: A closure system including a polymeric split ring clamp and a polymeric lid for a polymeric drum. To maintain the integrity of the closure, the lid rim region is formed having an annular restraining notch which cooperates with twist inhibiting blocking components formed within the interior of a cooperating inwardly opening polymeric split ring clamp. The blocking component may be provided as a sequence of regularly spaced block-like protuberances located within the inward upwardly disposed region of the ring clamp. A secondary closure arrangement is provided with the split ring clamp which receives a polymeric banding strap to prevent one end of the split ring from disengaging with an associated pivot arm. When the split ring clamp is in a fully open or pre-clamping mode orientation, a capture groove is formed with the ring pivot shaft formed at one end of the split ring clamp.