Abstract: A point-of-sale printer including a facility for encoding MICR indicia at a precise location called the amount field. A single stepper motor in combination with a unique bi-direction clutch mechanism is used to engage the print head with a platen, and to engage a read head with the check, so that indicia can be sequentially imprinted and read within the transaction printer.

Abstract: A pressure vessel, or pressurizable canister is described herein. The canister has a hollow, thin-walled, cylindrical, metal shell. The preferred metal is aluminum, because light weight is a consideration for the vessel. Two end caps are mechanically sealed to the respective distal ends of the metal shell tube by the process of electromagnetic pulse forming. The two end caps are made of a high strength, ductile thermoplastic. The preferred plastic is DELRIN.RTM., which is fabricated from an acetal resin. The plastic end caps are injection molded, and can include reinforcing threads. The end caps are each cylindrically shaped, and have at least one circumferential recess to accommodate the metal of the shell tube as it deforms about the end caps. The tube shrinks into the recess of the end caps, and forms a mechanical seal therewith.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of noise reduction in both packaging structures and circuit boards, as well as articles of manufacture that result from this method. Both the method and the articles weaken and effectively reduce undesirable noise signals that propagate as waves to and from the perimeter of circuit boards. The method of the invention adds absorbent materials in various structural configurations to strategic areas about the exterior and interior of the circuit boards. In order to absorb noise signals, these added materials are placed around lines and vias of the circuit boards, as well as at their ends and perimeters. Non-absorbent materials must contiguously surround the lines and vias; otherwise, absorbent material will absorb desired signals, as well as noise. The method of this invention tries to match the dielectric constant of the added, absorbent materials with the dielectric constant of the non-absorbent, dielectric materials found on the circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention features a web feeding and transition system for exchanging a first, used, web roll for a second, fresh, web roll, so that web material is conveyed along a web-conveying feed path. Each web of the first and second web rolls includes a backing or a separate, interleaved web. The web assembly has a first work station having a mounting for allowing the first web roll to unwind and feed the first web to the feed path. A second work station has a mounting adjacent the first mounting for allowing the second web roll to unwind so that the second web may be spliced to the first web. A "bump splicing" vacuum roll disposed upon the first work station causes an adhesive section of the fresh web to contact an end portion of the exhausting web, as the web roll runs out.

Abstract: A new, miniaturized guillotine blade cutting mechanism is for cutting the paper web of the supply roll of a receipt printer. The miniaturized cutting mechanism features a direct drive mechanism and home switch which are both integral with the cutting blade holder.

Abstract: The present invention features a chain of serially connected, universal links. The chain is movable in one direction, but restricted in movement in the opposite direction. The chain consists of a number of substantially identical links. Each of the links has an elongated body portion with abutments at distal ends thereof. The abutments engage respective abutments of neighboring links. Connected to the body portion of each link are two leg portions. The two leg portions each have an aperture for receiving a pin. At least one of the leg portions may be bifurcated into two, substantially parallel sides. The two sides of one of the bifurcated leg portions are spaced apart from one another so as to contain the other leg portion of a neighboring link. This other leg portion may be solid. Each leg extends beyond the distal ends of the body portion, so that, when the links are connected to one another, the aperture of one of the legs is aligned with the aperture of a neighboring leg.

Abstract: A processor having multiple functional units. The processor is capable of executing multiple instructions concurrently. An instruction issuing unit is connected to a mechanism for handling an interrupt of the processor. The interrupt handler has an instruction window (IW), which includes a vector element number (VEN) field that indicates the uncompleted elements to be executed. Upon termination of the interrupt, normal processing of the instruction issuing unit continues.

Abstract: A fold-up step ladder having individually and independently fold-down steps that are deep recessed in their fold-down position, so that a person standing on the ladder can lean into and between the ladder frame defined by front and rear side rails and reach closer, with less obstruction and likelihood of injury, to an adjacent vertical wall or work object. Each step is supported upon the side rails of the ladder by an extension arm and a pair of right-angle flanges attached to respective side rails of the ladder frame. The flange bracing allows for support of over-sized steps, which in turn provides the standing person with a greater support and sure-footed feeling, as well as reduced fatigue upon the ladder.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating AMLCD tiled displays are disclosed, in which variations in the width and the SIP location of seals are controlled. The seals can be controlled by using either a trench or a dam that guides the flow and/or the position of the sealing epoxy between the upper and lower glass plates. The purpose of the dam or trench is to prevent the flow of epoxy towards the pixels of the display. The article made by the above method is a substantially flat-panel display (FPD) having a mosaic of individual, hermetically-sealed tiles disposed adjacent one another upon the lower plate or substrate. The tiles have visually imperceptible seams between them. The individual tiles have pixels and edges that are sealed in position, relative to the substrate, by means of a sealing material, such as an epoxy. The dams or trenches are disposed along the individual tiles, adjacent the pixels.

Abstract: An improved household coffee maker is disclosed, having a built-in water filter for removing water-borne contaminants. The water filter is disposed between the water reservoir and the heating coil, which heats the water and keeps the coffee carafe warm. An indicator disposed upon the cover of the coffee maker signals when the water filter has become saturated with contaminants and requires replacement or cleaning.

Abstract: An improved optical putter. The optical putter has a club head whose cross-section is characterized as having four active surfaces: a substantially flat surface for resting the club head upon the green in a first alignment position; a ball-addressing surface; a second, substantially flat, reflective surface for aligning the golf club in a second alignment position; and a substantially flat bottom surface that is substantially perpendicular to the ball-addressing surface. The reflective surface is a semi-circular wedge shape having a sighting line for guiding the golfer to position her or her head and stance. Depending upon the alignment position, the reflecting surface can face upwardly towards the eye of the golfer or towards the cup of the green.

Abstract: The present invention features a universal flow rack system that can be affixed to almost any supporting frame or pallet rack. The flow rack system of the invention features a flow track that is "snap-locked" into place upon the storage frame in an almost instantaneous fashion. This allows for quick assembly, adjustment and removal of the flow track at any time. The flow rack system is positionable about the storage frame or pallet rack in any orthogonal position (X and Y axes) about the horizontal plane of the frame, thus allowing for overhangs and unique positioning thereupon.

Abstract: An indoor grille having a steam-generating reservoir is described. The reservoir is heated by the heating elements used to heat the grille structure of the unit. The combination of steaming and grilling provides a flavorful quality to meats and other foods prepared therein. The heating elements of the grille are disposed in the metal body of the unit, which acts like a heat sink. The heat sink ensures that the unit attains cooking temperatures faster.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia. A diagnostic test procedure reads a printed test document and determines whether the MICR indicia are within a certain specification. A test document found to be out of specification prompts the adjustment of the print parameters of the printing system of the transaction printer. The machine establishes and maintains a data base of each print transaction, and compares the printing parameters to determine the degree to which each parameter complies with the specification.

Abstract: The present invention features an electrical, frying appliance that uniformly cooks food items placed within its food basket. This frying appliance automatically immerses and extracts the cooking basket into and out of an aluminum oil bowl containing heated oil. In this fashion, the food in the basket is uniformly fried during the cooking cycle. The frying appliance contains a translationally movable basket that operates by a transmission wire driven by a shaft. The translational movement of the food basket allows the food in it to lie flat as it is immersed in the aluminum oil bowl. The food basket remains substantially horizontal during its movement between its immersed and non-immersed positions. In this fashion, the food items are prevented from shifting around in the frying basket. This allows the food to fry evenly within the basket and, when cycled, to be drained of oil periodically.

Abstract: A liner for a flexible rotative drive shaft has a single tube with a multiplicity of spaced-apart, flared sections disposed along its elongated length. The flared sections serve many purposes, but primarily center the liner within an external aluminum tube that houses the flexible shaft and liner assembly. The flared sections also reduce non-uniform lubricant distribution along the drive shaft, longitudinal and radial vibration, and shock. Due to the use of flared sections, the overall weight of the liner is reduced, compared to conventional liners.

Abstract: A large inrush of electrical current flow occurs during a short interval after switch closure, when power is applied to a conventional electronic ballast commonly used for fluorescent lighting. This inrush current flows as the main filter capacitor in the ballast charges to its steady state value. For a lighting circuit that contains a multiplicity of ballasts, the combined magnitude of the inrush is potentially large enough to cause contact failure of the switching device due to arcing and contact welding. The invention features a circuit for limiting inrush current having a current-limiting resistor that is active for a brief interval during startup. The resistor is subsequently bypassed from the principal current path by a switching transistor. The transistor is controlled by electrical signals normally present in conventional electronic ballasts. The advantage of the inventive circuitry is the use of only two inexpensive components to accomplish inrush current protection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined cycle system of enhanced efficiency. The system comprises a top stage, such as a fuel cell, a partial oxidation reactor or a heat engine, and an oxygen-enriching device, such as a temperature swing adsorption device or a chemical reactor bed device, as its bottom stage. The bottom stage uses waste heat produced by the top stage to enrich the oxygen content of air that is inputted to the bottom stage, thereby producing an oxygen-enriched gas mixture as the bottom stage output. This output mixture constitutes a superior oxidant which is fed back as an input for the top stage, thus enhancing the energy conversion efficiency, cheapness, and compactness of the combined cycle system as compared to that of ordinary fuel cells, partial oxidation reactors and heat engines that use unenriched air as their oxidant input.

Abstract: A new tape measure system and a new combination collar-and-tape measuring tool, actually worn by the user, is described. The collar-and-tape measuring tool allows for adjustments to the fitting that befits individual preferences and natural fit selection. The collar-and-tape measuring tool has a front portion of a fake collar (i.e., a half portion of a regular collar). To this front portion is attached a tape measure. Ground zero of the tape begins at the edge portion of the fake half collar, where the measurement point of the loose tape end is attached. The tape has graduated measurement markings disposed on the outside, as is standard with ordinary tape measures. On the inside of the tape is disposed a lining of Velcro.RTM. material, or another type of attaching material forming an adhesive surface. The loose end of the tape is drawn around the neck, meeting the ground zero edge of the half collar. The collar-and-tape tool is then secured by a mating adhesive surface (e.g.