Abstract: Sheet feed apparatus including a scuff feed for reliably transporting sheets from different types of sheet stacks and different types of sheets within the stack. The apparatus comprises a sheet feed roller and a retard device in contact with the feed roller. A nudging device, contacting a paper stack, is used to feed single or multiple sheets into the nip between the feed roller and retard device. The feed roller, retard device, and nudging device all have a surface layer of 35-28092-N-GY-A, which gives them a much longer useful lifetime. A method for maximizing the efficent use of these rollers and of testing and using these rollers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument or process calibrator includes a housing, a traceable, controllable calibration source in the housing, the calibration source including memory for storing identifying information about the calibration source, a data connector coupled to the calibration source, a removable hand held computer preferably a PDA, attached to the housing, and connected to the data connector, the computer including user input means for receiving a control input user for controlling the calibration source, and output means, preferably graphical output means for displaying the identifying information and calibration results to the user.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus and method is disclosed that utilizes a rotating electrode for performing the EDM operation to form a desired profile in the work piece surface. A dressing tool located at a side of the rotating electrode opposite from the work piece is operable to dress the surface of the rotating electrode. Operation of the dressing tool is controlled in part by a monitor that monitors changes in the character and condition of the surface of the rotating electrode from certain starting parameters and initiates a dressing operation as needed to restore the starting parameters.

Abstract: A flat flexible and imperforate mirror which is conveniently designed and sized to fit anywhere a credit card can be stored is disclosed. The mirror has a substantially flat rectangular body, a front reflective layer and rounded edges. An indicia bearing layer is applied to the opposite side of the body from the reflective layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anaerobic treatment of organic wastes in a liquid filled vessel wherein particles of the waste are buoyed and form a floating bed in the liquid by the gasses generated by the anaerobic digestion of the wastes. The bed forms to an upper stratum of the least digested, least dense waste and a lower stratum of the most digested, most dense waste. Liquid from beneath the bed is continuously sprayed over the upper surface of the bed through a series of discharge ports which expands to bed downwardly. Each spraying period is followed by a quiescent period to allow the bed to reform. Over time the floating bed is moved from an inlet end to an outlet end of the vessel where the most digested waste is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buffer disposed to receive cut sheets from a first workstation operating at a first slower speed, deskew the sheets and deliver them to a second workstation operating at a second faster speed. The buffer has a guide defining a path of travel extending from driven inlet rollers at a buffer inlet to driven exit rollers adjacent a buffer exit. The guide includes a trap that opens to accommodate a service loop formed of the cut sheet that is longer than the path of travel. The inlet rollers are driven at the first slower speed to move cut sheets into the buffer and up to the exit rollers and the exit rollers are selectively driven at the second faster speed to deliver cut sheets to the second workstation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the filter blood volume by dilution techniques in real time, wherein the filter may be in use or off line during the measurements. The system includes a method and apparatus for measuring or monitoring the volume of a blood side of a filter by employing one of a bolus in the blood side upstream of the filter; a change of the filtration rate in the filter; and a bolus on the dialysate side, wherein the filter blood volume is calculated from the obtained data.

Abstract: A conductive gasket for use in apparatus to block the exit or entry of electromagnetic interference (EMI) between adjacent metal surfaces of the apparatus. The gasket is formed at least in part by a polymeric film having an outward facing surface embossed so as to provide a plurality of peaks distributed over the surface. A metal is coated, by vapor deposition, onto the surface so as to over lie the peaks. This provides the film with a conductive surface. When located between adjacent metal surfaces, abrasion of the metal coating from the peaks over time does not adversely affect the conductive properties of the film surface. This is because the wearing away of the metal from the tops of the peaks exposes a cross section of the metal at the sides of the peaks, which remain in contact with the adjacent metal surfaces of the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet of inkjet printed photographic images having orthogonal fiducial marks extending along a leading edge of the printed field and along a lateral side of the printed field. The fiducial marks register with the printed field and provide information regarding the location of the images in the printed field relative to the larger sheet. The registration of the lateral side fiducial mark and print field is accomplished by exercising the nozzles of the print head at each pass of the print head during the printing of the photographic image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knife with a replaceable blade which is spring-biased in the retracted position. The knife is designed such that the blade can only be extended by exerting a downward force and by turning the handle with respect to an inner housing. The handle has a tab affixed to the inside wall of the handle. The inner housing has an angled slot in its wall adapted to receive the tab. When the blade is fully retracted, the tab rests on the shoulder at the top of the inner housing. A straight downward pressure on the handle causes the tab to engage the shoulder and will not allow the blade to extend. When the handle is rotated, the tab enters the slot and the blade is forced downward. As this occurs, the blade extends through a slot at the bottom of a blade cover. When the blade is removed from the object to be cut, the spring forces the handle to move with respect to the inner housing and causes the blade to retract within the blade cover.

Abstract: A quick loader and associated method for a surgical suturing instrument of the type having at least one ferrule receiving chamber and a suture receiving passage, includes a loader body having a recess formed therein for receiving an end of a surgical suturing instrument, a seat adjacent the recess for releasably holding at least one ferrule-tipped end of a suture in the seat, the seat being aligned and adjacent to a ferrule receiving chamber in the suturing instrument when the instrument is positioned in the recess, for permitting the transfer of the ferrules from the seat on the loader into the ferrule receiving chamber.

Abstract: A weatherstrip having a hard bearing layer with a surface coating for reducing sliding friction between the weatherstrip and a panel is disclosed. A body of the weatherstrip has a relatively low durometer and the bearing layer has a greater durometer, wherein an exposed surface of the bearing layer is covered with a coating, wherein the coating can include a multitude of particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating and projecting autostereoscopic images with a look around feature, in particular a device which creates several full resolution perspective views of a scene and makes each one visible within a different region of space in front of a special lens screen assembly on which the images are projected. The apparatus, including an illumination system, a light valve, a relay lens, a beam steering device, a plurality of projection lenses and mirrors, a focusing lens, and a screen assembly such that the mirrors focus light exiting the projection lenses and the screen assembly has a diffuser.

Abstract: The present invention is a valve cleaning apparatus and method for transporting a cleaning fluid from a supply tank into the air intake valves of a combustion engine. It comprises housing having a pair of legs and a closed end. The housing has a flow path through the housing. A valve is located collinear with the flowpath. The valve cleaning apparatus also includes tubing, a nozzle and a hook to hang the assembly from the hood of a car.

Abstract: A flare holder that is attachable to a traffic cone or other upright support structure for holding a lit flare at an elevation higher than a roadway surface. The flare holder includes a lower portion that is attachable to the upright support structure and an ash receptacle that is pivoted at one end to the lower portion. The ash receptacle is can be pivoted up and over the top of the support structure from a stowed position wherein it is suspended from the pivot to an operative position located between 180° and 270° from the stowed position. In an operative position, the flare holder supports a flare at an upward inclination wherein the ash receptacle has an end portion extending outwardly from the pivot and disposed to receive ashes falling from the lit end of the flare.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming transitioned edges in patterns formed by a scanning laser in a dyed textile material is disclosed. The transition rate between the untreated material and the treated material is controlled by passing a scanning laser beam through a mask prior to the laser beam reaching a focal point. An apertured mask can be employed to control the transition rate, wherein the location of the aperture relative to the focal point of the laser beam and configuration of the aperture periphery are manipulated to effect the transition rate.

Abstract: A model railroad crossing gate includes a base, a crossing gate mounted on the base for movement between a raised position and a lowered position, a spring coupled to the crossing gate biasing the gate to the raised position, a string attached to the crossing gate and the base for pulling the gate against the spring, and a tensioner engaging the string for pulling the gate from the raised position to the lowered position. A controller is coupled to the tensioner for controlling the position of the gate. The controller is preferably is also coupled to a limit sensor and a motor for operating the motor to move the gate from the raised position to the lowered position or vice versa and then stop the motor.

Abstract: A buffer for transporting a flexible work piece such as a printed sheet between a first and a second workstation having different operational speeds. The buffer has drive rollers arranged along a path of travel from the outlet of the first station to the inlet of the second for moving the work piece through the buffer at a constant speed that may be different than the operational speeds of the workstations. A slip clutch limits the torque applied by the drive rollers should the constant speed of the buffer be greater than the speed at which the sheet is moving through the first work station and a one-way clutch allows the drive rollers to overrun a drive shaft to permit the sheet to move into and out of the buffer at a speed greater than the constant speed.