Abstract: Improvements in the shape of three-dimensional features displayed in optical recording structures, particularly in such structures displaying features of differing dimensional characteristics. The shape improvements include reductions in berm height and width, dual level data marks and tracking guides, and land areas projecting above or into the surface of the recording structure.

Abstract: The kayak has a topside axial enclosure, which may be rendered watertight and used as a bait tank or other liquid container, and at least one additional enclosure positioned transversely to the axial enclosure, which may or may not be watertight. In the preferred embodiment, a second additional enclosure is positioned transversely to the axial enclosure on the opposite side from the first additional enclosure. The enclosures are preferably configured with the upper surfaces of their covers at a single level, so that they may be used collectively as an extended, relatively flat fishing seat. Various access and sealing means are selectively provided for the respective enclosures. For example, a removable transparent access port may be included within the cover of the axial enclosure. In some embodiments, a circulation pump is provided to discharge within the axial enclosure. Likewise, the transversely positioned enclosure(s) may be selectively removable.

Abstract: Improvements in the shape of three-dimensional features displayed in optical recording structures, particularly in such structures displaying features of differing dimensional characteristics. The shape improvements include reductions in berm height and width, dual level data marks and tracking guides, and land areas projecting above or into the surface of the recording structure.

Abstract: A hybrid disc whose recordable-band grooves are wider and shallower than the pre-recorded ROM data pits. The ROM pits may be pre-recorded in ROM grooves that are at least as wide, but shallower than, the ROM pits. The ROM lands intervene between consecutive ROM pits, whether or not a ROM groove is provided. In the preferred embodiment, one beam of a dual beam apparatus records the ROM pits, while the other beam records the pre-grooves, and also records the ROM groove, if present. In most embodiments a thermal mastering process provides smooth feature surfaces to facilitate replication of the hybrid disc masters. The berms normally forming at the radial extremities of the pits and grooves in the masters, by thermal expulsion processes, may be reduced or eliminated by methods taught.

Abstract: The kayak has a cargo hold with a forward hatch and a hatch cover. A forward passenger seat may be positioned atop the hatch and may, in some embodiments, selectively replace the hatch cover. Neither the forward hatch cover nor forward passenger seat intrudes substantially into the hold. An aft passenger seat may also be provided. In other embodiments, a rounded tank, which may be used as a bait tank, is positioned forward of the operator seat. Yet other embodiments include an aft hatch that slants in respect to the upper surface of the kayak. Seat pads may be provided for the operator's seat and for the tank.

Abstract: A hybrid disc whose ROM grooves are less than 170 nanometers deep, and whose pre-recorded ROM data pits are more than 350 nanometers or less than 250 nanometers deep, as measured from the effective land level. The ROM pits may be pre-recorded in ROM grooves that are shallower than the ROM pits, where the ROM pits are narrower, of equivalent width or up to approximately 10% wider than the ROM grooves, respectively measured at half-depth, although the transverse extent of the ROM pits will not typically exceed that of the ROM grooves. The ROM lands intervene between consecutive ROM pits, whether or not a ROM groove is provided. In the preferred embodiment, one beam of a dual beam apparatus records the ROM pits, while the other beam records the R-band pre-grooves, and also records the ROM groove, if present. In most embodiments a thermal mastering process provides smooth feature surfaces to facilitate replication of the hybrid disc masters.

Abstract: A method to produce improvements in the shape of three-dimensional features displayed in optical recording structures, particularly in such structures displaying features of differing dimensional characteristics. The shape improvements include reductions in berm height and width, dual level data marks and tracking guides, and land areas projecting above or into the surface of the recording structure. The method includes dual and/or dithered beam writing onto the structure and improved composition of the active layer of the structure.

Abstract: A structure for supporting a flexible hose, including: a curved, essentially rectangular bearing surface; an attachment tab projecting upwardly from a longer side of the bearing surface, for attachment to a support structure; a pair of restraining tabs projecting upward at the opposite side of the bearing surface; and reinforcement dimples imposed into the junction of each restraining tab and the bearing surface, at the lower portion thereof. An embodiment of this structure has rib stiffeners running along the longitudinal axis of the bearing surface. In each case, the hose support is a unitary article, i.e., a single structure, without any weld or other attachment to interconnect its various elements.

Abstract: A system for acquiring and recording audio, visual and other information, relating to the condition or environment of a motor vehicle, and for storing the information at the vehicle for playback and analysis. The system is activated by the “on” status of the engine, or by the “alert” status of an alarm system if present. A camera may be used to acquire visual data, and a microphone may be used to acquire audio data. Other types of data—e.g., speed; date and time; or confirmation of braking—can likewise be acquired by conventional sensing devices. Acquired visual, audio and other data may be recorded in a solid-state device, such as a flash card or F-RAM. Data is continuously and sequentially over-written until the system is deactivated. Playback may be accomplished through a computer or television set.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements in the transverse sectional shape of three-dimensional features displayed in optical recording structures—discs, cylinders, cards, multi-layered devices and structures replicated from them—to increase Figure of Merit. The cross-sectional shape improvements include reductions in berm height and width, dual level data marks and tracking guides, and land areas projecting above or into the surface of the recording structure. Disclosed methods include dual and/or dithered beam writing onto the structure and improved composition of the active layer of the structure. Also disclosed are apparatus for producing such improved features on optical recording structures, according to one or more of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the speed of bicycles, more particularly, an apparatus that changes the speed of bicycles using inner gears within a rear wheel hub and controls the inner gears by means of controllers mounted on a hub shaft. The apparatus includes: a driven sprocket receiving the driving force of a driving sprocket; a speed controlling portion, which includes a carrier that is fixed to one side of the driven sprocket, containing a plurality of planetary gears with ratchet-teeth formed along their inner circumferences; at least two sun gears for engaging each step of the planetary gears at their ratchet-teeth; a ring gear engaging the other side of the planetary gears; an output portion, including a hub shell transferring the driving force to the rear wheel by means of the carrier and the ring gear; a clutch means mounted between the carrier and the hub shell, and the ring gear and the hub shell, which selectively mediates the driving force; and a speed-change controlling portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing direction of driving force for bicycles, more particularly, an apparatus for changing direction of driving force for bicycles, which can travel bicycles forward by pedaling rearward as well as by pedaling forward, is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing direction of driving force for bicycles, more particularly, an apparatus for changing direction of driving force for bicycles, which can travel bicycles forward by pedaling rearward as well as by pedaling forward, is provided.

Abstract: An electronic seal including an electronic tag, an electrically resistive element in electrical communication with and attached to the tag, the resistive element being bondable to an object so as to define an electrical resistance, wherein a change in bonding of the element to the object causes a change in the electrical resistance, the change in electrical resistance being communicated to the tag.

Abstract: An apparatus peels fruit, in particular citrus fruit, by washing and sterilizing the fruit in a sterilizing bath. The washed and sterilized fruit is delivered to a perforator which makes a plurality of perforations through the outer surface of the peel of the fruit over its entire surface. The perforated fruit is then delivered to a conveyor which loads and orients the fruit so that it is spinning on the stem axis with the equator of the spinning fruit exposed to a plurality of slitting knives. The knives slit an equatorial cut through the outer surface of the peel. The slit and perforated fruit is then delivered to a carousel of canisters. Each canister is filled with fruit and an aqueous solution of a commercial pectinase. The solution is vacuum infused into the fruit so that the albedo attaching the peel to the fruit substantially disintegrates over a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A process for peeling fresh citrus fruit to provide peeled whole fruit, with ease of peeling and with limited amounts of adhering albedo. The fresh citrus fruit are initially chilled to a temperature well below room temperature, preferably less than about 10 degrees C. The chilled fruit are then scored so as to penetrate the albedo layer, but not the underlying juice sections, and the scored fruit are then immersed in an aqueous solution of a pectinase enzyme at an initial temperature of about 35 degrees C. The enzyme solution is then infused into the fruit, and after holding the infusion-treated fruit in the solution for a prescribed time period, without application of additional heat, the peel can be readily removed from the whole fruit.

Abstract: An apparatus peels fruit, in particular citrus fruit, by washing and sterilizing the fruit in a sterilizing bath. The washed and sterilized fruit is delivered to a perforator which makes a plurality of perforations through the outer surface of the peel of the fruit over its entire surface. The perforated fruit is then delivered to a conveyor which loads and orients the fruit so that it is spinning on the stem axis with the equator of the spinning fruit exposed to a plurality of slitting knives. The knives slit an equatorial cut through the outer surface of the peel. The slit and perforated fruit is then delivered to a carousel of canisters. Each canister is filled with fruit and an aqueous solution of a commercial pectinase. The solution is vacuum infused into the fruit so that the albedo attaching the peel to the fruit substantially disintegrates over a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An apparatus peels fruit, in particular citrus fruit, by washing and sterilizing the fruit in a sterilizing bath. The washed and sterilized fruit is delivered to a perforator which makes a plurality of perforations through the outer surface of the peel of the fruit over its entire surface. The perforated fruit is then delivered to a conveyor which loads and orients the fruit so that it is spinning on the stem axis with the equator of the spinning fruit exposed to a plurality of slitting knives. The knives slit an equatorial cut through the outer surface of the peel. The slit and perforated fruit is then delivered to a carousel of canisters. Each canister is filled with fruit and an aqueous solution of a commerical pectinase. The solution is vacuum infused into the fruit so that the albedo attaching the peel to the fruit substantially disintegrates over a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for grading the surface of generally apherical fruit according to surface characteristics such as color and blemish. The fruit are moved in single file past a scanning camera while being rotated about a transverse horizontal axis. Reflectivity data in three separate wavelength bands is collected for a series of scans of each article of fruit, and this data is processed to eliminate all duplicative data arising from the fruit's rotation. Color ratio signals based on the remaining reflectivity data are then utilized to grade the fruit according to their surface color and degree of blemish.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating fresh fruit to prevent and retard the growth of fungus. The techniques of the invention include simultaneously scrubbing the fresh fruit while drenching with a falling liquid containing a fungicide. Large volumes of liquid are used and the liquid can be recycled. The liquid also removes dirt and debris and, while containing a rather small amount of fungicide, such amount is present in a concentration sufficient to apply a coating to the fruit at the end of the scrubbing step given proper pH control. The pH of the solution is controlled. During the scrubbing step, the fruit is continuously rotated to provide even fungicidal deposit.