Abstract: An electrical discharge machine includes first and second coaxial electrodes and corresponding carriages. A liquid dielectric is channeled between the electrodes and a workpiece which are suitably electrically powered for machining a duplex hole in the workpiece.

Abstract: A tandem blisk is mounted in a multiaxis electrochemical machine. A first row of blades is electrochemically machined in sequence. A second row of blades is then electrochemically machined in sequence while the blisk is still mounted in the machine. The machine is initially set up for machining both stages without removal of the blisk between the machining sequences.

Abstract: A laser target includes a shank having a first wedge converging from a step to a distal end of the wedge. A complementary second wedge is mounted on the step and converges with the first wedge. The two wedges have respective target apertures aligned with each other transversely therethrough.

Abstract: A substantially flat disposable absorbent article for wearing adjacent a body discharge area having a longitudinal centerline, and a lateral centerline orthogonal thereto, and defining longitudinal and lateral directions respectively. The disposable absorbent article includes a liquid pervious top sheet, a back sheet joined to the top sheet, and an absorbent core intermediate the back sheet and the top sheet. The absorbent core includes a layer of compressed, cellulose based, linear fibers for expanding the article into a tridimensional structure while being worn by a user. The layer of compressed, cellulose based, linear fibers is activated by body fluids.

Abstract: Uniformly shaped snack chips, preferably tortilla-type chips, having raised surface features and a method for preparing the same. The chips can be made from a dough composition comprising pre-cooked starch-based material and pregelatinized starch. Preferably, the snack chips have raised surface features comprising from about 12% to about 40% large surface features; from about 20% to about 40% medium surface features; and from about 25% to about 60% small surface features. In one embodiment, the average thickness of the snack chip is from about 1 mm to about 3 mm; the average thickness of raised surface features is from about 2.3 mm to about 3.2 mm; the maximum thickness of the chip is less than about 5.5 mm; and the coefficient of variation of the chip thickness is greater than about 15%.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a grease-cutting detergent composition that exhibits a stable foaming profile when used with non-enclosed automatic dishwashers. The composition can be sold in a concentrated form or in ready-to-use (RTU) diluted form. The concentrated compositions are formulated to be diluted with water before use. The RTU formulas are intended for as-is usage. In one embodiment the concentrated compositions comprises a) from about 0.25% to about 10% of a surfactant, b) from about 4% to about 8% of an alkalinity source, c) from about 0.1% to about 4.0% of a hydrotrope, d) from about 0.001% to about 2.0% of a builder, and e) from about 0.01% to about 3.0% of a thickener. In another embodiment an RTU formulation comprises a) from about 50 ppm to about 80 ppm of a surfactant, b) from about 45 ppm to about 75 ppm of an alkalinity source, c) from about 20 ppm to about 45 ppm of a hydrotrope, d) from about 0.

Abstract: An improved process for providing an individually customized fresh brewed coffee beverage on demand by a consumer, in a wide range of variety and strength. Said brewing process is useful for making relatively large quantities of fresh brewed coffee beverages (in particular customized as to desired variety, body, character and/or strengths) as chosen by multiple individual consumers just prior to their consumption. Said process is easy to use by the consumer or other individual (i.e.,restaurant wait staff) obtaining the customized beverage. Further, maintenance of the equipment requires only a small amount of personal attention by the owner/operator of the equipment. “Delayed dilution” of a concentrated extract is utilized to provide a beverage brewing system which immediately (upon customer selection) provides selective dilution (based on individual consumer's selections) of a fresh brewed coffee extract after the extract has been allowed to brew and held as an extract before dilution.

Abstract: Reduced-fat, low-moisture lipid-based fillings. The lipid-based fillings can be used in a variety of food products. The low moisture, reduced fat, lipid-based filling comprises at least about 20% non-digestible lipid and other suitable optional ingredients. The filling has a water activity of less than about 0.6 and has at least about 20% less digestible fat than a comparable full-fat lipid-based filling. In one embodiment, the filling is a cheese filling. The low moisture, reduced fat, lipid-based cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% non-digestible lipid; (b) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (c) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent. The fillings can be used with any suitable substrate to form a food product.

Abstract: A process for forming an activated carbon fiber filter for removing viruses from liquids is provided. The process includes selecting a plurality of activated carbon fibers, placing the activated carbon fibers in a hollow form open at least one end, and applying a predetermined compressive force to the fibers along the axis through the hollow form parallel to the direction in which the liquid will pass until the fibers are densely and uniformly packed within the form.

Abstract: System for making and delivering a customized beverage product to a consumer having a user interface, a customization director in communication with a customization data store and the user interface, wherein the customization director includes executable instructions for determining a user's customized formulation; and a beverage delivery system in communication with the customization director, wherein the beverage delivery system includes executable instructions for delivering a customized beverage product. Method for delivering a customized beverage product to an individual including the steps of obtaining consumer preference data; determining a consumer beverage formulation corresponding to the consumer preference data; and providing the consumer a customized beverage corresponding to the customized beverage formulation, utilizing one or more of delayed dilution, delayed mixing, and delayed filtering, in any order.

Abstract: Processes for forming a filter material are provided. The processes include the steps of coating a filter particle with a lignosulfonate, carbonizing the coating, and activating the coating.

Abstract: An improved process for providing an individually customized fresh brewed coffee beverage on demand by a consumer, in a wide range of variety and strength. Said brewing process for making relatively large quantities of fresh brewed coffee beverages (in particular customized as to desired variety, body, character and/or strengths) as chosen by multiple individual consumers just prior to their consumption, with the system being easy to use by the consumer or other individual (i.e., restaurant wait staff) obtaining the customized beverage. Further, maintenance of the equipment requires only a small amount of personal attention by the owner/operator of the equipment. “Delayed dilution” of a concentrated extract to provide a beverage brewing system which immediately (upon customer selection) provides selective dilution (based on individual consumer's selections) of a fresh brewed coffee extract after the extract has been allowed to brew and held as an extract before dilution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tampon applicator, having a specific insertion tip structure with overlapping petals, connected to a tube. The petals are preferably curved such that one edge of a petal has an angle with the top edge of the tube of 40° to 60°. The petals are at least partially closed over the tampon and easily openable in use, which provides an improved, safer and more hygienic insertion of the tampon into the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tampon applicator arrangement, having tampon, applicator unit and a film cap, attached thereto, which is at least partially uniformly shaped, typically being conforming to part or all of the tampon or applicator unit, or such that the film cap has the lowest possible surface area. The film cap is so shaped and/or generally under tension and has no rugosites, folds or even wrinkles, other than optionally tension wrinkles, and preferably also no seams or welds. The invention also relates to specific moulding processes for making the film cap and the arrangement of the invention. The arrangements of the invention provide a smoother, easier and safer insertion of a tampon in the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impact structure for the absorption of impact forces to the body. The impact structure is worn about a joint and/or muscle group of the body to protect that particular area from forceful blows in such common activities as football, basketball, construction work, etc. The impact structure generally comprises a sheath that fits snugly about the body part of a wearer, one or more impact zones which absorb the impact of a blow, and/or a protective cover which positions the impact zones to be in their correct-anatomical position on a wearer's body member. The protective cover is also used to provide a further defense about the a wearer's body member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to breathable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads which are adhered by adhesive to an undergarment during use. More particularly the present invention relates to articles which have an air permeable or breathable back sheet, which have a flexibility in a longitudinal direction, and which are particularly well adhered to the undergarment in order to provide improved comfort to the wearer of the article.