Abstract: Apparatus for sealing thermoplastic sheet materials or for closing packs, such as bags, made of such sheet materials with the aid of heated sealing jaws (22) and mating jaws (25), which accommodate between them the sheet materials and/or folding or closing flaps which are to be connected, the (non-heated) mating jaw (25) having an elastically deformable abutment surface for the sheet materials which are to be sealed, such that any possible elevations produced by a multi-layered design of the folding or closing flaps are compensated for by the elasticity of the abutment surface of the mating jaw. The sealing jaw (22) and/or mating jaw (25) can be moved by a special, oil-free actuating mechanism which, during continuous driving, brings about a standstill phase of the sealing jaw or mating jaw, which can be moved back and forth.

Abstract: In order to produce (cigarette) packs with an (inner) wrapper made of heat-sealable sheet material and with folding tabs which are connected to one another by sealing, first of all a cigarette group (11) is enclosed by a wrapper blank and. following completion of the necessary folding operations, is fed to a sealing turret (48). In the region of the latter, folding tabs on sideways directed side walls and on radially outwardly directed end walls of the folded wrapper are sealed.

Abstract: The present invention entails a phase mask for producing a plurality of volume gratings for use as optical couplers and method for creating the phase mask. The phase mask is produced by creating a plurality of volume gratings having predetermined characteristics which allow the phase mask, when excited by a coherent light wave, to produce a plurality of volume gratings in a recording material.

Abstract: A system to control pathogens on a target element is disclosed, wherein the target element is subjected to hypochlorous acid. The present invention incorporates the use of hypochlorous acid as a pathogen control medium, wherein a hypochlorous acid stream of between about 4.3 and 7.0 pH as a pathogen reduction agent is utilized. In one embodiment, the hypochlorous acid stream is used to reduce pathogens in poultry processing plants.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying and transferring blanks, in particular revenue stamps, to (cigarette) packs a supply of blanks being stored in at least one upright magazine shaft from which the blanks are removed individually on the underside. In order to increase the capacity, a loading station with a supply unit for blanks is arranged at a distance from a transfer station assigned to the packs, to be precise in a disruption-free, easily reachable region of the packaging machine.

Abstract: A no-flow reworkable epoxy underfill is provided for use in an electronic packaged system which incorporates an integrated circuit, an organic printed wire board, and at least one eutectic solder joint formed therebetween. An exemplary embodiment of the encapsulant includes: a cycloaliphatic epoxide; an organic hardener; a curing accelerator; and a fluxing agent wherein said cycloaliphatic epoxide includes a carbonate or carbamate group. The encapsulant can also include a filler, such as a silica filler. A method is also provided for forming the aforementioned reworkable epoxy underfills.

Abstract: A diffuser for use in a pressurized feed system. The diffuser introduces a carbonic acid solution into water to be treated. The carbonic acid solution within the diffuser is maintained at an elevated pressure. As the carbonic acid solution passes to the exterior of the diffuser, the pressure drop causes an effective mixing of the carbonic acid solution and the water. The carbonic acid solution mixes with the water and the pH of the water is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for diagnosing machines (10) for manufacturing products such as cigarettes (12) or cigarette packets (11), the products being examined for faults, and a signal indicating a faulty product being generated. The invention is based on the problem of improving the diagnosis. In order to solve this problem, the method according to the invention is characterized in that the fault-indicating signal (46) is evaluated for possible periodicity of faulty products (11, 12), and a possible periodicity is determined. For this purpose, the device according to the invention has an appropriately constructed control device (27a).

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing an amorphous polyamide-clay nanocomposite comprising the steps of: a. melt mixing a layered clay material with an oligomeric polyamide resin to form an oligomeric polyamide resin-clay composite, and b.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a polymer-clay nanocomposite, products produced from the nanocomposite, and a process for preparing a polymer-clay nanocomposite. The polymer-clay nanocomposite comprises (a) a matrix polymer, (b) an amorphous oligomer, and (c) a layered clay material.

Abstract: A filtering device including a casing with an inlet space for liquid to be filtered and an outlet space for filtered liquid; a substantially cylindrical filtering element of the disposable type, which is removably placed within the casing to function therein as a liquid permeable partition between the inlet space and the outlet space; a unique information containing micro circuit or chip provided in the filtering element, adapted to function as an identification label and cooperating with a receiver provided in the casing, so as to provide for a periodical or continuous exchange of information between the micro circuit and the receiver. The micro circuit is embedded, at a circumferential location, in an annular seal provided at a terminal edge of the cylindrical filtering element, the seal enabling the filtering element to sealingly engage an annular seat between the inlet space and the outlet space.

Abstract: Device for filling cartons (11) by inserting a group—filler group (19)—of small packs, pouches (10), into the carton (11), which is open at the top. The filler group (19) of pouches (10) corresponds to one layer (20) in the carton (11). A special filling conveyor (25) conveys the filler group (19) into the carton (11) and lays the pouches down one after another, forming a layer (20).

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite composition comprising one or more polyamide polymers or copolymers, one or more layered clay materials, and one or more alkoxylated ammonium cations. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a nanocomposite and articles produced from the nanocomposite, including bottles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymer-ceramic composites having high dielectric constants formed using polymers containing a metal acetylacetonate (acacs) curing catalyst. In particular, it has been discovered that 5 weight percent Co(III) acac can increase the dielectric constant of DER661 epoxy by about 60%. The high dielectric polymers are combined with fillers, preferably ceramic fillers, to form two phase composites having high dielectric constants. Composites having about 30 to about 90% volume ceramic loading and a high dielectric base polymer, preferably epoxy, have been discovered to have a dielectric constants greater than about 60. Composites having dielectric constants greater than about 74 to about 150 are also disclosed. Also disclosed are embedded capacitors with capacitance densities of at least 25 nF/cm2, preferably at least 35 nF/cm2, most preferably 50 nF/cm2. Methods to increase the dielectric constant of the two phase composites having high dielectric constants are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring environmental parameters comprising an optical fiber-based sensor having thermally-induced diffraction gratings therein which are stable at very high temperatures for many hours. The diffraction gratings are, preferably, formed in an optical fiber by exposure to light from an infrared laser and do not degrade at high temperatures. A system for measuring an environmental parameter includes an optical fiber-based sensor, a light source, and a detector. According to a method of measuring an environmental parameter, the optical fiber-based sensor is positioned within a high-temperature environment having a parameter desired for measurement. The light source directs light into the optical fiber-based sensor. The detector measures the differential diffraction of the light output from the optical fiber-based sensor and determines a value of the environmental parameter based, at least in part, upon a known correlation between the differential diffraction and the environmental parameter.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing markings, in particular printing, on a material web (11) for producing blanks (10), the material web (11) is stopped temporarily, with the result that a printing unit (34) can provide the marking or printing. In order to ensure that the marking is positioned precisely in each case, the relative positioning between the material web (11) and printing unit (34) is controlled by a printed-mark reader (37), which is assigned to the printing unit (34). In the case of incorrect positioning, the material web (11) is moved, for correction purposes, in the conveying direction or counter to this until the correct relative positioning is achieved.

Abstract: An automatic system and process for effectively, reliably and economically reconditioning for direct reuse various waste water, and particularly that in the poultry and other food processing industries, without the use of added chemicals and filter-aid compounds. The system includes water filtration and purification units, the purification unit consisting of an ultra-violet sterilizer. The integrity of the reconditioned water is continuously monitored in-line by sensors, which information is directly correlated to correspond to associated levels of solids and microorganisms. This invention presents a fully automated process to provide reconditioned water essentially free of microorganisms and of acceptable clarity to meet current United States Department of Agriculture regulations for food processing reuse.

Abstract: A reworkable epoxy underfill is provided for use in an electronic packaged system which incorporates an integrated circuit, an organic printed wire board, and at least one eutectic solder joint formed therebetween. An exemplary embodiment of the encapsulant includes: a cycloaliphatic epoxide; an organic hardener; and a curing accelerator; wherein said cycloaliphatic epoxide includes a carbonate or carbamate group. The encapsulant can also include a filler, such as a silica filler. A method is also provided for forming the aforementioned reworkable epoxy underfills.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission system, especially for use in a motorized vehicle. More particularly, the present invention discloses the use of a flywheel for assisting an engine in speeding up when acceleration is requested. The flywheel (135) is coupled to an epicyclic gearing (G) having three rotational members (41, 42, 43); this epicyclic gearing (G) is further coupled to a load (L) and to an engine (E), in parallel to a transmission unit (MT; CVT).

Abstract: This invention relates to a colorant composition comprising a layered clay material intercalated with at least one cationic colorant, optical brightener or a mixture thereof. This invention also relates to a polymer-clay nanocomposite comprising (i) a melt-processible matrix polymer, and (ii) a layered clay material intercalated with at least one cationic colorant, optical brightener or a mixture thereof, wherein the clay-cation colorant/optical brightener intercalate is incorporated into the matrix polymer. The invention further relates to articles produced from the polymer nanocomposite.