Abstract: The Lamella card consists of a foldable wrapping having at least one sighting window, a first image carrier arranged inside it and a second image carrier comprising at least 4 lamellae inserted in one another. At least one of said lamellae is fitted with a lever, which is guided in a guiding slot, connected to a driving element. The lamellae are arranged in such a way that each lamella is brought under the first folding section and over a second neighboring folding section and can be driven by the motion of the driving element from the covered position of the first folding section over the second neighbouring folding section. Through the movement of the lamellae over a motion track, either the image located on the first image carrier or an image located on the lamellae can be displayed in a sighting window.

Abstract: A transducer assembly and wire bonding method has a vibration unit for generating an ultrasonic wave. A body section is coupled to the vibration unit for transferring the ultrasonic wave. A tapered horn is coupled to the body section for transferring and concentrating the ultrasonic wave. A capillary is coupled to a front section of the horn. The capillary has a channel running the length thereof. A wire is inserted through the channel. A discharge device is coupled to the capillary for forming a ball on the wire for wire bonding.

Abstract: A pulse of over six kilovolts with a duration of 200 nanoseconds causes an explosion that fragments a mineral deposit with metals embedded therein. The fragmentation separates the metals from the mineral. A conditioning electromagnet temporarily magnetizes the metals. A sorting magnet attracts one of the magnetized metals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device substrate. A substrate having no bus line and lead-in line is efficiently manufactured. In a step needing an electroplating process, conductive film is temporarily attached to circuit patterns in order to electrically connect all circuit patterns. A plating is formed in desired regions of the circuit patterns with a predetermined thickness in an electroplating method. The conductive film is completely removed while the substrate is manufactured so that the circuit patterns are electrically independent of one another, and the resulting substrate has no bus line and lead-in line.

Abstract: A wireless meter-reading system includes a utility meter having a housing and a face and a recording device located in the housing. The recording device is adapted to read and convert data located on a portion of the face to wirelessly transmittable data. A power source coupled to the recording device permits continuous and instantaneous capture of the wirelessly transmittable data from the face of the utility meter by the recording device. A communication device provided for wirelessly receiving and transmitting data between a consumer site and a utility provider site facilitates monitoring of the face of the utility meter by the consumer site and by the utility provider site. A method for allowing a consumer to join a secured wireless network of a utility provider comprises the consumer paying a fee to the utility provider. Both the consumer and the utility provider benefit from this arrangement.

Abstract: A harvester capable of alternate configurations for bulk and tote loading. In a tote loading configuration, harvested produce is moved along a main conveyor, elevated to a raised conveyor area, packed into totes, and the packed totes are then moved onto a lower conveyor for further transport. In a bulk loading configuration, the harvested produce is transported along the main conveyor, to a raised conveyor area, and are then lifted using an elevator for placement into a bulk bin.

Abstract: A modular computer component system has at least one linking module. A plurality of interchangeable hardware modules is provided. Each hardware module houses one computer component. Each hardware module is coupled to the linking module to allow data communication between the hardware module and the linking module thereby forming a complete computer system. The plurality of interchangeable hardware modules includes at least a processor module, a memory module, a hard drive module.

Abstract: Selectively tobacco shortened cigarettes are disclosed, which have a multiplicity of components including a shortened butt and an inner tube for reinforcing a casing of the selectively tobacco shortened cigarette. Selectively tobacco shortened cigarettes have an extinguishing gap region to limit burning of the selectively tobacco shortened cigarette. Selectively tobacco shortened cigarettes are either filtered or unfiltered. Selectively tobacco shortened filtered cigarettes include a filter covering, which is contiguous with a casing. Selectively tobacco shortened unfiltered cigarettes have a perforated intake cover to prevent tobacco from spilling into other interior portions of the selectively tobacco shortened unfiltered cigarette. Selectively tobacco shortened filtered cigarettes with vents having a multiplicity of holes are suitable for lessening the desire to smoke.

Abstract: A surface treatment dispenser is provided for substantially eliminating potentially harmful surface contaminants. The dispenser includes a handle coupled to a pair of nesting roller members each having a plurality of openings with one roller member being rotatable between a position where the plurality of apertures are aligned to allow the flow of decontaminant from within the inner nesting roller member and where the plurality of apertures are not aligned to prevent the flow of decontaminant. The device may also include a fine mesh cylinder within the inner nesting roller member to substantially prevent soaking the surface with decontaminant and a storage sleeve. Other decontamination devices are also provided that includes a container of decontaminant with a removable applicator in fluid communication with the contents of the container and a wipe containing decontaminant.

Abstract: A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter has a probe for measuring the at least one parameter. The probe will wirelessly transmit real time measured values. A meter is wirelessly coupled to the probe. The meter is used for displaying the real time measured values.

Abstract: An improved fuel cap and filler tube assembly for a fuel tank is provided. A spring-biased resilient and compressible closure member in the fuel cap seats inside an inlet opening of the filler tube when the fuel cap is secured to the filler tube. The filler tube includes an anti-siphon elbow.

Abstract: A fishing hook retaining apparatus and method, utilizing a retaining apparatus secured to a shaft of a fishing pole. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a sleeve having a magnet in an interior portion thereof, and a channel extending part of the way through an upper portion thereof. A hook is retained therein by the passage of a portion thereof through the channel, and the contacting of the hook with the magnet. The apparatus may be secured to the shaft, in one embodiment, with an O-ring that is looped over two opposing securing members, and about the shaft of the pole. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises two upwardly angled opposing sides, with a bar interposed therebetween. In a third embodiment, the apparatus comprises a base having retention ends which couple the apparatus to the shaft of the pole. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus is integral with the shaft of the pole.

Abstract: An adjustable depth control device for a fastener driving tool has an attachment member which is used to couple the adjustable depth control device to the fastener driving tool. An adjustment member is coupled to the attachment member to adjust and control a driving depth of the fastener driving tool. A stopping head is formed on a rivet die of the fastener driving tool for keeping the rivet die in a chamber of the fastener driving tool and for limiting a distance the rivet die will travel.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag employing a unique reception window and method for operating the tag system provides low-power operation for enhanced tag battery life, while providing addressable tags that can receive commands and data from the system, which can be a wireless local area network (WLAN) incorporating location finding for locating the tags. Interference with other tags and other transmitters is prevented by either using a sniffer circuit to determine that no network transmission is in progress, or by using a special non-interfering coding sequence. A receiver within the tag is operated for a predetermined period of time after a periodic transmission is made from the tag, and an address decoder determines if the tag is being addressed. The receiver can receive data and/or commands after being addressed and is shutdown if the window time elapses, the tag is not addressed, or at the completion of data/command transfer.