Abstract: A disc drive comprises a main body equipped with a turntable for rotating a disc, a disc tray movable with respect to the main body between a disc loaded position and a disc eject position to transport the disc to the disc loaded position, and a disc clamper for holding the disc transported by the disc tray between the turntable and the disc clamper. The disc drive further includes a disc clamper displacement mechanism provided on the disc tray to make contact with the disc clamper to displace the disc clamper upward when the disc tray is moved from the disc loaded position to the disc eject position so as to prevent obstruction of the movement of the disc tray. This mechanism includes an inclined surface formed on at least a portion of the disc tray to the rear of a disc supporting portion and a reinforcing portion connected to the rear of the inclined surface.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer utilizes an orifice plate having at least two ink ejection orifices associated with one ink firing chamber so that both orifices eject ink. These orifices are manufactured to be non-circular and opposite each other about a midpoint between them.

Abstract: Targeted ultrasound contrast agents are described. The contrast agents are porous particles of an inorganic material containing an entrapped gas or liquid and having an average particle diameter of about 0.05 to 500 microns. The outer surfaces of the particles incorporate a targeting ligand to target delivery of the contrast agent.

Abstract: A gate assembly for a double disk gate valve having two closure disks with a resilient material between. The resilient material and closure disks are enveloped in an outer harder coating. Closing the gate valve brings the disks into initial sealing contact with the bottom of the valve seat. Applying pressure to the gate valve after contact is made between the gate assembly and the valve seat causes the resilient central member to exert pressure against the closure disks, thus pressing the outer coating of the gate assembly against the sidewalls of the valve seat. This action creates a better sealing engagement with the seat surface to exclude flow. Wear on the gate assembly is significantly reduced since the gate assembly does not make contact with the sidewalls of the seat while being moved between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: The phosphor A2DSi2O7:Eu2+, where A is at least one of Ba, Sr, Ca and D is Mg and Zn absorbs UV light, for example from an LED, and converts the UV light to green light. The phosphor can be combined with a red phosphor such as Y2O3:Eu3+,Bi3+ and one or more blue phosphors such as SECA ((Sr,Ba,Ca)5(PO4)3Cl:Eu2+) and BAM (BaMg2Al16O27:Eu2+) to produce white light. Also, a light emitting apparatus is disclosed which comprises at least one of a red, green and blue phosphor for absorbing and converting ultraviolet radiation from a light emitting semiconductor into visible light. A laser diode can be used to activate the phosphors to provide improved efficiency and brightness.

Abstract: According to the invention there is in conjunction with a pneumatic tire (10′) having an electronic tag (100) mounted therein with a patch (70′) having a first side (72′) for mounting against the innerliner of the tire, a second arcuately-shaped side (73′) and an internally threaded member (71′) extending to the arcuately-shaped side (73′). The electronic tag has a pressure sensor (116) located at the bottom of a tubular shaped air inlet structure (118) opening at an upper surface (122a) of the electronic tag, an internally threaded nut (132) having one end (132a) disposed within the electronic tag (100) and an opposite end (132b) extending outward from the upper surface (122a) of the tag, an externally threaded member (134) threaded into the internally threaded nut (132) and extending through the upper surface (122a).

Abstract: A three-bar polyester tricot warp knit fabric for use in a radar dispersion fabric having patterns stitched on the three bars as indicated: Bar I 2-3/4-3/1-0/3-4/2-3/5-4/2-3/5-6/8-9/6-5/3-2/5-4 Bar II 7-6/4-3/1-0/3-4/7-6/4-5/7-6/5-6/8-9/6-5/7-6/4-5 Bar III 4-5/6-7/8-9/7-6/5-4/4-5/5-4/3-2/1-0/2-3/4-5/5-4

Abstract: Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is formed into a bulk continuous filament yarn by a process comprising: Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)-based carpet having the bulk and resiliency of nylon as well as the stain resistance and low static generation of polyester is disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid colorant system for a plastic molding machine includes a plurality of interconnected tube structures, a tank containing the liquid colorant, and a peristaltic pump. The pump drives a flow of the liquid colorant from the tank to a valve through a delivery tube and a peristaltic tube. During ordinary operation, the valve allows the liquid colorant to flow into the molding machine through a feed tube. However, the valve can be shifted to allow air to be purged through a purge tube, bypassing the feed tube and the machine.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having an inflatable airbag with the trim cover overlying the airbag being reinforced in the region adjacent to the airbag and having a weakened zone formed by cutting the reinforcement to create a tear line for deployment of the airbag through the trim cover. The reinforcement reduces stretching of the trim cover during deployment of the airbag at locations surrounding the tear line such that the trim cover ruptures along the tear line to produce a predictable airbag deployment.

Abstract: A grounding arrangement for the shielding ground plane of a flex cable is used to provide electrical signal connections between a circuit item having a flex cable connector thereon and a physically separate electrical circuit element. The flex cable connector is mounted on the printed wire board a short distance from one edge thereof. A grounding pad is formed on the circuit item between the flex cable connector and one edge of said circuit element. An access window is formed in the flex cable adjacent the connector end thereof to provide access to the shielding ground plane thereof, the window being adapted to provide electrical signal communication, directly or by means of a conductive adhesive layer, between the shielding ground plane of the flex cable and the grounding pad on the circuit item when the connector end of the flex cable is received in the flex cable connector.

Abstract: A process that can be used in an esterification and polycondensation processes to produce a polyester such as, for example, poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. The process comprises contacting an acid with 1,3-propanediol in the presence of a catalyst comprising tin and titanium. A copolymer that contains up to 20 mole percent of another acid and/or a second alcohol is also disclosed. Further disclosed are a composition of, or comprising, a bis(3-hydroxypropyl) terephthalate prepolymer or a composition of, or comprising, a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) polymer. The bis(3-hydroxypropyl) terephthalate prepolymer and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) can each contain 10 to 100 ppm tin and 10 to 200 ppm titanium relative to the terephthalic acid content.

Abstract: A microneedle array, constructed of silicon and silicon dioxide compounds or of a molded plastic material, is provided to penetrate the stratum corneum and epidermis layers of skin, but not into the dermis. The microneedles can be used to either dispense a liquid drug, or to sample a body fluid. The delivery of drugs and sampling of fluids can be performed by way of passive diffusion (time release), instantaneous injection, or iontophoresis. A complete closed-loop system can be manufactured including active elements, such as micro-machined pumps, as well as passive elements such as sensors. A “smart patch” can thereby be fabricated that samples body fluids, performs chemistry to decide on the appropriate drug dosage, and then administers the corresponding amount of drug. An electric field may be used to increase transdermal flow rate.

Abstract: An ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) for an image forming apparatus includes a drive roller and a driven roller constituting document send-out means located downstream of a contact glass for sending out a document. The driven roller is movable into and out of contact with the drive roller. The driven roller is spaced from the drive roller when a document sensor does not sense the arrival of the leading edge of the document at the document send-out means. When the document sensor senses the leading edge of the document, the driven roller is moved toward the drive roller in order to convey the document in cooperation with the drive roller. The ADF insures accurate reading of the document without varying the document conveying speed at an image reading position.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus for producing an image on a gelatin coated ink receiver includes, at least one ink reservoir for providing ink for printing the image; a first print head coupled to an ink receiver and at least one ink reservoir, for producing disposing ink spots on the ink receiver; a hardening fluid reservoir for providing a hardening fluid for treating the ink spots disposed on the receiver; and a second print head coupled to the ink receiver and the fluid reservoir, for depositing the fluid on the ink spots disposed on the ink receiver whereby the gelatin coating is cross-linked with the hardening fluid thus improving the image stability and durability of the image.

Abstract: An aromatic polycarbonate of the present invention is produced by reacting an aromatic dihydroxy compound with a compound capable of introducing a carbonate bond, and has a viscosity-average molecular weight of 12,000 to 40,000 and a content of a cyclic oligomer represented by the formula (1) of not more than 1,000 ppm, in which the percentage of the content of said cyclic oligomer represented by the formula (1) based on the total contents of the cyclic oligomer represented by the formula (1), an oligomer represented by the formula (2) and an oligomer represented by the formula (3) satisfies the following relational formula [I]: 0 < ( 1 ) ( 1 ) + ( 2 )

Abstract: An interlabial absorbent structure is disclosed. The interlabial absorbent structure comprises a pair of absorbent panels that are sufficiently flexible such that the panels can, at least partially, conform to the walls of a wearer's interlabial space. The panels are joined by an isthmus which is positioned farthest into a wearer's interlabial space when the interlabial absorbent product is worn. Alternative embodiments of the isthmus are also described which direct bodily fluids that are deposited thereon along the longitudinal length of the interlabial absorbent structure.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing ethylene feedstock to produce branched polymer of ethylene suitable for blow molding applications and having improved environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR). For example, a catalyst comprising chromium on silica is (1) calcined in air and (2) reduced in carbon monoxide and then used with hydrogen to polymerize ethylene feedstock.