Abstract: A lightweight, low cost and expendable metal pallet comprises of a plurality of cellular core structures, which are sandwiched between two thin metal plates, namely the deck-plate and bottom-plate, to form a composite load-bearing panel unit. An angle-frame collar is joined to the perimeter edges of the deck plate to form a tray-base cargo-stacking platform. The cellular core structures are spaced to allow access openings for pallet lifting via the two or four sides of the pallet.

Abstract: A modular, low cost pallet and shelf assembly and a method for assembling the assembly is disclosed. The shelf assembly comprises a plurality of support members arranged so as to releasably accept a pallet therebetween, each vertical support member comprising a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough, wherein each aperture is configured so as to accept and releasably hold tabs inserted through the aperture, and a plurality of pallet securing members, each pallet securing member comprising at least one pallet securing member tab releasably securable within a vertical support member aperture and a securing surface for restraining the pallet between the vertical support members.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of an organic acid, such as a heat stable lactic acid, from a feed stream which contains at least one of an organic acid amide, an organic acid ammonium salt, or an alkylamine-organic acid complex. The feed stream is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one azeotrope with the organic acid that is produced by the thermal decomposition of the amide, ammonium salt, or complex in the feed stream. Preferably the azeotrope is a heteroazeotrope. The mixture of the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream. The azeotrope is a component of the vapor stream. The vapor stream can be condensed to a liquid stream, and the organic acid is recovered in the liquid stream that is produced. When the azeotrope is a heteroazeotrope, the vapor stream can be condensed into a liquid stream, which can be separated into a first phase and a second phase.

Abstract: An oscillatory drive comprising a rotating drive shaft is disclosed. The oscillatory drive is driven by an eccentric element that is coupled via a pivot element to a tool drive shaft arranged at an angle to the drive shaft for oscillatingly driving the tool drive shaft pivoting back and forth about its longitudinal axis. The eccentric element comprises a spherical outer ring which is guided within an at least partially cylindrical inner surface of the pivot element. By spring biasing the free end of the pivot element at both outer sides against the housing, efficiency is improved and vibrations are reduced.

Abstract: A donor element is described for use in a thermal imaging process. The donor element includes a support: a heating layer; a colorant containing transfer layer; and an overcoat layer comprising a wax having a melting point ranging from about 30° C. to about 350° C. Typically the wax is a natural vegetable wax, a mineral wax or a synthetic wax.

Abstract: A compensating optical fiber length having a negative chromatic dispersion slope, the compensating optical fiber having a core region surrounded by a cladding region, the cladding region defining a first ring of holes, which substantially defines, around the core region an annulus with an inner radius r1 and an outer radius r2, and at least one second ring of holes that surrounds the first ring of holes, the holes running along the compensating optical fiber longitudinally and being spaced apart from each other substantially according to a predefined pitch ?, wherein a) r1??/n?r2 where n is the refractive index of the material making up the core region of the compensating optical fiber length; b) the holes of the first and the at least one second ring are substantially of the same diameter d; and c) the ratio d/? substantially satisfies the following relationship (A) 0.8?d/?<1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of sintered porous bodies, to porous bodies produced correspondingly using the process, and to their use. With the solution according to the invention, sintered bodies which achieve improved properties, such as an increased surface area, deformability of the structures at room temperature or modification of the initial pore volume, are to be produced. To this end, at least one sintering-active powder which forms at least one intermetallic phase or mixed crystals is applied to the surface of a porous basic body. Heat treatment is to be carried out subsequently, in which intermetallic phases or mixed crystals which increase the specific surface area can be formed.

Abstract: A mirror assembly including an active lens and a reflective surface. The mirror assembly may change its refractive index when a voltage is applied to the active lens, thereby changing the field of view in the lens. Exemplary applications include a blind spot system in a motor vehicle, in which, upon sensing another vehicle in a driver's blind spot, the mirror assembly changes the driver's field of view to include the blind spot. Additional applications include a magnifying mirror for shaving or applying cosmetics.

Abstract: A first electrophoretic medium comprises an electrically charged particle suspended in a suspending fluid, the particle having a polymeric shell having repeating units derived from at least one monomer the homopolymer of which is incompatible with the suspending fluid. A second, similar electrophoretic medium comprises a suspending fluid, and first and second types of electrically charged particle suspended in the suspending fluid, the two types of particle having differing optical characteristics but both having polymeric shells. The polymeric shells are arranged such that homoaggregation of the two types of particles is thermodynamically favored over heteroaggregation.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing biodegradable aliphatic polyesters from one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or diesters of the said acids and one or more linear or branched aliphatic glycols, comprising a first esterification or transesterification step and a second deglycolation under vacuum step, in which the catalyst is monobutylstannoic acid both for the esterification or transesterification step and for the deglycolation under vacuum step.

Abstract: A reclining chair, in particular a passenger chair, for use in a vehicle such as an aircraft, bus or mobile home. The chair includes a base assembly, a seat frame located above the base assembly, a seat attached to the seat frame, and a seat back connected to the seat frame. In various embodiments, the chair includes features such as an energy absorbing base assembly, an adjustable arm rest, a fully reclining seat back and a seat that increases its angle with respect to the horizontal as the seat back reclines, thereby forcing one back into the chair. The seat and seat back is also capable of achieving a fully horizontal position when the seat back is fully reclined.

Abstract: A spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens provides a vision correcting area for the correction of a wearer's refractive error. The viewing correction area provides correction for non-conventional refractive error to provide at least a part of the wearer's vision correction. The lens has a prescription based on a wave front analysis of the wearer's eye and the lens can further be modified to fit within an eyeglass frame.

Abstract: An electro-optic display (100) comprising a backplane (102), a layer (112) of electro-optic material and a protective layer (128) capable of absorbing ultra-violet radiation and disposed on the opposed side of the layer (112) of electro-optic material from the backplane (102), is provided with an edge seal (130). The protective layer (128) extends beyond the layer (112) of electro-optic material, thus leaving a peripheral gap between the protective layer (128) and the backplane (102). To form the edge seal (130) an uncured edge sealing material curable by radiation transmitted by the protective layer (128) is placed in the gap and cured by transmitting radiation through the protective layer (128).

Abstract: A process for preparing poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarns and monofilaments. One process for preparing poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarns includes (a) providing a polymer blend including poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) and about 0.1 to about 10 weight % styrene polymer, by weight of the polymer in the polymer blend, (b) spinning the polymer blend to form poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multiconstituent filaments containing dispersed styrene polymer, and (c) processing the multiconstituent filaments into poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarn including poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multiconstituent filaments containing styrene polymer dispersed throughout the filaments. Another process includes spinning at a speed of at least 3,000 m/m and processing a blend including poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) to form partially oriented poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the process of pyrolyzing tetrafluoroethylene to hexafluoropropylene by carrying out the pyrolysis in a tubular reactor that is lined with either nickel or nickel alloy which contains no greater than 8 wt % chromium.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing and retrieving attribute name value pairs from properties data stores, such as properties files. According to one embodiment, attribute values may be associated with properties data store objects. First, an attempt is made to determine a value of an attribute of an object by formulating and submitting a first query against the properties data store based upon a combination of a current context identifier, an object identifier associated with the object, and an attribute identifier associated with the attribute. If the first query is unsuccessful at locating the value, then the value is determined by formulating and submitting a second query against the properties data store based upon a combination of the object identifier and the attribute identifier.

Abstract: Self-extinguishing cable coated with a flame-retardant composition having: (a) an ethylene homopolymer or copolymer having a density of from 0.905 to 0.970 g/cm3, and being selected from: ethylene homopolymers: copolymers of ethylene with an alpha-olefin; copolymers of ethylene with an ethylenically unsaturated ester; or mixtures thereof; (b) a copolymer of ethylene with at least one alpha-olefin, and optionally with a diene, said copolymer (b) having a density of from 0.860 to 0.904 g/cm3, and having a composition distribution index greater than 45%; (c) natural magnesium hydroxide in an amount such as to impart flame-retardant properties; wherein at least one of the polymeric components (a) and (b) contains hydrolyzable organic silane groups grafted onto the polymer chain. The silane groups are preferably introduced during compounding of the flame-retardant composition by adding to the polymer mixture a suitable silane compound and a radical initiator.

Abstract: The invention provides a plant base comprising a base section with a seat for a plant pot, in which a tail section extends in a horizontal direction from the rear of the base section. A groove/protuberance combination is provided at the front of the base section and the rear of the tail section that is able to be accommodated in the groove of another corresponding plant base. The groove and the protuberance each has a support surface that is lower or higher than the support surface of the groove, such that when the protuberance of the plant base has been taken up in the groove of the other plant base, one of the two plant bases is lifted from the substrate at the location of the engaging protuberance and groove. Thus, the invention provides a plant base that continuously retains the same orientation during transport over a conveyor belt, with successive plant bases kept a sufficient distance apart.

Abstract: An encapsulated electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of capsules dispersed in a polymeric binder, each of the capsules comprising a capsule wall, a suspending fluid contained within the capsule wall, and a plurality of electrically charged particles suspended in the suspending fluid and capable of moving therethrough upon application of an electric field to the medium, the polymeric binder having a shear modulus of at least about 10 mPa at 20° C., and preferably over the range of 10-50° C.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for managing, tracking and controlling page prerequisites in a graphical user interface (GUI). According to one embodiment, in response to a request to display a destination page of the GUI and with reference to prerequisite information, one or more prerequisite pages associated with the destination page are identified. Then, a determination is made whether the requirements of an identified prerequisite page have been satisfied by invoking a method of an instance of a decider sub-component that causes stored information regarding the state of the identified prerequisite page to be retrieved from a current environment/context. Finally, the destination page is displayed if all the requirements of the one or more identified prerequisite pages have been satisfied, otherwise a prerequisite page having one or more requirements that remain unsatisfied is displayed.