Abstract: A kiosk (10) that enables pasta portions of the type forming the classical Italian first course to be prepared, the kiosk (10) including an automatic pasta cooking machine (18); a cooking hob (20) for amalgamating within a suitable container, by heating accompanied by mixing, the required sauces or condiments with the pasta previously cooked in the pasta cooking machine; and a heating element (22) for heating the sauces or condiments and/or for maintaining them hot.

Abstract: A laminar structure comprised of at least two layers FORCE (16, 20) of glass and a sheet (18) of plasticized PVB containing an adhesion control additive is provided wherein the difference in adhesion between the PVB interlayer and the glass due to glass orientation is minimized by including a leveling agent in the bulk or on the surface of the sheet of plasticized PVB or by coating the leveling agent onto the glass prior to laminating.

Abstract: The invention allows the fabrication of small, dense beads of dielectric materials with selected compositions, which are incorporated into a polymeric matrix for use in capacitors, filters, and the like. A porous, generally spherical bead of hydrous metal oxide containing titanium or zirconium is made by a sol-gel process to form a substantially rigid bead having a generally fine crystallite size and correspondingly finely distributed internal porosity. The resulting gel bead may be washed and hydrothermally reacted with a soluble alkaline earth salt (typically Ba or Sr) at elevated temperature and pressure to convert the bead into a mixed hydrous titanium- or zirconium-alkaline earth oxide while retaining the generally spherical shape. Alternatively, the gel bead may be made by coprecipitation. This mixed oxide bead is then washed, dried and calcined to produce the desired (BaTiO3, PbTiO3, SrZrO3) structure. The sintered beads are incorporated into a selected polymer matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of pH measurements of tissue as a system for controlling diagnostic and/or surgical procedures. The invention also relates to an apparatus used to perform tissue pH measurements. Real time tissue pH measurements can be used as a method to determine ischemic segments of the tissue and provide the user with courses of conduct during and after a surgical procedure. When ischemia is found to be present in a tissue, a user can effect an optimal delivery of preservation fluids to the site of interest and/or effect a change in the conduct of the procedure to raise the pH of the site.

Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display has a plurality of pixels, each of which is capable of displaying at least three gray levels. The display is driven by a method comprising: storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary to convert an initial gray level to a final gray level; storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display; receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary to convert the initial state of said one pixel to the desired final state thereof, as determined from said look-up table. The invention also provides a method for reducing the remnant voltage of an electro-optic display.

Abstract: A system for capturing a virtual model of a site includes a range scanner for scanning the site to generate range data indicating distances from the range scanner to real-world objects. The system also includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver coupled to the range scanner for acquiring GPS data for the range scanner at a scanning location. In addition, the system includes a communication interface for outputting a virtual model comprising the range data and the GPS data.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) inductive shorted patch antenna includes a direct current inductive (DCL) frequency selective surface (FSS) forming the radiating element, a ground plane, a feed, and a radio frequency (RF) short to the ground plane positioned between the feed and the radiating element.

Abstract: An ionomer/high density polyethylene (HDPE) blend with improved flow (e.g., lower viscosity) can be achieved without significantly degrading physical properties such as impact resistance and tensile strength by the addition of low molecular weight ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer (e.g., so-called acid wax polymer derived from copolymerizing at least 5 weight percent and preferably greater than 9 weight percent acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid with ethylene and having a melt index, ASTM D1238, preferably greater than 900 dg/min and preferably greater than 5,000 dg/min). The blend may further have for every one hundred parts by weight of ionomer/high density polyethylene blend from one to twenty parts by weight polyethylene modified with from 0.2 to 5.0 weight percent maleic anhydride comonomer as an impact resistance additive.

Abstract: The invention refers to a seal of guarantee (10) for foodstuff wrapped in a packaging, which closes said packaging and which has the shape of a label, having a tab (11) which can be folded down on to itself to cover a sufficient portion of the packaging, with a zone (12) where it is possible to write information regarding the product, such as the production and best before dates. The invention also refers to a machine to automatically apply the seal (10) which fundamentally includes a loader (17) containing a pile of seals, which are picked up one at a time from the underside, a cursor (19) which handles the seals to be applied, a tool (21) to fold the tab (11) and a seal applicator head (18) for ultrasonic welding, gluing or similar.

Abstract: An optical fibre tensioning device, receiving at its input an optical fibre from a traction device and capable of supplying the optical fibre from its output to a device for storing the fibre. The tensioning device comprises at least one fixed pulley on which the optical fibre is wound for a first length, and at least one movable pulley on which the optical fibre is wound for a second length. A device for measuring the tension applied to the fibre and a motorized device for moving the movable pulley interact with each other to control a distance (Dp) between axes of the pulleys in such a way as to automatically keep the tension applied to the fibre essentially constant.

Abstract: A unit to replace the rear metal axles of children's tricycles, characterized by the fact that the unit is integrated with tricycle body (12) and is formed by an axle support (5), which is made up of three walls (13,14, 15) and is integral with corresponding axle bridges (1, 1′), where two rear wheels (18) of the tricycle are enclosed, whereby at its outer end each axle bridge has a circular peripheral protruding ring (3; 20) and at its inner end it has a circular peripheral protruding ring (4; 21).

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted wheelchair rack assembly with lifting capabilities for transporting a folded wheelchair at the rear of a vehicle. The rack assembly integrates a jack assembly into a stationary L-shaped frame coupled to the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the jack assembly is coupled to a telescopic T-joint member wherein actuation of the jack assembly moves a vertical casing of the T-joint member along a vertical strut member of the L-shaped frame. The vertical strut member has a longitudinal opening or channel which has a length that defines a continuous range for lifting or elevating or, alternately, lowering the T-joint member and a folded wheelchair strapped to the T-joint member.

Abstract: A composition that can be used as, for example, mold release agent or lubricant and is disclosed. The composition comprises a fluorotelomer, which comprises repeat units derived from a fluoroalkene, and optionally a comonomer, and has an end group derived from a secondary alcohol or derivative thereof. Also disclosed is a process that can be used to produce the fluorotelomer. The process comprises contacting a fluoroalkene in a hydrofluorocarbon with at least one secondary alcohol, ether or ester thereof, or combinations of two or more thereof wherein the secondary is substantially soluble in the hydrofluorocarbon.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase biosynthetic enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase biosynthetic enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase biosynthetic enzyme in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising A) a stationary acid component selected from the group consisting of a perfluorinated ion exchange polymer on an inert support, a silane modified perfluorosulfonic acid, and a sulfated metal oxide; and B) a mobile acid component selected from the group consisting of chlorosulfonic acid, fluorosulfonic acid, a fluorinated monosulfonic acid, a fluorinated sulfonimide, a fluorinated disulfonic acid, and an adjunct acid mixture is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides for a substrate coated with a non-stick coating which resists abrasion force, the coating comprising a fluoropolymer resin containing ceramic particles to deflect the abrasion force away from the coating wherein the ratio of the thickness of the coating to the longest diameter of said ceramic particles is in the range of 0.8-2.0. Further, the invention provides for a substrate coated with a non-stick coating which resists abrasion force, the coating comprising an undercoat and an overcoat, each containing fluoropolymer resin, the undercoat also containing ceramic particles extending from the undercoat, the overcoat telegraphing the particles extending from the undercoat through the thickness of the overcoat to deflect the abrasion force away from the coating. Preferably, the ratio of the combined thickness of the undercoat and the overcoat to the longest diameter of the ceramic particles is in the range of 0.8-2.0.

Abstract: The invention provides thermoplastic polymer alloy compositions based on syndiotactic polystyrene, ethylene copolymers and styrene block copolymers. They are useful in high temperature, chemical resistant molding applications. The compositions are formed by melt-blending under high shear. Preferably the composition contains syndiotactic polystyrene, an epoxy group-containing ethylene copolymer, an acid group-containing styrene copolymer, and optionally a styrene-containing block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an etch and mar resistant low VOC clear coating composition most suitable for use as a top clear coat in multi-layered OEM or refinish automotive coatings. The coating composition includes polyisocyanate, polyester polyol and melamine components, where more than half of total composition solids include the polyester polyol and melamine components. The polyisocyanate component includes an aliphatic polyisocyanate. The composition may be formulated as a two-pack or one-pack coating composition, wherein the isocyanate functionalities are blocked with a blocker such as a mono-alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method whereby 3,4-tetrahydrofurandiol is hydrogenated in the presence of Rh, Re, Pd, Ru and Ni catalysts, optionally supported, to form tetrahydrofuran and its precursors.