Abstract: A balloon kit package is provided to facilitate erection of a balloon assembly in a desired manner so as to prevent unintentional loss of buoyant balloons. The kit package includes an uninflated balloon, a placard greeting card or other object of mass sufficient of mass to overcome the buoyancy of the balloon when inflated and articles such as a ribbon for joining the balloon to the placard. In an alternative embodiment, the neck of the balloon is inserted directly into the placard. In package form the balloon kit is sealed in a plastic overwrap.

Abstract: A key has a flat key body having a blade extending along a longitudinal insert axis and having a front edge formed with transversely directed bitting, an opposite longitudinally extending back edge, and a pair of oppositely directed faces. Each face is formed with at least two longitudinally extending front grooves extending adjacent the front edge a full length of the blade and having depths equal to more than half of a transverse thickness of the blade, a longitudinally extending back groove having a floor at a depth equal to less than half of the blade thickness, and an elongated angled groove extending at an acute angle to and across the respective back groove at an intersection and having a part-cylindrical floor aligned with and forming a smooth continuation of the floor of the respective back groove at the intersection.

Abstract: A single dose filter bag for infusible product is closed by folding a flap made in the upper part of the filter bag, attaching a connecting thread to the filter bag and to a pickup tag by first and second terminal portions respectively of the connecting thread, forming a short vertical or horizontal stitch using first and second auxiliary threads respectively.

Abstract: A flash memory controller operates a flash memory array comprising a plurality of different types of flash memory chips. The CPU interacts with the array by issuing generic commands through a single Memory Technology Driver (MTD), while the controller translates the generic commands into commands specific to the chip comprising the portion of the array being addressed. The controller operates each of the flash chips which comprises the flash memory array, and presents to the CPU a memory system comprised of a single addressable entity. According to a further feature of the invention, the controller is embedded into each of the flash chips in an array in order to further reduce overhead costs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer-automated laundry management system which is designed to improve access, control operation, record activities, and monitor multiple laundry machines in a facility. The automated system provides a user interface, an account manager, and a local machine controller. The invention can be retrofitted to domestic and commercial laundry machines (washers and dryers) with simple modification of the laundry machines. The system also uses a modem to provide remote functions such as notifying customers when the laundry service is completed as well as remote monitoring and accounting. The invention emphasizes software control to provide a highly flexible, feature-rich, and an easily adaptable functionality at a significantly lower cost than hardware-centered implementations.

Abstract: A method and system for computerizing learning, response, and evaluation is provided. The computerized system comprises a central processing unit and related memory and storage capacity to operate a learning, response, and evaluation system stored in a computer program. The learning, response, and evaluation system comprises an authoring portion and a presentation portion. Through the use of intuitive interface elements, the authoring portion allows an author to quickly and easily construct a lesson from a pool of relevant data. Due to the design and capabilities provided, the authoring portion reduces the time it takes for an author to learn how to construct a lesson and reduces the time it takes to construct the lesson. Data can be organized into pages which are presented to the user and pages which are hidden from the user. The presentation portion allows a user to view and learn the information contained in a lesson.

Abstract: A composite frame member that includes a longitudinally extending external member that defines a longitudinally extending internal cavity within which a longitudinally extending internal member is disposed. The internal member and external member, while being distinct components, are constructed and arranged to cooperate in a substantially synergistic fashion that seeks to provide a frame member having superior strength characteristics. Further, the internal member and the external member cooperate to define an accessible stapling channel that is capable of being readily stapled into. The external member includes walls that at least partially bound the internal cavity. The internal member is disposed within the internal cavity and defines the stapling channel, wherein the stapling channel receives a cover sheet and staples through an opening defined by the external member.

Abstract: A method of acquiring an ionizing radiation image including, irradiating a material with patterned ionizing radiation, exciting the irradiated material with excitation radiation to emit light in accordance with the pattern and acquiring the emitted light. The excitation radiation has a wave length which does not cause substantial electron-hole recombinations in said material. Preferably, the irradiation forms luminescent centers in the material and the excitation radiation has a wave length suited for excitation of the luminescent centers.

Abstract: Ferrous powder particles are coated with vaporized phosphorus in a fluid-bed reactor to obtain homogeneous coatings of phosphorus. The coated powders are useful feed for pressed structural parts, exhibiting improved green density, compressibility and sintered density thus improving magnetic and tensile properties.

Abstract: A damper seal and method of sealing and damping a rotating shaft are disclosed. The damper seal includes a stator housing, a plurality of cavities, a first modulator for modulating the fluid flow into the cavities, and a second modulator for modulating the fluid flow exiting the cavities less than the fluid flow entering the cavities to provide improved damping and sealing.

Abstract: An improved method for scrubbing a substrate, the method including the step of scrubbing one face of the substrate with a cylindrical rotary brush while applying back pressure to the substrate by jetting a fluid for generating back pressure against the other face of the substrate.

Abstract: A retainer is provided for a face piece that has a generally triangular face shaped rim for forming a seal over user's face when the face piece is worn. The retainer is made from a stiff material and has a rim that conforms to the rim of the face piece, and is shaped to provide a loose frictional fit over the face piece. The retainer helps protect the face piece during shipping, storage, and when otherwise not in use, and can help correct minor deformation in a face piece.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating accounting and billing operations information between a gateway mobile switching center (G-MSC) and a visiting mobile switching center (V-MSC) to which a call is being directed to a mobile station within a cellular telecommunications network. The method comprises the steps of: generating in the serving MSC first billing identification data for the call; transmitting the first billing identification data to the destination MSC; generating second billing identification data in the destination MSC corresponding to a call transaction that has occurred in the destination MSC; and returning the second billing identification data as related billing identification data to the serving MSC after an outcome for the call has been determined in the destination MSC. The outcome of the call is determined when a page response has been received in the V-MSC from the mobile station or alternatively, a call has been delivered by seizing a trunk from the serving MSC to the destination MSC.

Abstract: A cellular communications system including a mobile station that shifts periodically between a stand-by operating mode where communications are possible and a deep sleep operating mode wherein communications are impossible and battery power is conserved. Thus, while the mobile station is in deep sleep mode, message transmissions to the mobile station are impossible. The messages are, however, stored for later delivery, and a record of the stored, undelivered messages is maintained for future access. When the mobile station emerges from deep sleep, the maintained message record is checked, and the stored messages for the awakened mobile station are retrieved and delivered.

Abstract: Gluing machine for use in plants for producing wood fibreboard panels by a dry process including a hollow cylindrical shell having an inlet opening at one end for feeding an air stream transporting the fibers within which the glue is to be distributed, and an outlet opening at an opposite end for removing the air stream transporting the glue-impregnated fibers. A sprayer is provided for spraying an adhesive onto the fibers flowing through the cylindrical shell. The machine includes members for maintaining the flowing fibers close to the inner wall of the cylindrical shell for a predetermined distance. The sprayer is positioned within the predetermined distance in which the fibers are maintained close to the inner surface of the cylindrical shell.

Abstract: Methods are provided for transforming Musa plants. In particular, methods for wounding meristematic Musa plant tissue to facilitate access of Agrobacterium tumefaciens comprising genetically-engineered T-DNA is provided. The methods may be used to transform the plant to produce pharmaceutical products or to alter the phenotypic trait of the fruit of the plant.

Abstract: A refrigerator door-mounted beverage dispenser device for use with bottled beverages, to control beverage flow during dispensing from a bottle. The device comprises a generally cylindrical housing engaging the mouth of the bottle, an operating lever pivotably attached to the housing and movable between upper and lower positions, a self-closing flow valve, and a valve actuator operable with the operating lever to open the flow valve by applying pressure thereto while it is in either of the upper and lower positions, to enable controlled beverage flow. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispenser device itself is threaded onto the beverage bottle, sealing it closed. A retractable lever is arranged to displace a ball valve and enable liquid beverage flow into a cup.

Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping groups of products, whereby, by means of a U-shaped shuttle with its concavity facing upwards, groups of products are fed successively to the loading station of a wrapping conveyor coplanar with the shuttle and traveling in a direction crosswise to the traveling direction of the shuttle; and a U-shaped folding spindle with its concavity facing the shuttle is brought into contact with the central panel of a blank fed into the loading station by the wrapping conveyor, and receives a group from the shuttle prior to the blank being folded about the spindle to form a tray, and prior to the spindle being withdrawn from the tray.