Abstract: An embodiment is a sling swivel that may be removably attached to and detached from a sling swivel base mounted on or within a firearm. More specifically, the sling swivel of an embodiment may be quickly detachable while not substantially prone to inadvertent detachment. An embodiment includes a knob coupled to a spring-biased plunger or actuator, wherein rotating the knob operates the plunger or actuator to removably attach and detach the sling swivel with respect to a sling swivel base.

Abstract: A detachable sling swivel capable of withstanding substantial pull forces includes a loop joined to a mounting body that detachably engages a sling swivel stud or other similar mounting device. At least a portion of the loop may have a substantially “T” shaped cross section, or T-beam construction. Various locking gate mechanisms are disclosed, including one having a gate configured to engage the T-beam construction of the loop for improved security and strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus drives a plasma display panel in which a margin of an address discharge and a sustain discharge is increased through a stabilized reset operation. According to an embodiment, the method of driving the PDP includes the steps of applying a first ramp-down pulse having a first tilt to scan electrodes in the first half of a set-down period included in a reset period, applying a ground voltage to the scan electrodes in the middle phase of the set-down period, and applying a second ramp-down pulse having a second tilt to the scan electrodes in the second half of the set-down period.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and systems useful in the handling of media files. Provided are methods for providing media content to a user including storing media content items in a first computer; adapting the first computer to allow the user to access the media content items from a second computer through a network; adapting the first computer to allow the user to select some or all of the media content items; adapting the first computer to allow the user to arrange the media content items in any order that the user desires; and downloading the selected and arranged media content items to the second computer. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An enveloping patient carrier having a flexible top surface connected to a flexible bottom surface. The flexible top surface defines a re-closable torso opening, a face opening and a plurality of re-closable medical attention openings. The enveloping patient carrier also includes a plurality of carrying handles attached to the perimeter of the patient carrier. The carrying handles are coupled to a plurality of intersecting lateral support members and longitudinal support member which engage the bottom surface. This type of patient carrier aids in the protection of emergency personnel from hazardous fluids (gas and liquid) and also enhances the medical attention and treatment of patients.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods of cementing, cement compositions and a suspending agent comprising boron treated low molecular weight dry ground guar splits. A cement composition of the invention comprises hydraulic cement, water and a boron treated low molecular weight dry ground guar splits suspending agent. A method of cementing comprising the steps of preparing a cement composition that comprises hydraulic cement, water and a suspending agent comprising boron treated low molecular weight dry ground guar splits; placing the cement composition in a location to be cemented; and allowing the cement composition to set.

Abstract: A paper cutter has a guide for guiding continuous paper in a lengthwise direction from an inlet portion thereof to an outlet portion thereof. A cutting device disposed downstream of the guide outlet portion partially cuts the continuous paper after it passes through the guide and exits the guide outlet portion, the cutting device partially cutting the continuous paper in a widthwise direction thereof to form two separated cut portions joined at one widthwise end to an uncut portion. At least two projections protrude inwardly of the guide and contact opposite surface of the continuous paper as it passes through the guide. The projections are located in the widthwise direction of the guide so as to concentrate a tensile force applied in the lengthwise direction to the uncut portion of the partially cut continuous paper at the region where the two separate cut portions join the uncut portion to thereby facilitate tearing of the uncut portion of the partially cut continuous paper.

Abstract: A thermal activating device has an activation heating apparatus for heating and activating a heat sensitive adhesive on a thermal activator layer of a thermal activation sheet. A pressing device presses the thermal activation sheet into pressure contact with the activation heating apparatus to heat and activate the heat sensitive adhesive on the thermal activator layer of the thermal activation sheet. A detector detects the presence of the thermal activation sheet at a predetermined position along its path of travel. A pressure releasing device releases the pressure contact between the thermal activation sheet and the activation heating apparatus when the detector does not detect the presence of the thermal activation sheet at the predetermined position.

Abstract: An improved canister for preserving aroma of coffee or spices includes a hollow body and a cap sealing the body. An elastic disk sealing the canister is placed inside the canister under the cap. The disk has a major stationary portion and a minor movable portion. The cap, the body of the canister or the movable portion includes an element for pressing and bending the disk movable portion downwardly when the canister is capped. The disk movable portion is retracted back to its original sealing position when the canister is uncapped.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the enveloping patient carrier of the present invention has a flexible top surface connected to a flexible bottom surface. The flexible top surface defines a re-closable torso opening, a face opening and a plurality of re-closable medical attention openings. The enveloping patient carrier also includes a plurality of carrying handles attached to the sides of the patient carrier. This type of patient carrier aids in the protection of emergency personnel from hazardous fluids (gas and liquid) and also enhances the medical attention and treatment of patients.

Abstract: A method for drilling, running casing in, and/or cementing a borehole in a subterranean formation without significant loss of drilling fluid is disclosed, as well as compositions for use in such method. The method employs a drilling fluid comprising a fragile gel or having fragile gel behavior and providing superior oil mud rheology and overall performance. The fluid is especially advantageous for use in deep water wells because the fluid exhibits minimal difference between downhole equivalent circulating density and surface density notwithstanding differences in drilling or penetration rates. When an ester and isomerized olefin blend is used for the base of the fluid, the fluid makes an environmentally acceptable and regulatory compliant invert emulsion drilling fluid. The fluid preferably contains no organophilic clays.

Abstract: A thermally activating apparatus of a thermosensible adhering sheet at least having a thermally activating thermal head, a thermally activating platen roller and controlling means for controlling to process to drive these, having heating means (for example, thermally activating thermal head) for applying thermal energy to a remaining substance comprising a thermosensible adhesive or a denatured substance thereof or the like adhered to a thermally activating thermal head and a thermally activating platen roller, and carrying means (for example, thermally activating platen roller) capable of carrying a predetermined cleaning sheet by inserting the predetermined cleaning sheet into the thermally activating apparatus from a predetermined direction, in which the controlling means is constituted to be able to control to process to drive the heating means and the carrying means, the thermal energy is applied to the remaining substance by making the heating means generate heat in a state in which the thermosensible a

Abstract: A printer apparatus has a printing device for printing on a printable layer of a thermosensitive adhesive sheet. A heat-application and transporting member heats a thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet and transports the thermosensitive adhesive sheet. A control device controls the heat-application and transporting member to heat a portion of the thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet while simultaneously controlling the printing device to print on a portion of the printable layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet disposed opposite to and generally confronting the portion of the thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet.

Abstract: A thermal activation device has a thermal head having heat generating elements for thermally activating a heat-sensitive adhesive layer of a heat-sensitive self-adhesive sheet. The heat-sensitive self-adhesive sheet has a sheet-like substrate having a printable surface on a first side thereof and the heat-sensitive adhesive layer on a second side thereof. An energy control device controls the thermal head by applying one or more voltage pulses to the heat generating elements for energizing the heat generating elements to thereby thermally activate an area of the heat-sensitive self-adhesive layer in one step. When a series of the voltage pulses are applied to the heat generating elements, the energy control device selectively switches between the heat generating elements to be energized by the voltage pulses each time one of the voltage pulses is applied.

Abstract: Forwarding and cutting method of a heat sensitive adhesive sheet using a printing device for printing on a printable layer of a heat sensitive adhesive sheet formed by the printable layer on one surface of a sheet-shaped substrate and a heat sensitive adhesive layer on the other surface thereof and first forwarding device for forwarding the heat sensitive adhesive sheet in a predetermined direction, a cutter provided in a posterior stage to the printing device, a thermal activating device including heating means provided in the posterior stage to the cutter, for heating the heat sensitive adhesive layer and second forwarding device for forwarding the heat sensitive adhesive sheet in a predetermined direction, an operation of the first forwarding device is stopped so as to cut the sheet by the cutter after temporarily loosening the sheet between the cutter and the thermal activating device according to speed control of the first and second forwarding devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally activating a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet of the type having a printable surface on one side, a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on the other side and sheet identifying information including information concerning one or more properties of the adhesive used in the adhesive layer, comprises an energizeable heating unit for heating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer to activate the same, a reading sensor for reading the sheet identifying information, and a control section for controlling energy applied to the heating unit on the basis of the sheet identifying information read by the reading sensor. The control section controls the energy applied to the heating unit by keeping the amplitude of applied voltage pulses constant and varying the pulse width.

Abstract: A thermal activation device (thermal activation unit A1) for heat-sensitive self-adhesive sheet at least includes: a thermally-activating thermal head for thermally activating a heat-sensitive adhesive layer of a heat-sensitive self-adhesive sheet including a sheet-like substrate formed with a printable surface on one side thereof and with the heat-sensitive adhesive layer on the other side thereof; and a platen roller (41) for conveying the heat-sensitive self-adhesive sheet in a predetermined direction, the device wherein the platen roller includes adhesive-mass removing means for removing an adhesive mass (G2) of the heat-sensitive adhesive adhered to a periphery of the platen roller, and wherein the adhesive-mass removing means includes: a transfer roller (42) slidably contacting the periphery of the platen roller as located near an exit of the heat-sensitive self-adhesive sheet, thereby allowing the adhesive mass adhered to the periphery of the platen roller to be transferred thereto; and a cleaning shee

Abstract: A printer includes a line thermal head, a platen roller for holding a paper between the platen roller and the line thermal head and feeding the paper, a cutter, including a movable blade and a fixed blade, for cutting printed paper, and a cutter driving mechanism for driving the movable blade. At least one of the line thermal head and the platen roller can be moved from a first position for printing to a second position for removing a paper jam, and one of the movable blade and the fixed blade is directly or indirectly attached to one of the line thermal head and the platen roller so that when the one of the line thermal head and the platen roller moves from the first position to the second position, one of the movable blade and the fixed blade also moves. In this way, a compact printer that uses roll paper, has a cutter function, and makes it easy to remove paper jams can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for monitoring differential expression of a plurality of genes in a first filamentous fungal cell relative to expression of the same genes in one or more second filamentous fungal cells using microarrays containing filamentous fungal expressed sequenced tags. The present invention also relates to filamentous fungal expressed sequenced tags and to computer readable media and substrates containing such expressed sequenced tags for monitoring expression of a plurality of genes in filamentous fungal cells.