Abstract: A heat-insulating container is used for an instant dried food and is excellent in heat-insulating property, design and economy. The container comprises a paper cup body with a bottom, which has an inner surface coated with a polyolefin resin and is provided with an outward curled portion formed at an upper opening end of the cup body and at least one horizontal rib formed on a side wall of the cup body so as to project outward therefrom; and an inverse-frustoconical paper sleeve provided with an inward curled portion formed at a lower end of the sleeve. The cup body and the sleeve are integrally combined with each other so that an upper end of the sleeve is joined to an outer periphery of the side wall of the cup body, which is adjacent to the outward curled portion of the cup body, and an inner surface of the inward curled portion of the sleeve is joined to an outer periphery of a lower portion of the side wall of the cup body.

Abstract: A method for preparing a multi-layer tube, useful prior to endforming for brakeline connections, comprises the steps of forming a metal tube having an outer surface and an end and bonding a corrosion resistant layer to the metal tube outer surface. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the corrosion resistant layer. A first polymeric layer is extruded onto the metal tube, such that is bonds to the surface treatment layer; and a second polymeric layer is extruded onto the metal tube, such that it bonds to the first polymeric layer. The method further comprises the step of vaporizing and removing at least a portion of the first and second polymeric layers from an area adjacent the end by rotating an axially defocused, generally elliptical cross-sectionally shaped laser beam 360° about the area, while leaving the corrosion resistant layer intact.

Abstract: A system for processing a batch which is distributed into a plurality of independent segments. A preferred embodiment of this invention calls for implementation on a symmetrical multiprocessing platform, however, the invention is also applicable to massively parallel architectures as well as uniprocessor environments. Each segment comprises a plurality of discrete events, each discrete event comprising a plurality of sub-events to be processed. The system operates to process each discrete event within each segment sequentially and each sub-event within each discrete event sequentially. The plurality of segments may be processed on an uniprocessor, an SMP system or an MPP system. By balancing the number of discrete events in each segment using a “coarse grain” approach, a flexible but efficient use of processor availability is obtained.

Abstract: Method or applying heat shrinkable segments of material (16) (e.g., labels or ornamental bands) to articles (25) (e.g., containers or ornaments) which have convex surfaces. The segment (16) is attached at both ends by adhesive to the convex surface (46) (or the trailing end of the segment (16) may be lapped over and adhesively attached to the leading end of the segment (16). The adhesive attachments are confined to a narrow sector, e.g., the sector of widest diameter, or a circumference of a sphere, leaving major portions of the segment (16) on either side of such narrow sector unattached. These major portions are then heat shrunk onto the convex surfaces (46).

Abstract: A silica glass crucible 1 having &agr; of 0.05 or less over a thickness of 0.5 mm or more from the inner surface of the silica glass crucible, &agr; being obtained by dividing the fluorescent intensity integrated over a wavelength range of 4,000 cm−1 and 4,100 cm−1 by the fluorescent intensity integrated at a wavelength of 800 cm−1 where an SiO peak appears as determined by subjecting a section of the thickness of the silica glass crucible to laser Raman spectroscopy involving excitation by laser beam of 514 nm, and an OH group concentration of 100 ppm or less over the entire periphery beyond a thickness of at least 1.0 mm from the inner surface of the silica glass crucible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to membranes including an urethane including a polyester polyol, wherein the membrane has a gas transmission rate of 15.0 or less for nitrogen gas wherein the membrane has an average thickness of approximately 20.0 mils. Under certain embodiments, the membranes include blends of one or more polyester polyol based thermoplastic urethanes and one or more barrier materials. The membranes can be employed in a variety of applications and can be used as either monolayers or multi-layered laminates.

Abstract: A grip element having a soft, compressible and deformable outer layer supported by an underlying support structure sufficiently rigid to maintain a receiving channel of the grip element in an open configuration. The support structure facilitates manipulation of the grip element and assembly of the grip element onto a hand-held article without having the outer layer collapse on itself as would occur without the support structure as a result of the soft, deformable nature of the outer layer. The grip element may be formed separately from the hand-held article on which it is to be assembled, and then positioned thereon such that the hand-held article is sold with the grip element pre-assembled thereon. If desired, the grip element may be provided separate from the hand-held article, the outer layer providing a readily compressible and deformable soft cushioning surface and the support structure facilitating insertion of the outer layer over at least a portion of a hand-held article.

Abstract: A method is provided for gas-assisted injection molding for forming a hollow product. The mold cavity is prepressurized with fluid prior to injecting the molten material into the mold cavity, and the molten material is injected into the mold cavity against the pressurized fluid to establish a resultant internal counterpressure within the molten material. A pressurized assist-gas is injected into the molten material to form a gas bubble within the molten material. The injection of molten material into the cavity is then controlled in a manner to maintain the internal counterpressure at desired levels to overcome stress forces and to control formation and movement of the bubble within the melt.

Abstract: A lighted sign housing is provided with a diffuse reflective film that is selected based on its reflectivity and luminance uniformity in order to reduce power consumption required for a given luminance while also increasing luminance uniformity. A method of using such film is also provided.

Abstract: An improved multi-layer preform is provided which includes: (a) a plastic inner liner, having a cylindrical-walled lower portion and a cylindrical-walled upper portion integral with and extending upwardly from said lower portion, and (b) a molded outer layer. The liner further includes (a) a mount means, such as a generally continuous annular groove, or (b) a vent means, such as a plurality of recesses or grooves positioned circumferentially about the upper portion of the liner, or (c) both a mount means and vent means used in functional combination.

Abstract: An adjustable skid to be attached to the frame of a boat trailer just forward of the trailer wheels. Two skids would commonly be used, one for each side of the trailer. The function of the skids is to prevent the wheels of the trailer from rolling over the end of the launching ramp.

Abstract: A wireless maitre d' system and method for providing interactive two-way communication between patrons and restaurant service personnel who have direct interaction with the patrons during restaurant encounters. The wireless maitre d' system includes a first wireless device and a second wireless device. The first wireless device establishes an interactive two-way electronic communication between at least one patron and at least one restaurant service personnel by a wireless communication link, and the at least one restaurant service personnel directly interacts with the at least one patron during a restaurant encounter. The second wireless device engages in the interactive two-way communication between the at least one service personnel and the at least one patron by the wireless communication link. The interactive two-way electronic communication includes an order for a retail item from the at least one patron to the at least one restaurant service personnel.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for displaying photofinishing goods and/or services that are being offered for sale. An apparatus is provided which includes a display device for displaying photofinishing goods and/or services that are being offered for sale and a computer for controlling what is displayed on the display device. A computer software program is also provide for programming the computer so that a plurality of the photofinishing goods and/or services will be displayed on the display device and for program monitoring the sales the photofinishing goods. The system allows for the remote reprogramming of the computer for modifying and or re-arranging the position of the photofinishing goods and/or services on the display device.

Abstract: The parison (1) is made from one or more thermoplastic resins, and includes a neck (2) based on an aromatic polyester and preferably based on PET, which neck is provided with a thread and is not thermally stabilized. The thread has a profile in longitudinal section that is asymmetrical, making it possible to obtain a thread whose profile in longitudinal section is of improved symmetry after the neck (2) has been thermally stabilized. A receptacle, and in particular a bottle, is obtained by stretching and blowing a parison, and in which at least the neck (2) has been thermally stabilized, and has preferably been completely crystallized.

Abstract: A process of shaping a hollow glass object, including the steps of roughing out molten glass into a rough mold with a collar and a shoulder, transferring the rough mold prepared in the roughing out step to a finishing mold, and partially driving the collar into the shoulder while maintaining at least one part of a height of the collar.

Abstract: An assembly, composed of long foamed tubing, with a soft inner surface and a smooth outer surface, so configured that it covers and minimizes the problem of snare points on equipment in contact with a protective covering tarpaulin. Protective tarpaulin are generally made of fabric or synthetic sheets. They can be made waterproof by impregnating them with various water proofing agents as well as being coated with a variety of natural or synthetic coatings such as acrylic or synthetic rubberized latices. Synthetic tarpaulins can be reinforced with a fiber matrics, if needed and used for example to cover pleasure boats, construction equipment, flatbed trucks, construction sites, airplanes, cars and trucks, where one wishes to protect from environmental exposure. Yet in spite of these intentions, these sheets exhibit significant defects in that they can be readily ripped and torn on the sharp and protruding edges of the equipment that they are intended to protect.

Abstract: An injection blow-molded disposable tumbler is formed from a polymeric material and includes a fortified upper rim having a thickness greater than the adjacent sidewall. The tumbler may be formed of a variety of resinous materials and exhibits improved toughness and crush resistance as well as aesthetic qualities particularly desired by consumers. In a particularly preferred embodiment, thick-walled polycarbonate tumblers are prepared from hydrolysis-stabilized polycarbonate compositions while minimizing molded-in stress. In still further embodiments, nanocomposites compositions are used to form the containers of the invention.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle suspension member assembly suitable for a multi-link type rear suspension system. The suspension member assembly includes a pair of front and rear cross members and a pair of side members which are joined to constitute a generally rectangular suspension member subassembly. A pair of rear resilient supports are disposed at the opposite longitudinal end portions of the rear cross member. A pair of front resilient supports are disposed at the front end portions of the side members. The rear ends of the side members are attached to the front surface of the rear cross member. The front cross member is disposed between the side members and have opposite longitudinal ends attached to the inner side surfaces of the side members. To the rear cross members are provided a pair of brackets by means of which a rear connecting portion of a lower link is attached to the suspension member assembly.

Abstract: A method of creating an index of residual values for leased assets such as vehicles, transferring residual value risk, and creating lease securitizations. The index of residual values includes valuation information pertaining to different types of vehicles, different models and submodels of vehicles, different combinations of vehicle options, different vehicle model years, etc. The residual value index is updated with subsequent valuations of the leased assets and is employed to facilitate the transfer of residual value risk and create lease securitizations via mechanisms such as residual value futures, options, bonds and insurance products.

Abstract: A process by which litigation or legal billing may be both recorded and monitored in conjunction with budgetary constraints. Legal work products and expenses are logged by a user and recorded in a sortable database. Financial expectations (in the form of budget guidelines) held by an insurance carrier or client can be continuously kept in mind, while time and expenses accrue from an attorney's or legal team's efforts. As time or expenses are entered, corresponding budget information may be displayed. A unified interface provides easy browsing, data entry, and report generation. A navigation bar may provide ready means by which different aspects of the present invention are available.