Abstract: An improved shingle mask is provided for use on ink jet printers which use multi-pass printing (shingling) to form bitmap images. The shingle mask is derived from a shingle mask density distribution which exhibits a substantially trapezoidal shape; the shingle mask density distribution is derived from an accumulated shingle mask distribution (also referred to as a “banding profile”) having an overall shape of a plateau portion and a substantially smooth decreasing portion, which reduces the number of drops to be printed along the outermost edges of the mask on each swath. This shape reduces banding effects by effectively increasing a number of printed-density bands which are decreased in size, while at the same time not increasing the number of printhead passes over a given area on the print media (which otherwise would negatively impact printed throughput).

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula 1 1

Abstract: Load strapping means for use with 4-way pallet comprises a cap (11) for placing on a load (17) on a 4-way pallet (16), at least two strapping strands (15) retractable through openings (26) into housings (14) at opposite sides (at least) of the cap, spring means within the housings for retracting the strapping strands, hooks (18)on the free ends of the strapping strands for engagement with the underside (21) of the platform (22) of a 4-way pallet, tensioning means within the housings for tightening the strapping strands between the cap and the pallet after interposing a load between the cap and the pallet, and stop means (34) for limiting retraction of the hooks into the housings when not engaged with a pallet Such a cap (11) can be used without need to modify existing 4-way pallets, particularly—hut not exclusively—those made of wood.

Abstract: A door fastening device comprising a bolt movable between a retracted position and an extended position where at least part of the bolt extends, in use, to fasten the door, the bolt being linked to an abutment member, the part of the bolt being movable to its extended position in engagement, in use, of a bolt member of a lock or latch of the door with the abutment member, the abutment member being a cam which is adjustable to compensate for different clearances, in use, between the device and the door in its closed position, to ensure sufficient engagement of the abutment member by the bolt member to move the part of the bolt to its extended position, and the cam having a flat, first surface and a second surface on a nose part.

Abstract: A lock for a door comprises a casing, a bolt, a pivoted operation handle, operable to retract the bolt, a locking member to deadlock the bolt against retraction, and a unitary spring steel connecting member between the handle and the locking member. The connecting member has a central coil around a rod which acts as a pivot for the locking member and one end of the connecting member is cranked to engage in a recess of the locking member. The other end of the connecting member is shaped such that when engaged by the handle, as the handle is pivoted to retract the bolt, it transmits a force to the end at the locking member to overcome the force of a spring holding the locking member against the bolt, thereby to release the deadlocking and allow bolt retraction.

Abstract: A process for producing a container containing a composition which comprises producing a pocket surrounded by a sealing portion in a film; coating the inside of the pocket but not the sealing portion with a coating; filling the pocket with the composition; placing a film on top of the filled pocket and across the sealing portion; and sealing the films together at the sealing portion.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method effectively merge computer documentation for multiple API sets together to facilitate user access to such computer documentation. Such merging of computer documentation may include, in part, the incorporation, into a navigation file, of a plurality of API set links associated with a plurality of API sets, as well as the incorporation, into an index file, of a plurality of index links to documentation files for at least two of the plurality of API sets. Furthermore, computer documentation may be displayed to a user by displaying selected information in a plurality of display regions of a computer display. In a first display region, at least a portion of a first navigation file may be displayed, with the first navigation file including a plurality of API set links associated with a plurality of API sets.

Abstract: An improved method of digital halftoning using “screens” or dither arrays is provided, including stochastic dither arrays (e.g., stochastic screening). The weakness of ordinary stochastic dithering is its isolated or dispersed dots and the related problems of dot gain and consistent dot formation when used with certain types of printers. However, the inconsistent formation of isolated dots causes unpredictable variations in uniformity and tone. The present invention solves this problem by grouping dots into small clusters, which may be rendered more consistently. Unlike conventional clustered-dot halftoning, however, this method arranges the dot clusters in a stochastic fashion to avoid objectionable periodic artifacts. A novel weighting function is used to generate the dot clusters, in which one function of a first extent is subtracted from another function of a second extent, thereby creating clusters of dots that center at locations where the weighting function chooses to place dots.

Abstract: A battery includes an air electrode and an air access passageway that is closed by a non-liquid valve actuable by differential pressure to provide an opening therein to admit air to the battery.

Abstract: A fire-rated wire etc. connector (10) is of the type having within a metal body (11) twin bores (12) at least one of which is associated with wedge means (14) preventing withdrawal of a wire (20) or suspension strand in the opposite direction to insertion, and the wedge means (14) is made of ceramic material.

Abstract: A deodorant composition for topical application, which comprises a plurality of particles dispersed and a carrier, each particle comprising a glass microsphere at least partially coated with zinc oxide, a zinc salt, or any mixture of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A support including a frame having a tension member coupled to the frame is disclosed. The frame has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The tension member is disposable in a first position to provide support for an arm of a user and a second position to be carried on a shoulder of the user.

Abstract: A process for the production of an olefin comprising partially combusting in a reaction zone a mixture of a hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst which is capable of supporting combustion beyond the fuel rich limit of flammability to produce the olefin, wherein the superficial feed velocity of said mixture is at least 250 cm s?—1? at standard temperature and operating pressure with the proviso that where the catalyst is an unsupported catalyst, the superficial feed velocity of said mixture is at least 300 cm s−1 at standard temperature and operating pressure.

Abstract: A package containing an agrochemical composition which package contains a first sheet of non-planar water soluble or water dispersible material defining a concavity enclosing the agrochemical composition and a second sheet of water soluble or water dispersible material sealed to the first sheet by a continuous closed water soluble or water dispersible seal.

Abstract: Switch arrays such as keyboards are described. The switch arrays may include an array of dome spring elements. Each dome spring element may define a chamber, and a plurality of channels may interconnect the chambers of the dome spring elements such that each chamber of each dome spring element is in fluid communication with the chamber of at least one of the other dome spring elements. The array of dome spring elements may provide a hermetic seal to the bottom side of individual dome spring elements to avoid the sticky key phenomenon. The switch arrays may also include alignments elements. For example, the alignment elements may include hook-like elements that engage one another to define a distance of travel for switches in the switch arrays.

Abstract: A shade including a frame member being formed from a flexible twistable material and a membrane is disclosed. The shade includes an adjustable tension strap coupled to two ends of the membrane.

Abstract: A compensating drug delivery system for delivery of medicaments to animals is described. A drug-containing reservoir is connected to a needle array through a flow tube. Medicament delivery to the animal through this flow tube is regulated by the combined action of a metering means and a valving means, and inaccuracies in delivery rate are compensated. The metering means and the valving means are microprocessor controlled to insure that the medication administered is according to a pre-established protocol.

Abstract: A process for the production of olefins such as ethylene from a hydrocarbon such as ethane. The process involves passing a mixture of the hydrocarbon and an oxagen-containing gas through a catalyst zone which is capable of supporting combustion beyond the fuel rich limit of flammability to produce the olefin. The catalyst zone comprises at least a first catalyst bed and a second catalyst bed. The second catalyst bed is located downstream of the first catalyst bed, is of a different composition to the first catalyst bed and comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, and Groups IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Table. Suitably, the first catalyst bed comprises platinum and the second catalyst bed comprises tin- or copper-promoted nickel, cobalt or iridium catalyst or a copper-only catalyst.

Abstract: A kit and a method for making a porous cement which self sets to hydroxyapatite and has an interconnected porosity is produced by mixing a calcium source and a phosphate source with a carbonate source and mixing this powdered component with a liquid component having an acid component. The liquid component comprises water or an aqueous solution containing an acid. The acid and the carbonate react to form carbon dioxide thereby producing an interconnected porosity in the normally solid self-hardening bone cement. The method requires only a relatively low weight percent of the acid and base to be mixed with the liquid and powder cement components.

Abstract: A lock for a door comprising a casing, a bolt operable to extend from or retract into the casing and manually operable bolt retention means to retain the bolt in its retracted state even when an automatically operating bolt holding member is released by inwards movement of a bolt release member. The bolt retention means comprises a snib having a part receivable in an opening in the bolt when the bolt is manually moved into the case from its normally retracted position. Once the snib part is in the opening and the inwards force on the bolt removed, the spring acting on the bolt moves the bolt to its normally retracted position, where it is then retained by the snib. To release the retention, the bolt is again moved further into the case, whereupon the snib part is moved clear of the bolt opening under spring bias, and the unretained bolt is moved by its bias to its normally retracted position.