Abstract: An information storage system includes a controller for managing the resources of a common mass storage device in order to enable multiple hosts connected to a common bus to independently read and write to the mass storage device in a relatively high speed manner on a first come, real time basis. In particular, a system of commands is provided which enables each host to read and write to the mass storage device on an independent, first come, real time basis by locking the requested address space irrespective of the origination. Even though an address storage space may be locked, the data within such space is always readable by another host. Should a subsequent host issue a command to write to the locked address space, the command is aborted and a flag is set indicating to the subsequent requesting host that the area is locked. The information storage system also provides for dynamic memory mapping which enables the mass storage device to be mapped according to a specific application.

Abstract: A data format defining a data field having an embedded reading-address subfield and an offset writing-address header allows a transducer having separate read and write elements separated by a gap to perform read and write operations. When reading from the disc, the read element is positioned adjacent the data fields stored on a track. As the data fields pass the read element, the data field addresses stored in the embedded reading-address subfields are compared to a target address. If a match is found, the user data contained in a user data subfield of the matched data field is provided to a controller. When writing to the disc, the read element is positioned adjacent the writing-address headers. The addresses stored in the writing address headers are read and compared to the target address.

Abstract: A refrigerated container, that can be economically manufactured in a variety of incrementally different sizes and shapes, is provided as well as are techniques for making those containers. The containers include an inner shell of fiber reinforced resin enclosing a space that is refrigerated by an evaporator coil arranged on the outer side of the shell. The coil is bonded to the shell, and a heat transmitting layer between evaporator coil turns is formed using a heat conducting adhesive material having metal granules dispersed in a resin base.

Abstract: A container adapted to neatly store plastic film bags and like articles in different compartments according to their size, the container comprising a tubular body for bags of one size and having an inlet and outlet aperture, and at least one pocket for bags of a different size, the pocket also having an inlet and outlet aperture. The bags are contained within the tubular body and pocket preferably by means of a resiliently expandable cuff at the respective outlet apertures.

Abstract: A sign for the display of characters, such as price digits, is disclosed in which each character is formed of line segments with pivoting character elements. The character elements are mounted within openings of a panel and may be pivoted to display either a contrasting surface or a noncontrasting surface.

Abstract: A security system is provided for a dispensing rack on which cigarette cartons are stacked, the rack having a front face with an opening defined therein, at least one shelf for holding a stack of cartons thereon, and a shield for partially closing the opening to deter theft of the cartons placed on the shelf. The security system includes a corner bracket having an extrusion with an interior side adapted to receive an elongate support and also adapted to receive a lock bar assembly. An elongate support is mounted to the extrusion so as to securely support the shelf and also to pivotally support the shield in a cooperating manner so as to allow the shield to pivotally move between an open position wherein stacks of cartons can be added to the shelf, a first closed position wherein the cartons are protected from theft in-mass but can be removed individually from the bottom of the stack of cartons, and a second closed position wherein articles cannot be removed from the shelf.

Abstract: Underpressure changes in an ink-jet pen (20, 120) reservoir (22, 122) are compensated for by volumetric changes in the reservoir (22, 122) effected by movement of a piston (56, 156) within a sleeve (50, 150) that is connected to the reservoir (22, 122). The piston (56, 156) and sleeve (50, 150) are sized to provide capillarity for holding ink (72, 172) therebetween. The ink (72, 172) between the piston (56, 156) and sleeve (50, 150) acts as a low-friction seal for preventing fluid communication between ambient air and the interior of the resevoir (22, 122). In one embodiment (120), the volumetric efficiency of the pen is enhanced with an auxiliary ink reservoir carried on the piston (156).

Abstract: A system is provided for time segment scrambling speech encoding, wherein an internal key code is provided for control thereof. The scrambling and reset units are synchronized by start and reset clock pulses. The scrambling unit can also scramble individual segments by an inversion process in accordance with a second internal key code, such as, for example, time inversion and frequency inversion. A related system for unscrambling scrambled speech transmission and synchronization therefore is set forth as another embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A dual seal arrangement for use in a rotor to ensure the retention of the fluid sample within the test tube cavity during high speed centrifugation in an ultracentrifuge. The dual seal arrangement provides not only a seal on the test tube within the rotor tube cavity, but also a seal on the rotor tube cavity itself. One seal provides a capping arrangement on the test tube to securely seal the fluid sample within the test tube which rests within the rotor tube cavity. A secondary seal is positioned within the rotor tube cavity above the capping seal to provide a complete seal of the rotor tube cavity above the test tube.