Abstract: This disclosure includes methods and systems for producing ophthalmic lenses. Some methods include identifying a plurality of zones within a spatial representation of a lens blank, selecting, for each of the zones, one or more parameters for producing the lens, and producing the lens by removing material from the lens blank according to the one or more parameters of each of the zones.

Abstract: An aquarium wall cleaner for cleaning aquarium walls comprising a cleaning head attached to the lower end of a shaft gripped at its upper end by an aquarist, the shaft being able to freely reciprocate relative to an intermediate element that may apply a side-load to the shaft when gripped by the aquarist's other hand. A cleaning element attached to the cleaning head may also be a flexible blade whose extension may be adjusted, and the flexible blade may bend relative to one or both of its planar axes in order to conform to both flat and curved aquarium walls.

Abstract: This disclosure includes methods and systems for producing ophthalmic lenses. Some methods include identifying a plurality of zones within a spatial representation of a lens blank, selecting, for each of the zones, one or more parameters for producing the lens, and producing the lens by removing material from the lens blank according to the one or more parameters of each of the zones.

Abstract: Described is a variable reference blocking apparatus for blocking an optical article (5). The apparatus comprises an adjustable ring unit (11) having a plurality of concentric members (19,19c,19i) positioned about a central axis. Each concentric member (19,19c,19i) generally comprises a lip region (17) on its upper end that is capable of receiving at least a portion of a front face of the optical article (5). The apparatus further comprises a moveable base (13) in which its upper portion is coupled with a removable insert (7). The removable insert (7) is generally positioned to be centered about the front face of the optical article (5).

Abstract: A method for forming and immobilizing small particles on a filter substrate using a first and second polymer solution, a solution of sodium bromide and a solution of a metal salt. The method adjusts the pH of at least one of the first and second polymer solutions, immersing the filter substrate in the first polymer solution and immersing the filter substrate in the second polymer solution. The method includes repeating the steps of immersing the filter substrate in the first solution and the second solution alternately until desired number of layers is achieved. The method allows for the filter substrate to be immersed in the solution of the metal salt and subsequently in the solution of sodium bromide.

Abstract: A composite component assembly may include a composite core including a plurality of core cells between first and second ends. A connection joint is formed between the first and second ends. An adhesive layer is disposed within the connection joint between the first and second ends. The adhesive layer is configured to bond the first and second ends through a curing process. A peg splice securing joint securely connects the first and second ends together before and during the curing process.

Abstract: Described is a variable reference blocking apparatus for blocking an optical article (5). The apparatus comprises an adjustable ring unit (11) having a plurality of concentric members (19,19c,19i) positioned about a central axis. Each concentric member (19,19c,19i) generally comprises a lip region (17) on its upper end that is capable of receiving at least a portion of a front face of the optical article (5). The apparatus further comprises a moveable base (13) in which its upper portion is coupled with a removable insert (7). The removable insert (7) is generally positioned to be centered about the front face of the optical article (5).

Abstract: A gravity filter media fabricated from multiple spiral wound or pleated layers, where different layers are designed for specific contaminant removal process and the layers are combined into a single pack for ease of use. The layers or fiber sheets are chemically treated for contaminant removal, with different layers having different chemical treatments, or the layers are immobilized with particles of various sizes for use as low contact-time adsorbents, with different layers having different immobilized particles, or the pore structure is varied from one fiber sheet to another—one being a tight pore structure, and the other being a more open pore structure, or any combination thereof. When using immobilized particles, the immobilized particles can be chemically treated for the specific removal of targeted contaminants, and multi-layered for custom designed removal of specific contaminants.

Abstract: A scale suppression media and methods of making augmented polyacrylate resin beads combined with a directing agent to facilitate the formation of calcite and aragonite forms of calcium carbonate, the directing agent deposited directly into said polyacrylate resin beads. A strong acid monovalent salt, such as a metal ion, is added to the polyacrylate resin, and is adapted to be time released, and templates the calcium carbonate in the influent to form crystals in the water with reduced deposition of scale on the surfaces of material in contact with the water. The pores of the resin are filled with metal templating agent, and the agent is released as the influent passes over the resin.

Abstract: A method for forming and immobilizing small particles on a filter substrate using a first and second polymer solution, a solution of sodium bromide and a solution of a metal salt. The method adjusts the pH of at least one of the first and second polymer solutions, immersing the filter substrate in the first polymer solution and immersing the filter substrate in the second polymer solution. The method includes repeating the steps of immersing the filter substrate in the first solution and the second solution alternately until desired number of layers is achieved. The method allows for the filter substrate to be immersed in the solution of the metal salt and subsequently in the solution of sodium bromide.

Abstract: An induction heating system used on web manufacturing processes has one or more workcoils each with an associated power module. The power modules are cooled using water. In one embodiment the power modules and the workcoils are in physical contact with a full width water cooled support beam. In another embodiment the key heat generating elements of the power modules are mounted against a thermally conductive power module frame which is then mounted against the thermally conductive wall of an un-perforated water header.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: One embodiment of the heated roll apparatus uses an optimized roll whose surface layer is composed of a material responsive to being heated, particularly by external magnetic induction, and the depth of which, as well as the construction of the rest of the roll, uses one or more other materials whose properties are optimized with respect to maximizing the roll's rate of temperature change, minimizing energy usage, and performing the intended application. A thin outer ferrous layer over top of a thicker ceramic, insulating layer may be used. The roll may also include an outer layer that is responsive to heating, particularly by magnetic induction, and one or more inner layers of different material(s) chosen to increase the roll's rate of temperature change and reduce energy usage, but which are further selected to promote rapid lateral heat conduction to reduce lateral temperature variations. This roll could include a thin outer ferrous layer over top of a thicker aluminum core.

Abstract: This manual, vacuum-enabled dustless sander provides complete debris collection from both the working surface and area extending peripherally beyond the sander head while overcoming other deficiencies of prior art by projecting an abrasive screen above the sander head to form a rectangular mound which abrades while allowing debris to be drawn through itself. The projection is achieved by placing the abrasive screen atop an air permeable cushion supported by a rectangular platform made to rotate at a position of use at the intake end of a hollow shaft. Ends of the screen are inserted between the walls of two rectangular containers which rotate on the shaft and loosely embrace the platform. Rotating the shaft moves the threaded inner down the shaft into the lower container to clamp the screen in place. Vacuumed air draws all abraded debris into the sander head and through the hollow shaft to a collection canister.

Abstract: An induction heating system used on web manufacturing processes has one or more workcoils each with an associated power module. The power modules are cooled using water. In one embodiment the power modules and the workcoils are in physical contact with a full width water cooled support beam. In another embodiment the key heat generating elements of the power modules are mounted against a thermally conductive power module frame which is then mounted against the thermally conductive wall of an un-perforated water header.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unique filter assembly for ensuring replacement cartridge compatibility in filtration systems having replaceable filter cartridges with lugged mounting systems. One representative filter assembly includes a representative cartridge member having a body portion for enclosing filter media and a neck portion depending therefrom. The representative neck portion of the representative cartridge includes at least one axial inlet port for directing unfiltered fluid into the body portion and at least one axial outlet port for directing filtered fluid out of the body portion. The representative neck portion also has at least two representative lugs depending radially outwardly therefrom, wherein at least one lug defines a keyed engagement surface, a leading inclined cam surface and a trailing inclined cam surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water cooler assembly including a receptacle to hold water to be cooled and from which water can be dispensed; a cover attached to said receptacle via a hinge, said cover including formations to receive and hold a water bottle, and further including an inlet passage through which water from said bottle can flow into said receptacle; said cover having mountings to receive a cooling assembly, said cooling assembly being mounted in said cover close and extending away from said cover. The present invention also provides a water cooler assembly including a receptacle to hold water to be cooled and from which water can be dispensed, means to receive and hold a water bottle, and further including an inlet passage through which water from said bottle can flow into said receptacle; a cooling means associated with said receptacle to cool said water, and a trough attached to said inlet, from which trough water can enter said receptacle to be cooled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for stabilizing a free loop of web material between two web handling devices. The present invention employs fans or other forced air sources, directed toward the inner surface of the free loop, to maintain a stable free loop shape, thereby permitting simplified web handling and more accurate control of the web feeding or web take-up rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets of web material provides a conveyor for transporting the sheets from a source of sheets. The sheets are conveyed in a stream that is aligned in a downstream direction from a source to a stacking location. A kicker mechanism is located along the conveyor to offset sheets in a direction that is substantially transverse to the downstream direction. A stacking mechanism is positioned at the stacking location for receiving each sheet from the conveyor and overlaying each sheet into a stack that extends downstream in a horizontal orientation that is substantially parallel to the ground. The kicker mechanism may include an elastomeric foot that engages and withdraws from each selected sheet to drive it transversely to the downstream direction. The sheets may be cut from a continuous web source.

Abstract: A stacker jam detector, for use in a sheet handling device such as a stacker and separator, comprises a source of sheets that directs sheets downstream to a delivery location. The source of sheets includes a sheet sent signal generator that transmits a sheet sent signal in response to transferral of each of the sheets from the source. A moving sensing service, such as an elastomeric wheel, is provided at a delivery location, which can comprise a vertical stack. The surface engages each of the sheets as each of the sheets is transferred to the delivery location. Movement of the sheets thereover causes proportional movement of the sensing surface. A signal, such as a pulse, is generated in response to the movement of the sensing surface. A detector measures the signal and compares the signal received relative to at least one sheet sense signal to a predetermined signal value and indicates whether a sheet has been properly delivered to the delivery location.