Abstract: An outer surface of a Decorative Product comprising an outer covering layer covering the outer surface, the outer covering layer comprises a UV ink coating layer and an outer protective layer disposed on a surface of the UV ink coating layer facing towards the exterior of the Decorative Product. The UV ink coating layer comprises a plurality of close-packed jewel-shaped elements and the surface of the UV ink coating layer comprises an elongated mesa-like protrusion having a substantially planar top face. The outer protective layer includes an amber varnish layer. The outer protective layer is configured to protect the appearance, color and brightness of the jewel-shaped element.

Abstract: A decorative shoe includes a sole, an upper attached to the sole, in which the upper has an interior lining, a decorative outer layer fixed to the interior lining, and a decorative semi-transparent pattern film fixed to a surface of the outer layer. The decorative outer layer is composed of a contiguous transparent or translucent plastic material, in which the surface of the outer layer includes a first multiple of raised, close-packed jewel-shaped elements. The decorative semitransparent pattern film is configured to simulate an appearance of a plurality of jewels. Each jewel-shaped element also has a short axis and multiple boundaries normal to the short axis, in which the multiple boundaries enclose one or more facets on a face of the jewel-shaped element. The pattern film forms an outer surface of the shoe and is configured to partially reflect or scatter incident light.

Abstract: A decorative shoe includes a sole, an upper attached to the sole, in which the upper has an interior lining, a decorative outer layer fixed to the interior lining, and a decorative semi-transparent pattern film fixed to a surface of the outer layer. The decorative outer layer is composed of a contiguous transparent or translucent plastic material, in which the surface of the outer layer includes a first multiple of raised, close-packed jewel-shaped elements. The decorative semitransparent pattern film is configured to simulate an appearance of a plurality of jewels. Each jewel-shaped element also has a short axis and multiple boundaries normal to the short axis, in which the multiple boundaries enclose one or more facets on a face of the jewel-shaped element. The pattern film forms an outer surface of the shoe and is configured to partially reflect or scatter incident light.

Abstract: The invention provides Streptococcus vaccine strains (e.g. S. equi which is causative of ‘strangles’) comprising the following modifications in their genomes: (i) attenuation of one or more essential biosynthetic genes, (ii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a haemolytic toxin, or protein involved in the production thereof, plus preferably any one, two, or most preferably three of the following modifications: (iii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a protein responsible for immune evasion (iv) modification of one or more genes such as to permit serological discrimination of the vaccine strain based on analysis of a protein encoded by said genes, and (v) attenuation of one or more genes which encode an enzyme responsible for recombination repair of the genome. The invention provides inter alia live attenuated vaccine strains which generate an immune response to multiple protective epitopes presented in a context resembling the live pathogen.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and materials concerning diseases caused by Streptococcus equi, and in particular relating to the detection of this pathogen by assessing the presence or absence of the S. equi eqbE gene sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides Streptococcus vaccine strains (e.g. S. equi which is causative of ‘strangles’) comprising the following modifications in their genomes: (i) attenuation of one or more essential biosynthetic genes, (ii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a haemolytic toxin, or protein involved in the production thereof, plus preferably any one, two, or most preferably three of the following modifications: (iii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a protein responsible for immune evasion (iv) modification of one or more genes such as to permit serological discrimination of the vaccine strain based on analysis of a protein encoded by said genes, and (v) attenuation of one or more genes which encode an enzyme responsible for recombination repair of the genome. The invention provides inter alia live attenuated vaccine strains which generate an immune response to multiple protective epitopes presented in a context resembling the live pathogen.

Abstract: A printer with a chassis, a hinge and a paper cover assembly. The chassis may have a printing head and a notch. The hinge may have an axis, and may be coupled with the chassis such that the rotational axis of the hinge is laterally movable. The paper cover assembly may be coupled with the hinge, and may be rotatable about the hinge. The paper cover assembly may have a roller and a handle. The roller may have an axis, and when the paper cover assembly is closed, the axis of the roller may be within the notch. The handle may be configured to move a cam mechanism, and when the paper cover assembly is closed and the mechanism is moved, the mechanism may act against the chassis causing the axis of the hinge to laterally move, thereby causing the axis of the roller to move out of the notch.

Abstract: A syringe is partitioned into at least proximal and distal chambers to provide a multi-chamber, sequentially dispensing syringe apparatus. The syringe includes a gas separator that prevents gas from exiting a chamber with delivered fluid.

Abstract: A printer with a chassis, a hinge and a paper cover assembly. The chassis may have a printing head and a notch. The hinge may have an axis, and may be coupled with the chassis such that the rotational axis of the hinge is laterally movable. The paper cover assembly may be coupled with the hinge, and may be rotatable about the hinge. The paper cover assembly may have a roller and a handle. The roller may have an axis, and when the paper cover assembly is closed, the axis of the roller may be within the notch. The handle may be configured to move a cam mechanism, and when the paper cover assembly is closed and the mechanism is moved, the mechanism may act against the chassis causing the axis of the hinge to laterally move, thereby causing the axis of the roller to move out of the notch.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a complexly-shaped tubular structure such as a tapered pillar or other structure for a vehicle body. A sheet metal blank having a longitudinal axis is rolled about the longitudinal axis to form a tubular shape and the side edges of the blank are then welded together to form a tube. The tube is then enclosed in a hydroforming die and pressurized to conform the tube to the shape of the die and thereby form the desired complex shape. The sheet metal blank may be formed by the end-to-end welding together of a plurality of separate sheet metal blanks that differ from one another in characteristic including material thickness, material alloy composition, and/or coating. One or more of the blanks can have side edges that are non-parallel so that the tube will taper in diameter along its length.

Abstract: A paper compartment cover can be unlocked to load a printer with a paper roll. A top cover is pivotally mounted on a flexible arm, and carries a platen in simple round journals with an opening for the snap-in assembly of the platen in the top cover. A lever shaft is also carried by the top cover in elongated holes so that it can move along the longitudinal direction of the elongated holes. On each side of the lever shaft, slider blocks are held in a manner enabling each of the slider blocks to linearly slide along a rib of the top cover. A lever is mounted on the shaft and, together with a return spring, provides a means for causing the linear motion of the lever shaft and the slider blocks. After the lever is lifted, the slider blocks are pushed against fixed ramps on a housing. Subsequently, the reacting force on the ramps unlocks the top cover from the housing.

Abstract: A PIN entry terminal comprises an interface board, tamper resistant boards and a main board. The tamper resistant boards tightly enclose the main board. There is a plurality of solder joints between each adjacent two of the tamper resistant boards and the main board. Furthermore, an electrical connector electrically connects and is placed between the interface board and the main board. A tamper detection circuit through the solder joints and the electrical connector is provided in part on the tamper resistant boards, in part on the interface board and in part on the main board. If the interface board or the main board is disconnected from the electrical connector or one of the tamper resistant boards is tampered with, the tamper detection circuit is triggered.

Abstract: A device is capable of locking or unlocking a card in a card reader. An actuator carries a drive bushing onto which one end of a coil spring is mounted such that the axis of the coil spring is approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the actuator. The opposite end of the coil spring is mounted on a drive nut. A threaded shaft is fixed to a slide block with an elongated hole, and the movements of both are constrained to a single degree of freedom by the engagement of the elongated hole with a fixed pin and by the engagement of an extension of the threaded shaft with the inner hole of the drive bushing. The linear movement of the slide block causes a latch plate to move by means of a linear sliding pair between them so as to lock or unlock the inserted card.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed which partitions a conventional syringe into proximal and distal chambers to provide a multi-chamber, sequentially dispensing syringe apparatus. Incorporated in the valve assembly is a valved stopper having a valve (e.g. a slit valve) and a separator which filters out gas from liquid being dispensed through the valve assembly. A syringe plunger communicates through fluid in the proximal chamber to force displacement of the valve assembly. The valve is actuated by differential pressure of a force greater than the valve assembly displacement force. The valve assembly may be made from two parts: (1) a valved stopper (may be molded from basic syringe plunger material); (2) a separator (may be injection molded from syringe barrel material).

Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle body side structure assembly includes the steps of providing a plurality of tubular members to form a frame structure and assembling the tubular members together to pre-form the frame structure. The method also includes the step of positioning the pre-formed frame structure between open die halves mating with one another to define a tubular cavity portion. The method includes the step of closing the die halves to capture the pre-formed frame structure within the tubular cavity portion. The method further includes the step of pressurizing an interior of the pre-formed frame structure to expand and conform the pre-formed frame structure to the tubular cavity portion to form a final frame structure.

Abstract: The invention is an alarm system which transmits audio and video signals using radio frequency of a monitored enclosure to a remote location by means of wireless technology when said alarm system is triggered by an alarm sensor. The RF transmission of the audio visual signal will continue until the condition which triggered the alarm sensor ceases or until the alarm system is reset either using the system alphanumeric keypad or by the remote location using a keypad of a telecommunications device.

Abstract: An add-on shading device provides additional protection both laterally and downwardly with respect to the standard automobile visor. It includes a screen that is partially transparent so that one may be partially shaded while still having adequate vision during driving. A glove engages over the visor and is able to be shifted left or right so as to adapt for lateral shading requirements. A downwardly extending screen attaches to the glove adjustably, so that it may be positioned at a desired height. A side extending tab is positioned to provide improved holding and positioning capability of the screen on the glove.