Abstract: A creel system includes a plurality of tension controller apparatuses that hold spools of wire. The tension controller apparatuses apply tension to the wire and may be manipulated to fine-tune or control the tension applied to the wire. The creel system may further include a plurality of sensors that measure operation of the creel system as well as the condition of the wire. In such embodiments, the creel system may include a user-interface that provides data to the operator in real time and with which the operator may interact to control operation of the creel system.

Abstract: An electric drive axle of a vehicle includes an electric motor having an output shaft. An idler assembly is drivingly coupled to the electric motor and a differential. The idler assembly includes a first gear-clutch assembly to facilitate a first gear ratio and a second gear-clutch assembly to facilitate a second gear ratio.

Abstract: A micro-valve includes an orifice plate having a first surface, a second surface and an orifice extending from the first surface to the second surface. An actuating beam is disposed in spaced relation to the orifice plate. The actuating beam includes a base portion and a cantilevered portion. The base portion is separated from the orifice plate by a predetermined distance. The cantilevered portion extends from the base portion such that an overlapping portion thereof overlaps the orifice. The actuating beam is movable between a closed position and an open position. The micro-valve also includes a sealing structure including a sealing member disposed at the overlapping portion of the cantilevered portion. When the actuating beam is in the closed position, the cantilevered portion is positioned such that the sealing structure seals the orifice so as to close the micro-valve.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A joint compound system includes a set-inhibited, pre-wetted, setting-type, ready-mix joint compound and a set initiator. The set-inhibited, pre-wetted, setting-type joint compound includes a ready-mixed, setting-type joint compound base with a calcium-free phosphate set preventing agent that impedes chemical hydration of a gypsum component of the setting-type joint compound. The joint compound base is free of calcium carbonate. The set initiator includes alum to reinitiate the chemical hydration reactions.

Abstract: A ready-mixed setting type joint compound in which formation of gypsum seeds has been inhibited. A method for controlling a setting reaction by mixing a ready-mixed setting type joint compound with one or more metal ion control agents comprising aminopolycarboxylic acid and/or a salt thereof, and further mixing the setting type joint compound with one or more non-calcium phosphate compounds. The method may further comprise mixing the setting type joint compound with a set activator obtained by blending together a first set activator including a cadmium compound, lead compound and/or zinc compound and a second set activator including a ferrous compound, aluminum compound and/or manganese compound.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and a method for continuously manufacturing a joint compound can be used to produce ready mix joint compound. The system includes means for continuously mixing wet and dry joint compound ingredients together and means for homogenizing multiple volumetric units of mixed joint compound to reduce variation in at least one joint compound material property (e.g., viscosity) across multiple successively produced volumetric units of mixed joint compound (relating to standard commercial packaging sizes for joint compound, such as five-gallon pails, for example) relative to the material property of the respective multiple volumetric units before passing through the means for homogenizing.

Abstract: A joint compound system includes a set-inhibited, pre-wetted, setting-type, ready-mix joint compound and a set initiator. The set-inhibited, pre-wetted, setting-type joint compound includes a ready-mixed, setting-type joint compound base with a calcium-free phosphate set preventing agent that impedes chemical hydration of a gypsum component of the setting-type joint compound. The joint compound base is free of calcium carbonate. The set initiator includes alum to reinitiate the chemical hydration reactions.

Abstract: A joint compound system includes a set-inhibited, pre-wetted, setting-type, ready-mix joint compound and a set initiator. The set-inhibited, pre-wetted, setting-type joint compound includes a ready-mixed, setting-type joint compound base with a calcium-free phosphate set preventing agent that impedes chemical hydration of a gypsum component of the setting-type joint compound. The joint compound base is free of calcium carbonate. The set initiator includes alum to reinitiate the chemical hydration reactions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a joint tape for finishing a joint between boards having a nonwoven substrate that does not swell substantially in the presence of water. The invention further provides a method of finishing a joint between boards having the steps of (i) applying a joint tape of the invention to a joint between boards by embedding the joint tape in a first coat of joint compound, (ii) applying a second coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (ii) is carried out before the joint tape and joint compound applied in step (i) have substantially dried, and optionally (iii) applying a third fill or finish coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (iii) is carried out before the joint tape and second coat have substantially dried.

Abstract: A kit for preparing a set activator blend and a method for controlling a setting reaction with the set activator blend of a setting joint compound, in particular of a ready-mixed setting joint compound, the method including: 1) blending together a first set activator including a cadmium compound, lead compound and/or zinc compound and a second set activator including a ferrous compound, aluminum compound and/or manganese compound, and thereby obtaining a set activator blend; and 2) mixing the set activator blend with the setting joint compound and thereby controlling the setting reaction of the setting joint compound.

Abstract: A ready-mixed setting type joint compound in which formation of gypsum seeds has been inhibited. A method for controlling a setting reaction by mixing a ready-mixed setting type joint compound with one or more metal ion control agents comprising aminopolycarboxylic acid and/or a salt thereof, and further mixing the setting type joint compound with one or more non-calcium phosphate compounds. The method may further comprise mixing the setting type joint compound with a set activator obtained by blending together a first set activator including a cadmium compound, lead compound and/or zinc compound and a second set activator including a ferrous compound, aluminum compound and/or manganese compound.

Abstract: A method of making an identifiable gypsum-based building product, includes incorporating a suitable amount of an optically identifiable marker into the product to be sensed by a conventional detecting device; applying the product with the marker in a conventional manner in the course of building construction, creating a finished building product; and analyzing the finished building product and optically detecting the presence of the marker in real time onsite.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a device for monitoring risks associated with at least one business process, including: evaluating at least one of a plurality of document instances, wherein each of the document instances includes, in association therewith, a plurality of document values, against a plurality of risk categories; implementing the plurality of risk categories pursuant to at least one acceptable risk policy approved for the at least one business process; and qualifying at least one of the at least one of the plurality of documents pursuant to an approval rating of the at least one document in at least one risk category. The system, method, and device efficiently monitor risk, and allow for flexibility in modifying or updating risk policy.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a joint tape for finishing a joint between boards comprising a nonwoven substrate that does not swell substantially in the presence of water. The invention further provides a method of finishing a joint between boards comprising (i) applying a joint tape of the invention to a joint between boards by embedding the joint tape in a first coat of joint compound, (ii) applying a second coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (ii) is carried out before the joint tape and joint compound applied in step (i) have substantially dried, and optionally (iii) applying a third fill or finish coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (iii) is carried out before the joint tape and second coat have substantially dried.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a joint tape for finishing a joint between boards comprising a nonwoven substrate that does not swell substantially in the presence of water. The invention further provides a method of finishing a joint between boards comprising (i) applying a joint tape of the invention to a joint between boards by embedding the joint tape in a first coat of joint compound, (ii) applying a second coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (ii) is carried out before the joint tape and joint compound applied in step (i) have substantially dried, and optionally (iii) applying a third fill or finish coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (iii) is carried out before the joint tape and second coat have substantially dried.

Abstract: A method of making an identifiable gypsum-based building product, includes incorporating a suitable amount of an optically identifiable marker into the product to be sensed by a conventional detecting device; applying the product with the marker in a conventional manner in the course of building construction, creating a finished building product; and analyzing the finished building product and optically detecting the presence of the marker in real time onsite.

Abstract: A wallboard joint tape designed to cover a seam joint defined by joining adjacent sheets of wallboard includes an elongate length of tape being supplied as a rolled strip having a first side edge and a second side edge wrapped around a center member having a central opening. The strip has an upper side and an opposite lower side. A lengthwise crease is provided along a centered longitudinal line of the lower side. A plurality of indicators is provided for marking at least one side edge of the tape for enhancing a proper orientation of the tape. The proper orientation of the tape is determined based on a location of the indicators upon the tape.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a joint tape for finishing a joint between boards comprising a nonwoven substrate that does not swell substantially in the presence of water. The invention further provides a method of finishing a joint between boards comprising (i) applying a joint tape of the invention to a joint between boards by embedding the joint tape in a first coat of joint compound, (ii) applying a second coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (ii) is carried out before the joint tape and joint compound applied in step (i) have substantially dried, and optionally (iii) applying a third fill or finish coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (iii) is carried out before the joint tape and second coat have substantially dried.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a joint tape for finishing a joint between boards comprising a nonwoven substrate that does not swell substantially in the presence of water. The invention further provides a method of finishing a joint between boards comprising (i) applying a joint tape of the invention to a joint between boards by embedding the joint tape in a first coat of joint compound, (ii) applying a second coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (ii) is carried out before the joint tape and joint compound applied in step (i) have substantially dried, and optionally (iii) applying a third fill or finish coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (iii) is carried out before the joint tape and second coat have substantially dried.