Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric film comprising a copolyester having an acid component and a diol component, said acid component comprising a dicarboxylic acid and a sulfomonomer containing a sulfonate group attached to the aromatic nucleus of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, said process comprising the steps of: (i) melt-extruding a layer of said copolyester; (ii) stretching the extrudate in at least one direction; (iii) heat-setting the film by raising the temperature of the stretched film to a temperature T1 in a first heating zone such that (TM?T1 is in the range of from 5 to 30° C., and then raising the temperature of the film to a temperature T2 in a second heating zone such that (TM?T2 is in the range of from 0 to 10° C.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric film comprising a copolyester having an acid component and a diol component, said acid component comprising a dicarboxylic acid and a sulfomonomer containing a sulfonate group attached to the aromatic nucleus of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, said process comprising the steps of: (i) melt-extruding a layer of said copolyester; (ii) stretching the extrudate in at least one direction; (iii) heat-setting the film by raising the temperature of the stretched film to a temperature T1 in a first heating zone such that (TM-T1) is in the range of from 5 to 30° C., and then raising the temperature of the film to a temperature T2 in a second heating zone such that (TM-T2 is in the range of from 0 to 10° C.

Abstract: A hand-supportable coplanar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reader includes: a hand-supportable housing having light transmission aperture; a linear image formation and detection module having a linear image detection array; and a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing a coplanar laser illumination and imaging based device having at least one visible laser diode (VLD) for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB). The code symbol reader further includes an image grabber for grabbing digital linear images formed and detected by the image formation and detection module, an image data buffer for buffering the digital linear images grabbed by the image grabber, and an image processing computer for processing the buffered digital linear images so as to read code symbols graphically represented in the digital linear images.

Abstract: A hand-supportable planar linear illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reading system comprising: a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture; and a planar laser illumination and imaging module (PLIIM), disposed in the hand-supportable housing. The PLIIM includes (i) a linear image detection array having optics providing a field of view (FOV) on said linear image detection array that projects through the light transmission aperture, and (ii) at least one planar laser illumination module (PLIM) for producing a substantially planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) that extends substantially along the same plane as the FOV of the linear image detection array. This arrangement provides a coplanar illumination and imaging plane that projects through the light transmission aperture, for capturing a series of linear (1-D) digital images of an object intersecting therewith during object illumination and imaging operations.

Abstract: An automated package dimensioning subsystem comprising a Laser Detecting and Ranging (LADAR-based) scanning apparatus for capturing two-dimensional range data maps of the space above a conveyor structure, along which packages are transported, and an image contour tracing apparatus for extracting package dimension data from the two-dimensional range data maps.

Abstract: A hand-supportable linear-type planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based device comprising a linear image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear array of image detection elements and also image formation optics having a field of view (FOV) focusing a linear image of an object onto the linear array of image detection elements. A pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) is arranged on opposite sides of the linear image formation and detection module, and produces a plurality of spatially-incoherent planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) components that are optically combined with respect to other PLIB components so as to produce a composite planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) that is arranged in a coplanar relationship with at least a portion of the FOV. Each PLIA includes a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM includes a laser diode and beam focusing and diverging optics for producing one spatially-incoherent PLIB component.

Abstract: A hand-supportable linear-type planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based device comprising a linear image formation and detection (IFD) module having a linear array of image detection elements and also image formation optics having a field of view (FOV) focusing a linear image of an object onto the linear array of image detection elements. A pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) is arranged on opposite sides of the linear image formation and detection module, and produces a plurality of spatially-incoherent planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) components that are optically combined with respect to other PLIB components so as to produce a composite planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) that is arranged in a coplanar relationship with at least a portion of the FOV. Each PLIA includes a plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM includes a laser diode and beam focusing and diverging optics for producing one spatially-incoherent PLIB component.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: A bar code symbol reading system is disclosed comprising a hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device which embodies an electronically-controlled bar code symbol reading engine for producing a raster-type laser scanning pattern in either a hands-free or hands-on mode of operation for scanning 1-D and 2D bar code symbols. The electronically-controlled bar code symbol reading engine has (i) a high-speed/high-resolution raster scanning mode of operation, during which a high-speed, high-resolution raster-type scanning pattern is precisely generated under electronic control, and (ii) a high-speed/low-resolution raster scanning mode of operation during which a high-speed, low-resolution raster-type scanning pattern is precisely generated under electronic control.

Abstract: Disclosed is laser beam scanning apparatus in the form of an electronically-controlled mechanically-damped off-resonant laser beam scanning mechanism. The scanning mechanism comprises an etched scanning element having a small flexible gap region of closely-controlled dimensions disposed between an anchored base portion and a laser beam deflecting portion The light beam deflecting portion supports a permanent magnet and a light beam deflecting element (e.g., mirror or hologram). A reversible magnetic force field producing device (e.g., an electromagnet) is placed in close proximity with the permanent magnet so that it may be forcibly driven into oscillation in response to electrical current flowing through the electromagnet. The resonant frequency of oscillation of the laser beam deflecting portion relative to the anchored base portion is determined by the closely controlled dimensions of the flexible gap region set during manufacture.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: A polymeric film comprising a first layer which comprises (a) a mixture comprising 50-99.9% by weight polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and 0.1-50% by weight of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or (b) a copolymer comprising 50-99.9% by weight ethylene terephthalate units and 0.1-50% by weight ethylene naphthalate units, based on the total weight of the first layer, further comprising a second layer comprising PEN and a third layer comprising PEN, and further comprising a first intermediate layer and a second intermediate layer, wherein each of said intermediate layers comprises (a) a mixture comprising 50-99.9% by weight polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and 0.1-50% by weight polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or (b) a copolymer comprising 50-99.9% by weight ethylene terephthalate units and 0.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: A bar code symbol reading system is disclosed comprising a hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device which embodies an electronically-controlled bar code symbol reading engine for producing a raster-type laser scanning pattern in either a hands-free or hands-on mode of operation for scanning 1-D and 2D bar code symbols. The electronically-controlled bar code symbol reading engine has (i) a high-speed/high-resolution raster scanning mode of operation, during which a high-speed, high-resolution raster-type scanning pattern is precisely generated under electronic control, and (ii) a high-speed/low-resolution raster scanning mode of operation during which a high-speed, low-resolution raster-type scanning pattern is precisely generated under electronic control.

Abstract: A bar code symbol reading system is disclosed comprising a hand-supportable bar code symbol reading device which embodies an electronically-controlled bar code symbol reading engine for producing a raster-type laser scanning pattern in either a hands-free or hands-on mode of operation for scanning 1-D and 2D bar code symbols. The electronically-controlled bar code symbol reading engine has (i) a high-speed/high-resolution raster scanning mode of operation, during which a high-speed, high-resolution raster-type scanning pattern is precisely generated under electronic control, and (ii) a high-speed/low-resolution raster scanning mode of operation during which a high-speed, low-resolution raster-type scanning pattern is precisely generated under electronic control.

Abstract: A polymeric film comprising a first layer which comprises (a) a mixture comprising 50-99.9% by weight polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and 0.1-50% by weight of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or (b) a copolymer comprising 50-99.9% by weight ethylene terephthalate units and 0.1-50% by weight ethylene naphthalate units, based on the total weight of the first layer, further comprising a second layer comprising PEN and a third layer comprising PEN, and further comprising a first intermediate layer and a second intermediate layer, wherein each of said intermediate layers comprises (a) a mixture comprising 50-99.9% by weight polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and 0.1-50% by weight polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or (b) a copolymer comprising 50-99.9% by weight ethylene terephthalate units and 0.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional laser scanning systems are used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A fill cup is provided for a fluid filter having a housing and an end plate which enclose a filter element. The end plate has an inlet port for receiving unfiltered fluid and an outlet port from which flows filtered fluid. The fill cup includes a base having openings formed therein, a cylindrical rim which surrounds the base, and a hollow tube which extends axially through the base and rim. The tube forms a stub which projects away from the base and which is adapted to be coupled to the outlet port of the filter. The tube also forms a hollow standpipe which is aligned with the stub and which projects away from the base and into an interior of the cup. When the filler cup is mounted on the filter, the cup openings communicate fluid to the inlet ports of the filter, and the hollow tube prevents unfiltered fluid from directly entering into the outlet port and communicates air from the filter to atmosphere as the filter is filled with fluid.

Abstract: A fill cup is provided for a fluid filter having a housing and an end plate which enclose a filter element. The end plate has an inlet port for receiving unfiltered fluid and an outlet port from which flows filtered fluid. The fill cup includes a base having openings formed therein, a cylindrical rim which surrounds the base, and a hollow tube which extends axially through the base and rim. The tube forms a stub which projects away from the base and which is adapted to be coupled to the outlet port of the filter. The tube also forms a hollow standpipe which is aligned with the stub and which projects away from the base and into an interior of the cup. When the filler cup is mounted on the filter, the cup openings communicate fluid to the inlet ports of the filter, and the hollow tube prevents unfiltered fluid from directly entering into the outlet port and communicates air from the filter to atmosphere as the filter is filled with fluid.