Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for managing pulling forces applied to a glass ribbon in a draw apparatus are disclosed. The method includes applying a front-side and a rear-side drive torque to a glass. The method further includes calculating automatically with the at least one electronic controller a front-side and a rear-side average pulling force applied to the glass ribbon and corresponding to a first time period of at least one rotation of the front-side or rear-side stub roller, respectively. The front-side average pulling force and the rear-side average pulling force are compared to establish a pulling force differential between the front-side average pulling force and the rear-side average pulling force. One or more of the front-side drive torque or the rear-side drive torque are modified to decrease the pulling force differential between the front-side average pulling force and the rear-side average pulling force.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing apparatus comprises a forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon and a control device configured to independently operate a first pull roll apparatus, a second pull roll apparatus, and a third pull roll apparatus such that at least one of a first upstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant torque, at least one of a first midstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant torque, and at least one of a first downstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity. In further examples, methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible packaging webs comprising a non-oriented metallized sealant film characterized by a secant modulus of less than 120,000 psi and an elongation at break of greater than 150%, wherein the non-oriented metallized sealant film comprises (1) a thermoplastic base layer of a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene/norbornene copolymer, polyamide and blends thereof; (2) a metal coating deposited on the base layer and having an optical density of 1.0 to 3.0; and (3) a heat sealing layer. The packaging webs of the present invention each exhibit an oxygen gas transmission rate of between 0 to 10.0 cm3/100 in2/24 hours at 73° F. (0 to 155 cm3/m2/24 hours at 23° C.) and 0% relative humidity and a water vapor transmission rate of between 0 to 0.1 g/100 in2/24 hours at 100° F. (0 to 1.55 g/m2/24 hours at 38° C.) and 90% relative humidity. The sealant films are formed by a blown coextrusion method.

Abstract: Anti-piracy measures for stereoscopic 3D content media displayed in dual lens projection systems are achieved by the forensic marking of each image in a stereoscopic image pair with separate component forensic marks or dots associated with each image of an image pair. In one example, the component mark used for marking one image of the pair is identical to the component forensic mark used for marking the other image of the pair. In another example, the component marks are different from each other. When superimposed over each other in proper alignment, the two component marks form a composite forensic mark. In this latter example, they each lack one or more of the forensic dots or shapes existing in the composite mark, and the component marks may or may not have one or more corresponding forensic dots or shapes in common.

Abstract: Sample preparation device for receiving in sealing relation one or more filter assemblies and one or more sample containers, each container uniquely positioned within the device to receive filtered sample from a designated filter. The device includes a body, a lid disposed on the body, a container tray, a base, an integrated seal on the body, a valve and a valve actuator. The tray can be disposed in a vacuum chamber defined by the lid and the body, and one or more sample containers can be disposed in the tray. When properly positioned in the tray in the vacuum chamber, each container is in fluid communication with a single respective filter assembly disposed in sealing relation in a respective aperture in the lid. A single actuation of a valve to place the vacuum chamber under vacuum causes the lid to seal to the base and drives the simultaneous filtration of a plurality of samples.

Abstract: One embodiment comprises an apparatus for applying energy to a hollow anatomical structure having an inner wall. The apparatus comprises an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end; and a capacitive treatment element located near the distal end. The capacitive treatment element is sized for insertion into the hollow anatomical structure and placement near the inner wall. The capacitive treatment element is configured to create an electric field that extends at least partially into the inner wall. Other devices and methods for treatment of hollow anatomical structures are disclosed as well.

Abstract: Sample preparation device for receiving in sealing relation one or more filter assemblies and one or more sample containers, each container uniquely positioned within the device to receive filtered sample from a designated filter. The device includes a body, a lid disposed on the body, a container tray, a base, an integrated seal on the body, a valve and a valve actuator. The tray can be disposed in a vacuum chamber defined by the lid and the body, and one or more sample containers can be disposed in the tray. When properly positioned in the tray in the vacuum chamber, each container is in fluid communication with a single respective filter assembly disposed in sealing relation in a respective aperture in the lid. A single actuation of a valve to place the vacuum chamber under vacuum causes the lid to seal to the base and drives the simultaneous filtration of a plurality of samples.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for managing pulling forces applied to a glass ribbon in a draw apparatus are disclosed. The method includes applying a front-side and a rear-side drive torque to a glass. The method further includes calculating automatically with the at least one electronic controller a front-side and a rear-side average pulling force applied to the glass ribbon and corresponding to a first time period of at least one rotation of the front-side or rear-side stub roller, respectively. The front-side average pulling force and the rear-side average pulling force are compared to establish a pulling force differential between the front-side average pulling force and the rear-side average pulling force. One or more of the front-side drive torque or the rear-side drive torque are modified to decrease the pulling force differential between the front-side average pulling force and the rear-side average pulling force.

Abstract: A method and device for tissue removal. The device may be used to remove uterine fibroids and other abnormal gynecological tissue. According to one embodiment, the device includes a housing, an outer tube, and an inner tube. The outer tube is fixed to the housing and includes a side window proximate to its distal end. The side window may have sloped proximal and distal ends. The inner tube has a distal end positioned within the outer tube, the distal end being adapted to rotate and, at the same time, to move back and forth past the side window, with the rotational and translational movement of the inner tube being independently controllable. The distal end of the inner tube may have an external bevel. Suction is applied to the proximal end of the inner tube to draw tissue into the side window and to remove resected tissue through the inner tube.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for archiving video content to film and recovering the video from the film archive. Video content and a characterization pattern associated with the content are provided as encoded data, which is recorded onto a film and processed to produce a film archive. By encoding the video data using a non-linear transformation between video codes and film density codes, the resulting film archive allows a film print to be produced at a higher quality compared to other film archive techniques. The characterization pattern contains spatial, temporal and colorimetric information relating to the video content, and provides a basis for recovering the video content from the film archive.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for archiving video content to film and recovering the video from the film archive. Video data corresponding to the content and a characterization pattern associated with the data are provided as encoded data, which is recorded onto a film for producing a film archive. The characterization pattern contains spatial, temporal and colorimetric information relating to the video data, and provides a basis for recovering the video content from the film archive.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting fuel theft at a fuel dispenser. The dispenser has a primary flow meter, an auxiliary flow detection device positioned at an entrance of a dispenser, and an auxiliary dispenser shutoff system. A rate of flow through the primary flow meter and a rate of flow through the auxiliary flow detection device are calculated. The primary flow meter rate of flow and the auxiliary flow detection device rate of flow are compared. If the difference exceeds a threshold, a shutoff signal is provided to the auxiliary dispenser shutoff system to stop fuel flow through the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable, collapsible enclosure for use with a portable game console or computer for playing video games on a large screen television where the game involves tracking the position and movement of a moving object. The enclosure has a fabric cover and a frame which is movable between a collapsed position whereby the enclosure may be easily stored and an expanded position for playing a game. The fabric cover of the enclosure in the expanded position has an open front, side and top walls and a rear wall. The rear wall is provided as a netting material which is selected to arrest the movement of a moving object projected into the enclosure through the open front, while permitting a user to observe an image displayed on a large screen television placed to the rear or side of the enclosure.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an apparatus useful in conducting detection of compounds on blotting membranes. The device is comprised of several layers including a porous support layer below the blotting membrane(s), a flow distributor above the blotting membrane(s) and optionally a well on the flow distributor to contain the liquid to the desired area and to allow for lower starting volumes of such liquid. Preferably, the flow distributor is a non-binding or low binding hydrophilic porous membrane such as a 0.22 micron membrane and the support layer is a grid or sintered porous material. The distributor and support are held together to form an envelope around the membrane(s). The use of a hinge, clips and other such devices is preferred in doing so.

Abstract: Sample preparation device for receiving in sealing relation one or more filter assemblies and one or more sample containers, each container uniquely positioned within the device to receive filtered sample from a designated filter. The device includes a body, a lid disposed on the body, a container tray, a base, an integrated seal on the body, a valve and a valve actuator. The tray can be disposed in a vacuum chamber defined by the lid and the body, and one or more sample containers can be disposed in the tray. When properly positioned in the tray in the vacuum chamber, each container is in fluid communication with a single respective filter assembly disposed in sealing relation in a respective aperture in the lid. A single actuation of a valve causes the lid to seal to the base and drives the simultaneous filtration of a plurality of samples.

Abstract: The invention comprises an engine control device and method for use in a vehicle incorporating an internal combustion engine and a motor that are capable of transmitting motive power to an axle. The device has an engine utilization reduction portion configured to reduce the power supplied by the engine when a requested engine power is above a predefined engine power minimum value when the device is in a hybrid mode thereby increasing power provided by the electric motor. The device also may have a computer readable engine off portion configured to prevent the engine from starting or consuming fuel thereby causing the vehicle to be directionally powered by the electric motor only. The device may also have a warm up portion configured to operate the engine in warmup mode and limit the power supplied by the engine when the engine temperature is below a predefined engine operating temperature thereby reducing emissions during engine warmup.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face. The body has an impact-influencing structure in the form of a channel positioned on at least one surface of the body. A majority of a force generated by impact with a ball is absorbed by the impact-influencing structure, and a majority of a response force generated by the head upon impact with the ball is generated by the impact-influencing structure. The face may have increased stiffness as compared to existing faces, and may include a stiffening structure to create the increased stiffness, such as a porous or cellular stiffening structure.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches an apparatus suitable for playing a drinking game using drinking cups and thrown projectiles on a playing surface having a rack to rack up a pre-determined configuration of the drinking cups. The rack includes an insulator to at least partially insulate the drinking cups and an electric cooler to cool the drinking cups during game play.

Abstract: An integrated proteomics sample preparation device and method for in-gel digestion of proteins and for desalting and concentrating samples prior to further analysis such as by MALDI TOF and/or electro-spray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. The device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of wells in fluid communication with a an outlet or drainage opening containing a three dimensional structure comprising a plurality of sorptive particles entrapped in a porous polymer matrix so as to form a device capable of carrying out solid phase extraction. In a preferred embodiment, the wells are configured so as to prevent a sample carrier present in the wells from clogging the outlet when subjected to a driving force such as vacuum. The device also reduces or eliminates overflowing of a well in the event a drain becomes clogged during automated operation.