Abstract: Methods of preparing fibers comprising cellulose esters are described. The fibers include bicomponent core-sheath fibers where the core comprises one or more cellulose esters and the sheath comprises a polyolefin prepared by co-extrusion of mixtures comprising a cellulose ester and mixtures comprising a polyolefin, as well as substantially solid body fibers prepared by melt-spinning a mixture comprising one or more cellulose ester and a meltable solvent. Also described are fibers comprising cellulose esters, e.g., the fibers prepared by the disclosed methods, and related articles, such as textiles, clothing, synthetic fibers, and faux fur. The fibers can include colorants (e.g., colorants derived from natural materials) and/or flame retardants.

Abstract: Methods of preparing mono- and multi-component fibers comprising polylactic acid (PLA) are described. Exemplary fibers include co-extruded bicomponent core-sheath fibers where the core includes PLA and the sheath includes polyolefin. The fibers can include various colorants, such as colorants derived from natural materials and/or flame retardants. Also described are fibers comprising PLA, e.g., the fibers prepared by the disclosed methods, and related articles, such as textiles, clothing, synthetic fibers, and faux fur.

Abstract: A bicycle seat with a primary frame that is two parallel, horizontal springs with a vertical rear section and front section that curves upwardly and forwardly. Upper, central, and lower crossbars connect the front sections together. A universal ball and socket joint attaches a C-shaped secondary frame to the primary frame rear section. A flexible, non-elastic strap tensions the primary frame. One strap end is fixed to the upper crossbar, extends rearwardly through a slot in a tab on the secondary frame, and forwardly to a strap attachment at the primary frame front section. The strap tension is either adjustable or fixed. A shaped seat substrate is attached to the secondary frame, extending forwardly as a cantilevered surface. An optional resilient wedge fits between the strap and the seat substrate as a shock absorber. The seat substrate is covered by a seat cushion and a seat cover.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is adapted to distinguish a presence between a full and a partially-full toner cassette. The image forming apparatus includes a load cell positioned in a developer station. The load cell is adapted to sense a mass of a toner cassette at least during an insertion of the toner cassette into the apparatus. A processor is adapted to determine a toner volume contained in the toner cassette based on a mass differential. A controller is adapted to drive or suspend a motor in the developer station to control an operation of the image forming apparatus. The controller controls the operation based on the toner volume.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is adapted to distinguish a presence between a full and a partially-full toner cassette. The image forming apparatus includes a load cell positioned in a developer station. The load cell is adapted to sense a mass of a toner cassette at least during an insertion of the toner cassette into the apparatus. A processor is adapted to determine a toner volume contained in the toner cassette based on a mass differential. A controller is adapted to drive or suspend a motor in the developer station to control an operation of the image forming apparatus. The controller controls the operation based on the toner volume.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a controller that stores instructions, which cause the image forming apparatus to determine a characteristic measurement in response to a toner cartridge being partially inserted into the image forming apparatus. A pair of spaced apart sensors included on the image forming apparatus each contact an outer cross-sectional surface of a film on a delivery aperture of the toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus further includes an auger having at least one sensor for conducting a characteristic measurement on the film. The characteristic measurement corresponds to criteria programmed in the image forming apparatus for determining if the toner cartridge has a full toner level or a partially full (or low) toner level.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating the allocation support resources. One or more information handling systems are provided to analyze data obtained elsewhere. The information can be displayed in a plot of time and history timeline, with specific types of problems indicated by color. If the same type of problem is encountered at nearly the same time, regions or sub-regions of like-colored data will appear and become evident to the user. The user can then select the regions or sub-regions in question and perform additional analysis to determine the underlying cause of the various problems so that maintenance and support services can be allocated in a pro-active manner to preclude future problems, or additional resources assigned to combat the existing problems.

Abstract: An opto-electronic A/D converter comprises an input light source, an input nterferometer, and a plurality of parallel multistable interferometers the optical lengths of which are controlled by respective electrodes, the outputs of the parallel interferometers being converted by photodiodes into electrical signals which are used both to supply a digital output of the converter and as feedback signals to both the respective and an adjacent one of the parallel interferometers.