Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disposable pull-on garment having a longitudinal center line, a front region, a back region and a crotch region between the front region and the back region. The disposable pull-on garment includes a chassis provided in the front, back and crotch regions. The chassis has edge lines in the front and back regions and includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet associated with the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable pull-on garment further includes at least one pair of extensible ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front or back region. Each of the ear panels has an outermost edge line. Each of the ear panels are joined to the chassis along the corresponding edge lines to form a seam, thereby forming two leg openings and a waist opening.

Abstract: A disposable garment having enhanced extensibility around the leg openings is disclosed. The disposable garment has a front region, a back region and a crotch region between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis and seams. The chassis comprises a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, and an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis has a central panel having side edges and a waist edge, and an ear panel extending laterally outwardly from each side edge of the central panel in the front region and the back region. The ear panel is rendered extensible to form an extensible ear. The extensible ear has a higher end edge, a lower end edge, an inner side edge, and an outer side edge. The outer side edge is non-parallel to the inner side edge, and is non-parallel to a longitudinal center line of the garment, and projects laterally outwardly proximate the lower end edge.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a leak verification test to test the evaporative emission space for leakage comprising self-calibrating the purge valve, closing the evaporative emission space to atmosphere and an intake system of the engine and monitoring for conditions calling for aborting the test, performing a leak determination test, and entering a sleep mode while the engine continues to run.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminants from contaminated air is accomplished by exposing an incoming air stream from a surrounding area to ultra-violet (UV) radiation to generate ozone in an ozone chamber of the system. The ozone chamber is configured to reduce air through-flow velocity and to provide time for the ozone to mix with the air and oxidize the contaminants. The air stream subsequently enters a germicidal chamber and is again exposed to UV radiation at a different wavelength to destroy bacteria and any ozone in the air stream thus resulting in sterilized air. The system may include various ozone and germicidal chamber configurations to increase residence time within these chambers. Further, the system may be configured for installation within a wall or ceiling, or for mounting on a ceiling fan motor for use with ceiling fans.

Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) is provided with an electrode package mounted to an exterior surface of its casing. The electrode package includes a tray, two electrodes disposed in the tray, and a cover attached to the tray. The tray can include an outer rim that surrounds a recessed receptacle portion, with the cover being attached to the outer rim so as to cover the receptacle portion. The cover has a pull tab formed thereon and graphics that illustrate how the electrodes are accessed and used. A connector is mounted to the outer rim and has a first end that extends into the receptacle portion and a second end that extends out of the tray. The electrodes are connected to the first connector end, and the second end of the connector is inserted into a socket located on the exterior surface of the casing for electrically connecting the electrodes to the unit.

Abstract: An application and a context-based help system operate on a computer. The application includes a plurality of components that effectuate application functions, where each component of the application is constructed to describe a current context of the component representative of a current state of the component. At least some of the components are active at any one time. The help system includes a help engine that receives the current context from each active component, dynamically builds a current overall context of the application based on each received current context, locates help topics based on the current overall context, and filters and prioritizes the located help topics.

Abstract: A leak detection system for a fuel system of an automotive vehicle has a diaphragm pump that is repeatedly stroked to pressurize vapor containment space of the fuel system during a leak detection test. A restriction is disposed between the pump and the space being pressurized to cause a real time pressure trace of pressure between the pump and the restriction to comprise a succession of pulses having peaks and valleys. Data from the first pump burst of the trace is used to adjust the number of times the pump is stroked during subsequent bursts to maintain substantially constant mass airflow into the space during each burst, thereby compensating for change in pump efficiency.

Abstract: A valve structure that comprises a housing and a valve. The housing includes a first fluid communication passage between a first port and a second port. The valve is movable with respect to the housing between a first configuration, a second configuration, and an intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. The first configuration permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second configuration substantially prevents fluid flow between the first and second ports. And the intermediate configuration provides restricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The valve includes a first valve element and a second valve element. The first valve element includes a second fluid communication passage providing the restricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second valve element is positionable in first and second positions with respect to the first valve element.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for locally controlling the thickness of a flexible nozzle member of a printhead portion of an inkjet printer. The printing system of the present invention includes a printhead assembly and an ink supply for printing ink on print media. The printhead assembly includes a printhead body, ink channels, a semiconductor wafer, a nozzle member and a barrier layer located between the wafer and nozzle member. The nozzle member has plural nozzles coupled to respective ink channels and is secured at a predefined location to the printhead body with a suitable adhesive layer. The flexible member has a mechanical feature defining local thickness variations of the flexible nozzle member. The mechanical feature can be defined in the flexible nozzle member as extending in a range in close proximity to the ink channel and the adhesive.

Abstract: A disposable pull-on garment having at least one pair of extensible car panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front or back region. Each ear panel has an outermost edge line and at least one outermost edge line has a non-uniform lateral distance from the longitudinal center line when the garment is in an unseamed flat condition. Seams join the ear panels to the chassis along the outermost edge lines to form two leg openings and a waist opening. In another embodiment, the garment has a pair of extensible ear panels in each of the front and back regions and at least one outermost edge line has a non-uniform lateral distance from the longitudinal center line when the garment is in an unseamed flat condition. Seams join the corresponding front and back ear panels along their outermost edge lines to form two leg openings and a waist opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the humidification of gas streams, such as reactant gas streams for fuel cells, wherein the specific water evaporation rate, gas delivery temperature, and degree of gas humidity may be adjusted and maintained at predetermined levels. An ultrasonic device providing a water mist is used in the evaporation process. The amount of water vapor being introduced into the gas stream can be varied up to the saturation point of the reactant gas stream. As the water vapor leaves the evaporation chamber, it mixes with the gas stream in a gas humidification chamber or riser. The humidified reactant gas stream is then maintained at a set point temperature that is at least above the dew point temperature of the humidified reactant gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing purified or ozone enriched air to remove contaminants from fluids is accomplished by exposing an air stream from a surrounding area to ozone generating ultra-violet (UV) radiation to generate ozone in a system ozone chamber. The ozone chamber is configured to reduce through-flow velocity and provide time for the ozone to mix with the air and oxidize contaminants. The air stream subsequently enters a germicidal chamber and is exposed to germicidal UV radiation to destroy bacteria and ozone in the air stream resulting in sterilized air. The radiation source may include an end-cap that interfaces guiding mechanisms to align the end-cap for power connections, and/or controls emission of ozone generating radiation to control production of ozone. Further, the system may include an additional germicidal chamber that exposes an air stream to germicidal radiation prior to treatment within the ozone chamber.

Abstract: A valve, system, and method for controlling evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. The system includes a fuel vapor collection canister, an isolation valve, and a fuel tank. The isolation valve includes a housing defining a chamber, a diaphragm movable with respect to the housing between a first configuration and a second configuration, and a coil spring biasing the diaphragm toward the first configuration. The housing includes an interior partition that defines an aperture and separates the housing into first and second sections, a first port that is in fuel vapor communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and a second port. In the first configuration, the diaphragm occludes the aperture, divides the chamber into three sub-chambers, and substantially prevents fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports. In the second configuration, the diaphragm divides the chamber into two sub-chambers and permits generally unrestricted fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitating authoring and problem solving by joint contributors working separately but against a common goal. On-line asynchronous distributed authoring and problem solving system, method, and computer program for focusing attention toward particular authoring and problem solving topics using a threaded discussion group and reward matrix. System, method, computer program and computer program product for coordinating the activities of a plurality of people, where the plurality may be any number from two to thousands or more people. Mechanism for directing the attention and focus of large numbers of people who are solving problems using a tree-based problem space, where the tree based problem space may be a virtual problem space. Algorithms and procedures for evaluating nodes in the virtual problem space and assigning values via a pay-off matrix that serves to focus the attention of large numbers of problem solvers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of presenting a control on a computer user interface whereby information stored in a database 12 or the like is retrieved by a user. A GUI control is then selected which is suitable for displaying the information which has been retrieved. The GUI control is created and used to display the retrieved information on a user display 16.

Abstract: Injection molded bumpers for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as ATV's, snowmobiles and the like. In one embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded bumper comprising a fiber-filled plastic resin body. Optionally, the fiber-filled plastic resin may have fibers of a length of at least about ¼ inch. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally vertically oriented front surface having upper and lower peripheral edges. At least a portion of the upper peripheral edge and at least a portion of the lower peripheral edge each has a flange extending generally horizontally away from the front surface. The flanges have thicknesses substantially less than the lengths they extend from the front surface and thereby define generally horizontally extending reinforcing ribs. Additional reinforcing ribs may also be provided intermediate the flanges.

Abstract: Injection molded components for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as an ATV's, snowmobiles and the like. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rack having a fiber-filled plastic resin body. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally flat, horizontal top having a plurality of slots. Each of the slots is defined by a flange extending downwardly the flange having a thickness that is substantially less than its height to define a downwardly extending reinforcing rib, which also provides a point of attachment for straps such as bungee cords. Preferably the rack includes integrally molded transverse reinforcing ribs extending across the slots, the reinforcing ribs having a top surface which is recessed downwardly from the top surface of the rack. In another embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded foot rest for an off-road recreational or utility vehicle.

Abstract: The disposable pull-on garment of the present invention comprises a chassis having a front region, a back region and a crotch region between the front region and the back region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet associated with the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet.

Abstract: Injection molded components for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as ATV's and snowmobiles. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rack having a fiber-filled plastic resin body. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally flat, horizontal top having a plurality of slots. Each of the slots is defined by a flange extending downwardly the flange having a thickness that is substantially less than its height to define a downwardly extending reinforcing rib, which also provides a point of attachment for straps such as bungee cords. Preferably the rack includes integrally molded transverse reinforcing ribs extending across the slots, the reinforcing ribs having a top surface which is recessed downwardly from the top surface of the rack. In another embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded foot rest for an off-road recreational or utility vehicle.