Abstract: This invention relates to a controller for a pumping installation using a combined pressure sensor and fluid level sensor arrangement. The controller includes a processor responsive to measurements from the sensor arrangement, as well as memory for storing a set of instructions for execution by the processor to correlate initial measurements taken by the sensors. The instructions allows the controller to monitor a fluid level in a well with the combined arrangement to compile a history of respective measurements for both sensors, and, in the event of an unexpected discrepancy between the measurements, to automatically calibrate the sensor arrangement according to the history of respective measurements to re-establish a correlation between the sensors.

Abstract: A retractable, single use syringe (10) comprises a barrel (20), a collar (60) mounted to the barrel, a retraction spring (70), a needle mount (40) located at a needle end (23) of the barrel and a plunger (30). The plunger comprises a first plunger member (31) and a second plunger member (33) that are releasably coupled to co-operatively maintain the retraction spring in an initial compressed state. The second plunger member (33) further comprises a seal (34) to prevent fluid leakage between plunger (30) and barrel (20). After depression of the plunger to deliver the fluid contents of the syringe, the first plunger member (31) engages the needle mount (40) with needle (12) attached thereto and is rotatably uncoupled from the second plunger member (33) to allow decompression of the retraction spring (70), which forces retraction of the first plunger member (31), needle mount (40) and needle (12) engaged therewith.

Abstract: An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access an integrated business computer network for the rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner.

Abstract: An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access an integrated business computer network for the rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner.

Abstract: An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access an integrated business computer network for the rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner.

Abstract: A syringe (10) has a plunger (20), a barrel (11) and a collar (40, 50) with two pawls (42A, 42B). The plunger has two opposed ratchets (23A, 23B) that align with the one each of the pawls and thereby or impede, withdrawal of the plunger during or following depression of the plunger. The barrel has a collar with an inner (50) and an outer member (40) that are incapable of rotation relative with respect to each other. The outer member has the two pawls (42A, 42B) and two fingers that slidably engage opposed guide slots (28) on the plunger to thereby prevent or minimize rotation of the plunger relative to the collar. The inner member of the collar is operable to prevent engagement of the plunger ratchet by the two pawls until the plunger is depressed.

Abstract: An on-board diagnostic system of a vehicle comprises a diagnostic component configured to detect a vehicle operating condition and to produce an error output when the vehicle operating condition is determined to be abnormal; and a rough road detector configured to determine an average level of roughness of a road surface based on signals from wheel speed sensors, to compare the roughness with a predetermined threshold, and to disable the error output of the diagnostic component or switch to an alternate calibration for the diagnostic component if the roughness level has exceeded the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for attaching components to strips of material to form assemblies, e.g., a system for fastening pre-sharpened razor blades to individual support strips on a continuous band of material, such as a metal, to form discrete blade assemblies.

Abstract: A syringe is provided which comprises a barrel (11) and a needle sheath (30) slidably located within the barrel, a plunger (20) with a plunger seal (23), a needle, a needle sheath (30) and a sheath seal (50), arranged so that depression of the plunger forces the needle sheath to move into a position where it covers or at least partly encloses the needle after delivery of fluid contents of the syringe. The needle sheath may be manually actuated or may be actuated by decompression of a spring. The syringe may further comprise a plunger disabling means operable to impede, prevent or otherwise hinder withdrawal of the plunger during or following depression of the plunger. The syringe may be a pre-filled syringe or a syringe which is filled by a user.

Abstract: If the cost of an access plan meets a condition, and an exit program is registered, data is logged for the access plan if logging is requested by a return code from the exit program. Execution of the access plan is continued or canceled if requested by the return code. In another embodiment, an inquiry message is sent to an application, the data is logged and execution of the access plan is continued or canceled if requested by a response to the inquiry message. In another embodiment, the data is logged if the logging if an override parameter requests the logging. In various embodiments, the cost of the access plan is calculated by predicting a predicted time for the execution and a predicted amount of storage needed for the execution or by calculating the actual time and the actual amount of storage used by partial execution of the access plan.

Abstract: A vehicle access control bollard for path entryways and restricted drives which allows access for approved vehicles through the use of a self-contained interior lowering mechanism. The three-piece bollard comprises a lower section which is concreted below grade, an intermediate section which houses the interior slip-fit hinge lowering assembly, and an upper section that stands vertically or can be lowered to an approximately four and one-half to five inch clearance height to allow approved vehicles to pass over. There are no exterior hinges, locks, or bolts, thereby giving the appearance of a single permanent non-movable bollard.

Abstract: Cutting members for razors are provided that have been subjected to a localized heat-treating process, e.g., application of laser energy. In some cases, the cutting members include a bent portion, and the localized heat-treating process is used to enhance ductility and thereby facilitate formation of the bent portion.

Abstract: An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access an integrated business computer network for the rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method, and program product for performing efficient database access plan caching. Unlike prior art mechanism that automatically discard stored access plans whenever the need for a different access plans is detected, stored plans are intelligently retained despite the handling of one or more infrequent queries that call for the use of a different plan.

Abstract: A method to adjust a boiler having a flue gas duct including: sensing flue gas emissions in the gas duct with a plurality of emission sensors arranged in an array; generating a multidimensional graphical depiction of the flue gas emissions by plotting sensor data captured from the emission sensor; adjusting the boiler to modify the distribution of flue gases in the gas duct; generating a subsequent multidimensional graphical depiction of the flue gas emissions by plotting sensor data captured subsequent to the boiler adjustment, and repeating these steps until the graphical depiction displays an acceptable plot of flue gas emissions.

Abstract: A disposable substantially damp cleansing article is disclosed having a cleansing composition impregnated onto a flexible substrate such as a non-woven cloth. The impregnated compositions include lathering surfactants and water, and a water-binding agent resulting in a composition having a water activity less than 0.977 but no lower than 0.001. Amounts of water range from greater than 15% to no higher than about 40% by weight of the total article. Speed of lather formation and foam volume increases within the window of the stated water activity and water range.

Abstract: Methods for treating and/or preventing disease conditions caused or induced or aggravated by microbes, especially bacteria, by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase activity, such as by administering to an animal a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, are disclosed, along with methods of reducing or ablating virulence in bacteria by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase activity.