Abstract: An optical fiber array is disclosed that is useful in a print head of a thermal printer. The array is comprised of materials that hold a collection of output ends of optical fibers in precise alignment to each other and to a well defined plane. The materials of the array are selected so that each material has a polishing rate that is substantially the same. This selection of materials facilitates efficient fabrication of the arrays. Additionally, a fixture that facilitates ease of assembly and finishing of the array is disclosed.

Abstract: The deposition of stickies on machinery used in the pulping and papermaking processes and in the final paper produced in the papermaking process using secondary or recycled paper is controlled by adding an amount of a water-soluble organotitnium(IV) compound to the aqueous system of a pulping and/or papermaking process, effective to reduce or remove the deposition of the stickies on the machinery and the resulting paper.

Abstract: A spray coating booth for enclosing individual articles to be coated with a liquid spray while the articles are supported in closely spaced relation on an article conveyor for movement through the booth includes a rigid frame with fixed sidewalls and movable top and end walls which may be moved between a closed position completely enclosing an article supported on the conveyor and an open position to permit articles to be moved into and out of the booth. The movable top assures against coating liquid dripping onto and contaminating articles moving on the conveyor which are not to be coated. The end walls are supported for movement in substantially a transverse vertical plane to permit close spacing of articles on the conveyor without contact of the articles by the end walls.

Abstract: A capillary fill encapsulation technique and a device so encapsulated is described such that a selected region of a device may be encapsulated while leaving other regions of the device uncovered.

Abstract: A multi-functioning water-directing device is described comprising an input garden hose coupler, a series of straight pipe sections, an U-shaped transition pipe section, a straight output water-directing jetting segment, and a handle all coupled together by a plurality of coupling means. As a result, fluid flow can be directed both downstream and upstream relative to said handle and eventually exit from the jetting segment in a desired output pattern. In accordance with one aspect, the handle (positioned in parallel contact with at least the U-shaped transition section and the jetting segment and in series contact with at least the input hose coupler), is constructed so that its interior is placed in fluid contact with passing fluid stream wherein the weight of the contained fluid adds handling stability as the device is dynamically moved through a series of working positions such as relative to an overhead rain gutter and high riding motor vehicle.

Abstract: An edge trimmer for trimming the side edges of a running length of metal strip having upper and lower rotary shearing cutter discs engaging the top and bottom respectively, of the strip being trimmer includes top and bottom cylindrical strip stabilizers mounted coaxially with the cutter discs engaging the top and bottom surface of the strip adjacent the trim line, and a movable holddown roll disposed inboard of the top strip stabilizer and cooperating with the lower strip stabilizer to stabilize the strip at a location spaced inward from the trim line. The holddown roll is movable between an operable position engaging the strip and an inoperable position permitting access to the cutter disc for servicing.

Abstract: Oral compositions containing a cationic antimicrobial agent and benzoic acid and phthalic acid or salts of these acids, which compositions are effective against plaque and gingivitis, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for reducing plaque and gingivitis.

Abstract: The invention provides a water/oil/water duplex emulsion in which the external continuous phase is gelled. This gelling is obtained by having an osmotic pressure component, e.g. an electrolyte, in the internal aqueous phase which draws water from the external phase through the oil phase. The structure is firm but contains a considerable volume of available aqueous phase. The structure is of value in e.g. foods and cosmetics.

Abstract: A tree stand includes programmable circuitry allowing various messages to be played and lights to be illuminated responsive to actuation of various switches. The various switches are placed on the floor surface adjacent the tree stand and presents are placed over the various switches. Each switch is connected to a programmable control device designed to play a particular message responsive to activation of the switch. The message is designed to be specifically created for the recipient of the present which has been placed on the particular switch which has been activated.

Abstract: The deposition of pitch on the machinery used in pulping and papermaking processes and in the final paper produced in the papermaking process is prevented by adding an effective amount of a water-soluble organotitanium compound to the aqueous system of a pulping and/or papermaking process to prevent the deposition of the pitch on the machinery and in the final paper. The addition of an effective amount of a water-soluble organotitanium compound to the aqueous system of pulping and papermaking processes also removes pitch deposits from the machinery used in the pulping and papermaking processes.

Abstract: A system bus (13) carrying multidimensional path data interfaces with a plurality of local microprocessors (24), one for each dimension, through a plurality of dual access memory structures (21), one for each local microprocessor (24). A local arbiter (35) controls access to each dual access memory structure (21), facilitating elimination of wait states in data transfers between the bus (13) and memory (21) and between the local microprocessor (24) and memory (21). The arbiter (35) is implemented using a programmable logic device state machine approach, which implements a mode of operation wherein the circuitry is armed for a transfer between a local microprocessor (24) and the dual access memory (21) and accomplishes such transfer with no wait states.

Abstract: An hermaphroditic electrical connector comprising a pair of substantially identical body members. The two body members are arranged to be releasably secured together to electrically connect plural electrical contacts of one member to respective electrical contacts of the other member and for maintaining such electrical connections while enabling the two connector members to be pivoted with respect to each other about a longitudinal axis through a predetermined angular range.

Abstract: A process for making an article comprising a substrate, a first coating on the surface of said substrate of a thin, hard coated metal compound, and a second coating on the surface of said first coat of a thin uniform conformal polymeric material.

Abstract: The deposition of pitch on the machinery used in the pulping and papermaking processes and in the final paper produced in the papermaking process is prevented by adding an effective amount of a water-soluble zirconium(IV) compound to the aqueous system of a pulping and/or papermaking process to prevent the deposition of pitch on the machinery and in the final paper. The addition of an effective amount of a water-soluble zirconium(IV) compound to the aqueous system of the pulping and papermaking process also removes pitch deposits from the machinery used in the pulping and papermaking processes.

Abstract: A digital robotic axis controller which employs a digital processor to apply the inverse of a plant model transfer function to positional information representative of a target path to generate a feed forward position control signal and to combine an error signal with the positional information to generate a feedback control signal. The feed forward and feedback control signals are combined to produce a total position control signal which is supplied to a digital-to-analog converter and then to a plant comprising an amplifier, a motor for establishing the actual position of a robotic member, and an encoder for deriving the error signal from the motor position. In application, a number of such plants are controlled to achieve a coordinated multidimensional movement with increased accuracy.

Abstract: A digital servo system for causing a mechanical element (48) to track a desired path and hold various positions along the path and employing a lead/lag integrator (18) in parallel with a feedback control loop. The input to the integrator (18) is switched between velocity (V.sub.EK) error during pathtracking and position error (E.sub.K) during holding to increase the resistance of the mechanical element (48) to position changes caused by outside forces during both pathtracking and holding. The integrator function employed uses a term (U.sub.integrator(k-1)) representing a previous integrator output value to assist in smoothing perturbations caused by switching between position and velocity error.

Abstract: Weatherstripping is produced continuously by two or more spaced apart tufting heads, which may be operating at different stitch rates. The or each strip of weatherstripping comprises at least two rows of tufts sequentially inserted by two tufting heads. Heated dies may be located between the tufting heads for transforming rows of tufts inserted by the first tufting head at least partially into film to form barrier fins. The knuckles of the tufts are flattened, a secondary backing applied, and then individual strips of weatherstripping separated by ultrasonically slitting, all as a continuous process enabling weatherstripping of various constructions to be efficiently and economically produced by tufting.

Abstract: Formation of a double sandwich braze joint between the steel body of a bit and a carbide insert tip disposed in a groove formed across the body is facilitated by a butterfly-type shim having a semiopened bottom placed within the groove between surfaces on the bit body defining the groove and adjacent surfaces on the insert tip. The shim has a pair of upstanding spaced side walls and a pair of spaced bottom webs extending between and interconnecting the side walls so as to dispose them between adjacent side surfaces of the bit body groove and insert tip, with lower edges of the shim side walls disposed generally above the bottom webs. The bottom webs rest on the bottom surface of the bit body groove and, in turn, elevate the shim side walls so that their lower edges are spaced above the groove bottom surface.

Abstract: Dryer-added fabric conditioning articles and methods utilizing a fabric softener agent and a polymeric soil release agent. More specifically, damp fabrics are commingled with softener active and polymeric soil release agent in an automatic soil release benefits concurrently with the drying operation. The softening and antistatic soil release agents herein are preferably employed in combination with a dispensing means adapted for use in an automatic dryer.

Abstract: A display apparatus for use with headgear, includes in combination visor means adapted to attach to the headgear and having a visor viewing area segment positioned in the line-of-sight of a wearer of the headgear. Optical display generating means are adapted to be attached to the headgear. Parabolic mirror means are interposed in the optical path from the optical display generating means to the visor viewing area segment. Fold mirror means, including at least one fold mirror positioned to receive the image from the parabolic mirror means for directing the image to the visor viewing area segment, is provided, whereby the size and curvature of the visor can be minimized without affecting transmission of the image.