Abstract: An apparatus for applying elastics to a running web including a crank and arm, the arm arranged to reciprocate from side to side during use and having a laydown carriage carried on the arm, the laydown carriage including at least one eyelet arranged to support an elastic strand, the assembly further including a shoe guide.

Abstract: The fluid-segmentation device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first conduit in which a first fluid flows, and a second conduit in which a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid flows. The second conduit of the fluid-segmentation device includes an intersection region, to which the first conduit is connected and into which the first fluid is introduced, and a first region downstream of the intersection region. The cross-sectional area of the intersection region of the second conduit in a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the second fluid is less than the cross-sectional area of the first region of the second conduit in a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the second fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing stationary and/or moveable cutting components provide limited interference with web processing operations, such as pad spin and pitch alteration. Heat, laser, fluid, or mechanical cutting operations may be used, including respectively, a heated element (e.g., wire, ribbon, bar, or embossing or perforating element) that may be triggered inductively, water or steam jets, or improved knife/anvil cooperation.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a disposable undergarment, with the lateral edges of the undergarment bonded by means of an ultrasonic horn. When a blank is formed for an individual undergarment, the lateral edges of opposing edges of the blank will form the seam. When the edges are sealed together, a seam is formed. The individual undergarments may be later separated along the seams.

Abstract: A series of elastic break brakes are provided throughout a travel path of elastics in a machine operation. Elastic strands thread through each individual brake mechanism, and if an elastic strand breaks downstream, a natural snap back of the elastic, which ordinarily travels through the system under tension, drives an immediately upstream cam mechanism back, and holds the elastic thread in place at the elastic break brake immediately upstream of the break as to minimize rethreading required downstream of the elastic break brake.

Abstract: A series of elastic break brakes are provided throughout a travel path of elastics in a machine operation. Elastic strands thread through each individual brake mechanism, and if an elastic strand breaks downstream, a natural snap back of the elastic, which ordinarily travels through the system under tension, drives an immediately upstream cam mechanism back, and holds the elastic thread in place at the elastic break brake immediately upstream of the break as to minimize rethreading required downstream of the elastic break brake.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing stationary and/or moveable cutting components provide limited interference with web processing operations, such as pad spin and pitch alteration. Heat, laser, fluid, or mechanical cutting operations may be used, including respectively, a heated element (e.g., wire, ribbon, bar, or embossing or perforating element) that may be triggered inductively, water or steam jets, or improved knife/anvil cooperation.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to an ultrafiltration system for quantum-dot (QD) purification. The ultrafiltration system comprises a pump having a low-pressure side and a high-pressure side, a size-exclusion membrane having a low-pressure side and a high-pressure side, and an inlet/outlet arrangement. An inlet arranged on the high-pressure side of the size-exclusion membrane is coupled fluidically to the high-pressure side of the pump. A product-enriched outlet is arranged on the high-pressure side of the size-exclusion membrane, fluidically downstream of the inlet. A product-depleted outlet is arranged on the low-pressure side of the size-exclusion membrane.

Abstract: A series of elastic break brakes are provided throughout a travel path of elastics in a machine operation. Elastic strands thread through each individual brake mechanism, and if an elastic strand breaks downstream, a natural snap back of the elastic, which ordinarily travels through the system under tension, drives an immediately upstream cam mechanism back, and holds the elastic thread in place at the elastic break brake immediately upstream of the break as to minimize rethreading required downstream of the elastic break brake.

Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator having a closing arrangement. The accumulator has a housing, a removable end cap, a segmented locking ring, and a pilot ring. The housing has at least one opening, an interior space, and a ring recess adjacent the opening. The removable end cap is sized to close the opening when in a closed position. The segmented locking ring is removably positioned within the ring recess adjacent the end cap opposite the interior space to stop the end cap from moving in a first direction away from the interior space. The locking ring may be segmented. The pilot ring is removably connected to the end cap and positioned to hold the locking ring in the ring recess when connected to the end cap.

Abstract: A continuous flow reactor for the efficient synthesis of nanoparticles with a high degree of crystallinity, uniform particle size, and homogenous stoichiometry throughout the crystal is described. Disclosed embodiments include a flow reactor with an energy source for rapid nucleation of the procurors following by a separate heating source for growing the nucleates. Segmented flow may be provided to facilitate mixing and uniform energy absorption of the precursors, and post production quality testing in communication with a control system allow automatic real-time adjustment of the production parameters. The nucleation energy source can be monomodal, multimodal, or multivariable frequency microwave energy and tuned to allow different precursors to nucleate at substantially the same time thereby resulting in a substantially homogenous nanoparticle. A shell application system may also be provided to allow one or more shell layers to be formed onto each nanoparticle.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing stationary and/or moveable cutting components provide limited interference with web processing operations, such as pad spin and pitch alteration. Heat, laser, fluid, or mechanical cutting operations may be used, including respectively, a heated element (e.g., wire, ribbon, bar, or embossing or perforating element) that may be triggered inductively, water or steam jets, or improved knife/anvil cooperation.

Abstract: A method of analysing a skin-print provided on a first surface of an optically transparent substrate. The method comprises the steps of exposing the skin-print on the first surface of the optically transparent substrate to one or more reagents selected to bind with one or more metabolites present in the skin-print; transmitting electromagnetic radiation onto the skin-print through the optically transparent substrate using a radiation source to thereby produce an optical signal of said one or more reagents and/or said one or more metabolites; and detecting an optical image of the optical signal through the optically transparent substrate using a sensor. Also a skin-print analysis apparatus and a reagent cartridge for use in carrying out the method.

Abstract: A sample capture and transport unit comprises a housing defming a substrate chamber for containing a sample-capture substrate. The housing comprises at least a first part and a second part which are movable relative to one another • i) from a first closed configuration in which the substrate chamber is inaccessible; • ii) to a first open configuration in which access to the substrate chamber is enabled to allow capturing of a skin-print on a sample-capture substrate contained within the substrate chamber; and subsequently • iii) into a second closed configuration in which the substrate chamber is again inaccessible. The unit further comprises a retaining mechanism for retaining it in the second closed configuration. The retaining mechanism is disablable to permit movement of the unit out of the second closed configuration. A sample can be obtained at a first location, secured for transport and analysed at a second location.

Abstract: A leash for an animal is provided that includes a collar end and a handle end positioned opposite the collar end. An intermediate portion of the leash is located between the collar end and the handle end of the leash. The intermediate portion includes two separate strands wherein a first end of each strand is attached at the collar end of the leash and a second end of each strand is attached at the handle end of the leash. The leash is configured to encircle the abdomen of the animal by passing the handle end of the leash through a loop formed between the two separate strands such that the leash forms a constrictive loop around the animal's midsection or abdomen, specifically the portion of the animal's torso located between animal's hind legs and the animal's ribs. Methods for using the leash are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing aromatic carboxylic acids by the exothermic liquid-phase oxidation reaction of an aromatic feedstock compound wherein water is efficiently recovered from the exothermic liquid-phase oxidation reaction and treated to reduce corrosive agents residing therein.

Abstract: Devices and methods are presented for elevating seat devices. The device allows a vertical and forward motion of a seat from a first position to a second position. Such motion more resembles a natural body motion during the standing motion. A similar but converse motion is also possible with movement from a standing position to a sitting position.

Abstract: A pump driver, a disposable pump cartridge for use with the pump driver and a beverage dispenser employing the pump drive are disclosed. The disposable pump cartridge comprises at least one barrel 20 having an inlet valve 24 and an outlet valve 26 associated therewith. A piston 28 movable within the barrel 20 is retained in a minimum volume position during transit by a protrusion 22 on the internal surface of the barrel 20. The piston 20 has a piston shaft 28 with a hollow end arranged, in use, to releasably engage a piston driver to drive the piston 28 from its minimum volume position to an operative position, and to reciprocate the piston 28 within the barrel 20 in its operative position to draw fluid into and pump fluid from the barrel 20 via the inlet valve 24 and outlet valve 26 respectively. Methods of engaging, disengaging and changing the disposable pump cartridge are also disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous flow reactor for the efficient synthesis of nanoparticles with a high degree of crystallinity, uniform particle size, and homogenous stoichiometry throughout the crystal is described. Disclosed embodiments include a flow reactor with an energy source for rapid nucleation of the procurors following by a separate heating source for growing the nucleates. Segmented flow may be provided to facilitate mixing and uniform energy absorption of the precursors, and post production quality testing in communication with a control system allow automatic real-time adjustment of the production parameters. The nucleation energy source can be monomodal, multimodal, or multivariable frequency microwave energy and tuned to allow different precursors to nucleate at substantially the same time thereby resulting in a substantially homogenous nanoparticle. A shell application system may also be provided to allow one or more shell layers to be formed onto each nanoparticle.

Abstract: A controller is provided for maneuvering an interrogation plane relative to a reference surface. The interrogation plane intersects the reference surface and is associated with a pole about which the interrogation plane is rotatable. The pole has an adjustable angle of inclination relative to the reference surface. The controller has a base, a handle, and an arm extending from a connection with the base to a connection with the handle. The arm has hingable joints which hinge to allow the handle to be translated relative to the base in arbitrary directions across a user surface. The controller further has position sensors which measure the translation of the handle relative to the base on the user surface. The translation provides a corresponding translation of the interrogation plane relative to the reference surface. The handle is rotatable about a rotation axis and is tillable about a tilt axis to allow the handle to be angularly moved relative to the user surface.