Abstract: An apparatus for making a reinforced elastomeric fabric having a gauge thickness G and a cord spacing S, the apparatus comprising: a die having a plurality of holes for receiving a reinforcement cord, the holes providing a cord spacing of about S/2, a first and second calender roll located adjacent the die, the die having a end plate having a slot wherein the slot is located adjacent a calender roll so that the reinforcement cords are pressed into engagement with a ribbon of elastomeric material, the calender rolls being spaced to provide a gauge thickness of about G/2, the apparatus further comprising a cutter for cutting the ribbon of reinforced elastomeric material into segments having a length L, each segment having a width W, each segment having lateral edges, said apparatus further comprising a pick arm for placing a plurality of segments onto a conveyor so that the lateral ends of adjacent segments are lap spliced together, the lap splice having a width W/2.

Abstract: A method of making reinforced ply having variable gauge thickness, and/or variable cord spacing is provided. A die is provided having adjustable cord spacing. The die is adjusted to the desired cord spacing. A plurality of cords is drawn through the die. A stream of rubber is fed into the bite of first and second calender rolls wherein rubber is calendered to desired thickness. The cords are pressed into continuous engagement with rubber, forming a continuous strip of reinforced rubber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.

Abstract: Methods are provided for a protecting an individual's genetic information, particularly an individual's nucleotide sequence information. According to these methods, a service provider obtains nucleotide sequence information for an individual, enters the information into a database, and seeks protection for the individual's nucleotide sequence information, especially copyright protection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a calendering system is provided to allow for fine gauge adjustment of the product. The calender system has a first and second roller each having a first and second end mounted in opposed end supports. The end supports each have an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one or more internal passages, wherein a heat transfer medium may be circulated through the one or more internal passages. The heat transfer medium may either heat or cool the internal passages of the end supports, resulting in the respective increase or decrease in the gauge of the product.

Abstract: A method for recording data on an optical medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving main data from a data source, determining a plurality of data frame values in response to the main data, inverting at least one selected bit in at least one of the data frame values to generate a plurality of encoded data frames, scrambling the encoded data frames by a feedback shift register to generate scrambled data frames, generating ECC values in response to the scrambled data frames, adding the ECC values to the scrambled data frames to generate an ECC block, rearranging the ECC block to generate a plurality of recording frames, encoding the recording frames by an eight-to-sixteen modulation (ESM) encoder to generate code words, adding sync values to the code words to generate a plurality of physical sectors, and recording the physical sectors on the optical medium. A complementary method for reading and decoding data from an optical medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for recoding data on an optical medium such as DVD. The method includes receiving main data from a data source, determining a plurality of data frame values in response to the main data, inverting at least one selected bit in at least one of the data frame values to generate a plurality of encoded data frames, scrambling the encoded data frames by a feedback shift register to generate scrambled data frames, generating ECC values in response to the scrambled data frames, adding the ECC values to the scrambled data frames to generate an ECC block, rearranging the ECC block to generate a plurality of recording frames, encoding the recording frame by an eight-to-sixteen modulation (ESM) encoder to generate code words, adding sync values to the code words to generate a plurality of physical sectors, and recording the physical sectors on the optical medium. There is a complementary method for reading and decoding data from an optical medium.

Abstract: An animal feed block and its manufacture are described wherein the block includes and is made through the chemical reaction of an aqueous blend of an edible trivalent metal salt, magnesium oxide, phosphorous and nutritive ingredients which upon curing provides a rigid feed block with internal control over the rate at which animals consume it.

Abstract: An animal feed block and its manufacture are described wherein the block includes and is made through the chemical reaction of an aqueous blend of an edible trivalent metal salt, magnesium oxide, phosphorous and nutritive ingredients which upon curing provides a rigid feed block with internal control over the rate at which animals consume it.

Abstract: A frame joint for bicycles and the like includes a stub insert consisting of a base, a stub protruding from the base, and an annular shoulder at the junction between the base and the stub; a connecting member having a tubular end with an annular end face telescoping over the stub in a press fit; adhesive bonding the tubular end to the stub; and an annular collet positioned on the stub between the end face and the shoulder. The collet includes an inner end having a first lip portion which extends about and overlaps a periphery of the base adjacent to the shoulder and an outer end having a second lip portion which is beveled in a concave fashion to overlap and receive the end face of the connecting member. The first and second lip portions are joined by a continuous outer wall having a diameter greater than that of the tube end and the base, and an interior wall extending between the first and second lip portions having a diameter less than that of the tube end and base.