Abstract: A dispenser includes a body (10) the body including an asymmetric shape corresponding to a flattened product pouch. The body includes a row of teeth (42) extending longitudinally along the bottom of the body. A grip (28) is slidingly engaged with a bottom of the body and is coupled to a squeeze pusher (32) disposed within the interior space of the body. An actuator arm (30) is movably attached to the grip. A drive mechanism is movably attached to the actuator and is engageable with the row of teeth. For dispensing, movement of the actuator causes a corresponding movement of the drive mechanism which causes the grip and squeeze pusher to move relative to the body in a direction from the proximal end to the dispensing end, thus applying pressure to the pouch.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a body (10) the body including an asymmetric shape corresponding to a flattened product pouch. The body includes a row of teeth (42) extending longitudinally along the bottom of the body. A grip (28) is slidingly engaged with a bottom of the body and is coupled to a squeeze pusher (32) disposed within the interior space of the body. An actuator arm (30) is movably attached to the grip. A drive mechanism is movably attached to the actuator and is engageable with the row of teeth. For dispensing, movement of the actuator causes a corresponding movement of the drive mechanism which causes the grip and squeeze pusher to move relative to the body in a direction from the proximal end to the dispensing end, thus applying pressure to the pouch.

Abstract: An indirectly heated cathode (IHC) ion source having improved life is disclosed. The IHC ion source comprises a chamber having a cathode and a repeller on opposite ends of the ion source. Biased electrodes are disposed on one or more sides of the ion source. The bias voltage applied to at least one of the cathode, the repeller and the electrodes, relative to the chamber, is varied over time. In certain embodiments, the voltage applied to the electrodes may begin at an initial positive voltage. Over time, this voltage may be reduced, while still maintaining the target ion beam current. Advantageously, the life of the cathode is improved using this technique.

Abstract: An indirectly heated cathode (IHC) ion source having improved life is disclosed. The IHC ion source comprises a chamber having a cathode and a repeller on opposite ends of the ion source. Biased electrodes are disposed on one or more sides of the ion source. The bias voltage applied to at least one of the cathode, the repeller and the electrodes, relative to the chamber, is varied over time. In certain embodiments, the voltage applied to the electrodes may begin at an initial positive voltage. Over time, this voltage may be reduced, while still maintaining the target ion beam current. Advantageously, the life of the cathode is improved using this technique.

Abstract: A cargo barrier net for an aircraft includes a net mesh, defined by a plurality of net strands, a securing members coupled to one of the net strands, for securing the cargo barrier net across an internal space of an aircraft; and a tear webbing located between the securing members and the net strand. The tear webbing is configured to tear progressively when a load is applied to it, thereby increasing the effective length of net strand to which it is coupled and redistributing the load to other net strands in the cargo barrier net.

Abstract: A cargo barrier net (2) for an aircraft comprising: a net mesh, defined by a plurality of net strands (4, 6); a plurality of securing means (14) attached to at least some of the net strands (4, 6), for securing the cargo barrier net (2) across an internal space of an aircraft; and at least one tear webbing (18, 30) located between a securing means (14) and a net strand (4, 6), wherein the tear webbing (18, 30) is configured to tear progressively when a load is applied to it, thereby increasing the effective length of net strand (4, 6) to which it is attached and redistributing the load to other net stands (4, 6) in the cargo barrier net (2).

Abstract: A system for verifying, authenticating, and processing membership information to generate a selectively approved searchable membership database, viewable through a computer information network, such as the internet. membership verification includes a first processing unit (200) for transmitting data native biometric data to a second processing unit (204) for artificial rendering by a lab processing module (300) stores settings in a database (301). Artificially rendered biometric data is used for reference physical configuration of a first processor biometric capture device (301) Artificially rendered biometric data is used to reference the identity of a native capture device source (301) Artificial rendered biometric data is used in a pass code configuration to activate a biometric capture device (301). A custom user biometric data reference module is used for member users to create a custom biometric data reference database (303).

Abstract: A barrier net (12) across a space defined by the fuselage (6) of an aircraft and a floor (7) of the aircraft comprising a first plurality of parallel lengths (13) orientated in a first direction transverse to a second plurality of parallel lengths (14) orientated in a second direction wherein the lengths (13, 14) have fastening means at each end which provide a means for fastening the net to attachment points on the aircraft fuselage (6), characterised in that neither the first nor the second plurality of lengths (13, 14) is parallel to said floor (7).

Abstract: A barrier net across a space defined by the fuselage of an aircraft and a floor of the aircraft comprises a plurality of intersecting net members, at least some of the members being attached to the fuselage by attachment structures attached to attachment points on the fuselage of the aircraft and held forward of the attachment points so that a major portion of the net is in a plane further forward than the attachment points.

Abstract: A cargo barrier (9) in or for installation in an aircraft (2), the barrier (9) comprising a peripheral frame structure (10) of rigid material and a cargo restraining net (11), the frame structure (10) being, in the aircraft (2), attached to attachment points on the interior structure of the aircraft and the net being attached to attachment points (12) on the frame structure (10). The frame structure (10) and net (11), in use, form a barrier across an interior space of the aircraft (2) in order to restrain longitudinal movement of cargo within the aircraft (2).

Abstract: A thimble providing a first convex surface about a first axis and a second convex surface about a second axis, the first and second axes being substantially perpendicular to each other and the first and second surfaces being opposite each other, the thimble being such that a first length of elongate material can be wrapped over said first convex surface and back on itself to form a first loop around the thimble and a second length of elongate material can then be wrapped over said second convex surface through said first loop and back on itself to form a second loop around the thimble.

Abstract: A net comprising a combination of a plurality of lengths (2, 3) of a first material with a plurality of lengths (11) of a second material having a relatively lower elongation than that of the first material in which at least some of the lengths (2, 3) of first material are transversed to at least some of the lengths (11) of second material.

Abstract: A barrier net across a space defined by the fuselage of an aircraft and a floor of the aircraft comprises a plurality of intersecting net members, at least some of the members being attached to the fuselage by attachment structures attached to attachment points on the fuselage of the aircraft and held forward of the attachment points so that a major portion of the net is in a plane further forward than the attachment points.

Abstract: A thimble providing a first convex surface about a first axis and a second convex surface about a second axis, the first and second axes being substantially perpendicular to each other and the first and second surfaces being opposite each other, the thimble being such that a first length of elongate material can be wrapped over said first convex surface and back on itself to form a first loop around the thimble and a second length of elongate material can then be wrapped over said second convex surface through said first loop and back on itself to form a second loop around the thimble.

Abstract: A barrier net (12) across a space defined by the fuselage (6) of an aircraft and a floor (7) of the aircraft comprising a first plurality of parallel lengths (13) orientated in a first direction transverse to a second plurality of parallel lengths (14) orientated in a second direction wherein the lengths (13, 14) have fastening means at each end which provide a means for fastening the net to attachment points on the aircraft fuselage (6), characterised in that neither the first nor the second plurality of lengths (13, 14) is parallel to said floor (7).

Abstract: A net comprising a combination of a plurality of lengths (2, 3) of a first material with a plurality of lengths (11) of a second material having a relatively lower elongation than that of the first material in which at least some of the lengths (2, 3) of first material are transverse to at least some of the lengths (11) of second material.

Abstract: A cargo barrier (9) in or for installation in an aircraft (2), the barrier (9) comprising a peripheral frame structure (10) of rigid material and a cargo restraining net (11), the frame structure (10) being, in the aircraft (2), attached to attachment points on the interior structure of the aircraft and the net being attached to attachment points (12) on the frame structure (10). The frame structure (10) and net (11), in use, form a barrier across an interior space of the aircraft (2) in order to restrain longitudinal movement of cargo within the aircraft (2).

Abstract: A multi-service subscriber radio unit includes an antenna and a transceiver which is operatively coupled to the antenna. The radio unit further includes a modem which is coupled to the transceiver and a packet control unit. The packet control unit provides multi-service packetized data for transmission (up-link) to the modem and receives multi-service packetized data from the modem (down-link). The packet control unit extracts service specific packetized data from the received multi-service packetized data and also generates the transmit multi-service packetized data from a plurality of service specific data from customer premise equipment. A plurality of service interface units are included which provide a suitable electrical interface between the customer premise equipment and the radio unit. A distribution control unit is interposed between the packet control unit and the plurality of service interface units.

Abstract: A fiber Raman amplifier is configured to use a co-propagating Raman pump source, which may be beneficial in a variety of system configurations (for example, in bidirectional communication systems). By carefully configuring the pump source characteristics, sufficient optical gain can be achieved in the co-propagating arrangement, the characteristics including: (1) using an optical pump power of at least 50 mW, (2) having a relatively large spectral bandwidth within the pump (to suppress SBS); and (3) a frequency difference between all longitudinal pump modes of each pump laser being separated by at least the walk-off frequency between the pump laser frequency and the signal frequency, and all intense longitudinal modes between different pump lasers being separated by at least the electrical bandwidth of the communication system.

Abstract: A fiber Raman amplifier is configured to use a co-propagating Raman pump source, which may be beneficial in a variety of system configurations (for example, in bidirectional communication systems). By carefully configuring the pump source characteristics, sufficient optical gain can be achieved in the co-propagating arrangement, the characteristics including: (1) using an optical pump power of at least 50 mW, (2) having a relatively large spectral bandwidth within the pump (to suppress SBS); and (3) a frequency difference between all longitudinal pump modes of each pump laser being separated by at least the walk-off frequency between the pump laser frequency and the signal frequency, and all intense longitudinal modes between different pump lasers being separated by at least the electrical bandwidth of the communication system.