Abstract: A method for protecting and merging a cantilevered flexure. In accordance with various embodiments. A carrier support surface supports a distal end of a cantilevered flexure. A merge support surface of a merge tool is aligned with a medial portion of the flexure. The merge support surface is used to displace the distal end of the flexure from the carrier support surface and to advance a transducer supported by said distal end to a final position.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a hearing aid, in particular for a lid of a battery compartment of a hearing aid, the hinge assembly including a first part, a second part and a third part including a shaft. The first part includes a pair for grooves adapted for receiving respective end parts of the shaft, both of the grooves being open at one end generally facing away from the battery compartment. The second part includes a through bore adapted for receiving a middle portion of the shaft between the respective end parts. The hinge assembly further includes a mechanism for closing the grooves at the open ends.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a shell (104) manufactured by a rapid prototyping process, so as to include a first part customized to adapt it to the shape of the ear canal of a user, and a second part that defines an aperture; an electronics module; and a plug (200) with means for retaining it in a fixed position in the shell. The shell has guideways (212) for guiding lateral portions of the plug to support the plug in the aperture. The shell is adapted to receive by the aperture the electronics module; and the electronics module is adapted to engage a lip (206) of the plug to secure it in the shell. The invention further provides a method of assembling a part of a hearing aid.

Abstract: A method of treating waste matter from animals, the method comprising: a) collecting waste matter from the animals; b) inhibiting urease activity in said collected waste matter; and c) separating said urease-activity inhibited waste matter into a urea-rich fraction and a urea-lean fraction; a system for treating waste matter from animals; a urea-lean biogas fuel product; a urea-rich animal waste-matter product; a method of controlling the content of nitrogen in manure from animals; a method of reducing gaseous ammonia in stables for animals; a stable for animals; a biogas reactor system for producing biogas from waste matter from animals; a method of producing urea from waste matter of animals; a method of producing urea formaldehyde; and a method of producing biogas fuel from waste matter of animals.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting and merging a head stack assembly with a disc stack of a data storage device. The head stack assembly comprises a cantilevered flexure which supports a transducer at a distal end thereof. A carrier includes a carrier support surface arranged to contactingly support the distal end of the flexure. A merge tool is adapted to merge the transducer with a recording surface of the disc stack. The merge tool includes a merge support surface arranged to contactingly support a medial portion of the flexure while the carrier support surface is disposed between the merge support surface and the transducer. The transducer is merged by aligning the merge support surface with the medial portion of the flexure, and using the merge support surface to displace the distal end of the flexure from the carrier support surface and advance the transducer to a final position.

Abstract: An apparatus for workpiece assembly is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus includes a carousel which rotates between a plurality of assembly stations for assembly. Workpieces are loaded onto or unloaded from the carousel at a load/unload station and the carousel rotates to position workpieces proximate to the plurality of assembly stations. As illustrated workpieces are loaded into a plurality of assembly nests on the carousel. The plurality of assembly nests include alignment fingers rotatable with the plurality of assembly nests or carousel to align components, for example to align discs of a hydrodynamic spindle assembly for merge operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular dispenser and display system having a foundational unit. A supporting collar can be mounted to the foundational unit at any position and at any height. The supporting collar also has a plurality of attachment means aligned vertically and peripherally on the supporting collar and one or more trays can be mounted to the supporting collar.