Abstract: A method is provided for managing and validating product development. The method may include obtaining a product specification for a product and identifying prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications. The method may also include developing a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products. Further, the method may include obtaining approval for the performance specification, developing the product according to the performance specification, and validating that the product meets the performance specification.

Abstract: A flexible imaging member which does not require the use of an anti-curl back coating is disclosed herein. The flexible imaging member has a layer comprising two charge transport molecules dispersed in a film-forming polymer binder. The first charge transport molecule is a biphenyl amine, terphenyl diamine, or bis(triarylamine) stilbene. The second charge transport molecule is a bis(triarylamine), tri-p-tolylamine, or triphenylamine. The weight ratio of second charge transport molecule to first charge transport molecule is from about 90:10 to about 67:33. Trifluoro acetic acid is also added to the layer containing the charge transport material.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing and validating product development. The method may include obtaining a product specification for a product and identifying prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications. The method may also include developing a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products. Further, the method may include obtaining approval for the performance specification, developing the product according to the performance specification, and validating that the product meets the performance specification.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating a data dictionary. The method may include creating a first tier for the dictionary, the first tier including a descriptor name. The method may also include creating a second tier for the dictionary by creating a temporary term associated with the descriptor name; defining the temporary term using one or more attributes; checking, based on the attributes, a dictionary for an existing term with attributes that are the same as the attributes of the temporary term; associating, when the attributes are the same, the temporary term with the existing term in the second tier; and creating a new term in the second tier when the attributes are different. Further, the method may include creating a third tier for the dictionary, the third tier including process units for the attributes.

Abstract: A flexible imaging member which does not require the use of an anti-curl back coating is disclosed herein. The flexible imaging member has a layer comprising two charge transport molecules dispersed in a film-forming polymer binder. The first charge transport molecule is a biphenyl amine, terphenyl diamine, or bis(triarylamine) stilbene. The second charge transport molecule is a bis(triarylamine), tri-p-tolylamine, or triphenylamine. The weight ratio of second charge transport molecule to first charge transport molecule is from about 90:10 to about 67:33. Trifluoro acetic acid is also added to the layer containing the charge transport material.

Abstract: An airbag (10) is provided that can be sequentially deployed for minimizing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant (12). This airbag (10) is an inflatable bag having a primary chamber (34) and a secondary chamber (36) that is adjacent to the primary chamber (34). The primary chamber (34) is configured for inflating before the secondary chamber (36). In addition, this primary chamber (34) is utilized for applying a generally downward force the vehicle occupant's lap (14) and abdomen (16). In this way, a substantial portion of the initial deployment force of the airbag (10) is allocated to the occupant's more durable lower body. Also, the primary chamber (34) can be utilized for positioning the occupant's body (12) in a manner best suited for impacting the airbag (10). This airbag (10) is then sequentially deployed in a generally linear direction upward from the primary chamber (34) to the secondary chamber (36).

Abstract: A system for and method of variable annuity contract administration is provided. Each variable annuity contract includes a bonus investment credit percentage, withdrawal charge percentages less than or equal to the bonus investment credit percentage in all contract years, and level asset-based compensation to distributors. In accordance with the invention, data relating to variable annuity contracts are stored in a memory means. A processing means is configured to read and manipulate the stored data to administer the variable annuity contracts from issuance to payout.

Abstract: A rotary mowing member having a universal nut set for connecting a transmission shaft comprises a mowing rotary member provided with an axial screw hole and a nut set consisting of a plurality of converter nuts. Each of the converter nuts has a screwed outer wall and a screwed inner hole, and thereby it can be secured within the screw hole of the mowing rotary member. The inner hole of each of the converter nuts can retain a transmission shaft of a lawn mower. The inner caliber of the converter nuts varies over the converter nuts for matching lawn mowers of different transmission shafts.

Abstract: An improved airbag (10) is provided that can be sequentially deployed for minimizing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant (12). This improved airbag (10) is an inflatable bag having a primary chamber (34) and a secondary chamber (36) that is adjacent to the primary chamber (34). The primary chamber (34) is configured for inflating before the secondary chamber (36). In addition, this primary chamber (34) is utilized for applying a generally downward force the vehicle occupant's lap (14) and abdomen (16). In this way, a substantial portion of the initial deployment force of the airbag (10) is allocated to the occupant's more durable lower body. Also, the primary chamber (34) can be utilized for positioning the occupant's body (12) in a manner best suited for impacting the airbag (10). This airbag (10) is then sequentially deployed in a generally linear direction upward from the primary chamber (34) to the secondary chamber (36).

Abstract: A method for blending multiple immiscible polymers resulting in a fine morphology with good interfacial adhesion is disclosed. The method can include melt compounding more than two immiscible polymers with different viscosity ratios in the presence of more than one compatibilizer. The immiscible polymers may be chosen from a wide range of materials including but not limited to thermoplastics, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, fibers or composites of any of the aforementioned polymers. The compatibilizers may take the form of block copolymers, graft copolymers, random copolymers or other polymers known to reduce the interfacial tension of the immiscible polymers present in the blend. The compatibilizers may be functionalized to further reduce the size of the final morphology of the new polymer alloy. This method has been found to be advantageous in recycling commingled plastic wastes.

Abstract: Improved printing with polymers is achieved by interposing a liquid layer conforming to rough substrate surfaces and possibly exhibiting different characteristics from an outer surface polymer layer. This is particularly advantageous in printed wiring board (PWB) manufacture requiring solder mask coating. Thus, a two layer composite polymer coating is provided. One inner adhesive photopolymer layer is applied to the PWB in the liquid state, displacing air from PWB surface. The outer layer of the composite therefore can be epoxy, dry film or liquid polymer. Dry film thus carried on a thin plastic sheet may be overlaminated onto a liquid inner layer already on the substrate, without the need for a vacuum laminator to eliminate bubbles or a plasticizing heat step to conform the dry film to the surface.

Abstract: A machine and method for evacuating sealed packages formed from flexible sheet material and for flushing or filling, as required, the evacuated package with an inert gas. The product enclosed within the package is preferably a food product such as luncheon meats, sausage, cheese, or the like. In constructing the package, one or more spaced apart apertures are formed in one sheet and a slit is formed in the other sheet so that preferably the slit will be on the opposite side of the package from the apertures. An initial peripheral seal is made between the two sheets to enclose the slit, apertures and product. The package is then evacuated through the slit with the sheets being separated and then the slit is sealed and gas introduced through the apertures, or, for a gas flushed package, the slit may be sealed after gas is introduced. Next the apertures are sealed thus forming a gas flushed or filled package.