Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a patient-specific surgical implant based on mold system. The apparatus comprises a forming tool and a mold that may be generated using imaging and processing techniques and rapid prototyping methods. The mold apparatus includes at least two non-adjacent surface features for securing an implant forming material (such as a titanium mesh) during the forming process, enabling the implant forming material to be stretched beyond its elastic and thus permanently deformed with the correct patient-specific curvature. The implant may include one or more anatomic surface features for guidance and registration when transferring the implant to a patient.

Abstract: There are disclosed polymerization processes and associated apparatuses. The polymerization processes involve both making a polymeric material in a fluidized bed reactor having a feed distributor and catching a spitwad with a spitwad catcher, and the apparatuses are those corresponding to such processes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting a plurality of unaddressed items may comprise receiving delivery point address data. Furthermore, systems and methods for sorting a plurality of unaddressed items may comprise sorting the plurality of unaddressed items based on the delivery point address data. The plurality of unaddressed items may be sorted in an order in which they are to be delivered within a delivery zone specified by the delivery point address data.

Abstract: There are disclosed polymerization processes and associated apparatuses. The polymerization processes involve both making a polymeric material in a fluidized bed reactor having a feed distributor and catching a spitwad with a spitwad catcher, and the apparatuses are those corresponding to such processes.

Abstract: A multi-purpose merchandise tray has base dimensions equal to support surface of a standard transport pallet. A plurality of the tray may be disposed in a stacked manner on the pallet with merchandise prearranged therein. The merchandise tray with the pallet may be readily transported and deposited at a selected location such as an aisle of the shop floor of a retail location for ready purchase of the merchandise by customers walking through the aisle.

Abstract: A multi-purpose merchandise tray has base dimensions equal to support surface of a standard transport pallet. A plurality of the tray may be disposed in a stacked manner on the pallet with merchandise prearranged therein. The merchandise tray with the pallet may be readily transported and deposited at a selected location such as an aisle of the shop floor of a retail location for ready purchase of the merchandise by customers walking through the aisle.

Abstract: A merchandise display support stand is formed by a single configuration stamped from a single cardboard. All component parts are formed from the configuration. The stand in the erected condition is formed by folding the configuration along various horizontal and vertical fold lines and it is foldable to a collapsed folded condition. The stand is self-erectable from the folded condition to the erected condition.

Abstract: A reversible belt scraper blade provides two opposed scraping surfaces on an integrally constructed body. Each scraping surface has an elastomeric wear region transitioning to an elastomeric central region. Two integral frame members are integrally joined into the central region. Each integral frame member runs the length of the belt scraper blade and is at least partially exposed at their ends. End mounts attach to the exposed integral frame members and the reversible belt scraper blade is reversible about the end mounts. The wear regions may have sub-regions of different hardness to provide good scraping qualities combined with improved structural rigidity. The central region may also have sub-regions of different hardness to improve structural rigidity.

Abstract: A composition suitable for an air barrier such as an automotive tire innertube, innerliner, and aircraft tire innertube or innerliner, curing bladders, and other pneumatic devices is disclosed. The composition comprises an elastomer, a processing oil, and a grafted resin component.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for identifying undesirable features in a network of computers. During operation, the system detects an anomaly associated with a node in the network. Next, the system identifies one or more features which are associated with the anomaly. The system then updates the identified features. Next, the system communicates the information corresponding to updated features to at least one other node in the network. The system then receives information indicating a correlation between the updated features and the anomaly from at least one other node in the network. Next, the system correlates the updated features with the anomaly based on the received information. The system subsequently produces a result which indicates a correlation between the updated features and the anomaly.

Abstract: Disclosed are a computer-based tutoring method and system in which an animated tutor, an animated avatar, and at least one animated group member selected by a user are displayed on a screen. A tutorial is presented by the animated tutor. During the tutorial, an interactive question is presented. An answer is received from the user. If the answer is correct, the tutorial continues. If the answer is incorrect, a second tutorial is presented. The second tutorial is based on the incorrect answer received from the user. Dialogue between the animated tutor, the animated avatar, and the animated group members may be held. Dialogue among animated group members may be held.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting a plurality of unaddressed items may comprise receiving delivery point address data. Furthermore, systems and methods for sorting a plurality of unaddressed items may comprise sorting the plurality of unaddressed items based on the delivery point address data. The plurality of unaddressed items may be sorted in an order in which they are to be delivered within a delivery zone specified by the delivery point address data.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a gas turbine engine combustor that includes a domeplate and at least one fuel injector extending through an opening in the domeplate. The method includes fabricating a heatshield that includes a threaded collar extending upstream from the heatshield, positioning the heatshield on a downstream side of the domeplate such that the threaded collar is received within the domeplate opening, and coupling a retainer to the collar on an upstream side of the domeplate such that the domeplate is securely coupled between the heat shield and the retainer.

Abstract: Assembly and connection of electronic components are provided. In one embodiment, electronic components such as a CPU planar, power supplies, and other electronic components or subassemblies are positioned within an enclosure. An interface board removably positionable in the enclosure carries a plurality of electronic connectors, providing an electronic interface between the CPU planar, power supplies, and other electronic subassemblies. The interface board is movably mounted to a component module on a track. The component module is inserted in a first bay, with the attached interface board in a first position. The interface board connects to a movable cable plate, and is subsequently moved to a second position along with the connected cable plate to move one or more of the connectors to a second bay. An electronic subassembly positioned in the second bay or another bay may then be connected the interface board. Other electronic components may be connected to the interface board via the cable plate.

Abstract: The invention includes select blends of elastomeric compositions of at least one halogenated elastomer and at least one other elastomer to impart certain properties to articles made from those select blends. For example, the at least one halogenated elastomer may be at least one halogenated butyl rubber, at least one halogenated star-branched butyl rubber, or at least one halogenated random copolymer of a C4 to C7 isomonoolefin derived unit, such as an isobutylene derived unit, and at least one other polymerizable unit, such as methylstyrene. The invention also includes methods to improve the brittleness point of articles made from those select blends.

Abstract: A low overhead hinge assembly comprising a stationary hinge plate and a rotating hinge plate. The stationary hinge plate having a stationary hinge plate body portion and a plurality of stationary hinge plate digits coupled to the stationary hinge plate body portion, each of the stationary hinge plate digits having an opening therein. The rotating hinge plate having a rotating hinge plate body portion and a plurality of pins coupled to the rotating hinge plate body portion, wherein the stationary hinge plate digits are configured to be engaged with the rotating hinge plate pins so that each of a plurality of the rotating hinge plate pins is inserted into an opening in one of the stationary hinge plate digits so as to pivotally couple the rotating hinge plate to the stationary hinge plate.

Abstract: Assembly and connection of electronic components are provided. In one embodiment, electronic components such as a CPU planar, power supplies, and other electronic components or subassemblies are positioned within an enclosure. An interface board removably positionable in the enclosure carries a plurality of electronic connectors, providing an electronic interface between the CPU planar, power supplies, and other electronic subassemblies. The interface board is movably mounted to a component module on a track. The component module is inserted in a first bay, with the attached interface board in a first position. The interface board connects to a movable cable plate, and is subsequently moved to a second position along with the connected cable plate to move one or more of the connectors to a second bay. An electronic subassembly positioned in the second bay or another bay may then be connected the interface board. Other electronic components may be connected to the interface board via the cable plate.

Abstract: A composition suitable for an air barrier such as an automotive tire innertube, innerliner, and aircraft tire innertube or innerliner, curing bladders, and other pneumatic devices is disclosed. The composition comprises an elastomer, a processing oil, and a grafted resin component.

Abstract: A method for preventing or inhibiting fouling in a gas-phase polyolefin polymerization process. The method includes maintaining the inside surface temperature of the process equipment below the dew point temperature of the gas mixture passing through the equipment.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machine includes first and second coaxial electrodes and corresponding carriages. A liquid dielectric is channeled between the electrodes and a workpiece which are suitably electrically powered for machining a duplex hole in the workpiece.