Abstract: A recyclable ring binder apparatus comprises a ring metal incorporating a set of binder rings that are formed of a pair of ring halves. The ring metal can be firmly fastened to a spine section of a binder hardcover by utilizing a post and a small arched snap clamp with a tap. The tap of the snap clamp can be pressed around a neck of the post utilizing a quick release clipping mechanism. The snap clamp can be accessed with an index finger and slid away from the post to remove the ring metal from the hardcover. The ring metal, the hardcover, the snap clamp and the post can be quickly separated into their perspective categories due to the clipping mechanism. Hence, it retains conformance of all components of the ring binder apparatus for recycling without increasing development and production cost.

Abstract: A recyclable ring binder apparatus comprises a ring metal incorporating a set of binder rings that are formed of a pair of ring halves. The ring metal can be firmly fastened to a spine section of a binder hardcover by utilizing a post and a small arched snap clamp with a tap. The tap of the snap clamp can be pressed around a neck of the post utilizing a quick release clipping mechanism. The snap clamp can be accessed with an index finger and slid away from the post to remove the ring metal from the hardcover. The ring metal, the hardcover, the snap clamp and the post can be quickly separated into their perspective categories due to the clipping mechanism. Hence, it retains conformance of all components of the ring binder apparatus for recycling without increasing development and production cost.

Abstract: A retractable money detector apparatus for detecting counterfeit paper currency is disclosed. The apparatus comprises of a barrel for housing a sealing sleeve, a lanyard mechanism, a reservoir housing unit, and a spring. A plastic clip fitted into an end of the barrel houses a plunger and a rotor. A sealing sleeve keeps a marking tip from drying out when retracted. A lanyard mechanism can be utilized for closing the sealing sleeve. A reservoir-housing unit can include an ink reservoir and the marking tip. The reservoir can be filled with a special type of ink that detects the counterfeit when applied on the paper currency.

Abstract: A recyclable ring binder apparatus comprises a ring metal incorporating a set of binder rings that are formed of a pair of ring halves. The ring metal can be firmly fastened to a spine section of a binder hardcover by utilizing a post and a small arched snap clamp with a tap. The tap of the snap clamp can be pressed around a neck of the post utilizing a quick release clipping mechanism. The snap clamp can be accessed with an index finger and slid away from the post to remove the ring metal from the hardcover. The ring metal, the hardcover, the snap clamp and the post can be quickly separated into their perspective categories due to the clipping mechanism. Hence, it retains conformance of all components of the ring binder apparatus for recycling without increasing development and production cost.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for pressurizing a fluid and delivering a gas comprising a pump, an accumulator and a heater such that the pump pressurizes a quantity fluid received from a fluid store and delivers that pressurized fluid to an accumulator. The accumulator then delivers a quantity of the pressurized fluid to a heater that, in turn, warms the fluid to a gas within a specified temperature and pressure range to be delivered to the end user as required. The invention further relates to a method of delivering a gas at a desired pressure and temperature wherein a quantity of fluid is received, pressurized and stored as a fluid in an accumulator storage vessel at a desired pressure. The fluid is then delivered from the accumulator to a heater where it is warmed and delivered to the end user as a gas at specified temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Sterilization packaging materials of a microporous membrane and support layer which are bacteria impermeable, gas permeable, non-linting and compatible with all gas sterilization systems are provided. Desirable translucent areas may be incorporated into the sterilization packaging materials. Sterilization packages of these materials and methods for their use in gas sterilization of articles are also provided.

Abstract: A stopper for use in a substantially cylindrical bottle opening is disclosed. The stopper is made of a natural cork body with a polymeric portion to prevent flavor scalping and seal the bottle opening. The stopper of the present invention is designed to enhance traditional bark corks in wine bottles. The stopper of the present invention reduces flavor scalping, water and ethanol permeation, and TCA permeation associated with traditional corks, and results in excellent Wine Protection Factor ratings.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a green ceramic article containing organic compounds. The method involves first heating the green ceramic article to sequentially remove the organic compounds such that the organic compound with the lowest weight loss onset temperature is substantially removed prior to the next higher weight loss onset temperature organic compound. The organic compounds include but are not limited to at least an oil or oil-based compound having a flash point or an ignition temperature, higher than the weight loss onset temperature. For this system the temperature during heating is maintained below the flash point of the oil or oil-based compound until substantial removal thereof from the green ceramic structural body. After the organic compounds are substantially removed, the green ceramic article is further fired to a temperature and for a time to obtain a final fired body.

Abstract: A method of making below 250-nm UV light transmitting optical fluoride lithography crystals includes applying heat along a shortest path of conduction of a selected optical fluoride crystal, heating the optical fluoride crystal to an annealing temperature, holding the temperature of the optical fluoride crystal at the annealing temperature, and gradually cooling the optical fluoride crystal to provide a low-birefringence optical fluoride crystal for transmitting below 250-nm UV light.

Abstract: A method of making below 250-nm UV light transmitting optical fluoride lithography crystals includes applying heat along a shortest path of conduction of a selected optical fluoride crystal, heating the optical fluoride crystal to an annealing temperature, holding the temperature of the optical fluoride crystal at the annealing temperature, and gradually cooling the optical fluoride crystal to provide a low-birefringence optical fluoride crystal for transmitting below 250-nm UV light.

Abstract: A nasal airway for insertion in the nose for the delivery of volatile compositions into air entering the nose or, in a second embodiment, for the detection of targeted airborne pathogenic organisms present in the respirated airstream. The volatile compositions include aromatherapeutic compositions and scents.

Abstract: A sterile, bioabsorbable, disposable surgical sponge operable for absorbing blood from within a surgical site. The sponge is an open cell porous body made from a bioabsorbable polymer, a carbohydrate, a protein or a hydrogel. In the event that the sponge is accidentally left within the body during a surgical procedure, the sponge is biodegraded and excreted by the body.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a green ceramic article containing organic compounds. The method involves first heating the green ceramic article to sequentially remove the organic compounds such that the organic compound with the lowest weight loss onset temperature is substantially removed prior to the next higher weight loss onset temperature organic compound. The organic compounds include but are not limited to at least an oil or oil-based compound having a flash point or an ignition temperature, higher than the weight loss onset temperature. For this system the temperature during heating is maintained below the flash point of the oil or oil-based compound until substantial removal thereof from the green ceramic structural body. After the organic compounds are substantially removed, the green ceramic article is further fired to a temperature and for a time to obtain a final fired body.

Abstract: The method for heating a plurality of ceramic bodies, includes: a) providing ceramic-forming raw materials and blending the raw materials with an effective amount of vehicle and forming aids to form a plastic mixture therefrom and thereafter forming the plastic raw material mixture into a plurality of green bodies; b) placing each one of the plurality of green bodies in proximity to an adjacent one of the plurality of green bodies such that upon heating with electromagnetic waves each green body is subject to no more than about 1.5 times the power density at the boundary than in the bulk thereof; and c) drying the green bodies utilizing energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. When the ceramic is a honeycomb cellular cordierite body, the method further includes heating the green bodies up to a maximum temperature of between about 1360° C. and about 1435° C.

Abstract: A process for automatically controlling combustible vapors during debinding and firing of ceramic products which includes establishing a maximum percentage of lower flammability limit (LFL) setpoint no greater than 50%; measuring continuously the percentage of LFL in the kiln atmosphere; and, maintaining the measured percentage of LFL to be less than or equal to the maximum percentage of LFL setpoint by an action selected from the group consisting of increasing gas volume delivered to the kiln, decreasing O2 concentration in the kiln, decreasing heating rate in the firing cycle, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A ceramic article is fired using a combination of microwave energy and conventional heating energy according to a microwave power-time heating schedule comprising a series of separate firing segments at predetermined microwave power settings, the core and surface temperatures of the article being monitored during firing to determine the core-surface temperature differential, that differential being controlled and limited to prevent cracking of the ceramic article by adjusting the level of applied conventional heat energy during firing.

Abstract: The method for heating a plurality of ceramic bodies, includes:

Abstract: A method of firing ceramic materials involving placing the ceramic material in a microwave heating apparatus having a microwave cavity and subjecting the ceramic material to combination of microwave radiation and conventional heat energy according to predetermined time-temperature profile. The time-temperature profile, ranging from room temperature the sintering soak temperature, comprises a series of target heating rate temperature setpoints and a series of corresponding core and surface temperature setpoints with each of the core and surface temperature setpoints being offset from the target heating rate setpoints a predetermined offset temperature. The method involves continuously measuring the ceramic body core temperature, TC, and the surface temperature TS. Controlling of the microwave power involves adjusting the microwave power in response to a difference between core temperature setpoint and a biased core measured temperature.

Abstract: A method of firing ceramic materials involving placing the ceramic material in a microwave heating apparatus having a microwave cavity and subjecting the ceramic material to combination of microwave radiation and conventional heat energy according to predetermined time-temperature profile. The time-temperature profile, ranging from room temperature the sintering soak temperature, comprises a series of target heating rate temperature setpoints and a series of corresponding core and surface temperature setpoints with each of the core and surface temperature setpoints being offset from the target heating rate setpoints a predetermined offset temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the method involves continuously measuring the ceramic body core temperature, TC, and the surface temperature TS and independently controlling the microwave power and the conventional heat in response to the core temperature value and the surface temperature value, respectively.

Abstract: A method of firing ceramic materials involving placing the ceramic material in a microwave heating apparatus having a microwave cavity and subjecting the ceramic material to combination of microwave radiation and conventional heat energy according to predetermined time-temperature profile. The time-temperature profile, ranging from room temperature the sintering soak temperature, comprises a series of target heating rate temperature setpoints and a series of corresponding core and surface temperature setpoints with each of the core and surface temperature setpoints being offset from the target heating rate setpoints a predetermined offset temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the method involves continuously measuring the ceramic body core temperature, Tc, and the surface temperature Ts and independently controlling the microwave power and the conventional heat in response to the core temperature value and the surface temperature value, respectively.