Abstract: A quick change roll-fed high speed labeling system for improving labeling speed and precision label placement comprises a conveyor for moving articles to be labeled, and an infeed screw assembly for spacing and stabilizing the articles. The infeed screw assembly comprises a feedscrew having a plurality of pockets for receiving and properly spacing successive incoming articles, which has a gear drive, and means for pivoting the feedscrew both vertically and horizontally. Additional system elements include a rotatable starwheel assembly having a plurality of spaced pockets for receiving individual ones of the articles therein, a rotatable vacuum drum assembly, and a supply of roll fed labels, wherein the labels are dispensed singly onto a label receiving face of the rotatable vacuum drum assembly. The rotatable vacuum drum assembly comprises a unique three-ported valving system, for reducing or eliminating glue clogging problems during system operation.

Abstract: A vaccine against Newcastle Disease contains one or more mutant immunogens of the NDW strain. The mutant immunogen lacks the antigenic binding site on the F glycoprotein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody mAb 54. Reagent kits and assay methods help to distinguish vaccinated members of a poultry flock from those that may have been infected with wild-type Newcastle Disease virus.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pre-fastening disposable absorbent articles having a slot-and-tab fastening system during manufacturing of the pre-fastened disposable articles, such as diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, adults incontinence pads and the like.

Abstract: A method for pre-fastening disposable absorbent articles having a slot-and-tab fastening system during manufacturing of the pre-fastened disposable articles, such as diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, adults incontinence pads and the like.

Abstract: Improved, removable PSA compositions and constructions contain an emulsion acrylic PSA copolymer of a plurality of acrylic monomers and at least one multifunctional crosslinking monomer, compounded with a wax and a plasticizer. Peel forces required to remove the constructions from a variety of substrates are notably smaller than those required to remove comparable compositions containing no crosslinking monomer.

Abstract: Multilayer PSA label constructions that achieve a good balance of properties, namely, adhesive performance, convertibility, and laser printer performance, and, optionally, good wet-out on plastic substrates and low haze. The multilayer PSA construction comprising a facestock, a multilayer adhesive coating, and a release liner. The adhesive coating is made of a face side adhesive (FSA) layer comprising a first emulsion acrylic PSA, which is in contact with the inner surface of the facestock, and a liner side adhesive (LSA) layer, comprising a second emulsion acrylic PSA different from the first acrylic PSA, which is in contact with the FSA. The adhesive coating has a coat weight of less than about 26 g/m2 and a flow of less than about 50 &mgr;m at room temperature. The construction exhibits a loop tack value of at least about 3.5 N/25 mm at 5° C. on a polyethylene substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating nematodes from an aqueous suspension is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating nematodes from an aqueous suspension is provided.

Abstract: A data management system (10) for managing and distributing high-speed, real-time and archived data between diverse local and remote data sources (26) and data sinks (30). The system includes a server (12) having cache memory (14) and archive memory (18) and one or more ring buffered network bus (RBNB) modules (24). Each RBNB module features a highly modular, object-oriented design, with the RBNB module being the highest level object in the system. The RBNB modules include a plurality of ring buffer objects (42) that handles data streams from data sources, a plurality of network bus objects (44) that handle data streams to a data sinks, and RBNB control objects (40) the handle connections for the ring buffer objects and network bus objects. Data is handled by the RBNB module in data frame (68) increments based on the combination of identified channels (116) and time stamps (250).

Abstract: Connectors for connecting multiple coaxial cables are typically complex with many parts and difficult to assemble. The present invention provides an improved multiple coaxial cable connector and a method of using the same. The preferred connector comprises a socket connector adapted to receive a plurality of coaxial cables each terminated in a termination socket and to expose at least a part of each socket when fitted, a connection element, and a casing component adapted to receive the coaxial cables and including at least partial metallisation to a face plate. The connection element bonds each termination socket to the casing component face plate and when connected, to a receiving element for the cable connector. Preferably the socket connector is an SCI connector and the termination sockets are SCI sockets. The connection element preferably includes spring fingers corresponding to each termination socket.

Abstract: There is provided a mixture of acrylic emulsion polymers based on 70 to 95 parts by weight of a first polymer containing from about 95 to 97.5% by weight of an alkyl ester of acrylic acid and from about 2.5 to 5% by weight of a mixture of carboxylic acids tackified by a second acrylic emulsion polymer containing 10 to 20% by weight of carboxylic acid or hydroxyethyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the pretreatment of a carbon-coated substrate to provide a uniform high density of nucleation sites thereon for the subsequent deposition of a continuous diamond film without the application of a bias voltage to the substrate. The process comprises exposing the carbon-coated substrate, in a microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition system, to a mixture of hydrogen-methane gases, having a methane gas concentration of at least about 4% (as measured by partial pressure), while maintaining the substrate at a pressure of about 10 to about 30 Torr during the pretreatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a skeletal implant designed to provide a structure which bone can fill so as to biologically anchor the implant in position. A series of cutting edges are aligned on at least part of the surface and directed in a direction of relative movement between implant and bone. Bone removed by these edges is urged into a series of interconnecting spaces beneath the surface. Preferably a porous surface and the cutting edges are provided by perforated microcontoured sheet material. The three dimensional porosity formed by the perforations and contours results in bone debris impacted into the voids particularly at the time of implantation which will subsequently become integral with surrounding bone.

Abstract: Rollers for use with singulators for orienting articles, typically fruit, prior to optical sensing, for example, of the fruit's surfaces, wherein fruit having diverse diameters, irregular shapes and bumpy surfaces are properly oriented by contacting a pair of symmetrically disposed truncated conical surfaces sloping uniformly inwardly to a point short of center to form a sheave portion, as well as a deep pocket within each roller and between adjacent rollers, and wherein spacing between rollers remains constant notwithstanding the diverse diameters of the fruit. A drive belt is engageable within the sheave portion of the roller for controlling speed and direction of rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: Several conveyor rollers of singulators are made to rotate by a fruit orientation belt causing fruit carried thereon to rotate in accordance with movement of the belt such that the rotational axes of the fruit, typically lemons, orient themselves along their stem axes, or substantially perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the singulators. Downstream, the rollers contact a rotating spin-accelerating belt to substantially increase speed of rotation of the rollers and oriented fruit thereon in order to permit optical scanning devices to scan a much larger percentage of the fruit surface areas. Fruit rotate in the same direction of rotation during orientation and spin-acceleration, the latter occurring for only a very short duration.

Abstract: Apparatus sorts articles according to any combination of plural criteria, including volume or diameter, length, shape, weight, color, density and surface quality. A light sensitive dynamic random access memory and novel processing circuitry are utilized for providing indications of the article's volume, diameter and length.

Abstract: A body member is tapered to a smaller dimension from one end to the other and is arranged to receive a sleeve member in wedging relation. A bore extends into one end of the body member for receiving a line and this bore exits radially of the body member at a point between the ends. A tag end of the line which projects from the radial bore is arranged to be pinched between the two members for providing a positive anchored connection. In addition, transverse bores are provided in the body member for additional threading of the line to provide extra line portions pinched between the two members. The device is particularly useful with a sinker assembly employing removable lead shot for varying the weight of the sinker assembly.

Abstract: Diverter apparatus for rapidly and gently diverting articles, typically fruit, from a moving conveyor. The apparatus comprises an ejector lever member, an air cylinder assembly, and a stationary ejector lever mount, the two former sharing a common pivot point while each of the two is pivotable with respect to each other while pivoting on pivot pins mounted to the stationary mount. The working end of the ejector lever is caused to swing arcuately over a certain distance to divert the fruit when the piston rod of the air cylinder assembly travels a much shorter distance, thus permitting very rapid cycling of the diverter. Diverting and retraction strokes of the piston are controlled by air from a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve receiving control signals from a computer controlled relay.