Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming an annular composite structure is provided. In one embodiment an apparatus for forming annular composite structures is provided. The apparatus includes an annular shaped tool and a forming head. The annular shaped tool includes a forming surface of a select cross-sectional geometry. The forming head is configured to form continuous ply layers one ply at a time circumferentially about the forming surface of the tool.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming an annular composite structure is provided. In one embodiment an apparatus for forming annular composite structures is provided. The apparatus includes an annular shaped tool and a forming head. The annular shaped tool includes a forming surface of a select cross-sectional geometry. The forming head is configured to form continuous ply layers one ply at a time circumferentially about the forming surface of the tool.

Abstract: A material preparation device is provided. The material preparation device includes a bias-ply assembly, a feedstock assembly and an application head. The bias-ply assembly is configured to pass a bias-ply backing material along a first path. The feedstock assembly is configured to pass a feedstock along a second path that crosses the first path at a select angle. The feedstock includes resin pre-impregnated fiber reinforced material (pre-preg) having the fibers at a first orientation relative to an edge of the feedstock. The application head is configured to transfer the pre-preg from the feedstock to the bias-ply backing material at a location where the first path crosses the second path to form a bias-ply with the fibers of the pre-preg having a second different orientation relative to an edge of the formed bias-ply.

Abstract: A filter and filter media configured and arranged for placement in a fuel stream is disclosed. The filter and filter media allow for filtering of liquid fuels, such as diesel fuel. In certain embodiments the filter media includes a media fiber (such as glass) and a binder fiber (such as bicomponent) that combine to create a media structure having low solidity and relatively low compressibility, and which contain a pore structure that avoids premature fouling of the filter by fuel degradation products.

Abstract: A composite structure having at least one radially extending part is provided. The composite structure is formed with ply layers. At least one of the ply layers used to form the radially extending part has fibers oriented at 17.5 to 27.5 degrees in relation to an edge of the ply layer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming an annular composite structure is provided. In one embodiment an apparatus for forming annular composite structures is provided. The apparatus includes an annular shaped tool and a forming head. The annular shaped tool includes a forming surface of a select cross-sectional geometry. The forming head is configured to form continuous ply layers one ply at a time circumferentially about the forming surface of the tool.

Abstract: A device and software utilizing Global Positioning Satellite [GPS] technologies for monitoring and recovering portable computing devices and, a method and system for acquiring such devices and for compensating owners of devices. The invention inserts a GPS mechanism into a computing device that is enabled once the device is reported missing. The GPS emits real time tracking of missing devices that may be coordinated with security agencies to intercept and recover missing computing devices. When a stolen device is unrecoverable, the invention may receive a signal to initiate data recovery where a wireless network is available to recover data for the owner. Alternatively, the GPS mechanism instructs the device to destroy stored data files to prevent commercial espionage or privacy violations. The invention discloses a software system and method for computing a purchase price of the GPS mechanism, computing compensation for loss of the device and lost data.

Abstract: One or more advertisements may be provided to telephones. The advertisements may be selected based upon any suitable criteria, including, but not limited to, telephone identifiers, geographical regions, advertisement categories, bids, time periods, and/or other factors. The advertisements may be used to help provide discounted telephone service, for example, to provide telephone calls at a lower cost or no cost.

Abstract: A method and system for call monitoring in a wireless network by querying various network components for information about a call path through the wireless network. The network components in the wireless network may include foreign agent control nodes, home agent control nodes, packet data serving nodes, home agents, and/or authentication, authorization, and accounting servers. These network components may be queried to determine the foreign agent and the home agent to which a call is assigned. The foreign agent and the home agent may also define information about a call on the wireless network, i.e., the state of the call. Advantageously, the information provided by the foreign agent and the home agent may allow for monitoring a call path through the wireless network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and composition are provided for loading one or more drugs in a solution onto one or more ion exchange resin particles to form a drug-loaded resin particle. The drug-loaded resin particle is a sustained-release coated layered pharmaceutical drug-ion exchange resin having a one or more pharmaceutically active drugs applied directly to a non-equilibrated ion exchange resin to form a drug-resin complex. The drug-resin complex then coated is shelf stable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and composition for loading one or more drugs in a solution onto one or more ion exchange resin particles to form a drug-loaded resin particle. The drug-loaded resin particle is separated from the solution and dried before recombining the drug-loaded resin particle with the solution to load more drugs onto the drug-loaded resin particle from the solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and composition are provided that includes an ion exchange resin treated with from between about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight of one or more sugar alcohols in contact with one or more ionic pharmaceutically active drug.

Abstract: A non-woven melt-blown filament medium includes a mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a latitudinal dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through at least one layer of the mass. In one embodiment, the mass is cylindrical in shape and the layers comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the mass.

Abstract: A non-woven depth filter cartridge includes a cylindrical mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a circumferential dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and circumferential dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through one or more layers of the mass. In one embodiment, the layers of the mass comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a melt-blown polymer filament mass includes producing a first set of melt-blown polymeric filaments, collecting the first set of filaments on a rotating collection device to form a tubular filament mass having a plurality of layers, and applying a second set of melt-blown polymeric filaments to the filament mass. The first set is produced generally in-line along an axis generally parallel to the collection device. The second set is deposited on the filament mass such that filaments of the second set extend through and engage a plurality of layers of the filaments of the first set. The method further includes urging the filament mass along the collection device to create a tubular filament mass of indefinite length with a first major surface and a second major surface. In one embodiment, the second set are applied in a sweeping motion.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a melt-blown polymer filament mass includes producing a first set of melt-blown polymeric filaments, collecting the first set of filaments on a rotating collection device to form a tubular filament mass having a plurality of layers, and applying a second set of melt-blown polymeric filaments to the filament mass. The first set is produced generally in-line along an axis generally parallel to the collection device. The second set is deposited on the filament mass such that filaments of the second set extend through and engage a plurality of layers of the filaments of the first set. The method further includes urging the filament mass along the collection device to create a tubular filament mass of indefinite length with a first major surface and a second major surface. In one embodiment, the second set are applied in a sweeping motion.

Abstract: A non-woven depth filter cartridge includes a cylindrical mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a circumferential dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and circumferential dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through one or more layers of the mass. In one embodiment, the layers of the mass comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A non-woven melt-blown filament medium includes a mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a latitudinal dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through at least one layer of the mass. In one embodiment, the mass is cylindrical in shape and the layers comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the mass.

Abstract: A messaging system for use by inexperienced users is provided. A simple interface allows use of the messaging system without any extensive training. The system enables users to send and receive mail both within the system, and the system may be connected to a larger network configuration. The user is only permitted access to the system through the interface, thereby protecting resources such as sensitive information and administrative settings. The invention also facilitates local and/or remote system management, including the automatic downloading and installation of software updates over the network without requiring user intervention or input.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a camera to achieve sharp, clear pictures includes a sensor for determining the distance of the camera from a subject and a controller for calculating the camera's depth-of-field, determining whether the subject is within the depth-of-field, and generating various signals which are provided to control operation of the camera or convey pertinent information to the photographer.