Abstract: A frame for a plate heat exchanger includes a head and a follower, a plurality of rib assemblies, and a plurality of tie bar assemblies. Each of the head and the follower includes a plurality of interlocking rib cutouts. Each rib assembly includes a pair of ribs. Each rib includes a first grip disposed at a first end of the rib, a second grip disposed at a second end of the rib, a first cradle disposed at the first end of the rib, and a second cradle disposed at the second end of the rib. Both the first cradle and the second cradle include a cradle bearing surface. Each tie bar assembly includes a tie bar, a nut, and a tie bar bearing surface to bear upon the cradle bearing surface.

Abstract: A frame for a plate heat exchanger includes a head and a follower, a plurality of rib assemblies, and a plurality of tie bar assemblies. Each of the head and the follower includes a plurality of interlocking rib cutouts. Each rib assembly includes a pair of ribs. Each rib includes a first grip disposed at a first end of the rib, a second grip disposed at a second end of the rib, a first cradle disposed at the first end of the rib, and a second cradle disposed at the second end of the rib. Both the first cradle and the second cradle include a cradle bearing surface. Each tie bar assembly includes a tie bar, a nut, and a tie bar bearing surface to bear upon the cradle bearing surface.

Abstract: A photo subject station used to capture information regarding a subject suitable for integration into a personalized, printed product and method of using same with children so that a personal identification of a child need not be saved to deliver a customized product to the child when the child takes part of a session, for example, at a school. The station uses a stool, a color background device, preferably two digital cameras and lights located at fixed positions in the station and a computer. The computer creates and stores a subject file for each subject that contains photographs of the subject (e.g., three frontal and three profile photographs with three different facial expressions, plus a rear photograph), an image data file associated with the photographs (which contains x-y coordinates used for scaling the photographs), a data file containing an identification related to the subject and a bit map skin file (derived from one of the photographs for use in fixing personalized skin color).

Abstract: A printing system operates on a computer system to enable creation of a variety of printed products. The printing system takes either a kiosk form or a personal system form. The printing system contains a variety of definitions of products in its storage which may be selected and modified by a user. The user may alter a plurality of aspects of the selected product including the layout of the product, the graphics of the product and different aspects of the textual information to be printed on the product to personalize the product. Upon completion of personalization of the product, the printing system provides the user with a plurality of order and transmission options which allow certain products to be printed locally, and which allows certain products to be printed by a remotely located printing facility. The user may create a print order which is transmitted in one of two manners to the remote printing facility.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for capturing, editing, storing, and reproducing multiple graphic image components for the production of personalized printing materials. From data entered in the computer, personal characteristics of the customer are selected and the image of the customer is integrated into a pre-printed background. Both method and apparatus allow for controlled additive coloration to a basic background to incorporate shading, contour, fine detail, and variation in skin tone and hair color in the finished drawing of the customer.