Abstract: In one embodiment, a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell has an anode aspect and a cathode aspect. A fuel distribution structure is disposed adjacent to the anode aspect. The fuel distribution structure has a fuel feed port configured to receive and inject liquid fuel to a flow field plate. The flow field plate has flow channels formed therein that split and spread from the fuel feed port to exit ports. The flow channels are configured to convey heat to fuel passing there through to substantially convert the liquid fuel to vaporous fuel within the flow channels. The exit ports are configured to deliver the resulting vaporous fuel to the anode aspect to substantially uniformly distribute fuel across the anode aspect. Further, an enthalpy exchanger and heat spreader assembly is in thermal contact with the fuel distribution structure and configured to provide to it heat from fuel cell operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell system which includes a fuel distribution structure that uniformly distributes vaporizing fuel to a fuel cell is provided. As the fuel travels in a flow field channel in the fuel distribution structure, it is substantially converted to a vapor by the heat of the fuel cell operation in such a manner that the resulting vapor pressure works to substantially uniformly distribute fuel evenly outwardly across substantially the entire active area of the anode aspect of one or more membrane electrode assemblies in the system, and whereby localized, uneven “hot spots” of fuel at the anode aspects are substantially prevented. A pair of enthalpy exchanger and heat spreader assemblies include a cathode current collector element that also has a heat spreader plate that collects and redirects heat in the fuel cell system, the assembly acting to manage the heat, temperature and condensation in the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A novel molded fabric is made by bringing a first patterned group of numerous discrete disjoint elements positioned on a first side of a contact boundary extending throughout the thickness of the fabric being molded, together with a second patterned group of numerous discrete disjoint elements, over-lapping the first group of discrete disjoint elements, on the opposite side of the contact boundary, and joining the elements together at their tip portions. Various techniques are disclosed for maintaining separation of overlapping cross-over portions of the thread elements crossing each other during joining the terminal portions together, so that they simulate woven cloth. First and second rolls can carry the elements in molten form within cavities in the roller surfaces or patterns of solid elements within first and second matrices, can be joined together at the nip of the rolls by heat or chemical means to produce substantial savings in fabric manufacture.

Abstract: A novel molded fabric is made by bringing a first patterned group of numerous discrete disjoint elements positioned on a first side of a contact boundary extending throughout the thickness of the fabric being molded, together with a second patterned group of numerous discrete disjoint elements, over-lapping the first group of discrete disjoint elements, on the opposite side of the contact boundary, and joining the elements together at their tip portions. Various techniques are disclosed for maintaining separation of overlapping cross-over portions of the thread elements crossing each other during joining the terminal portions together, so that they simulate woven cloth. First and second rolls can carry the elements in molten form within cavities in the roller surfaces or patterns of solid elements within first and second matrices, can be joined together at the nip of the rolls by heat or chemical means to produce substantial savings in fabric manufacture.

Abstract: A fuel cell system which includes a fuel distribution structure that uniformly distributes vaporizing fuel to a fuel cell is provided. As the fuel travels in a flow field channel in the fuel distribution structure, it is substantially converted to a vapor by the heat of the fuel cell operation in such a manner that the resulting vapor pressure works to substantially uniformly distribute fuel evenly outwardly across substantially the entire active area of the anode aspect of one or more membrane electrode assemblies in the system, and whereby localized, uneven “hot spots” of fuel at the anode aspects are substantially prevented. A pair of enthalpy exchanger and heat spreader assemblies include a cathode current collector element that also has a heat spreader plate that collects and redirects heat in the fuel cell system, the assembly acting to manage the heat, temperature and condensation in the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A heat spreader assembly that provides electrical, thermal and structural functions to the fuel cell. The heat spreader assembly comprises two bulk composite material layers, and a heat spreader element. The heat spreader element includes a copper layer sandwiched between two stainless steel layers. The stainless steel layers are bonded to the bulk composite layers by a conductive thermal set adhesive. The lamination applied to the stainless steel layers enables heat and electricity to flow from the cathode while maintaining low resistance among other layers of the fuel cell. The copper layer diffuses heat across the layer and functions as cathode current collector for a fuel cell. The bulk composite material layers function as a cold side of an enthalpy exchanger system and a cathode flow field. Further the composite material includes flow channels formed throughout the material to evenly distribute incoming air over the enthalpy exchanger membrane and to the cathode of the MEA.

Abstract: A system and method for managing gas bubbles in a liquid flow system are described. In particular, according to the system and method, novel techniques reduce a volume of cavities in the liquid flow system and limit a cross-sectional area of the liquid flow system to a maximum cross-sectional area of tolerably sized bubbles. In this manner, by reducing the cavity volumes and limiting cross-sectional areas, the formation of intolerably sized bubbles and the aggregation of tolerably sized bubbles into intolerably sized bubbles are each substantially prevented. Also, bubbles may be removed from the system to reduce the quantity of bubbles that are to be managed.

Abstract: The higher the reading of relative density, liquid weight per unit volume, of pieces of produce such as fruits, the juicier the piece of produce is. By comparing a number of pieces of produce of the same type and species and ranking them, the juiciest pieces of produce may be easily selected and purchased by a shopper. An arrangement of linkages and a sliding spring element creates a device with two inputs, one input being proportional to the volume of the produce based on a representative diameter, and the other input being an approximation of the weight of the produce based on the deflection of a spring. The two inputs are mechanically combined to create one output indicative of density, and thus juiciness, and a pointer is employed whose deflection is proportional to the quotient of the weight and volumetric inputs of each piece of produce tested by the shopper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed herein for processing exposed photosensitive self-developing film in a single use camera.

Abstract: A film assemblage of the self-developing type which has a pair of upper and lower carrier sheets in juxtaposed relationship to one another. A pair of openings is provided in each of the carrier sheets. A photosensitive sheet and a positive receiving sheet are joined to outer surfaces of the upper and lower carrier sheets; respectively, so as to cover the respective openings. The pair of upper and lower carrier sheets is fixedly joined together in overlapping relationship, whereby the photosensitive and receiving sheets are in superimposed and spaced apart relationship thereby forming, in combination, an image area of the film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a film assemblage of the self-developing type comprising a first and a second sheet in juxtaposed relationship to one another. Each of the sheets contains a plurality of exposure cut-outs at spaced apart intervals. Portions of the first and second rectangular sheets which separate individual exposure cut-outs contain a frangible line running in a direction perpendicular to the major axis of the rectangular sheet. The film assemblage further comprises a plurality of positive receiving sheets, a plurality of negative or photosensitive sheets, an elastic carrier sheet, a plurality of photographic processing fluid supply pods and a plurality of photographic processing fluid collection traps. The relationship between these elements in the film assemblage of the present invention is fully disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved film assemblage of the self developing type that allows separation of both the pod and trap portions of the film frame, but sealing of the ends of the separated film portions including pod, trap, and image area. The present invention also provides such a film assemblage of the foregoing type whereby further ensuring uniform flow of the processing fluid during the spreading process. A method of manufacturing said film is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved film assemblage of the self-developing type that allows separation of both the pod and trap portions of the film frame, but sealing of the ends of the separated film portions including pod, trap, and image area. The present invention also provides such a film assemblage of the foregoing type whereby further ensuring uniform flow of the processing fluid during the spreading process. A method of manufacturing said film is also provided.

Abstract: A film assemblage of the self-developing type comprising a pair of upper and lower carrier sheets in juxtaposed relationship to one another. A pair of openings is provided in each of the carrier sheets. A photosensitive sheet and a positive receiving sheet are joined to outer surfaces of the upper and lower carrier sheets; respectively, so as to cover the respective openings. The pair of upper and lower carrier sheets is fixedly joined together in overlapping relationship, whereby the photosensitive and receiving sheets are in superimposed and spaced apart relationship thereby torming, in combination, an image area of the film.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved film assemblage of the self-developing type that allows separation of both the pod and trap portions of the film frame, but sealing of the ends of the separated film portions including pod, trap, and image area. The present invention also provides such a film assemblage of the foregoing type whereby further ensuring uniform flow of the processing fluid during the spreading process. A method of manufacturing said film is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to several embodiments in which different self-developing film formats are constructed in order to permit easy operator separation of the pod and trap from adjacent integral film units.

Abstract: A camera housing a strip of receiving sheet of self-developable film material; a strip of negative photosensitive film material of the self-developing type having discrete exposable portions spaced apart thereon. A pressure applying assembly e merges the strips into the superimposable relationship to form corresponding separated image forming subassemblies in response to pulling the strips from the camera. The assembly effects release of processing fluid in rupturable containers on the sheet to initiate processing of the film. A device is operative in one mode for allowing pulling of the strips and thereby the formation of an image forming subassemblies through the pressure applying device, and in a second mode for automatically stopping formation and processing of a successive one of the image forming subassemblies. In one embodiment, the device is connected to the shutter unit and is operated when the shutter is actuated.

Abstract: An improved self-developing film unit comprising: a processing fluid supply including a rupturable reservoir of processing fluid; an image recording assembly of the self-developing type including first and second overlying layers one of which is exposable to form a latent photographic image, and a spacer connected to and between the first and second layers for providing a processing space therebetween for allowing processing fluid to pass therethrough; a fluid trap at a trailing end portion of the film unit for collecting excess processing fluid traveling through the processing space; a first fluid-tight coupling device including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling the reservoir to a leading end of the processing space for allowing processing fluid from a ruptured reservoir to be introduced into the processing space and initiate processing of the latent image; and, second fluid-tight coupling device including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling a trailing end of the processing space with the trap fo

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved photographic apparatus of the self-developing type and method of operation which includes a film assemblage. The camera includes a housing assembly; strip of photographic film; a strip of self-developing photosensitive film; a foldable strip of carrier sheet material; a mechanism for taking up the photosensitive film strip past an exposure station for exposure thereof and for storage of the exposed photosensitive film strip. An advancing mechanism is provided for advancing the exposed photosensitive film strip from the taking up mechanism and the carrier strip through an exit.

Abstract: An improved self-developing film unit comprising: processing fluid supply means including a rupturable reservoir of processing fluid at a leading end portion of the unit; image recording means of the self-developing type including first and second overlying layers one of which is exposable to form a latent photographic image, and spacer means connected to and between said first and second layers for providing a processing space therebetween for allowing processing fluid to pass therethrough; fluid trap means at a trailing end portion of the film unit for collecting excess processing fluid traveling through said processing space; first fluid-tight coupling means including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling said reservoir to a leading end of said processing space for allowing processing fluid from a ruptured reservoir to be introduced into said processing space and initiate processing of the latent image; and, second fluid-tight coupling means including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling a trailing