Abstract: A controller in a video headend or other transmission element of a signal distribution system is operative to detect a condition in which unicast transmissions of a given content stream to a plurality of terminals meet a specified threshold. The controller starts a multicast transmission of the given content stream in response to the detected condition, and transitions at least one of the terminals to the multicast transmission. In one embodiment, the controller identifies at least one of the terminals as a terminal that will receive the multicast transmission of the given content stream in place of its unicast transmission prior to one or more of the other terminals receiving the multicast transmission.

Abstract: An idler roller (1) for a belt conveyor and an idler roller assembly (41). The idler roller (1) comprises an elongate static shaft (3), a rotatable drum (5) mounted about and substantially surrounding the static shaft (3) and at least one bearing (7, 9) intermediate the shaft (3) and the rotatable drum (5). The idler roller (1) further comprises a load cell mounted on the static shaft internal the rotatable drum (5). The static shaft comprises a load cell section that is weakened relative to the remainder of the shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to an idler roller (1) for a belt conveyor and an idler roller assembly (41). The idler roller (1) comprises an elongate static shaft (3), a rotatable drum (5) mounted about and substantially surrounding the static shaft (3) and at least one bearing (7, 9) intermediate the shaft (3) and the rotatable drum (5). The idler roller (1) further comprises a load cell mounted on the static shaft internal the rotatable drum (5). The static shaft comprises a load cell section that is weakened relative to the remainder of the shaft. By having such an idler roller, the idler roller will have the means necessary to weigh the materials passing over a conveyor (65) supported by the idler roller thereby obviating the need for a sub frame and a lengthy installation of weighing idler roller assembly.

Abstract: A controller in a video headend or other transmission element of a signal distribution system is operative to detect a condition in which unicast transmissions of a given content stream to a plurality of terminals meet a specified threshold. The controller starts a multicast transmission of the given content stream in response to the detected condition, and transitions at least one of the terminals to the multicast transmission. In one embodiment, the controller identifies at least one of the terminals as a terminal that will receive the multicast transmission of the given content stream in place of its unicast transmission prior to one or more of the other terminals receiving the multicast transmission.

Abstract: An inhalation device is described for use with a medicament pack in which at least one container for medicament in powder form is defined between two sheets peelably secured to one another. The device comprises means for peeling the sheets apart at an opening station to open the container; and an outlet, communicating with the opened container, through which a user can inhale medicament in powder form from the opened container.

Abstract: An inhalation device is described for use with a medicament pack in which at least one container for medicament in powder form is defined between two sheets peelably secured to one another. The device comprises means for peeling the sheets apart at an opening station to open the container; and an outlet, communicating with the opened container, through which a user can inhale medicament in powder form from the opened container.

Abstract: An inhalation device is described for use with a medicament pack in which at least one container for medicament in powder form is defined between two sheets peelably secured to one another. The device comprises means for peeling the sheets apart at an opening station to open the container; and an outlet, communicating with the opened container, through which a user can inhale medicament in powder form from the opened container.

Abstract: A tobacco mass is heated to a temperature of about 150° to about 220° C. to release flavorful tobacco volatiles, which are entrained in air passing through the tobacco mass, and condensed to form an inhalable aerosol. The tobacco mass may have a rotationally symmetric shape, with at least part of its surface in heat transfer relationship with a heater. The heater may be an external shell, an internal rod, or a plate. A shell can enclose the heater and tobacco mass and define a preheating chamber for inflowing air. A mouthpiece, with or without a filter, may be arranged in fluid communication with the tobacco mass to direct the aerosol from the heating system.

Abstract: Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigarette filters, methods of manufacturing smoking articles including hollow fibers, and methods of smoking are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a smoking article contains hollow fibers, wherein the hollow fibers change properties of mainstream tobacco smoke drawn through the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A method for delivering a polishing fluid to a chemical mechanical polishing surface is provided. In one embodiment, a method for delivering a polishing fluid to a polishing surface of a chemical mechanical polisher includes flowing polishing fluid to a first portion of the polishing surface through a first outlet while a second portion of the polishing surface adjacent a second outlet receives no flow of polishing fluid, and flowing polishing fluid through the second outlet to the second portion of the polishing surface.

Abstract: A cigarette of an electrical smoking system includes a filter tipping including a web including added filtering material and a tubular wrapper around the web, and a tobacco rod portion adapted to generate a puff of smoke upon being heated by one or more heating elements during smoking, the tobacco rod portion being attached to the filter tipping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a polishing fluid to a chemical mechanical polishing surface is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for delivering a polishing fluid to a chemical mechanical polishing surface includes an arm having a plurality of holes formed in the arm for retaining a plurality of polishing fluid delivery tubes. Each of the tubes are disposed through one of the holes and coupled to the arm. The number of holes exceeds the number of tubes, thereby allowing the distribution of polishing fluid to a polishing surface and correspondingly the local polishing rates across a diameter of a substrate being polished to be controlled.

Abstract: An inhalation device is described for use with a medicament pack in which at least one container for medicament in powder form is defined between two sheets peelably secured to one another. The device comprises means for peeling the sheets apart at an opening station to open the container; and an outlet, communicating with the opened container, through which a user can inhale medicament in powder form from the opened container.

Abstract: An inhalation device is described for use with a medicament pack in which at least one container for medicament in powder form is defined between two sheets peelably secured to one another. The device comprises means for peeling the sheets apart at an opening station to open the container; and an outlet, communicating with the opened container, through which a user can inhale medicament in powder form from the opened container.

Abstract: A client/server data processing system is developed by a method (20) in which a meta model (21) is transformed by a model generator (24) into an application model (25) which has a layered structure reflecting that of the end-product system. A code generator is associated with each layer of the application model (25). For the client side, an IDL representation (41) is generated and is transformed into client interfaces (46). Client user interfaces (47) are separately generated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a polishing fluid to a chemical mechanical polishing surface is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for delivering a polishing fluid to a chemical mechanical polishing surface includes an arm having a plurality of holes formed in the arm for retaining a plurality of polishing fluid delivery tubes. Each of the tubes are disposed through one of the holes and coupled to the arm. The number of holes exceeds the number of tubes, thereby allowing the distribution of polishing fluid to a polishing surface and correspondingly the local polishing rates across a diameter of a substrate being polished to be controlled.

Abstract: An inhalation device is described for use with a medicament pack in which at least one container for medicament in powder form is defined between two sheets peelably secured to one another. The device comprises means for peeling the sheets apart at an opening station to open the container; and an outlet, communicating with the opened container, through which a user can inhale medicament in powder form from the opened container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wafer clamping mechanism responsive to fluid pressure to retain wafers on a surface with minimal clamping force. The clamping mechanism houses simple operative elements within a housing proximate the wafer and can utilize existing fluid pressure sources to energize the clamping mechanism. In a first embodiment, the clamping mechanism includes a piston and cylinder to urge a clamping arm against the wafer in response to fluid pressure. In a second embodiment, the clamping mechanism includes a bellows arrangement for urging the clamping finger against the wafer in response to a fluid pressure source. In a third embodiment, the clamping mechanism includes a bladder arrangement wherein a bladder is expanded using fluid pressure to urge the clamping arm against the wafer in response to a fluid pressure source.

Abstract: A dosing device comprising a dispensing means for dispensing a dose material, and a dose actuation mechanism, in which the dose actuation mechanism comprises a readily deflectable member, and a cascade of at least two pivoted elements, movement of one causing movement of the other, wherein the deflectable member is moveable by the user, and its movement is transferred to the first of the cascade of pivoted elements, so as to actuate the dispensing means. A first biasing means communicates with one pivoted element so that as movement is transferred between the pivoted elements, energy stored in the first biasing means is released to increase the force associated with the movement. A dose actuating mechanism for use in a dosing inhaler is also provided.

Abstract: An inhalation device is described for use with a medicament pack in which at least one container for medicament in powder form is defined between two sheets peelably secured to one another. The device comprises means for peeling the sheets apart at an opening station to open the container; and an outlet, communicating with the opened container, through which a user can inhale medicament in powder form from the opened container.