Abstract: A roofing shingle (20) comprises a web (22) having a shingle major dimension (24) and a shingle minor dimension (26). The web (22) in turn comprises a headlap portion (30) and plural tabs (32). The headlap portion (30) extends along a web first edge (34) which is parallel to the shingle major dimension. The plural tabs (32) are formed along a web second edge (36) which is parallel to the web first edge. Adjacent ones of the plural tabs (32) are separated by a cut out (40). The cut out (40) extends in the shingle minor dimension (26). As formed, each of the plural tabs (30) has a greater extent along the shingle minor dimension (26) than along the shingle major dimension (24).

Abstract: A web of roofing material (20) is perforated for segmentation into plural trapezoidal-shaped shingles (22). In view of the perforation (24) of the web (20), the trapezoidal-shaped shingles (22) are pre-configured for use as hip and ridge shingles advantageously having edges pre-shaped to align upon installation to present an essentially straight line of edges of contiguous shingles. The hip and ridge shingles are detachable from the web at the perforation to facilitate use of the shingles on a roofing obliquity (40).

Abstract: A process of separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter including the steps of: conditioning a liquid mixture of particulate matter with a frothing agent to create a pulp; aerating the pulp to generate a float fraction of froth supported on the surface of a non-float fraction of pulp; separating a portion of froth from the float fraction; draining the separated froth; washing the separated froth with a liquid to dislodge particles comprising one or more of non-selectively attached, entrained, and entrapped particles; and recovering the washed froth, is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are a froth cleaning apparatus and a froth flotation apparatus for separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter.

Abstract: A web of roofing material (20) is perforated for segmentation into plural trapezoidal-shaped shingles (22). In view of the perforation (24) of the web (20), the trapezoidal-shaped shingles (22) are pre-configured for use as hip and ridge shingles advantageously having edges pre-shaped to align upon installation to present an essentially straight line of edges of contiguous shingles. The hip and ridge shingles are detachable from the web at the perforation to facilitate use of the shingles on a roofing obliquity (40).

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for preventing disconnection of a module from a module connector prior to initiating a shutdown routine and for preventing operation of the module unless a retention device is engaged. The system includes a switch having a first state for allowing operation of a module and a second state for initiating shutdown and/or preventing operation of the module. At least one retention device prevents disconnection of the module from the module connector. A covering member is movable between first and second positions, but is prevented from moving to the first position when the retention device in not engaged. In the first position, the covering member prevents access to the retention device and the switch is in the first state and in the second position the covering member allows access to the retention device and transitions the switch to the second state.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for preventing disconnection of a module from a module connector prior to initiating a shutdown routine and for preventing operation of the module unless a retention device is engaged. The system includes a switch having a first state for allowing operation of a module and a second state for initiating shutdown and/or preventing operation of the module. At least one retention device prevents disconnection of the module from the module connector. A covering member is movable between first and second positions, but is prevented from moving to the first position when the retention device in not engaged. In the first position, the covering member prevents access to the retention device and the switch is in the first state and in the second position the covering member allows access to the retention device and transitions the switch to the second state.

Abstract: A diagnostics apparatus for detecting fluorescence events related to the presence of an analyte in a sample is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a source of excitation light and a photodetector, and a unitary multi-surface optical module. The optical module is integrally formed and composed of an upstream portion having a focusing optical surface for directing excitation light from the light source to a focal region within an analyte-detection zone in the apparatus, and a downstream portion having a second focusing powered optical surface and at least one reflecting surface for directing fluorescence-emission light produced by fluorescence events within the detection zone, in a direction substantially normal to the path of the excitation light onto the photodetector. The optical module is adaptable to a variety of assay formats, including multiple-sample, sample-array, and disposable-cartridge formats.

Abstract: A process of separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter including the steps of: conditioning a liquid mixture of particulate matter with a frothing agent to create a pulp; aerating the pulp to generate a float fraction of froth supported on the surface of a non-float fraction of pulp; separating a portion of froth from the float fraction; draining the separated froth; washing the separated froth with a liquid to dislodge particles comprising one or more of non-selectively attached, entrained, and entrapped particles; and recovering the washed froth, is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are a froth cleaning apparatus and, a froth flotation apparatus for separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter.

Abstract: A web data conferencing system is coupled to a video server to provide the output video signal of the video server as the video portion of the web conference. The video server is configured to receive video signals from multiple sources and to interactively provide the video signals as an output signal to the web conference.

Abstract: A process of separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter including the steps of: conditioning a liquid mixture of particulate matter with a frothing agent to create a pulp; aerating the pulp to generate a float fraction of froth supported on the surface of a non-float fraction of pulp; separating a portion of froth from the float fraction; draining the separated froth; washing the separated froth with a liquid to dislodge particles comprising one or more of non-selectively attached, entrained, and entrapped particles; and recovering the washed froth, is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are a froth cleaning apparatus and a froth flotation apparatus for separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter.

Abstract: A process of separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter including the steps of: conditioning a liquid mixture of particulate matter with a frothing agent to create a pulp; aerating the pulp to generate a float fraction of froth supported on the surface of a non-float fraction of pulp; separating a portion of froth from the float fraction; draining the separated froth; washing the separated froth with a liquid to dislodge particles comprising one or more of non-selectively attached, entrained, and entrapped particles; and recovering the washed froth, is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are a froth cleaning apparatus and a froth flotation apparatus for separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter.

Abstract: A process of separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter including the steps of: conditioning a liquid mixture of particulate matter with a frothing agent to create a pulp; aerating the pulp to generate a float fraction of froth supported on the surface of a non-float fraction of pulp; separating a portion of froth from the float fraction; draining the separated froth; washing the separated froth with a liquid to dislodge particles comprising one or more of non-selectively attached, entrained, and entrapped particles; and recovering the washed froth, is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are a froth cleaning apparatus and a froth flotation apparatus for separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter.

Abstract: A tube or chamber optimized for applications as part of an optical system includes an optically transmissive elongate tubular body having an elongate tubular body wall including an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface of the tubular body wall defines an elongate bore for containment or transport of a sample material to be analyzed. The body wall further includes a first portion, through which incident radiation passes, having a non-uniform thickness about the sample passageway so as to optimize optical coupling therethrough.