Abstract: In various embodiments, dead space and associated coupling losses are reduced in energy storage and recovery systems employing compressed air.

Abstract: A dual tip test probe assembly for use in both cantilever and vertical probe applications includes first and second elongated test probes, each having a body portion and a tip portion with a tip configured to make contact with a device under test. An electrically-insulating material is disposed between but not in contact with the body portions of the first and second elongated test probes to electrically isolate the first and second elongated test probes. The first and second elongated test probes are held in alignment with respect to each other so that the tip of the first elongated test probe is adjacent to and not in contact with the tip of the second elongated test probe for making simultaneous contact with the device under test. The dual tip test probe assembly provides a low inductance and a small, stable footprint for testing small and/or non-flat test points.

Abstract: A brake pedal simulator air gap filler system includes a brake pedal, a pedal feel simulator engaged by the brake pedal, a pedal push rod engaged by the brake pedal, a master cylinder/booster push rod spaced-apart from the pedal push rod, an air gap between the pedal push rod and the master cylinder/booster push rod, a master cylinder/booster engaged by the master cylinder/booster push rod and an air gap filling apparatus having an air gap filling head in adjacent proximity to the air gap and adapted to selectively engage and disengage the air gap.

Abstract: A dual tip test probe assembly for use in both cantilever and vertical probe applications includes first and second elongated test probes, each having a body portion and a tip portion with a tip configured to make contact with a device under test. An electrically-insulating material is disposed between but not in contact with the body portions of the first and second elongated test probes to electrically isolate the first and second elongated test probes. The first and second elongated test probes are held in alignment with respect to each other so that the tip of the first elongated test probe is adjacent to and not in contact with the tip of the second elongated test probe for making simultaneous contact with the device under test. The dual tip test probe assembly provides a low inductance and a small, stable footprint for testing small and/or non-flat test points.

Abstract: A vacuum accumulator system includes a booster, a vacuum accumulator disposed in fluid communication with the booster and an engine disposed in fluid communication with the vacuum accumulator.

Abstract: A gift-wrapping envelope including: a face panel; a back panel integrally coupled with the face panel; an expandable side panel coupled to both the face and back panels; an enclosure panel integrally coupled to the face, back, or side panels and releasably couplable to one of the panels to which it is not integrally coupled; a nametag area; and a releasably couplable accessory area. The gift-wrapping envelope may include an audio label. The nametag panel may be erasably writable. The releasably couplable accessory area may include a release liner and/or a no-rip material. The expandable side panel may include accordion-type folds.

Abstract: A gift-wrapping envelope including: a face panel; a back panel integrally coupled with the face panel; an expandable side panel coupled to both the face and back panels; an enclosure panel integrally coupled to the face, back, or side panels and releasably couplable to one of the panels to which it is not integrally coupled; a nametag area; and a releasably couplable accessory area. The gift-wrapping envelope may include an audio label. The nametag panel may be erasably writable. The releasably couplable accessory area may include a release liner and/or a no-rip material. The expandable side panel may include accordion-type folds.

Abstract: This invention relates to composition and methods of employing said composition for treating or preventing microbial associated infections and diseases. More particularly the present invention relates to bacterial proteins, peptides and amino acids which are by-products of bacteria, in particular Lactobacillus and more specifically Lactobacillus strains GR-1 and RC-14, in compositions that can treat and prevent microbial-associated infections and diseases, by altering, for example, down-regulating, virulence properties of pathogenic organisms.

Abstract: A bond pad structure which improves the reliability of the gold bonds, and thus, of the device. The bond pad structure allows for small gold bonds, which increases the density of the device. One design provides that the aluminum pad is connected to the copper IO strap at one end only. As such, expansion of the aluminum pad is not constrained. Another design provides that a segmented or un-segmented square copper ring is provided under the aluminum pad. There is effectively no copper provided under the aluminum pad in the area under the gold ball band. This reduces the restriction of the expansion of the aluminum pad. Yet another design provides for a reduced copper pad size under the aluminum pad, preferably just large enough for electrical connection.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, data structure and system are disclosed for developing order and/or lot sizes for an entity that are consistent with and supportive of an entity's strategic objective. The disclosed process uses the chosen units of measure of the strategic objective to evaluate the total impact each job has on the strategic objective and then develops the order and/or lot sizes based upon the equalizing the total impact the job has on the strategic objective, less any fixed impact the job may have on the strategic objective, against the individual impact a single unit of the order or job has on the strategic objective.

Abstract: A system and method for tangibly evaluating the impact that proposed daily or long term actions would have on an entity's strategic objectives, or other business goals, prior to implementing those proposed actions is provided by forecasting the probable results of those proposed actions and comparing them to the forecasted results of the existing planned actions. The invention also includes a provision to evaluate the impact of any proposed changes in terms of the changes' offsetting tradeoff impacts. The invention also includes the provision to limit the ability of different users of the system to over-ride the recommended actions based upon the individual user's authority level, based upon the expected results of the proposed actions and/or based upon the tradeoff results on the tradeoff threshold limits. In addition, all of the results and/or limits can be setup as a set of ranges to work within as opposed to just target values.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, data structure and system for scheduling work consistent with and supportive of the strategic objectives of an entity is disclosed herein. In its preferred embodiment, the strategic objectives are defined and the primary strategic objective is chosen along with a measure for the primary strategic objective. Next, a measure for scheduling work is defined and chosen that is consistent with the primary strategic objective and the objective's measure. Next, the constraints to schedule work by are evaluated, the primary constraint selected and the order within the chosen constraint prioritized. The work schedule measure is then calculated for each job in the work queue for the selected constraint. All of the jobs are sorted based upon the calculated work schedule measures with the job having the largest positive impact on the work schedule measure being first. The prioritized job is then scheduled into the prioritized constraint.

Abstract: A ready-to-use lawn colorant and fertilizer composition is provided in a spray bottle. The composition includes a water-based lawn paint, fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphate and potash, and water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for leak testing moulded plastic containers in which the containers are conveyed seriatim along a linear path. Each successive container is pressurized at a first station along the path and then sealed to maintain pressurization while being disconnected from the source of pressure. A test station is provided a distance downstream along the path from the first station selected to allow pressure in the container to stabilize if there is no leak. At the test station, the pressure in each successive container is momentarily determined and a signal is provided if a container is determined to be leaking. The apparatus includes battery-powered test heads that are brought into engagement with successive containers at the first station and momentarily energized by an optical transmitter when a pressure reading is to be taken, so that battery power is conserved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for leak testing moulded plastic containers in which the containers are conveyed seriatim along a linear path. Each successive container is pressurized at a first station along the path and then sealed to maintain pressurization while being disconnected from the source of pressure. A test station is provided a distance downstream along the path from the first station selected to allow pressure in the container to stabilize if there is no leak. At the test station, the pressure in each successive container is momentarily determined and a signal is provided if a container is determined to be leaking. The apparatus includes battery-powered test heads that are brought into engagement with successive containers at the first station and momentarily energized by an optical transmitter when a pressure reading is to be taken, so that battery power is conserved.

Abstract: An application device for applying a wide variety of lotions and creams to the body. The application device includes a head portion that includes a first end, a second end, a top wall, a bottom wall and peripheral edge integrally coupled to and extending between the top and bottom walls such that a chamber is defined. The bottom wall includes a plurality of holes extending therethrough. A solution is positioned in the chamber. A handle member is integrally coupled to a central portion of the top wall. The handle member includes a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall extending therebetween. An absorbent member for absorbing the solution from the chamber through each of the holes in the bottom wall is securably attached to an outer surface of the bottom wall.

Abstract: An application device for applying a wide variety of lotions and creams to the body. The application device includes a head portion that includes a first end, a second end, a top wall, a bottom wall and peripheral edge integrally coupled to and extending between the top and bottom walls such that a chamber is defined. The bottom wall includes a plurality of holes extending therethrough. A solution is positioned in the chamber. A handle member is integrally coupled to a central portion of the top wall. The handle member includes a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall extending therebetween. An absorbent member for absorbing the solution from the chamber through each of the holes in the bottom wall is securably attached to an outer surface of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A take-out system for a shuttle-type blow moulding machine having two moulding assemblies has a single gripper head for taking out moulded articles from both moulding assemblies. The gripper head is carried by a vertical gripper arm which can be raised and lowered by a rack and pinion drive with respect to a carriage that moves in line with the two moulding assemblies. Electric servomotors are used to raise and lower the gripper head and move the carriage under software control so that the motion of the gripper head can be programmed to match a particular moulding machine. The articles may be moulded with tabs that can be gripped by the gripper head, and the take-out system may include a trimmer for removing those tabs, and a waste conveyor for the trimmed material.

Abstract: One or two, or more, additional conductive layers, separated from one another (if two or more) and separated from a patterned (signal) conductive layer are formed in a flexible substrate, for mounting a semiconductor die in a semiconductor device assembly. These additional layers are used as separate planes for carrying power and/or ground from outside the assembly to the die, on a separate plane from signals entering or exiting the die. TAB processes are disclosed for cutting, bending and bonding inner and outer portions of selected signal layer traces to respective inner and outer edge portions of the additional conductive layer(s), including a two-stage process of (1) first cutting, bending and tacking the selected traces to the additional layer(s), and then (2) repositioning a bonding tool and securely bonding the selected traces to the additional layer(s). A tool (die pedestal) for aiding in the assembly process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A three-phase inverter for small, high speed motors such as a miniature centrifical compressor which has a low voltage, high current requirement. The inverter is supplied with DC power at 28 volts, and produces power of about 50 to 500 watts at about 15 volts, and at frequencies of about 5 to 9 kilohertz. Six D-type flip-flops with clock inputs produce twelve signals which are provided to six bridge drivers. Each bridge driver controls two MOSFET's in series. The MOSFET's are supplied with DC power. Outputs are fed to primaries of adjacent transformers in a circular array. The transformer secondaries are arranged in a star configuration to produce stepped voltage and saw-tooth current output wave forms approximating sinusoids in three phases.