Abstract: A bag having a tamper evident closure and methods of forming the same are provided. The bag has a tube body with a front wall and a back wall positioned between a first end and a second end. A back flap extension member connects to and extends outwardly from the second end of the back wall. A primer material is positioned on the back flap extension member and an adhesive material is placed on the back flap extension member that folds over to overlie and contact the primer material. The back flap extension member adheres to the front flap extension member and portions of the front wall to close the second end. When the back flap extension member liftingly separates from the front wall, at least one of the back flap extension member and the front wall tears indicating evidence of tampering.

Abstract: A method for use in a system for diagnosing the causes of manufacturing defects involves process characterization. A set of forms is identified for a workpiece and for a piece of manufacturing equipment that acts upon the workpiece. The forms for the workpiece are preferably a hierarchic set of geometric forms. Each such geometric form corresponds to an aspect of the action of the manufacturing equipment upon the workpiece. A plurality of measurements is made on a defective workpiece following the hierarchical order of forms. The measurements are compared to a reference datum, and a deviation from the datum is computed. If the deviation exceeds a preselected threshold, an alert condition results, attributable to the action of the manufacturing equipment. Targeted adjustment corresponding to the action that caused the defect can then be made to the equipment.

Abstract: A method for use in a system for diagnosing the causes of manufacturing defects involves process characterization. A set of forms is identified for a workpiece and for a piece of manufacturing equipment that acts upon the workpiece. The forms for the workpiece are preferably a hierarchic set of geometric forms. Each such geometric form corresponds to an aspect of the action of the manufacturing equipment upon the workpiece. A plurality of measurements is made on a defective workpiece following the hierarchical order of forms. The measurements are compared to a reference datum, and a deviation from the datum is computed. If the deviation exceeds a preselected threshold, an alert condition results, attributable to the action of the manufacturing equipment. Targeted adjustment corresponding to the action that caused the defect can then be made to the equipment.

Abstract: A computer emulates a fixed-point operation that is normally performed on fixed-point operands, by use of a floating-point operation that is normally performed on floating-point operands. Several embodiments emulate a fixed-point operation by: expanding at least one fixed-point operand into a floating-point representation (also called “floating-point equivalent”), performing, on the floating-point equivalent, a floating-point operation that corresponds to the fixed-point operation, and reducing a floating-point result into a fixed-point result. The just-described fixed-point result may have the same representation as the fixed-point operand(s) and/or any user-specified fixed-point representation, depending on the embodiment. Also the operands and the result may be either real or complex, and may be either scalar or vector. The above-described emulation may be performed either with an interpreter or with a compiler, depending on the embodiment.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to emulate a fixed-point operation that is normally performed on fixed-point operands, by use of a floating-point operation that is normally performed on floating-point operands. Several embodiments of the just-described computer emulate a fixed-point operation by: expanding at least one fixed-point operand into a floating-point representation (also called “floating-point equivalent”), performing, on the floating-point equivalent, a floating-point operation that corresponds to the fixed-point operation, and reducing a floating-point result into a fixed-point result. The just-described fixed-point result may have the same representation as the fixed-point operand(s) and/or any user-specified fixed-point representation, depending on the embodiment. Also depending on the embodiment, the operands and the result may be either real or complex, and may be either scalar or vector.

Abstract: An ambiguous usage of a name in a statement of a computer program is resolved at least partially by adding to an entry statement thereof a definition that includes the ambiguously used name followed by constructing a definition-use graph, followed by checking whether or not an edge from the added definition reaches the statement containing the ambiguously used name. If all edges into the ambiguous statement are from the added definition, then the name is deemed to be a function call. If all edges into the ambiguous statement are not from the added definition, then the name is deemed to be a memory access. If some edges into the ambiguous statement are from the added definition but other edges are not, then the statement is flagged as a dual usage.

Abstract: A bag having a tamper evident closure and methods of forming the same are provided. The bag has a tube body with a front wall and a back wall positioned between a first end and a second end. A back flap extension member connects to and extends outwardly from the second end of the back wall. A primer material is positioned on the back flap extension member and an adhesive material is placed on the back flap extension member that folds over to overlie and contact the primer material. The back flap extension member adheres to the front flap extension member and portions of the front wall to close the second end. When the back flap extension member liftingly separates from the front wall, at least one of the back flap extension member and the front wall tears indicating evidence of tampering.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to identify types of variables, in a computer program which includes a number of variables that are used without any explicit indication of their type, by repeatedly performing at least propagation of types from variables' definitions to variables' uses and removal of unreachable code. Repetition of type propagation from definitions to uses and removal of unreachable code is one aspect of the invention. The repetition can be terminated differently in different embodiments. In many embodiments, the repetition is performed until no unreachable code is found.

Abstract: An ambiguous usage of a name in a statement of a computer program is resolved at least partially by adding to an entry statement thereof a definition that includes the ambiguously used name followed by constructing a definition-use graph, followed by checking whether or not an edge from the added definition reaches the statement containing the ambiguously used name. If all edges into the ambiguous statement are from the added definition, then the name is deemed to be a function call. If all edges into the ambiguous statement are not from the added definition, then the name is deemed to be a memory access. If some edges into the ambiguous statement are from the added definition but other edges are not, then the statement is flagged as a dual usage.

Abstract: A bag having a tamper evident closure and methods of forming the same are provided. The bag has a tube body with a front wall and a back wall positioned between a first end and a second end. A back flap extension member connects to and extends outwardly from the second end of the back wall. A primer material is positioned on the back flap extension member and an adhesive material is placed on the back flap extension member that folds over to overlie and contact the primer material. The back flap extension member adheres to the front flap extension member and portions of the front wall to close the second end. When the back flap extension member liftingly separates from the front wall, at least one of the back flap extension member and the front wall tears indicating evidence of tampering.

Abstract: A method for use in a system for diagnosing the causes of manufacturing defects involves process characterization. A set of forms is identified for a workpiece and for a piece of manufacturing equipment that acts upon the workpiece. The forms for the workpiece are preferably a hierarchic set of geometric forms. Each such geometric form corresponds to an aspect of the action of the manufacturing equipment upon the workpiece. A plurality of measurements is made on a defective workpiece following the hierarchical order of forms. The measurements are compared to a reference datum, and a deviation from the datum is computed. If the deviation exceeds a preselected threshold, an alert condition results, attributable to the action of the manufacturing equipment. Targeted adjustment corresponding to the action that caused the defect can then be made to the equipment.

Abstract: A bag having a tamper evident closure and methods of forming the same are provided. The bag has a tube body with a front wall and a back wall positioned between a first end and a second end. A back flap extension member connects to and extends outwardly from the second end of the back wall. A primer material is positioned on the back flap extension member and an adhesive material is placed on the back flap extension member that folds over to overlie and contact the primer material. The back flap extension member adheres to the front flap extension member and portions of the front wall to close the second end. When the back flap extension member liftingly separates from the front wall, at least one of the back flap extension member and the front wall tears indicating evidence of tampering.

Abstract: A multiwall vented bag is provided which includes an inner tube formed of a plastic material. The inner tube has an open end initially in an open position and adapted to receive filling material therein and at least one vent opening formed therein. The bag further includes a strip of material positioned adjacent and attached to a preselected region of the inner tube. The preselected region includes the at least one vent opening of the inner tube. The strip also includes at least one vent opening to allow air to pass from within the inner tube, through both the at least one vent opening of the inner tube and the at least one vent opening of the strip. The bag further includes an outer tube positioned to substantially surround outer surfaces of the inner tube. The outer tube is formed of a porous material that allows air released from within the inner tube to pass out of the bag through porous material of the outer tube. A method of forming and using a vented bag are also included.

Abstract: A method for use in a system for diagnosing the causes of manufacturing defects involves process characterization. A set of forms is identified for a workpiece and for a piece of manufacturing equipment that acts upon the workpiece. The forms for the workpiece are preferably a hierarchic set of geometric forms. Each such geometric form corresponds to an aspect of the action of the manufacturing equipment upon the workpiece. A plurality of measurements is made on a defective workpiece following the hierarchical order of forms. The measurements are compared to a reference datum, and a deviation from the datum is computed. If the deviation exceeds a preselected threshold, an alert condition results, attributable to the action of the manufacturing equipment. Targeted adjustment corresponding to the action that caused the defect can then be made to the equipment.

Abstract: A bag having a tamper evident closure and methods of forming the same are provided. The bag has a tube body with a front wall and a back wall positioned between a first end and a second end. A back flap extension member connects to and extends outwardly from the second end of the back wall. A primer material is positioned on the back flap extension member and an adhesive material is placed on the back flap extension member that folds over to overlie and contact the primer material. The back flap extension member adheres to the front flap extension member and portions of the front wall to close the second end. When the back flap extension member liftingly separates from the front wall, at least one of the back flap extension member and the front wall tears indicating evidence of tampering.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for conditioning the surface and subsurface of a tubular whereby stress risers and crevices are avoided during subsequent working of the tubular. In a preferred embodiment, the invention may be readily utilized to modify a continuous tubular manufacturing operation wherein a laser beam welder is utilized for welding the seam of the tubular as the tubular is moved with respect to the laser beam welder thereby producing an elongate bead. A TIG welder is provided downstream of the laser beam welder with respect to the direction of movement of the tubular to thereby remelt the crown portion of the elongate bead thereby causing the crown portion to flatten radially and spread out along the surface of the tubular.

Abstract: An expandable plug fitted with a pressure valve for plugging a tubular bore having a shaft member with one or more cylindrical cylinders and one or more cylindrical sleeves slideably disposed on the shaft member and a flange is attached near the distal end to retain the cylindrical seals and cylindrical sleeves on the shaft member. The shaft member may be hollow with a pressure valve secured within the hollow shaft. A pulling mechanism disposed at the proximal end of the shaft member compresses the cylindrical seals by exerting an axial force upon the shaft member in a proximal direction, thereby causing the shaft member to slide through the axial openings of the cylindrical seals and the cylindrical sleeves in the proximal direction, thereby compressing the cylindrical seals between the flange and the pulling mechanism. The compressed seals expand radially, sealing the tubular bore.

Abstract: A method for use in a system for diagnosing the causes of manufacturing defects involves process characterization. A set of forms is identified for a workpiece and for a piece of manufacturing equipment that acts upon the workpiece. The forms for the workpiece are preferably a hierarchic set of geometric forms. Each such geometric form corresponds to an aspect of the action of the manufacturing equipment upon the workpiece. A plurality of measurements is made on a defective workpiece following the hierarchical order of forms. The measurements are compared to a reference datum, and a deviation from the datum is computed. If the deviation exceeds a preselected threshold, an alert condition results, attributable to the action of the manufacturing equipment. Targeted adjustment corresponding to the action that caused the defect can then be made to the equipment.

Abstract: A multiply bag and method of forming the same in which the inner ply of the bag has a longitudinal extending tear strip assembly grippable by the user to facilitate opening of the bag.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus to apply a corrosion protection in the form of a zinc (or other sacrificial anodic material) tape to a tubular member such as pipe or coiled tubing to used as an underground or underwater pipeline or flow line is disclosed. The zinc tape is applied with sufficient heat and pressure to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and underlying metal pipe. This allows the zinc tape to act simultaneously as a continuous protective metal barrier to the normal scrapes and nicks the pipe experiences during installation and as a sacrificial anode. The novel apparatus preheats the zinc tape with a nozzle containing heated gas such as nitrogen as it approaches the pipe surface. At the point of contact with the pipe surface, the nozzle continues heating the tape and pipe surface while a plurality of pressure rollers exert sufficient force on the zinc tape to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and the pipe surface.