Abstract: A one-way valve and a flexible package including the valve are disclosed. The valve basically comprises a base member, a flexible septum and a stake. The base member is mounted on a wall of the package and includes a valve seat and at least one inlet port. The septum is formed of a resilient material and is connected to the base member by the stake, with a first portion of the septum contiguous with the stake fixed in position with respect to the base member and a second portion of the septum engaging the valve seat and covering and sealing the at least one inlet port. The septum is arranged to flex off of the valve seat to unseal the at least one inlet port when the pressure of gas at the at least one inlet port reaches a threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for proactive information security management is described. In one embodiment, for example, a computer-implemented method for controlling access to sensitive information, the method comprising: maintaining access constraint data that can be used to control access to the sensitive information, wherein the access constraint data includes match pattern data and apply pattern data; receiving a semantic query from a querier requesting access to the sensitive information; based on the match pattern data, determining whether the semantic query should be constrained according to the apply pattern data; where said semantic query should be constrained according to the apply pattern data, rewriting the semantic query according to the apply pattern data to produce a rewritten query; executing the rewritten query against a database that contains the sensitive information; and returning any results of executing the rewritten query.

Abstract: A flexible package for holding a flowable material therein and method of use to enable the flowable material to be introduced into a dispensing system via an inlet tube. The flexible package has a body portion and a projection which forms a mouth for the package and is in communication with the interior of the package. The projection is openable for receipt of the inlet tube and is arranged to be clamped into engagement with the inlet tube to form a fluid-tight interface by use of a clamping mechanism. The fluid-tight interface is releasable, when desired.

Abstract: A flexible package for a product, e.g., a food product, to enable any steam resulting from heating the product in the package to automatically vent is disclosed. The package has a hollow interior space in which the product is located and is made up of a flexible sheet material. Portions of the flexible sheet material are sealed to each other along an elongated seal line, which forms a portion of the periphery of the hollow interior space. A portion of the seal line is in the form of a peelable interface. At least one vent is coupled to the peelable interface. The peelable interface automatically peels open upon the creation of steam within the package resulting from the heating of the product to allow the steam or other vapor to automatically exit through the at least one vent.

Abstract: A one-way valve and a flexible package including the valve are disclosed. The valve basically comprises a base member, a flexible septum and a stake. The base member is mounted on a wall of the package and includes a valve seat and at least one inlet port. The septum is formed of a resilient material and is connected to the base member by the stake, with a first portion of the septum contiguous with the stake fixed in position with respect to the base member and a second portion of the septum engaging the valve seat and covering and sealing the at least one inlet port. The septum is arranged to flex off of the valve seat to unseal the at least one inlet port when the pressure of gas at the at least one inlet port reaches a threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for proactive information security management is described. In one embodiment, for example, a computer-implemented method for controlling access to sensitive information, the method comprising: maintaining access constraint data that can be used to control access to the sensitive information, wherein the access constraint data includes match pattern data and apply pattern data; receiving a semantic query from a querier requesting access to the sensitive information; based on the match pattern data, determining whether the semantic query should be constrained according to the apply pattern data; where said semantic query should be constrained according to the apply pattern data, rewriting the semantic query according to the apply pattern data to produce a rewritten query; executing the rewritten query against a database that contains the sensitive information; and returning any results of executing the rewritten query.

Abstract: A flexible package and a method of packaging a product having a distinct shelf life in a flexible package to provide an indication of the product's shelf-life. The package has a hollow body formed of a flexible material in which the product is disposed and which is suitable for isolating the product within the package from the ambient atmosphere. The body also includes a window portion formed of a transparent material and an internal pocket located under the window. The internal pocket is arranged to hold a shelf-life indicating card at the window to be visible therethrough. The card may include indicia which is changeable in response to conditions existing within the package.

Abstract: A flexible package for holding a flowable material therein and method of use to enable the flowable material to be introduced into a dispensing system via an inlet tube. The flexible package has a body portion and a projection which forms a mouth for the package and is in communication with the interior of the package. The projection is openable for receipt of the inlet tube and is arranged to be clamped into engagement with the inlet tube to form a fluid-tight interface by use of a clamping mechanism. The fluid-tight interface is releasable, when desired.

Abstract: A foldable bench having at least a pair of seat sections pivotally connected together. Pivotally mounted to the other side of each seat section is a leg assembly that is movable from a folded position to an extended position. When the bench assumes an unfolded position a strut extends from a point to a respective leg assembly and when the bench carries a load each strut is held in compression. An interconnecting member connects the two leg assemblies and is generally held in tension when the bench assumes an unfolded position and carries a load.

Abstract: A kit includes a series of components, capable of being flat packed, that can be assembled to form an arch or a section of an arch for use in a building such as a residential structure. The kit includes a pair of curved sides with each curved side including an inner face, an outer face, an upper edge and a lower edge. Formed along the inner face of each side is a curved groove. A flexible or pliable jamb is provided in the kit. Secured in spaced apart relationship along one side of the jamb is a series of clips. When assembled, the arch or arch section includes the clips extending between these sides and including portions that project into the curved grooves. The clips effectively secures the jamb to the sides.

Abstract: A kit includes a series of components, capable of being flat packed, that can be assembled to form an arch or a section of an arch for use in a building such as a residential structure. The kit includes a pair of curved sides with each curved side including an inner face, an outer face, an upper edge and a lower edge. Formed along the inner face of each side is a curved groove. A flexible or pliable jamb is provided in the kit. Secured in spaced apart relationship along one side of the jamb is a series of clips. When assembled, the arch or arch section includes the clips extending between these sides and including portions that project into the curved grooves. The clips effectively secures the jamb to the sides.

Abstract: A foldable bench having at least a pair of seat sections pivotally connected together. Pivotally mounted to the other side of each seat section is a leg assembly that is movable from a folded position to an extended position. When the bench assumes an unfolded position a strut extends from a point to a respective leg assembly and when the bench carries a load each strut is held in compression. An interconnecting member connects the two leg assemblies and is generally held in tension when the bench assumes an unfolded position and carries a load.

Abstract: A Viterbi decoding system interprets bits in received QAM constellations as many-valued parameters rather than binary valued parameters. It performs the Viterbi algorithm using these many-valued parameters to provide results superior to hard decision decoding. Rather than applying a hard 0-1 function to the QAM data, the system uses a non-stepped linear or curved transfer function to assign values to the bits. In another aspect, a system differentiates between data bits based on their estimated reliability, giving more emphasis to decoding reliable bits than unreliable bits using any of a variety of techniques. By differentiating between god and bad bits and de-emphasizing or ignoring unreliable bits, the system can provide a significant reduction in uncorrectable errors and packet loss.

Abstract: An artificial gas log set which simulates in a very realistic fashion a log fire in a fireplace. The artificial log set comprises a log, a burner tube having ports for creating a yellow flame that is in close proximity to the log and a second set of ports for creating a blue flame which is positioned between the yellow flame and the log. The blue flame impinges on the log and acts as a separator or curtain that prevents impingement by the yellow flame on the log. This prevents the creation of unwanted and dangerous levels of emissions such as oxides of carbon and nitrogen. An alternative embodiment replaces the blue flame and its ports with duct work and exhaust gases. The exhaust gases act as a separator between the log and the yellow flame. The result is a realistic looking, simulated wood burning fireplace which may be safely used in an unvented environment.

Abstract: A machine and method for forming a variety of predetermined shapes of curved laminations formed from a plurality of individual laminates bonded together by an adhesive. The laminating machine comprises a support frame, a rotating RF-conducting capstan mounted in the support frame, and an RF-conducting anvil supported by the support frame in opposing relation to the capstan. An RF energy source is operatively connected to the capstan, and a ground terminal is operatively connected to the anvil. Custom template flanges serve both as determinants of a particular lamination's curved shape and also preferably as components of the completed laminated structure, which includes the curved lamination. Each template flange includes a laminate retainer, preferably an elongated groove, which holds a foundation laminate in a predetermined curved shape.

Abstract: The present invention entails a kit of components for constructing a cased-arched opening and also involves a method of installing the components of the kit. The kit comprises a pair of side columns with each column being generally U-shaped and designed to be inserted around a terminal edge of a wall that borders an open passageway. Further, the kit includes a curved arched assembly that is opened at the top and includes a void that permits the arched assembly to be sandwiched around a lower terminal edge portion of an upper wall section that surrounds the passageway. The respective columns are designed to fit under and support the curved arched assembly and all of the components can be nailed or otherwise secured to the structure to form a cased-arched opening.

Abstract: A guide instrument for cannulating a biliary duct with a flexible catheter, and a method of using the same as part of a laparoscopic cholangiographic surgical procedure. The guide instrument is provided as having a grasping forceps component formed of an elongate shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a first and a second end. A pair of jaws are positioned at the first end of the shaft and are mutually pivotally coupled thereat for movement between an opened and a closed orientation for selectively grasping the duct. An actuator positioned at the second end of the shaft is coupled in a drive relationship with the jaws for moving the jaws between the opened and closed orientations. An elongate, generally cylindrical guide tube is slidably supported along the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft and is formed as having an internal catheter channel therethrough.

Abstract: A sight apparatus is formed of a small housing having a curved top and an internally disposed chamber which is intended to be positioned generally at the location of a normal front sight as used with firearms intended for shooting remote targets. The housing incorporates a switchable light emitter such as an LED of substantial brightness which is positioned adjacent a small collimation chamber and exit aperture pointed parallel with the gun barrel axis toward the shooter's eye station. The brightness of this emitter output is selected with respect to the brightness of the ambient suround about the target so as to achieve enhanced brightness contour via physiological lateral inhibition within the shooter's eye. There then results a sharp sighting imagewhich represents gun tip positional data to the shooter. This data is available to the shooter even though both eyes are focused at the remote field of the target, generally at infinity, and defocused at the tip of the gun barrel.

Abstract: A sight apparatus is formed of a small housing having a curved top and an internally disposed chamber which is intended to be positioned generally at the location of a normal front sight as used with firearms intended for shooting remote targets. The housing incorporates a switchable light emitter such as an LED of substantial brightness which is positioned adjacent a small collimation portion and exit aperture pointed parallel with the gun barrel axis toward the shooter's eye station. The brightness of this emitter output is selected with respect to the brightness of the ambient suround about the target so as to achieve enhanced brightness contour via physiological lateral inhibition within the shooter's eye. There then results a sharp sighting image which represents gun tip positional data to the shooter. This data is available to the shooter even though both eyes are focused at the remote field of the target, generally at infinity, and defocused at the tip of the gun barrel.

Abstract: An article is disclosed comprising a lid engaged to a container by the formation of interlocking waves of lid material and container material at the junction of the lid and container. The interlocking waves are geometrically aligned relative to the interior of the container so as to maximize the burst strength of the container, and also to minimize the force required to peel the lid from the container. An unheated clamp head is used to clamp the lid structure immediately adjacent a heated seal head, the heated seal head being used to form the interlocking wave structure around the inside rim of the container. The clamp head prevents any melted portions of the container or lid from flowing to or towards the outside rim of the container, and thereby prevents the formation of similar interlocking waves about the outside rim of the container.