Abstract: An improved system for visual inspection of substrates coated with paints and polymers is disclosed. Painted substrates can be inspected for environmental and physical damage such as corrosion and cracks without removing the paint. The present invention provides the ability to maximize paint thickness penetration. This is accomplished with a spectral bandpass filter that rejects reflected light from the coating opaque bands, while allowing light in the paint window to pass to an IR detector such as an IR camera focal plane. The narrow bandpass range enhances the ability for IR imaging to see through thicker paint layers and improves the contrast over standard commercial IR mid-wave cameras. The bandpass may be adjusted to coincide with the full spectral window of the paint, consistent with the ability of the imaging focal plane to detect light in the spectral region.

Abstract: A method and system for management of radio frequency coverage over a wide geographic area. A database is created specifying a geographic location for each of a large number of existing communication locations within a wide geographic area. Selected physical parameters are then associated with each communication location including: addresses; site plans; structural drawings; and, actual measured signal strength for multiple entities authorized to transmit at selected frequencies within that geographic area. Thereafter, communication locations may be automatically accessed by specifying either a physical location or by accessing those locations where measured signal strengths fall below a selected level. Once accessed, all stored physical parameters associated with a selected communication location may be displayed, including: photographs of the location, site plans, structural drawings and readiness data.

Abstract: A method is provided for pretreating metallic fillers adapted to be added into an organic polymer resin matrix adapted to cure into a material, wherein pretreating the fillers enhances the mechanical and electrical properties of the cured material. The method includes selecting an organofunctional silane based on compatibility of a functional organic with a selected polymer; determining an amount of silane required for treatment of the fillers by calculating the amount of silane required to provide monomolecular coverage of the particle surfaces of the filler based on a specific surface area measurement of the particle surfaces; uniformly dispersing the required amount of silane over the filler; allowing adequate time for the silane to react with particle surfaces of the filler; and mixing the treated filler into the polymer resin.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which utilizes the substantially steady-state temperature of a coated object, in conjunction with an optical detection system, to selectively view defects and features of the object below the coating without the necessity of transient heating or IR illumination and reflectance imaging. The optical detector, such as an IR camera, may be tailored for the wavelengths at which the coating material is substantially transparent, thereby maximizing the viewing clarity of the defects and features under the coating, and distinguishing them from any spurious features on the top surface of the coating. The present system enables the inspection of small or large areas in real time, without requiring complex image acquisition, storage and image processing equipment and software.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for separating an article of laundry from a bundle of articles. The bundle is located in a truck which is clamped into a carriage by means of clamping arm or attached to guide rails. The truck is moved by suitable drive means in a controlled manner beneath a grip device which is movable into and out of the truck. The grip device is mounted on a carriage which is movable upwards relative to a frame by means of a winch and downwards by gravity. The grip device picks the article from the bundle using a dual clamp structure and lifts the article up past an adjacent conveyor which is mounted so as to oscillate about a roller. An air jet means is also provided to blow the article into a nip defined between the conveyor belt and a spring loaded nip roller. Sensors are provided for sensing overload conditions for the conveyor and the grip device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-based method of and system for matching a set of transaction instructions received from a submitting entity with a record data set of receiving entity. The record data set includes a plurality of account records and an associated match key data set comprising a plurality of match keys, wherein each match key identifies an associated account record. The method comprises searching the match key data set using a match key derived from a received funds transfer instruction to identify an account record in said record data set thereby automatically matching said instruction to said identified record. The submitting entity selects a particular unmatched record of said data set, thereby manually matching said instruction to said selected record.

Abstract: Silane type polyfunctional coupling agents and adhesion promoters are added to major amounts by volume of environmentally-safe organic wipe solvents generally having a low vapor pressure to form novel wipe solvent compositions for cleaning and priming the surface of a substrate such as that of metal, composite, glass, plastic or other material prior to the application of coatings of paint, adhesive and/or similar layers and/or prior to the lamination of such substrates to each other or to support structures such as honeycomb bodies, while simultaneously depositing and bonding the coupling agent and adhesion promoter to the cleaned surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying solder to an electronic circuit board substrate includes a solder wave device for generating a molten wave of solder and, above that, a movable substrate holder. The substrate holder includes a support for an electronic circuit board substrate inclined at an angle with respect to the direction and an opening on a bottom thereof for access of a protruding connector disposed near an end of the substrate to the molten solder wave. The angle of incline is sufficient to prevent a component disposed at a distance from the end of the substrate from contacting the molten solder wave when the substrate holder is moved over the solder wave device. A shield in the substrate holder prevents the component not to be soldered from contacting the molten solder wave.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for separating an article of laundry from a bundle of articles. The bundle is located in a truck which is clamped into a carriage by means of clamping arm or attached to guide rails. The truck is moved by suitable drive means in a controlled manner beneath a grip device which is movable into and out of the truck. The grip device is mounted on a carriage which is movable upwards relative to a frame by means of a winch and downwards by gravity. The grip device picks the article from the bundle using a dual clamp structure and lifts the article up past an adjacent conveyor which is mounted so as to oscillate about a roller. An air jet means is also provided to blow the article into a nip defined between the conveyor belt and a spring loaded nip roller. Sensors are provided for sensing overload conditions for the conveyor and the grip device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for imaging the surface of a substrate through a coating on the substrate. The system includes an infrared light source positioned to cast an infrared light upon the substrate to thereby create reflected light. A focal plane array may be positioned to receive the reflected light and generate an image therefrom. At least one optical filter may be disposed between the substrate and the focal plane array so as to pass only coating transparent wavelengths of the reflected light along an optical path between the infrared light source and the focal plane array thereby visually revealing irregular structural features of the substrate as at least one image.

Abstract: There is provided apparatus for breaking up a cake 5 of compacted laundry. The cake 5 falls from a conveyor 6 into the nip between a pair of spaced star shaped rollers 1 mounted on a frame 2 and driven by a motor and gearing 3. The broken up articles of laundry fall into a transporting means 8 provided below the rollers 1.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for separating an article of laundry from a bundle of articles. The bundle is located in a truck which is clamped into a carriage by a clamping arm or attached to guide rails. The truck is moved by a suitable drive in a controlled manner beneath a grip device which is movable into and out of the truck. The grip device is mounted on a carriage which is movable upwards relative to a frame by a winch and downwards by gravity. The grip device picks the article from the bundle using a dual clamp structure and lifts the article up past an adjacent conveyor which is mounted so as to oscillate about a roller. An air jet means is also provided to blow the article into a nip defined between the conveyor belt and a spring loaded nip roller. Sensors are provided for sensing overload conditions for the conveyor and the grip device.

Abstract: A kit for assembly of exercise apparatus (1) comprising a first major component (2) and a second minor component (3) each with engagement means (22-25) complementary to those on the other and detachably interengagable with each other in alternative mutual orientations of those components (2, 3) so that the assemblage can be arranged and rearranged at will to assume alternative bench, chair or incline configurations.

Abstract: An internet server is provided with a first database of oral hygiene usage information. A user can establish communication with the server, and enter characteristics of an individual (not necessarily the user himself), to extract from the first database information relevant to the individual. The server also maintains a second database of information accumulated concerning oral hygiene of a plurality of individuals. The server can collate this information, for example to generate information comparing the individuals or indicating that a message should be presented or transmitted to the individual.

Abstract: There is provided apparatus for breaking up a cake 5 of compacted laundry. The cake 5 falls from a conveyor 6 into the nip between a pair of spaced star shaped rollers 1 mounted on a frame 2 and driven by a motor and gearing 3. The broken up articles of laundry fall into a transporting means 8 provided below the rollers 1.

Abstract: A method of folding laundry sheets and like articles is provided wherein a single operator drapes one edge across a carriage which is made to retreat from the operator while the latter locates the opposite sheet edge, causes the carriage to return, and drapes said opposite edge over the carriage similarly, repeating the process with the partially folded sheet until a complete set of primary or parallel folds is effected. The sheet is then optionally cross-folded once over a bar which can be removed bearing the thus draped sheet for removal from the bar and manual completion of folding. Apparatus provided for use in the process comprises a horizontally reciprocable carriage capable of retaining a sheet draped thereover, with appropriate drive and control means, and an optional cross-folding bar pivotable down upon the carriage after primary folding, and pivotable away and aside from the carriage with the primary folded sheet folded once across said bar.

Abstract: There is provided a draping conveyor having a narrow upper margin, a flatwork piece feeding means for feeding sequentially flatwork pieces to a draping station, and flatwork piece engaging means for engaging the flatwork piece at the draping station and pushing a portion thereof over the top of the narrow margin of the conveyor as the feeding means continues to operate, so the flatwork piece is draped over the conveyor with a fold located on one side thereof and the confronting portions thereof extending from the fold depending and both exposed on the other side of the conveyor. The draping conveyor is moved first to a sewing station on the opposite sides of which sewing machines are positioned so operators can readily grasp the exposed end portions of the flatwork piece delivered thereto and apply the same to their sewing machines simultaneously.