Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: Disclosed is a die press with a base, at least two cam members spaced from the base, an upper platen located between the base and the two cam members to define a space for a die, the upper platen being generally parallel to the base, the upper platen also being attached to the two cam members so that when the two cam members are actuated, the upper platen is moveable relative to the base, and a linkage connecting the two cam members so that the two cam members move in unison relative to each other when actuated.

Abstract: A portable roller press having removable cartridge rollers provides for reconfiguration through exchange of the cartridge. The die press housing includes a shell having an opening configured to receive a cartridge having one or more rollers, which may be configured to provide a desired operation. The housing can include a handle that is configured to couple with a connector on the cartridge to transfer rotational forces to the cartridge rollers. The housing can also include a base having a surface substantially aligned with a working area of the cartridge when it is inserted into the housing. One or more extendable surfaces can be coupled to the housing at the base and can be extended to increase the surface of the base. The extendable surfaces can each have one or more feet on the underside to support the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: A portable roller press can be configured with a suction base to stabilize the press during operation. The suction base can allow for the roller press to remain stationary when feeding cutting or embossing dies or templates through the rollers. Substantially the entire bottom surface of the roller press can correspond to the suction base. The suction base can be configured to be generally rectangular or generally oval or circular. The spacing between the roller can be maintained to a desired tolerance that is based on a working height of corresponding cutting or embossing dies or templates. A crankshaft distinct from a roller shaft can be used to transfer rotational forces to the rollers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an embossing and crease die that includes a base portion having a top surface with a recessed area, the recessed area has a plurality of channels defining a shape. The crease die further includes an insert portion having a body with a bottom surface that is adapted to be inserted into the recessed area of the base portion. The insert further includes a plurality of protrusions that are adapted to be inserted into the plurality of channels. The top surface of the base portion is adapted to provide resistance to the bottom surface of the insert portion when the insert portion is inserted in the recessed area of the base so as to prevent the plurality of protrusions from contacting the plurality of channels so that the insert portion and the base portion do not crush a working medium, such as paper or the like.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for organizing and loading orthodontic appliances, for example orthodontic brackets, onto set-up trays. The system includes an organizer tray which holds a set-up tray in a fixed orientation, and also holds a plurality of packages of orthodontic brackets in predetermined relationships to bracket staging areas on the set-up tray. Bracket packages and the organizer tray are configured so that the brackets are presented in the same orientation, when in their packages held by the organizer tray, as they will have when transferred to the set-up tray. As a result, the brackets can be loaded onto the set-up tray from the packages without re-orientation. The organizer tray has a storage base that holds supplies of packages of the different brackets of a given set so that the organizer tray can be reloaded with packages. Preferred organizer tray and package configurations are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a die press that includes a base and an opposing upper platen, one of the base or the upper platen being moveable relative to the other, the base having at least one lateral side, a retaining clip attached to the lateral side, wherein the first and second base extensions together with the base define a cavity, and wherein the grooves in the first and second base extensions are adapted for movement of a shuttle into and from the working area between the upper platen and the base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a die press, comprising a base, opposing first and second supports extending from the base, at least one cam member that is supported by the opposing supports, means for rotating the cam member, at least one bearing located on the cam member, a platen positioned generally between the at least one bearing and the base, and a cover being unitary with the platen, the cover being slidably engaged with the opposing supports to guide the platen during operation of the die press.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thin die adapted to be used in a press. The die disclosed herein includes a base or backing portion that provides rigidity to the die assembly. The base includes an indentation defining a boarder around the peripheral edge of the base. A thin die is housed in the indentation of the base and the thin die is adhered to the indentation of the base by an adhesive. The thin die is positioned in the indentation of the base so that raised portions of the thin die are facing away from the indentation in the base to allow the thin die to cut into a sheet material. Ejection foam is adhered to the raised portion side of the thin die by an adhesive so that the ejection foam protects the raised portion of the thin die and provides an ejection means of the cut shape out of the sheet material. Also disclosed is a die and press system utilizing the thin die disclosed herein. Included in the system is a die press, which may be a platen die press or a roller die press.

Abstract: Disclosed as a storage tray for dies including a base portion that has a plurality of slots adapted to receive the dies, a cover portion adapted to be rotatably coupled to the base portion at the rear of the base portion, a hinge groove formed at the rear of the base portion, a hinge boss formed at the rear of the cover portion, wherein the hinge boss is adapted to engage the hinge groove and the hinge boss and the hinge groove form a hinge and the hinge cover is coupled to the hinge portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array. A key feature of the invention is the correlation of the sequence of optical signals generated by each microparticle in the planar array during the analytical process.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: A high quality image scanner is provided which processes multiple scanned images into a composite image with a large dynamic range. The two scanned images are processed to identify maximum local similarity.