Abstract: In an embodiment, a soldering tip is configured for a number of solder pads at a number of radial locations and includes a soldering head, a shank, and a number of soldering feet. The soldering head is made of a thermally-conductive, corrosion-resistant material. The soldering head defines an upper head surface and a curved forward extension, the curved forward extension descending from the upper surface. The curved forward extension is lengthwise convexly curved and defines an extension face obverse to the upper head surface. The shank is coupled to the upper head surface of the soldering head and is configured to operatively couple with a soldering iron. The shank is made of a thermally conductive material. The soldering feet are operatively coupled to and protrude from the extension face. The soldering feet are configured to transfer bonding energy to the corresponding solder pads.

Abstract: An espresso machine that includes a group control head for controlling the brewing and dispensing of espresso drinks. The group control head is in communication with a controller and memory. The combination is arranged to selectively record into the memory the brewing parameters during the dosing of espresso. A subsequent operation of the group control head then enables the controller to recall the recorded parameters such that the previous brewing conditions are replicated. Associated methods for recording the parameters under control of the group control head are also described.

Abstract: An espresso machine that includes a group control head for controlling the brewing and dispensing of espresso drinks. In particular, the group control head includes a novel arrangement of proximity switches, magnets, and centering post that allows for a more efficient workflow in the controlling, automating, and duplicating the brewing of multiple doses of espresso. An associated method for using the group control head is also described.

Abstract: An espresso machine that includes a group control head for controlling the brewing and dispensing of espresso drinks. The group control head controls the saving of espresso brewing parameters into memory for later use. The group control head also controls the transfer of the saved parameters from memory into the memory of a different group head for use at that head. Thus, an optimal set of brew parameters can be replicated throughout the espresso machine.

Abstract: An espresso machine that includes a group control head for controlling the brewing and dispensing of espresso drinks. In particular, the group control head includes a novel arrangement of proximity switches, magnets, and centering post that allows for a more efficient workflow in the controlling, automating, and duplicating the brewing of multiple doses of espresso. An associated method for using the group control head is also described.

Abstract: An espresso machine that includes a group control head for controlling the brewing and dispensing of espresso drinks. The group control head is in communication with a controller and memory. The combination is arranged to selectively record into the memory the brewing parameters during the dosing of espresso. A subsequent operation of the group control head then enables the controller to recall the recorded parameters such that the previous brewing conditions are replicated. Associated methods for recording the parameters under control of the group control head are also described.

Abstract: A method for preparing a class of highly stabilized and soil-dispersible nanoparticles and using the nanoparticles as a remediation technology for immobilizing toxic metals at toxic metal contaminated sites. The method employs a composition containing select polysaccharides (starch or cellulose) as a stabilizer for the nanoparticles in a liquid carrier, and results in suspensions of nanoparticles of desired size and mobility in water, soils or sediments. The stabilizer can facilitate controlling the dispersibility of the nanoparticles in the liquid carrier. An effective amount of the composition is delivered to a contaminated site so that the nanoparticles can immobilize one or more toxic metals of the contaminated site.

Abstract: Described herein are inkjet inks that are substantially free of volatile organic compounds, or have a relatively small amount of volatile organic compounds, that are considered to significantly contribute to the formation of ground level ozone. The inkjet inks include at least one resin selected from the group consisting of a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin and a copolyester resin; at least one colorant; and a solvent mixture that includes acetone and at least one additional solvent selected from the group consisting of tertiary butyl acetate and parachlorobenzotrifluoride. Also described are methods of printing indicia with inkjet inks.

Abstract: Inkjet inks that include a solvent, a thermoplastic resin, a urethane resin ,a first colorant, and a second colorant. When printed onto a surface of an article, the first and second colorant migrate into the article, thereby producing a resilient image. Also described methods of applying indicia with the inkjet inks and articles that include an image printed with the inkjet inks.

Abstract: A method for preparing a class of highly stabilized and soil-dispersible nanoparticles and using the nanoparticles as a remediation technology for immobilizing toxic metals at toxic metal contaminated sites. The method employs a composition containing select polysaccharides (starch or cellulose) as a stabilizer for the nanoparticles in a liquid carrier, and results in suspensions of nanoparticles of desired size and mobility in water, soils or sediments. The stabilizer can facilitate controlling the dispersibility of the nanoparticles in the liquid carrier. An effective amount of the composition is delivered to a contaminated site so that the nanoparticles can immobilize one or more toxic metals of the contaminated site.

Abstract: Inkjet inks that include a solvent, a thermoplastic resin, a urethane resin, a first colorant, and a second colorant. When printed onto a surface of an article, the first and second colorant migrate into the article, thereby producing a resilient image. Also described methods of applying indicia with the inkjet inks and articles that include an image printed with the inkjet inks.

Abstract: An axial or centrifugal flow compressor having arrays of blades (16) extending across a working medium flowpath (18) includes a casing treatment for enhancing the compressor's fluid dynamic stability. The casing treatment features a circumferentially extending compartment (62), typically comprising a voluminous pressure compensation chamber (64) and a single passage (66) circumferentially coextensive with the chamber, for establishing fluid communication between the chamber and the flowpath. The voluminous character of the compartment attenuates the circumferential pressure difference across the tips of heavily loaded compressor blades (16), making the compressor less susceptible to tip vortex induced instabilities. In one embodiment of the invention, a passage (66) is oriented so that any fluid discharged from the passage enters the flowpath with a streamwise directional component.

Abstract: An axial flow or centrifugal flow compressor having arrays of blades (16) extending across a working medium flowpath (18) includes a casing treatment for enhancing the compressor's fluid dynamic stability. In one variant of the invention the casing treatment comprises one or more circumferentially extending grooves (40) that each receive indigenous fluid from the compressor flowpath at a fluid extraction site (56) and discharge indigenous fluid into the flowpath at a fluid injection site (58), circumferentially offset from the extraction site, where the migrated fluid is better able to advance against an adverse pressure gradient in the flowpath. Each groove is oriented so that the discharged fluid enters the flowpath with a streamwise directional component that promotes efficient and reliable integration of the introduced fluid into the flowpath fluid stream (20).

Abstract: An ice guide that snap fits into a water tank of an ice making section of an ice manufacturing machine. The ice guide includes a lattice structure having a pair of substantially parallel first sides and substantially parallel second sides that are perpendicular to the first sides. The lattice structure defines an aperture in a center thereof and has a plurality of rows radiating from the center in an arcuate manner. Each row includes a plurality of spaced rails with each rail having a longitudinal axis directed toward the aperture. Also, a band bounds the rows, wherein the band at each of the first and second sides is positioned at a non-planar altitude higher relative to a horizontal plane passing through the center of the aperture to form a slope along which the dropped ice slides as the ice is directed into a storage bin below.

Abstract: An ice guide that snap fits into a water tank of an ice making section of an ice manufacturing machine. The ice guide includes a lattice structure having a pair of substantially parallel first sides and substantially parallel second sides that are perpendicular to the first sides. The lattice structure defines an aperture in a center thereof and has a plurality of rows radiating from the center in an arcuate manner. Each row includes a plurality of spaced rails with each rail having a longitudinal axis directed toward the aperture. Also, a band bounds the rows, wherein the band at each of the first and second sides is positioned at a non-planar altitude higher relative to a horizontal plane passing through the center of the aperture to form a slope along which the dropped ice slides as the ice is directed into a storage bin below.

Abstract: A water tank including a frusto-conical support hat portion and a tub portion. The tub portion having a support mound that includes a first section and a second section extending from the first section. The first section has a width larger than a width of the second section such that a ledge is formed between the first and second sections. The second section has a rectangular aperture formed therein that permits the manufactured ice to pass therethrough. The support hat portion has a support mound that has a width no larger than the width of the first section. An integral support system includes the support hat nestingly engaging the tub portion from a bottom portion of the tub portion to provide a central support for an ice guide placed on the water tank.

Abstract: An axial flow or centrifugal flow compressor having arrays of blades (16) extending across a working medium flowpath (18) includes a casing treatment for enhancing the compressor's fluid dynamic stability. In one variant of the invention the casing treatment comprises one or more circumferentially extending grooves (40) that each receive indigenous fluid from the compressor flowpath at a fluid extraction site (56) and discharge indigenous fluid into the flowpath at a fluid injection site (58), circumferentially offset from the extraction site, where the migrated fluid is better able to advance against an adverse pressure gradient in the flowpath. Each groove is oriented so that the discharged fluid enters the flowpath with a streamwise directional component that promotes efficient and reliable integration of the introduced fluid into the flowpath fluid stream (20).

Abstract: Two identical plates somewhat in the shape of very large eyeglass frames sandwiching two rotable discs, one for each eye, form the front section of the device. Each disc has a series of magnifying lenses of increasing power which can be brought into the eye openings in the plate when the discs are rotated and allow the user to focus on a group of alphbetical characters of a predetermined size and at a predetermined distance from the lenses at the end of a view tunnel. The strength of the lenses required for focusing can then be read from the disc where it is clearly indicated next to each lens. These lens strengths correspond to the power of reading glasses sold non-prescription in most drug stores.