Abstract: A flat illuminator, which may utilize a plurality of batteries and may support multiple LED illumination sources, also suited for multi-layered assembly with a momentary on/off switch formed therein. Encoded data and/or a key blank may also be combined with the flat illuminator.

Abstract: A flat illuminator with a flexible switching arm that connects a battery power supply to an LED illumination source. Multi-layered construction combined with conductive inks, wires or foils are used to link the battery and LED illumination source while maintaining a thin credit card-like profile.

Abstract: A light for use with computers containing one or more light emitting diodes on one or more flexible necks which is powered via the computers USB or IEEE 1394 port. An auxiliary USB or IEEE 1394 port may be combined with the plug-in light to allow for additional devices top be connected through the same port powering the light.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that efficiently compound high levels of inorganic filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer at a commercial rate into homogeneous filled and devolatilized silicone compositions. In the method, filled silicone compositions are compounded by compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a first compounding apparatus to produce a first dispersed composition and simultaneously compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a second compounding apparatus that shares a common extruder shaft with the first compounding apparatus to produce a second dispersed composition. The system comprises a first compounding apparatus and a sequential second compounding apparatus that shares a common shaft with the first compounding apparatus.

Abstract: A flat illuminator, which may utilize a plurality of batteries and may support multiple LED illumination sources, adapted for high volume assembly with a momentary on/off switch formed therein. Encoded data and/or a key blank may also be combined with the flat illuminator.

Abstract: The present invention provides perpendicular recording media having a soft magnetic underlayer and magnetic regions which generate an external magnetic field in the soft magnetic underlayer. The soft magnetic underlayer is brought into a substantially single-domain state by the magnetic field, thereby reducing or eliminating unwanted noise in the soft underlayer. In a preferred embodiment, the recording medium includes a ring-shaped soft magnetic underlayer positioned between concentric ring-shaped magnetic regions.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that efficiently compound high levels of inorganic filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer at a commercial rate into homogeneous filled and devolatilized silicone compositions. In the method, filled silicone compositions are compounded by compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a first compounding apparatus to produce a first dispersed composition and simultaneously compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a second compounding apparatus that shares a common extruder shaft with the first compounding apparatus to produce a second dispersed composition. The system comprises a first compounding apparatus and a sequential second compounding apparatus that shares a common shaft with the first compounding apparatus.

Abstract: A flat illuminator, which may have a replaceable battery power supply and with a sliding inner body forming an “on” and “off” switch.

Abstract: Extrusion of a mixture of an ester-substituted diaryl carbonate, such as bis(methyl salicyl) carbonate, a dihydroxy aromatic compound such as bisphenol A and a transesterification catalyst such as tetrabutylphosphonium acetate (TBPA) affords polycarbonate having a weight average molecular weight of greater than 20,000 daltons. The extruder is equipped with one or more vacuum vents to remove by-product ester-substituted phenol. Similarly, a precursor polycarbonate having ester-substituted phenoxy endgroups, for example methyl salicyl endgroups, when subjected to extrusion affords a polycarbonate having a significantly increased molecular weight relative to the precursor polycarbonate. The reaction to form a higher molecular weight polycarbonate may be catalyzed by residual transesterification catalyst present in the precursor polycarbonate, or by a combination of any residual catalyst and an additional catalyst such as TBPA introduced in the extrusion step.

Abstract: A laser device which produces one or more wavelengths of pulsed diffuse laser light that can be direcetd at a target to produce a diffuse laser illumination, and a method of illuminating and viewing a target with the reflection from one or more wavelengths of diffuse laser light refelcted off a target.

Abstract: Solid material, e.g., coal, is upgraded, e.g., the water content reduced and the BTU value increased, by a method comprising the steps of: (a) supplying the solid material to a reactor; (b) heating the solid material in the reactor under water saturation pressure conditions and removing water from the solid material; and (c) cooling the solid material by depressurising the solid material under water saturation conditions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating a solid material in a process vessel are disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) supplying a charge of the solid material to the vessel to form a packed bed; (b) supplying a fluid to the packed bed to pressurise the contents of the vessel; (c) supplying steam to the vessel to heat the solid material in the packed bed by indirect heat exchange while maintaining the contents of the vessel under pressure; and (d) controlling the operating conditions in step (c). The operating conditions in step (c) are controlled to transfer heat to the solid material and allow water in the solid material to be removed as a liquid phase in a first “wet” stage of the method and to transfer heat to the solid material to boil at least a part of the remaining water from the solid material as a vapor phase in a second “dry” stage of the method.

Abstract: A billiard type game is provided including a table having a top face and a plurality of pockets. The top face is divided into a plurality of zones, and the plurality of zones include neutral zones being demarcated by a first color marked on the top face. First player zones are demarcated by a second color marked on the top face. Second player zones are demarcated by a third color marked on the top face.

Abstract: A light for use with computers containing light emitting diodes, which may be directional, on one or more movable supports which is powered via the computer's USB or IEEE 1394 port. An auxiliary USB or IEEE 1394 port may be combined with the plug-in light to allow for additional devices to be connected through the same port powering the light.

Abstract: High levels of silica, processing fluid and high molecular weight silicone polymer are compounded into a homogeneous silica filled composition without forming a preconcentrate of fumed silica and polymer. A fumed silica is fed into a unitary continuous compounding apparatus at a first location prior to addition of the silicone polymer. The fumed silica is then compounded with the silicone polymer, which is fed into the compounding apparatus at a location down-stream in the compounding apparatus from the first location. The compounding apparatus can be a co-rotating, intermeshing double screw extruder.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that efficiently compound high levels of inorganic filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer at a commercial rate into homogeneous filled and devolatilized silicone compositions. In the method, filled silicone compositions are compounded by compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a first compounding apparatus to produce a first dispersed composition and simultaneously compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a second compounding apparatus that shares a common extruder shaft with the first compounding apparatus to produce a second dispersed composition. The system comprises a first compounding apparatus and a sequential second compounding apparatus that shares a common shaft with the first compounding apparatus.

Abstract: A flat card shaped illuminator with an on/off switch integrally formed therein. The flat card shaped light is adapted to a variety of uses and the on/off switch may be momentary or latching. One or more LEDs may be incorporated therein and the batteries may be removable.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that efficiently compound high levels of inorganic filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer at a commercial rate into homogeneous filled and devolatilized silicone compositions. In the method, filled silicone compositions are compounded by compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a first compounding apparatus to produce a first dispersed composition and simultaneously compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a second compounding apparatus that shares a common extruder shaft with the first compounding apparatus to produce a second dispersed composition. The system comprises a first compounding apparatus and a sequential second compounding apparatus that shares a common shaft with the first compounding apparatus.

Abstract: A laser device which directs one or more wavelengths of pulsed diffuse laser light at a target to produce a diffuse laser illumination, and a method of illuminating and viewing a target with the reflection from one or more wavelengths of diffuse laser light reflected off a target.

Abstract: A laser illuminator which produces a diffuse coherent output. The energy of the diffuse output may be controlled with a variable current switch and a pinpoint targeting laser may be added to provide illumination and targeting capabilities.