Abstract: The invention is directed to a hatch arrangement for a motor vehicle, the hatch arrangement having a hatch leaf movable between an open hatch position and a closed hatch position, and a cinching catch for engaging a cinching striker of the motor vehicle, which cinching catch is movably coupled to the hatch leaf, and a hatch drive arrangement for moving the hatch leaf. The hatch drive arrangement is coupled with the cinching catch for moving the cinching catch. The invention is also directed to a hatch drive arrangement for such a hatch arrangement.

Abstract: A mandrel for the winding of wire includes a central element and segments radially extending about and respectively coupled to the central element by rotatable arms that permit the segments to assume a collapsed position and an extended position Inner surfaces of the segments define slots in which ends of the arms extend. One segment also defines a radially extending groove on an outer surface of that segment which intersects with the slot of that segment to define an opening through the segment. A resilient pad is fixed in the slot of that segment and has a face located at the opening and adjacent a surface of an arm coupling that segment to the central element. A wire is threaded into the opening and held in place when the arms are rotated to cause the segments to assume the extended position. Methods using the mandrel are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hatch arrangement for a motor vehicle, the hatch arrangement having a hatch leaf movable between an open hatch position and a closed hatch position, and a cinching catch for engaging a cinching striker of the motor vehicle, which cinching catch is movably coupled to the hatch leaf, and a hatch drive arrangement for moving the hatch leaf. The hatch drive arrangement is coupled with the cinching catch for moving the cinching catch. The invention is also directed to a hatch drive arrangement for such a hatch arrangement.

Abstract: A mandrel for the winding of wire includes a central element and segments radially extending about and respectively coupled to the central element by rotatable arms that permit the segments to assume a collapsed position and an extended position Inner surfaces of the segments define slots in which ends of the arms extend. One segment also defines a radially extending groove on an outer surface of that segment which intersects with the slot of that segment to define an opening through the segment. A resilient pad is fixed in the slot of that segment and has a face located at the opening and adjacent a surface of an arm coupling that segment to the central element. A wire is threaded into the opening and held in place when the arms are rotated to cause the segments to assume the extended position. Methods using the mandrel are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting plant material based on the presence or absence of a visual marker on the plant material. The visible marker may be a visible genetic color marker in the corn seed which is used in double haploid breeding. The absence or presence of the visible marker identifies correctly pollinated seeds as well as putative haploid seeds.

Abstract: A trolley for moving heavy objects such as wire coils from a machine to a container at a packaging table is provided. The trolley includes spring-loaded spaced arms movably mounted for vertical height adjustment so that the arms are just below the coil when it is on the machine and rotational movement to separate the spaced arms with the spaced arms retaining the heavy object during movement of the trolley apparatus, and locking arms engaging the spaced arms during movement of the trolley apparatus to prevent separation thereof. The spring-loaded arms permit the heavy object to be manually pushed downward therebetween, thereby forcing the arms apart enabling the object to fall from the trolley into a container on a packaging table. The table includes a platform for supporting the container, a motor for raising/lowering the platform, and a mechanism for retaining the container and aiding its alignment with the coil.

Abstract: Heat isolation apparatus for capturing a specific area of heat-shrinkable plastic film used for packaging objects suitable for packaging as a heat-shrinkable package to prevent heat from reaching a specific area of the heat-shrinkable plastic film; a slotted track for transporting the heat-shrinkable plastic film and object to be packaged throughout the heat isolation apparatus; means for inserting the heat-shrinkable plastic film in an area of the heat isolation apparatus for capturing a portion of the heat-shrinkable plastic film that forms a designated area removed from the application of heat; means for propelling the heat-shrinkable plastic film and object to be packaged through the heat isolation apparatus; heat tunnel means for applying heat to the heat-shrinkable plastic film surrounding the object to be packaged and not to the plastic film captured by the apparatus; the means for propelling moving the object and heat-shrinkable plastic film to the heat tunnel; and means for securely capturing the des

Abstract: A trolley for moving heavy objects such as wire coils from a machine to a container at a packaging table is provided. The trolley includes spring-loaded spaced arms movably mounted for vertical height adjustment so that the arms are just below the coil when it is on the machine and rotational movement to separate the spaced arms with the spaced arms retaining the heavy object during movement of the trolley apparatus, and locking arms engaging the spaced arms during movement of the trolley apparatus to prevent separation thereof. The spring-loaded arms permit the heavy object to be manually pushed downward therebetween, thereby forcing the arms apart enabling the object to fall from the trolley into a container on a packaging table. The table includes a platform for supporting the container, a motor for raising/lowering the platform, and a mechanism for retaining the container and aiding its alignment with the coil.

Abstract: A trolley for moving heavy objects such as wire coils from a machine to a container at a packaging table is provided. The trolley includes spring-loaded spaced arms movably mounted for vertical height adjustment so that the arms are just below the coil when it is on the machine and rotational movement to separate the spaced arms with the spaced arms retaining the heavy object during movement of the trolley apparatus, and locking arms engaging the spaced arms during movement of the trolley apparatus to prevent separation thereof. The spring-loaded arms permit the heavy object to be manually pushed downward therebetween, thereby forcing the arms apart enabling the object to fall from the trolley into a container on a packaging table. The table includes a platform for supporting the container, a motor for raising/lowering the platform, and a mechanism for retaining the container and aiding its alignment with the coil.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing heat-shrinkable packaging with an integrated hand-hold with a circuitous path extending from an input loading/unloading zone, a section where the open portion of a heat-shrinkable bag is sealed shut and creating a container in which an object is enclosed, a section in which heat is applied directly to exposed areas of the plastic film of the package for sealing the package, and a section of path enabling the package to cool; trolley apparatus for supporting the package and engaging the circuitous path for movement of the package along the circuitous path; and protrusions positioned along the circuitous path for propelling the device along the designated track route.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for brewing coffee in conjunction with an electro-conductivity sensor. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting plant material based on the presence or absence of a visual marker on the plant material. The visible marker may be a visible genetic color marker in the corn seed which is used in double haploid breeding. The absence or presence of the visible marker identifies correctly pollinated seeds as well as putative haploid seeds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting plant material based on the presence or absence of a visual marker on the plant material. The visible marker may be a visible genetic color marker in the corn seed which is used in double haploid breeding. The absence or presence of the visible marker identifies correctly pollinated seeds as well as putative haploid seeds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting plant material based on the presence or absence of a visual marker on the plant material. The visible marker may be a visible genetic color marker in the corn seed which is used in double haploid breeding. The absence or presence of the visible marker identifies correctly pollinated seeds as well as putative haploid seeds.

Abstract: A method of using an injection mold assembly to fabricate a bulkhead fitting. The method includes using a core plate, aperture plate and a pair of slide blocks to form the mold assembly which contains the mold cavity. The aperture plate, which has an opening through the plate, is positioned within the assembly such that the fitting, which is molded within the mold cavity, does not contain a parting line across the sealing surface and o-ring groove of the fitting.

Abstract: Methods and materials involved in detecting fungi in human samples are provided herein.

Abstract: A wireless classroom response system includes multiple wireless networks, each serving a different classroom. Each network has a computer located proximate to the classroom that the wireless network serves. The computer executes a communications server and an application program, wherein the application program facilitates classroom activities. The system also includes a wireless access point located proximate to the classroom. The wireless access point is communicatively linked to the computer. The system also has a plurality of handheld units. Each handheld unit displays, to a user, a list of the networks, and receives a user input indicating which one of the wireless networks the handheld unit should connect. The handheld unit connects to the chosen wireless network, thereby becoming a node in the wireless network. It also transmits data to the application program via the wireless access point and the communications server.

Abstract: An audience response system is provided. In various implementations, the response system includes a base station, handheld units, and a wireless network. The response system may have a prompted mode and an unprompted mode of operation. In the prompted mode of operation, the base station transmits questions to the handheld units over the wireless network. The questions are displayed to users on their handheld units. The users respond to the question, and their responses are transmitted to the base station via the wireless network. In the unprompted mode, answer templates are transmitted and displayed to the users, with the actual questions being conveyed in some other manner, such as verbally or by written handout.