Abstract: A customized, specialty-oriented database and index, of a subject matter area and methods for constructing and using such a database are provided. Selection and indexing of articles is done by experts in the topic with which the database is concerned. As a result, articles are indexed in a manner that allows facile, rapid retrieval of highly relevant articles with few or no false positives with much reduced database maintenance cost through frugal limitation of number of documents in the database, number of terms in a Master Index, and number of codes assigned to each document. A thesaurus allows indexing and search in accordance with terminology familiar to different anticipated groups of users (e.g. doctors, patients, nurses, technicians, and the like). Key articles collections and rapid access to documents therein are also provided.

Abstract: A method (and system) for generating a structured representation from an unstructured description includes receiving, by a computer, an unstructured description, and generating, by the computer, a structured representation based upon the unstructured description.

Abstract: A customized, specialty-oriented database and index, of a subject matter area and methods for constructing and using such a database are provided. Selection and indexing of articles is done by experts in the topic with which the database is concerned. As a result, articles are indexed in a manner that allows facile, rapid retrieval of highly relevant articles with few or no false positives with much reduced database maintenance cost through frugal limitation of number of documents in the database, number of terms in a Master Index, and number of codes assigned to each document. A thesaurus allows indexing and search in accordance with terminology familiar to different anticipated groups of users (e.g. doctors, patients, nurses, technicians, and the like). Key articles collections and rapid access to documents therein are also provided.

Abstract: A customized, specialty-oriented database and index of a subject matter area and methods for constructing and using such a database are provided. Selection and indexing of articles is done by experts in the topic with which the database is concerned. As a result, articles are indexed in a manner that allows facile, rapid retrieval of highly relevant articles with few or no false positives with much reduced database maintenance cost through frugal limitation of number of documents in the database, number of terms in a Master Index, and number of codes assigned to each document. A thesaurus allows indexing and search in accordance with terminology familiar to different anticipated groups of users (e.g. doctors, patients, nurses, technicians, and the like). Key articles collections and rapid access to documents therein are also provided.

Abstract: A rebar forming apparatus includes a malleable material supply station for continuously supplying a malleable planar material and a malleable material forming station for forming the malleable material into first and second corresponding shell portions and related rebar products. The apparatus also includes a core pultrusion station and a cladding forming station for respectively forming core and cladding layers. A shell forming station is positioned downstream of the core and cladding forming stations which unites the first and second shell portions to form an outer shell with the core and cladding layers contained therein. The rebar product includes shell portions which are matably configured to form a disposable outer shell over the core and cladding layers. Related reinforcing composite product forming methods also include the use of a removable outer shell.

Abstract: A rebar forming apparatus includes a malleable material supply station for continuously supplying a malleable planar material and a malleable material forming station for forming the malleable material into first and second corresponding shell portions and related rebar products. The apparatus also includes a core pultrusion station and a cladding forming station for respectively forming core and cladding layers. A shell forming station is positioned downstream of the core and cladding forming stations which unites the first and second shell portions to form an outer shell with the core and cladding layers contained therein. The rebar product includes shell portions which are matably configured to form a disposable outer shell over the core and cladding layers. Related reinforcing composite product forming methods also include the use of a removable outer shell.

Abstract: A rebar forming apparatus includes a malleable material supply station for continuously supplying a malleable planar material and a malleable material forming station for forming the malleable material into first and second corresponding shell portions and related rebar products. The apparatus also includes a core pultrusion station and a cladding forming station for respectively forming core and cladding layers. A shell forming station is positioned downstream of the core and cladding forming stations which unites the first and second shell portions to form an outer shell with the core and cladding layers contained therein. The rebar product includes shell portions which are matably configured to form a disposable outer shell over the core and cladding layers. Related reinforcing composite product forming methods also include the use of a removable outer shell.

Abstract: A rebar forming apparatus includes a malleable material supply station for continuously supplying a malleable planar material and a malleable material forming station for forming the malleable material into first and second corresponding shell portions and related rebar products. The apparatus also includes a core pultrusion station and a cladding forming station for respectively forming core and cladding layers. A shell forming station is positioned downstream of the core and cladding forming stations which unites the first and second shell portions to form an outer shell with the core and cladding layers contained therein. The rebar product includes shell portions which are matably configured to form a disposable outer shell over the core and cladding layers. Related reinforcing composite product forming methods also include the use of a removable outer shell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a transfer sheet for selectively transferring a transfer layer to xerographic images on a receiving substrate such as paper. The preferred transfer sheet comprises, in successive layers, a carrier film, a metallic film and an adhesive, the adhesive containing a dispersion of 0.5 micron or larger particulate material. In the preferred embodiment, the invention comprising an assembly for use in the process of making a selective transfer to xerographic images on sheet material. The assembly comprises a backing sheet, a transfer sheet and a connector (such as a length of adhesive tape) securing the backing sheet to the transfer sheet at the leading edge of the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a metal foil transfer sheet for selectively transferring metallic foil to xerographic images on a receiving substrate such as paper. The transfer sheet comprises, in successive layers, a carrier film, a metallic film and an adhesive, the adhesive containing a dispersion of 0.5 micron or larger particulate material. In the preferred embodiment, the invention comprising an assembly for a metal foil transfer sheet and a backing sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for selectively transferring metallic foil and xerographic images on a receiving substrate such as paper. The method generally comprises providing a transfer sheet (including a metallic film) and a receiving substrate (including xerographic images disposed thereon.) The receiving substrate is placed in face-to-face contact with the transfer sheet to form a sandwich with the xerographic images on the inside. the sandwich is then fed through an apparatus, where heat and pressure are applied, causing the xerographic images to tackify and causing the metal film from the transfer sheet to selectively adhere to the xerographic images.

Abstract: An embossing roller has protruding lands extending radially outward from the surface of the roller to provide corresponding indentations in a thermoplastic surface to which the roller may be applied. A layer of resilient material underlies the lands so that when the roller is rolled over an irregular surface, individual lands, or groups of lands, may be depressed different amounts so that embossing indentations are formed in all portions of the surface. By applying adequate pressure to the roller, all of the lands are depressed at their points of contact when in contact with the surface if the surface is flat and regular. The lands are forced by action of the resilient material into contact with the bottom of any slight concavity in the surface and adapt to any slight convexity. In some embodiments, lands protrude outwardly from metal rings which encircle the roller. In other embodiments, lands are supported directly by the resilient material.