Abstract: The barrier properties of a water soluble gas barrier material are improved if the material is blended with a nanoparticle calcium carbonate having a size of from 10 to 250 nanometers. The barrier material is on a substrate to provide a substrate with gas barrier properties. A layer of heat sealable material may be applied to the exposed surface of the barrier material. A method for making the barrier coated substrate is disclosed.

Abstract: The barrier properties of a water soluble gas barrier material are improved if the material is blended with a nanoparticle calcium carbonate having a size of from 10 to 250 nanometers. The barrier material is on a substrate to provide a substrate with gas barrier properties. A layer of heat sealable material may be applied to the exposed surface of the barrier material. A method for making the barrier coated substrate is disclosed.

Abstract: The barrier properties of a water soluble gas barrier material are improved if the material is blended with a nanoparticle calcium carbonate having a size of from 10 to 250 nanometers. The barrier material is on a substrate to provide a substrate with gas barrier properties. A layer of heat sealable material may be applied to the exposed surface of the barrier material. A method for making the barrier coated substrate is disclosed.

Abstract: A graphics rendering system and method is disclosed, in which color values for certain pixels appearing on the screen may be adjusted to create a blurring effect. A pixel-by-pixel comparison may be used to compare differences in depth, as noted in a depth buffer, and if pixel depths are sufficiently close, the pixel's color may be softened to take into account color values of neighboring pixels.

Abstract: A fluid level measuring device, also referred to as a dipstick, for measuring the fluid level in a fluid reservoir or tank, such as an oil pan or transmission reservoir in an internal combustion engine. The fluid level measuring device includes a stationary tube onto which lugs can be directly attached. The dipstick assembly includes a fluid level indicator measuring blade attached to an elongated shaft that is molded into a plastic handle assembly. The plastic handle assembly includes a bayonet type locking mechanism for locking the handle to the stationary tube assembly. A compressible seal forms a pressurized seal between the stationary tube assembly and the handle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for plasma-assisted heat treatments are provided. The method can include initiating a heat treating plasma within a cavity (14) by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst (70), heating the object by exposing the object to the plasma, and maintaining exposure of the object to the plasma for a sufficient period to alter at least one material property of the object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for plasma-assisted processing multiple work pieces in a manufacturing line. In one embodiment, the method can include placing the work pieces in movable carriers, moving the carriers on a conveyor into an irradiation zone, flowing a gas into the irradiation zone, igniting the gas in the irradiation zone to form a plasma (e.g., by subjecting the gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst), sustaining the plasma for a period of time sufficient to at least partially plasma process at least one of the work pieces in the irradiation zone, and advancing the conveyor to move the at least one plasma-processed work piece out of the irradiation zone. Various types of plasma catalysts are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method of carburizing a surface region of an object includes subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation, generated from a radiation source (52), in the presence of a plasma catalyst (70) to initiate a plasma containing carbon. The method also includes exposing the surface region of the object to the plasma for a period of time sufficient to transfer at least some of the carbon from the plasma to the object through the first surface region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus to regulate and control the temperature of a differential axle assembly. A heat pipe is inserted though the axle housing with a portion submersed in a reservoir portion of the axle lubricant. Cooling fins are preferably disposed on the heat pipe both in the submersed region of the heat pipe and a portion external the housing. A temperatures sensitive valve provided to inhibit flow of the axle lubricant between a reservoir and the remaining portion of the axle housing.

Abstract: A loading assembly includes an elongated rod connected to a load bearing structure. A ramp is selectively movable toward and away from the rod for attaching and detaching, respectively, with respect to the load bearing structure. A latch is connected to the ramp and movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the ramp. The latch automatically moves from the first position to the second position to trap the rod between the latch and the ramp when the ramp is moved toward the rod and the latch contacts the rod, thereby attaching the ramp with respect to the load-bearing structure. The latch automatically moves from the second position to the first position to release the rod from between the latch and the ramp when the ramp is moved away from the rod, thereby detaching the ramp with respect to the load bearing structure.

Abstract: A fluid level measuring device, also referred to as a dipstick, for measuring the fluid level in a fluid reservoir or tank, such as an oil pan or transmission reservoir in an internal combustion engine. The fluid level measuring device includes a stationary tube assembly in which a rotatable dipstick assembly is disposed. The dipstick assembly includes a fluid level indicator measuring blade attached to an elongated shaft that is molded into a plastic handle assembly. The plastic handle assembly includes a bayonet type locking mechanism for locking the handle to the stationary tube assembly. A compressible seal forms a pressurized seal between the stationary tube assembly and the handle.

Abstract: Coated or uncoated paper having small sized calcium carbonate placed on it has fewer voids than paper without the calcium carbonate place on it. Uncoated paper having small sized calcium carbonate placed on it has greater stiffness than the same weight of paper without calcium carbonate placed on it.

Abstract: A method for making coated or uncoated paper that has small sized calcium carbonate on its surface. The calcium carbonate is placed on the paper web at the size press, by a spray or at a coating operation. The calcium carbonate can have a maximum mean average size of 200 nm. Another embodiment has a maximum mean average size of 100 nm. Another embodiment has a maximum mean average size of 50 nm. Different weight levels may be place on the paper.

Abstract: Coated or uncoated paper that has small sized calcium carbonate on its surface. The calcium carbonate is placed on the paper web at the size press, by a spray or at a coating operation. The calcium carbonate can have a maximum mean average size of 200 nm. Another embodiment has a maximum mean average size of 100 nm. Another embodiment has a maximum mean average size of 50 nm. Different weight levels may be placed on the paper.

Abstract: Coated or uncoated paper that has small sized calcium carbonate on its surface. The calcium carbonate is placed on the paper web at the size press, by a spray or at a coating operation. The calcium carbonate can have a maximum mean average size of 200 nm. Another embodiment has a maximum mean average size of 100 nm. Another embodiment has a maximum mean average size of 50 nm. Different weight levels may be placed on the paper.

Abstract: Coated or uncoated paper having small sized calcium carbonate placed on it has fewer voids than paper without the calcium carbonate place on it. Uncoated paper having small sized calcium carbonate placed on it has greater stiffness than the same weight of paper without calcium carbonate placed on it.

Abstract: A method for making coated or uncoated paper that has small sized calcium carbonate on its surface. The calcium carbonate is placed on the paper web at the size press, by a spray or at a coating operation. The calcium carbonate can have a maximum mean average size of 200 nm. Another embodiment has a maximum mean average size of 100 nm. Another embodiment has a maximum mean average size of 50 nm. Different weight levels may be place on the paper.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus to regulate and control the temperature of a differential axle assembly. A heat pipe is inserted though the axle housing with a portion submersed in axle lubricant. Cooling fins are preferably disposed on the heat pipe both in the submersed region of the heat pipe and a portion external the housing. The heat pipe is preferably secured to and substantially accommodated by a removable cover plate which is in turn secured to the housing. The heat pipe includes an evaporative working fluid to promote heat transfer between the lubricant and external environment.

Abstract: A technique for performing a time slot interchange in a processor. The TSI process is surrounded by a multiplexing/demultiplexing circuit for converting a plurality of PCM highways into a single input serial data stream. The mux/demux circuit includes elastic stores to align frames and shift resisters to mux/demux with a minimum of delay. The TSI processor includes an input and an output buffered series port, a pair of input buffers, one to receive even-numbered frames from the PCM highways and one to receive odd-numbered frames, and an output buffer. Data is read from the appropriate input buffer in a non-sequential fashion as commanded by the processor in accordance with information stored in connection arrays (address buffers). The data is then written to the output buffer sequentially. The timing of the reading and writing steps is optimized relative to free running buffered serial port pointers for each BSP to reduce the frame delay.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a telephone exchange and a customer services terminal whose input is connected to the telephone exchange, and whose plural outputs are individually connected to one of a plurality of telephone lines. A plurality of interface circuits within the customer services terminal are individually connected intermediate the input and one of the plural outputs. Self-test means provides for the testing of selected interface circuits. Loop-test means provides for the testing of selected telephone lines. A self-test relay is responsive to the self-test means and operates to disconnect the selected outputs from corresponding telephone lines as self-test conditions are applied to selected interface circuits as these interface circuits are disconnected from the selected telephone lines. The loop test means applies loop-test conditions to selected interface circuits, while the selected interface circuits and the corresponding outputs remain connected to the corresponding telephone lines.