Abstract: A protective canopy system that may cover vehicles and other types of inventory stored outside is disclosed, and that protects against damage that would otherwise occur from hailstorms or other severe weather is disclosed. The system may include a screen or canopy that is positioned over the inventory by a support system that may include columns.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: A scan window apparatus for defining and identifying a selected scan window within an overall scanable surface of a scanning device. The scanable surface is defined by intersecting first and second edges. The scan window apparatus includes moveable position markers which can be moved along the first and second edges of the scanable surface to thereby define the selected scan window. A scan window illumination device is used to illuminate the selected scan window. The illumination device can be a light source directed towards the scanable surface, or a directed, focused light source to trace at least a portion of a perimeter which defines the scan window. The invention also provides for an optical scanning device having a platen, a scan window identification device allowing a user to define a selected scan window on the platen, and a scan window illumination device to illuminate the selected scan window.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for scanning a bounded scan area within a scanable surface of a scanning device are provided. The present invention includes a plurality of members constructed and arranged to define a scan area on a scanable surface of the scanner, a link for communicating with the control interface of the scanner, and a switch for generating a signal to the control interface to initiate and complete a scan of the bounded scan area defined by the plurality of members. The scanning apparatus and system further provide a method for scanning a bounded scan area, which includes the steps of determining whether the scan area is contained entirely within the enclosed scanable surface, scanning the scanable portion of the scan area if the enclosed scan area is not contained entirely within the scanable surface, and scanning the entire scan area if the scan area is contained entirely within the scanable surface.

Abstract: Apparatus are configured to perform optical scanning functions on scannable objects. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes an imaging portion and a scanning portion, wherein the scanning portion is operatively located below the imaging portion. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes an enclosure, a scan head operatively mounted within the enclosure, and a movable platen that is extensible relative to the enclosure to facilitate placement of scannable objects on the platen. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus can include a sheet feeding mechanism that can be employed to automatically feed image-bearing sheets across the platen for scanning when the platen is retracted in the scan position.

Abstract: A scan window apparatus for defining and identifying a selected scan window within an overall scanable surface of a scanning device. The scanable surface is defined by intersecting first and second edges. The scan window apparatus includes moveable position markers which can be moved along the first and second edges of the scanable surface to thereby define the selected scan window. A scan window illumination device is used to illuminate the selected scan window. The illumination device can be a light source directed towards the scanable surface, or a directed, focused light source to trace at least a portion of a perimeter which defines the scan window. The invention also provides for an optical scanning device having a platen, a scan window identification device allowing a user to define a selected scan window on the platen, and a scan window illumination device to illuminate the selected scan window.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for scanning a bounded scan area within a scanable surface of a scanning device are provided. The present invention includes a plurality of members constructed and arranged to define a scan area on a scanable surface of the scanner, a link for communicating with the control interface of the scanner, and a switch for generating a signal to the control interface to initiate and complete a scan of the bounded scan area defined by the plurality of members.

Abstract: A valve for distributing secondary air from an engine driven pump between the engine exhaust conduit and an accessory device has a valve chamber with an inlet from the air pump and an outlet to the exhaust conduit and a pressure chamber with an outlet to the accessory device and a movable wall biased inward by a spring. A fixed wall between the valve and pressure chambers has a central opening and peripheral openings. A shaft fixed to the movable wall extends through the central opening into the valve chamber and has a valve member on its end for opening and closing the valve chamber outlet. A flexible annular sealing valve member has an inner circular bead sealingly engaging a groove in the shaft, an outer circumferential groove sealingly engaging the periphery of the central opening and an outer peripheral flap valve portion covering the peripheral openings within the pressure chamber to act as a check valve for allowing air flow only from the valve chamber to the pressure chamber.