Abstract: A device for treating a target surface, such as occurs when cleaning a window. The device has a squeegee blade or other member to apply pressure to the target surface. A sheet movably covers the blade, to present a fresh covering to the target surface with each use. The fresh surface provides for improved removal of the liquid from, or improved treatment of the liquid on, the target surface. Additionally a sheet may comprise a prewetted substrate to apply the liquid to the target surface. One or both of the sheets may be disposed in a cartridge insertable to and removable from the device.

Abstract: A device for treating a target surface, such as occurs when cleaning a window. The device has a squeegee blade or other member to apply pressure to the target surface. A sheet movably covers the blade, to present a fresh covering to the target surface with each use. The fresh surface provides for improved removal of the liquid from, or improved treatment of the liquid on, the target surface. Additionally or alternatively, the sheet may comprise a prewetted substrate to apply the liquid to the target surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor for the biological processing of fluid such as domestic or industrial waste water or the like, the reactor comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal layers of growth medium stacked one above the other, and having a colonizing biofilm thereon during use, the reactor being arranged to cause the path of flow of the fluid to reverse from one layer to the next, in order to maximize the length of the path of flow for a given footprint of the reactor.

Abstract: An imaging system. An array of light sources and an array of lenses corresponding to the light sources and having optical axes substantially parallel to one another are provided. The lenses produce collimated output beams. An afocal optical relay having an optical axis substantially parallel to the optical axes of the lenses is also included, the array of lenses being positioned relative to the afocal optical relay so as to form an optical system that produces an image of each collimated output beam on an image plane, each image having a prescribed depth of focus and spot size. The light sources preferably are lasers producing an array of respective laser beams having high intensity and a long waist. A system for writing information on a light-sensitive label includes the imaging system. Methods of imaging and of writing information on a light-sensitive label are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chemically activated carbon, based on a combination of wood particles and comminuted carbonaceous vegetable material selected from kernel or shell material, in a weight ratio of between 5-95 to 90-10, preferably between 15-85 and 90-10, further optionally containing a binder, said carbon having been chemically activated using phosphoric acid or zinc chloride and to a process for producing same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor for the biological processing of fluid such as domestic or industrial waste water or the like, the reactor comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal layers of growth medium stacked one above the other, and having a colonizing biofilm thereon during use, the reactor being arranged to cause the path of flow of the fluid to reverse from one layer to the next, in order to maximize the length of the path of flow for a given footprint of the reactor.

Abstract: A head for a cleaning device. The head has a cleaning surface which has multiple sections. The sections are movable relative to each other in response to force applied by the user. The sections can be moved from a first configuration having noncoplanar sections to a second configuration where the sections are coplanar. The noncoplanar configuration may provide cavities for the collection of debris from a surface to be cleaned, such as a floor. The coplanar configuration may provide for improved stress distribution across the cleaning surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for biologically treating fluids, in particular municipal or industrial wastewater or the like, the apparatus comprising a pair of reservoirs each containing growth medium having a biofilm thereon, the apparatus being arranged to pump the wastewater from one reservoir to another such as to alternatively expose the biofilms within the reservoirs to air and wastewater, thus making it possible to achieve sequential aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions in the biofilms.

Abstract: A device for replacing a portion of a soleplate where a structural load is concentrated, comprising a base, a stud-supporting means located on top of the base, and at least one soleplate-holding means extending from a side of the base; the at least one soleplate member for holding an adjacently-abutted soleplate section. The stud-supporting means supports a trimmer section or any member, which applies load, on top of the base.

Abstract: A device for dispensing coating material includes a handle and a barrel coupled to the handle and extending therefrom toward a forward end from which coating material is dispensed. A first component is provided on the dispensing device. Multiple second components each include a portion which is complementary to the first component. At least one of the multiple second components comprises a tool for use in conjunction with the operation of the dispensing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrostatically aided atomization and dispensing of coating material. The apparatus includes a power supply for supplying operating potential and a coating dispensing device remote from the power supply. The coating dispensing device includes an input/output (I/O) device. The I/O device includes at least one indicator for selectively indicating a commanded state of the power supply and a fault state of at least one of the power supply and the coating dispensing device. A pair of conductors couple the I/O device to the power supply. Commands are coupled from the I/O device to the power supply. Commanded state information and fault state information are coupled from the power supply to the I/O device.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrostatically- and/or compressed gas-aided coating material dispensing device comprises a barrel and a handle extending downward from the barrel. The handle includes a module selected from modules having a number of different characteristics for coupling sources of coating material, compressed gas and/or electrical supply to the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: A retaining ring for a coating material dispenser including a nozzle for the discharge of coating material and a cap having a plurality of orifices arrayed in a spatial orientation with respect to the nozzle to supply a flow of gas or a mixture of gases to aid in dispensing of the coating material from the nozzle. The retaining ring is adapted for retaining the cap on the coating material dispenser with the plurality of orifices in the spatial orientation. The retaining ring includes first and second members. The second member is adapted for coupling to the coating material dispenser. The first member includes a first torque limiting driving member. The second member includes a second torque limiting driven member for engaging the first torque limiting driving member to limit the torque which the second member can apply to the coating material dispenser in response to manipulation of the first member.

Abstract: A modular wireless repeater typically deployed with a roof-mounted tower-signal antenna and a base unit with a base unit antenna located within the building, to which the tower-signal antenna and the base unit are connected by the user or a satellite TV installer using a 75 ? coaxial cable. The system allows a customer to purchase a unit for all wireless service providers in a given frequency band, such as Cellular, PCS, GSM900, or DCS, etc., and then add on modules for additional types of service that the customer may desire in the future. The system also detects and prevents low-level oscillations. The wireless repeater also performs intelligent power control allowing it to function properly with near and far base unit antennas as well as near and far mobile stations.

Abstract: A lightweight poured-in-place concrete builiding component and method of construction in which a plurality of spaced apart structural members with outer regions and a retaining layer system create a segmented form into which a lightweight concrete slurry is poured. The retaining layer system includes a lath which extends across the structural members on at least one outer region of the structual members. The lath is configured to simultaneously support a significant amount of the lightweight concrete slurry within a segmented form and allow a small amount to exude through the lath, thereby reinforcing a concrete component once cured. Alternative embodiments include the introduction of a barrier between a significant portion of a lath and concrete slurry to, at least reduce the amount on concrete which exudes-through the lath. Other altnerative embodiments include the introduction of insulative materials to the concrete slurry to enhance the insulative qualitites of a concrete component.

Abstract: A gateway routes signals between a WAP mobile phone and an application on a Web server. The application generates a message for each of a number of events recognized according to the service being provided. These messages are transmitted to the gateway. A billing manager in the gateway directs the messages in real time to a real time mediation device if they relate to a pre-pay service, or alternatively to a billing log for off-line processing. The network operator operating the gateway can thus charge in a manner relating to services provided instead of simply call duration.

Abstract: A parking meter system consisting of a cylindrical housing having an upper section for a driver assistance display, control buttons, payment means and a time display. The housing is located adjacent a plurality of parking spaces and a single parking meter mechanism is mounted within the housing for controlling parking for each of the plurality of spaces. A separate enforcement display is located on the street side of the housing so that an enforcement officer can observe the compliance status without leaving his vehicle. The housing also supports a coin collection canister in a lower section thereof and access doors are provided for both the upper and lower housing sections for ease of servicing. The contours of the doors preserves the cylindrical housing shape when the doors are closed.

Abstract: A system for polling a preamplifier unit to remotely determine pre-established parametric values in a disk drive is disclosed. The disk drive comprises a controller, a preamplifier, and a plurality of transducers. The system for polling the preamplifier comprises means in the controller for generating a succession of serial bit characters each representative of a different pattern. A means is provided for successively transferring said serial bit characters from the controller to the preamplifier unit. A plurality of individual bit lines are provided in the preamplifier unit representative of at least one parametric value. A means is included in the preamplifier unit for comparing each serial bit pattern character received with said plurality of individual bit lines, and for generating a match signal when a serial bit pattern character received matches the plurality of individual bit lines. A means is provided for transferring the match signal from the preamplifier unit to the controller.

Abstract: A disk drive comprising a plurality of read/write transducers, a programmable preamplifier, and a controller for furnishing control and data signals to the programmable preamplifier and for receiving data signals therefrom, is disclosed. The programmable preamplifier comprising a write data input circuit for receiving data signals to be supplied to a transducer, a read data output circuit for manifesting data signals supplied to said preamplifier unit by a transducer, and a transducer interface circuit for providing write data signals to a transducer and receiving read data signals from a transducer.

Abstract: An electronic imaging camera includes a printer assembly for providing instant images. Selected special effects may be applied to the images prior to printing. The printer assembly includes a thermal print head and a paper advance roller. A replaceable preloaded paper cartridge is provided for easy replacement of the paper. The housing of the paper cartridge acts as a printing platen for the print head, and rollers in the cartridge maintain friction between the paper and the paper advance roller of the printer assembly. A pivoting print head cover prevents a user from inadvertently coming into contact with the print head when the paper cassette is removed. A rotary encoder gear includes a plurality of spaced lugs which block emissions from a light emitting diode from reaching a phototransistor. As the encoder gear rotates in synchronization with the print head, the phototransistor produces a series of electrical pulses indicative of the print head speed.