Abstract: Shown is a pallet assembly having a lid and a pallet, either or both of which can include one or more cam lock assemblies. A sleeve can be placed between the lid and pallet with the lid and pallet cam lock assemblies engaging the sleeve to secure the pallet for shipping things. Alternatively, the sleeve can be folded and placed between the lid and pallet with the lid cam lock assemblies engaging the pallet to secure the pallet assembly for empty return and later reuse.

Abstract: Communication device for supporting a general-purpose computer to communicate with a vehicle having a control unit for controlling at least one particular function of the vehicle. A first request in XML format for requesting the control unit to return specified information is received from the computer. The request received is converted into a request in control unit specific format and is sent to the control unit of the vehicle. When a reply in control unit specific format including the specified information is received from the vehicle, the reply is also converted into a reply in XML format. The converted reply is sent to the computer.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cutting expanded graphite sheet material, at least one cutting tool is urged against the sheet(s). The cutting tool has at least one ridge extending therefrom that includes a substantially tapered cross-section having sloping sides and an edge surface. At least a portion of the sheet material is displaced as the ridge is urged against the sheet. A region of the sheet material in contact with the ridge is compressed so that the density of the region reaches or exceeds the breaking density of the sheet.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system comprising a rules storage system configured to store one or more rules, each of which determines whether the vehicle may have an anomaly when applied to vehicle diagnostic information. An operator interface may be configured to alert an operator of the diagnostic system to a suspected anomaly in the vehicle. A processing system may be configured to receive diagnostic information from the vehicle, apply one or more rules in the rules storage system to the diagnostic information, and cause the operator interface to alert the operator to a suspected anomaly in the vehicle if the application of the one or more rules results in a determination that the vehicle may have that anomaly. Variations and related processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymeric biomaterial that facilitates cell-specific ingrowth. The polymeric biomaterial encourages the ingrowth of cell types while reducing the ingrowth of undesirable cell types. This activity encourages proper integration of prosthetic implants or scaffolds utilizing this biomaterial by discouraging encapsulation or the accumulation of inflammatory cells such as macrophages, while encouraging infiltration by desirable cells such as endothelial or smooth muscle cells. Short peptide sequences are included in a polymeric biomaterial that result in complementary activities. Peptide sequences that are specifically cleaved by proteases found within preferred cells are used to cross-link the biomaterial and lead to degradation by those cells. Peptide sequences taken from proteins involved in cell adhesion can also be attached to the biomaterial to encourage adhesion by preferred cells. Combined use of both peptides in the polymeric biomaterial provides both specific adhesion and selective ingrowth.

Abstract: An expert diagnostic service system using a distributed architecture for generating expert diagnostic suggestions based on input received from a plurality of diagnostic systems. The expert service system collects data related to effective diagnostic results, such as effective fixes, corresponding to various symptoms/faults from a plurality of diagnostic systems via a data transmission network, and accumulates the number of each effective fix corresponding to each of the various symptoms. The expert service system then assigns at least one effective fix to one of the various symptoms based on a result of the accumulating step, such as the rank of the accumulated number of each fix. The expert service system uses the assigned fix corresponding to a symptom as expert suggestions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pallet assembly having a lid and a pallet, either or both of which can include one or more cam lock assemblies. A sleeve can be placed between the lid and pallet with the lid and pallet cam lock assemblies engaging the sleeve to secure the pallet for shipping things. Alternatively, the sleeve can be folded and placed between the lid and pallet with the lid cam lock assemblies engaging the pallet to secure the pallet assembly for empty return and later reuse.

Abstract: A method for reproducing an integral, panoramogramic or full spatial image for viewing using a decoding screen as a 3-D picture comprising representing the image as an array of image points with a density corresponding to high resolution ink printing.

Abstract: A composite handle for grooming implements provides improved control during use. Such handle has a rigid and a flexible portion that facilitates use of the implement, especially when a user has a weak or impaired grip.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser 1 according to the invention comprises a container bottle 2 having a neck portion 3 and a body portion 4. A product 5 such as liquid soap is contained within the container body 4. A pump 6, extending into the body 4, is operated by the depression of a pump actuator head 7 mounted on the neck portion 3. A support plate 8 comprising a collar portion 9 and a projecting plate portion 10 is mounted on the neck portion 3 of the container 2, below the head 7.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for storing and/or transmitting 3D image information comprising the steps of: producing an image to be stored and/or transmitted comprising an array of strongly correlated neighbouring sub-images; casting the sub-images on to a pixel screen capturing the sub-images as electronic data; compressing the electronic data by eliminating redundancies associated with the sub-images; storing and/or transmitting the compressed data; the compression being reversible so as to expand the data to re-create the sub-images for viewing as a 3D image through an optical viewing system comprising a microlens or lenticular array.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser 1 according to the invention comprises a container bottle 2 having a neck portion 3 and a body portion 4. A product 5 such as liquid soap is contained within the container body 4. A pump means 6, extending into the body 4, is operated by the depression of a pump actuator head 7 mounted on the neck portion 3. A support plate 8 comprising a collar portion 9 and a projecting plate portion 10 is mounted on the neck portion 3 of the container 2, below the head 7.

Abstract: A MOSFET component used to switch high currents includes a current path that is parallel-connected to the base-emitter link of the parasitic bipolar transistor, extracts the minority charge carriers, and prevents the parasitic transistor from being biased into conduction.