Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include a band of material comprising a polyimide film, the band and a thickness of the band are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band; a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer ink from the band of material to the substrate; a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink; and a control system that matches the band and substrate speeds.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include a band of material comprising a polyimide film, the band and a thickness of the band are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band; a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer ink from the band of material to the substrate; a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink; and a control system that matches the band and substrate speeds.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include a band of material comprising a polyimide film, the band and a thickness of the band are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band; a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer ink from the band of material to the substrate; a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink; and a control system that matches the band and substrate speeds.

Abstract: A bracket for retaining a disassembled rifle preferably includes a retention bracket and a pair of retractable spring pins. The retention bracket includes a base plate, a first yoke, a second yoke, a first lug and a second lug. The two lugs and the two yokes extend upward from a top of the base plate. A width of the lug slot is sized to receive a lug projection of an upper receiver half of a rifle. The two retractable spring pins are retained in the first and second yokes. The first and second lug holes are sized to receive a spring pin of a lower receiver half of a rifle. A second embodiment of the rifle bracket includes a retention bracket with yokes that extend from a side of a base plate and two lugs that extend from an opposing side of the base plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that are useful for tagging personnel for identification and tracking is disclosed. The apparatus may include a taggant, the taggant being a chemical substance that adheres to at least one of human skin, clothing and equipment of personnel and is undetectable by the human eye, and a taggant deployment mechanism that includes the taggant and is configured to release the taggant upon activation of a triggering mechanism, wherein the taggant deployment mechanism is configured such that when the triggering mechanism is activated, the taggant is released from the taggant deployment mechanism and adheres to at least one of human skin, clothing and equipment of personnel within a radius of a point that the taggant is released, the taggant being detectable only by a taggant detection unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that are useful for tagging personnel for identification and tracking is disclosed. The apparatus may include a taggant, the taggant being a chemical substance that adheres to at least one of human skin, clothing and equipment of personnel and is undetectable by the human eye, and a taggant deployment mechanism that includes the taggant and is configured to release the taggant upon activation of a triggering mechanism, wherein the taggant deployment mechanism is configured such that when the triggering mechanism is activated, the taggant is released from the taggant deployment mechanism and adheres to at least one of human skin, clothing and equipment of personnel within a radius of a point that the taggant is released, the taggant being detectable only by a taggant detection unit.

Abstract: A medical device includes a conduit for a fluid. The conduit has a wall formed of a hydrophobic polymer with a hydrophilic polymer layer extruded over it, and an antimicrobial substantially dispersed within the hydrophilic polymer. The antimicrobial compound may be a predetermined amount of phosphorus-based glass having a predetermined quantity of a metal such as silver substantially dispersed therein. The medical device may be an endotracheal tube made by providing a hydrophobic polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and an antimicrobial compound, forming the hydrophobic polymer, the hydrophilic polymer and the antimicrobial compound into a conduit, and forming a cuff on an end of the conduit.

Abstract: A medical device includes a conduit for a fluid. The conduit has a wall formed of a hydrophobic polymer with a hydrophilic polymer layer extruded over it, and an antimicrobial substantially dispersed within the hydrophilic polymer. The antimicrobial compound may be a predetermined amount of phosphorus-based glass having a predetermined quantity of a metal such as silver substantially dispersed therein. The medical device may be an endotracheal tube made by providing a hydrophobic polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and an antimicrobial compound, forming the hydrophobic polymer, the hydrophilic polymer and the antimicrobial compound into a conduit, and forming a cuff on an end of the conduit.

Abstract: A damper includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is disposed inside the outer cylinder and contains a rod and valve to define an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. An adjustable valve portion fluidly communicates the upper working chamber with a reserve chamber. The adjustable valve portion is positioned inside the outer cylinder and coaxially aligned with the axis of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. As a result, the adjustable valve portion does not extend radially from the damper to potentially obstruct other vehicle elements or cause damage to the adjustable valve portion.

Abstract: A fluid warming and infusion system. According to one embodiment, the fluid warming and infusion system includes a container for storing a fluid to be infused into a patient, a fluid warmer for warming the fluid prior to the fluid being infused into the patient, a tubing for delivering the fluid to the patient after the fluid has been warmed by the fluid warmer, and a patient insertion device (e.g., a needle, or the like), which is connected to a distal end of the tubing, for insertion into the patient. After being warmed by the fluid warmer, the fluid flows through the tubing and is delivered into the patient by the insertion device. The tube includes a substantially thermally insulating component that prevents the warmed fluid from losing a substantial amount of heat as the fluid flows through the tube.

Abstract: A dual tube shock absorber includes a baffle located in the reservoir chamber to define a non-linear flow path within the reservoir chamber. The baffle extends between the pressure tube and the reservoir tube such that the non-linear flow path is the only flow path between two portions of the reservoir chamber. One embodiment is a T-shaped baffle, and another embodiment has a base section and an upright section with a wire being embedded in the base section.

Abstract: A dual tube shock absorber includes a baffle located in the reservoir chamber to define a non-linear flow path within the reservoir chamber. The baffle extends between the pressure tube and the reservoir tube such that the non-linear flow path is the only flow path between two portions of the reservoir chamber. One embodiment is a T-shaped baffle, and another embodiment has a base section and an upright section with a wire being embedded in the base section.

Abstract: A damper includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is disposed inside the outer cylinder and contains a rod and valve to define an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. An adjustable valve portion fluidly communicates the upper working chamber with a reserve chamber. The adjustable valve portion is positioned inside the outer cylinder and coaxially aligned with the axis of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. As a result, the adjustable valve portion does not extend radially from the damper to potentially obstruct other vehicle elements or cause damage to the adjustable valve portion.

Abstract: A pallet container is provided comprising an inner plastic container (10) for transporting liquids. The inner container (10) is secured to a pallet (20) by means of a grid support structure (30). The intersections (9) of the first and second grid elements (1, 2) are connected by penetrating the second element (2) through the first element (1). The first and second elements (1, 2) are then connected to one another at one or more positions in the region of the intersection (9).

Abstract: A connection assembly of first and second elements. The first element has a receiving opening through which the second element is passed and penetrates the first element. The first element is connected to the second element at one or more positions in the region of their intersection. At least one of the first and second elements have ridges arranged to lie adjacent the opposing elements. A plurality of the elongate elements can be interconnected in a plurality of connection assemblies to form a grid structure.

Abstract: A connection assembly of first and second elements. The first element has a receiving opening through which the second element is passed and penetrates the first element. The first element is connected to the second element at one or more positions in the region of their intersection. At least one of the first and second elements have ridges arranged to lie adjacent the opposing elements. A plurality of the elongate elements can be interconnected in a plurality of connection assemblies to form a grid structure.

Abstract: A pallet container is provided comprising an inner plastic container (10) for transporting liquids. The inner container (10) is secured to a pallet (20) by means of a grid support structure (30). The intersections (9) of the first and second grid elements (1, 2) are connected by penetrating the second element (2) through the first element (1). The first and second elements (1, 2) are then connected to one another at one or more positions in the region of the intersection (9).

Abstract: A pallet container is provided comprising an inner plastic container for transporting liquids. The inner container is secured to a pallet by means of a grid support structure. The intersections of the first and second grid elements are connected by penetrating the second element through the first element. The first and second elements are then connected to one another at one or more positions in the region of the intersection.

Abstract: Sheet joggler system with an inlet roller pair (70, 70'), an outlet roller pair (71, 71'), sheet guides (48, 49) determining a curved sheet path between these roller pairs, a sheet supporting plate (65) between the inlet roller pair and the sheet guides, a sheet stop (72) at the lower end of said plate, and lateral sheet aligning members (66, 67).

Abstract: A substrate, such as a splice between two or more wires, a wire bundle or an electrical component, such as a suse, diode or transistor, is enclosed and sealed using a recoverable article comprising a polymeric sheet having an involuted curled section at one end and a sealant having a melt flow index has a specified relationship to the hot modulus of polymeric sheet. In an alternate embodiment, the sealant is a gel.