Abstract: The present description provides composite polymer compositions comprising a plastomeric material, an elastomeric material or a combination thereof, and an additive, for example, a dispersant or surface active agent (i.e., surfactant). The description also provides methods of manufacturing and using the same, e.g., to improve or modify the performance of adhesive materials, such as, for example, asphalt.

Abstract: A load carrier with a receiving pan for a free-flowing substance, a calibration weight holder for supporting a calibration weight, and a connector element for connecting the load carrier to a load receiver of a weighing cell. The receiving pan is arranged between the connector element and the calibration weight holder and is designed to be loaded with the free-flowing substance through a passage in the calibration weight holder. The calibration weight holder can be loaded with a calibration weight independently of the load status of the receiving pan.

Abstract: A load carrier with a receiving pan for a free-flowing substance, a calibration weight holder for supporting a calibration weight, and a connector element for connecting the load carrier to a load receiver of a weighing cell. The receiving pan is arranged between the connector element and the calibration weight holder and is designed to be loaded with the free-flowing substance through a passage in the calibration weight holder. The calibration weight holder can be loaded with a calibration weight independently of the load status of the receiving pan.

Abstract: A calibration weight arrangement (4, 104) for an electronic balance with a force-transmitting mechanism (1) has a calibration weight (3, 103) adapted to be coupled to the force-transmitting mechanism. The arrangement also has a transfer mechanism and a drive source to manipulate the calibration weight in a guided movement. The drive source includes an actuator (18) cooperating with the transfer mechanism and at least one piezoelectric element (19) which drives the movement of the actuator. The piezoelectric element interacts with a drive wheel (17, 117) that is centrally positioned relative to the calibration weight arrangement and drives a likewise centrally positioned shaft (16, 126). The interaction between the piezoelectric element and the drive wheel occurs during the advance movement in one direction through the repeated engagement and release of a frictional contact force.

Abstract: Weighing device with at least one weighing cell and with a receiving structure serving to hold the at least one weighing cell, wherein the at least one weighing cell includes a first fastener device serving to fasten the weighing cell in the receiving structure, and the receiving structure includes a second fastener device which is a complementary counterpart of said first fastener device. The fastener devices include a detent engagement mechanism and are designed in such a way that they hold as well as release the weighing cell by means of a form-locking engagement which can be locked and released, respectively, by a simple action in the form of pushing in the direction of the load and pulling against the direction of the load.

Abstract: A calibration weight arrangement (4, 104) for an electronic balance with a force-transmitting mechanism (1) has a calibration weight (3, 103) adapted to be coupled to the force-transmitting mechanism. The arrangement also has a transfer mechanism and a drive source to manipulate the calibration weight in a guided movement. The drive source includes an actuator (18) cooperating with the transfer mechanism and at least one piezoelectric element (19) which drives the movement of the actuator. The piezoelectric element interacts with a drive wheel (17, 117) that is centrally positioned relative to the calibration weight arrangement and drives a likewise centrally positioned shaft (16, 126). The interaction between the piezoelectric element and the drive wheel occurs during the advance movement in one direction through the repeated engagement and release of a frictional contact force.

Abstract: Weighing device with at least one weighing cell and with a receiving structure serving to hold the at least one weighing cell, wherein the at least one weighing cell includes a first fastener device serving to fasten the weighing cell in the receiving structure, and the receiving structure includes a second fastener device which is a complementary counterpart of said first fastener device. The fastener devices include a detent engagement mechanism and are designed in such a way that they hold as well as release the weighing cell by means of a form-locking engagement which can be locked and released, respectively, by a simple action in the form of pushing in the direction of the load and pulling against the direction of the load.

Abstract: A force-measuring cell is designed for a receiving structure having multiple force-measuring cells of the same type. Each cell in the receiving structure occupies a design space whose dimensions, projected into a plane orthogonal to the load direction, is delimited by the design spaces of neighboring and/or is equal to the largest dimension of the cell in the plane. The cell has parallel-guiding diaphragms arranged on upper and lower surfaces thereof. The cell includes a calibration weight arrangement with a calibration weight which can be coupled to the cell, as well as a drive mechanism and a transfer mechanism for guidedly moving the calibration weight. An actuator works together with the transfer mechanism and a piezoelectric element that drives the actuator. The actuator has at least two interacting elements to repeatedly engage and release each other by frictional contact force which occurs during the travel movement in one direction.

Abstract: A calibration weight arrangement (4, 104) for an electronic balance with a force-transmitting mechanism (1) has a calibration weight (3, 103) adapted to be coupled to the force-transmitting mechanism. The arrangement also has a transfer mechanism and a drive source to manipulate the calibration weight in a guided movement. The drive source includes an actuator (18) cooperating with the transfer mechanism and at least one piezoelectric element (19) which drives the movement of the actuator. The piezoelectric element interacts with a drive wheel (17, 117) that is centrally positioned relative to the calibration weight arrangement and drives a likewise centrally positioned shaft (16, 126). The interaction between the piezoelectric element and the drive wheel occurs during the advance movement in one direction through the repeated engagement and release of a frictional contact force.

Abstract: A force-measuring cell is designed for a receiving structure having multiple force-measuring cells of the same type. Each cell in the receiving structure occupies a design space whose dimensions, projected into a plane orthogonal to the load direction, is delimited by the design spaces of neighboring and/or is equal to the largest dimension of the cell in the plane. The cell has parallel-guiding diaphragms arranged on upper and lower surfaces thereof. The cell includes a calibration weight arrangement with a calibration weight which can be coupled to the cell, as well as a drive mechanism and a transfer mechanism for guidedly moving the calibration weight. An actuator works together with the transfer mechanism and a piezoelectric element that drives the actuator. The actuator has at least two interacting elements to repeatedly engage and release each other by frictional contact force which occurs during the travel movement in one direction.

Abstract: A weighing module 1 has a force-transmitting linkage 13 arranged between the load-receiving portion 3 of the weighing cell 2 and the load receiver 5, with an overload protection device that precisely maintains its position being an integral part of the force-transmitting linkage 13. By means of a positioning element 7, 107, 207, the load receiver 5 is positioned without play relative to the load-receiving portion 3 in the plane that extends orthogonal to the load direction, and the load receiver 5 is also guided in the load direction without play. When forces in excess of the pre-tension force of the elastic element 8 act on the load receiver 5, the latter has the capability of being displaced in the load direction and to tip in all directions that are orthogonal to the load direction. The housing part 18 serves to delimit at least the range of linear downward deflection as well the tipping movement of the load receiver 5 when the load receiver 5 is exposed to transverse forces and to overloads.

Abstract: A method and a system for depositing digital works and a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium are disclosed, which can be used for depositing digital works under the auspices of an attorney or notary via an encrypted communication link in the Internet. According to the disclosed method, a checksum of the digital work is generated and/or the digital work is provided with a timestamp, optionally by a service provider for a fee. The checksum and/or the digital work signed with a timestamp is registered in an identification document and the identification document is certified and deposited. Preferably, the identification document is certified by a notary, by an attorney or by an institution.

Abstract: A device to weigh substantially uniform weighing objects has a plurality of weighing modules and an equal number of load carriers that have central lengthwise axes extending in the direction of the load. Each of the load carriers is connected, respectively, to one of the weighing modules through a force-transmitting rod, and the load carriers are disposed in a given spatial or two-dimensional arrangement in which the distances between neighboring central lengthwise axes are smaller than the largest lengthwise extension of the respective weighing modules.

Abstract: A weighing module 1 has a force-transmitting linkage 13 arranged between the load-receiving portion 3 of the weighing cell 2 and the load receiver 5, with an overload protection device that precisely maintains its position being an integral part of the force-transmitting linkage 13. By means of a positioning element 7, 107, 207, the load receiver 5 is positioned without play relative to the load-receiving portion 3 in the plane that extends orthogonal to the load direction, and the load receiver 5 is also guided in the load direction without play. When forces in excess of the pre-tension force of the elastic element 8 act on the load receiver 5, the latter has the capability of being displaced in the load direction and to tip in all directions that are orthogonal to the load direction. The housing part 18 serves to delimit at least the range of linear downward deflection as well the tipping movement of the load receiver 5 when the load receiver 5 is exposed to transverse forces and to overloads.

Abstract: A weighing cell module with a force-transfer mechanism that includes a parallel-guiding linkage with a vertically movable parallelogram leg and a spatially fixed parallelogram leg, is equipped with a mounting area for a first weighing-pan support device with a single-point connection of a weighing pan, as well as with a mounting area for a second weighing-pan support device with a multiple-point connection, particularly a four-point connection, of a weighing pan, wherein the first and the second mounting area are each connected to the force-transfer mechanism. As a result, the weighing cell module can be used to manufacture different types of balances in a design family of balances, where each different type within the family is designed for a different maximum load.

Abstract: A suture cutter having a handle and a barrel with a movable cutting head on the barrel, and the barrel supporting a stationary cutting edge and a movable cutting edge. A movable support carries the movable cutting edge and includes a surface spaced from the stationary cutting edge a selected distance. An abutment wall spaced from the stationary cutting edge at the selected distance provides for snugly restricting movement of the moving cutting edge away from cutting contact with the stationary cutting edge while cutting the suture. Recesses are defined on a guiding support surface along which the movable cutting edge slides when the handle is actuated, allowing for sharpening of the moveable cutting edge when said edge is retracted proximally.

Abstract: A device to weigh substantially uniform weighing objects has a plurality of weighing modules and an equal number of load carriers that have central lengthwise axes extending in the direction of the load. Each of the load carriers is connected, respectively, to one of the weighing modules through a force-transmitting rod, and the load carriers are disposed in a given spatial or two-dimensional arrangement in which the distances between neighboring central lengthwise axes are smaller than the largest lengthwise extension of the respective weighing modules.

Abstract: A method for driving an electroluminescent lamp to emit light at a brightness set level includes providing a variable bias voltage to the electroluminescent lamp. The variable bias voltage is increased with the duration of the on-time of the electroluminescent lamp. To stabilize the electroluminescent lamp at the brightness set level against aging, a closed loop control of the brightness of the electroluminescent lamp is applied, which is subject to said duration of the on-time the electroluminescent lamp.

Abstract: A weighing cell module with a force-transfer mechanism that includes a parallel-guiding linkage with a vertically movable parallelogram leg and a spatially fixed parallelogram leg, is equipped with a mounting area for a first weighing-pan support device with a single-point connection of a weighing pan, as well as with a mounting area for a second weighing-pan support device with a multiple-point connection, particularly a four-point connection, of a weighing pan, wherein the first and the second mounting area are each connected to the force-transfer mechanism. As a result, the weighing cell module can be used to manufacture different types of balances in a design family of balances, where each different type within the family is designed for a different maximum load.