Abstract: Film support bridges for use in precisely positioning film during scanning in a digital film processing system. A friction reducing material may be applied to the bridge to minimize scratching of the film. The material may be applied to only the center portion of the bridge to raise the film at its center but to allow the edges of the film near the sprocket holes to be free from contact with the bridge to minimize vibration. In other embodiments, the bridge includes a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers which roll as the film travels over the bridge, the bridge includes a pair of transversely spaced side rollers which contact the film near the side edges of the film, or the bridge comprises two elongated strips which are connected near their ends so as to form an elongated slot which has a length less than the width between sprocket holes.

Abstract: A reclosable package includes a pair of opposing walls, a reclosable seal and a barrier partition. The pair of opposing wall panels are joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridges the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom. The reclosable seal extends along the mouth end and includes first and second opposing reclosable elements. The first and second reclosable elements are releasably engageable to each other. The barrier partition comprises at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The barrier partition extends substantially across the pair of opposing wall panels in the receptacle space.

Abstract: A plastic bag comprises opposing body panels fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. A reclosable zipper extending along a mouth portion formed opposite the sealed bottom of the plastic bag. The zipper is preferably free of graspable upper pull flanges in order to best accommodate a slider and inhibit operation of the zipper without the slider. The slider is mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The zipper is closed while the slider is in the closed position. The zipper is opened in response to movement of the slider to the open position. To inhibit tampering with the contents of the bag, the bag includes a tamper-evident feature. In one set of embodiments, the tamper-evident feature initially maintains the slider in the closed position and allows the slider to move away from the closed position toward the open position in response to removing or breaking the tamper-evident feature.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant coating for a substrate is described. The corrosion-resistant coating comprises a first distinct layer of a first composition disposed over the substrate, wherein the first distinct layer has a thickness that is not greater than about 10 microns, and a second distinct layer of a second composition disposed over the first distinct layer, wherein the second distinct layer has a thickness that is not greater than about 10 microns and either the first distinct layer or the second distinct layer is corrosion-resistant. Preferably, the thickness of each distinct layer is less than about 1 or 2 microns, more preferably, less than about 0.4 microns. The coating may comprise additional layers. Corrosion-resistant articles, methods of protecting an articles, and methods of depositing corrosion-resistant coatings are also described.

Abstract: A dual lane board handling apparatus includes a first zone including first and second parallel pairs of rails extending in a first direction; a second zone including third and fourth parallel pairs of rails extending in the first direction; first tracks supporting the first and second pairs of rails so that the first and second pairs of rails can move on the first tracks in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a drive for moving the first pair of rails on the first tracks in the second direction such that the first pair of rails can be selectively moved between a first orientation wherein it is in alignment with the fourth pair of rails and a second orientation wherein it is in alignment with the third pair of rails; a drive for moving the second pair of rails in the second direction; and belts on the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of rails for conveying boards along the rails in the first direction.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing body panels, a zipper, a slider, and a grab tab. The opposing body panels are joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. Movement of the slider is effectuated using a grab tab extending upward from the slider. In one embodiment, first and second upstanding panels extend upwardly from the respective first and second body panels and form a pocket containing the zipper and the slider. The grab tab on the slider extends upwardly toward or above an upper end of the pocket so as to be easily graspable.

Abstract: A high performance unary digital loudspeaker system is disclosed; providing cost-effective and efficient performance, and providing the option to integrate multiple speaker elements or other related circuitry, and comprising a semiconductor substrate (102), an electrode (104) disposed upon the substrate, an insulator element (106) disposed upon the electrode forming a frame of material, an electrically conductive membrane (108) disposed upon the insulator element so as to form a chamber (110) between the electrode and the membrane, the membrane having a flexible support section (112) formed therein, and a control circuit (200) coupled (114, 116) to the membrane and the electrode, and adapted to provide a variable potential therebetween.

Abstract: A housing system for aquatic animals has a shelf-like rack holding tiers of individual tanks or aquariums (aquaria), each removably suspended from structural members that engage flanges of the tanks. The tanks are tilted inwardly of the rack and have covers with fittings on the higher or outer side, that intercept flow between a supply and a drain to inlet water when the tank is in the rack and to recycle the water at any tank position that is unoccupied. The inside bottom of each tank is contoured, for example with a longitudinal trough, so sediment collects at a low spot on the lower or inner side, where a drain inlet is placed to provide a drainage outlet that opens at a velocity increasing restriction at which sediment is entrained. The drain has a spring biased valve that opens the drain only when the tank is fully inserted in the rack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a cryogen cooling articles, particularly having applications for chilling extrusions, food, and similar articles, utilizing dispersion of liquid cryogen into a feed chamber wherein it is substantially vaporized and then circulated through a cooling chamber containing the article to be cooled. A circulation device can circulate the vaporized cryogen through the cooling chamber at a variably controllable velocity to enhance the cooling efficiency using the principle of forced air convection and to provide improved temperature control in the system.

Abstract: A machine and method for forming, filling and sealing bags includes a slitter for slitting a web of film into first and second web portions. a first folding board is included for folding the first web portion to a vertical position. a zipper track is fed adjacent to and sealed to the vertical first web portion by a first zipper sealer. a second folding board folds the second web portion to a position adjacent the first web portion and the zipper track is sealed to the second web portion by a second zipper sealer. another sealer forms side seals in the first and second web portions and the web portions are cut along the side seals to form individual bags.

Abstract: An automated human resource assessment system having computer-based processes. Specifically, programmable hardware or software system having standardized profile parameters that may be combined with database management or statistical techniques to screen, evaluate, or match individuals with defined profile parameters.

Abstract: A switching apparatus is disclosed for switching on a TV as a reward when a user is achieving a predetermined performance level on an exercise apparatus. The switching apparatus includes a pulse generator for generating pulses commensurate with the amount of work expended by the user on the exercise apparatus and a transmitter for transmitting the pulses.

Abstract: In a communication device that includes an antenna array including multiple antennas, a method and apparatus is provided for optimizing the usage of an antenna array beamforming technique. The communication device determines a bearing from the communication device to the communication unit and a direction of arrival for a signal received from the communication unit by the communication device via each of the multiple antennas. In addition, the communication device determines a distance from the communication device to the communication unit, and also determines multiple signal quality metrics based on multiple signals received by the communication device from the communication unit. The communication device then determines whether to employ an antenna array beamforming technique based on any one or more of the determined bearing and the determined direction of arrival, the determined distance, or the determined signal quality metrics, thereby optimizing the usage of the antenna array beamforming technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using vaporized liquid cryogen to cool articles, particularly extrusions, utilizing dispersion of liquid cryogen into a chamber wherein it is substantially vaporized and then circulated through cooling circuits in a tool for cooling the tool, or an article such as an extrusion which is to be cooled by the tool. Additionally, the tool may itself be disposed in a cooling chamber in which vaporized cryogen is circulated to cool the tool and the article.

Abstract: A method of forming a circuit includes forming a metallic circuit pattern on a base substrate. The circuit pattern has traces which are connected together by temporary bussing. A resist pattern for defining at least one terminal pad is formed over the circuit pattern. A layer of metal is formed on at least one area of the circuit pattern exposed by the resist pattern to a thickness suitable for serving as the at least one terminal pad for the circuit. A portion of the base substrate at the location of the temporary bussing is removed thereby causing the removal of the temporary bussing.

Abstract: A toothbrush that is suitable for an individual to use to brush the teeth and gums of another, and which is also suitable to brush his or her own teeth and gums. The toothbrush includes a cylindrical handle with an attached neck, and an oval shaped bristle head extending from the neck, at an angle in the range of 142 to 155 degrees, with the handle having an upper indentation to engage the index finger of the user, and a lower indentation for engagement by the thumb of the user, the toothbrush being useful for either hand of the user.

Abstract: A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.

Abstract: A system for transporting material recovered in a dredging operation performed by a dredge is disclosed. The system includes a water-borne material distribution vessel including a conveyor system for receiving and depositing the recovered material. It also includes at least one water-borne material transportation vessel for transporting recovered material from the dredge to the material distribution vessel. The water-borne material distribution vessel can deposit the material into the waterway to form an island (which may be a levy), into another water-borne vessel, or into an on-shore station such as a wheeled transportation vehicle.

Abstract: A plastic bag comprises opposing body panels fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. A reclosable zipper extending along a mouth portion formed opposite the sealed bottom of the plastic bag. The zipper is preferably free of graspable upper pull flanges in order to best accommodate a slider and inhibit operation of the zipper without the slider. The slider is mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The zipper is closed while the slider is in the closed position. The zipper is opened in response to movement of the slider to the open position. To inhibit tampering with the contents of the bag, the bag includes a tamper-evident feature. In one set of embodiments, the tamper-evident feature initially maintains the slider in the closed position and allows the slider to move away from the closed position toward the open position in response to removing or breaking the tamper-evident feature.