Abstract: A vending machine includes first and second integrated dispensing systems mounted at front portions of adjacent product shelf dividers establishing at least first, second and third product queues. Each of the first and second dispensing systems includes first and second release mechanisms having a plurality of hinged plates supported by a frame. The plurality of hinged plates are selectively shifted into and out of corresponding ones of the first, second and third product queues, such that each product queue has associated therewith two opposing release mechanisms. Preferably, at least one of the first and second release mechanisms for each dispensing system includes a queue spacing member which is mounted to one of the hinged plates and projects into the product queue to establish a desired spacing between the release mechanisms.

Abstract: A laminography apparatus utilizing at least a pair of detectors spaced from a source of X-rays. The X-rays emanate from a tube window and create images in the detectors. Optical gradients are removed from the images obtained by the detectors through a first computer program. The position of each of the detectors relative to the source of X-rays is also determined by a mask which permits a second computer program to process position information. In addition, the brightness of the images obtained by the detectors is adjusted using a third computer program based on any one of a number of detectors providing a brightness standard.

Abstract: A decorative architectural panel comprises a substrate, a base layer of fluoropolymer film adhered to the substrate and at least one discontinuous top layer of preformed fluoropolymer film that forms a decorative, textured surface. The fluoropolymer surfacing film protects the substrate while providing decorative features. Steel panels in accordance with the invention, resembling traditional asphalt construction materials, are especially useful for residential roofing.

Abstract: A polarization independent optical device is provided wherein the device has two optical paths that include one or more birefringent crystals, a electrically controllable rotator, and a fixed waveplate. The device may operate as a switch, attenuator, coupler, or polarization mode dispersion compensator. The device may also include several folded path embodiments, a multifunctional embodiment, and a temperature insensitive embodiment.

Abstract: A polarization independent optical device is provided wherein the device has two optical paths that include one or more birefringent crystals, a electrically controllable rotator, and a fixed waveplate. The device may operate as a switch, attenuator, coupler, or polarization mode dispersion compensator. The device may also include several folded path embodiments, a multifunctional embodiment, and a temperature insensitive embodiment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to x-ray diffraction measurement by using moving x-ray source x-ray diffraction. The invention comprises a raster-scanned x-ray source, a specimen, a collimator, and a detector. The x-ray source is electronically scanned which allows a complete image of the x-ray diffraction characteristics of the specimen to be produced. The specimen is placed remote from the x-ray source and the detector. The collimator is located directly in front of the detector. The x-rays are diffracted by the specimen at certain angles, which cause them to travel through the collimator and to the detector. The detector may be placed in any radial location relative to the specimen in order to take the necessary measurements. The detector can detect the intensity and/or the wavelength of the diffracted x-rays. All information needed to solve the Bragg equation as well as the Laue equations is available. The x-ray source may be scanned electronically or mechanically.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a polarization independent optical switch for selectively switching an optical signal from at least one input port to a preselected one of a plurality of different output ports. The optical switch operates to transmit all of the optical signal from an input port to a predetermined one of the output ports without first segmenting the optical signal into two polarizations.

Abstract: A detectable synthetic copolymer useful to detect the presence of a microorganism in a test sample is provided. The copolymer comprises repeating monomeric units, which incorporate a population of first monomeric units each comprising a binding agent which binds to a microorganism having multiple binding sites for said binding agent and which further incorporates a population of a second monomeric units each comprising a detectable label or a binding site for a detectable label.

Abstract: A file structure employed in a flash electrically erasable and programmable read only memory ("EEPROM") system and aspects of forming and using certain data fields within such a file structure. An array of rows and columns of EEPROM memory cells is divided into blocks of cells that are separately addressable for the purpose of erasing an entire block of cells at the same time. Each block contains several rows of cells with certain columns thereof storing a sector of data, typically 512 bytes of data, and other columns of cells within the same rows being used as spare cells to replace any defective sector data cells and store overhead (header) information about the block and the data sector. Such overhead information includes pointers to locations of any defective sector data cells within the block, whether the block has been mapped out in favor of another block, error correction codes for the sector data and the header information, and other similar types of information.

Abstract: A file structure employed in a flash electrically erasable and programmable read only memory ("EEPROM") system and aspects of forming and using certain data fields within such a file structure. An array of rows and columns of EEPROM memory cells is divided into blocks of cells that are separately addressable for the purpose of erasing an entire block of cells at the same time. Each block contains several rows of cells with certain columns thereof storing a sector of data, typically 512 bytes of data, and other columns of cells within the same rows being used as spare cells to replace any defective sector data cells and store overhead (header) information about the block and the data sector. Such overhead information includes pointers to locations of any defective sector data cells within the block, whether the block has been mapped out in favor of another block, error correction codes for the sector data and the header information, and other similar types of information.

Abstract: An apparatus for a liquid crystal image projection system having a liquid crystal cell, including optical apparatus for inducing a uniform texture of scattering centers in a liquid crystal cell by impinging a pulse of optical energy on the liquid crystal cell, thereby the optical energy is absorbed and converted to thermal energy heating the liquid cyrstal to a second temperture, the end of the pulse bringing about a cooling which causes the liquid crystal centers within the liquid crystal cells to scatter in a uniform texture.

Abstract: A liquid crystal light valve is provided which either reflects or transmits all wavelengths of light. Micron size cholesteric liquid crystal micelles are formed by adding a chiral molecule dopant to a nematic liquid and dispersing into a polymeric solution. The chiral dopant twists the micelle into a helical planar order along a helical axis. The interior structure of the micelle is a series of concentric spheres, the distance between the envelopes of which is the pitch. The pitch of the helical planar order of the micelles is adjusted by varying the concentration of chiral molecules which have been added to the nematic liquid. The sense of the helical planar order of the micelles is controlled and the micelles are dispensed in an inert polymeric binder forming a film which may be applied to a surface for controlling the light applied thereto either passing or reflecting the light depending on the temperature of the film.

Abstract: The contrast ratio of a transflective liquid crystal display in the transmissive mode is improved by means of a cascaded, dual cell arrangement. By using cascaded cells, the light path and light absorption in the background portions of the light path is improved in the transmissive mode so that the contrast ratio in the transmissive mode can, if desired, be made equal to or better than the contrast ratio in the reflective mode.