Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a gripper. The gripper is arranged to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material. The at least two opposing lateral forces are applied to the build material, in conjunction with linear motion of the gripper, for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward an extrusion head.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move a rod of build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a pusher. The rod of build material has distal and proximal ends relative to an extrusion head. The distal and proximal ends having distal and proximal end surfaces, respectively. The pusher engages with the rod and applies an axial force to at least a portion of the distal end surface of the rod for at least a portion of a path the rod travels toward the extrusion head. The axial force actuates the rod of build material without alteration, such as by shaving, fracturing, or otherwise deforming the rod of build material.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move a rod of build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a pusher. The rod of build material has distal and proximal ends relative to an extrusion head. The distal and proximal ends having distal and proximal end surfaces, respectively. The pusher engages with the rod and applies an axial force to at least a portion of the distal end surface of the rod for at least a portion of a path the rod travels toward the extrusion head. The axial force actuates the rod of build material without alteration, such as by shaving, fracturing, or otherwise deforming the rod of build material.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move a rod of build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a pusher. The rod of build material has distal and proximal ends relative to an extrusion head. The distal and proximal ends having distal and proximal end surfaces, respectively. The pusher engages with the rod and applies an axial force to at least a portion of the distal end surface of the rod for at least a portion of a path the rod travels toward the extrusion head. The axial force actuates the rod of build material without alteration, such as by shaving, fracturing, or otherwise deforming the rod of build material.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move a rod of build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a pusher. The rod of build material has distal and proximal ends relative to an extrusion head. The distal and proximal ends having distal and proximal end surfaces, respectively. The pusher engages with the rod and applies an axial force to at least a portion of the distal end surface of the rod for at least a portion of a path the rod travels toward the extrusion head. The axial force actuates the rod of build material without alteration, such as by shaving, fracturing, or otherwise deforming the rod of build material.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move a rod of build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a pusher. The rod of build material has distal and proximal ends relative to an extrusion head. The distal and proximal ends having distal and proximal end surfaces, respectively. The pusher engages with the rod and applies an axial force to at least a portion of the distal end surface of the rod for at least a portion of a path the rod travels toward the extrusion head. The axial force actuates the rod of build material without alteration, such as by shaving, fracturing, or otherwise deforming the rod of build material.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move a rod of build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a pusher. The rod of build material has distal and proximal ends relative to an extrusion head. The distal and proximal ends having distal and proximal end surfaces, respectively. The pusher engages with the rod and applies an axial force to at least a portion of the distal end surface of the rod for at least a portion of a path the rod travels toward the extrusion head. The axial force actuates the rod of build material without alteration, such as by shaving, fracturing, or otherwise deforming the rod of build material.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move a rod of build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a pusher. The rod of build material has distal and proximal ends relative to an extrusion head. The distal and proximal ends having distal and proximal end surfaces, respectively. The pusher engages with the rod and applies an axial force to at least a portion of the distal end surface of the rod for at least a portion of a path the rod travels toward the extrusion head. The axial force actuates the rod of build material without alteration, such as by shaving, fracturing, or otherwise deforming the rod of build material.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a gripper. The gripper is arranged to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material. The at least two opposing lateral forces are applied to the build material, in conjunction with linear motion of the gripper, for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward an extrusion head.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a gripper. The gripper is arranged to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material. The at least two opposing lateral forces are applied to the build material, in conjunction with linear motion of the gripper, for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward an extrusion head.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move a rod of build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a pusher. The rod of build material has distal and proximal ends relative to an extrusion head. The distal and proximal ends having distal and proximal end surfaces, respectively. The pusher engages with the rod and applies an axial force to at least a portion of the distal end surface of the rod for at least a portion of a path the rod travels toward the extrusion head. The axial force actuates the rod of build material without alteration, such as by shaving, fracturing, or otherwise deforming the rod of build material.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to move build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a gripper. The gripper is arranged to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material. The at least two opposing lateral forces are applied to the build material, in conjunction with linear motion of the gripper, for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward an extrusion head.

Abstract: A one-piece housing for the enclosure and protection of an optical imager or other device and a method for locking a one-piece housing assembly in a folded configuration. The housing comprises three segments permanently joined by flexible hinges that allow the housing to quickly fold into a box to enclose an optical imager. To releasably maintain the housing in closed position, the assembly contains two locking tabs that snap-fit into depressions on a platform extending away from the main housing segment. One tab snap-fits directly into a depression on the top surface of the platform while the other tab snap-fits into a depression on the reverse surface of the platform. By locking into depressions on the top and reverse surfaces of the platform, the opposing tabs tightly grip the surfaces and releasably maintain the housing in the folded configuration.

Abstract: An anchor system is provided featuring a two-piece toggle having a conduit with a passage in-between for passing one or more wires through, and having one end with a crosspiece formed thereon for passing through an aperture in a mounting surface of another device and engaging one side of the mounting surface and a fastener for frictionally coupling the two-piece toggle to an opposing side of the mounting surface of the other device so as to hold or secure the two-piece toggle in relation to the other device.

Abstract: A one-piece housing for the enclosure and protection of an optical imager or other device and a method for locking a one-piece housing assembly in a folded configuration. The housing comprises three segments permanently joined by flexible hinges that allow the housing to quickly fold into a box to enclose an optical imager. To releasably maintain the housing in closed position, the assembly contains two locking tabs that snap-fit into depressions on a platform extending away from the main housing segment. One tab snap-fits directly into a depression on the top surface of the platform while the other tab snap-fits into a depression on the reverse surface of the platform. By locking into depressions on the top and reverse surfaces of the platform, the opposing tabs tightly grip the surfaces and releasably maintain the housing in the folded configuration.

Abstract: An optimization tool is provided for individual participants who participate in multiple online advertising environments wherein the tool interfaces with the multiple environments in an optimal manner on behalf of the individual participants. A participant using the tool can specify goals and/or constraints for participating in one or more of the networks, and then the tool automatically optimizes advertising expenditure for advertising transactions across the different networks. The tool also tracks the performance of the participant across the different networks and dynamically tunes the participant's advertising expenditure based on such performance as well as the changing conditions of the marketplace.

Abstract: Methods and systems of facilitating a wager include, a computer implemented method of facilitating a wager between players. The method may include receiving an initial offer from an initial player and a challenging offer from a challenging player. The initial and challenging offers may include a fantasy team, and a wager amount. The method also may include calculating a score for the initial fantasy team and the challenging fantasy teams. The score may be determined based on the performance of fantasy team members of the initial fantasy team in at least one external event. Awarding a pay-off amount to the initiating player if the score for the initial fantasy team is higher than the score for the challenging fantasy team also may be a part of the method, where the pay-off amount is determined based on the total initial wager amount and the challenging wager amount.

Abstract: A plate liner detachably engageable onto a microarray plate (or underdrain plate component thereof), suited for preventing or confining pendant drop formation. It is provided either as a stand-alone item, or—preferably—in kit form, within a sanitary package, together with other pre-matched microarray filtration components.

Abstract: The present invention provides an underdrain having an improved spout. The underdrain has particular utility in the construction of both single-well and microarray filtration devices. In a principal embodiment, the underdrain is characterized by its incorporation of a straight-walled, roughly-textured spout, the spout being provided with microhole(s) at a terminal end thereof for the discharge of fluid conducted through the underdrain. An array comprising several of such underdrains can be mated with a corresponding array of wells, with separation material (e.g., membrane material) provided therebetween. The resultant microarray filtration device can be used for conducting several fluid assays contemporaneously with, for example, good “pendant drop” control and low “cross-talk”.

Abstract: Catheters and other medical devices include plural layers of metals applied to the outer surfaces, which tend to close minuscule cracks through which corrosion may attack the underlying support. In some avatars, the initial layer of material is preferably silver, applied following specific preparation steps. In other embodiments, succeeding layers of metal completely cover the initial layer, and are also of silver. The succeeding layers are deposited after deposition of the prior layer, and tend to reduce the incidence of microscopic pores or cracks and are less prone to delamination. The succeeding layers are preferably of mutually different metals between layers. In a particular avatar, in which the exposed metals are oligodynamic silver and more noble platinum, the exposed silver layer lies over a portion of the platinum layer, to thereby prevent corrosion of the silver layer from disconnecting portions of the silver layer.