Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, and kits for the isolation and detection of one or more analytes of interest from a biological sample using microslit filter membranes. In various examples, the methods use capture particles and binding agents for specific recognition of one or more analytes of interest.

Abstract: A guided surface waveguide probe structure is described. In one example, the guided surface waveguide probe structure includes a charge terminal elevated to a first height above a lossy conducting medium and a phasing coil elevated to a second height above the lossy conducting medium, wherein the first height is larger than the second height. The structure further includes a non-conductive support structure to support the phasing coil and the charge terminal. The non-conductive support structure includes a truss frame secured to and supported over a substructure, and the truss frame supports the phasing coil at the second height above the lossy conducting medium. The non-conductive support structure also includes a charge terminal truss extension supported by the truss frame, and the charge terminal truss extension supports the charge terminal at the first height above the lossy conducting medium.

Abstract: A guided surface waveguide probe structure is described. In one example, the guided surface waveguide probe structure includes a charge terminal elevated to a first height and a phasing coil elevated to a second height above a lossy conducting medium. The structure further includes a non-conductive support structure to support the phasing coil and the charge terminal. The non-conductive support structure includes a truss frame that supports the phasing coil at the second height above the lossy conducting medium and supports the charge terminal at the first height above the lossy conducting medium. The structure further includes a substructure bunker constructed in the lossy conducting medium. The substructure bunker can include foundational walls, a grounding grid formed in a foundational seal slab, and a covering support slab at a ground surface elevation of the lossy conducting medium, the covering support slab supporting the non-conductive support structure.

Abstract: A method of friction stir welding is provided. The method includes providing a stir tool configured to rotate about and move along a stir tool axis and includes a pin with a pin axial end surface and a pin tapered surface that extends radially outwardly from the pin axial end surface. The method further includes providing the first member with a first member faying surface and defining a normal line that is normal to the first member top surface, is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, and extends through a reference point. The method further includes providing the second member with a second member faying surface and forming a joint interface between the first and second members. The method further comprises contacting the rotating pin with the second member faying surface, the stir tool axis being disposed at a side tilt angle upon contact.

Abstract: A seal having a wall or element contoured and of a predetermined shape as, for example, in the form of a right circular cylinder, an extension member and a curved sheet member joined to an extension member, with the curved sheet member along the element and curved about the element such that the curved sheet member is spaced from a surface to which the extension member is attached, such as a window sill, so that the curved sheet member is spaced from the surface and the element rolls and is compressed to seal the interface between the sash and the sill when the sash is closed against the sill with minimum abrasion of the seal.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, methods have been developed for the reduction of the chloride content of epoxy compound starting materials. Invention methods comprise fractionating an epoxy compound starting material into portions (e.g., fractions or cuts) having different chloride content relative to the epoxy compound starting material. Certain of these collected portions (i.e., the portions fractionated and collected after collection of the forecut and before discontinuation of the fractionation) contain substantially reduced chloride levels relative to the epoxy compound starting material.

Abstract: A seal having a wall or element contoured and of a predetermined shape as, for example, in the form of a right circular cylinder, an extension member and a curved sheet member joined to an extension member, with the curved sheet member along the element and curved about the element such that the curved sheet member is spaced from a surface to which the extension member is attached, such as a window sill, so that the curved sheet member is spaced from the surface and the element rolls and is compressed to seal the interface between the sash and the sill when the sash is closed against the sill with minimum abrasion of the seal.

Abstract: A water-based coloring composition suitable for use in children's markers comprising a carrier, submicron polymeric particles, and a neutral buoyancy additive. The coloring compositions produce unique opaque images on a wide variety of writing surfaces. Additionally, the invention includes a water-based dry erase coloring composition suitable for use in children's markers comprising a carrier, submicron polymeric particles, a neutral buoyancy additive, and a release agent.

Abstract: A steering shaft lock for heavy-duty trucks having a steering shaft and accessible universal joint. The steering shaft lock has an elongated member and a flexible member attached to one end of the elongated member. The elongated member is steel bar-like member and the flexible member is a link-chain type member having one or more apertures or links. The elongated member is adapted to engage a spaced defined in the universal joint and protrude therefrom. The flexible member is adapted to lockingly engage the outer perimeter of the elongated member (at the point of its protrusion) with a locking device, such as a padlock. The steering shaft is locked by moving the flexible member toward the protrusion of the elongated member and placing the shackle of a locking device through one aperture of the flexible member and over the outer perimeter of the elongated member.

Abstract: A launcher is disclosed having means for directing and concentrically spreading, as well as dispersing, exhaust gases created by an internal combustion of an object, such as a missile, that is operatively launchable therefrom. The concentric duct provides the directing, spreading and dispersing means and cooperates with a cup having means to arrange a port in operative relationship with an exhaust outlet of the object being launched. The cup which mates with the concentric duct has one of its ends open to the ambient so that the exhaust gases are lead into and out of the concentric duct so as to be concentrically dispersed into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A washable dry erase coloring composition comprising an acid dye or polymeric dye colorant, a dye vehicle, a release agent, and an anionic dyeblocker. The dyeblocker additive may be an aromatic organic sulfonate and, preferably, is either a sulfonated naphthalene condensation product or a sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde condensation product. The dry erase coloring composition is suitable for use in marking on a whiteboard and enhances fugitivity from skin and fabrics. The dry erase coloring composition may optionally contain a film forming resin. More specifically, the invention is, in one preferred embodiment, a washable erasable whiteboard marker ink comprising an acid dye or polymeric dye, water, a film forming resin, a release agent and an aromatic organic sulfonate. In addition, the invention also includes a method of transferring an image from a whiteboard or non-porous surface to paper.

Abstract: A washable dry erase coloring composition comprising an acid dye or polymeric dye colorant, a dye vehicle, a release agent, and a dyeblocker additive. The dyeblocker additive is either a sulfonated naphthalene condensation product or a sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde condensation product. The dry erase coloring composition is suitable for use in marking on a whiteboard and enhances fugitivity from skin and fabrics. The dry erase coloring composition may optionally contain a film forming resin. More specifically, the invention is, in one preferred embodiment, a washable erasable whiteboard marker ink comprising an acid dye or polymeric dye, water, a film forming resin, a release agent and a sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde condensation product.

Abstract: A coloring composition comprising a polymeric dye, a dye vehicle, and an anionic dyeblocker. The coloring compositions enhance fugitivity from skin, fabrics and other household surfaces. More specifically, the invention is, in one preferred embodiment, a marker ink comprising a polymeric dye, water, and an aromatic organic sulfonate dyeblocker.

Abstract: A washable dry erase coloring composition comprising an acid dye or polymeric dye colorant, a dye vehicle, a release agent, and a dyeblocker additive. The dyeblocker additive is either a sulfonated naphthalene condensation product or a sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde condensation product. The dry erase coloring composition is suitable for use in marking on a whiteboard and enhances fugitivity from skin and fabrics. The dry erase coloring composition may optionally contain a film forming resin. More specifically, the invention is, in one preferred embodiment, a washable erasable whiteboard marker ink comprising an acid dye or polymeric dye, water, a film forming resin, a release agent and a sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde condensation product. In addition, the invention also includes a method of transferring an image from a whiteboard or non-porous surface to paper.