Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a planarized bit-patterned magnetic medium that has a magnetic layer, including island regions and trench regions, a first carbon layer applied over the magnetic layer, and a second carbon layer applied over the first carbon layer, wherein the second carbon layer has been removed in the island regions. The first carbon layer may have a lower material removal rate when exposed to chemical-mechanical polishing than the second carbon layer. The present disclosure also relates to a method for planarizing a bit-patterned magnetic medium and a slurry composition for the chemical-mechanical polishing of carbon layers, the slurry composition including an oxidizer component, a catalyst component, a particulate component, and a reaction control component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a planarized bit-patterned magnetic medium that has a magnetic layer, including island regions and trench regions, a first carbon layer applied over the magnetic layer, and a second carbon layer applied over the first carbon layer, wherein the second carbon layer has been removed in the island regions. The first carbon layer may have a lower material removal rate when exposed to chemical-mechanical polishing than the second carbon layer. The present disclosure also relates to a method for planarizing a bit-patterned magnetic medium and a slurry composition for the chemical-mechanical polishing of carbon layers, the slurry composition including an oxidizer component, a catalyst component, a particulate component, and a reaction control component.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic disk overcoat for perpendicular magnetic recording media comprises three layers. The initial layer comprises a dense mixture of both SiCx and SiNy compounds. The intermediate layer is a relatively dense high energy carbon process and the outer layer is sputtered CNx. The overall thickness of the overcoat is less than about 35 ?. The overcoat has the desired lubricant interaction with the elements that comprise the magnetic layers adjacent to the overcoat. Adjusting the SiC/SiN ratio in the overcoat eliminates potential negative interaction with the magnetic layers of the disk.

Abstract: A customer at a client workstation communicates with access software on a remote server to retrieve data from a database. The client may obtain information, such as available inventory, the status of a pending order, and so on, without contacting the database owner, such as the distributor of the inventory. Reports can be generated automatically by the customer.

Abstract: The fabrication of the overcoat layer starts with a low energy ion beam to avoid magnetic layer implantation problems, followed by higher deposition energies where the higher energy atoms are implanted into the previously formed lower energy overcoat layer, rather than the magnetic layer. The energy gradient ion beam deposition process therefore results in a thin overcoat layer that is denser than a comparable layer formed by low energy magnetron sputtering, and which overcoat layer provides good mechanical and corrosion protection to the magnetic layer, without degrading the magnetic properties of the magnetic layer.

Abstract: The fabrication of an overcoat layer starts with a low energy ion beam to avoid magnetic layer implantation problems, followed by higher deposition energies where the higher energy atoms are implanted into the previously formed lower energy overcoat layer, rather than the magnetic layer. The energy gradient ion beam deposition process therefore results in a thin overcoat layer that is denser than a comparable layer formed by low energy magnetron sputtering, and which overcoat layer provides good mechanical and corrosion protection to the magnetic layer.

Abstract: In the energy gradient ion beam deposition technique of the present invention, the fabrication of the overcoat layer starts with a low energy ion beam to avoid magnetic layer implantation problems, followed by higher deposition energies where the higher energy atoms are implanted into the previously formed lower energy overcoat layer, rather than the magnetic layer. The energy gradient ion beam deposition process therefore results in a thin overcoat layer that is denser than a comparable layer formed by low energy magnetron sputtering, and which overcoat layer provides good mechanical and corrosion protection to the magnetic layer, without degrading the magnetic properties of the magnetic layer. Where a magnetic media hard disk of the present invention is utilized within a hard disk drive, the thinner overcoat layer allows the magnetic head of the disk drive to fly closer to the magnetic media layer, thereby facilitating an increase in the areal data storage density of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A new portable or mountable gun case device and method for safely storing one of a variety of loaded and unloaded firearms. The gun case includes a child-resistant latching mechanism. A lockable case that protects children from senseless handgun accidents, yet allows quick access to a handgun to protect a family in an emergency. The unique case design allows mounting beside the bed, under a desk or counter, in a car, truck or RV, and in the wall (behind a picture) with optional pivoting wall bracket. The handgun case can be recessed in a wall behind a picture. Each case includes holster that adjusts to every gun size. The unique drop-down door delivers a gun the same way every time: safely pointed down. The case has unique safety and convenience features and options.

Abstract: A method of transferring digital image data over a communication link transforms and orders the data so that, as data is received by a receiving station, a low detail version of the image is immediately generated with later transmissions of data providing progressively greater detail in this image. User instructions are accepted, limiting the ultimate resolution of the image or suspending enhancement of the image except in certain user defined regions. When a low detail image is requested followed by a request for a high detailed version of the same image, the originally transmitted data of the low resolution image is not discarded or retransmitted but used with later data to improve the originally transmitted image. Only a single copy of the transformed image need be retained by the transmitting device in order to satisfy requests for different amounts of image detail.

Abstract: A stabilizer which may be attached to an archery bow. The stabilizer includes three elongated parallel rods with two end caps for interconnecting the three rods. An axial slider is mounted on the rods and may be secured at any desired axial position of the rods. The rods may be rotationally adjusted relative to the bow by means of a rotational adjustment which includes a locking nut.

Abstract: A high pressure conditioning system apparatus and control network. A direct fired steam generator supplies a mixture of super-heated steam and oxygen-deficient non-condensable gases to a pressurized conditioner constructed for heating, mositurizing, and conditioning matter including cereals, grains, beans, full fat soybean, barley, and seeds for a selected period of time. The high pressure conditioner is adapted for homogeneous interaction of the direct fired steam, non-condensable gases and the matter to be conditioned. A pressurized resting chamber is used statically steam the conditioned matter. A myriad of chemical changes are advantageously induced by the utilization of high pressures, controlled time, temperature, direct fired steam, moisture content, and the homogeneous interaction thereof.

Abstract: An anaerobic, pasteurizing conditioning system for treating matter such as whole and ground grain, minerals and other ingredients to increase the rate of their conversion and absorption during digestion and thus the nutritional value thereof. The system comprises a direct fired steam generator adapted for producing an effluent stream comprising steam and non-condensible gases, a vapor homogenizer for producing a substantially water-free treatment fluid from the effluent stream, and the treatment fluid containing insufficient oxygen for aerobic bacterial life. The treatment fluid, comprising steam and oxygen deficient non-condensible gases is discharged into the vessel for counter-current flow relative to grain passing therethrough.

Abstract: An anaerobic, pasteurizing conditioning system for treating matter such as whole and ground grain and minerals to increase the rate of conversion during digestion and thus the nutritional value thereof. The system comprises a direct fired steam generator adapted for producing treatment fluid comprising steam and non-condensible gases, the gases containing insufficient oxygen for substantial aerobic bacterial growth. The steam and oxygen deficient non-condensible gases are discharged into the vessel for counter-current flow relative to matter passing therethrough. The operation of the direct fired steam generator is controlled for producing a sufficiently large volume of oxygen deficient gases and steam for purging the matter of other gases flowing therewith and maintaining the deficient oxygen level in the non-condensible gases for creating an anaerobic condition.

Abstract: A conditioning system for particulate matter comprising a vertical conditioning vessel adapted for the counter-current flow of particulate matter and treatment fluid therethrough. The particulate matter such as grain, is fed into an upper region of the vertical vessel while treatment fluid such as steam and non-condensible gases is fed into a lower region of the vessel. A plurality of paddles adapted for rotation through the counter-current flow of particulate matter and treatment fluid are provided among a plurality of stators. The rotation of the paddles about the stators creates a plurality of notional mixture planes facilitating homogenous interaction between the treatment fluid and the particulate matter thereby providing control of temperature and/or moisture levels therein. In this manner, heat may be added to particulate matter such as grain to alter the molecular structure thereof and/or increase lubricity for subsequent operations such as pelletizing.

Abstract: An anaerobic, pasteurizing conditioning system for treating matter such as whole and ground grain and minerals to increase the rate of conversion during digestion and thus the nutritional value thereof. The system comprises a direct fired steam generator adapted for producing treatment fluid comprising steam and non-condensible gases the gases containing insufficient oxygen for substantial aerobic bacterial growth. The steam and oxygen deficient non-condensible gases are discharged into the vessel for counter-current flow relative to matter passing therethrough. The operation of the direct fired steam generator is controlled for producing a sufficiently large volume of oxygen deficient gases and steam for purging the matter of other gases flowing therewith and maintaining the deficient oxygen level in the non-condensible gases for creating an anaerobic condition.

Abstract: An improved concrete curing blanket of light weight, high water retention and wicking action, and connectable into coverage of large concrete surface. The blanket has a surface layer (e.g. three mils) of low density polyethylene carrying any pigments that is heat sealed as a melted coating upon a batting layer (e.g. one-tenth inch) of a porous and resilient, non-woven, synthetic needle-punched fabric. Adjacent pieces of the blanket are heat sealed together to cover large areas of curing concrete. The batting layer conforms to the irregularities of the concrete surface to promote wetting action and enhance the curing function.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to light stable polyisocyanate adduct mixtures with an average functionality greater than 2.0 and an isocyanate content of between about 4 and 19 percent by weight based on solids, which has good compatibility with apolar solvents and good storage stability in a solution of polyisocyanate solvents. The polyisocyanate adduct mixtures are based on the reaction product of a polyisocyanate, preferably a biuret-containing polyisocyanate, with a first monohydroxy compound containing a saturated hydrocarbon chain of at least 8 carbon atoms and a second monohydroxy compound containing at least one polarity inducing group. Alternatively, both the saturated hydrocarbon chain and the polarity inducing group may be present in the same monohydroxy compound.The present invention is additionally directed to the use of the polyisocyanate adduct mixtures in the process of curing alkyd or acrylic resins and to compositions containing the adduct mixture and alkyd or acrylic resins.

Abstract: A remote control dummy launcher or bumper launcher for training retrieving dogs, incorporating a power handle of the type designed for explosive release of gas from a blank cartridge for launching a bumper or dummy mounted on the launching arm of the power handle. The launcher includes housing means supporting the power handle, a stable base for directing the power handle at a desired angle, trigger means mounted to the housing for engaging, controlling or releasing the firing pin actuating means of the power handle whereby a dummy mounted on the launching arm may be explosively launched. Radio receiver output circuit means for controlling a power supply to said launcher and for sequentially firing a plurality of such launchers are also described.

Abstract: Certain mercapto heterocyclic compounds in certain photothermographic and thermographic elements and compositions containing silver salts of certain heterocyclic thione compounds and an organic reducing agent for the silver salts provide improved developed image tone. In the photothermographic element comprising photographic silver halide in association with the silver salt of heterocyclic thione, a developed and stabilized image, in the absence of a separate stabilizer or stabilizer precursor, with improved tone, is provided by heating the element. The photothermographic element and composition can contain a binder.