Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, including: a sheet tray for holding the stack of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above the stack of sheets, for picking up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force in the air plenum; a paper fluffer for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack, the paper fluffer having a system for adjusting air flow between individual sheets.

Abstract: A mobile power generation system is provided. The system includes a main trailer having an engine and an electric generator turned by the engine, an air filtration trailer having air filtration equipment for filtering air used as inlet air to the engine, an exhaust trailer having a part of an exhaust silencing system for reducing engine output noise, and an auxiliary trailer having auxiliary equipment for use during operation of the engine.

Abstract: A self-contained sheet for forming an image comprising a support, a first layer of microcapsules containing a color precursor of the electron donating type in a carrier liquid on the surface of the support, a layer of microspheres overlying the microcapsule layer, and a developer material present in at least one of the microcapsule layer or microsphere layer, wherein the developer material can react with the color precursor to form a visible image when the color precursor is released from the microcapsules.

Abstract: Disclosed is a titration method for determining the concentration of a base developer solution to within ±0.02 mN, which involves performing steps (a) and (b) in any order: (a) weighing to ±0.001%, an amount of a solution of aqueous base developer of known approximate normality; (b) weighing to ±0.001%, an amount of an acid titrant sufficient to neutralize at least 90% of the base developer in the solution of step (a); thereafter performing steps (c)-(e) in the following order: (c) contacting the aqueous base developer solution with the acid titrant to neutralize at least 90% of the base developer in the solution, and leaving from about 1% to about 10% of the original aqueous base developer as residual non-neutralized base developer in the solution; (d) titrating the residual non-neutralized base developer in the solution with the acid titrant to the end point in an inert atmosphere, wherein the temperature of the titrant is maintained at a temperature of about 20-30° C.±0.

Abstract: A method for printing carbonless forms on an electrostatic printer or copier and carbonless forms for use in electrostatic printers or copiers are disclosed. A method of printing carbonless forms comprises providing a recording sheet comprising a substrate, the substrate being coated with a coated front (CF) coating comprising a developer, hollow microspheres and a binder composition, wherein the binder composition comprises polyvinyl alcohol and printing on the recording sheet with an electrostatic printer or copier.

Abstract: A timing device for tracking the length of time a user is absent from a particular location comprises a base member that includes a housing, a timer mounted to the housing, a display connected to the timer, and a timing-key receiver attached to the housing and in communication with the timer and utilized in starting and stopping the timer. Provided is a visually prominent timing-key releasably mountable to the timing-key receiver that comprises a key body and a coupler attached to the key body which releasably mates with the timing-key receiver. The device is commonly employed in tracking how long a student is temporarily absent from a classroom.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method of creating and performing a soundtrack to accompany an electronic slide show presentation is disclosed. The method includes receiving input from a slide presentation author, the input specifying when the soundtrack is to begin, end, or change. The input also includes a specification of elements that control the soundtrack content. During an electronic slide show, when each slide (212) is displayed, the soundtrack specifications associated with the displayed slide (212) are retrieved. Based on the specifications, a music engine (230) is invoked with commands to control the composition and performance of a soundtrack that accompanies the currently displayed slide. The method also includes receiving specifications of motifs that are triggered to accompany predetermined events occurring during the electronic slide show.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method of viewing an electronic slide show presentation providing three modes for viewing an electronic slide show: a speaker presentation mode, an individual browser mode, and a kiosk browser mode. For each mode, a user interface having features desirable in the corresponding mode is provided. The speaker presentation mode user interface displays slides sized to fill a computer display screen. The individual browser mode user interface displays slides within an application window and provides a navigation scrollbar for navigating the slides. The navigation scrollbar having advance and reverse buttons for controlling the display of builds in the slide, and previous and next slide buttons for controlling the display of slides. The kiosk browser mode user interface displays full screen slides and restricts a viewer's navigational functions. The method also provides a user with the ability to customize the user interface corresponding to a slide presentation.

Abstract: A system for converting a colored page to a black and white page for black and white printing. A colored page is selected for conversion to black and white. The colored page contains at least one graphical item, such as text, a frame, a line, a closed shape, or a picture. One of the graphical items is then selected for conversion to black and white. After a graphical item is selected, a mode is selected for converting the selected graphical item to black and white. The modes can include a gray scale mode, a light gray scale mode, an inverse gray scale mode, a black with white fill mode, a gray with white fill mode, a black with gray fill mode, a black mode, a white mode, a don't show mode, and an automatic mode. These modes each describe a different method for converting colors in the selected graphical item to black, white, and shades of gray. The selected graphical item is then converted to black and white based on the selected mode. These tasks can be repeated for each graphical item on the colored page.

Abstract: Flatproofing liquid is provided to tires through a one-way disposable valve assembly. In accordance with the method, the valve stem core is removed from the tire to allow the liquid to be freely admitted. A one-way valve is attached to the valve stem, and the tire is filled with the flatproofing material. The flatproofing material is then allowed to cure in the tire and in the valve. After curing, the valve is removed and discarded. The apparatus includes an inexpensive one-way valve for connection to the valve stem at one end and supply hoses at the other.

Abstract: The invention is a monotract conveyor which has a pivotal tray which is selectively lockable to either pivot to either side of a track which the conveyor runs on, or to stay in an upright position. The tray is mounted to an upper portion of the conveyor unit which is mounted to the main body of the unit by a male/female key member connection. This connection enables one end of the upper portion to be lifted from lower portion, while the key members lock the upper and lower portions of the other end together.

Abstract: A battery assembly and method for making the same comprising:a laminar battery, said laminar battery including:an anode layer;an ionically conductive electrolyte layer;a cathode layer;said electrolyte layer being interposed between said anode layer and said cathode layer, and said layers being assembled to form an electrical cell;a pair of electrically conductive terminals in electrical contact with said anode layer and said cathode layer; anda protective sheet material enveloping said laminar battery;said sheet material being heat sealed at the periphery of said laminar battery and about said terminals to exclude air and moisture and said terminals extending from or being accessible through said protective sheet material for connection to a device which is powered by said laminar battery is disclosed. The battery assembly is formed, and the method includes that the sealing occur under a vacuum.

Abstract: An apparatus for doctoring a cylindrical rotating surface, comprising a doctor back mounted for rotation about a first axis, and a blade carrier assembly mounted on the doctor back for rotation about a second parallel axis. A doctor blade is removably supported by the blade carrier assembly and is loaded against the rotating surface by a force applied to rotate the doctor back about the first axis. A liquid filled flexible walled tube extends along the second axis between the doctor back and the blade carrier assembly. The blade angle is adjusted by expanding and contracting the liquid filled tube to rotate the blade carrier about the second axis.

Abstract: An amphibious sail craft with a sail-wing system is disclosed, including a rotatably mounted mast, a rotatable boom pivotally mounted to the mast, and a sail-wing mounted to the boom and rotatable with the boom about horizontal and vertical axes for varying the attitude of the sail-wing among sail positions or wing positions or combinations thereof. Mechanism to turn the mast and to rotate and tilt the boom to thereby control the attitude of the sail-wing includes: sheets to rotate the boom about its axis; a control wheel to selectively pull one or the other of the sheets, or to pull them both to control the rearward tilt of the boom; and a control column and reaction gear to turn the mast away from the movement of the control column.

Abstract: An apparatus for doctoring a cylindrical rotating surface, comprising a doctor back mounted for rotation about a first axis, and a blade carrier assembly mounted on the doctor back for rotation about a second parallel axis. A doctor blade is removably supported by the blade carrier assembly and is loaded against the rotating surface by a force applied to rotate the doctor back about the first axis. A liquid filled flexible walled tube extends along the second axis between the doctor back and the blade carrier assembly. The blade angle is adjusted by expanding and contracting the liquid filled tube to rotate the blade carrier about the second axis.

Abstract: Improved paint brush bristles formed of synthetic materials are hollow and tapered with a central axial hollow. The tapered hollow bristles are characterized by their consistent wall thickness, i.e., ratio of cross-sectional hollow area to cross-sectional wall area remains consistent from one end of the bristle to the other; and by their consistency in neck-down location.

Abstract: Improved paint brush bristles formed of synthetic materials are hollow and tapered with a central axial hollow. The tapered hollow bristles are characterized by their consistent wall thickness, i.e., ratio of cross-sectional hollow area to cross-sectional wall area remains consistent from one end of the bristle to the other; and by their consistency in neck-down location.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of a hot melt coating composition containing microcapsules. The process comprises the steps of preparing a dispersion of substantially discrete microcapsules in a volatile solvent continuous phase. A hot melt suspending medium is prepared, the hot melt suspending medium having a melting point of from about 50.degree. C. to about 140.degree. C. and a melting point range of less than about 15.degree. C., the hot melt suspending medium being in a fluid state. The dispersion of substantia lly discrete microcapsules in a volatile solvent is then mixed with the fluid hot melt suspending medium with turbulent agitation to form an intimate mixture of the dispersion of microcapsules and the hot melt suspending medium. Heat and a vacuum are applied to the mixture, while maintaining the agitation, until the volatile solvent is substantially removed from the mixture to form a dispersion of substantially discrete microcapsules in the liquid hot melt suspending medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a radiation curable coating composition containing microcapsules having a hydrophobic liquid core as follows: An emulsion containing droplets of hydrophobic emulsion component dispersed in a hydrophilic liquid component is prepared. The hydrophobic emulsion component comprises a hydrophobic liquid and a first wall-forming material soluble therein and capable of reacting by condensation polymerization with a second wall-forming material to form a polymeric capsule wall which is substantially insoluble in, and impermeable to, the hydrophilic and hydrophobic emulsion components. The hydrophilic emulsion component comprises an emulsifier and a radiation curable hydrophilic liquid which comprises water and at least one radiation curable polar compound. The emulsion also contains the second wall-forming material.

Abstract: A process for the production of a hot melt coating composition containing microcapsules. The process comprises the steps of preparing a dispersion of substantially discrete microcapsules in a volatile solvent continuous phase. A hot melt suspending medium is prepared, the hot melt suspending medium having a melting point of from about 50.degree. C. to about 140.degree. C. and a melting point range of less than about 15.degree. C., the hot melt suspending medium being in a fluid state. The dispersion of substantially discrete microcapsules in a volatile solvent is then mixed with the fluid hot melt suspending medium with turbulent agitation to form an intimate mixture of the dispersion of microcapsules and the hot melt suspending medium. Heat and a vacuum are applied to the mixture, while maintaining the agitation, until the volatile solvent is substantially removed from the mixture to form a dispersion of substantially discrete microcapsules in the liquid hot melt suspending medium.