Abstract: Syringe positioning apparatus and methods are disclosed that provide for automated positioning of a syringe at an axially aligned position on a predetermined axis. The apparatus and methods employ first and second members having opposing surfaces that include first and second ramps, respectively, wherein the first ramp angles upward and away from the second member, and the second ramp angles upward and away from the first member. At least one of the first and second members may be advanceable toward the other by an actuator, wherein the first and second ramps may slidably engage a syringe and thereby elevate the syringe to the axially aligned position on the predetermined axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gripping a syringe utilizes four gripping members advanceable in different corresponding directions toward a predetermined axis to supportably engage a barrel of a syringe at corresponding circumferentially offset locations. A first motor may be utilized for co-driven advancement of the gripping members in tandem in the different corresponding directions toward the predetermined axis, and for retraction of the gripping members. The gripping members may include corresponding rollers, wherein a single one of the rollers may be rotated in an automated manner during supportive engagement of a syringe by the gripping members. A second motor may be utilized for driven rotation of the single roller. The disclosed embodiments may be utilized for supportive engagement of syringes having a range of syringe diameters.

Abstract: A syringe tip cap is provided for use with an automatic syringe loading apparatus. The cap includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, and having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is defined by at least one generally “V”-shaped ramp on each of two sides of the exterior surface.

Abstract: Vision system for measurement of a pitch of graduated marks on a syringe. The vision system may utilize a frequency domain representation of image data to measure the pitch. Furthermore, data processing techniques such as interpolation, windowing, and/or calibration may be utilized in connection with the measurement. In turn, the pitch of the graduated marks may be used in connection with automated filing of the syringe such that the syringe is filled based on and according to the graduated marks on the syringe.

Abstract: A label applicator for application of labels to the body of a syringe. The label applicator may be moved into position relative to a predetermined axis along which syringes of different respective sized may be disposed. In this regard, the label applicator may be operative to apply a label to an array of syringes of different sizes. Moreover, the label applicator may print label information onto the label regarding each individual syringe prior to application of a label to the syringe. This may allow for custom label application to each labeled syringe.

Abstract: Vision system for measurement of a pitch of graduated marks on a syringe. The vision system may utilize a frequency domain representation of image data to measure the pitch. Furthermore, data processing techniques such as interpolation, windowing, and/or calibration may be utilized in connection with the measurement. In turn, the pitch of the graduated marks may be used in connection with automated filing of the syringe such that the syringe is filled based on and according to the graduated marks on the syringe.

Abstract: Syringe positioning apparatus and methods are disclosed that provide for automated positioning of a syringe at an axially aligned position on a predetermined axis. The apparatus and methods employ first and second members having opposing surfaces that include first and second ramps, respectively, wherein the first ramp angles upward and away from the second member, and the second ramp angles upward and away from the first member. At least one of the first and second members may be advanceable toward the other by an actuator, wherein the first and second ramps may slidably engage a syringe and thereby elevate the syringe to the axially aligned position on the predetermined axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gripping a syringe utilizes four gripping members advanceable in different corresponding directions toward a predetermined axis to supportably engage a barrel of a syringe at corresponding circumferentially offset locations. A first motor may be utilized for co-driven advancement of the gripping members in tandem in the different corresponding directions toward the predetermined axis, and for retraction of the gripping members. The gripping members may include corresponding rollers, wherein a single one of the rollers may be rotated in an automated manner during supportive engagement of a syringe by the gripping members. A second motor may be utilized for driven rotation of the single roller. The disclosed embodiments may be utilized for supportive engagement of syringes having a range of syringe diameters.

Abstract: A label applicator for application of labels to the body of a syringe. The label applicator may be moved into position relative to a predetermined axis along which syringes of different respective sized may be disposed. In this regard, the label applicator may be operative to apply a label to an array of syringes of different sizes. Moreover, the label applicator may print label information onto the label regarding each individual syringe prior to application of a label to the syringe. This may allow for custom label application to each labeled syringe.

Abstract: A source fluid inlet for an automated filling device. The source fluid inlet may comprise features that limit engagement and/or disengagement of a source fluid tubing set from a port in the source fluid inlet except when the port is disposed in a predetermined load position. In turn, engagement and/or disengagement of the source fluid tubing may be selectively allowed to assist in reduction of interconnection errors of one or more source fluid sources. The source fluid inlet may selectively position a source fluid tubing set in a fill position to facilitate fluid communication with a receptacle to be filled (e.g., a syringe). The source fluid inlet further comprises one or more mechanisms for engagement and/or retention of a cap disposed on a syringe.

Abstract: A source fluid inlet for an automated filling device. The source fluid inlet may comprise features that limit engagement and/or disengagement of a source fluid tubing set from a port in the source fluid inlet except when the port is disposed in a predetermined load position. In turn, engagement and/or disengagement of the source fluid tubing may be selectively allowed to assist in reduction of interconnection errors of one or more source fluid sources. The source fluid inlet may selectively position a source fluid tubing set in a fill position to facilitate fluid communication with a receptacle to be filled (e.g., a syringe). The source fluid inlet further comprises one or more mechanisms for engagement and/or retention of a cap disposed on a syringe.

Abstract: A syringe tip cap is provided for use with an automatic syringe loading apparatus. The cap includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, and having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is defined by at least one generally “V”-shaped ramp on each of two sides of the exterior surface.

Abstract: A method of providing server hosted applications for integration with internet web sites, and software are disclosed. The method includes offering available applications for integration, to a web-site administrator. In response to obtaining a selection of a selected one of the plurality of applications, a template web-page representing a template for the look and feel of the web-site with which the selected application is to be integrated is obtained. Thereafter, a link to a web-page created from the template web-page having the look and feel, and containing data from the selected application is provided. This link may, in turn be provide, to end-users from the web-site. Software at an intermediate server may integrate application output and the template.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that monitor health of actively executing computer applications, and particularly which monitor relational database space availability. In one implementation, a warning threshold is defined for free space within a database located on a SQL server. The complexity of the database is assessed, in part by locating each file within the database. A health state is then established for each of the files located within the database, wherein the health state is based on a comparison of free space in each of the located files to the warning threshold.

Abstract: The floor covering includes multiple layers including a non-woven base layer, a VAE precoat applied to the non-woven woven base layer and overlaid by a first PVC layer. A fiberglass mat is applied over the first PVC layer and a second PVC layer is applied over the mat. A woven PVC layer is laminated by heat and pressure to the underlying second PVC layer. The woven PVC layer comprises monofilament or multifilament cores, preferably but not limited to, polyester filaments overlaid by a PVC coating.

Abstract: A fabric is provided having discrete surface portions of a primary backing and tufted yarns exposed on the technical face of the fabric. To form the fabric, the yarn feed controlled by servomotors is adjusted in increments to rob back yarn sufficient to pull out the previously tufted loops in selected portions of the fabric, leaving the primary backing portion of the pulled-out loops exposed on the technical face. By the selection process, random or patterned tufted portions and exposed primary backing surface portions are provided on the technical face of the fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering linkage device which transmits a user's input motion to at least one wheel of a vehicle, wherein the steering linkage device produces an output motion of a particular magnitude. The ratio of the magnitude of the input motion to the magnitude of the output motion varies, depending upon the magnitude of the input motion. The steering linkage device enhances the steering control of vehicle users by varying the steering responsiveness for different steering motions made by the users.

Abstract: Described are methods of making a carpet by (a) providing a primary backing material having a front side and a back side, (b) tufting a yarn into the primary backing material to produce a carpet pile on the front side of the primary backing material and loops of the yarn on the back side of the primary backing material, (c) applying by slot coating a layer of a first melted coating composition onto the back side of the tufted primary backing material, (d) applying by slot coating a layer of a second melted coating composition onto the coating applied in step (c) thereby fixing the loops of the yarn to the primary backing material, and (e) applying and pressing a secondary backing onto the slot coated tackifying resin layers and pressing it to join the first and second tackifying resins and the primary backing and secondary backing and yarn loops together to form a carpet.

Abstract: A fabric is formed of yarns having soiling-hiding and soiling-prone characteristics which are visually distinct one from the other in the surface of the fabric once the fabric has been soiled. The soiling-prone yarns comprise yarns formed of multi-lobal fibers or filaments where the soiling particles collect in the cavities of the lobed surfaces. Preferably, the soiling-hiding yarns are formed of hollowfil synthetic fibers or filaments. By embedding one or more yarns of the soiling-prone type in the fabric, e.g., carpet, the yarns become differentially visually distinctive relative to one another upon soiling of the fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering linkage device which transmits a user's input motion to at least one wheel of a vehicle, wherein the steering linkage device produces an output motion of a particular magnitude. The ratio of the magnitude of the input motion to the magnitude of the output motion varies, depending upon the magnitude of the input motion. The steering linkage device enhances the steering control of vehicle users by varying the steering responsiveness for different steering motions made by the users.