Abstract: The present invention relates to a media cutting tool for cutting a media. The media cutting tool comprises a cutting blade and a tool guide. The cutting blade is in a first plane and comprises a cutting edge. The tool guide is in a second plane. The tool guide and the cutting blade are of a similar composition and connect to form a unit. The first plane of the cutting blade and the second plane of the tool guide intersect at a connection line.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for cutting media, such as paper, cardboard, and metal foils. The device has a body that includes a sidewall extending from the body. The device has means for cutting the media disposed in the body. The means for cutting the media has a cutting edge having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The sidewall shrouds at least a portion of the cutting edge. The sidewall has a media contact point that is disposed away from the trailing edge in the direction of the leading edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative device for a non-food item, kits relating to the device, and methods of making the device. In one embodiment, the decorative article includes a non-food item having a first portion, a second distal portion, and a middle section disposed between the first and second portion. A decorative article is attached to the first portion of the non-food item. And, a decorative base is attached to the second portion of the non-food item. In another embodiment, the decorative article does not extend to the second portion of the non-food item.

Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition includes a polymer adhesive material having a pH of less than 7, a cationic thickener or an anionic thickener formed from at least one anionic monomer having a pKa of less than 3, and water. The adhesive composition has a stringing length of 9 cm or less and a sag distance of 10 mm or less.

Abstract: An computer implemented apparatus and method are disclosed for defining areas of a field in which a crop or other vegetation is grown based on their selective ability to grow such vegetation through a growing season, or some shorter preselected time period. The method includes making a number of temporally separated measurements through air borne imaging of a field, registering the data to the geography of the field and each other, normalizing the data including converting the data to a vegetative index indicative to the presence of vegetation in the field, comparing the data to identify clusters of like value, and classifying the clusters and images to learn how the different field areas responded in growing vegetation through the season. With this method, the field may be segregated into a number of like areas called crop response zones which exhibit similar vegetative growth characteristics as an aid to a grower in his decision making regarding how to maximize yield in his field.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a stacked pad of adhesive tape sheets is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a base having transversely spaced first and second major surfaces, first and second longitudinal ends defining a length, and first and second lateral sides defining a width. The dispenser further comprises a pair of laterally opposed side tabs proximate the first longitudinal end of the base which are transversely spaced from the first major surface of the base and laterally extend inward from the sides of the base so as to extend over the first major surface of the base. Substantially the entire first major surface of the base remains exposed.

Abstract: An item monitoring system and method of using an item monitoring system. The present invention relates more particularly to an item monitoring system including a sensor, that senses a plurality of items in a first amount of space associated with the sensor and that senses both items containing metal and items containing no metal, a communications network, and a computer that receives information from the sensor through the communications network. The present invention also relates more particularly to a method of monitoring items to determine the number of items within a first amount of space associated with the sensor.

Abstract: Methods for adhering an article having an electret charge to a substrate are disclosed. The methods include a step in which a charging material is used increase the adhesion of the article to the substrate.

Abstract: A fastener for attachment to articles in craft applications includes a gripping space for engaging a display article in the gripping space. One example of the fastener of the present invention includes a base, a support post, at least one gusset, and a cap. The base has an upper face and a substantially flat lower face. The support post is connected to the upper face of the base, and projects therefrom. The at least one gusset is connected to the support post. The cap has an outer face and an inner face, where the inner face of the cap is connected to the support post. The cap is disposed substantially parallel to the base, and extends over a portion of the at least one gusset. The cap is spaced from the base.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a substrate includes an elongated resilient strap having a first end and a second end. The first end of the strap terminates in a strap passage. The second end of the strap is extendable through the strap passage to provide locking engagement between the strap and the strap passage. When the strap is drawn through the strap passage, a loop is formed for supporting the article. The device also includes a base positioned between the first end and the second end of the strap. The base includes a surface adapted for fastening the base to the substrate.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a substrate, such as a display page, includes an elongated portion having a first end and a second end. A first end portion is coupled to the first end of the elongated portion. The device also includes a second end portion having a first major surface that is coupled to the second end of the elongated portion and a second major surface that is adapted for fastening to the substrate. When the fastener is attached to the article and secured to the substrate, the elongated portion passes through the article such that the article is positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: An adhesive composition includes a polymer adhesive material and a thickener. The adhesive composition has a stringing length of 9 cm or less and a phase lag of 45 degrees or less or a sag distance of 5 mm or less. The adhesive can be formed by combining a vinyl acetate polymer, an alkali swellable thickener, an alkali material, and water.

Abstract: Cling articles comprise a cling backing a first heat-activatable adhesive in contact with at least a portion of a major surface of the cling backing. The heat-activatable adhesive has an activation temperature of at least about 40 degrees Celsius, and has a gel content at or above the activation temperature of at least about 5 percent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ensuring availability of disk units in a disk pool which may be switched between a primary system and one or more backup systems. One embodiment provides a method for ensuring accessibility of one or more disk units by a system, comprising: configuring a storage pool for the system; validating availability of the one or more disk units for the storage pool; and selecting one or more valid disk units for the storage pool. The method may further comprise ranking availability of each disk unit for the storage pool and selecting one or more valid disk units for the storage pool according to availability ranking.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ensuring availability of disk units in a disk pool which may be switched between a primary system and one or more backup systems. One embodiment provides a method for ensuring accessibility of one or more disk units by a system, comprising: configuring a storage pool for the system; validating availability of the one or more disk units for the storage pool; and selecting one or more valid disk units for the storage pool. The method may further comprise ranking availability of each disk unit for the storage pool and selecting one or more valid disk units for the storage pool according to availability ranking.

Abstract: A tutorial software program provides information about the operation of an electronics assembly machine and a computer software interface used to operate the electronics assembly machine. A host transmits the tutorial program over a network, such as the Internet, to a computer at a customer's location. The information provided by the tutorial software program includes pictures representing the computer software interface, text that provides information about the electronics assembly machine and the computer software interface, audio that provides information about the electronics assembly machine, and video that shows the electronics assembly machine in use. Systems and methods for providing the tutorial program are also provided. The tutorial program allows a customer to instruct employees how to fully operate the electronics assembly machine without having to train employees on the machine itself, which could result in costly downtime of the machine.

Abstract: A suction device has a flexible cup member whose lower surface defines a flat central zone surrounded by an annular zone sloping inwardly and upwardly at an angle of 2.degree. to 10.degree. with the central zone. An article holder, such as a beverage can receptacle, has a rigid circular base centrally secured to the upper surface of the cup member, opposite the central zone thereof. Any tilting or lifting of the article holder attendantly tilts or pulls the central zone of the cup member upwardly, thereby establishing a retentive suction in a self-setting manner.