Abstract: In a print shop system including a plurality of printers and a print shop management server which manages print jobs, an improved method is described for controlling a document color detection method for purposes of assigning documents to appropriate printers for printing. A user interface is provided for the user to specify a set of criteria for selectively forwarding the color detection task to another server or for rejecting the print job. In a first embodiment, if one or more specified criteria are met, the print shop management server forwards the print job to another server to perform color detection. In a second embodiment, if one or more specified criteria are met, the print shop management server rejects the print job and notifies the user.

Abstract: An automatic job assignment method implemented in a print job management apparatus for processing print jobs in a multiple-printer print shop environment described. Each print job is processed by comparing the printing requirements of the job with capabilities of the printers to find one or more candidate printers that can satisfy all job requirements. Then, from all such candidate printers, one printer is selected by evaluating real-time conditions of the printers, such as wait time, device status, periodic maintenance (PM) count, operation history, job ticket history, etc., and the print job is submitted to the selected printer. The real-time conditions and the order in which they are evaluated are set by the operator. The process can also be run in an alternative mode where one of the candidate printers is selected based on a pre-defined fixed priority preference.

Abstract: An automatic job assignment method implemented in a print job management apparatus for processing print jobs in a multiple-printer print shop environment described. Each print job is processed by comparing the printing requirements of the job with capabilities of the printers to find one or more candidate printers that can satisfy all job requirements. Then, from all such candidate printers, one printer is selected by evaluating real-time conditions of the printers, such as wait time, device status, periodic maintenance (PM) count, operation history, etc., and the print job is submitted to the selected printer. The real-time conditions and the order in which they are evaluated are set by the operator. The process can also be run in an alternative mode where one of the candidate printers is selected based on a pre-defined fixed priority preference.

Abstract: In a print shop management system, a print job submission approval policy is provided to determine whether a print job submission made by a particular user is approved or prohibited. The policy includes multiple policy settings of job restriction criteria enforced at job submission time. The restrictions may be based on job price, certain restricted functions, resource usage, etc. If the job submission is prohibited, a message is displayed to the user but the print job is not submitted to the printer. Each policy setting may be applied to a user based on his user role or user name. Each policy setting is created by an administrator. A user interface for inputting policy setting values is disclosed.

Abstract: In a print shop management system, a print job submission approval policy is provided to determine whether a print job submission to a target printer is approved or prohibited. The policy includes multiple policy settings of job restriction criteria enforced at job submission time. The restrictions are based on conditions of the target printer, such as PM count, jam count, error count, printer status, levels of available resources, etc. The policy may also restrict certain user's ability to submit print jobs to certain printers. If the job submission is prohibited, a message is displayed to the user but the print job is not submitted to the printer. Each policy setting may be applied to a printer based on printer type or identity. Each policy setting is created by an administrator. A user interface for inputting policy setting values is disclosed.

Abstract: Fastener insertion apparatus comprises a nose having a fastener delivery passage and side entry port. Fasteners such as rivets are supplied to the nose via a fastener supply passage and a fastener feeder assembly. A punch reciprocally disposed for movement in the delivery passage drives a fastener disposed in the delivery passage out of the passage and into a workpiece. The feeder assembly comprises a gate that is movable between retracted and advanced positions. In the retracted position it is clear of the supply passage and the delivery passage so as to permit movement of a fastener from the supply passage to the delivery passage. In the advanced position it at least partially closes the supply passage so as to prevent movement of a fastener and it projects into the delivery passage through the entry port so as to retain a fastener, if present, in the delivery passage. Sensors are provided to detect the position of the gate.

Abstract: Fastener insertion apparatus comprises a nose having a fastener delivery passage and side entry port. Fasteners such as rivets are supplied to the nose via a fastener supply passage and a fastener feeder assembly. A punch reciprocally disposed for movement in the delivery passage drives a fastener disposed in the delivery passage out of the passage and into a workpiece. The feeder assembly comprises a gate that is movable between retracted and advanced positions. In the retracted position it is clear of the supply passage and the delivery passage so as to permit movement of a fastener from the supply passage to the delivery passage. In the advanced position it at least partially closes the supply passage so as to prevent movement of a fastener and it projects into the delivery passage through the entry port so as to retain a fastener, if present, in the delivery passage. Sensors are provided to detect the position of the gate.

Abstract: Fastener delivery apparatus for automatically selecting and delivering fasteners such as rivets to a setting tool. The fasteners are pre-loaded in a package and dispense via at least one fastener delivery tube that interconnects the setting tool to a fastener feeder device. The fastener feeder device releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube. The fasteners are transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool. A transfer station attached to the tool or the delivery tube transfers a fastener from the delivery apparatus into the tool, the transfer station being moveable between a first position in which an exit of the transfer station is adjacent to the tool so that a delivered fastener may be inserted by the transfer station into the tool and a second position in which it is clear of the tool so as to permit the tool or a portion thereof to move towards a workpiece to insert a loaded fastener. The delivery tube has wear resistant elements.

Abstract: A toy device is disclosed having a base (11), a main portion (12) and an elongated supply tubing (13) extending between the base (11) and the main portion (12). The main portion (12) includes a support in the form of an inflatable ball (17) and an equatorial, annular array of water jets (18) coupled tangentially to the ball (17). Each water jet (18) has a water line (19) extending therefrom to a central hub (20) in fluid communication with tubing (13).

Abstract: A fluid gun (700) is disclosed having an electric pump (704) for conveying air to a pressure chamber (701) having a release valve (702) for controlling the release of fluid. The activation of the electric pump is controlled by a pressure sensitive actuation switch (713) which senses the pressure within the pressure chamber and activates the pump when the sensed pressure falls within a minimal range.

Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a launch tube (12), a magazine (18), a manual air pump (14) and a loading tube (29). The magazine has an outer shell (25) and an indexing wheel mounted (26) mounted within the outer shell. The indexing wheel has a central hub (31), a peripheral ring (35) and an annular array of fins (32) extending between the central hub and peripheral ring which define an annular array of projectile cells (34).

Abstract: A fluid gun (700) is disclosed having an electric pump (704) for conveying air to a pressure chamber (701) having a release valve (702) for controlling the release of fluid. The activation of the electric pump is controlled by a pressure sensitive actuation switch (713) which senses the pressure within the pressure chamber and activates the pump when the sensed pressure falls within a minimal range.

Abstract: A fluid gun (700) is disclosed having an electric pump (704) for conveying air to a pressure chamber (701) having a release valve (702) for controlling the release of fluid. The activation of the electric pump is controlled by a pressure sensitive actuation switch (713) which senses the pressure within the pressure chamber and activates the pump when the sensed pressure falls within a minimal range.

Abstract: A rocket launcher (10) is provided having a manual air pump (11) coupled to a base unit (12) through an elongated pressure tube (13) having a pressure release valve or trigger (20). The base unit has a pressure chamber (24), a launch tube (25), and an orientation sensitive safety mechanism (32) coupled to the end of the pressure tube. The safety mechanism is coupled to an internal pressure tube (33) which extends to a pressure sensitive release valve (34) that controls the release of pressurized air from the launch tube. The orientation sensitive safety mechanism prevents the launching of projectiles should the launch tube be offset from a vertical orientation and depressurizes the launcher should an operator attempt to fire the launcher while in an offset orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting plasticizer from polymer structures includes, in one embodiment, a evacuation chamber, a heat source and a cooling chamber are all coupled to a conduit having a motorized fan for cycling gases through the components. The plasticizer is evaporated within the evacuation chamber by the heat source and entrained in a gaseous stream passing through the evacuation chamber. The plasticizer enriched gases are then passed through the cooling chamber wherein the plasticizer is condensed prior to being cycled back to the evacuation chamber. A gas heater aid in maintaining a constant gas flow temperature within the evacuation chamber.

Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a launch tube (12), a magazine (18) and a manual air pump (14). A loading tube (29) extends from the magazine to an opening (50) in the launch tube. A pressure chamber (15) is mounted within the launch tube in a stationary position relative to the stock. The pressure chamber has a release valve (16) therein and an annular seal (48) sized for sealing engagement with the launch tube. The launch tube is reciprocally moved between a loading position with the launch tube opening (50) positioned on one side of the pressure chamber seal (48) and a firing position with the launch tube opening (50) positioned on an opposite side of the pressure chamber seal (48).

Abstract: A toy gun (10) is provided having a housing (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13), and a manual air pump (14). The manual air pump is coupled to both a water pressure tank (15) and an air pressure chamber (30). The water pressure tank is coupled to a quick release water nozzle or valve (24). The air pressure chamber is coupled to a quick release air valve (32). The trigger is coupled to a movable switch (40) which selectively engages either the quick release water nozzle to release a stream of water with actuation of the trigger or the quick release air valve to release a burst of compressed air with actuation of the trigger.

Abstract: An air pump (10) having a separation chamber (15) defined by a top wall (11), a bottom wall (12) and generally annular side walls (13). A liquid entry tube (24) configured to draw air into a stream of liquid passing through the liquid entry tube is coupled to the separation chamber so that the air/liquid mixtures rotates within the separation chamber. The rotation of the mixture causes air to accumulate within a central zone (30) and the liquid to accumulate about a peripheral zone (31). The continued flow of the mixture causes the accumulating air to become pressurized where it is released through an air exit tube (20) in fluid communication with the central zone of the separation chamber. The liquid is expelled through a liquid exit port (18).

Abstract: An air compressed gun (210) is provided having a stock (211), multiple barrels (212), a trigger (213) and a manual air pump (214). A pressure chamber (216) and release valve (217) is coupled to each barrel which is controlled by the trigger.

Abstract: A water gun (10) is provided having a pressure tank (19) in fluid communication with a coupler (20) adapted to be received upon a conventional water faucet, and a pump (42) for conveying additional air to the pressure tank. The flow of water from the water faucet draws ambient air which is compressed within the pressure tank to pressurize the water therein. The pressurized liquid is released through a nozzle (21) coupled to the pressure tank by actuation of a trigger (17).