Abstract: This invention is a multi-functional tool designed to stop injury, save time, and minimize aggravation to truck drivers when sliding trailer tandems and or releasing fifth wheel devices The device can be used as an extension handle facilitating the safe manual pulling of release handles without having to strain when bent at the waist, reducing the chance of serious back injury. When the trailer tandem locking pins are not aligned, our device incorporates a screw jack attached to a spring operating the handle, without the need for brute force. The device holds the locking pin release handle in the released position while the driver moves the trailer axles to the needed position. The invention's use of a mechanical advantage provides greater pulling power than is possible by one person Furthermore, our invention eliminates the need for personnel to be in proximity of moving equipment and at risk of bodily harm or even death.

Abstract: A flexible substrate is described herein which is made from a freestanding inorganic material (e.g., mica paper, carbon paper, glass fiber paper) with pores/interstices that have been impregnated with a special impregnating material (e.g., silsesquioxane, alkali silicate glass with weight ratio of SiO2/X2O (X is alkali Na, K etc.) between 1.6-3.5). In one embodiment, the flexible substrate is made by: (1) providing a freestanding inorganic material; (2) providing an impregnating material; (3) impregnating the pores/interstices within the freestanding inorganic material with the impregnating material; and (4) curing the freestanding inorganic material with the impregnated pores/interstices to form the flexible substrate. The flexible substrate is typically used to make a flexible display or a flexible electronic.

Abstract: A method for remotely selecting and ordering photographic prints, includes the steps of: sending a photographic film bearing a plurality of latent images to a photofinisher; developing the photographic film to produce visible images and scanning the visible images to create a digital image file at the photo finisher; producing an index print having a plurality of images from the photographic film along with an index number associated with each image and an order number; sending the index print to a customer; selecting images for which prints are desired from the index print; ordering photographic prints via telephone from the customer's home to the photofinisher, specifying the order number and the index numbers associated with the images for which prints are desired; and making photographic prints of the selected images at the photofinisher and sending the photographic prints to the customer.

Abstract: A method for remotely selecting and ordering photographic prints, includes the steps of: sending a photographic film bearing a plurality of latent images to a photofinisher; developing the photographic film to produce visible images and scanning the visible images to create a digital image file at the photo finisher; producing an index print having a plurality of images from the photographic film along with an index number associated with each image and an order number; sending the index print to a customer; selecting images for which prints are desired from the index print; ordering photographic prints via telephone from the customer's home to the photofinisher, specifying the order number and the index numbers associated with the images for which prints are desired; and making photographic prints of the selected images at the photofinisher and sending the photographic prints to the customer.

Abstract: A type 2 IP-5000 toner cartridge is converted to a type 1 HP-5000 toner cartridge. The device and method are utilized by placing a repair contact over-plate over a double-spring contact subassembly to make a flat surface for the coil-spring contactor to engage while it rotates so that there will be electrical communication between the double-spring contact subassembly, the repair contact over-plate, the coil-spring contactor, the flange and the developer roller. The repair contact over-plate has at least two attachment-alignment holes used to lock into posts of the gear housing. Various forms of locking, removable locking or non-locking may be implemented into the repair contact over-plate. Installation of the repair contact over-plate may be facilitated by using a tool. The tool may consist of one plate, bar or flat srewdriver with at least one attachment-alignment hole to press the repair contact over-plate over the posts.

Abstract: A remote ordering system for receiving an order for goods and/or services over a communication network, the system including an electronic storage device for storing digital images, and a computer for accessing said digital images on said storage device and for communicating with a remote customer over said communication network. The computer can receive orders for goods and/or services with respect to the stored digital images. The digital images stored on said storage device having associated identification information that is used by said customer in placing the orders and an output device for producing said goods and/or services set forth in said order.

Abstract: An improved seal-insert and seal for a toner hopper as used in toner cartridge assemblies for printers, copiers and facsimile machines. In one embodiment, the seal has two slotted, rectangular outer pieces joined together with slot alignment and joined by an inner layer of two-sided tape. The two-sided tape is made with a long u-shape which does not interfere with the slots in the outer pieces. The open end of the u-shaped tape configuration allows a seal to be inserted or removed from between the outer pieces to close or open the slots. The seal-insert is applied over the passage from the toner hopper. The outer pieces are made from an antistatic and/or a conductive material, such as an aluminum laminate or plastic imprefnated with conductive particles. Alternately, the outer pieces may be made from plastic covered with an antistatic and/or conductive spray or coating.

Abstract: A shipping seal assembly uses adhesive masking to reduce the magnitude of the pulling force required to pull the pull-strip component of a tear-seal assembly to tear the seal assembly. The very release liner, an ingredient of some adhesive tapes, already removably adhered to the tape as purchased is used to mask the adhesive at the initial tearing and/or final tearing area, or any other location where the magnitude of the pulling force is to be reduced. Precision adhesive masking is accomplished during the same die-cutting process of forming a seal-insert component of the seal assembly, and thus does not require an extra step, but rather uses a die that does both functions of cutting a seal-insert component and kiss-cut-forming an adhesive mask, all in one die-cut step. These seal assembly improvements are implemented in the overall manufacture of a toner hopper, toner cartridge and/or used in an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A device and method is shown that enables any strip or modular shipping seal-assembly to be ergonomically installed in a user-friendly way by leaving a handle protruding from the strip-assembly or seal-assembly for easy separation of the release liner when installing the strip-assembly or seal-assembly. Also, seal-assemblies may be manufactured and installed where there is a page consisting of the same material that the seal-insert is made of and the seal-inserts are die-cut into the page. Since the seal-insert perimeter is formed with a kiss-cut to the bottom release liner, the seal-assembly can be built-into a page. Then when it is time for the seal-assembly installer to install the seal-assembly, he simply pulls on the seal-assembly and the seal-assembly lifts right off of the page, ready to install, adhesive exposed because lifting it off the page separated the seal-assembly from the bottom release liner layer of the page.

Abstract: The present invention is a man-portable counter-mortar radar (MCMR) radar system that detects and tracks enemy mortar projectiles in flight and calculates their point of origin (launch point) to enable and direct countermeasures against the mortar and its personnel. In addition, MCMR may also perform air defense surveillance by detecting and tracking aircraft, helicopters, and ground vehicles. MCMR is a man-portable radar system that can be disassembled for transport, then quickly assembled in the field, and provides 360-degree coverage against an enemy mortar attack.

Abstract: A method for selecting and ordering photographic prints, includes the steps of: obtaining a digital image file containing a plurality of images; employing the digital image file to produce an index print having the plurality of images along with an index number associated with each image and a customer order number; prior to making any individual prints, delivering the index print to a customer; selecting images for which prints are desired from the index print; using the index print to order prints of selected images; making prints of the selected images; and delivering the selected prints to the customer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, toner cartridge assembly and toner hopper having a seal-insert and tear-style seal-assembly in the toner hopper as used in toner cartridge assemblies for dry toner style printers, copiers and facsimile machines. The seal-assembly may have a short grip portion where the seal installation personnel may pull on both the short grip portion and the pull-strip simultaneously to control and guide the seal-assembly into position in the toner hopper with ease. Methods to install and manufacture are also included.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus or toner cartridge component thereof uses a bias voltage contact device that fits into an electrobushing which transmits the electrical contact has been invented. Thus, now a bushing can also act as an electrical contact and thereby a spring is not a requirement. The cylindrical bias voltage contact fits into a developer roller and has a smaller portion that is also cylindrical and fits into an electrobushing. The electrobushing is contacted electrically to the power supply of the image forming apparatus. The cylindrical bias voltage contact may have a cylindrical portion that fits into the developer roller by press fit with the new feature where the cylindrical portion has more than one diameter for obtaining a better press fit.

Abstract: A family of hedge funds, serving as “feeder funds” into underlying single-manager hedge funds, formed to provide smaller investors with the ability to allocate and reallocate assets among alternative strategies, and this basic structure combining interrelated systems and methods for offering, redeeming, exchanging, valuing, reporting and servicing the same is a new approach. The system and methods described herein provide investors having less than ultra-high net worth portfolios with access to hedge funds and the potential valuable diversification to an overall portfolio, and the ability to customize their portfolio of hedge funds to their individual needs and adjust such portfolio over time as seen fit in light of changing financial needs and market conditions. This invention gives a wide range of investors access to hedge funds, creating economic value using a new source of stable investor capital for hedge fund managers, a value shared with investors through reduced costs.

Abstract: Strips, gaskets and shipping seals may be installed for various industries. A toner cartridge of a laser printer, copier or facsimile machine has various strips in it for various functions. Among the strips are recovery blades, spreader blades, wiper blades, certain shipping seals, doctor blades and other miscellaneous strips. A device and method is shown that enables any strip or modular shipping seal to be ergonomically installed in a user-friendly way by leaving a handle protruding from the strip-assembly or seal-assembly for easy separation of the release liner when installing the strip-assembly or seal-assembly. Also, seal-assemblies may be manufactured and installed where there is a page consisting of the same material that the seal-insert is made of and the seal-inserts are die-cut into the page. Since the seal-insert perimeter is formed with a kiss-cut to the bottom release liner, the seal-assembly can be built-into a page.

Abstract: A method for remotely selecting and ordering photographic prints, includes the steps of: sending a photographic film bearing a plurality of latent images to a photofinisher; developing the photographic film to produce visible images and scanning the visible images to create a digital image file at the photo finisher; producing an index print having a plurality of images from the photographic film along with an index number associated with each image and an order number; sending the index print to a customer; selecting images for which prints are desired from the index print; ordering photographic prints via telephone from the customer's home to the photofinisher, specifying the order number and the index numbers associated with the images for which prints are desired; and making photographic prints of the selected images at the photofinisher and sending the photographic prints to the customer.

Abstract: A method for remotely selecting and ordering photographic prints, includes the steps of: sending a photographic film bearing a plurality of latent images to a photofinisher; developing the photographic film to produce visible images and scanning the visible images to create a digital image file at the photo finisher; producing an index print having a plurality of images from the photographic film along with an index number associated with each image and an order number; sending the index print to a customer; selecting images for which prints are desired from the index print; ordering photographic prints via telephone from the customer's home to the photofinisher, specifying the order number and the index numbers associated with the images for which prints are desired; and making photographic prints of the selected images at the photofinisher and sending the photographic prints to the customer.

Abstract: A method for remotely selecting and ordering photographic prints, includes the steps of: sending a photographic film bearing a plurality of latent images to a photofinisher; developing the photographic film to produce visible images and scanning the visible images to create a digital image file at the photo finisher; producing an index print having a plurality of images from the photographic film along with an index number associated with each image and an order number; sending the index print to a customer; selecting images for which prints are desired from the index print; ordering photographic prints via telephone from the customer's home to the photofinisher, specifying the order number and the index numbers associated with the images for which prints are desired; and making photographic prints of the selected images at the photofinisher and sending the photographic prints to the customer.

Abstract: Electrical contact devices for supplying a bias voltage to a developer roller and a primary charge roller of a toner cartridge used in an image forming system. The electricity may be communicated through electrical contact devices with or without modular inserts, using spring wires, flat springs, coil springs, unicorn springs, endfelt seals that also act as bias voltage contacts, magnetic seals that also act as bias voltage contacts, insulator spacers that also act as bias voltage contacts, scraper devices that also act as bias voltage contacts, and two legged spring contacts. Also, improved endfelts may be made using a combination of foam that has been flocked or with a surface of fibers that simulates a velvet surface and even a conductive flocking where the endfelt seal may act both as a seal and also an electrical contact.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus or toner cartridge component thereof uses a bias voltage contact device that fits into an electrobushing which transmits the electrical contact has been invented. Thus, now a bushing can also act as an electrical contact and thereby a spring is not a requirement. The cylindrical bias voltage contact fits into a developer roller and has a smaller portion that is also cylindrical and fits into an electrobushing. The electrobushing is contacted electrically to the power supply of the image forming apparatus. The cylindrical bias voltage contact may have a cylindrical portion that fits into the developer roller by press fit with the new feature where the cylindrical portion has more than one diameter for obtaining a better press fit.