Abstract: A leak detection system for flat commercial roof structures is disclosed in order to detect and subsequently repair a leak as soon as possible such that any damage to the roof, as well as to other structural and/or insulation components of the overall roof structure, can be minimized due to the absorption or migration of the water. The leak detection system may comprise elongated water detection sensor strips to be fixedly secured to at least two edge portions of insulation board assemblies, or alternatively, electrical circuits may be provided over the entire expanse of the major upper surface portion of each insulation board assembly, or alternatively still further, rolls of water detection sensor strips may be applied to different regions of the flat commercial roof structure.

Abstract: A leak detection system for flat commercial roof structures is disclosed in order to detect and subsequently repair a leak as soon as possible such that any damage to the roof, as well as to other structural and/or insulation components of the overall roof structure, can be minimized due to the absorption or migration of the water. The leak detection system may comprise elongated water detection sensor strips to be fixedly secured to at least two edge portions of insulation board assemblies, or alternatively, electrical circuits may be provided over the entire expanse of the major upper surface portion of each insulation board assembly, or alternatively still further, rolls of water detection sensor strips may be applied to different regions of the flat commercial roof structure.

Abstract: A fluid ejection system (20) comprising a cartridge (24), an ejector (32, 300) and, optionally, a fill station (28) for filling the cartridge with a fluid, such as a vaccine. In some embodiments (52), the cartridge includes a transfer passageway (96) for receiving fluid from the fill station. In other embodiments (200, 400), the cartridge includes a vented fluid reservoir (208, 408) offset from an ejection chamber (224, 420). In yet other embodiments (500, 600), the cartridge includes a vented fluid reservoir chamber (512, 636) inline with the ejection chamber (508, 644). In still other embodiments (700, 1000, 1100), the cartridge includes first and second chambers (728, 736, 1036, 1048, 1136, 1148) initially fluidly sealed from on another by a valve, e.g., either a traveling valve (704, 800, 900, 1200, 1300) or a temporarily stationary valve (1004, 1104).

Abstract: A control system for controlling an appliance at a predetermined temperature. The control system comprises a sensor capable of providing a temperature signal representative of a temperature in the appliance and a controller capable of receiving the temperature signal and determining an amount of time to apply power based on the temperature signal. The amount of time to apply power is a percentage of time to apply power of a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the temperature in an oven includes a circuit and software algorithm that reads the voltage across a standard resistive temperature device (RTD) or thermistor to determine temperature measured by the device. Using an unregulated high voltage supply to increase the gain and resolution, it overcomes the problems of small changes in resistance with respect to temperature. An additional input to measure the unregulated supply voltage is used as a reference voltage input. The apparatus includes resistor dividers for both the temperature sensor and reference voltages, a microprocessor having analog inputs, and additional components for noise suppression and open sensor protection.

Abstract: A fluid ejection system (20) comprising a cartridge (24), an ejector (32, 300) and, optionally, a fill station (28) for filling the cartridge with a fluid, such as a vaccine. In some embodiments (52), the cartridge includes a transfer passageway (96) for receiving fluid from the fill station. In other embodiments (200, 400), the cartridge includes a vented fluid reservoir (208, 408) offset from an ejection chamber (224, 420). In yet other embodiments (500, 600), the cartridge includes a vented fluid reservoir chamber (512, 636) inline with the ejection chamber (508, 644). In still other embodiments (700, 1000, 1100), the cartridge includes first and second chambers (728, 736, 1036, 1048, 1136, 1148) initially fluidly sealed from on another by a valve, e.g., either a traveling valve (704, 800, 900, 1200, 1300) or a temporarily stationary valve (1004, 1104).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the temperature in an oven includes a circuit and software algorithm that reads the voltage across a standard resistive temperature device (RTD) or thermistor to determine temperature measured by the device. Using an unregulated high voltage supply to increase the gain and resolution, it overcomes the problems of small changes in resistance with respect to temperature. An additional input to measure the unregulated supply voltage is used as a reference voltage input. The apparatus includes resistor dividers for both the temperature sensor and reference voltages, a microprocessor having analog inputs, and additional components for noise suppression and open sensor protection.

Abstract: A control system for controlling an appliance at a predetermined temperature. The control system comprises a sensor capable of providing a temperature signal representative of a temperature in the appliance and a controller capable of receiving the temperature signal and determining an amount of time to apply power based on the temperature signal. The amount of time to apply power is a percentage of time to apply power of a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method for preparing a transparency involves application of hot melt ink to a transparent substrate to form a three-dimensional pattern with subsequent heating of the hot melt image above its melting point to change the configuration of the upper surface. In the embodiment described in the specification, a hot melt ink image on a substrate is treated in a continuous manner by moving it along a platen having a heating zone to melt drops of hot melt ink and cause them to spread on the substrate. The platen has a flat central portion and curved portions at each end with curvatures sufficient to prevent formation of cockle. At the output end of the heating zone, the substrate is moved continuously into a quenching zone where a cooling platen cools the substrate by thermal contact at a rapid rate to prevent crystallization or frosting of the hot melt ink image.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments of the invention described in the specification, the surface of a hot melt ink image in a projection transparency having curved surface portions is reoriented to provide an ink layer of substantially uniform thickness causing rectilinear transmission of light rays passing through the transparency and provide a clear, saturated projection image. Reorienting of the curved surface portion to provide a layer of uniform thickness is accomplished by burnishing, pressing with or without heating, rolling with or without heating, or heating the ink to a temperature above its melting point for a selected time such as 0.5 to 10 seconds. Preferably, the ink is cooled rapidly after remelting to reduce crystallization and frosting and thereby reduce light transmission losses in the ink.

Abstract: In the embodiment described in the specification, a hot melt ink image on a substrate is treated in a continuous manner by moving it along a platen having a heating zone to melt drops of hot melt ink and cause them to spread on the substrate. The platen has a flat central portion and curved portions at each end with curvatures sufficient to prevent formation of cockle. At the output end of the heating zone, the substrate is moved continuously into a quenching zone where a cooling platen cools the substrate by thermal contact at a rapid rate to prevent crystallization or frosting of the hot melt ink image. After the quenching zone, the substrate is moved along a surface having a reverse curvature with respect to the curved portions of the heating platen to eliminate residual curvature of the substrate resulting from the curved portions of the heating platen.

Abstract: In the embodiment described in the specification, a hot melt ink coating such as an image on a substrate is treated in a continuous manner by moving it along a platen having a heating zone to melt drops of hot melt ink and cause them to spread on the substrate. The platen has a flat central portion and curved portions at each end with curvatures sufficient to prevent formation of cockle. At the output end of the heating zone, the substrate is moved continuously into a quenching zone where a cooling platent cools the substrate by thermal contact at a rapid rate of at least 50.degree. C. per second to prevent crystallization or frosting of the hot melt ink image thereby minimizing light transmission losses. After the quenching zone, the substrate is moved along a surface having a reverse curvature with respect to the curved portions of the heating platen to eliminate residual curvature of the substrate resulting from the curved portions of the heating platen.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments of the invention described in the specification, an opaque subtractive color ink reflection print having improved color purity resulting from reduced frosting and crystallization of the ink layers is prepared by reheating the ink image to a temperature above the melting point of at least one of the inks and then quenching the image by cooling it at a rate of at least 50.degree. C. per second. In one embodiment, the ink image is produced by an ink jet head applied to a substrate supported on a platen maintained at least 20.degree. C. below the melting point of the inks to inhibit spreading of the inks into the substrate, and the image is thereafter heated to a temperature at least 20.degree. C. above the melting point of at least one of the inks for a period of 3 to 5 seconds and then quenched at a rate of 500.degree. C. per second to produce an image having less than 20% light loss resulting from scattering of light by frosting and crystallization of the ink in the layers.

Abstract: In the embodiment described in the specification, a hot melt ink image on a substrate is treated in a continuous manner by moving it along a platen having a heating zone to melt drops of hot melt ink and cause them to spread on the substrate and decrease the angle of contact of the drops with the surface of the substrate. The platen has a flat central portion and curved portions at each end with curvatures sufficient to prevent formation of cockle. At the output end of the heating zone, the substrate is moved continuously into a quenching zone where a cooling platen cools the substrate by thermal contact at a rapid rate to prevent crystallization or frosting of the hot melt ink image. After the quenching zone, the substrate is moved along a surface having a reverse curvature with respect to the curved portions of the heating platen to eliminate residual curvature of the substrate resulting from the curved portions of the heating platen.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments of the invention described in the specification, a projection transparency includes a transparent substrate and an ink pattern disposed on one surface of the transparent sheet in the form of three-dimensional ink spots having curved surfaces with a radius of curvature of at least 3 mils and an angle of contact with the substrate of no more than about 25.degree.. The transparency is prepared by applying ink drops to the substrate and maintaining the ink at a temperature above its melting point for a selected time such as 0.5 to 10 seconds. Thereafter, the ink is cooled rapidly to reduce crystallization and frosting and thereby reduce light transmission losses in the ink to less than 50%.