Abstract: Many types of stabilized lock-seam tubing are provided, as well as devices, apparatus and methods for producing such stabilized tubing. Advantageously, pinch-locked tubing according to the invention, which comprise interlocking, spaced pinched deformations of the lock-seam, greatly resists side-slip and other shape deformations, including those typically produced by cutting the tubing, and by ovalizing it. Many permutations of lock-seam pinching rollers and related devices for producing stabilized lock-seam tubing are provided. Pinch roller assemblies of the invention are suitable for use with conventional machines as well as machines adapted specifically for them. Apparatus of the invention are suitable producing helically wound or straight lock-seam tubing.

Abstract: A media device door for a vehicle has a door configured to be coupled to a vehicle part. The door has an interior side facing the vehicle part and an exterior side facing a vehicle passenger compartment. The door has an open position and a closed position. A media device is incorporated into the door and remains operational regardless of the door position. A control for the media device is hidden behind the door when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A composition includes an alkenyl succinic anhydride sizing agent or an alkyl ketene dimer sizing agent. The alkenyl succinic anhydride sizing agent is present in an amount ranging from about 1.0 pounds per ton to about 4.0 pounds per ton. The alkyl ketene dimer sizing agent is present in an amount ranging from about 2.0 pounds per ton to about 10.0 pounds per ton. A metallic salt is also incorporated in the composition.

Abstract: A reservoir assembly for retaining a fluid includes a body having a base and external side walls defining a cavity. A baffle has a top surface spanning the cavity and includes a peripheral wall substantially conforming to the external side walls and extending to the base. A lid is connected to the body. The cavity is divided into a first, second and third compartment by a cooperation between the top surface of the baffle, a plurality of walls of the baffle, the base of the body and the external side walls of the body. The first and second compartments are in fluid communication with each other through the third compartment. An inlet port and an outlet port for allowing fluid to enter and exit the cavity are fluidly connected to the body and are fluidly connected to each other by the first compartment to direct a flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A balance assembly (15) is provided for a sash window assembly (10). The sash window assembly (10) has a sash window (12) slidable within a master frame (14). The balance assembly (15) has an elastomer balance member (30) having one end adapted to be connected to the master frame (14) and another end adapted to be connected to the sash window (12) to provide an upward biasing force to the sash window (12). A system (50) is provided for custom-manufacturing the balance member (30) and for custom-manufacturing a sash window assembly (10) incorporating the balance member (30).

Abstract: A muntin clip has a bar support adapted to be connected to a muntin bar end and a base member adapted to be connected to a spacer frame. The bar support has a plurality of flexible support members attached thereto, which are adapted to contact the opposed interior walls of the muntin bar end and deform in response to such contact. The base member has two flexible members forming a flexible latching structure which is adapted to deform when inserted into the spacer frame. The muntin clip to be used with muntin bars and spacer frames having a range of different dimensions and configurations.

Abstract: A muntin clip has a bar support adapted to be connected to a muntin bar end and a base member adapted to be connected to a spacer frame. The bar support has a plurality of flexible support members attached thereto, which are adapted to contact the opposed interior walls of the muntin bar end and deform in response to such contact. The base member has two flexible members forming a flexible latching structure which is adapted to deform when inserted into the spacer frame. The muntin clip to be used with muntin bars and spacer frames having a range of different dimensions and configurations.

Abstract: A tilt-latch (10) for a sash window (12) is disclosed. The tilt-latch (10) has a housing (40) adapted to be supported by a top rail (20) of the sash window (12). The housing (40) has an outward end opening (58) and an aperture (68). A latch bolt (42) is disposed within the housing (40) and has a nose (88) adapted for engaging a respective one of the guide rails (16). The latch bolt (42) has an extended position, an intermediate position and a retracted position. An actuator (44) is connected to the latch bolt (42). The housing (40), the latch bolt (42) and the actuator (44) have cooperative structure such that the actuator (44) is connectable with the latch bolt (42) only when the latch bolt (42) is in the intermediate position.

Abstract: A muntin clip assembly (40) is provided for connecting a muntin bar (36) having a muntin bar end (38) to a spacer frame (30). The assembly includes a bar support (42) having a tree (46) adapted to be connected to the muntin bar end (38) and a flexible leg (48). The assembly also includes a base member (44) having a slot (56) for receiving the leg (48) and a flexible wing (58) adapted to be connected to the shoulders (35) of the spacer frame (30).

Abstract: A muntin grid (34) is provided having a plurality of muntin bars (36) joined at intersecting points to form a grid (34). The grid (34) further has a plurality of muntin bar ends (38) located near a periphery of the grid (34), each muntin bar end (38) having a depending tab (39). A muntin clip (40) is provided for receiving the tab (39) wherein the tab attaches the clip (40) to the muntin bar end (38).

Abstract: The present invention provides a spring balance assembly for use with a sash window assembly slidable within a master frame. The spring balance assembly generally includes a plurality of stacked spring assemblies and pivot brake assembly. The spring assemblies include a coil spring and a support plate that rotatably supports the coil spring. Each coil spring has a free end, an intermediate portion, and a coiled portion, wherein the free ends are operably connected to the pivot brake assembly. The coil springs are configured to prevent a portion of the spring from excessive bowing and making prolonged contact with the wall of the mounting channel to which the balance assembly is affixed. In addition, the coil springs are wound in a manner that significantly reduces the occurrence of severe bowing of the coiled portion and engagement with the channel walls. The spring balance assembly of the present invention reduces contact with the channel walls and thereby reduces any friction and the operating force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems of snapshot management of a file system in a data storage system. To represent the snapshots, the invention maintains pointers to the root block pointer of each snapshot. When the active file system is modified, this invention avoids overwriting any blocks used by previous snapshots by allocating new blocks for the modified blocks. When the invention needs to put an established block in a new location, it must update a parent block to point to the new location. The update to the parent block may then require allocating a new block for the new parent block and so forth. Parts of the file system not modified since a snapshot remain in place. The amount of space required to represent snapshots scales with the fraction of the file system that users modify. To maintain snapshot integrity, this invention keeps track of the first and last snapshots that use each block in space map blocks spread throughout the file system data space.

Abstract: A medical device delivery apparatus is provided which comprises a catheter having an expandable and contractible member and an expandable medical device disposed about the expandable and contractible member. At least portions of at least one of the medical device and the expandable and contractible member have a pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto to adhere the medical device to the expandable and contractible member. The pressure sensitive adhesive is selected so as to release the medical device from the expandable and contractible member upon contraction of the member from an expanded state. Suitable medical devices include stents.

Abstract: A radar antenna for a guided missile is calibrated in flight using a point source of microwave radiation and a lens to emulate a far field source. The microwave source and lens fit behind a metal cap at the leading end of the radome and so do not adversely affect the radar. A variety of techniques to power the point source are disclosed, and a variety of lens arrangements are disclosed. The invention allows a radar antenna to be calibrated in flight, and so insures against mis-calibration due to aging components as well as the heat and mechanical forces associated with storage and/or launch of the missile.

Abstract: Electronic receipts are collected in a database. A buyer can log into the database system and retrieve receipts for the transactions in which he participated. The receipts may have hyperlinks that provide additional functionality.

Abstract: In connection with a sales transaction, an electronic receipt is issued to the buyer that includes hyperlinks. A hyperlink can be associated with post-sale interaction with the product seller, the product manufacturer or parties acting on their behalf that involves the product itself, such as a product return procedure, a product warranty procedure, receiving rebate notices and recall notices, product registration procedures and similar functions.

Abstract: In connection with a sales transaction, an electronic receipt is issued to the buyer that includes hyperlinks. A hyperlink can be associated with an inducement to make a secondary purchase of an item commercially related to the primary purchase, such as accessories, items used in the same field, manuals and other items.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrokinetic soil decontamination system that uses special electrode wall configurations, treatment wall configurations, and a combination electrode/treatment wall. A special emplacement method for all the flowable wall materials is used and special wall material compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrokinetic soil decontamination system that uses special electrode wall configurations, treatment wall configurations, and a combination electrode/treatment wall. A special emplacement method for all the flowable wall materials is used and special wall material compositions are disclosed.