Abstract: A switching device has at least one bellows made of a low-carbon nickel-chromium-molybdenum-niobium alloy. By using a low-carbon nickel-chromium-molybdenum-niobium alloy as a bellows material in the switching device, the “buckling stiffness”, i.e. the resistance to transverse deflection, and the mechanical service life of the bellows can be increased. The switching device can be a live-tank switching device, a dead-tank switching device, or else a gas-insulated switching device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermally insulated internal combustion engine where a polyurethane foam entirely or to some extent surrounds the external surface of one or more parts of the internal combustion engine. The present invention further relates to a process for the production of a thermally insulated internal combustion engine by taking an engine part, using a mold to surround the part that is to be surrounded with foam within the internal combustion engine part, thus producing a cavity between engine part and mold, charging a polyurethane reaction mixture into the cavity, allowing the polyurethane reaction mixture to complete its reaction to give a polyurethane foam, and removing the mold.

Abstract: Composite elements have the following layer structure: (i) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, (ii) from 10 to 300 mm of plastic, and (iii) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, where (i) and/or (iii) have an opening which may, if desired, be sealable.

Abstract: Composite elements have the following layer structure: (i) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, (ii) from 10 to 300 mm of plastic, and (iii) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, where (i) and/or (iii) have an opening which may, if desired, be sealable.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite elements comprising the following layered structure: (i) 2 to 20 mm metal, (ii) 10 to 300 mm plastic, (iii) 2 to 20 mm metal, whereby (i) and/or (iii) optionally comprise a closable opening.

Abstract: A payment processing and transaction management system includes one or more devices at the point-of-sale for reading a contactless payment tag and verifying the validity of its use. Payment options can be written to memory within the tag or stored on a host accessible by point-of-sale devices when the payment tag is presented. The devices facilitate controlled use of tags to access prepaid funds, automated clearing house funds, credit card payments, or other sources of payment. Devices at the point-of-sale provide for validation by a customer entering a personal identification number or by a cashier by verifying a photograph of an authorized user associated with the tag. Customers and merchants can specify and modify limitations on how the tag can be used. Customers can request e-mail or text message alerts when the tag is used or used in a way that violates limitations on the use of the tag.

Abstract: A transponder securing apparatus includes a transponder holder configured to receive a transponder and a mechanism operably coupled with the transponder holder and configured to be attached to an object. The mechanism may include a wrappable mechanism having ends being configured to be wrapped around an object and secured to at least one of the object and another end. The mechanism may include a clamping mechanism including at least two openings configured to engage edges of the object. The mechanism may include an elastic mechanism configured to be elongated to fit around the object and to contract to secure the transponder securing apparatus to the object. The mechanism may include a locking mechanism having a first portion configured to extend through the object and a second portion configured to mechanically engage the first portion to hold the first portion and the second portion in place.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for performing multi-location execution of tests between or among multi-sided test components in a wireless environment are described. Multiple flows are initiated substantially simultaneously and concurrently executed. A graphical representation of a multi-flow test is created that permits synchronization of the flows among agents at multiple remote locations. The graphical representation is converted into a textual representation in an open communication standard format, and information regarding each flow involved in the test is ascertained. The flows are substantially simultaneously initiated and concurrently executed with synchronization and dynamic data exchange components.

Abstract: A RFID transponder dispenser and authorizer (RTDA) system for distributing and activating an RFID Transponder at a point of purchase. The system has a storage for Transponders and Transponders in the storage. It also has at least one electronic data reader, network access to a processor system, and an application for customer data verification, electronic data and account data verification across the network at the processor, an interface to the RTDA apparatus to control dispensing of Transponders, and receiving an account verification code and an activation confirmation code from the processor. The RTDA reads customer electronic account data, verifies same and verifies the account is valid, dispenses a Transponder to a customer, reads the Transponder ID code, and associates the Transponder ID code with the customer's electronic account data in a unique customer record in an RFID database, and receives an account activation confirmation code and displays confirmation of activation to the customer.

Abstract: Methods of error-tolerant modular testing of services are described, wherein an ordered list of test module identifiers is built in an error stack for the purposes of structured state teardown following the occurrence of an error during testing of services (i.e., network or other.) The error that triggers the teardown may comprise any error or more particularly an error not among a predetermined list of acceptable errors, the occurrence of which should not cause the cessation of services testing. Upon the occurrence of a triggering error, the test modules associated with the test module identifiers are executed in a reverse order to that which the test module identifiers were added to the error stack, effecting a structured state teardown.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for constructing a composite molding in which a support, a decorative part, and a foam coating are present, which comprises the following steps: 1. providing a mold with a sealable mold cavity, 2. providing a shaping support made from a material A, where A encompasses wood, metal, alloys, and thermoplastics, 3. providing a separable decorative part made from a material B, encompassing leather, textile, film or foil, paper, microfiber, or a combination of two or more of the materials mentioned, where the material has a frontal side which extends over a surface of the mold cavity, and an unencumbered reverse side, 4. placing the support into the mold, 5. spraying a coating made from foam-formers over the reverse side of the support, while the decorative part is in the mold cavity, 6. completing the reaction of the foam-formers, 7. closing the mold cavity and bringing the support sprayed with foam-formers into contact with the decorative part, and finally 8.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing prepolymers containing isocyanate groups and urethane groups. The inventive method comprises the following steps a) at least one polyisocyanate having a stoichiometric deficit of at least one t compound is reacted with at least two hydrogen atoms reacting with isocyanate groups, and b) the reaction product from step a) is distilled by means of a molecular evaporator.

Abstract: Composite elements have the following layer structure: (i) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, (ii) from 10 to 300 mm of polyisocyanate polyaddition products obtainable by reacting (a) isocyanates with (b) compounds which are reactive toward isocyanates in the presence of from 1 to 50% by volume, based on the volume of the polyisocyanate polyaddition products, of at least one gas (c) and also, if desired, (d) catalysts and/or (f) auxiliaries and/or additives, (iii) from 2 to 20 mm of metal.

Abstract: A compact veneer is based on a reaction mixture comprising a) isocyanate, b) as compounds which are reactive toward isocyanates, a mixture (b1) comprising: b11) from 15 to 90% by weight, preferably from 50 to 80% by weight, based on the weight of the mixture (b1), of at least one polyether polyalcohol having a molecular weight of from 400 to 6000, preferably from 1000 to 4000 and a mean functionality of from 1.5 to 3 and based on hydroxyl-containing initiator substances and propylene oxide and also, if desired, ethylene oxide, b12) from 0 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0 to 10% by weight, based on the weight of the mixture (b1), of at least one polyether polyalcohol having a molecular weight of from 400 to 6000, preferably from 400 to 4000, and a mean functionality of from 1.

Abstract: Composite elements having the following layer structure: (i) 2-20 mm of metal, (ii) 10-100 mm of compact polyisocyanate polyaddition products obtainable by reacting (a) isocyanates with (b) polyether polyalcohols, if desired in the presence of (c) catalysts and/or (d) auxiliaries and/or additives, (iii) 2-20 mm of metal.

Abstract: A compact veneer is based on a reaction mixture comprising

Abstract: A toggle anchor for securing various types of articles to masonry or concrete walls and having a body portion and a retainer bar that is pivotally attached to the body portion and is sized so that it pivots with respect to the body portion in only one direction.