Abstract: Apparatus for loading heat-activated adhesive binder strips into a binding machine where the loaded binder strip is utilized to bind a stack of sheets. A support arm with an attached thermal head is temporarily secured to the adhesive of a binder strip located external to the binding machine. The attached strip is transported into the binding machine and the released so that the strip can be used to carry out a binding operation. The thermal head temperature is controlled to levels above and below the adhesive melting point to accomplish securing and releasing the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate the binding of sheets using heat activated adhesives, with the sheets having coatings that resist binding. A stack of sheets is abraded prior to binding, with the apparatus gripping the stack so that a stack end to be bound is exposed. An abrading head containing a plurality of reciprocating pins is positioned so that pins can be controlled to repeatedly strike the stack end along the length of the end. This action results in abrading the stack end thereby producing relatively long fibers from the coated sheets that absorb the binder strip adhesive thereby achieving a strong bind notwithstanding the adhesive-resistant coating.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate the binding of sheets using heat activated adhesives, with the sheets having coatings that resist binding. A stack of sheets is abraded prior to binding, with the apparatus gripping the stack so that a stack end to be bound is exposed. An abrading head containing a plurality of reciprocating pins is positioned so that pins can be controlled to repeatedly strike the stack end along the length of the end. This action results in abrading the stack end thereby producing relatively long fibers from the coated sheets that absorb the binder strip adhesive thereby achieving a strong bind notwithstanding the adhesive-resistant coating.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate the binding of sheets using heat activated adhesives, with the sheets having coatings that resist binding. A stack of sheets is abraded prior to binding, with the apparatus gripping the stack so that a stack end to be bound is exposed. An abrading head containing a plurality of reciprocating pins is positioned so that pins can be controlled to repeatedly strike the stack end along the length of the end. This action results in abrading the stack end thereby producing relatively long fibers from the coated sheets that absorb the binder strip adhesive thereby achieving a strong bind notwithstanding the adhesive-resistant coating.

Abstract: A crimping device is provided for crimping an outer work piece onto an inner work piece. The crimping device includes at least two jaws forming a throat surface about the outer work piece and movable between a partially closed position wherein the outer work piece is not crimped and a closed position wherein the jaws crimp the outer work piece onto the inner work piece. The jaws are configured as a shutter mechanism so that the throat surface remains substantially continuous about the first work piece as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position. At least one of the jaws moves in straight line motion as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position. At least two of the jaws radially and slide against each other as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position.

Abstract: A capillary pump is provided for producing pressurized and unpressurized vapor emissions from liquid feed. In its simplest form, the capillary pump incorporates a liquid feed intake, a porous vaporization component, and a heat transfer component. Additional components, such as an insulator component, a feed pre-heat component, a liquid feed reservoir and/or delivery system, an integrated or associated heater component, a vapor collection chamber, a heat distribution component, an orifice component and/or vapor release component, may also be associated with or integrated in the improved capillary pumps. Capillary pump arrays are provided, and numerous applications for capillary pumps are disclosed.

Abstract: A capillary pump is provided for producing pressurized and unpressurized vapor emissions from liquid feed. In its simplest form, the capillary pump incorporates a liquid feed intake, a porous vaporization component, and a heat transfer component. Additional components, such as an insulator component, a feed pre-heat component, a liquid feed reservoir and/or delivery system, an integrated or associated heater component, a vapor collection chamber, a heat distribution component, an orifice component and/or vapor release component, may also be associated with or integrated in the improved capillary pumps. Capillary pump arrays are provided, and numerous applications for capillary pumps are disclosed.

Abstract: A crimping device is provided for crimping an outer work piece onto an inner work piece. The crimping device includes at least two jaws forming a throat surface about the outer work piece and movable between a partially closed position wherein the outer work piece is not crimped and a closed position wherein the jaws crimp the outer work piece onto the inner work piece. The jaws are configured as a shutter mechanism so that the throat surface remains substantially continuous about the first work piece as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position. At least one of the jaws moves in straight line motion as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position. At least two of the jaws radially and slide against each other as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position.

Abstract: A capillary pump is provided for producing pressurized and unpressurized vapor emissions from liquid feed. In its simplest form, the capillary pump incorporates a liquid feed intake, a porous vaporization component, and a heat transfer component. Additional components, such as an insulator component, a feed pre-heat component, a liquid feed reservoir and/or delivery system, an integrated or associated heater component, a vapor collection chamber, a heat distribution component, an orifice component and/or vapor release component, may also be associated with or integrated in the improved capillary pumps. Capillary pump arrays are provided, and numerous applications for capillary pumps are disclosed.

Abstract: A crimping device is provided for crimping an outer work piece onto an inner work piece. The crimping device includes at least two jaws forming a throat surface about the outer work piece and movable between a partially closed position wherein the outer work piece is not crimped and a closed position wherein the jaws crimp the outer work piece onto the inner work piece. The jaws are configured as a shutter mechanism so that the throat surface remains substantially continuous about the first work piece as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position. At least one of the jaws moves in straight line motion as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position. At least two of the jaws radially and slide against each other as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position.

Abstract: A capillary pump is provided for producing pressurized and unpressurized vapor emissions from liquid feed. In its simplest form, the capillary pump incorporates a liquid feed intake, a porous vaporization component, and a heat transfer component. Additional components, such as an insulator component, a feed pre-heat component, a liquid feed reservoir and/or delivery system, an integrated or associated heater component, a vapor collection chamber, a heat distribution component, an orifice component and/or vapor release component, may also be associated with or integrated in the improved capillary pumps. Capillary pump arrays are provided, and numerous applications for capillary pumps are disclosed.

Abstract: A capillary pump is provided for producing pressurized vapor emissions, having various layers that assist in creating optimal conditions to accomplish a high maximum fluid flow rate and pressurization. Heat and liquid/vapor flows in opposing directions in pathways within the layers. The pump includes a vaporization layer having small-sized pores and with a thickness and area to reduce viscous drag of flowing liquid and vapor. An ejection layer is also included having one or more openings and an integrated heat transfer portion for conveying heat and providing a low fluidic drag area. The pump may include an insulation layer to shield the liquid in a supply area from heat and/or a preheat layer to raise the temperature of the liquid prior to the liquid entering the vaporization layer. A coating at least partially surrounds the outer surfaces of the pump to allow vapor pressure to increase.

Abstract: A vaporization module is provided that includes a capillary member to convert non-pressurized liquid to pressurized vapor. The pressure is sustained by capillary pressure of the liquid in the capillary member. The capillary member has low thermal conductivity and small-sized pores that permits liquid to travel by capillary action toward the vaporization zone. Often, the pores of the capillary member are substantially uniform in size. The capillary member may comprise ceramic material. The module also includes an orifice plate that has one or more orifices to permit release of pressurized vapor, e.g. as a pressurized vapor jet. The orifice plate is associated with a sealing member to form an at least partial enclosure of the module so that vapor may accumulate and pressure may be increased within the module. In addition, other aspects of the present invention relating to the vaporization and pressurization of liquid are described.

Abstract: A vaporization module is provided that includes a capillary member to convert non-pressurized liquid to pressurized vapor. The pressure is sustained by capillary pressure of the liquid in the capillary member. The capillary member has low thermal conductivity and small-sized pores that permits liquid to travel by capillary action toward the vaporization zone. Often, the pores of the capillary member are substantially uniform in size. The capillary member may comprise ceramic material. The module also includes an orifice plate that has one or more orifices to permit release of pressurized vapor, e.g. as a pressurized vapor jet. The orifice plate is associated with a sealing member to form an at least partial enclosure of the module so that vapor may accumulate and pressure may be increased within the module. In addition, other aspects of the present invention relating to the vaporization and pressurization of liquid are described.

Abstract: A vaporization/pressurization module employs a porous member having a low thermal conductivity and a substantially uniform, small pore size. Liquid feed is introduced to the porous member and is heated, vaporized, and pressurized within and/or on a surface of the porous member to produce a vapor jet having a pressure higher than that of the liquid feed. A substantially vapor impermeable barrier facilitates accumulation and pressurization of the vapor, which is released from the module as a pressurized vapor jet from one or more restricted passages. The vaporization/pressurization module is especially useful for liquid fuel combustion applications.

Abstract: A vaporization/pressurization module employs a porous member having a low thermal conductivity and a substantially uniform, small pore size. Liquid feed is introduced to the porous member and is heated, vaporized, and pressurized within and/or on a surface of the porous member to produce a vapor jet having a pressure higher than that of the liquid feed. A substantially vapor impermeable barrier facilitates accumulation and pressurization of the vapor, which is released from the module as a pressurized vapor jet from one or more restricted passages. The vaporization/pressurization module is especially useful for liquid fuel combustion applications.

Abstract: An economical non-metallic strain gage insensitive to ambient temperature variations, and without a diode junction, which is suitable for general use and particularly for use in touch screens, wherein the gage is adapted to be directly adhered to the screen. The gage is metallized with a thin layer of a solderable metal for electrical soldering connection to strain measurement devices and for reliable mechanical support. The gage includes an etched polysilicon material on a substrate base, such as a silicon wafer, wherein the polysilicon is doped with a dopant material such that output measurements are independent of temperature changes.

Abstract: A touch screen or touch panel wherein there is a monitoring of relative distribution of force via one or more, preferably symmetrically positioned, sensors such as strain gage sensors. The strain gage sensors are positioned such that bending strain on the touch screen, engendered by touch, is detected by the one or more strain gages and accurately measured by an electronic controller, connected to the strain gage(s). The electronic controller, or associated hardware, is programmed to relate relative bending force to a unique position on the screen and is a charge balancing and multiplying analog-to-digital converter which provides accurate position determination, even with very low forces and with very minor differentiation in position related forces.

Abstract: A connector for detachably securing an end of a tube, such as a catheter, to a fluid port of a fluid transfer device, such as an implantable device, the connector having a body part which defines a coupler for coupling to a coupler receiver of the transfer device. The connector includes a sleeve which fits within the body part and defines an aperture for compressively receiving an end of the tube which has been fitted over a fluid port of the transfer device. The body part is rotatable about the sleeve to facilitate coupling of the coupler and coupler receiver. In one embodiment the sleeve has an inner diameter at one end large enough to slide freely over the tube when it is fitted over the fluid port, and the diameter decreases at an intermediate point along the length of the sleeve to provide for compressive axial movement of the tube to form an annular thickness portion of the tube where it abuts the face of the transfer device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible, reinforced, multiple lumen catheter. This catheter includes an elongated, flexible, tubular element extending about a central axis, and including embedded therein at least one filament extending in a helical path about the central axis. The inner surface of the tubular element defines an interior region. The catheter also includes an elongated divider element having elongated lateral edges. These edges are integral with, and extending from, portions of the inner surface of the tubular element. At least two lumens are defined in the interior region of the tubular element on opposing sides of the divider element. Also disclosed is a method for assembling the flexible, reinforced, multiple lumen catheter.