Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating worker initiative. The method includes receiving a response to a questionnaire from a person. The questionnaire includes a plurality of questions related to a worker initiative characteristic. The questions include: whether the person determines when to start working on a task; whether another person determines a task priority for the person; whether a supervisor determines when the person starts working on the task; and whether someone other than the person and the supervisor determine when the person starts working on the task. A score is computed for the questions using the response from the person and the questionnaire as input.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating input ambiguity in a work system. The method includes receiving a response to a questionnaire from a person. The questionnaire includes a plurality of questions related to an input ambiguity characteristic. The questions include: whether inputs to a work task are available; whether the inputs to the work task are identified; whether work task resources are identified when the work task is started; whether the work task resources are available when the work task is started; and whether customer requirements are understood. A score is computed for the questions using the response from the person and the questionnaire as input.

Abstract: A method for categorizing work including receiving a response to a questionnaire from a person. The questionnaire includes a plurality of scales, with each of the scales corresponding to one of a plurality of work characteristics. Each scale includes one or more questions related to the corresponding work characteristic. Scale scores are computed for each of the scales within the questionnaire using the response from the person and the questionnaire as input. Two or more scales are combined into a work factor. A work factor score is computed for the work factor based on the contribution of each of the combined scales to the work factor. A work category is assigned based on the factor score.

Abstract: A soldering heater cartridge with replaceable tips and a soldering iron for use therewith is constructed of a tip heater cartridge with an elongated cartridge body that has a tubular body member, electrical connectors at a first end of the tubular body member for plug-in connection with an electrical connector assembly of a soldering iron handpiece, a soldering tip for mounting on the cartridge body and a heater mounted within the cartridge body and electrically connected to the electrical connectors. The tip end part is located at a second end of the cartridge body and the heater is located within the tip end part, the soldering tip being replaceably mountable over the tip end part in heat exchange contact with it.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for securing a service providers hosts such that unauthorized access to the hosts is prevented. The system allows the service provider's hosts to be logically and physically located at convenient spots within the service provider's private network. User's can be located anywhere within a global public network such as the Internet. The system uses a first server coupled to the first network in which the first server receives a session establishment request from the user terminal and generates a connection request in response to the session establishment request. A second server coupled to the first server and the second network receives the connection request and establishes communications with the host in accordance with the connection request. The second server initiates communications by establishing a communication control session with the first server before the first server will send the connection request to the second server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supporting independent data defining layers. In some instaces, such data defining layers are databases. Some of the methods include providing a database including a schema. The schema is analyzed to identify a table on the database. The table is retrieved and formatted as types known to an alternative database and/or an application. Some of the systems include a computer readable medium comprising computer instructions. The computer instructions are executable to access a database and a schema associated therewith. The instructions are further executable to analyze the schema and format data associated with the database as a format known to an alternative database and/or an application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing applications that are extensible to a variety of specific formats. The specific formats include, but are not limited to, language, data units and user specific graphics. Some of the methods include creating a generic application and an associated translation master, and applying the translation master to the generic application to create a specific application. Some of the systems include computer readable medium comprising instructions for implementing the methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing data storage that is extensible to allow sharing of multiple specific data within a common generic storage scheme. Some of the methods include defining a generic data set and a specific data set correlated with the generic data set. In addition, a command set is generated for manipulating the specific data set in relation to the generic data set. Some of the systems include a computer readable medium comprising computer instructions. The computer instructions are executable to generate commands for manipulating the specific data set and commands for accessing the generic data set.

Abstract: A soldering heater cartridge with replaceable tips and a soldering iron for use therewith is constructed of a tip heater cartridge with an elongated cartridge body that has a tubular body member, electrical connectors at a first end of the tubular body member for plug-in connection with an electrical connector assembly of a soldering iron handpiece, a soldering tip for mounting on the cartridge body and a heater mounted within the cartridge body and electrically connected to the electrical connectors. The tip end part is located at a second end of the cartridge body and the heater is located within the tip end part, the soldering tip being replaceably mountable over the tip end part in heat exchange contact with it.

Abstract: A soldering station with a control unit and a soldering iron having a replaceable soldering tip, the soldering iron being connected to the control unit by a power cord for receiving electrical power from said control unit is provided with an automatic calibration feature. The control unit has circuitry for controlling the temperature of the soldering iron at the tip by adjusting the supply of power to the tip heater of the soldering iron, a temperature selector for enabling selection of a temperature to which the soldering iron is to be heated by a user, a calibration temperature sensor connected to said circuitry and exposed for enabling it to be engaged by the tip of the soldering iron.

Abstract: A system for providing secured file transfer protocol (“FTP”) services between a passive FTP client system coupled to a private network and a FTP server coupled to a public communication network, such as the Internet. The passive FTP client system requests a communication session with a first proxy server that is coupled to the private network. The passive FTP client system submits to the first proxy server the uniform resource locator (“URL”) of a desired FTP server. The first proxy server initiates an outbound request from the private network, through a single port on a firewall, to a second proxy server that is coupled to the public communication network. The first proxy server submits the URL to the second proxy server. The second proxy server uses the URL to establish a FTP session with the desired FTP server.

Abstract: A self-grounding soldering tip having a spring which serves for connecting the soldering tip to a heater bobbin for establishing a secure grounding of the soldering tip. A bobbin tube extends within the heater bobbin for removably retaining the soldering tip within the bobbin. The connection between the spring and bobbin tube provide tip-to-ground continuity. Moreover, the contact surfaces of the spring and bobbin tube are wiped clean upon plug-in and plug-out. The spring and bobbin tube are located in a cooler area of the soldering iron to slow down the rate of oxidation. Also, the spring and bobbin tube are made of the same or compatible materials, e.g., stainless steel, to prevent reactions that normally occur between incompatible metals.

Abstract: A tip heater cartridge and a soldering iron with handpiece for use therewith in which, according to a preferred embodiment, a precision molded plastic sleeve is provided on the tip heater cartridge body. The sleeve is provided with an axially extending, radially projecting key which assures accurate tip-to-handpiece orientation and also produces a rigid mechanical interlock between the tip heater cartridge and the handpiece to ensure that there is no axial rotational or lateral movement or load transmitted from the tip of the tip heater cartridge to the electrical connector. In a particularly preferred arrangement, the end of the key acts with the handle keyway to prevent over insertion of the tip heater cartridge into the handpiece, which could damage the electrical connector assembly, and an O-ring on the electrical connector assembly acts to produces a seal relative to the body of the cartridge that prevents solder fumes from flowing into the connector assembly.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a solid pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a carrier and, as active ingredient, a compound which exists, in solution, in an equilibrium between a free acid or free base form and a salt form, and for which there is a difference in volatility between the free acid or free base form and the salt form. The process includes the steps of solidifying a mixture of the compound and carrier in a solvent, and subsequently removing the solvent from the solidified mixture. A pH modifier is added to the mixture prior to solidification to shift the equilibrium to favor the less volatile form of the active ingredient.

Abstract: Cards confirming to credit card standards and having numbers forming part of a credit card clearing system are sold for predetermined amounts. This amount constitutes an initial balance for the card. The card is used in the normal manner, with all transactions being authorized and deducted from the initial balance. When the balance to the card is exhausted the card is discarded or may be replenished.

Abstract: A disposable solder receiving capsule for a hand held vacuum solder extracting desoldering tool is formed of an outer tube which is closed at one end by a porous filter and has an opening at its opposite end, and a hollow solder collection chamber part, having a tubular member with an open end and which is closed with respect to the passage of solder therethrough at an opposite end, forming a solder receiving space within it. The solder collection chamber part is concentrically positioned within the outer tube with an air plenum disposed between the closed end of the chamber part and the filter and with at least one air channel extending the length of solder collection part for providing a path for gases entering the open end of the outer tube to the plenum and the filter that is separated from the solder receiving space. For facilitating solder reclamation, the capsule can be formed entirely of materials which are shape-sustaining when exposed to a temperature of 400° F.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a connecting device to connect artificial arteries to normal arteries. The object of the invention is the prevention of obstruction of blood flow by hypertrophy of the inner lining of the artery commonly designated as the intima. The connecting device is placing the opening of the artificial artery inside of the natural artery beyond the level of the intima. This arrangement is preventing irritation of the intima of the natural artery by reducing turbulence of the boundary layer of the flowing blood. The connecting device can be manufactured as an integral part of the artificial artery or as a separate part to be connected to an artificial artery. The connecting device consists of a part penetrating the wall of the tapped natural artery and a sleeve to be attached to the outside of the natural artery. The sleeve itself is permanently attached to the connecting device.

Abstract: This invention is in reference to ammunition feeding devices for guns, specifically magazines. The belt feed mechanism consists of a container, which stores the ammunition and defines the path which the ammunition band moves the ammunition. The ammunition is pulled by the ammunition band which is pulled onto one spool. The spool is driven by the power of a wound up spring. Two or more mechanisms can be coupled together, to form a system. The spring motor can be loaded externally through rotating an axle which is attached to a direction limiting mechanism while loading spring motor. The spring motor is discharged controllably utilizing a free gear friction brake by pushing an axle. The spring motor is disengaged from the belt with a push button. Dummy cartridges are used to forward ammunition when the belt itself does not deliver all cartridges by itself.

Abstract: Liquid compositions comprising acyloxy alkane sulfonic acid salt, paraffin, water, optional salt reactant, and optional fatty acid are provided which have improved stability and pumpability. Also a method of preparing and a method of storing these composition are provided utilizing temperature and particle size limitations. The composition, method of making, and method of storing the composition provide improved storage stability, pumpability, and a decrease in processing time for the incorporation of the composition into finished bar formulations.

Abstract: A cable hook comprises a body member having a longitudinal channel of generally rectangular cross-section formed therein for receiving a portion of a cable against one wall thereof, a cable clamping member laterally movable in such channel and having an inner surface engaging the cable and a longitudinally double-tapered inverted V-shaped outer surface, a transverse aperture extending through the channel, and a wedge member insertable in such transverse aperture and having a vertically tapered surface for driving the cable clamping member against the cable in the channel and a transversally double-tapered surface mating the longitudinally double-tapered surface of the cable clamping member to provide oppositely acting wedging surfaces generating increased clamping action during pulling of the cable in either direction.