Abstract: The present invention concerns a blister pack assembly for an article including a blister pack for receiving the article; and a backer having a top surface and a bottom surface, the backer being provided with printed material only on its top surface, so that when the backer is sealed to the blister pack, the seal will no, be affected by the presence of ink on the bottom surface. In order to provide a better appearance, the backer is preferably made of clear plastic. A first layer of ink is applied to the top surface, so that the ink, representing promotional material and other information, is visible through the clear plastic in the direction of the bottom surface of the backer. A second layer of ink is then applied over the first layer of ink, so that the first layer of ink is hidden from view when looking at the top surface of the backer.

Abstract: A package structure comprising a base and a lid, each having at least one series of connection ridges defined on respective periphery walls, is provided. The base and lid are formed so that they may be cooperatively engaged to form a package structure for housing a large number of different sized and shaped objects. The lid and base are adjustably lockable with each other at various positions, determined by the size and shape of the object placed within the base and lid and the connection ridge of the base and lid which are engaged with each other. In this manner a one basic packaging product may be used for a large number of retail items at the retail store level and at the manufacturing and packaging level.

Abstract: A tablet cassette installation-error preventing system comprises cassette supports each having a front side, a rear side, a top side, and a rotor drive therein, wherein the rear side is fixedly attached on the outer periphery of a tablet dropping unit. Pin holes are formed in the top side of each cassette support and the cassettes are detachably mounted on the cassette supports. An installation-error detector having a base with an upper surface attached to the bottom of the cassette. Locking pins downwardly extend from the base lower surface so that the locking pins respectively fit in the pin holes when each tablet cassette is mounted on the cassette support.

Abstract: A package has a holder for holding an ink cartridge, a container for accommodating the holder, and a mount for sealing an opening of the container. The holder is made from recycled materials and the internal shape of the holder conforms to the external shape of the cartridge. The container has a transparent portion and substantially conforms to the holder. The mount is made from recycled materials. The mount is attached to the container in a depressurized environment. The cartridge is visible through the transparent portion of the container. Since the holder and the mount are made from recycled materials, the package is environmentally sound. The holder may hold a used cartridge.

Abstract: A tray is constituted by a tray body portion for connecting a plurality of pockets and cushioning portions which are arranged on the bottom portions of the pockets serving as contact positions between the pockets and CSPs when the CSPs are stored in the pockets and which are formed of a soft material having a degree of hardness lower than that of the tray body portion. The tray moderates impact force acting on the CSPs in falling the tray to prevent the CSP from being broken and damaged.

Abstract: A fragrance sample is provided which is made from two plies of material. A wall is formed in the bottom ply which defines a well into which a fragrance sample is deposited. The top ply has a wall formed therein which interlocks with the bottom ply wall to cover and close the well. The two plies are then adhered together to form a liquid tight seal between the two plies.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluidized catalytic cracking process that incorporates a zoned riser reactor. The process provides an in-situ method for feed upgrading in a riser reactor. The process assists in the removal of undesirable contaminants, such as nitrogen, from FCC feedstocks.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluidized catalytic cracking process that incorporates a zoned riser reactor. The process provides an in-situ method for feed upgrading in a riser reactor. The process assists in the removal of undesirable contaminants, such as nitrogen, from FCC feedstocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fractionation improvements. Thus, in a fractionator having a fractionation vessel, a reactor effluent vapors inlet, a vapor feed contacting zone, a baffled contacting section above the vapor feed contacting zone, a tops section above the baffled contacting section, a heavy bottoms liquid hold-up pool section below the vapor feed contacting zone, a bottoms outlet, a bottoms recycle system with a heat exchanger with recycled, cooled bottoms fed back to the fractionation vessel at the heavy bottoms liquid hold-up pool section and above the vapor feed contacting zone, the improvements involve a separate remotely located bottoms liquid hold-up pool vessel for separating bottoms liquid holdup from vapor within the fractionation vessel to obtain a thermal separation and increased fractionation efficiency. The invention also relates to fractionation processes utilizing the aforesaid improvements.

Abstract: A multi-spectral imager and the applications of same for the marking and coding of, for example, textiles, linens, garments, documents and packages for high-speed machine identification and sortation. Specific uses include garment and textile rental operations, laundry operations, and the postal and mail sortation of documents and packages. Methods and apparatus are provided to identify items via information encoded within an applied mark, as well as a novel mark reading/decoding scheme. A method is disclosed for printing fluorescent marks on an item, such as a heat-sealable label, to generate a unique identification number or indicia, as well as a reader system for reading applied marks.

Abstract: A birdseed mixture separator includes an upright shell separation chamber in which shells are separated from shelled and unshelled seeds. The seed mixture is supplied to the chamber from a hopper by a supply line configured to reduce the density of the mixture as it flows to the chamber. The seed mixture is introduced into the chamber above an air inlet opening through which airflow is forced by a blower. The airflow is directed upwardly through the mixture causing the shells to be suspended in the airflow, and the seeds drop downwardly through the chamber as gravity predominates over any lifting force provided by the airflow. The seeds fall through a seed outlet and into an open top seed collection drawer, while the shells are directed through an upwardly spaced shell outlet. The airflow is vented through an air outlet spaced horizontally from the shell outlet and configured to prevent shells from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus handles discrete bruisable articles, such as apples or other pieces of fruit, with a minimum amount of bruising while determining a number of different properties of the articles, including optical properties. The articles are conveyed by conveyor cups over a load cell to determine their weight, and perhaps other properties, and then the cups are tilted so that the articles roll onto soft surface rollers with at least one back stop brush positioned where the rolling occurs. The rollers are rotated as the articles are conveyed by the rollers, so as to turn an article mounted between rollers so that a camera can evaluate optical properties of a large portion of each article, if not substantially all. Then a rotating brush disposed at an angle of between about 25-65 (e.g.

Abstract: A device for intercepting and filtering cold and hot water for water treatment plants includes a body passed through by a first cold water transit sluice and by a second hot water transit sluice. In these sluices there are inserted a usually open stop valve (17), a filtering filter (19), a magnetic anti-limestone conditioner (22) and a pressure balancer (21) at least along the hot water sluice (14).

Abstract: A system for automatically cleaning swimming pools includes a unitary body having a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either proximate to the surface of the water pool or proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall, a propulsion subsystem operable to selectively propel the body in either a forward or rearward direction, and a cleaning subsystem operable in either a water surface cleaning mode for skimming or scooping or a wall surface cleaning mode for vacuuming or sweeping. The subsystems are powered by an electric source such as solar cells and/or rechargeable batteries and/or a wire extending to the unitary body from an external power source. An alternative embodiment uses separate top and bottom units tethered together by an electric conduit.

Abstract: A strainer for immersion in liquid, especially shallow water, to prevent debris from entering a pump connected by a suction pipe to the interior of the strainer. The strainer has a cylindrical housing that is closed at the bottom and covered by a circular screen at the top. As the pump sucks water, the screen prevents debris from being sucked into the strainer interior along with the water. Debris drawn against the screen's exterior is dislodged by a rotating spray arm that contains nozzles and is disposed within the strainer interior to spray water against the screen. The water is fed under pressure to the spray arm through a separate supply line tapped into the pump's outlet. The spray arm nozzles are aimed to direct water generally upward through the screen to dislodge the debris and to cause the spray arm to rotate. Hence, as the spray arm spins, the water washes substantially the full face of the screen.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a filtering device comprising at least one filtering membrane, at least one counter surface opposite to the filtering membrane, and at least one gap-shaped liquid space formed between the filtering membrane and the counter surface. The present invention further refers to a filtering method, in which a liquid is introduced into a gap-shaped liquid space formed between a filtering membrane and a counter surface and is moved relative to the filtering membrane and/or the counter surface. To obtain an improved filtering method and an improved filtering device, it is suggested by the present invention that the filtering device comprises a disk at whose circular surface at least the filtering membrane or the counter surface is formed.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for use with a treatment tank, such as a flotation or decant tank, to separate particles and/or gases from a liquid stream. The system is coupled to a liquid source comprising a suspension solution. The system includes a hydrocyclone system that directs the solution stream through a first chamber or passage in a generally helical fashion along a cylindrical wall where bubbles-to-particle aggregates are formed and chemicals can be mixed and activated. A second chamber encloses the outlet of the hydrocyclone and may take many forms, including a generally concentric or parabolic form, and acts to decelerate the liquid and deliver the liquid to a third chamber from which bubbles escape the liquid. The liquid drops from the third chamber into the treatment tank in a manner which only minimally disturbs the liquid already in the tank.

Abstract: A filter media support system that reduces media clogging and head loss in granular filtration systems by providing a layered porous plate. The porous plate can have multiple layers of fine sized and coarse sized pores. The porous plate is positioned between the media and the filter bottom. The filter media support system is securely anchored to the infrastructure of the underdrain system thereby inhibiting media penetration of the filter bottom and avoiding seal failures. The infrastructure can be air lateral piping fitted beneath the underdrain blocks of the support system. The anchors can be secured to pipe clamps circumscribing the air laterals.

Abstract: A column apparatus containing a shallow bed of material between fluid transporting fractals of large active surface area results in highly efficient processing with small equipment size.

Abstract: A method for separating fluid from a mixture of fluid and fibrous lost circulation material, the method including introducing the mixture onto a screen assembly that is vibrating for passage of the fluid through the screen assembly and for separation of fibrous lost circulation material from the fluid, the screen assembly comprising a plurality of screens one on top of the other and including at least a first screen and a second screen, one of the screens with comprising a screen mesh woven with non-square openings as viewed from above.

Abstract: A screening device includes a screening element connected to a reinforcing element by a frictionally engaging clamping connection. Spacers located between the screening element and the reinforcing element provide a radial clearance therebetween. The screening element can be replaced when worn out, while the reinforcing element and associated parts can be reused with a new screening device. For this purpose, the screening element can be detached from the reinforcing element, which provides the actual support function, as a single unit by way of the frictionally engaging clamping connection. The clamping connection can be implemented by way of wedges or a conical seat.

Abstract: Non-polar polymeric separation media, such as beads or monoliths, are suitable for chromatographic separation of mixtures of polynucleotides when the surfaces of the media are unsubstituted or substituted with a hydrocarbon group having from one to 1,000,000 carbons and when the surfaces are substantially free from mutivalent cation contamination. The polymeric media provide efficient separation of polynucleotides using Matched Ion Polynucleolide Chromatography. Methods for maintaining and storing the polymeric media include treatment with multivalent cation binding agents.

Abstract: A dialysis system which does not need to use a physiological saline in replenishing a solution or cleaning and priming the dialysis system, does not need a troublesome setting operation and can easily and accurately set a flow rate of a replenisher solution. The dialysis system includes a closed-type water-removal control apparatus 1, a dialyzer 2, a fresh dialysate line 3 as well as a used dialysate line 4, an RO water pressurizing line 5, an RO water pressurizing pump 51 provided in the RO water pressurizing line 5, an artery side blood line 6, a blood pump 61 provided at the artery side blood line 6 and a vein side blood line 7. According to the dialysis system, by pressurizing RO water into a communication line of the used dialysate, dialysate is made to flow from a dialysate flow path 21 into a blood flow path 22 through a dialysis membrane 23 of the dialyzer 2 and the inside of a blood circulation path can be cleaned and primed.

Abstract: A polymeric resin is disclosed in the form of beads or particles having a coating thereon which renders the resin blood compatible. The resin comprises divinylbenzene monomer which has a porosity, pore size, and surface area suitable for absorbtion of unhealthy components of blood, such as &bgr;-2-microglobulin.

Abstract: A method of quickly decomposing and removing an organic chlorine compound, which comprises coating a liquid containing an organic chlorine compound on the surface of a photocatalyst so that the liquid does not flow, said photocatalyst comprising a hollandite-type crystal phase represented by the formula:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting device 1 of a support carrier 5, notably for a device handling at least one support carrier, wherein this support has a said “active” portion for contaminants. It includes a base plate 1 comprising a through aperture with dimensions substantially or larger than the dimensions of said active portion, first means 15a, 15b able to removably fix said support carrier 5, wherein said active portion of the support is positioned facing said aperture on a first side 12 of said base plate, and second means 16a, 16b able to fix an auxiliary element 6, 7 against the other face or the support carrier, wherein the support carrier is doubly fixed relatively to said base plate 1.

Abstract: There is provided a beverage maker having a device that removes contaminants from a liquid, which is removably supported within a compartment for ingredients. The device is preferably a filter that is surrounded by a supporting member, which supports the device within the compartment. The supporting member around the device may have a plurality of outwardly-protruding extensions that support the device by fitting against the sidewall of the compartment. A method and a system for such a device are also provided.

Abstract: A water treatment method uses a removable, disposable cartridge having an internal mesh structure. A disposable heater heats water fed to the cartridge. Precipitated solids collect on the mesh surface provided temperature and residence time are appropriately maintained. The heat breaks down the bicarbonate hardness of the water thereby depositing carbonates on the mesh surface and heavy metals will be codeposited due to the resultant change in pH. The cartridge has a head-space for collecting entrained gases such as volatile organic compounds, chlorine and air. Water sterility is achieved by heating the water over an appropriate period of time. Turbidity is removed within the cartridge due to settling induced by the low fluid velocity controlled by a controller and by a filter provided at the outlet of the cartridge. The filter will become blocked when bicarbonate hardness is carried over forcing a user to replace a spent cartridge.

Abstract: A modular organizer includes a plurality of walls, two face plates, and a plurality of shelves. In a storage mode the walls and shelves of the organizer are stored within the containing walls of the face plates. The containing walls of the face plates are each equipped with an exterior edge that presents an uneven outline. When the uneven outlines of each face plate are positioned adjacent each other, a substantially sealed interface is created containing the walls and shelves within. In an organizer mode, the walls are supported by, and serve to separate the face plates. The shelve are placed within the structure formed by the walls and are positionable between a display and storage position. Each face plate of each modular organizer is identically configured to incorporate at least one post and hole pair.

Abstract: A dish rack for a dishwasher, including a frame and a coating covering the frame and configured to distribute water over a surface of the coating in a thin film.

Abstract: An load moment indicator, in a crane provided with hoist means of a main side and an auxiliary side, including a calculator in which a reference value if a rated load determined by the stability of a crane or the like is preset, a hoist load of the other side is converted into a load component of own side, and the converted value is subtracted from a reference value of own side to thereby obtain a rated load of own side, or in which a tolerant load that can be suspended by the other side is converted into a load component of own side on the basis of a base of a reference value of the other side, and the converted value is compared with the reference value of own side to select a lower value. Thereby, it is possible to make the most of suspending ability of the main side and the auxiliary side and to grasp clearly a tolerance of the hoist load by an operator.

Abstract: A two stage dispensing cap for a carbonated beverage container is described. The cap has a flip top which is hingedly connected to a collar wherein the collar is rotatable on the container. The cap, upon rotation of the collar, is first opened into a venting position wherein the flip top vents the pressurized contents of the container but remains locked partially closed. Continued rotation of the cap releases the locked flop top to allow the container to be fully opened. A set of cams on the container neck work in conjunction with annular beads to first allow partially opening of the flip top into the venting position and then allowing it to fully open.

Abstract: A method for forming a printed circuit board comprising a plurality of conductive bumps having substantially coplanar upper surfaces is provided. The method comprises: forming a substantially planar metallic layer having a first thickness on at least one surface of the dielectric; applying a first photoresist on the metal layer; imaging the first photoresist to define a pattern of conductive bumps; etching the exposed portions of the metal layer to a second thickness to form the conductive bumps; removing the first photoresist; applying a second photoresist to the metal layer; imaging the second photoresist to define a pattern of circuitry; etching the exposed portions of the metal layer to provide the electrical circuitry; and removing the second photoresist. The present invention also provides a method for preparing printed circuit boards wherein two conductive layers that are disposed on opposing sides of a dielectric layer are inter-connected by at least one of the substantially coplanar conductive bumps.

Abstract: A composition for selective etching of oxides over a metal. The composition contains water, hydroxylammonium salt, carboxylic acid, a fluorine containing compound, and optionally, a base. The pH of the composition is about 2 to 6.

Abstract: In an automated welding machine, where a flow of liquid coolant is supplied to welding components on the machine from a source of coolant and then returned to the source of coolant, a safety system is provided that shuts down the flow of coolant in the event of a fault. Faults are detected by a supply sensor and a return sensor for measuring the flow rates of coolant in the supply and return lines. A microprocessor is adapted to compare the supply flow rate and return flow rate and detect differences between the two rates. The difference between the detected rates as compared to a leak threshold value, and the microprocessor is adapted to generate a valve shutoff signal in the event the detected difference in flow rates exceeds the leak threshold value. A value in the supply coolant line is responsive to the valve shutoff signal to shutoff flow of coolant in response thereto.

Abstract: Diamonds are marked by a laser beam having a characteristic that is changeable by positioning a selected aperture in the beam within a resonant cavity of a laser source. Guidelines are positioned in advance on the diamonds, and the marking is subsequently performed between the guidelines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing a surface of a vehicle part. A laser surface finishing means includes a finishing laser and at least one surface topography sensor. A first sensor scans each footprint of the surface and measures the footprint height. Each footprint height is compared to a reference height for that footprint area. If the footprint height is above the reference height, the laser generates a beam to either remove or cause reflow of a predetermined amount of material from the high points. These steps are repeated in a predetermined scanning pattern until each footprint height is not above the reference height for that footprint. In one aspect, a second sensor scans each footprint of the surface after the laser operates or not, and the height measured by the second sensor is used to determine if the steps need to be repeated.

Abstract: A removable heater for attachment onto the body of a vehicle and over the key entry of vehicle lock. The heater has a housing with an open bottom and the leading edges of the housing have a gasket that seals the housing over the key access of the lock. A heating element is attached inside the housing and two wires electrically connect the heater to a power source. At least one suction cup is then attached to fixedly secure open bottom of the heater over the external face of a vehicle lock. In addition to or separate from the suction cup(s), the heater may be attached with a magnet.

Abstract: A heated roof valley device for melting ice and snow accumulating on a roof valley including a generally “V”-shaped lower casing and a corresponding “V”-shaped cover positioned in spaced-apart relation to the lower casing. An electrical heating element positioned in the space between the lower casing and the cover, and a moisture sealing device for preventing moisture in the roof valley from entering the space between the lower casing and the cover.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a heater for heating an image which is not deformed easily even when a metal substrate is used as well as a manufacturing method of the heater and an image heating apparatus.

Abstract: A rebar end heating tool for heating cylindrically shaped pieces of rebar includes handle structure, and a heating unit. The heating unit is coupled with the handle structure and constructed with the capability of heating a piece of rebar having a diameter in the range of ⅜ inches to 1¼ inches to a temperature of about 500° F. in less than about ten seconds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drainage hole structure in a cooking oven of forced convection type, comprising: a drain pipe arranged so that an upper end opening thereof is open to a bottom face portion of a heating chamber and a lower end opening thereof is open to the outside of the heating chamber; and an air suction pipe arranged so that one end opening thereof faces to the upper end opening of the drain pipe in close proximity thereto and the other end opening thereof is open to a middle portion in the heating chamber, wherein said one end opening of the air suction pipe is formed to be slightly larger than the upper end opening of the drain pipe, and in the upper end opening side of the drain pipe, a peripheral wall portion of the drain pipe positioned in an upstream side with respect to an airflow flowing along the bottom face portion of the heating chamber is extended so as to enter into the one end opening of the air suction pipe by only a short distance, while a peripheral wall portion of the drain pipe positioned

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device capable of cooking food products in a short time so as to concentrate the emitted light on the food product using a lamp emitting light in an infrared region. More particularly, it is capable of cooking the food product in a short time by concentrating light in the visible light region within a wavelength range of more than 1.35 &mgr;m on the food product using a luminous unit for emitting light in the infrared light region and a reflecting plate for concentrating the emitted light in the infrared light region.

Abstract: A multiple head induction sealing system includes at least two ferrite cores mounted which are channel-shaped and arranged so that the open ends of the channels are aligned either perpendicular or parallel to a workflow direction established as the objects to be heated pass beneath the unit. A litz wire coil is disposed proximate to each ferrite core which produces an electromagnetic field within the ferrite core. The ferrite cores and litz wire coil are adapted to direct the electromagnetic field toward an object to heat it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microwave oven including a cavity having a certain area for cooking comprising a flow path formed between a main body and the cavity so as to be connected from a side of the cavity to the upper surface of the cavity, a heater installed on the side of the flow path corresponding to the outer upper surface of the cavity for emitting heat, a discharge hole installed on the upper surface of the cavity corresponding to the lower portion of the heater for discharging the heat of the heater into the cavity, an inlet installed on the lower portion of the side wall of the cavity for making the air inside of the cavity flow in the flow channel, and a circulating fan installed on a certain portion of the flow channel for circulating the air inside of the cavity flown through the inlet to the heater.

Abstract: Disclosed is a normal position detecting mechanism of a functional component in a heating apparatus, comprising: a drive member mounted on the functional component side of the heating apparatus; a driven unit assembly mounted on a main body side of the heating apparatus; and a switch for generating a detection signal; said driven unit assembly comprising: a switch actuating member disposed in a back side of a flat wall surface of the main body side; a mounting bracket for operatively supporting the switch actuating member so as to be movable between the back side of the flat wall surface and the switch for generating the detection signal; and a bias member disposed between the mounting bracket and the switch actuating member, which applies a bias force for normally driving the switch actuating member against the switch for generating the detection signal; wherein the drive member is located in a position facing to the switch actuating member with the flat wall surface of the main body side sandwiched therebet

Abstract: Low-odor microwaveable polypropylene/mica food contact articles are disclosed. The articles are prepared by low temperature processing and typically include odor-suppressing basic organic or inorganic compounds. Preferably, the articles are substantially free from C8 and C9 organic ketones associated with undesirable odors. Further improvements to the articles include crack-resistant embodiments with synergistic amounts of polyethylene and titanium dioxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a susceptor for use as a support for heating food products such as garnished flat dough in a microwave oven. The susceptor includes a metallized plate that includes a plurality of apertures forming gas and microwave energy permeable areas that are evenly or randomly disposed in the peripheral area of the plate, with each aperture having a transverse dimension of at least about 5 mm. A ready to cook food article that includes such a susceptor and a food or dough product positioned thereon is also contemplated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a turntable drive mechanism in a cooking oven, comprising: a driver unit arranged outside a cooking chamber for rotationally driving a turntable; and a magnetic coupling arranged between a revolving shaft of the turntable and another revolving shaft of the driver unit; wherein said magnetic coupling is composed of: a first coupling member attached to the revolving shaft of the driver unit and having magnets arranged so as to provide a surrounding of said revolving shaft with magnetic poles of alternately different polarities; and a second coupling member attached to the revolving shaft of the turntable and having magnets arranged so as to provide a surrounding of the revolving shaft with magnetic poles of alternately different polarities, said first and said second coupling members facing each other with a non-magnetic wall portion defining said cooking chamber being sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: A volatiles analyzer is disclosed that includes a source of microwave radiation that can selectively produce at least one predetermined frequency of microwave radiation. A cavity is in communication with the source. The analyzer includes an analytical pan balance with at least its balance pan in the cavity. The walls of the cavity form a polyhedron that focuses microwave energy of the predetermined frequency on the balance pan while supporting a plurality of TM and TE modes in the cavity.