Abstract: A liquid composition is adapted for use with an anionic ink for forming a high quality image with alleviated bleeding by means of an ink-jet recording system. The liquid composition includes a first cationic substance and a second cationic substance different from said first cationic substance, of which the first cationic substance is provided in the form of micro-particles at least whose surface is cationic.

Abstract: An ink set including at least two aqueous ink compositions each containing a dispersed pigment and a surfactant, the ink compositions including an ink composition having the lowest lightness and an ink composition having the highest lightness; wherein (1) the ink composition having the lowest lightness has a higher surface tension than those of other ink compositions; wherein (2) the ink composition having the highest lightness has a lower surface tension than those of other ink compositions; and wherein (3) the dispersed pigment contained in the ink composition having the lowest lightness and the dispersed pigment contained in the ink composition having the highest lightness are (3a) both anionic dispersed pigments or (3b) both cationic dispersed pigments, and the surfactants to be contained in the ink composition having the lowest lightness and in the ink composition having the highest lightness are specifically defined for each of cases (3a) and (3b).

Abstract: A sheet of inkjet printed photographic images having orthogonal fiducial marks extending along a leading edge of the printed field and along a lateral side of the printed field. The fiducial marks register with the printed field and provide information regarding the location of the images in the printed field relative to the larger sheet. The registration of the lateral side fiducial mark and print field is accomplished by exercising the nozzles of the print head at each pass of the print head during the printing of the photographic image.

Abstract: A method of printing an ink jet ink on a print medium is provided, wherein a printed image is formed that is both waterfast and smearfast. The method employs a water-insoluble colorant and comprises: (a) providing an aqueous-based ink containing at least one disperse, sublimation dye and at least one dispersant for dispersing the dye; (b) jetting the ink onto the print medium to form an intermediate printed image; and (c) subjecting the print medium to a combination of heat and pressure for a period of time to convert the intermediate printed image to the waterfast and smearfast printed image. The temperature is high enough to cause the disperse, sublimation dye to disintegrate and diffuse into the print medium, thereby diffusing the coloring agents out of the dispersant “shell” around the dye particulate and recondensing in the same place as solvent dyes, free of the dispersant. Solvent dyes are insoluble in water.

Abstract: A print media preheating method and apparatus uses heat, vacuum, and mechanisms for drying and flattening a sheet prior to ink-jet printing thereon. Pre-shrinking the media, driving out and substantially reducing inherent moisture content prior to depositing wet ink thereon provides greater flatness in the print-zone whereby ink-jet print quality is improved.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer includes a rotary drum 10, having a dielectric peripheral surface 11, for rotating at a constant speed, a sheet loader 90 for loading a sheet to the rotary drum 10, a sheet holding system for causing the sheet to be held on the peripheral surface 11 of the rotary drum 10, and a print head section 200 for printing an image on the sheet held on the peripheral surface 11 of the rotary drum 10 by jetting ink to the sheet while the rotary drum 10 makes a predetermined number of rotations. Particularly, the sheet holding system includes a charging section 20 and a supplementary charger section 26. The charging section 20 is charges the peripheral surface 11 of the rotary drum 10 on an upstream side of the loading point where the leading end of the sheet loaded by the sheet loader 90 contacts the peripheral surface 11 of the rotary drum 10. The supplementary charger section 26 charges the sheet to supplement the electrostatic attraction force attenuated during the rotation of the rotary drum 10.

Abstract: An assembly for feeding media associated with a printer or other media manipulating device includes a feed roller and first and second roller support members that rotatably mount first and second pinch rollers, respectively. The pinch rollers apply pressure to media on the feed roller at spaced pinch locations to increase the contact area between the media and the feed roller. One of the roller support members is movable with respect to the other of the roller support members to vary the distance between the first and second pinch locations and stretch the media on the feed roller during media loading.

Abstract: A pair of spectacles comprises two support elements (7) for engaging the nose of the wearer. Each support element comprises a pad (8) of an elastic material secured to a shank (10) with an enlarged head (11) adapted for retaining the support element relative to the rest of the spectacles by way of inserting the shank through said eyelet of the frame. According to the invention a peg (13) is inserted into the head end of the shank for providing a hard core inside at least part of the shank. Thus, easy mounting and safe retention are provided. The invention further comprises a blank for the manufacturing of the peg, and a method of manufacturing a pair of spectacles.

Abstract: The present invention provides extended depth of focus (EDF) to human eyes by modifying contact lenses, interocular implants, or the surface of the eye itself. This is accomplished by applying selected phase variations to the optical element in question (for example, by varying surface thickness). The phase variations EDF-code the wavefront and cause the optical transfer function to remain essentially constant within some range away from the in-focus position. This provides a coded image on the retina. The human brain decodes this coded image, resulting in an in-focus image over an increased depth of focus.

Abstract: A multifocal lens including annular zones wherein each annular zone is divided into at least two annular sub-zones. Preferably, no geometric or optical optical steps are present between annular zones or annular sub-zones. The refractive powers within the annular sub-zones are chosen such that the lens exhibits at least two diffractive powers and that at least one of those diffractive powers substantially coincides with the average refractive power of each annular zone.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an eye characteristic measuring apparatus having a projection system for projecting a light source image of small amount onto a fundus of an eye by a reflected light from the fundus, and a wavefront detecting system for detecting a wavefront of luminous flux emitted from the interior of the pupil of the eye by a reflected light from the fundus, where the projection system projects a light source image of small amount onto a fundus of an eye, and the wavefront detection system detects the wavefront of luminous flux emitted from the interior of the fundus by a reflected light from the fundus, and a deflection prism having at least one transmission surface for aberration correction within both optical paths of the projecting system and the wavefront detecting system, can deflect the incident luminous flux.

Abstract: A technique capable of easily manufacturing a projector without deteriorating too much the optical characteristics of the projector. A projector includes an illuminating optical system for emitting illumination light, an electro-optical device for modulating light from the illuminating optical system according to image information, and a projection optical system for projecting a modulated light beam flux obtained by the electro-optical device. The electro-optical device includes a single-crystal sapphire substrate having nearly a rectangular shape, and a polarizer provided on the single-crystal sapphire substrate on at least one side of a light incidence surface and a light emission surface. The single-crystal sapphire substrate includes a c-axis substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate, and the c-axis has an inclination of about 3° to about 7° with respect to an reference side selected from perpendicularly intersecting two sides of the nearly rectangular shape.

Abstract: Projector is provided, including a light source, a color wheel for splitting two, or more than two color beams from the beam from the light source, a rod lens for making a distribution of the color beam from the color wheel uniform, a polarization beam converter for converting the color beams into particular polarization beams, an optical system for focusing the color beams converted into the particular polarization beams, a color selecting plate for converting particular polarization color beams in the focused color beams, two displays for reflecting the color beams from the color selecting plate differently according to a video signal to form picture beams, a polarization beam sprite prism for supplying a particular color beam having polarization converted at the color selecting plate to one of the displays, and color beams of other colors to the other display, and a projection lens for enlarging, and projecting the picture beams.

Abstract: An off-axis projection system includes a polarizer, a reflective light modulator, an analyzer, and an aberration compensation element. The polarizer polarizes an illumination beam to form a polarized illumination beam. The reflective light modulator receives the polarized illumination beam along a first optical path, modulates the polarized illumination beam to form an imaging beam, and reflects the imaging beam along a second optical path not parallel to the first optical path. The aberration compensation element is disposed in either or both of the polarized illumination beam and the imaging beam. The separation of the illumination beam and the imaging beam provided by the off-axis architecture facilitates the use single-pass aberration compensation elements, including liquid crystal compensation films and wave retarders. A multi-color projection system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the color separation in sequential color display systems. The disclosed approach adds a white (clear) segment 923 to the color filtering system 92 and applies an algorithm, which separates the luminance channel as much as possible into this white segment. As a result, in the case of a black-and-white image where color separation is most visible, color segments will have a minimal amount of energy in them, thereby reducing the color separation effect. The algorithm controls the process of transferring the energy from the colored segments into the white segment and also allows for a dynamic mode, where on a pixel-by-pixel basis, both color separation reduction is made for the white portions of the image and overall image brightness is improved in the non-white (color) portions of the image.

Abstract: The optical filter enhances the visual perception of a stationary white object such as a golf ball to help a user to locate the object when lost. The filter attenuates light transmission for colors having wavelengths over 500 nanometer such as the light reflected by the vegetation, and transmits colors having shorter wavelengths such as the light reflected by the ball. The filter is worn in an eyeglass frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology for mounting a prism which is used for a projector, such as a crossed dichroic prism, accurately in a predetermined position of a base frame. A projector for displaying color images can include an illumination optical system, a colored-light-separating optical system for separating light emitted from the illumination optical system into first, second, and third colored light which are three color components, first, second, and third electro-optical devices which modulate the first, second, and third colored light, respectively, according to image data, and produce first, second, and third modulated light, respectively.

Abstract: Optical projection systems for the display of electronic images often suffer from degraded image quality due to color field registration errors caused by lateral chromatic aberration. Although most projection lenses are partially corrected for lateral chromatic aberration during the design process, the uncorrected residual aberration limits the imaging performance of many projection displays, especially when displaying text and graphics with single-pixel-wide features. Some embodiments of the invention correct color field registration errors due to lateral chromatic aberration in multiple-imager projection systems. Other embodiments of the invention correct radial distortion and keystone distortion in single-imager and multiple-imager projection displays. In some embodiments of the invention, the imager(s) pixel geometry is arranged to compensate for optical aberrations, which result from the optical system so as to achieve a corrected image.

Abstract: A car rearview mirror structure. A surface of the auxiliary mirror seat plate includes multiple longitudinal and transverse intersecting division lines, such that the auxiliary mirror seat plate can be bent at different angles to snugly attach to an outer periphery of a rearview mirror seat. An auxiliary mirror is attached to the auxiliary mirror seat.

Abstract: Display backlights arranged in an environment with an optical index n1 such as air. The display backlight includes a transparent plate with an optical index n2 higher than n1, the plane is delimited by two parallel plane surfaces and by a peripheral edge. The display backlight also includes a light source coupled with the peripheral edge such that the rays emitted by the source penetrate into the plate and are propagated inside the plate between the two surfaces mainly by total internal reflections. The display backlight further includes a layer made of a transparent material arranged in optical contact with a plane of the plate, the material of the plane having an optical index n3 higher than n1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tender mood creating lampshade equipped with a fog generator which oscillates at a supersonic frequency thereby vaporizing particles of liquidal perfume or equivalents in a liquid container into foggy state and diffusing in the air through an ornamental idol to create a tender mood in the surroundings.

Abstract: A flashlight holder for securing a flashlight to an object. The flashlight holder has a clamp assembly for attaching to the object. A cradle is provided for holding the flashlight. The cradle can be attached to the clamp assembly, or preferably, a riser can be disposed between the clamp assembly and the cradle. Retaining straps are provided to secure the flashlight in the cradle. The retaining straps are removably attached to allow the flashlight to be placed in and removed from the flashlight holder.

Abstract: A flashlight includes battery cells and an LED light source. A switching device is at the base of the barrel and the bottom of the battery. A head is located above the barrel. A housing holds the LED, and the cells are on a tray associated with the housing, and filtered in the body to be removable when the head is separated from the body.

Abstract: An LED display apparatus capable of reliably preventing damage caused by static electricity without worsening the visual recognition, in which an the display surface of the LED display apparatus is mounted an electrically conductive plate having a thickness nearly equal to, or smaller than, the height of the light-emitting portions L in a direction Z perpendicular to the display surface and having holes 3a perforated at positions corresponding to the positions of the light-emitting portions L on the display surface. The electrically conductive plate 3 is grounded, and a current due to the electrostatic discharge flows from the electrically conductive plate 3 into ground.

Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a display device (3) comprises a light-emitting panel (1) having a light-emission window (2) and at least one edge surface (4) for coupling light into the light-emitting panel (1). The illumination system further comprises a light mixing chamber (5) provided with a light source (6). The light mixing chamber (5) is associated with the edge surface (4). According to the invention, the light source (6) comprises a plurality of clusters of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) having different light-emission wavelengths, the clusters being arranged at a pitch P with respect to each other. The ratio of the height H of the light mixing chamber (5) to the pitch P of the clusters meets the relation 0.1≦H/P≦10, preferably 0.2≦H/P≦2. Preferably, each cluster comprises one blue, one green and one red LED, or one blue, two green and one red LEDs. Preferably, each LED has a luminous flux of at least 5 lumen.

Abstract: A lamp string comprises a plurality of serially connected lamp units. Each lamp unit comprises a casing, two base plates respectively mounted in two ends of the casing, an illuminating member mounted in the casing, at least one metallic bar extending between the base plates and electrically connected to the illuminating member, and two end covers removably attached to the ends of the casing for closing the casing. Two adjacent ones of the lamp units are electrically connected by at least one wire that is electrically connected to the illuminating member and the metallic bar. A soft tube may be provided to enclose the wire.

Abstract: A net light set includes a first common wire means extending in a first (horizontal) direction, the first common wire means including lengths of a bypass wire and a return wire. A plurality of series-connected light strings extend physically parallel to each other and in a second (vertical) direction transverse to the first direction. Each light string includes a plurality of lamp sockets and a plurality of intermediate lengths of a single active wire connecting the lamp sockets in series. In each of the light strings intermediate the first and last light strings, the single active wire is twisted together intermediate the lamp sockets only with a first non-wire extending in the second direction for enhanced tensile strength. At least one second non-wire extends in the first direction and physically connects intermediate lengths of each light string with corresponding intermediate lengths of other light strings.

Abstract: A flashlight having removable control section, a rechargeable main body and a battery charger. The control section has an antennae, a volume control knob and female receptacles for receiving male connectors. The main body has male connectors for electrical engagement with the female receptacles of the control section or the battery charger. The main body contains a rechargeable battery, a two way radio and a flashlight.

Abstract: A lighting system for generating pre-determined beam-pattern comprises a reflector body for reflecting the light forwardly thereof, an optical means for receiving and transmitting said reflected light, a discharge lamp and a lamp base. The discharge lamp is positioned between the reflector body and the optical means. The discharge lamp comprises a sealed discharge vessel made of ceramic light-transmitting material and contains an ionizable fill. The discharge lamp has at least one leg, a pair of spaced-apart electrodes within the discharge vessel between which an electric discharge is developed when the lamp is operated. The lamp base provides for supporting and positioning the discharge lamp, and includes contact elements for connecting the discharge lamp to an operating circuit.

Abstract: A light fixture assembly (100) having an electrical component module (110) which may be mounted to the fixture housing (120) without tools and without requiring additional hardware or space upon the electrical component module (110). The electrical component module (110) is capable of being held in a substantially stationary position by at least one bracket (255), at least one stop (270), and a releasable catch (265).

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp including a lamp body, a front cover that covers the front of the lamp body, a reflector disposed in the lamp body, a discharge bulb supported by the reflector, a lighting circuit assembly formed by housing a ballast circuit for lighting the discharge bulb and a starting circuit in a casing, and a power feeding connector connected to the lighting circuit assembly by a cord and removably coupled to the connector portion of the discharge bulb. A lighting circuit case that houses the lighting circuit assembly is integrally disposed on the lamp body with a connecting portion in between, the lighting circuit case is provided on the side of the lamp body, and the connecting portion is in a shape of a lateral U in vertical cross-section so as to allow the power feeding connector to pass through.

Abstract: From a quasi point source, light distribution means produce a selected one or ones of broadly distributed ambient light, non-shadowing task illumination, multi-beam display lighting, projective lineal lighting and projective surface washing illumination lineally or radially distributed. Collimation optics shape light from a quasi point source into a disc of selected axial thickness. Containment optics contain divergence of and direct light from the collimation optics to distribution optics. The distribution optics modulates and redirects the radiant energy into a shape or shapes useful in illuminating architectural space. The distribution optics may reflect or refract light to direct and shape it for a particular architectural illumination requirement. The efficient combination of the optics provides for a system of minimized thickness, permitting maximum flexibility in integration with or within shelves, soffits and other structural members.

Abstract: An illumination obscurement device for controlling the obscurement of illumination from a light source which is optimized for use with a rectangular, arrayed, selective reflection device. In a preferred embodiment, a rotatable shutter with three positions is placed between a light source and a DMD. The first position of the shutter is a mask, preferably an out of focus circle. This out of focus circle creates a circular mask and changes any unwanted dim reflection to a circular shape. The second position of the shutter is completely open, allowing substantially all the light to pass. The third position of the shutter is completely closed, blocking substantially all the light from passing. By controlling the penumbra illumination surrounding the desired illumination, DMDs can be used in illumination devices without creating undesirable rectangular penumbras.

Abstract: An optical attachment 10 for a light source, in particular for a light-emitting diode 12, exhibits an inner lens area 14 which surrounds an optical axis 13 of the optical attachment 10 for inner light beams 15 emitted from the light source and an outer reflector area 16 for outer light beams 17 of the light source which surrounds the inner lens area 14 in a ring-like manner. Due to this combination of refraction in the inner lens area and reflection in the outer reflector area, the dimensions of the optical attachment can be kept relatively small and, in comparison to a lens or a reflector, more light can be collected and the point-shaped light diode can be imaged on the exiting side as a large area light appearance.

Abstract: The lighting fixture which comprises an elongated housing having a top wall and a bottom wall. The width of the top wall is greater than the width of the bottom wall, which has a free edge located below the top wall providing an opening for the emission of light from at least one light bulb mounted in the housing and projecting beyond the free edge of the bottom wall. A reflector is mounted in the housing and has a reflector wall located between the top wall and the at least one bulb. The reflector has a plurality of air vents formed in it and the top wall of the housing also has a plurality of vents formed therein, offset from the air vents in the reflector wall, whereby air below the reflector wall heated by the bulb flows through the air vents in the reflector, and out the air vents in the top wall, but the emission of light through the top wall is blocked.

Abstract: A cable assembly is used to suspend a utility light adjacent a ceiling or along a wall. The cable assembly includes a plurality of S-hooks for supporting and allowing smooth movement of the utility light along the cable. Attached to one of the S-hooks is a plastic drag chain for manually adjusting the placement of the light at all points along the cable. It also provides for an extendable and retractable utility light suspended from that S-hook. Use of this configuration allows the utility light to be used at all points along the cable and in the surrounding areas adjacent to it.

Abstract: Spring clips for holding lamp shades such as but not limited to fragile globe and funnel shapes, onto lamp fixtures include elongated types clips that connect to the stem beneath the socket of the lamp fixture. The longitudinal clips springably expand within the neck and lower interior expanding portion of the globe shade, securely holding the latter in place to the lamp fixture. The spring clips have great applicability to the light fixtures on ceiling fans offering a secure fastening system that prevents accidental dislodging of the fragile shade when vibrations from the spinning fan occur. The spring clips allow the shades to be more easily put in place over the overhead type light fixtures as compared to the traditional method of using side screws to support and secure the shades. The clips can have hook or barb ends which prevent the accidental release of the shade from the fixture.

Abstract: A light fixture extension adapter includes a body, a male stud on one opposite end portion of the body for extending through a mounting hole in a light fixture cover extending between opposite outer and inner faces of the light fixture cover and adapted for fastening a cap of the light fixture on the male stud so as to dispose the light fixture cap adjacent to the outer face of the light fixture cover, a female socket on the other opposite end portion of the body and disposed adjacent to the inner face of the light fixture cover and adapted for fastening a nipple of a light fixture thereto, and an abutment structure disposed on the body for abutting against the inner face of the light fixture cover such that upon fastening the light fixture cap on the male stud the light fixture cover is clamped between the abutment structure and light fixture cap.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a sensor to detect a first set of conditions and a second set of conditions. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light emitting source. The light emitting source is operable to illuminate selectively between a first lighting characteristic and a second lighting characteristic. The light emitting source is adapted to be actuated at the first lighting characteristic in response to a first signal operatively generated by the sensor indicating the first set of conditions. The light emitting source is also adapted to be actuated at the second lighting characteristic in response to a second signal operatively generated by the sensor indicating the second set of conditions.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp for use in a reflector is provided. The incandescent lamp comprises an envelope with a longitudinal axis, at least one filament and electrical lead-out wires. The lamp has a support portion receiving the envelop, a sleeved optical disc associated operatively with the support portion. The sleeved optical disc has a cut-out in a mantle thereof. A plastic base belongs to the incandescent lamp anchoring the sleeved optical disc and includes terminals. A leaf-spring is bent substantially to an O-shape and located in a space defined by the mantle of the sleeved optical disc. The leaf-spring includes a tongue protruding from one portion of the O-shape. The leaf-spring has two end portions forming a tab protruding from another portion of the O-shape. The leaf-spring is pressed to an inner portion of the mantle of the sleeved optical disc at the tab so that the tongue extends through the cut-out in the mantle of the sleeved optical disc.

Abstract: A panel assembly (10) for an automotive vehicle has a transparent panel (12) having opposing first (14) and second (16) surfaces. A portion of the first surface includes refractive structure (18) integral with the panel (12). At least one light source (22) is positioned at an edge of the panel for introducing light into the panel (12). The refractive structure (18) reflects light from the light source (22) out through a portion of the second surface (16). A film laminate (20) is positioned generally opposite the refractive structure (18). When the light source (22) is operatively connected to a vehicle braking system and the film laminate (20) is red, the panel assembly (10) will indicate a braking condition.

Abstract: Light for backlight to illuminate an LCD is irregularly reflected on a reflection plate. Part of the light leaks from the reflection plate to a rear surface side thereof. An aspherical lens collects the leakage light. Optical fibers guide the collected light to an object to be illuminated. The leakage light which inevitably leaks from the reflection plate and which has been wasted can be efficiently used. It is also advantageous to positively increase the leakage light such that the quantity of leakage light thus obtained is more than that of the leakage light inevitably appearing in a natural condition. Since the extension of the optical fibers is of side irregular reflection type, light sources can be provided at arbitrary locations thereof By efficiently using light for the backlight, the user's operating section can be illuminated while completely minimizing power consumption. The leakage part of light for the backlight from the irregular reflection plate can be efficiently used.

Abstract: A frame for use with a spread illuminating apparatus having a first facing plate, a second facing plate and a light reflecting portion. The frame being capable of covering and positioning a light source adjacent to an end of a transparent substrate by positioning the light source and the transparent substrate between the first and second facing plate. The frame futher including end portions of the first and second facing plates that are configured to resiliently clamp a portion of the transparent substrate. Productivity being improved and apparatus being made compact due to reduced number of parts and assembling processes. Uniformity of brightness and darkness being presented due to elimination of application of tape.

Abstract: A flat panel display system utilizing a light pipe having vapor deposited highly reflective material on a light pipe. The flat panel display may be used in a portable electronic device. One embodiment discloses deposition of a highly reflective material (e.g., SiO2 or TiO2) around the non-viewing areas of a light pipe that provides light to the display screen. Front lighting embodiments and back lighting embodiments are described. One embodiment further discloses deposition of reflective material on the surface of microstructures of the light pipe to enhance light reflection and to prevent light escape. Another embodiment of the present invention discloses the coating or vapor deposition of phosphor material on the light pipe. This embodiment utilizes a blue light or IR light with the phosphor layer, to create a long lasting white light which is appealing for many portable electronic device displays.

Abstract: A decorative light plug has a collar slidably retained on the decorative light and having a through hole defined through the collar and an inner thread formed on an inner face defining the through hole; a female connector integrally formed on the decorative light and having a flange formed on an outer periphery of the decorative light; and a cover having a blind hole defined to enclose a distal end of the decorative light and an outer thread formed to correspond to the inner thread in the collar. With such an arrangement, the engagement between the cover and the collar is able to protect the distal end of the decorative light.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining assignments to attributes (e.g., electrical power or overall dimensional size) of components within a system. A computerized constraint network is constructed which uses constraint agents, variable agents, and task agents in order to make assignments to the attributes of the components based upon market-based constraint optimization techniques. The attributes have variables indicative of the assignments to the attributes. Constraint data structures assist the agents in determining permissible assignments for the variables. The constraint data structures use preferential rules for determining the assignments to the variables. The preferential rules indicate which assignments for the variables of the agents produce higher utility and lower cost.

Abstract: A mix head assembly for a rapid discharge multiple material delivery molding system includes an output chamber assembly having a plurality of impellers, a main body assembly, and a drive assembly. The main body assembly preferably includes a plurality of input ports which correspond to the number of fluid material supplies. In one disclosed embodiment, the mix head assembly include a flush assembly to communicate a flushing fluid from a supply through the gates and into the feed chambers to minimize residual fluid material after each molding cycle. In operation, the fluid materials are directed by their respective input ports to a first impeller. The first impeller is driven by the drive shaft such that the impeller drives the fluid materials back toward the input ports. The pressure in the material builds up and it eventually is driven back past the first impeller.

Abstract: A base for a disposable surgical cement mixing system includes a support member and a vacuum source. The support member is configured to support cement within a mixing chamber. The vacuum source is carried by the support member. The vacuum source is operative to impart a relative vacuum within the mixing container during mixing of the cement.

Abstract: This invention is a magnetically coupled microorganism culture apparatus used in the expansion culture of microorganisms, especially in the expansion culture conducted for test tube microorganisms. In one example, the culture apparatus is powered by a micro motor, rotation of the micro motor is transferred to the air impeller by virtue of a magnetically coupled device, causing the air impeller to rotate at a high speed. Under the effect of centrifugal force, the air in the air impeller is sprayed into the culture medium liquid in the container for the growth of microorganisms. This invention is substantially different from the shaker being used today, thus achieving the purpose of reducing cost and saving energy.

Abstract: A mixing system with a vessel for supplying a liquid and a device for supplying solid pieces to mix with the liquid. The system has an elongate enclosure with a first end opposing a second end. The enclosure defines a chamber in fluid communication with the vessel to receive the liquid. The chamber also has a inlet and an outlet with the inlet being closer to the first end than the outlet. The chamber receives the pieces from the device through the inlet and issues the pieces through the outlet. A motor driven mixing auger positioned in the chamber between the first and second ends rotates a selected direction about a rotational axis to intermix the liquid and pieces. The auger includes a first helical flight between the inlet and the outlet to convey the pieces from the inlet to the outlet when the shaft is rotated the selected direction. The auger also includes a second helical flight between the first flight and the second end to urge the solid pieces in a direction opposite the first flight.