Abstract: Described is a carrier system comprising a releasable adjustable fastening mechanism and a serpentine article engaged in the releasable adjustable fastening mechanism. The serpentine article is fixedly attached to itself to form a loop of strap, the strap extending in two directions from the loop.

Abstract: Packs that have a body-conforming frame assembly. In some embodiments, the frame assembly is adapted to conform in multiple dimensions to the shape of a user's back or other body portion. In some embodiments, the frame assembly's shape is at least substantially defined by the shape of the flexible pack to which the frame assembly is secured. In some embodiments, the pack includes a retainer assembly that secures the frame assembly to the pack, with the retainer assembly optionally defining a compartment that is smaller in at least one dimension than the frame assembly. The frame assembly may be an internal or an external frame assembly and may include ventilation structure. In some embodiments, the pack includes a hydration system, with the pack including a compartment that receives a fluid reservoir, from which a drinking tube extends external the pack to a mouthpiece.

Abstract: A cutter for cutting sheet materials such as plastic film or metal foil is provided. The cutter incorporates a handle, a cutting blade and a hook for attaching the cutter to a dispenser of the sheet material. The cutter rides along the top of the box to cut the sheet material.

Abstract: A series of roll mounted bags and dispensers are described. The bags may be folded along at least one axis and rolled. The compact roll of bags is placed in various dispensers. As the upper portion of the first bag is pulled from the roll, the roll will rotate, presenting the succeeding bag for dispensing after the first bag is removed. Variations of the dispenser include one with a bag opening means with a mounting member and bag opening element causing the bags to open as they are pulled from the dispenser. The dispenser includes mechanisms for supporting the bag roll and constraining its movement along its horizontal axis. Another variation of the dispenser has a perforation parting means that facilitates separation of one bag from a subsequent bag. The dispenser may be removably attached to a dispenser support that attaches to a surface.

Abstract: An improved surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a cartridge half-section and an anvil half-section with the cartridge and anvil half-sections being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position. The apparatus includes a replaceable staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples and a pivotably mounted safety lock-out The safety lock-out is pivotable between an initial position in which a relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half-sections to the fully clamped position is permitted and a blocking position in which a relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half-sections to return them to their fully clamped position after the plurality of staples have been at least partially fired is prevented. The apparatus further includes a pivotably mounted firing lever for moving a pair of camming surfaces longitudinally.

Abstract: A wire bonding apparatus with a bonding head that includes an ultrasonic transducer having a capillary at its tip end, piezo-electric elements that form a pair of complementary action type extension and retraction driving elements which cause the ultrasonic transducer to move with respect to a transducer holder, an impact detection sensor, and a Z motor which drives the transducer holder. The piezo-electric elements are arranged so that when one of them is driven to extend, the other is driven to retract. When the impact detection sensor detects that the capillary is lowered by the Z motor and comes into contact with a bonding object (semiconductor chip), the driving of the Z motor is stopped, and the piezo-electric elements are driven to the directions of extension and retraction in a complementary manner, thus swinging the ultrasonic transducer and moving the capillary upward.

Abstract: A soldering method includes exposing a solder paste including a solder powder and a flux on a member to a free radical gas and heating the solder paste to reflow the solder paste and vaporize any active components in the solder paste. Any flux residue is free of active components, so it is not necessary to perform cleaning after soldering to remove flux residue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a tapered contact structure over a contact pad. The tapered contact structure may be used to securely anchor an overlying solder bump or solder ball. Additionally, the tapered contact structure allows the use of either larger contact pads or, alternately, allows a greater density of contact pads to be achieved on an integrated circuit substrate.

Abstract: A reinforcing member made of unitary construction is described. The reinforcing member has an outer face connected to an inner face by a middle frame. The inner face includes a first flange extending in a first direction from a first portion of the frame and a resiliently flexible second flange extending in an opposite direction from a flexible second portion of the frame. In use, an installer flexes the second flange and second frame portion so that the inner face will pass through the hand hole. Flexation may involve movement of the first flange toward the second flange, rotation of the second flange away from the outer face, or a combination of both. Once flexed, the inner face is inserted through the hand hole and the second flange is allowed to resume its unflexed position.

Abstract: A container for carrying produce having dove tail locks is created from a container blank having nonsymmetrical, offset dove tail locks on the edges of the blank. When the blank is on a larger paperboard substrate having multiple blanks, the dove tail locks of a blank border the dove tail locks of an adjacent blank in a configuration that eliminates pinch points. The elimination of pinch points is achieved by having dove tail locks wherein the sides of the dove tail lock diverge from each other at different angles and for different horizontal vectors.

Abstract: A carton and a blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles, for example bottles, comprising a collapsible tubular corner post formed from an extension of a carton side wall. The corner post is adapted to move from a flat collapsed condition when extending outwardly of the carton to be automatically erected by folding the corner post inwardly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for emptying a cashbox as well as a cashbox with an apparatus according to the invention.

Abstract: To standardize a mailing address, a zip code is extracted from the mailing address (FIG. 1A). A primary number (102) from a primary field of the mailing address (110) and a secondary number (112) from a secondary field (120) of the mailing address are also extracted. The zip code, the primary number, and the secondary number are concatenated.

Abstract: A golf handicap smart card system including at least one golf handicap smart card, at least one golf handicap smart card reader, and a golf handicap web site accessible by qualified users, wherein a qualified user has a current verifiable golf handicap with them at all times and available for peer review.

Abstract: Methods for distributing and activating prepaid credit cards are presented. The prepaid credit cards are made available to consumers in various locations including retail outlets, department stores, financial institutions, and other convenient places. Consumers purchase a prepaid credit card in a desired denomination and then activate the card. The card can be activated over the phone, in combination with a purchase, or at a special kiosk. Once the card has been activated, the consumer can use the card as a normal credit or debit card. When the initial value of the card is depleted, the card can be refilled with additional funds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage system and identification device for storing objects associated with the devices in stations. Each identification devices includes an electronic memory device with a unique code. The storage system receives information relating each identification device with both its code and its associated object. A user can enter information as to a particular object and the system identifies the location of the station holding the identification device. Thus, identification devices can be returned randomly. This can be used for many objects as small as keys and very large objects connected to the identification devices.

Abstract: A structure of a card gate mechanism in a card reader of, e.g., an ATM (automated teller machine). In order to constitute a gate opening (3) of a card gate mechanism (1), a gate frame (4a, 4b) which includes a wide-open portion (5) which leads a card (2) to a card carrying path (14) by using a material which transmits light is provided on at least one surface side of the card (2), and a light source portion (6) which irradiates the gate frame (4a, 4b) with the light is provided, thereby causing the wide-open portion (5) to shine by emitting the light from the light source portion (6). In this case, when a part of the gate frame (4a, 4b) is formed as a lens portion (9), a direction of light irradiation can be controlled, thereby alleviating irregularities in an element.

Abstract: A code reader which includes a housing; a reading portion, provided on the housing, for reading a code provided on an object; an illumination device provided in the housing; an image capturing device, provided in the housing, for imaging the code, the illumination device irradiating light to a surface to be read provided with the code reflecting the irradiated light, the image capturing device configured to be entered with the reflected light via an entrance pupil provided in the housing, the image capturing device being configured to read information of the code, a diffusion member for permeating and diffusing the light from the illumination device and for irradiating the diffused light to the surface to be read, the plural illumination device positioned opposite each other relative to the entrance pupil, and the diffusion member positioned between the illumination device and the reading portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading bar code symbols having parts of different light reflectivity by a scanning beam which forms a scan line through the bar code symbol includes focusing optics for collecting light reflected off at least a portion of the bar code symbol including a front surface for receiving the incoming light, and a first surface adjacent one end of the front surface, and a second surface adjacent to the other end of the front surface, and a rear surface. A photosensor is positioned so as to receive light collected by the focusing optics and transmitted through the rear surface, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity. The first and second surfaces have different light reflectivity properties.

Abstract: A bar-code/character/graph reader using an optical input device such as Neuron-Network-Retina (NNR) (or other names are used from time to time: BJT-based Silicon Retina; or Neural Seneor-Silicon Retina) to convert a bar code, character, and graphic image into electrical signals for further processing is disclosed. No dedicated light source such as Light Emitting Diode (LED) is needed, the NNR is using the nature ambient light through a transparent window as light source, and thus achieving power saving purpose, which is crucial for battery operation. Moreover, the NNR can be equipped with the noise removal, black/white enhancement, edge enhancement, image smoothing, and motion extraction capability. Therefore, it can remove possible error causing by shadow, scanning speed difference, dirty image (from a fax copy, for example), tilt angle, etc . . .

Abstract: A medium processing apparatus comprising a traveling bucket having a medium receiving opening inside and a medium ejecting opening outside and movable from a medium receiving position to a medium ejecting position and reversible transfer means for permitting the traveling bucket to travel while oriented in one traveling direction or in the reverse traveling direction.

Abstract: The invention relates especially to a method for producing a product that is secure against fraud, i.e. a security product.

Abstract: A mixture of isotopes is provided which may be embedded into an article such as a motor vehicle, software or other articles so that they may be detected by a Geiger counter or other emission detector for identification purposes as well as to provide a chronological record of the article according to the half-lives of the isotopes chosen for the mixture. The isotopes should be chosen having regard to half-lives of the order of time of the life of the article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering conditioned air using short duty cycles during which a damper is fully open for a time and fully closed for the remaining time. Conditioned air is continuously supplied to a plenum at low pressure and is applied to the space when the damper is open and blocked when the damper is closed. The proportion of on to off time during each duty cycle is adjusted to meet the load. When several supply terminals serve a space, their duty cycles are staggered to avoid fan instability. A special motor is coupled directly to the damper shaft for fast opening and closing of the damper. A magnetic latch holds the damper open or closed until the motor moves it again.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining a temperature between a first value and a second value. The method and apparatus utilize a heat transfer device capable of cycling through a series of cycles, the device being capable of changing the temperature from the second value to the first value when operational. During each cycle the device transfers heat for a first period of time when the temperature reaches the second volume until the first value is reached and thereafter the device stops transferring heat. The first period of time is compared to a desired cycle-on period of time during each cycle and the second temperature value then is adjusted for a subsequent cycle of the device so the first period of time when the device transfers heat approaches the desired cycle-on period of time. There may also be provided temperature controls for a liquid heater having a jacket containing the liquid. The jacket has an inner heated wall and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall.

Abstract: A constructive arrangement applied to an integrated thermostatic valve attached to its own housing has a hollow tubular-shaped body (1) projecting from a flange (2) with holes (3) for fixing screws, and a central opening (4) that determines the chamber mouth molded to the cavity of the body. There are two opposing lengthwise projections (6), which have a groove (7) near the chamber mouth, and another groove (8) near the mouth of the body (1), with the ends of a curved plate (9) fitted into the grooves (8). In the grooves (7) are fitted the ends of another plate (11). A sheet metal disk (12) is inserted into the internal rim of the mouth (4) of the chamber (5), having fixed to the end of the thermostatic valve, a washer (14) for supporting the disk (15) that has a hole where the terminal of the aforementioned thermostatic valve is housed and moves.

Abstract: A multi-layer slot coating die (A) includes a housing (30) having a cavity therein, and a divider (32) arranged within the cavity of the housing (30) such that a plurality of separate channels are defined therein. The channels have elongated openings on an output side of the die (A) from which layers (10, 12) of coating material are extruded, and an ultrasonic transducer (44) is mechanically coupled to the divider (32).

Abstract: A paint sprayer for sprayer a fluid includes a pump housing, an electrical housing having a motor and a switch, a handle coupled to the pump housing, a paint cup coupled to the handle, and a mechanical actuator coupled to the pump housing for operating the motor. The actuator has a first portion positioned in the vicinity of the exterior of the pump housing and a second portion that extends into the pump housing. The second portion is configured to engage the switch in the electrical housing to operate the motor. The handle is an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end, with a generally rectangular cross-section at the top end and a generally circular cross-section at the bottom end.

Abstract: A paint sprayer for spraying a fluid comprises a housing that houses a motor, a pump, and a fluid passage. A handle is coupled to the housing and a paint cup is coupled to the handle for storage of a fluid. The handle is positioned between the housing and the paint cup. The paint sprayer has a center of gravity region. A longitudinal axis of the handle and a longitudinal axis of the paint cup are aligned with the center of gravity region of the paint sprayer. A gripping zone of the paint sprayer is also aligned with the center of gravity region.

Abstract: A sprayer comprising a handle having a compressed air connection, a chemical connection, and a spray outlet, and containing a blocking means for preventing the compressed air and chemical from releasing through the spray outlet; a hose having two ends with one end of the hose connected to the compressed air connection of the handle; a compressor system connected to the other end of the hose; a trigger attached to the handle which engages and disengages the blocking means; a container attached to the chemical connection of the handle; an adapter having a first end, a second end and a bore running all the way through the adapter from the first end of the adapter to the second end of the adapter, with the first end of the adapter removably connected to the spray outlet of the handle; a tip having an attaching end, an outlet end, and a bore running all the way through the tip from the attaching end of the tip to the outlet end of the tip, with the attaching end of the tip removably connected to the second end of

Abstract: A coating material dispensing device includes a port adapted to be coupled to a source of coating material, an actuator for controlling a flow of compressed gas through the dispensing device, and a valve coupled to the actuator to be controlled by the actuator. The valve includes a valve housing, a valve closure member, and a valve seat. The valve closure member is movable in the housing under the control of the actuator between a closed position against the valve seat and an open position away from the valve seat. An inlet port is provided into the housing. The inlet port is oriented on a first side of the valve seat. The inlet port is adapted to be coupled to a source of the compressed gas. An outlet port is provided on the second side of the valve seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grinding circuit for use in a flue gas desulfurization system. The circuit comprises a mill for grinding limestone in water to form a limestone particle slurry. The thus-formed slurry is pumped to a hydrocyclone classifier which separates the limestone slurry into a slurry containing oversized particles that are to be reground in the mill and a slurry containing particles suitable for product which are sent to a product tank inlet for subsequent use in the flue gas desulfurization system. In the present system, the hydrocyclone classifier is elevated above the feed inlet into the mill but below the product tank inlet and, consequently, while the oversized particles are directed by gravity from the hydrocyclone to the mill feed inlet, the particles suitable for use in the flue gas desulfurization system are pumped from the hydrocyclone outlet to the product tank inlet.

Abstract: A device for anchoring the terminal turns of yarn (F) on a cop or reel (R) to prevent accidental unwinding is described. The device comprises at least one cylinder (19) whose cylindrical surface is equipped with a plurality of needles (21) projecting from said surface.

Abstract: The features for locking and driving a tape reel in a single reel tape cartridge eliminate the dependence on friction for the mating (coupling) between the driving features and prevent the disengagement of the tape reel from a drive chuck due to high rotational forces. The geometry can be in the form of a post and hole arrangement or meshing teeth such that the rotational force is transmitted between the two bodies through mating surfaces that are perpendicular to the vector of the rotational force. This geometry still allows vertical motion of the bodies with respect to each other (i.e. they can be disengaged when desired) but the rotational force cannot translate into movement of one body with respect to the other body. The same geometry can be used to prevent the reel form being rotated when not in the tape drive.

Abstract: An expandable tape cartridge has a housing with a top and a bottom that are movable relative to each other between a minimum spacing and a maximum spacing. A tape reel with magnetic recording tape wound thereon is rotatably mounted in the housing for rotation around an axis proceeding substantially perpendicularly between the top and the bottom of the housing. The tape reel has insufficient clearance for free rotation within the housing when the spacing between the top and the bottom is at the minimum, and is freely rotatable when the spacing is at the maximum. This allows the width of the recording tape measured in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, to be increased, thereby increasing the storage area available on the recording tape without increasing the linear length of the recording tape.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge is provided with a substantially rectangular case, which includes an upper case and a lower case rotatably housing a single reel wound with a recording tape T, and a non-contact memory M, in which is stored various information such as recording capacity and which is disposed at a predetermined angle of inclination inside the case. A pair of screw bosses is formed near both corner portions at a rear side in a direction in which the case is loaded into a drive device, and screws for joining the upper case and the lower case are passed through the screw bosses. The memory M is disposed so that at least part of the memory M is positioned on a virtual straight line T joining the respective screw bosses when seen in plan view. Positional precision of the memory inside the case is improved.

Abstract: Units for storing flexible elongated objects are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage unit includes a left end portion and a right end portion. An upper left recess and a lower left recess are disposed in the left end portion. The upper left recess is located between a left upper post and a left center post, and the lower left recess is located between the left center post and a left lower post. An upper right recess and a lower right recess are disposed in the right end portion. The upper right recess is located between a right upper post and a right center post, and the lower right recess is located between the right center post and a right lower post. The upper left recess is substantially aligned with the upper right recess, and the lower left recess is substantially aligned with the lower right recess.

Abstract: A hose reeler includes a sprinkler head. The hose reeler includes an area and a mechanism to retract and store a hose when the hose is not in use. When the hose is connected to a water supply source, the hose reeler functions as a sprinkler head on the ground or a hand-held sprayer. Another type of a hose reeler includes a sprinkler head and wheels for facilitating the transportation of the hose.

Abstract: To shape paperboard sheets into cylindrical winding cores in a winder instead of using ready-made hollow core tubes thereby doing away with the necessity of waste disposal of used winding cores or facilitating the discarding disposal by restoring them to the original flat shape. In the winding of a web using a multi-spindle turret type of winder, the spindle positions of the turret are allotted to a winding core shaping station, a web winding-up station and a wind-roll removal station. At the winding core shaping station, each sheet of paperboard is rolled and lapped around a winding core shaft and butt joining parts are attached with a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape to shape each winding core, shaped winding cores are transferred to the web winding-up station by the turning movement of the turret to conduct the winding, each full wind-up roll is transferred with further turning movement to the removal station and removed from the winder.

Abstract: A flange design providing improved strength, fracture resistance, and the like using corrugations extending substantially radially from an arbor aperture toward a rim portion. A spool or reel may include a tubular member to receive a stranded material wrapped therearound. A first flange comprising a core portion and an outer portion may secure to one end of the first flange engaging the tubular member. A second flange may secure to the other end of the tubular member. The core portion of a flange may comprise an arbor wall defining the perimeter of an arbor aperture. The arbor wall may be directly contacted and supported by a plurality of corrugations extending radially therefrom. The outer portion of a flange may contact the core portion and extending radially away therefrom to an outer edge to restrain the stranded material in an axial direction.

Abstract: An ultralight coaxial dual rotor helicopter having a substantially L shaped frame. Attached to the back of the frame is a vertical shaft engine, and a pair of yaw paddles for controlling yaw of the craft. The drive shaft connects to a belt drive at the top of the frame, which transmits the engine power to a transmission and coaxial drive gear for driving the rotors. Crank actuators are provided for tilting the rotor axis to control the pitch and roll of the craft. A pilot seat and ballast tank are attached to the front of the frame. The ballast tank may be filled with a volume of water to balance the craft for the weight of the pilot. The fuel tank is located behind the pilot seat on the centerline of the helicopter, such that as fuel is used and the w eight of fuel in the tank changes, the balance of the craft will not be affected. A simplified electronic control system controls all functions of the helicopter in response to pilot input.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a rotary-wing aircraft comprises a fuselage, a tail boom fixedly coupled the fuselage, a pylon fixedly coupled to the tail boom, and a main rotor assembly rotatably coupled to the fuselage and comprising a hub and a plurality of rotor blades pivotally coupled to the hub. The preferred embodiment also comprises a cyclic control adapted to vary an orientation of the rotor blades in relation to the hub on a cyclical basis, and a horizontal stabilizer mounted on one of the pylon and the tail boom. At least a portion of the horizontal stabilizer is movable in relation to the one of the pylon and the tail boom and a position of the at least a portion of the horizontal stabilizer is controllable independent of the cyclic control.

Abstract: A kite has a support frame and a waterproof fabric covering the support frame. The support frame has a levelling rod, a center spine passing through the levelling rod, a head rod disposed on a front of the center spine, a hollow joint disposed on the center spine, a first front rod and a second front rod connected to the hollow joint, a first positioning block disposed on the hollow joint, a second positioning block disposed on the hollow joint, a first connector disposed on the first front rod, a second connector disposed on the second front rod, a first extended bar connected to the first connector, a second extended bar connected to the second connector, a first connection rod connected to the second extended bar and the first front rod, and a second connection rod connected to the first extended bar and the second front rod.

Abstract: An aircraft and associated method of manufacture and operation. The aircraft can include a fuselage having a first portion and a second portion projecting upwardly from the first portion, with the first portion housing a passenger deck and the second portion being positioned above the passenger deck. A first wing can extend outwardly from the first portion of the fuselage and the second wing can extend outwardly from the second portion of the fuselage, with the second wing being positioned above and forward of the first wing. Accordingly, the fuselage can include a plurality of passenger doors simultaneously accessible to ground-based passenger load/unload equipment with at least one of the passenger doors positioned beneath the second wing.

Abstract: A clamp for holding an elongated article includes at least one clamp portion having an insertion concave portion for receiving the elongated article and at least one elastic stop member. The insertion concave portion has a pair of sidewalls along a longitudinal direction of the elongated article to be inserted. The elastic stop member has an upper end integrally joined to an upper portion of one sidewall constituting the insertion concave portion, and projects diagonally downward toward a bottom of the insertion concave portion. The clamp portion holds the elongated article such that a lower end of the elastic stop member elastically holds the elongated article at an insertion position.

Abstract: A stand for a portable computer, including a base member to which is pivotably attached the computer holding member. An adjustment arm serves to fix the relative position of the base member and the computer holding member.

Abstract: A disposable support for containers for treating biological samples in cytocentrifuges, that comprise a vertical flat supporting base with a protruding wall that supports at least one funnel connected in a lower region to a corresponding horizontal connection channel, the support being composed of a single element made of molded plastic material, and comprising a flat supporting body with protruding edges for accommodating, in succession, a slide, a filtering card and the container base, clamps for retaining the slide, the filtering card and the base container, and a transverse pivot for fixing the support to a cytocentrifuge.

Abstract: An adjustable support for an electronic device include first and second spaced apart platforms. A connecting member extends between the first and second platforms for movably positioning the second platform relative to the first platform. A first and second attachment assembly are respectively coupled to the first and second platforms for engaging an electronic device when supported on the first platform.

Abstract: A brace for securing concrete form members to a casting surface. First and second leg members are spaced to form an angle. A bridging member extends between opposing ends of the leg members and a strut extends between the joined ends of the leg members and the bridging member. The bridging member and strut form a truss, together with raised ribs along the legs and bridging member. The brace may be molded from plastic as a one-piece structure.

Abstract: A ground anchoring device for attaching floral containers to the ground. The anchoring device is made of lightweight material and can be easily manipulated. The anchor has a vertical shaft with a hook at the top for grasping the rim or edge of the container and a horizontal step along the vertical shaft for easy insertion into the ground when pressure or force is applied to the horizontal step.