Abstract: A system for transporting particles includes a substrate and a plurality of spaced electrically conductive electrodes carried by the substrate. Further included is a carrier medium adapted for the retention and migration of particles disposed therein, wherein the carrier medium is in operational contact with the electrodes, and a vibration generator is positioned in relation to the substrate to impart vibrations into the carrier medium. In an alternative embodiment, the vibration generator is configured to generate an acoustic traveling wave, which includes a vibration component and a motivation component.

Abstract: A conveyor having a conveyor belt with wall segments that pivot between a retracted position below the conveying surface of the belt and an extended position above the conveying surface. When extended, the wall segments form a wall along the length of a portion of the belt to prevent conveyed articles from moving laterally past. The retractable wall segments are cam- or spring-actuated. Diverting conveyors using the retractable wall segments in an oblique-roller conveyor belt are useful as sorters or switches.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sorting products comprises an endless conveying element comprising a support surface. The support surface makes an angle with a horizontal plane, at least at the location of the outlets, about an axis parallel to the conveying direction. The sorting apparatus further comprises locking elements arranged one behind the other, as seen in the conveying direction, which move along synchronously with the conveying element and which can be unlocked independently of each other, which locking elements function to hold the products in place on the support surface. Upon activation of a selected unlocking mechanism, a product is moved downwards from the conveying element towards the outlet under the influence of the force of gravity being exerted thereon.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a cartridge, which defines a section of the conveyor. In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a number of wheels, which are designed as a unit for a conveyor section and the wheels of the cartridge are designed to hold a belt. A conveyor section, in one optional embodiment, includes integrated sensors for detecting the presence of a container (e.g., FOUP), and each conveyor section can implement precision sheet metal rails that facilitate high speed FOUP transport. In one embodiment, each conveyor section has two sides. Each side has a cartridge that has a belt. In particular embodiments, one side of the conveyor section includes a drive motor, that drives the conveyor.

Abstract: A turn signal device for a vehicle for activating a turn signal in accordance with operation of an operation lever. The turn signal device includes a turning state detection unit, which detects a turning state of the vehicle. The turning state detection unit monitors a temporal change in the turning state of the vehicle after the turn signal is activated. The turning state detection unit deactivates the turning signal when detecting that the vehicle first turns in an activation direction of the turn signal, then turns in a direction opposite to the activation direction, and afterward turns again in the activation direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contactor carriage intended to be fitted so as to move translationally in an electrical switch (1) of a motor vehicle, preferably in a unit providing controls under the steering wheel, in order to establish according to a user command, an electrical contact for one or more predefined positions of the path of said carriage (3), comprising at least one electrical contacting emplacement (13), characterized in that it comprises a first housing (15) intended to accommodate a high-current contactor element (12) and a second housing (17) intended to accommodate a low-current contactor element (11), in such a way that an electrical contact is able to be established at said emplacement (13) either by placing a high-current contactor clement (12) in the associated housing (15, 17) or by placing a low-current contactor element (11) in said housing.

Abstract: A fixed contact includes a pair of conduction members that are arranged opposedly and in parallel to each other such that tip ends of the conduction members are oriented toward an opening, a support frame (pedestal member) that tiltably supports bases of the conduction members, a leaf spring (pressurizing member) that biases the conduction members in a direction in which the tip ends of the conduction members approach each other, and an outer frame (shielding member) that covers peripheries of the conduction members and the leaf spring and shields them from an outside electric field, the leaf spring is arranged on an outer side of the opposed conduction members, and the outer frame is engaged with the tip end of the conduction member, thereby maintaining an opening width between the tip ends of the conduction members at a predetermined width.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to an actuator including a mechanical display, wherein the actuator is provided for switching a switch unit, and the mechanical display includes a window and a display surface visible through the window. At least one embodiment of the invention is based on the insight that prior mechanical displays require a great deal of space within the command device, and are also prone to failure. The problem of space-saving integration is solved by a display surface formed on the spring bar mounted on the actuation part, and the display surface, together with at least a part of the spring bar, is intended to make a partial rotary motion about a rotary axis during the actuation motion. In addition to the space-saving integration, a greater displacement of the display surface is also thus achieved. At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to an electromechanical operating device having a switch unit that can be switched by such an actuator.

Abstract: A switch device has a casing, a tubular portion provided on the casing, an upper surface and a lower surface of the tubular portion being opened, a support shaft provided in the tubular portion, a manipulation knob attached to the tubular portion such that an opening in the upper surface is covered therewith, the manipulation knob being turned about the support shaft by manipulation, a first hitting portion provided in the manipulation knob, a first hit portion provided in the tubular portion, the first hitting portion hitting the first hit portion when the manipulation knob is turned to reach a limit of an operating range of a turning operation of the manipulation knob, a second hitting portion provided in the manipulation knob independently of the first hitting portion, and a second hit portion provided in the casing so as to be separated from the tubular portion, the second hitting portion hitting the second hit portion when the manipulation knob is turned to reach the limit of the operating range of the t

Abstract: A button assembly and a digital camera having the same include a key button, a first contact point switch that generates a switching signal when the key button slides, and a third contact point switch that generates a switching signal when the key button is pressed. Accordingly, it is possible to easily manipulate a camera and perform an associated set of operations by providing one integrated button that replaces a plurality of buttons.

Abstract: The structure of an electronic apparatus (1) is simplified to facilitate its production, where the apparatus has a seesaw type operation button tiltable in multiple directions. The electronic apparatus (1) has the operation button (3), an operation panel (5) where a holding section (15) for holding the operation button (3) is provided, and switches (35a, 35b) pressed down by the operation button (3). The operation button (3) has operation sections (31a, 31b), pressing sections (33a, 33b) individually provided at the operation sections (31a, 31b), toward the switches (35a, 35b), and a flexible flat plate section (41) projected between the pressing sections (33a, 33b). The plate section (41) is held by the holding section (15).

Abstract: A keyboard includes a panel and a number of input keys. The input keys are assembled on the panel. The panel includes at least one first positive contact, at least one first negative contact and at least one first signal contact disposed on the panel. Each input key of the number of input keys includes a second positive contact, a second negative contact, a second signal contact and a signal transmitter received therein. The second positive contact, the second negative contact and the second signal contact are configured for connecting to the at least one first positive contact, the at least one first negative contact and the at least one first signal contact respectively when the input key is assembled on the panel. The signal transmitter is configured for emitting a signal reflecting the function of the input key when the input key is pressed.

Abstract: A keypad assembly includes an optical shutter configured to shield or transmit light according to a voltage applied thereto; a light guide panel configured to guide an internal light generated inside of the keypad assembly and coupled to the interior of the light guide panel; and a symbol pattern layer including at least one symbol pattern illuminated by both the internal light irradiated from the light guide panel and an external light from outside of the keypad assembly that has passed through the optical shutter.

Abstract: A mass-exchange contact device is proposed, comprising upper and lower flat ring-shaped trays attached to a column, a sleeve having windows with bottom edges in the plane of the lower tray, a barbotage unit having orifices in its sidewalls placed on the top sleeve, a movable double-acting valve including upper and lower plates connected with a rod. The barbotage unit includes an ascending limiter of valve's movement, the sleeve's bottom includes a descending limiter. Alternatively, the barbotage unit is made as a portion of the sleeve. Embodiments comprise a number of rows of the proposed devices situated one above the other, and separated by multi-layer packing fittings. The devices can be used in catalytic distillation columns, wherein the fittings are filled with catalytic material. Alternatively, the fitting is substituted with a grating supporting a catalytic granular layer. The proposed design improves device operation, reliability, durability, reduces its weight and costs.

Abstract: An improved process for the removal and recovery of sulfur from a sour hydrocarbon stream is provided. The process includes contacting a sour hydrocarbon stream that includes hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide with a lean absorbent to produce a rich absorbent stream. The rich absorbent stream is separated and the recovered acid gas is contacted with a second absorbent to produce a second rich absorbent stream. A portion of the second rich absorbent is recycled to the separation step. A second portion of the second rich absorbent is separated to produce an acid gas product stream. Recycling a portion of the second rich absorbent to the first separation step shifts the equilibrium of the process, resulting in an acid gas product stream having an increased hydrogen sulfide:carbon dioxide ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying carbonic material in order to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen; the method comprises the following steps: (a) providing carbonic material; (b) heating, by means of microwave radiation, the carbonic material provided until a plasma point cloud forms in the carbonic material; (c) causing the cloud of plasma points of carbonic material to react with superheated water vapour in order to produce a synthesis gas; and (d) purifying the produced synthesis gas by refeeding it through the cloud of plasma points in the carbonic material wherein it is broken up by microwave radiation of step (b) to achieve the generally complete transformation of the synthesis gas into carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Additionally the cloud of plasma points reacts with oxidation gas (air, oxygen or gas enriched with oxygen) in order to produce the synthesis gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oxidative degradation products of atorvastatin calcium and the process of the preparation thereof. The present invention also relates to atorvastatin calcium substantially free of oxidative degradation products and the pharmaceutical compositions containing such atorvastatin calcium.

Abstract: A film forming method is constituted by forming a silicon oxide film on a substrate by causing silicon generated by sputtering with silicon as a target to be incident on the substrate from an oblique direction while supplying oxygen gas onto the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for harnessing ocean wave energy and for converting the harnessed energy to high pressure sea water, typically above 100 psi and preferably above 800 psi. The high pressure seawater generated by the apparatus (10) can be piped to shore for use in any appropriate purpose. The apparatus (10) comprises a float (12) buoyantly suspended within the body of seawater (1) and a pump (13) operatively connected to the float (12). The pump (13) comprises an intake chamber (47), a discharge chamber (49) and a piston (61) extending between the intake and discharge chambers (47, 49). The piston (61) comprises a tube (63) having a flow passage (102) extending between the intake and discharge chambers (47, 49). The piston (61) and discharge chamber (49) cooperate to define a pumping chamber (100) adapted to undergo expansion and contraction in response to reciprocatory motion of the piston. The piston (61) is operatively connected to the float (12) to be driven by upward movement of the float.

Abstract: A water electrolysis system includes a water electrolysis apparatus for electrolyzing pure water supplied from a pure water supply apparatus for manufacturing high-pressure hydrogen. The water electrolysis apparatus has a pipe serving as a hydrogen outlet to which a gas-liquid separator, a cooler, and a water adsorption apparatus are successively connected in this order along the direction in which hydrogen is discharged from the water electrolysis apparatus. A first back-pressure valve is connected between the cooler and the water adsorption apparatus, and a second back-pressure valve is connected downstream of the water adsorption apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides electrochemically-based methods and devices for producing fluid flow and/or changes in fluid pressure. In the methods and devices of the invention, current is passed through a divided electrochemical cell. Adjacent compartments of the cell are divided by a separator which comprises an ionically conducting separator. Each compartment includes an electrode and an electrolyte solution or ionic liquid. The electrolyte solution(s) or ionic liquid(s) and the ionically conducting separator are selected to obtain the desired relationship between the current through the cell and the fluid flowrate and/or change in fluid pressure.

Abstract: A harmful gas treatment apparatus and a water treatment apparatus uses an electrochemical device provided with a solid electrolyte membrane having ion conductivity. A first electrochemical device provided with an anode on one surface of a hydrogen ion conductive electrolyte membrane and a cathode on the other surface thereof is combined with a second electrochemical device provided with an anode on one surface of a hydroxyl ion conductive electrolyte membrane and a cathode on the other surface thereof. Both cathodes are disposed so as to face each other within an electrochemical reaction tank. Each of the cathodes is provided with TiO2 as a metal oxide and Pt as a platinum group supported on a porous body having functions to occlude, concentrate and reduce harmful substances as a reducing catalyst. Thus, a water vapor partial pressure and an oxygen partial pressure on the both cathodes is reduced, making it possible to enhance hydrogen generation efficiency at the normal temperature and constant current.

Abstract: A gas diffusion layer having a layer (2) comprising fibers (1), whereby the fibers (1) are partially provided with a coating material (3), whereby the fibers (1) lie against each other at contact sites (4) and whereby the layer (2) has boundary surfaces (5) facing the surroundings—in terms of achieving the envisaged objective of ensuring an optimal electric conductivity—is characterized in that the fibers are freed of coating material (3) at the contact sites and/or at the boundary surfaces. Furthermore, a method is proposed for the production of a gas diffusion layer, said method comprising the step that the coating material (3) is selectively removed from the fibers (1) in certain areas.

Abstract: A copper alloy sputtering target is provided and contains 0.01 to (less than) 0.5 wt % of at least one element selected from Al or Sn, and containing Mn or Si in a total amount of 0.25 wtppm or less. The above copper alloy sputtering target allows the formation of a wiring material for a semiconductor element, in particular, a seed layer being stable, uniform and free from the occurrence of coagulation during electrolytic copper plating and exhibits excellent sputtering film formation characteristics. A semiconductor element wiring formed with this target is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biosensor. The biosensor includes a support substrate, an electrically conductive coating positioned on the support substrate, the coating being formed to define electrodes and a code pattern, wherein there is sufficient contrast between the conductive coating and the substrate such that the code pattern is discernible, and a cover cooperating with the support substrate to define a channel. At least a portion of the electrodes are positioned in the channel.

Abstract: An enzyme electrode and its producing method are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate having a carbon surface; forming a gold surface on the carbon surface and forming an electrode; modifying the gold surface by L-cysteine; modifying the gold surface by N,N?-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide; and chemically bonding the modified gold surface with a glucose oxidase.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a biological test chip and a method for manufacturing the same. The biological test chip comprises a test unit and an auxiliary unit for producing capillary action. The test unit includes a baseboard, at least one pair of electrodes and wires connected to the electrodes that are provided on the baseboard by using printed-circuit-board manufacturing process, and a photoresist layer covering the baseboard. The auxiliary unit includes a double-faced adhesive gel layer and a hydrophilic layer that have at least two thin plates respectively. By utilizing the manufacturing process for a printing circuit board and the photoresist layer, body fluid to be tested can be rapidly drawn in to fill the reaction areas formed in the photoresist layer and thereby can react evenly and rapidly with the reactive enzymes used for the test.

Abstract: An analyzer that, based on a voltage value of an ion selective electrode making contact with a liquid specimen, analyzes concentration of an electrolyte present in the liquid specimen. The analyzer includes a measuring unit that continuously measures the voltage value; a memory unit that stores therein a waveform indicating time variation in the voltage value measured by the measuring unit and reference information used in identifying malfunctioning in the analyzer; an output unit that outputs an analysis result of the liquid specimen; and a control unit that causes the output unit to output the waveform and the reference information stored in the memory unit.

Abstract: (Problems) The present invention provides a method for analyzing characteristics of a particulate and an apparatus for the same, and it excels in easily and briefly optimizing an applied AC voltage frequency for the characteristics analysis on particulate characteristics or for the manipulation such as transfer, fractionation and concentration of the particle with utilizing the dielectrophoretic force.

Abstract: Provided is a dielectrophoresis apparatus with which it is possible to handle (move, stop, separate and sort, etc.) a dielectric particle utilizing dielectrophoresis and to measure dielectrophoretic force. The interior of a dielectrophoresis device that includes a case having a flat top or bottom surface is filled with a dielectric solution S and accepts introduction of a small target body (particle) P comprising a dielectric. A non-uniform alternating electric field is formed within the case. By tilting the case (through an angle ?pitch or other direction), rotating the case in an inclined plane (through a rotational angle ?yaw) or adjusting the voltage and frequency of the alternating electric field, imbalance or balance is produced between a dielectrophoretic force FDEP that acts upon the small body and a force FG sin ?pitch ascribable to gravity and buoyancy, thereby enabling the small body to be moved and stopped.

Abstract: A ballast water electrolytic apparatus for treating ballast water comprising a ballast water electrolytic chamber and an oxygen supply chamber, the ballast water electrolytic chamber including an anode for producing chlorine oxides by electrolyzing ballast water and an oxygen cathode for separating the ballast water electrolytic chamber and the oxygen supply chamber and for producing water by reacting hydrogen ions in the ballast water electrolytic chamber with oxygen flowing into the oxygen supply chamber.

Abstract: A plating apparatus securely carries out a flattening plating of a substrate to form a plated film having a flat surface without using a costly mechanism, and without applying an extra plating to the substrate. The plating apparatus includes a substrate holder; a cathode section having a seal member for watertightly sealing a peripheral portion of the substrate, and a cathode electrode for supplying an electric current to the substrate; an anode disposed in a position facing the surface of the substrate; a porous member disposed between the anode and the surface of the substrate; a constant-voltage control section for controlling a voltage applied between the cathode electrode and the anode at a constant value; and a current monitor section for monitoring an electric current flowing between the cathode electrode and the anode, and feeding back a detection signal to the constant-voltage control section.

Abstract: Membranes including anodic aluminum oxide structures that are adapted for separation, purification, filtration, analysis, reaction and sensing. The membranes can include a porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) structure having pore channels extending through the AAO structure. The membrane may also include an active layer, such as one including an active layer material and/or active layer pore channels. The active layer is intimately integrated within the AAO structure, thus enabling great robustness, reliability, resistance to mechanical stress and thermal cycling, and high selectivity. Methods for the fabrication of anodic aluminum oxide structures and membranes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrolytic recovery of metal, and in particular methods and apparatus for producing cathode plates suitable for such electrolytic recovery. A first aspect of the invention provides a method of providing an electrically conductive coating on a cathode plate comprising inverting and submerging an upper portion of the cathode plate in an electrolytic bath adjacent at least one anode and applying a current to electroplate the upper portion of the cathode plate wherein each anode includes: i) a first base portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a hanger bar of said cathode plate; ii) a second extended portion connected to and extending from the base portion and adapted to be positioned adjacent a blade of the cathode plate wherein the profile of each anode is shaped such that in use, a consistent thickness of coating is electroplated over said hanger bar and cathode blade.

Abstract: A copper electroplating bath useful in filling non-through holes formed on a substrate which contains a water-soluble copper salt, sulfuric acid, and chloride ions and further contains a brightener, a carrier, and a leveler as additives, wherein the leveler contains at least one water-soluble polymer containing quaternary nitrogen, tertiary nitrogen, or both which are cationizable in a solution. In the copper electroplating bath, the filling power for non-through holes formed on a substrate can be easily controlled so as to fit to the size of the holes only by changing the quaternary nitrogen to tertiary nitrogen ratio of the water-soluble polymer to be used as the leveler, which enables copper electroplating of non-through holes of various sizes with a good fit to the sizes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integral system for treating the water for cooling towers and other processes such as reverse osmosis rejection, regeneration of the anionic units of demineralization systems, aircraft blue water and wastewater, in which it is desired to reduce and/or eliminate contaminants such as silica, total, of calcium and magnesium hardness, suspended solids, organic matter and microorganisms, heavy metals, detergents or arsenic, for obtaining a water quality that enables it to be reused in different industrial processes, generating savings in terms of water and chemicals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for improving the selectivity and productivity of sensors via digital signal processing techniques. According to one illustrative embodiment, in an electrochemical method for monitoring of a select analyte in a mixed sample with an interfering analyte, an improvement is provided that includes applying a large amplitude potential stimulus waveform to the sample to generate a nonlinear current signal; and resolving a signal contribution from the select analyte in the generated signal by a vector projection method with an analyte vector comprising a plurality of real and imaginary parts of one or more Fourier coefficients at one or more frequencies of a reference current signal for the select analyte.

Abstract: Description is provided herein for an embodiment of a method determining a hematocrit-corrected glucose concentration. The exemplary method includes providing a test strip having a reference electrode and a working electrode, wherein the working electrode includes a plurality of microelectrodes and is coated with at least an enzyme and a mediator.

Abstract: Measurements of current from a working electrode and current from a blank electrode are received and a ratio corresponding to the ratio of surface areas of the working electrode and the blank electrode is determined. This ratio is used to correct any differential current offset between an analyte (working) electrode and a control (blank) electrode to yield a more accurate net current output. Systems, methods and computer program products are further described for measuring an analyte concentration disclosed are for calculating the amount of an analyte in a fluid using a biosensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for storage of compressed hydrogen gas is provided. The apparatus includes a sealed housing having an outlet pipe coupled to the housing and equipped with a controllable discharge valve. The sealed housing defines a chamber that includes a cartridge comprising an assembly of at least two different types of micro-containers configured for accumulating and storing said compressed hydrogen gas. The apparatus also includes a hydrogen liberating tool configured for controllable liberating the hydrogen gas from the cartridge into a volume of the chamber that is not occupied by the cartridge. The apparatus is controlled by a control system operatively coupled to the controllable discharge valve and the hydrogen liberating tool, and configured for controlling operation thereof.

Abstract: An MH tank module 2 has a hollow outer shell portion 12 formed of metal. The outer shell portion 12 has a plurality of MH powder retaining chambers 22 defined by a plurality of fins 20. A plurality of MH tank modules 2 are bound together by a first tank holder 10 and a second tank holder 11. The tank holders 10, 11 are each configured by fastening and fixing first, second, third, and fourth holder components 28-31, which are separate from one another. The first to fourth holder components 28-31 each have a heat medium passage 28f-31f. The first to fourth holder components 28-31 each have recessed portions 33 each corresponding to the shape of a side portion of each MH tank module 2. The MH tank modules 2 are held individually by the corresponding recessed portions 33.

Abstract: A locking device and method for a storage container provide benefit denial. The locking device includes a base part and a cover part configured to lock to the base part. The cover part is configured to prevent a disk from being removed from a disk-retaining hub when the cover part is locked to the base part, and the base part is configured for easy and secure connection to the storage container. The base part includes a stop for engaging the exterior of the case when inserted into a receptacle in the bottom wall of the container, which precludes the base part from being pulled through the bottom wall of the storage container When the cover part is locked to the base part, the base part cannot be separated from the storage container without causing damage to the media disk.

Abstract: Inventive case capable of transporting a surfboard is described. The surfboard includes a top cushion designed to conform to a top surface of a surfboard, a bottom cushion designed to conform to a bottom surface of the surfboard such that each of the top and the bottom cushions include a plurality of compartments which have varying cross-sectional dimensions along a length of the compartments.

Abstract: A Lens or other equipment cradling device and protector, supporter and divider for camera, and other, carriers, bags and packs; specifically suited for the use of storing and transporting photography equipment, lenses and other delicate equipment

Abstract: The present disclosure describes bags for retrieving and/or containing tissue and portions thereof that improve insertion and/or containment of tissue (e.g., organs or portions of organs) in such bags. In one embodiment, a bag has an overall tapered shape and includes a relatively wide mouth and a tapered body for containing tissue. The front of the body has a curved longitudinal wall section in an opposing relationship with a rear wall section of the body that extends perpendicular to the mouth along substantially the entire length of the bag. The curved wall section is sized and shaped to allow a relatively large organ, such as a kidney, to easily settle into and occupy a lower end portion of the bag. The bag is also shaped to support the organ in the lower end portion of the bag in an orientation that generally aligns the length of the organ in the removal direction to facilitate extraction of the organ from the body.

Abstract: The invention provides a two-part package and method of use for a pre-attached medical implant and delivery tool system. The package includes a wet compartment and a dry compartment and allows a pre-attached implant and delivery tool system to be at least partially stored immersed in a fluid in the wet compartment and at least partially stored in the dry compartment. In one embodiment the implant comprises a replacement heart valve, and the heart valve is stored inside the wet compartment while the heart valve delivery tool remains dry in the dry compartment.

Abstract: Provided in part are processes for manufacturing pipette tip trays that improve quality assessment of the pipette tips therein.

Abstract: A drug container with no need to peel a gas-barrier film or with no need to contain a desiccant, an oxygen absorbent or the like, in which the contents therein can be seen by the naked eyes. The container (10) comprises a front sheet (20) and a rear sheet (22), the front sheet (20) and the rear sheet (22) being fusion-bonded each other so as to form a space (14) therebetween, wherein the front sheet is constituted of a multilayered film having a linear-polyolefin layer as the outermost layer, wherein the rear sheet is constituted of a multilayered film having at least one selected from a group consisting of a metal foil, a vapor-deposited metal layer and a vapor-deposited inorganic layer, and wherein a transparent covering sheet (24) comprising a film having a vapor-deposited metal oxide layer is fusion-bonded to the front sheet so that the entire outer surface of at least a part of the front sheet which forms the space can be covered with the transparent covering sheet (24).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel method for creating a display for a valuable item. On one example, the method includes the steps of selecting an item to be display, selecting a base material to create a display, creating a three dimensional map of the item to be displayed, and milling the base using an instruction program to create a cavity within the base that is configured and adapted to receive the valuable item. The present invention is also directed to a novel base display for displaying an item of value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container assembly (1) that includes a support structure (11) and a container (14) that resides reversibly within the support structure interior (62). The support structure (11) includes a pair of opposed first and second support sidewalls (26, 29) each having an elongated tube (32, 44) having a first open end (38, 50) and an elongated hollow interior (35, 47). The container (14) has opposing sidewalls (77, 80) that each have an elongated channel (104, 110). The first and second elongated tubes (32, 44) of the support structure (11) are each reversibly received within the first and second elongated sidewall channels (104, 110) of the container (14), as the container is reversibly introduced (e.g., slid) into the support structure interior (62) through the open forward portion (65) of the support structure (11). The container assembly (1) may be reversibly lifted by lift members (e.g.