Abstract: A process for making a lithographic printing plate that includes in sequence an exposure step of imagewise exposing by means of an infrared laser a lithographic printing plate precursor that has provided above a support a positive-working recording layer including (Component A) a (meth)acrylonitrile-derived monomer unit- and styrene-derived monomer unit-containing copolymer, (Component B) a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin, and (Component C) an infrared absorbing agent and a development step of developing, using an aqueous alkali solution including a betaine-based surfactant or a nonionic surfactant, the aqueous alkali solution having a pH of 8.5 to 10.8, by removing an exposed area of the positive-working recording layer whose solubility in aqueous alkali solution has been increased by the exposure. There is also provided a lithographic printing plate made by the process for making a lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: A method for changing printing plates in rotary printing presses, including a plurality of printing units each having a plate cylinder and a dedicated drive for driving the plate cylinder independently of an associated blanket cylinder in a respective printing unit, includes moving the respective blanket cylinder at a somewhat higher circumferential speed than the associated plate cylinder while conveying one or more printing plates out of the printing unit, at least in one operating mode, during a plate changing operation. A printing press and a controller are also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing a transparent polychromatic printed iridescent image (8) of any kind in which at least two colors change simultaneously when there is a change in the viewing angle of the image under illumination by at least one visible light source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for disrupting or destroying a component of an electronic device is provided. In one example, an electronic device includes a memory for storing data and a combustion device disposed therewith, the combustion device comprising a volume of electrically ignitable propellant disposed to render the memory at least partially inaccessible after combusted. For example, the combustion device could damage the memory itself or another component of the electronic device, such as a controller or read head, thereby rendering the data inaccessible. In some examples, the memory may include a magnetic storage material such as a magnetic hard drive and the combustion device may be disposed and operable to provide demagnetization of the storage material when combusted. In other examples, the combustion device may merely destroy or render inoperable the read head or other components of the electronic device needed for accessing stored data.

Abstract: A weapon system and corresponding ammunition for causing less-than-lethal effects to a target employ a projectile fired from a rifle-mounted, rifle-operated or dedicated rifle-like device and configured for generating less-than-lethal effects to a human target. The projectile includes a rocket motor configured to mitigate velocity decay of the projectile. The rocket motor is preferably a sustainer motor for maintaining a roughly constant cruise velocity of the projectile.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a wheelset from a railroad vehicle includes a frame configured for motion with respect to the railroad vehicle. The apparatus also includes a lifting yoke cooperatively associated with the frame. The yoke is configured to engage flanges of the wheelset. The apparatus further includes at least one lifting screw interposed between the frame and the lifting yoke, such that upon rotation of the at least one lifting screw, the yoke may be raised and lowered to selectively engage the flanges of the wheelset. A “universal” lifting yoke can include a first portion which engages the at least one lifting screw, a set of extendable transverse members having outward ends, and flange-engaging blocks secured to the outward ends of the extendable transverse members and configured to engage the flanges of the wheelset.

Abstract: A system and method for hybrid personal transit and components thereof is disclosed. The hybrid personal transit (“HPT”) system can be a system of combined highway and monorail transportation methods, which allows roadworthy HPT vehicles to transition onto, and run on, a system of monorails. The rails can be built on the ground, on poles, or in tunnels. A unique drive system will allow each HPT vehicle to alter drive output from the HPT vehicle's tires to a rail drive system.

Abstract: A public passenger transport installation includes two end stations connected via two tracks for inbound and outbound travels. At each station, both tracks join into a common single connector track section via a switch. Each of the tracks is associated with at least two endless cables, which extend from one of the station to the other one, and more precisely from one of the connector track section to the other. The endless cables associated with one track run in parallel to one another, and are laterally offset with respect to one another by a given distance, which is constant along the track and at the stations. Vehicles provided with releasable clamps can be individually coupled to the cables. Each clamp is movable between at least four indexed lateral positions, each corresponding to one of the cables on the connector track section. Each cable can be individually driven at continuously variable speed between standstill and a cruising speed.

Abstract: A railroad freight car with a lengthened container well, including an extended and reinforced well car unit side sill, and a method for lengthening a container well of a railroad freight car intended for carrying an intermodal cargo container. A side sill extension member is welded into position, between a body bolster at each end of the container well unit and a nearest container support assembly, and a container-well bottom assembly is lengthened at each end of the container well. A longitudinally-extending doubler plate may be welded to the longitudinally central portion of the side sill, to ensure sufficient rail clearance at mid-length of the car.

Abstract: Ceramic materials with relatively high resistance to wetting by various liquids, such as water, are presented, along with articles made with these materials. The oxide materials described herein as a class typically contain europia (Eu2O3). The oxides may further contain other additives, such as oxides of gadolinium (Gd), samarium (Sm), dysprosium (Dy), or terbium (Tb). In certain embodiments the oxide, in addition to europia, further comprises ytterbia (Yb2O3), lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), or neodymium (Nd).

Abstract: Certain poly(oxyalkylene) colorants are disclosed along with method of preparation thereof. A method of using these colorants as fluorescent security taggants is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of formulating an aqueous ink having minimal visible coloration. The method includes the steps of: providing an aqueous ink formulation containing a sulfonated water-soluble IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye having a central metal atom moiety; and adjusting a pH of the formulation to a pH value in the range of 4 to 6.5 so as to minimize visible coloration of the formulation.

Abstract: An oily inkjet ink comprises a pigment, a dispersant, and an organic solvent. The organic solvent contains an ester solvent and/or an alcohol solvent. A containing quantity of a water-soluble ingredient in the pigment is equal to at most 0.15% by mass.

Abstract: A solution is provided for preparing teeth for bonding. The solution includes a liquid solution containing phosphoric acid and a pumice. The phosphoric acid may be in non-gel form. A method of preparing teeth for the adhesion of a component is also provided, and includes applying to at least one tooth a solution of liquid phosphoric acid and an abrasive such as pumice, removing the solution, and applying an adhesive for placing a component on the teeth.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for phosphating metal surfaces in which the metal surfaces are treated with an aqueous phosphate and titanium-based colloidal activating agent prior to phoshating, wherein the activating agent comprises at least one water-soluble silicon compound having at least one organic group. The invention also relates to a corresponding activating agent.

Abstract: A method of finishing an organic pigment by dry-comminuting said pigment in the presence of a sulfonato-functional condensation product of an arylsulfonic acid and at least one aliphatic aldehyde having 1 to 6 C atoms as crystallization modifier, dispersing the resulting mixture of pigment and crystallization modifier in mineral acid, and swelling the pigment in the presence of the crystallization modifier in mineral acid.

Abstract: Multilayer pearlescent pigments with a silver interference color, based on platelet-shaped transparent substrates with an optically active coating, where the optically active coating includes at least a) a high-index layer A having a refractive index n?1.8 b) a low-index layer B having a refractive index n<1.8 c) a high-index layer C having a refractive index n?1.8 and also d) optionally an outer protective layer D. The multilayer pearlescent pigments have the indices D10, D50, D90 from the cumulative frequency distribution of the volume-averaged size distribution function, with a span ?D of 0.7-1.4, the span ?D being calculated in accordance with the formula ?D=(D90?D10)/D50. The invention further relates to a method for producing these multilayer pearlescent pigments, and also to their use.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method for producing a cellulose-containing mass, including an organic material, the method comprising the steps a) preparation of an input comprising organic material and a liquid content; and b) exposing said input to an active zone of an electromagnetic field. Moreover a method for producing a composite material that is based on said cellulose-containing mass is disclosed as well as a product produced of said composite material.

Abstract: The invention has an object to provide a heavyweight fine aggregate and a heavyweight aggregate for a stiff heavyweight concrete having a slump of 0 to 3 cm, in which segregation from the cement paste is unlikely to occur, and to provide a stiff heavyweight concrete having a slump of 0 to 3 cm, using the heavyweight fine aggregate and heavyweight aggregate. The heavyweight fine aggregate comprises no less than 20 wt % of aggregate having a particle size smaller than 0.15 mm, and no less than 20 wt % of aggregate having a particle size from 2.5 mm to less than 5 mm. The above feature allows effectively inhibiting segregation between the aggregate and cement paste when blending the aggregate into the heavyweight concrete, and allows effectively increasing the filling rate in boxes when blending the aggregate into the heavyweight concrete for box filling.

Abstract: The invention is direct to ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohol (meth)acrylates according to general formula (I) , R2O(CH2CH2O)p1(CH(CH3)CH2O)q(CH2CH2O)p2(O=)C-CR1=CH2 (I) in which R1 stands for hydrogen or a methyl group, R2 represents an alkyl or alkenyl radical having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, p1 and p2 independently stand for 0 or integers of 1 to 50, and q for an integer of from 1 to 50. The compounds of formula (I) are useful as defoamers for concrete and/or cement compositions.

Abstract: A system and method for a table that is convertible between a first configuration and a second configuration. The convertible table generally includes a base and a top comprising a plurality of panels. The panels interact to form the top of the table in both configurations. In the first configuration, the panels are combined to produce a lesser surface area than the panel configuration once expanded. This may be accomplished by any number of combination techniques such as by variations of stacking, staggered, or in any other manner that generally provides for a top with less surface area than the top of the second configuration. In the second configuration, at least two of the panels may be positioned adjacent to each other to form a substantially uniform surface. The surface area of the expanded top is generally larger than the surface area of the top in the first configuration.

Abstract: A protective shelter is disclosed. The shelter may be sized to protect an existing, unhardened structure, and its contents. Or, the shelter may be sized to protect an individual or other objects of similar size. In either case, the shelter provides protection from blasts from explosive shells, rockets, and the like. The shelter has a support frame that supports a blast cover that is positioned above the object or objects to be protected. A burster screen is positioned above the blast cover and may be supported by the support frame. The burster screen serves to detonate incoming ordinance before the ordinance reaches the protected object or objects. The blast cover is strong enough to withstand the resulting shock from the detonated ordinance, and thus prevents damage to the protected object or objects located below the protective shelter. This invention may be used to retrofit existing, unhardened structures in areas where additional protection is needed.

Abstract: A planting unit for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface and a trailing seed boot, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface. The disc has a mounting frame for mounting the disc to a linkage assembly that is, in turn, coupled to a toolbar mount. The seed boot is also attached to the mounting frame. This common attachment provides a relatively short and compact device without sacrificing fertilizer and seed stratification.

Abstract: The seed meter includes the combination of a vacuum housing and a seed disc coupled together in a sealed manner to form a vacuum chamber. Disposed within the vacuum chamber is a generally flat finger wheel having plural radially extending resilient fingers. Also disposed in the vacuum chamber is a fixed arm. A seed hopper is disposed adjacent the seed disc for providing seeds to an outer surface of the seed disc, with the seeds adhering to the plural spaced apertures on the seed disc's periphery with vacuum applied to the disc's inner surface. A rotary drive spindle rotates the vacuum housing, seed disc and finger wheel combination, with each resilient finger sequentially deflected by the fixed arm to sequentially engage each disc aperture, interrupting vacuum communication with each aperture, for sequentially releasing the seeds.

Abstract: Slope surfaces of land can be eroded by rain and wind. It is necessary to vegetate a bared slope surface of land for the purpose of erosion control and environmental conservation. The present invention provides a vegetation base soil composition and a method of growing vegetation on a sloped surface for erosion control and vegetating on cut rock slope surface, such as weathered rock surface and barren soil surface. The vegetation base soil includes peat, bio-solids formed by the treatment of urban sewage, for example water treatment plant sediment, woodchip, bark, animal waste compost and clay or loam. The vegetation base soil with a microbes active material, a root activation fertilizer, an adhesive material and seeds are applied over a mesh that is secured over the sloped surface. Plants are grown in the layer of vegetation base soil.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a creating portion that creates a projection image being an image that includes a characteristic point and that is to be projected onto a sewing object, a projecting portion that projects onto the sewing object the projection image created by the creating portion, an image capture portion that is mounted in a position being different from a position of the projecting portion and that creates a captured image by image capture of the characteristic point projected by the projecting portion, and a computing portion that computes a thickness of the sewing object based on the projection image created by the creating portion and the captured image created by the image capture portion.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a moving portion that moves a sewing object having a pattern to a first position and to a second position, an image capture portion that creates an image by image capture of the sewing object, a first acquiring portion that acquires a first image created by image capture of a first area by the image capture portion, a second acquiring portion that acquires a second image created by image capture of a second area by the image capture portion, and a computing portion that computes, as position information, at least one of a thickness of the sewing object at a portion where the pattern is located and a position of the pattern on a surface of the sewing object, based on the first position, the second position, a position of the pattern in the first image, and a position of the pattern in the second image.

Abstract: A sailing ship includes a sailing unit, which comprises a hard sail assembly comprising a plurality of hard sail sections of wing-shaped hollow cross section vertically stacked so each, except the lowermost, fits on the one immediately below; a mast assembly comprising a plurality of mast sections of hollow cross section vertically stacked so each, except the lowermost, fits in the one immediately below; connecting members for connecting upper ends of the hard sail sections to upper ends of the mast sections located at the same level; first means for moving each mast section, except the lowermost, toward and away from the one immediately below; and second means for rotating the mast assembly around its longitudinal axis. Overlapping lengths between vertically adjacent mast sections are variably controlled so as to variably control overlapping lengths between vertically adjacent hard sail sections. Thus, the hard sail assembly vertically expands and contracts.

Abstract: A marine vessel comprising: a command module; first and second buoyant tubular foils; and first and second struts for connecting the first and second buoyant tubular foils to the command module, respectively; wherein the first and second buoyant tubular foils provide substantially all of the buoyancy required for the marine vessel; and wherein the marine vessel further comprises first and second engines enclosed within the first and second buoyant tubular foils, respectively, and first and second propulsion units connected to the first and second engines, respectively, for moving the marine vessel through the water.

Abstract: A combined submersible vessel and unmanned aerial vehicle preferably includes a body structure, at least one wing structure coupled to the body structure, at least one vertical stabilizer structure coupled to the body structure, and at least one horizontal stabilizer structure coupled to the body structure. A propulsion system is coupled to the body structure and is configured to propel the flying submarine in both airborne flight and underwater operation. Preferably, the propulsion system includes a motor, a gearbox coupled to the motor and configured to receive power generated by the motor and provide variable output power, a drive shaft coupled to the gearbox and configured to transfer the variable output power provided by the gearbox, and a propeller coupled to the drive shaft and configured to accept power transferred to it from the drive shaft. The propeller is further configured to rotate and propel the flying submarine in both an airborne environment and in an underwater environment.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle having an outer hull which defines a hull axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the hull axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends so that when the vehicle is submerged in a liquid, the liquid floods the duct. At least part of the outer hull is swept with respect to the hull axis A buoyancy control system may be provided. Various methods of deploying and using the vehicle are described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing and a ballast disposed within the housing. The ballast is adapted to receive, store and expel a fluid. A bladder is operatively coupled to the ballast wherein an increase in the volume of the bladder causes a decrease in the free volume of the ballast available for the storage of the fluid therewithin and a decrease in the volume of the bladder causes an increase in the free volume of the ballast available for the storage of the fluid therewithin. A heat exchanger has a heat exchange duct thermally coupled to the bladder and is adapted to receive a fluid from outside the housing. The bladder is configured to receive a clathrate.

Abstract: A pointer gauge surface structure with an indication mark. A mark member is coupled on the surface of a pressure gauge or a micro-differential pressure gauge to display a critical value for a person to read with ease. A circumferential portion of a transparent casing is provided with a slide rail for engagement and slide of the mark member. The mark member has a C-shaped cross-section to provide a tightening function relative to the slide rail.

Abstract: A film deposition system which a cycle of alternately supplying a first reactive gas and a second reactive gas and exhausting them is repeated twice or more in a vacuum vessel to cause reaction between the two gases, thereby depositing thin films on substrate surfaces, the film deposition system includes: a plurality of lower members having substrate-placing areas on which substrates will be placed; a plurality of upper members so placed that they face the lower members to form processing spaces together with the substrate-placing areas; a first reactive gas supply unit and a second reactive gas supply unit for supplying a first reactive gas and a second reactive gas, respectively, to the processing spaces; a purge gas supply unit for supplying a purge gas in the period between a first reactive gas supply period and a second reactive gas supply period; exhaust openings, situated along circumferences of the processing spaces, for communicating the inside of the processing spaces with the atmosphere in the vacu

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods of coating glass containers and the containers produced therefrom. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide a method of coating glass containers by at least partially drying and/or curing one or more organic coatings on a glass container using accelerated drying.

Abstract: A film formation apparatus comprises: a first unit having a vacuum chamber in which film formation is performed on the base film; a second unit having a feeding system for feeding the base film; and a joining unit that conductively joins the first unit and second unit, wherein the first unit and the second unit are constructed by combining together, and no potential difference occurs between the first unit and second unit during film formation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a film forming apparatus to form a thin film on a surface of an object to be processed by using a raw material gas including an organometallic compound includes; a processing container to carry out vacuum exhaustion; a placing table having a heater; and a gas introduction mechanism having a plurality of decomposition promoting gas introduction holes facing the placing table, and raw material gas introduction holes, wherein the decomposition promoting gas introduction holes being disposed while facing the object to be processed on the placing table in order to introduce a decomposition promoting gas to promote decomposition of the raw material gas, and the raw material gas introduction holes being disposed while surrounding a formation area of the plurality of decomposition promoting gas introduction holes in order to introduce the raw material gas.

Abstract: A crucible includes a body portion having a hollow inner portion, and a projection portion connected to an inner circumferential surface of the body portion and projecting toward the inner portion. The projection portion has a side surface provided with a thread. A holder includes a base and a protrusion connected to an end portion of the base. The protrusion has an inner circumferential side provided with a thread. A crystal production device includes the crucible and the holder. The holder is attached to the projection portion of the crucible by means of the threads formed in the holder and the crucible.

Abstract: Teat cups are fetched from a teat cup magazine by a gripper carried on a robotic arm. The gripper grips and removes teat cups from the teat cup magazine. The gripper also holds at least one teat cup during transport thereof towards an udder where an animal's teats are located. A positioning element determines position estimates representing at least one spatial characteristic of the udder. Based on the position estimates, the robotic arm and the gripper are controlled to attach the teat cups to the teats where the position estimates constitutes a basis for controlling the robotic arm and the gripper to remove teat cups from the teat cup magazine in such a manner that a teat-receiving end of the teat cup attains a horizontal level in the gripper, which horizontal level is adapted to the at least one spatial characteristic of the udder.

Abstract: An arrangement for gripping at least one teat cup (1). The arrangement includes a storing device (10) adapted to hold the teat cup (1) in a parked position and a gripping device (2) adapted to grip the parked teat cup (1) in the storing device (10). The gripping device (2) includes a contact surface (6a) which is adapted to be moved to a position in which it comes in contact with a contact surface (1d) of the teat cup (1) during a gripping operation of the teat cup (1). The arrangement includes an adjusting part which is able to adjust the position of at least one of said contact surfaces (1d, 6a) in relation to the other contact surface (1d, 6a) from an initial contact position to a grip position in which the gripping device is able to grip the teat cup in the storing device.

Abstract: The invention encompasses an automated animal feeding system, an automated process for feeding an animal and apparatus therefore. The invention also encompasses methods of behavioral modification of animals.

Abstract: A birdseed dispenser and birdfeeder incorporating the same are provided. The dispenser has a base assembly mounted to a first opening formed in the sidewall of the birdseed reservoir, including a front plate having a second opening formed therein, a flange extending around the second opening and projecting away from the front plate, and an end wall supported by the flange such that the flange and end wall together define a chamber. The dispenser also includes an apertured piece received in the chamber having a first seed aperture of a first configuration and a second seed aperture of a different configuration. The apertured piece is moveable between a first orientation, which places the first seed aperture in a seed accessible state permitting birds access to the seed, and a second orientation to place the second seed aperture in the seed accessible state.

Abstract: An egg-shaped dispenser for edible pellets for animals includes a housing with a first portion lockably attacked to a second portion defining a cavity, openings into the cavity, and an opening control member. The first portion and second portion may be lockably detached to allow for edible animal pellets to be placed within the cavity and/or to allow adjustment of the opening control member. A weight disposed within the dispenser is operable to keep the dispenser vertical unless force is exerted and return the dispenser vertical after the force is exerted. Edible animal pellets contained within the cavity may be dispensed via the openings when the dispenser is moved out of the vertical position. The openings may be of different sizes. The opening control member may be rotated between different positions to adjust the size of one or more openings and may be operable to lock in place in the different positions.

Abstract: An artificial decapeptide for inducing vitellogenesis in fish, being an analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone of chicken is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. The artificial decapeptide can be further developed and manufactured into a preparation, which is capable of inducing vitellogenesis in fish. With the implantation of the preparation into body cavity or body wall of bony fish, the induction of vitellogenesis and ovum maturation in bony fish can be successfully achieved.

Abstract: A secure enclosure for pets which permits pet owners who have installed a “doggie door” to remove the threat of coyotes and other wildlife from attacking small dogs and cats

Abstract: A pet crate in which cover panels having themed graphics and/or contours may be readily installed over mesh panels on the sides and on the front end of the crate. The front panel has legs which extend on either side of a door and an upper portion projecting above the crate 10 creating a tower appearance.

Abstract: An animal toy includes a compressibly elastically deformable hollow thin-walled elastomer core sealingly circumscribing a center, includes an exterior including a first gravure elastomer relief surface and a second surface, includes a wall less than about eight millimeters thick, and includes points on the exterior at varying distances from the center. A fabric cover is affixed to the second surface and has a selected thickness, the ratio of the thickness of the fabric cover to the thickness of the wall being in the range of 1:6 to 1:0.15. A line of demarcation separates the exterior into at least two areas.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for exercising one or more dogs including an adjustable belt portion having a variable length of 2L and a second belt portion independently connected to the adjustable belt portion. The apparatus can also include at least two connectors adapted to connect to one or more leads. The at least two connectors can be attached to the adjustable belt portion such that they define a distance L there between in response to any adjustment of the belt portion to any length 2L. The placement of the at least two connectors encourages maximizing the distance between any two dogs that a user may be exercising at one time.

Abstract: A garment for animals includes a first panel of flexible material attachable to a second panel of flexible material, the first and second panels being connectable to each other by adjustable chest, body and tail fittings, such that the garment can be configured in situ to fit various sizes and shapes of animals, such as dogs. The garment is adapted to receive a disposable pad on an underside of the garment on the animal.

Abstract: Remote submerged scraper conveyor (SSC) consists of a conventional SSC modified to include a slurry processing system, which allows it to be located remotely from associated boilers at or slightly above grade level rather than directly under a boiler like a conventional SSC. The slurry processing system includes a pair of overflow troughs 34 and associated weirs located exterior to and along the top edge of each side of the horizontal section of the SSC and an underflow baffle, which extends from a position above the water line down into the horizontal section of the SSC below the water line. The slurry processing system allows the Remote SSC to receive a high volume wet ash slurry discharge via a slurry discharge pipe conventionally sent to an ash pond or a tall dewatering bin system.