Abstract: An area calculating unit calculates an image area of a toner image formed on a sheet recording member. A behavior detecting unit detects behavior of the recording member fed out of a conveying nip formed by a pair of conveying members. A thickness obtaining unit obtains thickness information of the recording member. An index calculating unit calculates an index value indicating windability of the recording member with respect to the conveying members based on the image area, the behavior, and the thickness information.

Abstract: A printing control device of the present invention controls a printing device equipped with a consumable supply, and includes a display control section for causing a display section to display a printing setting screen via which printing conditions corresponding to functions of the printing device are set and entered into the printing device. The printing setting screen includes an ordering screen via which an order of the consumable supply equipped for the printing device is entered, and the ordering screen includes remaining-amount-of-consumable-supply information indicative of an index of a remaining amount of the consumable supply.

Abstract: A toner cartridge supporting apparatus includes a storage portion, an insertion port, an opening/closing cover, a detecting portion for detecting a toner remaining amount, a control portion for controlling toner supply, a judging portion to judge whether or not a toner in a toner cartridge is exhausted, a message generating portion for generating a replacement message, a display portion for displaying the message, a toner cartridge replacement icon, and a toner cartridge moving portion, wherein a toner cartridge replacement message display function and a toner cartridge movement instruction function are provided as the control portion.

Abstract: A waste toner transport system includes a transport unit that has a transport space through which toner removed from a surface of an image bearing member is transported, where the transport space contains a transport member that rotates and transports the toner. The waste toner transport system further includes a container that contains the toner transported by the transport member, and a controller that controls rotation of the transport member so that an amount of toner transported by the transport member per unit time is decreased if an amount of the toner contained in the container reaches a threshold value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method compute a total amount of toner to be deposited per unit area of a target image. When the highest total amount of toner computed exceeds a given level, a heating determination unit, using a processor, determines whether a first heating amount range enabling fusing of the computed highest total amount of toner and a second heating amount range enabling fusing of the computed lowest total amount of toner have an overlapping portion that can effectively fuse a first toner image, a second toner image, and identifies a heating amount to fuse a toner image of the target image from an overlapping portion that can effectively fuse the first toner image, and the second toner image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method that compute a total amount of toner to be deposited per unit area of a target image in which a first unit area is computed to form a first toner image using a highest total amount of toner, and a second unit area is computed to form a second toner image using a lowest total amount of toner. When the highest total amount of toner computed by a computing unit exceeds a given level, a transfer bias determination unit identifies a transfer bias to transfer a toner image of the target image from an overlapping portion that can effectively transfer the first toner image, and the second toner image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having; an electrostatic latent image support member; an electrostatic latent image forming section; a developer support member; a first voltage applying device for applying a developing bias voltage that is a superimposed voltage of a first DC voltage and a first AC voltage to the developer support member; and a controller for controlling the first voltage applying device. The first voltage applying device is controlled to stop an output of the first AC voltage at a first frequency, to change the first DC voltage outputted therefrom from a first voltage value to a second voltage value and to start an output of the first AC voltage at a second frequency, in this order. The controller selects a screen ruling for each page in accordance with image data and determines the output from the first voltage applying device in accordance with the selected screen ruling.

Abstract: The image heating apparatus includes an unit for spacing each of a buck-up member and a pressure roller apart from a flexible belt member which is electrified to generate heat, or heated by a source of heat at start-up, i.e. in a previous stage to heating an image, or an unit for controlling a pressure to decrease a contact area in the direction of the axis of rotation compared with the contact area for a period to heat an image. This can control, as much as possible, heat conduction from the flexible belt which is electrified to generate heat, or heated by the source of heat to the back-up member and the pressure roller at the start-up, i.e. the previous stage to heating an image.

Abstract: A zero-crossing detector circuit includes: a first capacitor including a first electrode configured to connect to one end of an AC power supply and a second electrode; a second capacitor including a first electrode configured to connect to the other end of the AC power supply and a second electrode; a current path, which is connected in series between the second electrode of the first capacitor and the second electrode of the second capacitor, and which is connected to a reference potential, and which generates a second-electrode-side voltage when the AC current passes through the current path; a signal converting circuit, which is connected to the AC power supply to receive the second-electrode-side voltage and then converts the second-electrode-side voltage into a pulse signal; and a detecting unit, which detects a pulse period of the pulse signal, which and detects zero-crossing points by using the pulse period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fuser that fuses a paper medium and a fuser control device that controls an AC power supplied to the fuser. The fuser control device includes a phase detecting device that receives an AC voltage, detects zero-crossing points of the AC voltage, outputs a phase detecting signal when the zero-crossing points are detected, and selectively cuts off a flow of AC power into the phase detecting device in response to a mode control signal, a signal generator that generates a phase control signal to control a phase of the AC power supplied to the fuser based on the phase detecting signal, and a temperature controller that controls a temperature of the fuser by controlling the phase of the AC power supplied to the fuser according to the phase control signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms, on an image bearing member, an image for adjusting operations of the image forming apparatus, a container that contains toner removed from the image bearing member, and a controller that controls formation of the image for adjusting the operations of the image forming apparatus so that after an amount of toner contained in the container reaches a threshold value, an amount of toner removed from the image bearing member and to be contained in the container is reduced to less than before the amount of toner contained in the container reaches the threshold value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control board, a first connection terminal provided on an outer surface of the control board, an installation section disposed at the outer surface side of the control board, a substrate capable of being installed into the installation section, a second connection terminal provided on a first surface of the substrate and connected to the first connection terminal, a grip portion provided on a second surface of the substrate at a first end thereof in an in-plane direction, and an external connection terminal provided on the substrate so as to project from the substrate at a second end thereof in the in-plane direction. The external connection terminal is externally exposed to allow an external device to be connected thereto when the substrate is installed into the installation section after the external connection terminal is inserted through an opening in the apparatus body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device including an image holding member; an intermediate transfer belt that holds on an outer surface thereof an developer image formed on the image holding member of the image forming device, and that rotates so as to transport the developer image up to a second transfer section, the intermediate transfer belt including a belt base material in which a resin particle is dispersed; a cleaning device including a plate member, the cleaning device performing a cleaning operation by at least contacting the plate member with a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt that has passed the second transfer section; and a collecting member that removes and holds the resin particle existing at the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt at least when the intermediate transfer belt is not used.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device including an image holding member; an intermediate transfer belt to whose outer surface a developer image formed on the image holding member of the image forming device is transferred, and that holds the developer image; a cleaning device that includes a plate member, and that performs a cleaning operation; and a collecting member that is disposed in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and that removes and holds a resin particle existing at the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt at least when the intermediate transfer belt is not used as a result of causing a speed of the intermediate transfer belt and a speed of the collecting member to differ from each other.

Abstract: In an image-forming device, a first roller and a second roller are arranged in a first direction, the first roller being disposed at an upstream of the second roller in the first direction. An endless belt spanned between the first roller and the second roller forms a straight plane extending in the first direction. The straight plane moves in the first direction when the endless belt is circularly moved. A plurality of photosensitive members is arranged in the first direction and faces the straight plane. A transfer member is opposed to the first roller across the endless belt. A cleaning unit includes: a cleaning member opposed to the straight plane at an upstream of an upstreammost photosensitive member in the first direction; and a treating member disposed at an upstream of the cleaning member in the first direction to treat the residual toner collected by the cleaning member.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a casing; a developing roller mounted on the casing, and having a rotational axis extending in an axis direction and a peripheral surface on which a developer is carried, the developing roller being configured to rotate in a rotational direction about the rotational axis; and a seal provided between the casing and the developing roller to prevent the developer from leaking between peripheral surface and the casing. The seal includes: a film member opposed to the peripheral surface of the peripheral surface of the developing roller; and an elastic member provided between the film member and the casing to press the film member against the peripheral surface of developing member. The casing includes a restricting wall provided downstream of the seal member in the rotational direction to restrict the seal from moving in the rotational direction.

Abstract: A moving mechanism is configured to move a cartridge supporting unit to a mounted position, a retracted position, and a pulled-out position. The cartridge supporting unit is mounted in a main casing and a supply opening of each developer cartridge and a reception opening of each image forming unit are in communication with each other when the cartridge supporting unit is in the mounted position. The cartridge supporting unit is moved away from a plurality of image forming units in an axial direction of a photosensitive drum to interrupt a communication between the supply opening and the reception opening when the cartridge supporting unit is in the retracted position. The cartridge supporting unit is pulled outside the main casing from the retracted position in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the axial direction when the cartridge supporting unit is in the pulled-out position.

Abstract: A support member that supports a plurality of developer cartridges is configured to be moved in a predetermined direction between a mounted position and a pulled-out position. A moving mechanism is configured to move a supply member in the developer cartridge between a communication position and an interrupt position when the support member is in the mounted position. When the supply member is in the communication position, a supply opening and a reception opening are in communication with each other and the support member is incapable of moving in the predetermined direction. When the supply member is in the interrupt position, the supply member is moved away from the corresponding one of a plurality of image forming unit in the axial direction to interrupt communication between the supply opening and the reception opening and the support member is movable toward the pulled-out position in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a permitting unit and a moving unit. The permitting unit selectively establishes a first positional relationship in which photosensitive members contact an endless belt and a second positional relationship in which the photosensitive members separate from the endless belt. The moving unit moves a charger between a first position confronting the corresponding photosensitive member at a rear side thereof in a juxtaposed direction and a second position moved away from the first position. The endless belt confronts the photosensitive members at a top side thereof in an orthogonal direction. Each developer cartridge confronts the corresponding photosensitive member at a bottom side thereof. The developer cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a main casing while moved past a front side of the corresponding photosensitive member when the second positional relationship is established and the neighboring charger is in the second position.

Abstract: A developing roller which is excellent in image quality and image durability and stably outputs a uniform image, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus using the developing roller are provided.

Abstract: A cover member is mounted on a cartridge including a developer bearing member for providing a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image, and a grip portion to be gripped, and cover an exposed part of the developer bearing member exposed outside a frame member of the cartridge includes a portion configured to partition a space between the grip portion and the exposed part when the cover member is mounted on the cartridge.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to an image forming apparatus comprising: a) an imaging member, b) a bias charging roller in contact with the surface of the imaging member, and c) a delivery unit in contact with the surface of the bias charge roller, wherein the delivery unit is fabricated as a polymer matrix impregnated with functional materials, such that the functional material is transferred onto the imaging member from the delivery unit via the bias charging roller. Embodiments also pertain to an improved electrophotographic imaging member comprising a very thin outer layer on the imaging member surface, where the outer layer comprises functional materials, such as paraffin, that act as a lubricant and or a barrier against moisture and/or surface contaminants. The improved imaging member exhibits improved xerographic performance, such as reduced friction and deletions in high humidity conditions.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to an image forming apparatus comprising a delivery member in contact with either the surface of an imaging member or in contact with the surface of the bias charge roller, wherein the delivery member is fabricated as a polymer matrix impregnated with functional materials, such that the functional material is transferred onto the imaging member or bias charge roller from the delivery member. Embodiments also pertain to an improved electrophotographic imaging member comprising a very thin outer layer on the imaging member surface, where the outer layer comprises functional materials, such as paraffin, that act as a lubricant and/or a barrier against moisture and/or surface contaminants. The improved imaging member exhibits improved xerographic performance, such as reduced torque, reduced friction, and deletions in high humidity conditions.

Abstract: A developer container includes a container body in which a developer containing chamber and a discharge outlet are formed, a developer conveyance member disposed inside the developer containing chamber and including a first conveyance portion and a second conveyance portion downstream from the first conveyance portion in a developer conveyance director, a canopy disposed inside the container body and facing the discharge outlet, a developer conveyance chamber defined by the canopy and an inner face of the container body in which the discharge outlet is formed, and a return opening formed in the canopy downstream from the discharge outlet. A developer conveyance velocity (Q2) of the second conveyance portion of the developer conveyance member to transports the developer toward the return opening is slower than a developer conveyance velocity (Q1) of the first conveyance portion of the developer conveyance member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotation restricting member that includes, a shaft that is inserted into a shaft insertion hole with a predetermined angle relationship, and a plurality of rotation restriction portions, each of which is formed at a different position around the shaft insertion hole and performs a rotation restriction function of the shaft by engaging with an external portion, where the shaft insertion hole is set to have a shape of the shaft and is formed around the shaft with a different angle corresponding to the shape of the shaft to allow any of the plurality of rotation restriction portions to engage with the external portion.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a housing, a developing roller, a supply roller, and a thickness regulating member. The housing is configured to accommodate developer that includes developer particles having a mean volume diameter. The developing roller is rotatably supported in the housing and has a peripheral surface configured to carry the developer. The supply roller is rotatably supported in the housing, contacts the developing roller, and configured to supply the toner to the developing roller. The thickness regulating member includes a contact member contacting the peripheral surface. The contact member is configured to regulate a thickness of the developer on the peripheral surface such that an average of the thickness of the developer on the peripheral surface becomes smaller than or equal to the mean volume diameter.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes multiple image forming stations, and a controller for executing selectively a multi-color image mode or a monochromatic image forming mode, wherein in the monochromatic image forming mode, a first one of image forming stations which forms the image, and a second one which is upstream of the first image forming station exposes the image bearing members to a first image pattern and a second image pattern, respectively, and the controller determines the second image pattern in accordance with the first image pattern, and effects the exposure to the second image pattern.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which a toner image is to be formed; a transfer device for transferring the toner image carried on the image bearing member; and a rotationally movable endless transfer belt onto which the toner image is to be transferred or on which a transfer material onto which the toner image is to be transferred is to be conveyed. The transfer device includes a sheet member contacted to an inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt while being supported by a supporting member at an end thereof and includes an urging member for urging the sheet member against the transfer belt in contact to the sheet member. The urging member includes a projected portion projected toward the transfer belt at its downstream end portion more than at its upstream end portion with respect to a movement direction of the transfer belt.

Abstract: Printers and cleaning systems are provided. A cleaning system has an actuator that moves the electrostatic imaging member in a second direction opposite the first direction and a frame positions a mounting within a first range of mounting distances from the electrostatic imaging member with the mounting holding a cleaning blade at a holding angle that causes a free length of the cleaning blade to extend along a first direction to position a cleaning end of the cleaning blade to engage the electrostatic imaging member for movement therewith. The electrostatic imaging member urges the cleaning end in the second direction to deflect the cleaning blade to extend along the second direction to position the cleaning end to wipe the electrostatic imaging member and the free length, the holding angle and the working angle cause the cleaning edge to wipe at a working angle between about 85 and 89 degrees.

Abstract: Electrophotographic printers and cleaning systems for an electrostatic imaging member are provided. In one aspect the cleaning system has a scraper a mounting holding the scraper so that a free length of the scraper extends from the mounting and a frame positioning the mounting relative to the electrostatic imaging member so that the scraper extends along a holding angle toward the electrostatic imaging member and so that the mounting is separated from the electrostatic imaging member by an extension distance along the holding angle that is less than the free length with the scraper resiliently deflecting to fit within the extension distance to define a working angle where the scraper contacts the electrostatic imaging member.

Abstract: A multi-component duplex print is produced on a receiver. Master print engines and slave print engines synchronized to the masters are arranged along the transport path of the receiver with inverters between them. Each inverter has an inverted travel path and a non-inverted travel path, and a difference of a travel time of the receiver in the inverted travel path of each inverter as compared to a travel time of a receiver in the non-inverted travel path of that inverter is adjusted to be an integral multiple of a period between successive receivers. A received job specification designating a first assigned one of the print engines to print on a first assigned side of the receiver. A controller sets the positions of the inverters so the first assigned side of the moving receiver is the corresponding print side of the first assigned print engine.

Abstract: In a sheet collection planned to be prepared, when there exists a monochrome sheet group comprised of one or more consecutive monochrome sheets all of whose front and back sides are monochrome pages, between two color sheet groups comprised of one or more consecutive color sheets having a color page on at least one of front and back sides, an information processor determines that sheets in the monochrome sheet group and each one or each two sheets before and after the monochrome sheet group sandwiching the monochrome sheet group are saddle-stitched sheets formed by papers for saddle-stitching. The information processor determines that any sheet other than those determined to be the saddle-stitched sheets are sheets of an adhesive bound group.

Abstract: A conveyance device including a drive roller that feeds a sheet medium from a media roll having the sheet medium wound in a roll that can rotate on a center axis of the roll, a drive roller that supplies the sheet medium from the media roll, a roll rotating unit that rotates the media roll and rewinds the supplied sheet medium, and first and second brake devices that apply a load to rotation of the media roll and are disposed to the roll rotating unit, wherein the first brake device is controlled to apply the load when not energized.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an image-content dependent system for cutting a print in response to content of an image disposed on the print. The system includes a print cutter, a computer storage device, and a processing device. The print cutter cuts a print according to an image-content dependent cut pattern. The computer storage device stores image component metadata created from image content of an image disposed on the print to be cut. The processing device uses the image component metadata to generate the image-content dependent cut pattern to be used by the print cutter to cut the print.

Abstract: There is provided a tubular case that can selectively perform coupling release operation of a cap, and removal operation of a refill case using a common operating member. A tubular case 10 includes a case 15 including a refill case 13 for supporting an item to be received in an advanceable and retractable manner with respect to a case body 11, a cap 18 for closing an opening 40 of the case 15, and an operating member 20 mounted on the outer periphery side of the case body 11. The operating member 20 is configured to selectively perform coupling release of the cap 18 and removal of the refill case 13 by rotational operation about the predetermine center of rotation.

Abstract: Disclosed are mascara compositions containing a first acrylates copolymer having a relatively low glass transition temperature (Tg) which is less than about 0° C., a second acrylates copolymer having a relatively high glass transition temperature which is between about 0° C. and less than about 60° C., wherein a mixture of the first and second acrylates copolymers has a Tg less than about 20° C., and a solvent. Also disclosed are methods for making the mascara and applying them to keratinous tissue such as eyelashes in order to enhance their appearance.

Abstract: A hand-held dispensing applicator comprising a source of fluid, a frangible applicator tip attached to the fluid source, and an absorbent member attached to the frangible applicator tip. The applicator may be applicable for a medical purpose. When the frangible applicator tip is broken, the fluid flows from the source to the absorbent member, spread on a surface. The frangible applicator tip may comprise a support element permanently connected to the fluid source, a relatively rigid tongue element, and a frangible region there between. The tongue element may comprise ribs for reinforcing the tongue element. The applicator tip may comprise a semi-permeable or non-permeable cover to control the speed and direction of the dispersion of the fluid.

Abstract: A paint edging apparatus includes a body having front and rear ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the body receiving a paint reservoir for supplying paint to an applicator portion of the apparatus, the body including a handle extending rearwardly at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis. An urging mechanism selectively engages the paint reservoir to discharge paint therefrom. A vibrator mounted to the body and operatively connected to the paint applicator portion of the apparatus imparts an oscillatory motion to the paint applicator. A trigger is pivotally mounted to the handle for activating the vibrator, wherein a user can move the apparatus over a work surface to apply paint to the work surface and also pivot the trigger at the same time by grasping the handle with a single hand.

Abstract: A clamping device for fastening a member, such as a hollow shaft or hub, to a shaft includes a ring element which is provided with a cylindrical inner surface and has an end side which includes a plurality of axial threaded bores. The ring element is attached to one end of the member and axially fixed on the member by a support shoulder of the member and a securing ring fastened to the member. A clamping element has an end-side flange which is provided with a plurality of axial passage openings for receiving clamping screws. The clamping element has a portion provided with an outer taper and arranged radially between the shaft and an inner taper of the member, with the clamping element being threadably engaged to the ring element.

Abstract: A clamping assembly which includes a first member that has a housing and a plunger that reciprocates within the housing. The first member further includes a first biasing member that biases the plunger in a first direction and a second biasing member that biases the plunger in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. The first member further includes a bearing positioned within a cavity in the housing such that the bearing reciprocates within the cavity in a third direction that is partially orthogonal to the first and second directions. The plunger includes a first surface that applies a first force to the bearing that is at least partially in the third direction. The clamping assembly further includes a second member that includes a second surface that engages the bearing. The bearing applies a second force to the second surface of the second member that is at least partially in the second direction.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball joint mount structure and a ball joint mounting method, which can distribute grease between an outer periphery of a shaft and a sliding contact surface of a lip while preventing the grease from being supplied into a mount hole. The inventive ball joint mount structure includes a grease retaining groove (55) provided in a portion of a lower surface (52b) of a knuckle arm (51) spaced a distance from a peripheral edge of a knuckle hole (53) for retaining grease (G). After a shaft (12) is inserted into the knuckle hole (53) to bring an upper end portion (5a) into contact with the lower surface (52b) with the grease (G) retained in the grease retaining groove (55), the ball stud (4) is fixed to the knuckle arm (51).

Abstract: A rapid locking hand knob construct includes a fixed threaded sleeve having an inner groove around its outer diameter that is mated to a rubber sleeve. One end of a first tube is connected to an inside diameter of one end of a fixed ring. The fixed ring has a groove provided around an outside diameter at an end thereof and an inner conical surface provided around an inside diameter at another end thereof. The tube hole at the end of a second tube is mated to a locking lining, wherein one end thereof includes an outer tapered surface that is inserted into an inner tapered surface of the fixed ring. A hole on the fixed threaded sleeve is secured into the groove of the fixed ring by a screw. A rotary rubber sleeve drives the movable thread sleeve up and down horizontally in the direction of the tube fitting.

Abstract: Provided is a metal fastening fitting whereby a support member (51), such as a pillar, and a connecting member (61), such as a beam, are fastened to one another in a T-shaped manner. The metal fastening fitting is such that a front surface section (11) which is to be fixed to a side of the support member (51) is spatially separated from rear edge sections (31) which are to be inserted into slits (62) in the connecting member (61) and are to be fixed by drift pins (47) or the like, and the front surface section (11) and the rear edge sections (31) are integrated together only by a plurality of ramiform sections (23, 25, 27).

Abstract: A splice sleeve having an elliptical or compound curve cross section for connecting overlapping end portions of reinforcing bars utilized in various types of structures in which steel reinforcing bars are utilized and it is desired to connect the overlapping end portions of the reinforcing bars. The elliptical or compound curve cross section splice sleeve is configured to receive the overlapped end portions of the reinforcing bars and then be filled with hardenable material to resist axial tension and compression exerted on the reinforcing bars. In one embodiment, both ends of the sleeve are provided with an inwardly directed lip to increase the splicing capacity of the elliptical or compound curve cross section sleeve by increasing the resistance against radial outward forces imparted to the hardenable material when axial tension is exerted on the reinforcing bars, and also to serve as a guide to position the rebars to a minimum of about 3 mm from the inside wall surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and to a process for cohesively joining two plates (1 and 2) having differing melting points, one of which plates, the end plate (1), includes a light metal material, in particular aluminum material, and the other of which plates, the connecting plate (2), includes an iron and/or titanium material, wherein a coating (9) preferably on the basis of zinc or aluminum is provided at least partially on at least one of the abutting faces (3?, 3?) of the abutting edge (3) of the connecting plate (2) which extend inclined with respect to one another, in which process both plates (1 and 2) are joined together by braze welding so as to abut against one another along their common joint using an additional material (5) on the basis of light metal, in particular on the basis of aluminum.

Abstract: This portable self adjusting modular levee system is ideal for protecting Nuclear Reactors, Cities close to sea level and adjacent to rivers of high and unpredictable cresting. The system consists of a base channel and a floater section fabricated or otherwise made with material such as steel, fiber, Aluminum or resin, harnesses the hydro-static pressure of the water, stabilizing the base and extending the floater assembly vertically to create adjustable levee of desired height in order to reach maximum cresting. Each modular unit is attached in a linear fashion to a complimentary unit at certain angle or straight at site in order to create a continuous sealed variable levee system of any desired length and configuration along river banks, high cresting and potential body of water. During normal conditions this levee system call be used as a road along such bank.

Abstract: An arrangement for laying non-rigid product offshore that includes a dual long grip length clamp arrangement installed vertically into a tower in a similar manner to a J-lay trolley/clamp system. The invention differs from a J-lay arrangement in that two clamps are used and the clamps are configured for use with non-rigid product, i.e. they have a long grip length in order to spread the load evenly. Each clamp is mounted on a trolley and can travel vertically up or down. The upper clamp is arranged with a distance between it and the lower clamp such that the upper clamp can lower the non-rigid product a suitable distance before the lower clamp grips the non-rigid product so as to create as close as possible continuous movement as practical.

Abstract: A marine geophysical survey cable retriever system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged survey cable to surface. In some cases, causing the submerged survey cable to surface includes: shedding ballast weights when the survey cable reaches or exceeds a first predetermined depth; and inflating a lifting bag when the survey cable reaches or exceeds a second predetermined depth.

Abstract: Retriever systems for marine geophysical survey cables. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged sensor streamer to surface by flooding an intermediate chamber with water, the intermediate chamber defined within a cylinder of a housing coupled to the sensor streamer, the flooding of the intermediate chamber responsive to the sensor streamer reaching or exceeding a predetermined depth; and responsive to flooding the intermediate chamber moving a first piston within the cylinder; and thereby puncturing a seal of a compressed gas cylinder responsive to movement of the first piston, the puncturing makes the sensor streamer more positively buoyant.

Abstract: A pipe thrusting apparatus for inserting and removing a pipe from a borehole, comprising a collar configured to releasably grip the pipe; a support frame having at least one anchor securable to the ground; and a bi-directional driver coupled between the collar and the support frame, the driver configured to drive the collar toward and away from the borehole to insert and remove the pipe from the borehole.