Abstract: A surgical stapling device for applying an array of surgical staples to tissue is provided. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism for moving a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly between spaced and approximated positions and a firing mechanism for ejecting the array of staples from the cartridge assembly. A single trigger is operable to effect approximation and firing of the device. The device also includes an alignment pin assembly which can be selectively manually or automatically advanced. The anvil assembly includes a stiffener plate which allows the device to have a reduced head portion profile.

Abstract: A system for performing anastomosis includes a plurality of staples, an annular staple support having structure for holding the staples, and a staple closing device for closing the staples to secure the canal ends together. A method for performing anastomosis and staples for performing anastomosis are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wheel resurfacing method and system for resurfacing a worn track wheel to its original profile are disclosed. The system comprises a support for maintaining the worn railway wheel, a welding device, a controller, and a surface processing device. The worn railway wheel's circumferential surface defining a flange and a tread surface is reconstituted using a welding material. The welding device and the worn railway wheel rotate one relative to the other at a predetermined rate to adaptively aggregate annular welding beads along the circumferential surface to form a curvilinear profile slanted away from the flange. A surface processing device is then applied to the welded layer to form a substantially uniform surface to reconstitute the worn railway wheel to its original profile.

Abstract: A bonding tool is adjusted to a desired operational position by viewing the bonding tool with an image-capturing device and displaying an image of the bonding tool as viewed by the image-capturing device onto a display screen. A corresponding image of a reference bonding tool showing the desired operational position of the bonding tool is superimposed onto the display screen and the position of the bonding tool is adjusted with an adjustment mechanism until the bonding tool as viewed by the image-capturing device is aligned with the superimposed image of the reference bonding tool.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for the application of solder onto a work piece, wherein the solder is soldered on at a soldering temperature TL and subject to the influence of ultrasound. In order to be able to solder without difficulties the solder onto work pieces that exhibit sensitivity to breakage it is proposed that the solder is heated, is applied to the work piece that is supported in particular in a spring-mounted manner, and is soldered-on subject to the influence of ultrasound.

Abstract: Methods of attaching cutting elements to earth-boring tools, comprising abutting a portion of a cutting element against at least one surface of an earth-boring tool with a braze material disposed therebetween; and brazing the cutting element to the earth-boring tool by applying high-frequency vibrations to cause the braze material to become flowable. Methods of securing cutting elements to earth-boring tools may comprise at least partially coating a cutting element with a braze material. The cutting element may be at least partially disposed in a pocket formed in a body of an earth-boring tool with the braze material adjacent surfaces defining the pocket. The cutting element and the braze material may be ultrasonically torsionally oscillated to braze the cutting element within the pocket.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a process in which a component 4 is moved relative to another component 6 such that at least one of the components 4, 6 experiences a reduction in magnitude in at least one dimension. Such processes may include for example friction welding. The method comprises monitoring energy input to the process and adjusting an input parameter for the process based on the monitored energy input. The monitoring of energy input is performed before any reduction in component magnitude has begun to take place.

Abstract: In various embodiments, protective layers are bonded to a steel layer and connected by a layer of unmelted metal powder produced by cold spray.

Abstract: A light emitting member mounting method includes: causing a friction material to contact a substrate including at least an optical waveguide member mounted on a base and to contact a light emitting member that is to be mounted to the substrate and that is equipped with a light emitting component, so as to suppress relative movement between the substrate and the light emitting member using frictional force exerted on the substrate and the light emitting member, and positionally aligning the light emitting member to the substrate by employing light emitted from the light emitting component; and bonding the substrate and the light emitting member together by melting a bonding material interposed between the substrate and the light emitting member.

Abstract: A flexible sheet that may be used and reused as a user-friendly and environmentally conscious wrapping material is presented. The sheet has a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and a fourth corner, wherein the first corner and the second corner are connected by a first edge of the sheet and the third corner and the fourth corner are connected by a second edge of the sheet. The first corner and the second corner wrap around an object to enclose the object, and the third corner and the fourth corner wrap around the object, the first corner, and the second corner. A decorative bow is integrated with the sheet.

Abstract: A blank of sheet material for forming a container is provided. The blank includes a series of four generally rectangular panels connected along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines. The panels include a first spaced-apart pair of panels and a second spaced-apart pair of panels. Each of the second spaced-apart pair of panels is connected to at least one panel of the first spaced-apart pair of panels. The blank also includes a corner panel extending from each side edge of each panel of the first pair of panels, and a lateral flap extending from each side edge of each panel of the second pair of panels, wherein each lateral flap has free side edges.

Abstract: A barrel formed from a sheet of blank material includes a plurality of side wall panels for forming sides of the barrel including a front panel, a rear panel, two opposing end panels, and at least one diagonal corner panel, at least one bottom flap for forming a bottom of the barrel, and a plurality of top flaps for forming a top of the barrel including a top front flap foldably connected to the front panel, a top rear flap foldably connected to the rear panel, and two opposing top end flaps each foldably connected to one of the end panels. The top front flap and the top rear flap include at least one closure slot. Each of the two opposing top end flaps includes at least one locking finger. The locking fingers are inserted within the closure slots for securing the top of the barrel in a closed position.

Abstract: A package (10) for packaging a food product is made from a sheet (12) of foldable material. The sheet (12) defines a base area on which a food product (14) may be positioned and three or more side wall regions (20) about the base area that are folded upwardly and inwardly to form a parcel for surrounding and containing a product positioned on the base area. The side wall regions (20) converge towards a point located substantially centrally above the base area and an external fin seal (24) is provided between each adjacent pair of side wall regions. The fin seals (24) may be formed by bonding at least part of the opposing inner surfaces of the material forming each fin seal together using a peelable adhesive.

Abstract: A foldable cardboard desk organizer made of corrugated cardboard for use in standard elementary school desks. The desk organizer includes a base to which are attached a front wall, a back wall and two side walls. The walls are formed by folding the wall elements upon themselves and securing by a tab and slot system to create strong, two-layer walls. The wall elements further include wing portions that, when assembled, overlap and link separate wall elements together to provide structure and support for the desk organizer. One or more divider sections may be installed within the base by attaching them to the walls to create two or more compartments within the base and defined by the divider sections. The divider sections include three overlapping layers for increased strength.

Abstract: The invention relates to a set (22) of blanks for forming a packaging box, a method and a corresponding box. The set includes two corrugated board blanks, namely: a first blank (2?) including flaps connected to one another by first fold lines (9?), one side of said blank having no folds; and a second blank (12?) including panels (13?, 14?, 15?, 16?) connected to one another by third fold lines (19?), the panels of the second blank being stacked respectively on the part of the first blank having no folds. Two non-adjacent flaps (3?, 5?) of the first blank are glued to two respective facing panels (13?, 15?) of the second blank, thereby preventing the relative movement thereof during folding or during the formation of the box when the blanks are wound around a volume having pre-determined dimensions.

Abstract: A collection canister having a wall mounting plate having a baffle. The collection canister having a first half having a back component and a pair of side components. The first half being removably coupled to the wall mounting plate. There is a second half having a front component and a pair of side ends. The second half is removably coupled to the first half in a clam shell manner. There is a locking bar which secures the plate and halves together. There is a contents viewing window and a display window, for advertising.

Abstract: A system includes, but is not limited to: obtaining and one or more physical status sending modules configured to direct sending one or more bendable electronic device physical status related information portions to the bendable electronic device based upon the obtaining of the first information. In addition to the foregoing, other related system/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method for inputting a password and a device thereof are disclosed in the invention, relating to the information security field and solving the problem that a password input by a user is easy to be intercepted. The method includes steps that, a password inputting device acquires an instruction in accordance with ISO/IEC 7816 standard from an upper computer, and determines whether the instruction is a password checking instruction or not, and if it is not, the device sends the instruction to the smart card; or else if it is, the device receives the password input by the user, encloses it to the password checking instruction, sends the instruction enclosed with the password to the smart card, receives the result of executing the password checking instruction from the smart card, and sends the result to the upper computer. The solution of the invention is used for improving the security of inputting a password in avoidance that the password is intercepted when being transmitted.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed of executing a financial transaction that enable enhanced usage monitoring. Funds are received from a buyer for purchase of a single-load stored-value instrument. The single-load stored-value instrument is associated with a predefined value amount. Buyer identification information that identifies the buyer is received. The buyer identification information is stored in association with the stored-value instrument. The stored-value instrument is validated for use in making purchase by drawing from value associated with the stored-value instrument.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for accessing, using an image capture device, a machine-readable code, the machine-readable code describing one or more rules that instruct a user device to determine whether the user satisfies one or more criteria; processing the machine-readable code to obtain the one or more rules; determining, based on the one or more obtained rules, that the user satisfies the one or more criteria; in response to determining, based on the one or more obtained rules, that the user satisfies the one or more criteria, displaying, on a display screen of the user device, data confirming that the user satisfies the one or more criteria.

Abstract: A dispensing machine, and related operating method, includes a device for dispensing packaged and/or unpackaged edible goods or beverages, a control unit connected to one or more electrically-activated parts of the machine, a user interface to show information to the user and retrieve input commands from the user to be sent to the control unit. The user interface is a graphic user interface GUI comprising a touch-panel integrated in a graphic screen to display multimedia content. The content or form of the information shown on the screen is changed by the control unit based on at least one parameter related to any of the operative status of the machine, the location wherein the machine is running, the calendar date and/or the daily time, statistics indicative of previous selections made by user(s), or the signal provided by at least one sensor of the machine detecting proximity of the user(s).

Abstract: Various embodiments are related to apparatuses and methods for detecting a malfunctioning device using a sensor. An electronic device, such as a card reader, can be coupled to a mobile device, such as a smartphone. The smartphone has an integrated sensor, such as a motion sensor. An application can run on the smartphone and can use the sensor to determine the status of the electronic device, for example using the motion sensor to determine that the card reader has a status of malfunctioning. The application can determine that the card reader is malfunctioning by analyzing the motion sensor data to detect movements indicating multiple card swipes. If the card reader did not read any data during the card swipes, the application can deduce that the card reader is malfunctioning. The application can cause a replacement card reader to be sent to replace the malfunctioning card reader.

Abstract: A solid-state imager is mounted in a reader, such as a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation, for capturing light along an optical axis over a field of view from coded indicia. An optical assembly including non-rotationally symmetrical optics is operative for optically modifying and asymmetrically magnifying an image of the indicia and the field of view of the imager along mutually orthogonal directions generally perpendicular to the optical axis, and for increasing resolution of the imager along one of the directions. Preferably, the non-rotationally symmetrical optics includes a cylindrical lens having an aspherical profile along the one direction, and a planar profile along the other of the directions.

Abstract: An imaging lens assembly captures return light through a window of a vertical slot scanner from a target located in a range of working distances along an optical axis away from the window, and projects the captured return light onto an array of a solid-state imager. The imaging lens assembly is optically modified for non-uniform magnification within, and for increasing resolution at an outer peripheral region of, a field of view of the array, in an imaging plane generally perpendicular to the optical axis. The magnification is at least partly increased in the imaging plane with increasing radial distance away from the optical axis, to enable reading of the target when tilted relative to the optical axis and located at the outer peripheral region of the field of view.

Abstract: A roller laser encoding apparatus includes a barcode formed on a curved surface to form a curved barcode surface wherein the barcode is a sequence of different color laser reflectivity. When a laser transmitter emits a laser beam toward the curved barcode surface, the laser beam is reflected by the curved barcode surface to form a reflected laser beam. After the reflected laser beam is received by a laser receiver as a light signal, the optoelectronic converter converts the light signal of the reflected laser beam into a voltage signal. After the curved barcode surface is rotated in one revolution, an encoding processor collects the voltage signals from the optoelectronic converter in sequent and generates a sequence of voltage value in response to the sequence of different color laser reflectivity of the curved barcode surface so as to output a decoding signal of the curved barcode surface.

Abstract: An EIR terminal containing an image capture device configured to scan an image. The EIR terminal includes a lighting and exposure mechanism. The EIR terminal also includes a camera sensor interface with a stat FIFO. The stat FIFO is configured to receive data from the image capture device. When the stat FIFO, during image scanning, receives a pre-determined amount of image data, it fires an interrupt, which times the lighting and exposure mechanism in the EIR terminal.

Abstract: An imaging system for obtaining an image of a display of an electronic device presented by a presenter holding the electronic device includes a housing having an imaging subsystem disposed in the housing. The imaging subsystem comprising an image sensor array and an imaging assembly operative for focusing an image of the display on the electronic device onto the image sensor array. A support comprising a support surface is operable for allowing the presenter to hold the electronic device against the support surface so that the display on the electronic device is positioned towards the imaging system while the image of the display is obtained.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing multiple transaction cards in a single package are described. According to one aspect, a carrier package arrangement includes a holder and a plurality of transaction cards. The transaction cards are retained on the holder, and are arranged to be transitioned form an unactivated state to an activated state using a first activation code. The carrier package arrangement can also include a case that can contain the holder and the plurality of transaction cards.

Abstract: There is provided a chip card that is configured to be inserted into a host device. An exemplary chip card comprises a microcontroller that includes a processor and a memory unit. The microcontroller is connected to a power terminal of the chip card for receiving power from a first power supply of the host device. The chip card also comprises a second power supply configured to at least temporarily supply power to a first component of the microcontroller.

Abstract: Described are RFID structures. An RFID structure includes a planar gasket layer with a tensile modulus value less than 5 Gpa. The gasket layer defines a perimeter including one or more guide indentations. The RFID structure also includes a loop antenna assembly positioned within the gasket layer. The loop antenna includes an antenna track, and at least two contact pads. The loop antenna assembly surrounds an area that can be more than at least 10% of a total area defined by an outer perimeter of the gasket layer. The RFID structure also includes an integrated circuit unit coupled to the at least two contact pads.

Abstract: An integrated circuit film for a smart card, such as a Micro SIM card or a Mini UICC card, is provided. The integrated circuit film includes a flexible print circuit board (FPC) and an integrated circuit chip, and the integrated circuit chip has an ATR (Answer to Reset) signal generating device. When a terminal issues a Reset signal, this Reset signal is sent to the smart card and the ATR signal generating device, respectively via circuits of the FPC, whereby the ATR signal generating device generates ATR signal and send back to the terminal.

Abstract: A monitoring device (10) for monitoring movement characteristics of an item with which the monitoring device is associated, the monitoring device comprising: a transducer (15) operable to generate an electrical signal in response to movement of the item; an electrical store (18) operable to store energy on receipt of an electrical signal from the transducer (15); a radio-frequency identification device (12, 13, 14) having a data recorder (14) operable to record data on receipt of an electrical signal from the transducer (15), and a radio-frequency signal transmitter (12,13) operable to transmit a radio-frequency signal indicative of data recorded by said data recorder; and an electrical signal splitter operable to split an electrical signal generated by the transducer into a first portion and a second portion, and to provide said first portion to said electrical store and said second portion to said radio-frequency identification device.

Abstract: There is provided a switch assembly for an electronic card. The switch assembly is mounted within a housing of the card and comprises a switch member adapted to travel axially relative to the housing between a rest position and an actuated position upon application of pressure on the switch member. An actuation member is positioned adjacent the switch member and adjacent an upper face of the housing. Upon exertion of pressure on the upper face, the pressure also applies on the actuation member, thereby displacing the latter. Displacement of the actuation member in turn transfers the pressure to the switch member to move the latter to the actuated position.

Abstract: A display-enabled card with security authentication function includes a flexible card structure internally provided with a flexible electronic system, which includes a flexible display, a power supply module for supplying a DC voltage, a driving control module having a DC voltage converter for converting the DC voltage into a first driving voltage; a smart IC connected to the driving control module, a communication module connected to and working with the smart IC to perform security authentication, and a power management module arranged between the power supply module, the driving control module and the smart IC to provide the DC voltage to the driving control module and convert the DC voltage into a second driving voltage. The driving control module directly reads data stored in the smart IC and drives the flexible display to show the read data, so as to avoid poor sensing or data communication due to unstable voltage.

Abstract: A metal sheet including: a first and second metal sections disposed at point symmetrical positions about a center point of the metal sheet, wherein each portion of the first and second metal sections is affixed to a tag so as to contact to the tag which performs non-contact communication.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a first document image and a second document image in a size and producing output images on a single sheet, the apparatus including: a creating unit configured to create a code containing information with a higher security level selected from first information contained in a code of the first document image and second information contained in a code of the second document image; and a unit configured to add the code created by the creating unit to the output image.

Abstract: A heated air makeup unit comprising a heating chamber with a modulated furnace one or more non-modulated furnaces air temperature control and efficient furnace operation over a wide heating rate range. The utilization of indirect fired furnaces in the heated air makeup unit is disclosed. A control system is included to provide control of heated air temperature to within +/?1 F.° using continuous control of the heating rate of the modulated furnace and stepwise activation and de-activation of the non-modulated furnaces in response to heating demand. A programmed combustion air flow controller programmed to provide optimal airflow for any gas flow in a flow range of a modulating gas valve is provided to assure combustion efficiencies of at least 83%.

Abstract: A hydronic radiant flooring heating system includes a pipe having pipe sections, and a grid of a thermally conductive material. The pipe sections are arranged substantially parallel to one another along a first axis, where there is a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The pipe is to carry a heated liquid to radiantly heat a flooring under which the pipe is situated. The grid is situated relative to the sections. A portion of the grid is positioned substantially parallel to the second axis, and has an increased gauge to provide for lateral heat flow from the sections along the second axis. Heating of the flooring under which the pipe and the grid are situated is substantially uniform at least partially due to the increased gauge of the portion of the grid positioned substantially parallel to the second axis, while permitting wider spacing between adjacent of the pipe sections.

Abstract: A rail joint bar for use in an insulated lap joint assembly includes a longitudinal extending body defining a plurality of holes therein for receiving fasteners. The body has a first end and a second end positioned at opposite ends of the body relative to a longitudinal direction of the body. The body is bent forming a first portion adjacent to the first end, a second portion adjacent to the second end and spaced from the first portion in the longitudinal direction, and an intermediate portion defined therebetween and positioned between the first and second ends. The first portion and the second portion are substantially parallel to each other and, and the intermediate portion of the body is configured to accommodate an increase in thickness of a web section at a point where two railroad rails are joined.

Abstract: A system for fixing a rail onto a foundation and a support plate intended for such a system. The system comprises a guide plate, a spring element which can be clamped against the foundation by means of a clamping element, sits on the guide plate and in the final mounted system with its free spring arm exerts a retaining force on a rail foot of the rail, and a support plate which is arranged to compensate for height differences between the guide plate and the foundation concerned. The system proposes dividing the support into two parts along a joint line which runs, starting from the one long side of the support plate aligned transverse to the rail to be fixed, at a distance from the one short side to the passage opening and from there intersecting the passage opening in the direction of the short side of the support plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, systems, or apparatuses relating to applying a fluid to at least a portion of a floor surface of a covered area via a moveable fluid application structure.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a turbine, a nozzle, a gear train reduction and a reversing mechanism that rotatably couples the gear train reduction and the nozzle. The gear train reduction includes an input stage and a planetary gear drive output stage that includes a first portion of the reversing mechanism. A second portion of the reversing mechanism is located outside of the gear train reduction. The second portion of the reversing mechanism includes a pair of arc tabs. At least one of the arc tabs is adjustable to establish an arc of coverage of the sprinkler when the water flowing past the turbine causes the gear train reduction and the reversing mechanism to oscillate the nozzle back and forth between a pair of arc stops. The arc stops are defined by the locations of the arc tabs. The input stage of the gear train reduction includes a mechanism that allows manual rotation of the nozzle between the arc stops without having to back drive the gears in the input stage.

Abstract: An operator interface assembly is provided that includes a frame having a first end configured to rotatably couple to a first lateral frame tube of an agricultural vehicle, and a second end configured to transition between a raised position adjacent to a second lateral frame tube of the agricultural vehicle and a lowered position beneath the second lateral frame tube via rotation of the frame about the first end. The operator interface assembly also includes a fluid inlet coupled to the frame, and configured to provide fluid to the agricultural vehicle. In addition, the operator interface assembly includes a valve coupled to the frame, and configured to control fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the agricultural vehicle. The fluid inlet and the valve are positioned adjacent to the second end of the frame, and directed laterally outward with respect to the agricultural vehicle.

Abstract: A crop sprayer includes a main frame. A product tank and a rinse tank are supported by the main frame. A battery is also supported by the main frame. A framework is supported by the main frame that defines a routing space. A control panel is attached to the framework that defines at least a first panel opening, a second panel opening, and a third panel opening. A first fluid line is connected between a first fluid outlet and the product tank. The first fluid line extends through the routing space and the first panel opening. A second fluid line is connected between the second fluid outlet and the rinse tank. The second fluid line extends through the routing space and the second panel opening. A first electrical switch is supported by the framework adjacent to the third opening. Electrical wiring extends between the first electrical switch and the battery, the electrical wiring also extending through the routing space.

Abstract: A scent sampler and air freshener has a wafer of an absorbent resilient material infused with a liquid containing a scent. The wafer is encapsulated in a chamber formed between two panels of sheet material with edges sealed together to form an envelope. An opening in one of the panels enables scent from the liquid to be emitted to the ambient atmosphere. The rate of emission can be increased by squeezing the panels to compress the wafer. The interior surfaces of the panels can be coated with a barrier film to prevent leakage of the liquid from contaminating the sheet material.

Abstract: An exemplary device for spray applications includes a nozzle configured to emit a first fluid stream in a downstream direction away from the nozzle. At least one feed port situated near the nozzle introduces an agent into the first fluid stream to be carried by the first fluid stream in the downstream direction. At least one cleaning port situated near the nozzle emits a second fluid stream in a generally upstream direction toward at least one of the nozzle or the feed port.

Abstract: A processing apparatus is provided to process a workpiece. The processing apparatus can have a low-profile nozzle system capable of navigating through spaces in order to process target regions with relatively small clearances. A fluid jet outputted from the nozzle system is used to cut, mill, or otherwise process the target region of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel injector configuration that treats a dielectric fluid such as gasoline fuel with strong electric and, optionally, magnetic fields to form a homogeneous charged fuel or fuel/air mixture for combustion in an internal combustion engine. The electric field is supplied by a triboelectric dipole and the magnetic field is supplied by permanent magnets. Small charged fuel particles are produced and combust more readily than untreated particles. Fuel efficiency is increased and emissions are reduced.

Abstract: A springless valve that is used for a liquid sprayer has a body that has an upstream bore that has three parts with increasingly larger cross-sections. A pin portion of a slide/pin combination moves between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, liquid in the first part of the upstream bore flows into inlets in the third part of the upstream bore, through a central passage, to an outlet to a downstream bore. A linearly-moving slide portion on the slide/pin combination fits within a recess in the body, and has resilient arms that engage front and rear radial faces on a narrowed waist on the pin. The arms extend over opposed sides of the narrowed waist, have tangs that lock onto a lower side of that waist, and rigidly connect the slide portion to the pin portion, enabling a user to move the slide/pin combination axially between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a hair building solids dispenser for storing and dispensing hair building solids comprising first electrostatic charge controller adapted for altering and/or maintaining an electrostatic charge on a surface of at least some of said solids contained within, and/or as dispensed from, said dispenser, wherein at least a substantial portion of the exterior surface of the dispenser comprises substantially electrically non-conductive material, the first electrostatic charge controller being an electrically conductive material for providing an electrical connection between the inside and outside of the dispenser.