Abstract: Systems and methods of adaptive workflow definition of crowd sourced tasks and quality control mechanisms for multiple business applications are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, for generating and distributing tasks to workers to optimize product categorization in an online marketplace, generating and distributing tasks to workers for search engine optimization of a website, and/or generating and distributing tasks to workers for business data verification and enhancement. Results can be aggregated from multiple workers to enhance or improve site information, site organization, or other business information to improve site placement in search results and/or to enhance/improve user experience.

Abstract: A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a punch mechanism disposed along a media path at a punch point at which a hole is to be punched through a punch location on a media sheet advancing along the media path. The punch mechanism includes a rotatable punch arm having a punch head, and a punch motor for rotating the punch arm. As the punch location on the advancing media sheet approaches the punch point, speed of the punch motor is controlled to adjust a rotational speed of the punch arm based on feedback signals associated with each of the punch motor and a media path motor used to advance the media sheet such that the punch head arrives at the punch point at substantially the same time as when the punch location on the media sheet arrives at the punch point.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus and methods of utilizing the same. The sheet processing apparatus includes a punch mechanism disposed along a media path at a punch point at which a hole is to be punched through a punch location on a media sheet advancing along the media path. The punch mechanism includes a rotatable punch arm having a punch head, and a punch motor for rotating the punch arm. As the punch location on the advancing media sheet approaches the punch point, speed of the punch motor is controlled to adjust a rotational speed of the punch arm based on feedback signals associated with each of the punch motor and a media path motor used to advance the media sheet such that the punch head arrives at the punch point at substantially the same time as when the punch location on the media sheet arrives at the punch point.

Abstract: A method of enabling administration of a drug includes determining, within a drug-transfer device including cells, a location of at least one cell and generating information identifying the determined location. A user may be provided with the drug-transfer device. The drug is retained within the at least one cell when the user is provided with the drug-transfer device. The method also includes encoding a key with the information and providing the user with the key before, after or when the user is provided with the drug-transfer device. Drug retained within the at least one cell is selectively releasable when the key is operably proximate to the drug-transfer device and is encoded with the information. The key can be encoded with the information before and/or after being provided to the user. In some embodiments, the key is encoded based on instructions transmitted over a network.

Abstract: Devices capable of deterring or preventing bulk extraction of drugs from, for example, drug-delivery systems are exemplarily disclosed. In one embodiment, such a device may include a package releasably retaining a drug and an agent. The agent is configured to suppress a physiological effect of the drug when the agent contacts the drug or is coadministered with the drug. The cell package is configured such that an amount of the drug is selectively releasable with respect to the agent when the package is operably proximate to an encoded key. The package, however, may be configured to impose a relatively high likelihood that either the drug will not be accessed or the drug will be contaminated by the agent if access to the contents of the package is sought without the use of an encoded key.

Abstract: An apparatus for penetrating a cover over a multi-well sample plate containing at least one individual sample well includes a cutting head, a cutter extending from the cutting head, and a robot. The cutting head is connected to the robot wherein the robot moves the cutting head and cutter so that the cutter penetrates the cover over the multi-well sample plate providing access to the individual sample well. When the cutting head is moved downward the foil is pierced by the cutter that splits, opens, and folds the foil inward toward the well. The well is then open for sample aspiration but has been protected from cross contamination.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient transfer sheet comprising a base material to which is applied a relatively low-friction surface, the patient transfer sheet comprising a plurality of apertures between opposed surfaces of the sheet for the purpose of allowing the passage of air from one side to the opposed side.

Abstract: Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.

Abstract: A movable punch punches a plate piece from an original material sheet. The punched plate piece is rotated relative to and laminated onto another plate piece. A plurality of projections are formed on the outer circumference of each plate piece. The movable punch has a plurality of projection forming blades, the number of which is greater than the number of the projections of the plate pieces. Prior to the punching of the plate piece by means of the movable punch, blank holes for nullifying the formation of the projections are formed in the original material sheet at positions that correspond to projection forming blades. Further, as the punching of the plate pieces from the original material sheet progresses, the positions of the blank holes are changed.

Abstract: A patterned photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell, at least one carrier substrate attached to the cell, and at least one opening extending through the cell and the carrier substrate.

Abstract: A multi-use real estate closing card is described. A real estate closing card may be used as an advertising tool, a closing gift from real estate vendors to new home owners, and a moving announcement for the homeowner. The real estate closing card has at least two information blocks that can comprise an announcement block and an advertising block. Information may be text or visual representation, such as photographs or drawings of the home or family.

Abstract: A dual function binding machine for making journal notebooks at home includes a hole punching mechanism and a binding mechanism. A punch die includes a plurality of rectangular punch teeth in a graduated configuration to minimize the amount of force required to penetrate through the journal book materials. A guide provides different positions for punching through covers, inner pages and continuous punching of both. This allows the perfect alignment and fit of the outside covers with the inside pages. A spring biased lever operates the punch die in a horizontal direction. The binding mechanism included in the same machine has a vertical outer vise wall that is horizontally movable to compress the binding material to the pages and covers of the journal notebook.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for creating tabs from regular cut-sheet stock after printing by partially punching out a section of a sheet and folding the punched out section back on itself at the remaining side. The location of the punched out section is such that when folded back, a portion of the punched out section sticks out beyond the border of the original paper size. Tab labels may be printed on the back side of the sheet so that when folded out, the tab label is in the correct orientation, i.e., facing front on the folded out tab. The punch head, which is used to punch out the section of the sheet, may be oriented flexibly and moved outboard or inboard. Tabs may be cut and folded to produce a readable set of tabs along any of the top, bottom, lead or trail edges of a sheet.

Abstract: An overwrap packed body is obtained by heating and shrinking a wrapping material in a condition that five drink products collectively wrapped by the wrapping material. Three perforated lines passing through gap portions between the adjacent drink products are formed on the wrapping material at an interval of 2 mm in parallel. When the three perforated line portions are pushed with fingers in the gap portion between the adjacent drink products, the wrapping material torn from the pushed portion in a vertical direction. Thus, the packed drink products DG can be easily taken out one by one.

Abstract: A method for creating multiple punch holes during a finishing process of paper sheets and other sheet materials. A highlight of the present invention is the ability to select between at least two configurations of punch holes automatically, without manual adjustment, and “on-the-fly” without interruption of the sheet or paper flow. The perforation method utilizes two rotatable punches set at different angles such that when one intersects the sheet path, the other clears the sheet path. The speed of rotation is controlled such that the non-selected punch intersects the sheet path in a space between pitches.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an image forming apparatus having an envelope made of members inclusive of a first substrate and a second substrate disposed at a space being set therebetween, image forming means and spacers disposed in the envelope, the spacers maintaining the space, the method comprising the steps of forming a spacer having a desired shape by cutting a spacer base member, and abutting the spacer upon the first and second substrates at non-cut surfaces of the spacer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus of blade's raw material used in a paper blanking die for manufacturing paper box and the like and an automatic cutting system using this cutting apparatus. This cutting apparatus comprises: cutters more than two kinds having different cutting out or cutting off patterns arranged side by side laterally against a feeding direction of the blade's raw material; a cutter guiding section for guiding said each cutter so as to be able to perpendicularly move against a plane of said blade's raw material; a pressing means for perpendicularly moving and pressing any one of said cutters toward a plane of said blade's raw material; a cutter die for supporting said blade's raw material against the pressing force of said cutter and simultaneously interacting with said cutter whereby executing the cutting work of the blade's raw material; and a cutter selecting means for selecting such that only any one of said cutters is pressed by said pressing means.

Abstract: Since a pair of units associated with an antenna unit and a base processing unit is separately placed at a various distance with each other, communication signals also attenuate at a various rate. The amplification gain is adjusted at one unit based upon a receiving signal and a predetermined reception sensitivity level until a desirable amplification is achieved. The desirable amplification value is then transmitted to the other unit to be utilized for reciprocal communication at a desired level between the two units.

Abstract: A gang-punch pin apparatus for punching selected hole patterns in thin sheet materials such as greensheets is provided. The gang-punch pin apparatus uses program plates in the punch apparatus which plates are positioned intermediate the non-punching end of the punch pins and a clearance plate wherein punch pins not used for punching a particular layer of the MLC are retracted into during punching. At the other punch pin locations, the punch pins, upon activation of the punch apparatus by compressing an expandable chamber, usually by application of a force on the punch apparatus, are extended through the lower portion of the punch apparatus to form vias in a greensheet. A die apparatus is also provided for use with the punch assembly to form the vias and to remove the punched material (slugs) from the die apparatus. The gang punch-pin may be shorter than conventional pins and be made at a low cost because of the thin sheet metal plates preferably used to make the component parts of the punch and die apparatus.

Abstract: A method for making perforations in a continuous film which is thereafter cut into individual filmstrips having variable lengths. A die set unit of the perforator has a plurality of punches and corresponding dies which are respectively arranged along the continuous film. The die set unit performs die-punching N times (N=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in every first section having a variable length Lx, and the measuring feeder transports the continuous film by a first length after each of (N-1) times die-punching and by a second length after the last die-punching for every first section. The first length is given as Lx/N, and the second length corresponds to the first length plus the length L2 of a second section disposed alternately with the first section along the continuous film. In alternative, the die set unit is constituted of first to nth die sets aligned in order from downstream to in the film transporting direction. The ith die set of the die sets has a number Gi (i=1, 2, . . .

Abstract: A method for making perforations in a continuous film which is thereafter cut into individual filmstrips having variable lengths. A die set unit of the perforator has a plurality of punches and corresponding dies which are respectively arranged along the continuous film. The die set unit performs die-punching N times (N=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in every first section having a variable length Lx, and the measuring feeder transports the continuous film by a first length after each of (N-1) times die-punching and by a second length after the last die-punching for every first section. The first length is given as Lx/N, and the second length corresponds to the first length plus the length L2 of a second section disposed alternately with the first section along the continuous film. In alternative, the die set unit is constituted of first to nth die sets aligned in order from downstream to in the film transporting direction. The ith die set of the die sets has a number Gi (i=1, 2, . . .

Abstract: A system is provided which utilizes a plurality of sequentially controlled magnetic repulsion punches arranged in a variable array to punch a constantly moving substrate. These punches are disposed adjacent the constant velocity substrate on which holes, or vias are formed as the punches are sequentially fired. The array of punches is placed at an angle with respect to the perpendicular of the direction of movement of the substrate. Thus, a delay is present between the time when the first punch must be fired and the firing of subsequent punches, due to the angle of the array. Therefore, due to this delay between the time the first punch must energized, and the energizing of subsequent punches a single power supply is capable of providing energy to a group of punches.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement to punches for placing one or more openings on the edge of a sheet of material. A collection of individual punch pins are carried within bores in a punch block. Movement of the pins is constrained by a corresponding collection of pneumatic actuators. The constrained pins are driven against a die block to affect the punching operation. To insure that the punch pins do not interfere with the operation of the pneumatic actuators between machine cycles, a fixed retraction guide cooperates with a relieved section on each punch pin to position each pin at one extremity of the bore within which the actuator travels.

Abstract: A bar code consists of a plurality of parallel thin and wide bars of respective thin and wide widths and a plurality of thin and wide spaces separating the bars with each of the wide widths being generally equal to a number N times the thin width. Such a code is put on a thin strip by stepping the strip through N punching stations and forming the thin bars by pressing into the strip at the stations a tool having the thin width corresponding to that of the thin bar. Each of the wide bars is formed by first pressing into the strip at a first one of the stations another such thin tool having the relatively thin width to form a respective partial wide bar, and thereafter pressing into the strip at each succeeding station immediately adjacent the partial wide bar another such thin tool having the relatively thin width to widen the partial wide bar until the partial wide bar is of the relatively wide width.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for press-cutting selected patterns in a workpiece. The apparatus includes a plurality of dies and at least one punch element associated with each die. A plurality of backing plates are provided to drive the punch elements against the workpiece when the backing plates are positioned in the operative position. A press-cutting pattern selector selectively positions the backing plates in the operative position or an inoperative position depending upon the pattern to be press-cut.

Abstract: Each projection, in a field of projections, on the surface of an article, may be selectively removed to form an indicium or indicia in the field. The projections may have a cover of one color and a core of another, so that by selective removal of the each projection, the indicium appears in a field of different color. The projections may be made from a variety of materials including molded rubber, metal plated plastic, textiles. The core of each projection may include more than one stratum, with each stratum having the potential to be a different color. Thus multi-colored indicia may be formed.

Abstract: A card which a customer receives at the time of driving the vehicle into a parking lot and which bears encoded information denoting the date and time of entry is processed when the customer desires to remove the vehicle. At such time, the card is inserted into a housing to be automatically advanced in a first direction past a reader which decodes the information and supplies signals to a computer which actuates a perforating device serving to apply legible information to at least one portion of the card. The card is thereupon moved in the opposite direction into the range of a severing device which separates the one portion from the remaining portion of the card. The one portion is removed by the customer to serve as a customer receipt, and the remaining portion is transported away from the severing device and into a safe to serve as an operator's receipt. The legible information normally includes the cost of parking.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight, manually operated voting machine with provisions for straight ticket, selective and write-in voting, and for choosing two or more candidates from a list of several running at large; with provision for recording each voter's choice on a punch card for computer counting, and including a mechanical counter automatically totalling the votes for each candidate for confirmation of the punch card count.