text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Jun 2, 1998
|Filing date
|Jul 25, 1997
|Priority date
|Jul 25, 1997
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|John C. Bailey
|Original Assignee
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (49), Non-Patent Citations (4), Referenced by (39), Classifications (19), Legal Events (6)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
The present invention generally pertains to battery testers, and more particularly, relates to on-label thermochromic battery testers.
Batteries are often stored before being used. Batteries are typically stored by retailers before being sold. After purchase by a consumer, such batteries are again typically stored for some period of time prior to use. If the period of storage is significant, batteries may self-discharge. Therefore, it is desirable to utilize a battery tester to determine if a battery has sufficient charge to operate a desired device.
It is also desirable, on frequent occasions, to determine the remaining life of batteries which are in use. Many "good" batteries are discarded simply because the user cannot recall how long they have been used in a particular device, i.e., a camera, tape deck, etc. For similar reasons, batteries often reach a useless or near useless state of discharge when no replacements are readily available. Separate or stand-alone battery testers are known which indicate remaining battery power. However, such testers are easily misplaced and cumbersome to use.
Battery testers have been described that are included in a label secured to a battery. One type of on-label battery tester is known as a "thermochromic battery tester." Thermochromic battery testers typically include a conductive element that is selectively connected between opposite terminals of the battery. The conductive element includes a switch pad at one or both ends that is pressed by the user to connect the conductive element across the terminals of the battery. When the conductive element is connected between the battery terminals, it generates heat as a function of its resistivity and the current flowing from the battery. The level of current produced by the battery is one indicator of the remaining battery capacity. Thermochromic testers further include a thermochromic layer, which changes its color or visual appearance as a function of the heat generated by the conductive element. By changing the visual appearance of the thermochromic layer, a thermochromic on-label battery tester may provide an indication of the discharge level of the battery. For example, a thermochromic material that changes between opaque and transparent states may be utilized to expose indicia underlying the thermochromic layer indicating that the battery is still "good" when a sufficient level of current is output from the battery.
Batteries are used in a variety of applications having widely varying power consumption rates. For example, batteries used to power a camera flash are discharged at a much higher rate than batteries used to power radios, clocks, and flashlights. For those high-rate uses, a higher level of remaining battery capacity is required for the battery to continue to power a high-rate device. Thus, a battery will have been considered to have been fully discharged for such high-rate uses even though the battery would still be considered to be "good" for use in a clock or radio. Thus, a battery tester circuit that is calibrated for a single rate of discharge may not accurately reflect the relative discharge level for use in other applications. For example, if the on-label battery tester is calibrated for high-rate applications (i.e., constructed such that it indicates that the battery is no longer "good" then the battery capacity is not sufficient to recharge a photo-flash unit), then batteries that are still suitable for use in low drain devices, will be needlessly discarded. On the other hand, if the battery tester is calibrated for low-drain devices (i.e., constructed to accurately indicate that a battery is no longer "good" when the cell capacity is insufficient to power a radio or clock), then the indicator may wrongfully suggest that the battery is still "good" when in fact it is not sufficiently "good" to power a high-rate device. This would result in a perception by the consumers that the battery testers are very inaccurate.
The thermochromic materials used in such on-label testers change visual states through a range of predetermined temperatures. Fresh batteries have a higher open circuit voltage and a lower internal resistance and therefore are capable of generating more heat and a greater temperature rise than batteries that have been discharged. If the circuit resistance is appropriately matched to the thermochromic ink transition temperature, the thermal conductivity of the insulation, and the cell electrical characteristics, thermochromic testers are capable of giving valid information about the state of charge of the battery provided that the battery is tested at the temperature used for calibration of the tester circuit. However, if the tester is used in a colder environment, more heat must be generated by the conductive element to change the visual state of the thermochromic material. Likewise, if the tester is used in an environment with relatively high ambient temperatures, the conductive element will have to generate little, if any, heat to cause the thermochromic material to change visual states. For this reason, manufacturers of such thermochromic testers have printed instructions on the battery label to only test the battery at a specified ambient temperature, such as room temperature. Because users will often ignore such instructions and because it may not be possible or convenient for the user to allow the battery to warm up or cool down to the specified temperature, inaccurate discharge level readings are often obtained causing the user to either discard a good battery or to wrongfully believe that a battery is still "good" when it is in fact discharged. Therefore, there exists a need for an on-label thermochromic battery tester that will provide an accurate indication of whether the battery is good regardless of the ambient temperature in which the tester is used.
Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is to solve the above problems by providing an on-label thermochromic battery tester that provides an accurate indication of the discharge level of the battery regardless of the discharge rate of the device in which the battery is to be used. To achieve this and other aspects and advantages, the battery tester of the present invention comprises a conductive heating element having one end including at least two switch pads for selective coupling of the conductive heating element to a second terminal of the battery. Each of the switch pads provides a different resistivity for the heating element when pressed, to thereby change the calibration of the tester for different discharge rates. The battery tester further includes discharge rate calibration indicia associated with each of the switch pads for indicating which switch pad to press for proper calibration at a relative rate of discharge.
A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a battery tester that not only provides the ability of the user to select the proper calibration for the intended rate of discharge but also provides an accurate indication of the discharge level of the battery regardless of the ambient temperature of the environment in which the battery tester is used. To achieve this and other aspects and advantages, the battery tester of the present invention further includes the conductive heating element having at least a portion thereof made of a variable resistivity material having a resistivity that changes in response to ambient temperature so as to compensate for varying ambient temperatures. Preferably, the variable resistivity material has a resistivity that increases as ambient temperature increases.
The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a battery having a battery tester label in accordance with this invention disposed about the outer periphery of the battery;
FIG. 2 is a cross section of the battery tester label taken along plane II--II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a subcomponent of the battery tester label, referred to herein as the tester device;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the inserted tester device;
FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the inserted tester device, the cross-hatching indicating a layer of adhesive;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another subcomponent of the battery tester label, referred to herein as the base layer;
FIG. 7 is a cross section of a battery and the battery tester label;
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the battery tester label;
FIG. 9 is a top view of a conductive circuit constructed in accordance with a first variation of a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a cross section of a conductive circuit shown in FIG. 9 taken along plane X--X;
FIG. 11 is a top view of a conductive circuit constructed in accordance with a second variation of the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a cross section of the conductive circuit shown in FIG. 11 taken along plane XII--XII;
FIG. 13 is a top view of a conductive circuit constructed in accordance with a third variation of a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a cross section of a conductive circuit shown in FIG. 13 taken along plane XIV--XIV;
FIG. 15 is a top view of a conductive circuit constructed in accordance with a fourth variation of the second embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 16 is a cross section of the conductive circuit shown in FIG. 15 taken along plane XVI--XVI.
FIG. 1 illustrates a battery and label assembly 1 comprising a battery can 2, a negative terminal 4, and a positive terminal 6. Can 2 may be in electrical contact with positive terminal 6. Battery 1 may include one or more electrochemical cells, which may be primary cells or secondary cells. Extending around and attached to the periphery of can 2 is a label 10 including a battery tester device 15, which is the subject of this invention. As shown, tester device 15 comprises switches 64, 65a, and 65b which activate tester 15 to indicate the state of charge of the battery by exposing indicia 23 or producing some other visual indication.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, tester device 15 generally comprises a laminate or layered assembly having a substrate layer 20, an elongated electrically conductive circuit 18 disposed on a first face of substrate 20, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive 16 disposed on portions of both conductive circuit 18 and the first face of substrate 20. Adhesive 16, indicated by cross-hatching in FIG. 5, is preferably applied over conductive layer 18 in the pattern illustrated. Adhesive 16 is omitted from those areas which will overlie printed insulation 44 and switch pads 42, 42a, and 42b (FIGS. 6 and 8) when the tester 15 is affixed to a base laminate 30. This adhesive pattern retards moisture from migrating to switch segments 60, 61a, and 61b of conductive circuit 18 while not interfering with the function of either the switches or the insulation discussed below.
Tester device 15 further comprises one or more graphic layers 22, preferably of decorative ink, and indicia 23 that are disposed on a second face of substrate 20 opposite the face containing conductive circuit 18. Tester device 15 also comprises a layer of a temperature sensitive (i.e., thermochromic) indicating material 24 that is deposited upon the second face of substrate 20, preferably upon graphic layers 22 and indicia 23. A layer of a clear protective coating (not shown) is preferably deposited over indicator layer 24 and optionally upon graphic layers 22 and other exposed regions of the second face of substrate 20.
By providing a plurality of switches 65a and 65b on one side of a central display area 62 of conductive circuit 18, the resistance of conductive circuit 18 as presented between the two contacted terminals of the battery, may be selectively varied. With a switch configuration as shown in the drawings, pressing switch 65a would present a lower resistance than if switch 65b were pressed. Battery tester device 15 also preferably includes indicia 90a and 90b printed on the outermost layer of device 15 in association with each of switches 65a and 65b in order to indicate which switch should be pressed for high- or low-rate applications. Because the high-rate discharge application requires greater battery capacity to be considered "good," the resistance of conductive circuit 18 must be greater than that for lower discharge rate applications for proper calibration. Thus, in the examples shown, switch 65a would be used for low-rate devices such as a radio, and switch 65b would be used for high-rate devices such as a photo-flash. As will be explained in more detail below, the second switch may be provided by adding a little additional conductive ink and punching one more hole through the battery label to allow for contact. Thus, the additional feature of providing for two separate calibrations for different discharge rates may be accomplished at very low cost.
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, conductive circuit 18, which serves as a heating element, is printed in the pattern as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, and 8 using a material having a resistivity that varies as a function of temperature. Such conductive materials preferably have a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistance causing the resistance of conductive circuit 18 to increase with the ambient temperature of the environment in which the tester may be used. Thermistor-type solid state materials may also be used. Given the dimensions typically used for the type of conductive circuit 18 shown in the drawings, for a temperature range of 10� C. to 40� C. (50� F. to 104� F.), the resistivity of conductive circuit 18 will preferably change by a factor of 25. Although silver conductive inks conventionally used for printing such conductive circuits do not exhibit such characteristics, carbon-based compositions exist that may be employed for this purpose to achieve the objectives of the present invention. Examples of such carbon-based compositions include ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer; polyolefins and polyolefin-paraffin mixtures, e.g., polyethylene; polyethylene oxide; and nylon 66. An advantage in forming conductive circuit 18 entirely of a single variable resistance material is that conductive circuit 18 may be produced using a single print station.
According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a portion of conductive circuit 18 is formed using a material having a non-variable resistivity and a portion made from a material having a variable resistivity. The portion of conductive circuit 18 that is made of a variable resistivity material may be electrically coupled in series with the other portion of conductive circuit 18 or in parallel, as described below, Preferably, the material used to form the portion of non-variable resistivity is a silver ink and the material used to form the variable resistivity portion is one of the above carbon-based compositions.
FIGS. 9-12 show a conductive circuit of the second embodiment of the present invention with the portion of variable resistance coupled in series with the portion of non-variable resistance. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, such a conductive circuit 18 may be formed by printing the non-variable resistivity portion in essentially the same pattern as discussed above with respect to the first embodiment except that a conductive ink is used that has a constant resistivity, and a gap 82 is provided in the deposited layer to electrically isolate switch segments 60, 61a, and 61b. Subsequently, a layer 80 formed of a material having a variable resistivity is printed across gap 82 in contact with edges 84 and 86 of the first printed material that are adjacent gap 82.
An alternative method and construction for a series-coupled conductive circuit 18 according to the second embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. In this alternative construction, contact portions 84 and 86 of the non-variable resistivity material are overlapping with a layer 80 of variable resistivity material sandwiched therebetween. By providing a layer 80 of variable resistivity material in series with the remaining portion of conductive circuit 18, the total resistance appearing between switch segments 60, 61a, and 61b will be equal to the sum of the resistance of the segments 60, 61a, and 61b and layer 80. Thus, as ambient temperature increases, so will the resistance of layer 80 and the total resistance of conductive circuit 18. This increase in resistance decreases the current flowing through central portion 62 of conductive circuit 18 thereby resulting in less heat being generated by central portion 62 which underlies thermochromic layer 24.
FIGS. 13-16 illustrate the parallel connection approach to the second embodiment of the present invention. To connect the layer 80 of variable resistivity material in parallel with the portion of non-variable resistivity, the latter portion may be printed having first and second legs 88 and 89 extending perpendicularly from an axis between switch segments 60, 61a, and 61b while being provided with a gap 82 therebetween. Subsequently, a layer 80 of variable resistivity material may be printed across gap 82 in series with legs 88 and 89 and in parallel with at least a portion of the non-variable resistivity material of conductive circuit 18. An alternative construction is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 in which legs 88 and 89 overlap one another with layer 80 of variable resistivity material provided therebetween. Like the series-connected variation of the first embodiment, the parallel connected variation effectively increases the resistance of conductive circuit 18 in response to an increase in ambient temperature.
The tester device 15, as shown in FIGS. 2-5 and 8, is preferably prepared as follows. A plastic film is provided for substrate 20. Although FIG. 3 illustrates substrate 20 as being transparent, substrate 20 could be formed from a wide variety of other materials including opaque and translucent materials. Conductive circuit 18 is deposited on one face of substrate 20. Conductive circuit 18, having the properties discussed above, is preferably deposited in the form of a pattern comprising two distal regions and a medially disposed area 62 which undergoes an increase in temperature upon passage of electrical current. The pressure-sensitive adhesive material 16 is deposited on at least portions of either or both conductive circuit 18 and a face of substrate 20. As previously noted, particular regions of conductive circuit 18 are left exposed and not covered with pressure-sensitive adhesive 16; namely, the switch segments 60, 61a, and 61b and area of controlled resistivity 62. A silicone-coated release liner, such as a silicone-coated paper or plastic film (not shown), is applied onto the previously deposited pressure-sensitive adhesive 16 to facilitate handling and/or storage of tester device 15.
Graphics and/or other labeling colors 22 in the form of a layer or layers of decorative ink and indicia 23 are printed onto the opposite side of substrate 20 from that on which the conductive circuit 18 is positioned. It is preferred that indicia 23 be disposed directly above the area of controlled resistivity 62 of conductive circuit 18 located on the other side of substrate 20. Additional graphics are also preferably printed to designate switch regions 64, 65a, and 65b. If necessary, one or more curing operations may be performed to cure or partially cure the graphic or coloring layers.
On the same side of the substrate as the graphics and/or labeling colors, a thermochromic ink or other indicator material 24 is deposited onto substrate 20 such that it is situated directly above the area of controlled resistivity 62 of conductive circuit 18 and preferably over indicia 23. A clear protective coating, such as a varnish film, is then applied over and onto the indicator material, and optionally over the remaining regions of this side of substrate 20 to protect such regions from damage by subsequent manufacturing or storage operations. Each of the previously-described layers or elements preferably have a thickness of from about 0.00005 inch to about 0.005 inch. The tester device, if necessary, can be cut to an appropriate size.
The second subcomponent of the preferred embodiment label 10 is a base laminate 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, base laminate 30 is a laminate or layered structure comprising a substrate 34, with one face having a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive 32 for subsequent contact with a battery, and another face having one or more layers as follows: a metallization layer 36; a primer and/or decorative layer 38; an electrical insulation layer 40; and a thermal insulation layer 44. Also residing proximate to the thermal insulation layer are one or more switch throw pads 42 described in greater detail below.
Base laminate 30 is preferably prepared as follows. A plastic film is provided for the base layer substrate 34. The pressure-sensitive adhesive material 32 is deposited upon the face of the base layer substrate 34 that will subsequently face and contact the battery can 2. A silicone release liner is applied on the pressure-sensitive adhesive to facilitate handling and other processing operations. On the opposite face of base layer substrate 34, one or more graphic or labeling color layers are deposited, for instance, by printing. Preferably, metallization layer 36 is utilized to provide a decorative reflective layer. If a metallization layer is deposited, it will in most instances be necessary to deposit a receptive coating or primer layer 38 onto those regions of metallization layer 36 upon which other decorative layers are to be deposited. Primer layer 38 may in itself be a decorative layer. It is also desirable to deposit a layer of electrical insulation 40 upon metallization layer 36 and/or primer layer 38 to prevent electrical contact, i.e., shorting, between layer 36 and the conductive circuit 18 of tester device 15 during assembly of label 10.
Thermal insulation 44 is positioned in an area of base layer substrate 34 that will be disposed beneath the indicator material 24 and the maximum resistance area 62 of conductive circuit 18 of the previously-described tester device 15. This thermal insulation reduces heat transfer from the area of controlled resistivity 62 of conductive circuit 18 to the battery. If such heat transfer is not controlled and the battery is permitted to act as a heat sink, the change in temperature at indicator material 24 may be insufficient to provide an accurate indication of the battery state of charge.
Thermal insulation 44, as shown, preferably comprises a plurality of apertures 46c which, when assembled into the laminate structure of the preferred label 10, provide air pockets which further thermally insulate the conductive circuit 18 from the battery. Optionally, a larger region of air space or void may be formed to serve as insulation by depositing a suitable spacer material onto the base laminate 30. The preferred insulative pattern is a series of islands printed onto laminate 30 in the manner shown in FIG. 1A of U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,458.
Switch throw pads 42a and 42b are also formed surrounding a switch apertures 46a and 46b, respectively. This raised pad provides spacing between switch segments 61a and 61b of the conductive circuit 18 and battery can 2, and significantly minimizes the occurrence of accidental switch closure. Raised switch throw pads 42a and 42b are preferably formed by depositing or printing a dielectric ink or other suitable material. A second switch pad 42 may be formed proximate a switch aperture 47 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. This pad has not been found necessary for proper functioning of the tester.
In all of the foregoing operations, one or more cure steps may be utilized when depositing or printing any of the previously-described layers, particularly the decorative inks. Each of the previously-described layers or elements preferably has a thickness from about 0.00005 inch to about 0.005 inch.
Switch apertures 46a, 46b, and 47 are preferably formed in base laminate 30 after printing thermal insulation 44 and switch throw pads 42, 42a, and 42b. Such apertures are preferably formed by suitable punching operations. Registry problems are minimized by printing what is to become switch pads 42a and 42b as a solid disk and thereafter punching apertures 46a and 46b centrally through this disk. Switch apertures are formed in the base laminate 30 so that when the previously-described inserted tester device 15 is combined with base laminate 30, switch apertures 46a, 46b, and 47 are located directly beneath the distal switch segments 60 and 61 of conductive circuit 18. The preferred geometry for such switch apertures is a notch 47 for the negative switch segment 64 and a circle 46a/46b for the positive switch segments 65a and b.
The switches utilized in the battery tester label are preferably membrane switches such that a switch segment 60, 61a, or 61b of conductive circuit 18 overlies apertures 46a, 46b, and 47 in base laminate 30. Apertures 46a, 46b, and 47 in base laminate 30 enable contact between conductive circuit 18 and either a battery terminal or can 2 on the other side of base laminate 30. Upon application of a force to a switch segment, such as by applying finger or thumb pressure at switch segments 64, 65a, or 65b, a portion of the switch segment is pressed or deformed through the opening in base laminate 30 to contact the battery terminal or can 2. Upon release of the pressure, the portion of the switch segment resiliently "springs" away from and, thus, out of electrical contact with the battery terminal or can 2. This configuration is referred to herein as "switchably connected."
A significant advantage provided by the present invention battery tester label is the absence of electrically conductive layers or members to electrically connect and disconnect the tester, i.e., conductive circuit 18, to and from the battery. This is remarkable and of significant benefit particularly when manufacturing a battery tester label in large volumes and at a high rate. This advantage of eliminating otherwise necessary electrically conductive switching components is achieved in part by providing a first switch 64 which is disposed very near a battery terminal, such as negative terminal 4. Such close proximity eliminates the need for additional conductive elements to electrically connect an end of circuit 18 to the negative battery terminal. It is most preferred to fold or shrink the peripheral edge of label 10 over the battery end at which the negative terminal is disposed, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
The tester device 15 is combined with base laminate 30 as follows and as best shown in FIG. 8. The tester device is positioned onto or adjacent base laminate 30 so that switch segments 60, 61a, and 61b of conductive circuit 18 overlie switch apertures 46a, 46b, and 47, respectively. Tester device 15 is oriented such that the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive 16 (the release liner having been removed if previously applied) is facing base laminate 30. Upon application of sufficient pressure to tester device 15 and base laminate 30, the two assemblies are securely attached to each other via adhesive 16, and form the preferred battery tester label 10 of the present invention. Optionally, a clear laminating adhesive 52 is deposited upon the outward facing surface of the resulting tester label as illustrated in FIG. 2, and a clear film 54, such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester, is applied over the coating and the resulting assembly cured. A coating of adhesive 52 and film 54, when applied onto the tester label, provide protection for the tester device and components thereof. It is most preferred that the transparent protective layer resulting from adhesive coating 52 and film 54 is deposited upon the battery tester label prior to application of the tester label to a battery.
The resulting battery tester label 10 is appropriately die cut to the size of the battery desired. Upon removal of excess trimmed label, a plurality of individual tester labels are left remaining on the release liner previously applied to substrate 34 of base laminate 30. The liner and label array may then be cut into strips and wound into a roll and stored for subsequent application to batteries.
The substrate layer utilized for either or both the base layer substrate 34 and the tester device substrate 20 can be made of any desired dielectric polymer material. It is preferable to use a dielectric polymer material that will shrink when assembled on a battery. Generally, polyvinyl resins, polyolefin resins, polyester resins and the like would be suitable. Specific examples include polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene. It is contemplated that substrate 20 could also be formed from other dielectric materials besides plastics such as paper or other cellulose-based materials. The thickness of the substrate layers is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of from about 0.0005 to about 0.005 inch, and most preferably from about 0.001 to about 0.003 inch.
The previously-described indicator layer 24 in the inserted tester device 15 comprises a thermally sensitive material for indicating the capacity of the battery. The preferred thermally sensitive materials change color in response to a temperature change, which change is readily viewable by a consumer. Thus, the consumer, based on the color change, can determine whether the battery is good or needs to be replaced. Examples of such thermally sensitive materials include liquid crystal materials and thermochromic inks. Examples of suitable liquid crystal materials are of the cholesteric type, such as cholesteryl oleate, cholesteryl chloride, cholesteryl caprylate and the like. The indicator material could change from colored to colorless, colorless to colored, or from one color to a second color. A tri-color material could also be used. The preferred battery tester 10 shown in FIGS. 1-8 utilizes an indicating material which changes from colored to colorless upon activation to reveal indicia 23 underneath the indicator material 24.
Indicating materials, such as thermochromic inks, can be used singly or in combination. For example, in one embodiment different layers of the indicating material are employed. The layers are activated at different temperatures or states and can be designed to change different colors at different temperatures. For example, the layer of indicating material activated at the highest temperature will preferably be the bottom layer, i.e., closest to the battery, and the outer layers are arranged in decreasing temperatures of activation with lowest temperature material in the outermost layer, and so, readily viewable at the exterior of the battery.
Any one or all of switch segments 60, 61a, and 61b of conductive circuit 18 can be out of contact with the respective terminals of the battery so that the tester circuit is open. In one embodiment of the invention, one of the switch segment ends is permanently in electrical connection with one terminal of the battery, while the other switch segment ends are positioned out of contact with the other battery terminal. By forcing one of the switch segment ends into contact with the other battery terminal, the switch is closed and the tester circuit is completed to test the battery with respect to the discharge rate selected. The most preferred embodiment is to utilize a dual switch tester as shown in the accompanying drawings.
The labels useful in this invention can also comprise additional electrical and thermal insulative layers, printing layers, protective layers and the like. Suitable materials for use as the different layers are those typically used in battery labels and include plasticized or unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), polyesters, metallic films, paper and the like. The tester label can be in the form of a shrinkable tube label in which a battery is encased.
The battery tester label of the present invention is preferably applied to a battery as follows. A previously assembled tester device 15, having its underside containing pressure-sensitive adhesive 16 exposed, is aligned with a previously formed base laminate 30 (disposed upon a releasable liner) such that the electrically conductive circuit 18 of the inserted tester device is positioned to contact the thermal insulation 44 of base laminate 30. Upon application of sufficient pressure, the respective layers are secured and joined to one another via pressure-sensitive adhesive 16 disposed on the mating surface of tester device 15. The resulting battery tester label 10 is then attached to the outer periphery of a battery can 2 by removing the liner of base laminate 30 to expose adhesive 32 on the underside of label 10 and contacting the underside of base laminate 30 to the battery can 2. FIG. 7 (not to scale) illustrates a typical cross section of the battery and label assembly 1. It is also possible to produce the tester label of the present invention and apply such to a battery without using preassembled tester device and/or base laminate subcomponents. In another embodiment, the battery and tester label assembly is formed by combining the tester device 15 and base laminate 30 as previously described. The resulting label is then itself stored, such as on a releasable liner in a wound roll, until needed.
The present invention also enables the production of multiple tester label assemblies. That is, a plurality of tester devices 15 can be aligned and mated with a plurality of base layer components, i.e., regions of thermal insulation, switch throw pads, and switch apertures, disposed upon and defined within a common base layer to form a plurality of battery tester labels 10. The resulting set of multiple label assemblies can then be stored for subsequent use, or separated into smaller groups of multiple label assemblies or into individual battery tester labels.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that a plurality of switches 65a and 65b may be provided to allow for dual calibration without utilizing any materials in the conductive circuit 18 that have a variable resistivity. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that more than two switches 65a and 65b may be provided to allow for calibration at various intermediate rates of discharge.
Although the tester circuit of the present invention has been described as being implemented in a battery label, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the tester circuit may be provided on the battery packaging, on a separate tester strip, on the housing of a battery pack, or on a device that utilizes batteries.
The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Apr 2, 1973
|Feb 1, 1977
|The Regents Of The University Of California
|Indicating device
|Dec 3, 1976
|Oct 3, 1978
|Xerox Corporation
|Method for reducing power dissipation in tapered resistor devices
|Aug 22, 1980
|Feb 1, 1983
|General Electric Company
|Battery charger with indicator for indicating full charge of secondary cells or battery thereof
|Oct 20, 1981
|Apr 12, 1983
|General Electric Company
|Indicator of full charge for secondary cell or battery thereof
|Apr 28, 1981
|Jul 5, 1983
|General Electric Company
|Liquid crystal indicator
|Apr 8, 1982
|Dec 20, 1983
|Pilot Ink Company Ltd.
|Thermochromatic materials
|Apr 15, 1985
|Oct 27, 1987
|Robert Parker
|Battery tester including textile substrate
|Apr 3, 1986
|Oct 27, 1987
|Robert Parker
|Battery tester including flexible substrate and polyacetilynic material
|Jun 4, 1987
|Feb 9, 1988
|Duracell Inc.
|Battery package with battery condition indicator means
|Apr 3, 1986
|Feb 23, 1988
|Robert Parker
|Flexible resistive heat battery tester and holder
|Oct 7, 1987
|May 30, 1989
|Niichi Hanakura
|Battery tester including a thermochromic material
|Nov 28, 1986
|May 30, 1989
|Three Tec Davis Inc.
|Voltage measuring sheet
|Feb 8, 1989
|May 14, 1991
|Strategic Energy Ltd.
|Battery with strength indicator
|Apr 4, 1990
|Oct 22, 1991
|Eastman Kodak Company
|Battery voltmeter
|Feb 7, 1991
|Jul 7, 1992
|Duracell Inc.
|DC voltage tester having parallel connected resistive elements in thermal contact with a thermochronic material
|Dec 31, 1991
|Oct 20, 1992
|Strategic Energy Ltd.
|Battery with strength indicator
|May 31, 1991
|Feb 23, 1993
|Duracell Inc.
|Battery package with removable voltage indicator means
|Dec 23, 1991
|Jun 29, 1993
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Process for preparing a battery tester label
|Jun 16, 1992
|Jul 27, 1993
|Robert Parker
|Flexible battery tester with a variable length resistive heater
|May 3, 1993
|Feb 28, 1995
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Battery with tester label and method for producing it
|May 3, 1993
|Apr 25, 1995
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Method for securing a tester device to a battery and the battery so produced
|Jul 12, 1993
|May 23, 1995
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Battery voltage tester for end of cell
|Aug 9, 1993
|May 23, 1995
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Battery with coulometric state of charge indicator
|May 20, 1994
|Oct 17, 1995
|Eveready Battery Company
|Electrochromic thin film state-of-charge detector for on-the-cell application
|Feb 2, 1994
|Dec 26, 1995
|Strategic Electronics
|Battery with strength indicator
|Mar 1, 1993
|Feb 13, 1996
|Duracell Inc.
|Battery tester with stacked thermochromic elements
|May 5, 1995
|Feb 27, 1996
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Battery voltage tester for end of cell
|May 5, 1995
|Jun 11, 1996
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Battery voltage tester for end of cell having indicator disposed on battery side
|Jan 24, 1995
|Jul 23, 1996
|Morgan Adhesive Company
|Battery with tester label and method for producing it
|Sep 29, 1994
|Nov 26, 1996
|Duracell Inc.
|Electrochemical cell label with integrated tester
|Apr 5, 1995
|Feb 4, 1997
|Avery Dennison Corporation
|Device for testing and refreshing batteries
|Jan 24, 1995
|Feb 18, 1997
|Morgan Adhesive Company
|Battery with tester label and method for producing it
|Sep 16, 1994
|Mar 11, 1997
|Avery Dennison Corporation
|Temperature responsive battery tester
|Apr 21, 1995
|May 6, 1997
|Morgan Adhesives Company
|Method for securing a tester device to a battery and the battery so produced
|Sep 8, 1995
|Aug 5, 1997
|Eveready Battery Company
|Cell tester device employing a printed transparent electrically conductive electrode
|Jun 8, 1995
|Sep 16, 1997
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Electrochromic thin film state-of-charge detector for on-the-cell application
|Nov 14, 1987
|May 26, 1988
|Sakura Color Prod Corp
|Vorrichtung fuer die anzeige der elektromotorischen kraft einer trockenbatterie
|Apr 3, 1991
|Dec 20, 1995
|Eastman Kodak Company
|Battery having a label comprising a voltmeter
|Jan 15, 1992
|Jul 22, 1992
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Battery with tester label
|Jul 8, 1992
|Jan 20, 1993
|Duracell Inc.
|Battery with integral condition tester
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Carl M. Lampert et al., "Large-Area Chromogenics: Materials and Devices for Transmittance Control," SPIE Institutes for Advanced Technologies, vol. IS 4, 1988. (Month Unavailable).
|Carl M. Lampert et al., Large Area Chromogenics: Materials and Devices for Transmittance Control, SPIE Institutes for Advanced Technologies, vol. IS 4, 1988. (Month Unavailable).
|Robert Parker, "Solid State RMS Recording Ammeter," Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, University of California, 1972, (Month Unavailable).
|Robert Parker, Solid State RMS Recording Ammeter, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, University of California, 1972, (Month Unavailable).
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Jul 25, 1997
|Nov 28, 2000
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Liquid crystal display and battery label including a liquid crystal display
|Jul 24, 1997
|Dec 5, 2000
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Battery tester having printed electronic components
|Jan 26, 2000
|Oct 23, 2001
|Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
|Liquid crystal display and battery label including a liquid crystal display
|Apr 23, 1999
|Nov 19, 2002
|The Board Of Trustees Of The Univesity Of Illinois
|Consumer battery having a built-in indicator
|Aug 24, 2005
|May 19, 2009
|Apple Inc.
|Techniques for improved playlist processing on media devices
|Feb 28, 2007
|Sep 15, 2009
|Apple Inc.
|Event recorder for portable media device
|Aug 24, 2005
|Sep 22, 2009
|Apple Inc.
|Highly portable media device
|Jan 5, 2006
|Mar 2, 2010
|Apple Inc.
|Portable media device with video acceleration capabilities
|Sep 27, 2006
|Apr 27, 2010
|Apple Inc.
|Host configured for interoperation with coupled portable media player device
|Sep 11, 2006
|Jun 1, 2010
|Apple Inc.
|Portable media playback device including user interface event passthrough to non-media-playback processing
|Sep 1, 2006
|Nov 9, 2010
|Apple Inc.
|Media data exchange, transfer or delivery for portable electronic devices
|Feb 27, 2006
|Dec 7, 2010
|Apple Inc.
|Dynamic power management in a portable media delivery system
|Mar 18, 2009
|Dec 21, 2010
|Apple Inc.
|Techniques for preserving media play mode information on media devices during power cycling
|Mar 3, 2009
|Jan 4, 2011
|Apple Inc.
|Techniques for improved playlist processing on media devices
|Jul 30, 2007
|Feb 15, 2011
|Apple Inc.
|Highly portable media device
|Aug 4, 2009
|Oct 25, 2011
|Apple Inc.
|Event recorder for portable media device
|Apr 24, 2007
|Jan 3, 2012
|Apple Inc.
|Highly portable media devices
|Jan 3, 2006
|Apr 3, 2012
|Apple Inc.
|Remote content updates for portable media devices
|Oct 18, 2006
|Aug 28, 2012
|Apple Inc.
|Media device with intelligent cache utilization
|Dec 27, 2010
|Sep 4, 2012
|Apple Inc.
|Highly portable media device
|Jun 3, 2005
|Oct 30, 2012
|Apple Inc.
|Techniques for presenting sound effects on a portable media player
|Sep 11, 2006
|Dec 25, 2012
|Apple Inc.
|Portable electronic device with local search capabilities
|May 23, 2006
|Jan 22, 2013
|Apple Inc.
|Portable media device with power-managed display
|Nov 14, 2011
|Mar 12, 2013
|Apple Inc.
|Remotely configured media device
|Apr 21, 2010
|Jun 25, 2013
|Apple Inc.
|Portable media playback device including user interface event passthrough to non-media-playback processing
|Nov 11, 2010
|Dec 24, 2013
|Apple Inc.
|Dynamic power management in a portable media delivery system
|Dec 7, 2005
|Feb 18, 2014
|Apple Inc.
|Portable audio device providing automated control of audio volume parameters for hearing protection
|Jul 20, 2012
|Apr 1, 2014
|Apple Inc.
|Media device with intelligent cache utilization
|Oct 21, 2010
|Apr 8, 2014
|Apple Inc.
|Media data exchange, transfer or delivery for portable electronic devices
|Feb 21, 2012
|Feb 24, 2015
|Apple Inc.
|Remote content updates for portable media devices
|Jul 8, 2011
|Jun 23, 2015
|Apple Inc.
|Highly portable media devices
|Apr 7, 2014
|Jul 14, 2015
|Apple Inc.
|Media data exchange transfer or delivery for portable electronic devices
|Nov 25, 2003
|Aug 12, 2004
|Doomernik Marinus A.
|Battery tester label
|Aug 24, 2005
|Jul 13, 2006
|Apple Computer, Inc.
|Techniques for improved playlist processing on media devices
|Aug 24, 2005
|Jul 13, 2006
|Apple Computer, Inc.
|Highly portable media device
|Sep 27, 2006
|Feb 8, 2007
|Apple Computer, Inc.
|Host configured for interoperation with coupled portable media player device
|Oct 11, 2012
|Sancoa International Company, L.P.
|Label with Detachable Voltage Indicator and Battery Package Containing the Same
|Feb 4, 1998
|Aug 12, 1999
|Bayer Ag
|Elektrochromes Me�- und Anzeigeger�t f�r elektrische Me�gr��en
|Feb 4, 1998
|Oct 26, 2000
|Bayer Ag
|Elektrochromes Me�- und Anzeigeger�t f�r elektrische Me�gr��en
|U.S. Classification
|324/435, 429/93, 359/273, 324/104
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Jul 25, 1997
Owner name: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY INC., OHIO
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BAILEY, JOHN C.;REEL/FRAME:008648/0447
Effective date: 19970725
|Nov 30, 2001
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Dec 2, 2005
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|Dec 2, 2009
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 12
|Jun 26, 2015
Owner name: ENERGIZER BRANDS, LLC, MISSOURI
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:036019/0814
Effective date: 20150601
|Jul 15, 2015
Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS AGENT, ILLINOIS
Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:ENERGIZER BRANDS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:036106/0392
Effective date: 20150630


text:
Grace for the Moment
- All Products
- Academic
- Accompaniment Tracks
- Audiobooks
- Bible Accessories
- Bible Covers
- Bible Studies & Curriculum
- Bibles
- Books
- Buy in Bulk
- Catholic
- Children
- Christian Living
- Christmas
- Church & Pastoral
- Church Supplies
- Closeouts
- Clothing & Accessories
- Crafts & Recreation
- Download
- DVDs
- eBooks
- eBooks On Sale
- Family
- Fiction
- Gift & Home
- Homeschool
- Last Chance Bargains
- MP3 Music Downloads
- Music
- New Release
- Non-Fiction
- Pre-Order
- Slightly Imperfect
- Software
- Spanish
- Subscriptions
- Sunday School
- Teens
- Videos
Product Description
Product Information
|Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 400
Vendor: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: 2009
|Dimensions: 7.50 X 5.50 X 1 (inches)
Availability: In Stock
Other Customers Also Purchased
In the MangerMax LucadoThomas Nelson / 2014 / Hardcover$6.99 Retail:5 Stars Out Of 5 13 Reviews
$9.99Save 30% ($3.00)Availability: In StockCBD Stock No: WW947582
Safe in the Shepherd's Arms: Hope & Encouragement from Psalm 23Max LucadoThomas Nelson / 2010 / Hardcover$8.49 Retail:5 Stars Out Of 5 16 Reviews
$12.99Save 35% ($4.50)Availability: In StockCBD Stock No: WW187719
The Bible Promise Book: Spiritual Refreshment for Women EditionBarbour / 2014 / Trade Paperback$5.49 Retail:
$5.99Save 8% ($0.50)Availability: In StockCBD Stock No: WW167065
Six Hours One Friday: Living in the Power of the CrossMax LucadoThomas Nelson / 2012 / Trade Paperback$11.99 Retail:5 Stars Out Of 5 1 Reviews
$15.99Save 25% ($4.00)Availability: In StockCBD Stock No: WW947445
Related Products
When God Whispers Your NameMax LucadoThomas Nelson / 2009 / Hardcover$8.19 Retail:5 Stars Out Of 5 2 Reviews
$9.99Save 18% ($1.80)Availability: In StockCBD Stock No: WW921438
He Still Moves StonesMax LucadoThomas Nelson / 2009 / Hardcover$8.19 Retail:4 Stars Out Of 5 5 Reviews
$9.99Save 18% ($1.80)Availability: In StockCBD Stock No: WW921339
Redefining Beautiful: What God Sees When God Sees YouJenna Lucado, Max LucadoThomas Nelson / 2009 / Trade Paperback$9.99 Retail:4.5 Stars Out Of 5 21 Reviews
$14.99Save 33% ($5.00)Availability: In StockCBD Stock No: WW314287Video
Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without FearMax LucadoThomas Nelson / 2009 / Hardcover$17.99 Retail:4.5 Stars Out Of 5 243 Reviews
$24.99Save 28% ($7.00)Availability: In StockCBD Stock No: WW921391
Publisher's Description
Though maintaining a consistent devotional life is not always easy, Max Lucados best-selling Grace for the Moment® makes having a daily quiet time possible! This yearlong book features captivating daily devotionals that offer enough inspiration, power, and hope to carry you through the busiest of days. Americas leading inspirational author again fills each days reading with touching word pictures that offer guidelines for grace-filled living and extra room on each page for journaling opportunities. Grace for the Moment® is yet another great way to encourage anyone to celebrate daily time with God. All it takes is a moment.
Author Bio
More than 120 million readers have been inspired by the words of Max Lucado. He lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy, in San Antonio, Texas, where he serves the people of Oak Hills Church.
Product Reviews
Laverne Finch5 Stars Out Of 5June 11, 2010Laverne FinchGrace for the Moment is a wonderful daily devotional. I am inspired by each powerful reading.
Emmanouil Tavlakis5 Stars Out Of 5March 23, 2010Emmanouil TavlakisI'm enjoying the small and simple words from Max Lucado. Just enough insight to the heart of God to get you thinking of Him
Constance May5 Stars Out Of 5September 14, 2009Constance MayMax Lucado always comes thrugh. He combines scripture with his own intelligence to give the reader food for thought. And then he asks the reader to give his/her own opinions and experiences on the subject.
Ask Christianbook
Q: Imperfect I am looking for the book "Grace for the Moment" with the tan back ground around the edge and the blue inset. I see one which says "slightly imperfect". What does this mean?
Blemishes may vary from item to item, so weâre unable to give you specific details about any particular title. However, the flaws donât affect the content of the product â they are purely cosmetic.
Some of the more common imperfections are:
⢠Slightly wrinkled pages
⢠Dented corners or spines
⢠Dusty page edges
⢠Stray marks on the product
⢠A crack in a CD case
⢠Minor damage to the packaging of the product
⢠Leather Bibles may include gold, black or silver stamping to mask a previous imprint

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Why no VAT in the U.S.?
Earlier this week I attended a speech by Professor Michael Graetz from Columbia Law School. Mr. Graetz is one of the developers of a framework for a VAT or GST in the U.S.. It comes down to a broad-based GST like in New Zealand, with added support for lower incomes, to combat the regressive effect of a VAT/GST. (Regression here means that the burden of the tax is disproportionately carried by the lower incomes, because the spend (not save or invest) a high percentage of their income.)
One of the questions, of course is why there is no VAT/GST in the U.S., given that every other country has a VAT/GST?
The answer is that VAT/GST or similar consumption taxes became popular after the Second World War in countries that urgently needed money to rebuild their society. The U.S. was rich at the time, both in absolute terms as relative to other countries' economies. So the U.S. missed the boat on implementing a consumption tax, which later on became politically unacceptable.
The reason why there is no VAT now is only politically driven. Politicians are concerned that introducing a federal consumption tax would be extremely unpopular – even when included in a major overhaul of both personal and corporate income taxes. From Graetz' proposal, however, it is clear that the introduction of a VAT/GST would not have a major economical impact on consumers.
As Graetz put it, the Democrats have to understand that VAT/GST is not regressive, and the Republicans have to understand that VAT/GST is not a major money maker to fund a big government.
Slides similar to those presented are here: http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/News_&_Events/Graetz_Tax_Plan.pdf


text:
NPR Newscast
4min 45sec
The Rev. Eric Williams and his colleague Jannette Berkley-Patton visited StoryCorps in Kansas City, Mo., where they discussed a funeral that shaped Williams' future.
hide caption
November 29, 2012 For more than 20 years, the Rev. Eric Williams has devoted himself to educating people about AIDS and helping those who suffer from the disease. As he recalls, one funeral — and a "favor" — led him to the undertaking. World AIDS Day is Saturday.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/166162027/166217613" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
November 29, 2012 Friday marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Thriller. Michael Jackson's blockbuster sold more than 100 million copies. Songwriter Siedah Garrett worked side by side with Jackson on his next album Bad, and co-wrote the song "Man in the Mirror." She talks with host Michel Martin about her memories of the King of Pop, and her own career.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/166162940/166162933" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
November 29, 2012 An online video, urging Africans to save Norwegians from frostbite, has gone viral. The tongue-in-cheek spoof features South Africans singing about sending radiators to Norway. The filmmakers hope to take on stereotypes of Africa that are reinforced by charities and the media. Host Michel Martin speaks to Erik Evans, one of the video's creators.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/166162938/166162931" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
November 29, 2012 Somalia hasn't had a functioning central government for more than 20 years. But journalist Mary Harper says its image as a failed state is misleading. She argues that, even without a central government, businesses and local politics have found a way to flourish. Host Michel Martin talks with Mary Harper about her new book, Getting Somalia Wrong?
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/166162936/166162929" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
November 29, 2012 The Bush-era tax cuts are taking center stage on discussions about deficit reduction. But the payroll tax holiday is also at risk, which could cost the typical family $1,000 a year. Host Michel Martin talks with The Wall Street Journal's Sudeep Reddy about the fiscal cliff and how the outcome could affect consumers.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/166162934/166162927" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
November 28, 2012 Mexico's President-elect, Enrique Pena Nieto, is promising to work closely with President Obama. Pena Nieto was in Washington this week ahead of his inauguration on Saturday. Host Michel Martin speaks with Alfredo Corchado, Mexico bureau chief for The Dallas Morning News, and Stephen Johnson from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/166076250/166076247" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
North and his Yetis lead the ensemble of immortals fighting off an assault from the malicious Pitch.
DreamWorks Animation
hide caption
November 28, 2012 You might envision Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Sandman and the Tooth Fairy as cute and cuddly. But they're tough characters united to fight the boogeyman in Rise of the Guardians. NPR's Michel Martin talks with director Peter Ramsey about the movie — and becoming the first African-American director of a big-budget CG-animation film.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/166063600/166063663" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
After a week of recent fighting between Israel and Hamas, an Israeli soldier stands on top of a mobile artillery unit in a position near the Israel Gaza border.
Ariel Schalit/Getty Images
hide caption
November 28, 2012 Robert Malley, a program director for the International Crisis Group, analyzes the complexity of the situation in the Middle East, a region where conflicts interconnect and expand upon one another. "These alliances," says Malley, "are not clear cut ... they are alliances of convenience."
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/166067920/166079777" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
On her new album, opera star Cecilia Bartoli tackles the work of Baroque composer Agostino Steffani.
Uli Weber/Decca
hide caption
November 27, 2012 Critic Lloyd Schwartz welcomes the opera star's new album, Mission, which breathes new life into the work of Italian composer Agostino Steffani. Bartoli, he says, has an astonishing capacity for vocal fireworks and warm, delicate lyricism.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/165993067/165993589" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
November 27, 2012 There's a lot of talk about how working moms balance their duties at the office and at home. But some dads are asking why they aren't included in the conversation. Host Michel Martin discusses fatherhood and the work-life balance with researcher Kenneth Matos, and dads Ken Gordon, Brian Tessier and Corey Dade.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/165991723/165991716" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
November 27, 2012 Stand Your Ground statutes and similar laws came under scrutiny after an unarmed teenager was shot by a neighborhood watchman this year. That case raised questions about other prosecutions, like that of John McNeil in Georgia. Host Michel Martin discusses McNeil's case with Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Rhonda Cook.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/165991719/165991712" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
November 27, 2012 New Hampshire voters are known for having a strong independent streak. This year, they elected a woman governor and the first all-female congressional delegation. Host Michel Martin speaks to one of the newest members, Democrat Annie McLane Kuster.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/165991717/165991709" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
November 26, 2012 Jonathan Kozol has chronicled the lives of lower income children for nearly fifty years. In his new book, Fire In The Ashes, Kozol writes about families that he met in the 1980s, and the inspiring — and sometimes tragic — turns their lives have taken. He shares their stories with host Michel Martin.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/165922118/165922113" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
November 26, 2012 Congress comes back to work this week and the fiscal cliff is its top priority. Some Republicans have said they'll break a longstanding pledge not to raise taxes. Host Michel Martin talks politics with columnist Mary Kate Cary of U.S. News and World Report and The Root's political correspondent Keli Goff.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/165922116/165922111" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
Norman Kansfield and his wife, Mary, at their home in eastern Pennsylvania. Kansfield was put on trial by the Reformed Church after performing his daughter's same-sex marriage.
Lily Percy/NPR
hide caption
November 25, 2012 Norman Kansfield was tried by the Reformed Church and found guilty of disobeying church law after officiating his daughter's same-sex wedding. It was the first trial in the church's history and it illuminated the divide among members on same-sex marriage issues.
<iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/165822617/165873880" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
NPR thanks our sponsors
Become an NPR sponsor


text:
Video Industry News Video Company News Technology Industry News Technology Company News Novelty Industry News Novelty Company News Gay Industry News Gay Company News Legal Industry News All Company News
Sex Toys: David Anthony 8.5" Realistic Cock With Suction Cup Base
Profile: David Anthony
Article: Vivid Makes $100K Sex Tape Offer to David Ortiz
Published: September 24, 2015
It didn't take long for Vivid Entertainment to pull out its checkbook following Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz's public pronouncement via...
Article: David Peskin Comes on Board at Exquisite Multimedia
Published: September 15, 2015
The veteran adult industry salesman finally gets a chance to work with Exquisite Multimedia founder Jerry E., who had offered him a job 14 years ago.
Article: David Stanley Returns to Director's Chair With 'Just the Two of Us'
Published: July 28, 2015
The new movie marks Stanley's return to directing after a four-year break where he concentrated on writing and his family. A mainstream film...
Company News: David Forest Launches New Site to Feature Male Stars
Published: July 06, 2015
David Forest has launched MaleAdultStars.com, the new home for his various endeavors in adult entertainment.
Article: 'Just the Two of Us' Marks The Return of David Stanley
Published: May 01, 2015
David Stanley has a storied career in XXX, stretching back to his directorial debut in 1997 on Big Game , through a short stint at Elegant Angel...
Article: Skow for Girlfriends Expands, Brings On David Stanley As New Director
Published: April 21, 2015
Skow for Girlfriends Films has tapped the award-winning David Stanley as the newest director as the imprint expands.
Article: Funeral Services Scheduled For David Denson Of Honey's Place
Published: February 25, 2015
Funeral services are scheduled for David Denson, 49, who died Feb. 22 of a heart attack. Denson was a 17-year employee of adult distributor...
Article: Honey's Place Family Mourns Loss of David Denson
Published: February 24, 2015
As co-workers mourn the loss of fellow Honey's Place member David Denson, they have set up a Go Fund Me account to help his family cover the...
Company News: Falcon, Raging Stallion Ink Exclusive Deal with David Benjamin
Published: July 21, 2014
San Francisco-based Falcon & Raging Stallion Studios announced they have inked an agreement with hot newcomer David Benjamin to join the ranks...
Article: David Peskin Takes Over Sales at Third World Media
Published: May 02, 2014
Former Vivid Entertainment national sales manager David Peskin has returned to the industry after a nearly two-year hiatus to take charge of...
Company News: 'T&A' Director David Lord Proudly Brings Home Fanny Gold
Published: April 17, 2014
Rock Star Entertainment's award show run continued this last weekend when the star vehicle for Teagan Presley and Alexis Texas, T&A , took home...
Article: Girlfriends Films' Taps David Diamond for New Sales Position
Published: March 17, 2014
As Distribution Sales Executive, Diamond steps into a new position created to help facilitate the company's expansion.
Company News: David Lord has Banner Year for Nominations
Published: January 08, 2014
It's a pretty good year when nearly all of your work earns AVN Award nominations.
Article: Tumblr Founder David Karp Defends Porn on the Site - UPDATED
Published: July 17, 2013
Colbert also asked Karp about the NSA in an exchange that was a tad more uncomfortable for his guest as he tried to explain what he would do if...
Article: PM David Cameron May Block Porn from Britain's Public WiFi
Published: April 25, 2013
The proposed plan would target public wireless networks with the goal of preventing people from downloading porn to computers, tablets and...
Company News: David Lord & Rock Star Entertainment Announce 'Trashy'
Published: January 23, 2013
From legendary director David Lord, Rock Star Entertainment's newest vehicle, Trashy , sets a high standard in adult all-sex with some of the...
Company News: David-Nudes Debuts SweetNatureNudes.com
Published: December 19, 2012
All free-hosted galleries for DavidNudesCash.com affiliates have hand selected thumbs, meticulously hand-cleaned photos and video trailers, and...
Company News: Evil Angel Premieres David Perry's 'Big & Real 3'
Published: May 01, 2012
Gamma Entertainment subsidiary FameDollars has announced the web-exclusive broadcast of Big & Real 3, directed by Evil Angel veteran and French...


text:
Jul 13, 2015 - Facebook's Arrow Guo offers these tips to SMBs developing mobile-first social media pages. Comments
Jun 23, 2015 - People with a marketing automation backgrounds are traditionally difficult to hire, which makes that skillset that much more important for young marketers to acquire. Comments
Apr 1, 2015 - During her panel discussion at ClickZ Live New York, Erin Everhart, SEO manager of The Home Depot, shared her insights into how to build a successful landing page. Comments
Mar 16, 2015 - The Google Display Network can be a great place to generate leads, but sometimes the quality of those leads can be questionable. Comments
Mar 3, 2015 - Positive customer feedback can help increase your conversion rate. Here are three tips for making your testimonials appear genuine, therefore increasing their effectiveness. Comments
Nov 12, 2014 - Less is more when it comes to effective lead generation pages. Here are three steps to increase conversions from your landing pages. Comments
Oct 8, 2014 - Brands can use their gTLDs to unchain themselves from the home page concept, and redirect consumers to microsites, landing pages, search, and apps. Comments
Sep 16, 2014 - SEO site optimization starts with understanding the need for a tailored mobile site. Here are nine essential tips. Comments
Sep 16, 2014 - While event marketing can seem tedious, building a nurture-based program around it with the use of marketing automation, can transform it into a rewarding opportunity. Comments
Sep 16, 2014 - Thinking broadly about sourcing your content, as well as taking a customer-focused approach, can drive performance. Comments
Sep 10, 2014 - These tips and tricks can help you make the most out of your content marketing efforts. Can you work them into your strategy? Comments
Aug 20, 2014 - Although it can be tricky, content reporting needs to be customized to the complicated B2B sales cycle. Here is a look at three different products and their different sales cycles. Comments
Aug 15, 2014 - At their session at ClickZ Live San Francisco, the Portland Trail Blazers' Dewayne Hankins and Sq1's Gabe Winslow explained how they improved digital ticket sales to achieve a 630 percent return on investment. Comments
Aug 14, 2014 - During site clinics held at ClickZ Live events in Asia, there are a few common symptoms that arise in flawed websites. If any of these sound familiar, your site may need a "check-up." Comments
Aug 14, 2014 - At the "Mastering the PPC Challenge" session at ClickZ Live San Francisco, we covered one of the biggest challenges for PPC marketers: getting on top and staying there. Comments
Jul 16, 2014 - Quality leads are much more likely to result in conversions. Here are a few ways to ensure you are attracting the highest-quality leads with your content marketing. Comments
Jun 15, 2014 - Your online travel booking engine website is actually very much a vertical search engine or a meta searcher for travel booking information. Comments
May 21, 2014 - When it comes to leads, it's best to focus on quality over quantity. Here's how to ensure you're getting the best-quality leads for your brand. Comments
May 14, 2014 - In the final piece of a two-part series, here are four best practices to improve your landing page conversion rate for your Chinese websites. Comments
May 5, 2014 - While you wouldn't think to give a customer an incorrect physical address, you need to make sure your digital "addresses" are correct, too. Comments
May 2, 2014 - This column comes in video form, with a visual explanation of how to design high-converting landing pages for mobile. Comments
October 21-22, 2015
November 17-19, 2015
November 25-26, 2015
April 11-13, 2016
Spring 2016
US Consumer Device Preference Report
Traditionally desktops have shown to convert better than mobile devices however, 2015 might be a tipping point for mobile conversions! Download this report to find why mobile users are more important then ever.
E-Commerce Customer Lifecycle
Have you ever wondered what factors influence online spending or why shoppers abandon their cart? This data-rich infogram offers actionable insight into creating a more seamless online shopping experience across the multiple devices consumers are using.
October 13, 2015
1pm ET/ 10am PT
November 12, 2015


text:
"Russians don't take a dump, son, without a plan." -- Adm. Painter, "The Hunt for Red October"
But does Fred Thompson do a debate without one?
Fred's long-awaited debate debut happens tonight, and a fledgling campaign plagued by hype and the failure to live up to it will find itself center-stage, under the microscope, and a thousand other clichés. Bottom line? We're watching you, Fred.
The other Republican candidates have had the advantage of participating in five debates before tonight's. Their gaffes, such as they've been, have been spread out over months. Giuliani's surprisingly unclear abortion answers have drifted away and made way for a more coherent stance. Mitt Romney's solid performance over several debates bolstered him when he came under serious fire, sometimes flinching, during the last one. And, McCain, though not a front-runner for many Republicans, is undeniably so experienced on the debate stage that he needn't worry about gaffes.
Fred, as a result, will remain the untested spectacle of this debate, the New Guy standing between Romney and Rudy. The build-up has been so long and expectations so high that the chances of Fred underperforming are perhaps unfairly inflated. But that's the way he chose to do this. Perhaps he knows something we don't.
He's reportedly held between seven and nine practice debates at his campaign headquarters over the past two weeks.
And, Fred's campaign is doing its best to lower the gargantuan expectations:
''We think that we'll hold our own, but obviously every other candidate on the stage has been going to these debates all year long. They've already gone through their preseason. This is our first scrimmage,'' said Todd Harris, a Thompson spokesman. ''The most important thing for us is for Fred's message and answers to connect with Republican voters, and that's been our focus.''
Mary Katharine Ham is editor-at-large of HotAir.com, a contributor to Townhall Magazine.
Be the first to read Mary Katharine Ham's column. Sign up today and receive Townhall.com delivered each morning to your inbox.
Here we go: Jeb Bush's campaign weighing whether to have George W. hit the trail for him in South Carolina | Allahpundit


text:
Cuban SS Erisbel Arruebarrena signs with Dodgers
The Dodgers have signed 23-year-old Cuban SS Erisbel Arruebarrena (ESPN.com, Feb. 12).
The Mets were among several teams reportedly planning to scout Arruebarrena during his December workout in the Dominican Republic (Martino, Dec. 10).
"He's a very good defensive player. His glove is very close to the big leagues. The bat, you kind of think he's one of those guys who'll bat down in the order," a scout once told Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. "He'll be a quality defensive shortstop in the Major Leagues, but you wonder if he's going to hit."


text:
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) of California, which delivers energy to 15 million people in northern and central California, has announced plans to deploy as many as 3.
January Issue 2009
Featured Articles
Sort by
| January 2009
Safety |
| January 2009
Under normal circumstances, a typical look at safety for the upcoming year would begin with a review of the recent activity of the Occupational Safety and Health Administrati
Lighting |
| January 2009
Real-world experiments to reduce electricity costs by automatically reducing peak demand provide information that can be used to convince end-users these measures lead to sign
Systems |
| January 2009
Vermonters can celebrate. A local Internet provider has come up with a plan to offer broadband access in the state's most remote areas.
| January 2009
In the last few editions of the National Electrical Code (NEC), more electrical equipment has been required to be rated for short-circuit current.


text:
Curious Raccoon Breaks Into Beer Distributor Warehouse and Ends Up Drunk [VIDEO]
We've all seen evidence of Raccoons getting into trash outside. But this time, we catch a very thirsty Raccoon.
The Health Benefits of Beer
Consumed in moderation, there are several health perks from drinking beer. Read on.
Get Your Discounted America on Tap Tickets
The weather is just right for a trip to Sea Isle, with a few beers and tons of friends. And as luck would have it, we're throwing a party in Sea Isle City with more than a few beers and hundreds of friends.
My Top Five Favorite Drinking Songs
When I pour your craft beer samples at the upcoming America On Tap Beer Festival in Sea Isle City, I'm more than confident that I will have these songs stuck in my head the entire day.
A Tea Bag That Claims It Can Transform Your Beer
We all have that friend who just loves to drink those boring light beers (if you don't have that friend... you are that friend). And, of course, every time he or she invites you over to watch a game or have a barbecue, you find yourself having to stop at the store to pick up beer that you're actually going to drink (again, if you haven't done this, you are that friend).
Reasons Why You Should Drink More Beer
There are many reasons to drink beer, but did you know that it's also healthy (in moderation)?
Fun Facts About Craft Beer
Here are some fun facts about craft beer that you might not know.
How Many Craft Breweries Are in New Jersey?
Did you know that there are 25 different craft breweries in New Jersey?
So, What Exactly is a Craft Beer?
For those of you who don't know what exactly craft beer is, here's your rundown:
8 Beers You Shouldn't Drink and Plenty More You Should Drink
The thing about the modern world we live in is that information is pretty much all around us. Anything you want to know, right at your fingertips, it's all there for the taking.
On the flip side, a wealth of information is not always a good thing. Especially when it comes to what we should be eating and, more importantly, drinking.
Allagash, Lagunitas, Great Lakes and 7 Other Beers Worth Trying
First off, I love beer, which anyone who knows me already knows. And while I think the current craft beer craze is getting out of hand, I do love the fact that brewing beer has become an art and has created a seemingly endless list of unique flavors for just about any palate.


text:
2 bed retirement property for sale
2 bed apartment for sale
Bungalow for sale Unit 5, Billington RoadA large mixed use, residential, commercial site, approaching 1 acre and suitable for a variety of uses subject to planning permission. More details ›
Added on 21/07/2015 by The Wilkinson Partnership, Leighton Buzzard. Call: 01525 625030 Local call rate
Warehouse for sale Cherrycourt Way, Leighton Buzzard, LU7Modern Industrial/warehouse unit. For similar units search clockproperty. Well located within established commercial zone with good access to main routes. More details ›
5 bedroom detached house for sale Dingle Dell, Leighton BuzzardA substantial spilt-level detached family home and annexe in a prestige location on Plantation Road with easy access to The Ouzel River Meadows and woodland. Large self-contained single storey ANNEXE which integrates into the flexible main accommodation if not required. Up to 3/4 reception rooms... More details ›
Added on 10/09/2015 by The Wilkinson Partnership, Leighton Buzzard. Call: 01525 625030 Local call rate
4 bedroom detached house for sale Copper Beech Way, Leighton BuzzardPEACE AND TRANQUILITY This unique and individual 4 bedroom detached family home sits in a gated plot in one of the most sought after areas in Leighton Buzzard. The home offers a spacious and versatile layout which would suit both large and small families. More details ›
£565,000 Offers in Excess of
Offers in Excess of £565,000
4 bedroom detached house for sale Rock Close, LinsladeFOUR BEDROOM DETACHED FAMILY HOME....DOUBLE GARAGE....PARKING FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 CARS....THREE RECEPTION ROOMS...SITTING ROOM (17`7 x 14`4 max)....DINING ROOM (15`10 x 11`10 max)...STUDY (11`3 x 10`9 max)....KITCHEN BREAKFAST ROOM (12`8 x 11`08 max)....PRIVATE REAR GARDEN...EN SUITE BATHROOM More details ›
£550,000 Offers in Region of
Offers in Region of £550,000
4 bedroom end of terrace house for sale Grove RoadSTUNNING! - PRESTIGIOUS LOCATION - REFITTED KITCHEN & BATHROOMS - ENSUITE - CELLAR - DOUBLE GARAGE - DOUBLE WIDTH GARDEN - Quarters are delighted to offer for sale this end of terrace period home located on this highly sought after road which is walking distance to both the mainline train statio... More details ›
£550,000 Guide Price
Guide Price £550,000
6 bedroom detached house for sale Albany Road, Leighton BuzzardAn amazing 3786 sq. ft. of space over four floors is available in this detached character home dating from circa 1900. Ideal for large or extended families with flexible accommodation including an outstanding 32ft living/dining area adjacent to the kitchen and a self-contained 1 bedroom flat. Off... More details ›
Added on 22/09/2015 by The Wilkinson Partnership, Leighton Buzzard. Call: 01525 625030 Local call rate
4 bedroom flat for sale Summer Street, Leighton Buzzard**ATTENTION INVESTORS** Opportunity to purchase the freehold building comprising four one bedroom flats with allocated parking, all fully tenanted. More details ›
4 bedroom terraced house for sale Grove Road, Leighton Buzzard, BedfordshireA FOUR BEDROOM TERRACED FAMILY HOME SITUATED ON A PRESTIGIOUS ROAD OFFERED WITH NO UPPER CHAIN, HUGE POTENTIAL TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY HOME Cellar Integral garage Enclosed rear garden Close to town centre and station Downstairs shower room Viewing highly recommended More details ›
Added on 09/10/2015 by Squares Estate Agents, Leighton Buzzard. Call: 01525 625047 Local call rate
£475,000 Offers in Excess of
Offers in Excess of £475,000
4 bedroom detached house for sale Wentworth Drive, Leighton Buzzard1460 SQ FT ACCOMODATION. CHAIN FREE. DOUBLE GARAGE. LARGE DRIVEWAY PARKING. WOODLAND VIEWS. END OF CUL-DE-SAC. POTENTIAL TO EXTEND. EPC Rating B More details ›
Thank you.
Your information has been sent to 0 out of 25 agents and developers who have property to sell in the area you specified.


text:
2013 Lincoln MKT: Offering the convenience afforded by three rows of seating, the redesigned 2013 Lincoln MKT full-size crossover benefits from a suite of significant improvements that match or exceed more expensive, imported luxury class competitors.
2013 Lincoln MKT: The all-new instrumentation of MyLincoln Touch(TM) in the 2013 Lincoln MKT features a central speedometer flanked by two full-color reconfigurable LCD screens. The 4.2-inch LCD screens are controlled by five-way buttons on the steering wheel.
Reported comments and users are reviewed by Autoblog staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week to determine whether they violate Community Guideline. Accounts are penalized for Community Guidelines violations and serious or repeated violations can lead to account termination.
The MKT may not be a big seller, but Lincoln is hoping that starts to change with a refresh. The MKT hit the stage at the LA Auto Show with a new grille that matches up closely with the new face of the 2013 MKS.
The Lincoln MKT has never sold well since it hit the market back in 2010, but Ford is hoping to change that with a refresh for 2013. The three-row Lincoln crossover will receive an all new front fascia with a whole lot more vertical slats in the grille and no more intersecting horizontal bar. The lower fascia has been tweaked to look more rounded at the top, and the fog lamp assembly was made wider and shorter to help give the big ute the appearance of a wider stance.
Toyota, Air Liquide Hydrogen Station Groundbreaking in BelgiumView more
2016 Tesla Model X RevealView more
2015 Goodwood RevivalView more
2017 Ford F-Series Super DutyView more
2016 Volkswagen Passat RevealView more
2017 Audi A4: First DriveView more
2016 Honda Civic Sedan: Live DebutView more
2016 Honda Civic SedanView more
2016 Ducati Monster 1200 R: Frankfurt 2015View more
Nissan Gripz Concept: Frankfurt 2015View more
Please login using one of the following services:


text:
Fang-Fang Wu, Xuemei He, and David R Nau, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Hercules, CA 94547 USA
Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) is a powerful technique that can be used for the efficient purification of recombinant histidine-tagged (His-tagged) proteins from a variety of expression systems.
The synthesis of IMAC resins begins with the derivatization of an appropriate wide-pore base resin with metal chelating groups, such as iminodiacetic acid (IDA) or nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). Specific transition metal ions usually Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Ca2+, or Zn2+ are then immobilized to form a charged support. IMAC resins exhibit high affinity and metal-dependent selectivity for His-tagged proteins, as well as naturally occurring proteins that are rich in histidine, cysteine, aspartic acid, or glutamic acid residues.
To obtain highly purified proteins from an IMAC system, a series of method development experiments is typically required. These experiments involve optimization of the mobile phase pH, buffer system, flow rate, concentration of the competitive eluting agents, and a number of other potential parameters that may also be examined, depending on purity and recovery requirements. Usually, these would require a series of tedious and repetitive operations by the researcher, including the loading and recharging of the column with fresh metal ions after every run in order to ensure reproducible results.
Bio-Rad has developed an extremely rapid and efficient
method using the BioLogic DuoFlow high-resolution
chromatography system to purify a 75 kD His-tagged protein


text:
Madonna Fans React to Shortened Concert in France: BOOOO!!!!!!
Madonna put on a last-minute concert in Paris last night with one goal in mind: peace and tolerance.
By the time it was over, just 45 minutes after the Material Girl took the stage, debris was flying and fans were screaming for a refund.


text:
OSI-Approved Open Source (46)
- GNU General Public License version 2.0 (15)
- GNU General Public License version 3.0 (14)
- GNU Library or Lesser General Public License version 2.0 (7)
- BSD License (6)
- Affero GNU Public License (3)
- Apache License V2.0 (3)
- zlib/libpng License (3)
- GNU Library or Lesser General Public License version 3.0 (2)
- Academic Free License (1)
- Adaptive Public License (1)
- Apache Software License (1)
- Eclipse Public License (1)
- European Union Public License (1)
- MIT License (1)
- Mozilla Public License 1.1 (1)
- Public Domain (9)
- Creative Commons Attribution License (3)
- Grouping and Descriptive Categories (137)
- Windows (137)
- Modern (58)
- Linux (56)
- Mac (37)
- Other Operating Systems (21)
Top Apps
- Audio & Video
- Business & Enterprise
- Communications
- Development
- Home & Education
- Games
- Graphics
- Science & Engineering
- Security & Utilities
- System Administration
gSOAP Toolkit
Development toolkit for Web Services and XML data bindings for C & C++1,076 weekly downloads
Provides native Win32 open source ports and utilities28,977 weekly downloads
Open source disk encryption with strong security for the Paranoid4,549 weekly downloads
PDFsharp is a .NET library for creating and modifying PDF documents.1,010 weekly downloads
Evolutility - CRUD framework for ASP.net
CRUD framework with a generic Web UI and integrated micro ORM.93 weekly downloads
STD Foundation Classes
Object oriented frameworks for PowerBuilder Classic and Appeon99 weekly downloads
WDScript and Linux portability of WDScript Project. WDScript is a CGI like php where native language is W-Langage from PCSoft (english and french). Can be used to access Hyperfile Databases from a web server. help: http://wdscript.sf.net/wiki/178 weekly downloads
World of Padman
Full downloads, patches and sourcecode for the "World of Padman" game, also known as WoP ( http://worldofpadman.net/ ). WoP is based upon Quake 3 gamecode and uses a modfied version of the ioquake3 engine ( http://ioquake3.org/ ).56 weekly downloads
DBPlot (DataPlot, DatabasePlot, CsvPlot)
Plot your data in seconds (MsSQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, CSV)84 weekly downloads
OWLNext: C++ Application Framework
Borland's Object Windows Library for the modern age38 weekly downloads
ProjectForge is a Web-based solution for project management including time sheet booking, team calendar, financial administration, and controlling and managing work-break-down-structures. A ready-to-run server and a war file are available.61 weekly downloads
Delphi ASIO & VST Packages
With these packages for Delphi the user can easily create VST plugins or ASIO applications within minutes. The included algorithms for filters and dynamics help to built effects without much knowledge of digital signal processing.38 weekly downloads
Exeinfo PE
exe and data file detector147 weekly downloads
ECLiPSe CLP
ECLiPSe Constraint Logic Programming System46 weekly downloads
Vanda Engine
A 3D game engine for games and realtime interactive 3D.121 weekly downloads
dpost - send mail from web site
Site Transactional Web Mailer Solution (for any language)22 weekly downloads
ASCOOS Web Server
The AWS is a special version of web server for all Web Developers and Web Designers and is based on Apache, NGINX, Subversion for Apache, Perl, multiple versions of PHP and MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, SQLite, Filezilla FTP Server, memcached, phMyAdmin, phpPgAdmin, eXtplorer, mantis etc... Support Mikrotik RouterOS DNS Server. Installation in root of drive C: (C:\AlexServ\aws) Read Changelog.txt21 weekly downloads
Red Eclipse
A fun-filled new take on the casual first person arena shooter.13 weekly downloads
Extended IO, Graph Database Wrapper and more usages for iBoxDB69 weekly downloads
PizzaFactory Express
PizzaFactory is a distribution package for embedded software development based on Eclipse. The fullset of PizzaFactory is a commercial product. Here is a OSS version (subset but enough useful for hobby users.)24 weekly downloads
Stars! Nova
Stars! Nova is a clone of the classic 4X space strategy game Stars!. While nowhere near the functionality of Stars! quite a few features have been implemented so far. See the Nova web page for details.7 weekly downloads
Asteroids 3D
A 3D first-person remake of the arcade classic, featuring Katie Holmes10 weekly downloads
Mobirise Free Mobile Website Builder
Create awesome mobile-first websites - No coding!27 weekly downloads
Wing is a modeling tool used for creating realistic natural landscape efficiently. More specifically, we try to proceduraly generate four key ingredients of nature ---- plants, terrain, water and weather, with simple but powerful user controls.26 weekly downloads
BCX Basic to C translator
BCX (Basic to C Translator) BCX is a small command line tool that inputs a BCX BASIC source code file and outputs a C source code file which can be compiled with many C or C++ compilers.25 weekly downloads


text: Perfect location, from the minute we checked in at the boutique type hotel , the service was nothing but excellent. On arrival given a welcome glass of champagne, then taken to room only to find a complimentary bottle of red wine, 2 glasses awaiting us! Everyone has dressing gowns and slippers in their rooms. We were shown the roof terrace... More


text:
How to Get Started in Real EstateReal estate is a rich and complex field of employment with several career directions. Unlike most lucrative careers, getting started in real estate does not require extensive education. Most people start their career as a sale agent. Some aspire to be a broker. The difference is that real estate sales agents are licensed to work for someone else – a broker – and brokers are licensed to manage a team of sales agents. Brokers and sales agents perform similar tasks: buying, selling, and renting comRead article
Proper Use of a Security DepositA security deposit is a sum of money that a landlord collects from a new renter at the beginning of a tenancy. The purpose of the security deposit is to protect the landlord from financial loss. At the end of the tenancy the security deposit is either returned to the tenant or the landlord may keep it to cover certain expenses. The security deposit can be retained by the landlord for the following reasons: To cover unpaid rent and late fees To pay for damage to the premises caused by the tenantRead article
Top Legal Ways to Evict a TenantEven in the most peaceful residencies, conflicts arise. Whether your tenant has been causing continuous disruption for their neighbors or failed to pay rent, you may have decided it's best to end his or her lease prematurely. If you wish to break the lease agreement before its scheduled expiration it's vital that you do so properly. You must follow the proper eviction procedure to avoid losing money and time if a lawsuit should arise. Here are a few steps to follow: Determine if Eviction is an ORead article
How Real Estate Investors Can Take Advantage of InflationIn the current economy, it's possible to get better investment yields from real estate than from some stocks and bonds. But look to the long term to get the most out of your investment. In the current economy, it's possible to get better investment yields from real estate than from some stocks and bonds. But look to the long term to get the most out of your investment. How Inflation Makes Money There are a few scenarios that lead to profit on real estate deals. The first is when there is an incrRead article
Pitfalls to Avoid: Commercial Real EstateWhen you enter the commercial real estate market you are entering a far different world than residential real estate. Learn what pitfalls to avoid the easy way before you learn the hard way. Due Diligence Due diligence is absolutely necessary for all real estate transactions, including commercial transactions. Hire a respected property inspector to research the property and its history. An inspection should include a thorough examination of building systems and structural components of the propRead article
How to Write an Eviction NoticeWhen writing an eviction notice it is important to draft the letter properly -- and legally. If you own a rental property, you know that even the most rigorous screening process can't prevent the occasional bad tenant from slipping through. Moreover, even the most well-qualified tenant might have trouble paying the rent during tough economic times. When a tenant repeatedly violates a lease, you will need to know how to write an effective eviction notice. Know the Law As a responsible landlord, iRead article
Debt Collection Guide for LandlordsHaving tenants who don't pay rent on time is a fiscal liability for you as a landlord. Use this guide to prevent non-payment and understand what steps to take in the case of non-payment of rent. As a landlord, the biggest headache you can experience is not being paid for rent by your tenants. The process to evict or force the tenant to pay can be long, and takes money out of your pocket. It's important to work in advance to protect yourself in the event of non-payment of rent. Each state has itsRead article
Creating a Rental AgreementIf you are a residential landlord, it's important to provide a rental agreement that outlines your renters' responsibilities as well as your own. Keep it in a file that is easy to access. Rental property can be very profitable if managed wisely. That being said, it is a challenging task to manage your own property as a landlord. Repairs, vacancy, and rental fees are difficult management tasks, but a well-written rental agreement goes a long way to outlining your responsibilities and smoothing thRead article
Make Your Real Estate Agency Stand Out From the CrowdAs a real estate agent, you're competing with dozens of other agents locally, and thousands nationwide. Marketing yourself can be tricky...unless you know how to differentiate yourself from the pack. As a real estate agent, you want to be the first and only agent a buyer or seller works with, but most home owners don't see much difference from one real estate site to the next. It's your job to brand yourself as an agent and show that you know your stuff. Use these real estate marketing techniqueRead article
Purchase Agreements - A Checklist for Property SellersSelling a property requires the use of a contract or purchase agreement. It's very important to make sure that everything is in order or you could end up being out thousands of dollars. Selling your property can be a bit of an involved process and it's important that it is done correctly. When you use a real estate agent, she can handle all of the paperwork for you, but if you are selling on your own, you will need to take matters into your own hands. This checklist will help you stay on trackRead article
Pros and Cons of Buying Rental PropertyOwning a second home can provide you both with a vacation home as well as a source of income when you rent it out. Here are your options for using it for these two purposes. With busy schedules, vacations become a rushed week of driving, sightseeing, eating, and moving from hotel to hotel. The expense of traveling with every member of your family makes family travel prohibitively expensive. Have you priced air travel for a family of five, lately? Even a snatched weekend for two can break the banRead article
How to Grow a Real Estate BrokerageA real estate brokerage can be an excellent business, but if you want to be successful, your business needs to grow. There are many factors in play here, all of which need to be balanced for optimum growth. Growing your real estate brokerage isn't merely a matter of taking on more houses to list. While this does increase your offerings, it won't necessarily help you make more sales, which is the key to a successful business in any industry. There are a few things you can do to step things up inRead article
The Pros and Cons of Short Selling v. Auction: Real EstateBuying a house straight out is common, but look for other types of sales, including short sales and auctions, to get a better deal on a new home. Real estate investing can make you lots of money, but you need to know what you're doing. To make money investing in real estate, you need to buy at a lower price and sell at higher price. You will realize a profit after you pay off any associated fees. As with any method of making money, there are tricks and tips to follow when buying real estate: LooRead article
Real Estate Marketing ToolsSelling a house in today's market can be a challenge, but if you make full use of the tools available to you, it's still possible. In fact, you can do it even faster than ever when you use online marketing. Marketing real estate is not an easy task these days, with so many foreclosures and people selling off for lower prices. If you really want to get a good price on your home, then marketing it correctly is the key to success. It makes sense: the more people that see the house, the more likelyRead article


text:
First Day of Deliberations Ends in Rutgers Webcam Spying Case
The jury in the trial of a former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his roommate ended its first day of deliberations without reaching a verdict.
The jury went home for the day Wednesday afternoon after about four hours of deliberations. They are expected back in court Thursday morning and will continue to deliberate every week day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until they have reach a verdict on all charges.
Dharun Ravi faces 15 criminal counts, including bias intimidation and invasion of privacy.
Earlier in the day, the jury asked the judge to clarify the bias intimidation charge, which is a hate crime. The jury must first convict Ravi of invasion of privacy before it can find him guilty of bias intimidation, a hate crime that adds an extra five years to the sentence. The question came after jurors had deliberated for less than two hours.
Jurors got the case Wednesday after the judge spent two hours explaining the 15 charges against the 20-year old.
The judge told the jury to think of the charges as falling into four categories: invasion of privacy, bias intimidation, hindering a prosecution and tampering with evidence. The state alleges Dharun Ravi used a webcam to watch his roommate having an intimate encounter with another man.
Ravi's roommate, Tyler Clementi, committed suicide in September 2010, just days after the alleged spying.
He posted the experience to his Twitter account and then invited followers to video chat him two days later when his roommate asked for private use of the room. The state also alleges he deleted tweets and texts to avoid prosecution.
On September 19, 2010, Ravi tweeted "roommate asked for room til midnight. Went into Molly's room and turned on my webcam. I saw him making out with a dude. yay."
Two days later, he tweeted "Anyone with iChat, I dare you to video chat me between the hours of 9:30 and 12. Yes, it's happening again."
On Tuesday, the defense argued he was just a stupid kid who didn't know how to deal with his roommate using the room for sex. The prosecution countered that he was unhappy about having a gay roommate, had told his friends about it, and now he had a chance to prove it.
The jury of seven women and five men will have to determine if Ravi violated Clementi's privacy, or attempted to.