The articular bandage of elastic bandaging material renders possible a selective transversal friction massage for the speedier rehabilitation of the joint functions of injured joints, such as knee joints, ankle joints, elbow joints, shoulder joints and wrists and, in an applied state, has a pad acting upon the joint which is constructed in the form of a pressure pad (20) which possesses a configuration determined by the bony prominences and tendon attachments of the joint and is constructed in the form of a shaped member from a soft-elastic material, in which at least one friction core of a hard or incompressible material is disposed and is fixed in its position in the material of the shaped member (21 FIG. 1).

The bandaging of joints, e.g. subsequent to injuries having been sustained or in the case of degenerative diseases, is a known orthopedic treatment method in which the spectrum ranges from simple wraps with more or less elastic bandages, via ready-to-apply bandages, in the most varied embodiments to expensively constructed splints and braces. The bandages employed in this case are mostly tubular or stocking-shaped and knitted tubularly or flat and, in some embodiments, are laterally reinforced by flattened spiral springs or plastic rods.
From the EP-A-0 027 171, a bandage is known fabricated from elastic bandaging material, particularly in the form of a stocking, for supporting or compressing knee joints, ankle joints, elbow joints and/or wrists, with at least one pressure pad, which, in the applied state, surrounds the bony prominences of the joint and acts upon the adjoining soft joint tissues, in which the pressure pad consists of elastic but incompressible silicone rubber or of a material which possesses the same elasticity and compression properties, on account of the employment of an elastic but incompressible silicone rubber as material for the pressure pad, when the bandage is applied, a massage is obtained which acts solely on the surface of the soft tissues of the joints without any deep action since a silicone rubber which has to possess elastic and incompressible properties, exhibits a low recoil elasticity so that the material displacement necessary for a massage effect, when pressure is applied, does not take place to the extent desired and a massage producing a deep action cannot be achieved. To this is added the circumstance that, for a good circulation in the soft tissues of the joint, it is necessary to produce an adequate alternate load, on account of which the blood is urged out of the soft tissues of the joint located under the pressure pad and flows back again when relieved. However, such an alternate load cannot be achieved with an elastic, incompressible silicone rubber since it proves impossible to produce local pressure forces exerted upon the supporting surface allocated to the pressure component. This is due to the circumstance that the silicone rubber used in this bandage in the form of a pressure pad is not compressed by the application of pressure, but that merely a mass displacement takes place having the effect that the mass components displaced from the pressure-subjected areas emigrate laterally into adjacent areas which are not subject to compression so that, within these adjacent areas, an increase in mass takes place which, in connection with the applied bandage, exercises a massage effect on the pertinent parts of the tissue. However, an alternate load mentioned in the foregoing is not produced; what is being obtained, though, is a good surface massage, but no massage producing a deep action and, consequently, no improvement in the circulation either.
An epicondylitis bandage is known from the EP-A-0-250 409. Such an epicondylitis bandage consists substantially of a tubular section of elastic material, the tensile stress in the circumferential direction being variable by means of a tightening strap with a fastener proceeding essentially in the circumferential direction, while the tubular section mentioned extends substantially uniformly on both sides around the elbow joint. The elastic material of the tubular section is a knitted fabric having a heat-insulating effect. At the points corresponding to the epicondyles, substantially plate-shaped, hard elastic pads are to be found, while the tightening strap between said pads is disposed in such a way that it overlaps the latter at least in part. With an epicondylitis bandage constructed in this manner, the compression effect is produced by a strap engaging around the arm with the aid of small plates which are allocated to the positions of the epicondyles. In this case, the strap and the small plates are rigidly connected to an elastic arm bandage. In this case the arm bandage encloses a portion of the forearm, the elbow and a portion of the upper arm and is very highly slip-proof and is intended to ensure the medically correct position of the tightening strap with small plates even when the tightening strap is tightened only slightly. An additional thermal effect of the bandage is intended to be achieved particularly in those cases where a heat-insulating textile or other layer is additionally provided, it being possible, however, to incorporate an additional thermally insulating thread material into the fabric or knit.
The DE-U-84 10 987.4 further describes a bandage for the treatment of epicondylitis which serves to treat epicondylitis by exerting a pressure on the extensor musculature of the forearm, it comprises a strap for relieving the muscles which touch the epicondyles with a fastener disposed at its ends for forming an adjustable annular element, the strap is fitted with at least one pressure plate or with two pressure plates disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other, the pressure plates, for the purpose of alignment or for an opposing arrangement of the pressure plates on the forearm, are disposed on the strap in such a way as to be displaceable and adjustable. It is supposed to be possible with a thusly constructed bandage, while taking the wearing comfort into consideration, to construct an efficient, individually adaptable arrangement that renders possible the adjustment of the pressure plates into the required position.
Compression pads and pressure plates are employed in these known bandages which, facing the side of the joint, do not possess any specially constructed surface structures but which are constructed so as to be flat while, in the first case of the compression pad, a pressure is exerted on the soft joint tissues for producing a mechanical stimulus to bring about speedy decongestion of the ecchymoses of articular injuries by achieving a rolling effect that brings about an intensive massage of the soft tissues of the joint due to the elastic but incompressible silicone rubber used. Whereas the pressure plates used merely bring about an increased pressure on the tendon fibers at their attachment points, viz. the epicondyles. However, in both cases no specific frictional massage is carried out on particular painful points, i.e. no form of massage is provided in which the tendon attachments are treated transversely to the attachment. The combination of a massage of the soft tissues of the joint cannot be achieved with any of the known bandages.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an articular bandage which, with the aid of a selective, strictly locally applied transversal friction massage, gently supports an active exercise treatment. Another object of the invention is to provide a bandage which renders possible a speedier rehabilitation of the joint functions of injured joints, as well as, over and above the effect of alleviating the pain, exercising a healing effect.


A system and method for a panel system containing embedded electronic elements providing both housing for the electronics and structural support. A preferred embodiment of the system is for a container security system, which is constructed into or conforming onto the roof, walls, door, or base of a cargo container is provided. The panel system may consist of a variety of electronic elements, batteries or power elements, sensors, a processing element to collect the sensor data, and a communications element to transmit outside of the container.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to embedded electronics in walls or panels. A preferred embodiment of present invention relates generally to container security and, more particularly, to a shipping container security system, and to the sub systems used in this system.
2. Background of the Invention
Currently, most electronic devices are provided with a specific housing, which may be small (such as cell phones or alarm clocks) or large (such as televisions or desk top computers). In some instances, electronics in their housings are attached to wall surfaces, with clocks being an example. That is, current electronics that are fixed to structures having separate housings for their protection and mounting.
As another example, steel containers, such as intermodal shipping containers, which have been in existence for more than fifty years, offer no mechanism for penetrating the container walls electronically with either conducting wires or radiofrequency waves. Thus, inherent difficulty exists in externally inspecting the contents of the container without physically opening the doors, or penetrating by cutting or some other physical means.
A problem faced by the Government and industry is one of providing an intermodal shipping container capable of detecting various modes of threat, such as insertion of unauthorized materials, tampering, exposure to harmful substances such as chemical or biological threats, as well as tracking and reporting on location and contents. This is the "smart" container versus the often called "dumb box" that has been employed by the industry for more than forty years.
A number of Federal government programs have been initiated in the last 2-3 years with the goal of developing either a "smart" container or some key portion of a container security system. The goals have included such features as total system security, detection of inserted weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), detection and reporting of tampering, and maintaining fulltime reporting capability to show location. None has dealt so specifically with chemical and biological protection or the use of innovative materials for the container ("hybrid polymer" is the RFP terminology).
Accordingly, a solution is needed for embedding electronics in walls or panels for various purposes including the transmission of information or data through those walls are panels.
3. Description of the Related Art
A container security system as described by System Planning Corporation (SPC) (U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,784) herein referred to as "the SPC Invention", performs many of the functions to monitor containers, their content, and to detect tampering within a container during transit. This is accomplished through a device is which attached to a container, which performs multiple functions. Some of these functions may include controlling various sensors, collected the data from these sensors and transmitting this data back to a central monitoring station. The central monitoring stations may also send commands and information to individual containers equipment with this device.
The SPC invention is has all of the electronic elements a in a housing. To install the SPC device on the container it must be mounted or attached which is often a cumbersome operation. In order to facilitate installation on a container, different mounting brackets may be used but these result in additional cost. Also, for the SPC invention, the antenna device to the communication subsystem and the global positioning element is mounted on the exterior of the container. In this case it can be easily damaged, limits the ability to effectively stack containers, and it obvious to any person.

Panel system and method with embedded electronics


Method, system and computer program product for delta-handling. A server stores a page-document that comprises at least one component. The page-document is translated into a browser-document that is displayed by a client. The server receives a request from the client resulting in an update of a specific component of the page-document with an application-delta. The specific component has a writer-function. The server generates a browser-delta by applying the writer-function to the application-delta. The server sends the browser-delta to the client for updating the browser-document on the client.

The present invention generally relates to electronic data processing, and more particularly, relates to method, computer program product and system for client-server communication.
Server-pages, such as JavaServer Pages™ ("JSP") pages, that include relevant information for a graphical user interface ("GUI") are typically generated on a server. The result is a browser-document that the server transmits to a client. At the client, the browser-document is rendered for display by a conventional browser, such as the Microsoft® Internet Explorer. When the user interacts with the client through the GUI to refresh the page, the whole process is repeated. This requires high bandwidth of the computer network that connects the client to the server because the whole page (layout information and data) is re-generated on the server and the resulting browser-document is re-transmitted from the server to the client through the network. Further, the user is confronted with undesired effects, such as waiting time or screen flicker, until the refreshed page is finally presented.
Some conventional browsers, such as the Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, include a feature for flicker-free rendering. When the client receives a modified page, the browser identifies modified components of the page and only replaces these components instead of the whole page (for example, by dynamic HTML injection into the page's document object model). This leads to a reduction of screen-flicker for the user but still requires bandwidth for transmission of the whole page from the server to the client.


An emergency stop switch of a shredder is disposed in a preformed hole on the top cover of the shredder and protrudes from the surface of the top cover for the convenience of switching. The emergency stop switch has a switch with the fwd, off, and rev modes; a brake, which is disposed on the switch and has a control part protruding from the shredder top cover for switching among the different modes and a positioning part for assuring the switch mode; a positioning base, which is disposed on a bottom surface of the shredder top cover opposite to the position of the positioning part for assuring the switch mode; and a restoring part, which releases stored energy to push the switch from the fwd or rev mode to the off mode. When the switch is in any of the fwd or rev mode and the controlling part of the brake that protrudes from the shredder is under a pressure to move downward, the positioning part of the brake departs from the normal fixing position of the positioning base so that the restoring part pushes the switch back to the off mode.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a shredder and, in particular, to an emergency stop switch (ESS) that can immediately stop the operation of shredder to prevent serious injuries.
2. Related Art
To prevent such documents as legal files, receipts, invoices, credit card numbers, research reports, or personal financial information (e.g., credit card and phone bills) from being released, it is common to destroy them using a shredder. Therefore, the shredder has become an indispensable device for both business and home applications.
As is well known, the action principle of a shredder for shredding paper is to dispose several cutting blades on two rotary shafts with spacers in between. A motor and a gear box are employed to drive the two parallel rotary shafts that rotate in opposite directions. They provide a shearing force on passing paper to cut it into small stripes. According to the mechanical cutting type, shredders can be classified as stripe-cut shredders and cross-cut shredders. In the former case, the cutting blades are disposed regularly on the rotary shafts and cut the paper along the longitudinal direction into long stripes. Each blade in the latter case has several hook-shaped cutting edges. The blades are disposed in a spiral way on the rotary shafts. In this case, the paper is not only cut along the longitudinal direction into stripes, but also cut in the transverse direction into chips.
The panel of a conventional shredder is usually provided with an on/off switch. The user can use his/her finger to push the switch so that the shredder operates among the auto, off, and rev modes. The shredder is normally in the auto mode for the user's convenience to insert paper for shredding. However, when the shredder encounters an emergency and has to stop immediately in the auto mode, the user has to switch to the off mode. Even though the switch is clearly marked with the off, auto, and rev modes, it is sometimes too urgent so that the user cannot react correctly and put the shredder in the off mode. This often results in injuries.


An apparatus for removably mounting an exercise apparatus to a supporting structure such as a ladder-like structure. Various types of mounting apparatus with specially designed brackets having multiple interchangeable parts, attachments and accessories, are used to facilitate easy and quick mounting of several types of exercise apparatus to the supporting structure.

Existing exercise devices are either screwed/bolted or permanently joined with the frame structure, which eliminates the flexibility of the usage of the exercise devices at different positions. Moreover, once attached to the frame structure, it is cumbersome and time consuming method to remove the exercise devices from the framing structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,798 discloses an exercise device screwed to a tubular support member. The exercise device fittings (attaching means) are removably attached to each end of the tubular support member of rectangular roof frame. Thus, for changing the position of the exercise device, a user has to unscrew it from the current position and screws it to the desired position. Sometimes unscrewing/screwing can be difficult due to jamming or problem in threading of the bolts. Also, assembling/disassembling of the exercise devices from the framing structure is time consuming.
The US patent application 2007/0032357A1 discloses a kit which can be assembled to form a user defined support structure. FIG. 1 illustrates one such arrangement of ladder-like structure 100 for the attachment of exercise devices. Ladder-like structure 100 comprises two vertical, elongate support members 110 spaced apart in parallel relationship and a plurality of horizontal rungs 120 extending between the support members 110 at substantially regular intervals. The elongate vertical support member 110 has a rectangular profile and a plurality of round holes therein, larger holes 45 and smaller holes 46, located at regular intervals along its length. The holes 45, 46 facilitate attachment of exercise devices to the support structure at any desired height.
FIG. 2 illustrates a supporting cell 300 assembled using the ladder-like structure 100 and thereby facilitating attachment of various types of exercise devices (200, 202 and 207). However, this arrangement limits attachment of the exercise devices 200 only to the ladder like structure 100 and not directly to any other supporting structures such as standard wall or the like. Thus, limiting the versatility of the room layouts for the user who may want the exercise devices to line the perimeter of the room, rather than be fixed to the ladder-like structure 100 that is usually located further out from the walls. So, there is a need to construct such attaching means which allows a user to either mount the attachments to the frame structure or to the per-perimeters of a room.
Also assembling/disassembling of the screwed/bolted exercise devices from the ladder like structure 100 or the standard wall is cumbersome and time consuming. Thus there is a need to design suitable mounting means which can facilitates exercise devices to be easily mounted/dismounted to the ladder like structure 100.

Arrangement for attaching an exercise device to a ladder-like frame of an exercise machine


Separating a multi-phase mixture influent even during excessive flows of specific phases. The dynamic phase separator includes a chamber divided into two regions by an inner wall disposed radially inward relative to an outer wall. A gross separation region is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall, while a fine separation region lies inside an area defined by the inner wall and top of the chamber. Influent to be separated is fed through an inlet into the gross separation region. A plurality of porous disks are mounted to a rotatable shaft and disposed in the fine separation region. The outer and inner walls are separated by a predetermined distance sufficient to allow for adequate rotational velocity of incoming tangential flow of the influent and dwell time sufficient for natural separation of lighter phases from heavier phases within the gross separation region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a dynamic phase separator for separating heavier phases from lighter phases of a multi-phase mixture, e.g., oil, water and gas; lighter fluids from heavier fluids; gas from liquids; or solids from liquids. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved dynamic phase separator with a dual wall chamber for improved separation efficiency even during excessive flows of specific phases within the phase mixture.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,936,986 and 5,037,562 are directed to a dynamic phase separation (DPS) system and each is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. In theses patented systems, the establishment of a barrier layer is critical to the proper operation of the phase separator. The patented system is therefore suitable only when the percentage of the phase to be separated such as oil present in the fluid mixture to be separated is not excessive within the vessel and, specifically, proximate the porous filter disks. However, a rapid increase in flow or unstable flow condition hereinafter referred to as a "slug" in the influent to be separated is not uncommon. As the percentage of the phase to be separated from the fluid mixture increases at some point the efficiency of separation of that phase decreases using these conventional patented DPS system. Such failure in operation is a result of the manufacture of the filter disks using materials that have an affinity to water rather than oil. Once saturated or wet with excessive quantities of oil thereafter the membrane of the filter disk will have an affinity for oil rather than water and thus no longer be able to effectively separate the phases.
By way of illustrative example, the patented DPS is able to provide effluent discharge below 15 ppm of oil, with the influent containing 10,000 ppm of oil content, in oil/water/detergent mixtures. If the oil content ratio becomes too high (severe slugging), the rotary filtration disks may become prewetted or saturated with oil that pass through the boundary layer itself thereby reducing the effectiveness of the separating device. Thus, slugging at some point will decrease efficiency. Accordingly, at some level a flow imbalance may reduce the efficiency of separation and be undesirable depending on such factors as the amount of imbalance and the desired purity of the effluent discharge.
It is therefore desirable to develop an improved dynamic phase separator that is suitable for influent regardless of excessive flow imbalance in the feedstock of unwanted product by maintaining adequate rotational velocity and dwell time for the natural separation of lighter phases from heavier phases, e.g., lighter liquids from heavier liquids, lighter gases from heavier liquids and lighter solids from heavier liquids.


Described is the use of query identifiers that provide computer users a method of “bookmarking” (uniquely identifying) any user interface (UI) element in any UI framework. This is useful for testing programs, assistive technologies, and teaching activities. The unique query element identifier is identified for a target UI element to locate within a hierarchy of UI elements. For example, the element's Name, ClassName, Instance, AccessibleName, Role, ControlId and AutomationId may be used to develop the unique query element identifier. From the query elements in the hierarchy of UI elements, a query identifier is generated for the target UI element. The query identifier includes the query element identifier and possibly ancestor query element identifiers, with each ancestor query element identifier corresponding to a higher-level ancestor element relative to the target element in the hierarchy. The query identifier may be used to locate the target element for testing versions of application programs.

The ability to record and playback UI interactions benefits many domains, including macro scripting for users of assistive technologies, training, and testing. A significant impediment to reliable recording and playback of UI interaction has been uniquely identifying each UI component in a reliable and performant manner.
In the test domain, thoroughly testing computer programs is very expensive for development enterprises. As a result, some form of automated testing is typically used to save expense, and indeed, often can more consistently test the program than can a large number of independent testers. One type of testing framework is record and playback, in which a tester interacts with a program, with some or all of the user input (e.g., keystrokes and other input such as mouse events) recorded. By recording the input, the same input can be applied to the user interface elements in other versions of the program in a playback operation, whereby the same test can be reused multiple times to find bugs and other problem areas that resulting following a version change.
A first step in automated testing is finding a user interface (UI element) to test. In some cases, this is as simple as finding the running application by its executable filename, and a ControlId for the element. However, especially with multiple frameworks, finding the element is rarely this simple.
For example, many different types of UI-based applications have been deployed, and while the basic concepts of each are similar, their actual implementations are different. In particular, a mandatory property for one application is often optional for another. Further, in the course of adding value, some of the properties that are supposed to be mandatory may have been missed. As a result, in most programs, no single set of properties can be used to uniquely identify all controls.
By way of example, consider a Win32 control such as a button that has an associated ControlId. This ControlId may have been originally intended to be unique to the program, that is, there should be only one control with this value associated with it inside the executable program. However, with large projects that build upon other components, the desired uniqueness intention quickly becomes unmanageable, and is rarely enforced.

Query-based identification of user interface elements


A non-photographic strip includes a base layer similar in properties and characteristics to a base layer of a known photographic filmstrip and a magnetic recording layer over the base layer. A cartridge is sized and shaped to be received in a cartridge receiving chamber of a photographic camera. The cartridge contains the non-photographic strip which is sized and shaped to be moved within the camera from the cartridge. Preferably, the magnetic recording layer is opaque. The magnetic recording layer is used to transfer information to and/or from the camera.

Prior art cameras disclose a number of ways for the camera operator to input information into the camera. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,181 discloses a camera system having a camera and an external device (IC card 4) detachably mounted on the camera by a holder 5. When the external device is mounted on the camera, they are connected electrically with each other and communicate therebetween in order to read a program or data memorized in the external device into a memory in the camera. The camera is controlled according to the program designated by the external device.
Such an arrangement for inputting information into a camera is less than optimal for several reasons. Extra hardware (i.e. holder 5 and the appropriate electrical connections) is required in the camera, thereby increasing the size and cost of the camera. The camera operator must carry around another type of paraphernalia (i.e. IC card 4) and learn how to properly insert the card into the holder, consequently increasing the complexity of operation of the camera.
Another method of inputting information into a camera is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,810 (the '810 patent). This patent discloses that a virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a photographic filmstrip. The magnetic layer must be transparent so that light can be transmitted through the filmstrip when making photographs or viewing slides. Information exchange between various users of the film such as the film manufacturer, the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher is facilitated by plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film that begin and end within individual frames. Each track is dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of parameters relating to the corresponding frame, for easy access by a particular one of the various users. Each user has the capability to read and/or write information in self-identifying data in the corresponding tracks. FIG. 2 discloses a camera with a magnetic read/write head.
In order to make the magnetic layer virtually transparent, it is made extremely thin, and the magnetic particle distribution and size are so designed that the composite granularities of the photographic and magnetic media are matched (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,782,947 to Krall). As a result, information stored on the transparent magnetic layer emits extremely weak magnetic signal levels relative to information stored on conventional video and audio cassette tapes which utilize a conventional opaque magnetic layer. Consequently, data recording and reading with the transparent magnetic layer is not very robust compared with more conventional opaque magnetic recording layers. Therefore, attempting to impart a large amount of data from a transparent magnetic layer of a photographic film to a camera risks data loss.
Additionally, the information density which can be stored and subsequently read to/from a transparent magnetic layer is much less than with conventional opaque magnetic layers. Thus, a much larger area of transparent magnetic material must be used to store the same amount of information which can be stored on a smaller area of conventional opaque magnetic material.

Non-photographic strip having a base layer similar to a photographic filmstrip and a magnetic recording layer


A credit card transaction processing system that, in various embodiments, is configured for: (1) receiving transaction data related to a reimbursable charge made on the credit card by a credit card holder; (2) analyzing the transaction data to determine whether the charge may be auto-substantiated; (3) in response to determining that the charge may be auto-substantiated, auto-substantiating the charge; and (4) in response to the charge being auto-substantiated, reimbursing the credit card holder for at least a portion of the charge at least substantially without human intervention.

Currently, it is common practice for an individual to use a credit card to make reimbursable purchases such as reimbursable health care or business-related purchases. For example, an individual can use their credit card to pay a co-payment for a medical checkup that is reimbursable from the individual's flexible spending account, or to purchase tickets for reimbursable employment-related travel. In order to obtain reimbursement for such purchases, the individual must typically fill out an appropriate paper form and submit it, along with proper substantiating documentation, to an appropriate entity such as a flexible spending account administrator. This process is often difficult and time consuming. Accordingly, an improved reimbursement system is needed to make it easier to obtain reimbursement payments for reimbursable purchases.

System and method for providing a credit card with back-end payment filtering


Dynamically scheduling multi-receive-path signal equalizer tasks. An estimated maximum Doppler frequency and an estimated delay spread of a particular wireless communications channel may be determined at a particular time. A particular task queue format and a particular predictor model order update period may be identified based on the estimated maximum Doppler frequency and delay spread. A particular predictor model order update rate may be selected based on the identified particular equalizer task queue format. A plurality of task control signals may be generated based on the particular task queue format, the particular predictor model order-update period, and the particular predictor model order-search range, to control equalizer coefficient generation within a particular time period.

Certain mobile networks may support particular communication protocols that allow for faster data transmission when compared to other protocols. For example, HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), or evolved HSDPA+, enabled mobile devices may realize higher data rates and capacity when compared to devices enabled to communicate via legacy WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). Such devices, however, may require relatively complex and expensive hardware architectures in order to realize faster data transmission.

Dynamic task scheduling for multi-receive-path equalizer

SHANGHAI MOBILEPEAK SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.


A process for the production of a bleaching clay product which includes the steps of selecting a naturally occurring hormite clay product, cleaning and crushing the clay product to form clay clumps less than 6 in. in diameter, aging the crushed hormite clay and activating the clay with extremely small amounts of acid, in the range of less than 1 percent, by weight. Also, an acceptable bleaching clay product can be produced without the addition of any acid to the aged hormite clay.

This invention relates to a process for production of a bleaching clay product from naturally acidic hormite clay by adding extremely small quantities of acid to the mined and crushed hormite clay. In addition, this invention relates to a process for the production of a bleaching clay product by aging the crushed, naturally acidic hormite clay for an extended period of time, and more particularly, by adding extremely small quantities of acid to the aged hormite clay product. In addition, the invention relates to products produced by these processes.
It is well known that many naturally occurring clays may be used to decolorize oils. These clays decolorize or bleach various oils, such as mineral oils and vegetable oils; various fractions from petroleum, especially lubricating oils, and can be used for refining used lubricating oils, as well as purifying animal fats and beeswax.
In the early 1900""s, it was discovered that the bleaching power of naturally-occurring clays could be enhanced by treating those clays with relatively large quantities of a mineral acid, such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid, and then washing the acid treated clay free of dissolved salts and residual acid created by the acid treatment. This process is conventionally called acid activation. The general process of acid activation of a clay product includes grinding the clay to a generally uniform size, dispersing the clay in water, slurrying the ground clay, and then adding the acid to the clay slurry to form substantially uniform, acid-activated bleaching clay products. This process is disclosed, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,492,184; 1,781,265; 2,018,987; and 2,671,058.
While many processes are useful for acid activation of various types of clay products, the oils being treated with the acid-activated clay can be damaged by the acid utilized with these processes. Because of this adverse effect, it is conventional practice to wash the clay after acid activation to remove any excess acid. However, that washing creates a waste stream that can contain minerals and acids that are harmful to the environment, and which must be neutralized or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally reasonable manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,226 has addressed this issue by limiting the amount of acid that is utilized for activation. Thus, after acid activation, it is claimed that this bleaching clay product need not be washed. This patent teaches the addition of from 1 to 10 percent by weight of concentrated sulfuric acid to certain naturally-occurring mixtures of palygorskite and bentonite clays. The preferred range of acid addition is between 3 and 5 percent. Even though the level of acid used in the activation of this clay is low in this process, the acid is still expensive and the bleaching clay product produced can still not be used for the bleaching of certain types of edible oils because of the presence of the acid.
A process for producing an acid-activated, decolorizing clay using a naturally occurring, acidic attapulgite clay with a pH in the range of 5 to 7 and a pore volume in the range of 0.25 to 0.50 cm3/g is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,226. This clay is activated by the addition at a temperature of 25 to 100xc2x0 C. (77 to 220xc2x0 F.) of an acidic solution equivalent to 10 percent to 30 percent of the clay by weight. This acid-activated clay is not washed, but is used directly as a decolorizing clay.
Aside from attapulgite clay, bentonite clays can also be activated with acid, but higher concentrations of acid are recommended than for attapulgite clay. Because of the relatively large amounts of acid used during this acid activation, release of acid by the decolorizing clay to the material being decolorized cannot always be avoided.
A process for acid treatment of an attapulgite clay to produce an improved cat litter is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,029,783. Relatively low percentages of acid are used in this process, and the acid-treated material is not washed. The material is calcined at 370 to 540xc2x0 C. (700 to 1000xc2x0 F.) before the acid treatment, with another calcination at about 400 to 590xc2x0 C. (750 to 1100xc2x0 F.) occurring after the acid treatment. These treatments are necessary to increase the ability of the attapulgite to absorb urine and other body fluids. Use as a decolorizing clay is not discussed.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,492,184 describes a process for the activation of crude clay with acid, wherein the acid constitutes not more than 10 percent by weight of the clay. Calcining is expressly avoided to prevent evaporation of the acid.
A process for acid activating a clay is also disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,226. In this process, the clay is extruded and ground, and an aqueous acidic solution is added to produce a suspension. The suspension is heated, and the acid-treated clay is separated, washed, filtered and dried. There is no heat treatment of the acid-activated clay. The intent of this treatment is to improve the ability of the clay to filter impurities from liquids. In particular, oil-soluble dyes are said to be removed from oils using this product.
Numerous patents have disclosed acid treatment of various types of absorbent clays. In these patents, the amount of acid that is utilized varies considerably, based on the type of clay utilized and whether the clay is washed after the acid activation step. However, in most circumstances the amount of concentrated acid added exceeds ten percent (10%) by weight. These patents include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,844,476; 1,792,625; 1,796,799; 3,617,215; 1,752,721; 1,716,828; 1,455,995; 1,949,673; 2,602,807; 1,544,210; 2,981,697; 1,946,124; and 2,484,828.
Processes for the regeneration of spent acid-activated bentonite clay are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,468,701 and 5,330,946. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,477,386 and 2,671,058.
It has now been discovered that even the relatively low percentages of acid taught by some of the prior art patents may have an adverse effect on the bleaching clay product and/or on the oil being bleached by the bleaching clay product.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to disclose a process for the production of a bleaching clay product, whereby extremely small amounts of acid are added to the preliminary clay products.
It is a still further object of this invention to disclose a process for the production of a bleaching clay product which can be effective for the bleaching of certain types of oil, even with no acid activation.
It is a still further object of this invention to disclose a process for the production of a bleaching clay product which can be activated by merely aging the clay product in situ for an extended period of time without adding any acid to the clay product.
It is a still further object of the invention to disclose bleaching clay products produced by the process of adding acid at levels less than 1 percent by weight to a crushed hormite clay that has been aged for an extended period of time.
These and further aspects of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the process and the product produced by that process.
One preferred process for the production of a bleaching clay product of this invention comprises selecting a naturally occurring, raw hormite clay product, cleaning the raw hormite clay product, crushing the cleaned, hormite clay product to produce hormite clay clumps, wherein preferably at least about fifty percent (50%) by weight of the clumps are less than about 6 ins. in diameter, aging the hormite clay clumps for a period of time, preferably at least three (3) months in situ, drying the aged hormite clay clumps, and milling the dried hormite clay to form a bleaching clay product with a residual acidity of less than about 0.25 percent by weight, preferably less than 0.2 percent by weight and most preferably less than 0.15 percent by weight.
An additional preferred process for the production of a bleaching clay product comprises selecting a naturally occurring, raw hormite clay product, cleaning the raw hormite clay product, crushing the cleaned hormite clay product to produce hormite clay clumps, wherein preferably at least about fifty percent (50%) by weight of the clumps are less than about 6 ins. in diameter, and treating the hormite clay clumps with less than 1 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of the clay product, of a concentrated acid. Preferably the amount of acid added is less than 0.5 percent, and most preferably from about 0.3 to about 0.5 percent. The acid treated hormite clay clumps are then dried and milled to form a bleaching clay product with a residual acidity of less than about 1 percent by weight, preferably less than 0.5 percent by weight. No washing of the bleaching clay product is necessary.
An additional preferred process for the production of a bleaching clay product comprises selecting a naturally occurring, raw hormite clay product, cleaning the raw hormite clay product, crushing the cleaned, hormite clay product to produce hormite clay clumps, wherein preferably at least about fifty percent (50%) by weight, of the clumps are less than about 6 ins. in diameter, aging the hormite clay clumps for an extended period of time, preferably at least about 3 months, and treating the hormite clay clumps with less than 1 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of the clay product, of a concentrated acid. Preferably the amount of acid added is less than 0.5 percent by weight, and most preferably from about 0.3 to about 0.5 percent, by weight. The acid treated hormite clay clumps are then dried and milled to form a bleaching clay product with a natural acidity of less than about 0.5 percent by weight.
In addition, the invention includes products produced by these processes for the production of bleaching clay products.

Processes for producing a bleaching clay product and bleaching clay products produced by those processes


A machine for orienting randomly arranged articles by a hopper bowl having a rotary bottom support. The rotary bottom support has peripherally spaced openings which permit downward discharge of the articles. An article support self extending below said openings prevents article passage through said openings until the articles arrive at a discharge location. Said article support self having a duct which connects a plurality of holes in said self with a negative air pressure source so that the articles are held against said self while they are in said peripheral openings.

This invention relates to the field of machines for automatically orienting and continuously feeding containers, for example bottles or other hollow articles made from synthetic material, which may be of very different sizes and shapes. This machine is designed for continuous feeding of other machines such as high production filing machines or similar equipment.
Known machines of the type to which the present invention relates may include in general:
a) a hopper of any shape or dimension provided with an opening to receive in bulk containers that fall onto a bottom plane whose edges are at a distance from the side wall of the hopper providing a space allowing the passage of the containers.
b) a structure, provided with displacement means in enclosed circuit, located below the bottom plane, including, fully or in part:
a plurality of detachable container holding elements removable mounted at the periphery of the structure defining between their sides, the edge of the structure, and the hopper wall, a series of recesses adapted to receive containers in a lying position and provided with retaining means for one part of the containers, namely their neck, in such a way as to release them in a predetermined position, usually with the neck upward; PA0 a plurality of discharge chutes provided under the recesses for receiving and transferring the containers, correctly oriented, towards an exit conveyor that feeds, for example, a bottling line;
c) a plane or shelf, which may be adjustable in height, located below the recesses and over the chutes, designed to support at least one main portion of the containers when they are conveyed by the holding elements defining the recesses for receiving and retaining them in a lying position, the plane or shelf being provided with an opening in an unloading area through which the containers drop when moved into position thereover by the container holding elements;
This plane or shelf designed to support at least one main portion of the containers is described in the following patents:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,368 (NALBACH): lateral fixed plane 82 that provides a support for the bottles during their rotation an has, at the upper part, an opening to pass the bottle that fall, by gravity, in an upright position into a chute located below the opening;
German patent 19 43 372 (HOFFCO): inclined helicoidal shelf 14 to retain the containers body, provided with a passage opening likewise at the higher part;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,209 (MARTI): inclined annular shelf 14 to retain the containers body, provided with a passage opening also at the higher part;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,852 (MARTI): horizontal annular shelf 11 to retain the containers body, provided with a passage opening in an unloading area.
In these different machines, the containers only rest by gravity on the said planes or shelves. As they are essentially light containers their remaining on the said planes is more specifically problematical the higher the speed of the machines is. Thus a limitation of the related machines operating speed and a drop of their efficiencies by a low rate of filling of the related receiving recesses with frequent stops for those of them which have no available device to evacuate the wrongly positioned containers.

Machine for automatically orienting containers


Disclosed herein is an online platform for facilitating the development of software applications based on an executable statechart using a microservices architecture, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the online platform may include a communication device, a processing device, and a storage device. Further, the communication device may be configured for transmitting a software application design interface to a user device. Further, the communication device may be configured for receiving a plurality of design commands, through the software application design interface, from the user device. Further, the processing device may be configured for generating an executable statechart design based on the plurality of design commands. Further, the storage device may be configured for storing the at least one executable statechart design.

Best practices for developing software applications may include a practice of developing software applications using software developing architectures. Further, the software developing architectures may include microservice architecture. Further, the microservice architecture may structure the software application as a collection of small autonomous services each running in a separate process, modeled around a business domain.
Existing techniques for developing the software application based on an executable statechart are deficient with regard to several aspects. Many existing frameworks for statechart development are either sold as high-level vendor-specific graphical tools or open-source tools that use a declarative State Chart Extendable Markup Language (SCXML). These tools many times do not support truly parallel execution of statecharts. Further, existing statechart implementations may require that all sub-state machines must be coded and built in the same language and at the time as the main application when it is built. In addition, current technologies do not use executable statechart to develop the software application based on the microservice architecture. Further, current technologies do not use a real-time signal to communicate with the autonomous services of the software application. Furthermore, current technologies do not allow autonomous services based on an executable statechart to be programmed using different programming languages using the same API.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved online platform for facilitating the development of software applications based on an executable statechart that may overcome one or more of the above-mentioned problems and/or limitations.

Online platform for facilitating the development of software applications based on an executable statechart


A foothold including a tread, side portions positioned at both sides of the tread, and legs to be inserted into a concrete wall. The tread, side portions and legs are formed of a core covered by synthetic resins. A plurality of fins are provided axially on outer peripheries of the synthetic resins which cover the legs, and pins are provided on the side portions so as to extend radially therefrom at portions adjacent boundaries between the side portions and legs. Universal washers are provided and are pressed against the concrete wall by the respective pins which are engaged in the side portions. The universal washers have substantially elliptical holes through which the side portions extend, and recessed grooves are provided along the short axis of the elliptical holes for accommodating the pins. With this arrangement, the legs can be easily and reliably fitted into the holes defined in the wall surface so that the foothold can be reliably fixed to a manhole wall. Further, since the universal washers are detachable from the foothold, a foothold small in size and low in cost can be achieved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a foothold comprising a tread, side portions positioned at both sides of the tread and legs to be inserted into a concrete wall.
2. Background of the Invention
A conventional foothold including a tread, side portions positioned at both sides of the tread and legs to be inserted into a concrete wall is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication 10-292412, which foothold includes spherical bodies integrally formed with the side portions at boundaries between the side portions and legs, and collar pieces fitted to the curved wall (such as a manhole inner wall) are slidably provided on the spherical bodies, wherein the collar pieces are pressed against the wall surface.
In the conventional foothold, if the diameters of the spherical bodies in which the collar pieces fitted to the curved wall such as the manhole inner wall are small, the collar pieces easily come out from the spherical bodies and hence the collar pieces can not be reliably retained relative to the spherical bodies, leading to a drawback that the foothold can not be reliably held relative to the manhole inner wall. On the other hand, if the diameters of the spherical bodies are large, the collar pieces are slidable relative to the spherical bodies, leading to a drawback that the collar pieces are also made large like the spherical bodies, and the tip ends of the spherical bodies are brought into contact with the manhole inner wall when the foothold is fixed to the inner wall. To avoid such drawbacks, the spherical bodies are provided such that they protrude a large amount from the side portions of the foothold, thereby making the entire foothold large.


A data reproduction apparatus assuring compatibility of optical disks capable of reproducing both pit-position recorded data and edge-position recorded data in optical disks by digital operation by using digital values obtained by sampling reproduction signals. A reproduction signal obtained by an optical head is converted into a digital value by a first A/D converter, and on the basis of the converted digital value, pit-position recorded data is recorded by a pit-position detector. Moreover, the reproduction signal obtained by the optical head is converted into digital values by first and second A/D converters, and on the basis of the converted digital values, front edge and rear edge maximum likelihood decoded data of edge-position recorded data are detected by first and second maximum likelihood detectors, and both maximum likelihood decoded data are synthesized by a synthesizer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for reproducing data recorded in optical disk.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The optical disk is nowadays an essential external storage medium to computers. It is known that the recording system for optical disks has two kinds: one is a pit-position recording system and the other is an edge-position recording system. The pit-position recording system has record data corresponding to the center of a written record pit, and the edge-position recording system has record data corresponding to each edge of a record pit, which is known to be more advantageous than the pit-position recording system in that it can store a greater quantity of information per unit region and have greater recording density.
The optical disk, whether it is based on either recording system, requires a data reproduction apparatus. The data reproduction apparatus must recognize which recording system the optical disk is based on. To this end, JAP3-144919 and JAP4-79031 propose a compatible data reproduction apparatus which can be used when the optical disk is based on either recording system.
JAP3-144919 obtains a distinguishing information from the optical disk or from the outside whereby either recording system is identified. As a result, the data is reproduced in an analog system suited to the identified recording system. JAP4-79031 is also directed to the identifying of either of recording systems, and provides a method for identifying "which system" by a mark physically made on the optical disk such as the casing. When the optical disk is loaded on an apparatus, the mark functions as a distinguisher, thereby recognizing that the optical disk is based on a pit-position record system or an edge-position record system. The data is reproduced in an analog system suited to the identified recording system. A common feature with these conventional reproduction apparatus is that they presuppose that the data is reproduced in an analog system.
The analog reproducing system inherent to them makes it impossible for a PRML (partial response maximum likelihood) to be applied to, which will be described in greater detail below.
As a new reproducing system of edge-position recorded data, a digital data reproducing technology called PRML (partial response maximum likelihood) is being studied. This PRML reproducing technology is a technology for demodulating the information modulated and recorded in accordance with partial response characteristic by a maximum likelihood method (Viterbi decoding), and it is superior in the detection capability to the conventional analog reproducing system. First, record data is limited in run length, and the signal modulated in accordance with the partial response characteristic is recorded in an optical disk, and a reproduction signal obtained from the optical disk is sampled by an analog/digital (A/D) converter, and the transition of most likely (maximum likelihood) signal state determined from the sampling value according to a predetermined algorithm, and the reproduction data is generated on the basis of the determined transition of signal state. At this time, maximum likelihood decoded data of front edge and maximum likelihood decoded data of rear edge are independently detected, and the individual maximum likelihood decoded data are synthesized, and data is demodulated.
This PRML reproducing technology is a digital detecting system for operating by using the sampling value, and is completely different from the analog detecting system in the conventional reproduction apparatus mentioned above. Therefore, in such conventional reproduction apparatus, the problem is that the PRML reproducing system which is excellent in detection capability cannot be applied.
Incidentally, in the above detecting system of PRML reproducing technology, a system of reproducing pit-position recorded data by utilizing one side of front edge or rear edge, that is, a pit-position detecting system by applying the PRML has been proposed. In this system, pit-position recorded data can be reproduced, but a sufficient margin is not obtained. The reason is explained below.
FIG. 1 is a graph showing the result of experiment of error rate in the case of reproduction of pit-position recorded data by three-value two-state PR (1, 1) ML. When the sampling phase is near +15%, the error rate is worse than 10.sup.-5. When the error rate allowable range is 10.sup.-5 or less, the phase margin is only about 25%, which is not suited to practical use. The reason of such worsening the error rate is the presence of the transition region of the detection state at this phase position.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing the pit-position detecting state by three-value two-state PR (1, 1) ML. The merge state 1 in the detectable range is y1=+merge, y2=no merge, y3=merge and the merge state 2 is y1=+merge, y2=-merge, y3=no merge and at the turning point from the merge state 1 to 2 (the sampling phase in the vicinity of +15%), the merge states coexist due to noise, and data may not be detected correctly.
Or, if attempted to install the pit-position detecting system by analog configuration in the detecting system of PRML reproducing technology by digital configuration, since only few circuits can be shared, sufficient reduction of size and saving of power are not achieved on the whole.


A nozzle apparatus and method for dispensing powdered material from a container such as a cardboard shipping box. The apparatus has a shaft with a tip in the shape of a slant-cut cylinder which is manually inserted into the container through the container wall and an inner plastic lining of the container. A threaded portion on the shaft in the form of an increasing radius helix thread causes the apparatus to tighten against the wall of the container when the user manually rotates a gripping portion of the apparatus. A passageway extends from the tip to a fitting outside the container which can be connected to a vacuum source such as a powder pump to draw in the powder coating material. The fluidized powder is then carried to a spray gun for powder coating an object. A second passageway may be carried within the shaft and extend from an opening within the container to a fitting outside the container to carry a pressurized gas into the container. The container may be placed on a vibrating tilted platform to agitate the powder coating material.

The present invention relates to a nozzle apparatus and method for dispensing powder coating material from a container such as a cardboard shipping box.
Manufactured objects are commonly coated by spraying an electrically charged powder onto the object while the object is electrically grounded. Electrostatic attraction holds the powder on the object until heat is applied to flow the powder together and to cure it. An apparatus for electrostatic powder coating typically includes a powder coating material storage container, a container for holding and suspending powder in a fluid such as air, a jet pump for conveying fluidized powder, and a spray gun. Using additional fluid, the jet pump induces a stream of fluidized powder from the container and propels the fluidized powder through a hose leading to the spray gun. The powder particles are electrically charged via electrodes at the nozzle of the gun and sprayed onto the object to be coated.
However, various difficulties arise in dispensing the powder coating material from the storage container so that a steady, consistent flow of fluidized powder is supplied to the spray gun. Conventionally, the powder coating material is shipped to a powder coating facility in a plastic bag in a cardboard box. Each box may carry up to 300 pounds or more of powder coating material, for example, but a 45 pound box is more common. Alternatively, a metal shipping drum may be used. In either case, the powder coating facility operator would normally transfer the powder coating material from the shipping container to a large feed hopper, where it could then be pumped to the spray gun.
However, when it is desired to use different powder coating colors, it is necessary for the operator to either purchase a different hopper for each different color, or to transfer the powder coating material back to the shipping container or other temporary storage container so that the hopper can be used with a different color. However, this is unsatisfactory since it is expensive and inconvenient for the operator to purchase and store a number of separate hoppers. Additionally, the hopper must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent contamination when a different color is used.
Moreover, once the shipping container is opened, the powder coating material is subject to contamination from a variety of factors, including atmospheric conditions such as moisture, dirt from the facility, and lint or hair from the operator or his clothing. Additionally, various health risks may be posed to the operator with exposure to the powder coating material due to airborne epoxy, vinyl, polytetrafluorethylene (Teflon), acrylic, polyester, and/or urethane components, and other substances which may be released.
Accordingly, the desirability of dispensing the powder coating material directly from the shipping container has been acknowledged. For example, one system for dispensing powder coating material from a cardboard shipping box includes a long tube which is inserted into the shipping container and draws in the powder coating material from the bottom of the container. The container is further carried at an angle on a vibrating platform to agitate the material.
However, such a system is unsatisfactory because the tube must be disassembled and cleaned when it is desired to use a different color of powder coating material, thereby slowing the operator's progress. Additionally, the box and plastic liner must be opened to insert the tube, thereby subjecting the material to contamination as well as exposing the operator to the material. Moreover, the tube may be prone to clogging since a large amount of material may accumulate in the tube when the material is not being dispensed. Also, such tubes may have a double-walled design which can trap the material, thus leading to contamination when the tube is inserted in a another container with a different colored material. Furthermore, the tube may have a cap or other fluidizing parts which may fall off and get lost in the powder coating material. Gravity feed and fluid bed hoppers are also known, and have their own disadvantages
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus for dispensing powder coating material from a shipping container which does not suffer from the above disadvantages. In particular, the apparatus should allow the material to be dispensed without opening the lid of the box, i.e., breaking the factory seal. The apparatus should further allow the operator to easily and quickly switch to different colors and/or containers of powder coating material without cleaning or disassembling the apparatus. The apparatus should further be inexpensive to manufacture, and should not have any parts which are subject to fall off while submerged in the powder coating material. The apparatus should dispense as much of the material from the container as possible to prevent waste, but should also allow the operator to seal the container for later reuse. The present invention provides a nozzle apparatus for dispensing powder coating material having the above and other advantages.

Nozzle apparatus and method for dispensing powder coating material


An agricultural tillage implement constructed to condition crop residue and cultivate the conditioned crop residue. The tillage implement includes a first residue conditioner and a second residue conditioner pivotably attached to a frame of the tillage implement. The first and second conditioners are movable independent of each other and of the frame such that an operator may raise and lower the first and second conditioners relative to the frame to change the depths of the conditioners.

Agricultural economies depend upon efficient utilization of equipment, personnel, time, and money resources. Allocation of these resources is an important consideration in field and crop management. The duration of time that equipment and personnel spend on any given field dramatically affects the efficiency of crop production. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to reduce the resources expended during field management.
Once a crop has been harvested, residual crop materials frequently remain on the field surface. Typically, these residual crop materials are incorporated within the soil profile of the field in an effort to maintain soil nutrient integrity. In particular, management of corn cropped fields commonly includes the incorporation of the residual corn stalks with field soil once the corn, and occasionally a portion of the stalk, has been harvested. Whereas some growers harvest a majority of the kernel, cob, and stalk material, others harvest only the kernel and discharge a majority of the chaff or cob and stalk materials onto the field. Regardless of the quantity of stalk material that is harvested, the subsequent preparation of a field requires incorporation of the stalk or crop residue with the field soil. It is generally understood that the size of the crop residue particles, as well as, the surface area of the crop residue exposed to the soil, affects crop residue decomposition. Specifically, reduced crop residue particle size and increased surface contact of the crop residue with adjoining soil improves crop residue decomposition.
Frequently, a crop residue conditioner, such as a stalk chopper, is pulled across the previously harvested field. The stalk chopper cuts the remaining stalks into smaller, more easily workable and degradable sized pieces. Frequently, one pass over relatively rigid crop residue such as corn stalks with the stalk chopper is insufficient to achieve the desired crop residue sizing. Additionally, the single pass of the stalk chopper inadequately conditions the crop residue that is generally aligned with the blades of the cutter. That is, crop residue that lies relatively perpendicular to the direction of travel passes through the stalk chopper with inadequate or no conditioning. This residue can lead to plow and other implement plugging or clogging during subsequent working of the field. Accordingly, many operators cross a field in a second working direction that is generally perpendicular to a first working direction to further condition the crop residue.
Such a process of conditioning crop residue increases an operator's time spent on any particular field, increases equipment wear and fuel consumption associated with any single working of the field, and detrimentally affects soil aeration due to the increased cultivation traffic on the field. Furthermore, insufficient single pass crop residue conditioning prevents subsequent operations, such as primary tillage, from being conducted contemporaneously with the initial crop residue-conditioning pass.
Commonly, after a field or a number of fields have been worked in crisscrossing directions with the residue conditioning implements, the operator must change implements to a primary tillage implement constructed to aerate a tillage profile and mix and/or bury the conditioned crop residue with the soil of the tillage profile. Once the crop residue has been mixed with the soil profile by the primary tillage implement, the operator again changes implements exchanging the primary tillage implement for another tillage implement constructed to level the cultivated tillage profile. Accordingly, traditional incorporation of crop residue with a tillage profile and preparation for subsequent field conditioning requires extensive field working with variable implements. Furthermore, each of the crop residue conditioner, the primary tillage implement, and the leveling implement are operated across the fields at different elevations. That is, where the crop residue-conditioning implement generally operates at an upper surface level of the field, the primary tillage implement is generally operated at an elevation of approximately 8 to 14 inches below the soil surface. Similarly, the leveling implement is generally operated in a range of approximately 3 to 6 inches below an upper surface of the primary tillage profile. Accordingly, simple gang connection of a plurality of individual devices is impractical to achieve efficient single pass field working.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a primary tillage system capable of conditioning crop residue in crossing directions, incorporating the conditioned crop residue into a tillage profile, and leveling the tillage profile for subsequent field weathering, planting or other conditioning.
In accordance with the present invention, a crop residue conditioning and incorporation implement is provided. The implement includes a frame extending along a longitudinal axis and supported above a supporting surface. The frame has a forward end connectable to a tow vehicle and a rearward end. A first conditioner is pivotably connected to the frame for conditioning a crop residue. The first conditioner is movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position independent of the frame. A second conditioner is pivotably connected to the frame at a location longitudinally spaced from the first conditioner for conditioning the crop residue. The second conditioner is movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position independent of the frame
The implement may also include a first tillage implement attached to the frame at a location between the first and second conditioners. The first tillage implement is biased toward the supporting surface. A second tillage implement is attached to the frame at a location rearward of the second conditioner. The second tillage implement is engageable with the supporting surface for leveling the supporting surface. It is contemplated that the first and second conditioners are independently movable relative to each other.
The first conditioner may be a stalk chopper that includes a plurality of blades oriented generally transverse to a pulled direction. The second conditioner includes first and second cutting disks positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. Each cutting disk includes a radially outer edge lying in plane that intersects the longitudinal axis at an acute angle. The frame is movable in a first direction and the radially outer edges of first and second cutting disks are oriented in a crossing direction with respect to the first direction. The cutting disks can be either individually mounted or mounted in a gang configuration, can be straight or concave in shape, and can be run at an acute angle intersecting or parallel to the longitudinal axis.
The implement may further include a wheel system pivotably connected to the frame for supporting the frame above the supporting surface. The wheel system includes a wheel and an actuator interconnecting the wheel system to the frame. The actuator is movable between a retracted position wherein the first conditioner engages the supporting surface and an extended position wherein the first conditioner is spaced from the supporting surface.
A leveling assembly is operatively connected to the frame. The leveling assembly pivots the frame on the wheel between a first level position wherein the frame is level with the supporting surface and a second level position. The implement may also include at least one wing pivotably supported by the frame. The wing is movable between a transport position and a non-transport position.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a primary tillage system is provided. The system includes a frame extending along a longitudinal axis and being supportable above a supporting surface. A stalk chopper is pivotably attached to the frame. The stalk chopper includes a central hub and a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades projecting radially from the hub. A cutting disk is pivotably attached to the frame aft of the stalk chopper. The cutting disk is positionable independent of the frame. A plurality of tillage shanks are attached to the frame aft the cutting disk. Each tillage shank is indexed relative to the cutting disk. A harrow is also pivotably attached to the frame aft the plurality of tillage shanks. The harrow is positionable independent of the frame and is indexed relative to the plurality of tillage shanks.
Each of the plurality of tillage shanks are offset from an axis of travel of the cutting disk to prevent soil clogging between adjacent tillage shanks. The harrow includes a plurality of soil manipulators. Each soil manipulator is offset from an axis of travel of each of the plurality of tillage shanks. The stalk chopper is positionable independent of the frame. A wheel assembly is pivotably connected to the frame and includes a wheel. The wheel assembly is movable between a first position wherein the plurality of tillage shanks engages the supporting surface and a second position wherein the plurality of tillage shanks are disengaged from the supporting surface. The harrow is selected from a group including a plurality of disks, a plurality of tines, at least one rolling basket, and a plurality of coulters. The cutting disk includes a radially outer edge free of serrations.
In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is provided. The implement includes a frame extending along a longitudinal axis and being supportable above a supporting surface. A stalk chopper is pivotably connected to the frame and has a plurality of blades for cutting a crop residue in a first direction. First and second sets of cutting disks are pivotably connected to the frame. Each set of cutting disks include a plurality of individual disks. A cutting disk actuator moves at least one set of the cutting disks between a first raised position and a second lowered position. The cutting disk actuator moves the at least one set of the cutting disks independent of the frame. A leveling tool is pivotably connected to the frame aft of the first and second sets of cutting disks. A leveling tool actuator moves the leveling tool between a first raised position and a second lowered position. The leveling tool actuator moves the leveling tool independent of the frame.
The first and second sets of cutting disks are positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. Each cutting disk of the first and second sets of cutting disks include a radially outer edge lying in plane that intersects the longitudinal axis at an acute angle. The frame is movable in a first direction and the radially outer edges of first and second cutting disks are oriented in a crossing direction with respect to the first direction.
A wheel system is pivotably connected to the frame for supporting the frame above the supporting surface. The wheel system including a wheel and an actuator interconnecting the wheel system to the frame. The actuator is movable between a retracted position wherein the first and second sets of cutting disks engage the supporting surface and an extended position wherein the first and second sets of cutting disks are spaced from the supporting surface. A leveling assembly is operatively connected to the frame. The leveling assembly pivots the frame on the wheel between a first level position for operation wherein the frame is level with the supporting surface and a second level position for transport. At least one wing may be pivotably supported by the frame. The wing is movable between a transport position and a non-transport position.
Other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

Crop residue and soil conditioning agricultural implement


A device and a method for the femtosecond laser surgery of tissue, especially in the vitreous humor of the eye. The device includes an ultrashort pulse laser with pulse widths in the range of approximately 10 fs-1 ps, especially approximately 300 fs, pulse energies in the range of approximately 5 nJ-5 μJ, especially approximately 1-2 μJ and pulse repetition rates of approximately 10 kHz-10 MHz, especially 500 kHz. The laser system is coupled to a scanner system which allows the spatial variation of the focus in three dimensions (x, y and z). In addition to the therapeutic laser/scanner optical system, the device includes a navigation system.

It is known that non-linear interactions and, at higher pulse energies or energy densities, a photodisruption in particularly optical materials or tissue can be generated with the help of femtosecond laser radiation.
In everyday clinical life, for example, this is utilized in eye-surgical lasers such as the "Visumax" from Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. Here the laser system is provided with a femtosecond (fs) laser beam source, the pulse energy of which is adjusted beforehand at a predetermined repetition rate (e.g., 500 kHz) of the laser pulses in a relevant range of, e.g., 50 nJ-5 μJ in order to always reliably generate a photodisruption in the tissue. With regard to a treatment of the cornea of the eye, a minimal focal diameter in the 1 μm an range can be achieved with a comparatively large numerical aperture of the focusing optics (approximately 0.3).
Optimal parameters have become known for the fs laser therapy of the crystalline lens which ensure quick treatment and minor collateral damages (EP 1212022 B1). With apertures of approximately 0.2, focal diameters of approximately 5 μm can be achieved. Such an arrangement is also known from EP 1663087 or from the applicant's WO 2008/017428, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
For the treatment of the eye fundus or the retina, only coagulation lasers (e.g., frequency-doubled Nd:YAG with a wavelength of 532 nm or also 561 and 659 nm) are known which can coagulate eye tissue, particularly of the retina, and also atrophy bleedings through thermal effects.
With an approximate volume of 80%, the vitreous humor is the largest structure of the eye. It consists of a gelatinous complex of hyaluronic acid, water, and a collagen framework. In the course of life, the vitreous humor undergoes an aging process which causes significant structural changes. Those changes are essentially a type of liquefaction of the vitreous humor which can result in detachments of the vitreous humor from the surrounding layers of the eye, particularly the retina and the capsular bag of the lens, which can entail medical complications.
A frequent serious complication is a retinal detachment which can occur in the periphery of an incomplete vitreous detachment. It is frequently induced by tensile forces of vitreous humor strands which connect the partially detached vitreous humor to the retina.
Such complications are commonly treated with a vitrectomy, wherein the eye is opened up and the vitreous humor surgically removed. However, this surgical procedure causes great stress for the patient, entails high costs due to the necessary hospital treatment and risks during the procedure.
It has been demonstrated in rare cases that traction causing vitreous humor strands can be severed with focused radiation from an Nd:YAG laser, thereby avoiding a vitrectomy [D. Schmidt, "Macular-threatening fraction detachment of the retina in a diabetic proliferative retinopathy, treated by laser," International Ophthalmology, 21, 99-106, 1997]. The severing is effected by the pressure wave of photodisruptions which are caused by the high pulse energies in the mJ range at pulse durations of a few ns. Said pressure waves also damage the surrounding tissue, making the use of this method impossible in immediate proximity of the retina. The laser spot is still placed manually by the physician after observation through a slit lamp microscope.

Device and method for vitreous humor surgery


The present invention is a method and apparatus for driving a roller-shutter door having a drive mechanism. The method comprises the activation of a circuit in response to an external stimuli to a switch. This actuates a timer and raises a timing bar. A cable passes across the timing bar and is connected to the switch on one end and to a solenoid on a second end. The cable passes through a top portion of a rocker arm assembly having a one-way bearing. The solenoid is actuated as a result of the raising of the timing bar; and activates the one-way bearing to cause the door to be raised to a pre-set position for a pre-set period of time. To reverse the door, the timer bar is dropped after the lapse of the pre-set period of time. The solenoid is re-activated and reverses the one-way bearing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for driving roller shutter doors to a closed or open state. More specifically, the present invention relates to a controller for applying motive power to a roller shutter door of the type used to retard passage in the event of fire, smoke or similar conditions, or, of doors simply used to prevent egress or entrance based on the time of day or the opening or closing of the facility to which the door is a portal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Roller shutter doors have been known for some time and are used in a variety of applications. They include such categories as: rolling grille; storm doors; fire and smoke doors; air-leakage doors, counter shutters; and, the like. What they have in common is a construction that allows them to be rolled up onto a drum or tube when in the open position; or, to be unreeled from the drum when the door is being lowered. Theses doors are typically used in commercial establishments to seal or close off large doorways, or bays, and can be operated electrically, manually, or both.
The methods and systems for driving the doors into an upward or downward position, during normal or emergency operation, have evolved over time from simple pull down doors of a kind used in residential garages, to more technologically advanced electric drive systems with timers, manual over-rides, and diverse safety features.
Generally, commercial or large capacity fire doors were driven by electric motors to open or close the door. However, when a fire occurred, these mechanisms would disengage the motor from the fire door and allow the door to close under the pressure exerted by an auxiliary spring activated by mechanical means or from a counterbalance. These mechanical means included pendulums, oscillating governors, friction discs, ratchets, etc. These mechanical devices tended to be unreliable because of jamming or other malfunctions caused by the motion of the door. One early mechanism that attempted to address this problem was described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,392 for a Mechanism For Controlling The Raising And Lowering Of A Door, issued Apr. 20, 1993 to Shea (hereinafter referred to as "Shea").
In Shea, there is disclosed a mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of a door such as a fire door. The mechanism controls the speed of the door when it drops under the force of gravity; and, can be electrically, or manually, operated. The problem that Shea was attempting to address was the need for a fire door mechanism that regulates the raising and lowering of the door while effectively controlling the door's movement without the need of springs or similar mechanical means. The speed of the door's drop was under control of a centrifugal governor employing brake shoes.
Other prior art has addressed the need for testing the speed and effects of the door's drop during non-emergency uses. U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,103 for a Door Apparatus With Release Assembly, issued Jan. 9, 1996 to Burgess et al. (hereinafter referred to as "Burgess") teaches the use of a counterweight to offset the weight of the roller door and a reducing weight to reduce the weight of the counterweight. The assembly of the door allows the use of a standard governor to control downward speed. This use of reduced weight and the resultant reduced stress on the door allows the mechanism to use parts that are reduced in size and weight.
After the disclosures of Shea and Burgess, came the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,949 for an Apparatus For Driving A Roller Shutter Door, issued Jul. 20, 1999 to Fan (hereinafter referred to as "Fan"). Fan teaches a driving mechanism for roller shutter doors that can be adjusted from outside of the apparatus so as to accommodate doors of different heights. The advantage of Fan is that the mechanism, if either moved from a door of one height to a door of a differing height, or if the door is not of the height for which the factory settings apply, does not have to be disassembled for adjustments. Rather, the adjustable control means is disposed within the stationary housing of the apparatus, and extends from within the apparatus to a point outside where it can be manipulated or adjusted as required. And, while Fan addresses a legitimate need, it still leaves unanswered the need to allow the door to move freely into an open position while under control of a governor.
Further improvements to the drive mechanism are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,863 for a Door Operator Unit, issued Mar. 11, 2003 to Balli et al. (hereinafter referred to as "Balli"). In Balli, an improved power transmission mechanism which works between the drive motor and the operator output shaft is disclosed. The operator unit is adapted to reverse the positions of a manual operator drive and a release mechanism. The advantage provided by Balli is the ability to interchange the operator unit components depending upon the door configuration or application. Thus, the drive mechanism can be established as either a right side or a left side mount. Balli still leaves the question of door control after rebounding, or the issue of timer adjusted openings and closings to be addressed.
The evolution of the rollup door and its drivers and safety mechanisms has continued with the disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,139 for a Manual Operating Mechanism For Upward Acting Door, issued Aug. 28, 2007 to Varley et al. Varley teaches a mechanism that addresses the difficulty of operating a roll-up door manually in those cases where the drive motor is mounted in an assembly that is beyond the easy reach of the user. The mechanism of Varley includes a manual brake release that is foot actuated by a person using an elongated crank handle to manually move the door from an open to closed position or vice versa. A problem left unanswered by Varley is how an operator, under the stress of an emergency, can efficiently disengage the motor drive.
What is not appreciated by the prior art is the need to provide a method and apparatus for controlling the drop of the door (or curtain as the case may be) that incorporates each of the successes of the prior art while minimizing the problems. One important issue not addressed by the prior art, is that the drop of the door should be controlled by a mechanical centrifugal governor such that the door does not "bounce" after it arrives in the full open position. While in a closed position, the curtain or door must be able to maintain its locked position unless the door or curtain is manually released through the use of a manual lever and/or an electrical switch. The use of a timer to allow the door to re-open at least part-way, and then close after a specific time interval during an emergency, would provide a safety that is currently lacking in the art.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method and apparatus that will supply multiple safety features in the event of an emergency while providing for more efficient operation of the door during normal use.

Method and apparatus for driving a roller shutter door


A hot water recirculation system for a house or other building causes water to be recirculated to a water heater for reheating until the water is above a set-point temperature at which time the heated water is made available for use at a faucet or other hot water plumbing fixture. Recirculation of hot water takes place only when there is demand for hot water at a hot water plumbing fixture. A flow switching module for use in the hot water recirculation system can selectively direct water supplied to the flow switching module from a water heater either to a hot water plumbing fixture or to return piping for returning the water to the water heater. The flow switching module may be operated manually, automatically, or semi-automatically.

This invention relates to a hot water recirculation system for buildings which conserves water and energy.
In many homes or small apartment buildings, a great deal of water is wasted while a user is waiting for hot water to finally flow from a plumbing fixture such as a faucet or shower. Often it may take several minutes until hot water makes its way through cold pipes, warming them up and flushing cold or lukewarm water from the pipes. Not only is the water which is flushed from the pipes typically lost down the drain, but the heat stored in the water is also lost.
A 2009 EPA estimate found that 280 million gallons of hot water was wasted each day in showering alone. The energy used to heat this wasted water results in annual greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of 1.6 million passenger vehicles.
A typical home may waste about 30 gallons a day while users wait for hot water. Some estimates show that 300 billion gallons of water are lost in this way each year.
Modern building codes do not necessarily help with this situation. With a 50-foot run of ¾-inch pipe from the water heater to a water-conserving faucet, it will take roughly three minutes to get hot water at the faucet, during which time lukewarm water in the pipe and its thermal energy are going down the drain and heat is radiating into the house.
Hotels avoid this problem by having hot water continuously pumped through a closed recirculation loop. Individual hotel faucets are on relatively short branches close to the main recirculation loop, so hot water is quickly available at the faucet. Such a system is obviously not practical in a private home.
Similar recirculating systems have been proposed for home use in which recirculation pumps are only run for a limited time when flow is sensed. These systems can be more efficient and can minimize wear and tear on the pumps by not running continuously, such as when a house is not occupied. Energy is still lost due to the need to heat the entire hot water loop, which acts as a radiator, warming the house and wasting energy.
Other systems use a small pump under a sink or nearby a shower or faucet. With these systems, the user typically presses a button to turn on the pump, which pumps cold or lukewarm water present in piping either into the cold water pipe (in a typical retrofit installation) or else into a return line going to a hot water heater (which is preferred in new installations). When the water reaches a set-point temperature, the pump turns off.
Tankless water heaters only solve this water and energy loss problem if they are located in proximity to a faucet or other plumbing fixture where hot water is needed. Otherwise they have the same problem as conventional heaters in that the cold water in the pipes from the water heater to the faucet must first be displaced by hot water and the pipes must be warmed before the "instant" hot water from the tankless system will flow from the faucet. This is a common problem with tankless systems, since a tankless system is often installed to replace a conventional water heater and is located far from plumbing fixtures in the basement.
Accordingly, there is a need for a hot water recirculation system for buildings which is more energy efficient than existing systems.


An interface system and method for providing information concerning items available via an interactive system and service is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, the method includes the steps of displaying at least a first menu item to the viewer or user via a screen associated with the interactive system, the first menu item denoting a first item, processing at least a first input from the viewer regarding obtaining information related to the first item and displaying serially to the viewer a plurality of images related to the first item.

Over the years, many systems and techniques have been developed for purposes of facilitating the advertising, marketing and selling of various products and services. Such systems and techniques generally provide a means by which advertisers can present information concerning the merits of the product or service in an attempt to convince members of the public that the advertised product or service should receive due consideration in their future purchasing decisions. For instance, advertisements for products in print media (e.g., newspapers, direct mail) generally include text describing the product and one or more still photos of the product. Such print media advertisements can provide the reader with a great deal information concerning the advertised product, such as how the product appears, cost of the product, materials/ingredients used to make the product, weight, and/or where the product was made. As such, the reader of print media advertisements can formulate an informed opinion or impression of the advertised product. Advertisements presented to the public over other types of media, such as television, are also capable of providing the viewer with both visual and auditory information concerning the product or service. For example, for purposes of presenting information to the viewer concerning the product or service on broadcast or cable television, such that the viewer may make an informed purchasing decision, a television commercial typically includes hundreds or thousands of frames of video and a soundtrack, both of which cooperate to trumpet the qualities of the product or service being advertised. However, costs associated with making such broadcast and cable television commercials can be high, based upon costs for materials (e.g., film, set) and labor (e.g., for actors/actresses, camera men and writers), as well as costs for air time for broadcasting such commercials on television.

Interface method for providing information about items on a list for interactive television