| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20090108504 | METHODS OF MAKING STRUCTURED FILMS - Structured films having acoustical absorbance properties are disclosed. Methods of making and using the structured films are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090281000 | STRUCTURED POLYMER FILMS AND METHODS FOR FORMING THE SAME - A method for forming a structured polymeric film having a plurality of longitudinally spaced structured on both sides of the structured polymeric film is described. The method includes: providing a rotatable tool having an outer circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface including a plurality of tool projections; providing a nip roll having a smooth conformable outer circumferential surface opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the tool; introducing a polymer layer into a nip between the tool and the nip roll; pressing the polymer layer between the tool and the nip roll to form web recesses into a first side of the polymer layer and web projections extending away from an opposing second side of the polymer layer, with the tool projections on the circumferential surface of the tool and form a structured web; and removing the structured web from the tool. Sample processing articles are also described. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20100183479 | MULTILAYER PROCESSING DEVICES AND METHODS - Sample processing devices that include transmissive layers and control layers to reduce or eliminate cross-talk between process chambers in the processing device are disclosed. The transmissive layers may transmit significant portions of signal light and/or interrogation light while the control layers block significant portions of signal light and/or interrogation light. Methods of manufacturing processing devices that include transmissive layers and control layers are also disclosed. The methods may involve continuous forming processes including co-extrusion of materials to form the transmissive layer and control layer in a processing device, followed by formation of the process chambers in the control layer. Alternatively, the methods may involve extrusion of materials for the control layer, followed by formation of process chambers in the control layer. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20110210472 | METHOD FOR FORMING STRUCTURED POLYMERIC FILM - A method for forming a structured polymeric film having a plurality of longitudinally spaced structured on both sides of the structured polymeric film is described. The method includes: providing a rotatable tool having an outer circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface including a plurality of tool projections; providing a nip roll having a smooth conformable outer circumferential surface opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the tool; introducing a polymer layer into a nip between the tool and the nip roll; pressing the polymer layer between the tool and the nip roll to form web recesses into a first side of the polymer layer and web projections extending away from an opposing second side of the polymer layer, with the tool projections on the circumferential surface of the tool and form a structured web; and removing the structured web from the tool. Sample processing articles are also described. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20120244314 | MICROPERFORATED POLYMERIC FILM AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - Described herein are microperforated polymeric films comprising: opposed first and second surfaces separated by a first certain distance ( | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120304384 | PATIENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSFERRING PATIENTS AND CONTROLLING PATIENT TEMPERATURE - Patient support systems and methods for transferring patients and controlling patient temperature. The system can include a non-inflatable and self-supporting platform that can include a first surface and a second surface separated by a distance, a plurality of supporting structures that extends at least partially across the distance between the first surface and the second surface, a plenum, and a plurality of apertures formed through at least one of the first surface and the second surface and in fluid communication with the plenum. The system can further include a fluid source configured to move fluid into the plenum and out the plurality of apertures. A method of transferring a patient can include moving fluid into the plenum and out the plurality of apertures to form a fluid pallet. A method of controlling patient temperature can include moving a temperature-controlled fluid into the plenum and out the plurality of apertures. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20130059080 | Method of Eliminating Defects While Extrusion Coating Film Using Speed Control of the Nip Roll - It has now been determined that an internal optical defect can be eliminated by controlling the relative speed mismatch between the resilient roll and the casting roll in a film extrusion coating process. In particular, slowing down the surface speed of the resilient roll relative to the casting roll when coating a biaxially orientated film was found to remove the optical defect. Conversely, speeding up the surface speed of the resilient roll relative to the casting roll when coating a uniaxially orientated film was found to remove the optical defect. | 03-07-2013 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080289528 | INSPECTION SYSTEM FOR INSPECTING AN IMPRINTED SUBSTRATE ON A PRINTING PRESS - An inspection system for inspecting an imprinted substrate on a printing press has a light source, a contact image sensor, and a processor. The light source is configured to illuminate a portion of the substrate which has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. The contact image sensor has a plurality of sensing elements. Each sensing element senses light reflected by a corresponding region on the substrate to produce data representative of the corresponding region printed on the substrate. The processor is configured to receive the data representative of the imprinted substrate and to compare the data representative of the corresponding region printed on the substrate with stored reference data. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20100264338 | INSPECTING AN IMPRINTED SUBSTRATE ON A PRINTING PRESS - A method of inspecting an imprinted substrate on a printing press comprises illuminating a portion of the substrate which has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. The method further comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate, and comparing the data representative of the printed substrate with stored reference data. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20110255137 | IMAGING AN IMPRINTED SUBSTRATE ON A PRINTING PRESS - A method of imaging an imprinted substrate on a printing press is provided. The method comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate. The substrate has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. Each printing unit comprises a plate cylinder. The method further comprises storing the data representative of the imprinted substrate in a memory. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20130021600 | IMAGING AN IMPRINTED SUBSTRATE ON A PRINTING PRESS - Systems and methods for imaging an imprinted substrate on a printing press is provided. One method comprises sensing light reflected by the substrate using a contact image sensor to produce data representative of the imprinted substrate. The substrate has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. Each printing unit comprises a plate cylinder. The data representative of the imprinted substrate is output by the contact image sensor as analog voltage signals. The method further comprises receiving the analog voltage signals from the contact image sensor at a sensor interface circuit and converting the analog voltage signals to digital signals using an analog-to-digital converter of the sensor interface circuit. The method further comprises processing the digital signals using the sensor interface circuit to produce corrected digital signals and storing data based on the corrected digital signals in a memory. | 01-24-2013 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20110071918 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING AND EVALUATING NETWORK COMMODITIES PURCHASING - Comparison values are calculated for evaluating a commercial transaction. A request for quote received from a buyer agent includes a product specification data set that identifies items that differ in accordance with at least one parameter. Price data sets received from seller agents identify items and prices in response to the product specification data set. At least one of the price data sets identifies an item having a different parameter value as compared to the item in another price data set. A comparison value for each price data set is generated by determining a price total from the price data set and calculating a summed market price total by summing market price totals for each of the items. Calculating market price totals includes obtaining metric data indicative of market prices. The summed market price total is compared to the price total for the price data set to generate the comparison value. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110231339 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING AND EVALUATING NETWORK COMMODITIES PURCHASING - Comparison values are calculated for evaluating a commercial transaction. A request for quote received from a buyer agent includes a product specification data set that identifies items that differ in accordance with at least one parameter. Price data sets received from seller agents identify items and prices in response to the product specification data set. At least one of the price data sets identifies an item having a different parameter value as compared to the item in another price data set. A comparison value for each price data set is generated by determining a price total from the price data set and calculating a summed market price total by summing market price totals for each of the items. Calculating market price totals includes obtaining metric data indicative of market prices. The summed market price total is compared to the price total for the price data set to generate the comparison value. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20120233056 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING AND EVALUATING NETWORK COMMODITIES PURCHASING - One or more price metrics are generated by retrieving, from a database, one or more price data sets representing a specified time period. Each of the retrieved price data sets includes at least a parameter value, a quoted cost, and a selling unit of measure for at least one item, and is responsive to a product specification data set that includes at least one parameter value and a unit of measure for each of one or more items. In at least one embodiment, a combined item price total is divided by a combined item unit total to generate a metric price per unit for each item in the product specification data set. In another embodiment, a summed individual metric price per unit is divided by the number of individual metric prices to generate an overall metric price per unit for each item in the product specification data set. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120330725 | MANAGING AND EVALUATING PRICE DATA FOR PURCHASING - A method for evaluating price data includes receiving a product specification data set that identifies different items. Also received are price data sets that include items and corresponding price data. For each price data set, metric data for each item is obtained. The metric data includes one or more market reference prices for the items in the price data set. Using the metric data, a market value of each item in the price data set is calculated for comparison to the price data in the price data set. The method may also include comparing the price data in the price data set to the calculated market value to generate a comparison value. In another embodiment, metric data is obtained for each item in the product specification data set, and a market value of each item is calculated for comparison to the price data in the price data sets. | 12-27-2012 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20100224647 | PAPER PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEM - A dispensing system that removes individual napkins from a stack of interfolded napkins in a manner that allows the number of napkins dispensed to be easily counted and controlled so that an appropriate number of napkins are dispensed. The counted napkins are collected in an easily manageable form and presented to a user. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100258579 | CONTINUOUS FEED MATERIAL DISPENSER WITH ADJUSTABLE BRAKE - A braking assembly used in a dispenser that dispenses a continuous supply of material such as paper. The braking assembly includes a support structure. A first fixed gear is rotatably connected to the support structure. A movable chassis is also connected to the support structure. A second movable gear is held by the chassis and moves with the chassis. Teeth of the first gear and teeth of the second gear intermesh with each other and allow the paper to pass therethrough. The chassis maintains the teeth of the first and second gears in contact with each other while enabling a distance between gears to be adjustable. The assembly further includes a braking mechanism that varies an amount of force required to rotate the gears. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20120223175 | CONTINUOUS FEED MATERIAL DISPENSER WITH ADJUSTABLE BRAKE - A braking assembly used in a dispenser that dispenses a continuous supply of material such as paper. The braking assembly includes a support structure. A first fixed gear is rotatably connected to the support structure. A movable chassis is also connected to the support structure. A second movable gear is held by the chassis and moves with the chassis. Teeth of the first gear and teeth of the second gear intermesh with each other and allow the paper to pass therethrough. The chassis maintains the teeth of the first and second gears in contact with each other while enabling a distance between gears to be adjustable. The assembly further includes a braking mechanism that varies an amount of force required to rotate the gears. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120305565 | LOCKING MECHANISM - A locking mechanism for a storage container is provided. The locking mechanism is positioned on a center post of the storage container and includes a sled, a handle or knob, a connecting mechanism, a sled arresting mechanism, and a lock. Depending upon the position of the lock, the handle can unlatch the container. When the lock is in the unlocked position, the sled arresting mechanism allows the unlatching of the container. When the lock is in the locked position, the sled arresting mechanism prevents the unlatching of the container. The locking mechanism is resistant to drill attack due to its vertical configuration and positioning of a cover on the center post. | 12-06-2012 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080223357 | SELF-CLEANING COOKING APPLIANCE - A method and apparatus for cleaning a cooking apparatus. A self-cleaning cooking apparatus can include a cooking chamber having a plurality of surfaces a food preparation assembly configured to prepare food product within the cooking chamber, a water nozzle positioned to direct water into cooking chamber, a holder configured to hold a detergent packet in a position configured to allow the water to dissolve the detergent from the detergent packet. The holder can be positioned in a drain tank or within the cooking chamber. The liquid within the drain tank can be re-circulated from the drain tank to the nozzle. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080264271 | Grease Collection System for Oven - A grease collection system is provided that may be connected to an oven for the real-time removal of grease from the heating chamber while maintaining a closed system. In particular, one end of a grease removal conduit is placed in communication with a drain in the cooking chamber, and the other end of the conduit is placed in a portable reservoir for the disposal of grease having a predetermined fluid level to prevent ambient air from entering the heating chamber during the preparation of food product. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20090166349 | Memory Transfer Device - A medical warming cabinet and a method of installing a controller into a medical warming cabinet is disclosed that allows for easy transfer of operation parameters between controllers. Should a controller fail, the removable memory device can be removed from the failed controller and inserted into the replacement controller. This provides the benefits of a generic controller (e.g., low cost and good availability), but eliminates the tedious and costly necessity of having to reprogram the controller during maintenance. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090171693 | DATA LOGGER - A data logging module and a method of monitoring a medical warming cabinet is disclosed. A temperature of the heating chamber and a state of a door of the heating chamber are sampled at predetermined intervals and recorded as data packets on a memory device. A display may provide a message when the memory device is reaching capacity. Moreover, a selected of the data packets may be analyzed (such as the data packets excluding the data packets when the door is open) for the generation of a report. The data packets from the memory device may be transferred from the memory device to an external memory device as necessary. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20100059498 | MODULAR FLUID WARMER - The present invention provides a modular fluid warmer and a method of stacking a plurality of modular fluid warmers. As each of the modular fluid warmers is independently operated, the modular fluid warmers are energy efficient. Further, each modular fluid warmer may be equipped with sensors and a controller that reduces the required amount of user interaction with the modular fluid warmer. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100276411 | FLUID WARMER WITH SWITCH ASSEMBLY - A fluid warmer is disclosed. The fluid warmer includes a support surface, a heating element configured to selectively heat the support surface, and a switch assembly extending through the support surface. The switch assembly includes a switch, a movable switch plate, and a thermocouple. The switch has at least two states, one of which indicates the presence of an item on the support surface. The movable switch plate operably links to the switch to move the switch between the states and further includes a contact surface that contacts an item placed on the support surface. One or more thermocouples are embedded in the movable switch plate below the contact surface. The movable switch plate comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the thermocouple(s) embedded in the switch plate to measure a temperature of an item placed on the support surface within a predetermined period of time. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20110198338 | MULTI-ZONE HEATING SYSTEM - A heating system is disclosed including a cabinet having walls defining an interior heating chamber. Sensors are attached to an exterior surface of the walls. Heating pad subassemblies are attached to the exterior surface of the walls with each heating pad subassemblies located adjacent a corresponding sensor. The heating pad subassemblies include a pad having an attachment face coupled to the exterior surface of the walls and a heating element coupled to the pad. A controller is in electrical communication with the heating elements and the sensors. This controller is configured to independently monitor temperate measurements from each of the sensors and to independently control each of the heating elements. The heating pad subassemblies are positionable on the exterior side of the plurality of walls and the heating system compensates for load variations across the interior heating chamber. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110198339 | MULTI-ZONE HEATING SYSTEM - A heating system is disclosed including a cabinet, at least one heating pad subassembly, and a plurality of couplings. The cabinet has walls defining an interior heating chamber. The heating pad subassembly is disposed on an exterior surface of the walls of the cabinet and includes a heating element and a plurality of openings formed there through. The plurality of couplings includes a plurality of coupling first portions disposed on the exterior surface of the walls and a plurality of coupling second portions coupled to the plurality of coupling first portions. At least a portion of the plurality of couplings extend through the plurality of openings in the heating pad subassembly, thereby coupling the heating pad subassembly to the cabinet. | 08-18-2011 |