50results about How to "Minimizes inventory" patented technology

A business form particularly adapted for generalized use, although it may be used in a medical or hospital environment includes in a first embodiment a wristband that is provided with a laminate backing including a tab portion at the opposite end of a free end, with the tab portion having a cinch slot through which the free end is inserted for securing the wristband about a person's appendage. Several self adhering labels are provided inboard of the tab and may be individually separated from the wristband. The labels and the wristband may each be imprinted with identifying indicia such as bar coding. A second embodiment of the invention includes a page sized form with one or more self laminating wristbands readily separable from a carrier with each wristband comprised of a layer of face stock and a laminate, with the wristband including a printable face stock region die cut into the face stock and a strap portion, a laminating portion, and a cinch die cut into the laminate layer. The laminating portion includes two halves which fold together about a fold line to enclose the face stock, with the strap portion extending from one of said halves. The cinch comprises two slots which may both be located outboard of the face stock, or on both sides of the face stock. The free end of the strap may be adhered in place by folding over one of the slots, or by adhering a patch of adhesive carried at the tip of the free end. The face stock may be extended to the edge of the cinch slot to shield the strap from contacting adhesive. Any of the wristband constructions may be provided on a page sized sheet along with a plurality of self adhering labels, in any of a number of configurations, to suit any particular application, as desired by a user.

A production and inventory control for a manufacturing facility is provided that facilitates and coordinates improved planning and execution of such facility in a supply chain with a focus on providing an improved and robust planning, production and inventory control, even in the presence of uncertainty. This may include Optimal Planning that can balance the need for low inventory, low cost (i.e., high utilization of equipment and labor), and efficient on-time delivery. The result of such planning is not a schedule per se but a set of parameters that form a dynamic policy that generates an evolving schedule as conditions (demand, production) materialize. An Optimal Execution applies the dynamic policy resulting in a manufacturing system that is robust enough to accommodate moderate changes in demand and / or capacity without the need to reschedule. Optimal Execution may also involve a “Capacity Trigger” that detects when the assumptions regarding demand and capacity used to determine the dynamic policy are no longer valid. The Capacity Trigger also may provide a Trigger Signal to the planner indicating the need for either more or less capacity.

A dental implant system includes an implant having a well and an abutment having a post shaped to be received in the tapered well. Both the implant and the abutment are made from a millable ceramic, and the abutment post and / or the implant well have grooves carved therein. In one embodiment, the implant and the abutment are joined one to the other with a retentive elastomeric product containing micro-bubbles and micro-spacers. The dental implant system may be produced using a computer-readable medium containing instructions for analyzing surface data and X-ray data, for developing contour data of the implant and of the abutment according to the anatomy of the patient, and for generating machine instruction for milling the implant and the abutment from blocks of the millable ceramic. The invention provides the dentist with total flexibility in determining the most appropriate contours of the implant system and in reducing inventory.

One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for treating a hydrocarbon stream having one or more compounds with a boiling point of about 140-about 450° C. The apparatus can include an extraction zone and a regeneration zone. The extraction zone can include at least one settler. Each settler can have a height and a length. Typically the length is greater than the height. Also, the settler can form a boot, which can be adapted to receive a feed at one end. The regeneration zone may include a regenerator for an ionic liquid. The regenerator can include a column adapted to provide a regenerated ionic liquid to the extraction zone.

A production and inventory control for a manufacturing facility is provided that facilitates and coordinates improved planning and execution of such facility in a supply chain with a focus on providing an improved and robust planning, production and inventory control, even in the presence of uncertainty. This may include Optimal Planning that can balance the need for low inventory, low cost (i.e., high utilization of equipment and labor), and efficient on-time delivery. The result of such planning is not a schedule per se but a set of parameters that form a dynamic policy that generates an evolving schedule as conditions (demand, production) materialize. An Optimal Execution applies the dynamic policy resulting in a manufacturing system that is robust enough to accommodate moderate changes in demand and / or capacity without the need to reschedule. Optimal Execution may also involve a “Capacity Trigger” that detects when the assumptions regarding demand and capacity used to determine the dynamic policy are no longer valid. The Capacity Trigger also may provide a Trigger Signal to the planner indicating the need for either more or less capacity.

An axial field electric machine having an improved efficiency includes a number of magnetic elements (e.g., as a rotor) as annular disks magnetized to provide multiple sector-shaped poles. Each sector has a polarity opposite that of an adjacent sector, and each sector is polarized through the thickness of the disk. The poles of each disk are aligned with opposite poles of each adjacent magnet. Metal members adjacent the outermost disks contain the flux; The axial field electric machine also includes one or more conductor elements (e.g., as a stator) which include a number of conductor phases that traverse the flux emanating between poles of axially adjacent magnetic elements. The design of the axial field electric machine including the gap spacing between adjacent magnetic elements, the transition width between adjacent poles on each magnetic element, the number of poles, the number and width or conductor phases in the conductor element is based on the physical characteristics of the magnetic elements to increase efficiency.

A light film apparatus having an illuminated graphics panel with at least two segments that can be individually powered. A controller manages a power which is delivered from a power supply to each of the segments, so that each of the segments is either powered on, powered off or powered to an intermediate level. With the independent control of power to the different segments, it is possible to create a three-dimensional appearance of a moving image from a generally two-dimensional panel arrangement.

Providing an updated version of a printed document comprising storing data for generating an original version of a printed document, including a two-dimensional barcode that contains: data identifying the original version of the document, as well as at least a portion of the data for generating the original version of the document. The invention also enables the updating of the stored data so that a later version of the printed document may be generated including a new barcode for identifying and generating the later version. The barcode of a version of the document is scanned to determine if the scanned barcode identifies the later version of the document. If the barcode does not identify the later version, then the later version of the document is generated and printed. If the barcode does identify that the scanned document is the later version, the document is not printed and the user may be notified that the scanned version is the latest version.

A melt cooler and valving system for an underwater pelletizer has a diverter valve that facilitates multiple modes of melt processing. The cooler has a cooler inlet line that conveys the melt to the cooler, and a cooler outlet line that conveys the cooled melt from the cooler. The diverter valve is configured to convey the melt to and from the cooler during a cooling mode of operation, to convey the melt around the cooler during a bypass mode of operation, and to drain the melt from the cooler and the diverter valve during a drain mode of operation. The diverter valve is compact and therefore contains a minimum of product inventory. The valve is streamlined and direct in its bypass mode, and includes a drain capability to allow for faster, easier cleaning of the process line, which in turn provides a fast changeover time with less lost product.

A light film apparatus having an illuminated graphics panel with at least two segments that can be individually powered. A controller manages a power which is delivered from a power supply to each of the segments, so that each of the segments is either powered on, powered off or powered to an intermediate level. With the independent control of power to the different segments, it is possible to create a three-dimensional appearance of a moving image from a generally two-dimensional panel arrangement. A housing can be mounted so that the graphics panel abuts or is closely mounted to a mounting surface.

A glass-to-metal bushing for ignitors of airbags or belt tensioning pulleys. A metal pin is arranged in a slot in the base plate in the fixing material, the base plate being formed by one element whereby the base geometry describing the slot is produced by at least one separation process. Structure is provided between the front and rear of the base plate for preventing relative motion of the fixing material in the direction of the base plate rear portion across from the inner circumference of the slot.

Apparatus and method for removing material adhering to a workpiece are disclosed. A process liquid and a discontinuous phase are placed in a process tank adapted to receive a workpiece. The interface between the process liquid and the discontinuous phase is energized with megasonic energy, and the interface is contacted with and moved relative to the workpiece in a linear direction at a controlled rate, preferably across all of the workpiece. Liquid in the interface is optionally removed from the process tank at predetermined times to remove entrained particles. Numerous drying schemes can be used to reduce or eliminate formation of droplets and to speed drying time.

The invention is a bi-zone water transport plate for a fuel cell wherein the plate includes a water permeability zone and a bubble barrier zone. The bubble barrier zone extends between all reactive perimeters of the plate, has a pore size of less than 20 microns, and has a thickness of less than 25 percent of a shortest distance between opposed contact surfaces of the plate. The water permeability zone has a pore size of at least 100 percent greater than the pore size of the bubble barrier zone, and has a thickness of greater than 75 percent of the shortest distance between the opposed contact surfaces of the plate. By having a separate bubble barrier zone, the plate affords enhanced water permeability while the bubble barrier maintains a gas seal.

Hydrogen peroxide is prepared by an auto-oxidation method via oxidation in a microreactor. A working solution containing a reactive carrier compound is hydrogenated with hydrogen in a first step and is subsequently oxidized in a microreactor to produce hydrogen peroxide.

A glass-to-metal bushing for ignitors of airbags or belt tensioning pulleys. A metal pin is arranged in a slot in the base plate in the fixing material, the base plate being formed by one element whereby the base geometry describing the slot is produced by at least one separation process. Structure is provided between the front and rear of the base plate for preventing relative motion of the fixing material in the direction of the base plate rear portion across from the inner circumference of the slot.

A low profile backlit graphic display device enables a user to display an illuminated graphic hung from the user's neck. The device comprises a housing, a light source assembly, and a number of optical element panels. The housing comprises housing edging, an assembly-receiving cavity, and a coupler-receiving aperture. The housing edging defines a panel-receiving section in anterior adjacency to the assembly-receiving cavity. The light source assembly is receivable in the assembly-receiving cavity. The panels may include a reflector panel, a light guide panel, and an interchangeable graphic panel. The panels are positionable in anterior adjacency to the assembly-receiving cavity within a panel-receiving section. The graphic panel is positionable in anterior adjacency to the light guide panel for illuminating a graphic by way of panel-guided light. A lanyard assembly is attachable to the coupler-receiving aperture and wearable about the neck for enabling the user to display a neck-hung illuminated graphic.

A melt cooler and valving system for an underwater pelletizer has a diverter valve that facilitates multiple modes of melt processing. The cooler has a cooler inlet line that conveys the melt to the cooler, and a cooler outlet line that conveys the cooled melt from the cooler. The diverter valve is configured to convey the melt to and from the cooler during a cooling mode of operation, to convey the melt around the cooler during a bypass mode of operation, and to drain the melt from the cooler and the diverter valve during a drain mode of operation. The diverter valve is compact and therefore contains a minimum of product inventory. The valve is streamlined and direct in its bypass mode, and includes a drain capability to allow for faster, easier cleaning of the process line, which in turn provides a fast changeover time with less lost product.

A two-way stretch disposable diaper formed from four cooperating layers, a microfiber top layer to keep the wearer dry, an absorbent pad to collect body exudates, a waterproof layer to keep absorbed fluids within the pad, and a two-way stretch outer support layer. The top layer is formed as a cover for the absorbent pad which is designed to absorb urine and semi-liquid fecal material. The absorbent pad is backed by the waterproof layer or sheet which also covers the pad edges to prevent side leakage. The waterproof layer is anchored to a self-adhesive, two-way stretch support layer which constitutes an outer cover or support layer. The support layer derives its two way stretch and self adhesive qualities from its weave of alternate twist and / or crinkle threads. The support layer includes a plurality of holes in the waist band area which provide added ventilation and drainage when the diaper is used as swim-wear.

A flow rate assembly can include a housing having a measurement channel extending along the housing axis and through a portion of the housing between the first and second ends of the housing, an outer cup portion positioned at least partly within the housing, and a transducer positioned within the outer cup portion and sealed from fluid flow past the outer cup portion, the transducer having a width perpendicular to the housing axis and greater than the width of the measurement channel, the transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic signal and to direct the ultrasonic signal through the measurement channel.

The invention is directed a rotary molding machine having a wheel mounted for rotation on a pair of shafts positioned along the rotational axis of the wheel. A first shaft cooperates with a first turntable of the wheel and a second shaft cooperates with a second turntable. The first and second turntables extend transversely to the rotational axis. A plurality of modular mold clamp assemblies are positioned on the wheel, with each modular mold clamp assembly being moveable between an open and a closed position. Each modular mold clamp assembly has mounting areas which are mounted with respective mounting locations each turntable. The modular mold clamp assemblies provide the structure and rigidity between the turntables to help maintain the turntables in position relative to each other.

A modular mass storage device suitable for use with computers and other processing apparatuses. The mass storage device includes a controller board having a system interface connector, a memory controller, a cache device, and a second connector. The mass storage device further includes a daughter board having at least one non-volatile memory device for data storage, a read-only memory device containing firmware of the mass storage device, and a daughter board connector configured to mate with the second connector of the controller board and thereby form command, address and data paths between the memory controller and the memory device of the daughter board. The memory controller and the memory device are configured so that the memory controller reads the firmware of the read-only memory device when the daughter board connector is mated with the second connector of the controller board.

An inline ultrasonic transducer assembly is disclosed. The transducer assembly can include a body having a cylindrical flow passage and a transducer mounting space having a track on along which at least one transducer chassis can be slidingly engaged. The transducer chassis can include at least one piezo member oriented at an angle with the axial centerline of the flow passage.

A dental implant system includes an implant having a well and an abutment having a post shaped to be received in the tapered well. Both the implant and the abutment are made from a millable ceramic, and the abutment post and / or the implant well have grooves carved therein. In one embodiment, the implant and the abutment are joined one to the other with a retentive elastomeric product containing micro-bubbles and micro-spacers. The dental implant system may be produced using a computer-readable medium containing instructions for analyzing surface data and X-ray data, for developing contour data of the implant and of the abutment according to the anatomy of the patient, and for generating machine instruction for milling the implant and the abutment from blocks of the millable ceramic. The invention provides the dentist with total flexibility in determining the most appropriate contours of the implant system and in reducing inventory.

A business form particularly adapted for generalized use, although it may be used in a medical or hospital environment includes in a first embodiment a wristband that is provided with a laminate backing including a tab portion at the opposite end of a free end, with the tab portion having a cinch slot through which the free end is inserted for securing the wristband about a person's appendage. Several self adhering labels are provided inboard of the tab and may be individually separated from the wristband. The labels and the wristband may each be imprinted with identifying indicia such as bar coding. A second embodiment of the invention includes a page sized form with one or more self laminating wristbands readily separable from a carrier with each wristband comprised of a layer of face stock and a laminate, with the wristband including a printable face stock region die cut into the face stock and a strap portion, a laminating portion, and a cinch die cut into the laminate layer. The laminating portion includes two halves which fold together about a fold line to enclose the face stock, with the strap portion extending from one of said halves. The cinch comprises two slots which may both be located outboard of the face stock, or on both sides of the face stock. The free end of the strap may be adhered in place by folding over one of the slots, or by adhering a patch of adhesive carried at the tip of the free end. The face stock may be extended to the edge of the cinch slot to shield the strap from contacting adhesive. Any of the wristband constructions may be provided on a page sized sheet along with a plurality of self adhering labels, in any of a number of configurations, to suit any particular application, as desired by a user.

A flow rate assembly can include a housing having a measurement channel extending along the housing axis and through a portion of the housing between the first and second ends of the housing, an outer cup portion positioned at least partly within the housing, and a transducer positioned within the outer cup portion and sealed from fluid flow past the outer cup portion, the transducer having a width perpendicular to the housing axis and greater than the width of the measurement channel, the transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic signal and to direct the ultrasonic signal through the measurement channel.