Abstract:
A foam-filled cap (200) sealing ink-ejecting nozzles of an inkjet printhead in a printing mechanism has a two-layer structure, with an outer skin layer (215) of an elastomer, and a second foam core layer (220) inside the skin. The skin defines a sealing lip that surrounds the nozzles when the cap (200) is in a sealing position to avoid unnecessary drying of the ink. The skin has an interior surface (216) that defines a cavity under the sealing lip. The foam core (220), located within the cavity, may be formed by expanding a foam preform or by injecting raw foam into the cavity. An insert (260) may be molded into the cap structure (200) for use in mounting the cap in the printing mechanism. An optional backing layer molded to the structure is used to attach a vent basin to the cap. A method of constructing this cap, and a printing mechanism having this cap, are also described.
Abstract:
An automated calibrant system is provided for use in a liquid separation/mass spectrometry (LS/MS) apparatus. The calibrant system is pneumatically pressurized to forcibly move a reference liquid from the calibrant system to an ion source. The ion source is in fluid communication with a switching valve and with a mass spectrometer. The switching valve communicates effluent from a liquid separation system to the source when the switching valve is in a first position, and communicates one or more reference liquids from the calibrant system to the source when the switching valve is in a second position. The switching valve, and liquid handling valves in the calibrant system, can be individually activated manually or by automated means to alternate between analytical and calibration modes of operation in the LS/MS apparatus. A method is also provided for calibrating a mass spectrometer in a LS/MS apparatus during processing of a liquid sample by the liquid separation system.
Abstract:
A direct contact scanner (101) uses a fiber acoustic waveguide (107, 141) to convey ultrasound from an ultrasound transducer (117) to a direct contact area (122). The waveguide extends from a main body (105) of the scanner into an oblong nose (109), and terminates in a deflector (149). To minimize thickness of the nose, the waveguide and deflector are rotated about an ultrasound transmission axis (119) of the waveguide, enabling the scanner to be used in a variety of situations where quarters are cramped. A coupling fluid (111) conveys ultrasound between the deflector (149) and a radome (113), which directly contacts the object (103) to be scanned. Using the waveguide, an ultrasound transducer and supporting electronics (118) may be distanced from the direct contact area (122) and separated from the fluid (111), thereby insulating the fluid from possible electronic leakage currents and heat.
Abstract:
A method of accessing a target entity over a communications network employs a distributed database system similar to the DNS of the Internet; indeed the DNS may be used as the required distributed database. The distributed database stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding communication date for use in accessing a target entity. Each of these domain names is related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a substantial portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name. Upon the input of a number string indicative of a target entity, the related domain name is formed by parsing the number (step 120) and the domain name is then used to retrieve the corresponding communication data from the DNS-type distributed database system (step 121). This data is then used in accessing the target entity. In one embodiment, the communications network is a telephone network and the target entity is a called party; in this case, the number string comprises a dialed number and the retrieved communication data is a URI indicative of the location on the Internet of a current telephone number for the target party, the URI once retrieved being used to access the current telephone number over the Internet (step 123) for use in setting up a call to the target party.
Abstract:
To maintain a uniform spacing between the print media, such as paper or fabric, and an inkjet printhead having a large print swath, for instance about 25 millimeters (one inch) wide, a new media support system is provided for inkjet printing mechanisms, such as printers or plotters. The support system employs an endless belt (62) driven from the belt interior surface by a roller drive system that uniformly supports the print media under the reciprocating printhead (54, 56). The belt may be lined with anti-cockle ribs or it may be foraminous, with a vacuum applied thereunder to pull the media onto the belt. An ink drying system is included for heating the belt and thus the media to avoid ink bleed. A method is also provided for supporting and transporting a large sheet of print media through a printzone of an inkjet printing mechanism having such a large swath inkjet head.
Abstract:
Service resource items (49) for use in call setup in a telephone system are held on servers (58) that are connected to a computer network which is logically distinct from the telephone system infrastructure; this computer network may, for example, make use of the Internet. Each service resource item (49) is locatable on the network at a corresponding URI and is associated with a particular telephone number. A mapping is provided between telephone numbers and the URIs of associated service resource items. When it is desired to access a service resource item (49) associated with a particular telephone number, this mapping is used to retrieve the corresponding URI (step 55) which is then used to access the desired service resource item (56, 57, 59).
Abstract:
Traditional IN (Intelligent Network) services in a PSTN use service logic and data that is accessible for use only by the PSTN, though provision may be made for users to change certain controlled parameters of the services. The present system has the service logic and data ("service resource items") placed on servers (51) accessible over the Internet (50). This permits service resource items to be accessed from the service control subsystem (42) of a PSTN on a worldwide basis using the highly-resilient infrastructure of the Internet (50). Furthermore, the updating of the service resource items can be made the responsibility of the party to whom the service resource item relates, such updating being readily effected by access direct to the server (51) holding the resource items.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is achieved for creating or restoring a high friction surface to a drive roller (52). Abrasive pads (12) define a scrubbing surface for acting upon a media roller's surface (54-58). As the roller's surface is scrubbed, creping occurs which increases the surface's coefficient of friction between the roller and media sheet ("COF(rm)"). In one embodiment, the creping apparatus is formed by a pair of plates (16, 18) hinged along one edge (30) and open along an opposite edge (28). A spring (19) is positioned between the plates biasing the plates apart at the open end. One or more abrasive pads are attached to the outer surface of one plate (18). To create or restore a high friction surface, the apparatus (10) is positioned adjacent to the roller (52). By approximately defining the force applied between the roller (52) and abrasive pads (12) and by using an abrasive pad of known grit, initially surface contaminants, if any, are scrubbed from the roller surface (54-58).
Abstract:
Miniaturized planar column devices (2) are described for use in liquid phase analysis, the devices comprising microstructures fabricated by laser ablation in a variety of support substrates (4). Devices formed according to the invention include associated laser-ablated features required for function, such as analyte detection device (34, 36) and fluid communication device (10). Miniaturized columns constructed under the invention find use in any analysis system performed on either small and/or macromolecular solutes in the liquid phase and may employ chromatographic, electrophoretic, electromatographic separation device, or any combination thereof.
Abstract:
A device (10) for storing information electronically and which has a pen-sensitive screen (12) enabling a user to make freehand input has the screen divided into two areas - a main area (17) and a subsidiary area (18) adjacent the main area. The user can tag items of freehand input causing a tag item (20, 22) to be displayed alongside the freehand input and can subsequently manipulate (e.g. delete, move, copy) the freehand input by selecting and manipulating the associated tag item. Tag items provide a permanent way of structuring data and are an elegant way of uniting several data manipulations.