v

Black powder pellet loader for a revolver

A black powder pellet loader for a revolver. Tip ends of a number of fingers are movable from a closed position to an open position by sliding a thumb bracket toward a main bottom right end tube. One end of a penetrating tube may penetrate through the second end of a sliding raised rib tube, through a reducer adapter and a finger retaining nut until the end of the penetrating tube strikes a downward bend of each of the fingers. The downward bend of the fingers may continue to slide over the penetrating tube, which may force the tip ends of the fingers diverge from the closed position to the open position. Black powder pellets may be inserted between the fingers when in the open position, and upon release of the thumb bracket may be retained in the fingers when in the closed position.




v

Vending machine with dispensing assembly

A vending machine to dispense purchased goods includes a frame, a dispensing member, a controlling member, a blocking member and a driving member. The controlling member can slide a limiting shaft between a latched position and a releasing position. The driving member is a spring which is partly uncoiled and which constantly pulls the dispensing member, and thus a line of goods, towards the blocking member. When the limiting shaft is in the latched position, the limiting shaft prevents the blocking member rotating, so holding back the line of unpurchased goods. When the limiting shaft is retracted to the releasing position, the pressure of the line of goods rotates the blocking member through ninety degrees to allow one of the goods to pass out of the goods channel.




v

Medicine dispensing device with locking interaction between hatch and dividing wall

A medicine dispensing device includes a shell-like base unit, a shell-like cassette with a number of compartments for storage of medicines which is rotatable relative to the base unit, a unit for rotating the cassette relative to the base unit at predetermined times, a lid firmly connected to the base unit, and an aperture situated in the lid in such a way as to be movable to become central to any desired compartment of the cassette when the cassette is rotated relative to the base unit and the lid. A hatch is provided close to the aperture and can assume a position in which the aperture is closed and a position in which the aperture is exposed. The hatch is pivotable relative to a pivot axis. The hatch has a rear edge which has an extent in the circumferential direction of the device.




v

Automatic vending machine

An automatic vending machine for vending a product selected by a user includes: an automatic vending machine cabinet having an opening that is opened and closed by a door: a plurality of product racks that is provided in the automatic vending machine cabinet, each product rack including a plurality of product storage columns each storing products ordered in a line; and a product storage device that allows a user to take out one product at a time by holding a body of the product, when the door is opened to open the opening.




v

Sanitized vending machine and method

A sanitized vending machine includes product and cup dispensing mechanisms and an actuation mechanism. The product dispensing mechanism, holding one or more product items, rotates through a product dispensing cycle to dispense them. The cup dispensing mechanism, holding a stack of cups, rotates through a cup dispensing cycle to dispense a cup to a predetermined position. The dispensing cycles occur in a predetermined sequence so as to enable the dispensed product items to be received in a previously dispensed cup. The dispensing mechanisms respectively include rotatable first and second driven gears drivingly interfaced to rotate during respective product and cup dispensing cycles. The actuation mechanism includes a handle and a rotatable drive gear drivingly interfaced with the first driven gear. When the handle is turned by a user through an actuation cycle the driven gears rotate the respective mechanisms through respective product and cup dispensing cycles.




v

Product distribution device

A product distribution device for accommodating at least one row of products with products which can be arranged in succession on a support surface of a product guide element in a receiving space with the following features: at least one door for stocking the receiving space with the products, guide means which are guided along the support surface in one conveyance direction F for advancing the products in the conveyance direction F, a catch element which can be switched between one catch position of the conveyance means and one conveyance position of the conveyance means.




v

Power saw having a dust cleaning system

A table saw includes a base assembly having a base structure and side walls, a table top assembly top surface, and an undercarriage assembly including a motor. The undercarriage assembly is configured to adjust the vertical and angular position of a blade relative to the table top assembly, and includes an undercarriage frame and cover together defining a narrow housing configured and sized to enclose substantially all of an installed blade under the top surface. The housing has an upper pivot for adjusting the angular position of the blade and is configured to have the motor slidably mounted therein to adjust the vertical position of the blade. A removable port structure attached to a bottom portion of the undercarriage assembly has an outlet port at an outer end that is configured to be connected to a vacuum source.




v

Table for receiving a workpiece and method for processing a workpiece on such table

The present invention relates to a device for the treatment of a workpiece, in particular of a substantially flat substrate, comprising a table (2) for supporting the workpiece (5), a flow generation apparatus (6, 11) producing a gas flow (22) on a top face (17.1, 17.2) of the table (2) in a region between the workpiece (5) and the top face (17.1, 17.2) of the table (2), on which gas flow the workpiece (5) is supported during the treatment.




v

Various improvements to stump cutting tool discs

The present invention is generally directed to a grinder tool preferably having one or more of the following aspects or features: (i) some, preferably most, of the footprint of its bit being shielded by the disc; (ii) the peripheral edge of the disc is at least partially covered by a rock stop hard surface layer; (iii) non-rigid mounting hardware structured to provide a non-rigid mechanical connection between the well and the bit sub-assembly (for example, the non-rigid mounting hardware may include: a rubber isolator; a mesh isolator; and/or a fluid filled isolator); (iv) a stump grinding tool rotating disc assembly having at least one first type bit sub-assembly (including a bit) and at least one second type bit sub-assembly (including a bit), where: (a) the first type bit sub-assembly has a first bit footprint geometry, (b) the first type bit sub-assembly has a first bit footprint geometry, and (c) the first bit footprint geometry is different than the second bit footprint geometry; (v) a rotating disc assembly includes a disc that includes multiple guide protrusions extending axially from both axial ends of the disc around an angular range leading the angular position of each bit sub-assembly; (vi) a rotating disc assembly having rollers built into the peripheral edge of the disc; and/or (vii) disc assembly with a bit holder member that extends over a portion of the opposite axial faces of the disc.




v

Level adjusting device for worktable of jointer/planar machine

A woodworking machine includes a base, an adjusting device, and an adjustable worktable. The adjusting device is engaged with the base and includes a platform, a plurality of adjusters, and a plurality of fastening members. The platform is slidably engaged with the base. The plurality of adjusters are adjustable, and the plurality of fastening members are releasably inserted through the plurality of adjustors respectively. The adjustable worktable is engaged with the adjusting device. Moreover, the platform bears the adjustable worktable and the plurality of adjusters are abutted against the adjustable worktable. Additionally, the adjustable worktable is adjustably moved upon adjusting of the adjustors, and prior to adjusting each adjustor, the fastening member engaged therewith is removed.




v

Support stands for movable support of power tools

A support stand for movable support of a power tool features the use of rollers to support a tool mount along an elongated track. The track features a cover arrangement disposed over the surfaces on which the rollers move so as to avoid sawdust or other debris from building up on the track and interfering with smooth rolling motion of the tool mount. The stand is assembled in a working position by attaching two stand sections end to end to form the track, and is also configured for arrangement into a collapsed condition in which the stand sections stack one atop the other for space efficient storage and convenient transport.




v

Elongated cam, self-locking, board straightening device

A board straightening tool able to provide the force to straighten bent boards by simultaneously maintaining a grasping connection to both the joist being used to support the straightening device and the board being fastened to that joist, and maintaining a clearance between the straightening tool and board for the use of an Install the fastening device on the same joist that the tool is using for support is required to obtain the straightest installed boards possible and to maintain the maximum straightness of the deck board after the straightening device is released. The grasping pins are constructed either from a knurled metal for more grasp power or have a smooth surface providing for a reduction of marring of the joist. The tool also provides the force required to maintain consistently spaced gaps between the boards for a more desirable appearance.




v

Apparatus and method for removing board edge waste strips in a ripsawing operation

A waste strip-removing apparatus for use with a ripsaw that saws an incoming board into one or more usable boards and removes the opposite side edges, which become two waste strips that must be removed and transported to a different destination from that to which the usable board(s) is (are) transported. The apparatus includes two air-blasting units each having one or more air nozzles assigned to each waste strip. The air-blasting units are positioned with respect to a lateral direction by a positioning mechanism so that air directed from the nozzles impinges on the waste strips and moves them laterally away from the usable board(s). The positioning mechanism can include a linear motor having two forcers movable along a platen and respectively attached to air-blasting units.




v

Systems and methods for adjusting moisture concentration of a veneer

Systems and methods for adjusting a moisture concentration of veneer are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method for adjusting a moisture concentration of a veneer can include estimating a moisture concentration of a veneer surface at one or more locations thereon. The method can also include comparing the one or more estimated locations to a minimum moisture concentration level. The method can also include moisturizing at least a portion of the one or more estimated locations that are below the minimum moisture concentration level to increase the moisture concentration thereof.




v

Automated lumber retrieval and delivery

An automated lumber handling system laser-scans the top profile of multiple stacks of lumber, each of which contain boards of a unique size. Based on the scanned profiles, the system determines the order in which individual boards from a chosen stack should be transferred to a numerically controlled saw. The saw cuts the boards to proper size, and in the proper sequence to facilitate orderly assembly of a roof truss or prefabricated wall. In some examples, the system lifts individual boards by driving two retractable screws, or some other piercing tool, down into the upward facing surface of the board. A track mounted cantilever, holding the screws and a laser unit, translates over the lumber stacks to retrieve and deliver individual boards and, while doing so, the laser repeatedly scans the stacked lumber profiles on-the-fly to continuously update the profiles. The open cantilever design facilitates replenishing the stacks of lumber.




v

One-touch chamfering-amount adjustment device for a chamfering machine

The present invention relates to a one-touch chamfering-amount adjustment device for a chamfering machine which specifically carries out a chamfering process on the welding bead surfaces of objects to be processed (such as metal sheet materials and pipes). In the present invention, the moment after a chamfering-amount-adjustment piece has been manipulated so as to rotate, a position-setting pin is inserted into a securing recess in the chamfering-amount-adjustment piece and as this happens the chamfering amount is precisely adjusted in units and at the same time locking to the predetermined chamfering amount is automatically maintained, yet nevertheless the adjustment of the chamfering amount is achieved in a straightforward fashion with one touch, and, when the chamfering-amount-adjustment piece is manipulated, a cutter shaft moves vertically and as it does so the chamfering amount is adjusted in such a way that the chamfering amount can be immediately and rapidly adjusted even during working regardless of any cutter rotating action.




v

Lift device for power tool

A lift device for selectively adjusting a vertical position of a power tool relative to a working surface of a plate of a work bench includes a carriage assembly securable to an underside of the plate. The carriage assembly includes a securement mechanism selectively adjustable for interchangeably securing a plurality of power tools of different cross-sectional dimensions to the carriage assembly. A drive assembly selectively moves the securement mechanism upward and downward relative to the plate to adjust the vertical position of the power tool relative to the working surface when the power tool is secured to the carriage assembly. A drive-locking mechanism selectively locks the drive assembly. The drive-locking mechanism includes a cam lock for selectively engaging the drive shaft to inhibit rotation of the drive shaft.




v

Replaceable cover for bars in a printing system

A paper transport system for transporting a web in a printing system includes a stationary bar positioned such that the web slides over a portion of an exterior surface of the bar, a rotatable source roller for supplying unused cover material, and a rotatable take-up roller for receiving used cover material. Cover material extends between the source roller and the take-up roller and is disposed over the portion of the exterior surface of the bar that the web slides over. A locking mechanism can be used to maintain tension in the cover material.




v

Multi-stage retractable cord winder device

A retractable cord winder device, which has a front cover with center shaft, a spiral spring, a spool with a spool divider with flanged hook dividing the spool chamber into equal halves for efficient and minimal noise cable coiling, oval sliding positioning sliding disc, and a rear cover with concave recess to hold the oval positioning sliding disc with positioning stopper. The front cover is mounted with the rear cover through the center shaft via a center hole of the rear cover where there are symmetrical openings on both ends for cords folded in half to be attached to the flanged hook and retracted upon pulling down.




v

Modular system and method for deployment and retrieval of large diameter hoses

A hose deployment and retrieval system is described that includes a modular reel assembly. The modular reel assembly includes a reel having a hub around which a hose may be wound and a wheel assembly on either side of the hub and spaced to accept the hose there between. The reel assembly also includes an axle in the center of the hub around which the hub can spin and a base holding the axle. A deployment fork assembly includes a reel assembly mount for engaging with the modular reel assembly and a drive mechanism to spin the reel when the deployment fork assembly is engaged with the modular reel assembly, wherein the deployment fork assembly is adapted to mount to a vehicle.




v

Medium storing and advancing apparatus

To provide a medium storing and advancing apparatus for inhibiting rotation of a drum when tapes are completely rewound from the drum. The apparatus includes reels supplying and winding up the tapes, a drum winding up the tapes supplied from the reels or rewinding wound-up tapes to supply the tapes to the reels, and an inhibiting mechanism inhibiting further rotation of the drum in a direction of rewinding the tapes when the drum completely rewinds the tapes, whereby the inhibiting mechanism inhibits the rotation of the drum.




v

Movable device for holding reels and spools

A device is provided that is adapted for mounting on a vertical support, such as a stud at a construction job site, to hold a spool of wire off the floor, allowing the wire to be dispensed easily, yet providing sufficient drag on the reel to avoid excess unspooling of the wire. The device is adapted for mounting on a stud or comparable vertical support without the use of tools or fasteners so it can be moved quickly from location to location. The device is conveniently disassembled into two smaller assemblies for storage and transport to the job site.




v

Desktop adhesive tape dispenser

A desktop dispenser includes a stationary base including a bottom member defining a bottom open chamber, a vacuum mount including a suction disc positioned in the bottom open chamber and an actuation rod extended from the top wall of the suction disc, and a carrier coupled to the stationary base and biasable between a first position and a second position. When the carrier is in the first position, the actuation rod of the vacuum mount is in an initial position; when the carrier is in the second position, the driving member lifts the actuation rod of the vacuum mount to an acting position. Thus, the desktop tape dispenser can be adhered to the top of a desk.




v

Tape device

The present invention relates to a tape guiding mechanism (10) of a tape device (100). The tape device (100) comprises a strip of tape (20) having supply tape (22) and take up tape (24); a spool portion (130); a supply spool (40) disposed at the spool portion (130) for winding the supply tape (22); a take up spool (50) disposed at the spool portion (130) for winding the take up tape (24); an application tip (12); and a spool mechanism (70) for allowing the supply and the take up spools (40 & 50) to rotate such that the tape travels from the supply spool (40), around the applicator tip (120), and to the take up spool (50).




v

Webbing winding device

In a webbing winding device, even when a piston moves toward the other side in a movement direction due to a reaction when the piston moves to a maximum movement position, an engagement surface of a hook portion comes into contact with a subject engagement surface of a subject engagement portion, so that the movement of the piston toward the other side in the movement direction is restricted. Accordingly, the piston is prevented from returning to a standby position, and a pawl is prevented from returning to a lock position. For this reason, a state where a rotation of a locking ring in the pull-out direction is maintained. Accordingly, after the piston moves from the standby position to the maximum movement position, the piston is prevented from returning to the standby position, and the force limiter load is prevented from being changed.




v

Webbing take-up device

A webbing take-up device that is both capable of promoting reductions in size and weight and capable of excellently maintaining coupling strength between a pawl member and a ring portion. A clutch plate and a lock ring of this webbing take-up device are coupled by plural teeth provided at the clutch plate meshing with plural teeth provided at the lock ring. This lock ring is specified to have a lower material strength than the clutch plate. A tooth height H2 of the plural teeth of the lock ring is specified to be lower than a tooth height of the plural teeth of the clutch plate. Thus, when the lock ring and the clutch plate mesh, tooth tips of the plural teeth of the clutch plate come into contact with tooth bottoms of the plural teeth of the lock ring.




v

Sheet conveyance unit and image forming apparatus including same

A sheet conveyance unit for transporting a sheet unreeled from a roll of paper includes a roll holder including a pair of supporters to support both axial end portions of the roll, movable in an axial direction of the roll, a pair of first conveyance rollers, a pair of second conveyance rollers, a tensioner to tension the sheet, disposed between the first conveyance rollers and the second conveyance rollers, and a tension adjustment unit. The tensioner includes a contact plate to press against the sheet, extending over an entire width of the sheet and pivotably supported on a casing of the sheet conveyance unit. The tension adjustment unit changes the tension of the sheet by adjusting a force to press the contact plate against the sheet and includes a first adjuster to change the tension of the sheet in conjunction with the interval between the supporters.




v

Agricultural fumigation using a multilayer film including a PVDC vapor barrier

Methods for fumigating soil include providing a fumigant including at least one volatile substance into or onto soil and applying over the soil a multilayer polymeric film to form a vapor barrier between the fumigant-treated soil and the atmosphere to at least partially contain the fumigant. The multilayer film includes at least one barrier layer comprising at least one vinylidene chloride polymer and protecting layers on each side of the barrier layer. The multilayer film preferably has at least one UV protecting layer and optionally at least one reflective layer.




v

System and method for coordinating product delivery with ground engaging tool position

An agricultural implement system that includes a control system configured to receive a first signal to initiate seeding operations, to transition a ground engaging tool toward a working position at a first time after receiving the first signal, and to activate a product delivery system at a second time, different from the first time, after receiving the first signal.




v

Central product delivery system

A stack-fold implement having a central bulk fill hopper assembly is provided. The bulk fill hopper assembly is mounted to the center frame section of the stack-told implement and does not affect the narrowness of the stack-fold implement when it's in a stacked, transport position, The hopper assembly includes a pair of bulk fill hoppers or tanks supported by cradle that is in turn supported by a pair of wheels. The cradle is removably coupled to the center frame section by a plurality of rigid frame members.




v

Method and apparatus for implement control of tractor hydraulics via isobus connection

A method and apparatus for automating some of the tasks that heretofore required operator action at headland turns or similar events are provided. The present invention automates operation of lift assist wheels and/or gull wings, such as those found on a stack-fold implement, based on the position of the tractor hitch to which the implement is coupled. An operator may control the position of the implement, such as at a headland turn, by raising and lowering the tractor hitch using a remote control. The invention enables the planter to compare the tractor hitch position relative to an implement position and control operation of the implement accordingly without additional user inputs.




v

Remote adjustment of a row unit of an agricultural device

Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow are provided. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.




v

Row unit for a seeding machine having active downforce control for the closing wheels

A planter row unit is disclosed having an active downforce control system for the closing wheels. This separate control of the downforce pressure for the closing wheels is provided from the row unit downforce control. A single operator input is used to set a desired downforce for all row units. The control system then operates to produce the desired downforce. Alternatively, the control system may display a downforce load to the operator who then manually makes adjustments as desired.




v

Seeder with metering system having selectively powered metering sections

A metering system for a seeding machine is provided. The metering system includes selectively powered metering sections operable to individually allow or restrict seed dispensation. A damper arrangement is also provided so that pneumatic conveying of the particulate within the machine is consistently maintained when particulate flow is varied between the metering sections.




v

Low torque and vacuum seed meter

A seed meter is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that includes a seed disk assembly that rotates within a meter housing cavity and that has a seed disk assembly cavity in which a vacuum pressure is applied for pulling seeds into seed pockets of a seed disk of the seed disc assembly. The vacuum pressure is applied to the seed disk assembly by pulling a vacuum airflow through a spindle that supports the seed disk assembly. A wiper seal is arranged in a fixed position within the seed disk assembly cavity and seals against the seed disk assembly as a support plate and seed disk of the seed disk assembly rotate over the wiper seal, so that the wiper seal creates a boundary between a vacuum zone and a non-vacuum zone inside of the seed disc assembly cavity.




v

Seed delivery apparatus for a farm implement

A seed metering assembly for a farm implement has a meter roller that can be accessed and removed in a relatively quick manner. The seed metering assembly includes a fluted meter roller that is segmented into a number of discrete fluted sections. Each fluted section has an associated flow control member that is selectively operable to impede the flow of granular material from a seed hopper to its corresponding section of the fluted meter roller.




v

Method of providing sectional control during seeding of a field using a farm implement

A seed metering assembly for a farm implement has a meter roller that can be accessed and removed in a relatively quick manner. The seed metering assembly includes a fluted meter roller that is segmented into a number of discrete fluted sections. Each fluted section has an associated flow control member that is selectively operable to impede the flow of granular material from a seed hopper to its corresponding section of the fluted meter roller.




v

Agricultural devices, systems, and methods for determining soil and seed characteristics and analyzing the same

Agricultural seed planting systems are provided. In some aspects, the system includes a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.




v

Wireless communication system for agricultural vehicles

A wireless communication system for agricultural vehicles, in which each vehicle has a global positioning system (GPS), a multi-channel transmitter/receiver module having a limited communication range, and a signal processor connected to the transmitter/receiver module. The transmitter is controlled by the signal processor to transmit on a predetermined communication channel a signal comprising a unique vehicle identifier and a signal indicating the current positional coordinates of the vehicle. The signal processor also analyzes the signals received from other vehicles within the communication range and determines from the identifier and the positional coordinates data when another vehicle is ready to perform a joint operation with the vehicle. Prior to initiation of a joint operation, the communication system is switched to a different communication channel.




v

Seeding machine for planting multiple seed varieties and prescription for multiple varieties seeding machine

A seeding machine, such as a row crop planter, is described which is adapted to switch between two or more seed varieties as the machine traverses a field. The control system uses a programmed quantity of seed representing a number of seeds in the seed meter that need to be substantially consumed once the flow of a first seed variety is stopped before introducing a second seed variety to minimize seed mixing. The seed quantity can be determined by a calibration process or published from the manufacturer or third parties. The seed quantity can also be part of a seeding prescription that includes assignment of where each seed variety is to be planted in a field. The seed quantity and the distance traveled to empty the meter can be used to optimize the planting operation including the machine direction which can also be part of the prescription.




v

Seeding machine for planting multiple seed varieties

A seeding machine, such as a row crop planter, is described which is adapted to switch between two or more seed varieties as the machine traverses a field. The control system uses a programmed quantity of seed representing a number of seeds in the seed meter that need to be substantially consumed once the flow of a first seed variety is stopped before introducing a second seed variety to minimize seed mixing. The seed quantity can be determined by a calibration process or published from the manufacturer or third parties. The seed quantity can also be part of a seeding prescription that includes assignment of where each seed variety is to be planted in a field. The seed quantity and the distance traveled to empty the meter can be used to optimize the planting operation including the machine direction which can also be part of the prescription.




v

Seed delivery apparatus, systems, and methods

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of a single row unit (10) of a conventional row crop planter such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,438,006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. As is well known in the art, the row units (10) are mounted in spaced relation along the length of a transverse toolbar (12) by a parallel linkage (14), comprised of upper and lower parallel arms (16, 18) pivotally mounted at their forward ends to the transverse toolbar (12) and at their rearward end to the row unit frame (20).




v

Apparatus and method for no-till inter-row simultaneous application of herbicide and fertilizer, soil preparation, and seeding of a cover crop in a standing crop

A no-till apparatus for application of herbicide and fertilizer, soil preparation, and seeding of a cover crop in a standing crop has inter-row assemblies configured to pass along inter-row areas between adjacent row lines of standing crop plants. Each assembly includes a fertilizer applicator, a no-till soil preparation element, a cover crop seed applicator, and a post-seeding element.




v

Fluid delivery system for an agricultural implement

An agricultural implement is provided that includes a first tool bar and a second tool bar each supporting respective ground engaging tools and fluid dispersal components. The second tool bar is pivotally coupled to the first tool bar. The agricultural implement further includes fluid conduits coupled to respective tool bars for conveying fluid to the respective fluid dispersal components. Additionally, each of the conduits has a flexible end adjacent to the other tool bar. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a fluid joint coupled between the first and second flexible ends and configured to provide a sealed connection between the first and second flexible ends during relative pivotal movement of the first and second tool bars in operation but to allow for uncoupling of the first and second flexible ends for servicing of the implement.




v

Unitary plastic conductivity sensor

A contacting-type conductivity sensor includes an electrically-insulative plastic body and a plurality of electrodes. The plurality of conductive electrodes is disposed in the plastic body. Each electrode is constructed of plastic and fused with the electrically-insulative plastic body. A method of manufacturing the conductivity sensor is provided along with a single-use bioreactor employing the sensor.




v

Nanogap device and method of processing signal from the nanogap device

A nanogap device includes a first insulation layer having a nanopore formed therein, a first nanogap electrode which may be formed on the first insulation layer and may be divided into two parts with a nanogap interposed between the two parts, the nanogap facing the nanopore, a second insulation layer formed on the first nanogap electrode, a first graphene layer formed on the second insulation layer, a first semiconductor layer formed on the first graphene layer, a first drain electrode formed on the first semiconductor layer, and a first source electrode formed on the first graphene layer such as to be apart from the first semiconductor layer.




v

Method for fabricating a high coercivity hard bias structure for magnetoresistive sensor

A hard bias (HB) structure for longitudinally biasing a free layer in a MR sensor is disclosed that includes a mildly etched seed layer and a hard bias (HB) layer on the etched seed layer. The HB layer may contain one or more HB sub-layers stacked on a lower sub-layer which contacts the etched seed layer. Each HB sub-layer is mildly etched before depositing another HB sub-layer thereon. The etch may be performed in an IBD chamber and creates a higher concentration of nucleation sites on the etched surface thereby promoting a smaller HB average grain size than would be realized with no etch treatments. A smaller HB average grain size is responsible for increasing Hcr in a CoPt HB layer to as high as 2500 to 3000 Oe. Higher Hcr is achieved without changing the seed layer or HB material and without changing the thickness of the aforementioned layers.




v

Reactive sputtering apparatus

A reactive sputtering apparatus includes a chamber, a substrate holder provided in the chamber, a target holder which is provided in the chamber and configured to hold a target, a deposition shield plate which is provided in the chamber so as to form a sputtering space between the target holder and the substrate holder, and prevents a sputter particle from adhering to an inner wall of the chamber, a reactive gas introduction pipe configured to introduce a reactive gas into the sputtering space, an inert gas introduction port which introduces an inert gas into a space that falls outside the sputtering space and within the chamber, and a shielding member which prevents a sputter particle from the target mounted on the target holder from adhering to an introduction port of the reactive gas introduction pipe upon sputtering.




v

Sensor cartridge and measuring device

A sensor cartridge for supplying a sensor is used. The sensor cartridge includes a casing within which the plurality of sensors can be arranged, and that allows a sample to be introduced to a sensor located at a preset location, and a connection structure. The connection structure electrically connects an external device and a sensor electrode of the sensor located at the preset location. The casing is formed so as to be held by the external device when the external device and the sensor electrode of the sensor are electrically connected via the connection structure.




v

Rapid-read gated amperometry devices

A sensor system, device, and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample is described. Input signals including multiple duty cycles of sequential excitation pulses and relaxations are input to the sample. One or more signals output from the sample within 300 ms of the input of an excitation pulse may be correlated with the analyte concentration of the sample to improve the accuracy and/or precision of the analysis. Determining the analyte concentration of the sample from these rapidly measured output values may reduce analysis errors arising from the hematocrit effect, mediator background, and other error sources.