A system and method may provide sets or packets of playing cards for forming part or all of a hand of playing cards. Each set or packet may be formed before starting to form another set or packet. Sets or packets may be formed in respective playing card receiving compartments. The playing cards may be withdrawn from a plurality of playing card receiving compartments of an intermediary playing card receiver in random or pseudo-random fashion, which may, or may not, be based at least in part on the selected payout or house odds and/or house advantage.

The aim of the invention is to further develop a bevel friction ring gearing. The invention thus relates to a bevel friction ring gearing in which the friction ring can be displaced by means of an adjusting device that comprises a guide on which an adjusting bridge for the friction ring is arranged in a free axially displaceable manner. The adjusting device comprises a worm-gear drive that engages with the guide.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a carrier member configured to have a number of radially offset slots. Various inventive carrier members and carrier drivers can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of an IVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In one embodiment, the carrier member is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a carrier member is operably coupled to a carrier driver. In some embodiments, the carrier member is configured to couple to a source of rotational power. Among other things, shift control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

A motor-generator system for a vehicle, in which power transmission between a crankshaft of an engine and a motor-generator is performed by a V-belt wound around pulleys thereof, includes a speed controller controlling the rotational speed of the V-belt within a predetermined range and provided on a crankshaft pulley mounted on the crankshaft. The motor-generator system, among others, can maintain the power transmission force of the V-belt at a high level.

In order to further develop drive arrangements with a continuously variable sub-gear mechanism, the invention proposes a drive arrangement with a continuously variable sub-gear mechanism having two circulating transmission elements, which are actively connected to one another via a circulating connecting element, having a hybrid drive comprising a first drive and at least one additional drive, and further having at least one output, wherein at least one of the two drives is interactively connected to the output, either directly or indirectly via the continuously variable sub-gear mechanism.

A variator transmission comprises an input shaft (18), an input disc (10) mounted on the input shaft for rotation therewith and an output disc (12) facing the input disc and arranged to rotate coaxially therewith, the input and output discs defining between them a toroidal cavity. Two rollers (14, 16) are located in the toroidal cavity and first and second roller carriage means are provided upon which the first and second rollers respectively are rotatably mounted and end load means (34, 36) urge the rollers into contact with the input and output discs to transmit drive. The two roller carriage means are mounted on opposite sides of the pivotal axis of a lever (50) and the pivotal axis of the lever (50) is movable in both the radial and non-radial directions with respect to the rotational axis of the input and output discs.

The invention is directed to a friction wheel drive with a driving roller capable of being driven in a rotary manner, which is mounted on a bearing unit so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The bearing unit is displaceably guided transversely to the axis of rotation, and a circumferential surface of the driving roller can be brought into driving engagement with a friction surface. The bearing unit is coupled to a first mechanical forced guidance system, by which the driving roller, responding to a driving force acting in a first direction, can be automatically pressed against the friction surface with a contact pressing force that increases as the driving force increases. The bearing unit is also coupled to a second mechanical forced guidance system, by which the driving roller, responding to a driving force acting in an opposite second direction, can be automatically pressed against the friction surface with a contact pressing force that increases as the driving force increases.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously and infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a variator is adapted to receive a control system that cooperates with a shift nut to actuate a ratio change in an IVT. In another embodiment, a neutral lock-out mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the variator to, among other things, disengage an output shaft from a variator. Various inventive mechanical couplings, such as an output engagement mechanism, are provided to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT for maintaining a powered zero operating condition. In one embodiment, the output engagement mechanism selectively couples an output member of the variator to a ratio adjuster of the variator. Embodiments of a ratio adjuster cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and/or functionality of the IVT. Among other things, user control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

An infinitely variable transmission is provided. The transmission includes an input assembly that is coupled to receive input rotational motion and an output assembly that is rotationally coupled to a load. An input/output planetary ratio assembly sets an input to output speed ratio. The input/output planetary ratio assembly has a first stator and a second stator. An input speed feedback control assembly is operationally attached to the input assembly. The input speed feedback control assembly includes a spider that is coupled to one of the first stator and the second stator. A movable member is operationally engaged with the spider with at least one shift weight. The moveable member is further operationally coupled to the other of the first stator and second stator. Moreover a torque feedback control assembly applies an axial load force in response to a torque of a load to the input speed control assembly.

In one embodiment, a method includes passing a signal through a noise whitening filter, passing the signal through a soft detector to calculate first soft information, passing the signal through the soft decoder to calculate second soft information based on the first soft information, and sending the second soft information to the soft detector, wherein the noise whitening filter is configured to process the signal according to the following transfer polynomial: W(D)=1−(p1D+ . . . p1Dλ), where p1 . . . pλ are noise whitening coefficients, D is delay corresponding to bit duration, and a transfer polynomial of the tape channel is F(D)=1+f1D+ . . . +fLDL, wherein L represents a memory length of the tape channel, and wherein λ represents a memory length of the noise whitening filter. Other methods, systems, and computer program products are described in more embodiments.

A method for reading a track of data may include positioning a read head at an initial position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial track signals, filtering the initial track signals, positioning the read head at an initial subsequent position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial subsequent track signals, and filtering the initial subsequent track signals. In an initial equalization, the filtered initial track signals and the filtered initial subsequent track signals are equalized to obtain equalized track signals. The read head is positioned at a further subsequent position relative to the track of data and further subsequent track signals are obtained The further subsequent track signals are filtered. In a subsequent equalization, previously obtained equalized track signals and the filtered further subsequent track signals are equalized. A storage device operating according to the method may have an equalizer in hardware or firmware.

Approaches to improving hard disk drive far track interference problems include utilizing a wrap-around shield having recessed high magnetic moment layer(s). Embodiments include tapering the high-moment portion away from the air bearing surface (ABS) in the cross-track direction away from the write pole, thereby reducing exposure of high moment layers at the ABS to reduce the risk of unwanted track erasure away from the main pole. Embodiments include positioning the high magnetic moment layers in their entirety away from the ABS, such as with a laminate structure of high magnetic moment and low magnetic moment materials laid down in a direction away from the pole tip trailing edge.

A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) air-bearing slider has an optically-transparent protective film over the near-field transducer (NFT) to protect the NFT from excessive heat caused by the accumulation of carbonaceous material on the slider's overcoat. The NFT is thus separated from the overcoat by the protective film. The protective film does not cover the write pole end, which is covered only by the overcoat, so there is no spacing loss between the write pole end and the recording layer on the disk. In one embodiment the protective film is coplanar with the recording-layer-facing surface of the slider and the overcoat covers both the protective film and the write pole end. In another embodiment the overcoat has a window that surrounds the protective film, with the protective film being substantially coplanar with the air-bearing surface (ABS) of the slider. In both embodiments the smooth topography of the slider's ABS is maintained.

A device for checking the running performance of a motor vehicle, which can have at least the following components: a system for measuring a distance of a motor vehicle which is integrated in a motor vehicle, a vehicle communication system for wireless data transmission, where the system is identifiable by a unique identification number of the motor vehicle, and data may be transmitted from the vehicle to a receiver, a stationary database system for storing and providing data, which is equipped with a receiver that allows communication with the in-vehicle communication system, and an interface which allows stationary and mobile communication terminal system.

A TMR sensor that includes a free layer having at least one B-containing (BC) layer made of CoFeB, CoFeBM, CoB, COBM, or CoBLM, and a plurality of non-B containing (NBC) layers made of CoFe, CoFeM, or CoFeLM is disclosed where L and M are one of Ni, Ta, Ti, W, Zr, Hf, Tb, or Nb. One embodiment is represented by (NBC/BC)n where n≧2. A second embodiment is represented by (NBC/BC)n/NBC where n≧1. In every embodiment, a NBC layer contacts the tunnel barrier and NBC layers each with a thickness from 2 to 8 Angstroms are formed in alternating fashion with one or more BC layers each 10 to 80 Angstroms thick. Total free layer thickness is

In accordance with one embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code that is readable and/or executable by a processor to: receive a signal including precoded data read from a magnetic tape medium and pass the signal through a soft detector to calculator first soft information about each bit of the signal and to provide adaptive compensation for the precoded data, send the first soft information to a soft decoder, pass the signal through the soft decoder to calculate second soft information about each bit the signal, and send the second soft information to the soft detector, wherein the precoded data is passed through at least one precoder prior to being written to the magnetic tape medium via a precoder that applies 1/(1⊕D2) to bits of data, where D is delay corresponding to bit duration

A slider and microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A tongue of the gimbal portion has a first tongue portion, a second tongue portion, and a hinge portion. A leading-side portion of the slider is movably disposed on the first tongue portion. A trailing-side portion of the slider is secured to the second tongue portion. The hinge portion is formed between the first tongue portion and the second tongue portion. The gimbal portion is provided with a damper member includes a viscoelastic material layer and a constrained plate. The damper member comprises a first damper and a second damper. The hinge portion is exposed between the first damper and the second damper. A dimple on a load beam contacts the hinge portion at a point of contact.

Methods for providing magnetic storage elements with high magneto-resistance using Heusler alloys are provided. One such method includes depositing a substrate including NiFe, depositing a seed layer on the substrate, depositing a buffer layer on the seed layer, and growing, epitaxially, an upper layer on the buffer layer, the upper layer including a Heusler alloy.

A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The method provides a first read sensor stack and defines a first read sensor in a stripe height direction from the first read sensor stack. The stripe height direction is perpendicular to the ABS. A shield is provided on the first read sensor stack and in a down track direction from the first read sensor stack. A second read sensor stack is provided. The shield is between the first read sensor and the second read sensor stack in the down track direction. Both the first read sensor and the second read sensor are defined from the first read sensor stack and from the second read sensor stack, respectively, in a cross-track direction. The cross-track direction is substantially perpendicular to the down track direction and substantially perpendicular to the stripe height direction.

A two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) read head has upper and lower read sensors wherein the lower read sensor has its magnetization biased by side shields of soft magnetic material. The center shield between the lower and upper sensors may be an antiparallel structure (APS) with two ferromagnetic layers separated by an antiparallel coupling (APC) layer. The center shield has a central region and two side regions, but there is no antiferromagnetic (AF) layer in the central region. Instead the two side regions of the upper ferromagnetic layer in the APS are pinned by AF tab layers that are electrically isolated from the upper sensor. The upper ferromagnetic layer and the APC layer in the APS may also be located only in the side regions. The thickness of the center shield can thus be made thinner, which reduces the free layer to free layer spacing.

A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, and a slider comprising a head, where the head comprises a write component electrically insulated from the slider. A bias voltage is applied to the write component, and a current flowing between the write component and the disk is measured, wherein the current is indicative of a fly height of the head.

A data processing device includes a memory, an arithmetic circuit that accesses the memory by outputting an access control signal CTRL that controls access to the memory, a first data storage unit that stores first data used when a self-diagnosis is performed, a read-modify-write circuit that generates second data by replacing a part of the first data stored in the first data storage unit with modify data outputted from the arithmetic circuit, and a determination unit that diagnoses a failure of the read-modify-write circuit by comparing the second data with an expected value.

The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat part, comprising a back rest part and comprising a linear guide device for translational adjustment of the vehicle seat, in which the linear guide device comprises a guide rail means and a slide rail means which is displaceable with respect thereto, in which a bearing means interacts between the slide rail means and the guide rail means and at least comprises slide rod elements so as to mount the slide rail means with respect to the guide rail means, and in which the slide rod element comprises an elongate undulating base body, the slide rod element having an effective external diameter which is greater, at least when the slide rod element is radially unloaded, than a core external diameter of the elongate undulating base body.

A bearing device for a wheel prevents backlash in a circumferential direction and has excellent workability for connecting a hub wheel and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. The bearing device includes a recess-projection fitting structure in which the hub wheel and a shaft section, which is fitted in a hole of the hub wheel of the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint, are unitized together. In the recess-projection fitting structure, entire fitting regions among projections on the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and recesses, which fit on the projections, are brought into intimate contact with each other.

Administering message acknowledgements in a parallel computer that includes compute nodes, with each compute node including a processor and a messaging accelerator, includes: storing in a list, by a processor of a compute node, a message descriptor describing a message and an acknowledgement request descriptor describing a request for an acknowledgement of receipt of the message; processing, by a messaging accelerator of the compute node, the list, including transmitting, to a target compute node, the message described by the message descriptor and transmitting, to the target compute node, the request described by the acknowledgement request descriptor; receiving, by the messaging accelerator from the target compute node, an acknowledgement of receipt of the message, including notifying the processor of receipt of the acknowledgement; and removing, by the processor from the list, the message descriptor and the acknowledgment request descriptor.

A method of communication in at least one electronic device is presented. In the method, a first execution thread and a second execution thread are created in the at least one electronic device. Also created is a message service for receiving messages for the first thread. A message to be transferred from the second thread to the message service of the first thread is generated. One of multiple data transfer mechanisms is selected for transferring the message from the second thread to the message service of the first thread based on a relationship between the first and second threads. This relationship may be one in which the first and second threads are executing within a single process, within different processes of the same device, or within different devices. The message is transferred to the message service of the first thread using the selected data transfer mechanism and processed in the first thread.

A method for inserting attachments into an electronic message is provided. The method may include searching a keyword database to determine if a content of the electronic message includes a keyword, a key phrase, or a key sentence defined in the keyword database. The method may also include applying a condition to a file database, if the determination is affirmative, so as to search for at least a candidate item. The candidate item may be presented in a menu to the user. The method may further include enabling, in response to the user's confirmation of the candidate item, the confirmed candidate item to be inserted into the electronic message automatically to become an attachment thereto.

Methods and apparatus for correlating event notifications between agents in a management network are provided. An agent constructs a network notification in response to receiving an event notification. If the received event notification is associated with a prior notification already received and stored by the agent, a correlation attribute is added to the constructed network notification. If the received notification matches a peer agent notification category that another agent in the management network is interested in receiving, the constructed network notification is sent to the other agent.

A method for providing rules for a plurality of processes from a user mode to a kernel mode of a computer is disclosed. The method includes providing to the kernel mode a policy for at least a first process of the plurality of processes, the policy indicating at least when and/or how notifications are to be provided from the kernel mode to the user mode upon detection in the kernel mode of launching of the first process. The method further includes selecting, from the rules stored in the user mode, rules related to the launching of the first process, in response to receiving from the kernel mode a first notification in accordance with the policy, and providing the selected rules related to the launching of the first process from the user mode to at least one of the one or more filter drivers in the kernel mode.

The specification discloses a method of doing business over the public Internet, particularly, a method which enables access to legacy management tools used by a telecommunications enterprise in the management of the enterprise business to the enterprise customer, to enable the customer to more effectively manage the business conducted by the customer through the enterprise, this access being provided over the public Internet. This method of doing business is accomplished with one or more secure web servers which manage one or more secure client sessions over the Internet, each web server supporting secure communications with the client workstation; a web page backplane application capable of launching one or more management tool applications used by the enterprise. Each of the management tool applications provide a customer interface integrated within said web page which enables interactive Web/Internet based communications with the web servers; each web server, supports communication of messages entered via the integrated customer interface to one or more remote enterprise management tool application servers which interact with the enterprise management tool applications to provide associated management capabilities to the customer.

After a cyclopentadiene compound and a vinyl aromatic compound are thermally polymerized, the obtained copolymer is subjected to a hydrogenation reaction to form a hydrogenated product. After most of the hydrogenation solvent is separated by a solvent evaporation tank from the hydrogenated product, an additive separately prepared by dissolving an antioxidant is added to the hydrogenated product to form a mixture. While the hydrogenation solvent is a naphthenic solvent, the additive is prepared by dissolving the antioxidant in an aromatic additive solvent having the same carbon atoms as those of the hydrogenation solvent. Then, the low-molecular-weight component as well as the remaining hydrogenation solution and the additive solvent are separated by a thin-film evaporator from the mixture. The obtained molten resin is pelletized to produce hydrogenated petroleum resin pellets. The time for uniformly blending the antioxidant can be shortened.

The invention relates to free-radical polymerization and free-radical cross-linking and more particularly provides a process of free-radical polymerization or cross-linking wherein at least one polymerizable monomer or at least one compound to be cross-linked is contacted in the presence of at least one selected organic peroxides, characterized in that the organic peroxide is prepared continuously by an ex situ process with the aid of a closed plate exchanger. In the process according to the invention, it's possible to introduce the above selected organic peroxide continuously during the polymerization or cross-linking reaction.

The present invention is directed to a copolymer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a polymeric side-chain bonded exclusively to a terminal end of the backbone chain, the side-chain comprising a polymer derived from a monomer having a hydrogen bond donor moiety and a hydrogen bond acceptor moiety.

Process for the preparation of etherified melamine/formaldehyde condensates, in which first a methylolation of melamine with a formaldehyde component in the molar ratio of from 1:6 to 1:15, preferably at a pH of >7, is carried out. This is followed by an etherification of the resulting hydroxymethylation intermediate in the presence of a C1-C20-alkyl, preferably of a C1-C6-alcohol, particularly preferably of a C1-C4-alcohol, at a pH of 9.5 being established before, during and/or after the distillation. According to the invention, a plurality of hydroxymethylation, etherification and distillation steps follow in order to achieve an etherified melamine/formaldehyde condensate which is distinguished by a high degree of hydroxymethylation, a high solids content and a low viscosity.

To provide a water/oil repellent composition which can impart sufficient post-air-drying water/oil repellency to the surface of an article, and which presents a low environmental impact, and an article having its surface treated with the water/oil repellent composition. A water/oil repellent composition comprising a copolymer (A) having structural units based on a monomer (a), structural units based on a monomer (b), structural units based on a monomer (c) and/or structural units based on a monomer (d); and an aqueous medium (B) containing water, and a film-forming assistant (x) and/or a film-forming assistant (y). Monomer (a): a monomer having a C1-6 polyfluoroalkyl group, monomer (b): vinylidene chloride, monomer (c): a monomer, the homopolymer of which has a glass transition temperature of at least 20° C., monomer (d): a monomer having a crosslinkable functional group, film-forming assistant (x): a specific amide solvent, and film-forming assistant (y): a specific glycol solvent.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a diene elastomer. The invention especially applies to the production of a polybutadiene with a high level of cis-1,4 linkages that has at the same time a Mooney viscosity ML (1+4) greater than or equal to 40, a polydispersity index less than 2.1 and a reduced cold flow and of a polyisoprene. The process according to the invention comprises a reaction of a catalyst system with at least one conjugated diene monomer, this catalyst system being based on at least: one conjugated diene;one organic phosphoric acid salt of one or more rare-earth metals, said salt being in suspension and in at least one saturated and aliphatic or alicyclic, and inert hydrocarbon-based solvent;one alkylating agent composed of an alkyl aluminum for formula AlR3 or HAlR2 anda halogen donor belonging to the family of alkylaluminium halides, with the exclusion of alkylaluminium sesquihalides. This process comprises a separate bringing together of the monomer(s) to be polymerized with at least one alkylaluminium compound of formula AlR3 or HAlR2 which is identical or not to the alkylating agent of said catalyst system, said amount being chosen as a function of the characteristics of the polymerization medium and/or the polymerization conditions and/or said elastomer to be obtained.

A grader blade mounted to a support frame has an auger-grinder mounted ahead of the grader blade. The auger-grinder has a first helical vane fixed to a rotatable axle with a plurality of teeth attached to and protruding outwardly from the auger. A shroud above and partially surrounding the auger-grinder has an inner shroud end wall, an outer shroud end wall and bearings in which the axle is journaled transverse to the direction of travel. A beater is fixed to the axle between an inner end of the helical vane and the inner wall. The beater has a plurality of paddles extending outwardly from the axle. An inner barrier wall is attached to the inner shroud wall and extends forward of the auger-grinder. A drive link is connected to the axle for connection to a prime mover for driving the axle in rotation.

An automatic pitch control system for riding power trowels enables a user to control and automatically adjust trowel blade pitch and height for concrete finishing. The disclosed system provides for blade pitch of separate rotor assemblies to be adjusted independently of one another or synchronously. The disclosed system also provides for a mode of operation that allows the user to completely flatten trowel blades for panning.

A system for converting an existing traffic intersection into an intersection having a roundabout traffic control feature includes a center island framework, one or more splitter island frameworks, and one or more diverter frameworks. The frameworks are secured to the road surface, and fill material is added to free spaces defined in the frameworks to thereby form a center island, one or more splitter islands, and one or more diverters. The system allows a roundabout to be implemented into an existing intersection on a temporary or semi-permanent basis, in a minimal amount of time and without requiring significant construction at the site of the intersection.

Disclosed is an automotive road construction machine, particularly a recycler or a cold stripping machine, comprising an engine frame that is supported by a chassis, a working roller which is stationarily or pivotally mounted on the engine frame and is used for machining a ground surface or road surface. The chassis is provided with wheels or tracked running gears which are connected to the engine frame via lifting column and are vertically adjustable relative to the engine frame. Each individually vertically adjustable lifting column is equipped with a device for measuring the actual vertical state of the lifting column.

A paver for laying down a strip of concrete and inserting therein dowel bars parallel to the strip. A dowel bar inserter orients the bars and places them into the concrete. A pair of transport chains transverse to the travel direction extends across a width of the inserter. Pairs of generally L-shaped opposing cups hold the bars so that they can drop downwardly from the cups towards the strip. The chains move in a single direction. A dowel bar holding magazine, above the chains, stores bars, and gravitationally moves the bars towards the chains for pick-up by cups as the chains move the cups past a bar loading station. Elastic bands extend about a bar engaging surface defined by a wheel and resiliently bias the bars moving along the chain turn-around section against the wheel.

A telescopic chalk holder for drawing upon a drawing surface and including an outer cylinder having a tip at one end, a chalk stick received within the outer cylinder, the tip in radial receipt of the chalk stick, a push rod received by a second end of the outer cylinder and extending at least a portion of the chalk stick through the tip, and a push rod providing pressure to the chalk stick as the tip is manipulated over the drawing surface.

A container (1) for a stick of a cosmetic or hygienic product, comprising an applicator element (3) in which a stick (2) of said product can move axially relative to a base (32), as well as a tubular storage element (4) comprising a top (41) that contains a mobile sleeve (42) and is suitable for covering the applicator element (3) in a configuration wherein said applicator element is fully inserted into the sleeve and connected to said top by means of an elastically compressible device having two stable axial positions relative to a hilly inserted configuration, said device comprising a resilient element (43) pushing the sleeve (42) towards the outside of the top, and, distributed between the top and the sleeve, a heart-shaped guide track (44) arranged parallel to an axial direction of the top, and a follower (45) carried by a generally axially pivoting arm (46) such as to define stable top and bottom positions allowing the applicator element to be gripped or not. The resilient element (43) is arranged between the outer wall of the sleeve (42) and the inner wall of the top (41), and the guide track and follower are arranged in a lateral space formed by the shape differences of the cross-sections of the top and the sleeve.

A powered, spray cleaning device that can be operated in an inverted orientation is provided. The cleaning device includes a cleaning head and an elongated handle configured to be grasped by a user. A container of cleaning solution is removably received by the handle, and when received by the handle, fluid from the container fills a fluid accumulator. Fluid in the fluid accumulator is prevented from flowing back into the container when the device is inverted, thus allowing the device to spray fluid when inverted.

A fluid dispensing toothbrush (100). In one aspect, the toothbrush comprises a body (105) having a reservoir (135) containing an oral care fluid (136) therein, the oral care fluid being delivered to an applicator (132) via capillary action. The toothbrush comprises an actuator (130) for moving either the applicator and/or the reservoir between different positions.

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a composition to keratinous fibers, in particular the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the applicator including a stem having a longitudinal axis and including at least one elastically-deformable flexible portion that is suitable for flexing during application and/or wiping; and an applicator element that is fastened to the stem and that includes a twisted wire core and bristles that extend transversally to the longitudinal axis of the stem.

A writing instrument includes a body extending between a rear end and a front end of the body which has an opening, the body defining an inner volume; a writing member mounted inside the body and including a tip which protrudes from the front of the body; a protective element including a guide portion sliding along the body and a protective end which extends the guide portion and has an opening to allow the tip to pass through, the protective element being movable between a tip protection position and a retracted position for writing; an elastic return element coupled with the guide portion in order to bias the protective element towards the protection position; and a system for locking the retracted position.

A communication system for a user having a helmet including earphones and a microphone and including a two-way radio and a microphone-including unit carried by the user and connected to the two-way radio includes a sensor for sensing the presence of the user's head within the helmet. A transmitter associated with the sensor transmits a wireless signal to the microphone-including unit which enables the microphone-including unit to wirelessly receive voice-carrying signals transmitted from the helmet microphone for conductance to the two-way radio and enables the microphone-including unit to wirelessly transmit voice-carrying signals which are received by the microphone-including unit from the two-way radio to the helmet earphones. In addition, helmet-carried componentry permits the user to simultaneously communicate through the two-way radio and a bluetooth enabled cell phone.

A method and apparatus is provided that launches a selected application on a User Equipment (UE) such that if the launched application requires a mobile data connection and the UE's modem is in a dormant state, then the UE will transition the UE's modem from the dormant state to an active state and/or establish a mobile data connection while or in parallel with the selected application's initialization.

A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a circuit board carried by the portable housing, a wireless communications circuit carried by the circuit board, and an audio circuit carried by the circuit board. The mobile wireless communications device may further include an antenna assembly including an antenna carrier frame coupled to the circuit board and defining a cavity therein, and an antenna element carried on the antenna carrier frame and having a plurality of spaced apart signal feed points coupled to the wireless communications circuit. In addition, an audio transducer may be carried within the cavity of the antenna carrier frame and coupled to the audio circuit.