mp

SELF-LEVELING PUTTY COMPOSITIONS

Described herein are putty compositions having a first reactive component comprising a first acrylate oligomer and a second reactive component comprising a second acrylate oligomer that comprising a urethane acrylate oligomer, as well as an initiator component wherein the first acrylate oligomer and the second acrylate oligomer are present in a weight ratio that ranges from about 4:1 to about 1:2 and wherein the putty composition is self-leveling.




mp

Interlayer Composition For Electronic Printing

An interlayer composition including an epoxy resin; a polyvinyl phenol; a poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) polymer; a solvent; an optional surfactant and an optional catalyst. A device including a substrate; an interlayer disposed thereon; and conductive features; wherein the interlayer is formed from a composition comprising an epoxy resin; a polyvinyl phenol; a poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) polymer; an optional surfactant and an optional catalyst. A process for forming conductive features on a substrate including depositing an interlayer onto a substrate; thermally curing the interlayer; depositing a conductive composition onto the interlayer to form deposited features; and annealing the deposited features to form conductive features.




mp

ANCHOR LAYER FORMATION COMPOSITION, ANCHOR LAYER, OPTICAL FILM PROVIDED WITH ADHESIVE LAYER, AND IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE

An anchor layer formation composition, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-attached optical film, and an image display device are provided, in which the composition includes an oxazoline group-containing polymer and an ionic compound including a cation component and a sulfonyl group-containing anion component and is capable of forming an anchor layer that can improve the adhesion between a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and an optical film when interposed therebetween, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-attached optical film has high durability and good reworkability and allows the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to resist chipping, and the image display device has the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-attached optical film.




mp

METHODS FOR PRODUCING ULTRAFINE FIBER AND ULTRAFINE FIBER-CONTAINING SHEET, SHEET OBTAINED THEREBY, AND RESIN COMPOSITE COMPRISING LAMINATED RESINS

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an ultrafine fiber-containing sheet with suppressed yellowing. Another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient method for eliminating an introduced substituent, and a composite sheet comprising an organic layer and/or an inorganic layer laminated on the obtained sheet. The present invention provides a method for producing an ultrafine fiber-containing sheet, comprising (a) introducing a substituent having electrostatic and/or steric functionality to a fiber raw material to obtain substituent-introduced fiber; (b) machine-processing the substituent-introduced fiber obtained in the step (a) to obtain substituent-introduced ultrafine fiber; (c) preparing a sheet from the substituent-introduced ultrafine fiber obtained in the step (b); and (d) eliminating at least a portion of introduced substituents from the sheet obtained in the step (c). In a preferred aspect, the substituent having electrostatic and/or steric functionality is a phosphoric acid-derived group, and the method may further comprise, after the step (a) and before the step (c), the step of (e) changing the degree of neutralization of the substituent-introduced fiber or the substituent-introduced ultrafine fiber.




mp

VACUUM HEAT INSULATING BODY, AND HEAT INSULATING CONTAINER AND HEAT INSULATING WALL EMPLOYING SAME

Air permeable core material is vacuum sealed in enveloping member. Further, core material is formed of at least two layers of heat insulating core materials having different heat conductivities. Further, at least two of the at least two layers of heat insulating core materials which form core material are formed of materials having change gradients in the heat conductivity changed in accordance with temperature, and the change gradients in the heat conductivity of the heat insulating core materials intersect with each other. Since two layers of heat insulating core materials having different heat conductivities are provided in a vacuum state, a heat insulating property becomes higher compared to a conventional configuration in which a single layer of the heat insulating core material formed of fiber material such as glass wool or rock wool is vacuum sealed and the high heat insulating property is shown in a wide temperature range.




mp

ADHESION LAYER COMPOSITION, METHOD FOR FORMING FILM BY NANOIMPRINTING, METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OPTICAL COMPONENT, CIRCUIT BOARD AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

In nanoimprinting processes, photo-cured products often separate from the substrate and stick to the mold due to insufficient adhesion between the photo-cured product and the substrate. This causes a defect of pattern separation. An adhesion layer composition used for forming an adhesion layer between a substrate and a photocurable composition includes a compound (A) having at least two functional groups, and a solvent (B). The functional groups include at least one functional group capable of being bound to the substrate, selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, carboxy, thiol, amino, epoxy, and (blocked) isocyanate, and at least one hydrogen donating group as a functional group capable of being bound to the photocurable composition.




mp

STRAIN GAUGE POLYMER COMPRISING PHOTOCHROMIC COLORANT

A composite manufacture includes an extrudable thermoplastic matrix and a photochromic colorant, the photochromic colorant conferring to the composite a reversible strain-induced color change property. Methods include adding photochromic colorant to an extrudable thermoplastic polymer matrix to form a mixture, heating the mixture to form a composite, the photochromic colorant conferring to the composite a reversible strain-induced color change property. The composite manufactures can be used in cable coatings permitting visual detection of mechanical stresses in a wire based on the reversible strain-induced color change property.




mp

TRADING CARD GAME METHOD OF PLAY WITH INTEGRATED INFORMATIONAL WRIST BADGE GAME COMPONENTS

This invention combines the use of double sided reversible informational wrist badges (badges) with trading card games. The badges are worn on the inside and the outside of the wrist and coupled with the trading cards introduce a further degree of randomness in the game play. The objective of the game is to reduce the health indicator of the other player to zero, where the player is forced to play another character until one player remains with no surviving characters. Badges are utilized in primarily two or more ways, technical data is labeled on each side of the battle badge, the player turns the badge over to show the attribute they wish imbued on their character (such as additional health, strength, aid another character, shields/defense, and offense/attacks). Badges may also be shifted from the front to the back of the wrist to communicate a further degree of game play information.




mp

CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND RELATED ASSEMBLIES AND COMPONENTS

Card handling devices may include a card shuffling apparatus and a card output portion having a card buffer area positioned at an interface of the card shuffling apparatus and the card output portion. The card output portion may be configured to move relative to the card shuffling apparatus and alter the orientation of the card buffer area. Card handling devices having a substantially flat card output area may include an interface portion having an at least substantially flat draw surface. The substantially flat card output area may permit playing cards to be drawn from an outlet of the substantially flat card output area in a plurality of at least substantially horizontal directions. Methods of shuffling playing cards may include altering an orientation of a card buffer area and inserting cards into the card buffer area at both a top and a bottom of a group of cards within the card buffer area.




mp

DART GAME APPARATUS HAVING PLURALITY OF CAMERAS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM STORED IN COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM

Disclosed is a dart game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in order to implement the aforementioned object. The dart game apparatus includes: a dart target having a plurality of score areas; a sensing module configured to sense an electrical signal changed as a dart pin hits the dart target; a controller configured to control an overall operation of the dart game apparatus; and a camera module configured to include a plurality of camera units, wherein the camera module includes a first camera unit configured to photograph a throw line which is a location where a player throws a dart and a whole body of the player, a second camera unit configured to photograph at least a part of a body for identifying the player, a third camera unit configured to photograph the entirety of the dart target, and a fourth camera unit configured to photograph at least a partial area in an area formed between the throw line and the dart game apparatus in order to photograph a blind zone which is not photographed by the first camera unit, the second camera unit, and the third camera unit.




mp

MULTIPHASE PUMPING SYSTEM WITH RECUPERATIVE COOLING

A multiphase pumping system for transporting a fluid includes a multiphase pump configured to increase pressure within the fluid and a recuperator in fluid communication with the multiphase pump. The recuperator is configured to remove thermal energy from a fluid upstream of the multiphase pump and is further configured to add thermal energy to a fluid downstream of the multiphase pump. The multiphase pumping system further includes a cooler configured to remove thermal energy from the fluid upstream of the multiphase pump.




mp

ELECTRONIC/ELECTRICAL COMPONENT HOUSING WITH STRIPS OF METAL PLATE AND SHAPE MEMORY MATERIAL FORMING A HEAT TRANSFER PATH

Disclosed is a housing for electronic/electrical that includes an inner panel and an outer panel, a strip of metal plate, and a strip of shape memory material. The inner panel and the outer panel are disposed parallel to each other at regular intervals to define an internal space. The strip of metal plate extends from an inner surface of the outer panel. The strip of shape memory material extends from an inner surface of the inner panel and is attached or detached to/from the metal plate on the outer panel while changing into an original straight shape or a bent shape according to a temperature variation. Here, when the temperature increase beyond a first transition temperature, the shape memory material straightens to form a heat transfer path. At a low temperature environment, the shape memory material bends and is separated from the metal plate to interrupt the heat transfer path.




mp

HEAT-INSULATING SHROUD FOR FACILITATING TEMPERATURE CONTROL OF A HEATED DEVICE OR PRODUCT

A heat-insulating shroud for facilitating temperature control of a heated article includes a flexible cover, made from a heat-insulating material, for covering a surface of the heated article, at least one air inlet defined in a first section of the flexible cover, and at least one air outlet defined in a second section of the flexible cover. In a cooling mode of operation, the flexible cover defines an air channel over the surface of the heated article for channeling an air stream from the air inlet(s) over the surface of the heated article towards the air outlet(s). The channeling of the air stream facilitates cooling the heated article. In a heat-conservation mode of operation, the flexible cover of heat-insulating material insulates the heated article from heat loss. Each air outlet may have a closure that opens during the cooling mode of operation and closes during the heat-conservation mode of operation.




mp

MULTI-SIDED HEAT EXCHANGERS WITH COMPLIANT HEAT TRANSFER SURFACES

A heat exchanger for a battery has fluid-carrying panels and defines a multi-sided enclosure for enclosing at least two sides of the battery. The heat exchanger has first and second fluid-carrying panels defining first and second flow channels, where the first and second fluid-carrying panels are arranged at an angle to another. The heat exchanger may also include a third fluid-carrying panel defining a third flow channel, and being arranged at an angle to the second fluid-carrying panel. The heat exchanger has first and second plates sealingly joined together along their peripheries and defining a fluid flow passageway between their central fluid flow areas. The second plate may be compliant, its central fluid flow area being deformable away from the central fluid flow area of the first plate in response to a pressure of a fluid inside the fluid flow passageway.




mp

HEAT PUMP SYSTEM WITH ADDITIONAL HEAT SOURCE FOR EVAPORATION OF REFRIGERANT

An air conditioning system of a motor vehicle with a refrigerant circuit for operation in a refrigerator mode and a heat pump mode. The refrigerant circuit includes a primary circuit with a compressor, a heat exchanger for heat transfer between the refrigerant and the surroundings, an expansion element and a heat exchanger for heat transfer from the intake air being conditioned for the passenger compartment to the refrigerant, and a first flow path. The flow path extends from a branching point between the compressor and the heat exchanger to an opening and includes a heat exchanger for heat transfer from the refrigerant to the intake air being conditioned for the passenger compartment. The heat exchanger is situated in a flow direction of intake air of the passenger compartment after the heat exchanger.




mp

Automobile Interior Temperature Stabilizer

An automobile interior temperature stabilizer includes a holder adapted for placing within a vehicle cabin and a temperature stabilizing member which is made of latent heat material that absorbs and releases heat without rising in its temperature and is disposed in the holder, wherein the temperature stabilizing member has a threshold temperature range that the temperature stabilizing member is arranged for absorbing cabin heat within the vehicle cabin to cool down the vehicle cabin when an interior temperature of the vehicle is higher than the threshold temperature range, and the temperature stabilizing member is arranged for releasing stored heat to the vehicle cabin to warm the vehicle cabin when an interior temperature of the vehicle is lower than the threshold temperature range. Therefore, the automobile interior temperature stabilizer is able to maintain the cabin temperature of the vehicle without using any power from the vehicle.




mp

COMPARTMENTALIZED HEAT EXCHANGER IN INDUSTRIAL COMPONENT SYSTEM

In a cooled component system, a heat exchanger mounted on a surface of the industrial component is housed in an isolated access compartment adjacent to but separated from the primary compartment containing the industrial component. Housing the heat exchanger in a separately accessible compartment permits access to the heat exchanger for cleaning or other purposes without having to shut down the industrial component being cooled. A means for moving a cooling media over the surface a the heat exchanger might also be included to maximize heat exchange.




mp

METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PARALLELIZE DATA DECOMPRESSION

Methods and apparatus to parallelize data decompression are disclosed. An example method adjusting a first one of initial starting positions to determine a first adjusted starting position by decoding the bitstream starting at a training position in the bitstream, the decoding including traversing the bitstream from the training position as though first data located at the training position is a valid token; and merging, by executing an instruction with the processor, first decoded data generated by decoding a first segment of the compressed data bitstream starting from the first adjusted starting position with second decoded data generated by decoding a second segment of the compressed data bitstream, the decoding of the second segment starting from a second position in the compressed data bitstream and being performed in parallel with the decoding of the first segment, and the second segment preceding the first segment in the compressed data bitstream.




mp

PULSE WIDTH MODULATOR AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR STORING PROGRAM FOR PULSE WIDTH MODULATOR

The pulse width modulator includes a subtraction unit configured to perform subtraction between an m value digital signal and a pulse width modulation signal; a feedforward filter unit configured such that a ΔΣ modulator to which an output signal of the subtraction unit is input and which includes integrators of a second order or higher is in cascade connection, and configured to operate with a sampling frequency FS; a product-sum computing unit configured to operate with a sampling frequency (FS/n) (n: an integer of two or more) to perform product-sum computing of an output signal of each integrator of the feedforward filter unit; and a pulse width modulation unit configured to operate with the sampling frequency (FS/n) to perform pulse width modulation of an output signal of the product-sum computing unit to output a pulse width modulation signal.




mp

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMPRESSING CONTINUOUS DATA

Disclosed are an apparatus and method for compressing continuous data. The apparatus for compressing continuous data may include a data generator configured to calculate differences between adjacent values in original continuous data and generate data based on the calculated differences.




mp

BASELINE COMPENSATION SYSTEM

An analog to digital converter (ADC) system that includes a first amplifier configured to amplify an analog input signal to produce an amplified direct current (DC) signal, an ADC configured to receive the amplified DC signal and convert the amplified DC signal into a digital DC signal, a digital to analog converter configured to receive the digital DC signal and convert the digital DC signal into an analog DC signal, and a second amplifier configured to receive an analog alternating current (AC) signal comprising the analog DC signal subtracted from the analog input signal and amplify the analog AC signal to produce an amplified AC signal. The ADC is further configured to receive the amplified AC signal and produce a digital AC signal. The second amplifier has a gain greater than a gain of the first amplifier.




mp

ENHANCED DATA COMPRESSION FOR SPARSE MULTIDIMENSIONAL ORDERED SERIES DATA

Disclosed are methods and systems for significantly compressing sparse multidimensional ordered series data comprised of indexed data sets, wherein each data set comprises an index, a first variable and a second variable. The methods and systems are particularly suited for compression of data recorded in double precision floating point format.




mp

Method And System For Time Interleaved Analog-To-Digital Converter Timing Mismatch Estimation And Compensation

Methods and systems for time interleaved analog-to-digital converter timing mismatch calibration and compensation may include receiving an analog signal on a chip, converting the analog signal to a digital signal utilizing a time interleaved analog-to-digital-converter (ADC), and reducing a blocker signal that is generated by timing offsets in the time interleaved ADC by estimating complex coupling coefficients between a desired digital output signal and the blocker signal utilizing a decorrelation algorithm on frequencies within a desired frequency bandwidth. The decorrelation algorithm may comprise a symmetric adaptive decorrelation algorithm. The received analog signal may be generated by a calibration tone generator on the chip. An aliased signal may be summed with an output signal from a multiplier. The complex coupling coefficients may be determined utilizing the decorrelation algorithm on the summed signals. A multiplier may be configured to cancel the blocker signal utilizing the determined complex coupling coefficients.




mp

DYNAMIC DATA COMPRESSION SELECTION

Aspects of dynamic data compression selection are presented. In an example method, as uncompressed data chunks of a data stream are compressed, at least one performance factor affecting selection of one of multiple compression algorithms for the uncompressed data chunks of the data stream may be determined. Each of the multiple compression algorithms may facilitate a different expected compression ratio. One of the multiple compression algorithms may be selected separately for each uncompressed data chunk of the data stream based on the at least one performance factor. Each uncompressed data chunk may be compressed using the selected one of the multiple compression algorithms for the uncompressed data chunk.




mp

Process for producing nitrogen-containing composition

The invention provides a process comprising: a crystallization step of concentrating and crystallizing the ammonium salt of sulfuric acid from an aqueous solution that contains the ammonium salt of sulfuric acid; a solid-liquid separation step of solid-liquid separating the ammonium salt of sulfuric acid obtained in the crystallization step, and a crystallization mother liquid recycling step of recycling a crystallization mother liquid obtained in the solid-liquid separation step to at least one step selected from the crystallization step and one or more steps that precede the crystallization step, in which not all of the crystallization mother liquid is recycled.




mp

Methods of producing a titanium dioxide pigment and improving the processability of titanium dioxide pigment particles

A method of producing a titanium dioxide pigment is provided. Also provided is a method of improving the processability of titanium dioxide particles without adversely affecting the rheological properties of the titanium dioxide particles.




mp

Mineral, nutritional, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and agricultural compositions and methods for producing the same

Mineral, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural, nutraceutical, and other compositions are produced using a mineral composition containing minimal concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury and containing relatively high concentrations of micro and macro mineral elements, of rare earth elements, of calcium, and of silica. The mineral concentrations are produced by processing naturally occurring clay soil to concentrate mineral elements naturally occurring in the soil.




mp

Process for producing granules comprising one or more complexing agent salts

A process for producing granules containing one or more complexing agent salts of the general formula from an aqueous starting solution, containing the one or more complexing agent salts in a concentration of from 10 to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous starting solution, in a jet apparatus.




mp

Barrier composition

The invention provides a process for increasing the crystallinity of at least one solid material which is less than 100% crystalline, comprising applying ultrasound to the substantially dry solid material.




mp

Composition for enhancing the production of crystal agglomerates from a precipitation liquor

The present invention relates to compositions and methods to increase the output of a high quality product from the precipitation liquor crystallization process exemplified through the aluminum hydroxide recovery processes such as the Bayer process. The invention is a method of increasing the size of precipitates from a liquor. The invention in one embodiment relates to the use of a crystal growth modifier compositions added to the precipitation process to increase the particle size distribution of the precipitated alumina trihydrate.




mp

Method for producing composite carbon fibers

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing composite carbon fibers in which two or more carbon fibers are dispersed in a nearly homogenous state, the composite carbon fibers capable of being easily dispersed in a matrix such as a resin without leaving aggregate, and imparting low resistance. Disclosed is a method for producing composite carbon fibers, which comprises imparting a cavitation effect to slurry containing 6% by mass or less of two or more carbon fibers each having a different average fiber diameter under a pressure of 100 MPa or more and less than 245 MPa thereby to form a composite.




mp

ENERGY HARVESTING DEVICE USING ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

An energy harvesting device includes: a first nanoporous electrode and a second nanoporous electrode, each of which is configured to which store electrical charge; a first current collector connected to the first nanoporous electrode and a second current collector connected to the second nanoporous electrode; and an enclosure that contains the first and second nanoporous electrodes and the first and second current collectors and transfers a force applied from the outside to the first nanoporous electrode and the second nanoporous electrode, wherein at least one of the first nanoporous electrode and the second nanoporous electrode comprises an ion conductive polymer.




mp

ACOUSTIC WAVE DEVICES HAVING IMPROVED CONNECTION RELIABILITY

An elastic wave device including a substrate, an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode provided on an upper surface of the substrate, a first wiring electrode provided on the upper surface of the substrate and connected to the IDT electrode, a dielectric film that does not cover a first region of the first wiring electrode but covers a second region of the first wiring electrode above the substrate, the first wiring electrode including a cutout in the second region, and a second wiring electrode that covers an upper surface of the first wiring electrode in the first region and an upper surface of the dielectric film in the second region above the substrate.




mp

CERAMIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

A ceramic electronic component includes a laminated body including ceramic layers and conductor layers stacked alternately; and first and second external electrodes provided on portions of the laminated body. Each of the first and second external electrodes includes a sintered metal layer provided on the laminated body, a conductive resin layer covering the sintered metal layer, and a plated layer covering the conductive resin layer. The maximum length of the sintered metal layer provided on the second principal surface is shorter than the maximum length of the sintered metal layer provided on each of the first and second side surfaces.




mp

CERAMIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

A ceramic electronic component includes a laminated body including ceramic layers and conductor layers stacked alternately; and first and second external electrodes provided on portions of the laminated body. Each of the first and second external electrodes includes a sintered metal layer provided on the laminated body, a conductive resin layer covering the sintered metal layer, and a plated layer covering the conductive resin layer. The maximum length of the sintered metal layer provided on the second principal surface is shorter than the maximum length of the sintered metal layer provided on each of the first and second side surfaces.




mp

SYSTEM AND FABRICATION METHOD OF PIEZOELECTRIC STACK THAT REDUCES DRIVING VOLTAGE AND CLAMPING EFFECT

A system and method provides a piezoelectric stack arrangement for reduced driving voltage while maintaining a driving level for active piezoelectric materials. A stack arrangement of d36 shear mode single crystals of both air X-cut and Y-cut ±1:45° (±20°) arrangement are bonded with discrete conductive pillars to form a shear crystal stack. The bonding area between the neighboring crystal parts is minimized. The bonding pillars are positioned at less than a total surface are of the single crystal forming the stack. The stack fabrication is facilitated with a precision assembly system, where crystal parts are placed to desired locations on an assembly fixture for alignment following the preset operation steps. With the reduced clamping effect from bonding due to lower surface coverage of the discrete conductive pillars, such a piezoelectric d36 shear crystal stack exhibits a reduced driving voltage while maintaining a driving level and substantial and surprisingly improved performance.




mp

Impact sensing device and helmet incorporating the same

An impact sensing device including a plurality of accelerometers orthogonally oriented with respect to each other and attachable at a body location, each capable of producing a signal indicative of an impact. An integrated circuit is configured to determine the magnitude and direction of the impact based on the signals and operative to activate an indicator when the magnitude exceeds a selected threshold based on the direction of the impact. A head injury coefficient is determined based on the magnitude and a duration of the impact, and the threshold level of acceleration is expressed in terms of a head injury coefficient value. The head injury coefficient value is determined by empirically correlating a head injury coefficient measured at the body location and a head injury coefficient measured at the center of mass of a human head resulting from an impact.




mp

Compression stocking applicator

The disclosure provides a medical compression stocking applicator having an elongate member which has a pair of opposed sidewalls and an interconnecting wall and therefore may be substantially U-shaped in cross-section and is open at each end. The elongate member also includes a heel opening between the ends of the elongate member. The heel opening extends entirely through the elongate member, and is adapted to support a person's heel during application of a stocking.




mp

Orthopedic component for use with an orthopedic brace

An orthopedic component for use in orthopedic device includes a rigid frame and a flexible subshell connected to and extending flexibly outwardly from the rigid frame. The subshell may have a shell body and a perimeter edge portion defining a lip extending outwardly from a surface of a shell body and defining a clearance between the shell body and the lip. The subshell may include a plurality of slots and ventilated padding is used in combination with the slots. A tightenable fastener may be adjustably secured to the rigid frame and extend through an opening on the subshell, wherein the first side portion of the subshell is adjustable in location relative to the rigid frame.




mp

Expressive Damper for a Percussive Instrument

The invention is a sound modification device used for a percussion instrument. It is comprised of a rigid clip that is spring-based to a closed position and an integrated dampening material, leather or plastic etc., that comes in contact with the vibrating surface. Once the clip is pulled apart it can be released to firmly attach over the hoop of any drum. The musician can choose the size or material of the dampening component to eliminate unwanted ring and or change the resonant note of the drum. The thickness of the dampening component can also be chosen by the drummer to increase or decrease the dampening characteristics.




mp

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPARTING ACOUSTIC EFFECT TO PIANO

An acoustic effect impartment apparatus for use in a piano including a plurality of keys, a plurality of strings provided in corresponding relation to the keys and a plurality of hammers each responsive to an operation of any one of the keys to strike the string corresponding to the key. The acoustic effect impartment apparatus comprising at least one elongate member disposed near at least one of the plurality of strings. The elongate member movable by means of a first actuator between a retracted configuration in which the elongate member is disengaged away from the at least one of the plurality of strings and an imparted configuration wherein the elongate member is imparted against the at least one of the plurality of strings, and the first actuator can be actuated by a piano player such that the elongate member is imparted against the at least one of the plurality of strings as said piano player strikes a key associated therewith.




mp

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONVERTING TEXTUAL MESSAGES TO MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS

A method for converting textual messages to musical messages comprising receiving a text input and receiving a musical input selection. The method includes analyzing the text input to determine text characteristics and analyzing a musical input corresponding to the musical input selection to determine musical characteristics. Based on the text characteristic and the musical characteristic, the method includes correlating the text input with the musical input to generate a synthesizer input, and sending the synthesizer input to a voice synthesizer. The method includes receiving a vocal rendering of the text input from the voice synthesizer and generating a musical message from the vocal rendering and the musical input. The method includes generating a video element based on a video input, incorporating the video element into the musical message, and outputting the musical message including the video element.




mp

ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT, AND ENSEMBLE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING SUCH AN ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT

An acoustic drum kit including a bass drum, a snare drum and a hi-hat stand, the base drum including two parts that are movable with respect to one another between a spaced-apart position, in which the snare drum is fixed removably to the bass drum and to the hi-hat stand such that the drum kit is in a playing configuration, and a compact position, in which the snare drum and the hi-hat stand are housed inside the bass drum, between the two parts thereof, such that the drum kit is in a storage and transport configuration.




mp

Surface covering kit comprising panels and an extraneous locking element

A surface covering kit is disclosed, comprising a plurality of generally rectangular panels (100). Each panel is provided with grooves (301, 302, 301', 302') forming an insertion channel (303) when two panels (100) are laid next to each other along their transverse sides (105, 105') in a common laying plane (101). An extraneous locking element (210) is received by the insertion channel (303), the extraneous locking element (210) having a longitudinal dimension and a cross-section perpendicular to said longitudinal dimension which forms a cross with at least four cross arms. The corresponding cross arms of the insertion channel have two parallel flank surfaces (1603, 1604) each, and each of the cross arms is oriented diagonally in a plane perpendicular to the panel plane (102).




mp

Composite joint filler seal material for joints in precast concrete structures

An apparatus for filling joints in precast concrete structures includes a core that has exceptionally low creep and conforms to ASTM D 1752 made of controlled particle size composites of recycled cellular rubber and plastic materials in the form of a rectangular slab. Holes are drilled through a central area and countersink recesses are formed around the holes. An outer coating of a thermoplastic polyurethane/polyurea elastomer system of a thickness of 0.075 inch covers the slab and countersink recesses. The coated core is abrasion and UV resistant while having the creep characteristics needed to make a dam expansion joint filler.




mp

Segmental retaining wall corner block and wall corner comprised of corner blocks

A corner block has spaced-apart front and rear sections interconnected by two spaced-apart side sections that jointly define an internal cavity. Upper protrusions are provided on the top face of the block, and inner protrusions are provided inside the cavity at the bottom of the block. The upper and inner protrusions are configured and arranged relative to one another so that when two corner blocks are stacked one atop another with one block rotated 90° relative to the other, the upper protrusions of the lower block interlock with the inner protrusions of the upper block to interlock the two blocks. The corner blocks are constructed in two variants, a corner block A and a corner block B, which are mirror images of each other. The corner blocks A and B are alternately stacked upon one another to construct a 90° corner of a segmental wall structure.




mp

INHALER COMPONENT

The invention relates to an inhaler component for forming a vapor/air mixture or/and condensation aerosol by evaporation of a liquid material and, if appropriate, condensation of the formed vapor, comprising: an electric heating element for evaporating a portion of the liquid material; a wick with a capillary structure, which wick forms a composite with the heating element and automatically supplies the heating element with the liquid material; a carrier plate, preferably a printed circuit board, which carries the composite and on which the heating element is electrically contacted; a capillary gap formed at least partially by the carrier plate and automatically supplying the composite with the liquid material, by means of an end portion of the wick extending into the capillary gap; a liquid container which contains the liquid material and from which the capillary gap draws the liquid material. In order to achieve a compact overall arrangement, it is proposed that the capillary gap at least partially covers the liquid container on the outside, in a view perpendicular to the carrier plate.




mp

IMPREGNATED FILTER MATERIAL

A method for manufacturing an impregnated filter material includes preparing at least one impregnating solution comprising sulphate and phosphate; providing a filter material; and impregnating the filter material with at least one impregnating solution, at least once. In this manner, it is possible to manufacture an impregnated filter material for the removal of noxious substances and/or toxins, which includes sulphate and phosphate. The noxious substances and/or toxins can thereby be present in the form of gases and/or vapours.




mp

METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ANESTHESIA APPARATUS, ANESTHESIA APPARATUS OPERATING ACCORDING TO THE METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD

A method and a control program for operating an anesthesia apparatus, as well as an anesthesia apparatus (12), which operates according to the method are provided. The anesthesia apparatus includes a breathing gas feed unit (22) intended for displacing a breathing gas volume in a breathing circuit (10). A piston (23) brings about the displacement of the breathing gas. Switching over between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation during the return of the piston (23) allows for a presetting of a corresponding piston return velocity. The piston return velocity depends on a volume flow in an exhalation branch (34) of the breathing circuit (10) in the first mode of operation. The piston return velocity depends on a minimally necessary piston return velocity in the second mode of operation.




mp

MULTILAYER ELECTRONIC COMPONENT AND MULTILAYER CHIP ANTENNA INCLUDING THE SAME

A multilayer electronic component includes a body and a coil. The body includes a plurality of sheets each containing magnetic powder particles. The coil includes an uppermost coil pattern disposed on a top surface of an uppermost sheet among the plurality of sheets, a lowermost coil pattern disposed on a bottom surface of a lowermost sheet among the plurality of sheets, and side coil patterns disposed on edges of central sheets disposed between the uppermost sheet and the lowermost sheet in a central portion of the body. The magnetic powder particles have shape anisotropy, and a major axes of the magnetic powder particles are aligned with each other within the body. A multilayer chip antenna can include the multilayer electronic component.