There is provided a thermal transfer sheet including a base sheet, and a dye receiving layer formed on the base sheet and containing a mixture of copolymer A including styrene and acrylonitrile as monomers and a copolymer B including 2-phenoxyethyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate as monomers.

A vinyl chloride-based resin latex which froths little when unreacted monomer remaining in the latex are recovered under heat and reduced-pressure conditions, and a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet which has satisfactory water resistance, does not yellow during storage, and gives images having excellent durability and light resistance. The invention provides a vinyl chloride-based resin latex contains a copolymer containing a vinyl chloride and an epoxy-group-containing vinyl or contains vinyl chloride, an epoxy-group-containing vinyl, and a carboxylic acid vinyl ester, wherein a content of the epoxy-group-containing vinyl is 0.1% by weight or more but less than 3% by weight, and wherein the latex contains no surfactant, and has a solid concentration of 25% by weight or more; a process for producing the latex; and a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet obtained using the latex.

In an intermediate transfer medium, a substrate, protective layers having a layered structure of two or more layers, and a receiving layer are layered in this order. One layer in the protective layers having the layered structure contains, as a main component, one material or a mixture of two or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyesters having a high polymerization degree, a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of not less than 12,000 and a Tg of not less than 60° C., polycarbonates and polyester urethanes. Another layer in the protective layers having the layered structure contains one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl butyrals, polyvinyl acetals and polyvinyl pyrrolidones or includes a cationic resin, and the receiving layer contains a side chain-type aralkyl-modified silicone in an amount of 0.5-5% by weight on a base of the total weight of the receiving layer.

Disclosed is a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet which excels in adhesiveness to a receiving layer and solvent resistance, and a manufacturing method thereof. In the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet, which includes a porous layer, a barrier layer, a receiving layer which are stacked in this order on a substrate, the porous layer includes a binder resin and hollow particles, and the barrier layer includes (i) (A) a first acrylic resin and (B) one or more kinds of resins selected from the group consisting of polyester resins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone type resins, polyester type urethane resin, and a second acrylic resin which differs from the first acrylic resin; or (ii) a polyvinyl pyrrolidone type resin.

Systems for spacing and transferring objects between operative stations are provided. Such systems can be used with ovens for preforms for plastic material, in blowing or stretch-blowing machines and for other applications in the packaging field. Such systems provide spacing and transferring of objects advancing in procession on transport elements, from a minimum pitch to a preset pitch larger than said minimum pitch, and for transferring said spaced objects to handling elements.

A method of transferring a foil comprising: forming a foil transferring face on a photoreceptor employing a foil transferring face forming toner; transferring the foil transferring face onto a base substance, followed by fixing the foil transferring face; supplying a transfer foil having at least a foil and an adhesive layer on the base substance having the fixed foil transferring face, heating the transfer foil and the foil transferring face while the adhesive layer of the transfer foil is in contact with the foil transferring face to adhere the foil onto the foil transferring face; removing the transfer foil from the base substance while leaving the foil adhered onto the foil transferring face, wherein the foil transferring face forming toner comprises at least a binder resin, wherein the binder resin comprises a polymer formed by using a vinyl monomer comprising at least a carboxyl group.

In a first thermal transfer portion of upstream side, a negative toner image forming portion forms on a photosensitive drum a desired negative toner image which reverses a desired positive toner image selected from all the toner images. The negative toner image forming portion then forms the desired negative toner image on a belt member. The first thermal transfer portion transfers a desired negative foil image from a foil sheet to the belt member so that a desired positive foil image remains on the foil sheet. A second transfer portion transfers the desired positive foil image thus remained on the desired positive toner image formed on the sheet of paper. A cleaning portion removes the desired negative toner image and the desired negative foil image from the belt member.

A mask blank for use in the manufacture of a binary mask adapted to be applied with ArF excimer laser exposure light has, on a transparent substrate, a light-shielding film for forming a transfer pattern. The light-shielding film has a laminated structure of a lower layer and an upper layer and has an optical density of 2.8 or more for exposure light and a thickness of 45 nm or less. The lower layer is made of a material in which the total content of a transition metal and silicon is 90 at % or more, and has a thickness of 30 nm or more. The upper layer has a thickness of 3 nm or more and 6 nm or less. The phase difference between exposure light transmitted through the light-shielding film and exposure light transmitted in air for a distance equal to the thickness of the light-shielding film is 30 degrees or less.

Disclosed are compositions and methods of making non-glycosylated transferrin protein in transgenic monocot plants.

The invention is directed to novel substituted benzylamino quinolines, compounds comprising substituted benzylamino quinolines, methods of making substituted benzylamino quinolines, the use of substituted benzylamino quinolines for treating or preventing a variety of conditions or diseases associated with lipoprotein metabolism, and the use of substituted benzylamino quinolines as cholesterol ester-transfer protein inhibitors.

Many GTPases such as Ras, Ral and Rho require post-translational farnestylation or geranylgeranylation for mediating malignant transformation. Dual farnesyltransferase (FT) (FTI) and geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGT-1) inhibitors (GGTI) were developed as anticancer agents from based on an ethylenediamine scaffold. On the basis of a 4-fold substituted ethylenediamine scaffold, the inhibitors are structurally simple and readily derivatized, facilitating extensive structure-activity relationship studies. The most potent inhibitor is compound exhibited an in vitro hFTase IC50 value of 25 nM and a whole cell H-Ras processing IC50 value of 90 nM. Several of the inhibitors proved highly selective for hFTase over the related prenyltransferase enzyme geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGTase-I). A crystal structure of an inhibitor cocrystallized with farnesyl pyrophosphate in the active site of rat FTase illustrates that the para-benzonitrile moiety is stabilized by a π-π stacking interaction with the Y361β residue, suggesting an importance of this component of the inhibitors.

A method of placing a bottom block includes: placing bottom blocks on a block storage area in which a spindle can hold the bottom blocks; attaching a block-transferring tool to the spindle, the block-transferring tool having a main shaft attachment attached to the spindle and a block holder for holding the bottom block; and holding the bottom blocks by the block holder of the block-transferring tool and placing the held bottom blocks on a predetermined workpiece placing position on an upper surface of a table by relative movement.

A ceramic mass transfer packing element that includes a planar end surface which intersects an internal wall's geometric plane at an acute angle is disclosed. A process for making the packing element and an apparatus that uses the packing element are also disclosed.

A universal linker structure is provided, in which a functional group and activating leaving group are placed on a tether, allowing the placement of an electrophile at the end of any nucleic acid sequence. The electrophile on the tether can react with a second nucleic acid carrying a nucleophile when the two nucleic acids are hybridized near one another, resulting in release of the leaving group, and creation of a functional change. The linker can be designed to destabilize the ligation product without slowing the rate of reaction. This lowers product inhibition, and the target DNA or RNA can become a catalyst for isothermally generating multiple signals for detection. This enhanced signal is demonstrated in solution experiments and in solid supported assays. The universal linkers of the present invention are simple and inexpensive to prepare, and can be appended to any polynucleotide in automated steps on a standard DNA synthesizer.

The present invention provides a family of dark quenchers, termed Black Hole Quenchers (“BHQs”), that are efficient quenchers of excited state energy but which are themselves substantially non-fluorescent. Also provided are methods of using the BHQs, probes incorporating the BHQs and methods of using the probes.

A processing apparatus for poultry is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes one or more transfer units placed intermediate of, conveying poultry from, a first line to a subsequent second line, wherein both the first line and the second line are selected from the group including a slaughtering line, an evisceration line, a chilling line, a sorting line and a cutup line. Each transfer unit is embodied with a circulating support that includes material that is magnetically conductive and transfer devices are provided with at least one magnet so as to induce eddy currents in the circulating support that counteracts relative motion between the transfer devices and the circulating support.

A food source information transferring system for a livestock meat-packing facility and a related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the food source information transferring system is capable of reading tag-identifying information in a hook RFID tag incorporated in a hook that can be hung on a hook machine. An animal carcass attached to the hook then undergoes meat chopping, cutting, and/or packing operations in the meat-packing facility. For each meat package produced, a data set associated with the tag-identifying information in the hook RFID tag can be paired with a data set associated with a meat package label attached to the meat package. This dynamic and robust data association between the hook RFID tag and the meat package label enables a food source information database in the food source information transferring system to preserve and trace detailed food source information at various levels of meat production and processing.

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for multi-source, multi-destination data transfers that include identifying a plurality of destination points having destination contexts in one or more destination objects; selecting source content for transfer; displaying destination contexts for the destination points; and directing source content to at least one destination point in dependence upon the displayed destination contexts. In typical embodiments, identifying destination points includes recording each identified destination point and storing in association with each recorded destination point a copy of a destination context for each recorded destination point.

A television receiver including a tuner and one or more processors may be presented. The television receiver may be configured to tune the tuner to a television channel. The television receiver may be configured to create and store an omnibus channel file containing a plurality of television programs broadcast consecutively on the television channel over a period of time. The television receiver may be configured to, after a predefined period of time, select the omnibus channel file for deletion. The television receiver may be configured to determine a television program to receive extended storage. The television receiver may be configured to store a portion of the omnibus channel file as an individual program file, wherein the portion of the omnibus channel file corresponds to the television program. The television receiver may be configured to, after storing the portion of the omnibus channel file, delete the omnibus channel file.

Described herein are improved configurations for a wireless power transfer involving photovoltaic panels. Described are methods and designs that use electric energy from a photovoltaic module to energize at least one wireless energy source to produce an oscillating magnetic field for wireless energy transfer. The source may be configured and tuned to present an impedance to a photovoltaic module wherein said impedance enables substantial extraction of energy from said photovoltaic module.

A transfer switch configured to detect a ground current is configured to selectively connect a first power source or a second power source to a load. Each of the power sources includes at least one “hot” lead and one neutral lead, and the transfer switch is configured to switch both the “hot” and the neutral leads. If the neutral switching portion of the transfer switch fails, current may be supplied to the load via the “hot” lead of one of the power sources and return from the load via a ground conductor and the neutral lead of the other power source. The transfer switch includes a current sensor, detecting current on the ground conductor, in order to detect such a condition. The signal from the current sensor is provided to a control circuit, which, in turn, activates an indicator if the current on the ground conductor exceeds a predefined level.

A transmit pad inspection device includes a magnetic coupling device, which includes an inductive circuit that is configured to magnetically couple to a primary circuit of a charging device in a transmit pad through an alternating current (AC) magnetic field. The inductive circuit functions as a secondary circuit for a set of magnetically coupled coils. The magnetic coupling device further includes a rectification circuit, and includes a controllable load bank or is configured to be connected to an external controllable load back. The transmit pad inspection device is configured to determine the efficiency of power transfer under various coupling conditions. In addition, the transmit pad inspection device can be configured to measure residual magnetic field and the frequency of the input current, and to determine whether the charging device has been installed properly.

A circuit and method for wirelessly coupling an electrical energy between an electrical energy source and at least one load is provided. The circuit comprises a primary unit and at least one secondary unit. The primary unit includes an input node for receiving an input voltage produced by the energy source; a transmitter circuit including a transmitter coil configured to generate an electromagnetic field; and a regulator. The regulator is configured to sense a current consumption of the primary unit, determine a gradient of the current consumption with respect to different input voltages, and determine an optimal input voltage based on the gradient. The at least one secondary unit comprises a receiver circuit and a load. The receiver unit includes a coil that wirelessly and inductively couples with the electromagnetic field of the primary unit to receive power therefrom. The receiver unit further includes a regulator circuit configured to provide a constant power to an output node.

A substrate processing system and substrate transferring method capable of transferring a substrate bi-directionally through the use of substrate transferring device provided between two rows of processing chambers arranged linearly, thereby improving the substrate-transferring efficiency, the substrate processing system includes a transfer chamber having at least one bi-directional substrate transferring device for bi-directionally transferring a substrate; and a plurality of processing chambers for applying a semiconductor-manufacturing process to the substrate, wherein the plurality of processing chambers are linearly arranged along two rows confronting each other, and the transfer chamber is interposed between the two rows of the processing chambers, wherein the bi-directional substrate transferring device have a moving unit inside the transfer chamber, and horizontally moved by a linear motor; and a bi-directional substrate transferring unit in the moving unit, the bi-directional substrate transferring unit transferring the substrate to the processing chamber through a bi-directional sliding movement.

Devices capable of deterring or preventing bulk extraction of drugs from, for example, drug-delivery systems are exemplarily disclosed. In one embodiment, such a device may include a package releasably retaining a drug and an agent. The agent is configured to suppress a physiological effect of the drug when the agent contacts the drug or is coadministered with the drug. The cell package is configured such that an amount of the drug is selectively releasable with respect to the agent when the package is operably proximate to an encoded key. The package, however, may be configured to impose a relatively high likelihood that either the drug will not be accessed or the drug will be contaminated by the agent if access to the contents of the package is sought without the use of an encoded key.

A method of enabling administration of a drug includes determining, within a drug-transfer device including cells, a location of at least one cell and generating information identifying the determined location. A user may be provided with the drug-transfer device. The drug is retained within the at least one cell when the user is provided with the drug-transfer device. The method also includes encoding a key with the information and providing the user with the key before, after or when the user is provided with the drug-transfer device. Drug retained within the at least one cell is selectively releasable when the key is operably proximate to the drug-transfer device and is encoded with the information. The key can be encoded with the information before and/or after being provided to the user. In some embodiments, the key is encoded based on instructions transmitted over a network.

A cargo rack for transferring loads between a marine vessel and an offshore marine platform provides a frame having a front, a rear, and upper and lower end portions. The lower end of the frame has a perimeter beam base, a raised floor and a pair of open-ended parallel fork tine tubes that communicate with the perimeter beam at the front and rear of the frame. The frame includes a plurality of fixed side walls extending upwardly from the perimeter beam. A plurality of gates are movably mounted on the frame, each gate being movable between open and closed positions, the gates enabling a forklift to place loads on the floor. The frame has vertically extending positioning beams that segment the floor into a plurality of load-holding positions. Each load holding position has positioning beams that laterally hold a load module in position on the floor.

A gripper (42) for gripping an object (14), intended for a transfer device includes two jaws (64, 66). Each of the jaws includes: a recess (92), and a first clamping portion (94) and a second locking portion (96). The first clamping portion (94) of each jaw (64, 66) of the gripper (42) includes a supporting surface and, when the gripper (42) is closed around an object (14) occupying a predetermined reference position, the supporting surface is intended to engage with a portion of a bearing surface of a radial collar of the object.

An apparatus includes a biquad filter having first and second lossy integrators and multiple input networks. Each lossy integrator includes an amplifier, and each input network is coupled to an input of the amplifier in one of the lossy integrators. Each input network includes multiple resistors and a capacitor arranged in a T-structure. In a single-ended configuration, each input network includes a grounded capacitor. In a fully-differential configuration, each input network includes one of: a grounded capacitor and a floating capacitor coupled to another input network. The amplifiers and resistors could form a portion of an integrated circuit chip, which also includes multiple input/output pins. A single grounded capacitor could be coupled to a single input/output pin of the integrated circuit chip for an input network. A single floating capacitor could be coupled to two input/output pins of the integrated circuit chip for a pair of input networks.

In an example embodiment, an electromagnetic interface can comprise: a first component comprising a first waveguide channel, a first interface surface, and a first force transfer feature; a second component comprising a second waveguide channel, a second interface surface, and a second force transfer feature; and a fastener that can be configured to force the first force transfer feature in sliding engagement with the second force transfer feature. The first and second force transfer features can be configured to interoperate to create an indirect force holding the first interface surface in contact with the second interface surface and holding the first waveguide channel in alignment with the second waveguide channel.

In a method for transferring energy between at least two energy storage cells in a controllable energy store that serves to control and to supply electrical energy to an n-phase electric machine, which energy store has n power supply arms which each have at least two series-connected energy storage modules which each include at least one electrical energy storage cell with an associated controllable coupling unit, and are connected to one respective phase of the electric machine, in a charging phase, all coupling units of those energy storage modules which are to be used as an energy source are controlled in such a way that the respectively associated energy storage cells are connected into the respective power supply arm.

Disclosed is a system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, in particular to a track bound vehicle such as a light rail vehicle. The system includes an electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle. The electric conductor arrangement includes at least one alternating current line. Each alternating current line carries one phase of an alternating electric current. The conductor arrangement includes a plurality of consecutive segments. The segments extend along the path of travel of the, vehicle. Each segment includes one section of each of the at least one alternating current line.

A system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, wherein the system comprises an electric conductor arrangement for producing a magnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle, wherein the electric conductor arrangement comprises at least one current line, wherein each current line is adapted to carry the electric current which produces the magnetic field or is adapted to carry one of parallel electric currents which produce the magnetic field and wherein: the at least one current line extends at a first height level,the system comprises an electrically conductive shield for shielding the magnetic field, wherein the shield extends under the track and extends below the first height level, anda magnetic core extends along the track at a second height level and extends above the shield.

A system for transferring energy to a vehicle, in particular a track bound vehicle, such as a light rail vehicle, wherein the system includes an electric conductor arrangement adapted to produce an electromagnetic field which can be received by the vehicle thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle the system further includes electric and/or electronic devices which are adapted to operate the electric conductor arrangement. The devices produce heat while operating the conductor arrangement and—therefore—are to be cooled. A cooling arrangement of the system includes a structure having a cavity in which at least one of the devices to be cooled is located. The structure includes a cover limiting the cavity at the top, wherein the device(s) to be cooled is/are located at a distance to the cover. The structure is integrated in the ground at the path of travel of the vehicle in such a manner that the cover forms a part of the surface of the ground.

A flexible and continuous substrates-conveying sheet has a plurality of to be processed substrates disposed on or in it. A nondestructive transferring unit includes a plurality of first transferring rolls and a plurality of second transferring rolls. The first transferring rolls make contact with a first surface of the substrates-conveying sheet where that surface can have electrostatically-induced charge formed thereon. Each of the first transferring rolls includes a first central portion charged with a positive electric charge and a first outer portion surrounding the first central portion. The second transferring rolls make contact with the first surface of the substrates-conveying sheet. The second transferring rolls are disposed alternately with the first transferring rolls. Each of the second transferring rolls includes a second central portion charged with a negative electric charge and a second outer portion surrounding the second central portion.

This is a vehicle transfer system to connect a roadway vehicle such as a bus to and from a train either when stopped or moving. It mounts the bus end or ends each on the swivel end of a railway car. The bus end which couples a railway car has wheels that retract to clear from the track. All wheels of the bus are lifted if the bus is supported on a railway car at each end. Automatic couplers are provided to couple to a moving train. If the bus is only supported at the front on a swivel coupling car it can have hi-rail retractable swivel truck wheels lowered to the rails to guide the rear of the bus around sharp tram curves.

Additives may be used to lower the set up point for bitumen thereby allowing it to be transported from place to place more easily. Additives useful for lowering the set up point of bitumen include alkylphenol formaldehyde resins and oxyalkylated alkylphenol formaldehyde resins; amines and esters; solvents; and combinations thereof.

An assembly for moving wire from one point to a second point distant from the first point. The assembly comprises a first unit comprising a wire straightener and a second unit that moves the wire through the assembly.

A fuel transfer system for an aircraft includes an upper tank, a lower tank, a fuel transfer line connecting the upper tank to the lower tank, an upper fuel transfer line outlet in the lower tank, a lower fuel transfer line outlet in the lower tank, an upper float valve associated with the upper fuel transfer line outlet, and a lower float valve associated with the lower fuel transfer line outlet. The upper fuel transfer line outlet, which is in the lower tank, is in fluid communication with the upper tank. The lower fuel transfer line outlet, which is located in the lower tank, is in fluid communication with the upper tank.

An attachment to be employed with any spray device is disclosed. The attachment includes four vanes which are radially attached to an air hub with a central aperture, the central aperture adapted to receive the front portion of the spray device therethrough which when activated dispenses an atomizable substance in a pattern toward a workpiece. At the distal end of each of the four vanes, the vane is angled forward such that it generally points toward the workpiece. At the terminal end of each vane is a plurality of compressed air exit apertures. A compressed air source is attached to the air hub which guides the air through air conduits interiorly disposed within each of the vanes, where the compressed air is forced to exit each of the compressed air exit apertures forming an a second pattern which surrounds the atomizable substance pattern, and further boosts or pushes the atomizable substance onto the workpiece. The second pattern reduces overspray, bounce-back, and errant particles, and improves the transfer efficiency.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring a glove (100) from a conveyor (200) characterized by: a camera (10); a pick-up assembly (20) comprising a pair of inner grippers (21) and two pairs of outer grippers (22); a pair of sensors (30); a robotic arm (40) mounted with the pick-up assembly (20); a processor. The present invention also relates to a method for transferring a glove (100) from a conveyor (200), characterized by the steps of: locating a cuff (101) of the glove (100) on the conveyor (200) by capturing an image on the conveyor with a camera (10) and analyzing the image with a processor; using a robotic arm (40) to move a pick-up assembly (20) to the located cuff (101); gripping the cuff (101) with a pair of inner grippers (21) of the pick-up assembly (20) and lifting the glove (100) by retracting the pair of inner grippers (21); detecting the glove (100) position by using a pair of sensors (30); opening the glove (100) by grabbing and sliding apart the two pairs of outer grippers (22); shifting the glove (100) towards a workstation (300) by using the robotic arm (40); transferring the glove (100) to the workstation (300) by engaging the glove (100) to the workstation (300).

A printer according to the present invention includes a transfer roll and a plurality of the printing rolls. At least one printing roll of the plurality of the printing rolls transfers ink containing a conductive material to the transfer roll. Preferably, the at least one printing roll includes a printing roll configured to transfer ink containing a conductive material to the transfer roll and a printing roll configured to transfer ink containing a conductive material to the transfer roll.

An electronic key may include a partial capacitor comprising a capacitive metal plate in communication with a processor. The capacitive metal plate of the partial capacitor is configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding capacitive metal plate of a lock when brought into proximity with the metal plate of the lock. Data may be transferred from the key to the lock using a capacitor formed by combining the two metal plates, wherein a common ground is established between the metal plate of the key and the metal plate of the lock through a parasitic capacitance present between the key and lock circuitry.

Systems and methods for transferring and optionally storing and/or retrieving thermal energy are disclosed. The systems and methods generally include a heat engine and a heat pump, the heat engine including first isothermal and gradient heat exchange mechanisms, and the heat pump including second isothermal and gradient heat exchange mechanisms. The heat engine and the heat pump exchange heat with each other countercurrent across the first and second gradient heat exchange mechanisms, the first isothermal heat exchange mechanism transfers heat to an external heat sink, and the second isothermal heat exchange mechanism receives heat from an external heat source.

The electronic control has an electric control which incorporates circuitry which will generate heat in use. A cooling channel placed in contact with at least one surface on the electric control. The cooling channel has a portion which receives an enhanced heat transfer surface. At least one electrode pair is mounted on an inlet channel portion upstream of the portion of the channel that receives the enhanced heat transfer surface. A source of current is provided for the electrode. The electrode induces an electric field in the inlet channel, to drive a dielectric fluid across the enhanced heat transfer surfaces.

Systems, apparatus and methods may provide for creating a communication path through a secure data interface that includes an electronic device control channel between a small form factor computing apparatus such as a compute stick and an external display. A second communication path may be established between a trusted execution environment region of the external display and a trusted execution environment region of the compute stick such that data may be securely transmitted between the compute stick and the external display through the first and second communication paths.

The present invention provides systems and methods for transferring heat using a variable composition organic heat transfer fluid that remains liquid over a wide operating temperature range useful for solar heating applications. Variable composition heat transfer fluids of the present invention comprise a miscible mixture, optionally a completely miscible mixture, of a high boiling point component selected for its beneficial high temperature physical properties, and a low freezing point component selected for its beneficial low temperature physical properties. In some embodiments, the low freezing point component is removed from the heat transfer fluid as the heat transfer fluid is heated, for example by being removed in the vapor phase, thereby selectively varying the composition and physical properties (e.g., vapor pressure, boiling point, etc.) of the heat transfer fluid as a function of temperature.

A heat transfer device including a container in which a heat-transfer fluid circulates in a closed loop. The heat transfer fluid is capable of undergoing an increase in volume on solidifying. The container further contains particles suspended in the heat-transfer fluid. At least some of the particles are compressible under the pressure of the fluid, as the fluid is solidifying, so as to at least partially compensate for the increase in volume of the fluid upon solidifying.

A tire work station and system for selectively holding a tire having work performed thereon in a side orientation or a front orientation. The tire work station comprises a work platform mounted to a vertically adjustable pedestal having a first support system and a second support system. The first support system comprising a pair of tread rollers inclined at a first inclined angle A1 and further forming a second angle A2 with a pair of sidewall rollers. The sidewall rollers spaced apart to define a passageway for the tire in its front orientation. The second support system mounted between the pair of tread rollers, comprising a tread support surface at a first distance from a top surface of the work platform lower than a support surface of the pair of tread rollers at a second distance from the top surface of the work platform.