3m Innovative Properties Company

David M Rudek

Joerg R Purfuerst

Hans-Michael Vogt

Guenter M Zilligen

Thomas Keller

Knut Schumacher

Johannes Fink

Werner R Schwarz

Harald Westkamp

Andreas Backes

Michael Bahners

Robert Bialluch

Eric Schmuck

Waleri Wischnepolski

Martin Stottmeister

Peter Orda

Günter Zilligen

Jörg Hahn

Benjamin Münstermann

Norbert Schumann

Ralf F Korte

Karl-Heinz Rechlitz

Sensored mixer, comprising a mixing device for mixing two or more components to produce a mixed liquid at a mixer output, and a property sensor for determining a property of a liquid, the property sensor comprising a) a channel comprising a sensing zone through which the liquid flows; b) two electrodes for generating an electric field of one or more sensing frequencies in the sensing zone; c) a data storage device comprising a pre-stored set of calibration data representing calibration impedance responses measured previously at the one or more sensing frequencies and at different property values of the property of an identical liquid; and d) a device to repeatedly i) generate between the electrodes an electric field of in the sensing zone; ii) sense between the electrodes, a response impedance; iii) derive from the response impedance a property value of the property of the liquid, using the pre-stored set of calibration data representing calibration impedance responses, wherein the property sensor is in fluid communication with the mixer output such that the mixed liquid can flow from the mixer output through the sensing zone. A method for sensing a property of the liquid and a data set of calibration data representing calibration impedance responses usable with the sensor and the method are also disclosed.

Method, data set and sensored mixer to sense a property of a liquid

An earplug dispensing mechanism defining a longitudinal axis, and including separator and index assemblies. The separator assembly includes a platform, a guide wall and bores. The guide wall projects from the platform to define a well for receiving earplugs. The bores each extend from an entrance opening to an exit opening. The index assembly is rotatably coupled to the separator assembly, and includes a handle, a plate, and a mixing body. The plate is connected to the handle and defines a dispensing aperture. The mixing body has an upper end, a lower end, and an exterior surface defined by a cone portion and a paddle portion. The cone portion tapers in diameter. The paddle portion projects radially from the cone portion at the lower end. The exterior surface is asymmetrical to encourage earplug mixing within the well, and to impede earplugs from entering a bore open to the dispensing aperture.

Earplug dispenser with asymmetric mixing body

A lighting device () comprises a side-light light guide' located in a support () that has an elongate opening for the passage of light emitted by the light guide. The support () is shaped to provide contact edges () and the only physical engagement between the support and the light guide is along those contact edges. The support also has planar surfaces internal positioned adjacent, and parallel to, planar surfaces () in the light guide to retain the light guide in the required orientation in the support. To enhance the flexibility of the support, in some embodiments only part of the support is continuous along the whole length of the support.

Lighting device comprising a light guide and a support

The present invention provides an intraoral imaging and illumination apparatus comprising a rear portion and a front portion removably connected to the rear portion. The front portion is formed as a light guide. The rear portion comprises an imaging device and an illumination device. The illumination device is adapted to couple light into the front portion and towards a leading end of the front portion opposite the rear portion so as to illuminate a first object. The imaging device is adapted to image the first object.

Intraoral imaging illumination apparatus

A lighting device () comprises a side-light light guidelocated in a support () that has an elongate opening for the passage of light emitted by the light guide. The support () is shaped to provide contact edges () and the only physical engagement between the support and the light guide is along those contact edges. The support also has planar surfaces internal positioned adjacent, and parallel to, planar surfaces () in the light guide to retain the light guide in the required orientation in the support. To enhance the flexibility of the support, in some embodiments only part of the support is continuous along the whole length of the support. (FIGS.to).

A manually operable dispenser for dispensing disposable earplugs. The dispenser includes a housing, an index body, and a plate. The housing forms an opening for receiving earplugs from a container. The index body includes a handle and a hub. The hub forms an upper major face, a lower major face, and a plurality of circumferentially arranged bores. Each of the bores is open to the major faces and is defined by a wall surface extending through a thickness of the hub. At least a portion of the wall surface of each of the bores has an anti-bonding construction. The hub is rotatably mounted within the housing. The plate is connected to the housing, and forms a dispensing aperture. A manually-applied rotational force at the handle selectively aligns respective ones of the bores with the dispensing aperture. The anti-bonding construction promotes sliding, low friction interface with individual earplugs.

Reduced friction earplug dispenser

A manually operable dispenser for dispensing disposable earplugs. The dispenser includes a housing, index body, and plate. The housing forms an opening for receiving earplugs from a container. The index body includes a handle, hub, guide cone and shield. The hub forms opposing major faces and a plurality of circumferentially arranged bores. The guide cone projects from the upper major face, tapering in diameter to a leading end. A base of the shield is disposed above the leading end opposite the upper major face. A wall of the shield projects radially outwardly to an edge having a diameter greater than a diameter of the leading end. The shield and the handle are rotationally affixed. The hub is rotatably mounted within the opening. The plate is connected to the housing and forms a dispensing aperture. A manually-applied rotational force at the handle selectively aligns individual ones of the bores with the dispensing aperture.

Multi-chambered earplug dispenser

A connector adapted for use in an illumination system comprising at least one optical element, such as an optical fiber. is disclosed. The connector comprises a housing dimensioned so that internally it retains at least one end portion of at least one optical element, and externally substantially follows the shape of the end portion(s) of the optical element(s). This forms a join between the ends of the optical element(s). A light source is also contained within the housing and positioned so as to illuminate the end portions of at least one optical element. Electrical connection means adapted to connect the light source to an external power supply are provided. The electrical connection means being moveable relative to the housing. The electrical connection means may be carried by a flexible substrate, or may be formed by slideable contacts within a light guide rail.

Connector

A lighting device () comprises a side-light light guide' located in a support () that has an elongate opening for the passage of light emitted by the light guide. The support () is shaped to provide contact edges () and the only physical engagement between the support and the light guide is along those contact edges. The support also has planar surfaces internal positioned adjacent, and parallel to, planar surfaces () in the light guide to retain the light guide in the required orientation in the support. To enhance the flexibility of the support, in some embodiments only part of the support is continuous along the whole length of the support (FIGS.to).

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Dusseldorf, Germany

David M Rudek