International Business Machines Corporation

Molecular Devices Corporation

Derek Solomon Pai

Edwin Joseph Selker

Christopher Karl Eisbach

William Marvin Dyer

Eric Andrew Knopf

Winslow Scott Burleson

Jorge Monteon

Todd Clossen Wyant

Ramiro Ramirez

This relates to filter columns for isolating nucleic acids. The filter column is adapted for stable placement within the upper portion of standard plastic collection tubes of various sizes. The body of the filter column has a number of surfaces to accommodate placement within variously sized collection tubes. The filter column contains nucleic acid-specific filter which can be located at alternate regions within the filter column, providing different filter surface areas and loading volume capacities using the same column body. The filter column has an opening on an upper end adapted to be sealed by a cap. A method for recovering nucleic acids using such filter column is also provided.

Filtration column devices and methods of filtering therewith

A notebook computer operable in the normal clamshell-type arrangement and also capable of being physically reconfigured to enhance heat dissipation and to improve user ergonomics by placing the main body and a pivotably attached display into a substantially vertical orientation, thereby raising the display to a higher and more convenient position. The keyboard may be lowered and pivoted downward to a horizontal support surface to further enhance user comfort. The depth of the notebook computer is minimized to facilitate use in situations where user space is limited. The main body may be used as an easel to hold reference materials for easy viewing. Means for mechanically supporting the main body and attached display in the substantially vertical orientation are also disclosed. The main body may also include a second display facing the user.

Standup notebook computer

A keyboard apparatus is provided for small and lightweight computers and the like. Keyswitches and a keyboard assembly comprise a sheet member having a plurality of key faces fixed thereon in a conventional keyboard arrangement. A plurality of cutouts are provided in the sheet member, partially surrounding each key face. A living hinge member is provided in the sheet member at one side of each key face. Each living hinge member includes a base section, an intermediate section, and a key face section. The former two and the latter two sections each interface at a living hinge. Depressing the key face causes the key face section to pivot about the living hinges to operate a corresponding set of electrical contacts, indicating operation of the key. A conventional rubber spring may transmit the pivot motion of the key face to the electrical contacts. The living hinges are made to have a greater resilience and flexibility than those of the sections, such as by scoring, scribing, perforation, or other suitable treatment. Accordingly, the intermediate section is able to serve as a torsion bar, advantageously limiting the key's freedom to twist under the user's finger pressulr.

Thin keyboard having torsion bar keyswitch hinge members

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Derek Solomon Pai