Author: claimsbot

1. A method for constructing and exploring KPI networks, comprising:
identifying one or more key performance indicators associated with a selected performance target;
determining one or more correlations to said one or more key performance indicators;
assigning weights to said one or more correlations, said weights representing influence value between correlated key performance indicators; and
determining one or more influential chains in said one or more correlations, said one or more influential chains indicative of factors affecting the selected performance target.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of identifying includes mining said one or more key performance indicators from historical data.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of identifying is performed using user input.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of identifying includes mining said one or more key performance indicators from a business process.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining one or more correlations uses a predictive algorithm.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining one or more correlations uses a linear regression algorithm.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining one or more correlations further includes generating a key performance indicator network comprising at least a set of key performance indicators and their relations.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining one or more influential chains includes using a shortest path algorithm.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the shortest path algorithm multiplies weights in a path.
10. A system for constructing and exploring KPI networks, comprising:
a computer implemented processing module operable to identify one or more key performance indicators associated with a selected performance target;
a computer implemented analytic module operable to determine one or more correlations to said one or more key performance indicators and generate a key performance indicator network comprising said one or more key performance indicators and said one or more correlations; and
a processing module operable to determine one or more influential chains in said one or more correlations, said one or more influential chains indicative of factors affecting the selected performance target.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said analytic module is further operable to assigning weights to said one or more correlations, said weights representing influence value between correlated key performance indicators; and
said processing module is further operable to determine one or more influential chains using said weights.
12. The system of claim 10, further including a user interface operable to enable a user to view said key performance indicator network, edit said one or more key performance indicators, and validate said determine one or more influential chains.
13. The system of claim 10, further including:
an editor module operable to allow a user to enter said one or more key performance indicators associated with a selected performance target.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the editor module is further operable to enable a user to enter weights corresponding to said one or more correlations.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein said computer implemented processing module includes a data mining engine, said data mining engine mining said one or more key performance indicators from a data warehouse.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein said computer implemented processing module includes a data mining engine, said data mining engine mining said one or more key performance indicators from a business process.
17. The system of claim 10, wherein said processing module is operable to determine one or more influential chains using a shortest path algorithm.
18. The system of claim 10, wherein said computer implemented analytic module is operable to determine one or more correlations using linear regression algorithm.
19. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method of constructing and exploring KPI networks, comprising:
identifying one or more key performance indicators associated with a selected performance target;
determining one or more correlations to said one or more key performance indicators;
assigning weights to said one or more correlations, said weights representing influence value between correlated key performance indicators; and
determining one or more influential chains in said one or more correlations, said one or more influential chains indicative of factors affecting the selected performance target.
20. The program storage device of claim 19, wherein the step of identifying includes mining said one or more key performance indicators from historical data.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A dynamic tool having a laminar structure, the tool comprising:
first and second oppositely disposed layers, wherein each of the first and second layers includes structural surfaces for being supported on a drive assembly, and wherein each of the first and second layers includes working surfaces for supporting at least one working element when the at least one working element is applied to a work piece; and
an intermediate structure between the first and second layers and including a plurality of components extending in an area between the structural surfaces and the respective working surfaces, and wherein the intermediate structure is less than co-extensive with the first and second oppositely disposed layers.
2. The tool of claim 1 further including an adhesive layer between the first layer and the intermediate structure.
3. The tool of claim 1 further including a structural insert between the first and second oppositely disposed layers and between first and second ones of the plurality of components.
4. The tool of claim 3 wherein the structural insert includes a honeycomb structure.
5. The tool of claim 3 wherein the structural insert includes a foam structure.
6. The tool of claim 3 wherein the structural insert includes a fiber reinforced plastic.
7. The tool of claim 6 wherein the structural insert includes a honeycomb structure adjacent the fiber reinforced plastic.
8. The tool of claim 6 wherein the fiber reinforced plastic has an orientation and wherein the orientation is substantially parallel to a line extending between a structural surface of the first layer and a working surface of the first layer.
9. The tool of claim 6 wherein the fiber reinforced plastic as an orientation and wherein the orientation is substantially perpendicular to a line extending between a structural surface of the first layer and a working surface of the first layer.
10. The tool of claim 9 wherein the first and second oppositely disposed layers are substantially circular, and wherein the orientation of the fiber reinforced plastic is substantially perpendicular to a radius of the first and second oppositely disposed layers.
11. The tool of claim 3 wherein the first and second oppositely disposed layers are substantially circular and planar, and wherein the intermediate structure includes an inner support adjacent the structural surfaces of the first and second layers.
12. The tool of claim 11 wherein the plurality of components includes a plurality of linear elements extending from the inner support away from structural surfaces.
13. The tool of claim 12 wherein the plurality of linear elements includes spokes.
14. The tool of claim 13 wherein the spokes are arranged substantially along a respective radius of the tool.
15. The tool of claim 13 wherein the spokes are arranged substantially at angles relative to respective radii of the tool.
16. The tool of claim 12 wherein the plurality of linear elements include respective arcuate elements adjacent the working surfaces of the first and second layers.
17. The tool of claim 16 wherein the arcuate elements form a continuous ring adjacent the working surfaces.
18. The tool of claim 16 wherein adjacent ones of the arcuate elements are separated by respective inserts.
19. The tool of claim 12 wherein the plurality of linear elements include materials selected from the group of metal, fiber and plastic.
20. The tool of claim 12 wherein the linear elements are configured such that each is non-parallel with respect to each of the other linear elements.
21. The tool of claim 1 further including working elements secured to the working surfaces.
22. The tool of claim 21 wherein the working elements are also secured to portions of the intermediate structure.
23. A laminar circular cutting blade comprising:
first and second oppositely disposed disks having a working portion and a driving portion;
an intermediate structure between the first and second disks and fixed to the disks intermediate the working portion and the driving portion without the use of fasteners and wherein the intermediate structure includes spaced apart elements extending between the first and second disks in an area between the working portions and the driving portions.
24. The blade of claim 23 further including adhesive between the first disk and the intermediate structure.
25. The blade of claim 23 wherein the intermediate structure is an integral structure.
26. The blade of claim 25 wherein the intermediate structure includes a ring around an opening in the disks and wherein the spaced apart elements include linear elements extending outwardly from the ring.
27. The blade of claim 26 wherein each linear element extends on a respective radius.
28. The blade of claim 26 wherein the each linear element extends an angle to a respective radius.
29. The blade of claim 26 wherein the intermediate structure includes a continuous ring at end portions of the linear elements.
30. The blade of claim 26 further including an insert between adjacent ones of a pair of linear elements, wherein the insert is selected from the group of a structural insert, a damping insert and a flow insert.
31. The blade of claim 30 wherein the insert is a structural insert selected from the group of honeycomb, fiber reinforced plastic, foam, and cellulose.
32. The blade of claim 30 wherein the insert is a damping insert formed from a resilient flexible material.
33. The blade of claim 26 wherein the intermediate structure is metal and the linear elements are substantially straight.
34. The blade of claim 23 further including fluid flow structures between the first and second disks.
35. The blade of claim 23 wherein the intermediate structure includes perforations.
36. The blade of claim 23 further including cutting segments mounted to the working portions of the disk and wherein the intermediate structure extends outward to the working portions and the cutting segments.
37. The blade of claim 23 wherein the disks are selected from the group of metal, fiber reinforced plastic, carbide, and plastic.
38. A laminar cutting blade comprising:
first and second oppositely disposed disks, each having a driving portion, a support portion and a working portion; and
an intermediate structure between the disks and including an interior portion adjacent to driving portions of the disks, linear elements extending outward from the interior portion, and a ring portion engaging the linear elements and extending between the working portions of the disks.
39. The blade of claim 38 wherein the intermediate structure is an integral structure.
40. The blade of claim 38 wherein the intermediate structure is perforated.
41. The blade of claim 38 wherein portions of adjacent ones of the linear elements are spaced apart from each other and define a cavity, and wherein the blade further includes at least one insert in cavity selected from the group of a structural insert and a damping insert.
42. The blade of claim 41 wherein the insert is selected from the group of honeycomb, fiber reinforced plastic, foam, rubber and metal.
43. A method of assembling a tool comprising placing a first layer on a support surface, applying an adhesive to the first layer, placing an intermediate structure on the adhesive such that a central portion of the intermediate structure is positioned on the adhesive and spaced apart linear elements extend away from the central portion over respective parts of the adhesive, applying a second adhesive to the intermediate structure and placing a second layer on the second adhesive.
44. The method of claim 43 wherein placing first and second layers includes placing first and second circular layers, and wherein placing an intermediate structure includes placing spokes against the first layer extending outward from the central portion.
45. The method of claim 44 further including placing the intermediate structure so that each spoke is substantially non-parallel to each of the other spokes in the intermediate structure.
46. The method of claim 43 further including placing a structural insert between adjacent spaced apart linear elements.
47. The method of claim 46 wherein placing a structural insert includes placing at least one of a honeycomb, fiber reinforced plastic, and foam.

1. A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, said collection tank comprising:
a. a closed first end;
b. an open second end defining a tank sealing flange;
c. a body extending between said closed first end and said open second end;
d. a door coupled to said open second end and configured to releasably seal said open second end; and
e. a hydraulic powered door closer having
(i) a cross bar rigidly attached to a center of said door, said cross bar having a first end and a second end,
(ii) a first linkage assembly having a first end coupled to said cross bar first end, a second end coupled to said body and a first pivot point intermediate said first and said second ends, and
(iii) a second linkage assembly having a first end coupled to said cross bar second end, a second end coupled to said body and a second pivot point intermediate said first and said second ends,
wherein
when said first linkage assembly first pivot point rotates to a point below the coupling of said first linkage second end and said body,
when said second linkage assembly second pivot point rotates to a point below the coupling of said second linkage second end and said body, said door is in a locked position and will not open until said first and second pivot points are rotated above the coupling of their respective linkage assembly second ends to said body, and
said hydraulic powered door closer provides a closing force at said center of said door so that said closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of said door.
2. The collection tank of claim 1, said automated door closer further comprising a shaft defining a first end rigidly connected to said first linkage assembly second end and a second end rigidly connected to said second linkage assembly second end, wherein when one of said first and second linkage assemblies is actuated, the other of said first and second linkage assemblies is also actuated to move said tank door between an open first position and a closed second position.
3. The cylindrical collection tank of claim 2, said automated door closer further comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder having a piston rod in driving engagement with one of said first and second linkage assemblies, said at least one hydraulic cylinder configured to move said door between said open first position and said closed second position.
4. The cylindrical collection tank of claim 1, wherein said door has a generally circular-shaped door panel having an outer circumference.
5. The cylindrical collection tank of claim 4, wherein said generally circular-shaped door panel is dome-shaped.
6. The collection tank of claim 1, wherein said automated door closer may be remotely actuated.
7. A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, said collection tank comprising:
a. a closed generally circular first end;
b. an open generally circular second end defining a tank sealing flange thereon;
c. a generally cylindrical body extending between said closed first end and said open second end;
d. a door coupled to said open second end and having a generally circular-shaped door panel configured to releasably seal said tank open second end; and
e. a cross-bar coupled to a center of said generally circular shaped door, said cross-bar having a first end and an opposite second end, and
f. at least one linkage assembly coupled to said cross-bar first and second ends to apply a closing force to said door,
wherein said closing force is applied to a center of said door so that said closing force is distributed equally around the periphery of said door, and
wherein when said at least one linkage assembly rotates to a position beyond overcenter, said door is maintained in a closed and locked position, further comprising

g. a first lower linkage arm coupled to said cross-bar first end,
h. a second lower linkage arm coupled to said cross-bar second end,
i. a shaft rigidly connected to said first lower linkage arm and said second lower linkage arm,
wherein when one of said first and second lower linkage arms is actuated, the other of said first and second lower linkage arms is also actuated to move said tank door between an open and closed position said at least one linkage assembly further comprising a first pivot point on said first lower linkage arm and a second pivot point on said second lower linkage arm, wherein when said first pivot point and said second pivot point are positioned below a center axis of said shaft, said door is in said locked position.
8. A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, said collection tank comprising:
a. a closed generally circular first end;
b. an open generally circular second end defining a tank sealing flange thereon;
c. a generally cylindrical body extending between said closed first end and said open second end;
d. a door coupled to said open second end and having a generally circular-shaped door panel configured to releasably seal said tank open second end; and
e. a cross-bar coupled to a center of said generally circular shaped door, said cross-bar having a first end and an opposite second end, and
f. at least one linkage assembly coupled to said cross-bar first and second ends to apply a closing force to said door,
wherein said closing force is applied to a center of said door so that said closing force is distributed equally around the periphery of said door, and
wherein when said at least one linkage assembly rotates to a position beyond overcenter, said door is maintained in a closed and locked position further comprising a first threaded connection between said at least one linkage assembly and said cross-bar first end and a second threaded connection between said at least one linkage assembly and said cross-bar second end, wherein said first and said second threaded connections can be adjusted to increase or decrease said closing force applied to said door.
9. A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, said collection tank comprising:
a. a closed first end;
b. an open second end defining a tank sealing flange;
c. a body extending between said closed first end and said open second end;
d. a door moveably coupled to said tank open second end and defining a sealing flange about a periphery thereof, said door configured to releasably seal said tank open second end; and
e. a powered door closer and lock having
(i) a cross bar rigidly attached to a center of said door, said cross bar having a first end and a second end,
(ii) a first linkage assembly having a first end coupled to said cross bar first end, a second end coupled to said body and a first pivot point intermediate said first and said second ends, and
(iii) a second linkage assembly having a first end coupled to said cross bar second end, a second end coupled to said body and a second pivot point intermediate said first and said second ends,
wherein
when said first linkage assembly first pivot point rotates to a point below the coupling of said first linkage second end and said body and
when said second linkage assembly second pivot point rotates to a point below the coupling of said second linkage second end and said body, said door is in a locked position.
10. The collection tank of claim 9, wherein said first linkage assembly is rotatably coupled to said second linkage assembly so that said first and said second linkage assemblies move in tandem.
11. The collection tank of claim 10, further comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end being rotationally fixed to said first linkage assembly second end and said second end being rotationally fixed to said second linkage assembly second end.
12. The collection tank of claim 10, further comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder coupled between said tank and one of said first and said second linkage assemblies for moving said door between a first open position and a closed second position, said at least one hydraulic cylinder having a piston rod in driving engagement with said one of said first and second linkage assemblies.
13. The collection tank of claim 9, wherein said automated door closer can be remotely operated.
14. The collection tank of claim 9, wherein when said door is moved to said locked position, said door sealing flange engages said tank sealing flange to create an airtight seal and said closing force is equally distributed about said periphery of said door.
15. The collection tank of claim 9, further comprising a first threaded connection between said first linkage assembly first end and said cross bar first end and a second threaded connection between said second linkage assembly first end and said cross bar second end, wherein said first and said second threaded connections may be adjusted to change a closing force applied to said center of said door.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. Sample strip (1) in at least one plastic material, obtained by injecting said plastic material, or said plastic materials when applicable, into a mould by means of at least one injection duct, comprising at least one typically planar panel (10) carrying at least two and preferably at least four of the following evaluation means (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7):
a) shrinkage evaluation means (2)
b) pinhole evaluation means (3)
c) means (4) for evaluating replication possibilities of a given pattern, andor printing or decoration possibilities, typically comprising at least 2 zones or bands (40) differing in surface grind or roughness,
d) means (5) for evaluating the transparency or appearance of said material via a zone of varying thickness (50),
e) means (6) for evaluating mould release capacity, typically using a wall or portion of wall (60), substantially vertical relative to said panel (10), having a given clearance angle,
f) means (7) for evaluating the capacity of said material to flow round an obstacle in said mould and to re-weld behind said obstacle, typically via a part (70) recessed perpendicular to said panel,
so as to record and group together, typically on one single sample strip (1) moulded in said plastic material, the chief evaluation criteria of said plastic material for the purpose in particular of its selection for forming an injection moulded product.
2. Sample strip according to claim 1, formed by means of a mould typically comprising 1 to 4 injection ducts for plastic material.
3. Sample strip according to claim 2, formed by means of a mould comprising 3 injection ducts, each having a different inner diameter, with typical inner diameters of 0.6 mm, 1 mm and 1.5 mm.
4. Sample strip according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which said shrinkage evaluation means (2) is an indicator of shrinkage measurement typically in the form of a graduated scale (20) with parallel increments at regular intervals, each increment being formed by a ridge (200) or a groove.
5. Sample strip according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said pinhole evaluation means (3) is formed by a tongue comprising at least two portions of different thickness.
6. Sample strip according to claim 5 in which said tongue is a tongue (30) perpendicular to said panel (10) comprising 3 or 4 portions (300) of different thickness having a staircase profile, each portion (300) corresponding to a step.
7. Sample strip according to any of claims 1 to 6 comprising an attached part, said sample strip (1) having been typically supra-moulded over said attached part placed in said mould, or optionally, said attached part having been supra-moulded over said sample strip in a second mould.
8. Sample strip according any of claims 1 to 7, substantially planar with a typical size ranging from a so-called pocket format of 9 cm12 cm to a so-called A4 page format of approximately 21 cm29 cm, said sample strip (1) optionally comprising means with which to make said sample strip integral with a carrier or another sample strip to form a collection of sample strips (1), said means possibly being formed by said plastic material or another material, for example a ring or metal wire possibly forming said attached part.
9. Sample strip according to any of claims 1 to 7 comprising two parts (8A, 8B) intended to cooperate and typically form either a container with substantially planar surfaces, said parts (8A, 8B) typically comprising side walls (80A, 80B) with outer edges (82A, 82B) and staircase profile (820) intended to evaluate the stacking of said parts (8A, 8B), or to form two flaps associated or articulated with one another in the manner of two pages of a book.
10. Sample strip according to claim 9 in which each of said parts (8A, 8B) comprises at least one of said evaluation means a) to f).
11. Sample strip according to either of claims 9 and 10, in which said side walls (80A, 80B) comprise inner edges (81A, 81B), typically having a staircase profile (810), said inner edges (81A, 81B) cooperating typically so as to form a container and to test in particular the clearance between said parts (8a, 8B).
12. Sample strip according to claim 11, in which at least one of said side walls (80A, 80B) acts as support for, or comprises, at least one of said means (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).
13. Sample strip according to claim 12 in which said side wall (80A, 80B) comprises at least one portion of wall (60) having a given clearance angle, andor at least one zone or band (40) of determined roughness, so as to evaluate and, preferably, to quantify mould release capacity.
14. Sample strip according to any of claims 9 to 13, in which said parts (8A, 8B) comprise cooperating means, and optionally a flexible hinge, with which to form a container able to be closed by a lid, one of said parts forming said container, the other of said parts forming said lid.
15. Sample strip according to any of claims 9 to 13, in which said parts (8A, 8B) cooperate via male and female elements which may optionally click fit together.
16. Sample strip according to any of claims 1 to 15, in which said plastic material is mass-coloured.
17. Sample strip according to any of claims 1 to 16, in which said panel (10)comprises zones (11) able to receive at least one surface treatment andor at least one decoration or print, so as to test the compatibility of said plastic material with said surface treatment andor said decoration or print.
18. Sample strip according to any of claims 1 to 17, comprising a recessed part 12 forming a housing able to house a mirror so as to test the resistance of said mirror andor the compatibility between the material of said mirror, typically glass, metal or a plastic material, and said plastic material.
19. Sample strip according to any of claims 1 to 18, having a form factor of at least 5 and preferably of at least 10.
20. Use of said sample strip (1) according to any of claims 1 to 19 as means for promoting said plastic material.
21. Use of said sample strip (1) according to any of claims 1 to 19 as means for selecting a plastic material determined either in respect of the material alone or optionally relative to a surface treatment andor a subsequent decoration or print, for the purpose in particular of manufacturing packaging for cosmetic products, typically, cases, bottles, applicators or lipstick or mascara tubes.
22. Collection of sample strips (1) according to any of claims 1 to 19, said sample strips (1) being joined, at least temporarily, typically to a binder type support for example or a stacking type support, or joined to one another to form a concertina-type fold.