Author: claimsbot

1-25. (canceled)
26. A method for detecting an analyte in a fluid sample comprising:
(a) mixing said fluid sample with a reagent comprising a capturing agent which is a first member of a binding couple that can bind to an analyte, the analyte being a second member of the binding couple, such that if the analyte is present in the fluid sample, particulates of the binding couple are formed;
(b) treating said mixture so as to form on a solid substrate a thin layer of said particulates, if formed as a result of said mixing;
(c) obtaining an optical image of the thin layer; and
(d) analyzing said optical image so as to determine therefrom the absence or presence of particulates formed as a result of the association between the binding couple, the presence of particulates in the sample indicating the presence of said analyte in the sample; or to determine from said image at least one parameter of said particulates.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said analyte comprises at least two recognitions sites and said capturing agent comprises at least two capturing moieties, such that particulates of binding couples are formed by association of a recognition site of said analyte with a capturing moiety of said capturing agent.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein said parameter is selected from: particulate size; size distribution of the particulates; particulates’ count; shape of the particulates; or spatial distribution of the particulates.
29. The method of claim 26, wherein said image is a magnified image of said thin layer of said mixture.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein said magnification is achieved by the use of a light microscope lens.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein said analyte is a particle comprising on its surface two or more copies of a recognition site with which a capturing agent can associate, thereby forming particulates of said binding couple.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein said particle is a cell or a microorganism presenting on their surface said recognition sites.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the recognition site is an antigen and said capturing agent is an antibody having affinity to said antigen.
34. The method of claim 26, wherein said reagent comprises microbeads having a sensing interface, the sensing interface carrying two or more copies of a capturing moiety such that if said analyte is present in the fluid sample, particulates of binding couples are formed by association of said capturing moieties on said microbead with recognition sites of said analyte;
35. The method of claim 34, wherein said sensing interface carries two or more copies of a same capturing moiety.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein said sensing interface carries two or more copies of different capturing moieties.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein said microbeads are affinity microbeads.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein said microbeads are immunobeads.
39. The method of claim 26, wherein said thin layer comprises a monolayer of particulates of said binding couple.
40. A system for performing the method of claim 26, the system comprising:
(a) holding means for holding a solid substrate carrying a thin layer of particulates;
(b) an optical image acquisition device for capturing an image of the thin layer on the solid substrate;
(c) an image analysis device coupled to said image acquisition device and for analyzing an image obtained by the image acquisition device.
41. The system of claim 40, wherein said analyte comprises at least two recognitions sites and said capturing agent comprises at least two capturing moieties, such that particulates of binding couples are formed by association of a recognition site of said analyte with a capturing moiety of said capturing agent.
42. The system of claim 40, wherein said parameter is selected from: particulate size; size distribution of the particulates; particulates’ count; shape of the particulates; or spatial distribution of the particulates.
43. The system of claim 40, wherein said analyte is a particle comprising on its surface two or more copies of a recognition site with which a capturing agent can associate, thereby forming particulates of said binding couple.
44. The system of claim 40, wherein said particle is a cell or a microorganism presenting on their surface said recognition sites.
45. The system of claim 40, wherein the recognition site is an antigen and said capturing agent is an antibody having affinity to said antigen.
46. The system of claim 40, wherein said reagent comprises microbeads having a sensing interface, the sensing interface carrying two or more copies of a capturing moiety such that if said analyte is present in the fluid sample, particulates of binding couples are formed by association of said capturing moieties on said microbead with recognition sites of said analyte;
47. The system of claim 40, wherein said sensing interface carries two or more copies of a same capturing moiety.
48. The system of claim 40, wherein said sensing interface carries two or more copies of different capturing moieties.
49. The system of claim 40, wherein said microbeads are affinity microbeads.
50. The system of claim 40, wherein said microbeads are immunobeads.
51. The system of claim 40, wherein said thin layer comprises a monolayer of particulates of said binding couple.
52. The system of claim 40, further comprising a magnifying device.
53. The system of claim 52, wherein said magnifying device comprises a light microscope lens.
54. The system of claim 53, wherein said magnifying device is a light microscope.
55. The system of claim 40, wherein said optical image acquisition device is a camera.
56. The system of claim 40, wherein said image acquisition device is coupled to a magnifying device.
57. The system of claim 40, wherein the image analysis comprises determination of one or more a parameter of particulates formed within the thin layer, the parameter selected from size of particulates, size distribution of particulates, particulates’ count; particulates’ shape and spatial distribution of the formed particulates.
58. A kit for use in the method of claim 26, the kit comprising:
(a) at least one reagent comprising a capturing agent being a first member of a binding couple and comprising at least two capturing moieties to which binds an analyte, if present in a tested fluid sample, the analyte being a second member of the binding couple,
(b) a solid substrate for carrying a thin layer of particulates.
59. The kit of claim 58, wherein said solid substrate is a microscope slide or a testing chamber.
60. The kit of claim 58, wherein said solid support is adapted for use in combination with an optical image acquisition device.
61. The kit of claim 58, comprising means for creating said thin layer.

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 propulsion unit for propelling a waterborne vessel, comprising:
a) an electric motor for providing propulsion, the motor including a rotor having a cylindrical body mounted upon a shaft having an axis of rotation, the cylindrical body including rotor windings, a first cooling passage being provided between the cylindrical body and the shaft, and a second cooling passage being provided through the rotor windings;
b) a housing for containing the motor and bounding an interior through which a cooling gas is passed longitudinally of the rotor along the first cooling passage in a first direction and along the second cooling passage in a second direction different from, and opposite to, the first direction, the interior being maintained at an increased pressure of above roughly 2 bar to increase a cooling effect of the cooling gas; and
c) a heat exchange region including fins provided on an internal surface of the housing between the first cooling passage and the second cooling passage.
2. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the fins are constituted of a material having a high thermal conductivity.
3. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the fins are associated with the housing such that, in use, water surrounding the housing absorbs heat from the fins.
4. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the fins are integral with the housing.
5. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the fins are provided in an end region of the housing.
6. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the cooling gas flowing in the second direction exits the second cooling passage into the heat exchange region.
7. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the motor also comprises a stator that includes end turns that protrude from the stator, and wherein the unit is arranged such that the cooling gas passing along the cooling passages passes over the end turns.
8. The unit according to claim 7, wherein the stator is mounted in good thermal contact with an inside surface of the housing.
9. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the cooling gas is air.
10. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the pressure within the housing is between roughly 2 bar and roughly 7 bar.
11. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the motor is one of an induction motor and a synchronous motor.
12. The unit according to claim 1, and an agitator for circulating the cooling gas within the housing.
13. The unit according to claim 12, wherein the agitator comprises at least one fan.
14. A propulsion unit for propelling a waterborne vessel, comprising:
a) an electric motor for providing propulsion, the motor including a stator that includes end turns that protrude from the stator, and a rotor having a shaft that has an axis of rotation; and
b) a housing for containing the motor, the housing having an axial end region provided with a heat exchange mechanism arranged to cool a cooling gas passing thereover, the heat exchange mechanism comprising at least one fin provided on an interior surface of the housing such that, in use, water surrounding the housing absorbs heat therefrom, the cooling gas passing over the end turns before passing the heat exchange mechanism.
15. The unit according to claim 14, wherein said at least one fin is constituted of a material having a high thermal conductivity.
16. The unit according to claim 14, wherein said at least one fin is integral with the housing.
17. The unit according to claim 14, wherein the rotor comprises a cylindrical body mounted upon the shaft, and wherein a first cooling passage is provided between the cylindrical body and the shaft.
18. The unit according to claim 17, wherein the cylindrical body mounted upon the shaft comprises rotor windings for the rotor.
19. The unit according to claim 18, wherein the rotor windings have a second cooling passage therethrough.
20. The unit according to claim 19, wherein the cooling gas passes along the first cooling passage in a first direction, and along the second cooling passage in a second direction, different from the first direction.
21. The unit according to claim 20, wherein the first direction is roughly in an opposite direction to the second direction.
22. The unit according to claim 14, wherein the housing has an interior maintained above a pressure of roughly 2 bar.
23. A propulsion unit for propelling a waterborne vessel, comprising:
a) an electric motor for providing propulsion with concomitant generation of heat, the motor including a stator and a rotor rotatable about an axis;
b) a housing for containing the motor, the housing having a front end region which, in use, is submerged in ambient water and is in a heat exchange relationship with the ambient water; and
c) means for circulating a cooling gas within the housing, including means for directing the cooling gas past the motor to absorb the heat generated therefrom, and for directing the cooling gas after heat absorption into the front end region for transferring the heat to the ambient water, the circulating means including fins for directing the cooling gas along the axis, and baffles for deflecting the cooling gas transversely of the axis and into the front end region.
24. The unit according to claim 23, and a plurality of cooling passages extending through the motor along the axis, and wherein the fins and the baffles are located at at least one end of the cooling passages.

1. An article comprising a multilayer film or sheet which comprises a structure layer, an oxygen permeable layer, and optionally an additional polymer layer wherein
the article is permeable to oxygen;
the structure layer is a rigid or semi-rigid layer and the oxygen permeable layer comprises or is produced from one or more EXY copolymers or ionomers of the EXY copolymers, one or more organic acids, and optionally one or more ethylene-containing polymers, one or more silicon-containing polymers, or combinations of two or more thereof;
E is derived from ethylene, X is derived from at least one C3 to C8 \u03b1, \u03b2-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and Y is an optional comonomer and is derived from a softening comonomer including alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, or combinations thereof; the alkyl group has from 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
the organic acid is an aliphatic acid or salt thereof each having fewer than 36 carbon atoms;
the acid moieties in the EXY copolymer and organic acid are nominally neutralized;
the structure layer includes cellulose, cellulose derivative, polymer resin, or combinations of two or more thereof;
the cellulose derivative is in the form of paper, paperboard, cardboard, pulp-molded shape, or combinations of two or more thereof; and
the polymer resin is in the form of an open-cell foam, melt bonded non-woven porous sheet, or combinations of two or more thereof.
2. The article of claim 1 wherein the structure layer is in contact with the oxygen permeable layer and the oxygen permeable layer has an oxygen permeation value greater than 10,000 mil-ccm2-day.
3. The article of claim 2 wherein the oxygen permeable layer further comprises a metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene, an ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, or combinations of two or more thereof.
4. The article of claim 2 wherein the article further comprises at least one additional polymer layer including one or more ethylene-containing polymers, one or more silicon-containing polymers, or combinations of two or more thereof.
5. The article of claim 1 wherein the article comprises at least two oxygen permeable layers in which (1 ) the oxygen permeable layers are on each side of the structure layer, (2 ) at least one of the oxygen permeable layers is part of the structure layer, or both (1 ) and (2 ).
6. The article of claim 4 further comprising the additional polymer layer, which comprises one or more ethylene-containing polymers, one or more silicon-containing polymers, or combinations of two or more thereof.
7. The article of claim 5 wherein the article further comprises the additional polymer layer, which comprises an ethylene-containing polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers and copolymers; metallocene polyethylene; ethylene propylene copolymers; ethylenepropylenediene monomer terpolymers; or ethylene copolymers derived from copolymerization of ethylene and at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl (meth)acrylate, vinyl acetate, CO, and combinations of two or more thereof.
8. The article of claim 6 wherein the article or the oxygen permeable layer comprises the ethylene-containing polymer including ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, metallocene polyethylene, an ethylene alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, or combinations of two or more thereof.
9. The article of claim 5 wherein the article is a monolithic membrane and the article comprises the silicon-containing polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl silane copolymers, polysiloxane, silicone rubber, and combinations of two or more thereof.
10. An article comprising a structure layer, an oxygen permeable layer, and optionally at least one other polymer layer wherein
the structure layer is melt-bonded to the oxygen permeable layer;
the structure layer is a semi-rigid or rigid structure;
the oxygen permeable layer has an oxygen permeation value greater than 10,000 mil-ccm2-day; and
the structure layer comprises a cellulose derivative, polymeric resin, or combinations thereof; cellulose derivative is in the form of paper, paperboard, cardboard, pulp-molded shape, or combinations of two or more thereof; and the polymeric resin is in the form of an open-cell foam, a melt bonded non-woven porous sheet, or combinations of two or more thereof.
11. The article of claim 10 wherein
the article is permeable to CO2;
the permeable layer comprises or is produced from one or more EXY copolymers or ionomers of the EXY copolymers, at least one organic acid , and optionally one or more ethylene-containing polymers, one or more silicon-containing polymers, or combinations of two or more thereof;
E is derived from ethylene, X is derived from at least one C3 to C8\u03b1, \u03b2- ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and Y is an optional comonomer and is derived from a softening comonomer including alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, or combinations thereof; the alkyl group has from 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
the organic acid is an aliphatic acid or salt thereof each having fewer than 36 carbon atoms;
the acid moieties in the EXY copolymer and organic acid are nominally neutralized;
the structure layer includes cellulose, cellulose derivative, polymer resin, or combinations of two or more thereof.
12. The article of claim 11 wherein the article or the oxygen permeable layer further comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a metallocene polyethylene, an ethylene alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, or combinations of two or more thereof.
13. The article of claim 11 wherein the article further comprises at least one additional polymer layer including one or more ethylene-containing polymers, one or more silicon-containing polymers, or combinations of two or more thereof.
14. The article of claim 13 further comprising the additional polymer layer, which is the ethylene-containing polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers and copolymers; metallocene polyethylene; ethylene propylene copolymers; ethylenepropylenediene monomer terpolymers; or ethylene copolymers derived from copolymerization of ethylene and at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl (meth)acrylate, vinyl acetate, CO, and combinations of two or more thereof.
15. The article of claim 14 wherein the ethylene-containing polymer is an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, metallocene polyethylene, an ethylene alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, or combinations of two or more thereof.
16. The article of claim 13 wherein the polymer in the additional polymer layer is the silicon-containing polymer including ethylene vinyl silane copolymers, polysiloxane, silicone rubber, or combinations of two or more thereof.
17. A package comprising the article as recited in claim 10 and the package or the article optionally comprises a gas permeable film.
18. The package of claim 17 wherein the gas permeable film comprises or is produced from one or more EXY copolymers or ionomers of the EXY copolymers, one or more organic acids, and optionally one or more ethylene-containing polymers, one or more silicon-containing polymers, or combinations of two or more thereof;
E is derived from ethylene, X is derived from at least one C3 to C8 \u03b1,\u03b2-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and Y is an optional comonomer and is derived from a softening comonomer including alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, or combinations thereof; the alkyl group has from 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
the organic acid is an aliphatic acid or salt thereof each having fewer than 36 carbon atoms;
the acid moieties in the EXY copolymer and organic acid are nominally neutralized;
the structural layer includes cellulose, cellulose derivative, polymer resin, or combinations of two or more thereof.
19. The package of claim 17 wherein the package or the article comprises the gas permeable film comprising or produced from metallocene polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, or combinations of two or more thereof.
20. The package of claim 17 including a vacuum skin package.
21. The package of claim 17 further comprising one or more food products including a food requiring an oxygen atmosphere or food requiring removal of CO2 wherein the food requiring an oxygen atmosphere includes case ready meat, fish, or sausage and the food requiring removal of CO2 includes fresh produce and fruits.

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 tool holder comprising:
a body; and
at least one holding member adjoining to said body, wherein said at least one holding member has at least one fastener,
wherein each said at least one fastener may position or connect a tool to each said at least one holding member.
2. The tool holder according to claim 1, wherein said body comprises a first face, a second face and a securing member along a length of said first face of said body, and
wherein said at least one holding member joins said body by said securing member.
3. The tool holder according to claim 2, wherein said securing member is a channel in said first face of said body, said channel having a base and a top end extending inwardly.
4. The tool holder according to claim 3, wherein said at least one holding member comprises a first member portion, a second member portion and a projecting member, wherein said first member portion and said second member portion are substantially perpendicular, wherein said projecting member is located along a vertex of said first member portion and said second member portion, and wherein said at least one fastener is located in or on at least one of said first or second member portions of said holding member.
5. The tool holder according to claim 1, wherein said at least one holding member comprises a first member portion, a second member portion and a projecting member, wherein said first member portion and said second member portion are substantially perpendicular, wherein said projecting member is located along a vertex of said first member portion and said second member portion, and wherein said at least one fastener is located in or on at least one of said first or second member portions of said at least one holding member.
6. The tool holder according to claim 5, wherein said projecting member comprises a first extension arm and a second extension arm.
7. The tool holder according to claim 6, wherein said at least one holding member joins said body by a securing member along a length of said body, wherein said securing member is a channel on a first face of said body.
8. The tool holder according to claim 7, wherein said projecting member further comprises an outward protrusion on a free end of each of said first extension arm and said second extension arm, wherein each said outward protrusion is positioned within a base of said channel, thereby joining said at least one holding member to said body.
9. The tool holder according to claim 2, wherein said at least one holding member is adjustable or fixed along a length of said securing member.
10. The tool holder according to claim 3, wherein said at least one holding member is adjustable or fixed along a length of said channel.
11. The tool holder according to claim 2, wherein said securing member is a substantially T-shaped extension member extending outwardly from said first face of said body, said T-shaped extension member comprising a top end and a central portion, wherein said top end has a width greater than a width of said central portion of said T-shaped extension member.
12. The tool holder according to claim 6, wherein said projecting member further comprises an inward protrusion on a free end of each said first extension arm and said second extension arm, wherein a cavity is defined by said first extension arm, said second extension arm, and each said inward protrusion,
wherein said first extension arm and said second extension arm are substantially parallel.
13. The tool holder according to claim 12, wherein said at least one holding member joins said body by a securing member along a length of said body, wherein said securing member is a substantially T-shaped extension member extending outwardly from a first face of said body, said T-shaped extension member comprising a top end and a central portion, wherein said top end has a width greater than a width of said central portion of said T-shaped extension member.
14. The tool holder according to claim 13, wherein said first extension arm and said second extension arm are positioned outside of said top end of said extension member and said inward protrusions are substantially adjacent to an outer side of said central portion of said extension member of said body, wherein said top end of said extension member is positioned within said cavity of said projecting member, thereby joining said at least one holding member to said body.
15. The tool holder according to claim 11, wherein said at least one holding member is adjustable or fixed along a length of said T-shaped extension member.
16. The tool holder according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fastener includes one of a magnet, a clamp or an adhesive.
17. The tool holder according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fastener is a neodymium magnet.
18. The tool holder according to claim 2, wherein said first face of said body is a substantially curved and elongated face and said second face of said body is a substantially flat and elongated face.
19. The tool holder according to claim 1, wherein said at least one holding member is adjustable or fixed along a length of said body.
20. A tool holder comprising:
a substantially elongated body having a substantially curved first face, a substantially flat second face, and a securing member along a length of said first face;
a plurality of holding members joined to said body by said securing member, wherein said plurality of holding members are adjustable or fixed along a length of said securing member; and
at least one magnet positioned in or on each said plurality of holding members,
wherein each said at least one magnet may position or connect a tool on each said plurality of holding members.
21. The tool holder according to claim 20, wherein said securing member is a channel on said first face of said body or a substantially T-shaped extension member extending outwardly from said first face of said body.
22. The tool holder according to claim 20, wherein each said plurality of holding members comprise a first member portion, a second member portion and a projecting member, wherein said first member portion and said second member portion are substantially perpendicular, wherein said projecting member is located along a vertex of said first member portion and said second member portion, and wherein said at least one magnet is located in or on at least one of said first or second member portions of said holding member, wherein said projecting member comprises a first extension arm and a second extension arm and a protrusion on a free end of each of said first extension arm and said second extension arm.
23. The tool holder according to claim 22, wherein said securing member is a channel, wherein each said protrusion is an outward protrusion, wherein each said outward protrusion of said first and second extension arms is secured within a base of said channel, thereby securing said at least one holding member to said body.
24. The tool holder according to claim 22, wherein said securing member is a substantially T-shaped extension member extending outwardly from said first face of said body, said T-shaped extension member comprising a top end and a central portion, wherein each said protrusion is an inward protrusion thereby forming a cavity, wherein said first extension arm and said second extension arm are positioned outside of said top end of said T-shaped extension member and said inward protrusions are substantially adjacent to an outer side of said central portion of said T-shaped extension member of said body, wherein said top end of said T-shaped extension member is secured within said cavity, thereby securing said at least one holding member to said body.