Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing condensed metal from the surfaces of metal processing chambers, such as, a vacuum induction metal (VIM) furnaces having, for example, condensed Mg or Ti, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide a robotic arm end positioned in the furnace having a nozzle operatively connected to a source of dry ice. The robotic arm end directs a stream of dry ice particles against the surface of the furnace to displace condensed metal. The displaced metal is collected for reuse or disposal. Aspects of the invention provide a safe and automated process for cleaning process chambers and recovering metal that can typically be dangerous when performed by conventional methods.

Abstract: A cabinet for mounting electronic equipment having power input port mounted external to the frame of the cabinet in order to make installation of a power input unit more convenient. The power input port may be mounted on the bottom of the cabinet whereby the power input unit, for example, a power distribution unit, may be installed prior to, during, or after installation of the cabinet. In addition, among other things, the mounting of a power input unit outside the frame of the cabinet provides for improved accessability and servicing of the power input unit and provides for more usable space inside the cabinet frame.

Abstract: An element forming an inclined wedge, intended to be integrated with the front or rear end of the base plate of a snowboard binding, or directly with the upper face (5) of a snowboard, is disclosed. The element includes an upper face (9) intended to receive the bearing forces of the front or rear end of the sole of a boot, and having a mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination, measured in a longitudinal plane, between the upper face of the element and the base plate of the binding or the upper face of the snowboard. The element may also provide a mechanism (30, 31) for adjusting the longitudinal position of the element in relation to the binding or snowboard.

Abstract: An archery sight and an optic assembly, an elevation adjustment mechanism, a windage adjustment mechanism, and a third-axis leveling mechanism for use in an archery sight. The optic assembly includes a lens holder having a housing made from a light-transferring material and an aperture; at least one fiber-optic pin positioned in the aperture; and means for illuminating the fiber-optic pin. The elevation adjustment mechanism includes a slider upon which an optic can be mounted and a rack and pinion mechanism for varying the elevation of the optic. The windage adjustment mechanism includes a slidably mounted windage bar adapted for mounting an optic and a means for translating the windage bar to adjust the windage of the optic. The third-axis leveling mechanism includes an adjustable leveling vial integrated with the optic house. A method and apparatus for leveling an archery bow and sight are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a nonwoven web formed at least partly with hydrophilic fibers is provided. In one aspect, the method comprises producing by carding a textile layer (10) which is then compressed and moistened; subjecting the textile layer to a bonding treatment using water jets acting at least against one of its surfaces; and transferring said bonded layer to a unit (32, 33) to be dewatered and dried. One aspect of the method is characterized in that, after the bonding treatment (20) with water jets and before drying and delivery, the pre-bonded and moistened layer is transferred to a supplementary unit (28) to be treated by the action of one or several series of water jets, the unit comprising a mobile suction surface in the form of a drum covered with an open-work structure (30) comprising a wire-mesh fabric, the wire-mesh fabric comprising successive raised and recessed zones.

Abstract: A head rest assembly for a tub, spa, pool, bath, or shower is disclosed. The head rest assembly includes an light-transferring insert that is illuminated to provide an improved bathing experience. The insert may be illuminated by incandescent or fluorescent lights, fiber optics, or light-emitting diodes. In one aspect, the light-transferring insert may be made from a resilient material, for example, a silicone-based material or a thermoplastic rubber. The head rest assembly may also include electronic audio speakers or sound wave-guide speakers. The head rest assembly may also include a fluid flow device, for example, a nozzle for water. The fluid flow device may also be illuminated. A speaker for a spa or pool having a diaphragm and an audio transducer mounted to the diaphragm is also disclosed. This speaker provides the capability to introduce audio to a tub, spa, pool, bath, or shower while imposing little or no impact upon the fabrication, storage, or shipping of the tub, spa, pool, bath, or shower.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for directly delivering an active substance within all or part of a human or animal tissue cell, characterized in that it is in the form of a hollow tube (1), whereof the walls in contact with said tissue are provided with perforations (5) and whereof the distal end (2) is sealed, while the proximal end (3) is shaped so as to receive removable closing means, said tube being capable of bearing a pressure of at least 50 bars.

Abstract: A restraint-assisting handle, an animal restraint assembly, and a method of restraining an animal are disclosed. The handle, assembly, and method facilitate the handling of wild and domestic animals by means of leashes. The handle, assembly, and method are amenable for use with retractable leashes, though other types of leashes may be used. Aspects of the present invention can minimize the potential for animal handlers, for example, pet owners, to be injured when using a retractable leash. One aspect of the invention is a restraint-assisting handle for use with a retractable leash having an elongated cord and a housing for storing the elongated cord. The restraint-assisting handle includes an elongated element having a channel through which the cord freely passes as the cord extends from and retracts to the housing of the retractable leash.

Abstract: Methods for temperature control in microwave processing of materials, for example microwave sintering, annealing and other forms of microwave heating, are disclosed in which the material is formed into a selected shape and size such that at least a part of the materials reaches a state of thermal equilibrium at a desired temperature.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating laminations to form structural elements of predetermined shapes (120, 220, 420, 520, 620) are provided. Laminations include parts (22, 24) fabricated from the tread portion (42) of discarded rubber tires. The parts are typically arranged in layers with various relationships therebetween. The parts are pressed to remove all voids therebetween causing dynamic tension which creates rigidity and then bonded with methods including vulcanization, chemical vulcanization, epoxy and adhesive.

Abstract: An animal trap for capturing small animals, such as rodents, and birds and a method for using the trap. The trap includes a chamber having side walls, an entrance, and a perforated end wall opposite the entrance; a first platform adjacent the entrance pivotally mounted to the side walls, the first platform providing a path from the entrance; a second platform located away from the entrance pivotally mounted to the side walls and having a first end extending beneath the first platform; and means for holding the first and second platforms in an essentially horizontal position; wherein when an animal passes through the entrance and contacts the second platform, the second platform pivotally deflects and pivotally deflects the second platform wherein the first platform obstructs the entrance and the animal is captured. The means for holding the two platforms in an essentially horizontal position may be a rod or bar which engages part of the trap housing.

Abstract: A device for treating sheet-like material using water jets/needles. The device comprises a pressurize water supply body consisting of a feed chamber extending along the entire length of the body and inside which pressurized water is guided through a filter, and a distribution area distributing pressurized water along the entire length of treatment. The distribution area includes a plate (7) which is provided with microperforations, whereby the holes thereof define water needles which are directed against the surface of the material which is to be treated. The invention is characterized in that the microperforations (15) are provided inside inserts (13) which are made of a hard material. The inserts are set inside pre-made hoes (12) in the plate.

Abstract: A textile material in sheet form consisting of a warp and weft fabric produced by rovings of continuous technical filaments (for example, glass, carbon, or aramide filaments) without torsion is disclosed. The textile material may be produced according to a plain weave or derivative thereof, for example, the density of the warp threads (C) and the weft threads (T) may be balanced. The warp threads(C) or weft threads (T) are weakened or cut individually at predetermined intervals without any noticeable deterioration in the characteristics of the weft or warp threads located beneath the weakened or cut area. The areas in which a series of threads of the fabric (C) or (T) are weakened or cut may be produced with a lateral and vertical thread course between two consecutive threads.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a portable source of electrical power are disclosed. These methods and systems include portable power supplies and power synchronizing devices. These methods and systems can be used to provide power to residential and commercial buildings, as well as to, for example, emergency equipment, on a temporary basis. The disclosed portable power supply may include fuel cells or batteries as the source of electrical power. When a fuel cell is used, the portable power supply system typically includes a source of hydrocarbon fuel or hydrogen fuel. The portable power supply is preferably mounted upon a moveable platform, such as a truck or trailer, so that it can be transported to the site where needed. The invention is particularly applicable to providing temporary power when fuel-cell type power supply systems, for example, those including PEM-type fuel cell stacks, require servicing.

Abstract: A device for automatic centering of a conveyor with belts supported by chain flexible rollers is disclosed. The device includes a central attachment receiving rollers with a V-shaped angular orientation. The device also includes a rocking lever subjected to a displacement along a curved trajectory according to variation in altitude. The lever cooperates at its lower end with a fixing lug secured to a tensioning cable mounted to the frame bearing the conveyor. The invention is characterized in that the rollers (20) of the central attachment are mounted for rotation on their independent shafts (21) and the shafts are detachably secured to the central attachment by a central fastening device or stirrup (22). The central fastening device (22) is attached to a fastening device (23). Fastening device (23) is adapted to receive rocking lever (24), which is mounted to the cable by fixing lug (25).

Abstract: An interface element (10) used on a gliding board, said element being inserted between the sole (20) of the user's boot and the top side of the board (8) so as to take the thrust exerted toward the board by the user at least at the front end of the sole, and which comprises at least one zone (11, 12, 15) made of a thermoformable material capable, after exposure to heat, of matching the imprint of at least the front end (21) of the sole (20) of the boot so as to fill the volume between the top side (8) of the board and the sole of the boot (20).

Abstract: A device for transferring pulverulent material, for example, powdery material, including an enclosure (3) wherein the pulverulent material to be transferred is stirred and pressurized; a first pipe (8) and a second pipe (9) which transport the material towards its destination; and a gas intake (14, 15) for introducing gas to the second pipe (9). In one aspect of the invention, pipe (8) forms a nozzle (12), oriented in the direction of the material flow and directed toward second pipe (9). The gas intake (14, 15) may emerge at the lower end of the first pipe (8), outside the nozzle (12), wherein the gas is introduced into the second pipe (9) through a plurality of through orifices (20) oriented substantially parallel to the flow direction of the pulverulent material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mapping the character and location of small surface variations on a planar surface. Energy in the form of pulses is supplied to an object in close proximity to the planar surface to thereby raise the temperature of the object and at part of the surface. A change in temperature of the object is detected when it is in proximity to the variation to define the location and character of the variation. By supplying the energy in the form of pulses, the size of the thermal signature produced in the planar surface is limited wherein a more accurate and more sensitive mapping method and apparatus are provided. The energy supply may be thermal energy or optical energy but preferably is electrical energy which heats a resistive element. Preferably, the object is a magnetoresistive head of a disk drive assembly and the surface may be that of a magnetic recording material. The change in temperature is detected by monitoring the resistance of the magnetoresistive coil of the head.

Abstract: A feeding and conveying system for feeding and conveying sheet material for printing, collating, or binding the sheet material, among other processes. The feeding and conveying system includes at least one feeder having a magazine containing a plurality of articles of sheet material, for example, signatures, a rotatable disk for separating the sheet material from the magazine, and a feed drum for transferring the sheet material from the magazine to a conveyor. The rotatable disk, having at least one separating blade, is reciprocally rotated to separate the sheet material from the magazine. The separation of the sheet material from the magazine may be aided by applying a source of vacuum to the sheet material, for example, by means of suckers. The feed drum may include one or more grasping devices for grasping and retaining the sheet material, for example, one or more grippers. The rotation of the separator disk may be controlled by a programmable controller.