Abstract: A luminous handle (10) for doors, furnishings, or public buildings such as airports, toilets, hospitals, etc., means of transport or the like, comprising a handgrip or knob (20) made of transparent or translucent material, sanded if necessary. A spindle (8) with a definite section is intended to be inserted in a lock (24), through the latch present in the lock while a fixing screw or spring ball (12) is suitable to be fixed on said spindle (8) passing through the latch of the lock. The spindle (8) has an axial through hole positioned inside which is an electric conductor (4) electrically insulated from said spindle (8) by an insulating sleeve (9). The handgrip or knob (20) contains a LED or a luminous source of any type supplied by said electric conductor (4). The LED and the circuit can be inserted in the handle (10). The handle 10 is in contact with the handgrip or knob (20) inside which a chamber can be produced to allow diffusion of the light.

Abstract: A method of removing impurities from a urea solution comprising contacting the aqueous solution with an ion exchange resin and adsorbing the impurities from the urea solution, and the system therefore.

Abstract: A solution for consumer self-service merchandise order placement, payment, and pick up, integrated with a merchant's Internet e-commerce site and with an effective merchant point-of-sale management system. The solution includes a system and apparatus and of a set of specific business methods. A self-service merchandising machine for un-attended, autonomous, and automatic dispensing of retail products includes an input/output subsystem; a control subsystem having and being based upon a computer; a specially configured storage subsystem; a unique pick-and-place robotic-based product retrieval subsystem with an adaptive material handling system; and a product extraction subsystem.

Abstract: Device for opening and closing control of tarpaulins for covering the bodies of industrial, agricultural and/or similar vehicles, in which the operating device 11 comprises drive pulleys 28 and diverter pulleys 26 which run along the cable 17. The operating device 11 is fixed on the first strut 21a and via its movement, controlled by the gear motor 13, closes or opens the tarpaulin on the body.

Abstract: A single-sided shuttle-type blow molding apparatus having an extruder for substantially continuously extruding a thermoplastic material in tubular form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. The apparatus includes a mold having a set of mold parts adapted to open and close relative to each other to define, when closed, a mold cavity. A shuttle having the mold mounted thereon is arranged to move along a closed path from a first position wherein the mold engages, when open, a finite length of the thermoplastic tube, to a second position away from the first position. The apparatus further includes a blow head adapted to blow the finite length of the thermoplastic tube to form the container as the mold moves from the first position to the second position of the closed path. The apparatus includes no more than one mold. A method is also described.

Abstract: A drinking aid adapted to engage, and facilitate drinking by a user from, a liquid container having a rim and an opening. The drinking aid has a body at least a portion of which defines a U-shaped groove adapted to receive the rim of the container when the rim slips into the groove and to create a mechanical engagement between the rim and the drinking aid. The body also engages the container to create a frictional fit between the drinking aid and the container. At least one of a column or angled arms disposed on the body form a V-shaped or U-shaped funnel directing and centering fluid from the container to an orifice either formed in the column or defined by the angled arms. The drinking aid prevents spillage of the liquid from the container when the user tilts the container to pour liquid through the orifice.

Abstract: A device (10) for producing a biocidal solution has a sealed and replaceable reservoir (16) with a low volume capacity which contains pre-prepared aqueous salt solution (18) with a pre-determined concentration, an electrolytic cell (20) for electrochemically treating the salt solution (18), a pump (28) for delivering a flow of accurately measured volumes of the salt solution (18) to the electrolytic cell (20), a restrictor valve (36) for controlling further the flow rate of the salt solution (18) to a cathode chamber (24) of the electrolytic cell (20), an electrical circuit (46) for connecting the pump (28) and the electrolytic cell (20) to a mains supply source (48) and including a power pack (50) for providing a substantially constant direct current of (7) to (12) amps to the electrolytic cell (20) and an operator-controlled switch (52) for completing the electrical circuit (46) when the switch (52) is operated to produce a biocidal solution (12) having a predetermined level of available free chlorine and p

Abstract: Method for compression molding plastic articles. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of molds mounted for travel around a first axis. Each mold includes upper and lower mold sections, with at least one of the mold sections being moveable in a non-circular first endless path, and being moveable with respect to the other mold section to form a mold cavity. A mold charge delivery system is provided to deliver individual mold charges to the mold cavities and includes at least one delivery mechanism that travels in a second endless path around a second axis spaced from the first axis, wherein the second endless path overlies a portion of the first endless path. At least one of the mold sections is moved radially relative to the first axis during at least a portion of the first endless path wherein the second endless path overlies the first endless path.

Abstract: Survey tool for performing as-built survey measurements with improved accuracy by engaging with and centering on stationary fasteners. The survey tool has a substantially conical receiver with a narrow end and a wide end, the wide end adapted for centering on stationary fasteners of various sizes. A connector is coupled to the narrow end of the conical receiver and is adapted for engaging a rod.

Abstract: An active solder alloy, an electronic device package including the active solder alloy bonding an electronic device to a substrate, and a method of forming high-strength joints by soldering using the solder alloy. The alloy contains up to about 10% by weight of an element or a mixture of elements selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, or tantalum; between about 0.1 and 5% by weight of an element or a mixture of elements selected from the group of the lanthanides (rare earths); between about 0.01 and 1% by weight of gallium up to about 10% by weight of silver; up to about 2% by weight of magnesium; and a remainder consisting of tin, bismuth, indium, cadmium, or a mixture of two or more of these elements. The alloy enables low-temperature (less than about 180° C.) soldering within relatively narrow melting ranges (less than about 10° C.).

Abstract: A picture frame for holding and displaying content. The picture frame has an edge with a channel receiving the content. An edge segment is attachable to and detachable from the remainder of the edge, using magnets, to allow insertion and removal of the content. A back has a front face to which the edge remainder is attached and a rear face including one or more magnets for attaching the back to a magnetically attractive surface. An optional stand has a plurality of elements that engage at least one of the back magnets to support the back in multiple directions and orientations. An optional hanger is made of a magnetically attracted material for engaging at least one of the back magnets and attach the hanger to the back. The hanger is configured to engage a fastener and hang the picture frame from the fastener when the stand is not in use.

Abstract: An edge protector, including a flexible body portion, spacers, and mating straps, that protects slings from both abrasion damage and cutting damage caused by a heavy object being lifted.

Abstract: This present invention relates to interbody spinal implants and methods of using such implants. Certain embodiments of the present invention are particularly suitable for placement using an anterior surgical approach. Certain embodiments of the present invention include a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, and opposing anterior and posterior portions. Interbody spinal implants, as now taught, further include roughened surface topography on at least a portion of its top surface and/or bottom surface. Preferred embodiments of the interbody spinal implant are substantially hollow and have a generally oval-shaped transverse cross-sectional area. Preferred embodiments of further include at least one aperture that extends the entire height of the implant body. This vertical aperture also defines a transverse rim having greater posterior thickness than anterior thickness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting moils from necks of molded plastic containers and installing spouts in the necks are disclosed. The apparatus includes a pick and place mechanism that rotates along an arcuate path transporting the containers between a cutting station, a facing station and an assembly station positioned along the path. An oven located above the assembly station heats spouts which are coated with a hot-melt adhesive. The heated spouts are supplied to the assembly station under gravity feed. The method includes cutting the moils from the container necks at the cutting station, finishing the neck by burnishing and reaming at the facing station, heating the spouts in the oven, orienting the spouts and inserting them into the finished necks of the containers at the assembly station.

Abstract: A communications network for a security network is disclosed. The communications network includes at least one master base unit, or fixed parts, and at least two slave base units, or portable parts. The communications network is configured such that each of the master base units is capable of communicating with each of the slave base units, and each of the slave base units is capable of communicating with each of the master base units. The network is also configured such that each of the master base units is capable of communicating with an outside telecommunications network, and each of the network slave base units are also capable of communicating with an outside telecommunications network. Such a communications network for a security network provides substantial redundancy and reliability in the event of one or more component failures.

Abstract: A security network for use in a building with an opening to be monitored for possible intrusion. The network includes an intrusion sensor monitoring the opening; an RFID transponder associated with the sensor; an RFID reader in wireless communication with the transponder; and a portable telephone handset having first keys activating conventional telephone capability and second keys activating interaction with the other security network components. The handset wirelessly communicates with the reader. The reader may take the form of a security cradle for the handset. Alternatively, the reader may take the form of a telephone console. The console has keys enabling a user to dial remote telephone numbers; circuitry adapted to receive wireless communications from the transponder; circuitry in wireless communication with the handset; circuitry in communication with an external network; and a processor executing program code enabling the handset to communicate with the external network via the telephone console.

Abstract: An RFID security network using system component diversity and system spatial diversity is disclosed. The security network includes a plurality of network base units, each communicating with a plurality of transponders, or security transmitters. Through appropriate distributive placement of the plurality of base units, along with appropriate placement of the transponders, the redundancy and reliability of the RF communication links between one or more base units and one or more transponders is increased. Moreover, because each of the base units is capable of being a communications gateway with an external network, including a telecommunications network, the security network's access to an outside telecommunications network is redundant and highly reliable. Accordingly, even if an intruder attempts to disable the security system communications to an external network, the inventive security network has redundant and alternative communication links to an external network.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having an inner electrode mounted coaxially within an outer, electrode, with a tube mounted coaxially between them to define annular passageways for liquid flow in separate streams of the cell between respective pairs of inlet/outlet ports. A cup-shaped fitting having a stepped-down internal diameter is fastened to the inner electrode at the end of the cell with the outer electrode at the mouth of the fitting.

Abstract: A rim for mounting tubeless tires, particularly for bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds, constituted by a profiled element which is curved in a circular fashion and is symmetrical with respect to a centerline plane (P), said profiled element forming an outer annular seat (2) and an inner annular seat which are divided by an annular partition provided with slots arranged opposite the nipples (6) associated with the spokes of said rim, a tire of the tubeless type being associated with said outer annular seat so as to form a pressure chamber. The rim comprises closure elements that engage said slots in order to hermetically separate said outer annular seat from said inner annular seat.