Abstract: A teat cup shell for holding a milking liner includes a body being made from a first material. The body has an upper end, a lower end; and a middle portion with the upper end adapted to receive the teat of the animal being milked. One configuration of the body may have enlarged upper and lower ends to define a dog-bone shape. The middle portion of the body may define gripping features at its middle portion. The body of the shell has a first weight. An insert is carried by the body with the insert being heavier than the remaining portion of the body. The insert is disposed closer to the lower end of the body than the upper end of the body such that the center of mass of the shell is disposed in the lower two-thirds of the shell.

Abstract: A construction-grade hand tool has interchangeable tool heads that can withstand significant impact, pulling, and twisting forces. The tool heads may include a shovel, a rake, a hoe, a bow saw, a broom, a fork, pruning shears, and other construction and fire fighting tool heads. A tool head adapter securely connects these tool work heads to a handle which may be a telescoping handle. The tool head adapter is connected to the tool head in a manner that provides a strong, impact-resistant connection between the adapter and the tool head. The handle may include a shock absorber structure. The adapter is configured to be securely and tightly received by a clamping and/or quick-release receptacle on the end of the handle.

Abstract: A lock member includes a body having a lower surface below which a male lock pin projects in an orientation that allows it to be received in a female lock member. The lower surface is continuous, entirely surrounds, and is spaced from the lock pin. The spacing provides room to receive the upper portion of the disc retaining hub. The ring-shaped planar portion may rest directly against or closely adjacent the upper surface of a media disc. In one configuration, the ring-shaped planar portion spaces the lock pin from an EAS tag chamber. The configuration of the lock member increases the likelihood that the media disc will be damaged during a physical attack on the lock member.

Abstract: A milking liner for an automated milking machine includes a barrel that moves between an uncollapsed position and a collapsed condition when it is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. The barrel defines at least three parallel channels open to the inner surface of the barrel. The configuration of the sidewall of the barrel and the channels cause the barrel to uniformly collapse when the barrel is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. In one configuration, ribs protrude from the barrel sidewall and define channels with the same wall thickness as the sidewall segments disposed between the ribs.

Abstract: A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a body portion, a container portion structured to receive a storage container such that the storage container remains stationary, the container portion extending from the body portion such that a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into the body portion and a first magnet mounted in the body portion and above the storage container, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member.

Abstract: A release liner web has thermoplastic membranes coated on opposite sides of the release liner web that are thermoplastically fused proximally to an edge of the release liner web, nearly doubling the width of thermoplastic membranes that can be prepared using conventional equipment. Also described are geomembranes prepared from an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic sheet material and having a high gloss surface, and methods of manufacture and use of same.

Abstract: A slip sheet for use with unitized loads has a plurality of banding anchors. The banding anchors extend from an edge of the slip sheet or from a portion of the slip sheet tab. The banding anchors may be provided on one, two, three, or four edges of the slip sheet. The banding anchors may be folded up against the side of a unitized load to provide a place for packaging bands to engage the slip sheet. Portions of at least one slip tray sidewall are separated from the remaining sidewall to form flaps that may be folded down to function as tabs that help lift vehicles get under the slip tray.

Abstract: A press die holder holds an upper die with its receiving structure above the die body. This configuration allows the die to be removed from the holder in the configuration in which it will be loaded into the press. The operator does not have to flip the die over before loading the die into the press. The holder may be configured to hold a lower die with its receiving structure disposed below the die body. This also prevents the lower die from being flipped over when it is removed from the holder and loaded into the press. One configuration of the invention provides a holder having a pair of fingers that engage the pair of continuous grooves defined by the receiving structure of the die so that the die hangs from the fingers.

Abstract: A wheeled cart is configured to removably carry a patient's personal wash basin. The cart includes a lid that covers the personal wash basin when the cart is moved from a bathroom to the patient so that liquid in the wash basin cannot splash out onto the floor if the cart strikes an obstruction. A flexible tube is provided for filling the basin from a sink. A drain pipe is provided to empty the wash basin without the need to lift the wash basin. A disposable thin personal wash basin having a funnel-shaped outlet may be used with the cart to minimize potential contamination.

Abstract: A macromolecule includes a polymer directly tethered or bonded to a polyatomic functionality. The polyatomic functionality can be located at a terminus of the polymer and can be generated concurrent with or soon after formation of the polymer. The macro-molecule can be prepared from a functionalized polymer by hydrolyzing and condensing (e.g., by a sol-gel process) functionalities in which one or more alkoxy groups are bound to a silica atom in the presence of an excess of a compound that includes a Si, Ti, Zr, Sn, Al, or Fe atom. Such macromolecules can be used in the manufacture of vulcanizates and tire components, either alone or blended with other polymers and/or other particulate fillers.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes an elastomer, a terminal functional group including at least one heteroatom, and a unit intermediate the elastomer and the functional group; the intermediate unit includes a terminal moiety which, in its anionic form, is less basic than a secondary amino radical ion. Methods of making the functionalized polymer and of using it with particulate filler to make, e.g., a tire tread composition also are disclosed.

Abstract: A vent plug for a milking liner has an outlet that discharges the vent air in the downstream direction. The vent plug has an outlet disposed in the downstream portion of the inner flange of the vent plug so that vent air is directed toward the outlet of the short milk tube. The vent plug outlet also may be disposed in the upstream portion of the inner flange while being configured to direct the vent air in a downstream direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing assets in a lockable container are disclosed. A decoupler receives information from the container or the asset in the container. The container may be associated with a security status, and the item may be associated with a processing status. The decoupler may move the container along a processing path in a sequence based on the security status of the container and/or the processing status of the asset. The decoupler may also lock or unlock the container while moving the container along the processing path. At least a portion of the processing path may be exposed to a magnetic field, which may lock or unlock the container and/o activate or deactivate a security tag associated with the container or the item. The decoupler may also write or read information to or from an RFID tag associated with the container and/or the asset. This information may be used in conjunction with benefit denial, audit, loss prevention, transaction management, and other similar systems.

Abstract: A method of applying a spacer to a glass sheet while forming an insulating glazing unit includes the step of integrating the application of the sealant to the spacer body with the automated manufacturing process. The sealant is applied to the spacer body on line so that the sealant-laden spacer body may be applied to the glass without manually handling the sealant.

Abstract: A merchandise storage container having a sleeve and a pair of pull out merchandise holders that are both stored in the same sleeve but may be pulled out to extended positions from opposite sides of the sleeve. The sleeve is configured to allow the two holders to be pulled out to their extended positions simultaneously. The sleeve is also configured to allow the holders to be pushed back to their retracted positioned simultaneously without interfering with one another. The sleeve is configured to prevent the holders from jamming during the operation of the container.

Abstract: A muntin clip supports a muntin grid inside an insulating glazing unit. The clip includes a positioning arm that allows the clip to be positioned with respect to the spacer. In one embodiment, the clip has a flat base adapted to be positioned on the inwardly facing surface of the spacer. The positioning arm extends from one side of the plate with the muntin-engaging body extending from the other side of the plate. The arm has an outer end that projects beyond the outer edge of the plate. A method for using the clip includes the step of using one of the glass sheets to engage and position the positioning arm of the muntin clip. Stops may be provided to limit the insertion of the clip into the spacer.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain and a terminal group linked to the chain through a functionality that contains one or more urethane groups. The functionalized polymer can be provided by reacting a nucleophile with a polymer having terminal iso(thio)cyanate functionality which, in turn, can be provided by reacting a terminally active polymer with a polyiso(thio)cyanate. Even polymers that contain substantial amounts of styrene mer can be used in the described process.