Abstract: Exemplary window covering apparatus, assemblies, and associated methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary window covering apparatus comprises a headrail, a covering attached to and extending vertically downward from the headrail, a pull cord configured to be operated by a user, a lift cord connecting a bottom of the covering to the pull cord by way of the headrail, the lift cord configured to lift the bottom of the covering to collapse the covering toward the headrail or drop the bottom of the covering to extend the covering away from the headrail when the pull cord is operated by the user, and an elongate sheath that ensheathes an otherwise exposed segment of the lift cord.

Abstract: Exemplary pressurization and coating systems, methods, and apparatuses are described herein. In certain embodiments, pressurization systems, methods, and apparatuses are used in conjunction with coating systems, methods, and apparatuses to control pressure about a substrate after a coating material is applied to a surface of the substrate. An exemplary system includes a die tool configured to apply a coating material to a substrate passing through the die tool and a pressurization apparatus attached to the die tool and forming a pressurization chamber. The pressurization apparatus is configured to receive the substrate from the die tool and control pressure about the substrate in the pressurization chamber. In certain embodiments, the die tool forms a coating chamber and is configured to apply the coating material on at least one surface of the substrate in the coating chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to implantable medical devices that include at least one suture attached to a device component, the suture including a naturally derived collagenous material. The present invention is also directed to sutures per se including filaments incorporating naturally derived collagenous material. The naturally derived collagenous material may be an extracellular matrix (ECM) material.

Abstract: A coupling wire guide and an improved method for bonding a mandrel to a tracking tip in a reliable and long-lasting manner are provided. The coupling wire guide includes a mandrel connected to a tracking tip. The mandrel includes a distal portion, including first and second portions integral to the mandrel, the second portion being wider than the first portion. The tracking tip includes a first tubular section and a second tubular section adapted to receive a previously introduced wire guide therein. The first tubular section is disposed over and bonded to the first and second portions to form the coupling wire guide. A coil may be attached to the distal portion upstream of the second portion. In a preferred embodiment, the second portion is a spherical structure adhesively bonded to the first tubular section. Use of a medical grade adhesive in conjunction with the second portion has been surprisingly found to increase tensile joint strength and decrease tensile joint strength variability.

Abstract: A window covering component comprising a substrate having a modulus of elasticity and a stiffener having a higher modulus of elasticity than the substrate and positioned substantially away from the plane in which the substrate would otherwise tend to deform.

Abstract: A hollow, rigid window covering component for use as a slat or otherwise, generally used as an alternative to wood, the component being filled with a foam using a substantially continuous manufacturing process. The apparatus used for this process comprises a die having a substantially toroid-shaped resin chamber and a channel or void through which to inject a core material into the enclosed perimeter of the hollow window covering component.

Abstract: A water resistant and fire retardant container for releasably encapsulating an electrical connection includes a housing having an opening and a receiving chamber for receiving a wire nut having an electrical connection therein between contacting ends of electrical wires. The receiving chamber is pre-filled with water resistant sealing gel. An end cap is removably interlocked with a circular lip of the housing at the opening and includes a plurality of flexible segments extending from a perimeter opening within the end cap radially inward. The flexible segments are positioned common to a single plane and converge toward a common point to form a flexible, segmented cover over the housing opening. A locking ring is disposed within the receiving chamber below the end cap for allowing one-way passage of the wire nut therethrough.

Abstract: A self draining valve member for use with a water line of an underground water distribution system. The valve member comprises a cylindrical housing having screw threads formed on at least a portion of the outer surface thereof, with the screw threads being adapted to engage a threaded fitting on the water line. The housing has an inner chamber comprising first and second bores extending axially inward from the opposite ends of the housing. The chamber has a transverse wall which divides the chamber into two sub-chambers. A drain bore extends through the transverse wall to extablish flow communication between the two sub-chambers. Respective valve heads are positioned in the sub-chambers, with a valve stem extending through the drain bore and connecting the valve heads. A flange projects circumferentially from one end of the housing, and a hollow cylindrical hood extends from the flange away from the housing.