Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for valve lever apparatus for use with fluid valves. An example apparatus includes a valve stem for a fluid valve, a pin removably coupled to an end of the valve stem to receive a valve lever to manually actuate the fluid valve, and a damping material to provide a damping effect between the valve stem and the valve lever.

Abstract: Valve disc assemblies for fluid valves having soft seats are disclosed herein. An example valve disc assembly for a fluid valve comprises a first portion to slidably engage a wall of the fluid valve to guide movement of the valve disc assembly and a second portion to receive a valve stem to control a position of the valve disc assembly, the second portion including an angled surface to retain a seal between the first and second portions.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for valve lever apparatus for use with fluid valves. An example apparatus includes a valve stem for a fluid valve, a pin removably coupled to an end of the valve stem to receive a valve lever to manually actuate the fluid valve, and a damping material to provide a damping effect between the valve stem and the valve lever.

Abstract: Valve disc assemblies for fluid valves having soft seats are disclosed herein. An example valve disc assembly for a fluid valve comprises a first portion to slidably engage a wall of the fluid valve to guide movement of the valve disc assembly and a second portion to receive a valve stem to control a position of the valve disc assembly, the second portion including an angled surface to retain a seal between the first and second portions.

Abstract: An intumescent structure provides a hermetic-type barrier within a fiber duct through which communications cabling is extended. The structure is formed of a fire-resistant body possessing a plurality of pre-perforated forms that extend through the body. Each of the pre-perforated forms may be sized to have cross-sectional dimensions and geometries that generally correspond to the cross-sectional configurations of communications cabling that are typically placed in a fiber duct to interconnect electronic equipment. Selective removal of the pre-perforated forms establish associated passageways through the body for receiving the appropriately sized cabling therethrough. This facilitates the maintenance of a barrier to gasses and other substances escaping through the duct, while still allowing cabling to freely pass through the duct.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making elongated articles are disclosed. One method includes feeding at least one base string along an axis, wrapping at least one monofilament around the axis to produce a number of monofilament wraps per length of base string which are transported by the base string, bonding the wraps to the base string with ultrasonic energy, and cutting the wraps at a point downstream of where the wraps are bonded to the base string. The result is an article having two rows of monofilament segments connected to the base string.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making elongated articles are disclosed. One method includes feeding at least one base string along an axis, wrapping at least one monofilament around the axis to produce a number of monofilament wraps per length of base string which are transported by the base string, bonding the wraps to the base string with ultrasonic energy, and cutting the wraps at a point downstream of where the wraps are bonded to the base string. The result is an article having two rows of monofilament segments connected to the base string.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making elongated articles are disclosed. One method includes feeding at least one base string along an axis, wrapping at least one monofilament around the axis to produce a number of monofilament wraps per length of base string which are transported by the base string, bonding the wraps to the base string with ultrasonic energy, and cutting the wraps at a point downstream of where the wraps are bonded to the base string. The result is an article having two rows of monofilament segments connected to the base string.

Abstract: A bristle subassembly made from the continuous method comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A continuous method for making a polymeric bristle subassembly using the steps of

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously making a bristle subassembly comprising:

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making elongated articles are disclosed. One method includes feeding at least one base string along an axis, wrapping at least one monofilament around the axis to produce a number of monofilament wraps per length of base string which are transported by the base string, bonding the wraps to the base string with ultrasonic energy, and cutting the wraps at a point downstream of where the wraps are bonded to the base string. The result is an article having two rows of monofilament segments connected to the base string.

Abstract: A bristle sub-assembly includes first and second base strings and a plurality of polymeric monofilaments connected to and extending between the first and second base strings. The polymeric monofilaments form a first arched row when the first and second base strings are brought together. Several types and configurations of brushes are made using either arched bristles or combinations of arched and straight bristles.

Abstract: A continuous method for making a polymeric bristle subassembly using a continuous moving cable support to move the filament wraps along the mandrel. The base string being bonded to the polymeric filaments of the wrap as the filament wraps are transported to form a bristle sub assembly. An apparatus for making the subassemblies is also part of this invention. Other aspects of this invention are a continuous method of making a bristle subassembly wherein the base string is omitted and the filaments of the wrap are bonded to each other through the use of an energy source, or the use of a polymeric bead to bond the filaments together or use of a solvent or an adhesive to bond the polymeric filaments of the wrap together to form a bristle subassembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making elongated articles are disclosed. One method includes feeding at least one base string along an axis, wrapping at least one monofilament around the axis to produce a number of monofilament wraps per length of base string which are transported by the base string, bonding the wraps to the base string with ultrasonic energy, and cutting the wraps at a point downstream of where the wraps are bonded to the base string. The result is an article having two rows of monofilament segments connected to the base string.

Abstract: Bristle stiffness is varied by allowing a support beam that carries the bristles to undergo torsional movement in response to brushing action. Torsional movement is achieved by allowing the support beam to be disconnected to the brush head along at least portions of the length of the support beam. In particularly preferred embodiments, brushes employing the varying stiffness techniques are made with bristle sub-assemblies that have at least one row of bristles connected to a base string or similar structure that functions as a support beam. The base string can be connected across an opening in the brush, and is thus connected at its opposite ends, or it can be connected at any number of spaced intervals, the number and length of spacing being selected to achieve a desired degree of stiffness.

Abstract: Bristle stiffness is varied by allowing a support beam that carries the bristles to undergo torsional movement in response to brushing action. Torsional movement is achieved by allowing the support beam to be disconnected to the brush head along at least portions of the length of the support beam. In particularly preferred embodiments, brushes employing the varying stiffness techniques are made with bristle sub-assemblies that have at least one row of bristles connected to a base string or similar structure that functions as a support beam. The base string can be connected across an opening in the brush, and is thus connected at its opposite ends, or it can be connected at any number of spaced intervals, the number and length of spacing being selected to achieve a desired degree of stiffness.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making elongated articles are disclosed. One method includes feeding at least one base string along an axis, wrapping at least one monofilament around the axis to produce a number of monofilament wraps per length of base string which are transported by the base string, bonding the wraps to the base string with ultrasonic energy, and cutting the wraps at a point downstream of where the wraps are bonded to the base string. The result is an article having two rows of monofilament segments connected to the base string.

Abstract: Bristle stiffness is varied by allowing a support beam that carries the bristles to undergo torsional movement in response to brushing action. Torsional movement is achieved by allowing the support beam to be disconnected to the brush head along at least portions of the length of the support beam. In particularly preferred embodiments, brushes employing the varying stiffness techniques are made with bristle sub-assemblies that have at least one row of bristles connected to a base string or similar structure that functions as a support beam. The base string can be connected across an opening in the brush, and is thus connected at its opposite ends, or it can be connected at any number of spaced intervals, the number and length of spacing being selected to achieve a desired degree of stiffness.

Abstract: Bristle stiffness is varied by allowing a support beam that carries the bristles to undergo torsional movement in response to brushing action. Torsional movement is achieved by allowing the support beam to be disconnected to the brush head along at least portions of the length of the support beam. In particularly preferred embodiments, brushes employing the varying stiffness techniques are made with bristle sub-assemblies that have at least one row of bristles connected to a base string or similar structure that functions as a support beam. The base string can be connected across an opening in the brush, and is thus connected at its opposite ends, or it can be connected at any number of spaced intervals, the number and length of spacing being selected to achieve a desired degree of stiffness.