Abstract: A data card guide apparatus includes a card guide having a guide base and in some embodiments, a finger slot or channel to ease card usage. The card guide can be aligned in a horizontal plane and a vertical plane with a card slot for receiving a data card irrespective of the height and the position of the card slot. In some embodiments, a channel can be formed from channel walls located above the card guide to allow for holding of the data card with two fingers while the data card slides in or out of the card guide. Such a channel can be configured as an extension of the card guide and the height of the channel is equivalent to the height of the guide base. With either configuration, a user does not need to look at the card slot to slide in or remove the data card.

Abstract: A data card guide apparatus includes a card guide having a guide base and in some embodiments, a finger slot or channel to ease card usage. The card guide can be aligned in a horizontal plane and a vertical plane with a card slot for receiving a data card irrespective of the height and the position of the card slot. In some embodiments, a channel can be formed from channel walls located above the card guide to allow for holding of the data card with two fingers while the data card slides in or out of the card guide. Such a channel can be configured as an extension of the card guide and the height of the channel is equivalent to the height of the guide base. With either configuration, a user does not need to look at the card slot to slide in or remove the data card.

Abstract: A multi-function tool is disclosed which provides prying as well as leverage-enhanced gripping capability. By combining the lever arm of a prying bar with the gripping capability of gripping pliers, this multi-function tool provides leverage-enhanced gripping and leveraged-forced movement of objects. The lever action of the prying bar can be applied via the gripping pliers, thereby allowing a user to exert more force via the gripping pliers than is possible by using gripping pliers alone. In some embodiments, the prying bar is a crowbar, and the gripping pliers are vice grips. In preferred embodiments, the prying bar and the gripping pliers are welded together.

Abstract: A flood barrier system for temporarily sealing an opening in a wall structure against the inflow of flood waters. The system comprises a plurality of elongated, horizontally disposed barrier elements of a length somewhat greater than the width of the opening. The barrier elements are stacked vertically, one upon the other against the outer face of the wall structure. End clamps engage opposite ends of the individual barrier elements to press them snugly against the outer surface of the wall, providing seals along the opposite vertical side edges of the opening. The barrier elements incorporate a unique interlocking configuration that simplifies and expedites assembly of a flood barrier and strengthens the integrity of the assembled structure. Improved and simplified arrangements are provided for clamping the ends of the barrier elements and for applying downward pressure to the assembled barrier.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for a washing appliance, and associated apparatus and method are provided. A control unit is in communication with at least one operational component of the washing appliance and with at least one control switch device. The control unit is responsive to the at least one control switch device to control the at least one operational component. The control unit is further configured to monitor the at least one operational component so as to identify a failure thereof, and to provide an indicia of the failure. A panel member is associated with the control unit, and includes an indicia of the at least one operational component. The at least one operational component indicia is configured to cooperate with the corresponding failure indicia so as to provide a perceptible identification of the at least one operational component experiencing the failure.

Abstract: A flood barrier system for temporarily sealing an opening in a wall structure against the inflow of flood waters. The system comprises a plurality of elongated, horizontally disposed barrier elements of a length somewhat greater than the width of the opening. The barrier elements are stacked vertically, one upon the other against the outer face of the wall structure. End clamps engage opposite ends of the individual barrier elements to press them snugly against the outer surface of the wall, providing seals along the opposite vertical side edges of the opening. The barrier elements incorporate a unique interlocking configuration that simplifies and expedites assembly of a flood barrier and strengthens the integrity of the assembled structure. Improved and simplified arrangements are provided for clamping the ends of the barrier elements and for applying downward pressure to the assembled barrier.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for a washing appliance, and associated apparatus and method are provided. A control unit is in communication with at least one operational component of the washing appliance and with at least one control switch device. The control unit is responsive to the at least one control switch device to control the at least one operational component. The control unit is further configured to monitor the at least one operational component so as to identify a failure thereof, and to provide an indicia of the failure. A panel member is associated with the control unit, and includes an indicia of the at least one operational component. The at least one operational component indicia is configured to cooperate with the corresponding failure indicia so as to provide a perceptible identification of the at least one operational component experiencing the failure.

Abstract: A method for processing a web material having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction coplanar and perpendicular thereto is disclosed herein. The method incorporates the step of first directing a web material proximate to an air foil. Steam is then applied to the web material by the air foil. Finally, the web material is processed by any downstream web material processing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an embossed product including a first embossing member having a plurality of discrete embossing elements disposed in a first non-random pattern having at least one first single pattern unit. The total area of the distal ends of the discrete embossing elements in the first single pattern unit is less than about 5.0 cm2. The apparatus also includes a second embossing member having a plurality of linear embossing elements disposed in a second non-random pattern having at least one second single pattern unit. The total area of the second distal ends in the second single pattern unit is less than about 10 cm2. The second non-random pattern is coordinated with the first non-random pattern such that when engaged with each other the first single pattern unit and the second single pattern unit make up an embossing pattern single pattern unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a deep-nested embossed product including a first embossing member and a second embossing member. The first embossing member has a plurality of discrete embossing elements disposed in a first non-random pattern. The second embossing member has a plurality of second embossing elements including at least one linear embossing element. The second embossing elements are disposed in a second non-random pattern such the first non-random pattern and the second non-random pattern nest together to a depth of greater than about 0.01 mm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling the transfer of a fluid to a web material, the apparatus comprising a fluid transfer component having a first surface, a second surface, and a non-random pattern of distinct pores. The pores connect the first surface and the second surface and are disposed at preselected locations to provide a desired pattern of permeability. The apparatus also comprises a fluid receiving component comprising a fluid receiving surface, a fluid supply adapted to provide a fluid in contact with the first surface of the fluid transfer component, and a fluid motivating component adapted to facilitate transport of the fluid from the first surface through the pores to the second surface. The method comprises steps of providing the apparatus, motivating a fluid through the pores and bringing the fluid reveiving component into contact with the motivated fluid.

Abstract: A process for the production of water-soluble pouches. The process comprises the steps of drawing a first film into a mould to form a first compartment, adding composition to the first compartment, drawing a second film into the mould to form a second compartment which comprises a composition and, preferably, sealing. The first film is perforated and the second film is drawn into the mould by means of suction applied through the first film. This eliminates the need to align separately formed pouches or containers. This also reduces the total amount of film needed to produce a multi-compartment pouch. Furthermore, it is very easy to vary the film material used according to what properties are desired. Since the different compartments may require different properties this adds flexibility to the process. Process particularly suited for the production of water soluble pouches such as cleaning or fabric care pouches.

Abstract: Patterned fibrous structures, especially patterned latex-containing fibrous structures, single- or multi-ply sanitary tissue products comprising same, and methods for making such fibrous structures and/or sanitary tissue products are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing a deep-nested embossed paper products. The invention relates to a process for producing a deep-nested embossed paper products comprising one or more plies of paper where the resulting embossed ply or plies of paper comprise a plurality of embossments having an average embossment height of at least about 650 ?m and have a high finished product wet burst strength relative to the unembossed wet strength.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-ply embossed product including the steps of: providing two or more plies of material to a lamination apparatus, each ply having a lamination surface; laminating one ply of the two or more plies of material to at least one other of the two or more plies of material to provide a laminated web having a first lamination pattern; directing the laminated web to a separate embossing apparatus; and embossing the laminated web in a second pattern to provide an embossed web, wherein the embossing step takes place after the laminated web is laminated.

Abstract: Patterned fibrous structures, especially patterned latex-containing fibrous structures, or multi-ply sanitary tissue products comprising same, and methods for making such structures and/or sanitary tissue products are provided.

Abstract: A film-forming composition for use in preparing water-soluble films that are rapidly dissolving under cold water conditions, the composition comprising a water soluble polymer material such as polyvinyl alcohol and a principal solvent, typically diol(s) or derivative of a diol. Films made from the film-forming compositions may be used to encapsulate a variety of compositions for subsequent release into an aqueous medium. Encapsulated compositions can include various laundry detergents and additives, fabric care compositions such as fabric softening compositions and dishwashing detergents among others. When used to encapsulate compositions, the solvent system used in the film-forming composition will have at least one common solvent material as the solvent system used in the encapsulated composition to improve film dissolution and to prevent problems associated with solvent migration.

Abstract: Space within an IMS database can be managed during loading or updating of the database. After an IMS database is loaded, a space management program can assume control from the IMS program for a period of time. During this period of time, the space management program obtains memory addresses of IMS control blocks built by the IMS program and further obtains information about the IMS database. When the IMS program attempts to insert data into the IMS database, either during loading or updating of the database, the space management program reassumes control from the IMS program. The space management program selects a storage location for the data to be stored, and modifies the IMS control blocks to indicate the storage location selected. The space management program may also insert the data into the storage locations selected. Control is then passed back to the IMS program.

Abstract: A roll-forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of roll-forming stations adapted to facilitate the formation of either a C-shaped component or a Z-shaped component from a sheet of material. The roll-forming stations have forming rolls that make contact with the sheet of material and a pair of telescoping arbor assemblies that support the forming rolls so that the lateral distance between the forming rolls may be adjusted. The roll-forming apparatus has a number of movable forming rolls and a number of fixed forming rolls having two different forming surfaces to facilitate the formation of both C-shaped and Z-shaped components.