Abstract: A continuous flow recycling cleaning system includes a canister containing a liquid cleaning solution, and a dispensing conduit for conveying the cleaning solution from the canister to a cleaning tool head for direct application to a carpet, upholstery fabric or other material at an application area. A recovery conduit is connected to the cleaning tool head for returning recovered cleaning solution, along with air and extracted soil, to the canister. The system includes at least one ozone injector selectively positioned along a fluid flow pathway that includes the canister, the dispensing and recovery conduits, and the cleaning tool head. The fluid flow pathway further can include a counterflow conduit and an ozone-introduction conduit provided solely for the injection of ozone. Each injector is coupled to an ozone generator, to combine the ozone with the cleaning solution flowing through the injector.

Abstract: A remote controllable automatic moving vacuum cleaner comprises a body having a separate intake port to intake dust, a powered moving device enabling the body to be moved forward and backward, a powered direction changing device enabling the body to be moved leftward and rightward and a wired or wireless remote control to control the devices in order to freely move the body.

Abstract: A street sweeper is provided including a vacuum pick-up head having a relatively low noise level and high sweeping efficiency resulting from the careful control of the velocity and direction of the air flow. In order to control the air flow, the internal contour of the pick-up head is optimized to accommodate the streamline flow pattern to minimize turbulence and boundary layer separation. The cross sectional area of the internal contour of the pick-up head is designed to be substantially constant or slightly converging. A support assembly for supporting a nozzle assembly is provided which minimizes damage to the pick-up head and minimizes infiltration into the pick-up head. A suction tube is also provided which minimizes the noise level and increases the efficiency of the pick-up head and the fan.

Abstract: A combined vacuum cleaner and broom device includes an elongate hollow handle connected at its lower end to separable housing parts. The housing part contains an electric motor and fan and the housing part contains a dust collecting compartment. Lines of bristles extend across a lower end of the housing part and form between them a dust passage. The dust passage is partly closed off by elongate porous resilient pads. Rechargeable batteries are stored with the handle and an electric switch with a slidable operating disc turns the motor ON and OFF. The lines of bristles are relatively off-set with respect to the height of the device to provide a normal sweeping orientation during use, that is with the handle at say 25.degree. to the vertical. The device is normally used simultaneously as a broom and the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An upright wet extractor includes a base assembly, a manipulative handle pivotally attached to the base assembly, and a motor driven agitator brush. A cleaning solution dispensing tank is removably attached to the handle assembly by a pivotable latch member. In a floor cleaning mode, cleaning solution is selectively supplied by gravity from the dispensing tank to a spray nozzle through a supply tube controlled by a pinch valve. In an attachment hose cleaning mode, cleaning solution is selectively supplied by a motor driven pump from the dispensing tank to an attachment hose spray nozzle controlled by a trigger valve. A suction motor/fan assembly is carried by the base assembly which is selectively in fluid communication with a floor nozzle in the floor mode and a hose nozzle in the attachment mode. Conversion between floor mode and attachment mode is carried out by manual operation of a knob of a multi-functional valve/switch assembly.

Abstract: A clutch control mechanical device is disclosed for the brush axle of a vacuum cleaner. The clutch control mechanical device is located at the undercarriage of the machine with a pressure control shaft extending out of the inner sides of the undercarriage. At the corresponding position, the underside of the upper body joining the undercarriage is equipped with a pressure control piece so that when the upper body is in a vertical position to the undercarriage, the pressure control piece shall press down on the pressure control shaft of the clutch control mechanical device which suspends rotation of the brush axle. When the upper body is in a slanted angle to the undercarriage, the removal of external force shall return the pressure control shaft to its original position by a spring bias which rotates the brush axle.

Abstract: A suction pipe assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a suction pipe body and a brush member. The suction pipe body is provided with a distal open end portion. The brush member includes a brush base which has a generally U-shaped cross section, a rear section that straddles the distal open end portion of the pipe body and that has opposite lateral side portions pivoted respectively to two diametrically opposite positions of the distal open end portion of the pipe body, and a front section with a distal front end face. The brush member further includes a plurality of bristles provided on the front end face of the front section of the brush base. The brush base is pivotable with respect to the distal open end portion of the pipe body between a position of use, wherein the front section of the brush base extends frontwardly relative to the distal open end portion of the pipe body, and a storing position, wherein the front section of the brush base straddles the pipe body.

Abstract: A grip-shell arrangement on a utensil, for instance a pocket knife, a flashlight or the like, the housing wall of which is covered by at least one shell, each shell having a plurality of openings through which there extend plastic knobs of a plastic core which is arranged in the hollow space of the shells and constitutes the connecting member between the shell and housing wall. The plastic core has two regions (3, 4) of different hardness, the knobs (5) being associated with the soft region and the attachment to the housing (1) being associated with the hard region (4).

Abstract: A hinge for mounting a door to a frame includes a mounting cup having an outer perimeter adapted for mounting within a recess formed in the door and a hinge member for being mounted to the frame and coupled to the mounting cup to allow selective pivotal movement of the door with respect to the frame. The mounting cup has an outer perimeter having a first portion with a first effective outer diameter and a second portion having a second effective outer diameter, the first outer diameter being larger than the second outer diameter, the first portion being adapted to provide an interference fit within the recess when the mounting cup is inserted into the recess. The first portion of the outer perimeter may be adapted to include at least one arcuate threaded section and at least one unthreaded section. The threaded sections may be removable segments that are coupled to the outer perimeter. The hinge may also include a compliant cup or ring that encircles at least partially the outer perimeter of the mounting cup.

Abstract: In order to control cotton fibre fluctuation between the compactor device (5) and the drafting unit (6) within a card (1A), the drafting unit (6) can be moved (either along a rectilinear trajectory and/or along a circular trajectory) between a first position (L) coinciding with its maximum distance from the compactor device (5) and a second position coinciding with its minimum distance from said compactor device (5) until said distance is reduced to the minimum possible. The distance between the drafting unit (6) and the compactor device (5) varies in a manner inversely proportional to the operating speed of the card (1A). In an alternative embodiment:a support and guide element (40) for the web (9) is positioned between the doffer (2) and the pair of rollers (7, 8) of the compactor device (5);a conveyor device (24) is interposed between the compactor device (5) and the drafting unit (6) (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A card apparatus for producing an aerodynamically formed fibrous web (4), includes a fiber feed means (6), a main cylinder (8) rotating at high speed and a shaft (10) arranged at main cylinder (8), the shaft transporting thrown-off fibers in an airflow (12) to an air-permeable web transport means (14) and disposing said fibers on said web transport means (14) in the form of a fibrous web (4). In this apparatus the main cylinder (8) throws off said fibers at a first location (22) of shaft (10) onto a second cylinder (20) rotating at high speed in opposite sense to main cylinder (8) and generating a random orientation of said fibers on cylinder (20), and the second cylinder (20) throws off said fibers into airflow (12) at a second location (24) of shaft (10).

Abstract: An article carrying device releasably attachable to clothing or an accessory of a user. A clip is provided with a section of hook and loop fastening material that will releasably retain an article that has either a cooperating section of hook and loop fastening material or a texture which will be retained by said section of hook and loop fastening material. The article is releasably attached to the clip by alignment and manual pressing of the section of hook and loop fastening material on the clip and the cooperating portion of the article. The carried article is easily and quickly accessible to the user by removing from the clip by manual pulling and separation. The article carrying clip is particularly suited for retaining golf gloves when temporarily removed by a golfer, for example while putting.

Abstract: A clip for holding a writing instrument such as a ballpoint or felt tipped pen is provided which is also useful as a book mark, for example in a text book. The device is formed from an inexpensive, suitable plastic and allows the user to withdraw the pen shaft for writing while the pen cap is retained by the clip. Depending legs pivot to accept book pages for maintaining the clip in frictional engagement thereon.

Abstract: A cable tie (10) includes a tie portion (12) and a head portion (14). The tie portion (12) is inserted through a slot (16) of the head portion (14). The slot (16) allows for insertion of the tie portion (12) and prevents de-insertion of the tie portion (12). After insertion, an excess length 22 of the tie portion (12) is trimmed away leaving a remaining edge (24). The head portion (14) includes a safety guard (18) attached by a flexible hinge (20) that snaps onto the head portion (14) to enclose the remaining edge (24).

Abstract: Disclosed is a belt buckle including a main body having a belt end fixing means for firmly holding an end of a belt, a passage for another end of the belt to thread through, and a chamber formed behind the passage for receiving a ratchet wheel, a brake member, a push plate, a push button, and springs therein. The chamber is openably closed with a back cover. The ratchet wheel has teeth projected into the passage to press against and rotate in the same direction as the moving belt. One of the springs is positioned behind the brake member to press the latter against the ratchet wheel, so that the ratchet wheel can only rotate in one direction and therefore stops the belt from moving backward. The push button can be depressed to push the push plate backward and therefore causes the brake member to disengage from the ratchet wheel, allowing the ratchet wheel to rotate in a reverse direction to loosen the belt.

Abstract: An anchor for attaching a strap or belt to a panel is a one piece structure having a web attached to two flanges such that the flanges extend parallel to one another and spaced apart by a distance greater than the panel thickness. Each flange has a free end with a transverse aperture forming a loop to receive the strap therethrough. The panel has an arcuate slot near the edge. The free end of one of the flanges is passed through the slot to mount the anchor on the panel with the web within the slot and the loops beyond the edge of the panel to receive the belt in a fixed belt loop or an adjustable snubbing arrangement. The web has a curved inner margin to permit limited swivelling motion.

Abstract: A surface fastener molded of synthetic resin, comprises a substrate sheet, and a multiplicity of hook elements molded on at least one surface of the substrate sheet, each hook element having a hook body having a stem and a curved portion. Each of the hook elements has first and second reinforcing ribs projecting from opposite side surfaces of the hook body. The first reinforcing rib is greater in height than the second reinforcing rib. In the presence of the first and second reinforcing ribs different in height, compression stresses developed in the hook body are dispersed at two or more points when a companion engaging element is removed off the hook element.

Abstract: A connecting apparatus for detachably interconnecting two objects includes male and female structures respectively connectable to the objects. The female structure is of unitary, one-piece construction having parallel planar walls cooperating to define a receptacle therebetween, one wall having an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of the wall for opening thereat to define an entrance. An inclined flexible and resilient cam portion is laterally offset to one side of the entrance and is integral with the one wall and inclined out of the plane thereof toward the other wall. Male structure has a stud projecting therefrom with a part-circular head having a straight side and dimensioned to pass through the entrance so that, in one rotational orientation of the head, it will clear the cam portion to permit free passage into and out of the receptacle.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (100) comprising: a frame (102) having a tongue receiving opening (170) to receive a tongue (173) as the tongue is moved in a first direction, a latch member (180) arranged to move from a latched position to an unlatched position, an ejector to eject the tongue which the latch member is in its unlatched position, an electronic sensor assembly (400) located upon the frame (102) comprising a magnetic sensor and a spaced magnet, a metal bar (260) supported on one of the latch member (180), the ejector (131) or a pivot member (500) and movable into position between the sensor and the magnet.

Abstract: A buckling device used in conjunction with a strap for holding an object firmly in position is provided. The buckling device includes a male fastener and a female fastener. The male fastener includes a strap-mounting body for fixing a first end of the strap thereto and a tongue-like member formed on the strap-mounting body. The female fastener includes a rectangular body having a hollowed inside and formed with an insertion hole; a locking/releasing piece pivotally mounted on the rectangular body; and an elastic piece provided at the insertion hole. To engage, the tongue-like member on the male fastener is inserted into the insertion hole in the female fastener. The tongue-like member pressed on the elastic piece such that the elastic piece is bent downwards and thereby urges forcibly against the tongue-like member, thereby locking the tongue-like member in position in the female fastener and thus securely engages the male fastener with the female fastener.

Abstract: Yarn hanging and blowing nozzle structure, comprising mainly a hollow housing in which is a fixed block, at one end of the fixed block is an air inlet, on top of the fixed block are a movable first slide block and a second slide block, between the two slide blocks is a driving mechanism, for moving the first and the second slide blocks in opposite directions, a block piece located in the housing corresponding to the air inlet of the fixed block and between the two slide blocks, the block piece having an air hole that communicates with the air inlet; so, before blowing air on the yarns, the yarns are hanged on the block piece, the first and the second slide blocks are respectively driven to move in opposite directions, so the air inlet communicates with the air hole, and the block piece is obstructed by the second slide block, so the compressed air is blown directly onto the yarns, thus the operator needs only move the two slide blocks to expose the block piece outside the housing for either yarn hanging proce

Abstract: A rod feeder assembly composed of elongated tubular members arranged in vical courses and disposed in a box, the tubular members being flush at their downstream end and provided with a loading section at the upstream or the opposite end. The tubular members are of the same length in the same course but are shorter in the upper courses. The method for automatically feeding rods into a matrix includes the steps of randomly disposing the rods on the loading sections of the tubular members, aligning and positioning the rods in the tubular members by vibrating the tubular members in an inclined disposition, and transferring the rods from the rod feeder assembly to the matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an energy-trapped type piezoelectric resonator, which comprises a piezoelectric resonance element having a piezoelectric plate and a pair of resonance electrodes formed on opposite major surfaces of the piezoelectric plate to have portions opposed to each other through the piezoelectric plate for defining a resonance part through the opposed portions of the resonance electrodes, a pair of reinforcing members holding both major surfaces of the piezoelectric resonance element to be integrated with the same so as to define a space in a region around the resonance part of the piezoelectric resonance element and not to inhibit the resonance part from vibration, and a pair of terminals, holding the piezoelectric resonance element and the pair of reinforcing members as integrated, electrically connected with the pair of resonance electrodes of the piezoelectric resonance element respectively.

Abstract: A bungee loader having a base and two fixed vertical posts with a movable cross arm sleeved over each post. The cross arm further has two descending arms that are slideably connected to the cross arm with sleeves. The descending arms further each have a fixed cross bar containing two fixed hooks. A self contained hydraulic jack attached to the base is operable to lift the cross arm and slideably attached descending arms. The slideable descending arms lift and load a bungee cord on a hydrasorb unit centrally secured in the base.

Abstract: A tool for the replacement of wheel holding studs in the inner hub of a dual wheel unit, in which the stud is pulled into the hole provided for the stud without requiring removal of the inner hub. The tool includes a piston-cylinder assembly adapted to operate on fluid pressure.

Abstract: A jig bench for facilitating the assembly of a golf club, consists of a base, a shaft accommodating portion for accommodating a shaft of the golf club and a head accommodating portion for accommodating a head of the golf club. The shaft accommodating portion consists of a first bed pivotably connected to the base, a pneumatically-activated clamp mounted on the first bed for clamping the shaft and a pair of supporting members mounted on the first bed and located beside the clamp for supporting the shaft. The head accommodating portion consists of a second bed pivotably connected to the first bed and a pneumatically-activated clamping mechanism for clamping the head. The jig bench further includes a controlling mechanism which can be manipulated to accurately adjust the relative angle between the first and second beds.

Abstract: A method for automated assembly of a frictionally engaging clutch disc subassembly, employing a tooling jig in conjunction with appropriately configured subassembly friction facings and cushioning plate, whereby need for post-manufacture rotational balancing is eliminated.

Abstract: A punch retainer which, in one preferred form, includes at least one bolt head seat formed in the retainer's body for receiving a bolt by which the retainer is fixed to a punch press's mounting plate. The seat is defined in the retainer's bottom face adjacent a peripheral side wall, and a section of the peripheral side wall is removed from the retainer's body to provide access to the seat in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the retainer's bottom face. The punch retainer, in another preferred form, includes a backing plate and a body. A method of assembling this latter punch retainer with a punch press' mounting plate includes press fitting a registration dowel in assembled relation with the retainer's backing plate and body in a tight press fit relation so as to connect firmly the backing plate with the body.

Abstract: A method is described for creating an inductor in the package for an integrated circuit. The inductor is formed by utilizing one or more of the bond leads as the core of the inductor and by winding a series of coils about the core in connection either with the bond pads of the integrated circuit itself or to other bond leads for connection outside the integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A current sensor operable over a selected operating frequency range includes a flux concentrating core. The core is fabricated by forming a series of tape-wound laminations into a desired closed shape, securing the laminations together at a point and removing material at the point to create a gap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of mounting components and recognizing two different types of components, one by a photographic recognition practice and the other by an optical recognition practice. At least two pick-up devices are carried by a mounting head and a light source and background device is moveable supported by the mounting head into a first position wherein a photographic recognition method can be practiced on a component mounted on one of the pick-up devices, a second position wherein one or both of the pick-up devices may hold components for recognition by the optical device and a third position where a camera carried by the mounting head can be employed for recognizing a substrate. The control routines for each type of sensing operation are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for mounting a chip make it possible to accomplish quick chip mounting and also to mount multiple different chips on substrates. Three heads are provided around a center rod of a head assembly; they horizontally rotate around the center rod. When the heads rotate horizontally, they are turned 180 degrees vertically by a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear. A nozzle of one of the heads picks up a flip chip from a wafer sheet and rotates 180 degrees horizontally to transfer the flip chip to a transferring head, during which it vertically inverts 180 degrees so as to vertically invert the flip chip. The transferring head receives the flip chip from the head and mounts it on a substrate. According to the type of chips to be mounted, the heads and the transferring head are equipped with nozzles best suited for the type of chips.

Abstract: A printed circuit assembly and method of making the same utilize in one embodiment an adhesive layer including a plurality of non-conductive "gauge particles" disposed within a non-conductive adhesive. When the adhesive layer is disposed between opposing printed circuit layers (be they insulating substrates, conductive layers, or other layers), individual gauge particles are interposed or sandwiched at various points between the layers such that the diameters of the particles control the layer separation throughout overlapping areas of thereof, thereby permitting careful control over layer separation. A printed circuit assembly and method of making the same utilize in another embodiment an interlayer interconnecting technology incorporating conductive posts that are deposited on one of a pair of contact pads formed on opposing printed circuit boards and thereafter bonded to the other in the pair of contact pads during lamination.

Abstract: A bracket assembly and method for attaching pin-in-hole components and daughter boards to a surface mount printed circuit board which alleviates the problem of the limited peel strength of the interconnect patterns on the surface of surface mount boards and also prevents these components from being subjected to the heat of soldering techniques such as reflow soldering.

Abstract: Methods for making a printed wiring device including a substrate having a metal-plateable member and an electrical component having a metal plateable lead connected with the metal-plateable member, the lead and the member being electrically interconnected by a metal layer plated on the lead and on the member and forming an electrically conductive path between the lead and the member.

Abstract: Solder balls are placed onto multiple I/O pads of an integrated circuit package by the steps of a) providing a template with a channel which has multiple openings on a surface of the template that match the pattern of the I/O pads; b) pouring a plurality of the solder balls onto the surface of the template; c) vibrating the template and thereby seating a respective solder ball in each of the template openings; d) turning the template over, after the vibrating step and while a vacuum is applied to the channel, to remove excess solder balls from the template; and e) removing the vacuum from the channel when the solder balls on the turned over template are aligned to the I/O pads of the integrated circuit package. Due to the vibrating step, the solder balls settle in the template openings in a position where vacuum leaks past the solder balls become minimized; and that stops the solder balls from dropping out of the template openings when the template is turned over.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing cracked core spray supply piping in a boiling water reactor vessel includes a pair of clamps extending circumferentially around the piping on opposite sides of a crack and a preloading mechanism urging the clamps toward one another to apply and maintain an axially compressive load on the piping tending to close the crack. For vertical sections of core spray supply piping, the clamps are secured at vertically spaced locations with each of the clamps including a first jaw extending circumferentially around a first portion of the piping and including a first opening oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the piping and an elongate passage or channel oriented substantially perpendicular to and in communication with the first opening.

Abstract: Laminate structures for attachment to a head suspension assembly in a hard disk drive. The laminate structures include a spring metal layer, a conductive layer, and an intermediate insulator/adhesive layer. The conductive layer can act as an interconnect assembly, as a gimbal, and as a spring region. The method of manufacture of the laminate structures incorporates manufacture of an interconnect assembly into the manufacture of spring structures such as a load beam or a gimbal. The laminate structures are manufactured by etching the layers from the outside in, using other layers as etching masks. Unique configurations are possible where either or both metal layers can be discontinuous, thanks to the manufacturing support of the second layer. The second layer can also be shaped into a plurality of panels, thus freeing the metal layers to act as the spring elements.

Abstract: A folding knife which includes a latchable blade. The blade is pivotable about a pivoting axis or bolt between two halves of a housing.

Abstract: A gardening shears consists of a fixed jaw, a movable jaw fastened pivotally with the fixed jaw and provided with a blade opposite to the fixed jaw, a braking member fastened pivotally with the fixed jaw and provided with a slide slot in which a pivoting member is capable of moving back and forth so as to actuate the movable jaw, and two handles fastened respectively with the fixed jaw and the braking member. As one of the two handles is moved in the direction away from another one of the two handles, the pivoting member is caused to relocated in the slide slot of the braking member so as to bring about a desired change in the length of the arm of application to make the pruning job easier.

Abstract: A wrenchless collet for attaching a surgical saw blade to an oscillating handpiece. The collet is provided within a housing attached to the handpiece and contains a clamping means for holding the blade and a bi-stable operating mechanism capable of holding the clamping means in either an open position to receive the blade or in a closed position to hold the blade for use with the handpiece. The bi-stable operating mechanism is activated into either position by simply being pushed in one direction or another. In one embodiment, the bi-stable operating mechanism comprises a shaft which may be positioned to one axial extreme or the other and which is held in the chosen position by a spring which frictionally engages the collet housing to maintain the clamping means in either an open or closed position.

Abstract: A cutter and separator utensil is disclosed whereby means for cutting an article of food into portions are combined with means for separating from the walls of cookware portions of food adhering thereto. The utensil of this invention can be commercialized as a disposable and as a nondisposable article of manufacture fabricated from either metallic or nonmetallic materials that are food industry safe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a razor for wet shaving having an integral holder. The integral holder allows the user of the razor to conveniently place the razor on a surface for temporary storage during shaving. The holder is preferably such so that it does not interfere with the actual use of the razor, but may be easily employed as desired to store the razor. One preferred embodiment of the holder consists of a plurality of legs which fold outward from the handle of the razor so that the razor may be stored in a standing position. A second preferred embodiment of the holder consists of a suction cup which is affixed to the body of the razor handle. This second preferred embodiment would be especially preferred among users who may wish to temporarily store the razor on a shower wall and could easily do so by attaching the suction cup to the shower wall.

Abstract: A laser gradient setting device, having such arrangement that a reference laser beam with a gradient emitted and a reference laser beam in vertical direction is emitted, whereby the laser gradient setting device can be easily positioned by the reference laser beam in vertical direction by a single worker.

Abstract: A combination level has a carrier forming two opposite parallel major surfaces. A tube level is mounted on one of the surfaces of the circular level and a circular is mounted on the other, opposite, surface. either one of the major surfaces can be used directly to abut against a work to be aligned or an additional, preferably elongate, member can be attached to the carrier and which abuts against the work. The carrier is mounted on the abutting member at known angular relationship or the carrier can be mounted for selected angular adjustments abutting to the abutting member, so that selected positioning of the tubular and circular levels are relative to each other on substantially horizontal planes where contact of the work, allows measurement of vertical alignment and plumb condition of the work.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a segmented, combination level and square that has a rotating joint. In a preferred embodiment, this hand tool provides the user with many optional tools in one. The tool can be configured as a level, a T-square, a framing square, a T-bevel, or a pocket square. In a preferred embodiment, this multi-segmented combination tool also provides the user with a convenient way not only to configure a level, in one inch increments, to any length from several inches to at least ten feet in length, but also to create more than one tool at a time such as a T-level and a framing square. In other preferred embodiments, the user is provided with optional features that enable them to carry on-site a single tool that can perform all tasks needed to do general construction layout such as roof framing.

Abstract: A manual three dimensional coordinate measuring machine has a probe manually movable along three orthogonal coordinate axes, X, Y and Z, and a Z axis member supporting the probe. The size and shape of a workpiece is determined by displacements along the three axes from a predetermined origin when the probe contacts the workpiece. The manual coordinate measuring machine further includes a slide ring positioned at the bottom side of the Z axis member and at least one elastic member. The slide ring is movable in an arbitrary direction relative to the Z axis and along the Z axis. The slide ring is held at a predetermined position in the plane and along the Z axis by the at least one elastic member. The at least one elastic member allows the slide ring to move in the plane or along the Z axis by elastic deformation of the at least one elastic member in response to a force which is larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a fiber web is provided by pressing the web, preferably by impulse drying and then introducing the web into a gas pressurized zone followed by reducing the pressure in the zone, the reduction preferably being effected with cooling of the fiber web.

Abstract: A portable dryer including a housing having an integrated fold up handle. At the outlet of the housing is an adjustable vent. The portable dryer is battery powered and may be used as cosmetic air dryer. A motor drives a variable speed fan which produces both cool and hot air.

Abstract: An electric fan including a stepped cylindrical housing covered with an air output cap, a motor fastened to a mounting ring inside the housing, a locating ring mounted inside the housing and holding an axle bearing, an axle bearing revolvably supported on the axle bearing and turned with the motor shaft of the motor, and three fan blade wheel assemblies mounted on the axle inside the housing, each fan blade wheel assembly having a fan blade wheel fixedly mounted around the axle and a hood with a center hole fixedly mounted inside the housing and covered over the fan blade wheel.