Abstract: A laryngeal mask airway has a curved tubular guide for insertion through the patient's mouth and oropharynx. After insertion of the guide, the beveled distal opening of the guide abuts the laryngeal inlet, while the guide's proximal opening remains outside the patient's mouth. A laryngeal mask surrounds the distal opening of the guide to substantially seal the laryngeal inlet about the distal opening of the guide. A ventilation port adjacent to the proximal opening of the guide supplies air/oxygen through the guide into the patient's lungs. An endotracheal tube can then be advanced along the length of guide and through the patient's larynx without interrupting ventilation.

Abstract: A portable air temperature controlling device useful for warming air surrounding an aerosolized drug formulation is described. Warming the air of an aerosol makes it possible to reduce the size of aerosol particles produced by an aerosol generation device. Additionally, warming the air forces the size of the aerosol particles to be in the range required for systemic drug delivery independent of ambient conditions. Smaller particles can be more precisely targeted to different areas of the respiratory tract.

Abstract: The present invention is an exhaust airway for a continuous positive airway pressure mask for assisting in the treatment of sleep apnea. The present invention generally comprises an improved structure and method of exhausting air from the nosepiece of the mask, which structure and method can be incorporated into most standard CPAP respiratory masks, to keep the exhaust air away form the user and/or the user's bed partner. An elongated exhaust passage is provided, separate from the inlet air passage but preferably attached or molded into the respiratory mask intake hose. The exhaust airway has an intake hole on the respiratory mask at or near where the intake air hose attaches to the mask. The exhaust airway runs along the intake air hose for about 7 inches or more and then ends with an exit hole from which the exhaust air actually escapes.

Abstract: With an object of realizing an intruded object capable of carrying out magnetic resonance imaging in a state of being intruded into an object and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for capturing an image of the object having the intruded object, at least a unit of an intruded object 400 such as a piercing needle intruded into an inner unit of the object, is constituted by a substance 402 or 404 having an atomic nucleus having a gyromagnetic ratio different from a gyromagnetic ratio of spin of an atomic nucleus of a substance occupying a majority in the object.

Abstract: A circuit for detection of the presence of a permanent magnet in the vicinity of an active implantable medical device, in particular a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a cardioverter and/or a multisite device. This circuit includes a coil (12), able to respond to the presence of the magnet (16) so as to present a decreased value of its inductance, a resonant LC circuit (10) including the aforementioned coil, a generator (18) for pulse excitation of the resonant circuit; a circuit to analyze the pulse response of the resonant circuit, and a discriminating circuit, able to evaluate the value of the coil inductance from the analyzed pulse response and, correlatively, to determine therefrom the presence or the absence of the magnet.

Abstract: Filter cigarettes of unit or multiple unit length are produced in a tipping machine wherein successive groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter rod sections are caused to roll within a channel bounded by surfaces at least one of which moves relative to the other(s). This results in the conversion of uniting bands, which are carried by successive groups into the inlet of the channel, into tubular sleeves connecting the tubular wrapper(s) of the filter rod section(s) to the plain cigarette(s) of the respective group. The wrappers, and normally also the uniting bands, are perforated in the channel subsequent to, or in part simultaneously with, the conversion of uniting bands into the respective sleeves. Each filter cigarette can be provided with one or more arrays, such as annuli, of perforations, e.g., by mutually inclined laser beams.

Abstract: A combination bingo card marker or dauber and lighter wherein on one end of the item is the dauber and the other end contains the lighter such that a person playing bingo can light a cigarette without having to put down their dauber.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to high opacity cigarette wrapping papers. The wrapping paper made according to the present invention contains a mixture of a white pigment and a black pigment. The white pigment, which can be, for instance, calcium carbonate, has a median particle size of from about 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns, and particularly from about 0.2 microns to about 0.4 microns. It has been discovered that this particular particle size range, which is equal to one-half the wavelength of visible light, greatly increases the opacity, brightness and whiteness of the paper. Small amounts of a black pigment, such as carbon, are then added to further increase the opacity without significantly decreasing the whiteness or brightness of the paper relative to conventional cigarette paper.

Abstract: A process for fabricating custom fit removable and reusable false metal fingernails. The steps include pouring impression material around the fingernail and nail bed and forming a negative finger impression of the fingernail and nail bed. The negative finger impression is now filled with an investment material for forming a positive investment impression of the fingernail and nail bed. An artificial plastic fingernail tip is now attached to the nail bed of the fingernail on the positive investment impression. Wax is now spread in the fingernail bed next to the cuticle for covering an area in the bed not covered by the plastic tip. One end of a wax sprue is now melted and attached to a center portion of the plastic fingernail tip. Another end of the wax sprue is inserted into a top of a rubber ring former.

Abstract: A container for health and beauty aids having a novel cap and a cap therefor are disclosed. The cap has a recess in which an entertainment device is disposed. The entertainment device may include a touch activated light and/or sound package. When the user depresses an element on the cap, a touch switch is activated, and the light package lights up and/or the sound package generates a sound or noise. Alternatively, the cap may include one or more fluids disposed in the cap; the fluids are preferably immiscible. Small items such as glitter or confetti may be suspended in the fluids.

Abstract: A dispenser for material including an applicator, an elongated housing member with a well at one end thereof for receiving the applicator to shield the applicator, a laterally opening receptacle carried by the housing member for holding a coherent body of the material to be dispensed and applied, and structure carried by or forming a part of the housing member for closing the receptacle to shield the material.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for cleaning or etching wafers. The invention further provides a megasonic transducer designed to apply mechanical vibrations to a layer of fluid in contact with a wafer. The electromechanical transducer is housed in a quartz or sapphire lens which is chemically compatible with the layer of fluid, and sealed to protect the housing interior from fluids and chemical fumes. An electrical power source produces a signal that is sent to the transducer to generate a megasonic wave. The wave travels between the lens and the wafer, through the layer of fluid, dislodging small particles from the wafer which are then removed in the fluid stream. In one embodiment of the present invention, a wafer to be cleaned is placed on a rotatable support below a transducer assembly. A fluid is introduced through the transducer assembly to provide a layer of fluid between the lens and wafer.

Abstract: A surface of an article of stainless steel becomes to have increased corrosion resistance by treatment with a heated aqueous hydroxylamine salt solution.

Abstract: A scraper for removing deposits from the exterior of a tubular member includes elements defining an outer jacket which has an inwardly open circumferential recess and two aligned axial openings, and a scraper element in the form of an elongate resilient wire bent to define a series of integral, concatenated, resilient segments, each pair of adjacent segments being connected through a bend or geniculation. All geniculations are received within the recess, and each segment of wire extends generally along a chord of the aligned axial openings. The positions of the chords are distributed around the circumference of the axial openings such that, in order for the tubular member to be accommodated through the aligned openings, the various segments must be deformed outwardly, whereby the resilience of the thus deformed segment urges it inwardly against the tubular member, and causes it to clean the tubular member as the scraper moves axially.

Abstract: In a method for rinsing and drying a semiconductor workpiece in a micro-environment, the workpiece is placed into a rinser/dryer housing. The rinser/dryer housing is rotated by a rotor motor. The rinser/dryer housing defines a substantially closed rinser/dryer chamber. Rinsing and drying fluids are distributed across at least one face of the semiconductor workpiece by the action of centrifugal force generated during rotation of the housing. A fluid supply system is connected to sequentially supply a rinsing fluid followed by a drying fluid to the chamber as the housing is rotated.

Abstract: A leg support for attachment to a crutch for supporting the affected leg of a user, and having a cushioned upper surface. The support is preferably adjustable to a variety of heights on the crutch, and adjustable to position the cushioned upper member at one or more preselected angles for enhanced comfort.

Abstract: An ergonomically enhanced crutch that has a unitary upright member that is readily manufacturable and which has a upper section and a lower section that are generally straight sections. An intermediate section forms an indentation and a handle extends from the indentation outwardly for gripping by the patent. The crutch also includes an upper arm cradle that is affixed to the unitary upright member in a telescoping manner and its location is adjustable by the user to a comfortable position. Similarly, a bottom member is telescopingly affixed to the lower section and can be adjusted along the length of the lower section for the convenience and comfort of the patient. The upper arm cradle thus is angularly inclined upwardly in the direction the patient is facing to provide added comfort for the patient.

Abstract: This disclosed generators include one or more transducers that use electroactive polymer films to convert thermally generated mechanical energy to electrical energy. The generators may include one or more transmission mechanisms that convert a portion of thermal energy generated from a heat source such as internal combustion, external combustion, solar energy, geothermal energy or waste heat, to mechanical energy that is used to drive the one or more transducers located in the generator. The energy received by the transducers may be converted to electrical energy by the transducers in conjunction with conditioning electronics located within the generator. One embodiment of the present invention provides an energy conversion device with two chambers each chamber including a diaphragm transducer that may convert thermal energy to electricity using a thermodynamic cycle such as a Stirling gas cycle.

Abstract: A solar cell module in which a plurality of photovoltaic elements are installed such that they are electrically connected with each other, wherein an overvoltage preventive element is electrically connected to each photovoltaic element in parallel connection, and said overvoltage preventive element exhibits a one-way continuity and has a minimum operating voltage which is smaller than an open-circuit voltage of said photovoltaic element and is greater than an optimum operating voltage of said photovoltaic element. A sunlight power generation system comprising said solar cell module and an inverter.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell comprises an electrode layer, a photovoltaic layer, a hole transport layer, a conductive layer and a counter electrode layer stacked in this order.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating solid-state energy-storage and energy-conversion devices including fabrication of films for devices without an anneal step, especially for the fabrication of supercapacitors and photovoltaic cells. A film is fabricated by depositing a first material layer to a location. Energy is supplied directly to the material forming the film. The energy can be in the form of energized ions of a second material. Supplying energy directly to the material and/or the film being deposited assists the growth of the crystalline structure of the film and controls stoichiometry.

Abstract: A hollow tap having an axially outward extending cutting tooth so that when the cutting tooth is brought into rotational pressure engagement with a resilient tubing the cutting tooth cuts a hole partially through the resilient tubing leaving a coupon hingedly but securely attached to the resilient tubing to maintain the coupon in an out-of-the-way condition within the resilient tubing. Continued rotation of the tap within a saddle brings a sealing surface on the cutting tube into fluid tight seal with the resilient tubing to provide a branch outlet to the resilient tubing though the tap.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and methods for mixing gases. The apparatuses are suitable for use in the manufacture of an electronic device. The apparatuses include a gas mixing manifold. A first, bulk gas source is connected to introduce a flow of a first gas to the manifold. A second gas source is connected to introduce a flow of a second gas to the manifold. The first and second gases are mixed in the manifold, thereby forming a gas mixture. A conduit is connected to one or more point of use for introducing a flow of the gas mixture thereto. The present invention is particularly applicable in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Abstract: A float actuated drain system for reservoirs containing pressurized air and/or liquids such as drain valves for traps used in the accumulation of condensate materials from pneumatic systems opens and closes a drain valve depending upon the water level in the reservoir. The drain valve uses internal pressure released from within the reservoir through a normally closed orifice and passing through a tube to operate a drain valve actuator. A lever pivotally mounted inside the reservoir has a float on one end and a stopper on the opposite end which closes the orifice when the liquid level in the reservoir is low and which moves away from the orifice when the fluid reaches a high level in the reservoir to release pressure through the orifice to operate the valve actuator and open the drain valve. After the liquid drains from the reservoir, the float moves to a lower position and the stopper closes the orifice.

Abstract: A vent apparatus is adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank and includes a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material and containing a valve. The vent apparatus further includes a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material and coupled to the valve housing. The tank mount is adapted to be welded to an underlying fuel tank to support the valve housing within a mounting aperture formed in the fuel tank. The tank mount is coupled to the valve housing by a retainer ring formed to include an annular channel opening toward the valve housing. The valve housing includes an annular upper flange extending into an upper region of the annular channel formed in the retainer ring. The tank mount includes an annular lower flange extending into a lower region of that annular channel to mate with the overlying annular upper flange and trap a flange seal therebetween.

Abstract: A Bicycle Pump Fitting attached to a Clear Vinyl Hose. On the other end is a Completion Gauge with a Ball Foot Air Chuck with a clip. The Ball Foot Air Chuck holds the air pressure until the tool is installed. The clip holds the Ball Foot Air Chuck firmly on the tire stem during the air transfer process. The Completion Gauge will indicate that the air pressure transfer process is complete when the needle appears inside the Clear Vinyl Hose.

Abstract: A modular flow controller for controlling fluid flow, including a flow control assembly for establishing a desired flow rate. The flow control assembly includes a flow adjustment interface rendered in a substantially horizontal position for receiving a control input to establish a flow rate. The modular flow control assembly includes a valve assembly in operational engagement with the flow control assembly for discharging a desired quantity of fluid from the modular flow controller. The modular flow controller is preferably applied to a beverage dispenser's dispensing valve assembly, wherein the dispensing valve assembly includes a faucet plate. Accordingly, due to the configuration of the modular flow controller, it is unnecessary to secure the modular flow controller to the faucet plate for operation thereof. The modular flow controller includes a drink integrity locking unit for preventing access to a flow adjustment interface.

Abstract: A locking device for a ball valve of the type having an operating stem includes a post attached to the valve body with the post extending parallel but spaced axially from the valve stem and formed to receive a locking pin between the post and valve stem to prevent rotation of the stem.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and obtaining readings of parameters of a flowable medium within a system of conduits. At least one primary flow element is located at a predetermined position in a conduit system, wherein at least one primary flow element provides an interface for obtaining at least one flow parameter of a flowable medium within the conduit system. At least one signal processing and data transfer unit is comprised of a sensor operatively connected to the at least one primary flow element for converting readings from the at least one primary flow element to an analog electrical signal. It also includes an analog to digital converter receptively connected to the sensor for converting the analog signal received from the sensor to a digital signal. A transmission unit is connected to the analog to digital converter for transmitting the digital signal upon activation of a data transfer surface of the transmission unit.

Abstract: A bidirectional flow control valve functions as a pressure relief valve as to flow in one axial direction and as a check valve as to flow in the other direction, comprising a generally cylindrical casing with a central axial bore in which a poppet having a central head and peripheral flow openings and a cylindrical valve seat member having a central flow passage and an annular valve seat are slidably restrained and spring biased toward each other to seal the valve by engagement of the poppet head and the valve seat, preventing axial flow, the poppet biasing spring exerting a greater force on the poppet than the force exerted on the valve seat member by the valve seat member biasing spring such that the valve serves as a relief valve which opens when fluid pressure on the poppet compresses the poppet biasing spring allowing displacement of the poppet head from he valve seat and as a check valve when fluid pressure on the valve seat member compresses the valve seat member biasing spring allowing displacement of

Abstract: A reed valve for opening and closing an intake passage of an engine includes a valve body having a valve hole and a valve seat, and a reed piece made of a resin. The reed piece has a base end of which is supported by the valve body so as to be seated on a valve seat surface of the valve seat. An elongated member is formed on the valve body so as to extend across the valve hole. The outer surface of the elongated member lies in a plane including the valve seat surface. According to the present invention having the above described structure, bending deformation of the reed piece at the closed state can be deterred.

Abstract: A valve having a control means for the control of a fluid flow, such control means being able to be caused to move in two opposite switching directions. In order to render possible delay-free switching over after long periods of inactivity, a drive means is provided, which has spring means, which are tensioned when the control means is moved into a terminal switching position. The energy then stored is available for increasing the force during the next switching movement.

Abstract: An expanded-range pintle valve comprising a plurality of stages. Each stage comprises a valve seat and head capable of regulating flow through the valve over its own dynamic range. The valve head of a higher-flow stage includes the valve seat for the next-lower flow stage. The heads and seats for the multiple stages are nested concentrically, the progressively lower-flow stages having progressively smaller diameters. All valve heads except the lowest-flow head have axial and radial bores permitting flow therethrough so that flow may be regulated first by actuating the lowest-flow stage, then by actuating successively higher flow stages. A single pintle shaft connected to a solenoid actuator is adapted to engage each of the valve heads sequentially as the actuator progresses, beginning with the lowest-flow head, thereby extending incrementally the dynamic range of the valve as each stage is successively engaged.

Abstract: A polymeric hose assembly including a male hose inserted within a female hose connects an air cleaner to an internal combustion engine. An elastomeric seal including a plurality of bellows is bonded around the circumference of the exterior surfaces of the female hose and the male hose at bonding points. The plurality of bellows expand to allow for the expansion of the hose assembly to accommodate for engine movement and vibrations.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for bundling a plurality of wires placed on a receiving plate. The apparatus is provided with a bundling pawl mechanism that includes a plate and a pair of pawl members. The pawl members are respectively supported at pivot points provided on the plate in spaced-apart relation and interconnected with driving units for opening and closing movement. The pawl members also respectively extend beyond an edge portion of the plate. A wire bundling region is formed between inner surfaces of the pawl members and the edge portion of the plate when at least one of the pawl members rotates toward the other of the pawl members in a closing direction. The bundling pawl mechanism further includes a wire catch prevention member that projects into the wire bundling region from an angled inner corner formed between the inner surface of the at least one pawl member and the edge portion of the plate when the at least one pawl member rotates in the closing position.

Abstract: A hydraulically operative post valve yoke mounting system. The system (10) includes one or more hydraulically operated yokes (41-44). Each yoke is operative to engage with a tank or cylinder (21-24) for placing the tanks in fluid communication with a high pressure source of gas (50). Each yoke includes a yoke body (140). The upper ends of each yoke body include a bore (116). A pin (104) is operative to slide through each bore. Each yoke body includes an opening (124) that is operative to receive a post valve (108) of a tank (110). Each yoke is operative to urge the post valve with the pin into sealed engagement with a passageway (142) in the lower end (114) of each yoke responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure. The hydraulic pressure may be supplied by a hydraulic pump (28) in fluid communication with hydraulic yoke.

Abstract: A funnel structure with different cross-sectional shaped bowl and spout for transferring viscous food materials from one vessel to another, to eliminate the problem of entrapped air causing splashing. The funnel has a circular bowl and a spout with a square cross-section which can be offset from the circular bowl.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a hybrid wood product that includes a void-free contact surface for abutment to another surface, for example a glass sheet. First, composite wood products are laminated to, and encompass, a solid-sawn lumber key. After cutting through the key and composite wood products, the resulting segments are milled to produce a hybrid wood product with a residual key contributing the void-free surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet excellent in magnetic properties, which are improved by irradiating laser beams onto the positions paired on the both surfaces of the steel sheet and forming fine closure domains, characterized in that the width of the closure domains in the rolling direction is 0.3 mm or less and the deviation in the rolling direction between the positions of the paired closure domains on the both surfaces is equal to or smaller than the width of said closure domains in the rolling direction. Further, the present invention relates to a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet excellent in magnetic properties, characterized in that the steel sheet has the marks of laser irradiation on its surface. Yet further, the present invention relates to a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet excellent in magnetic properties, characterized in that the substrate steel is not exposed at the portions of laser irradiation on the surface of the steel sheet.

Abstract: A magnetic core for use in a saturable reactor made of an Fe-based soft-magnetic alloy comprising as essential alloying elements Fe, Cu and M, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, W, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti and Mo, and having an alloy structure at least 50% in area ratio of which being fine crystalline particles having an average particle size of 100 nm or less. The magnetic core has control magnetizing properties of a residual operating magnetic flux density &Dgr;Bb of 0.12 T or less, a total control operating magnetic flux density &Dgr;Br of 2.0 T or more, and a total control gain Gr of 0.10-0.20 T/(A/m) calculated by the equation: Gr=0.8×(&Dgr;Br−&Dgr;Bb)/Hr, wherein Hr is a total control magnetizing force defined as a control magnetizing force corresponding to 0.8×(&Dgr;Br−&Dgr;Bb)+&Dgr;Bb.

Abstract: An Ni—Fe alloy material suitable for forming a ferromagnetic Ni—Fe alloy thin film is provided. The magnetic thin film produces a small number of particles during sputtering, and excels in corrosion resistance and magnetic properties. A method of manufacturing an Ni—Fe alloy sputtering target used to make the thin film is also provided. In addition, an Ni—Fe alloy sputtering target for forming magnetic thin films is provided. The sputtering target is characterized in that it has: an oxygen content of 50 ppm or less; an S content of 10 ppm or less; a carbon content of 50 ppm or less, and a total content of metal impurities other than the alloy components of 50 ppm or less. Such an Ni—Fe alloy target can be produced by melting and alloying high-purity materials obtained by dissolving the raw materials in hydrochloric acid, and performing ion exchange, activated-charcoal treatment, and electrolytic refining.

Abstract: Dip-coated ferrite stainless steel sheet usable in the automobile exhaust sector, characterized in that it comprises a steel core with the following composition by weight:

Abstract: A corrosion resistant aluminum alloy has controlled amounts of iron, manganese, chromium, and titanium along with levels of copper, silicon, nickel, and no more than impurity levels of zinc. The alloy chemistry is tailored such that the electrolytic potential of the grain boundaries matches the alloy matrix material to reduce intergranular corrosion. The alloy is particularly suited for the manufacture of tubing for heat exchangers using extrusion and brazing techniques.

Abstract: An improved transferable liner compartment having a dual compartment liner with a plurality of compartment inlets or connectors for accessing or retrieving select items. Each inlet operatively peels away at 90° with respect to each adjoining inlet to provide a predetermined expanse volume, and for providing either a vertical or horizontal opening orientation for a particular handbag or other carrier. The first and second inlets form an outer pouch and the third and fourth inlets form a inner pouch. The outer pouch has fasteners for quick and easy deployment and/or removal from a carrier such as a handbag, backpack, briefcase, etc.

Abstract: A money clip a first leaf, a second leaf, a spine and a clip. The first leaf has a first end and a second end. The first leaf includes a first main portion, an inner pocket and an outer pocket. The second leaf includes a second main portion, an inner pocket and an outer pocket. The inner pockets are attached to the first main portion and the second main portion to provide a first opening proximate the first end and a second opening proximate the second end. The outer pockets are attached to the second main portion to provide an opening proximate the first end. The spine is operably attached to the first ends of the first leaf and the second leaf. The clip is pivotally attached to the spine.

Abstract: A tire capable of reducing a resistance to a fluid in a groove to improve the wet performances. By forming smaller grooves (or riblets 20) having a depth set within a range of 0.01 to 0.5 mm at a pitch within a range of 0.01 to 0.5 mm in the walls of a circumferential groove and a transverse groove, more specifically, the resistance to the water flowing in the groove is reduced to improve the drainage efficiency of the groove. By arranging a turbulence generating zone having a number of pointed projections at the groove side faces at the confluence between the circumferential groove and the transverse groove, on the other hand, there is suppressed the separation of the water flow in the vicinity of the confluence. With these constructions, it is possible to improve the wet performances of the tire better than the prior art.

Abstract: A tire assembly (200) having runflat capability comprises a tire (202) mounted to a rim (203) to provide a tire cavity (204) defined by a carcass circumferential inner surface (246), two sidewall inner surfaces (248A,248B) and the rim. The tire assembly (200) is characterized by having a platform (206) disposed circumferentially around the rim within the tire cavity and one or more hoops (208A-208C) disposed within the tire cavity (204) between the platform (206) and the carcass circumferential inner surface (246) so that under normal inflation the one or more hoops do not contact either the carcass circumferential inner surface (246) or the sidewall inner surfaces (248A,248B), but below a first runflat inflation pressure, the one or more hoops (208A-208C) contact and support the carcass circumferential inner surface (246).

Abstract: In a standard state of a tire, a contour of the tire side surface has a triangular portion projecting outside from a norm arc, which is a arc passing through a maximum width point P1 of a tire and tangentially contacting with the flange, and a portion recessing from the norm arc. The height (h1) of a maximum projecting point of the triangular projecting portion from a bead base line is 0.85˜1.15 times of the height (h0) of the end of a carcass folded portion. The height (h2) of a maximum recessing point of the recessing portion is smaller than the height (h1), and is 0.30˜0.90 times of the height (h0). A maximum boss distance (q1) from the norm arc and the maximum recess distance (q2) from the norm arc are respectively 0.001˜0.040 times of the tire cross section width (W).

Abstract: When a single performance or a plurality of antinomical performances are to be achieved, the best mode of a tire is designed under a given constraint condition. Each of blocks included in two pitch groups designated in a pitch array is modeled (100), an objective function representing a tire performance evaluation physical amount, a constraint condition for restricting a tire shape, and a design variable which is an angle of a wall surface determining each of block shapes are determined (102). Next, the design variable is varied continuously by &Dgr;ri to determine a modified model (104 to 108). A value of the objective function of the modified model and a value of the constraint condition are calculated, and a sensitivity of the objective function and a sensitivity of the constraint condition are determined (110, 112).

Abstract: Methods for fabricating laminations to form structural elements of predetermined shapes (120, 220, 420, 520, 620) are provided. Laminations include parts (22, 24) fabricated from the tread portion (42) of discarded rubber tires. The parts are typically arranged in layers with various relationships therebetween. The parts are pressed to remove all voids therebetween causing dynamic tension which creates rigidity and then bonded with methods including vulcanization, chemical vulcanization, epoxy and adhesive.