Abstract: A sheet material cutting apparatus includes a cutting head and a knife frame rotatably coupled to the cutting head. A blade defining a cutting edge is coupled for reciprocation to the knife frame, as is a primary sharpener for sharpening substantially the entire cutting edge of the blade after it becomes dull from operation. A presser foot having a secondary sharpener mounted thereon, is also coupled to the knife frame for movement between a raised non-working and a lowered working position. The secondary sharpener includes a sharpening member engageable with the cutting edge of the blade via the action of an actuator, for sharpening a portion of the blade's cutting edge between primary sharpening operations.

Abstract: A cutter including a base, a holder, a cutter blade portion, and a laser generator. The holder is supported on the base portion in an upright posture. The cutter blade portion supports a moving blade. The cutter blade portion is supported on the holder movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cutter blade portion is moved into the lower position to cut a workpiece supported on the base using the moving blade. The laser generator is attached to the holder or the cutter blade portion in an orientation to direct at least a portion of the laser light onto a position on the workpiece that is directly beneath the cutter blade portion when the cutter blade portion is in the upper position. Alternatively, a holder has a shaft support portion, and a slide shaft is axially slidably supported by the shaft support portion. A front end of the slide shaft has a hinge holder which pivotally supports the cutting blade portion. A laser generator is fixed to a front side of the hinge holder.

Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting a belt-shaped sheet into a given shape includes a sheet feeder, a Y-axis shaft, a carriage, a sub-shaft, two connecting frames, and an elevating device. The sheet feeder moves the belt-shaped sheet in the X-axis direction. The Y-axis shaft is disposed in the Y-axis direction above the cutting sheet. The carriage mounts a cutter on a leading end thereof and is slidably disposed on the Y-axis shaft. The sub-shaft is disposed parallel to the Y-axis shaft and penetrates the carriage on the leading end side of the carriage. The connecting frames connects and fixes the Y-axis shaft and the sub-shaft to each other. The elevating device moves up and down the sub-shaft to move the cutter up and down in the Z-axis direction with respect to the cutting sheet.

Abstract: A punching mechanism has a plurality of predetermined standby positions where the punching mechanism is previously moved by move means and stands by based on size information in the width direction of a sheet material and punching execution information as to whether or not the sheet material is to be punched. The standby position corresponding to a sheet material of the maximum width that can be punched by the punching mechanism and the standby position applied when punching is not executed are set to substantially the same position.

Abstract: A pair of drawing members, separated by a prescribed distance, are rotated toward each other in contact with an end packaging material covering the ends of a web wrapped on a web roll. The drawing members are brought toward one another, creating an insertion section by gathering the end packaging and separating the end packaging from the web on the web roll. A cutting member is inserted into the insertion section. The web roll is then rotated, whereby the end packaging is cut and removed from an end of a web roll without damaging the web wrapped thereon. Similar drawing members and cutting members are preferably located at each end of an end packaging removal device, thereby simultaneously removing the end packaging material from both ends of the web roll. The resulting end packaging removal device saves time and labor involved in removing end packaging from a web roll.

Abstract: An instrument or wind chime comprises an elongated suspender rod from which a plurality of sounding bodies are suspended and dangle at a distance from each other, the suspender rod being provided with a folding joint.

Abstract: A drum main body comprising first, second and third drum body elements of cylindrical shape arranged in axial direction thereof. The third drum body element is interposed between the first and second drum body elements and is connected to rims of the first and second drum body elements by fastening bolts. The first, second and third drum body elements that are arranged in an axial direction thereof can be different from each other in materials and/or structure (depth).

Abstract: A method generates waveform signals from a plurality of channels to sound a music tone through an electro-acoustic converter in response to sounding instruction information.

Abstract: The present invention permits the parameters of at least one of the frequency characteristic adjusting circuit and the effect circuit in its DSP to be modified for providing the line-out jacks with an optimum music signal when its speaker (SP) switch is turned offwithno headphone connected. When the headphone plug is connected with no headphone jack, the effect setting switch is assigned with a function of speaker system effect setting. When the headphone plug is connected with a corresponding headphone jack, the effect setting switch is assigned with a function of headphone effect setting. Also, upon judging that the headphone plug is connected with the headphone jack, the function of an equalizer (EQ) switch is disabled.

Abstract: A retainer for securing a silencer to a barrel of a handgun is disclosed. The retainer includes a counter-attachment on the barrel of the handgun for attaching the barrel to the retainer, and also includes a forward part for receiving the silencer. A bore extends through the retainer for receiving the counter-attachment, and the inner profile of the bore and the outer profile of the counter-attachment define at least one gas expansion chamber between the counter attachment and the bore when the counter-attachment is disposed in the bore. A lock on the retainer engages a collar on the counter-attachment, thereby releasably securing the counter-attachment in the bore.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a structure for supporting a swash plate at the maximum tilt angle in a swash plate type compressor. A support projection is formed at a predetermined position of the front surface of the swash plate to define the maximum tilt angle by coming into contact with the rotor of the compressor. When a connecting line passing through the center of a bore, into which a piston in the maximum compression stroke state is inserted, designated by LC, the support projection is situated on an acting line LP, which is spaced apart from the connecting line LC by a predetermined horizontal distance LF in the rotational direction of the swash plate, so as to define the maximum tilt angle of the swash plate.

Abstract: A molecular sieve adsorbent for the purification of gas streams containing water vapor and carbon dioxide. The adsorbent is a combination of sodium form of a low-silica faujasite, having a residual content of potassium ions less than about 8.0 percent (equiv.), a low content of crystalline and amorphous admixtures and crystal sizes generally within the range of 1-4 &mgr;m, and a binder.

Abstract: An air induction system with active noise control includes a self-cleaning air filter that is integrated within an air intake housing. The self-cleaning air filter filters out contaminants such as dust and dirt particulates from air flowing through the intake housing. The self-cleaning filter is powered and controlled by the same electronic unit that is used to power the active noise control system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel oxygen enriching membrane which exhibits the desired oxygen selectivity and permeability under a low pressure difference characterized in that it is prepared from siloxylated cellulose and/or siloxylated glass.

Abstract: A cyclone is provided above a liquid receptacle (4) in a housing (1,3) whose interior is at reduced pressure in operation. Liquid and solid particles carried by the incoming stream of air accumulate in the cyclone (18) and circulate as a body of solid-laden liquid while coming repeatedly into contact with the incoming stream. Excess solid-laden liquid flows down into the receptacle (4) from the cyclone (18) through a lower outlet (23a). The air leaves the cyclone substantially freed from liquid droplets and solid particles.

Abstract: A method for preparing espresso coffee or similar drinks in manual or automatic machines, by causing a forced flow of boiling water to pass through a percolation chamber containing coffee powder, in which an adjustable back pressure is created in the percolation chamber to increase the time of contact between the powder and the water.

Abstract: A portable dispensing container includes an internal holding vessel for receiving and dispensing a hot beverage. The internal holding vessel is wrapped with a high-temperature plastic jacket which extends from the bottom surface of the holding vessel to its upper lip, the jacket further including an inlet port and an outlet port. Heated air is introduced into the jacket through the inlet port and circulates about the periphery of the holding vessel until exiting through the outlet port. The circulating air maintains the surfaces of the holding vessel at a desirable and constant temperature, a temperature that is substantially equivalent to the temperature of the heated beverage contained in the holding vessel.

Abstract: A machine for producing and dispensing cold or iced beverages comprises a plurality of beverage-containing tanks (11). Each tank is provided with an evaporator (12) for a refrigerating circuit and a mixer (13). The evaporators are connected with one and the same compressor (15) by means of connection and controlled-shutoff valves (16). The machine comprises a control system (22) receiving information (23, 24) about the temperature and/or density of the beverage in each tank and sending enable or cut-off signals respectively to the valves (16), which signals are distributed cyclically and in time so as to have a sequential enable of the valves themselves. In each enable sequence each valve is enabled for a time which is a function of the difference between the temperature and/or density detected in the associated tank and the predetermined density and/or temperature to be reached in such a tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric fryer comprising a body comprising a housing and a container between which an insulating chamber is formed; a lid connected to the upper part of said body; a basket positionable in said container for containing food to be fried; heating means for heating the container; controlling means for controlling a heating time and a heating temperature of the heating means; and a base positioned under the body and connected separately thereto. The electric fryer according to the invention is of a novel structure, ensures safety, and can be easily cleaned and saves power.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for compressing the grinding sludge, which is effective to compress the grinding sludge to provide an intended rigid briquette even though the grinding sludge contains ground chips of hardened iron and/or steel materials and an oil-based coolant and also to facilitate reuse of the briquette (B1) as material for production of steel. The grinding sludge containing the oil-based coolant and hardened component parts such as steel component parts that are used in bearings is compressed. To this end, the grinding sludge produced from a grinding line (1) is filtered by a filtering unit (4) to provide a concentrated sludge which is subsequently compressed by squeezing by a briquetting machine (5) to provide the briquette (B1). The briquette B1 so obtained can be reused as steel material. The coolant separated from the grinding sludge during filtering and squeezing is returned to the grinding line (1) through recovery passages (7, 8).

Abstract: On each of plural printing drums (25, 26) in a stencil printing machine (1), a stencil sheet (11) made corresponding to printing data is rolled. The machine (1) for a stencil printing process, in which a printing paper is pressed on each printing drum and the used stencil sheet is disposed, has a mode designation section (101) and a controller (102). The section (101) designates whether or not a stencil printing process is performed for plural printing information including common printing data. The control section (102) controls the stencil making process, the stencil disposing process, and the stencil printing process for the printing information. When the printing information includes common printing data, the controller (102) controls the printing drum on which the stencil sheet for the common printing data is rolled so that the stencil making and disposal processes are not performed.

Abstract: Apparatus for the metered coating of a printing machine roller with a liquid application medium, in particular for the metered coating of an ink applicator roller with printing ink, containing at least one doctor roller placed with its working surface onto the printing machine roller and carried by a doctor roller bed. The doctor roller is slide-mounted on its working surface by means of at least one sliding surface formed on the doctor roller bed. The application medium can be fed to or discharged from the surface of the printing machine roller by rotation of the doctor roller, through a clearance between the sliding surface and the working surface of the doctor roller. A pressure-regulatable valve for regulating the pressure prevailing in the clearance is arranged between a pressure source for the application medium and the clearance.

Abstract: A doctor blade device for the removal of dampening medium from a soft surface of an ink applicator roller in the inking unit of a printing machine, having at least one doctor blade placed against the surface of the roller and having an edge radius in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for correcting register faults in a multicolor printing machine (1) having a number of items of equipment (2,2′, . . . ) for the digital production of color separations (3,3′, . . . ), correction values being determined and assigned to the angular positions (4,4′, . . . ) of at least one image cylinder (5,5′, . . . ) and, as a result, being taken into account for the control of the production of the color separations (3,3′, . . . ) on said image cylinder.

Abstract: A belt drive for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes an endless belt revolving during operation, a roller about which the belt is partially looped, a frame with respect to which the roller is adjustable between a working position, wherein the roller keeps the belt tensioned, and a position moved away from the working position, wherein the belt is untensioned, and a spring device for biasing the roller into the working position thereof. Also included are a double crank by which the roller is articulated with the frame, and a stop which, due to a change in position of the double crank from a position corresponding to the working position of the roller into a position corresponding to the moved-away position of the roller, is carried out to a given extent beyond a dead-center position of the double crank, prevents a change in position beyond the given extent; and a machine for processing flat printing materials, which includes the belt drive.

Abstract: A sheet offset printing method and a sheet offset printing press includes altering flow relationships in an interior of a housing of a sheet delivery of a sheet-fed printing machine to prevent uncontrolled spread of powder in the housing by extracting powder-laden air from the housing and/or feeding air into the housing from outside at a point along a return belt of a sheet conveying device. Air currents are channeled inside the housing by feeding air not laden with powder into the housing and/or leading the air into an air flow path along the return belt downstream of the point with respect to a return belt motion direction to transport the unladen air toward a printing unit by a drag effect of the return belt and/or impeding/blocking a supply of powder-charged air from around a conveyor belt of the sheet-conveyor or a powder-scattering device into a flow path along the return belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for positional adjustment of a plate cylinder in both lateral and circumferential directions thereof for image registration in a multicolor, offset rotary printing press. A lateral adjustment mechanism includes a spur gear which is motor driven bidirectionally, and which travels laterally back and forth, to cause lateral displacement of the plate cylinder. The gear has a pin erected eccentrically thereon for abutment against a fixed limit stop on the press frame in order to limit the bidirectional rotation of the gear and hence to prevent the plate cylinder from being driven laterally beyond limits. A circumferential adjustment mechanism includes another spur gear which is motor driven bidirectionally, and which also travels laterally back and forth, to cause circumferential displacement of the plate cylinder. This second gear has a pin extending eccentrically therethrough and having its ends projecting in opposite directions therefrom.

Abstract: A chambered doctor blade assembly which can be placed against a roller of an inking unit of a printing machine, in particular onto an engraved roller, has a chamber connected to the surface of the roller by means of an orifice through which printing ink can flow. The orifice can be closed and re-opened by means of a closing element which is arranged within the chamber and which can be brought into a closing position. When the closing element is in the closing position, printing ink can continue to flow through the chamber.

Abstract: A printing machine provided with a rectilinear guide and a cleaning device having a handle for moving the cleaning device along the rectilinear guide includes at least one joint by which the handle is attached to the cleaning device in a manner that the handle is movable relative to the cleaning device.

Abstract: A method of making a printing plate comprising forming an image on a surface of a first image-holding body based on image data signals by an electrostatic inkjet process comprising ejecting an oil-based ink; and contact-transferring the image formed on said first image-holding body onto a second image-holding body. Also disclosed are plate making apparatuses suitable for the method.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink jet printing process comprising: filtering an oil-based ink; forming an image directly on a printing medium by an ink jet method comprising ejecting said filtered oil-based ink using electrostatic field based on signals of image data; and fixing said formed image to obtain a printed matter. Also disclosed is a printing apparatus suitable for the process.

Abstract: A method for releasing printing material from a cylinder in a device for processing the printing material includes directing waves into a wedge-shaped space located between the printing material and the cylinder; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: A heater, particularly useful for an imaging device, comprises a substrate primarily made of aluminum nitride (AlN) having an electrical insulating property. A heat generating member, formed on one surface of the substrate, contains silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd) having a weight ratio (Ag/Pd) in the range of 40/60˜50/50. Conductive electrodes are connected to respective ends of the heat-generating member.

Abstract: A frangible bullet for use in training ranges as an alternative to live ammunition, which disintegrates upon impact with a target. The frangible bullet includes an elongated frangible core member fabricated from a thermoplastic polymer and at least one metal, the core member having a back end, an opposite tip end and a central portion therebetween, and having a core length between the back end and the tip end. The core member is jacketed in an outer jacket having a closed first end and an opposite opened second end, having a jacket length between the first end and second end, and defining a jacket chamber for complementarily receiving the core member therein. The core member fits inside the outer jacket such that the tip end of the frangible core member is exposed and impacts the target first, resulting in fragmentation of the core member and the outer jacket.

Abstract: A mobile tamping machine for tamping ballast under a railroad track includes a machine frame supported on undercarriages running on a main track for moving the machine in an operating direction. A tamping unit is mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages, and a track lifting and lining unit for leveling and lining the main track is vertically and transversely adjustably mounted on the machine frame immediately ahead of the tamping unit in the operating direction, with drives being provided for vertically and transversely adjusting the track lifting and lining unit. An auxiliary lifting unit is mounted on the machine frame for lifting a branch track branching off the main track at a track switch. A common measuring system associated with the track lifting and lining unit and the auxiliary lifting unit is provided for controlling the lifting of the track switch.

Abstract: In a first operating stage during which ballast is delivered to a track section delimited by two undercarriages while it is lifted, the length of the track section is extended, and the track section is shortened in a second operating stage during which the ballast is tamped until a desired track level has been obtained.

Abstract: A machine for removing an old track and for simultaneously laying a new track on a ballast bed, which comprises a first tie transport apparatus for receiving the old ties, and a second tie transport apparatus for delivering new ties and laying the new ties. A lifting device may be selectively placed in an operating position on the first or the second tie transport apparatus for insertion between the ballast bed and an old tie for engaging the old tie and lifting it off the ballast bed. This may be done by selectively coupling the lifting device to a respective tie transport apparatus, or by driving the lifting device on each tie transport apparatus between operative and inoperative positions.

Abstract: A machine for renewing a railroad track on a ballast bed comprises a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction, undercarriages for supporting the machine frame on the railroad track, a first tie transport device for receiving old ties and a second tie transport device for laying new ties, the tie transport devices being mounted on the machine frame and being spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction, and a crawler vehicle and ballast bed planing apparatus being arranged on the machine frame between the tie transport devices, the ballast bed planing apparatus being rotatable by 180° about a vertical axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for ventilating electrical equipment on board a rail vehicle, said rail vehicle being powered with DC either directly by an electricity pick-up system connected to a DC source, or indirectly by rectifying and filtering electricity picked up by an electricity pick-up system connected to a single-phase AC source, each piece of electrical equipment being ventilated by means of a respective cooling fan controlled by an electric motor, wherein the electric motors are asynchronous motors, each fan electric motor being powered with three-phase AC by an individual converter connected to the DC for powering the rail vehicle.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated road tire-rail wheel assembly for road-rail adaptive vehicles as found in freight and mass transit systems, as well as other dual (civilian-military) use and other transport systems. The assembly includes two integrated road-rail wheels in a spaced apart relationship with each other and connected by an axle. Each integrated road-rail wheel has a road tire, a road wheel and a rail wheel. The road tire is mounted on the road wheel and the rail wheel has a disk portion and a tread portion. The road tire further includes a tread, an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall and an alignment flange. The inner sidewall is fully abutted against the disk portion of the rail wheel. The alignment flange of the road tire extends outwardly and beyond the rail tread portion of the rail wheel. In addition the assembly further includes a means for automatic inflation and deflation of the road tires that is enabled only while the vehicle is operating on rails.

Abstract: An integral intermodal train is provided for carrying standard over-the-highway semi-trailers. Each segment can have a plurality of platforms and may be loaded or unloaded independently of any other segment using a self contained, roll-on/roll-off system. Several sub-systems to speed performance and enhance reliability, such as an electronic assisted air brake, health monitoring, trailer tie-down and locomotive interface subsystems, can be provided on each segment. A spring applied parking brake is provided for the segments and operably connected to the train pneumatic brake systems. In a preferred embodiment the brake is automatically applied when brake pipe pressure falls below 40 psi nominal. The pneumatic valving for the parking brake prevents application of the valve in an emergency braking situation, until the pressure has bled off in normal system leakage, preventing wheel damage. A handle is provided for manual application and release of the parking brake when desired.

Abstract: Bis(dipivaloylmethanato)diisobutoxytitanium or bis(dipivaloylmethanato)-di(2,2-dimethyl-l-propoxytitanium per se, or as used as a raw material in a MOCVD process, as is or as a solution in an organic solvent, for example, tetrahydrofuran, produces a dielectric thin film of a fine texture having a film thickness which is proportional to the deposition time and the concentration of the solution.

Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a nonchromate rust preventive agent for aluminum which, despite its being of the nonchromate type, is capable of affording sufficient corrosion resistance and, even when applied to the material for heat-exchanger fins, for instance, does not allow development of white rust.

Abstract: Sets of prepaints useful for forming a road-marking paint line are provided. Also provided are methods which permit the person applying the road-marking paint to vary the properties of the road-marking paint at the application point to suit the ambient conditions, including temperature, humidity, traffic flow and the like.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing materials system and method can produce both appearance models and small numbers of functional parts in an office environment. The method can include building cross-sectional portions of a three-dimensional article, and assembling the individual cross-sectional areas in a layer-wise fashion to form a final article. The individual cross-sectional areas can be built by using an ink-jet printhead to deliver an aqueous solvent or binder to an adhesive particulate mixture, causing the particles of the mixture to adhere together, and to previous cross-sectional areas. The binder can include at least one of nonaqueous organic monomeric compound, anionically ionizable polymer, cationic polymer, polymer, waterborne colloid, or inorganic solute.

Abstract: Self-repairing, fiber reinforced matrix materials include a matrix material including inorganic as well as organic matrices. Disposed within the matrix are hollow fibers having a selectively releasable modifying agent contained therein. The hollow fibers may be inorganic or organic and of any desired length, wall thickness or cross-sectional configuration. The modifying agent is selected from materials capable of beneficially modifying the matrix fiber composite after curing. The modifying agents are selectively released into the surrounding matrix in use in response to a predetermined stimulus be it internal or externally applied. The hollow fibers may be closed off or even coated to provide a way to keep the modifying agent in the fibers until the appropriate time for selective release occurs.

Abstract: A hand table assembly includes a platform having a longitudinal central axis and a platform attachment apparatus for coupling the platform to a patient support deck generally in a horizontal plane and at a 90° angle, a platform support leg, and a platform support leg attachment mechanism.

Abstract: A skid having a platform with a top, a bottom, a first side, a first elongated tube extending along the length of the first side, a second side, a second elongated tube extending along the length of the second side, a front end, a rear end, and one or more channels in the top positioned longitudinally in the platform, thereby creating a first top panel and a second top panel, wherein the platform is formed from a single sheet of material, e.g., metal or a composite. Two fork pocket are secured to the top of the platform traverse to the channels, thereby defining front and rear channel portions. A front end cap is secured to the top of the platform at the front end, and a center piece is secured to the top of the platform at a predefined fixed distance between the front end cap and the first fork pocket. A plurality of corrugations are formed optionally on the first fork pocket and the second fork pocket, and are formed optionally on the first top panel and the second top panel.

Abstract: A load depositing platform for damping impact forces exerted on a load during a parachute drop has an upper plate that is connected with at least one parachute and a lower plate. The upper plate and the lower plate are connected with one another by means of a scissor-type linkage, and by at least one damper element having a woven-fabric shell which defines an interior air space therein, so that relative motion of the two plates toward each other causes a compression of air space. The damper element has a passage ring, which has at least one air passage hole therein which permits a regulated flow of air into and out of the interior air space.

Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine is disclosed, the sewing machine having a stitch forming device including a needle 71 vertically reciprocated to form stitches on a work to be stitched, an embroidering frame 21 for holding the work and being moved relative to the needle in synchronism with the needle, and the stitch forming device being operated to decide a maximum speed of the vertically reciprocating needle 71 in dependence upon the type and weight of the work and the size and weight of the embroidering frame 21 and being further operated to reduce the speed of the vertically reciprocating needle 71 as the weight of the work and embroidering frame 21 increases and as the embroidering frame 21 is partly moved away from the body of sewing machine in the Y-direction