Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel sustainable building, the outer enclosures, roofs and foundations of which form an envelope that is formed, with the exception of doors, windows and chimneys, by a central core (5) with a high heat storage capacity, by an inner liner or membrane (4) with a high thermal conductivity and which is in close contact with the central core, and by an outer thermally insulated and mechanically resistant skin (6).

Abstract: A slat wall assembly comprising a first slat, an attachment assembly, and a second slat. The first slat includes a body and a lower flange. The body includes an upper edge and a lower edge. The lower flange emanates from the lower edge of the body. The attachment assembly is associable with the lower flange of the first slat and facilitates attachment of the first slat to an existing wall. The second slat includes a body and an upper flange. The body includes an upper edge and a lower edge. The upper flange emanates from the upper edge of the body. The upper flange is configured to be insertable into the lower flange of the first slat and retainable therein.

Abstract: A roofing shingle has low density granules adhered to at least a headlap region on a front surface of the roof shingle.

Abstract: A roofing system includes at least one row of tiles extending across a surface in a row direction, a first tile of the at least one row of tiles including a rain lock adapted to interlock with a second tile adjacent to and within the same row as the first tile, wherein the rain lock has a lower end, an upper end, and a weakened portion proximate the lower end to allow for removal of a predetermined portion of the rain lock. The second tile of the roofing system includes a corner at the upper end of the rain lock of the first tile, the corner including a notch and a second weakened portion to allow for lengthening of the notch.

Abstract: Laminate flooring with coupling stem comprising long rectangular planks with two types of couplings, wherein the first is carried out by their longitudinal edges equally equipped with male/female hooks-type profiles configured for angular penetration, where the hook from a plank can penetrate into the corresponding hook of the other plank, the planks placed in a coplanar position, whereas the second coupling allows the joinery of the tops using a mechanical coupling comprising an engagement stem divided into two longitudinal halves, whose upper and lower faces equally have longitudinal microteeth, where the teeth on one side are slanted towards the center of the stem, such that each longitudinal half of said profile can be penetrating and self-locking in the grooves on the transversal edges the planks, thus finalizing the side by side engagement between the two planks.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing floor panels with coupling parts, wherein the contour of this coupling part (6) is composed of at least two portions (18-19), characterized in that the method is applied for manufacturing at least two series (7-8) of floor panels (1), wherein the floor panels (1) in a first series (7) differ from the floor panels (1) in a second series (8) at least in that they have a different thickness (T) and that said two portions (18-19) in said series (7-8) of floor panels (1) are realized globally identical, however, mutually shifted.

Abstract: A modular floor system employing shared loading between adjacent panels. The modular floor system is comprised of a plurality of lower panels with each panel having interlocking features and a plurality of upper panels with each panel having interlocking features. The lower panels are arranged in a pattern adjacent to each other. The upper panels are similarly arranged in a pattern adjacent to each other and positioned above the lower panels. The pattern of upper panels is arranged such that each upper panel interlocking features engages with the complementary interlocking features of a plurality of lower panels. The resulting unified structure forms a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to panels comprising coupling means which permit the panels to be interconnected by form fit. A first panel comprises a projecting edge positioned laterally on its underside as the coupling element. A second panel comprises a projecting edge positioned laterally on its upper side as the coupling element. One of the aforementioned edges has a first projecting locking element which engages in a corresponding first cavity or recess of the other edge when the two panels are joined together. The panels comprise additional coupling elements which lock the panels by form fit in a vertical direction, in relation to the surface of said panels. The coupling elements are configured in such a way that one panel can be connected to the other panel by form fit, by lowering the former in relation to the latter. Two panels of the aforementioned type can be interconnected without adhesive in a particularly rapid manner.

Abstract: A structural block is provided. The structural block has a top and a bottom. A first sidewall section is between the top and the bottom. A second sidewall section is between the first sidewall section and one of the top or the bottom, and the second sidewall section is angularly disposed relative to the first sidewall section, so as to form a feature that interlocks with an adjacent structural block.

Abstract: A woodpile connector has a tubular body defined by an open-end lower portion and an open-end upper portion. The upper portion and the lower portion are fixedly connected, at their free ends, to a separating plate, which is secured between an inner surface and an outer surface of the tubular body. The open ends of the connector body have beveled edges to facilitate compression of the wood being forced into the connector body. By aligning the connector portions in relation to the pile sections, while forcing the connector portions into the ends of the adjoining pile sections, alignment of the pile sections is achieved even when the pile sections do not have evenly cut connecting surfaces.

Abstract: A connecting device for curtain wall units is disclosed. The connecting device comprises: a claw arm having a horizontal arm for carrying the curtain wall units; a plurality of clamping plates, each two clamping plates fixed on the horizontal arm to clamp the curtain wall units; and a claw base connected to the claw arm and a supporting structure of the curtain wall units. The weight of curtain wall is supported by the claw arm of the connecting device, and point-supported type clamping of the curtain wall is realized by the clamping plates on the end of the claw arm, which enables the stability and security of the structure of curtain wall. The claw arm is hidden in the space between the curtain walls, and thus the whole appearance of curtain wall is beautified. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to provide through holes on the glass wall units.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for tying down an existing roof frame to resist windstorm uplift forces, in which an elongate connector is inserted slantingly upward through a hole through the roof frame, allowing an upper end of the connector to protrude from the roof frame to receive a head member which is detachably attached thereto in order to prevent the roof frame from moving upward relative to the connector under an uplift force. The lower end of the connector is secured to an underlying wall such that the connector applies a restraining force against wind uplift forces.

Abstract: A toggle pin comprising an elongate main body portion having two ends, one end being provided with a passageway that extends at least partially through the main body portion and which is open at the one end such that a line member can pass into the passageway and be connected to the toggle pin, the other end being provided with a toggle plate, the toggle plate being pivoted to the main body portion in such a manner that the toggle plate can move between an unlocking position where the toggle plate is substantially in line with the main body portion, and a locking position where the toggle plate is substantially at right angles to the main body portion.

Abstract: A window unit installation safety device is disclosed for supporting a window unit in place in a rough opening during window unit installation. The window unit installation device is securable onto the window unit and is configured to safely and retentively support the window unit in a framed rough opening, such as a framed sidewall of a residential or commercial building. The window unit installation device includes a plurality of spaced legs configured to be received over a window nail fin.

Abstract: A support system for conveniently staging and accessing roofing materials above and across each side of a roof, said system comprising a pair of longitudinally-extending base members, the base members each having a generally triangular-shaped radial cross section; and means for joining the base members to each other.

Abstract: A bracing panel 1 for bracing a wall having a wall frame 100 defining an internal space, wherein the bracing panel 1 includes a first bracing frame, a sheet panel 1a having a flat planar portion dimensioned to have at least the same height or width as the first bracing frame; and a second bracing frame adapted to retain and hold the sheet panel between the first and second bracing frames wherein the bracing panel is adapted to be positioned and secured within the internal space of the wall frame of the wall to be braced such that bracing panel is dimensioned to fit within the wall frame.

Abstract: A composite construction beam comprising a first chord and a second chord connected by a web, wherein the first and second chords are made of wood or a wood product and the web is made of a material other than wood or a wood product such as polymer or aluminum. A method of constructing a composite beam includes forming a web from a material other than wood or a wood product and securing it to a first and second chords, which are made of wood or a wood product.

Abstract: A steel stud member for use in supporting structures and having reduced thickness as compared with conventional studs, and having a web having side edges, flanges on the side edges, formed at angles to the web, the web and the flanges enclosing inside surfaces, and having outside surfaces for mounting structure, and plurality of narrow indented longitudinal grooves formed in the flanges, and in the web, indented inwardly from the outside to the inside of the flanges, providing greater load bearing capacity for a given gauge of steel. Also disclosed is a method of making such a steel member.

Abstract: A packaging machine is provided with a containing arrangement delimiting a processing volume having a longitudinal passing through dimension along which products to be packaged are moved; containing arrangement comprises an inlet arrangement for an air flow transversal to longitudinal passing through dimension and an outlet arrangement for air flow and a bottom portion adjacent to a body of the machine; the outlet arrangement extends substantially over the full extension of longitudinal passing through dimension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for gas filling and sealing of a duct intended to be filled with gas and positioned in a container of a collapsible type. The duct is defined by two opposite side walls which are joined along a connecting portion and comprises an inlet arranged in one of the side walls. A part of the container that comprises the inlet is clamped between an abutment and a gas module which is axially movable towards the abutment. Clamping occurs in such a manner that one of the two side walls included in the duct is allowed, in response to a gas flow supplied from the gas module and entering the duct through said inlet, to bulge to form a free passage into the duct for filling the same with gas. After completion of the gas filling, the duct is sealed. The invention also relates to a container blank having a duct which is specially developed for the method and the device.

Abstract: A bale wrapper is provided that comprises a rotating arm holding a film dispenser. The arm rotates around an axis thereby wrapping the film from the film dispenser around the bale. Rotation of the arm is stopped when a sensing arrangement mounted ahead of the arm senses an obstacle. The arm is driven with a first speed sufficiently slow to prevent any risk of injury and the arm and the film dispenser from being damaged by hitting an obstacle detected by the sensing arrangement when an obstacle sensor observing a sensitive range in the environment of the bale wrapper detects an obstacle. The arm rotates at a second speed faster than the first speed when the obstacle sensor detects no obstacle.

Abstract: Affords a compound semiconductor substrate packaging method for preventing oxidation of the surface of compound semiconductor substrates.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a toilet seat cover is disclosed. A single ply of antibacterial material configured to lay on a surface of a toilet is thinly packaged. A portion of the material is plied to allow separation. The material is folded in a manner such as to fit inside thin, individual packaging.

Abstract: Proposed are a method and a device for consolidation of a number n of items, whose weight varies within predefined limits, in a container to a single unit with a predefined target weight. For this purpose, n-1 portions are combined and the weight of all of the n-1 portions is determined. Then the difference between the target weight of the n portions on the one hand and the weight of the n-1 portions on the other is determined. Ultimately, an nth portion with a precise weight is cut-off from a piece, where the weight equals the weight of the nth portion of the difference. For this purpose, the device is provided with a first and a second insertion station, a scale, a computer, and a portioning and cutting device.

Abstract: A collector device includes a collector connected to a positioner, such as a robot arm. The positioner can automatically move the collector in multiple dimensions to collect objects into the collector according to a specified collection pattern. By moving the collector in multiple dimensions, the positioner provides for objects to be arranged in the collector according to a specified pattern. The positioner can also move the collector so that the collected objects are transferred to a second collector for shipping, storage, and the like.

Abstract: Wrapping paper includes a sheet of paper having at least one edge portion delineated by a first line of weakness. Adhesive is applied to the edge portion. A gift item is wrapped by detaching at least one edge portion from the sheet along the first line of weakness, wrapping the sheet around the gift item, and using the adhesive edge portion to secure the sheet. The wrapping paper can formed of an edible paper with a non-toxic adhesive, such that the gift item can be unwrapped by consuming the wrapping paper.

Abstract: A shipping system comprising: a plurality of edge protectors, each of the edge protectors comprising: a backwall; an upper jaw member in communication with the backwall, the upper jaw member having a top surface; a lower jaw member in communication with the backwall, the lower jaw member having a lower surface, and the lower surface and the top surface are generally flat and parallel to each other; a single slot defined by the upper jaw member and the lower jaw member, and the single slot being generally orthogonal to the backwall, the edge protector having an outer width; at least one u-channel support member, the u-channel support member comprising: a bottom wall; a first sidewall extending generally orthogonally from the bottom wall; a second sidewall extending generally orthogonally from the bottom wall; an interior width between an interior surface of the first sidewall and the interior surface of the second sidewall, and where the interior width is generally equal to the outer width.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of sealing a bag (8) comprising (a) gripping the neck (10) of the bag (8) (b) passing the gripped portion of the bag neck (10) around a rod (6) approximately a complete revolution (c) continuing to revolve the gripped portion of the bag and moving the gripped portion axially away from the distal end of the rod (6) until generally a further 2-300 degree revolution has been completed so that the neck (10) of the bag (8) is wrapped around the rod (6) (d) opening a recess (14) in the rod and placing the free end of the neck (10) into the recess, and (e) holding the free end in the recess (14) whilst withdrawing the rod (6) through the wrapped portion of the neck. The invention also provides apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A replaceable filter cartridge including filter media defining a substantially columnar flow path sandwiched between first and second endcaps. The first endcap includes an opening fluidly connected to the substantially columnar flow path, leading to an interior cavity of the filter media defining a flow path. A sealing flange is aligned with the opening and extends axially away from the filter media. A handle is coupled to the sealing flange or a centerpost such that at least a portion of the handle extends into the flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering air in residential and commercial applications is described herein. The air filter may have a support frame which secures to the intake grille of an HVAC system. A filter media may be placed in the support frame to filter air as it passes through the air filter. The filter media may be replaced when the filter media becomes too dirty to effectively filter air. The dirty filter media may be removed from the frame and a new clean media may be replaced in the frame.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure an air cleaner and air filter cartridge arrangement is provided. The air filter cartridge is a removable and replaceable cartridge for use in the air cleaner. The cartridge includes, among other things, an end cap having a preferred outwardly directed radial seal and a groove. The air cleaner includes a housing with a stabilizing ring projecting into an interior, positioned to project at least partially into the groove of the filter cartridge, when the filter cartridge is mounted for use. Methods of assembly and installation are described.

Abstract: A cutterbar drive mechanism cover for use in a specialty crop harvesting header to optimally direct severed crop material from the cutterbar to a crop conveying apparatus which then laterally converges the crop material from outboard ends of the cutting header toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow or for further processing. Crop flow smoothing by the drive cover also reduces disturbances to the crop material during movement within the header which reduces seed loss in seed-bearing specialty crops.

Abstract: A mower for cutting grass and which is attached to a vehicle may include a mounting frame member for connecting to the vehicle, a rotatable mowing member to rotate behind a vertical obstacle, a swingarm member to connect to the mounting frame member and the rotatable mowing member. The mower may include a biasing member to bias the rotatable mower member, and the biasing member may include a spring to bias the rotatable mower member. The mower may include a hitch connecting member to connect to the frame member, and mower may include a long arm member to connect to the rotatable mower member. The long arm member may be connected to a movable arm member to move the rotatable mower member, and the long arm member may be connected to a traverse arm member. The rotatable mower member may include a round shaft member to allow the rotatable mower member to move in and out and under the fence and around the obstacle, and the rotatable mower member may include a hydraulic mower.

Abstract: A stripper plate having for use with a corn head row unit includes a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is substantially flat such that the lateral surface of the front portion is parallel to the ground surface. The rear portion is integrally formed with the first portion and is beveled downward toward the ground surface. The interface between the front portion and the rear portion may be a gradually beveled area wherein the downward slope of the stripper plate increases along its length from the front thereof to the rear thereof.

Abstract: A harvesting header having a flexible cutterbar assembly utilizes draper belts behind the cutterbar assembly to gently consolidate the severed crop materials and deliver them to a point of discharge and delivery, such as to the feederhouse of a combine harvester. One embodiment has draper assemblies and a central conveyor fixed relative to the flexible cutterbar assembly, while another has the draper assemblies and central conveyer flexible with the cutterbar assembly.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive mounted to a reel mower cutting unit includes an auxiliary drive housing with an input shaft rotated by the reel mower cutting unit, an output shaft for rotating an attachment, and a belt transmitting rotational power from the input shaft to the output shaft. An eccentric bearing housing is positioned in an opening in the auxiliary drive housing. The output shaft is inserted through a bore in the eccentric bearing housing that is offset from the center of the eccentric bearing housing. The eccentric bearing housing may be rotated within the opening to tighten the belt by shifting the position of the output shaft with respect to the input shaft.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive mounted to a reel mower cutting unit includes a cutting reel shaft rotated by a motor and having a horizontal axis, an auxiliary drive housing positioned adjacent the reel mower cutting unit and pivotable on the axis of the cutting reel shaft, an auxiliary drive input shaft engaged to the cutting reel shaft, and an auxiliary drive output shaft coaxially engaged to an end of an attachment outside the auxiliary drive housing by inserting one of the auxiliary drive output shaft and the attachment end through a collet and tightening a nut over the collet. A transverse pin in one of the output shaft and the attachment end may be engaged by a split end in the other of the output shaft and the attachment end.

Abstract: A curtain for directing severed crop movement in a cutting header in an agricultural harvester. The curtain optimizes crop movement between a cutterbar to a crop conveying auger for lateral movement of the crop material from outboard ends of the cutting header toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow. The curtain also reduces the tendency for clogging that occurs when crop approaches conveying augers on both sides of an axial centerline by directing all crop material toward the trailing side of the rotating auger and by preventing airflow generated by the auger from disrupting crop approaching the auger. Crop smoothing by the curtain also reduces disturbances to the crop material during movement within the header which reduces seed loss in seed-bearing specialty crops.

Abstract: A mulch deck attachment for reducing grass clippings into particles of mulch which return nutrients back to the soil. The mulch deck attachment of the present invention may be coupled to a lawnmower and may include one or more rotating blades coupled to the mulch deck attachment. A first baffle may be coupled to the mulch deck attachment and may define one or more apertures. The first baffle may also at least be partially disposed within a turning radius defined by the one or more rotating blades. A second baffle may be coupled to the mower deck and may be disposed between the first baffle and the leading edge. One or more third baffles may also be coupled to the mower deck and may be partially disposed around a circumference defined by the one or more rotating blades. A fourth baffle may be coupled to the rear portion of the mulch deck attachment and may be partially disposed about the rotating blade.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus involves crimping a multifilament thread, wherein the thread which is produced by melt spinning is compressed to a thread plug. The thread plug is cast on the circumference of rotating processing drum for thermal treatment and is wrapped around the circumference of the processing drum with many side-by-side wraparounds. Following that, the thread plug is unravelled in an unraveling area on the circumference of the processing drum into the crimped thread which is pulled of the processing drum. To obtain a continuous and regular unraveling of the thread plug with multiple wraparounds and mutual touching of the wraparounds of the thread plug, the thread is guided at a slant from the unraveling area of the thread plug such that a growing axial space appears between the thread and the thread plug, on the circumference of the processing drum, during increasing wraparounds of the thread on the circumference of the processing drum.

Abstract: A method for storing an additive and injecting the additive into exhaust gases of an engine supplied with fuel from a fuel tank and returning unused excess hot fuel to the tank via a return line. The method heats the additive using a section of the return line when the additive temperature is below or equal to a threshold value, and short circuits the heating section when the additive temperature exceeds the threshold value. A system for implementing such a method includes an additive heating section including a section of the return line; a temperature sensor; and a device allowing the heating section to be short circuited when the temperature measured by the sensor exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine wherein an SOX trap catalyst (11) able to trap SOX contained in exhaust gas is arranged in an engine exhaust passage upstream of an NOX storing catalyst (12). When the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the SOX trap catalyst (11) is switched from lean to rich to make the NOX storing catalyst (12) release the NOX, if the temperature of the SOX trap catalyst (11) is the SOX release lower limit temperature or more, rich processing making the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the SOX trap catalyst (11) rich for making the NOX storing catalyst (12) release NOX is prohibited.

Abstract: HC feed control for feeding HC into exhaust gas upstream of an SOx trap 11 when a predetermined condition stands is executed. When an SOx trap amount is smaller than a predetermined amount, as HC feed control, first HC feed control feeding HC into the exhaust gas upstream of the SOx trap by a predetermined pattern is executed. When the SOx trap amount is larger than a predetermined amount, as HC feed control, second HC feed control feeding HC into the exhaust gas upstream of the SOx trap by a pattern different from the predetermined pattern, which pattern keeping the temperature of the SOx trap from locally becoming higher than the predetermined temperature or suppressing the formation of a region in the exhaust gas flowing into the SOx trap where the air-fuel ratio becomes locally rich, is executed.

Abstract: A system is provided for reducing exhaust emissions. The system can comprise a series of chambers, an injector head, and a controller. The controller can maintain desired temperature zones and chemical environments inside the series of chambers, and the chambers and structures inside the system 10 can provide a desired travel path for the air, fuel, and untreated exhaust mixture inside.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes plural exhaust gas purifying units which are provided on exhaust gas passages connected to plural cylinder groups in the internal combustion engine and purify exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust gas passages, a regeneration determining unit which determines whether or not the plural exhaust gas purifying units should be regenerated, and a regeneration control unit which executes regeneration control for regenerating the exhaust gas purifying units when the regeneration determining unit determines that the exhaust gas purifying units should be regenerated. The regeneration control unit simultaneously executes the regeneration control for the plural exhaust gas purifying units when a change of a combustion mode of the internal combustion engine is involved before and after execution of the regeneration control.

Abstract: A technique that suppresses adhesion of fuel added from fuel addition valves to exhaust passages and suppresses fuel from slipping through exhaust gas purification devices is provided. Timing of the addition of fuel is switched into a period in which instantaneous exhaust gas flow rates in the exhaust passages are different, in accordance with engine operating condition. As a result, when operating condition has a high possibility of fuel adhering to the exhaust pipes, fuel is added when the instantaneous exhaust gas flow rates in the exhaust pipes are high, so that fuel can be easily carried to the vicinity of the exhaust gas purification devices. When the operating condition has a high possibility of fuel slipping through the exhaust gas purification devices, fuel is added when the instantaneous exhaust gas flow rates in the exhaust pipes are low, so that the fuel can not be easily entrained in the exhaust gas to slow movement of fuel.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device is provided. The device includes: in an exhaust gas passage for a combustion exhaust gas containing a nitrogen oxide, a hydrocarbon, and an oxygen in a larger amount than a theoretical reaction amount with respect to the hydrocarbon to flow therethrough, in order from upstream, a first catalyst part for selectively reducing a nitrogen oxide; a plasma discharge part for generating a plasma; a second catalyst part for selectively reducing a nitrogen oxide; and a purifying catalyst part for purifying a reducing agent.

Abstract: A system for treating exhaust gases from an engine is described. The system includes, the exhaust gases routed from the engine to atmosphere through an exhaust passage, the system comprising: an injector directing a spray of reductant into the exhaust gases routed from the engine to atmosphere; an exhaust separation passage that separates an exhaust gas flow received from the engine into a plurality of separate exhaust gas flows; a plurality of oxidation catalysts, each of which receives one of the plurality of separate exhaust gas flows; a flow combining passage that receives the plurality of separate exhaust gas flows and combines them into a re-combined exhaust gas flow; a turbocharger that receives the re-combined exhaust gas flow from the flow combining passage; and a selective catalytic reduction catalyst positioned downstream of the turbocharger.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold including a manifold body made of a first material and at least one heat shield insert provided inside the manifold body and made of a second material. The first material is a low cost material and the second material is a higher grade, temperature-resistant material. The manifold body includes a plurality of runners, collector and an outlet. The shield insert is preferably provided in the collector region adjacent to the outlet. The heat shield insert may have a curved sheet configuration or a tubular configuration depending on applications. The heat shield properly insulates the manifold body from the exhaust gas to protect the manifold body. The exhaust manifold, which is made from a combination of different materials, provides a more cost-effective solution in high temperature applications.

Abstract: In a drive device, two cylinders filled with air pressure are interconnected, and the pistons of the cylinders are pressed under the same pressure by compressed air supplied to the cylinders. The drive device has an external input device for applying an external input to the cylinders so that the pistons reciprocate alternately. The external input device causes the pistons to reciprocate alternately, and the reciprocation motion provides rotational force. The interconnected cylinders are multi-stage cylinders, pressurized air flow paths (22A, 22B) connected to each cylinder stage are formed in the multi-stage cylinders, and (17A, 17B) for opening and closing the flow paths are also provided in the cylinders.