Abstract: A toilet bowl cleaning assembly includes an elongated housing that has a first end and a second end. A cleaning brush apparatus is rotatably coupled to the housing and extends downwardly from the second end of the housing. A drive apparatus is mounted in the housing and is mechanically coupled to the cleaning brush apparatus and turns the cleaning brush apparatus when the drive apparatus is turned on. A shroud is coupled to the housing between the first end of the housing and the cleaning brush apparatus. The shroud has a bottom edge is engageable with an upper edge of a toilet bowl. The cleaning brush apparatus is placed in the toilet bowl and the drive apparatus turned on to clean the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A trailing pig cleaning device is adapted to be dragged by a pig towing device. The cleaning device collects a predetermined quantity of debris. The cleaning device has a continuous outer surface portion of variable diameter urged into normal contact with the internal wall of the pipeline. The continuous outer surface portion presents a continuous upstream or leading edge portion for scraping debris from the cylindrical internal wall in advance of the outer surface portion. The device has a debris collecting surface portion extending radially inward from the outer surface portion for collecting the predetermined quantity of debris scraped from the cylindrical internal wall. The device has at least one debris and pipeline media bypass opening passing through the debris collecting surface portion permitting excess scraped debris to pass therethrough back into the pipeline and permitting media to pass thereby to propel the pig towing device.

Abstract: A resilient inspection brush used in electrically inspecting pipelines for abnormalities is described which employs highly conductive metals, such as nickel. Since bristles [330] made from these metals cannot be secured firmly by soldering or epoxy, they are folded over a retaining member [350], or wrapped around the retaining member [350]. The retaining member [350] is secured inside of a base housing [320]. The top [321] portion of the base housing [320] may be crimped or swedged to reduce the size of the opening, thereby physically holding the bristles [330]. This also insures that the retaining member [350] does not pass through the opening, securing the retaining member [350] inside of the base housing [320]. In another embodiment, an inner sleeve [810] is used to further secure the bristles [330] and simplify assembly.

Abstract: A toothbrush with a handle having a base, a body, and a head. The body having a first section and a second section forming an oblique angle. A projector of a beam of light located within the handle. The toothbrush having at least one bristle attached to the head. The toothbrush having a grip attached to the base. A method of using a toothbrush including the step of gripping the toothbrush. The method further including the step of engaging the projector of a beam of light. The method still further including the step of utilizing the toothbrush while the projector of a light beam is activated.

Abstract: A cleaning implement that includes a shaft, a mop disposed on one end of the shaft, a wringer, and a fixed grip. The wringer includes a wringing sleeve and a wringer handle. The wringer is movable over a range of travel between a mopping position and a range of wringing positions, in which wringing positions the wringing sleeve covers and compresses at least a portion of the mop to thereby expel liquid from the mop. The wringer is rotatable relative to the shaft through at least a portion of the axial range of travel. The wringer further comprises at least one volute wherein the volute defines a semi-enclosed area inside the wringer, the semi-enclosed area configured to receive a portion of the mop through a gap defined in the volute. The volute includes a first fin and a second fin that define the gap therebetween.

Abstract: A mop and mop shield or cover is described in which the mop shield is slideably mounted on the handle of a mop, and capable of being lowered over the head of the mop to protect it from damage. The protective shield can also be marked, so as to enable a person to identify the purpose for which the mop has been used.

Abstract: There are provided a device and a method for cleaning teeth. The device comprises a brush, a shaft connected to the brush, a neck surrounding the shaft along a substantial portion of the length of the shaft, and a controller coupled to the shaft at the end of the shaft opposite the brush, the controller being mounted at the base of the neck so as to be movable between a first position that extends the brush away from the neck, and a second position that retracts the brush towards the neck. The method comprises inserting, between adjacent teeth, a device having a brush, a controller and a handle, the controller for effecting movement of the brush in a direction generally perpendicular to the handle, and keeping the handle generally stationary while moving the controller up and down to move the brush along front-to-back and back-to-front paths between the adjacent teeth. Moving the controller may occur via pressure from a user's finger, or via force from a motor in the device.

Abstract: A singulation handler system is provided for a strip of electronic packages, which comprises an onloader located adjacent to an onloading location for providing an unsingulated strip of packages for singulation and a cutting jig for mounting the strip of unsingulated packages. The cutting jig is movable between the onloading location and a singulation location at which the strip is singulated by a singulation engine. The system further includes a buffer boat for holding singulated packages that have been removed from the cutting jig and which is operative to convey the singulated packages in a fixed relative orientation. A gang pick head is operative to transfer multiple singulated packages simultaneously from the buffer boat to a rotary turret device and an offloader is provided for transferring singulated packages from the rotary turret device to containers in which the singulated packages are storable.

Abstract: An air duct comprises a duct wall bounding an airflow channel that extends through the air duct along a flow path. The airflow channel has a plurality of cross-sections that are bounded by the duct wall and that are perpendicular to the flow path. A first one of the cross-sections has an aspect ratio that is less than two. A second one of the cross-sections has an aspect ratio that is greater than four and a minimum dimension that is less than three-quarters of an inch. A third one of the cross-sections has an aspect ratio that is less than two. The second cross-section is positioned between the first and third cross-sections along the flow path. The air duct channels air beneath a door, thereby allowing a vacuum or blower tool to operate in one room while the vacuum or blower device operating the tool operates in a different room.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body with a dust collection container received therein and a base unit with a front portion with respect to the travel direction of the vacuum cleaner. At least one electrical load is disposed in the front portion of the base unit. A carriage is provided to move the base unit on the surface. The vacuum cleaner includes a tilting joint operable to provide relative tilting between the upper body and the base unit about a tilting axis that is horizontal when the vacuum cleaner is in a position of use. At least one cable is routed between the upper body and the at least one electrical load. A plurality of cable ducts are disposed in the vicinity of the tilting axis and configured to receive the at least one cable.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The A nozzle assembly includes a main casing having an air inlet formed thereto to draw in dust or dirt from a surface to be cleaned, a drum brush disposed in the main casing to brush away the dust or dirt adhered to the surface while rotating in contact with the surface, and a subsidiary brush unit disposed in front of the main casing to preliminarily brush away the dust or dirt adhered to the surface in front of the drum brush, and having a cover disposed in front of the main casing, and a subsidiary brush member to come in elastic contact with the surface. The subsidiary brush member is configured to change a relative position to the cover, and thus to selectively maintain a contact state or a non-contact state to the surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner motor assembly includes a motor in a bucket, configured so as to drive a fan to provide airflow. An epicyclic gear system is attached to the output shaft of the motor, to produce an output of reduced rotational speed. The output is employed to drive an agitator via a belt. The belt is driven at a reduced rotational speed to that achievable hitherto, and thus there is reduced wear on the belt. The provision of a gear arrangement mounted directly to the motor casing provides a compact assembly. One of the epicyclic gears, such as the ring gear, is arranged to slip with respect to a clutch member if the agitator becomes jammed. An actuator switches off the motor if the heat of friction of the slipping gear exceeds a predetermined value, or if the slipping gear rotates at a speed above a predetermined value. Thus, the motor switches off before damage occurs to any of the components of the system.

Abstract: An overload clutch (10) for a rotating agitation member (11) for a surface cleaning machine includes a clutch member (12) connected to the agitation member (11) to rotate therewith, a coupling member (20) rotatable relative to the clutch member (12), and a torque lever (40) having an end pivotally mounted to the coupling member (12). The other end of the torque lever (40) is biased to engage with the clutch member (12) such that the agitation member (11) is rotated together with the coupling member (20) when a torque load from the agitation member (11) is not greater than a preset level. The torque lever (40) pivots outward away from the clutch member (12) and disengages from the clutch member (12) to disconnect the torque lever (40) from the clutch member (12) when the torque load from the agitation member (11) is greater than the preset level.

Abstract: A hinge cover is provided for a refrigerator door hinge so as to hide the hinge screws. The cover includes a cap with a front face and a side wall extending continuously around the cover. A bead is formed on the inside of the side wall to engage a mounting plate secured to the base of the door hinge, or alternatively, to frictionally engage the hinge base. The cover is made of a flexible material, and includes a slot through which the hinge flange and post extend. The cover can be colored to match or complement the refrigerator color.

Abstract: A hinge is mounted between a cover and a base of an electronic device. A lid covers the hinge and is attached securely to the base. The hinge has an arced surface and a rotating shaft. When the cover is pivoted to a certain angle, the rotating shaft abuts the arced surface to lift up the cover so the cover is selectively distant away from the lid. Therefore, the shape of the electronic device does not need to be disfigured and the cover still does not bump against the lid.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and a pivot subassembly. The pivot subassembly connects the first connecting member to the second connecting member. The pivot subassembly includes a rotatable shaft, a sleeve, and a positioning ring. The rotatable shaft is non-rotatably connected to the first connecting member. The sleeve is sleeved on the rotatable shaft, and non-rotatably connected to the rotatable shaft. The positioning ring is non-rotatably connected to the second connecting member. The sleeve defines two positioning cutouts, and the positioning ring defines two positioning protrusions engaging with the positioning cutouts. When the rotatable shaft rotates, one of the sleeve and the positioning ring deforms, so that the at least one positioning protrusion disengages from the at least one positioning cutout.

Abstract: A handle (10) is suitable for transmitting a torque between a rotation knob and a respective output shaft connectable to cables, tubes, or the like, wherein said handle comprises at least first and second transmission lines which operate between a first rotation knob (12) and a first output shaft (22) and between a second rotation knob (14) and a second output shaft (24), respectively. The first and second rotation knobs are co-axially arranged along a common axis (X). The first and second output shafts are arranged on different axes (X, Y). The handle comprises a lock-out mechanism suitable for selecting between the first transmission line and the second transmission line thus preventing the rotation of the one rotation knob while the other is being rotated.

Abstract: A structure for attaching to a support a protective member having a rib comprises a single-piece clip with a rib-fastening section and a support-fastening section. The rib-fastening section has a pair of walls defining a space into which the rib is inserted, and the walls have respective resilient pawls that engage opposite sides of the rib to resist withdrawal of the rib from the space. The walls have reinforcing braces outside the space. The support-fastening section has a tube with a tapered lead-in member for receiving a stud projecting from the support.

Abstract: An innovative baby appliance support makes it possible to keep baby's pacifier (and other appliances) clean while in use. The support features a strap with clasps at each end. The strap, which may or may not feature an adjustable length, features at least one clasp tab. In use, one clasp of the device is affixed to the child's clothing, while the other is looped around the pacifier handle and applied to the clasp tab. When used in such a manner, the support will frequently wholly prevent the pacifier or other appliance from falling and contacting the ground when it is dropped from the child's mouth.

Abstract: A curved slide fastener in which a convex element attaching edge portion which is curved convexly and outwardly and a concave element attaching edge portion which is curved concavely and inwardly are arranged to face each other on opposing side edges of a pair of fastener tapes, a stretchable member which is elastically deformed so as to be stretchable in a length direction of the fastener tape is attached to an edge side of the fastener tape on an opposite side to the convex element attaching edge portion, and the stretchable member is fixed to the fastener tape in a contracted state and maintains a foundation structure of the fastener tape in a contracted state, thereby preventing occurrence of wrinkle or swelling on the tape surface.

Abstract: A lockable mounting mechanism has a hitch portion and a receiver portion, the hitch portion having a hitch member, a locking member being rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and a camming surface being rotatable with the locking member and the receiver portion having a channel, the hitch member of the hitch portion and the channel of the receiver portion sized to slidably receive the hitch member into the channel portion whereby to mount the hitch portion to the receiver portion, the receiver portion further having a reset surface positioned to engage the camming surface as the hitch member is slid into the channel when the locking member is out of the unlocked position, the camming surface and reset surface cooperating to automatically rotate the locking member toward the unlocked position as the hitch member is slid into the channel.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a self-retaining suture is disclosed. A cutting bed supports the suture during cutting. A cutting device is moved through the suture thread along a selected path. The angle of the cutting device is changed during cutting. A cutting arm is articulated to allow change of the angle of the cutting device. The change in the angle of the cutting device is used to control the depth of cut and/or elevate a tissue-retainer away from the suture to better engage tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite structure having a supporting substrate between a piezoelectric substrate and a compensation layer. The materials used to form the piezoelectric substrate and the compensation layer in isolation, have higher thermal coefficients of expansion (TCE) relative to the TCE of the materials forming the supporting substrate. Once the composite structure is created, the piezoelectric substrate and compensation layer tend to expand and contract in a similar manner as temperature changes. The expansion and contraction forces applied to the supporting substrate by the piezoelectric substrate due to temperature changes are substantially countered by similar opposing forces applied by the compensation layer, resulting in the opposing forces substantially counteracting one another.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator, includes: forming a constraint force buffering layer, the constraint force buffering layer being made of a hardness control material of which hardness changes in accordance with temperature condition; raising the hardness of the constraint force buffering layer by cooling the constraint force buffering layer; and forming a piezoelectric element by a deposition method, on the constraint force buffering layer of which hardness has been raised, wherein: the hardness control material is a shape memory polymer, a glass transition temperature of the shape memory polymer is lower than an operating temperature occurring during driving of the piezoelectric actuator, and the constraint force buffering layer has a higher hardness at a temperature occurring during formation of the piezoelectric element which is lower than the operating temperature.

Abstract: A swage collar and an internal sealing insert form a swage collar assembly used in combination with a structural fastener to prevent leakage through a connection of workpieces fastened together by the structural fastener. The swage collar has a hollow, generally cylindrical main body portion with a main central bore, and a base portion with an internal shoulder formed in the main central bore so as to form a seal receiving guide. The shaft of the fastener typically includes a threaded section and an unthreaded section, and the internal sealing insert interfaces with the threaded section and the unthreaded section of the shaft of the pin. In an alternate embodiment, the internal sealing insert interfaces with the unthreaded section of shaft of the pin.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting a steering knuckle of an amphibious vehicle to make the knuckle and axle assembly water-tight includes the steps of providing a neoprene rubber boot; attaching a flange to an axle of the vehicle; clamping one end of the boot to the flange; clamping the other end of the boot to the steering knuckle; and attaching a steering stop to either the axle or the flange.

Abstract: A method of producing a stent-balloon assembly is disclosed which includes providing a stent having a polymeric component; exposing the stent to a relative humidity of 20% to 100%; and crimping the stent on a balloon of a catheter assembly. The polymeric component could be at least part of the material from which the stent is made or could be a constituent of a coating for the stent, such as a drug delivery coating. In lieu of or in addition to the application of humidity, a plasticizing agent can be applied to the polymeric component. A crimping device is also disclosed which allows the stent to be exposed to humidity during the crimping process.

Abstract: An endovascular device tip assembly and method of making the same, incorporating a tip device with a first and second flange, usable with catheters and other suitable endovascular devices is provided. The tip assembly incorporates a tip device by providing a counterbore within a primary bore of a tubular end portion of an endovascular device. The tip device is fitted securely within the counterbore by placing the first flange within the counterbore and the second flange on the outside of the end portion.

Abstract: An anchoring fastener comprises, in one embodiment, a shaft (100) with straight and tapered portions, a tip (105) at the front end, cam follower surfaces (110, 111) at the rear end, a body (120) with a bore, a head (125) with a hole collinear with the bore in the body, and a pair of fins (115). The shaft and the body are joined at a bendable region by the fins. The anchor is fully inserted into wallboard (600) until the head comes into contact with the outer surface of the wallboard (610). The length of the body is approximately equal to the thickness of the wall. The fins slice into the wallboard, thereby preventing rotation of the anchor during and after insertion. An activating member (900), such as a screw or a pin, is inserted into the hole and bore and urged against the cam follower surfaces, thereby forcing the shaft to rotate until it comes into contact with the inner surface (615) of the wallboard.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bedknife for a reel cutting unit comprises providing a base having a tool steel insert that forms a cutting edge of the bedknife. The base comprises a heat treatable steel. Both the base and the insert are heat treated prior to joining the insert to the base. The insert is then integrally joined to the base by brazing the two together using a silver based filler between the two.

Abstract: A package carrier enclosing at least one microelectronic element has a pattern of electrically conductive connection pads for electric connection of the package to another device. The package carrier is manufactured by providing a sacrificial carrier; applying an electrically conductive pattern to one side of the carrier; bending the carrier to create a shape having an elevated portion and recessed portions; forming a body member on the carrier at the side where the electrically conductive pattern is present; removing the sacrificial carrier; and placing a microelectronic element in a recess created in the body member at the position where the elevated portion of the carrier has been, and connecting the microelectronic element to the electrically conductive pattern. Furthermore, a hole in the package provides access to a sensitive surface of the microelectronic element.

Abstract: Replacement of a transducer assembly for an ultrasonic fluid meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: disconnecting a wiring harness that electrically couples electronics of an ultrasonic meter to a transducer assembly; removing the transducer assembly as a single unit from a transducer housing; inserting a replacement transducer assembly as a single unit into the transducer housing; and reconnecting the wiring harness.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a manufacturing a magnetoresistive sensor that allows the sensor to be constructed with a very narrow and well controlled track width. The method includes depositing a layer of diamond like carbon over a series of sensor layers. A first mask is then formed to define a sensor, and an ion milling is performed to remove sensor material not protected by the first mask. Then, a second mask is formed, and a hard bias layer is deposited to the thickness of the sensor layers. The second mask is then lifted off and a CMP is performed to remove the first mask structure. Because all areas other than the area directly over the sensor are substantially planar a quick, gentle CMP can be used to remove the first mask layer even if the first mask is small, such as for definition of a very narrow track-width sensor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a clamping device for a flexible substrate is provided. A carrier board is provided. A plurality of holes is formed in the carrier board. A fixed positioning assembly and a movable positioning assembly are respectively embedded in the plurality of holes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component-embedded printed circuit board is disclosed. By using a method of manufacturing a component-embedded printed circuit board, which includes: mounting a component on a first copper foil, on which a pattern is formed, such that the component is electrically connected with the pattern; stacking an insulation layer, which has a cavity formed in a position corresponding to the component, on a second copper foil, on which at least one conductive protrusion is formed; stacking together the first copper foil and the second copper foil such that the component is embedded in the cavity and the first copper foil and the second copper foil are electrically connected by the conductive protrusion; and removing portions of the first copper foil and the second copper foil to form circuit patterns, the circuit pattern formed from the first copper foil may be given a buried form, so that it is possible to manufacture a thin printed circuit board, when embedding a flip chip type component.

Abstract: A method for assembling a lens module with an image sensor, includes providing a holder having first and second receiving spaces, disposing the image sensor in the second receiving space, locating lens barrel at a first position in the first receiving space, casting a light beam on the lens module to allow the lens module to converge the light beam into a light spot on the image sensor, determining if the light spot is at its smallest to determine if a distance between the lens module at the first position and the image sensor is equal to a focal length of the lens module, moving the lens module to a second position in the first receiving space to achieve a predetermined distance from the first position, and positioning the lens module at the second position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a securing device for securing a card to a socket within a computer is provided where the card and the socket are coupled. The device includes a unitary base member comprising a foundation portion dimensioned to receive a stationary socket and an arm portion orthogonally positioned relative to the foundation. A first engaging means is formed on at least one side of the arm member. The device also includes a clasp assembly that includes an opening for slideably receiving the arm portion of the unitary base member, a recess for receiving a non-connecting end of a card, and a second engaging means for securely engaging the first engaging means. The clasp assembly secures the card to the socket with the socket received in the foundation portion and edge of the card is received in the recess.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a large area, multi-element contactor. A segmented contactor is provided for testing semiconductor devices on a wafer that comprises a plurality of contactor units mounted to a substrate. The contactor units are formed, tested, and assembled to a backing substrate. The contactor units may include leads extending laterally for connection to an external instrument such as a burn-in board. The contactor units include conductive areas such as pads that are placed into contact with conductive terminals on devices under test.

Abstract: Various pattern transfer and etching steps can be used to create features. Conventional photolithography steps can be used in combination with pitch-reduction techniques to form superimposed, pitch-reduced patterns of crossing elongate features that can be consolidated into a single layer. Planarizing techniques using a filler layer and a protective layer are disclosed. Portions of an integrated circuit having different heights can be etched to a common plane.

Abstract: A target layer with holes is formed on a bottom conducting layer. Nanotubes are formed in the holes from the bottom conducting layer. A flat insulating layer is then deposited on the target layer, the nanotubes passing through the insulating layer. Air gaps are then formed by selective decomposition of the target layer. The decomposition agent and/or decomposition by-products use the walls and the central holes of the nanotubes to pass between the target layer and the outside. After decomposition, the top conducting layer is formed on the insulating layer. The nanotubes then electrically connect the conducting layers.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of utilizing removable mechanical precising mechanisms and/or optical-based precising mechanisms to align chips within sockets. The sockets can be configured so that compression of the sockets opens a clamping mechanism. A chip can be placed within a socket with a manipulator and aligned during compression of the socket. Subsequently, the compression of the socket can be released while the manipulator remains in contact with the chip to hold the chip in place until the clamping mechanism is retaining the chip in the socket. The chip can then be released from the manipulator. The invention also includes systems for utilizing removable nests to align various chip geometries within generic socket designs.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing connectors comprises providing a carrier strip with a plurality of first alignment apertures and a plurality of contacts arranged in a row. The carrier strip is cut to desired lengths to form contact band pieces. The first alignment apertures are engaged with first protrusions on a carrier tape to mount each of the contact band pieces to the carrier tape. The first protrusions have a smaller outer diameter than an inner diameter of the first alignment apertures such that there is slight play there between. Resin is insert molded around the rows of the contacts to form a housing. The contacts are then cut from the carrier strip.

Abstract: A method of converting a diesel engine to a natural gas engine comprising inserting a spark plug into a diesel fuel injector opening in a cylinder head; installing a throttle body on the diesel engine; installing a throttle body adaptor between a throttle body and an intake manifold of said diesel engine; and modifying a piston, whereby the compression ratio of said piston is decreased during operation of said piston. The method also includes installation of a waste gate and waste gate adaptor and a timing mask.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a piston for a combustion engine comprising a combustion recess, during which an annular fiber preform for reinforcing the edge of the combustion recess is firstly fastened inside the casting mold. Afterwards, a low-silicon aluminum/copper melt is introduced into the casting mold by which the fiber preform is infiltrated and molded into the recess edge within the scope of the casting process. The piston blank produced in this manner is then subsequently compacted by a high-temperature isostatic pressing before the piston is completed by means of a machining completion process. The flanks and the base areas of the second and third annular groove are coated by means of anodic oxidation, and the hub boreholes are smoothed and hardened by roller-burnishing. This results in a very high-quality and heavy-duty piston.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the bending strength and the endurance limit of crankshafts by locally restricted hammering in areas of high stress, such as grooves, the mouths of bores and cross-sectional transition zones, in which method pressure impulse machines or beating devices comprising heating tools are employed. The pressure impulse machines or beating devices only execute a relative displacement of the beating tool against the surface of the crankshaft segment to be processed when the compressive stress is introduced between the heating tool and said surface of the crankshaft segment to be processed. The invention also relates to a device for increasing the endurance limit of crankshafts.

Abstract: A method for restoring a crack formed within a turbo charger engine transition section, the method including preparing a crack in the transition section to receive a material within the crack, applying the material within the crack, and retaining structural integrity of the transition section proximate the crack while at least one of preparing the crack and applying the material.

Abstract: A wind tower erection device and method for erecting wind turbine towers which avoid the need for using expensive cranes. The device and method employs a stacker unit for anchoring to the wind turbine foundation, a plurality of intermediate modules, and a mechanical actuator for raising the intermediate modules vertically. The stacker unit has a receptacle allowing for lateral sliding of intermediate modules inside of the stacker unit. In one embodiment, the stacker unit has a receptacle for lateral sliding of intermediate modules inside of the stacker unit. The stacker unit and the intermediate modules each have at least one open side to for positioning of tower sections within the stacker unit and stacked intermediate modules. A bridge crane section is initially placed on top of the stacked intermediate modules.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an orientation film which method is suitable for manufacturing an orientation film containing a ceramic at low cost. The method includes the steps of: (a) forming a film containing a piezoelectric ceramic on a seed substrate in which crystal orientation is controlled at least on a surface thereof by using an aerosol deposition method of injecting powder toward a substrate and depositing the powder on the substrate; and (b) heat-treating the ceramic film formed at step (a) to form an orientation film in which crystal grains contained in the ceramic film is oriented.

Abstract: In a method for producing plastic sanitary articles having surfaces metallized by electroplating, the sanitary article has at least one electrically nonconductive component, before said article is metallized by electroplating using an external current source. This component at least partially decouples the water-bearing regions of the sanitary article from the current flow during metallization by electroplating using the external current source. The component is preferably a separate component which can be reversibly connected to the sanitary article. The invention also includes the component for decoupling the current itself, and a sanitary article which is provided with the component.

Abstract: A replacement cartridge for a razor assembly is provided that includes a shaving aid body for use with the razor assembly. The shaving aid body includes an aperture disposed within a contact surface. The aperture is sized to receive a razor cartridge. Some embodiments of the present replacement cartridge include a base. In some of those embodiments the base includes one or more features for attaching the replacement cartridge to the razor assembly.