Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method of a washing machine which minimizes damage to laundry to be washed. The control method includes executing a washing cycle to wash laundry to be washed by supplying wash water, dissolving detergent in wash water and washing the laundry, executing a rinsing cycle to rinse the laundry by draining wash water, spin-drying the laundry, and rinsing the laundry, and executing a spin-drying cycle to spin-dry the laundry by draining wash water and spin-drying the laundry, wherein the dissolving of the detergent is carried out at a water level lower than a predetermined reference water level.

Abstract: In a method for applying a treatment composition to a laundry item in a laundry treatment device having a rotatably mounted drum and a water supply, water is added to the laundry item in a first rotation step of the drum to set a pre-determined residual moisture content. A treatment composition is sprayed onto the laundry item with the aid of the water supply in a second rotation step of the drum, when the drum is rotated at a rotary speed which is equal to or greater than a centrifugal adhesion rotary speed.

Abstract: The invention provides dye mixtures for application to human hair, the dye mixtures comprising polyphenolic materials, these materials being obtained from botanical sources. Preferably, the botanical source is fruit, especially fruit selected from blackcurrants, blackberries, blueberries, bilberries, cranberries, grapes, chokeberries, Saskatoon berries, sea-buckthorn, mulberries acai, cherries, red cabbage and/or figs. Preferably, the polyphenolic materials comprise anthocyanin compounds which, most preferably, are aglycone anthocyanidins or glycosylated anthocyanins of the formula (III): wherein R1 and R2 are, independently, H, OH or OCH3, R3 is OH (aglycone anthocyanidins) or a glycosyl group (glycosylated anthocyanins), and x is a counter-ion. The invention also provides methods for the preparation of these dye mixtures and for the use of the dye mixtures in the semi-permanent coloration of human hair.

Abstract: A cushioning device comprising a sticky surface, the device comprising a gel material bound to a thermoplastic film material having a polarity compatible with the gel material, wherein the thermoplastic film material further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive located on a surface of the film material opposite to the surface that is bonded to the gel material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell of a skate with different widths having acts of forming a shoe shell with a rudimentary mold assembly, ejecting the shoe shell from the rudimentary mold assembly and adjusting a width of the sole of the shoe shell before the shoe shell hardens. The sole of the shoe shell has at least one adjusting portion to allow the sole to expand or be compressed. With the acts, each size of the shoe shell needs only one rudimentary mold assembly that has complex structure and high cost to substantially form a basic shape of the shoe shell and multiple shaping molds of different widths that have simple structure and low cost are prepared to further adjust widths of the shoe shell. Consequently, total cost for manufacturing the shoe shell with different widths is effectively lowered.

Abstract: A bridge assembly is made up of stackable components that are arranged together to span substantially any size and type of geological formation. At least some of the bridge components can accommodate variations in their positioning relative to one another so that the bridge can still function after limited damage or shifting, or so that it can be readily repaired or rebuilt after being partially toppled. The bridge components can be pre-formed out of concrete, and can typically be assembled using primarily unskilled labor.

Abstract: A suction type turbine-driven pool-cleaners utilizing vortex turbines to propel and steer the pool cleaner is disclosed. The cleaner includes a housing for one or more vortex-turbine mechanisms, each with a chamber and a turbine, tracks for movement over submerged surfaces, a differential mechanism for steering purposes, a reverse of inlet flow mechanism, a cam design for engagement of steering and reversing mechanisms, a means of controller inlet flow for steering purposes, and a means of controlling flow for reversing direction of cleaner movement.

Abstract: A device (17) for the production of brushes (1, 1a) that have a twisted carrier part (3) made from wire sections (2) with a set of bristles (4) and a handle-side and/or a head-side overmolding (5, 6) has an injection molding tool for holding and for the overmolding of the head-side or handle-side end region of a brush pre-form (32). The tool has a mold part (33) with a passage (13) for the end region. In this way, a mechanism (20) for the attachment or introduction of a sealing element (7) is provided on the carrier part (3), wherein this sealing element (7) is arranged in the region of the passage (13) for the overmolding and seals this passage.

Abstract: A brush head for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The brush head includes a neck connectable to a handle of the electric toothbrush, and a bristle carrier pivotally supported by a pivot support at the neck about a pivot axis extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the neck.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head having a proximal end and a distal end furthest from the proximal end. The head also includes a top face having a plurality of bristle tufts disposed therein, a back face opposed to the top face, and a tip. An elastomeric support element covers a portion of the back face, and the tip is uncovered by the elastomeric support element. A first plurality of elastomeric elements is integrally formed with the elastomeric support element. Each of the first plurality of elastomeric elements extends individually from the elastomeric support element and terminates in a free end.

Abstract: A brush includes: a brush body having a base plate, at least one through hole, and a guide rail; a bristle unit including a plurality of bristles connected to the base plate; a hair-removing plate disposed movably below the base plate and formed with a plurality of bristle holes; a push member disposed above the base plate and connected slidably to the guide rail; and at least one flexible strip that extends through the through hole and that is connected to the push member and the hair-removing plate. The push member is slidable along the guide rail and toward or away from the through hole so as to move the hair-removing plate away from or toward the base plate. The hair-removing plate moves away from the lower surface of the base plate when the push member slides toward the through hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning cloth that is constructed from a single yarn but has multiple cleaning functions. The cleaning cloth comprises base material, a looped pile formed of a yarn extending from the base material a first distance at a working surface, and a cut pile formed of the yarn extending from the base material a second distance at the working surface. The first distance is greater than the second distance by at least 0.5 mm. The longer looped pile is able to perform a sweeping action, while the shorter cut pile is a more dense arrangement of the fiber to capture and retain fine dust and debris. The disclosed cleaning cloth is therefore highly suitable for cleaning highly textured surface, such as tile floors.

Abstract: A cleaning cloth holding structure for a mopping apparatus includes a socket and a fastening member. The socket has a lower surface to hold a cleaning cloth and an upper surface to anchor the cleaning cloth. The fastening member has an assembling portion coupled with the upper surface of the socket. The upper surface has a first anchor portion. The fastening member has a corresponding second anchor portion to clamp the cleaning cloth with the first anchor portion to form anchor relationship. Thus the cleaning cloth can be securely held on the socket without loosening off during cleaning to improve usability.

Abstract: A scrubbing pad includes a lesser abrasive scrubbing layer attached to a steel wool pad, resulting in a single unit that may be used for scrubbing a variety of surfaces. The two separate pads, having the same size, may be sandwiched together and may be connected together with, for example, a plurality of ties on each side of the sandwiched pads.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the limitations and disadvantages in the related art in a beam blade windshield wiper assembly having a universal coupler assembly. The universal coupler assembly includes a carrier that is operatively mounted to the windshield wiper assembly, a saddle that is removably received and retained by the carrier, and a coupler that is operatively mounted to the saddle. The carrier, saddle, and coupler cooperate to accommodate various sizes of “hook-type” attachment members, “bayonet-type” attachment members, as well as “pin-type” attachment members that are used to connect the wiper arm and the windshield wiper assembly.

Abstract: A beam blade windshield wiper assembly having a universal coupler assembly including a carrier, a saddle that is removably received and retained by the carrier, and a coupler that is operatively mounted to the saddle. The carrier, saddle, and coupler cooperate to accommodate various sizes of “pinch-type” attachment members, “push-button-type” attachment members, as well as “side-pin-type” and “pin-and-bent-tab-type” attachment members that are used to connect the wiper arm and the windshield wiper assembly.

Abstract: A scraper for scraping and/or cleaning, for example for scraping and/or cleaning of units for the production and/or treatment of a fibrous material web, such as scraping and/or cleaning of drying cylinders. The scraper includes a composite material including a resin matrix material, a plurality of fibers embedded in the resin matrix material, and copper and/or at least one copper alloy embedded in the resin matrix material. At least a portion of the resin matrix material is replaced with a silicone modified epoxy resin.

Abstract: A washer-drier scrubbing machine includes a rotating roll brush the surface covered by spiked bristles facing upwards and towards the centre near the front portion, and is covered by a casing which extends downwards and near the ground is provided with a “flap” having aligned openings oriented and facing the floor at the sides of the casing and facing the ground are sprayers fed with water-detergent mixtures pumped from a tank. Proximate the sprayers are arranged diffusers of compressed air which prevent the sprayed washing mixture from expanding outside the outline of the casing and being conveyed only towards the casing openings and towards a rotating brush and not beyond, on the track along which the machine proceeds the dirty water collected by the brush is sent to a tank through a separator which retains the high consistency dirt, and an intermediate container.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automotive sweeper with wheels for traveling along a ground surface and with at least one sweeping brush rotatingly drivable for sweeping the ground surface and with a dirt container adapted to be acted upon with a vacuum by a suction unit via a suction conduit and connected to a suction port via an intake line for the purpose of receiving sweepings. In order to develop the sweeper further in such a manner that it achieves an improved cleaning result with as little use of energy as possible it is suggested in accordance with the invention that the suction conduit be integrated into the dirt container at least in sections, wherein the outlet of the intake line opening into the dirt container is arranged next to at least one inlet area of the suction conduit.

Abstract: A robot cleaner system includes docking structure to allow a dust discharge port of a robot cleaner to come into close contact with a dust suction port of a docking station without an additional drive device. The robot cleaner system includes a robot cleaner having a dust discharge port, a docking station having a dust suction port to suction dust collected in the robot cleaner, and a docking device to perform a seesaw movement as it contacts the robot cleaner when the robot cleaner docks with the docking station, to allow the dust suction port to come into close contact with the dust discharge port. The docking device includes a link member installed in the docking station in a pivotally rotatable manner, one end having a contact portion to come into contact with the robot cleaner, and the other end having a docking portion defining the dust suction port therein.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a housing, a suction fan, a dustcup, a cover and an inlet into the dustcup. The dustcup is removably secured to the housing, and includes a cup end wall, a sidewall extending from the cup end wall, and an open end opposite the cup end wall. The cover can be connected to the open end of the dustcup, and includes an air outlet in fluid communication with the suction fan, and a filter covering the air outlet and extending from the cover towards the cup end wall. The cup end wall includes a barrier positioned to be contacted by air flowing through the dustcup to thereby separate dirt particles from the air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for influencing movement of a handle of a floor treatment device, such as a vacuum. The floor treatment device may include a handle portion that is attached to a base, which includes a floor treatment portion. The handle portion may be pivotally movable about a rotation axis relative to the base between at least first and second positions, where the rotation axis lies in a vertical plane that includes a longitudinal axis of the handle when the handle portion is in the first position and the longitudinal axis is a non-vertical position. A pivot assist device may apply a bias to the handle portion that urges the handle portion to move from the second position to the first position, e.g., to help support the weight of the handle when a user steers the floor treatment device across a floor.

Abstract: A door hinge includes a fixing member (10) fixed to a door frame (100), an actuation frame (20) fixed to a door (200) to enable the door to be opened and closed, a slider (22) coupled between the actuation frame and the fixing member, a rotatable moving guide plate (30) rotatably moved around the hinge (34) when the door is opened, and configured to forwardly push the slider, a guide roller (18) to resiliently support the rotatable movement of the rotatable moving guide plate, and a connection frame (60) having one end connected to a slot (11) of the fixing member by a pin (62) and the other end connected to the actuation frame by the hinge (24) and forwardly pushed out when the door is opened along with the slider.

Abstract: A hinge includes a fixing frame, a rotating frame, a support, and a connecting member. The rotating frame is pivotally joined to the fixing frame. The support includes a first connecting portion for joining to the base and a second connecting portion. The connecting member is mounted between the rotating frame and the support. Furthermore, the connecting member is operably moved between an extended position and a retracted position in response to two opposite pivoting directions of the rotating frame with respect to the fixing frame, and in addition, the support moves away from the rotating frame in response to the connection member moving from the retracted position to the extended position thereof.

Abstract: A hinge includes a fixing frame, a cam, a rotating frame, and a torque assembly. The fixing frame includes a compartment and an orifice. The cam is insertably mounted to the fixing frame through the orifice. Furthermore, the cam includes a cam member disposed in the compartment. The rotating frame is joined to the cam and rotated with the cam concurrently. The torque assembly is disposed in the compartment and is moveably urged relative to the fixing frame by the cam. Furthermore, the torque assembly includes an end abutted against the cam member and another end supported by the fixing frame. Moreover, the torque assembly imposes torque that is variable during the pivoting of the rotating frame with respect to the fixing frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hinge for a buggy, stroller, etc. for infants. The hinge 10 includes a first hinge member 12 and a second hinge member 14. Hinge member 12 includes a first hinge end 16 and a connecting end 18 to connect to a first structural member 20 of an infant support apparatus along a first axis L1. The second hinge member 14 includes a hinge end 22 and a connecting end 24 to connect to structural member 26 of the infant support apparatus along a second axis L2. Hinge members 12, 14 are pivotal about axis T1 between a bent condition wherein the first and second longitudinal axes L1, L2 are non-aligned and a straight condition wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are generally aligned. The hinge ends are configured such that the amount of the profiles which overlap prevent the formation of a finger trap.

Abstract: Methods of improving a handle grip are disclosed that provide a simple, economical, way to improve a grip on a handle. An improved grip can be placed on a handle by first providing a grip for placement on the handle. The grip can include an outer grip formed of an elastic material in a radially extended state, the outer grip configured to provide a secure and comfortable hold on the handle for a user, and an inner tube holding the elastic material in the extended state. The inner tube can be removable to allow the outer grip to constrict radially. The grip can then be placed over the handle, and the inner tube removed, allowing the outer grip to constrict radially to conform in fixed attachment to the handle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pacifier strap clip comprising two clamping parts which can be pivoted in relation to each other and have co-operating clamping regions, wherein, in a closed clamping position of the pacifier strap clip, opposing, inner-side surfaces of the clamping regions substantially rest against each other and, in its open position, the clamping regions are spaced apart from each other, wherein a closure part by means of which the clamping regions can be transferred into their clamping positions is rotatably mounted on one of the clamping parts and the closure part has at least one engaging device, so that, when the closure part is turned in the direction of the open position, the two clamping regions are moved away from each other.

Abstract: A cord locker includes a plate with a through hole and a sidewall connected to an edge of the plate. The sidewall has at least a slot. The cord locker is incorporated in a length adjusting mechanism of a window covering, in which a cord has an end fixed to a top rail of the window covering and the other end passing through the through hole of the plate via a bottom of the cord locker, and then the cord is turned to pass through the slot of the sidewall, and then cross the plate and turn back to pass through the slot for fastening the cord and adjusting the length of the cord that the cord is quickly fastened to adjust a length of the window covering.

Abstract: A fastener for securing together two garment strap ends having confronting faces has at least male elements mounted on the face of one of the strap ends and respective female elements mounted on the face of the other strap end, generally complementary to the male element, and, with the faces touching or closely juxtaposed, slidably engageable in a direction parallel to the faces with the male elements to fasten the two strap ends together. Respective male and female magnets on the strap ends are oriented so as to hold the strap ends in a finder position with the faces engaging or closely juxtaposed with each other and the male and female elements spaced in the direction and disengaged from each other so that displacement of the strap ends apart in the direction from the finder position will engage and lock together the male and female elements.

Abstract: A hook assembly is adapted to be mounted on a sunshade screen. The hook assembly includes a side strip unit and a hook member. The side strip unit includes a first side strip extending along a longitudinal direction, and a second side strip extending along the longitudinal direction and cooperating with the first side strip for clamping the sunshade screen therebetween. The hook member includes an engaging portion detachably and slidably engaging the first side strip, and a hook portion extending from the engaging portion and exposed from the side strip unit.

Abstract: A hook is presented that includes a hook formed into a body formed into a hook shape and having a neck and fabricated from nonferromagnetic material with the body having a first end and a second end. The neck is proximate to the first end. The hook also includes a closure that is fabricated from ferromagnetic material and has a first closure end and a second closure end, the closure being pivotally attached to the body and positioned to span a gap between the second end of the hook and the body. There is at least one magnet fixedly attached to the neck, so the at least one magnet holds the closure in a closed position that spans the gap such that the hook encloses a defined space in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention is for a latch and unlatch release assembly for old and late model vehicles permitting driver or passenger to conveniently and safely release the seat belt tongue from its buckle as well as to connect it to the buckle. It is comprised of a light frame, a grab bar, a latch-release band, two tension springs, and two pivot clips. The assembly is installed on the face of the belt tongue so that when it is in the retracted position a driver or passenger can reach across the chest and grab the assembly with one hand. Next the tongue of the belt is pulled down across the chest to latch with the belt buckle. To unlatch, the grab bar of the assembly is pushed down in a manner that the actuator of the release band puts pressure at the top of the buckle release element, releasing the belt.

Abstract: A cremation container foldable into a compact configuration for shipping comprises a bottom, a pair of side walls connected to the bottom, a pair of end walls connected to the bottom, and a lid removably positioned atop the pair of side walls and the pair of end walls. Each wall of the pair of side walls and each wall of the pair of end walls comprises an upper panel and a lower panel hingedly connected together. The upper panels of the pair of end walls are foldable downwardly toward the bottom, and the upper panels of the pair of side walls are foldable downwardly atop the upper panels of the pair of end walls to thereby compactly configure the container for shipping.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid electrolytic condenser including a condenser element with anode polarity; an anode wire with one side inserted inside the condenser element and the other side projected outside the condenser element; and an insulating layer formed by coating one surface of the condenser element and an exposed region of the anode wire adjacent to the one surface of the condenser element with a liquid insulating material through a non-contact scattering method and an apparatus and a method for forming the insulating layer of the solid electrolytic condenser.

Abstract: A multiple tool station block for a machine having a Y-axis, such as a CNC machine, is provided.

Abstract: Spring cushions 10 having slow-acting pocketed spring cores 12 characterized by the individual springs of the cores 12 being pocketed within semi-impermeable fabric material and a method of making such pocketed spring cores 12.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet includes a substantially cylindrical shank having an outside diameter and a head. The shank has a central blind bore that defines an inside diameter and an annular piercing end spaced from said head. The ratio of the difference between the outside and inside diameters of the shank in the region around the bore to the outside diameter of the shank is in the range 0.47 to 0.52.

Abstract: A disassembled battery and methods for disassembling the battery are provided. Holes are formed in an enclosure of the battery and a fluid is injected into the batter to inactivate an electrolyte inside the battery. The enclosure of the battery is then cut to define strips in the enclosure that can be peeled back to expose a core inside the battery. The core can be extracted and recycled.

Abstract: A method for breaking separation of at least one bearing cap of a corresponding thrust block in the bearing assembly of engine cases provided with bearing bores which are arranged in-line, in particular crankshaft cases for alternative piston engines is provided. The method includes introducing an extension mandrel comprising two half-mandrels into at least one bearing hole, said half-mandrels being distant from each other in order to produce breaking separation force between the thrust block and the bearing cap. The bearing cap is clamped in such a way that it is non-rotatable except in a limited manner in the direction of breaking separation between a corresponding half-mandrel and a fixing device.

Abstract: A pipe removal method includes navigating a flexible element through a first pipe. At least a portion of the flexible element is coupled with the first pipe. The flexible element and the first pipe are pulled as a composite assembly, and the flexible element reinforces the tensile strength of the first pipe. In one example, the first pipe is at least pulled in compression between the point of coupling between the flexible element and the first pipe and a proximal end of the flexile element. In another example, the method includes wrapping the composite assembly around a spool. The composite assembly is thereby removed from the ground surrounding the first pipe.

Abstract: A wire adjuster for adjusting a position of an element within a limb of a breathing circuit. The wire adjuster comprises an interior wall engaging portion configured for engaging a surrounding interior wall of said limb and an element receiving portion coupled with the interior wall engaging portion, wherein the element receiving portion is configured for releasably securing the element as the wire adjuster is movably engaging with the surrounding interior wall, such that the wire adjuster can be used to selectively locate an element within the limb of the breathing circuit.

Abstract: A method of attaching a piece having an opening onto a part in a toy system by positioning the part adjacent the opening, pushing on the part inserting it into the opening, and releasing the part allowing the piece to be picked up by and retained on the part. In a toy system in which the part is an upper one of two generally elongated parts, the other being a lower part, that telescope axially against a bias, the biased apart parts are positioned adjacent the opening with the lower part proximate and pointed toward the opening and the upper part away from the opening. Pushing on the upper part telescopes it against the bias over the lower part and inserts the upper part into the opening. Releasing the parts allows the bias to move the parts apart with the piece picked up by and retained on the upper part.

Abstract: A protective cover for automobile side view mirrors is disclosed and claimed. The cover protects the non-mirrored side from damage while providing an unobstructed view of the mirror to the vehicle operator. The cover is self-tightening, and an optional sinching element and retaining element may be included. A graphic may be provided on the back side of the cover, opposite the mirrored surface.

Abstract: A rain guard assembly for providing shelter to an occupant entering or exiting a vehicle is described. Generally, the retractable rain guard assembly may comprise a housing integrally mounted within a roof of an automobile, a covering retractably held within the housing and having one or more engagement portions positioned along a free end of the covering, and one or more securement members positioned along a door of the automobile and aligned in a manner corresponding to positions of the one or more engagement portions. The one or more securement members are actuatable to engage to corresponding engagement portions such that opening of the door relative to the roof extends the covering therebetween. The covering may be engaged remotely, such as by a key fob, or automatically by a water detection sensor on the automobile.

Abstract: A lateral pipe lining material having a flange on one end thereof is installed on a head collar which is hermetically mounted on a pressure bag that stores the lateral pipe lining material. The head collar comprises a curved section and a cylindrical section projecting from the curved section. An expandable member is mounted to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical section of the head collar, and expanded so that the outer circumferential surface of the expanding member comes into close contact with the inner circumferential surface near the flange, and the inner circumferential surface thereof comes into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical section of the head collar. This allows a hermetical connection between the lateral pipe lining material and the head collar and ensures a reliable eversion and insertion of the lining material into a lateral pipe.

Abstract: A flange for holding a wiring or hose arranged on a chassis panel, may include a pair of connecting portions integrally formed on a bottom surface of the chassis panel, wherein the pair of the connecting portions are spaced with a predetermined distance each other, bent portions formed upwards from the connecting portions and bent in receding direction from each other and then in approaching direction to each other to hold the wiring or hose therein, and/or support portions formed on upper end portions of the bent portions to guide the wiring or hose into the bent portions and prevent release of the wiring or hose therefrom.

Abstract: A two-stage method of compressing a stent entails providing an expandable stent (100,105) in a radially expanded state. An outward pressure is applied to an inner surface of the tubular framework to support the stent, and a diameter of the stent is reduced to a first compressed diameter (D1) while applying the outward pressure. The outward pressure is halted after reaching the first compressed diameter. According to an embodiment in which the stent is balloon-expandable, a delivery balloon catheter (130) comprising an uninflated balloon in a delivery configuration is inserted into the lumen after halting the outward pressure. The diameter of the stent is reduced to a second compressed diameter (D2) smaller than the first compressed diameter to crimp the stent onto the delivery balloon catheter.

Abstract: A method of forming paneled corners including the step of providing first and second components. The first components can each have a pair of first legs forming an exterior angle of greater than 180 degrees, and can have a first connector. The second components can each have a pair of second legs forming an interior angle of less than 180, and can have a second connector. The method can further include the steps of choosing an outside corner from an outside corner and an inside corner, selecting one of the first components, placing the one first component over the outside corner, securing the one first component, placing panels on the first legs, selecting one of the second components, pushing the one second component onto the one first selected component to engage their respective second and first connectors, thereby capturing the edges of the two panels.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a laundry machine is disclosed. The manufacturing method of the laundry machine includes a suspension preparing step configured to prepare a suspension unit (40) configured to flexibly support a drum (30), a tub rear securing step configured to secure a tub rear (120) to the suspension unit (40), a drum securing step configured to a shaft (351) or the drum (30) to the suspension unit (40) via an inside of the tub rear (120), a tub front coupling step configured to couple a tub front (100) to the tub rear (120), a tub seating step configured to seat the tub front (100) and the tub rear (120) in a cabinet cabinet base (600)m and a suspension securing step configured to secure the suspension unit to the cabinet base (600).