Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to methods of making compositions comprising polyglycerol esters (PGEs) and a fabric softening active. Such compositions and methods of using such compositions are also disclosed. Such compositions have a structural state designed to include a significant amount swollen lamellar bi-layers comprising a combination of a plurality of softener actives. Thus, the composition has a thermodynamically favorable state that minimizes certain drawbacks and allows additional advantages to be obtained.

Abstract: A mixture of ester based chemicals applied to shoes for the purpose of improving performance in the normal use of the shoe. The mixture is applied to a surface of the shoes and allowed to penetrate the material forming the surface of the shoe. When applied to the sole of a shoe, the esters in the material will alter bulk properties of the shoe sole to alter the adhesion of the shoe to a traversed surface, the operative life of the shoe, the shoe performance and the shoe hardness. The mixture is especially suited for application to previously manufactured climbing shoes.

Abstract: A flexible, floating walkway (10) is described to make it possible to securely transport people and/or goods between installations at sea, such as ships, and land (30,20). The walkway is characterised in that it comprises bridge elements (50) coupled in between floating elements (60A, 60B, 60C) fitted with horizontal and vertical segments, so that the floating elements can be pulled out during use to couple the installations (30,20) (20) and folded up when the walkway (10) is not in use. The bridge elements (50) are designed, together with the floating elements (60A, 60B) to be unfolded and folded up in a zigzag concertina type formation. The invention also relates to applications of the construction to combine with land areas separated by a strait or a river where there is, for example, heavy traffic.

Abstract: Automatic pool cleaners and associated hoses are detailed. Hoses may contract and expand in use and include sections of differing compliancies. Such contractions and expansions may be intensified in more compliant portions and attenuated in less compliant portions. Also discussed are positive locking mechanisms for adjacent hose sections.

Abstract: A replaceable brush head for a powered toothbrush and a toothbrush incorporating the same. The brush head includes a body having a bore extending therethrough and a driveshaft extending through the bore and rotatable about a longitudinal axis. A first bristle block is disposed in the body and is operatively engaged with the driveshaft. A second bristle block is disposed in the body and is operatively engaged with the first bristle block. Rotation of the driveshaft produces a first type of motion in the first bristle block and the motion of the first bristle block produces a second type of motion in the second bristle block.

Abstract: The ultrasonic oral cleaner has a head including an ultrasonic oscillator disposed inside a base provided with an operating portion, the base is made of a flexible material, and the base is provided with the operating portion made of the flexible material and having a smooth top surface as an ultrasonic emitting surface.

Abstract: A toothbrush provides a head with bristles, a neck and a handle. An eccentrically rotational weight is engaged for rotation with a motor. The motor and weight are disposed within the handle. The handle, neck and head each have a different intensity of vibration. The toothbrush houses an electrical circuit, which includes a processor and at least two LEDs (light emitting diodes) at least one of which illuminates the neck and optionally also the head and the ends of the bristles attached to the head. At least two of the LEDs in the circuit are capable of emitting different colored light with respect to each other. The at least two LEDs are switched on for a predetermined time in a predetermined sequence under the control of the processor.

Abstract: A dusting equipment (1) for dusting a substantially parallelepiped-shaped or prism-shaped item (9), in particular a book. The equipment comprises a dusting station (6), a carriage (4) and motive means (44, 51, 55) adapted to move the carriage (4) with a reciprocating motion along a moving path between a first position for receiving the item (9) and a second end-of-stroke position. The carriage (4) is adapted to move the item (9) through the dusting station (6) during a motion between the first receiving position and the second end-of-stroke position, and vice versa.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus to clean leather items, including removal of dirt stains, grass stains, and scuff marks, including, but not limited to, baseballs, softballs, footballs and shoes. The apparatus holds a removable hollow barrel-shaped container in which the items to be cleaned are placed, along with pieces of a rubber or gummy material. The apparatus revolves the container so the mixture of rubber pieces and items to be cleaned mix together, the erratic motion of the eraser material buffing the items clean. A straining element in the barrel allows a user to separate the items being cleaned from the rubber material and removed debris by standing the barrel on its end, after which a user opens a door in the barrel above the strainer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lint roller having a handle, and first roll of tape and a second roll of tape. The handle has a support having a first portion and a second portion. The first roll of tape has an outwardly facing surface with adhesive and rotatable about the first portion of the support. The second roll of tape has an outwardly facing surface with adhesive and rotatable about the second portion of the support.

Abstract: A modular pipeline pig is formed of one or more driving cups and one or more scrapers, all joined together by flexible polymeric spool pieces. The scrapers include notches or cut-outs along their peripheral edges to bypass fluid. The driving cups, scrapers, and flexible spool pieces are joined together by metal bolts, the only metallic part of the pig. A flow path is provided through and around the pig to flush paraffin away from the pig when it is resident within a receiver so that the pig can be easily removed from the receiver without the laborious manual removal of the paraffin.

Abstract: A cleaning substrate which comprises at least one layer of a solid hypohalite precipitate, wherein the hypohalite precipitate is formed in situ on the layer of substrate material. A process for making a fibrous cleaning substrate comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one layer of fibrous material; b) exposing the fibrous layer to an aqueous alkaline earth salt solution; c) treating the fibrous layer with a hypochlorite solution; d) allowing the aqueous alkaline earth salt solution combine with the hypochlorite solution to form a solid hypochlorite precipitate around the fibers in the fibrous material and a liquid phase, and e) removing at least 65% of the liquid phase from the fibrous substrate.

Abstract: A toothbrush is provided having an elongated handle and a brush head supported by the handle. The brush head has a base and a plurality of bristles that are arranged in sections.Each section has bristles that extend from the base to form a contact surface elevated from the base. One or more of the sections include bristles that extend to varying lengths from the base to form a contact surface that inclines or declines relative to the base. The sections of bristles further include a first outside section having a contact surface that declines inwardly, an inside section, adjacent the first outside section, having a contact surface that declines outwardly toward the first outside section, and a second outside section positioned adjacent an opposite side of the inside section from the first outside section. The second outside section has a contact surface that declines inwardly toward the inside section.

Abstract: An abrasion protection sleeve is provided for floor cleaning devices. This abrasion protection sleeve can be retroactively applied to different cleaning systems, used and later removed due to its being made of an elastic material. Resilient protrusions or material accumulations on the surface of the abrasion protection sleeve softens blows, thereby eliminating damage to furniture, base boards, moldings, furniture or room dividers.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically removing webbing remnants from unwound cores without damaging the surfaces or ends of the cores. The core cleaning apparatus includes a frame that carries an overhead bridge crane and a cutter frame supporting a movable cutting blade. The overhead crane includes a pair of opposed plugs designed to engage the open ends of the spent core. The cutter frame includes a cutter assembly that has automatically driven horizontally the length of the material webbing of the spent core, thereby cutting excess material webbing from the spent core. The entire operation is managed by a programmable controller without operator intervention.

Abstract: An accessory for supplying liquids to an applicator such as a roller or brush formed by a container and a dispensing device. The upper part of the container is provided with a cover including an opening dimensioned to match the head of the dispensing device, while the periphery of the opening is provided with notches for holding the neck of the roller. The dispensing device is formed by an upper head or cover, a perforated panel perpendicular to the latter, and a second panel including a screen and positioned at the end opposite the cover. The cover is flat and is provided along the periphery thereof with a material that fits hermetically to the opening. The cover is rectangular and the central part thereof widens out into two opposing semicircles, said cover also including a handle.

Abstract: A powered mopping and cleaning machine is described. The machine includes a recovery tank, a filter assembly, a fresh water tank assembly, a vacuum assembly, a battery charger assembly, a control assembly, and a deck assembly. The machine is adapted to clean floors and more especially flat hard floors by means of providing a cleaning fluid to a rotating brush and by vacuuming resultant dirty fluid from the floor. The powered mopping and cleaning machine is adapted to replace the use of a conventional mop and mop bucket. Use of the powered mopping and cleaning machine is designed to result in decreased labor, increased efficiency, and decreased cleaning cost as compared to the use of a standard mop and mop bucket. The powered mopping and cleaning machine, although self-contained, will preferably fit into the same storage space that is otherwise allotted to store a conventional mop and mop bucket.

Abstract: An upright bare floor cleaner with a handle assembly pivotally mounted to a base assembly. The handle includes a water tank to store a quantity of water and a fluid distribution system that includes a heater and a spray nozzle. Steam is generated by the heater and is distributed to a removable cleaning cloth that applies the steam to the surface to be cleaned. The fluid distribution system further includes an auxiliary hand tool for steam cleaning above-floor surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates a mobile main-powered appliance including a cable reeler for a power cable and includes a rotatable reel onto which the cable can be wound. The cable may be extended or retracted from the appliance by unwinding or winding from the reel. The cable reeler is detachable from the appliance by a coupling. The coupling includes first and second coupling portions. The first portion attached to one end of the cable, and the second portion attached to the appliance. The coupling portions are releasably engageable with one another to make or detach an electrical connection between the cable and the appliance. The second portion may be on an external portion of the appliance and accessible via the wall portion, and may be on a cable reel flange portion or flange portion axially spaced apart from the reel.

Abstract: Suction appliance for cleaning purposes, comprising a dirt collecting container with a suction outlet on which a filter is held, a suction unit for acting upon the dirt collecting container with negative pressure, a suction chamber between the suction unit and the filter with an external air inlet, via which external air can flow into the suction chamber to act upon the filter on the clean-space side, a valve device with a valve seat forming the external air inlet, a movable valve body to seal and release the valve seat, and an actuating member to cause the valve body to be transferred from a closed position to an open position. The appliance can comprise an energy storage device, to which energy to be stored can be supplied by actuating the actuating member. Stored energy can be released for transferring the valve body from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A handle for a housing of a portable X-ray device includes an annular base body. The annular base body includes a holding part and a mounting part. A mounting device is disposed in the mounting part and includes two wheels spaced apart from one another on a common axle and a recess between the two wheels, wherein the two wheels protrude beyond an outer contour of the annular base body. Connecting straps are disposed on the holding part and configured to connect the annular base body to the housing.

Abstract: Provided is a hinge that can be manufactured easily in a short time. The hinge rotatably connects a first member and a second member, and is provided with two brackets that are rotatable against each other and mounted to the first member and the second member, respectively, and a friction-torque-generating member that generates friction torque by directly or indirectly pressing the two brackets against each other. A first of the two brackets is configured from an integral structure that includes a shaft part that passes through the second bracket and supports the rotation, and a mounting part that is mounted to the first member or the second member, with the shaft part and the mounting part being produced from a plate material.

Abstract: A hinge device 100 includes: a one-piece hinge base 20 such that connecting hinge bases 21a, 21b in which rotational shaft portions 23a, 23b are protrusively provided in the same direction by a burring process are connected together through a hinge base connecting part 22; and a one-piece holder 10 such that connecting holders 11a, 11b having click washers 30a, 30b attached thereto are connected together through a holder connecting part 12, wherein the one-piece holder 10 is assembled to the one-piece hinge base 20 from one direction.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, an apparatus comprises a hinge linkage member having first and second sides opposite each other and first and second shaped openings on at least one of the first and second sides; a first hinge bracket having a first axle element rotatably coupled with the hinge linkage member and movable with respect to a second axle element of a second hinge bracket, the first axle element extending at least partially through the first shaped opening; a second hinge bracket having the second axle element rotatably coupled with the hinge linkage member and movable with respect to the first axle element, the second axle element extending at least partially through the second shaped opening; and a latch rotatably coupled with the hinge linkage member, the latch being capable of securing the first hinge bracket when the second hinge bracket rotates to a open configuration.

Abstract: A flexible molded grip for an implement handle having a pattern on the surface of portions raised above adjacent areas, with the surfaces of the raised portions textured. The raised textured portions may extend in the range of about 0.5 mm to 2 mm above the intermediate smooth portions. The area of each of the raised portions may be in the range of about 100-200 percent (%) of the area of the intermediate spaces. The pattern of raised portions may include patterns such as polygonal, circular, oval and elliptical patterns. The method includes forming raised portions in a mold and forming textured surfaces on the raised portions after removal from the mold.

Abstract: A process for the production of multicrystalline silicon ingots by the induction method comprises charging a silicon raw material into the melting chamber of a cooled crucible enveloped by an inductor, forming a melt surface, and melting, wherein the mass rate of charging the silicon raw material and the speed of pulling the ingot are set such that provide for the melt surface position below the upper plane of the inductor but not lower than ? of the height thereof and the melt surface is kept at the same level. In doing this the melt surface position is kept at the same level by maintaining one of the output parameters of the inductor feed within a predetermined range. The process provides for casting multicrystalline silicon ingots suitable for solar cell fabrication and it is notable for higher efficiency and lower specific energy consumption.

Abstract: A process and design for affixing accessories to shoes and other articles of clothing is described. An assembly includes a button, thread, and a decorative element. The button is secured to a fashion article, such as clothing, accessories (e.g., purse, shoes, headband, backpack, belt, hat, bracelet, etc.) using thread. The decorative element contains a measured hole or elastic band. The measured hole or elastic band is fitted over the button, in turn attaching to the button member. This produces an adornment and may include, but is not limited to ribbon, fabric, patches, foam shapes, felt shapes, jewelry, and silk or cotton flowers. This assembly allows for releasable engagement with the button wherein various individual ones of the assembled adornments may be attached, removed and interchanged on the fashion article in accordance with a desired color scheme, arrangement, and overall appearance.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a rope includes a device body having a first width, a first length, and a first height, the first width substantially greater than each of the first height and the first length, the device body having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends at opposing ends of the first width of the device body. The apparatus includes a first rope notch, the first rope notch located at the first end of the device body, the first rope notch extending in a first direction parallel to the first height away from the central body. The apparatus includes a second rope notch, the second rope notch located at the second end of the device body, the second rope notch extending in a second direction parallel to the first height away from the device body, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A slide fastener is provided. Each of a pair of first and second stringers includes a tape and a row of coupling elements mounted on a longitudinal edge of the tape. Each of the coupling elements comprises a first non-connecting portion at an upper side of the tape and a second connecting portion at a lower side of the tape. The second connecting portion comprises a head portion and a body portion. The head portion is engageable with a head portion of opposing coupling element. The body portion is fixed to the tape.

Abstract: A double-sided blanket clip including a base member having a first surface disposed opposite a second surface. The clip further including a first actuating element and a second actuating element. The clip further including a first actuating member coupled on the first surface of the base member via the first actuating element so as to form a first clipping element having a first securing end, and a second actuating member coupled on the second surface of the base member via the second actuating element to as to form a second clipping element having a second securing end. Further, each of the first and second clipping elements being configured to be actuated between a release position and a securing position.

Abstract: A frame member, which is approximately U-shaped in side view, has an ejector having elastic locking pieces whose tips are configured to move along long holes formed in an upper plate, mounted thereon. A permanent magnet is mounted on a slider member, at the end portion closer to a Hall IC switch. Pairs of elastic engagement pieces are inserted through the long holes respectively, and engaged with engagement portions provided at the tips of elastic engagement pieces of the ejector respectively and thus assembled. In a base member formed approximately rectangular-frame-shaped in plan view, the Hall IC switch is fitted on a Hall IC switch supporting extension, extended approximately perpendicularly outward from an end portion closer to the frame member of an outer plate positioned adjacent to the permanent magnet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press (1) for producing a tampon (8) by radially pressing an absorbent material by means of compression jaws (2, 2?, 3) which have respective penetrating segments (4, 5) for embossing grooves (9, 10) into the absorbent material, one compression jaw (3) the penetrating segment (5) of which is designed as a strip having flat lateral faces projecting into the compression space and one compression jaw (2, 2?) the penetrating segment (4, 4?) of which is designed as a rib having undulated lateral faces projecting into the compression space being alternately arranged. A projection of the strip onto a peripheral surface of the tampon (8) present in the compression space represents a straight line and a projection of the undulated rib onto the peripheral surface represents an undulated line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for deep-rolling transition radii (5, 6) of crankshafts (1). Said device comprises at least one ruler-shaped rolling element (12, 13) that can be moved back and forth in one direction and has a substantially rectilinear contact surface (14, 15), a corresponding guiding surface for introducing a deep-rolling force (F) into a transition radius (5, 6) of a crankshaft (1), said guiding surface lying across from the guiding surface (14, 15) at a certain distance, and a means which generates a guiding and pressing force of the rolling element (12, 13). Said means consists of a guiding roller (29) which is rotatably mounted in the housing (18) of a deep-rolling tool (11) and has a circular guiding surface (24, 25) in relation to the guiding roller (29). The guiding surface of the rolling element (12, 13) adapts to said circular guiding surface (24, 25).

Abstract: The present invention concerns an arrangement for in situ mounting of rotor blades to a rotor hub of a wind power plant comprising rotor blades, a rotor hub (40), a disc (1), a means for rotation (30) of the disc (1) around its axis. The disc (1) is in connection with the rotor hub (40) in such a way that when the disc (1) rotates a certain degree of angle around its axis (3) it will cause the rotor hub (40) to rotate the same degree of angle around the axis of the rotor hub. When the means for rotation (30) comes into a desired position, the disc (1) is secured by a securing means (20; 36, 37).

Abstract: A surface layer of an anode body containing niobium is converted into a dielectric layer by a method for a chemical formation, which comprises step I of electrolytically forming an anode body comprising niobium in a chemical forming solution containing nitric acid and phosphoric acid at a temperature within a range from 40° C. to a boiling point of the chemical forming solution, step II of heat-treating the electrolytically formed anode body at a temperature within a range from 150° C. to 300° C., and step III of electrolytically forming the heat-treated anode body in a chemical forming solution containing nitric acid and phosphoric acid at a temperature within a range from 40° C. to a boiling point of the chemical forming solution. A cathode is formed on the dielectric layer to obtain a solid electrolytic capacitor element, and the element is sheathed to obtain a solid electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for setting a fastener element (55) having an inner pin (56) slidable relative to an outer body (57) and comprising a locking arrangement (32, 33; 38 39) comprising a bolt (19) provided for acting on the inner pin (56) and secured in a retracted position against axial displacement into an advanced position after relatively spacing a handle body (52) and an actuating organ (8, 46). When The actuating organ (8, 46) is actuated by a displacement opposite the retraction direction, an unlatching organ (40, 41) acts on the locking arrangement (32, 33; 38, 39) and releases the bolt (19) for displacing into the advanced position, Very simple handling of the manually actuated device is thus ensured.

Abstract: A method is provided for repairing an aircraft structural component which has a component fault in a portion adjoining a cavity of the aircraft structural component. The method includes removing a region of the aircraft structural component that has the component fault, introducing a bearing element into the cavity of the aircraft structural component through an opening, which has been formed in the aircraft structural component by the removal of the region of the aircraft structural component having the component fault, in such a way that a bearing surface of the bearing element comes to lie against a region, adjacent to the opening, of an inner surface of the aircraft structural component facing the cavity of the aircraft structural component, fixing the bearing element in its position in the cavity of the aircraft structural component, and closing the opening by means of a repair material.

Abstract: The invention concerns in particular a lining-holder cartridge for a drum brake equipped with shoes comprising a block provided with a rim for fixing a friction lining, the assembly forming a shoe for a drum brake, wherein it comprises a curved support in the form of a cylinder sector able to be fixed directly to the rim of said block, and it is provided with a friction lining with a shape adapted to that of said support. The invention greatly simplifies the replacement of drum brake linings, without removal of the brake blocks.

Abstract: A crimping apparatus includes a ram having crimp tooling for crimping a terminal to a wire during a crimp stroke and a force sensor detecting a crimp force during the crimp stroke. The crimping apparatus also includes a controller that monitors the crimp quality of a crimp based on a frequency profile of the crimp. Optionally, the controller may create the frequency profile based on a force profile using a frequency transform algorithm. The frequency transform algorithm may be a Fast Fourier Transform algorithm.

Abstract: A method for mounting interior components in an aircraft includes premounting a first interior component and premounting a second interior component. At least one of the first and the second interior component is secured to a mounting device and the first and second interior components are connected to form an individual module. A plurality of individual modules secured to the mounting device are interconnected to form a large module which is secured to the mounting device. The large module is detached from the mounting device and transported to a final-mounting position in an aircraft fuselage element. The detached large module is then mounted in the aircraft fuselage element.

Abstract: A method of assembling a constant velocity joint comprises: measuring a maximum non-interfering thickness of a trunnion that can be inserted into an inner roller without interference while inclining the inner roller by a predetermined degree; providing the trunnion to have a cross sectional shape, taken in a direction perpendicular to the trunnion, with a first thickness at one lateral side and a second thickness at the other lateral side, where one or both of the first and second thicknesses have a size the same as or 0-30% smaller than the maximum non-interfering thickness of the trunnion; inclining the inner roller to assume the predetermined degree of inclination; positioning the inclined inner roller onto the trunnion and completely assembling thereto without excessive external force.

Abstract: A method of attaching a cabinet assembly to a spa. The method includes providing a frame that has a channel that forms a perimeter. A spa is placed on the frame such that a flange or lip of the spa extends past the perimeter created by the channel. A plurality of slats are then secured between the flange of the spa and the channel of the frame in order to form a cabinet around the spa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for assembling a front panel, a plurality of side panels, a back panel, and a roof panel in a complete body assembly line for various vehicles. The complete body assembling apparatus realizes a new type of a coupling apparatus by which hangers for vehicle models are held in a post buck in a complete body line for a vehicle and the post buck is flexibly movable depending on the changes in various vehicle models. This in turn, allows various vehicle models to be produced in a single process by flexibly coping with various vehicle models and enhancing the efficiency of an entire complete body assembling process.

Abstract: A method of constructing an articulation joint includes forming a metallic tube with a number of rings formed therein. Springs may be secured to the inside surface or outside surface of the rings to allow the joint to bend in directions transverse to the axis of the springs. A fixture may be used to hold the springs at the correct position within the tube and the springs may be urged toward the rings or vice versa to obtain a good bond between the springs and the rings.

Abstract: A Mixing Device for contacting solid and liquid materials is described. The device consists of two vertically oriented cylinders, one of larger diameter mounted on top of one of a smaller diameter connected by a concentric transition piece. The device facilitates solid/liquid contact with no moving parts via a nozzle at the end of an inlet pipe. The nozzle creates impingement of a high velocity liquid on solids confined in the bottom smaller diameter cylinder. As the resulting mixture travels up into the larger diameter cylinder its velocity is greatly reduced due to the change in cross-sectional area of flow, allowing the solid and liquid time to separate under the influence of gravity before any solids reach the outlet of the device located at the top of the larger diameter cylinder.

Abstract: A wear assembly for excavating equipment which includes a wear member and a base each with upper and lower stabilizing surfaces that are offset and at overlapping depths to reduce the overall depth of the assembly while maintaining high strength and a stable coupling. The nose and socket each includes a generally triangular-shaped front stabilizing end to provide a highly stable front connection between the nose and wear member for both vertical and side loading. The lock is movable between hold and release positions to accommodate replacing of the wear member when needed, and secured to the wear member for shipping and storage purposes.

Abstract: A device for fastening an element of elongate shape, such as an electrical harness or a duct, to a casing of a turbine engine. The device includes a tubular portion mounted around the element and secured to at least one tab for fastening to the casing, the tubular portion being made of a heat-shrink plastics material and configured to be heated to be shrunk onto the element.

Abstract: A low cost and simple installation tool is designed to ease the installation of bonded pistons and lip seals in an automatic transmission or other industrial machine. The installation tool is in the form of a flexible circular disc that can be inserted in the gap between the bore and the shaft and pressed against the seal lip to flip the seal lip to its desired orientation while the disc is rolled around the circumference of the gap to orientate the entire seal in its proper position.

Abstract: A pierce nut insertion tool is provided. In another aspect, a pierce nut feeding mechanism has a mechanically independent driver actuator from that of a punch. A further aspect of the present tool employs a member, moveable with a punch, that retains a pierce nut prior to fastening of the nut to a workpiece. An additional aspect uses a fluid actuated nut feeder including a piston.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to methods for forming multi-layer three-dimensional structures involving the joining of at least two structural elements, at least one of which is formed as a multi-layer three-dimensional structure, wherein the joining occurs via one of: (1) elastic deformation and elastic recovery and subsequent retention of elements relative to each other, (2) relative deformation of an initial portion of at least one element relative to another portion of the at least one element until the at least two elements are in a desired retention position after which the deformation is reduced or eliminated and a portion of at least one element is brought into position which in turn locks the at least two elements together via contact with one another including contact with the initial portion of at least one element, or (3) moving a retention region of one element into the retention region of the other element, without deformation of either element, along a path including a loading region of the other el