Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to calibrate valve-mounted instruments, such as a position controllers and/or a position transmitter, are described. An example method disclosed herein includes securing a position of a flow control member of a control valve assembly to prevent movement of the flow control member and installing a controller to the control valve assembly.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for fabricating a heat pipe, and an instrument of the method. The method for fabricating a heat pipe includes providing a hollow tube, wherein the hollow tube has an open end and a closed end; disposing a mandril into the hollow tube from the open end, wherein the inside wall of the hollow tube is separated from the mandril by a space, and wherein the mandril comprises a first portion and a second portion and the first portion has a thermal expansion coefficient larger than that of the second portion; filling up the space between the mandril and the hollow tube with a powder; performing a sintering process to the hollow tube, forming a first agglomeration region and a second agglomeration region; removing the mandril; injecting a working fluid into the hollow tube; and sealing the open end of the hollow tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bellows hose, which is capable of being used without leakage, and which has a longer length and/or diameter than has been previously achievable. A bellows hose comprises an inner tubular bellows and an outer tubular bellows. An insulation layer is provided between the bellows. An armoured layer is provided around the outer bellows, to improve the insulation further. The hose can have length above 30 m and a diameter above 400 mm. A method of, and apparatus for, making the hose are also described, which involves the use of a non-metallic mandrel.

Abstract: A method of attaching a seat cushion to a seat frame includes the steps of providing a spring latch having a spring portion and a brace portion, engaging a spring leg of the spring portion with the seat frame, attaching a cushion engaging leg of the brace portion to the seat cushion, and receiving a brace leg of the brace portion into a lock formation on a locking leg of the spring portion.

Abstract: In the method, grippers are placed on a stationary assembly table and rod-like members forming a wooden construction are laid on the support of said grippers. The wooden construction can be for example a roof truss or a wall frame. The assembly table comprises a vertical fastening plane to which the grippers are fastened. The fastening plane can be made of ferrous material and the grippers can be fastened to the fastening plane magnetically or by means of a suction pad gripper. The fastening of the grippers to the fastening plane, the fastening of the rod-like members to the grippers and the joint connecting the rod-like members are conducted by means of an assembly robot. The joint may be a nail plate joint, a nail, screw or staple joint or a glued joint. From the CAD file of the wooden construction a list of commands controlling the operation of the assembly robot is generated by means of a decompression program. The grippers belonging to the apparatus comprise first grippers and second grippers.

Abstract: A hair trimming apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a housing having a top end; a head pivotally attached to the top end of the housing, and the head comprises at least one cutting element; at least one light source attached to the head or housing to illuminate the apparatus and user's target area during use; a motor for moving the cutting element; and a power source for operating the motor and activating the light source.

Abstract: A skin engaging member suitable for use in a hair removal device, said skin engaging member comprising an anti-irritation agent.

Abstract: A blade stripper has a displaceable blade carriage, which is normally biased toward a cable support to automatically accommodate differently dimensioned jacketed cables in a desired position. The blade carriage supports a blade assembly configured so that the blade can be displaced among multiple positions corresponding to respective axial, radial and a plurality of spiral cuts while the cable is engaged in the desired position.

Abstract: A monolithic nut opening apparatus includes a hinge portion forming a rearward end. A first elongated arm and a second elongated arm longitudinally extend towards a forward end from opposing ends of the hinge portion. A first tip extends from the first elongated arm and at least one upward extending lateral tapered edge extending from the first tip. A second tip extends from the second elongated arm and at least one downward extending lateral tapered edge extending from the second tip.

Abstract: A multi-angle positioned foldable knife includes a knife body (1), a handle (2) and a pin (3). The knife body (1) is pivotally connected with the handle (2) through the pin (3). A cam (4) is arranged on the connecting end of the knife body (1), and snap openings (41) on the outer edge of the cam are provided to position the knife body (1) at multi-angle relative to the handle (2). A positioning button (5) is arranged on the connecting end of the handle (2), and a snap edge (51) is provided on the interior end of the button (5). The snap edge (51) can connect with a snap opening (41) on the outer edge of the cam (4). Compared with prior art, the foldable knife has simple structure, controlled angle, safe use, convenient operation, simple preparation etc. The knife body (1) can be positioned at multi foldable position. Additionally, the rotation of the knife body (1) can be achieved only by pressing the button (5).

Abstract: A garden shears includes a connecting member having a pivoting section and an engaging section, the pivoting section having a shaft aperture and a securing aperture, the securing aperture accepting a limiting member, and the engaging section having a chamber connected to the securing aperture; a blade assembled with the shaft aperture and pivoted with a passive gear; a rotatable handle having an axis rod inserted into the chamber, the axis rod pivoted onto the limiting member, a first toothed element disposed between the axis rod and the rotatable handle, and the first toothed element engaging with the passive gear; and an anvil handle having a shaft locked onto the shaft aperture; the anvil further having a second toothed element, the second toothed element engaging with the passive gear. When the second toothed element drives the passive gear, the passive gear drives the first toothed element to rotate the rotatable handle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motorized beard trimmer comprising a cutting unit with a cutting mechanism defining a cutting line and a comb defining a support point, said cutting unit being mounted so as to tilt on a handle, wherein the tilting axis of the cutting unit, the cutting line and the support point of the comb are globally aligned or superimposed, allowing said cutting unit to be automatically positioned tangentially to the shape of the face during trimming of the beard.

Abstract: A tool for tracing a curve from a first plane (such as a wall) onto a second plane perpendicular to the first plane (such as a floor tile) is disclosed. The tool includes a base member having opposite first and second ends with first and second sliders positioned on the base member adjacent the first and second ends, respectively. The sliders are configured to bear against the first plane simultaneously. The tool also includes an arm extending away from the base member with a marking tool positioned at an end of the arm opposite the base member. The marking tool is configured to mark the second plane while the first and second sliders bear against the first plane. The base member is preferably articulated and each of the sliders preferably consist of pairs of coaxially aligned wheels.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring the pantoscopic tilt of a lens installed in a frame, the device comprising an orientation sensor for measuring pantoscopic tilt and an attachment member to attach the device to a lens. The method comprises marking a center of the pupil on a lens while a patient is wearing the spectacles, attaching a measurement device at the marked center of the pupil point and while the device is attached to the lens, reading the pantoscopic tilt value from the device while the patient is wearing the spectacles in a natural position of the head for looking at the horizon.

Abstract: A wear gauge confirms the acceptability of an outside diameter of a down hole drilling tool for down hole service. An embodiment of the wear gauge has two arcuate members pivotally connected in overlapping attachment, where each arcuate member has opposing ends and an arc length is defined between the two ends. Each of the opposing ends has an aperture penetrating through the width of the arcuate member. The free ends may be pivoted together into an overlapping configuration into a closed position. When in the closed position, the two arcuate members define a circle. The diameter of the circle is certified to be a specific value within a designated tolerance.

Abstract: A tape measure calibrator includes a base with a slot with a pull reference surface and a push reference surface, the slot being configured to receive an end hook of a tape measure. The base also includes a pull calibration band on the base with a centerline of the pull calibration band indicating a first distance from the pull reference surface. The base also includes a push calibration band on the base, a centerline of the push calibration band indicating a second distance from the push reference surface, n which the first distance and the second distance are substantially equal.

Abstract: A washing machine includes an outer casing, a tub mounted in the outer casing, a rotating tub rotatably mounted in the tub and a vibration damping device located in the outer casing for damping vibration of the tub using a cylinder enclosing an operating fluid. The operating fluid includes a functional fluid. The washing machine further includes a control unit which is configured to control a viscosity of the functional fluid. The control unit is configured to change the viscosity of the functional fluid according to rotation of the rotating tub in a dehydration step to vary a damping force of the vibration damping device.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying organic waste dries and pulverizes organic waste, such as sewage sludge generated at a sewage pipe and a sewage treatment plant, various hydrous sludge waste, and food waste. The apparatus includes a drying drum rotatably provided on a base, a supply unit and a discharge pipe respectively provided at sealing caps for sealing front and rear sides of the drying drum, first and second pulverizing rotational blades driven by rotation axes provided at the front portion in the drying drum in a lengthwise direction thereof, an auxiliary pulverizing rotation blade driven by a rotation axis provided at the rear portion in the drying drum in a lengthwise direction thereof, a first opening portion and a first sealing member for discharging fine dried powder generated in a drying process, a second opening portion and a second sealing member for discharging completely dried organic waste, and a drying burner for blowing hot wind into the drying drum.

Abstract: A multidirectional air discharge hand drying apparatus includes a high-pressure airflow generation device and a casing. The casing has a first opening to receive insertion of user's hands and a hand drying compartment leading to the first opening. The hand drying compartment includes a first wall surface and a second wall surface facing the first wall surface, and at least one third wall surface interposed between the first and second wall surfaces and faced the hand drying compartment. The first and second wall surfaces have at least one first air discharge nozzle. The third wall surface has a second air discharge nozzle. The first and second air discharge nozzles are connected to the high-pressure airflow generation device to eject high pressure airflows with respectively a first output airflow axis and a second air output airflow axis crossed in the hand drying compartment.

Abstract: A wall-mountable hand dryer arranged for drying one side of a user's hands at a time. The dryer has two nozzle sections—one for each hand—which nozzle sections are positioned towards the front of the dryer so that they are spaced away from the wall in use. The nozzle sections each extend to span the width of a user's open hand and are arranged for directing drying air down onto the front or back of said hand as it is inserted lengthwise underneath the nozzle sections from the front of the dryer. The left-hand nozzle section is banked to the right and the right-hand nozzle section is banked to the left such that the user may bank his hands accordingly in use—this makes the drying action comfortable for the user.

Abstract: A wall-mountable hand dryer for drying one side of a user's hands at a time, the dryer having two nozzle sections—one for each hand—which nozzle sections are positioned towards the front of the dryer so that they are spaced away from the wall in use, the nozzle sections each extending to span the width of a user's open hand and being arranged for directing drying air down onto the front or back of said hand as it is inserted lengthwise underneath the nozzle sections from the front of the dryer, wherein the dryer comprises a downwardly pitched guide part positioned behind each nozzle section for guiding the pitch of the user's hands underneath the nozzle sections.

Abstract: A hand dryer having a left-hand nozzle section which, in normal use, is used to dry a user's left hand and a right-hand nozzle section which, in normal use, is used separately to dry the user's right hand, the left-hand nozzle section being arranged to emit drying air along a first direction—outwardly to the left of the dryer—and the right-hand nozzle section being arranged to emit drying air in a second direction—outwardly to the right of the dryer—said first and second directions having a downward and/or forward component.

Abstract: A road dryer delivers heated air to a surface through an adjustable-width nozzle assembly having nozzle boxes designed to provide turbulent flow of drying air. The road dryer includes a combustion system having a high-pressure atomized fuel burner supplied with diesel fuel by a variable frequency drive fuel pump and a closed-loop air temperature control to limit the temperature of the drying air. The combustion system includes a combustion chamber having a cylindrical inner shell housing the burner and a cylindrical outer shell defining an annular space around the inner shell for the flow of process air. The inner shell has an axially elongated exhaust port aligned with an axially elongated outlet opening of the outer shell to achieve mixing of high temperature exhaust gas with process air. The nozzle assembly is vertically adjustable relative to a chassis of the road dryer between a stowed position and an operating position.

Abstract: A dishwashing machine is provided having a washing compartment, a drying unit that includes an absorption column with a reversibly dehydratable drying agent, and having an air circulation loop through the washing compartment and the drying unit. A temperature sensor is arranged in front of the drying unit and to the rear of the washing compartment with respect to the direction of the flow of air circulating in the air circulation loop.

Abstract: A dryer is provided. The dryer (1) includes a cabinet (10), a drum (11), a rear supporter (30), and a dry duct (42). The cabinet (10) defines an external appearance. The drum (21) is rotatably provided in the cabinet an housing articles to be dried. The rear supporter (30) supports a rear end of the drum (21). The dry duct (42) supplies dry air. Here, the dry duct (42) is connected to a circumference of the rear supporter (30) to supply the dry air into the drum through the circumference of the rear supporter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable footwear cover suitable for used in critical manufacturing environments, sterile environments, and industrial clean rooms. The disposable footwear cover will protect both the environment in which it is used while providing durable protection to the user.

Abstract: An insole for insertion into footwear, comprising a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion and a heel portion; the midfoot portion connecting together the forefoot portion and the heel portion; said insole comprising a cushioning layer of a viscoelastic gel material which provides a cushioning function; and wherein the midfoot portion and the heel portion comprise a peripheral edge that curves upwards.

Abstract: A heel traction aid (HTA) includes a gripping pad and a traction device having an upper surface, where the gripping pad includes a receiving bore penetrating the gripping pad and a raised ring encircling the receiving bore. The traction device is disposed in receiving bore such that the upper surface is disposed below the raised ring. The HTA includes a heel cup attached to lateral edges of the gripping pad, a first strap attached to the heel cup and including a first hook, and a second strap attached to the heel cup and including first holes. The first and second straps have elasticity sufficient to maintain tension when a heel of a shoe or foot is positioned in a concavity formed by the gripping pad and the contoured heel cup and when the first hook is engaged with one of the first holes of the second strap.

Abstract: An antiskid-style sole includes a sole body (1) and a number of projections (2) disposed on the sole body (1). The projections (2) are elastic columnar parts. A cavity (22) is disposed in the middle of end surface (23) of the projection (2), and the wall of the cavity (22) is in the shape of cambered surface or inclined surface.

Abstract: A shielding cup is provided for use with a self-fusing member or collapsible heat-concentrating accessory. The shielding cup is attached to a shoe heel as a temporary fix for a worn heel tip. The cup can be attached to the heel by a self-fusing member that binds to itself. The cup can also be attached by using a heat source and collapsible heat-concentrating accessory to concentrate heat on the heat-shrink version of the shielding cup.

Abstract: A non-powered lift mechanism may be used with a vehicle, such as an ATV, having a support rack and a snowplow assembly including a blade that plows snow. The lift mechanism may include a frame that is mounted to the support rack; an input shaft pivotally mounted to the frame; a handle that is operatively attached to the input shaft; and, a cable having one end connected to the input shaft and a second end connected to the blade. The handle may be manually adjusted by the operator to pivot the input shaft to cause the cable to adjust the blade between: an operational/lowered position; and, a non-operational/raised position.

Abstract: A thumb body is pivotally connected to a first mount, and a stiff-arm anchor is connected to and extends between the first mount and a second mount. The stiff-arm anchor is selectively removable from the first and second mounts. A stiff-arm support link includes a first end connected to the thumb body and a second end connected to the stiff-arm anchor. The thumb can be converted from a hydraulic mode to a stiff-arm or fixed mode by disconnecting the first end of a hydraulic cylinder actuator from the thumb body and disconnecting the second end of the hydraulic cylinder actuator from the second mount, and by installing the stiff-arm anchor and stiff-arm support link.

Abstract: A greeting card or its accessory item includes means for micro-harvesting heat or kinetic energy from the living body of a human being or animal. This harvested energy powers one or more electronic components of the card or the accessory item. The sender of a personal energy greeting card is able to mark and personalize a greeting card with his or her own harvested energy, that of another person, or of a beloved animal, before sending the card to a recipient. The recipient experiences the personal energy when it is evinced through the greeting card's one or more integral or accessory electronic features. The sentimental impact of the various social expressions traditionally communicated through a greeting card is thus enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for producing a greeting card. The system comprises user devices and a server with a communications network which are configured for capturing handwriting as a digital image, processing the digital image to extract the handwriting, combining the processed image with one of a number of images for the greeting card, and controlling the display of the combined image on a user device or the printing of the combined image.

Abstract: An LED light module and a backlit sign using at least one of the LED light modules are described. The LED light module comprises at least two LED light sources that are spaced apart from each other. Each of the LED light sources is covered by a lens and at least two of the lenses have a different shape than each other. The LED light module produces a uniform intensity of light on a backlit surface. The LED light module can include three LED light sources. Two of the lenses covering the LED light sources emit light that is distributed off-axis and a third of the lenses covering the LED light sources emits light that is distributed substantially on-axis. The backlit sign comprises a housing, at least one LED light module disposed in the housing and a backlit surface on the housing extending over the LED modules.

Abstract: A swatch and sign holder includes a base, a sign and a cover. The base includes a front face having a front surface, a back surface and at least one through slot extending from the front surface to the back surface. The sign includes a front surface, a back surface, at least one through slot extending from the front surface to the back surface and indicia printed on the front surface of the sign. The back surface of the sign engages into contact with the front surface of the front face. The cover secures the sign to the front face of the base. Each through slot of the front face and each through slot of the sign align with each other to receive a fabric swatch.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a recording data device with information set categorizing data preprinted on a medium or on a label to be attached to the medium. Specifically, the device may be used to record patient's vital signs in an emergency situation.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying members of a paintball team and/or a special group. The apparatus including a stretchable loop that frictionally engages a gun barrel and a colored strip that hangs from the stretchable loop to identify the team and/or special group.

Abstract: A ammunition magazine for a hand-held firearm or weapon, having a photo-luminescent (i.e. glow-in-the-dark) base portion (e.g. base plate) that emits visible illumination and enables the firearm user, in darkness, to quickly access the ammunition magazine, accurately determine its spatial orientation, properly insert (i.e. load) the magazine into the firearm in a correct manner, retrieve the spent magazine, remove (i.e. unload) it from the firearm, and then reload another loaded magazine, quickly without error or reloading errors or delays.

Abstract: A wild turkey decoy method and apparatus including a plurality of guide track segments that are operable to be connected in series end-to-end and adjustably supported above a ground surface to provide a generally smooth and level vertical track guide surface. The guide track carries a base member that is driven by a rugged sprocket gear system for variable speed motion in a forward and reverse direction as controlled by a transmitter from a remote location. The base serves to support a decoy that is fitted with a plurality of internal servo motors that can be selectively operated from a remote location to duplicate the natural movement of decoy parts of a wild turkey.

Abstract: An electrofishing controller includes a power input, an output and a user interface for receiving configuration information from a user. The controller further includes control circuitry for receiving electric power from the power input, generating an electric waveform with characteristics defined by the configuration information, and communicating the electric waveform to the output. The control circuitry is configured to automatically adjust the electric waveform in response to changes in an electric load on the output, and to automatically restore the electric waveform when the electric load returns to a normal operating level. The control circuitry is further configured to automatically reconfigure a power circuit in response to changes in the configuration information received from the user, including changing physical connections between physical components of the power circuit.

Abstract: A bi-metal power supply fishing lure comprises a housing having a water-tight internal cavity, an exterior surface, a forward end and an aft end; an anode mounted into said exterior surface of said housing such that said anode is exposed to an electrolyte when said bi-metal power supply fishing lure is immersed in said electrolyte; a cathode mounted into said housing such that said anode is exposed to an electrolyte when said bi-metal power supply fishing lure is immersed in said electrolyte; an electronic assembly, mounted within said water-tight internal cavity of said housing, in electrical contact with said anode and said cathode thereby creating a galvanic cell when said bi-metal power supply fishing lure is immersed in said electrolyte, said electronic assembly designed and configured to generate, store, regulate and distribute electrical power; and a low-voltage direct current device.

Abstract: A portable live bait bucket with integral handle that has a floatable medium, a thumb grip, partially open top section with no lids, mechanisms or moving parts. The bait bucket is useable in any season and as a storage container to refrigerate unused bait. The container provides ease of mobility, storage, water changing and baits retrieval within a light compact synthetic resinous plastic unit. The bait water can be easily refreshed by sifting stale water through a plurality of holes in the upper chamber and then dipping fresh water from the water surface or submerging into an eight inch ice hole. Changing water is always a one-hand operation. The container is useable on the boat, shore, dock or ice house.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of illuminating insect-catching devices, in particular to insect-catching devices comprising an adhesive surface. In particular the illuminating portion is electrically powered.

Abstract: A pest control system for bed bugs or similar crawling pests. The system includes at least one intercept wall extending generally perpendicularly to the plane on which the pests are traveling for directing the pests to interact with a trap or a treatment zone. The effect of the intercept wall may be enhanced by provision of at least one substantially smooth guide surface positioned adjacent the intercept wall. When pests come into contact with a smooth surface they experience difficulty in traversing it. This causes the bugs to cling to the more textured surface that they are already traversing. The intercept wall is preferably placed in the direct path of the transition line between the textured surface and the smoother guide surfaces and forces the pests to interact with an adjacent trap or treatment zone.

Abstract: Clean burning wood fuel pellets. The clean burning wood fuel pellet includes a mixture containing wood chips and calcium carbonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the construction of land-based covered ponds for the aquaculture of photosynthetic organisms and the associated device constituted by a very long gutter which serves both as a wall shared by two juxtaposed ponds, support for the covering of the ponds, passageway for the operating staff and rainwater receptacle. The invention is particularly suitable for equipping large farms dedicated to the production of algae or other photosynthetic organisms.

Abstract: A greenhouse plant cultivation control system includes a plurality of solar cell modules providing light of different wavelengths to each of a plurality of areas in which plants are cultivated, and a movement of a plant to an area in which light of a wavelength required for the plant is provided is determined according to a type of the plant and a growth stage of the plant.

Abstract: A structure to grow plants including a fence, a fabric attached to the fence to form a fence-fabric combination shaped as a pillar with an enclosed area, and a growing material filled in the enclosed area, and a method for creating a structure to grow plants by providing a fencing material and a fabric, attaching the fabric to the fencing material to form a fence-fabric combination, shaping the fence-fabric combination into a pillar with an enclosed area, and filling the enclosed area with a growing material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for fastening movable wires on a row of plants, in particular grape vines. A fastening device for movable wires (F?, F?) of a row of plants according to the invention includes connecting means (1, 201, 301, 401) suitable to arrange said device in proximity of a head pole (PE) of said row, guide means (2) and a plurality of mounting means (3) of a wire slidingly connected to said guide means (2). The device is characterized in that said guide means (2) include a plurality of guide portions (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D) that define a corresponding plurality of displacement paths of said movable wires (F?, F?) distributed on opposite sides of the row, said displacement paths being oriented transversally relative to the direction of extension of said movable wires (F?, F?), and in that said mounting means (3) are designed to receive a single movable wire (F?, F?) so that each one of said movable wires (F?, F?) is independently displaceable along one of said displacement paths.