Abstract: An illumination and grow light system and associated methods are provided to produce an emission spectrum which may be optimized for plant response curve, as well as provide high quality light with respect to the human response curve. Embodiments of the present invention may include highly efficient tunable lamps and associated modulation controls that allow specific radiation wavelength bands to be manipulated, the emission direction and intensity to be varied, and the output power to be coordinated to create high fluxes of photosynthetic active radiation while maintaining a desirable color temperature and high color rendering index.

Abstract: A hanging basket for plants, flowers, etc. is provided which may be moved from a collapsed position to an extended position. When in the extended position, the hanging basket may support plants, flowers or the like therein. When collapsed, the basket occupies very little space for shipping and storage purposes.

Abstract: A system for modular gardening including a water module having a reservoir coupled to an aperture such that water in the reservoir flows out the water module via the aperture. The system also including a plant module having a housing having an aperture arranged to transfer water with another module and further having an open region on a top surface of the housing, a first conduit within the housing coupling the aperture and a regulator, a second conduit coupled to the regulator, the second conduit providing water to one or more water absorbent layers arranged atop the second conduit, and plant life at least partially embedded in at least one of the one or more water absorbent layers and receiving light through the open region.

Abstract: An operating system and method for a vehicle having an automatically closing hatch, includes an operating switch, a programmable electronic controller, and a device for monitoring the hatch opening when the hatch is open. The operating switch generates an operating request signal for closing the hatch when the switch is actuated, the signal being an input signal to the controller. The monitoring device is a light barrier device having at least one light-emitting actuator and at least one light-detecting sensor arranged at the edge region of the hatch opening and also connected to the controller by electrical cables. The controller is programmed such that, when the operating request signal is present and the hatch is open, the controller outputs a pivot command to a closing system for closing the hatch only if the presence of an obstacle is not detected by the monitoring device for the hatch opening.

Abstract: A support assembly for use in a household appliance includes a planar metal viewing body having a substantially rectangular main surface and an angled section on two opposite edges of the main surface to thereby give the viewing body a three-dimensional shape. The viewing body has two further outer edges, each having a cut edge which directly adjoins the rectangular main surface of the viewing body.

Abstract: An invention is provided for a security shutter assembly. The security shutter assembly includes a shutter door having a plurality of operable louvers pivotally mounted between vertical stiles. A locking element is attached to the first vertical stile, and can be set in a locked position that secures the shutter door closed, and an open position that allows the shutter door to be opened. The locking element includes a louver flange portion that extends over the louvers when the louvers are in the closed position and the locking element is in the open position. However, the louvers block the louver flange from being positioned over the louvers when the louvers are in the open position, thus preventing the locking element from being placed in the open, and unlocked, position while the louvers are in the open position.

Abstract: A sliding door with a sliding panel and a fixed panel allows for the sliding panel to pivot with respect to the fixed panel regardless of the position of the sliding panel and allows both the sliding panel and fixed panel to pivot with respect to an outer frame in which the panels are mounted when the sliding panel is fully open or nearly fully open without requiring a floor track. The sliding panel may move linearly with respect to the fixed panel and outer frame along the length of a header, and a guide bracket cooperatively engaged with the sliding panel may be partially positioned in a guide track formed in the fixed panel bottom rail. A floor plate may be secured to the floor surface adjacent the bottom end of a first jamb to provide support/stability to the panels.

Abstract: A sashless window includes upper, lower and side frame members to define a generally square or rectangular frame. First and second panes are positioned within the frame and are mounted for substantially vertical and parallel movement within the frame. Each of the side frame members defines a channel into which opposite side edges of the panes extend. The channel includes elongate guide members for guiding vertical movement of the panes whereby the first and second guide members extend to positions facing front and rear faces, respectively, of the first and second panes, respectively. Each of the guide members includes a seal extending into contact with the face of the respective pane. A third guide member extends to a position between the panes and includes a pair of seals projecting in opposite directions and extending into contact with facing surfaces of the first and second panes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filtration method that extends filter life and achieves high filtration efficiency, and also abrasive slurry produced by the method. In this filtration method, a filter is decompression-treated in a solvent-filled sealed container before liquid is filtered by the filter, after which the filter is used for filtering.

Abstract: A sintered compact for use in making a cutting tool, the sintered compact including about 10 vol. % to about 90 vol. % cubic boron nitride, and a binder phase including about 0.1 vol. % to about 10 vol. % graphene. A method for a sintered compact including mixing a powder blend having about 10 vol. % to about 90 vol. % cubic boron nitride and about 0.1 vol. % to about 10 vol. % graphene, pressing the powder blend into a pill, and sintering the pill at high pressure and high temperature. A sintered cutting tool including about 10 vol. % to about 90 vol. % cubic boron nitride, and a binder phase including about 0.1 vol. % to about 10 vol. % graphene, wherein the sintering is performed at a pressure of about 45 kBar and a temperature of about 1500° C. for about 30 minutes.

Abstract: In the production method for abrasive grains according to the invention, an aqueous solution of a salt of a tetravalent metal element is mixed with an alkali solution, under conditions such that a prescribed parameter is 5.00 or greater, to obtain abrasive grains including a hydroxide of the tetravalent metal element.

Abstract: A building (2) having an information facility for use in an emergency and for enabling emergency services to obtain information on the building (2) likely to be necessary for use in tackling the emergency, and the building (2) being such that: (i) the information on the building (2) is accessed via an information container (4); (ii) the information container (4) is on an outside part of a building; (iii) the information container (4) comprises a body (8), a door (10) for closing the body (8), and control means (12) for accessing the information on the building (2); (iv) the information on the building (2) is stored in memory means (14); and (v) the control means (12) electronically accesses the information in the memory means (14).

Abstract: An extendable backdrop erecting device, comprising: a fixed wall disposed at one end of a space and having a fixed backdrop surface that faces away from the one end of the space, two lateral ends of the fixed wall being each provided with a first pivot; a movable wall disposed beside the fixed wall and having a first movable backdrop surface corresponding to the fixed backdrop surface, two lateral ends of the movable wall being each provided with a second pivot; and two extendable and foldable walls pivoted between the first pivots and the second pivots respectively and each having a respective foldable backdrop surface, wherein the movable wall can move to the other end of the space as the foldable walls extend so that the fixed backdrop surface, the first movable backdrop surface and the foldable backdrop surfaces are located around the space to increase the convenience in use.

Abstract: A protective shelter includes an enclosure having at least a floor, at least one sidewall coupled to the floor, a door, and a roof coupled to the at least one sidewall. The roof includes an aperture located proximate the shelter's point of minimum static air pressure during a high-velocity wind event. The protective shelter includes one or more members that elevate the floor above a substrate, a substantially enclosed sub-floor region bounded by the protective shelter and the substrate, and an air duct providing airflow communication between the substantially enclosed sub-floor region and an exterior region of the enclosure via the aperture.

Abstract: An edge lift anchor for a concrete product, the anchor having a head portion for coupling to lifting equipment and an anchoring portion, and a separate member mounted on the anchor and having integral legs extending to each side of the anchoring portion to increase the lifting capacity of the anchor. Alternatively or in addition, the separate member may provide a mounting for a tension bar to increase the lifting capacity. The invention also provides a support chair for retaining the edge lift anchor, together with an associated shear bar and tension bar if present.

Abstract: A buckling restrained brace includes an axial member, a plurality of restraining members, and a plurality of securing units. The axial member includes a middle section extending in an axial direction, and two coupling sections extending respectively from opposite ends of the middle section and coupled fixedly to two connecting plates of a framework of a building. The restraining members extend in the axial direction and are disposed around and contact the axial member. Each securing unit secures an adjacent pair of the restraining members together. Each restraining member cooperates with an adjacent one of the restraining members to define an opening therebetween through which a portion of the axial member is exposed for viewing.

Abstract: Tower foundations and structures, kits and methods for making the tower foundations. Aspects of the present invention operate to decouple the required mass for the foundation from the structural components needed to resist compression and tension forces. Aspects of the present invention include a foundation structure made of structural components including pre-cast concrete, cast-in place concrete, reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, pre-tensioned concrete and post-tensioned concrete, for resisting the expected forces transferred from the tower.

Abstract: A device for collecting wind energy for buildings defining at least one facade that protrudes from the ground, this device including at least one wind-driven rotor mounted in rotation in a channel exposed to the wind and through which can pass a flow of air which impacts the blades of the rotor, and also at least one generatrix which can be drive-connected to the rotor. The device is characterized in that the channel is configured to form a Venturi-effect structure for capturing, guiding and accelerating the wind, extends through the building from side to side and is at least partially integrated in a section or an intermediate floor of the building or its roof, such that the façade in question constitutes an obstacle to the passage of the wind around the inlet opening in the through-channel, the rotor being installed in the segment of the channel having the smallest passage-section.

Abstract: A window having at least two panes that define a cavity for desiccant, where the desiccant removes water vapor from between the two panes of a window when the panes are not vacuum sealed.

Abstract: Movable partitions and partition systems include a sheet of interconnected panels configured to fold in an accordion fashion. At least two of the interconnected panels have first and second lateral ends extending between a top edge and a bottom edge of the panels. The lateral ends may comprise generally cylindrical structures having openings comprising gaps between lateral edges of the respective panel and a first major surface of the respective panel. The first lateral end of one panel may be engaged with the second lateral end of another panel of the at least two panels. The lateral edges may be enlarged. The at least two panels can extend to a fully extended state in which they are coplanar. Methods of foaming movable partitions and partition systems include forming and interconnecting such panels. Methods of repairing movable partitions and partition systems include disengaging such panels by applying lateral forces therebetween.

Abstract: A method of assembling an exterior wall or roof structure of a building with a water-resistive barrier includes covering a surface of an inner sheathing member of a wall or roof structure with a series of partially overlapping courses of water-resistive sheet material. Each overlapping section of the courses of water-resistive sheet material is bonded together with a continuous strip of adhesive to form an air-tight seam. The strip of adhesive is carried integrally on the water-resistive sheet material thereby eliminating a need for separately applying construction tape to seal the seams. A water-resistive barrier and assembly of an exterior wall or roof assembly of a building is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly for integrating an elongate structural member such as a post or a beam, and one or more panels is provided. The elongate structural member includes a notch defined within the elongate structural member. The notch includes a base surface and two side surfaces at opposite ends of the base surface. At least one of the side surfaces is tiered, with the tiered side surface including an inner portion and an outer portion that are substantially parallel to each other. The inner portion is substantially perpendicular and is adjacent to the base surface. The outer portion is offset from the inner portion and is positioned further away from the other side surface compared to the inner portion. A first panel is positioned within the notch and in contact with at least the base surface and the inner portion of the tiered surface. A second panel may also be positioned within the notch.

Abstract: Anchoring systems for use in cavity wall structures having an inner wythe and an outer wythe constructed of rubble stone are disclosed. The anchoring system employs an anchor fastened to or set within the inner wythe that extends into the cavity and connects to a J-hook. A vertically adjustable veneer tie enwraps the J-hook, limiting lateral movement and front-to-back displacement, and is set within the bed joint of the outer wythe. The anchoring system minimizes cavity size and provides stability for an uncoursed outer wythe equivalent to that of anchoring systems for standards coursed bed joints.

Abstract: A fixing system for securing cladding boards to the framing of a building in a partially overlapping relationship, each board having front and rear faces with a recess being provided in and along the rear face. The fixing system comprises a plurality o fixing devices, supported by the framing, that are spaced apart relative to one another and arranged in rows, each row of fixing devices being arranged to support a board or row of boards and each fixing device having an engagement portion that is arranged to engage with a section of the recess of a board to, in co-operation with a number of other fixing devices of that row also engaging with a section of the recess, support the board in place on the framing. Also, the fixing system comprises a plurality 0 f fixing components that are arranged to extend through the front face of each board within the overlapping region of adjacent boards and into the framing to secure each board to the framing in co-operation with the fixing devices.

Abstract: In a device for attachment of a surface shaped wall element between two upright poles which have two positions for the wall element, an unstable readiness position and a locked position, at least one encircling mounting is provided on each pole for support of the wall element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a panel connection assembly (10) for connecting adjoining prefabricated building panels (200,400). The panel connection assembly (10) comprises an elongate first component (20) adapted for connection to a surface of a first panel (200) and an elongate second component 40 adapted for connection to a surface of a second panel (400), such that when the first and second panels (200,400) are joined in use, the first and second components 20, 40 are sandwiched between the panels. A first locking member (60) is removably engageable with the first and second components (20,40) for restraining the first and second components against shearing movement orthogonal to their longitudinal axes (22,42). A second locking member (80) is removably engageable with the first and second components 20, 40 for restraining the first and second components against movement away from one another orthogonal to their longitudinal axes (22, 42).

Abstract: A flexible interlocking floor tile having a dual construction with an interlocking mechanism allows for easy installation of multiple tiles. The dual construction can include recycled material and new material. The tile also includes an adequate support at the corner of the tile when assembling multiple tiles. The tile has a single interlocking structure or groove to keep the entire tile joint tight with other tile joints, instead of interrupted interlocking structure which can lead to functional and aesthetic flaws in the entire floor. The single continuous interlocking structure allows for a one-step easy removal of any excess material or flashing from the tile after the molding process.

Abstract: A flexible interlocking floor tile having a dual construction with an interlocking mechanism allows for easy installation of multiple tiles. The dual construction can include recycled material and virgin or new material. The tile also includes an adequate support at the corner of the tile when assembling multiple tiles. The tile has a single interlocking structure or groove to keep the entire tile joint tight with other tile joints, instead of interrupted interlocking structure which can lead to functional and aesthetic flaws in the entire floor. The single continuous interlocking structure allows for a one-step easy removal of any excess material or flashing from the tile after the molding process.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bracket for connecting an unsecured element to a secured element, the bracket comprising an attachment face for connecting the bracket to the unsecured element, one or more flanges for connecting the bracket to the secured element and one or more lateral supports, connecting the attachment face to the one or more flanges, wherein at least one lateral support creates at least one non-right angles between the lateral support and the attachment face or the lateral support and the flanges. The bracket may allow, for example, decks to be attached to houses and effectively resist vertical and lateral forces.

Abstract: A building structure is provided that includes a floor structure and a series of studs extending vertically adjacent the floor structure. A clip is provided. The clip is connected to the floor structure and projects outwardly therefrom and includes a stud retainer for engaging and retaining a flange of a stud. The stud retainer includes a channel through which the flange of the stud extends. The stud retainer is connected to the flange of the stud in such a manner that the stud can move vertically in the channel.

Abstract: A door lite frame comprises a first frame component comprising first screw bosses and first grip sockets, and a second frame component comprising second screw bosses and second grip sockets. The first and second frame components are constructed to permit arrangement of the first and second frame components in an assembled state and a nested state with respect to one another. In the assembled state, the first screw bosses are correspondingly aligned with the second screw bosses, and the first and second frame components are secured to each other. In the nested state, at least one of the first screw bosses of the first frame component is mated with at least one of the second grip sockets of the second frame component.

Abstract: A method of using a solar cell system as a support structure and outer skin for a building is disclosed. Such a support structure is used as a roof and/or one or more façades of a building.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a textile material as a safety barrier for reducing harm to people in the event of failure of structural and non-structural elements of any type of construction. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for containing a non-structural clay building element which may be deformed following breakage of the same due to a collapse. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for imparting safety to people who are inside an environment confined by the presence of at least one non-structural element. According to the invention, a layer of fabric comprising a weft and a warp is applied on said structural or non-structural element.

Abstract: A roofing system includes a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation, and a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each insulation board includes a foam material that includes polyisucyanurate, the foam material having a first density. Each cover board includes a material including polyisocyanurate, the material having a second density greater than the first. The roofing system may further include a waterproofing membrane adapted for overlying the cover boards. The insulation boards and cover boards may include facers on top or bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A method includes dispensing a first polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor and allowing the precursor to rise and at least partially set to form a foam core layer for an insulation board, the foam core layer having a first density. The method further comprises dispensing a second polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor and allowing the second precursor to rise and set to form a core layer for a cover board, the core layer for the cover board having a second density greater than the first density. The second foam precursor may include polyisocyanurate. The method may also include feeding facer materials over the precursors to form facers on the core layers. Such insulation boards and cover boards may be cut to length and installed on a roof.

Abstract: A vacuum storage system can have a storage container such as a semi-rigid bowl or a flexible thermoplastic bag and an evacuation device for evacuating the container. To draw air from the storage container, the container can be equipped with a one-way valve element attached to an exterior sidewall of the container. The valve element can interface with a nozzle of the evacuation device. The valve element is adaptable between a normal condition in which the valve element is closed, and an altered position in which the valve element is opened. To alter the valve element, the evacuation device includes a contact feature that can contact and displace the valve element.

Abstract: A flexible side-gusseted package and methods of making the same are disclosed. The package has a central longitudinal axis, a front panel, a back panel, and a pair of gusseted side panels. The front panel is secured to the gusseted side panels along a pair of side seal lines. The back panel is secured to the gusseted side panels along a pair of side seal lines. Each of the seal lines includes a pair of end portions and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion, e.g., a concave recessed portion, of each side seal line is located closer to the central longitudinal axis than the end portions of the side seal lines to provide a package which is somewhat necked-down at its middle, to facilitate grasping of the package by users.

Abstract: A collapsible bag or pouch for collecting samples of soil, mud, liquid and gases, having an internal mechanical seal and a heat sealable area near the opening that is protected during sample loading, preferably by a funnel detachable from the pouch. After loading and prior to heat sealing the pouch is secured from the outside by mechanical interlocking seal. The bag also has an air-tight port for sampling the gaseous headspace after the bag is sealed.

Abstract: The invention discloses a packing bag of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a packing method thereof. The packaging bag of a liquid crystal display includes a bag body and an opening. A sealing structure which can be repeatedly unsealed/sealed is disposed at the opening. The invention adopts the sealing structure at the opening of the packing bag to conveniently seal/unseal the opening of the packing bag. Therefore, the packing bag can be circularly reused and decrease the cost. The packing bag is sealed by the sealing structure without folding of the packing bag to decrease material of the packing bag and further decrease the cost.

Abstract: An acrylic material can block up to about 98% of ultraviolet wavelength radiation from passing through. The acrylic material can also be produced to block a substantial amount of infrared energy, resulting in a material that can be used to fabricate an enclosure that can keep occupants cool and safe from harmful ultraviolet radiation. The acrylic can be manufactured from an acrylic mix containing elements of ultraviolet blocking and infrared blocking technology. The acrylic mix can be extruded in various dimensions and thicknesses, depending on application. For marine enclosure applications, the sheets can be formed in 60-inch by 120-inch by 0.080 inch thick sheets.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for providing chemical and/or biological materials. Thus we describe a method of providing a chemical or biological material in a quantised form, the method comprising: preparing an emulsion comprising a plurality of microdroplets each holding a controlled amount of said material; storing said chemical or biological material in said microdroplets in said emulsion; transferring a portion of said emulsion microdroplets to a container for transportation; transporting said container to a user of said material, wherein said user receives said material in a quantised form in said microdroplets of said emulsion; and de-emulsifying said received microdroplets containing said material in quantised form to extract said material for subsequent use.

Abstract: Method for packaging floor panels, more particularly floor panels of the type that consists of rectangular oblong floor panels that are intended to form a floor covering, wherein these floor panels are industrially manufactured in at least two widths and are provided with coupling parts at least at two opposite sides, wherein floor panels of different width are provided in the same package, more particularly the same box, wherein these floor panels are provided in a box in layers, wherein in at least one of these layers at least two floor panels are placed next to each other, with their longitudinal directions substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: Use of olefin-based plastic films for obtaining for obtaining roll tapes for closing containers, the films having a thickness in the range from 10 to 22 ?m, flexural rigidity (N·mm) in the range 0.5×10?2-4.5×10?2 neglecting a constant 1/[12×(1?v2)] being v the Poisson modulus, an elongation at break in MD, determined according to ASTM D 882, lower than 130%, a dimensional stability, determined according to the OPMA TC 4 standard at 130° C. for 5 minutes in air in MD in the range from 0 to ?10% and in TD from ?4 to +4%.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing a pack (20) from a packaging-material web, comprising a forming tube (2), a filling tube (11), which runs, in part, through the forming tube, a forming shoulder (3), which is arranged on the forming tube (2) and is A intended for forming a flexible enveloping tube, a folding means (7), which is arranged downstream of the forming shoulder (3), as seen in the conveying direction (A) of the flexible enveloping tube, and a sealing means (6) with a multiplicity of sealing units (6a, 6b), which are arranged downstream of the folding means (7), as seen in the conveying direction (A) of the flexible enveloping tube, wherein the forming tube (2) has a first diameter (D1) and in the filling tube (11) has a second diameter (D2) wherein the first diameter (D1) is greater than the second diameter (D2), wherein the folding means (7) is arranged at the end has first of the forming tube (2) and wherein the folding means (7) has a parabola-form folding element (8) in order t

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to remove foreign matter such as liquid droplets from air with high efficiency using a filter. This filter is used to purify air by removing foreign matter such as liquid droplets and dust from the air. A separation unit is formed with a port block and a separation cylinder, and the port block is formed with a primary port and a secondary port. A collection container is attached to the separation unit, and liquid droplets exhausted from an exhaust port formed at a lower end portion of a separation unit fall down into a collection container. A conical portion of the separation unit is formed with a communication hole through which the separation chamber and the storage chamber communicate with each other, whereby the separation chamber and the storage chamber become equal in pressure to each other.

Abstract: A dust collector includes a housing and a case. The housing forms therein an air chamber in which filter cylinders are mounted. The case has an interior space divided by a separation board into an air inlet compartment communicating the air chamber of the housing and an air outlet compartment communicating the air inlet compartment. A blower unit is mounted to the separation board and includes blast box mounted to the separation board in the air inlet compartment and a motor arranged in the air outlet compartment in such a way that an output spindle of the motor extending into the blast box and carrying a blade assembly. With such an arrangement, resonance caused by wind shear sound of the blade assembly is eliminated. Heat generated by the operation of the motor can be removed by air flow passing through the air outlet compartment to realize cooling of the motor.

Abstract: An air cleaner apparatus for a vehicle may include a filter assembly a case that accommodates the filter assembly therein, a door rotatably installed on the case to open/close the case, and a link unit having both end portions rotatably installed on the inside of the case and the door respectively, for making the filter assembly adhere closely to or release from the case while interlocking with the rotating door.

Abstract: A ventilation member (100) of the invention includes a tubular part (11), a gas permeable filter (19), and a cover part (31). In an attached state where the tubular part (11) is fit into the cover part (31), gaps functioning as gas passages (AR2 and AR3) are formed between a bottom portion (35) of the cover part (31) and the gas permeable filter (19) and between a side wall portion (39) of the cover part (31) and a body portion (17) of the tubular part (11). The opening area (S2) of a filter-end opening (15) with respect to an in-plane direction (WL) perpendicular to the thickness direction of the gas permeable filter (19) is larger than the opening area (S1) of a connection-end opening (13) with respect to the in-plane direction (WL).

Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.

Abstract: A pulse detonation combustor (PDC) includes a combustion tube, an inlet located on an upstream end of the combustion tube which receives a flow of a fuel/air mixture, an enhanced DDT region located within the tube downstream of the inlet, a nozzle disposed on a downstream end of the tube and a fortified region disposed downstream of the enhanced DDT region and upstream of the nozzle. A combustion initiation system that provides multiple initiation locations at different axial stations along the length of the tube are positioned downstream of the inlet and upstream of the fortified region. The initiator system is operable to initiate combustion of a fuel-air mixture within the tube at a selected one of the initiation locations.