Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively forming metal stud and track members from sheet material, the apparatus including a stud forming assembly capable of transforming the sheet material into a stud member as the material exits the stud forming assembly, and a track forming assembly capable of receiving the stud member as it exists the stud forming assembly and thereafter transforming the stud member into a track member. The track forming assembly is selectively moveable between an operative position wherein the track forming assembly is coupled to the stud forming assembly to receive the stud member as it exits the stud forming assembly, and an inoperative position wherein the track forming assembly is positioned such that it cannot receive the stud member as it exits the stud forming assembly. The apparatus may also include punch and shear mechanisms for performing various operations on the sheet material.

Abstract: A valve for regulating fluid flow and associated method of use. The valve includes a stepper motor, a first valve portion having an inlet port for receiving fluid into the valve, a second valve portion having an outlet port for dispensing fluid from the valve, a third valve portion located between the first valve portion and the second valve portion, a first member that is rotatable and operatively attached to the stepper motor, and a second member, having a first portion and a second portion, which engages the first member for linear movement of the second member between a first position and a second position when the first member is rotated by the stepper motor to block fluid flow when the second member is located in the first position and allow fluid flow when the second member is located in the second position.

Abstract: Generally described, a storage container comprising a removable sleeve positively closely positioned around a receptacle is provided. When positioned on the receptacle, the ends of the sleeve overlap, and the outer overlapping portion is bonded or secured to at least one separation section within an inner overlapped portion. The separation section is defined at least partially by a scored line, with the scored line being a cut that penetrates a top portion of the sleeve. The sleeve is removed by pulling the outer edge of the sleeve radially outward thereby separating the top portion of the sleeve at the separation section from the remaining portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unloading long ribbon rails which are carried on a transport car on bunks which hold the rails in four or five different tiers each containing eight to ten rails. A special railcar is equipped with a gantry crane which feeds the rails from the bunks into power driven thread boxes. The thread boxes grip the rails and feed them rearwardly onto the railway bed. After the first two rails have been unloaded side by side, the next pair are fed into the thread boxes. The thread boxes feed these rails out of the bunks as the train is moved forwardly at the same speed as the rails are fed rearwardly so that the rails are unloaded end to end with the first pair of rails. The railcar has retractable over the road wheels that allow it to be towed on the roadway to the site of the rail transport car.

Abstract: A coolant flow valve for controlling the distribution and flow of coolant to replace the radiator thermostat and heater valve used in automotive applications. The valve includes a valve rotor rotationally received in a valve housing wherein the rotational orientation thereof determines which combination of flow paths through four different outlet ports is selected.

Abstract: Disclosed is an AlGaInN LED with improved external quantum efficiency, in which a chip employing the LED has a horizontal plane formed in a lozenge shape so that the amount of total reflection of light is reduced when the light generated from an active layer interposed between hetero-semiconductor layers with different band gaps is emitted to the outside. Since the horizontal plane of the LED is formed to have a lozenge shape so that the amount of total reflection of light generated in the LED is reduced, it is possible to maximize external quantum efficiency determined by the degree of emission of the light generated in the active layer. The cleaved plane of the LED coincides with the crystal orientation of a wafer made of GaN or sapphire, thus improving the yield of the LED when the LED is cut and produced.

Abstract: A display and storage container formed from a substantially flat sheet of board-type material which is foldable into a packaging container having an interior space which is sized and dimensioned to receive a particular product when positioned therewithin and further including a pocket or cavity formed adjacent one of the side walls associated with the packaging container. The top wall portion of the present container likewise includes an opening for allowing a person to smell the scent or fragrance associated with a scented product positioned within the container.

Abstract: An extraction machine for cleaning a floor surface has a front and a rear and is movable by an operator relative to the floor surface in a forward direction of travel to clean the floor surface. The extraction machine also has a cleaning solution dispenser capable of dispensing a cleaning solution onto the floor surface and a recovery system for extracting a dirty solution from the floor surface. A towline is connected at one end to the extraction machine and is configured for being supported by the operator at an opposite end thereof such that movement of the operator in the forward direction of travel causes tensioning of the towline. The tension in the towline applies a pulling force to the extraction machine to move the extraction machine in the forward direction of travel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing dimming control of an electronic ballast circuit that includes a electronic ballast circuit that is electrically connected to a plurality of input voltage terminals that can receive alternating current and the electronic ballast circuit is electrically connected to the plurality of fluorescent lamp terminals. There is at least one light sensor that is electrically connected to the electronic ballast circuit so that the electrical power applied at the plurality of fluorescent lamp terminals can be proportionally modified in relationship to the ambient light received by the at least one light sensor. Also, there is a plurality of switches that are electrically connected in one-to-one corresponding relationship to a plurality of resistive loads so that the electrical power applied at the plurality of fluorescent lamp terminals can be set at a plurality of predetermined lighting levels.

Abstract: An automatic insertion device includes a temperature sensing element structured to provide direct contact between the fluid in a pipeline and the sensor or sensing element. A valve assembly is provided to seal the interior of the conduit from its exterior when the sensing element is in its retracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for classification of a meat cut based on the thickness of the fat layer. The meat classification system comprises a split dual-belt conveyor system and a probe/trolley mechanism assembly where the probe is operable to penetrate the meat cut for measuring fat thickness as the meat cut is being conveyed along the dual belts.

Abstract: A Conveyorable Plastic Thermoformed Pallet, having a support member and support legs with outer walls, internal walls and inner walls, is utilized to transport product on a conveyor system. The Pallet is made using a twin-sheet thermoforming process that requires two molds for an upper sheet of thermoplastic material and a lower sheet of thermoplastic material. The upper sheet forms a top deck of the support member and the internal walls of the support legs. The lower sheet forms the underside of the support member, the inner walls of the support legs, and leg bottoms. Both sheets are fused to form the twin-sheet outer walls. The upper sheet also forms web strips which stabilize the walls of the support legs and prevent deflection of the walls.

Abstract: A liner and method of making an animal litter box liner that has a sufficient amount of sodium bicarbonate incorporated into the sheet-like material of the liner to facilitate the control of odors from the litter box when the litter box is used by an animal. The amount of sodium bicarbonate used is small enough that it does not compromise the structural integrity of the liner. The method includes forming first pellets of a first plastic and deodorant. The first pellets are mixed with second pellets and extruded and then formed into liners.

Abstract: A computer system (20) is provided with a development server (26) with a plurality of subject matter expert (SME) terminals (22) and a production server (28) with a plurality of user terminals (24). The development server (26) supports several software components including a knowledge database (46), a code generator (48), and fluid object material (50). The production server (28) also supports several software components including an production copy of the fluid object material (50A), and software wrappers (152,154). An instantiation modeler (156) and a user interface (44) are provided on the user terminals (24), and a SME interface (42) resides on the SME terminals (22). The SME interface (42) is operative to guide a SME through entry of rules into the knowledge database (46), and the code generator (48) is operative to automatically generate source code that is the fluid object material (50) for implementing the rules input into the knowledge database (46) by the SME.

Abstract: A foot operated laundry hamper having a knock down frame and a special bag for the frame. Base sections of the frame include front and rear bars mounted on feet and side bars that are connected by coil springs. Detachable legs extending from the base support top sections having bars and arms on the side that detachably connect with the legs. A flexible laundry bag is provided on its top edge with pockets that fit snugly on the top bar sections. The springs normally hold the top bars together to close the top of the laundry bag. When the front bar on the base is depressed by a foot, the springs deform and pull the top bars apart to open the bag for the receipt of laundry. The frame disassembles for compact packaging.

Abstract: The Dual Gas Facility stores natural gas in one or more man-made salt caverns typically located in a single salt dome or in bedded salt. The Dual Gas Facility can access different sources of natural gas. A first gas source is from a natural gas pipeline(s) and a second gas source is from LNG. Depending on economic conditions, supply conditions and other factors, the Dual Gas Facility can receive gas from the natural gas pipeline(s) and/or from LNG to fill the salt caverns. Of course, the LNG must be warmed before being stored in a salt cavern.