Abstract: A container having a container body, a thermic module at one end of the body, and a closure at the other end of the body initiates an internal exothermic (or, alternatively, endothermic) chemical reaction to heat its contents when a user actuates the thermic module. A plastic thermic module body is spin-welded to a plastic container body by rotating one relative to and in contact with the other. The container body has multiple layers, including an inner layer such as a so-called oxygen barrier layer that inhibits oxidation and spoilage of the contents, and spin-welding the container body to the module body seals the otherwise-exposed oxygen barrier layer against air or moisture intrusion. The container includes a rotatable cover adhered to the container end over the closure with heat-sensitive adhesive that prevents a user from accessing the contents until a certain temperature is reached.

Abstract: The method identifies a Pixon element, which is a fundamental and indivisible unit of information, and a Pixon basis, which is the set of possible functions from which the Pixon elements are selected. The actual Pixon elements selected from this basis during the reconstruction process represents the smallest number of such units required to fit the data and representing the minimum number of parameters necessary to specify the image. The Pixon kernels can have arbitrary properties (e.g., shape, size, and/or position) as needed to best fit the data.

Abstract: A fixed barrier module includes a support post for supporting two adjacent panels each of which are hingeable. A cut-away portion in a base portion of the support post accepts two cable-carrying swivel joints that are utilized as cable conduits through the support post. The swivel joints rotate with the panels, and allow cables to follow the fixed barrier contour. Cable carrier extrusions attach to the swivel joints to extend the cable conduit below a panel section and to an adjacent support post. The swivel joints and hingeable panels allow the fixed barrier to change direction to follow any desired contour using a single-type of a support post.

Abstract: A gas purification apparatus has a housing with an inlet end having an inlet port for gas supply to an interior chamber, and an opposite, outlet end having an outlet port for exit of purified gas from the chamber. The housing is of generally cylindrical shape with a central axis, and the inlet and outlet ports are offset from the central axis towards a lower portion of the housing. A purification medium fills at least the majority of the chamber. The internal wall of the chamber is cylindrical along part of the length of the housing extending from the outlet end, and has a rounded or part-spherical inlet portion extending from the inlet port to the cylindrical part of the internal wall.

Abstract: The resin dispenser comprises a support frame, a probe with an adjustable loading volume mounted on the support frame and connected to a vacuum source, a hopper for containing a resin slurry, a holder for retaining one or more containers to be loaded at a loading position, a translation means for moving the probe from the hopper to the container, a fluid circulation pump and an air pump for circulating fluid in the hopper, and at least one control device. The hopper includes a means for continuous circulation and replenishment of solvent with a large reserve of resin, and has a small volume from which the resin is extracted. The method for dispensing comprises drawing resin from a dispenser trough in the hopper into the loading volume using a vacuum, moving the probe to the loading position, then activating an air actuator which expels a resin pellet from the probe into the container by initiating movement of the inner and outer tubes that define the loading volume.

Abstract: An adjustment apparatus for adjusting the position of a back pad or seat pad of a seat has an inner tube with a series of spaced openings for securing at one end to the back or seat pad, and an outer tube telescopically engaged over the inner tube and secured to a support frame of the seat. The outer tube has a pinning opening for alignment with a selected one of the openings in the inner tube. A lever is pivotally secured on a pivot bracket on the outer tube for rotation about a pivot axis with a first end portion of the lever projecting over the pinning hole, and a pinning button projecting from the first end portion towards the pinning hole. The lever is movable between an operative position in which the pinning button extends through the pinning hole and an aligned hole in the inner tube to secure the tubes together, and a retracted position in which the pinning button is spaced from the pinning hole.

Abstract: A bag of flexible material has a pair of opposing flat stiffener strips of stiffer material than the bag extending from the open end of the bag. The strips are joined together at least at one end. A closure device is formed on the inner face of each strip for releasably closing the open end of the bag. A handle flap extends upwardly from the upper edge of the strips at least at the one, joined end of the strips, and is integrally formed with the strips. A fold line joins the handle flap to the strips. The bag can be held open by urging opposite ends of the strips towards each other, and the handle flap can be bent downwardly about the fold line to secure the bag in an open condition.

Abstract: A hand-held implement such as a writing instrument has a body of compressible material having a smoothly rounded, bulbous upper end portion and a lower end portion having an end face with an opening. The lower end portion is inwardly tapered along at least part of its length from the upper end portion towards the end face. A tool such as a pen or pencil is mounted in the body and has a working end projecting from the end face of the lower end portion. A user gripping the body with the base of the index finger engaging an end area of the upper end portion of the body can apply pressure for operating the tool using the palm of the hand at the base of the index finger.

Abstract: A cable and pulley assembly has a first floating pulley unit having a pulley housing and a pair of pulleys rotatably mounted side-by-side in the housing for rotation about a single pulley axis, and a second floating pulley unit having a pulley housing and at least one pulley rotatably mounted in the housing. A first cable is linked to the housing of the first floating pulley unit, and a second cable is linked to the housing of the second floating pulley unit. A third cable extends around one of the side-by-side pulleys in the first pulley unit, around the pulley of the second pulley unit, and around the other side-by-side pulley of the first pulley unit. The resistance on the first cable is then four times that on each section of the third cable, and plural pull points are provided for selective connection to exercise stations.

Abstract: An electro-optical connector has a plug unit and a receptacle unit which are releasably mateable in an underwater environment. Each unit has at least two separate contact chambers extending inwardly from the front end, one for containing optical contacts and the other for containing electrical contacts. Each optical contact chamber is sealed by a rolling seal member rotatably mounted in a recessed seat in a front end wall of the chamber for rotation in a non-axial direction between a closed position in which a seal through bore is offset from an inlet into the chamber and an open position in which the seal through bore is aligned with the inlet. One electrical chamber contains an electrical socket and has a front end wall having a sealable opening, an annular seal member mounted in the sealable opening, and a resiliently biased stopper movably disposed in sealing engagement within the annular seal member when the units are not mated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new component for protecting hangers associated with electrostatic coating processes. The component is electrically conductive and inexpensive relative to the hanger which it serves to protect. The component lessens the cost associated with traditional hanger cleaning and preserves hanger life and integrity.