Abstract: The method and apparatus for forming composite wood products particularly composite veneer like products which may be intermediate products and laminated to form the final composite product. Strands are fed from a source of supply at a metered rate, entrained in an air stream and carried along a confined path between an entrainment zone and the source of supply. Strands are condensed onto a surface to form a veneer lay-up of at least one layer of strands on the forming surface and this veneer lay-up is carried from the path and deposited onto a collecting surface and later consolidated into a composite product. Entraining air and strands not forming veneer are separated in the supply station, the strands fall onto the supply of strands and energy is added to the separated entraining air and it is returned to the entraining zone.

Abstract: A plug portion 23 which engages to a socket 13, to which a liquid transport hose and a gas transport hose 7 are connected, is provided to a plug 12 which closes an aperture portion which is formed in a container. A liquid conduit 26 on the side of the plug 12 which is communicated to a liquid conduit 56 on the side of the socket 13 is formed on the inner side of the plug portion 23, while a gas conduit 41 on the side of the plug 12 which is communicated to gas conduits 52 and 63 on the socket side is formed on the outer side of the plug portion 23. By this construction, it is possible to anticipate simplified and reduced cost manufacture for a connector which excels in convenience due to having a plurality of conduits.

Abstract: A reusable, fluid-swellable absorbent composition is disclosed. The composition generally includes a superabsorbent polymer, a gum, a film-forming resin and gelatin. The composition may further include a colorant and/or reflective particles, and it is particularly well-suited for use with amusement devices, such as for use by children. The device includes at least one sample of the invented composition, preferably including colorant and/or glitter, a volume of water and a structure including a base and a closed perimeter extending outwardly from the base. The structure includes a plurality of discrete regions, and may collectively resemble an object, scene or other image. Then upon placement of a small quantity of the composition into a particular region and addition of water to the quantity, the composition swells, expands and generally conforms to the shape of the region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting polynucleotide hybridization in luminescence-based assays. The methods may include (1) contacting a sample polynucleotide with a reference polynucleotide at an assay site, where at least one of the polynucleotides is capable of emitting luminescence, (2) illuminating the assay site with light capable of stimulating such luminescence, (3) detecting light transmitted from the assay site, and (4) deriving information relating to the extent of hybridization between the sample and reference polynucleotides based on the detected light. The methods may further include (1) illuminating with and/or detecting polarized light, (2) deriving information relating to the sequence of the sample polynucleotide from the extent of hybridization, and (3) converting the light to a signal and distinguishing between a portion of the signal attributable to luminescence and a portion attributable to background.

Abstract: A personal hydration system with a flow-restricting device. The hydration system includes a fluid reservoir configured to store fluid and a tube assembly that is coupled to the reservoir and configured to deliver fluid to a user's mouth, such as via a mouthpiece. The system further includes a flow-restricting device that is configured to selectively restrict the flow of drink fluid between the reservoir and the mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the flow-restricting device includes a body and a rotatable core.

Abstract: A portable outdoor cooker for cooking foods is provided. The cooker comprises a substantially circular heat transfer plate, a plurality of individually controllable burners disposed beneath the heat transfer plate, and a frame assembly for supporting the heat transfer plate and burners above the ground and in relation to one another. The heat transfer plate has a center and a perimeter, and includes a cooking surface. The plurality of burners includes an inner burner and an outer burner, the outer burner being positioned adjacent the perimeter of the heat transfer plate and the inner burner being positioned closer to the center of the heat transfer plate than the outer burner such that the cooking surface can be made hotter adjacent the perimeter of the heat transfer plate than adjacent the center of the heat transfer plate.

Abstract: A keyboard overlay that may be adjusted to fit over a variety of keyboards. The overlay is self-supporting so that potential damage to the keyboard is limited, and requires no straps or other retaining devices so that removal and replacement of the overlay is simple. It is particularly intended for use by young children. The overlay includes a support having telescoping crossbeams configured to permit adjustments for keyboards of varying sizes.

Abstract: A plural-layer body-contacting cushioning interface structure which is interposable the human body and an external structure, such as a helmet. The cushioning structure of the invention, in one preferred form, has a body-facing side which contacts the body, and a load-facing side which contacts the mentioned external structure. Intermediate these sides is a moisture-wicking layer which is designed to contact, and draw moisture away from, the body, a continuous, moisture-blocking, gas-permeable barrier layer adjacent the moisture-wicking layer, and an acceleration-rate-sensitive cushioning structure disposed protectedly within the barrier layer which fully encapsulates the cushioning structure.

Abstract: A connector 20 comprises a plug 21 fitted to an opening 2 formed in a container 1, and a socket 22 which is connected to the plug 21. The plug 21 comprises a bracket section 3 which is fitted into the opening 2 of the container 1, and a plug section 23 which is screwed into a threaded aperture 4 formed in the bracket section 3. An annular locking ring 63 formed with lugs 66 on the outer periphery is integrally but removably fitted to the plug section 23 which is threadedly attached to the threaded aperture 4. A plurality of engaging ribs 67 are formed on the inner peripheral face of the bracket section 3 for preventing rotation of the plug section 23 by engaging with the lugs 66 of the locking ring 63 which is fitted to the plug section 23. As a result, loosening from the threaded aperture 4 of the reusable plug section 23 which is removable by threading into the threaded aperture 4 of the bracket section 3, is prevented so that leaking of the liquid inside the container 1 from a loosened part is prevented.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering thermal energy from a fuel processing system comprising a fuel processor and a fuel cell stack. The system includes a heat recovery system including a heat exchange fluid that recovers thermal energy from such sources as the combustion exhaust from the fuel processor, the cathode chamber exhaust from the fuel cell stack and/or the fuel cell stack directly.

Abstract: A joint support is attachable to a limb of an animal to limit movement of an associated limb joint substantially about a single axis. The joint support includes a radial element having a longitudinal axis and a transverse element having a longitudinal axis. The transverse element is pivotally connected to the radial element about an axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of the radial element substantially intersects with the axis of rotation, and radial rotation of the radial element is restricted about the axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of the transverse element is partially fixed relative to the radial element so that the same is substantially coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the radial element and substantially offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A programmable current mirror, including a reference system configured to receive a reference current, and a mirror system operatively connected to the reference system and configured to produce an output current based on the applied reference current. The relationship between the reference current and the mirror current is defined by a programmably variable mirroring parameter. The reference system includes a plurality of transistor groups, each transistor group being configured to alter the mirroring parameter via programmable variation of a dimensional parameter associated with the transistor group. Variations to the mirroring parameter produced by one of the transistor groups are scaled relative to variations produced by another of the transistor groups. The reference system, mirror system or both may be implemented with a multistage configuration. The current mirror may also be configured to provide inverse linear programmability.

Abstract: A rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle. The rack includes forward and rear crossbars extending across a top surface of the vehicle and a pair of tower bodies associated with each crossbar to secure the crossbars to the vehicle. A wheel mount is attached to a first one of the crossbars. The wheel mount is adapted to support a wheel of the bicycle with a lowest point on the wheel positioned over a range of positions relative to the crossbar including with the lowest point positioned off the wheel mount.

Abstract: A window molding which is easy to install, and in the installed state remains stable and the external appearance is superior, and does not show floating or generate abnormal noise during highspeed cruising and is able to be flush-surfaced easily. The window molding is constituted by: a molding body attached along a space between a window plate and a body panel; a protruding rib protruding from the molding body towards an external surface of the window plate; a leg section extending from the molding body towards the space; a sealing lip extending from the molding body towards an external surface of a body panel; a linking lip extending from the leg section towards the space-forming surface of the body panel and linking with a tip of the sealing lip or in a vicinity of the sealing lip to form a hollow section.

Abstract: Conditioning apparatus for handling particulate material comprises a central frame and a plurality of spaced, annular troughs mounted to the central frame to support the particulate material. The troughs are arranged in a stacked configuration having successive pairs of upper and lower troughs with an uppermost trough for receiving the particulate material and a lowermost trough for discharging particulate material. Hydraulic cylinders or other suitable means are used to impart vibratory movement to the plurality of troughs to fluidize and advance the particulate material in a first direction on each of the plurality of troughs. A passage is formed through each trough for particulate material to fall from the upper trough of a pair to the lower trough.

Abstract: Membrane modules that contain one or more hydrogen-selective membranes, methods for preparing the same, and hydrogen purification systems, fuel processors and devices containing the same. In some embodiments, the membrane modules include one or more hydrogen-selective membranes supported on a screen structure, of which a variety of embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the membrane or membranes are adhesively mounted on the screen structure during assembly. In some embodiments, the screen structure includes a plurality of screen members adhesively mounted together during assembly. In some embodiments, the screen structure includes a coating.

Abstract: A rotary ring log debarker including one or more rotary rings each carrying one or more sets of equiangularly distributed log debarking arms and tools, in such a manner that the overall machine includes at least two axially offset (leading and trailing) sets of debarking tool arms which perform debarking in two different axially spaced planes. The trailing edges of the tool tips in the leading arm set are spaced upstream from the leading edges of the tool tips in the trailing arm set.

Abstract: A window buck having members forming a frame with the members including adjustable components enabling use of the buck in walls under construction of different thicknesses. Extruded front and rear components of each buck member are adjustably interengaged with one another and fixable in a desired relationship to suit the wall being constructed. External channels formed in the buck members are open lengthwise to permit reception of angular connectors for joining the buck members at their intersecting ends. The connectors may be of reusable rebar and removable upon completion of the wall. The components of each buck member are lockable by inserted fasteners. A modified window buck includes a central component for use in walls of extraordinary thicknesses. A further modified window buck may include buck members of unitary construction.

Abstract: A golf ball marking tool. The tool includes a receiving portion adapted to receive a portion of the golf ball, a gripping portion adapted to grip the golf ball, and a guide surface configured to define a marking position on the golf ball. The tool may also include an opening to facilitate disengagement of the ball from the gripping portion.