Abstract: A clamping and cutting apparatus for a conveyor belt is provided. The apparatus includes upper and lower elongate members between which the belt is to be clamped. A clamping mechanism has a screw drive mechanism mounted to the upper member and an end linkage assembly which are operable to generate a more rapid clamping operation of the elongate members on the belt. The upper elongate member can be releasably latched to the lower elongate member for quick connection and removal therefrom. A cutting blade of the apparatus is preferably provided with upper and lower guides to increase the rigidity thereof for increasing cutting accuracy and allowing thicker belts to be cut therewith without increasing blade thickness.

Abstract: An optical steering angle sensor for determining the absolute value of the steering angle even when a steering wheel has been revolved several times is provided, having a stator, a rotor with a barcode and evaluation electronics. In one form, the invention provides for the rotor to have a track groove which is arranged in the form of a worm in order to determine the number of revolutions, which track groove has an associated driver finger on the stator, which engages in the track groove and is arranged in a bearing such that it can pivot, and has a holder for a magnet which can pivot with the driver finger and which driver finger has an associated stationary Hall sensor, which is provided in an evaluation circuit.

Abstract: The multipurpose expansion work device (10), adapted for the cutting, incision or expansion of metal tubes (T), comprises a tubular body (11) of support for a work tool (12) axially insertable in a metal tube (T), the work tool (12) having a plurality of elastically spreadable longitudinal arms (14), externally provided with an operating edge (15) intended to come into contact with an inner surface (T?) of the metal tube (T). The device (10) also comprises an expansion member (16) for divaricating the elastic arms (14), which is provided at a first end with a conical divarication head (17), converging or diverging towards a linear actuator (18) connected at a second end to the expansion member (16). The device (10) moreover comprises manually operable stop means (20) for adjusting the insertion depth of the tool (12) inside the metal tube (T).

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a plug and a socket. The plug includes at least one conductive pin, at least one first electrical conductor coupled to the at least one conductive pin, and a base portion and a column portion. The column portion extends from the base portion and defines at least one slot along a length of the column portion. The column portion is constructed of a compliant material and includes at least one opening that extends through the base portion. The openings and slots are aligned such that the at least one conductive pin extends through the at least one opening and is received in the at least one slot. The socket has an inner surface and includes at least one second electrical conductor that extends through the socket, and holds the plug. When the plug is received by the socket, an interference fit is formed and maintained as between the second electrical conductor and the conductive pin. The base portion of the plug and the inner surface of the socket are engaged to create a seal.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of cell reselection in a wireless telecommunications device operative with a plurality of radio access networks are disclosed. The method comprises, when the device is camped on a first radio access network: ranking cells in a neighboring list according to cell reselection criteria; considering for cell reselection a cell in the neighboring list; when the cell in the list is a cell of a second radio access network different from the first radio access network, applying an algorithm for cell reselection from the second radio access network to the first radio access network; and when the algorithm as applied would result in reselection to the first radio access network, considering for cell reselection another cell in the list.

Abstract: A soft seamless acrylonitrile bladder having excellent air permeability combined with good bounce characteristics for inflatable balls obtained by latex dipping process. The said process involves dipping hot molds in a coagulant bath of calcium nitrate and water and later dipping the dried, coagulant coated formers in a compounded latex bath of carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene latex, the dip being single or multiple depending upon the desired wall thickness. The said latex dipping process allows low manufacturing cost, high productivity and low rejection rate bladders having uniform weight varying from 500 mg/inch2 to 1.5 g/inch2, modulus varying from 17 to 20 Kg/Cm2, tensile strength of 150-180 Kg/Cm2 and elongation at break 650-750%.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric to be used in a disposable absorbent article is disclosed, to which a formula is added during its manufacturing process, either to change its affinity to water and/or to provide same with any desired characteristic, said formula containing an indicator means such that the formula can be detected along the entire length and width of the fabric during the manufacturing process thereof, without the need of carrying out laboratory tests. The indicator means can be an optical indicator, a thermal indicator or a coloring agent.

Abstract: Methods for reconfiguring an atrioventricular heart valve may use systems comprising a partial or complete fenestrated annuloplasty ring proportioned to reconfigure a heart valve that has become in some way incompetent, and a plurality of staples which may have pairs of legs that are sized and shaped for association with the ring at spaced locations along its length. These systems permit relative axial movement between the staples and the ring, whereby a patient's heart valve can be reconfigured in a manner that does not deter subtle shifting of the native valve components. Shape-memory alloy material staples may have legs with free ends that interlock following implantation. One alternative is to use flexible rings that will bend in the plane of the ring as the heart beats.

Abstract: Horizontal form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. Various types of fastener tracks are applied in-line with a plastic web and are bonded thereto. All package components are brought together at the point of fill. Flexible packages are provided with shrouded and unshrouded slide fastener closures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water containing, heat processable firm RTE fudge dessert. The RTE fudge dessert of this invention is prepared from an emulsified blend of water, fat, milk, lecithin, and a water binder. Sweeteners and/or flavorings may be added to provide the desired level of sweetness or desired flavor profile. A smooth firm fudge candy textured dessert comprising about 20 to about 60 percent water, about 15 to about 45 percent fat, about 1 to about 15 percent non-fat dry milk (or equivalent milk protein), about 0.1 to about 3 percent lecithin, and about 0.1 to about 20 percent water binder is provided.

Abstract: The packaging system includes a first food product sealed within an inner wrapper, a second food product positioned within a tray and spacing the first food product from the tray, and an outer wrapper sealing the first food product, sealed within the inner wrapper, the second food product and the tray therein. A shield is disposed on the tray and is in contact with more than one surface of the second food product. Prior to microwave heating, the inner and outer wrapper are removed.

Abstract: A system for replacing a natural nuclear disc in an intervertebral space has a spinal device configured for placement in the intervertebral space. An insertion tool is configured for holding the spinal device while the spinal device is inserted into the intervertebral space. A gripping member of the insertion tool has an end for adjustably holding the spinal device within the intervertebral space. A steering actuator of the insertion tool is operably connected to the spinal device and configured for pivoting the adjustably held spinal device within the intervertebral space while the steering actuator is controlled remotely from the intervertebral space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a non-rectilinear flexible package comprising an in-line process including application and selective sealing of a semi-rigid strip to an inner wall of the package and further including a dual-stage die-cutting technique to remove and cut a non-linear shape into a formed web of film. The semi-rigid strip is sealed to one interior wall of the package but not the other to provide a reinforced opening to the package through which a material can be dispensed. Additionally, the dual stage die-cutting method comprises first cutting and removing a portion of the web material prior to filling the package and again cutting and removing a portion of the web material after filling, resulting in a package having a narrowed neck adjacent the closed reinforced opening at an upper portion of the package and a body of the package that is tapered towards the reinforced opening.

Abstract: An integrated highly automated competition system allows for selection of one or more competition winners. Documents can be submitted electronically or by hardcopy. Document submissions are checked against databases to determine duplicate existence by a variety of information extracted from the documents. Candidates are filtered by one or more filters requiring candidates meet completeness, qualification, eligibility, and partner/discretionary standards. Candidates are evaluated by one or more readers and scored on a plurality of cognitive and non-cognitive variables. Readers are monitored and corrective action is taken when reader evaluations are determined to require corrective action. Candidates are selected by a two stage process first using raw read scores and then using a successive weighted read score iteration or tie-breaking stage. Winning candidates are subject to progress tracking and re-qualification prior to receiving award payments.

Abstract: A vehicle roof is proposed, comprising a roof opening, which can be either closed or at least partially exposed by means of a cover element, which at its rear edge can be tilted relative to a fixed roof section and which is traversable above the fixed roof section towards the rear of the vehicle and which is guided on both sides relative to a vehicle longitudinal center plane by a front sliding unit in a leading guide rail section and by a rear sliding unit in a rear guide rail section respectively. According to the invention the rear sliding unit is guided on a guide link of the cover element and the tangents of the rear guide rail section and of the guide link of the cover element, projected in the vehicle vertical direction, are at least in part set counter to a vehicle longitudinal axis, so that the rear guide rail section and the guide link fixed to the cover in this projection intersect when the cover element is in an open position.

Abstract: An implant retention device is provided to assist in restraining movement of a nuclear implant and to assist in preventing expulsion of the nuclear implant through an incision portal or defect in the annular wall. In one form, the implant retention device comprises an expulsion prevention member associated with the nuclear implant and is configured to transition between an unexpanded position and an expanded position. In another form, a method for restraining a nuclear implant includes cutting an opening in the annulus, shifting an implant retention device into an unexpanded position, inserting the implant retention device through the opening, and shifting the retention device to an expanded position.

Abstract: An airbag cover and an airbag device capable of improving an outer appearance of the airbag cover and simplifying a structure of a hinge portion are provided. In one form, an airbag cover is formed by integrally resin molding a plate portion which forms a vehicle interior surface with an inner case to be disposed on the back surface of the plate portion to form an inflation/development path of an airbag. The airbag cover includes a door member formed in the plate portion so as to be split upon inflation/development of the airbag, and a hinge portion which turnably retains the door member. The hinge portion includes a first thin portion formed at a connection portion between the inner case and the plate portion, and plural first ribs disposed on the outer surface of the first thin portion so as to be bent or buckled upon the inflation/development of the airbag.