Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a process for processing post-consumer polymer. The polymer is contacted with a control medium having a carrier gas and a reactive vapor. Such a process is useful for processing post-consumer polymers with lower energy and reactants than with liquid reactants, and also promotes decontamination of the recycled polymer during the reaction.

Abstract: The invention includes a display positioning assembly comprising a support, a display supported by the support, and a balance mechanism carried by the display and operatively connected to the support. The invention also includes an article for selectively exposing a display comprising a generally planar support surface having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A balance mechanism operatively connected to a display may be positionable between a storage position proximate the first side of the generally planar support surface and an exposed position proximate the second side of the generally planar support surface. The invention also includes an assembly for arresting the free fall of an object. The assembly may comprise an outer slide in sliding or rolling engagement with an inner slide, and a brake comprising at least one pivot member may be coupled to the inner slide.

Abstract: An electric heating blanket including a flexible sheet-like heating element and a shell. The shell covers the heating blanket an includes two sheets of flexible material welded together.

Abstract: A modular spiral staircase assembly that involves a handrail formed of one or more sections and a series of slide members each configured to form a link between both a baluster and the handrail of the staircase. The use of such slide members enables initial ease with respect to positioning of the balusters along the extent of the handrail and subsequent secure locking of such balusters in position with respect to the handrail for alignment purposes with corresponding treads of the staircase. Additionally, using such slide members along the extent of the handrail provides the installer ready-made tools for progressively shaping the extent of the handrail so as to align it with the curvature of the staircase.

Abstract: An assembly includes a slider and a suspension assembly. The slider includes an air bearing surface and a slider mounting surface opposite the air bearing surface. There are a plurality of slider pads on the slider mounting surface. The suspension assembly includes a plurality of suspension pads on a suspension mounting surface. Each of the suspension pads is connected to one of the slider pads with a solder joint so that the slider mounting surface has at least one of a pitch, roll, or yaw angle with respect to the suspension mounting.

Abstract: A perforated plate support supports dual-cooled fuel rods, each of which has concentric outer and inner tubes and is coupled with upper and lower end plugs at upper and lower ends thereof, and guide thimbles, each of which is used as a passage for a control rod. The perforated plate support is formed as a support plate having the shape of a flat plate, which includes internal channel holes, each of which has a diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the inner tube, guide thimble holes, each of which has a diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the guide thimble, and sub-channel holes around each internal channel hole. The upper or lower end of the dual-cooled fuel rod is coupled to the support plate such that the outer diameter of the inner tube is matched with the diameter of the internal channel hole.

Abstract: The invention provides a trunnion bearing assembly for the drive system of a snow blower, mower, tractor, or other self-propelled utility vehicle. In certain embodiments, the trunnion assembly comprises a bearing having ball bearings, roller bearings, or another type of bearing set. This can provide free relative rotation of several components of the bearing assembly relative to a trunnion housing of the bearing assembly. This rotation is imparted when a friction disk of the assembly engages a spinning motor flywheel of the drive system.

Abstract: A slider includes a slider body and a bond pad. The bond pad is positioned on the slider body and has a bonding surface with a recessed channel for directing solder flow. Separately related, an assembly includes a suspension assembly including a suspension mounting surface and a suspension pad on the suspension mounting surface. A slider is positioned adjacent the suspension mounting surface, with a slider pad aligned with the suspension pad. A recessed channel is in at least one of the slider pad or the suspension pad. A solder joint is formed between the suspension pad and the slider pad and extends into the recessed channel.

Abstract: A system for mounting an object such as a flat screen television on a surface such as a wall. A mounting template is fastened to the surface and defines multiple sets of openings corresponding to multiple mounting configurations. Wall brackets are removably secured within the openings and are then fastened to the surface. Object spacers are fastened to mounting locations on the object corresponding to the mounting configuration of the wall brackets, and are connected to the wall brackets to secure the object to the wall. A level may be secured within the mounting template. The mounting template may include fold lines to facilitate packaging and storage of the mounting template.