Abstract: A transport apparatus for transporting articles hanging on loops or the like, in particular sausage-shaped packs, comprising a shaft which has a first axial portion on which a screw is disposed. A drive moment is applied by way of the outside periphery of the screw and the shaft is supported by way of the outside periphery of the screw.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new drilling tool useful in machining hydraulic port seals for fluid power ports. The drilling tool drills the port hole to size in a solid material for the minor thread diameter in combination with forming the port in a single operation. The drilling tool has a tool holder having a rotational axis, a first drilling insert having cutting surfaces on a first side and a mounting surface on a second side, at least one second drilling insert having a predetermined cutting surface portion and a mounting portion which is mounted on the holder at a location from the rotational axis of the holder. The at least one second drilling insert has first and second portions which engage and machine a work piece in a drilling operation to form a spot face and a seal form.

Abstract: A container includes side walls and a floor panel for packaging coiled wire, which may be welding wire. A wire dispensing apparatus is included that pays-off wire from the coil without tangling or twisting. The wire dispensing apparatus incorporates a plurality of flexible protrusions that extend from a base constructed to minimally contact the coil of wire. In particular, the wire dispensing apparatus incorporates an angled or curved base that rests against an inner circumference of the coiled wire.

Abstract: A double walled reinforcement structure and method for making a double walled reinforcement structure having a plurality of longitudinally extending and nested structural members. Each structural member comprises a first cell having a first cross-section and a second cell having a second cross-section. The second cell is positioned within the first cell and the second cell contacts the first cell in a plurality of locations to provide mutual support of the cells in a manner increasing the tensile and compressive strength of the structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to lock levers for use in an automatic beverage machine for filling cans for example. The lock lever may have an L-shaped configuration with a first and second leg, and a first engagement surface on a side of the second leg which transitions to a second engagement surface at the distal end of the second leg. The lock lever is selectively rotated between operational and non-operational positions, and the first engagement surface transitions into the second engagement surface. The transition from the first engagement surface to the second engagement surface positions the second engagement surface at a predetermined height without the first or second engagement surface extending above the predetermined height.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting metal strip for a twin roll caster may include steps of sensing images of a casting pool in the casting area indicative of the casting pool depth, displaying the sensed images to an operator, and controlling a flow of molten metal from a metal supply system into the casting pool responsive to the sensed images indicative of the casting pool depth. The method may include producing separate electrical signals corresponding to the sensed images and controlling the flow of molten metal from the metal supply system into the casting pool responsive to one or more of the electrical signals. The electrical signals may be processed to determine the casting pool depth in each of the plurality of locations and the casting pool depth displayed to the operator. One or a combination of the electrical signals may be selected for providing a determined casting pool depth, and the flow of molten metal may be controlled responsive to the determined casting pool depth.

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to utilization of high power density microwave energy to reduce organic compounds to carbon and their constituents, primarily in a gaseous state. The process includes, but is not limited to, scrap tires, plastics, asphalt roofing shingles, computer waste, medical waste, municipal solid waste, construction waste, shale oil, and PCB/PAH/HCB-laden materials. The process includes the steps of feeding organic material into a microwave applicator and exposing the material to microwave energy fed from at least two linear polarized sources in non-parallel alignment to each other, and collecting the material. The at least two sources of microwave energy are from a bifurcated waveguide assembly, whose outputs are perpendicular to each other and fed through waveguide of proper impedance, such that the microwave sources are physically and electrically 90° out of phase to each other. The microwave frequency is between 894 and 1000 MHz, preferably approximately 915 MHz.

Abstract: A system for the detection of ligands comprising at least one receptor and an amplification mechanism coupled to the receptor wherein an amplified signal is produced as a result of receptor binding a ligand. Examples of suitable amplification mechanisms include antibody-embedded liquid crystalline materials; use of alpha-2-macroglobulin to encage an enzyme, whereby the enzyme is separated from its substrate by an receptor; and a receptor engineered to inhibit the active of site of an enzyme only in the absence of a ligand. Also provided are methods for the automatic detection of ligands.

Abstract: The invention is directed to carbon nanostructure composite systems which may be useful for various applications, including as dry adhesives, electronics and display technologies, or in a wide variety of other areas where organized nanostructures may be formed and integrated into a flexible substrate. The present invention provides systems and methods wherein organized nanotube structures or other nanostructures are embedded within polymers or other flexible materials to provide a flexible skin-like material, with the properties and characteristics of the nanotubes or other nanostructures exploited for use in various applications. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes formed into a predetermined architecture, with each of the plurality of nanotubes having a desired width and length.

Abstract: A trailer hitch includes multiple hitch connectors for connecting the trailer to a towing vehicle in different ways. The trailer hitch includes multiple connectors at distal ends of the hitch body. The trailer hitch can be position such that either end is facing the towing vehicle. Mounting plates secure the trailer hitch to the trailer frame and may be adjustable vertically to raise or lower the height of the trailer hitch with respect to the trailer frame.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for casting metal strip involving assembling a pair of casting rolls laterally disposed to form a nip between them, assembling an elongated metal delivery nozzle extending along and above the nip between the casting rolls, with at least one segment having opposing side walls and end walls, an inner trough extending longitudinally within between side walls and forming passages between the side walls and the inner trough and communicating with side outlets adjacent bottom portions, introducing molten metal through the elongate metal delivery nozzle to form a casting pool of molten metal supported on the casting rolls above the nip, such that molten metal is caused to flow into the inner trough of the delivery nozzle, from the inner trough through the passages between the inner trough and sidewalls, and from the passages through the side outlets in a substantially lateral direction into the casting pool, and counter rotating the casting rolls to deliver cast strip downwardly from the ni

Abstract: The invention concerns a clip conveyor apparatus for conveying a clip line (2) comprising a plurality of clips in a clipping machine, in particular a sausage clipping machine, comprising a drive unit (10) and an advance element (20) which is coupled with its drive end (22) to the drive unit (10) and is drivable by the drive unit (10) in such a way that its conveyor end (24) describes an elliptical path and for stepwise conveyance of the clip line (2) engages into intermediate spaces between two clips of the clip line (2) and conveys same stepwise in the advance direction (V), wherein there is provided an adjusting device (30) having a pivot axis (36) about which the transport element (20) is pivotable and which is adjustable in its position without a tool in such a way that at least one of the axes of the elliptical path described by the conveyor end (24) is variable.

Abstract: A process is described which uses overmolding to create an all plastic waterway within a faucet leading up to an inlet port for a spout.

Abstract: A breakstem rivet placing tool conventionally includes a flow restrictions for hydraulic fluid used to drive the tool in a stem pulling direction. This serves to prevent recoil of the tool due to rapid acceleration of an internal piston when the stem of the breakstem rivet breaks. Prior art flow restrictions create a jet of high velocity hydraulic fluid into the tool which may damage components by erosion. A revised fluid damper valve deflects and/or diffuses the fluid flow to avoid damage by erosion.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting parameters of an imaging machine are disclosed. The system comprises at least one sensor device to capture sensed characteristic information of a next person to be medically imaged. The system also includes a computer to receive the sensed characteristic information from the at least one sensor device and to generate adjustment data based on the sensed characteristic information. The system further includes a medical imaging machine to receive the adjustment data from the computer and to adjust at least one parameter of the imaging machine in response to the adjustment data.

Abstract: A portable water level-responsive mooring device has a mooring strap with a ring capable of engaging the mooring device around a dock piling. The mooring strap has a suitable length of cord having a clip or ring on each end capable of releasably attaching to a fender, spacing tubes, and rollers. The spacing tubes and rollers have an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the spacing tubes and an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cord. The cord is positioned within an arrangement of the spacing tubes and rollers, the length of cord being sufficient to wrap around a dock piling.

Abstract: A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members come together to a closed condition or position for retaining lading. When apart, in an open position or condition, lading may be discharged. A seal member or seal member assembly is mounted to one or both of the closure members. The closure member may have a lading discharge encouragement feature, which may be in the nature of a tine, or blade, or knife that extends upwardly through the throat of the discharge section. Movement of the door may tend to move the blade, thereby tending to dislodge lading that may be otherwise reluctant to move.

Abstract: The present invention includes various embodiments directed to apparatus and methods surrounding a fastener device. In particular embodiments, the fastener device is a quick charging and discharging device that includes a solenoid, a fastener striker, a flash capacitor, and a control circuit. Other novel features of the fastener device exist. In particular embodiments, the present invention also includes apparatus and methods related to deforming staples for securing conduit and the like, and staple insulation and insulated staples that may be discharged by the fastener device. The insulation may be provided in an ordinary staple strip for use in the fastener device. Each insulation form may include deformation voids to assist the adaptation of the insulation about a target object that is being secured by the insulated staple.

Abstract: An hollow railroad car may be a have a lading containment structure that is a pressure vessel. The car may be a covered hopper car having one or more hopper discharge sections. Each hopper discharge section may include a transition from a substantially rectangular upper inlet to a substantially circular outlet. The transition may include developed plate formed as partial conic sections fitted as valleys between respective pairs of fore-and-aft slope sheets and side slope sheets. The car may have substantially planar internal ring reinforcement assemblies that serve to form a jig and a welding surface for the fore-and-aft slope sheet, a self-jig for the skins of the side wall and roof sheets, and which define buckling nodes for longitudinal compression of the car. The rings form local T-sections in combination with the adjacent wall skins, and do not employ out-of-plane formed sections such as hat sections. The reinforcement may be fabricated from flat sheet or flat bar.