Abstract: A lifting device comprising: a substantially horizontally extending support forming a support surface, comprising at least two support elements, such as, for instance, two prongs of a fork, for supporting a stack, a lifting member, movably connected to the support elements and displaceable in a vertical plane, a connecting device for movably connecting the support elements to the lifting member. The connecting device comprises: first members for, during picking up or putting down of the stack, moving a support element freely relative to the lifting member through an at least small distance relative to the lifting member in substantially vertical, upward direction; second members for freely rotating a support element through an at least small angle about an axis perpendicular to the vertical plane, the second members allowing free rotation only when, during picking up or putting down of the stack, the support element has been moved upwardly.

Abstract: Described is a method for determining whether a brown egg contains undesired matter such as blood. In two wavelength ranges the transmission of the egg is examined, one of those wavelength ranges corresponding to an absorption peak of blood. The transmission signal of the other wavelength range is corrected with a fixed fraction &ggr; to correct for the egg being brown.

Abstract: A monolayer polyolefin-based printable article includes 0.1 to 5% by weight of at least one polyaminoalkylene, and is characterized in that it has been treated by means of an oxidative surface treatment, such as a corona treatment. A process for the manufacture of a polyolefin-based printable article, according to which at least one surface region of the article, including at least one polyolefin and from 0.1 to 5% by weight of at least one polyaminoalkylene, involves subjecting the region to an oxidative surface treatment. A printing process, according to which a polyolefin-based article, including from 0.1 to 5% by weight of at least one polyaminoalkylene and treated by means of an oxidative surface treatment, utilizes an electrophotography technique to print on the article.

Abstract: A pipe end fitting (13) has a cup-shaped body (15) for fitting on the end of a pipe (14), and gripping (20, 22) and sealing (18) assemblies that fit radially inside the pipe and the cup-shaped body and are radially expandable to engage the pipe interior. The gripping assembly Includes a toothed expandable assembly (20) and an expansion mandrel (22) that is urgeable axially into the cup to expand the expandable assembly. This also axially compresses the sealing assembly (18), which is formed of at least two annular bodies (30, 34) and two sealing rings (42, 56). At least one body has a ramp surface (74, 76) that urges radial expansion of a sealing ring (42, 54) to seal to the pipe.

Abstract: A dielectric filter includes a dielectric ceramic block having the shape of a rectangular prism and including three or more through-holes formed therein in parallel. An inner conductor covers the inner surface of each of the through-holes to form the corresponding resonator. An outer conductor covers a predetermined outer surface of the dielectric ceramic block, excluding the open end surface. Input/output pads are formed on one side surface of the dielectric ceramic block such that the pads face the two end resonators. Each of the through-holes of the end resonators is provided with a counterbore. An auxiliary conductor is disposed on the open end surface to face at least one intermediate resonator between end resonators. The auxiliary conductor at least partially surrounds the intermediate resonator with an insulating gap formed therebetween, and is connected to the outer conductor on the side surface on which the input/output pads are provided.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling the rotational speed of a heat-dissipation fan for an electronic device, the circuit including a temperature sensing circuit for sensing the ambient temperature of the device and providing a temperature signal, a comparator circuit for receiving the temperature signal and for comparing it with a predetermined threshold, and a drive circuit for receiving the comparison signal and for controlling the rotational speed of the fan so that, when the ambient temperature is above the threshold, the speed changes substantially linearly with respect to the difference between the ambient temperature and the threshold and, when the ambient temperature is below the threshold, the fan is stopped.

Abstract: A molding machine for producing flaskless molds is provided with at least a cope flask and a drag flask and a pattern plate therebetween. The pair of flasks is alternatively positioned in a horizontal position in which the produced molds are removed and the pattern plate is inserted and removed, and in a vertical mold-forming position in which the sand is charged and compacted. The cope flask, the drag flask, the first squeeze plate, the second squeeze plate are rotatable in unison.

Abstract: This invention provides a composite product and an effective method for producing the same, based on an SHS or intense heat producing process. Said composite essentially comprises either (1) one or more skeletal structures of three dimensionally joined pieces of at least one ceramic material selected from carbide, boride, nitride and silicide of titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, silicon, chromium, tungsten, and molybdenum, and metallic material of alloy and/or intermetallic compound which fills the gaps within each and between adjacent skeletal structures, or (2) a matrix consisting of SHS products of metallic and/or ceramic substances, and particles of superabrasive selected from diamond and high pressure polymorphism of boron nitride, which are held and distributed in the matrix in the whole, in the surface or surface area comprising the portion corresponding to the end working face.

Abstract: Hydrostatic balancing jacket including a coupling between at least one of the jacket walls and one ballast. The coupling includes complementary coupling elements reciprocally movable on the jacket wall and on the ballast, and a locking structure for the coupling.

Abstract: A one piece pad style snow guard which attaches to the vertical leg of a formed metal roof seam utilizing the formed seamed or locking portions of the seam to attach the guard without the use of penetrations or seam deformations. The guard is attached to a vertical seam by the use of threaded screws creating pressure across the slot which encloses the vertical seam. The location of the set screws intersect and lock under or into folds already in the seamed panel profile. In an alternate embodiment, a ridge located on the side of the guard opposite the locking screws and located below the lower edge of the completed folded seam runs the length of the slot. When the set screw is tightened, the entire length of the folded seam is engaged by this ridge under the folds locking the guard under the seam. This enables the guard to lock under the folded seam with out deforming the metal and lock the continuous length of the guard rather than only at the set screws, and without deforming the seam material.

Abstract: A box for storage of passenger oxygen masks in an aircraft has a housing which contains a network for distributing oxygen from a general pipe or from a chemical generator and a door arranged to be beneath the box when it is in position in an aircraft. An inside face of the door or of the housing carries cradles defining a retaining position for each of the oxygen masks and latches that are displaceable responsive to closing the door from a position in which they define mask-retaining sockets to a position in which the latches release the masks.

Abstract: A box for housing breathing masks in a passenger aircraft has a housing closed by a door and a pipe in the housing for delivering respiratory gas under a first pressure to the masks via a flexible line. In rest condition a catch holds the door in closed position. It may be disabled for providing access to the masks. A command, electrical or in the form of a second pneumatic pressure in the pipe, limits the opening of the box to a partially-open position preventing the masks from falling out upon release of the latch.

Abstract: A meat flavoring composition is prepared utilizing a flavorant obtained by heating a fat in the presence of oxygen for a time and temperature sufficient for the fat to develop the charcoal broiled flavor. The flavorant is combined with an amino acid source and reducing sugar in a fat medium to form a low moisture content mixture which is then heated for a time and temperature sufficient to produce a Maillard reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a turbine engine (10) comprising a housing (12) in which a rotor (14) is rotatably mounted. The housing (12) of the turbine engine (10) is of a split casing construction including a center casing (24) sandwiched between a pair of outer casings, namely an inlet outer casing (26) and an outlet outer casing (28). The rotor 14 is shaped circular in profile and includes three working surfaces generally defined by a peripheral surface (32) and a pair of opposing sides surfaces (34) and (36), respectively. The peripheral surface (32) of the rotor (14) which acts as a fist stage of the turbine (10) includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced and generally axially directed ribs in the form of a series of arcuate flutes such as (38).

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises at least one substantially non-conductive polymer and at least one electrically conductive filler and in the form of granules, the granules preferably being in the size range up to 1 mm and more preferably between 0.04 mm and 0.2 mm, with the volume ratio of conductor to polymer preferably being at least 3:1.

Abstract: A chip card comprising a card made from a plastics material (1) capable of elastically withstanding a relative bending and in which a microelectronic data processing chip (4) is encased, a thin microelectronic wafer (5) made from a semiconductor material, such as a finger print sensor, additionally being joined to the card (1). Said wafer (5) is sub-divided into a small number of juxtaposed chips (7) disposed in a given pattern and separated from one another by a predetermined distance (d) which is sufficient for each separating strip (8) of plastics material to be slightly bent without causing adjacent chips (7) to become unstuck and/or rupture; electrical links are established between the chips to provide electrical continuity.

Abstract: A method of playing a pai gow poker game in which, in addition to the usual seven cards dealt to each player and the dealer, a single player tiebreaker card is dealt for all players and a single dealer tiebreaker card is dealt to the dealer. The ante bet of each player is then paid off for winning and losing hands in the usual manner of a pai gow game. However, with push hands (where only one of the two-card hand and five-card hand of the player has a higher poker rank than the respective two-card hand and five-card hand of the dealer), the winner is determined by the higher value of the player and dealer tiebreaker cards so that no push bets occur.

Abstract: A vibration monitor is provided which is worn on the wrist of an operative for an operating plant or apparatus. The monitor includes a piezoelectric transducer and associated circuitry which generates electronic digital signals during the periods when vibrations are experienced by the operative. Preferably, the plant or apparatus has a transmitter which transmits a code identifying the plant which is received by the monitor. Alternatively, the code may be entered manually. The monitor preferably includes a logger which can be connected to a host computer which data can be transferred over an external communications link. The logger includes a storage device for storing how long the operative is subjected to vibrations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorine-containing surface treatment composition comprising a surface treatment component and a solvent component wherein the solvent component contains 5 wt. % or more of a chlorine-free, non-flammable halogen-containing solvent which has an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of 0.03 or less, a 100-year integrated global warming potential (GWP) value of 500 or less, and a KB value of 5 or more. The fluorine-containing surface treatment composition of the present invention is a surface treatment agent that is extremely unlikely to cause ozone layer depletion and global warming, has excellent storage stability and excellent performance characteristics as a surface treatment agent and is highly safe due to the non-flammability or flame retardancy thereof.