Abstract: A dye migration-resistant heat transfer label for application to various fabrics includes a carrier web, a release coat applied to the carrier web and a composition including ink(s) and/or adhesive applied to the release coat. Inks and/or adhesive containing nanoclay are printed and dried to form a storable film on the carrier web. The composition is heat transferred to the fabric and the carrier web is removed. A method for making the label and a method for marking an item are also disclosed.

Abstract: A glow stick includes a housing, a lighting assembly mounted within the housing, having at least two light sources, at least one power source, at least one switch and circuitry for controlling the at least two light sources. An elongated body is mounted to the housing and is formed from a material that is transparent or translucent to light transmission. One of the light sources is mounted within the housing to provide a flashlight that is mounted to the housing at an angle between 0 and 180 degrees and the other light source is directed into the elongated body to illuminate the elongated body so that light is visible therefrom. The light source for the flashlight is switchable between a constant on and a constant off state and the light source illuminating the body is switchable among a constant on state, a constant off state and an intermittent state. The flashlight light source and the body light source are operable independently of one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a collapsible locking slingshot having a quick-release interchangeable band replacement safety system. The present invention also includes a self-centering, open-pocket slingshot pouch and a unique dual-tapered band. The slingshot collapses into a lockable case, improving the slingshot's safety, and enhancing the protection and longevity of the slingshot's components. The slingshot incorporates a unique shoot-over design in which the arms generally are parallel to the shooter's arm during operation.

Abstract: The high conductivity energy-saving clamping device comprises a clamp and a cable fixed upon the clamp. Inside the cable, the conductive material protrudes and is set on the juncture of the clamp and the external conductor. When the clamp is connected to the external conductor, the conductive material and the external conductor contact and meet. This invention possesses the following advantages: it simplifies the production technology, lessens raw materials needed for production and hence saves resources and cost by the direct contact of the conductive material and the external conductor; moreover, due to the increase of conductive contact area, it enhances the electrical conductivity by 10% to 15% compared to those common clamps which use tooth-like conductive parts to connect the external conductor. Meanwhile, the invention greatly decreases environmental pollution by omitting the plating process of tooth-like conductive parts.

Abstract: A laser markable security laser transfer film includes a carrier web formed from a laser light-transmissive material and a taggant-containing film disposed on the carrier web. The taggant-containing film is formulated from an energy sensitive taggant capable of withstanding temperatures of at least about 1800° F. to about 2200° F. The taggant absorbs energy at a first predetermined wavelength and, in response, emits energy at a second predetermined wavelength that is different from the first wavelength. The taggant-containing film further includes a polymeric resin. The taggant-containing film is disposed on the object to be marked with the taggant-containing film adjacent the object, and laser light is directed through the film to fuse the taggant-containing film onto the object to form a taggant-containing marking on the object.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning multiple types of fiber optic connectors includes a container having an opening in a face formed in a side of the container and a plurality of discrete soft, work surfaces on a face of the container. The surfaces are configured as a pair of outwardly disposed surfaces having a width and a pair of inwardly disposed surfaces having a width that is less than the width of the outwardly disposed surfaces. The surface are parallel to each other. Gaps are disposed between each of the adjacent work surfaces. Each of the gaps has a width. A plurality of cleaning wipes are located inside the container. The wipes are fed from the inside of the container through the opening and placed on the work surface for cleaning the fiber optic connector. The wipes provide indication that they have been used.

Abstract: An anti-rotation system that prevents undesired rotation of an outer flange of a strap dispenser includes an anti-rotation element mounted to a shaft of the dispenser and the outer flange mounted to the anti-rotation element. The anti-rotation element and the outer flange have complementary mating surfaces such that when the shaft, on which the coil rotates, ceases rotation, the anti-rotation element, engaged with the outer flange, ceases rotation of the outer flange; thus, inertia of the coil cannot force the outer flange to rotate undesireably. A locking element abuts the outer flange to secure the flange to the anti-rotation element and a pin extends out from the shaft and inserts into a helical track in the locking element so that the pin rides in the helical track. The anti-rotation element also includes a through-bore for a fastener to secure the anti-rotation element to the shaft.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for use in an associated fastener driving tool for driving a fastener from the assembly, in sequential order, into an associated substrate, includes a row of fasteners arranged substantially parallel to each other, each fastener having a shank and defining an axis and a collation system formed from a plastic material that is molded onto and adhered to the fasteners. The plastic material defines a collar portion at least substantially encircling the fastener shank and a connecting portion extending between and connecting adjacent collar portions. When the fastener is driven from the driving tool, the collar portion remains adhered to the fastener such that the collar portion penetrates the substrate with the fastener, and the connecting portion includes a preferentially weakened region to influence separation of the connecting portion from the collar at a desired location.

Abstract: A fastener for use in concrete includes a shank and a head. The shank has a tip distal most from the head. The shank includes a first helical thread formation having a thread form thereon formed from two portions disposed upon opposite lateral sides of the thread form. The thread form has a root and the two portions include an alternating series of lobe members and base portions. The lobe members have a height as measured from the root and the base portions have a height as measured from the root. The height of the lobe members is greater than the height of the base portions and the height of the base portions is greater than zero. The fastener includes a second helical thread formation that is disposed adjacent to and spaced from the first helical thread formation.

Abstract: An aiming system is disclosed. The aiming system may be used with various slingshot and projectile-launching devices, but is particularly useful for use with “shoot-over” slingshots. The aiming system comprises a clip or other device with an integrated aiming or sighting system. In the preferred embodiment, the integrated aiming system comprises a plurality of fiber optic strands disposed within the clip and terminating at the rearward face of the clip. In this matter, the tips of the fiber optic strands provide a series of illuminated points allowing the user of a device to look forward while shooting and to align the points with the target. The points may be color coded to aid in the aiming process.

Abstract: A combination parts washer for cleaning mechanical parts of oil, grease and contaminants. The washer has a cabinet which has two reservoirs. A parts receptacle in the one of the reservoirs receives the parts which are cleaned by ultrasonic waves. An operable sink for manual cleaning is positioned on the top of the cabinet and opens to access the cabinet and reservoir. Fluid from the sink drains to the first reservoir. In the closed position, the sink covers the top of the cabinet and may be used as a sink washer using the attached brush supplied by fluid from the first reservoir. Initial pre-cleaning may be performed in the sink using the brush. Subsequent precision cleaning may be accomplished by immersion and ultrasonic cleaning in the second reservoir.

Abstract: A method for answering a communication includes the steps of receiving an incoming communication sent by a sender and intended for a communication device of a recipient and answering the communication with an injected audio, video, text, and/or graphic message. The injected message indicates to the sender, in effect, that the recipient is presently unable to respond to the communication but is or will be made aware of the communication. The method further includes the step of providing a promise fulfillment feature that alerts the recipient to the communication and any promise to follow-up with the sender made in the injected message.

Abstract: An illuminated inflator for inserting into the neck of a balloon includes a gas-tight flange having a periphery, a center, and upper and lower surfaces. A filler tube has upper and lower ends and extends through the flange, with the lower end of the filler tube extending below the lower surface the flange and the upper end of the filler tube extending above the upper surface of the flange. A one-way valve is in flow communication with the filler tube. A light assembly includes a power source and at least one light element electrically connected to the power source. The light assembly is operably mounted to the flange at the upper surface thereof. A switch is operably connected to the power source and the at least one light element for providing power to and isolating power from the at least one light element. The inflator is inserted into the balloon with the flange in the neck of the balloon defining a pressure region boundary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable strapping device to strap packaged goods using a strapping band, the device comprising a tightening mechanism for applying tension to a loop of a strapping band, a frictional welding element (5) to generate a friction weld connection of two overlapping strapping-loop segments, and a rechargeable energy-storing device (10) for storing energy, in particular mechanical, elastic or potential energy that may be released as drive energy applied to a frictional welding system (5) to produce a frictional weld connection. One objective of the invention is to attain applicability, in the absence of an electric storage battery, at the highest possible efficiency, to such an above described portable strapping device. This objective is attained in that the energy storage (10) may be loaded using a manually triggered drive component and in that, when energy stored in the storage is released, the energy storage carries out a displacement devoid of any reversal of motion.

Abstract: A combustion tool having a circuit for conserving battery power includes a battery assembly to power at least a portion of the combustion tool, a control circuit to place the combustion tool in an active mode or a low power consumption mode, and a motion sensing circuit to indicate a movement of the combustion tool and to indicate a non-movement of the combustion tool. A timer is set when a movement is detected and resets each time a new movement is sensed. If a new movement is not sensed when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, the combustion tool enters into a low power consumption mode. The movement may be a vibration or a tilt movement. The motion sensing circuit enables the tool to be actuated without any unnecessary priming when motion is sensed and only minimal current is consumed when motion is not sensed, conserving battery power.

Abstract: A module (10) for use with a bypass turbofan engine. The module comprises a hot flow channel through which the hot gas flow generated by the engine can flow and a bypass flow channel (14) through which the bypass air generated by the engine can flow. Part of the bypass air may be re-directed to be exhausted from the module at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the module so as to create vertical thrust. The hot flow channel may be separated from the bypass flow channel by a porous separator (12) that allows a degree of mixing between the hot gas flowing in the hot gas flow channel and the cold gas flowing in the cold gas flow channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plastic molded collated fastener assembly includes a conveyor for carrying a plurality of fasteners in a horizontal plane defining an upper surface and a lower surface, a preheater for preheating the plurality of nails and a plastic collation molding station. The molding station includes injection nozzles for applying molten plastic to the upper surface of the fasteners and to the lower surface of the fasteners. The station further includes forming wheels including a holding section to, in cooperation with the conveyor, secure the fasteners. The wheels include a forming section to mold the molten plastic to the fasteners to form a collation having a collar encircling the fasteners' shanks and a connecting portion extending between the collars. The apparatus includes at least one cooling spray nozzle to spray a cooling vapor onto the fasteners and collations and at least one cooling spray nozzle to spray a cooling vapor onto the forming wheels.