Abstract: An airbag cover hinge has load-absorption capabilities that provide a controlled release of the airbag cover during airbag deployment. The hinge has a textile base structure formed of longitudinal and cross threads. High strength, load-bearing stop threads are integrated into the textile base structure. When the airbag deploys, the longitudinal threads eventually tear, while the stop threads extend in length and function as a hinge that holds the torn parts of the textile base structure together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for thermally treating polyester pellets to obtain partial crystallization, whereby the polyester melt is supplied to an underwater granulating system and granulated; the thus obtained granulate are fed from the underwater granulating system into a water-solids separator. The dried granulate is then fed into a treatment device at a granulate temperature higher than 100 degrees C., without external energy or heat being supplied. The intrinsic heat of the granulate is used as the heat treatment leading to partial crystallization. The crystallization device is embodied as an at least lightly inclined reactor, into which granulate is fed at a temperature higher than 100 degrees C. The granulate passes through the reactor from the loading point to the discharge point under its own weight and exits the reactor with a temperature higher than 130 degrees C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting bracket for mounting wall insulation to an exterior wall. The mounting bracket is a unitary piece constructed of plastic, having a vertical wall plate, a horizontal support plate that extends orthogonal to the wall plate, and a vertical reinforcing plate that extends orthogonal to the vertical wall plate and the horizontal support plate. A bore is provided in the wall plate, for fastening the mounting bracket to the exterior wall. The reinforcing plate extends beyond the length of the horizontal support plate, to provide a mounting flange that may be fastened to a vertical wall support, such as a roof batten. The area formed by the horizontal support plate and an upper portion of the wall plate provides an unobstructed support area for supporting the wall insulation.

Abstract: A triple-sensor motion detector is provided for illuminating the approach to a display case or other object. The triple-sensor motion detector provides a field of detection that spans the front width of the case, yet does not include the areas along the sides of the case. The detector reduces inadvertent triggering of the illumination by persons approaching the side of the case or approaching another case on the other side of an aisle.

Abstract: Device to cover a penis for aesthetic purposes, for visual enhancement, and for various other reasons. The device has a hood that fits over the glans penis and a covering for wrapping about the penis shaft. The device is secured in place by tucking a free end of the covering between layers of wrapped material, or by looping a testicle ring around the base of the testicles.

Abstract: An insulated container for holding a beverage container, such as a bottle or a can, is disclosed. An insulation liner is provided in the container. The insulated container incorporates a bottle opener into the sidewall of the container. The bottle opener has a lip and a leverage surface. A magnet is provided on the leverage surface, to hold the cap after it has been removed from the bottle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining an alkyl ester fuel, i.e., a biodiesel, and alcohol from a feedstock mixture of free fatty acids and/or glycerides mixed with a simple alcohol, such as methanol. The method uses an electrostatic probe to provide an electrical field within the reactor. This causes the glycerin molecules to precipitate out of the feedstock mixture. A drain is provided in the reactor, to drain the glycerin from the reactor. When the precipitated glycerin reaches a level to make contact with the electrostatic probe, an electrical circuit is closed, which causes the drain to open. When the level drops, the drain closes. Glycerin absorbs water and draining glycerin from the reactor naturally dehydrates the fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge for an airbag cover, having a planar textile element as a hinge between the cover of the airbag and an adjacent airbag cover region, for example in the interior of a motor vehicle, and to a region of the planar textile element which faces a carrier of the airbag cover and is embedded in a matrix which is connected to the cover, and a region of the planar textile element which is not embedded in the matrix.

Abstract: A multifunctional foot switch is disclosed. The foot switch has two or more actuation elements, arranged such that the operator of the foot switch may select various devices functionally connected to the foot switch merely be repositioning the foot.

Abstract: Saw mill for machine vision detection of undesirable features in the wood in shingles being cut from billets and automated optimized saw operation are disclosed. The saw mill includes a transport system that carries the billet through a butt-trimming saw, past a machine vision station, into an transition station for changing direction of travel of the billet and aligning the billet for travel into the subsequent gang rip saw station. The machine vision station determines any defects in the billet, grades the billet according to order-specific parameters, determines the optimal saw cut to maximize the value of the shingle, and sends control data to the gang rip saw controller, to position the saw blades for the optimal saw cut(s) for the shingle. A sorting system receives instructions from the visual imaging system and automatically shunts the product coming from the gang rip saw station into the appropriate container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-shell structural unit and system of attaching the units to form an outer layer in the construction of a steep embankment formed from several layers, this outer layer being suitable for greening. The structural unit is formed by a front element, a spacer element, and a rear-wall element. The front and rear-wall elements have a flexurally rigid lattice structure. The rear-wall element is a planar element that is either a flat element or has a shape defined by a polygonal curve. The spacer element has a stepped form on at least one side and has mounts for frictional joints with geosynthetics. Connector pieces permit positive and frictional joining of the elements of the unit. The structural unit is intended for use as an independent support system to continuously resist horizontal loads exerted by a backfilled embankment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag cover hinge having a textile hinge that can be connected both to the airbag cover and to a carrier part surrounding the airbag cover, wherein the hinge comprises two different systems absorbing forces, which is to say one textile surface structure as a system that is combined to a second system with further warp threads, wherein the warp threads tear under a tensile load on the airbag cover hinge as a first force absorbing system.

Abstract: Impact shock absorbing material to be incorporated into protective gear or clothing. The impact shock absorbing material is a laminated material, having a shear-thickening layer and a shock absorbing layer, that is a honeycomb material. The laminated material is incorporated into protective headgear, sports gear, clothing, and a host of other articles that are worn for protection against impact shock. The shear-thickening layer shunts the local impact forces over a greater area of the underlying shock absorbing layer, thereby reducing the force at the point of impact. The vertical walls of the honeycomb layer buckle under the incoming force, thereby diffusing the direction of force away from direct alignment with the body wearing the impact-shock-absorbing material. Protective gear made of the impact shock absorbing material significantly reduces forces imparted to the body as a result of a fall, blow, or other sudden impact.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting content from unstructured sources is disclosed. The method includes analyzing web pages of a website, storing text and image data for each web page of the website, extracting a plurality of entities from the web page data, scoring each entity of the plurality of entities to provide an overall score for each entity, and defining a product based on the plurality of entities and the overall score for each entity.

Abstract: Process data mining system and method. The system analyzes data from complex process plants or systems and operates in open-book and closed-book modes. In closed-book mode, the system monitors incoming data sets against pre-defined clusters of data values and generates reports, indicating whether incoming data is a match or a no-match with the pre-defined clusters. In open-book mode, the system generates initial clusters, without having a-priori knowledge of the component or process, and also creates clusters “on the fly”, thereby fine-tuning the analysis. A knowledge base encompasses a combination of parameters for a particular component. Clusters are defined within the knowledge base, each cluster representing a particular operating condition. The system expands clusters, within pre-defined limits, or creates new clusters, as needed, in order to accommodate incoming data values. Newly created clusters are then named, so as to indicate the particular operating conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and a device for filtering a fluid, particularly for plastic processing plants, wherein the pressure drop, or the flow rate reduction, created by the withdrawal of material from the process is sensitively balanced in that pressure constancy and flow rate constancy are achieved at the discharge duct (3).

Abstract: A device for filtering a liquid synthetic material. The device has a housing, a feed channel, a discharge channel, and backflow channels. The feed duct is subdivided into split-feed channels (2A, 2B). The cross-section of the orifice of the split-feed channels, where they open into the filter chambers, is smaller than the normal cross-section of the feed channels.