Abstract: The invention relates a pyrolytic carbon black produced from pyrolyzed rubber, the pyrolytic carbon black having an ash content ranging between 9-15%, a toluene discoloration at 425 mu of between 80-90% transmission, an iodine adsorption between 30 and 45 mg/g; and, an n-dibutyl phthalate absorption number of or to 65 cc/100 gm.

Abstract: The invention comprises an item of footwear, comprising: a) an upper sole, shaped to receive a user's foot, and including a toe cap portion, a heel portion, and a sole portion, which is formed from a lightweight, thermally insulative plastics material; b) a lower sole, formed from a resilient plastics material, the lower sole attached to and at least partially covering the sole portion of the upper sole and operative to protect the upper sole from direct physical contact with the ground and to minimize wear on the upper sole; and c) an upper attached to the upper sole.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering heat from exhaust air received from a restaurant kitchen. Rotating backwards inclined fan blades draw exhaust air from the kitchen along a flow path and impel it against walls of a housing, such that grease is removed from the exhaust air. A fan motor is positioned out of the flow path. The exhaust air is pushed out of the housing to a heat recovery coil directly downstream that is formed from a heat conductive material. The coil has an internal conduit through which a heat transfer fluid is supplied at a temperature below the exhaust air temperature, such that the fluid in the conduit is heated by exhaust air passing over the conductive material. After leaving the conduit, heat energy is transferred from the fluid to makeup air for return to, or to water for use in, the restaurant.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed a system for curing a resin in a composite structure having one or more interconnected cure volumes, the cure volumes having one or more heatable surface zones. The system comprises a mould comprising a mould base portion adapted to support the composite structure and a mould closure portion adapted to overlie the mould base portion in sealable relation to define a mould chamber containing the composite structure within. The system further comprises a plurality of heating units each selectively positionable about the mould. The heating units transmit heat to the mould by radiation, and the mould heats the one or more surface zones of the cure volumes.

Abstract: Among other things, a mounting system is provided comprising at least one column having top and bottom ends and defining a vertical axis. Each column has internal wall portions which define at least one channel therein extending parallel to its vertical axis, an outer channel portion opening to its exterior surface, and an inner channel portion extending inwardly. Mounting brackets, each having a first detent member, are positionable within the channel, and engagable with the internal wall portions for fixing themselves against rotation. A longitudinal rail member is slidably positionable within the channel parallel to the vertical axis and has a first set of indexing means arranged along it. At least one support bracket has a main body portion and a second set of one or more indexing means thereon matable with the first set so as to releasably mount the support bracket on the column in indexed relation thereto.

Abstract: A method of accurately maintaining, in position registers of memory modules, a net count of rotor signals received from a motor equipped with a rotor position sensor. A vehicle apparatus includes the memory modules and motor, as well as a driven component and processors that: (a) adjust the net count while the motor is driven; (b) monitor for, and terminate power upon encounter of, a mechanical stop; and (c) correct the net count for rotor signals received thereafter. Storage media and memory modules are encoded with processor instructions and processor-readable code that, when executed by processors, cause them to perform the method.

Abstract: A reciprocating drive assembly is disclosed for use in a fluid mixer to impart reciprocating movement along a longitudinal axis to a shaft carrying a mixing head. The drive assembly includes a housing, a flywheel mounted for rotation about a rotational axis, a crank member projecting from the flywheel, and a yoke supported by the housing for movement along a yoke axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The yoke is releasably connected to the shaft and has a linear race formed therein for receiving the crank member. Guide assemblies are connected to the housing and to the yoke for sliding engagement therewith along guide axes parallel to the yoke axis. The yoke is between the guide assemblies. The crank member is caused to translate linearly within the race, thereby urging the yoke to move along the yoke axis to effect longitudinal reciprocating movement of the mixing head.

Abstract: An improved panel section for use in a sound barrier is disclosed and is of the type: having a cementitious body; for use with at least two vertically-extending, ground-mounted I-beam columns, each having two parallel flanges and a transverse web extending therebetween and being positioned with its web substantially parallel to the web of adjacent columns and substantially normal to a line defined by said columns; and disposed, in use, in respective vertically-stacked groupings to form one or more wall panels interleaved between adjacent pairs of columns, each panel having a pair of end edges disposed, one each, in mechanically-engaged relation, between the flanges of a respective pair of adjacent columns. The improvement comprises: the body having defined therethrough an opening; and a glazing element secured to said body to occlude said opening and impede sound passage therethrough. A sound barrier constructed from the improved panel section is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus (21) for use with a vessel (22) having a contiguous sidewall substantially centered about and defining a longitudinal axis (A), the mixing apparatus having a base plate (25) removably mountable atop the vessel, a table frame (55) removably mountable atop the base plate and a housing (42) removably mountable atop the table frame. The apparatus also features a mixing head (30) comprising a generally annular blade body (72) for immersion into the fluids to be mixed within the vessel, the blade body having a centrally positioned hub member (70) defining a substantially vertically directed hub axis, said hub member being attached to and surrounded by a ring portion defining an orifice having a centre of symmetry. A drive shaft (84) is provided for supporting the mixing head within the vessel and extending from the hub member to the housing.

Abstract: A bendable caulking nozzle extension device for use with a caulking tube having a nozzle, said device comprising an elongated tube portion extending between a proximal base portion and a distal tip portion, and having a hollow passageway defined therein. The elongated tube portion is constructed from a flexible, resilient material that may be repeatedly and forcibly deformed. An attachment means is positioned within the proximal base portion for releasably affixing said device to the nozzle of the caulking tube. A deformable stiffening element is positioned on the elongated tube portion, and is constructed of a material that allows it to be repeatedly and forcibly deformed whilst substantially retaining such deformed configuration after the removal of a deforming force. Caulking material flowing from the caulking tube flows into said hollow passageway, and out of the exit aperture of the distal tip portion to a work surface remote from the nozzle of the caulking tube.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus for use with a vessel centered about a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The mixer has a blade body is formed along a central head axis. The blade body has a first end, a second end spaced from the first end along the head axis, and a passageway extending between the first and second ends. The passageway tapers from the first end to the second end. The outer surface of the blade body defines an inside blade diameter “ID” at the second end and an outside blade diameter “OD” at the first end. The blade body is positioned within and coaxial to the vessel. A scotch yoke, operatively connected to the blade body by a shaft, effects reciprocating longitudinal movement of the blade body through a stroke “S”, with a duration “T” for each stroke. Enhanced mixing efficiencies are achieved when the mixer is operated within a set of operational parameters defined by the equation: 80?0.36×OD2/ID2×S/T?550, when OD, ID and S are expressed in inches, and T is expressed in minutes.

Abstract: A rotary recliner includes rotatable plate members that pivotally interconnect a vehicle seat back and cushion. A pawl defines a pawl axis and slides between a guide pair on one plate member. An outer end of the pawl includes a gear segment that is lockable with a ring gear on the other plate member. A cam rotates between locked and unlocked positions, and has a camming surface eccentric of the pivot axis. When locked, the camming surface engages a cam-follower surface on the pawl, with the pawl being engaged by the cam solely at the cam-follower surface, and with the pawl axis being askew of a radial axis, such that the gear segment locks with the ring gear, and such that the plate members are restrained from rotating. When unlocked, the gear segment is removed from the ring gear, such that the plate members may be rotated.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing and fire-insulating wall covering includes, a cured mixture of: (i) 5-20% by weight mineralized wood fibre; (ii) 20-60%/by weight sand with an SiO2 content of less than 5% by weight and a greywacke content of at least 30% by weight; and (iii) 20-50% by weight cement. A method of preparing a fire-insulating wall covering includes a step of mixing, relative to the cured weight, 5-20% by weight mineralized wood fibre, 30-60% by weight sand with an SiO2 content smaller than 5% by weight and a greywacke content of at least 30% by weight, and 20-50% by weight cement. Then 10-30% by weight water is added. Thereafter the mixture is cured to form the fire-insulating wall covering.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus for use with a vessel centered about a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The mixer has a tubular blade which: defines a central head axis; has a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the head axis; and tapers from the first end to the second end. The outer surface of the blade and the second end define an inside blade diameter “ID” and the outer surface of the blade and the first end define an outside blade diameter “OD”. The blade is positioned within and coaxial to the vessel. A scotch yoke, operatively connected to the blade by a shaft, effects reciprocating longitudinal movement of the blade through a stroke “S”, with a duration “T” for each stroke, wherein 175?0.36×OD2/ID2×S/T?250 when OD, ID and S are expressed in inches, and T is expressed in minutes.