Abstract: Heating systems and methods for inductive heating or a combination of resistive and inductive heating. A heater coil is inductively coupled to an article and a current signal is supplied to the heater coil. The heater coil generates a magnetic flux, based on the applied current signal, for inductively heating the article. Current pulses of a certain profile are used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heating element or coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost of the inductive heating system.

Abstract: A filter element and related method for separating particles from a particle laden unfiltered gas flow and a method for manufacturing such a filter element, wherein the filter element includes a first filter wall having a plurality of first through-flow openings for entry of contaminated unfiltered gas; a second filter wall disposed downstream of the first filter wall in the flow direction, and having a plurality of second through-flow openings for exit of clean gas; and an intermediate flow space disposed between the first and second filter walls, wherein the second through-flow openings are arranged in a displaced relationship with the first through-flow openings in the flow direction; the second filter wall has at least one impingement wall region arranged so that particles passing through the first through-flow openings at least partially impinge thereon; and at least one of the first and second filter walls has folds which extend alternately inward and outward relative to the intermediate flow space and

Abstract: A transparent acoustical sound-absorbing, fire-retardant wall finishing system (100) includes a laminated semi-rigid acoustical planar backer board material (101). A glass textile surface covering (107) is used which includes a decorative woven or flat non-woven face (109) and back surface (111). The flexible surface covering (107) is attached to the laminated semi-rigid acoustical planar backer board material (101) at its back surface (111) so that the face of the material (109) fully covers the backer board material (101) for providing an uninterrupted secondary surface giving the appearance of a finished wall.

Abstract: A screw comprising a first member having a plurality of alternating first thread ridges and first thread grooves, a ridge width of the first thread ridges being larger than a groove width of the first thread grooves at a measurement diameter of the first member. The measurement diameter is determined by calculating a pitch diameter of a hypothetical member having a plurality of hypothetical thread grooves and hypothetical thread ridges, with the hypothetical thread grooves being identical to the first thread grooves, and with the hypothetical thread ridges and the hypothetical thread grooves having identical, but opposite, profiles, and with the measurement diameter being identical to the pitch diameter of the hypothetical member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing uneven brightness in an image from a particle based image system. This uneven brightness is most often seen as regions of shadow, but may also be seen as regions of over brightness. In cases where the uneven brightness is in the form of shadowing, the method corrects for the shadowy regions by first identifying the area of shadow, obtaining brightness information from a region near the shadow, where the brightness is optimal, applying statistical methods to determine the measured brightness as a regression function of the optimal brightness, and number and proximity of shadowy objects, then correcting the shadow area brightness by calculating the inverse of the function of the shadow brightness. With this method, the brightness within the shadowy or over brightness regions are corrected to appear at a substantially similar level of brightness as the region of optimal brightness in the image.

Abstract: A vehicle door glass blocker assembly including a blocking bracket securable to a vehicle door frame panel, and a blocking edge integrally formed with the blocking bracket, being substantially normal to a vertical edge of a vehicle window, and being capable of at least partially shattering the vehicle window when the window impacts the blocking edge during a vehicle crash event. A blocking protrusion may be coupled to the blocking bracket, be longitudinally disposable between the vehicle window and a vehicle door latch mechanism, and be capable of at least partially preventing transverse displacement of the vehicle window. A support bracket may be secured to the blocking bracket, and a glass run extrusion may be secured to the support bracket, be adapted to accept a vertical edge of the vehicle window, and be capable of reducing vibrations in the vehicle window.

Abstract: A method of removing paint from a plastic substrate at least partially coated with a paint coating by: providing at least one plastic substrate at least partially coated with a paint coating; providing a kit for a user to utilize to remove paint from the plastic substrate, which is at least partially coated with a paint coating; immersing the at least partially coated plastic substrate into first mix of components by the end user wherein the first mix of components further comprises water when the at least partially coated plastic substrates are immersed into the first mix of components; and rinsing the plastic substrate with water. The immersing and rinsing steps remove the paint coating from the plastic substrate.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly comprising a rear housing section with wiring connected to a first electrical connection device and a circuit board with a second electrical connection device, with first electrical connection device and the second electrical connection device being configured to automatically mate when the circuit board and the rear housing section are moved relatively towards each other. The rearview mirror assembly can also include a circuit board with a third electrical connection device and a reflective element with a fourth electrical connection device, with third electrical connection device and the fourth electrical connection device being configured to automatically mate when the circuit board and the reflective element are moved relatively towards each other.

Abstract: A chair includes a base having a control assembly operably supporting a seat assembly and also a back assembly for movement about a seat tilt axis and a back tilt axis, respectively. The back assembly includes a flexible sheet supported at upper/outer corners by a back support structure and hanging downwardly. The flexible sheet includes a lower portion coupled to the back support structure by a tensioner for holding the lower portion rearwardly. A vertically-adjustable lumbar mechanism is adjustably supported on the back support structure and operably engages the flexible sheet for flexing a lumbar area of the flexible sheet forwardly to provide an optimal ergonomic horizontal and vertical convex shape for postural lumbar support.

Abstract: A belt skiver is adapted for forming recesses along a conveyor belt end in preparation for mounting a lacing therein. The belt skiver includes a cutting mechanism movable relative to the conveyor belt end, and having an upper blade positioned to remove an upper surface layer from a top portion of the conveyor belt, and a lower plate positioned to remove a lower surface layer from a bottom portion of the conveyor belt. The belt skiver also includes a drive mechanism shifting the cutting mechanism relative to the belt end laterally along the belt end, and whereby the upper and lower blades contemporaneously sever both the upper surface layer and lower surface layer from the belt end.

Abstract: A shipping cradle for seedlings and the like is both nestable and stackable. When stacked, a gap is formed between vertically-adjacent cradles to permit insertion and removal of trays of seedlings, and to permit visual inspection of the seedlings. A drainage system includes a series of channels and openings that prevent water from draining onto seedlings positioned in the lower cradles. The cradles are lightweight, and can be shipped in the nested position to substantially reduce shipping costs.

Abstract: A console sliding armrest assembly for a vehicle includes a storage compartment having an opening for allowing ingress and egress of objects, and a console lid pivotally connected to the storage compartment. The lid may include a sliding armrest operatively engaged therewith. A guide assembly may be disposed within the lid for guiding the armrest, and may include a slider frame connected to the armrest. A guide plate may be connected to the lid for supporting the armrest, and a rail may be secured in the slider frame. The guide plate may be slidably engaged with the rail for allowing sliding movement of the armrest. A spring may be disposed between the slider frame and the rail, and may be engaged to either the slider frame or the rail for biasing the rail against the guide plate, and for thereby regulating tension in the guide assembly.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a flat mounting face and at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. The assembly also includes a guide pin having a central portion closely received in the central guide aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and an associated die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at a first end thereof which abuts the mounting face of the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at the opposite or second end thereof with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the second end of the guide pin on the die pad. A first fastener extends through the marginal fastener aperture in the base to securely, yet detachably, connect the same with the die shoe. A second fastener securely, yet detachably, connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

Abstract: An improved fragrance delivery system capable of providing controlled release of fragrance molecules in various consumer products is composed of a polymer having covalently bound fragrance moieties that are releasable in the form of fragrance molecules. Certain embodiments comprise globular polymer particles in which unbound fragrance molecules are occluded, absorbed and/or adsorbed. Certain other embodiments incorporate fragrance monomer units, which achieve reduced residuals upon complete release of the fragrance.