Abstract: A 3-dimension thermoformed bicomponent fiber nonwoven material comprising a lofty bicomponent material layer forming a plurality of peaks separated from one another by channels and having a basis weight in the range of about 0.5 to 7.0 ounces per square yard. The bicomponent material layer comprises a structural component and a heat activatable adhesive component suitable for thermoforming. Also disclosed are various configurations of this material suitable for use in absorbent personal care articles such as sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, incontinent-care pads and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides an imaging system for the detection and sorting of objects in a work space. The invention uses a modulated electromagnetic signal and then filters each received signal. The received modulated signals by an array of photosites are used to create an image of an object.

Abstract: A connecting terminal for a busbar in a busbar system in which the busbar has an n-agonal cross-section (n.gtoreq.3) with longitudinal undercut acceptor grooves in its outer sides. A connecting terminal having simple parts and which is easy to fit has two terminal sections which can be fitted on the busbar and connected together, and can be inserted with securing components in recesses in the busbar and secured transversely therein. The terminal sections form a terminal chamber over an outside of the busbar directed transversely thereto and securing screws can be adjusted in webs of the terminal sections away from the outside of the busbar which clamp terminal sections in the terminal chamber to a line inserted therein with a connection to the outside of the busbar.

Abstract: A breathable elastic laminate is formed by bonding a film including an elastic water vapor-soluble polymer to a neckable nonwoven web such that when the film is relaxed, the web is in a necked state. The breathable laminate is stretchable in a direction parallel to the narrowing or necking of the web. The laminate possesses excellent water vapor permeability but acts as a barrier to the passage of odor-causing chemicals including ammonia.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for premixing a gaseous fuel and air, the apparatus comprising a back plate having a plurality of back plate openings, a front plate having a plurality of front plate openings corresponding to and substantially aligned with the back plate openings, a gaseous fuel inlet through in which a gaseous fuel is introduced into the area between the back plate and the front plate, and a plurality of air jet tubes disposed between the back plate and the front plate, the air jet tubes conveying combustion air from said back plate openings through said front plate openings, resulting in aspiration of the fuel through the front plate openings.

Abstract: A high-pressure valve assembly having a valve body that defines a preferably cylindrical valve cavity, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a plurality of valve ports; and a fluid pressure intensifier assembly having a plurality of piston-plunger assemblies and utilizing the high-pressure valve assembly to distribute the working fluid. The valve assemblies have a valve rotor rotatably mounted within the valve cavity. In one embodiment, the valve rotor divides the valve cavity into a high-pressure region in communication with the fluid inlet and a low-pressure region in communication with the fluid outlet. As the valve rotor rotates, at least one and preferably three or more valve ports communicate with the power chamber and at least one and preferably three or more valve ports communicate with the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A method for producing engineered materials from salt/polymer aqueous solutions in which an aqueous continuous phase having at least one metal cation salt is mixed with a hydrophilic organic polymeric disperse phase so as to form a metal cation/polymer gel. The metal cation/polymer gel is then treated to form a structural mass precursor, which structural mass precursor is heated, resulting in formation of a structural mass having predetermined characteristics based upon the intended application of the structural mass.

Abstract: An archery broadhead having a ferrule body with longitudinal grooves that accept a plurality of fixed and/or pivotal blades. At least a port ion of the ferrule body has a multiplicity of irregularities that form an irregular skin surface having a surface roughness. The irregularities enhance aerodynamic flight characteristics of the broadhead and also reduce frictional drag as the broadhead penetrates a target. The irregularities can be formed by a directional, non-directional or multi-directional set of repeating dimples, grooves, lands, stippling and/or any other suitable structure that forms a pattern, uniform or non-uniform.

Abstract: The invention is a harvester which is able to weigh harvested fruit. The harvester transfers the fruit from the harvester by a transfer conveyor. The weighing system is a first shoe and a second shoe supported on the end of the transfer conveyor. A load cell supports the second shoe and is used to determine the weight of the fruit in the second shoe. A linkage system is used to keep the first shoe and second shoe in desired relative positions as the transfer conveyor is moved up or down.

Abstract: A martial arts apparatus for mounting a breaking board with respect to a ground surface or another suitable structural member. A backing frame is adjustably mounted with respect to the structural support member. A back plate is adjustably mounted with respect to the backing frame. A front plate is adjustably mounted to rotate with respect to the back plate. A pair of arms are each pivotally attached with respect to the front plate. Each arm preferably has a front portion pivotally attached with respect to a rear portion. A plurality of clamping members mechanically cooperate with the front portions of the arms to clamp the breaking board between the clamping members and the front portions of the arms. The martial arts apparatus according to this invention is capable of rotating a breaking board within a plane, and rotating the breaking board into and out of a plane established by the breaking board which can be generally vertical with respect to a ground surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging cans or tubes which arrive from a conveying station and which are placed into a packaging fixture. The cans are moved in the packaging fixture to a packaging station and are together removed from the packaging fixture in the form of a dense package and are provided with common packaging. The cans are then passed on to the next following processing station. Using interchangeable packaging modules, the cans or tubes are selectively filled into a box or are provided with a hoop. In the process, the packaging material is brought to the packaging station in a delivery plane which extends vertically with respect to a direction of delivery of the cans or tubes from out of the packaging fixture. The box to be filled is delivered by a box carrier which is movable in the delivery plane, to the packaging station, and is there taken over by a suction gripper.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention uses feeder bars to provide tomatoes to a shaker brush a first time. The vines are allowed to fall out of the shaker brush to a shaker conveyor. The shaker conveyor conveys the vines into the shaker brush a second time, and then to a vine reel, thus providing an improved separation of tomatoes from the vine.

Abstract: A winding core useful for winding and storing a nonwoven web or other fabric material includes a main core body and a mechanical entangling mechanism disposed on an outer surface of the core body. The mechanical entangling mechanism ensnares an end of the nonwoven web and holds it in place on the winding core during the initial winding of the web around the core.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for use in electrochemical reactor devices comprising platinum, ruthenium, and osmium and having a single phase crystal structure comprising a face centered cubic unit cell. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment, in atomic percentages, platinum comprises about 65% of the catalyst composition, ruthenium comprises about 25% of the catalyst composition, and osmium comprises about 10% of the catalyst composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a heteroconstituent nonwoven web including a mixture of different filament types simultaneously formed into the same web. The filament types may differ as to polymer composition, additive loadings, fiber size, fiber shape, and/or degree of crimping. The invention is also directed to a method of forming a multilayered nonwoven structure in which different filament types constituting different layers are simultaneously formed.

Abstract: A method for producing a transverse force bolt having a sheath made of a rod-shaped pipe of stainless steel which is drawn onto a rod-shaped core of conventional structural steel. In the process the exterior dimension is simultaneously calibrated. The rod-shaped semi-finished product is subsequently cut into rods, such as with a saw. With a hydraulic press the core is pushed out of the rod by a length and the ejected portion is cut off. Subsequently the core is pushed back by one-half the length of the cut-off portion and the open ends of the sheath are closed. The method produces a transverse force bolt of particularly great strength, which is very precise and has an extremely low cost.

Abstract: A float valve having a pair of valve plugs mounted on a single valve stem employing a flexible or pivoting couple between the float and the valve stem that allows the float to tilt and move laterally with respect to the axis of movement of the valve stem without affecting the alignment of the valve plugs in relation to their respective valve outlets. This flexible couple might also allow for some free movement of the float in the direction of the axis of movement of the valve stem. In one embodiment the valve plugs have ported sealing surfaces that allow gradual starting and stopping of the flow of fluid through the valve outlets.