Abstract: A combined four way and seven way connector assembly for communicating a towing vehicle's electrical system with either a four way or seven way input harness associated with a towed vehicle. The towing vehicle includes a wire harness supplying an output of the electrical system. The connector assembly provides a three dimensional housing including a top and a plurality of interconnected sides and which is secured to a suitable rear end location of the towing vehicle. A circuit board, or other suitable component, contains a plurality of electrical circuits and is secured within the housing. A first plurality of terminals defines a four way connector and a second plurality of terminals defines a seven way connector. Each of the first and second pluralities of terminals communicates with a selected number of said plurality of circuits and further define first and second input plugs accessible through the housing by the towed vehicle input harness.

Abstract: An assembly for supplying vehicle subsystems associated with an instrument panel. A panel structural architecture includes a forward facing side within which are defined a series of partially recessed and interconnected channels. A junction box is secured or integrally affixed in some fashion to the structural architecture and an electrically communicable network extending from the junction box is likewise secured to surfaces of the panel structural architecture. First selected branches of the network terminate in a plurality of high current connectors extending from first locations. Second selected branches of the network terminate in a plurality of low current connectors extending from further locations. An instrument panel skin is applied over the structural architecture and incorporates electrical subsystems with input connectors matingly engageable with both the high and low current connectors associated with the structural architecture.

Abstract: A fiber optic device for changing direction along a fiber optic path is provided. A first optical fiber having a first end portion, and a second optical fiber having a second end portion are joined at a fusion splice. A miniature bend is formed in the region of the fusion splice. The device is particularly useful for routing optical fibers in the field. A method of forming such a miniature bend in a fusion splice region between two optical fibers is also provided.

Abstract: A reclosable zipper including a first closure profile, a second closure profile constructed and arranged to selectively mate with the first closure profile, and a web arrangement joining the first closure profile and the second closure profile. The web arrangement includes a plurality of tear regions radially spaced across the web arrangement. Each of the tear regions has a lower shear strength than the remaining portions of the web arrangement. The tear regions may include multiple layers and have geometric shapes, such as a T, a trapezoid, a triangle, a round, and a rectangle. In some embodiments, there is a second web arrangement joining the first and second closure profiles. This reclosable zipper can be used on a flexible package to create a tamper-evident flexible package. Methods of operation are described.

Abstract: Methods for positioning a mounted slider device on a recloseable package include inoperably mounting the slider device onto the closure arrangement and contacting the inoperably mounted slider device with a surface to operably position the slider device on the reclosable closure mechanism. Methods of manufacturing recloseable packages include providing a package, a recloseable closure mechanism, and a slider device. Attaching the recloseable closure mechanism to the package. Mounting the slider device on the recloseable closure mechanism and contacting inoperably mounted slider devices with a surface to operably position the slider device on the recloseable closure mechanism.

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closeable by a slider device by a horizontal form, fill and seal process. The method includes applying the slider device to the zipper construction prior to incorporating the zipper construction with the package film to form the package. The zipper construction is first applied and adhered to one half of the package film and then to the other half. A tamper-evident seal may be provided encasing the slider device to provide indication whether access has been gained to the slider device and the interior of the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a reclosable profile element, or zipper, to a packaging film. The packaging film is formed into a tubular form about a forming tube. The zipper is received in a guide block formed along the interior of the forming tube. The extended flanges of each member of the zipper are urged flat against the outer circumference of the fill tube. The packaging film is applied over the flanges of the zipper and a header is created by a rod extending along the length of an initial portion of the fill tube. A heated seal bar secures the film to the flanges of the zipper. After the zipper has been attached to the film, the packaging material is urged out of the interior of the fill tube by a changing configuration of the guide block.

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closable by a slider device, on a horizontal form, fill and seal process. The method includes applying the slider device to the zipper construction prior to incorporating the zipper construction with side panels to form the package. A tamper-evident seal may be provided encasing the slider device to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package.

Abstract: A flexible, reclosable package having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closeable by a slider device, and a tamper-evident structure disposed over the zipper construction to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package. A second tamper-evident structure may be disposed between the zipper construction and the package interior. This second structure may be a web or a peel seal.

Abstract: A device that houses a split of either a ribbon fiber, or alternatively a buffer tube, into individual fibers. The device includes a base that has a split area and a strain relief area, which includes a cavity. For strain relief of a ribbon fiber, two bumpers are placed on opposite sides of the ribbon fiber in the cavity, with the surfaces of the bumpers coated with an adhesive. The walls of the cavity prevent movement of the bumpers and ribbon fiber in two directions. A cavity cover that is removably connected to the base prevents movement in a third direction. A split area cover covers the remainder of the base. The cavity cover and the split area cover can be independently attached and removed from the base as necessary. In this manner, the split area cover can be removed to provide access to the split fibers without removing the cavity cover.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for use with a terminal secured to a battery post. The terminal includes a first end securing a terminal line, a substantially annular shaped post fitting proximate a second end, and which includes a pair of spaced apart guide walls from which extend first and second spaced apart and extending legs. The clamping mechanism has a body supported in laterally traversable fashion upon the first terminal leg, an elongated aperture defined therethrough permitting the body to be seatingly engaged through a terminal post extending upwardly from the first leg. The body fixedly engaging the second terminal leg. A pair of angling guides extend along the walls defining the aperture. A nut assembly is threadably engaged over the terminal post and includes a pair of additional guides which inter-engage the aperture angling guides along a traveling direction of the slotted portion.

Abstract: A power distribution assembly for distributing a high current electrical input to a plurality of individual and varied current outputs. A lower housing has a plurality of integrally formed socket receptacle defined therein, a corresponding and assembleable upper housing including a plurality of receptacles and establishing an enclosed interior. First and second busbars each include a planar base portion and a plurality of extending terminal pin portions communicable with the receptacle portions of said upper housing. The planar base portions being arranged on opposite faces of a planar shaped and flexible circuit sheet and fastenably engaging, in sandwiching and electrically communicating fashion, to the opposite faces of the circuit sheet.

Abstract: A non-stick polymer coated aluminum foil and method of making it. The method of making a non-stick polymer coated aluminum foil comprising applying a curable polymer coating composition on at least a portion of one side of an aluminum foil and partially curing the coating composition to allow handling and further processing of the coated aluminum foil without blocking of the coating composition. The curing of the coating composition is completed by heating the coated aluminum foil in bulk. The polymer coating composition may include a cross-linkable polyester.

Abstract: Stand-up, gusseted packages having a reclosable closure mechanism around the periphery of the package mouth. The package has opposite first and second panels, and first and second side panels, which together form a surrounding wall that defines the mouth. The closure mechanism is present on each of the panels. On the first and second panels, the closure mechanism is oriented inward, so that the panels can be interlocked. On each of the first and second side panels, the closure mechanism is oriented outward, and is present as a first portion and a second portion defined by the gusset. To close the package, the closure mechanisms on the first panel and second panel are interlocked, and the side panels are folded inward to allow the first portion and the second portion to interlock. Methods of making the package are described.

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper closure by a vertical form, fill and seal process. The method includes providing a pocket in a film web into which a zipper closure is positioned and attached. The film web is folded and sealed to form side panels and seams, which result in a package. The pocket provides an internal tamper evident-structure for the package. An external tamper evident-structure can be provided between the distal ends of the mating profiles of the zipper closure.

Abstract: A slider device and methods of making. The slider device is for use with a resealable package having a zipper closure, and includes a top wall with first and second ends, a spreader depending from the top wall, a first sidewall with a first hook construction extending therefrom, and a second side wall with a second hook construction extending therefrom. An extended length of profiled material is extruded and can be converted to form individual slider devices. The spreader can be tapered, either in its width or the distance in which is depends from the top wall. These slider devices can be incorporated into resealable packages.

Abstract: A reclosable bag is provided that includes a reclosable mouth with a zipper and a slider device. The reclosable bag also includes a shield that covers the zipper such that when product is dispensed into the bag interior, the shield protects the zipper and prevents contact between the product and the zipper. In preferred arrangements, the shield includes an area of weakness to permit easy removal of the shield from the bag. Preferably, the shield is shaped to function as a funnel to help direct product into the bag interior, when filling. Preferred methods of using and constructing bags will utilize constructions as described herein.

Abstract: A container module for intermodal transportation and temporary storage of dry flowable product includes a pressure tank supported by hanger plates welded to end frames of a support frame defining a standardized container envelope. The pressure tank has a wall with a flat top center section and short flat side sections joined by upper cylindrical intermediate sections and lower cylindrical sections below the flat side sections which blend into a plurality of intersecting, downwardly discharging hoppers. Elongated beam members extending along each side of the support frame tie the hoppers together to resist bending of the suspended tank.