Abstract: A combustion tool has a housing with an air intake end and an opposite bumper end, a combustion-powered power source in the housing including a cylinder encircling a reciprocating piston associated with a driver blade, and having at least one air port located at the bumper end below the piston. At least one air intake is located adjacent the air intake end and is provided with an air filter. At least one air passageway is provided in fluid communication with the at least one air port and in operational relationship with the air filter.

Abstract: A flexible reclosable container including profiles which are locked and unlocked by a slider. One embodiment of the slider has a pair of feet which extend from one end of the slider to the other end and which resist pulling of the slider off of the profiles. Another embodiment of the slider has three spaced pairs of feet which resist removal of the slider from the profiles. The slider in one embodiment has an enlarged central portion which facilitates grasping the slider and is easy to manufacture by die casting.

Abstract: A modular magazine assembly in a fastener-driving tool having a nosepiece includes a first magazine housing portion secured to the tool and at least partially defining a chamber for fasteners. An extension portion is configured for releasable attachment to the first magazine housing portion. Upon assembly of the extension portion, a resulting large capacity magazine is defined and dimensioned to accommodate at least two fastener strips.

Abstract: The present invention can allow an electronic catalog or other set of items to be searched and compared interactively. In one embodiment, the invention includes displaying a list of items in an electronic catalog, each item corresponding to a row of the display, each row having values corresponding to attributes of the corresponding items arranged into attribute columns, grouping some of the displayed items based on a selected attribute upon receiving a grouping command so that the grouped items are displayed in a single row, and expanding the grouped items upon receiving an expand command so that the grouped items are each displayed in a separate row. The embodiment further includes removing a row corresponding to an item or to grouped items from the display upon receiving a row remove command and removing a column corresponding to an attribute of the items from the display upon receiving a column remove command.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of coextruded or integral sealing ribs on zipper flanges to enhance the quality of the sealing between the flanges and the walls of a reclosable package. The coextruded sealing ribs may be made from sealing resins or similar materials. Additionally, grip strips are placed on the opposite side of the flanges from the ribs in order to improve the quality of the sealing even further and to inhibit inner flange sealing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller.

Abstract: The present technique provides a system and method for improving atomization in a spray coating device by internally mixing and breaking up a desired coating fluid prior to atomization. In one embodiment, a flow barrier is disposed in the spray coating device downstream of an internal fluid valve and upstream of a fluid exit. The flow barrier may have a plurality of passages configured to direct fluid streams to create a fluid swirling and rotating motion around a central axis of a central flow path to facilitate fluid mixing and breakup. The plurality of passages may direct the fluid streams toward a surface, and may be angled substantially toward one another or diverging from one another. Embodiments of the spray coating device may further include an atomization mechanism adapted to facilitate formation of a spray of the fluid flowing from the fluid exit. The resulting spray coating has refined characteristics, such as reduced mottling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding with an engine driven inverter power supply includes generating an ac output with an engine and generator. The output is rectified and inverted to provide an ac inverter output. The engine is controlled using feedback indicative of a welding output operating parameter. The feedback may also be taken from the inverter or generator, and the generator may be controlled instead of or in addition to the engine. Engine parameters that may be controlled include engine speed, selecting between an idle speed and a run speed, a throttle position, a fuel pump, an injection timer, a fuel to air ratio, fuel consumption and ignition timing. Another aspect of the invention is having the feedback be responsive to one or more of the welding current, welding voltage, welding power, or functions thereof. The feedback may be responsive to the current, voltage, power, ripple and functions thereof.

Abstract: A machine direction method of manufacture of reclosable packages is disclosed wherein a semi-circular or similarly shaped perforated pattern is punched in the web in registration with the package side seals. Continuous lines of perforation are punched in the web parallel to the top of the package. The web is folded and shaped into a package with a header which includes the semi-circular perforated pattern and the lines of perforation. A similar transverse direction method of manufacture is disclosed. When the top corner of the header is pulled, the header tears along the shaped perforation until it meets the horizontal line of perforation, thereby avoiding tearing through the area of the header that is sealed to the zipper flange, the header then tears along the horizontal perforation and finally follows the shaped perforation on the opposite end of the package.

Abstract: A slide tap particularly suitable for use on disposable containers has a valve body with a sliding actuator movable between closed and opened positions of an outlet formed in the body. A spring mechanism returns the actuator to a closed position.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprises the following steps: (a) advancing a fastener tape made of flexible thermoplastic material along a process pathway during an indexing portion of a work cycle, the fastener tape not advancing during a dwell time of the work cycle; (b) during each dwell time, deforming the fastener tape at a first fixed station situated along the process pathway; (c) transmitting light toward the fastener tape at a second fixed station while the fastener tape is advancing; and (d) photodetecting a portions of the transmitted light after some or all of the transmitted light has passed the fastener tape, the photodetected portions of the transmitted light being converted into electrical signals; wherein the distance of the fastener tape advanced in step (a) is determined in accordance with an algorithm that takes into account characteristics of electrical signals acquired in step (d) during earlier work cycles.

Abstract: A fryer filtration arrangement utilizes certain automated components.

Abstract: A snap-fit fastener having deflectable, diverging wings extending from a distal end of a pedestal is provided with lead-in extensions from the connection of each wing to the pedestal. The extensions define a slot therebetween and are curved relative to the wings. By inserting an implement such as a screwdriver in the slot and twisting the implement, the lead-in extensions are spread relative to each other and the wings are moved toward the pedestal to allow the fastener to be disconnected from an object.

Abstract: A fastener is provided particularly useful for securing automobile headliners to automobile roofs. The fastener includes a clip connectable to the headliner and a magnet assembly that can be secured to the roof. The magnet assembly can tilt relative to the clip.

Abstract: A crack test for a tubular structure includes a sensor ring disposed radially outward from a flare pin in a flaring press. The sensor ring is responsive to physical contact from a cracked flared end of a tube processed in the press.