Abstract: An improved process for forming a PTFE mat is described. The process includes providing a dispersion with PTFE, a fiberizing polymer and a solvent wherein said dispersion has a viscosity of at least 50,000 cP. An apparatus is provided which comprises a charge source and a target a distance from the charge source. A voltage source is provided which creates a first charge at the charge source and an opposing charge at the target. The dispersion is electrostatically charged by contact with the charge source. The electrostatically charged dispersion is collected on the target to form a mat precursor which is heated to remove the solvent and the fiberizing polymer thereby forming the PTFE mat.

Abstract: A self-closing invisible hinge for returning a door to its closed position from its opened position including a self-closing structure in which the closing force can be selectively adjusted externally at the hinge and in which the self-closing structure is compact. The self-closing invisible hinge further having an embedded wiring system for providing electrical communication between an area on or in the door and an area adjacent a mounting structure supporting the door, such as a building electrical and/or communication system.

Abstract: An improved merchandise display system comprises a display tag, one or more product flaps each for attachment to an item of merchandise, and a detachable fastener. The fastener comprises a screw and a nut, the screw having a post for threaded engagement with the nut. The head of the screw, and the nut, are wider than the aperture and the post is received in the aperture in the display tag. The product flap is detachably held between the nut and the front surface of the display tag with the post of the screw received in an opening in the flap such that the product may be removed from and reattached to the display tag by disassembling and reassembling the display tag, fastener and product flap. A second product flap may be detachably held between the screw head and the back surface of the display tag.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cargo bar having high load strength. The cargo bar generally comprises an outer sheath and an inner cylindrical telescoping portion. The telescoping portion has a ribbed section with ribs formed from the walls of the telescoping portion. Fastened to the outer sheath is a handle mechanism comprising a handle frame and a lever, the lever having teeth for gripping the ribs of the inner telescoping portion. The handle may be moved from an open position to a closed position, thereby extending the inner portion away from the outer portion through the interaction of the teeth with the ribs of the inner bar. Increased strength is provided by the ribs formed from the walls of the telescoping portion.

Abstract: A less-than-lethal pellet gun is provided. The gun includes a plurality of links each holding a pellet. A feed cylinder is configured to advance the links to a firing position and eject each link after its pellet has been fired. The feed cylinder includes a slot portion and a gear portion. The slot portion includes a first slot region, a second slot region, a first angled slot region, and a second angled slot region. A linkage arm is configured to engage the slot portion of the feed cylinder such that linear movement of the linkage arm rotates the feed cylinder to move the pellet to a firing position.

Abstract: A frame for a two wheeled hand cart comprising a single frame useful for a two wheel or four wheel hand cart that is constructed and designed of a molded plastic in a single unitary piece comprising a pair of side frames joined by spaced apart cross rails integrally molded with each of the side rails at pre-selected spaced apart locations to form a molded plastic, rigid frame for receiving handles and wheel assemblies in a frame of improved strength and life.

Abstract: A device for driving various objects using combustible fuel. Embodiments are contemplated in which the driver could be a post-driver, a power shovel, a jack-hammer or other devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cargo bar having high load strength. The cargo bar generally comprises an outer sheath and an inner cylindrical telescoping portion. The telescoping portion has a ribbed section with ribs formed from the walls of the telescoping portion. Fastened to the outer sheath is a handle mechanism comprising a handle frame and a lever, the lever having teeth for gripping the ribs of the inner telescoping portion. The handle may be moved from an open position to a closed position, thereby extending the inner portion away from the outer portion through the interaction of the teeth with the ribs of the inner bar. Increased strength is provided by the ribs formed from the walls of the telescoping portion.

Abstract: A heated towel dispenser includes a roll of a semi-absorptive medium that can be readily separated into individual sheets. The dispenser includes one or more different fluids to be applied to each of the sheets as directed by a user. The dispenser includes a heating element therein to heat each of the sheets prior to them being emitted from the dispenser. A plurality of sensors are disposed in the dispenser to monitor conditions within the dispenser.

Abstract: In the present invention, a lightweight apparatus for secure transport of cargo in cargo compartments, such as those found in trucks and freight trains, is provided. The ratchet buckle has a front reel which receives a cargo strap. The light weight of the ratchet buckle is achieved by the use of a dual purpose detachable ratcheting lever or wrench. The wrench has a wrench head which engages the front reel to tighten the ratchet buckle. The wrench also has a release end which engages a release hole in the ratchet buckle, to disengage the ratcheting mechanism and allow removal of the cargo strap. Additional purposes and advantages are provided herein.

Abstract: A binding machine includes a tightening mechanism adapted to tension a belt and a limiting mechanism adapted to limit tensioning of the belt. The tightening mechanism includes, for example, a ratchet and a pawl coupled to a body of the tightening mechanism. A handle is adapted to rotate the ratchet in a first direction in response to a first force applied to the handle. The pawl is adapted to prevent the ratchet from returning in a second direction when the first force is released. A spring mechanism allows the handle to indicate when a second force opposing the first force achieves an established magnitude.

Abstract: A process is described for recovering sodium carbonate or other sodium-based chemicals from sodium-bearing streams, including in particular mine water, evaporative pond water and sodium carbonate decahydrate deposits, recycle and purge streams, and other waste streams. In the process sodium bicarbonate-bearing streams are decarbonized to reduce the sodium bicarbonate concentration in a combination with other sodium-bearing streams, resulting in a liquor suitable as feed to a sodium carbonate decahydrate or sodium carbonate monohydrate process. The sodium bicarbonate stream is combined in a mix tank with other sodium carbonate bearing streams where the concentration is adjusted to form a liquor suitable to feed a sodium decahydrate or sodium carbonate monohydrate evaporation/crystallization step. In the process the combination of the various sodium-bearing streams is decarbonized to below 3.

Abstract: A lift control interface is operable to control and monitor a lift system. Each lift column in the system has such a lift control interface. The lift control interface allows a user to assign lift columns to a lift system. One or more of the assigned lift columns may be assigned to a column control group. The user may lock the selection of these columns. The status of the assigned, selected, and locked lift columns may appear on every lift control interface in the lift system. The user may govern operation of the selected columns in the column control group from a single control interface, such as any control interface at any of the selected columns. The lift control interfaces may include visual representations showing the relationships between the lift columns and a vehicle, such as with lift column icons being positioned around a vehicle icon.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for a cargo tie-down includes a unidirectional coupling. The unidirectional coupling is adapted to receive a bidirectional torque at an input thereof, and provide a unidirectional torque to a belt shaft at an output thereof.

Abstract: A system (100) for controlling the operation of a mechanical press (10) having a side link (60) for applying squeeze to a mold (80) includes a dial indicator (120) mounted to the side link. An actuator member (170) has a first end (172) connected to the side link (60) and an opposite second end (200) engaging the dial indicator (120). The actuator member (170) is configured to move relative to the side link (60) and actuate the dial indicator (200) in response to elongation of the side link. The dial indicator (200) indicates the magnitude of the squeeze applied by the side link (60). A strain transducer (150) is mounted to the side link (60). The strain transducer (150) includes a sensor (152) that is operative to provide a signal responsive to movement of the actuator member (170) relative to the side link (60).