Abstract: A system and a method for maintaining, transferring and transporting a flexible package. The system includes a manipulating system, preferably a five axis robot, for transferring and displacing the flexible package and a lift-assist platform positioned within a reach of the manipulating system for transporting the package and for supporting a weight of the flexible package. The system may be used more specifically for the transport and transfer of upright flexible packages. The system simplifies the tool supported by the robot, thus allowing use of a smaller robot.

Abstract: A particulate material spreader for radially projecting granular material. The particulate material spreader comprises a hopper, a set of open wheels and a spreading assembly at least partially extending between the hopper and the set of open wheels. The spreading assembly is configured to radially project the particulate material through at least one wheel of the set of open wheels. The spreading assembly comprises a wheel axle extending between the open wheels and rotating along with the open wheels when the particulate material spreader is moved over a surface; a distribution shaft operatively connected to the wheel axle to rotate along therewith; and a distribution plate. The distribution plate is mounted to the distribution shaft, receives the particulate material from the hopper and radially projects the particulate material substantially through at least one wheel of the set of open wheels.

Abstract: A pipe lathe includes a shaft; a cutting head supported on the shaft for movement with the shaft; a mandrel positionable on an outboard end of the shaft for supporting the shaft along a machining axis; and a first external pipe clamp and a second external pipe clamp, the first and the second external pipe clamps supported for external pipe engagement substantially concentrically about the machining axis. Multiple spaced apart engagement sites provided by the mandrel within the pipe and the external pipe clamps on an outer surface of the pipe support the pipe in a linear and centered position for machining by the cutting head, even when the pipe is non-linear, flexible and possibly with a cross section that is non-circular.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermostat system, to a thermostat unit, as well as to a method for managing power supply in a thermostat unit. A thermostat unit is connected between a power supply and a resistive heating element. Input power is received at the thermostat unit. A temperature difference is calculated between a target temperature and a current temperature. The input power is controlled by operating a power supply module between a heating mode wherein in the input power is channeled to the output port for feeding the resistive heating element based on the temperature difference and a regenerative mode wherein the input power is channeled to an energy storage device for charging said energy storage device in order to supply power therefrom to electronic components of the thermostat unit.

Abstract: A connector assembly for electrically connecting poles of two adjacent battery cell. The connector assembly comprises an electrically conductive bus bar having a first connection area and a second connection area distal from each other, electrically conductive pole-mating components having a pole-mating face and a bar-mating face, and fastening components for attaching the electrically conductive bus bar and one of the pole-mating components to one of the poles of the two adjacent battery cells. The pole-mating faces of the pole-mating components are adapted for mating the poles the battery cells. The bar-mating faces of the pole-mating components are adapted for mating with the connection areas. The bar-mating faces and the connection areas have complementary concave/convex arched shape for optimizing contact surface over a range of relative positioning of the two adjacent battery cells.

Abstract: An apparatus displaces and positions items in a predetermined configuration. The apparatus includes a grouping station, a grouping manipulator using at least two degrees of freedom and having a prehension end-effector and a placing manipulator using at least four degrees of freedom and having a prehension end-effector. The grouping manipulator is configured to pick items at a first item location, displace the items towards the grouping station, and release the items at the grouping station to form a group of items. The placing manipulator is configured to pick the group of items at the grouping station, change an orientation of the group of items, and release the group of items at a receiving station in the predetermined configuration. A method displaces and positions items in a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: An I-joist comprising a web and flanges, the web being connected on each longitudinal edge thereof to a flange, wherein the I-joist further comprises chords, the chords being connected to the web on at least one side of the web. The web may comprise openings in between the chords. The I-joist is fabricated by connecting a flange on each longitudinal edge of a web and connecting chords on at least one side of the web, the web being provided with openings.

Abstract: Method for measuring the visually-induced postural instability of a person is described, the method comprising a display providing step (S1) during which a visual display device is provided. The display device is arranged so as to display a dynamic visual pattern in at least 50% of the lower half of the visual field of the person, leaving an upper half of the visual field of the person free. The method also comprises a display step (S2) during which a dynamic visual pattern is displayed on the visual display device. The method further comprises a measuring step (S3) during which a parameter representative of the postural instability is measured when the person is gazing at a fix target straight in front while having the dynamic visual pattern displayed on the visual display device.

Abstract: A connector assembly for electrically connecting poles of two adjacent battery cell. The connector assembly comprises an electrically conductive bus bar having a first connection area and a second connection area distal from each other, electrically conductive pole-mating components having a pole-mating face and a bar-mating face, and fastening components for attaching the electrically conductive bus bar and one of the pole-mating components to one of the poles of the two adjacent battery cells. The pole-mating faces of the pole-mating components are adapted for mating the poles the battery cells. The bar-mating faces of the pole-mating components are adapted for mating with the connection areas. The bar-mating faces and the connection areas have complementary concave/convex arched shape for optimizing contact surface over a range of relative positioning of the two adjacent battery cells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering molten metal, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy includes at least one ceramic foam filter or any other type of filtration media such as porous tube or alumina balls disposed in a receptacle for the molten metal. A vibrator vibrates at least one of the filter, the receptacle or the metal and may be used to induce priming, filtering and/or drainage of the filter. The vibrator may be retrofitted to an existing filter system and may be adjustable in frequency and amplitude. The vibration may be continuous over a given period or produced in a single shock.

Abstract: A sheet material for roofing to be installed on a roof under an overlayment comprising a closed-weave woven having a top side and a back side; a thermoplastic layer affixed on the top side; and a water-based adhesive coating affixed on the back side. The sheet material is manufactured as a roll in which the thermoplastic layer isolates the water-based adhesive coating from an immediate environment when the sheet material is in a roll form.

Abstract: The invention provides a peristaltic pump. The pump has a cavity for receiving a rotor and a flexible conduit, the rotor engaging the flexible conduit to displace fluid therein. A conduit retainer mechanism is provided for engaging the flexible conduit to assist with retention of the conduit in the cavity against displacement resulting from engagement between the conduit and the rotor. The conduit retainer mechanism including first and second jaws opposite to one another, defining between them a passageway for receiving the conduit, wherein one of the first and second jaws are spring biased to resiliently engage the conduit.

Abstract: A convertible anchor comprises a fixture for holding an article to a friable wall and an anchoring mechanism extending from the fixture and adapted when rotated to engagingly extend into the wall for securing the fixture thereto. The fixture is selectively separable via frangible connection elements from the anchoring mechanism for allowing the fixture to be used alone with an appropriate fastener suitable for installing the fixture to a rigid structure, such as wooden components. The frangible elements are typically provided between the fixture and a proximal end of the anchoring mechanism. The nature of the vertical support to which the anchor is to be mounted is thus first determined and then, for a friable wall, the anchor is installed thereto using the anchoring mechanism or, for a more solid support, the fixture is separated from the anchoring mechanism and installed to the solid support via an appropriate fastener.

Abstract: A roof exhaust for exhausting gas from a building is provided. The roof exhaust includes: an enclosure including a base and a hollow body extending from said base, the enclosure having side sections and a front section extending between the side sections; a conduit extending within the hollow body along a central axis, the conduit having an inlet connectable to a source of gas and an outlet for exhausting the gas from the conduit; a hood extending in the front section over the outlet, the hood comprising an aperture and being configured to direct gas exiting the outlet through the aperture in a downward direction towards the base; and a baffle extending in the hood and sloped towards at least one of the side sections, thereby being configured to deflect gas exiting the aperture in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the downward direction.

Abstract: An anchor (910) for mounting to a hollow wall (W) made of friable material comprises a proximal flanged end (918) adapted to be engaged by a rotatable tool (B) to rotate the anchor (910) about a longitudinal axis (A) thereof and to cause is to gradually engage the wall (W). The anchor (910) also includes a distal end (912) adapted to cut through the wall (W) as the anchor (910) is rotated, and a shank (920) extending between the proximal and distal ends (918, 912). The shank (920) includes at least one expandable leg (924) that is in a collapsed position thereof when the anchor (910) is rotated to mount it to the wall (W) and that is located distally beyond a non visible surface of the wall (W) once the anchor (910) has been mounted to the wall and is in a first position thereof. The wall anchor (910) includes an outer thread (922) that securely engages the wall (W). A threaded fastener (B), e.g.

Abstract: A system and a method for maintaining, transferring and transporting a flexible package. The system includes a manipulating system, preferably a five axis robot, for transferring and displacing the flexible package and a lift-assist platform positioned within a reach of the manipulating system for transporting the package and for supporting a weight of the flexible package. The system may be used more specifically for the transport and transfer of upright flexible packages. The system simplifies the tool supported by the robot, thus allowing use of a smaller robot.

Abstract: A snowplow blade removably attachable to a vehicle for contacting and plowing associated snow over a road guard rail as the vehicle moves. The snowplow blade includes a snowplow surface defining a trajectory for displacement of the snow between a lower substantially front-facing road-contact edge and an upper substantially side-facing outlet edge. An interface member provides removable attachment of the snowplow surface to the vehicle. The upper side-facing outlet edge is sized and positioned to project snow above a top surface of the road guard rail, thus reducing the accumulation of snow at the base of the guard rail.

Abstract: A displacement device is for preparing a bag for its installation at a filling point (or second location) of packaging equipment. The displacement device grabs the bag from the pick-up location (or stack) (at which first position and orientation parameters have been previously measured), displaces the bag while measuring second position and orientation parameters of the bag, adjusting the operation and displacement of the displacement device for displacing and installing the bag at the filling point; at the same time, the measurement of the next bag's first position and orientation parameters is done to adjust the operation and displacement of the displacement device for grabbing the next bag on the stack. Such a double location evaluation, which is concomitant on two different bags, allows savings in processing time.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for walls comprises a toggle member and a strap member pivotally mounted together, and a locking member. In a first position, the toggle member is aligned with the strap member for insertion through a hole in the wall, whereas in a second position, the toggle member extends behind the wall angularly to the strap member which extends from the toggle member through the hole. The locking member is adapted to be displaced along the strap member until it engages the wall and to be locked on the strap member to prevent the locking member from displacing away from the toggle member. Therefore, the locking member and the toggle member are connected by the strap member and imprison the wall by abutting respectively the visible and hidden sides thereof. A fastener introduced through the locking member and wall threadably engages an opening defined in the toggle member.

Abstract: Method for determining the relative amplitude of eye and head movements of an individual, comprising: —a target providing step during which a list of visual targets comprising at least two different visual targets is provided; —a reference positioning step; —a reference target providing step during which a reference target comprising a visual and auditory target is provided; —a reference target gazing step during which the individual gazes at the reference target; —a peripheral target providing step during which a peripheral target comprising a visual and auditory target is provided; —a peripheral target gazing step during which the individual gazes at the peripheral target; and, —a rotation measurement step during which the angle of rotation of the individual's head and the angle or rotation of the individual's eyes are measured.