Abstract: A manufacturing system is provided for automatic assembly, testing and/or packaging of a variety of products. The system is based on utilization of one or more robotic modules, each having a programmable servo-driven linear actuator of a rod type, combined with slides, and standardized extrusions that form guide rails and a frame to support the actuators. The standardized extrusions include a plurality of faces, with a groove formed in at least one of the faces. Each slide fits in one of the grooves and is attached to the actuator rod, which moves the slide along the guide rails. The guide rails provide structural support to the slides in every direction that a load is attached to the slides, and include grooves to direct the motion of the slides. Two or more such robotic modules, each being positioned in a Cartesian coordinate relationship to one another, complete a system. Each module houses a dedicated controller that operates its respective actuator.

Abstract: A collecting container (1) for insecticide apparatus (2) comprises a base wall (9), side walls (10) extending transversely of the base wall (9) and an upper wall (11) engaging the tops of the side walls (10) and in which an access opening (13) is formed for entry of the insects captured by the apparatus itself. In engagement at the access opening (13) is a rocking element (16) movable in rotation for closing and/or opening the access opening depending on the air circulation within the apparatus (2). The rocking element (16) operates at the inside of a surface recess (14) formed in the upper wall (11) and has an obstruction portion (16b) directly active on the access opening (13) to close and/or open the latter and a counter-weight (16c) isolated from the air- and insect-passage region (14a) by a partition (17) located within the surface recess itself.

Abstract: A method of finishing resin-based dental restorations by contouring and smoothing the surface of the dental restoration in a single step, using steel burs operating at low speed, high-torque.

Abstract: A method of finishing resin-based dental restorations by contouring and smoothing the surface of the dental restoration in a single step, using steel burs operating at low speed, high-torque.

Abstract: A shredder, crusher, hammer mill, ring mill or the like is provided with a multi-sided rotor shaft to which spider arms and hammers are mounted. The rotor shaft has at least one pair, and preferably two or more pairs, of opposing sides. The hammers are pivotally mounted between spider arms. The spider arms have bases which include openings. The spider arm base openings have straight sides corresponding to the number of straight sides on the rotor shaft. The spider arm straight sides engage the rotor shaft straight sides. Hence, the spider arms are rotationally fixed in place relative to the rotor shaft without the use of keys and keyways, pins, bolts, or other types of fasteners, allowing for easier assembly and reduced maintenance costs for the crusher.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held device that enables persons of limited mobility to clean their perineal areas, and comprises a liquid reservoir that can be squeezed with gentle pressure, a spraying portion that generates a directed stream of liquid droplets towards the patient, and a tissue holder portion through which the user can grab, use and dispose of cleaning tissue.

Abstract: An ergonomic shower chair with built in bidet, comprising an ergonomic seat portion, an ergonomic back portion with lumbar support, and a bidet portion. Water enters the bidet portion by holding a hand-held showerhead against the main opening of the bidet portion, and is sprayed towards the user's perineal area through bidet nozzles positioned within holes along a longitudinal groove in the seat portion. Because these holes have inner diameters that are wider than the outer diameters of the bidet nozzles, water is drained away through the interstices between the hole walls and the bidet nozzles. The seat portion includes additional drainage holes for fast drainage.

Abstract: An ergonomic raised toilet seat assembly, comprising an ergonomically contoured raised toilet seat, ergonomically shaped armrests, ergonomically shaped secondary grips, ergonomically shaped grip handles, and a quick release system for rapid installation and removal from a toilet.

Abstract: A water-base fluid for use in drilling wells and other drilling operation includes a shale which swells in the presence of water. The fluid preferably includes: an aqueous based continuous phase, and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—R—{OR′}x—Y in which R and R′ are alkylene groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and x is a value from about 1 to about 25. The Y group should be an amine or alkoxy group, preferably a primary amine or a methoxy group. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of the shale. The fluid may be used for formulating drilling fluids such as invert emulsion drilling muds or clear brine drilling fluids. The fluid may also be used in the slurrification and disposal of drill cuttings that contain water swellable clays or shales.

Abstract: A spanner includes a spanner body having a head portion that defines a socket receiving chamber confined by a peripheral wall, and a handgrip portion extending from the peripheral wall and defining a shaft-receiving chamber. A drive shaft is rotatably disposed in the shaft-receiving chamber. A connecting member is disposed rotatably in the socket receiving chamber, and engages the drive shaft via a coupling unit. An annular sleeve is disposed outwardly of the handgrip portion, is sleeved securely on one end of the to the drive shaft, and is formed with an elongated groove. A turning handle is pivoted to the sleeve, and is turnable between a used position, in which, the handle is disposed outwardly of the groove, and a storage position, in which, the handle is received in the groove.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for delivering hot air comprises a protection structure (2) to be fastened to a wall (4) and a delivery unit (9) set to generate a continuous air flow. The delivery unit (9) is in engagement with the protection structure (2) through a ball joint (12, 13) so that it is movable between a rest position and an infinite number of operating positions. Associated with the bail joint (12, 13) is an electric switch which is switched over to a closed condition when the delivery unit (9) reaches one of its operating positions thereby starting said delivery unit (9).

Abstract: A hand attachable drainage valve having diagonally opposite ears with inwardly curved finger grasping areas between the ears to permit user with either larger or small hands to find a gripping postion that is comfortable for the user's fingers to grasp and guide the drainage valve into threaded engagement with the irrigation pipe and rotatingly secure the drainage valve to an irrigation pipe through hand pressure.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of bleached cellulose pulp, in conjunction with which lignocellulose material is digested to form cellulose pulp by means of an alkaline digestion liquor, and the cellulose pulp in the form of a suspension is screened, if necessary, and subjected in series to at least oxygen gas delignification/bleaching (O), if required, chlorine dioxide bleaching (D) and bleaching with non chlorine-containing, oxidative bleaching agent (O, P, Z), with the various bleaching stages interspersed with washing and/or reconcentration of the cellulose pulp in at least one stage, characterized in that complexing agents are added to the cellulose pulp in conjunction with the chlorine dioxide bleaching. It is also important for the mol quotient of the cellulose pulp for magnesium/manganese, during bleaching with a non chlorine-containing, oxidative bleaching agent, to be maintained at or brought to a value exceeding 20, and preferably exceeding 40.

Abstract: A plant attachment device and a method for killing obnoxious weeds that includes the step of cutting a stem of an obnoxious weed to leave a cut end extending from the ground to enable a container having an herbicide therein to be placed over the cut end of the stem and members thereon for supporting the herbicide carrier on the cut weed stem to hold the herbicide proximate the cut end to allows the herbicide sufficient time to penetrate into the tissue of the weed to cause the weed to die.

Abstract: Signs including electroluminescent lamps are described. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, electroluminescent lamps are coupled to a sign by first forming a rear electrode on a front surface of the sign. After forming the rear electrode on the sign, a dielectric layer is screen printed over the rear electrode, and a phosphor layer is screen printed over the dielectric layer. A layer of indium tin oxide ink is then screen printed to the phosphor layer to form an EL lamp.

Abstract: A rigid or semi-rigid plastics sheet material comprises a pair of opposed faces (20,22) between which run elongate voids defined by interconnections (24,25) between the two opposite faces, the cross sectional shape of at least some of the voids being a polygon with more than four sides, preferably a repeating pattern of regular hexagons or octagons joined in a line at adjacent sides or apices and including triangular secondary voids therebetween. Advantages include higher strength, lighter weight and faster cooling during the extrusion process.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of non-chlorine bleached pulp, from alkaline digested cellulose pulp, wherein a suspension of the cellulose pulp is subjected to a series to oxygen gas delignification (O), treatment with complexers (Q) and bleaching with non chlorine-containing oxidative bleaching agents (O,P,Z). The various treatment stages interspersed with washing and/or reconcentration of the cellulose pulp in at least one stage, in conjunction with which a suspension liquid is conveyed essentially in strict counter-current, with the result that the pulp manufacturing process is essentially totally closed with regard to the liquid circuit.

Abstract: A toilet seat provides a lifting operation to assist a user to safely engage and disengage a toilet. A toilet seat is pivotally arranged to swing between two positions, an incline position and a horizontal position. While the seat is in the incline position, a user may approach it from a slightly bent standing position. By pushing against the seat, the user's weight loads an energy storing strut and forces the seat to lower gently into its horizontal position. After which, the user may benefit from energy stored in the strut. The seat applies a pressure which lifts the user from the toilet and into a natural standing position. In some versions, the seat is powered by a compressed gas strut which is loaded by a user's weight when the user engages the device. The loaded strut energizes the pivoting seat to provide a force which operates to remove the user from the toilet. Additionally, the seat may be arranged with armrests so the user's arm strength may be used to aid the transition to and from the toilet.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a filter circuit for communication generative an effective digital output as well as an analog output in a filter circuit of low electric power consumption. The function speed of an A/D converting circuit is minimized by intermittently holding an analog output signal according to an experience that peak detection can be performed by partially sampling the signal after the acquisition.