Abstract: A fire hose coupling comprises a body having a first end connected to a fire hose and a second end having threads. The fire hose coupling comprises a recessed portion formed in an outer surface of the body. The recessed portion is shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator such as an arrow. The recessed portion may include a light-reflecting surface to enhance visibility such as a super reflective metal film, a photo luminescent coating, or a phosfluorescent coating. The recessed directional indicator may be formed in either female or male couplings.

Abstract: A fuel can adapter is designed to be used with a fuel can having a neck that is internally and externally threaded. The fuel can adapter includes a plate having external threads for engaging internal threads of the neck, the plate including a hole. The adapter includes a sliding tube mounted to slide within the hole in the plate. The adapter includes an elbow mounted at an upper end of the tube, the elbow including an outlet. The adapter further includes a protrusion extending from the plate beside the hole. The elbow bears against the protrusion to exert a torque on the plate that threads or unthreads the plate from the neck of the fuel can.

Abstract: Weft knitted fabric for making molded cups directly without using a laminating sponge. The fabric includes three interlocked layers, overlayer, underlayer and connecting layer. The overlayer is formed from fusible fibers and polyurethane fibers, the underlayer is formed from microfiber and polyurethane fibers, and the connecting layer is formed from synthetic monofilament yarns.

Abstract: Warp knitting fabric having a double needle overlap structure forming two loops on two adjacent needles in the same course, and loops being formed from double yarns one of which is a chemical filament yarn and the other yarn is a spandex yarn, and both of the yarns being knitted with the same lapping movement.

Abstract: A method of producing fabrics which show a silk-like visual effect and soft hand-feel and retains such effects after being stretched and returned to its original size. This method combines a specific fabric structure and the treatment with a silicon oil in the finishing process. The particular fabric structure has nylon yarns which is close looped and elastic spandex yarns which is open looped.

Abstract: A fire hose coupling includes a substantially annular body having a first end adapted to connect to a fire hose and a second end having male threads. The annular body has a central bore. The coupling includes circumferentially spaced-apart lugs extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the first end of the body. The coupling further includes a protective shoulder extending radially outwardly from the body between the male threads and the lugs. The protective shoulder has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the male threads to thereby protect the male threads.

Abstract: A poly(lactic acid) resin composition, including: (a) a poly(lactic acid) resin; and (b) a modifier which is in the form of nanoparticle aggregate with a particle size of less than 1000 nm and uniformly dispersed in the poly(lactic acid) resin, wherein the nanoparticle aggregate is obtained from the polycondensation of at least one metal/nonmetal alkoxide, at least one metal/nonmetal alkoxide having at least one functional group capable of reacting with the poly(lactic acid) resin, or a mixture thereof. A process for preparing a transparent and impact-resistant article from the poly(lactic acid) resin composition of the invention, and articles prepared therefrom are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent waterless printing and dyeing control equipment and a control method thereof. The equipment comprise of: a control apparatus consisting of a programmable logic controller and a superior monitor computer and a robot, wherein, the programmable logic controller communicates with the superior monitor computer via MPI bus, receiving control signal coming from an operating panel and the robot via digitals input module for transmitting the control command to the robot, connecting with the dye conveyer apparatus and the printing and dyeing apparatus via the digitals output module; the superior monitor computer communicates with the servo controllers via CAN bus.

Abstract: A fire hose coupling comprises a first coupler body having a first recessed portion that includes a first visual indication. The coupling also comprises a second coupler body adapted to be coupled to the first coupler body to form the coupling, the second coupler body having a second recessed portion that includes a second visual indication matching the first visual indication. Color-coded stickers or adhesive-backed high-visibility decals may be adhered to the recessed portions. The couplings may be recoded by adhering differently colored stickers. This technology enables firefighters to quickly and easily color-code their hoses for identification purposes. Because of the recesses, the color-coded stickers are substantially protected from abrasion or wear and tear.

Abstract: A fiber modifier for improving thermo-bonding affinity of a composite fiber to a natural fiber includes a blend of maleic anhydride and a copolymer component selected from a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid, a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid, and combinations thereof. A core and sheath composite fiber including a sheath component made from a fiber composition that contains the above fiber modifier is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a heat adhesive biodegradable bicomponent fiber comprising a polylactic-acid-based low melting component and a high melting component, wherein the low melting component constitutes the sheath of the fiber, and the high melting component constitutes the core of the fiber. The material of the low melting component comprises unmodified polylactic acid or a blending with unmodified polylactic acid and modified polylactic acid. The modified polylactic acid is modified by blending unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, unsaturated anhydride or their derivatives with polylactic acid. The bicomponent fiber provided in this invention is biodegradable, environmentally benign and with excellent bonding performance to polylactic acid fibers, chemical fibers and cellulose fibers.

Abstract: High frequency-weldable articles, such as sheets or yarns, include at least one high frequency-weldable part that is made from a modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material and that has a melting point ranging from 100° C. to 250° C. The modified PET material is prepared from a composition that includes terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol and a diol modifier. The diol modifier is selected from the group consisting of neopentanediol, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylpropane, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylpropane alkoxylate, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexanediol, polyethylene glycol, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for making an optical device includes the steps of: rubbing an orienting film so as to stretch the molecular structure thereof and so as to permit the molecular units of the molecular structure to be aligned along a first axis and to permit the orienting space between each adjacent pair of the molecular units of the molecular structure to be oriented in a direction parallel to a second axis; and forming an optical anisotropical layer on the orienting film by applying a liquid crystal film of rod-like molecules on the orienting film which orients the rod-like molecules by virtue of spatial effect of the molecular units and the orienting spaces.

Abstract: An optical compensator includes a C-plate adapted to be coupled to a liquid crystal cell and made from a polymer. The C-plate has a layer thickness ranging from 5 to 60 ?m. The polymer is polyvinyl alcohol, has a polymerization degree greater than 2000 and less than 5000, and is cross-linked so that the C-plate has an optical axis substantially parallel to the direction of normally incident light, and so that the C-plate has a plate retardation, along the layer thickness of the C-plate, greater than 60 nm.