Abstract: An automated avocado processing system for cutting an avocado in half, removing the pit, and extracting the flesh from the peel includes a plurality of functional assemblies arranged on a frame. Exemplary stations include a loading assembly, cutting assembly, peeling station, and food collection assembly. Computer and electronics are programmed and operable to control the automated stations. Related methods are described.

Abstract: A novel fibrous membrane comprises at least one substrate layer comprising at least 80% by weight of microfibers that carry positively charged and/or negatively charged functional groups, and at least one layer of filtration material attached to the substrate layer, wherein the layer of filtration material comprises at least 80% by weight of nanofibers that carry negatively charged and/or positively charged functional groups. The fibrous membrane is able to remove or reduce the concentration of bacteria, viruses and heavy metals while maintaining relatively high water flow. A filter comprising the fibrous membrane and a method for manufacturing the fibrous membrane are also provided.

Abstract: A water filtration membrane is provided, capable of removing heavy metal ions, filtering out particulates, filtering out bacteria, as well as removing herbicides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. The membrane is composed of a mat of randomly oriented nanoparticle-coated nanofibers. The nanofibers are covalently bonded to a plurality of substantially uniformly-distributed ceramic nanoparticles embedded in or adhered on the surface of the polymer nanofibers through reactive functional groups. The ceramic nanoparticles have a pattern of deep grooves formed on the nanoparticle surfaces. The bonding of the nanoparticles to the nanofibers is sufficient to retain the nanoparticles on the nanofiber surfaces when water flows through the water filtration membrane. The diameter of the nanofibers is 50-200 nm. The size of the nanoparticles is <40 nm, with a zeta potential of ?40 to ?45 mV in a dispersion medium. The nanoparticle deep grooves have an average size of approximately 1.2 nm or less.

Abstract: A novel fibrous membrane comprises at least one substrate layer comprising at least 80% by weight of microfibers that carry positively charged and/or negatively charged functional groups, and at least one layer of filtration material attached to the substrate layer, wherein the layer of filtration material comprises at least 80% by weight of nanofibers that carry negatively charged and/or positively charged functional groups. The fibrous membrane is able to remove or reduce the concentration of bacteria, viruses and heavy metals while maintaining relatively high water flow. A filter comprising the fibrous membrane and a method for manufacturing the fibrous membrane are also provided.

Abstract: A water filtration membrane is provided, capable of removing heavy metal ions, filtering out particulates, filtering out bacteria, as well as removing herbicides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. The membrane is composed of a mat of randomly oriented nanoparticle-coated nanofibers. The nanofibers are covalently bonded to a plurality of substantially uniformly-distributed ceramic nanoparticles embedded in or adhered on the surface of the polymer nanofibers through reactive functional groups. The ceramic nanoparticles have a pattern of deep grooves formed on the nanoparticle surfaces. The bonding of the nanoparticles to the nanofibers is sufficient to retain the nanoparticles on the nanofiber surfaces when water flows through the water filtration membrane. The diameter of the nanofibers is 50-200 nm. The size of the nanoparticles is <40 nm, with a zeta potential of ?40 to ?45 mV in a dispersion medium. The nanoparticle deep grooves have an average size of approximately 1.2 nm or less.

Abstract: A sport good, such as hockey stick, Ping-Pong bat, baseball bat, ski stick and so on, has a rigid member made of a composite material. The rigid member has a chamber therein, in which a high-pressure gas is filled to make the sport good having both properties of lighter weight and greater rigidity.

Abstract: A hockey stick has a blade, on which slots are provided in a predetermined profile.

Abstract: A sport good, such as hockey stick, Ping-Pong bat, baseball bat, ski stick and so on, has a rigid member made of a composite material. The rigid member has a chamber therein, in which a high-pressure gas is filled to make the sport good having both properties of lighter weight and greater rigidity.

Abstract: Present invention is an epoxy and nano-rubber powder complex material by mixing the rubber powder in nanometer size into the epoxy matrix and adding the enhance-fiber and hardener, then place the complex material of present invention into a die with high pressure and high temperature for indurating process. By the way, present invention can make a high performance epoxy complex material with high ductility and high thermostability and use to make sport products like bat, fives bat, hockey, polo stick, fishing pole, golf club and whatnot. Wherein said complex material including 0.5˜20% of weight percentage of nano-rubber powder and 20˜60% of weight percentage of enhance-fiber and 5˜30 % of weight percentage of hardener or other additives.

Abstract: A racket mounts an electric pulse generator thereon for providing electric pulses to human body when exercising. The electric pulse generator has a base board. A battery seat is disposed on the base board for installing at least one battery therein. A power controller is disposed on the base board for enlarging the potential and the current of the battery. A waver switch is disposed on the base board for switching-on and switching-off the power of the battery when the racket is waved, and two conducting members are disposed on a handle of the racket conducting to the positive and the negative pole terminals of the power controller. Whereby, user holds the handle of the racket to touch both of the conducting members to get electric pulses when waving the racket to switch the waver switch on.

Abstract: A racket has a main body, which has a head frame, an Y-shaped shaft, a handle, and a network, which string the head frame. Two elastic supporting devices dispose on the head frame. Each of the elastic supporting devices has an inner member, an outer member and at least one elastic member. The inner member has a base piece, which has two stick tubes and two inner engage tubes thereon. The outer member has a base piece, which has two through holes and two outer engage tubes thereon. The outer member slidably engages to the inner member by means of the outer engage tubes engaging to the outer engage tubes. The elastic members respectively dispose on the inner and the outer engage tubes for push the outer member away from the inner member. A string of the network insert into the stick tubes, the inner and the outer engage tubes and the through holes of the outer member for providing the network an extra elasticity.

Abstract: A game racket handle is adjustable in length and is composed of a main body, a jacket, and a bolt. The main body is fastened at one end thereof with a game racket shaft and provided at other end thereof with a threaded hole. The jacket has a closed end and an open end. The closed end is provided with a through hole. The jacket is movably fitted over the main body such that the jacket can displace along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the main body. The bolt is fastened pivotally with the closed end of the jacket and engaged with the threaded hole of the main body for regulating the position adjustment of the jacket in relation to the main body.

Abstract: A badminton racket comprises a head frame, a gut, a shaft and a grip. The grip comprises a main body and a grip portion having a length of 15.5 centimeters or more. The main body is provided in the interior thereof with a slot extending from the free end of the main body in the direction toward the shaft for reducing the weight of the main body so as to cause the center of gravity to move toward the junction between the shaft and the tapered end of the main body of the grip. The tapered end of the main body is provided with a front jacket which is fitted thereover and is provided with a V-shaped cut for forming a receiving space between the front jacket and the above tapered end of the main body. A shock-absorbing body is received in the receiving space such that the tapered end of the shock-absorbing body and the front jacket form together a tapered end of the grip.

Abstract: A game racket has a head portion with two elements extending towards each other to form two arm portions which are arranged in a V-shape configuration, with each of the two arm portions including an end portion. The end portions are merged to form a merged area which is used to form a handle. The game racket further has a suspension arm extending from the merged area towards the head portion along the longitudinal axis of the handle. The suspension arm has a yoke of a slightly accurate construction having two ends adjacent to the two elements of the head portion. The yoke and the head portion form an oval frame body for accommodating a string to form a string surface capable of prolonging thereon the dwelling time of a ball hitting the string surface.

Abstract: A game racket is provided with an elastic shock-absorbing body, which is attached to the front end of hand grip of the racket and has a tapered body with an axial hole dimensioned to receive therein the bottom end of the shaft of the racket. The shock-absorbing body further has a receiving portion of annular profile extending therefrom in a direction toward the hand grip so as to wrap the front end of the hand grip of the racket. The elastic shock-absorbing body provides the game racket with a greater power of striking a ball and with a better capability of absorbing the shock generated by impact of a ball.

Abstract: A sports racket frame with improved string holes includes a predetermined number of insertion pins pre-arranged in the molding cavity. The inner wall surface of the molding cavity adjacent to each insertion pin is filled with the fiber cement made of materials identical in quality with those making up the tubular strip used to form the racket frame. The sports racket frame so attained is composed of string holes which are integrally and simultaneously made with the racket frame as a unitary body and are provided with tubular support wall extending along the circumference thereof to reinforce the structural strength of the racket frame.

Abstract: The method of making a sports racket frame with improved string holes includes a predetermined number of insertion pins pre-arranged in the molding cavity. The inner wall surface of the molding cavity adjacent to each insertion pin is filled with the fiber cement made of materials identical in quality with those making up the tubular strip used to form the racket frame. The sports racket frame so attained is composed of string holes which are integrally and simultaneously made with the racket frame as a unitary body and are provided with tubular support wall extending along the circumference thereof to reinforce the structural strength of the racket frame.

Abstract: The racket head frame is provided with a predetermined number of recess cuts, each of which is used to receive therein a stringing tube of stringing element of plastic material. The stringing element has two shoulders for use in shielding both stringing tube and the surface of the racket head frame. Two stringing tubes located respectively and correspondingly on the two shoulders are coupled by means of a connection portion, which serves to shield both the string and the side surface of the racket head frame.