Abstract: An article capable of being heated having a material with a plurality of cavities formed therein. The article includes at least one heater which may be embedded in at least one of the plurality of cavities formed in the material. A sheet of porous material may be operatively engaged with the article over the material so that the plurality of cavities are covered and the at least one heater is held therein.

Abstract: An article capable of being heated having a material with a plurality of cavities formed therein. The article includes at least one heater which may be embedded in at least one of the plurality of cavities formed in the material. A sheet of porous material may be operatively engaged with the article over the material so that the plurality of cavities are covered and the at least one heater is held therein.

Abstract: A container is provided that has a compartment for storing an air-activated material for heating contents. The compartment is formed between a first web of material and a second web of material. The first web includes a first film layer laminated to a second film layer. A portion of the first film layer of the first web can be separated from the second film layer to reveal openings in the first film layer that allow air to enter the compartment. When the air contacts the air-activated material to activate the material, an exothermic reaction takes place that serves to produce heat, such as to heat the contents of the container. Prior to separation of the first and second film layers, the container is designed to allow ingress of oxygen into the compartment at a rate less than approximately 3 cc per 100 in2 per 24 hrs. at 23° C.

Abstract: A container is provided that has a compartment for storing an air-activated material for heating contents. The compartment is formed between a first web of material and a second web of material. The first web includes a first film layer laminated to a second film layer. A portion of the first film layer of the first web can be separated from the second film layer to reveal openings in the first film layer that allow air to enter the compartment. When the air contacts the air-activated material to activate the material, an exothermic reaction takes place that serves to produce heat, such as to heat the contents of the container. Prior to separation of the first and second film layers, the container is designed to allow ingress of oxygen into the compartment at a rate less than approximately 3 cc per 100 in2 per 24 hrs. at 23° C.

Abstract: A container is provided for heating items, such as contents of the container. The container has a compartment for storing an air-activated material for heating those contents. The compartment is formed between a first web of material and a second web of material, where the first web includes a first film layer laminated to a second film layer via an adhesive layer. The second film layer includes a plurality of score lines that define plugs, such that when the first film layer or a portion thereof is peeled away from the second film layer, the plugs are separated and displaced from the second film layer to create openings in the second film layer that allow air to enter the compartment. When the air contacts the air-activated material to activate the material, an exothermic reaction takes place that serves to produce heat, such as to heat the contents of the container.

Abstract: A portable motor driven air gun powered by a power source includes a motor that is coupled to a linear motion converter which drives a piston. The piston compresses air in a chamber against a forward air compression valve producing high-pressure air. When sufficient energy is stored within the air stream by the piston, the compression valve opens which releases the compressed air to push a projectile through a barrel. The engagement and disengagement of the linear motion converter and the connected piston to the motor can be controlled using sensors. The linear motion converter further is coupled to a bolt thru a lost motion device to facilitate positioning of the projectile for firing. The direction speed and operative modes of the gun may be controlled with an electric circuit. The power source is preferably rechargeable, allowing the air gun to be operated independent from either a wall outlet or a compressed air supply.

Abstract: A fastening tool that drives a fastener into a work-piece. The tool includes a motor that is connected to a transmission. The transmission includes a flywheel. The tool also includes a driver mechanism that is adapted to drive the fastener into the work-piece. The flywheel is connected to the driver mechanism when the flywheel is in a flywheel firing position. The tool includes a control module that detects a flywheel position and compares the flywheel position to the flywheel firing position. The control module also adjusts the flywheel position based on the comparison. The control module ensures that the transmission has enough rotations to ensure that enough momentum can be generated to drive the fastener into the work-piece.

Abstract: A portable electric motor driven air gun powered by a power source. The motor is coupled to a lead screw, which drives a piston. The piston compresses air in a chamber producing high-pressure air. When sufficient energy is stored within the air stream by the piston a valve opens which releases the air to act on the projectile. The compressed air is used to push a projectile such as a paintball, an airsoft ball, a “bb”, or a pellet through a barrel. The lead screw is then reversed and the piston is reset for the next shot. The piston is preferably coupled to a feeding mechanism to facilitate positioning of the projectile for firing. The direction speed and operative modes of the gun are preferably controlled with an electric circuit. The power source is preferably rechargeable and allows the air gun to be operated completely independent from either a wall outlet or a compressed air supply.

Abstract: Air managers for power supplies such as metal-air batteries or fuel cells are described. In some embodiments, the air managers can include a diaphragm, the movement of which can cause air to be exchanged, for example, between the interior and exterior of the casing of a metal-air battery or fuel cell.

Abstract: A portable electric nailing gun operating from a power supply. The motor accelerates a flywheel which at the appropriate energy state is coupled through a mechanism to an anvil acting directly on the nail. The actuation is governed by a control circuit and initiated from a trigger switch. The motor accelerates a flywheel that is then clutched to the output anvil causing the nail to be driven. The position of the output anvil is sensed and once the nail is driven, the motor is dynamically braked reducing the excess energy in the flywheel. This method uses an intermediate link in the drive train and a position sensitive nailing mechanism to reduce wear and increase robustness of the nailer. The electrical control circuit and brake allow precise control and improve safety. The power supply is preferably a rechargeable low impedance battery pack.

Abstract: An air manager is provided for supplying air to a battery that may be disposed in a battery compartment of an electrical device. The battery includes at least one air-depolarized cell to supply power to the device. The air manager achieves a dual function of stimulating flow within the battery compartment as well as delivering air over the at least one cell. In particular, the air entering the air manager is split into two streams, the first stream delivering air to the cell, and the second stream stimulating flow within the battery compartment. The air manager may use a fan, peristaltic air pump, or any alternative air mover. The battery may have a “Figure-8” design to provide adjacent cell compartments that are received in a battery compartment configured to receive standard size alkaline cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design of a pin clutch to allow for coupling of a rotational shaft to an output mechanism in a synchronous fashion. Specifically, this is related to impacting or operations requiring intermittent or semi-intermittent coupling of an input mechanism or shaft to an output mechanism or shaft. Devices of this nature include fastening tools, throwing mechanisms and other devices in which input energy is built up during a portion of a cycle followed by the coupling and release of that energy to an output mechanism.

Abstract: A portable electric nailing gun operating from a power source. The motor accelerates a flywheel which at the appropriate energy state is coupled through a mechanism to an anvil acting directly on the nail. The motor accelerates a flywheel that is then clutched to the output anvil causing the nail to be driven. The position of the output anvil is sensed and once the nail is driven, the motor is dynamically braked reducing the excess energy in the flywheel. This method uses a highly responsive motor and power source which enables the motor to come up to speed, drive the nail and return to a low energy condition in less than 2 seconds. The electrical control circuit and brake allow precise control and improve safety. The power source is preferably a rechargeable low impedance battery.

Abstract: A portable electric nailing gun operating from a power supply. The motor accelerates a flywheel, which at the appropriate energy state is coupled through a mechanism to an anvil acting directly on the nail. The actuation is governed by a control circuit and initiated from a trigger switch. The stored energy delivered from the motor is coupled to the output anvil drives the nail. At least one position of the output anvil is sensed and once the nail is driven, the power is disconnected from the motor. This method uses a direct acting clutch and a harmonic motion nailing mechanism to reduce wear and increase robustness of the nailer. Elastic elements are used to limit stresses during the impact periods. The electrical control circuit and sensors allow precise control and improve safety. The power supply is preferably a rechargeable low impedance battery pack.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design of a pin clutch to allow for coupling of a rotational shaft to an output mechanism in a synchronous fashion. Specifically, this is related to impacting or operations requiring intermittent or semi-intermittent coupling of an input mechanism or shaft to an output mechanism or shaft. Devices of this nature include fastening tools, throwing mechanisms and other devices in which input energy is built up during a portion of a cycle followed by the coupling and release of that energy to an output mechanism.

Abstract: A portable electric nailing gun operating from a power source. The motor accelerates a flywheel which at the appropriate energy state is coupled through a mechanism to an anvil acting directly on the nail. The motor accelerates a flywheel that is then clutched to the output anvil causing the nail to be driven. The position of the output anvil is sensed and once the nail is driven, the motor is dynamically braked reducing the excess energy in the flywheel. This method uses a highly responsive motor and power source which enables the motor to come up to speed, drive the nail and return to a low energy condition in less than 2 seconds. The electrical control circuit and brake allow precise control and improve safety. The power source is preferably a rechargeable low impedance battery.

Abstract: A portable electric nailing gun operating from a power supply. The motor accelerates a flywheel which at the appropriate energy state is coupled through a mechanism to an anvil acting directly on the nail. The actuation is governed by a control circuit and initiated from a trigger switch. The motor accelerates a flywheel that is then clutched to the output anvil causing the nail to be driven. The position of the output anvil is sensed and once the nail is driven, the motor is dynamically braked reducing the excess energy in the flywheel. This method uses a highly responsive motor and power supply which enables the motor to come up to speed, drive the nail and return to a low energy condition in less than 2 seconds. The electrical control circuit and brake allow precise control and improve safety. The power supply is preferably a rechargeable low impedance battery.

Abstract: Air managers for metal-air batteries are described, utilizing a diaphragm or bellows to move air in and out of one or more air openings or to move air from an inlet to an outlet. The diaphragm or bellows may be reciprocated by a linear actuator, such as an electromagnetic oscillator, or a shape memory alloy wire. Micromachines such as microrelays may be used as actuators. The battery may include one or more air passageways preferably including an isolating passageway such as a thin elongate tube shaped to impede air flow to the air electrode when the air moving device is not operative, even while the tube remains unsealed. The result is an improved air moving device for metal-air cells that occupies a minimal amount of the volume available for battery chemistry, is usable with advanced systems for isolating the air electrodes when power is not being drawn from the metal air cell, and is capable of developing high pressure for high velocity air movement at a relatively low rate of power consumption.

Abstract: A battery cartridge includes a first casing having a wall; and a second casing having an outer wall having a height, and an inner wall having a height less than the height of the outer wall, wherein the walls of the second casing are spaced for receiving the wall of the first casing.

Abstract: An air manager is provided for supplying air to a battery that may be disposed in a battery compartment of an electrical device. The battery includes at least one air-depolarized cell to supply power to the device. The air manager achieves a dual function of stimulating flow within the battery compartment as well as delivering air over the at least one cell. In particular, the air entering the air manager is split into two streams, the first stream delivering air to the cell, and the second stream stimulating flow within the battery compartment. The air manager may use a fan, peristaltic air pump, or any alternative air mover. The battery may have a “Figure-8” design to provide adjacent cell compartments that are received in a battery compartment configured to receive standard size alkaline cells.