Abstract: The present invention is in the field of surfactants to extract a platinum group metal or gold, in particular palladium, from organic compositions. In particular, the invention concerns the use of surfactants to back-extract a platinum group metal or gold, in particular palladium, from organic compositions further comprising an extractant of said platinum group metal or gold, in particular palladium from an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A conveyor chain includes a plurality of side link assemblies and flight arm assemblies coupled together to form an elongated chain. The flight arm assemblies include a pair of opposing flight arms positioned on either side of the chain with the flight arms each including an elongated body formed with and extending from an integral base and a vertical sprocket opening formed in the integral base. The vertical sprocket opening is configured for engaging a tooth of a drive sprocket to drive the flight arm. The side link assemblies include a pair of opposing side straps positioned on either side of the chain each including a base and a pair of side strap bosses extending outwardly from the base.

Abstract: Described and shown is a Mailbox system (1) for receiving at least one item of mail. In order to simplify the delivery and/or handing over of items of mail the mailbox system (1) can comprise a mailbox (2) and a mailbox holder (3), wherein the mailbox (2) has an interior for receiving the at least one item of mail and at least one entry (4) to the interior for inserting the at least one item of mail into the interior, and wherein the mailbox (2) is detachably held by the mailbox holder (3).

Abstract: A conveyor chain includes a plurality of side link assemblies and flight arm assemblies coupled together to form an elongated chain. The flight arm assemblies include a pair of opposing flight arms positioned on either side of the chain with the flight arms each including an elongated body formed with and extending from an integral base and a vertical sprocket opening formed in the integral base. The vertical sprocket opening is configured for engaging a tooth of a drive sprocket to drive the flight arm. The side link assemblies include a pair of opposing side straps positioned on either side of the chain each including a base and a pair of side strap bosses extending outwardly from the base.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head comprises a front hard floor cleaning brush and a rotatable carpet cleaning brush positioned rearward of the front hard floor cleaning brush, wherein the front hard floor cleaning brush extends to the hard surface floor when the surface cleaning head is positioned on the hard surface floor, and wherein the front hard floor cleaning brush engages at least a portion of an inner surface of a forward portion of the brush chamber

Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head with a leading roller may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The surface cleaning head may have dual agitators—a leading roller and a rotating brush roll—with the leading roller being located in front of the brush roll. The leading roller may have a smaller diameter than the brush roll and may provide a softer cleaning element. The leading roller may also have a bottom portion exposed to the flow path to the suction conduit and at least a top half that is not exposed to that flow path. The leading roller may also float relative to the surface cleaning head and/or may be adjustable relative to the brush roll.

Abstract: Formulations, compositions and products for reducing allergenic Fel d 1 from the environment are disclosed. The formulations include at least one protease that interacts with the Fel d 1 and substantially degrades allergenic epitopes on the Fel d 1. Methods of using the formulations for reducing or eliminating allergenic Fel d 1 from the environment are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robot and/or an autonomous driverless transport system on the basis of a sensor-based identification of objects includes generating. Point pair features of the 2D surface contours on the basis of 2D surface contours of the objects to be identified. A point cloud of the environment is acquired using a distance sensor, a surface normal is estimated for each point, and corresponding point pair features of the environment are generated. In a voting method, environment features are compared with model features to efficiently generate pose hypotheses, which are subjected to an optimization and a consistency check in order to ultimately be accepted or rejected as an acquisition.

Abstract: A vehicle and a method for determining a calibration parameter of a vehicle, in particular, of a driverless transport vehicle. The vehicle includes a controller and first and second sensors. Structures proximate the vehicle are detected by the first and second sensors, and the controller determines whether the structures detected by the respective sensors at least partly match. A relative position of the first sensor with respect to the second sensor is calculated based on detected matching structures, and a calibration parameter is determined using the calculated relative position.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head includes dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) and a removable cover for covering a top of the agitators and allowing access to the agitators from a top of the surface cleaning head. The dual agitators may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The brush roll may be located in a brush roll chamber and at least partially in an opening to the suction conduit. The leading roller may be positioned adjacent to and in advance of the suction conduit opening such that the leading roller engages debris and moves the debris toward the brush roll and the opening. The leading roller may be removable from the housing and held in place by the removable cover. The cover may be coupled using isolated latching mechanisms.

Abstract: A vehicle combination and a method for forming and operating a vehicle combination that includes at least first and second autonomous vehicles. Each of the autonomous vehicles is configured to automatically control its motions in a state wherein the first and second autonomous vehicles do not form the vehicle combination. When the vehicle combination is formed, the two autonomous vehicles are connected via a communications connection and the first autonomous vehicle automatically controls the motion of the second autonomous vehicle via the communication connection.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a combing unit including a series of spaced protrusions or teeth extending into a cleaning roller for preventing build up and removing debris (such as hair, string, and the like). The protrusions extend along a substantial portion of the cleaning roller and extend partially into the cleaning roller to intercept the debris as it passes around the roller. The protrusions have angled leading edges that are not aligned with a rotation center of the cleaning roller and are directed into or against a direction of rotation of the cleaning roller. The combing unit and protrusions have a shape and configuration designed to facilitate debris removal from the cleaning roller with minimal impact on the operation of the cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head of an upright vacuum cleaner or sweeper or a robotic vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A conveyor chain includes a plurality of side link assemblies and flight arm assemblies coupled together to form an elongated chain. The flight arm assemblies include a pair of opposing flight arms positioned on either side of the chain with the flight arms each including an elongated body formed with and extending from an integral base and a vertical sprocket opening formed in the integral base. The vertical sprocket opening is configured for engaging a tooth of a drive sprocket to drive the flight arm. The side link assemblies include a pair of opposing side straps positioned on either side of the chain each including a base and a pair of side strap bosses extending outwardly from the base.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head with dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The rotating brush roll may be located in the suction conduit with the leading roller located in front of and spaced from the brush roll, forming an inter-roller air passageway therebetween. The leading roller may provide a softer cleaning element than the brush roll and may also have an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the brush roll. The surface cleaning head may also include debriding protrusions contacting the leading roller and/or a leading bumper that extends in front of the leading roller.

Abstract: A conveyor chain includes a plurality of side link assemblies and flight arm assemblies coupled together to form an elongated chain. The flight arm assemblies include a pair of opposing flight arms positioned on either side of the chain with the flight arms each including an elongated body formed with and extending from an integral base and a vertical sprocket opening formed in the integral base. The vertical sprocket opening is configured for engaging a tooth of a drive sprocket to drive the flight arm. The side link assemblies include a pair of opposing side straps positioned on either side of the chain each including a base and a pair of side strap bosses extending outwardly from the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated guided vehicle, a system having a computer and an automated guided vehicle, and a method for operating an automated guided vehicle. The automated guided vehicle is to travel along track sections automatically from a start point to an end point.

Abstract: A vehicle combination and a method for forming and operating a vehicle combination that includes at least first and second autonomous vehicles. Each of the autonomous vehicles is configured to automatically control its motions in a state wherein the first and second autonomous vehicles do not form the vehicle combination. When the vehicle combination is formed, the two autonomous vehicles are connected via a communications connection and the first autonomous vehicle automatically controls the motion of the second autonomous vehicle via the communication connection.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear for a motor vehicle may include a steering pinion, which is connected to a steering shaft and is engaged with a gear rack that is movably mounted in a housing, and may further include a pressure piece arranged in the housing in a pressure piece bore, and which may keep the gear rack engaged free from play with the steering pinion. A pressure piece for a rack and pinion steering gear may include an outer metallic casing inserted with a press fit into the pressure piece bore, at least one elastomer damping element, in particular an elastomer casing, arranged in the metallic casing, with a metallic pressure piece core enclosed by the at least one elastomer damping element.