Abstract: A method for the treatment of covering materials for use with a vehicle component, in particular for pieces of trim or vehicle seats, whereby the moisture content of the covering material is temporarily increased, such that the covering material is softened in a treatment chamber by the introduction of moisture and then smoothed by the action of a drawing force extending the covering material is disclosed. A vehicle component treated by the above method, in particular seats, roof linings, and trim pieces for motor vehicles is further disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to covers for seats used in transport vehicles, especially motor vehicles. The covers of the seats are automatically finished as the manufactured seats are transported by a conveyor through at least one treating chamber of a tunnel finisher. All of the seats are treated in the treating chamber at least with steam which smoothes the covers thereof. The inventive finishing treatment results in an even smoothness of said covers, even in areas which are difficult to reach manually.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of covering materials for use with a vehicle component, in particular for pieces of trim or vehicle seats, whereby the moisture content of the covering material is temporarily increased, such that the covering material is softened in a treatment chamber by the introduction of moisture and then smoothed by the action of a drawing force extending the covering material is disclosed. A vehicle component treated by the above method, in particular seats, roof linings, and trim pieces for motor vehicles is further disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to covers (11) for seats (10) used in transport vehicles, especially motor vehicles. Said covers (11) are manually finished whereby they are smoothed at least steam with the aid of steam. Said manual finishing treatment is not only expensive but also leads to much fluctuation in terms of quality. According to the invention, the covers (11) of the seats (10) are automatically finished as the manufactured seats (10) are transported by a conveyor (14) through at least one treating chamber (116, 17) of a tunnel finisher. All of the seats (10) are treated in the treating chamber (16, 17) at least with steam which smoothes the covers (11) thereof. The inventive finishing treatment results in an even smoothness of said covers (11), even in areas which are difficult to reach manually.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide an apparatus and method for intersecting a light beam and a focal point of a detector at an object of interest. In one preferred embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising a first support element and a first member carrying a light source and a detector. The first member is pivotable between first and second positions, and when the first member is in the first position, a light beam generated by the light source and a focal point of the detector intersect at an object of interest carried by the first support element. When the first member is in the second position, the light beam and the focal point of the detector intersect at an object of interest carried by a second support element disposed on the first support element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the real time determination and application of optimum amounts of nitrogen fertilizer to corn and other arable crops such as cotton, sugar beats, wheat, etc. by the use of rapid, non-destructive sensors and various fertilizer application methods. In a first embodiment, optical reflectance measurements of the crop canopy and a reference strip at the fertilizer response plateau are taken by sensors carried by a center pivot irrigation system. A sensor controller receives, stores and analyzes the sensor data as well as position data received from a center pivot controller. The sensor controller then sends commands to the center pivot controller to order fertilizer application, as necessary, through the irrigation system. A second embodiment of the invention utilizes a tractor drawn fertilizer applicator with the sensors mounted on the application booms.