Abstract: An apparatus for automatically feeding one edge of a textile article to a sewing machine. The apparatus includes a first gripper adjacent to the sewing machine for gripping the leading portion of the edge of the textile article. A feed dog is adjacent to the first gripper for advancing the edge of the textile article with respect to the sewing machine. A second gripper grips the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article. A positioner supporting the second gripper means moves the second gripper with respect to the feed means. Finally, a programmable controller controls the movement of the positioner to advance the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article in response to the movement of the leading portion of the edge of the textile article.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically feeding one edge of a textile article to a sewing machine. The apparatus includes a first gripper adjacent to the sewing machine for gripping the leading portion of the edge of the textile article. A feed dog is adjacent to the first gripper for advancing the edge of the textile article with respect to the sewing machine. A second gripper grips the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article. A positioner supporting the second gripper means moves the second gripper with respect to the feed means. Finally, a programmable controller controls the movement of the positioner to advance the trailing portion of the edge of the textile article in response to the movement of the leading portion of the edge of the textile article.

Abstract: An architecture, arrangement, or construction for battery systems such as monopolar and bipolar batteries is disclosed. The battery system includes a stack of bipolar or monopolar modules having current collectors extending from opposite sides of the battery system. The current collectors are located in cooling channels. The cooling channel is surrounded by an insulating material. The cooling channel contains a fluid which may be air, water, forced air, Freon.RTM. or any other media useful in heating and cooling applications. The battery may be vented or a heat exchanger may be provided in communication with the cooling channels. The thermal management system is particularly useful in applications such as electric vehicles. Heat may be provided through the cooling channels in order to raise the temperature inside the battery system.

Abstract: An electric storage battery according to the invention has a porous explosion attenuating material disposed within a head space of the battery case over the electrode elements. The attenuating material forms a layer or lining on the inner surface of the top wall of the case, and preferably also on the inner surface of the upper ends of each side wall between the electrode elements and the top wall. The interior of the head space remains open. Such an explosion attenuating material is effective to limit pressure build-up resulting from ignition of said gases within the case.

Abstract: An electric socket outlet is provided with an outer shutter (20) mounted slidably on the socket fascia (11) and movable between a closed position in which it covers and hides from view the openings (16-18) in the fascia through which the plug pins enter, and an open position in which the openings are uncovered. The shutter is received in a recess (14) in the fascia so that its front surface is flush with that of the fascia, and is biased to the closed position by a spring (25). A switch may be included and an interlock device provided to prevent the switch being turned on when there is no plug inserted in the socket and to ensure the switch is turned off when a plug is removed from the socket.

Abstract: An electric socket outlet is provided with an outer shutter (20) mounted slidably on the socket fascia (11) and movable between a closed position in which it covers and hides from view the openings (16-18) in the fascia through which the plug pins enter, and an open position in which the openings are uncovered. The shutter is received in a recess (14) in the fascia so that its front surface is flush with that of the fasica, and is biased to the closed position by a spring (25). A switch may be included and an interlock device provided to prevent the switch being turned on when there is no plug inserted in the socket and to ensure the switch is turned off when a plug is removed from the socket.

Abstract: A damper assembly for sealing a vertical fireplace exhaust including a vertical duct having an outlet communicating with the atmosphere for exhaust of fireplace fumes, mounting means mounted on said vertical duct outlet, a damper downstream of said vertical duct outlet operative to block and open said vertical duct outlet and means to open and close said damper. Easily added improvements include a spark screen assembly downstream of said damper and communicating with said vertical duct outlet, electrical actuation of said damper, automatic control of said actuation by temperature and/or smoke detection means, a fan to provide draft assist, and/or a wind protection hood to provide a better draft.

Abstract: A door closer of the kind having a piston slidably mounted in a bore containing hydraulic fluid and dividing that bore into damping and reservoir chambers. Drive means is connected to the piston to respond to sliding movement of the piston and translate that into rotary motion for driving door connected linkage. The piston is spring influenced in a direction towards the damping chamber, and fluid pressurized by the piston tending to move in that direction bleeds from the damping chamber through an escape port which is controlled by a biased and movable closure member. Normally the closure member is biased into a rest position in which it blocks passage of fluid through the escape port, but it responds to fluid pressure in the damping chamber to move into an open position at which fluid can bleed through the escape port.

Abstract: Dentifrices containing an abrasive cleaning agent and a lustre agent impart an enhanced lustre to the teeth through the use as lustre agent of pyrogenic alumina.

Abstract: Dentifrices containing an abrasive cleaning agent and a luster agent impart an enhanced luster to the teeth through the use as luster agent of fumed silica obtained by vaporizing and recondensing silica.