Abstract: A razor blade including: a substrate having a tip portion including a tip region, a blade body including a base, and first and second outer sides disposed opposite a split line of the substrate, in which the first and second outer sides converge at a tip, the first outer side comprises a first coating disposed substantially thereon and extending from the tip region toward the base, and a first portion of the second outer side is substantially free of any coating, the first portion extending from the tip region toward the base or being spaced apart from the tip region and the base. Also provided is a method of coating the razor blade.

Abstract: A modular pan and tilt system includes a combination of inline and/or right angle rotational platforms. The platforms each include a housing having a cross-section of uniform dimensions extending from a first end toward a second end and a drive motor mounted within the housing having an output shaft parallel to a long axis of the housing. A mounting plate is driven at an axis of rotation by the output shaft and has at least one attachment fixture for securing the mounting plate to equipment for positioning or a mounting surface. The right angle platform includes a right angle drive gear train attached to the output shaft. A clamping block has two pair of parallel mounting holes mounted at right angles to each other. The mounting holes are sized and shaped to fit slidably about the housings. A securing fixture holds the housings in any two of the mounting holes.

Abstract: A modular pan and tilt system includes a combination of inline and/or right angle rotational platforms. The platforms each include a housing having a cross-section of uniform dimensions extending from a first end toward a second end and a drive motor mounted within the housing having an output shaft parallel to a long axis of the housing. A mounting plate is driven at an axis of rotation by the output shaft and has at least one attachment fixture for securing the mounting plate to equipment for positioning or a mounting surface. The right angle platform includes a right angle drive gear train attached to the output shaft. A clamping block has two pair of parallel mounting holes mounted at right angles to each other. The mounting holes are sized and shaped to fit slidably about the housings. A securing fixture holds the housings in any two of the mounting holes.

Abstract: A lawnmower consisting essentially of a rotary cutting apparatus comprising a plurality of small blades and a grass guide for bending and constraining the grass for ease of cutting. The grass guide is mounted substantially parallel to the drive shafts which extend beyond the rear-most end of the grass guide and to which cutting blades are affixed. As the mower is propelled forward, the grass guide bends the grass forward and constrains movement of the grass such that only a section of the outer radii of the blades contact the grass, optimizing cutting efficiency. The blades may be individually driven by one or more small electric motors powered by a rechargeable battery or batteries or other sources. The grass guide is situated at an angle adjustably tilted between 1 and 90 degrees in the longitudinal direction from vertical in order to limit the cutting area of the blades and power requirements.

Abstract: Modular die or mold assemblies comprise a platform, and at least one die or mold unit which is releaseably connected to the platform. The invention permits rapid changing of molds or dies, especially in the manufacture of detergent bars, such as soap bars. Surface ornamentation such as logos can be imparted to the detergent bars either directly from the stamping surface of the dies, from the stamping surface of the dies through an elastomeric lining, or from the surface of the elastomeric lining; in the latter case the indicia is imparted by a mold used to prepare the lining. The modular molds may be used where it is desired to coat the dies with elastomer, particularly where logos are imparted to the elastomeric layer, and where it may be desirable to change the logos, e.g., by changing the modular mold units.

Abstract: A device for stamping a detergent bar, i.e. a bar comprising soap, a synthetic detergent active or a mixture thereof, includes a die. The die has at least one bar stamping surface provided with at least one elastomeric coating which includes a conductive filler such as stainless steel powder. Good release of the detergent bars from the die is possible particularly when the dies are chilled. Use of the conductive filler facilitates chilling of the dies.

Abstract: A device for stamping a detergent bar, i.e. a bar comprising soap, a synthetic detergent active or a mixture thereof, includes a die. The die has at least one bar stamping surface provided with at least one elastomeric coating which includes a conductive filler such as stainless steel powder. Good release of the detergent bars from the die is possible particularly when the dies are chilled. Use of the conductive filler facilitates chilling of the dies.

Abstract: A device for stamping a detergent bar, i.e. a bar comprising soap, a synthetic detergent active or a mixture thereof, includes a die. The die has at least one bar stamping surface provided with at least one elastomeric coating and includes an edge for delaying tearing of the elastomeric coating. Good release of the detergent bars from the die is possible without chilling of the dies. Use of the edge increases the useful life of the coating.

Abstract: A device for stamping a detergent bar, i.e. a bar comprising soap, a synthetic detergent active or a mixture thereof, includes a die half and a release fluid reservoir. The die is porous so that at least one bar stamping surface has pores through which a release fluid may be to facilitate clean release of the detergent bar cleanly after stamping. Good release of the detergent bars from the die is expected without or with reduced chilling of the dies.

Abstract: A spacing device for spreading stamped material, especially soap bars, during transfer from a stamping process to a packaging process comprises a train of at least a first and last coupled carriages mounted for movement along an axis and coupled together to allow spacing therebetween upon movement of one of the carriages. A single driving mechanism is provided to move the first carriage along the axis. An actuating mechanism, such as a rack and pinion or a crank lever, is operably connected to the first carriage such that when the driving mechanism moves the first carriage along the axis, the actuating mechanism moves the last carriage along the axis in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the first carriage, thereby spacing the train of carriages apart.

Abstract: An electrographic printer with a printing unit that comprises a photoconductor provided with a toner image during the printing process and which further comprises a corona device arranged at a distance from the photoconductor that generates an electrical field during the printing process for transferring the toner image onto an endless carrier material is provided. The printer, in a first operating mode, can print a first web section of the endless carrier material conducted along a transport path and, in a second operating mode, can simultaneously print a second web section conducted along a parallel transport path and arranged next to the first web section at a distance therefrom. The length of the electrical field generated by the corona device is adjustable according to whether a first web section or a first and second web section is transported along the transport path.

Abstract: A draw-in gripper assembly for drawing warp threads into weaving components including holding means mounted above one another for holding a plurality of warp threads, fed off of a beam, in place, each individual warp thread forming a loop outside of the clamping point of the upper holding means and being held in position by the lower holding means, draw-in gripper means mounted above the lower holding means, slider head means in the gripper means adapted to clamp a warp thread and pull it from the lower holding means during a draw-in stroke of the gripper means, the warp thread, held in a loop in the upper holding means, being released after a short delay, and, due to the length of thread so released, the warp thread is pulled through eye means of a weaving component, and means for releasing the warp thread from the gripper means at the end of the draw-in stroke.