Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state sodium-based secondary cell (or rechargeable battery). While the secondary cell can include any suitable component, in some cases, the secondary cell comprises a solid sodium metal negative electrode that is disposed in a non-aqueous negative electrolyte solution that includes an ionic liquid. Additionally, the cell comprises a positive electrode that is disposed in a positive electrolyte solution. In order to separate the negative electrode and the negative electrolyte solution from the positive electrolyte solution, the cell includes a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane. Because the cell's negative electrode is in a solid state as the cell functions, the cell may operate at room temperature. Additionally, where the negative electrolyte solution contains the ionic liquid, the ionic liquid may impede dendrite formation on the surface of the negative electrode as the cell is recharged and sodium ions are reduced onto the negative electrode.

Abstract: A sodium-sulfur battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an anode containing sodium and a cathode comprising elemental sulfur. The cathode may include at least one solvent selected to at least partially dissolve the elemental sulfur and Na2Sx. A substantially non-porous sodium-ion-conductive membrane is provided between the anode and the cathode to keep sulfur or other reactive species from migrating therebetween. In certain embodiments, the sodium-sulfur battery may include a separator between the anode and the non-porous sodium-ion-conductive membrane. This separator may prevent the sodium in the anode from reacting with the non-porous sodium-ion-conductive membrane. In certain embodiments, the separator is a porous separator infiltrated with a sodium-ion-conductive electrolyte.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an anode containing lithium and a cathode comprising elemental sulfur. The cathode may include at least one solvent selected to at least partially dissolve the elemental sulfur and Li2Sx. A substantially non-porous lithium-ion-conductive membrane is provided between the anode and the cathode to keep sulfur or other reactive species from migrating therebetween. In certain embodiments, the lithium-sulfur battery may include a separator between the anode and the non-porous lithium-ion-conductive membrane. This separator may prevent the lithium in the anode from reacting with the non-porous lithium-ion-conductive membrane. In certain embodiments, the separator is a porous separator infiltrated with a lithium-ion-conductive electrolyte.

Abstract: A metal-air battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a cathode to reduce oxygen molecules and an alkali-metal-containing anode to oxidize the alkali metal (e.g., Li, Na, and K) contained therein to produce alkali-metal ions. An aqueous catholyte is placed in ionic communication with the cathode to store reaction products generated by reacting the alkali-metal ions with the oxygen containing anions. These reaction products are stored as solutes dissolved in the aqueous catholyte. An ion-selective membrane is interposed between the alkali-metal containing anode and the aqueous catholyte. The ion-selective membrane is designed to be conductive to the alkali-metal ions while being impermeable to the aqueous catholyte.

Abstract: A reflective law enforcement vehicle decoy comprises an image of a law enforcement vehicles reflective areas (FIG. 2), such as pursuit lights (12ab), headlights (14ab), decals (18,) numbering area (24), spot light (16) and license plate (20) traced onto a suitable non-reflective surface and separated into groups (FIG. 4), covered with reflective material in various patterns (34,36,38,40), consistent to colors associated with a particular law enforcement agencies marking and coloring schemes, and attached to a suitable mounting platform (42) for placement along a roadway to allow passing motorist headlights to illuminate the decoy, thereby creating the illusion of a law enforcement vehicle (10), causing motorist to reduce speed in targeted areas.

Abstract: A windshield cleaning apparatus for clearing insect splatters and similar debris from a windshield having a single elongate wiping blade (16) near one extreme lengthwise edge, a elongate series of imbricate wiping blades near the opposite extreme lengthwise edge (20ah), and a elongate cleaning element (18) disposed in the center that allows cleaning fluids dispersed (48) on the windshield by the vehicles existing fluid dispensing system to be channeled (42) into the cleaning elements and blocked by the single wiping blade in a specific direction of travel (FIG. 7), and in the opposite direction of travel (FIG. 8) the series of imbricate wiping blades back side area (46) deflect dirty cleaning fluids out of the apparatus (50) aided by aid from a series of air channel openings (22ag).

Abstract: A winding apparatus has a rotary element, such as a core, that is rotatable about a winding axis. A roller is disposed adjoining the rotary element. The roller and rotary element together define a nip. A guide shoe has a chute wall and a plenum. The chute wall is aligned with the nip. The chute wall has an inner end disposed between the roller and the rotary element and an outer end spaced from the roller. The chute wall has a plurality of bores communicating with the plenum. In use, gas blown through the bores propels a web to the nip in a fluid film. The free end of the web is guided from an outfeed end of the nip in a loop to a second position adjoining the inner end of the guide shoe. During the guiding, the rotary element is rotated against the loop. This continues until the web overlaps and is cinched.

Abstract: A winding apparatus has a rotary element, such as a core, that is rotatable about a winding axis. A roller is disposed adjoining the rotary element. The roller and rotary element together define a nip. A guide shoe has a chute wall and a plenum. The chute wall is aligned with the nip. The chute wall has an inner end disposed between the roller and the rotary element and an outer end spaced from the roller. The chute wall has a plurality of bores communicating with the plenum. In use, gas blown through the bores propels a web to the nip in a fluid film. The free end of the web is guided from an outfeed end of the nip in a loop to a second position adjoining the inner end of the guide shoe. During the guiding, the rotary element is rotated against the loop. This continues until the web overlaps and is cinched.

Abstract: A registration mechanism has a datum unit and a bolster movable toward and away from the datum unit. First, second, and third pins are mounted to the bolster. At least one spring resiliently biases the pins outward from the bolster. A pallet is supported by the pins between the bolster and datum unit. The pallet has first, second, and third sockets aligned with respective pins. The pallet has a registering face-facing the datum unit. The registering face is disposed opposite the sockets. The pallet is movable by the bolster toward the datum unit from a lowered position. In the lowered position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit and respective pins and sockets are spaced apart. In a first intermediate position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit, and the sockets rest freely on respective pins. In a second intermediate position, respective sockets and pins are pressed together in partial counteraction of the resilient biasing.

Abstract: In a film camera production method, a leading portion of a filmstrip is draped across a midsection of a camera frame. The camera frame has a film roll chamber joined to the midsection. A free end of the leading portion is lodged in the film roll chamber and a retention zone of the filmstrip is placed in engagement with a retention structure mounted to the frame. The retention zone adjoins the free end. The retention structure is fixed in position on the frame. The engagement of the retention zone and retention structure locks the leading portion against longitudinal travel toward the film roll chamber. The frame is transported and, during the transporting, the engagement of the retention zone and retention structure is maintained. Following the transporting, the retention zone is pulled off the retention structure.

Abstract: In a camera frame assembly, a frame includes a film return chamber, a film roll chamber spaced apart from the film return chamber, and a midsection extending between the chambers. The midsection has a pair of film guide surfaces that define a film path between the chambers. A holdfast is joined in fixed relation to the midsection adjacent the film roll chamber. The holdfast extends outward from the midsection toward the film path. The holdfast is fully outside the film path. A film unit has a film holder and a filmstrip. The film holder is seated in the film return chamber. The filmstrip has a leading portion having a free end and a grip adjoining the free end. The filmstrip has a main portion adjoining the leading portion. The filmstrip is movable between a first position in which the grip engages the holdfast and a second position in which the main portion occupies the film path and extends from one of the chambers to the other.

Abstract: In a camera frame assembly, a frame includes a film return chamber, a film roll chamber spaced apart from the film return chamber, and a midsection extending between the chambers. The midsection has a pair of film guide surfaces that define a film path between the chambers. A holdfast is joined in fixed relation to the midsection adjacent the film roll chamber. The holdfast extends outward from the midsection toward the film path. The holdfast is fully outside the film path. A film unit has a film holder and a filmstrip. The film holder is seated in the film return chamber. The filmstrip has a leading portion having a free end and a grip adjoining the free end. The filmstrip has a main portion adjoining the leading portion. The filmstrip is movable between a first position in which the grip engages the holdfast and a second position in which the main portion occupies the film path and extends from one of the chambers to the other.

Abstract: A partially assembled one-time-use camera includes a film section that longitudinally extends from a rotatable film winding spool in a film cartridge and that is engaged with a rotatable metering sprocket, and a separate rear cover part that is to be placed over the film section and the film cartridge and is constructed to prevent the film section from retracting out of engagement with the metering sprocket. The film winding spool is rotatable in a film winding direction to wind the film section into the film cartridge. If the film cartridge is allowed to rotate in the film winding direction before the rear cover is placed over the film section and the film cartridge, the film section will retract out of engagement with the metering sprocket. Consequently, a cartridge retention piece is positioned against the film cartridge to prevent the film cartridge from being rotated in the film winding direction.

Abstract: A partially assembled one-time-use camera includes a film section that longitudinally extends from a rotatable film winding spool in a film cartridge and that is engaged with a rotatable metering sprocket, and a separate rear cover part that is to be placed over the film section and the film cartridge and is constructed to prevent the film section from retracting out of engagement with the metering sprocket. The film winding spool is rotatable in a film winding direction to wind the film section into the film cartridge. If the film cartridge is allowed to rotate in the film winding direction before the rear cover is placed over the film section and the film cartridge, the film section will retract out of engagement with the metering sprocket. Consequently, a cartridge retention piece is positioned against the film cartridge to prevent the film cartridge from being rotated in the film winding direction.

Abstract: In a production method and system, a set of camera frame assemblies are partially assembled and a film unit is loaded. Each camera frame assembly is disposed on a pallet. Each pallet has a unique machine-readable designator. Defects are found in one or more members of the set of camera frame assemblies and a record is made of the respective designators of the pallets bearing the camera frame assemblies having defects. Assembly of the camera frame assemblies is then concluded. Afterward, camera frame assemblies on pallets having designators in the record of defects are culled. The assembly has the pallets, a transporter, a plurality of assembly devices, a series of defect inspectors, and an alteration unit that prepares for culling film rolls of camera frame assemblies having defects. The alteration unit transmits camera frame assemblies that are free of the defects without the preparing.

Abstract: A registration mechanism has a datum unit and a bolster movable toward and away from the datum unit. First, second, and third pins are mounted to the bolster. At least one spring resiliently biases the pins outward from the bolster. A pallet is supported by the pins between the bolster and datum unit. The pallet has first, second, and third sockets aligned with respective pins. The pallet has a registering face facing the datum unit. The registering face is disposed opposite the sockets. The pallet is movable by the bolster toward the datum unit from a lowered position. In the lowered position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit and respective pins and sockets are spaced apart. In a first intermediate position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit, and the sockets rest freely on respective pins. In a second intermediate position, respective sockets and pins are pressed together in partial counteraction of the resilient biasing.

Abstract: A registration mechanism has a datum unit and a bolster movable toward and away from the datum unit. First, second, and third pins are mounted to the bolster. At least one spring resiliently biases the pins outward from the bolster. A pallet is supported by the pins between the bolster and datum unit. The pallet has first, second, and third sockets aligned with respective pins. The pallet has a registering face-facing the datum unit. The registering face is disposed opposite the sockets. The pallet is movable by the bolster toward the datum unit from a lowered position. In the lowered position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit and respective pins and sockets are spaced apart. In a first intermediate position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit, and the sockets rest freely on respective pins. In a second intermediate position, respective sockets and pins are pressed together in partial counteraction of the resilient biasing.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus has a table having a sequence of datum units. A transporter is aligned with the table. The transporter is incrementally advanceable past each datum unit. The transporter can carry pallets. A rigid bolster, that moves separately from the transporter, is aligned with the transporter and table. The bolster is movable relative to the table between a lowered position and a raised position to the lift and lower the pallets. The bolster is synchronized with the transporter so that the pallets can be lifted and lowered in each of a sequence of stations. A plurality of locating units are joined to the bolster. Each locating unit is aligned with a respective datum unit. The bolster lifts the pallets on the locating units and clamps the pallets against the respective datum units. A manufacturing system includes the transfer apparatus, pallets, a series of manufacturing stations, and a conveying system for moving the pallets through the manufacturing stations and transfer apparatus.

Abstract: A new and improved repair kit for vertical blind slat connection points for repairing broken or torn vertical blind slat mounting holes comprising a pliable member that is placed on a torn or broken vertical blind slat, that is self-adjusting to compensate for various thicknesses and supports the weight of a blind slat by a fastener placed through a hole in a vertical blind slat and pliable member whereby the vertical blind slat may be reattached to the blind set thereby restoring its original functionality.

Abstract: A manufactured article comprising a upper lid attachment piece (50), protruding member (12), housing unit (22), forward assist springs (40), slide-bolt (18) and handle (20) which is disposed on a toilet bowl, toilet lid and hinge connection points utilizing existing holes and fasteners whereby the user pulls a handle to the rear then lifts the toilet lid to gain access and closes the lid to automatically engage the system, thereby denying access of small children into the toilet bowl.