Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflator (14) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (12). A retainer (40) is connected with the protection device (12). One of the inflator (14) and the retainer (40) is movable between a first condition blocking venting of inflation fluid from the apparatus (10) and a second condition venting inflation fluid from the apparatus. The apparatus (10) includes an electrically energizable mechanism (80) to release the one of the inflator (14) and the retainer (40) for movement from the first condition to the second condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (10) comprises flexible material defining an inflation fluid volume (42) for receiving inflation fluid. The material includes a first panel portion (30) on which is located a set of first points (A-D) and a second panel portion (40) on which is located a set of second points (A′-D′). A rupturable stitching section (50) holds the set of first points (A-D) closely adjacent the set of second points (A′-D′) when the device (10) is in the deflated condition and when the device is in a partially inflated condition. The rupturable stitching section (50) is rupturable in response to the application of a force greater than a predetermined force in response to inflation of the protection device (10). Rupturing of the stitching section (50) enables movement of the first panel portion (30) away from the second panel portion (40), thereby enabling movement of the device (10) from the partially inflated condition to a fully inflated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in a vehicle comprises an air bag module (30) including an inflatable air bag (50) and an opening (42) through which the air bag deploys when inflated. A deployment door (60) covers the opening (42). The deployment door (60) includes a first edge (90) and a hinge area (100) extending parallel to the first edge. The hinge area (100) has an attachment portion (102) connected to the vehicle and a hinge portion (104) at which the deployment door (60) pivots to allow the air bag (50) to deploy. The hinge portion (104) has oppositely disposed first and second ends (114 and 116). The deployment door (60) has a second edge (92) disposed opposite the first edge (90). The second edge (92) includes a central portion (126). The deployment door (60) further includes first and second areas (122 and 124) of reduced stiffness.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a jerky-type pet treat using 70% meat content. The turkey meat is mixed with turkey liver in a ratio of 2.5 to 1.0 by weight. The meat mix is ground and treated with an anti-oxidant. This mix is then emulsified. Potato starch, dry molasses, salt and potassium sorbate are mixed to form a dry mix. The meat mix and the dry mix are fed independently into a extruder at independent rates. The meat mix and the dry mix are mixed together inside the extruder forming a complete mix. The complete mix is cooked within the extruder by using mechanical energy and steam injection forming an extrudate. The extrudate is forced through a slit-shaped die onto a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt carries the complete mix through a dryer to dry the complete mix forming the finished product.

Abstract: An occupant safety apparatus (10) is for mounting on an instrument panel (20) of a vehicle (12) which extends generally rearward in the vehicle from the vehicle windshield (22) and which defines a deployment opening (60). The safety apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (44) having an uninflated condition and an inflated condition. The safety apparatus (10) also comprises an inflator (46) for, when actuated, inflating the protection device (44). A door (70) covers substantially the entire deployment opening (60). The door (70) has a first edge portion (72) disposed closer to the vehicle windshield (22) and a second edge portion (74) disposed farther from the vehicle windshield. A hinge (76) is connected to the second edge portion (74) of the door adjacent the instrument panel (20).

Abstract: An airbag assembly (10) includes a reaction device (15), an inflator (20), and an airbag (25). The reaction device (15) includes a first housing member (27) and a second housing member (28). In the completed airbag assembly, the housing members (27) and (28) form a receptacle with a cavity (29) and a deployment opening (30). The housing members (27) and (28) are configured to capture and orient the inflator (20) and/or the airbag (25) in the cavity (29) of the reaction device (15) as the housing members are being coupled together.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (14) has a folded condition which causes the restraint (14) to move in a sideways direction when the restraint (14) is unfolded and inflated by inflation fluid entering the restraint (14) through an inlet opening (48). The folded condition of the restraint (14) has a cross-sectional configuration extending across the inlet opening (48). The cross-sectional configuration is defined by pleats (60) having closed outer ends (66) and open inner ends (68) for receiving inflation fluid from the inlet opening (48). All of the pleats (60) extend inward across the cross-sectional configuration from their closed outer ends (66) to their open inner ends (68) in a single, common sideways direction.

Abstract: A forced air defrost tunnel apparatus and method are provided for accomplishing carefully controlled defrosting of large quantities of bulk frozen food, such as pork, beef, lamb, chicken and turkey in whole muscle form, as well as bacon bellies and fish. The principle support for and shape of the defrost tunnel is provided by a stack or train of stacks of frozen proteinaceous food boxes or bundles that alternate with support spacer racks. An air containment device, preferably consisting primarily of a tarp, is closely secured over the stack or train of stacks. A supply of high pressure air at a temperature greater than that of the frozen food is forced through the defrost tunnel and flows through passageways within the support spacer racks.

Abstract: An inflatable air bag for restraining an occupant of a vehicle has a deflated, folded condition and an inflated, unfolded condition. When in the folded condition, the air bag has a plurality of folded portions disposed in a stack adjacent to an inflator assembly. A first folded portion is disposed in an outer portion of the stack furthest from the inflator assembly and closest to the occupant. As the air bag inflates, the first folded portion pivots and moves sideways as it moves outwardly from the stack to contact the vehicle occupant. The first folded portion directs the vehicle occupant off to one side of the inflating air bag, and the remainder of the air bag inflates off to the side of the vehicle occupant. As a result, the vehicle occupant does not receive the full force of the inflating air bag.

Abstract: A deflector is incorporated in a passenger-side air bag assembly which is adapted to be mounted in either the upper portion of a dashboard or the middle portion of a dashboard. The vehicle air bag assembly includes a container, a folded air bag disposed in the container, and an inflator disposed at least partially in the container. Prior to the deployment of the air bag assembly, the deflector is also disposed within the container. The inflator is adapted to discharge a gas flow which forces the air bag and the deflector through a portion of the container to form a deployment opening and which flows within the air bag through the deployment opening to inflate the air bag. The air bag is designed to be inflated to a predetermined geometric form for restraining a vehicle occupant who is pitched forward during a vehicle collision.

Abstract: The present invention provides an end of arm tooling device (EOAT) for a robotic arm. The present invention may be adjusted to modify the gripping force exerted by the EOAT without a change of force by the actuator. The present invention also provides an EOAT which can be adjusted to handle workpieces of various dimensions and shapes.