Abstract: A container processing apparatus comprises a rotor, and a rotor support that is mechanically coupled to the rotor. The rotor comprises at least one container processing station. The rotor support is configured to facilitate rotation of the rotor around the rotor support. The container processing station is configured to releasably capture a container, to exert, via the rotation, centripetal force on the container, and to move material (liquid, granular, shredded, particulate or paste-like material) within the container via the centripetal force.

Abstract: A tubular spacer core (50) may be used to manufacture an insulated glass assembly. The core is hollow and has a plurality of bending zones along its length. Each bending zone includes a plurality of circumferential ribs (53). Each rib has sides (57, 59) of unequal length. The ribs reenter and overlap their adjacent ribs when the core is bent along the longitudinal axis of the core. The ribs (53) lock in place to form a sharp corner at the inner edge (52), at the bend. The ribs (53) unfold and expand at the outer edge (54), at the location of the bend. The core (50) may also include a layer of desiccant and a vapor barrier. Adhesive is used to secure the appropriately shaped core between a pair of opposing glass plates, to manufacture an insulated glass assembly.

Abstract: A multi-position binding system for snowboards having at least two preset positions, including a first position where the user is able to control the snowboard under conventional use, and a second position where the user is able to rotate the binding systems to extend a guide blade through a slot from a recessed position within the core of the board. The blade when in use projects from the bottom surface of a snowboard to provide guide means to aid the user in controlling the direction of the snowboard during forward movement.

Abstract: An insulating spacer for use in glazing assemblies comprises a linear array of insulating chambers of linked cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape. The spacer core may be formed from a semi-rigid material such as hollow blow moulded PVC or vinyl. A vapour barrier and desiccant matrix may be bonded to the interior face of the spacer core. As well, sealant material may cover at least partly the substrate engaging surfaces and/or the outside face of the spacer, to form a composite insulating spacer. The resulting spacer is energy efficient and relatively easy to manufacture and apply. An insulating glass assembly which incorporates such a spacer, is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-position binding system for snowboards having at least two preset positions, including a first position where the user is able to control the snowboard under conventional use, and a second position where the user is able to rotate the binding systems to extend a guide blade through a slot from a recessed position within the core of the board. The blade when in use projects from the bottom surface of a snowboard to provide guide means to aid the user in controlling the direction of the snowboard during forward movement.

Abstract: A caulking cartridge dispensing assembly includes a rigid frame having a cartridge holder with a slotted opening axially of the holder. Contained within the rigid frame is an electrically operated drive member which extends lengthwise of the frame aligned with the slotted opening of the cartridge holder. Also provided are a plunger and a drive member transfer member which fits through the slotted opening between the drive member and the plunger. The drive member transfer member is adjustable between a drive member engaged condition and a drive member released condition. The plunger is connected with the drive member and moveable along the frame by the drive member when the drive member transfer member is in the engaged condition and the plunger is slideable relative to both the drive member and the rigid frame when the drive transfer member is in the released condition.

Abstract: A modified snowboard includes a multi-position binding system having at least two preset positions, including a first position where the user is able to control the snowboard under conventional use, and a second position where the user is able to rotate the binding systems to extend a guide blade through a slot from a recessed position within the core of the board. The blade when in use projects from the bottom surface to provide guide means to aid the user in controlling the direction of the snowboard during forward movement. A retractable guide blade for snowboards is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a strip applying tool for applying strip material to substrates. The tool includes at least one cutting blade to slit cut the strip material from its exterior surface into its body to thereby facilitate the formation fo a corner while maintaining the strip in a continuous uninterrupted length. The tool further provides a channel extending therein to receive strip material which provides a guide surface to permit the application of the strip to the substrate while maintaining a lower surface of the tool above the substrate to prevent moving or scratching of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an adhesive spacer material to a substrate such as a glass lite for the manufacture of insulated windows includes an infeed and an outfeed conveyor for advancing a glass lite, and a transverse beam on which is mounted a first travelling applicator head and a second stationary applicator head. A first and second feed reel are provided to supply spacer material to their respective applicator heads. The stationary applicator head is adapted to apply a length of spacer material in a straight pattern simultaneously with the travelling head as the substrate is advanced by the conveyor. The travelling applicator head applies spacer material to three sides of the substrate cutting notches or slits and rotating 90° at the corners. The stationary applicator head applies spacer to the fourth side. Cooperating pairs of grippers form accurate folds in the spacer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to seal a spacer between a pair of substrates within an IG assembly having a pair of spaced apart substrates and a bondable spacer therebetween, having support means for supporting an IG assembly to be treated and zonal energy applying means to locally apply energy to selected zones of the IG assembly where said spacer is located without providing direct energy to the balance of the IG assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite insulated glass assembly, comprising a pair of spaced substrates with a flexible and resilient polymeric spacing member between the substrates, at the periphery thereof. At joints in the spacer, or at corners, where small incisions may be made for ease in forming corners, and such similar discontinuities, sealing material is positioned, bonded in the space to fill any gap or opening and restore any reduction in thermal or other value of the spacer at these positions. The spacer is conveniently positioned adjacent the periphery of the assembly and is substantially free of sealing material except at the corners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for injecting sealant material into the corners of an insulated glass assembly suitable for use in manual and automated production. It has been found that significant saving in both time and material can be achieved by only sealing the corners of the assembly, particularly using the automated method and apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of wiper blocks each having a surface for abutting an edge of a glass assembly arranged in substantially perpendicular configuration to each other, adapted for converging and diverging reciprocal movement from an adjoining position for molding a square corner to a separated position for wiping smooth the surface for the injected sealant material. A nozzle is positioned between the wiper blocks for injecting sealant material into the corner area and retracting in concert with the converging movement of the wiper blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying adhesive spacer to a glass pane to produce an insulated glass window including a first applicator head for applying the spacer; a supporter for supporting the head a distance from the pane, an advancer for advancing the pane relative to the head; a feeder for feeding the spacer at a controllable speed to the head; and an applicator channel for guiding and positioning the spacer on the pane. The channel includes a cooperative pair of driven belts for positioning the spacer at a rate corresponding to the controllable speed where the belts are arranged in upstanding relation to the pane for compressing the spacer therebetween to from an application channel to position the spacer on the pane while the spacer is between the belts. The is also provided a driver for driving the belts and a pressure belt for pressing on the spacer to provide sealing contact between the spacer and the pane.

Abstract: There is disclosed a soft and compliant spacer body wherein the body is provided with modified substrate engaging surfaces to accommodate transverse dimensional changes when the spacer is bent about a corner or otherwise flexed in an insulated assembly. In one embodiment, the corners are cut to reduce the thickness of the strip as the same is bent or flexed about a corner. Other embodiments are disclosed. The advantage is that when the transverse dimension is maintained relatively constant about the bent corner, the result is a more effective seal between the substrate engaging surfaces and the substrates. This is augmented by the use of cellular materials and selected sealants to provide multiple sealing surfaces in a high efficiency spacer body.

Abstract: An insulating spacer for use in glazing assemblies is provided. The spacer comprises a foamed insulating body and further includes a second sealant material. The insulating body partially contacts the substrates as does the sealant to provide a double seal when used in a glazing assembly. In other embodiments the spacer is a composite of foam, sealant material, rigid plastics and desiccated matrices. A further embodiment discloses an undulating foam spacer body for easy manipulation about the corner in glazing assemblies. The result of incorporation of the foam is a substantially energy efficient spacer and assembly.

Abstract: A tool for applying strip material to a major face of a substrate including a tool body having a lower surface and a channel extending therethrough and a substrate positioning member adjacent the channel for guiding the tool along the edge of the substrate. The substrate positioning member includes spaced apart front and rear guide members contiguous with the edge. The rear guide member is mounted to a frame pivotally mounted to the tool body and includes two spaced apart rollers. The tool also includes an elevating means for elevating the lower surface of the tool from the major and a cutting means for cutting a slit into the strip material to a selected depth extending by part way into the strip material to permit the strip material to be bent about a corner of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an adhesive spacer material to a substrate, such as a glass lite, for the manufacture of insulated windows. The apparatus includes an infeed and an outfeed conveyor for advancing a glass lite, and a transverse beam on which is mounted a first travelling applicator head and a second stationary applicator head. A first and second feed reel are provided to supply spacer material to their respective applicator heads. The travelling applicator head is adapted to move transversely across the conveyor, rotationally through 180.degree., and vertically above the substrate. The stationary applicator head is adapted to apply a length of spacer material in a straight pattern simultaneously with the travelling head as the substrate is advanced by the conveyor. The travelling applicator head applies spacer material to three sides of the substrate, cutting notches in the spacer material and rotating 90.degree. at the corners of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for injecting sealant material into the corners of an insulated glass assembly suitable for use in manual and automated production. It has been found that significant saving in both time and material can be achieved by only sealing the corners of the assembly, particularly using the automated method and apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of wiper blocks each having a surface for abutting an edge of a glass assembly arranged in substantially perpendicular configuration to each other, adapted for converging and diverging reciprocal movement from an adjoining position for molding a square corner to a separated position for wiping smooth the surface for the injected sealant material. A nozzle is positioned between the wiper blocks for injecting sealant material into the corner area and retracting in concert with the converging movement of the wiper blocks.

Abstract: There is disclosed a soft and compliant spacer body wherein the body is provided with modified substrate engaging surfaces to accommodate transverse dimensional changes when the spacer is bent about a corner or otherwise flexed in an insulated assembly. In one embodiment, the corners are cut to reduce the thickness of the strip as the same is bent or flexed about a corner. Other embodiments are disclosed. The advantage is that when the transverse dimension is maintained relatively constant about the bent corner, the result is a more effective seal between the substrate engaging surfaces and the substrates. This is augmented by the use of cellular materials and selected sealants to provide multiple sealing surfaces in a high efficiency spacer body.