Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a cutting apparatus comprising a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, a drum configured to orbit the longitudinal axis when driven by the drive shaft, a first actuator, and a cutting assembly joined to the drum and configured to orbit the longitudinal axis with the drum. The cutting assembly comprises a second actuator operably engaged with a portion of the cutting assembly, and a cutting device driven by the second actuator. The second actuator is configured to rotate the cutting device at least 1,500 revolutions per minute during cutting of an article. The first actuator is operably engaged with a portion of the cutting assembly and is configured to reciprocate the cutting device in directions substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis as the cutting assembly orbits the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A rotary drum apparatus comprises a drum that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The apparatus comprises a first set of first shell segments having a first number of first shell segments. Each first shell segment is releasably connectable with the drum and has an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the first shell segments combine to form a continuous first outer circumferential surface defining a maximum radial distance from the axis of rotation. The apparatus comprises a second set of second shell segments having a second number of second shell segments. Each second shell segment is releasably connectable with the drum and has an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the second shell segments combine to form a continuous second outer circumferential surface located within 10% of the maximum radial distance. The first number of first shell segments is greater than the second number of second shell segments.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for fluffing a cleaning article. The cleaning article has a layer of tow fibers and a layer of sheet material, joined together in a layered construction. The apparatus and process spray a fluid blast onto the article, disrupting the tow fibers. The fluid may be air and causes different fibers to react so as to increase the volume of the cleaning article.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a method of applying a flowable substance to a substrate. The method comprises contacting a portion of the substrate with a portion of a rotating applicator as the substrate is conveyed, and immersing the portion of the rotating applicator in the flowable substance to accumulate the flowable substance on the portion of the rotating applicator. The method further comprises engaging a metering device with the portion of the rotating applicator, metering a portion of the accumulated flowable substance on the portion of the rotating applicator off of the portion of the rotating applicator using the metering device, and applying a portion of the remaining flowable substance on the portion of the rotating applicator to the portion of the substrate when the portion of the substrate contacts the portion of the rotating applicator.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for a lid comprising a fastener having threads and a friction element embedded within a portion of the fastener. A toggle having a threaded hole therein, wherein the fastener is rotatively inserted through the threaded hole of the toggle to translate the rotational movement of the fastener into linear movement of the toggle. The friction element causes the toggle to engage the fastener to translate the rotational movement of the fastener to the toggle. A torque assembly to apply a compression force against the fastener to restrict linear motion of the fastener and create a rotating resistance of the fastener. A bolster coupled to the torque assembly to restrict the rotational movement of the toggle and apply the compression force of the torque assembly against an underside of the lid.

Abstract: A cleaning article having a layer of tow fibers and a layer of sheet material, joined together in a laminated construction. The layer of tow fibers and the sheet may be joined together at a spine. The spine is a seal between the adjacent, superimposed layer(s) of fibers and sheet(s). The seal comprises a plurality of individual bonds. The bonds overlap in the longitudinal direction and optionally in the transverse direction. This arrangement provides, at least, the benefit of less instantaneous energy draw when forming the seal using thermal bonding.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein describe a global safety system for workers in hazardous locations such as electrical Class 1/Division 1 locations. In at least one example, a user will carry a user device that is approved for the hazardous electrical locations. This device will monitor for safety-triggering events such as a lack of user movement, a press of an emergency button, or any other indication of an emergency. Once a safety-triggering event is detected, the user device will transmit an alert to a user station outside of the hazardous electrical location. In turn, the user station will transmit an alert to a remote station regarding the status of the user device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for processing advertisement opportunities when a user views content on a mobile device. An agent on a mobile device may contextualize a portion of a page being viewed to identify and send contextual data to a contextualization service. The contextualization service may use the contextual data to select a campaign from a plurality of campaigns to deliver an in line banner advertisement for content being viewed. Based on the selected campaign, the contextualization service may send the agent an advertisement or campaign information for display, such as an inline banner at a natural break in the content being viewed. Instead of having an advertisement predetermined or fixed prior to the display of the content, the present systems and methods may dynamically contextualize the page at the point of viewing based on the content of the page being viewed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for sequencing a meter route. The method may include a step for adding routes or premises to a map. This step may be implemented as a user initiated action with the operator creating a new route based on preexisting routes as a starting point. The premises or existing routes may correspond to a particular zip code. In one embodiment, every premise may be tied to a route.

Abstract: Systems, software, and methods for improved monitoring and identification systems for items and units to be serviced and reported, such as seal tags and other information from items or units to be serviced.

Abstract: A method for making a layered elastic substrate includes advancing a first substrate layer and a second substrate layer in a machine direction. An elastic material is advanced in the machine direction in a stretched state. The elastic material may be bonded to the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer in a stretched state to form a layered elastic substrate. The layered elastic substrate may advance through a first metering device at speed, V1, and through a second metering device at speed, V2, subsequent to advancing through the first metering device, wherein V1 is greater than V2. As a result, the elastic material, and thus the layered elastic substrate, may be stretched to a first elongation at the first metering device and relaxed to a second elongation at the second device. The layered elastic substrate is cut and bonded to a continuous length of web material.

Abstract: A clamp fixture for supporting a baseball type cap of the type having a crown portion and a brim portion that extends outwardly from the crown on an embroidery machine includes a brim band having a curvilplanar configuration to resiliently urge the bill of a cap out of the path of a embroidery machine head, and allows embroidery on the lower portion of the crown portion, adjacent to the brim portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for processing advertisement opportunities when a user views content on a mobile device. An agent on a mobile device may contextualize a portion of a page being viewed to identify and send contextual data to a contextualization service. The contextualization service may use the contextual data to select a campaign from a plurality of campaigns to deliver an in line banner advertisement for content being viewed. Based on the selected campaign, the contextualization service may send the agent an advertisement or campaign information for display, such as an inline banner at a natural break in the content being viewed. Instead of having an advertisement predetermined or fixed prior to the display of the content, the present systems and methods may dynamically contextualize the page at the point of viewing based on the content of the page being viewed.

Abstract: A first elastic material is advanced in a machine direction in a stretched state to a first metering device at a speed, V1. A second elastic material is advanced in the machine direction in a stretched state to a second metering device at a speed, V2. First and second substrate layers are advanced in a machine direction to a third metering at a speed, V3, along with the first and second elastic materials. The first and second elastic materials are bonded to the first and second substrate layers at the third metering device to form a layered elastic substrate. The layered elastic substrate is advanced to a fourth metering device at a speed, V4. V1 is less than V2, V3 is greater than V1 and V2, V4 is less than V3, and V4 is greater than V1 and V2.

Abstract: The method includes rotating a drum about an axis of rotation. A discrete length of elastic substrate is positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating drum, wherein the discrete length of elastic substrate is in a stretched state and defines a first length. The discrete length of elastic substrate may be defined by a first end region, a second end region, and a central region separating the first and second end regions. The method may comprise applying vacuum pressure to the first, second, and central regions of the discrete length of elastic substrate. Vacuum pressure may be reduced on the first and second end regions such that the discrete length of elastic substrate consolidates to a second length that is less than the first length.

Abstract: A first substrate advances in the first direction and a second substrate advances in the second direction. The first substrate advances onto an outer circumferential surface of a drum in a stretched state. The first substrate may be cut into discrete lengths of elastic substrate. The drum may be configured with vacuum to hold the discrete length of elastic substrate in a stretched state. The second substrate may advance in the second direction by a conveyor. The conveyor includes a roller having a curved outer surface that deforms the second substrate so as to define a curve in the first direction. A tamper apparatus intermittently displaces a deformed portion of the second substrate into contact with a discrete length of elastic substrate on the outer circumferential surface of the drum. The discrete length of elastic substrate bonds with the second substrate and is removed from the drum.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to motion based message delivery. A method includes receiving an information about an asset, calculating the time required for an asset to reach a safe zone, displaying the time required for an asset to reach a safe zone, displaying a communication options to communicate with a person operating the asset, and displaying a map incorporating the location of the asset, a graphical indicator of the time required to reach a safe zone, and/or a graphical indicator of communication options. Another method may include receiving a request to communicate, determining if the communication originates from, or is directed to, an asset in a safe zone, placing the communication if the asset is in the safe zone, and/or delaying the communication until the asset is in a safe zone.

Abstract: A clamp fixture for supporting a baseball type cap of the type having a crown portion and a brim portion that extends outwardly from the crown on an embroidery machine includes a brim band having a curvilplanar configuration to resiliently urge the bill of a cap out of the path of a embroidery machine head, and allows embroidery on the lower portion of the crown portion, adjacent to the brim portion.

Abstract: A embroidery clamp for thick fabric includes a movable clamping window support that is pivotally connected to a frame and extends around a pivotal axis. An actuating system applies a force to the end of the clamping window support and rotates the support around to pivotal axis to move clamping windows together. The clamping window supports have resilient properties and are configured for flexure.

Abstract: Prepregs, cores and composite articles are described that comprise lighter weight materials and/or lower amounts of adhesive than commonly used. In some instances, one or more components of the articles may comprise a repellent material or repellent treatment to reduce the overall absorption rate of adhesive into the components of the article.