Abstract: An example valve includes a main stage, a pilot stage, and a solenoid actuator. The main stage includes a sleeve and a piston axially movable within the sleeve. The piston defines a cavity therein. The pilot stage includes a pilot pin received at, and axially movable in, the cavity of the piston, where the piston forms a pilot seat at which the pilot pin is seated when the valve is in a closed state. The solenoid actuator includes a solenoid coil, an armature, and a solenoid spring. The solenoid spring applies a biasing force in a distal direction on the pilot pin to seat the pilot pin at the pilot seat. Energizing the solenoid coil causes the armature to move in a proximal direction, thereby reducing the biasing force that the solenoid spring applies on the pilot pin.

Abstract: An example valve includes a main stage, a pilot stage, and a solenoid actuator. The main stage includes a sleeve and a piston axially movable within the sleeve. The piston defines a cavity therein. The pilot stage includes a pilot pin received at, and axially movable in, the cavity of the piston, where the piston forms a pilot seat at which the pilot pin is seated when the valve is in a closed state. The solenoid actuator includes a solenoid coil, an armature, and a solenoid spring. The solenoid spring applies a biasing force in a distal direction on the pilot pin to seat the pilot pin at the pilot seat. Energizing the solenoid coil causes the armature to move in a proximal direction, thereby reducing the biasing force that the solenoid spring applies on the pilot pin.

Abstract: A gas-heated cooking appliance, e.g. a gas cooktop, includes at least one gas valve, which has a connector, and a gas line, which is connected to the connector to supply the gas valve with gas. A carrier part is fastened to a housing part and fixes the gas line relative to the connector.

Abstract: An example valve includes a main stage, a pilot stage, and a solenoid actuator. The main stage includes a sleeve and a piston axially movable within the sleeve. The piston defines a cavity therein. The pilot stage includes a pilot pin received at, and axially movable in, the cavity of the piston, where the piston forms a pilot seat at which the pilot pin is seated when the valve is in a closed state. The solenoid actuator includes a solenoid coil, an armature, and a solenoid spring. The solenoid spring applies a biasing force in a distal direction on the pilot pin to seat the pilot pin at the pilot seat. Energizing the solenoid coil causes the armature to move in a proximal direction, thereby reducing the biasing force that the solenoid spring applies on the pilot pin.

Abstract: An example valve includes a main stage, a pilot stage, and a solenoid actuator. The main stage includes a sleeve and a piston axially movable within the sleeve. The piston defines a cavity therein. The pilot stage includes a pilot pin received at, and axially movable in, the cavity of the piston, where the piston forms a pilot seat at which the pilot pin is seated when the valve is in a closed state. The solenoid actuator includes a solenoid coil, an armature, and a solenoid spring. The solenoid spring applies a biasing force in a distal direction on the pilot pin to seat the pilot pin at the pilot seat. Energizing the solenoid coil causes the armature to move in a proximal direction, thereby reducing the biasing force that the solenoid spring applies on the pilot pin.

Abstract: A rifle sling shot device facilitates aiming and shooting a projectile using a sling mechanism released by manipulating a trigger. The device includes a stock having a front end and a butt end. A pair of spaced arms is coupled to and extends upwardly from the stock proximate the front end of the stock. A trigger is coupled to the stock. A pin is coupled to the stock. The pin is moved by manipulation of the trigger. A band has opposed ends coupled to the arms. A length of the band is resiliently stretchable wherein the band is extendable into a stretched position. The band is released from the stretched position by manipulation of the trigger.

Abstract: A rifle sling shot device facilitates aiming and shooting a projectile using a sling mechanism released by manipulating a trigger. The device includes a stock having a front end and a butt end. A pair of spaced arms is coupled to and extends upwardly from the stock proximate the front end of the stock. A trigger is coupled to the stock. A pin is coupled to the stock. The pin is moved by manipulation of the trigger. A band has opposed ends coupled to the arms. A length of the band is resiliently stretchable wherein the band is extendable into a stretched position. The band is released from the stretched position by manipulation of the trigger.

Abstract: A gas-heated cooking appliance, e.g. a gas cooktop, includes at least one gas valve, which has a connector, and a gas line, which is connected to the connector to supply the gas valve with gas. A carrier part is fastened to a housing part and fixes the gas line relative to the connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to degradable polyacetal polymers having a C(O)—(CH2CH2O)n—R5 or a saccharide attached to amine radical of the backbone of the polymer, their polymer-active agent conjugates and their preparation processes, to compositions, and hydrogels containing them, as well as their use in therapy, diagnostic imaging and cosmetics.

Abstract: The present application relates to new peptide polymers comprising monomeric units derived from the residues of glutamic acid, aspartic acid and lysine, or their protected derivatives, and which are functionalized through the introduction of side chains containing thiol groups or protected thiol groups. The new peptide polymers can be crosslinked in aqueous medium, and the resulting polymer matrices have the capacity to entrap drugs and, subsequently, release them in a controlled way when introduced into a physiological medium. This enables new pharmaceutical compositions to be developed for the controlled release of drugs, especially peptide- and protein-based ones.

Abstract: In a kitchen appliance (1) with a housing (2) and with a liquid crystal display device (12), the liquid crystal display device (12) is accommodated in an accommodating section (11) of the housing (2), and the accommodating section (11) is bounded, on a front face (13) and on a rear face (14), by a transparent housing-wall section (15, 16), and the liquid crystal display device (12) is in the form of a negatively transmissive liquid crystal display device (12), which is disposed between the two transparent housing-wall sections (15, 16).

Abstract: A refill system for ink cartridges. A refill unit is provided which includes a housing having a foam portion impregnated with ink. The foam portion includes a lower section extending outwardly from a lower panel. Positioned within the panel is an annular channel surrounding the lower section. The refill unit is positioned within an empty ink cartridge modified to include an annular seal member therein. The refill unit is inserted so that the channel receives the seal member. Upon insertion of the refill unit, the lower section of the foam member is engaged against an ink filter within the cartridge. Alternatively, the refill unit may include an enlarged lower section associated with the foam portion, with the annular channel being absent. This unit is used in cartridges which do not have the seal member. The enlarged lower section firmly engages the entire ink filter within the cartridge.