Abstract: A tool that facilitates aligning members with respect to each other and an object is described. The tool includes a roll of material including an upper and a lower side. The material lower side includes adhesive material that enables the tool to be affixed to the object. The material upper side includes a plurality of reference markings arranged in a cyclic pattern that is repeated along an entire length of the tool. More specifically, adjacent reference markings are a pre-determined length apart that is selected depending on a desired alignment of the members to be aligned.

Abstract: A pump end cap preferably includes a plastic molding that is shaped to include an external electrical socket and is internally shaped to include electric motor brush placement holders. Electric motor brushes are mounted on the holders. The electric motor portion of the electronic pump assembly is completed when the end cap is mated to an appropriate housing. By integrating a portion of the electric motor into the pump end cap, the need for wires extending from an electric motor terminal to the outside of the pump housing is eliminated. The present invention preferably finds application in fuel pump and filter assemblies used in conjunction with diesel type internal combustion engines.

Abstract: Novel modifying agents contain a sharply-melting crystalline polymer ingredient, preferably a side chain crystalline (SCC) ingredient, and an active chemical ingredient. Such modifying agents, especially when in the form of particles, can be placed in contact with a matrix, will not modify the matrix below the crystalline melting point Tp, but will rapidly modify the matrix above Tp. The active chemical ingredient can react with the matrix, catalyze a reaction of the matrix, or inhibit a reaction of the matrix. Particularly useful compositions are polymer precursors which are storage-stable at low temperatures but which are rapidly converted to crosslinked resins when heated to temperatures above Tp, optionally in the presence of light.

Abstract: A fully cooked, shelf stable or frozen noodle product having a dry matter content between about 30% to about 45% by weight. This product contains a cooked flour or semolina of a starchy plant, softened water, a cooked starch, an ionic gelling agent, an emulsifier, a cation which has formed a gel with the ionic gelling agent, and an oil. If desired, an acid can be included to provide a pH between about 3.7 to about 4.5.

Abstract: An extruder of the Transfermix type comprises a barrel in which a screw rotates for transporting and mixing visco-elastic compounds. The extruder has an inlet, a compression section, a plasticizing section and an exit section. The plasticizing section is of the Transfermix type, in which a helical groove in the screw varies in cross section from full area to zero area, while the cross section of an oppositely handed helical groove in the barrel varies from zero to full area. A return section follows the plasticizing section, and the operative contact-surface of the return section is formed by a sleeve which forms a cylindrical gap between the sleeve and the screw, the sleeve being axially movable to close or open the gap to produce a continuously adjustable throttle.

Abstract: Full-moisture, shelf-stable pasta product having a pH of about 3.7 to 4.5, and comprising a cooked or pre-cooked pasta having a dry-matter content of from about 30 to 45 percent by weight, an acid, and an oil. A process for manufacturing a full-moisture, shelf-stable pasta product, which comprises preparing a mixture having a dry-matter content of 60 to 75 weight percent and comprising a cereal flour or semolina and added water, forming a portioned pasta product, blanching the pasta product, dipping the blanched pasta product into acidified water at ambient temperature, and packaging the pasta product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a noodle product of extended shelf life and to a method of preparing the noodle product. More specifically, the present invention includes a full moisture extended shelf life noodle product of outstanding organoleptical quality which is easily prepared with little or no further cooking by the consumer. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a manufacturing process of the noodle product which can be easily performed using conventional machinery.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for pumping fuel from a fuel source to an engine combusting the fuel comprises a housing (14), and a fuel pump (12) mounted in the housing. One end (18) of the housing defines a fuel inlet (20a, 20b) for the pump. A fuel filter (16) is mounted externally of the housing and fuel drawn into the fuel pump flows through the filter. A valve member (22) is fitted onto the end of the housing adjacent the fuel inlet for opening and closing the fuel inlet. The valve member is movable by the fuel filter during its installation to move the valve member to a position at which the fuel inlet is open. Removal of the filter causes the valve member to be moved to a position blocking the fuel inlet. A heater (40a, 40b) is carried on the valve member and is installed adjacent the fuel inlet. The heater heats fuel flowing into the fuel inlet to a predetermined temperature as the fuel is drawn into the fuel pump.

Abstract: A full moisture, shelf stable or frozen noodle product having a dry matter content between about 30% to about 45% by weight. This product contains a cooked flour or semolina of a starchy plant, softened water, a cooked starch, an ionic gelling agent, an emulsifier, a cation which has formed a gel with the ionic gelling agent, and an oil. If desired, an acid can be included to provide a pH between about 3.7 to about 4.5.

Abstract: A full moisture, shelf stable or frozen noodle product having a dry matter content between about 30% to about 45% by weight. This product contains a cooked flour or semolina of a starchy plant, softened water, a cooked starch, an ionic gelling agent, an emulsifier, a cation which has formed a gel with the ionic gelling agent, and an oil. If desired, an acid can be included to provide a pH between about 3.7 to about 4.5.

Abstract: An extrusion device for tires has a heatable extruder for extruding and supplying an elastomer to a prepared and rotatably supported carcass being rotated in a direction of rotation for entraining the extruded elastomer. The extruder has at least one die mouth facing a carcass sidewall. The mouth is a slot having a width and a length. The width extends in a direction of rotation of the carcass and is delimited by an upper and a lower edge. The length extends radially across the carcass sidewall. The slot has an outlet opening defining an area whose normal is slanted toward the carcass sidewall such that in the direction of rotation the upper edge of the slot is closer to the carcass sidewall than the lower edge of the slot.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed for terminating the conductors of an electrical cable. A dielectric housing includes a plurality of terminal-receiving passages for receiving a plurality of terminals terminated to the conductors of the cable. A discrete dielectric cover is removably mounted on the housing over a termination end thereof. A discrete dielectric strain relief member is mounted on the housing near the termination end thereof and to which the electrical cable can be fixed. The cover is mounted to the housing independently of the strain relief member, whereby the cover can be removed from the housing without removing the strain relief member and the affixed cable. The strain relief member can be mounted on the housing at a plurality of different locations, whereby the cable can exit the connector from the housing in different locations and orientations.

Abstract: A joystick adapter is provided for mounting over the depressible buttons of a directional keypad on a video game controller. The adapter includes a joystick having a knob and a separable base. The knob is configured for manual manipulation, while the underside of the base is configured to contact and be supported by the depressible buttons of the keypad. The knob and base are pressfit together so that the individual components can be removed and replaced. The adapter further includes a clip having a shell that is supportable on the controller body. The shell defines an opening to receive the joystick therethrough with the knob above the shell and the base between the shell and the keypad. The adapter further includes an elastic T-shaped band that surrounds the bottom and sidewalls of the controller body. The band includes three arms with resilient openings in each of the arms. The openings are adapted to engage a corresponding tab projecting from the shell of the joystick adapter clip.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the manufacture of noodles, in which a mixture of cereal semolina or flour and water is prepared in a twin-screw kneader, the mixture is converted into a band of pasta by pressing it through a die with an oblong outlet orifice, the band is laminated and it is cut into noodles.

Abstract: Process and equipment for manufacturing process pasta, in which a mixture of cereal flour or semolina and water having a water content of 25-40% is prepared, the mixture is kneaded and it is extruded by pressing it through an extrusion die with the aid of a gear pump.

Abstract: A dispenser for soap lather has a vessel for a larger supply of liquid soap and a tank for a smaller supply of liquid soap and for a body of air above the smaller supply. One or more bellows are used to pump compressed air into the upper portion of the tank when a user desires to-obtain a batch of lather. The compressed air expels a certain quantity of liquid soap from the tank into a lather generator and the lather generator further receives some compressed air to form a batch of lather which is dispensed into or onto the hands of a user. When the bellows expands or expand, they can draw air into or along the outlet of the lather generator to retract any remnants of lather. Alternatively, a discrete pump can be provided to blow out any remnants from the lather generator in response to or during expansion of the bellows. The discharged quantity of liquid soap is replenished in the tank by way of an adjustable conduit connecting the vessel with the tank.

Abstract: A tire retreading device has a tread feeding device for feeding the tread to a tire casing and an extruder for extruding a cushion gum layer onto the tire casing. The extruder has a first and a second lip defining the extrusion die. The first lip, positioned behind the second lip in the direction of rotation of the tire casing, projects in a direction toward the tire casing relative to the second lip. The first lip is an applicator shoe that is pressed under prestress against the tire casing so as to deform the tire casing. With the retreading device a cushion gum layer is applied to the tire casing and during the application the applicator shoe is pressed against the tire casing with such a pressing force that a radius of curvature of the tire casing conforms to a radius of curvature of the applicator shoe. With this measure, depressions in the surface of the tire casing are filled with excess cushion gum.

Abstract: A dispenser for soap lather has a vessel for a larger supply of liquid soap and a tank for a smaller supply of liquid soap and for a body of air above the smaller supply. One or more bellows are used to pump compressed air into a portion of the tank when a user desires to obtain a batch of lather. The compressed air expels a certain quantity of liquid soap from the tank into a lather generator and the lather generator further receives some compressed air to form a batch of lather which is dispensed into or onto the hands of a user. When the bellows expands or expand it or they can draw air into or along the outlet of the lather generator to retract any remnants of lather. Alternatively, a discrete pump can be provided to blow out any remnants from the lather generator in response to or during expansion of the bellows. The discharged quantity of liquid soap is replenished in the tank by way of an adjustable conduit connecting the vessel with the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding material is provided which includes a barrel and a screw. The barrel has an axis and an internal operating surface, the internal operating surface defining a barrel interior and a barrel helical thread portion which includes a plurality of grooves reducing in cross-sectional area from a maximum value to a minimum value in a direction axially opposite to the axial direction of flow of material through the barrel. The screw has an external operating surface and extending into the barrel interior, the external operating surface of the screw forming a screw helical thread portion having at least a first and second groove. Each of the first and second grooves has an upstream end, a downstream end, and a body portion extending between the upstream and downstream ends thereof, the first and second grooves being axially co-incident at at least a transition location and being at least partially axially co-extensive.