Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument includes a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples and a cartridge deck. The staple cartridge assembly also includes a compressible adjunct positionable against the cartridge deck, wherein the staples are deployable into tissue captured against the compressible adjunct, and wherein the compressible adjunct comprises a first biocompatible layer comprising a first portion, a second biocompatible layer comprising a second portion, and crossed spacer fibers extending between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing ceramic objects having glazed and unglazed surfaces and a multi-piece, selectively assembled ceramic object. The present disclosure overcomes the necessity of separately firing multi-piece ceramic objects, such as stoneware products, having both glazed and unglazed surfaces. In accordance with the present disclosure, a bowl having a fully glazed rim and a lid having at least a partially glazed rim can be fired with the lid in place covering the bowl. In this manner, more complete pieces can be fired over time resulting in greater throughput and energy savings. In addition, by firing the two pieces together, it is expected that there will be greater dimensional stability or less distortion than by firing the two pieces separately.

Abstract: A cap for use on the threaded filler neck of a coolant reservoir, such as an automobile radiator, comprising a cover and main body and including: a means for transmitting torque from the cover to the main body to screw the cap onto the filler neck. The cap but for preventing excess torque from being transmitted. The cap includes a second torque transmission means for unscrewing the cap, which does not limit the torque that can be transmitted. The cap also includes a means for preventing the cap from being unscrewed when the coolant is under pressure; a pressure relief means to prevent the coolant pressure from exceeding a predetermined level; and a vacuum relief means for preventing the coolant pressure from falling below a second predetermined level.

Abstract: A torque-limit signal cap for a filler neck includes a handle, a filler neck closure, and a torque-limit signaler. The torque-limit signaler operates during cap installation to interrupt temporarily a driving connection established between the handle and the closure to provide a tactile and/or auditory signal to a user turning the cap in the filler neck indicating that sufficient torque has been applied to the handle to seat the closure in a filler neck-closing position in the filler neck.

Abstract: A cap for use on the threaded filler neck of a coolant reservoir, such as an automobile radiator, comprising a cover and main body and including: a means for transmitting torque from the cover to the main body to screw the cap onto the filler neck. The cap but for preventing excess torque from being transmitted. The cap includes a second torque transmission means for unscrewing the cap, which does not limit the torque that can be transmitted. The cap also includes a means for preventing the cap from being unscrewed when the coolant is under pressure; a pressure relief means to prevent the coolant pressure from exceeding a predetermined level; and a vacuum relief means for preventing the coolant pressure from falling below a second predetermined level.

Abstract: A redundant seal for a vehicle fuel tank filler neck closure is provided for closing and opening an automobile fuel tank to the atmosphere. The redundant seal (48) includes a lower shoulder (51) which sealably engages a first valve seat and an upper shoulder (53) which sealably engages a second valve seat. The redundant seal (48) is appropriate for use in applications such as filler neck closures, pressure and vacuum-relief systems within tank filler neck closures, and capless filler neck closure systems.

Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly (20) includes a housing (74) formed to include a passage (77), a tank pressure control assembly (84) in passage (77), and an outer shell (44) coupled to housing (74). Closure assembly (20) includes a sleeve (185) that reinforces housing (74) and shields tank pressure control assembly (84). Closure assembly (20) also includes a sealing gasket (192) and a foam ring (210) between housing (74) and a side wall (46) of outer shell (44) leakage of fuel vapor therebetween. Outer shell (44) includes frangible tabs (260) that break away from the rest of outer shell (44) in a controlled manner when outer shell (44) is subjected to an impact during a vehicle crash. Outer shell (44) is formed to include a fluid drain (421) and closure assembly (20) includes a float (425) that closes fluid drain (421) and that moves to open fluid drain (421) to allow accumulated fluid to drain out of outer shell (44).

Abstract: A process for associating and delivering data with a video signal includes digitizing an analog data signal. The digitized data is then compressed and transcoded into a format compatible with a video source signal. The data is then inserted into unused video lines of the video source signal. The encoded video source signal is transmitted to a decoder where the inserted data is separated from the video source signal. The inserted data is then converted to its original form, and either visually displayed or audibly delivered to an end user. The invention can be used to associate and deliver audio narrative description with a video signal for the benefit of the visually impaired.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a filler neck, a housing, and an appearance cover. The housing includes a nozzle-receiving passageway and an interior region. A closure door is coupled to housing and prevents fuel vapor from flowing through passageway. A pressure-relief valve assembly is positioned within interior region and controls the flow of fuel vapor through interior region when the closure door is closed. A valve actuator is coupled to housing and includes a nozzle arm, a stem arm, and a conductor arm. Stem arm moves with nozzle arm and opens pressure-relief valve assembly when nozzle arm is engaged by a fuel-dispensing nozzle upon movement of a nozzle into passageway. A conductor arm is coupled to nozzle arm and is positioned to contact filler neck through an opening in housing. When a nozzle contacts the nozzle arm, any electrical charge present on the fuel-dispensing nozzle is conducted through nozzle arm and conductor arm to the filler neck.

Abstract: A torque-limit signal cap for a filler neck includes a handle, a filler neck closure, and a torque-limit signaler. The torque-limit signaler operates during cap installation to interrupt temporarily a driving connection established between the handle and the closure to provide a tactile and/or auditory signal to a user turning the cap in the filler neck indicating that sufficient torque has been applied to the handle to seat the closure in a filler neck-closing position in the filler neck.

Abstract: A tank venting system includes a vent apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture formed in a fuel tank. The vent apparatus includes a vent valve, a vent valve mover, and a liquid fuel sensor positioned to lie in the fuel tank and configured to operate a control module and a solenoid to control operation of the vent valve mover so as to move the vent valve between opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A process for associating and delivering data with a video signal includes digitizing an analog data signal. The digitized data is then compressed and transcoded into a format compatible with a video source signal. The data is then inserted into unused video lines of the video source signal. The encoded video source signal is transmitted to a decoder where the inserted data is separated from the video source signal. The inserted data is then converted to its original form, and either visually displayed or audibly delivered to an end user. The invention can be used to associate and deliver audio narrative description with a video signal for the benefit of the visually impaired.

Abstract: A fuel system leakage detector (1) includes a pressure source (3) and a test head (4) adapted to be coupled to a fuel system (17) of a vehicle (19) with engine (21), fuel tank (18), fuel filler neck (20), fuel closure cap (16) and evaporative emissions cannister (24), such fuel systems leakage detector also having a pneumatic circuit (5) coupled to a pressure source (3) and the test head (4), a pneumatic circuit bypass (2) coupled to the pressure source (3) and the test head (4), and a signaling device (7). The pneumatic circuit (5) includes a measurement device (6) coupled to the signaling device through which pressurized gas flows during leakage testing. Before testing, pressurized gas is diverted through the pneumatic circuit bypass (2) and bypasses the pneumatic circuit including the measurement device (6) to charge the test head (4) and the fuel system (17) for testing.

Abstract: A cap (10) includes a handle (12), torque-transmission ring (16), a driver (14) coupled to handle (10) and ring (16), and a closure member (20) adapted to close a tank filler neck (42). A connector (18) couples ring (16) to closure member (20) to establish a torque-limited connection (26) during cap installation and a direct-drive connection (28) during cap removal. An axial spring (22) coupled to handle (12) and ring (16) yieldably biases ring (16) toward closure member (20) to maintain the torque-limited connection (26). A rotary spring (24) coupled to handle (12) and ring (16) rotates closure member (20) relative to handle (12) to a reset position upon removal of cap (10) from filler neck (42).

Abstract: A fuel cap has an upper housing and a lower housing, each configured to be inserted into the filler neck of a vehicle fuel system. The upper housing and lower housing are cooperatively configured to allow both rotational and axial relative movement with respect to one another. A seal coupled to the lower housing sealingly engages the filler neck when the fuel cap is in a tightened position. A spring mount is coupled to the lower housing and engages a spring that is positioned to bias the lower housing axially toward the upper housing to assist in loosening contact of the seal and filler neck during removal of the fuel cap. The fuel cap further has a drive axially spacing the upper housing from the lower housing as the upper housing rotates relative to the lower housing. A cam and cam follower connection between the upper and lower housing provides the drive.

Abstract: A cooling system closure includes a closure apparatus adapted to mount on a cooling system and formed to include a flow passage arranged to receive fluid discharged from the cooling system and a relief valve positioned to move between an opened position permitting fluid to flow through the flow passage and a closed position blocking the flow of fluid through the flow passage. The relief valve includes a temperature-activated element moving to a first position when heated to a first predetermined temperature to urge the relief valve to the closed position and a second position when cooled below a second predetermined temperature to permit the relief valve to move to the opened position.

Abstract: A vapor control valve includes first, second, and third valves and a housing formed to include first, second, and third chambers and first, second, and third apertures. The first valve is formed to include a vent aperture and is movable relative to the first aperture to partially close the first aperture to limit flow from the first chamber to the second chamber through the first aperture. The second valve is movable relative to the first valve to open and close the vent aperture and cooperates with the first valve to close the first aperture to prohibit flow from the first chamber to the second chamber through the first aperture in response to rising liquid fuel. The third valve is biased to normally close the third aperture and configured to open the third aperture in response to pressurized fuel vapor to permit flow from the second chamber to the third chamber through the third aperture.

Abstract: A fuel cap leakage tester is provided comprising a fuel cap support, a pressure source, and a monitor. The fuel cap support is formed to included a test chamber and is adapted to receive a fuel cap to be tested in the test chamber to establish a pressurizable region, therein and a sealed connection between the fuel cap to be tested and the fuel cap support. The monitor is positioned to communicate with the pressurizable region formed in the fuel cap support and is configured to measure air pressure in the pressurizable region. The fuel cap leakage tester further comprises a system for communicating a flow of pressurized air from the pressure source to the pressurizable region with a predetermined pressure drop of the pressurized air therebetween. The monitor measures the pressure level of the pressurized air in the pressurizable region to determine whether the fuel cap to be tested meets or exceeds a predetermined leakage flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the discharge of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture formed in a fuel tank, comprising a housing adapted to be mounted in an aperture formed in a fuel tank and being formed to include a venting outlet, a valve positioned to lie in the housing and move between an opened position allowing flow of fuel vapor through the venting outlet formed in the housing and a closed position preventing flow of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through the venting outlet, and a valve actuator including a fluid actuator valve mover in the housing and an electronic liquid detector coupled to the valve mover, arranged to move the valve between the closed position and the opened position, the electronic liquid detector including a valve mover controller coupled to the valve mover to control fluid at said fluid actuated valve mover and an electronic liquid sensor coupled to the valve mover controller and positioned to lie in a fixed position relative to the housing to sense the presence of liquid fu

Abstract: A fuel tank filler apparatus includes a fuel tank filler neck, a pressure-relief valve coupled to the fuel tank filler neck, and a filler neck closure coupled to the fuel tank filler neck. The filler neck closure includes a drainage basin configured to collect liquid fuel, a retention chamber configured to store liquid fuel, and a fuel conductor configured to communicate liquid fuel between the drainage basin and the retention chamber. The filler neck closure can also include a blocker positioned to pivot about a pivot axis between a normally closed position blocking a fuel-receiving passage and an opened position permitting liquid fuel to flow through the fuel-receiving passage to the fuel tank.