Abstract: Litter boxes are provided that have a tear-away flap on the top and/or the front of the box. The tear-away flap can be pulled outward from the box to form a mat that can provide an entry to the box. Positioning the tear-away flap as a mat can expose a corrugate fluting structure on the tear-away flap. This structure can act as an anti-tracking trap as the cat leaves the box with litter on the paws. An overhang on one or more sides of the box (preferably three sides) can prevent litter from “splashing” out of the box onto the floor. After the pet owner is finished using the litter box, the pet owner can fold the tear-away flap back onto the top of the box to reseal the box to keep the litter in the box for disposal.

Abstract: A modular entrance floor system comprising a plurality of floor sections, the plurality of floor sections being disposed adjacent each other and defining a perimeter of an entrance floor area. Each floor section includes a base plate permanently coupled to a foundation, and a surface plate removably attached to the base plate. The surface plate has at least one drain feature. The plurality of floor sections are configured such that the surface plate of a first floor section is interchangeable with the surface plate of a second floor section, independent of the adjacent floor sections.

Abstract: A modular entrance floor system comprising a plurality of floor sections, the plurality of floor sections being disposed adjacent each other and defining a perimeter of an entrance floor area. Each floor section includes a base plate permanently coupled to a foundation, and a surface plate removably attached to the base plate. The surface plate has at least one drain feature. The plurality of floor sections are configured such that the surface plate of a first floor section is interchangeable with the surface plate of a second floor section, independent of the adjacent floor sections.

Abstract: A container adapted for holding shrink wrap in place without the use of adhesives. The shrink wrap is held in place by at least one protuberance on the sides or bottom of the container. The protuberance has a particular design in relationship to the sides or bottom of the container that prevents slippage of the shrink wrap. Also disclosed is a container system for consumable products, comprising the aforementioned container, at least one lid, and a shrink wrap.

Abstract: A modular entrance floor system comprising a plurality of floor sections, the plurality of floor sections being disposed adjacent each other and defining a perimeter of an entrance floor area. Each floor section includes a base plate permanently coupled to a foundation, and a surface plate removably attached to the base plate. The surface plate has at least one drain feature. The plurality of floor sections are configured such that the surface plate of a first floor section is interchangeable with the surface plate of a second floor section, independent of the adjacent floor sections.

Abstract: Maraging steel compositions, methods of forming the same, and articles formed therefrom comprising, by weight, 15.0 to 20.0% Ni, 2.0 to 6.0% Mo, 3.0 to 8.0% Ti, up to 0.5% Al, the balance Fe and residual impurities. The composition may be a first layer of a composite plate, and may have a second layer deposited on the first layer, the second layer having a composition comprising, by weight, 15.0 to 20.0% Ni, 2.0 to 6.0% Mo, 1.0 to 3.0 Ti, up to 0.5% Al, the balance Fe and residual impurities. The first layer may have a hardness value ranging from 58 to 64 RC, and the second layer may have a hardness value ranging from 48 to 54 RC. The first layer may be formed employing powdered metallurgical techniques. Articles formed from the compositions include armored plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to regenerative braking methods for a hybrid vehicle such as a hybrid locomotive, which are compatible with optimum management of a large battery pack energy storage system. Four methods for recovering energy from regenerative braking and for transferring this energy to an energy storage systems are disclosed. These methods may also be used with battery operated vehicles.

Abstract: For an air-operated disc brake there is provided an internal brake actuator stroke indicator which provides an indication, readily ascertained from outside the brake caliper, of the amount of actuator stroke remaining in a disc brake apparatus before a remaining available actuator stroke limit is reached. In one embodiment, the stroke indicator is a mechanical device, readable through a sight glass in a caliper port, coupled to the brake actuator in a manner which results in rotary motion of the indicator when the brake actuator is displaced through its stroke. Alternatively, the indicator may be a rotary sensor such as an electrical potentiometer coupled to the actuator, where the potentiometer sends an electrical signal indicative of the actuator stroke to an external display, such as a remote actuator stroke display at a vehicle operator's position.

Abstract: A lighted air/water syringe includes a head mounted on a sleeve via a neck. The sleeve includes an air supply line, a water supply line, and a light tube which are connected to sources of air, water, and light by a supply conduit. The air and water passages are in communication with the air and water lines in the sleeve and extend through the neck to a front of the head. Valves are positioned in the air and water passages to selectively regulate the flow of air and water to the end of the head. The light tube in the sleeve extends through the neck and partially into the head. The head removably receives a probe or nozzle in its end. The probe is made from a light transmitting material, and, when placed in the head, is in light transmitting communication with the light tube. The probe includes air and water passages having entrances in the side of the probe and exits at a forward surface of the prove.

Abstract: An adapter plate for a caliper disc brake assembly is attached to the inboard side of the axle flange of a vehicle axle housing. The adapter plate is generally C-shaped to allow mounting around the central region of the axle housing. The inboard positioning of the adapter plate allows mounting of larger brake calipers within a confined space. The caliper is connected to the axle housing by the adapter plate for the purpose of positioning the caliper relative to the rotor and resisting the torque developed by the action of the brake pads on the rotor. In order to adjust the lateral position of the caliper, the adapter plate, in one embodiment, has a pilot surface which allows the axle flange to be recessed within the adapter plate. In another embodiment, a secondary adapter plate bridges over the opening in the adapter plate to allow mounting of the adapter assembly to the entire bolt circle of the axle flange.

Abstract: A system for marking elongated wire and for cutting the wire and stripping insulation therefrom comprising first structure operable to mark the wire; second structure operable to cut the marked wire and to strip insulation from the wire; the wire extending between and movable between the first and second structures, the first and second structure comprising separate stand-alone devices; and control structure, including external computer means, operatively connected with the first and second structures for controlling operation of the first and second structures in time sequence relation to wire movement therebetween, and/or to control wire marking, wire cutting, and insulation stripping length.

Abstract: The method of processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to strip sheathing from the wire to expose wire ends at opposite ends of the sections, and by operation of wire feed means and cutter means, the steps that include operating the feed means and cutter means to displace the wire endwise along an axis to a first position; sever the wire thereby to form wire forward and rearward sections, the forward section having a rearward end portion; and, the rearward section having a forward end portion, and; stripping sheathing from the forward section rearward portion and from the rearward section forward portion thereby to expose wire ends at the portions; the cutter means including three blade pairs, each pair including two blades located at opposite sides of the axis, both blades of one pair being displaced toward the wire to sever the wire, and both blades of the remaining two pairs being displaced toward the wire sections to strip sheathing from the rearward and forward portions during controlled endwise

Abstract: A system for marking elongated wire and for cutting the wire and stripping insulation therefrom comprising first structure operable to mark the wire; second structure operable to cut the marked wire and to strip insulation from the wire; the wire extending between and movable between the first and second structures, the first and second structure comprising separate stand-alone devices; and control structure, including external computer means, operatively connected with the first and second structures for controlling operation of the first and second structures in time sequence relation to wire movement therebetween, and/or to control wire marking, wire cutting, and insulating stripping length.

Abstract: A system for marking elongated wire and for cutting the wire and stripping insulation therefrom comprising first structure operable to mark the wire; second structure operable to cut the marked wire and to strip insulation from the wire; the wire extending between and movable between the first and second structures, the first and second structure comprising separate stand-alone devices; and control structure, including an external computer, operatively connected with the first and second structures for controlling operation of the first and second structures in time sequence relation to wire movement therebetween, and/or to control wire marking, wire cutting, and insulation stripping length.