Abstract: A buckle for safety belts in vehicles comprises a load bearing housing in which an insertion path for receiving an insert tongue is formed. A movable latch is mounted on the housing. A casing is provided which surrounds the housing. The casing is provided with an opening at a rear side thereof remote from the insertion path. Within the casing at least one electric switch is arranged. This switch is fitted through the opening in the buckle in an already assembled condition thereof.

Abstract: A device for containing, concealing and protecting footwear fasteners to keep the fasteners secure, clean, concealed and protected from snagging on foreign objects. The device is made of a pliable material so as to prevent injury in the event that the wearer or some other person comes into contact with the device. The device has a cover that may display fashionable designs and emblems, or reflective material for use in the dark.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for needling a web, comprising at least one needle board (2) reciprocatingly movable in stitching direction of the needles via an eccentric drive (5), which needle board is reciprocatingly movable in direction of web movement (16) by means of an additional eccentric drive (15), which consists of two parallel eccentric shafts (17) which are movable in opposite directions and are provided with connecting rods (19).

Abstract: In a vertical machine tool has a main spindle head (13); a main spindle (15) rotatably supported by the main spindle head vertically; and a worktable (7, 9) movable horizontally, a frontmost stroke end position of the worktable (7, 9) relative to the main spindle head (13) is determined in such a way that a rearmost edge portion (7a) of the worktable (7, 9) is dislocated a predetermined set-up stoke Sa away from a central position (C) of the main spindle (15). Therefore, when work is mounted by use of a crane or hoist, it is possible to prevent the hook of the crane from interfering with the main spindle head, thus improving the set-up workability. Further, it is preferable to form a plurality of grooves (25) extending in front and rear direction of the machine tool on an upper surface of the worktable also to improve the set-up workability, without forming a plurality of grooves in the right and left direction of the machine tool.

Abstract: An insertion tool 48 is used to insert a threaded coil insert 26 into a threaded opening 22 of a support structure 20. The tool 48 includes a rotatable mandrel 50 having a first slot 62 for receiving a blade 76, the forward end of which is formed with a drive hook 94. The drive hook 94 is located in an end opening 64 of the mandrel 50 and is selectively movable through a second slot 66 formed in the mandrel. The first slot 64, the second slot 66 and the end opening 64 are in communication. The blade 76 is formed with a nib 78 which is normally biased into a chamber 112, but is selectively precluded from doing so by selective movement of a bushing 110 which is attached to an axially movable sleeve 102. As the threaded insert 26 is placed on a threaded end of the mandrel 50, the sleeve 102 is moved rearward to move the bushing 110 from engagement with the nib 78 whereby the biased nib moves into the chamber 112.

Abstract: To support a shell case having a different shape by support mechanisms in a shell lock seaming machine, the support mechanisms are disposed on both the sides of the opening edges of the shell case and a plurality of support members are provided with each of the support mechanisms, the plurality of support members being locked to the inner surface of both the opening edges of the shell case, wherein the plurality of support members can advance and retreat in the axial direction of the shell case as well as at least one of the plurality of support members is movable in a direction perpendicular to the axial center of the shell case.

Abstract: An advanced fin positioner for operatively mounting a finshield assembly having cantilevered therefrom a plurality of cooling fins and for facilitating selective positioning of the finshield assembly with respect to a bushing tip plate of a glass fiber forming apparatus. The advanced fin positioner including a body member, nut block and compound lead screw. The body member is releasably attached to a mounting bracket connected to a bushing frame of the glass fiber forming apparatus and has slidably attached thereto at least one slide arm including a vertically extending slot. The nut block is operatively attached to the finshield assembly and to the at least one slide arm and constrained for vertical movement by the slot along the body member. The compound lead screw is operatively connected to the body member and the nut block such that by rotating the compound lead screw, the body member and the nut block act against each other causing the nut block and the finshield assembly to move.

Abstract: A wear surface for helicopter shoes is constructed by forming a railed enclosure on a curved base plate, placing a mosaic of smooth-surfaced tungsten carbide blocks on the base plate within the enclosure, brazing the blocks to the plate and rails, and grinding the rails to form a smooth, edgeless transition between the wear surface and the plate surface.

Abstract: A sealed edge joint can be formed between two metal panels such as an outer vehicle door panel and an inner door panel, by using a flowable sealant bead between the facing surfaces of the two panels, and a thin film of uncured paint-like resin between a flange on the outer panel and the exposed surface of the inner panel. The paint film is cured to a solid impervious condition by a baking operation performed on the completed door panel assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a lamina stack having laminas with a plurality of outer perimeter configurations. Each of the outer perimeter configurations has at least one common choke surface. The common choke surfaces form, when the laminas are stacked, a choke contacting surface on the outer perimeter surface of the lamina stack which extends continuously in the axial direction from the top lamina to the bottom lamina. The invention provides a method for manufacturing interlocked lamina stacks using a selectively actuated punches in a die assembly to stamp laminas with a plurality of outer perimeter configurations and to stack the laminas in a choke barrel with an alignment surface which cooperates with the common choke surface and securely holds the stamped laminas in position while the stack is being formed. Rotation of the choke barrel compensates for strip thickness variations.

Abstract: A method of forming a coaxial transmission line on a high density PCB. A metal strip (102) on the PCB (104) forms the bottom part of the shield, and is covered by a first dielectric (112). Two parallel trenches (122) are formed in the first dielectric to reveal part (123) of the metal strip. The signal conductor (132) is then formed on the first dielectric. A second dielectric (142) covers the signal conductor and the first dielectric. A second set of two parallel trenches (172) are formed in the second dielectric immediately above the first two trenches. Metal (182) is plated in the parallel trenches to contact the metal strip, and also covers a portion of the second dielectric that lies between the trenches, to create a shield. The resulting coaxial transmission line has a center conductor insulated from the shield by the dielectrics.

Abstract: The inside wall of a head/disk enclosure is given a surface broad enough to adsorb and release easily a large amount of water vapor. In a first embodiment, the inside surface is treated by anodic oxidation using oxalic acid. In a second embodiment, the inside surface is treated with sodium carbonate and sodium chromate. In a third embodiment, the surface was etched with acid. The water adsorption capability acts as a buffer to is prevent extremes of relative humidity within the enclosure.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to offer a component suction head for electronic component mounting machines which is capable of securely holding electronic components by suction and smoothly mounting them on printed wiring boards without dislocation. To achieve the objective, the component suction head of the present invention comprises the following. A suction nozzle unit 24 has a suction face 33 at the center of its tip, for holding electronic component 10, and a through hole 27 formed at its center which leads to the suction face 33. The back end of the through hole 27 is connected to a vacuum generator. An elastic ring 32 is fitted and fixed around the through hole 27 to the tip of the suction nozzle unit 24, slightly protruding from the suction face 33. An ejector pin 28, which can protrude from the suction face 33 for a specified length, forms an intake passage 38 from the tip to the through hole 27, and is fitted to the through hole 27 in sliding fashion.

Abstract: Cassettes contain electronic parts. First and second feeders are operative for feeding the electronic parts from the cassettes. A first mounting head has sucking nozzles for picking up the electronic parts fed by the first feeder. A second mounting head has sucking nozzles for picking up the electronic parts fed by the second feeder. A table arrangement is operative for holding a printed circuit board. The first and second mounting heads are alternately moved along a first direction to a region above the printed circuit board on the table arrangement. The table arrangement includes a mechanism for moving the printed circuit board on the table arrangement in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Also, the table arrangement includes a mechanisms for rotating the printed circuit board on the table arrangement about an axis perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a multilayer printed circuit board wherein printed circuit boards are laminated by accurate in positional alignment. A first supporting means for supporting a first printed circuit board is provided on a lower table 11 and second supporting means for supporting a second printed circuit board P2 is provided thereover. One end of the lower table is supported by a first movement means equipped with an XY table mechanism and another end thereof is supported by a Y table mechanism and second movement means for enabling an X-directional free sliding movement. The positions of respective marks m and n on the printed circuit boards are imaged by imaging means. The printed circuit boards are relatively moved by the movement means and the positional error thereof is corrected based on image processing. The first and second printed circuit boards are then secured together.

Abstract: A natural heat dissipation device for a microprocessor. The microprocessor is conventionally mounted to a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board contains a recess that is cut-out directly below the microprocessor. Heat sink material is attached to the microprocessor through the recess. The heat sink material attached to the bottom of the microprocessor may be used alone or in conjunction with a an attached metal tray or case under the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for connecting area grid array semiconductor chips to a printed wire board. A compliant lead matrix includes a carrier and a plurality of conductive leads arranged parallel to one another and secured relative to the carrier in the form of a matrix. The method includes orienting a first side of the lead matrix to be aligned with a reciprocal matrix of conductive surface pads on the area grid array semiconductor chip. First ends of the leads are electrically connected to the conductive surface pads of the area grid array chip. The second side of the lead matrix is oriented to be aligned with a reciprocal matrix of conductive surface pads on a printed wire board. Second ends of the leads of the lead matrix are electrically connected to the conductive surface pads of the printed wire board thereby establishing an electrical connection between the area grid array chip and the printed wire board.

Abstract: An electronic parts mounting method comprises a first step of forming precoatings on electrodes of a circuit board, a second step of depressing the bumps of an electronic part having bumps eat into the electrodes by pressing the electronic part having bumps to the circuit board with a mounting unit, and interposing a bonding agent between the electronic part having bumps and the circuit board, and a third step of carrying the circuit board to a thermal compression bonding unit and pressing while heating the electronic part having bumps to the circuit board with a thermal compression bonding head. This method is capable of preventing the electronic part having bumps from being deviated during carriage and allows works to be carried out in parallel with one another at a plurality of working stages, thereby enhancing a working efficiency.

Abstract: A process of producing a multi-layered printed-coil substrate as a planar magnetic component for use as a transformer or a choke in a switched mode power supply circuit, etc. in which several types of printed-coil substrates having individually different coil patterns are prepared, some of them are selected depending upon the desired characteristics of planar magnetic component, and the selected substrates are layered to obtain a multi-layered printed-coil substrate. A printed-coil component, wherein pin terminals erected on insulating bases are inserted through through-holes formed in the printed-coil substrate having patterned coils in a single or several layers and pin terminals are soldered to the through-holes.

Abstract: Circuit boards are manufactured by forming a substrate with a dielectric surface, laminating a metal foil to the substrate, and forming holes in the substrate through the foil. A filler material with an organic base may be filled with electroconductive particles or dielectric thermoconductive particles. The filler material is deposited into the holes and is heated to at least partially cure it. The surface of the filler material is seeded and electrolessly plated to form a conductive coating on the metal foil and the filler material. The coating is then patterned to form a wiring layer. A second set of holes may be formed in the circuitized substrate after the hole filling step, which are also electrolessly plated.

Abstract: A self-supporting redistribution structure for directly mounting a semi-conductor chip to a multilayer electronic substrate is separately fabricated and then laminated to the multilayer substrate. The redistribution structure comprises a dielectric layer having plated vias communicating between its two major surfaces, redistribution lines and input/output pads on its upper major surface and joining patterns on its lower margin surface for electrical connection with the multilayer substrate. The metal plating in the plated vias of the redistribution device connects respective input/output pads on the upper surface of the redistribution structures with the joining patterns on its lower major surface. Input/output pads define an even (planar) topography with the redistribution lines to facilitate flip chip joining.

Abstract: Disclosed is method of manufacturing catalytic converters having a ceramic honeycomb surrounded by a supporting mat and located within a housing, comprising the following steps: (1) forming a cylindrical metal shell exhibiting a uniform curvature and having a lap joint exhibiting substantially the same curvature as the outer surface of the metal shell; (2) wrapping the honeycomb in a sufficient amount of supporting mat material and inserting the wrapped honeycomb into the metal shell; (3) compressively closing the metal shell around the wrapped honeycomb thereby, eating a substantially uniform compressive stress on the honeycomb by the supporting mat.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a heat sink, including the steps of providing a base plate having a plurality of grooves therein, providing a plurality of blanks each having bell-bottom shaped foot portions on opposite sides thereof, separating each blank into a pair of mirror image heat fin portions, each of the heat fin portions having one of the bell-bottom shaped foot portions and a plurality of tongues projecting therefrom, positioning the heat sink fin portions with the bell-bottom shaped foot portions in respective ones of the grooves of the base plate, and swaging the bell-bottom shaped foot portions into the grooves, thereby creating the heat sink with the tongues projecting from the base plate.

Abstract: A linear ball bearing mounting flange, which is provided on at least one end of an outer cylinder of a linear ball bearing and is used for mounting the linear ball bearing on a machine or apparatus. The flange includes a flange-shaped structure having a thick wall and provided separately from the outer cylinder. The flange-shaped structure has an annular recess extending from one end surface of the flange-shaped structure along the inner peripheral surface thereof; a peripheral wall on the inner peripheral side of the recess, which has a jagged structure in which projections and recesses are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction; and a claw projecting inward from the inner peripheral wall, which is formed at the leading end of each of the projecting portions of the jagged structure. When the flange is inserted around the outer cylinder of the linear ball bearing, the claws are locked in a claw insertion hole provided in the outer cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preloading roller bearings which rotatably support a pinion shaft in a differential gear assembly includes a drive mechanism which selectively engages and rotatably drives the yoke of the differential gear assembly in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the pinion shaft threaded end. A dead shaft engages the pinion shaft nut and rotates therewith. A brake is coupled to and selectively restrains or allows the dead shaft to rotate with the nut. Preventing the dead shaft and nut from rotating causes the nut to be threadingly received onto the pinion shaft and load the bearings. Disengaging the brake and allowing free rotation of the dead shaft and nut allows sensing of the bearing preload condition within the differential gear assembly housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry shaving apparatus comprising a casing (7) formed by face walls (1, 2) and narrow sidewalls (3, 4, 5, 6), an electric driving mechanism for at least one cutter assembly (S), at least one control switch (20), and a guard member pivotally mounted on the casing (7) and having a cap portion (18) of an essentially U-shaped configuration for protecting the shaver assembly, wherein the cap portion (18) with at least one guard wall (16, 17) extending parallel to the face walls (1, 2) is pivotally mounted on at least one of the face walls (1, 2) of the casing (7) by means of a rotary joint, and the control switch (20) is actuatable only when the cap portion (18) and the guard wall (16, 17) are in a pivot position in which the shaver assembly (S) is released.

Abstract: A knife handle such as in a utility knife or box cutter knife with a blade carrier having a planar blade support, parallel flanges and laterally projecting tabs for securing the blade in position on the carrier. The knife handle provides improved retention of a knife blade under torsional loads applied to the blade through the use of two or more longitudinally spaced retention tabs that capture both forward and rearward portions of the blade.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool assembly enables replaceable attachment of any one of a plurality of tools having the same or different function to a single tool handle assembly. The tool handle assembly is constructed from a U-shaped frame member supporting a pivotable plate which is operative for clamping the shank portion of a tool to the frame member. A plurality of tools may be packaged with a tool handle assembly in the nature of a kit.

Abstract: Handles for cutting instruments such as scissors are described, each handle being made of a relatively rigid plastics material and being provided in its finger-receiving hole portion (8;8') with a lining ring (15;15') of elastically deformable material, such as natural or synthetic rubber. Such elastically deformable ring permits the scissors to adapt itself to the fingers of the user, independently of their size or whether the user is right- or left-handed.

Abstract: A paper punch comprising a body having upper and lower parts and providing a horizontal gap between the body parts, a rotatable male die having a cross-section of a specific shape and supported within the upper body part for vertical movement, and a spring provided inside the upper body part for biassing the male die upwards. The paper punch includes a rotatable female die having a hole of substantially the same shape and size and provided within the lower body part, and a guiding member provided within the upper body part for guiding the male die in vertical alignment with the female die. A rotatable press-knob is provided on the upper body part for moving the male die downwards, against the action of the spring, to perform one of the two following actions. The first action is cooperating with the female die for making a hole on a sheet of paper inserted into the gap.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having a first shaft, a transmission mechanism operatively connected to the first shaft, a second shaft operatively connected to the transmission mechanism, a housing enclosing the transmission mechanism and adapted to contain a quantity of lubricating grease, and a grease propeller rotatably disposed within the housing on at least one of the first and second shafts for circulating the grease within the housing. A blade may be operatively connected to the second shaft. The transmission mechanism includes a first gear operatively connected to the first shaft, and a second gear operatively connected to the second shaft, where the second gear operatively meshes with the first gear. It may be advantageous to dispose the first and second gears in such a manner so that distance between the blade and the second gear is larger than the distance between the blade and the first gear.

Abstract: An archery sight for a bow comprises an integral pin plate, pin guard and windage adjustment structure. In a preferred embodiment, the pin plate is configured to maintain the sight pins in substantially parallel arrangement relative to one another. In another preferred embodiment, the pin plate defines a plurality of elongate apertures, each for securing a sight pin to the pin plate. Accordingly, the sight pins can pivot relative to the pin plate allowing for closer arrangement of the tips of the sight pins than would otherwise be allowable if the pins were maintained in a parallel relationship. In yet another preferred embodiment, the archery sight is comprised of an integrated pin plate, pin guard, and adjustable windage mechanism. In still another preferred embodiment, the archery sight comprises at least one two-headed sight pin preferably having sight heads of different widths.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating the hanging hardware of a picture on a wall, includes a rectanglar block having an inverted "V" shaped slot on a rear surface thereof for receiving a mounting wire or string. The block further includes a blunt protrusion located directly below the point of the "V" for marking a wall. A "U" shaped member connected by a spring to the block is provided for receiving the top portion of the frame.

Abstract: A machine is proposed for the production of a material sheet, in particular a paper or cardboard sheet, with a dryer section which exhibits at least one double-row dryer group consisting of two rows of heated dryer cylinders, each of which has been assigned a transport belt circulating in a meandering fashion around the dryer cylinders of one row and the deflection rolls assigned to the dryer cylinders, thereby pressing the material sheet against the surface of the dryer cylinders, and having a drive mechanism consisting of at least one motor assigned to each row of dryer cylinders of a double-row dryer group, which causes a rotation of the dryer cylinders and deflection rolls as well as a circulation of the transport belts of the dryer section, in which the drive mechanism is designed such that the rotational speed of the two rows of dryer cylinders within the double-row dryer group can be regulated independently of one another.

Abstract: A method and device for heating and cooling, such as for the sterilization, pasteurization, drying and/or roasting, of food products, such as nuts and beans, for example whole and crushed peanuts and coffee and cocoa beans, comprising bringing the raw food products into contact with a heated granular material, separating of the granular material from the food products after the heat transfer from the heated granular material to the food products, and the subsequent cooling of the food products, the cooling of the food products taking place by means of a granular material which is first conveyed to the product to be cooled and is separated therefrom after the cooling.

Abstract: A method for the continuous treatment of particulate material, such as cement raw meal, in an apparatus comprising a stationary reactor (6) configured as a conical spouted bed, to which the material is fed and treated in a suspended bed by means of gas which, via a centrally arranged gas inlet (21), is injected at the bottom of the reactor (6) and flows upwards through the reactor (6), and wherefrom the material is discharged via an opening (21) at the bottom of the reactor (6).

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously granulating powder material has a feeder for continuously supplying powder material, and a granulation vessel. The granulation vessel includes a granulation zone and a drying zone. The apparatus also has a spray nozzle disposed so as to be declined above the granulation zone for adding binder to the powder material, a perforated plate disposed below the granulation zone and the trying zone, an intermediate weir disposed between the granulation zone and the drying zone so as to provide a space between the intermediate weir and the perforated plate, an outlet weir disposed at an outlet side of the drying zone, and a heated air supplying device for supplying from below heated air to the granulation zone and the drying zone so as to form a fluidized bed of the material.

Abstract: An orthotic which comprises an upper section and a lower section which can be hinged to each other by a hinge. The facing surfaces of the sections are covered with sheets of loop material. Compressible cushion pads designed to contour to the specific needs of a patient containing a layer of hook material on both surfaces are releasably secured to the sheets of loop fabric forming a three layer assembly.

Abstract: A boot including, on the one hand, a bottom assembly made of at least two layers, or one wearable layer and a core layer, and, on the other hand, a reinforcement element which is coupled to the core layer of the bottom assembly, wherein the reinforcement element is coupled to the core layer in a region located between the heel and the fore end of the bottom assembly, and it extends freely along at least one side of the upper into the rear region, and wherein a comfort layer is inserted between the user's foot and the core layer. The boot provides excellent lateral foot retention without there being any interference with shock absorption on the comfort layer, and this is achieved while allowing the heel of the bottom assembly free to bend.

Abstract: An audio shoe includes a shoe top attached to a sole, and a channel extending into the sole from a side edge thereof. A speaker attached to a housing is positioned inside the channel. The speaker is oriented with its axis in a vertical position. A slot is provided between the front of the speaker and the side edge of the sole to enable sound to escape. The diameter of the speaker may be up to the width of the sole, which is large enough to provide improved sound volume and quality. In a first embodiment, the housing includes audio circuitry and user controls. In a second embodiment, a separate audio module is attached to the shoe top, and connected to the speaker with a cable. In a third embodiment, curved vertical supports extend between the top and bottom walls of the channel to provide additional shock absorption. In a fourth embodiment, a mesh is provided across the opening of the channel for shielding the speaker from dirt and water.

Abstract: An hydraulic and electrical control system are provided for an accessory unit such as a vehicle mounted V-plow blade snowplow.

Abstract: A vacuum excavation system which incorporates a low consumption air lance, a highly efficient multi-stage vacuum generation system effectively isolated from the waste stream and the air source, and a highly portable material collection system. The air lance includes a cylindrical main body which narrows to a flat taper nozzle at the digging end, and a tee-shaped handle with a swivel type air fitting at one end, while the vacuum generation system is a multi-stage ejector fitted onto a collection drum and consisting of successive venturi tubes with pressure equalizing check valves on the second and higher stages, the material collection system consisting of the drum and hoses or pipes connected to the drum through a separate opening.

Abstract: A culvert cleaning apparatus of use with earth moving machinery having a bucket, such as a backhoe or trackhoe. The apparatus has an attachment assembly for connection to the machinery's bucket with an arm extending therefrom for securing a scoop. Extensions between the attachment assembly and the scoop are provided when extended reach is desired. The machine may be used to push the scoop into a culvert and scoop out material clogging the culvert.

Abstract: A tooth attachment for earth working equipment which is configured to receive a conventional cutter bit. The tooth attachment includes a body which defines an upper end and a lower end. The upper end defines a bit holder configured to receive a conventional cutter bit and the lower end is configured to be releasably securable to the post of an implement of earth working equipment such as dragline equipment, a backhoe, a bulldozer, a grader or the like.

Abstract: A quick attach accessory tool mounting frame is adapted to be mounted onto a quick attachment bracket and held in place. The adapter frame has plates mounting a hub to pivotally mount a powered auxiliary tool. The hanger is formed with spaced plates having upper edges that will abut against portions of the adapter frame to permit only limited pivotal movement of a tool supported by the hanger about a horizontal axis such that the operator can control the position of the auger after the hanger has pivoted against provided stops that limit the pivotal movement of the tool about one axis.

Abstract: A garment and laundry press including a relatively movable press buck and press head one of which is connected to pivotal arm structure at one thereof with the other end of said pivotal arm structure being connected to a longitudinally extending fluid pressure driven rotatable actuator member.

Abstract: A heating drum for ironing machines includes a metallic hollow cylindrical body having two enlarged ends to form two water reservoirs and two coaxial tubular necks at the two enlarged ends, the metallic hollow cylindrical body having a plurality of inverted V-shaped grooves each having two ends communicating with the water reservoirs an a tip pointing to a direction along which the metallic hollow cylindrical body rotates.

Abstract: The invention relates to an iron having a metal soleplate, which is provided with an anti-friction layer containing an inorganic polymer. To improve the scratch resistance of the anti-friction layer, a hard intermediate layer is provided between the predominantly aluminum part of the soleplate facing the anti-friction layer and the anti-friction layer.This intermediate layer is preferably composed of aluminum oxide which is provided by means of an electrochemical treatment. The use of polymerized alkyl trialkoxysilane, in particular methyl trimethoxysilane, in the anti-friction layer makes it possible to obtain layers which are thicker and hence more scratch-resistant. In such layers, oxidic nano-particles and inorganic color pigments may be incorporated, which cause a further increase of the scratch resistance.

Abstract: A removable ironing board (2) enclosed in a piece of furniture (1). The ironing board (2) is mounted on extendible rails (19 and 20) so that the ironing surface (2) projects out of the enclosure (3) when in use. A panel (4) is attached to the ironing surface(2), and is movable to a position underneath the ironing surface (2) when the ironing surface (2) is extended. The ironing board (2) may be replaced with a differently shaped ironing surface, or removed from the piece of furniture and the enclosure (3) used to house a drawer.

Abstract: A datable food storage container including a vessel having an upper mouth-defining structure, a vessel wall and a vessel bottom; a lid fixable to the upper mouth-defining structure, the lid having a top surface and a bottom surface, the lid having a lid cavity in the top surface; and a dating mechanism positioned in the lid cavity and releasably engaged with the lid, the dating mechanism including a plurality of generally cylindrical body members fixably rotatable about a common axis substantially parallel to the top surface of the lid, each of the body members having an outer surface which carries indicia, and a tubular shaft releasably engaged with the lid and extending through the cylindrical body members along the common axis such that the body members are fixably rotatable about the shaft.