Abstract: Recessed head fasteners are provided with a configuration by which the force applied by the blades of the driver to the recessed wings is applied at the radially outer regions of the wings. The wings of the fastener recess may be provided with torque pads at the outer regions of the wings adapted to engage the outer portions of the driver blades. The torque pads may be defined by relieved regions on the drive walls of the recess wings. The relieved regions are formed to avoid contact with the driver blades. Stabilizing ribs also may be defined at the radially inward regions of the drive walls. A recess engageable driver may include a plurality of radially extending ribs configured to promote engagement of the ribs with the most radially outward regions of the recess drive walls. The driver and the recess are compatible with each other as well as with otherwise corresponding conventional recesses and drivers that do not incorporate the invention.

Abstract: A ball polishing method includes the steps of rotating one of two plates through use of a rotating mechanism while balls are sandwiched between the plates, pressing one of the two plates against the other plate via a guide slide mechanism for guiding one of the two plates to the other plate by means of a pressing mechanism, and polishing the balls while the pressing force is regulated through use of a pressing force control mechanism. The method is further provided with rotary support means for supporting the rotating mechanism and guide support means for supporting the guide slide mechanism, and at least one of them utilizes hydrostatics. By virtue of this method, a machining pressure can be controlled with a high degree of accuracy, and the accuracy of polishing of balls can be improved.

Abstract: A gang-punch pin apparatus for punching selected hole patterns in thin sheet materials such as greensheets is provided. The gang-punch pin apparatus uses program plates in the punch apparatus which plates are positioned intermediate the non-punching end of the punch pins and a clearance plate wherein punch pins not used for punching a particular layer of the MLC are retracted into during punching. At the other punch pin locations, the punch pins, upon activation of the punch apparatus by compressing an expandable chamber, usually by application of a force on the punch apparatus, are extended through the lower portion of the punch apparatus to form vias in a greensheet. A die apparatus is also provided for use with the punch assembly to form the vias and to remove the punched material (slugs) from the die apparatus. The gang punch-pin may be shorter than conventional pins and be made at a low cost because of the thin sheet metal plates preferably used to make the component parts of the punch and die apparatus.

Abstract: A hole cutter adapted for cutting holes through the sidewalls of medical catheters is fashioned from a hollow tube having a distal cutting end, a proximal ejection end and a lumen of smaller diameter near the cutting end. Slugs formed at the cutting end are extracted by suction applied to the ejection end, and are captured by a filter.

Abstract: A slicing method and slicing apparatus eliminate occurrence of cracking and/or chipping of a to-be-machined object without reducing the processing speed thereof. To this end, the slicing method comprising cutting the to-be-machined object W by supporting the to-be-machined object W on a table 10 and causing this table 10 to travel in an x-axis direction while allowing a slicing blade 20 to rotate at a predetermined position. A sensor 12 detects a variable load F that the to-be-machined object receives during slicing and an actuator 11 operatively responds to receipt of a detection signal of the sensor 12. The actuator 11 forces the to-be-machined object W to deform in a direction which permits reduction of the aforesaid variable load F. The actuator is provided between the sensor 12 and table 10, or alternatively between the to-be-machined object W and sensor 12.

Abstract: An aluminum foil safety fixture with a slide plate to gradually separate aluminum foil in a safe and convenient cutting process. It eliminates the need for a steel cutting blade. It is comprised of a slide plate with arched pressing edges, fitted to a push unit that is installed with at least one pair of slide pressing rollers, and movably assembled in a slide rail of a main unit base. The supporting plate extends from the main unit base and the clasp plates can be directly fitted to a wall of an aluminum foil packing box, so that the aluminum foil can be pulled to a certain length, rested on the top of the slide rail, then the push unit is pushed lightly over the aluminum foil. This will depress the aluminum foil and ultimately separate it into two pieces.

Abstract: A chain saw comprises interconnected center links and side links. The side links include front and rear heels having front and bottom contact surfaces, respectively, which slidably engage an edge rail of a chain saw guide bar. The bottom contact surface of at least one of the heels includes a recess formed therein. The recess has an open front end and a closed rear end. The recess is of less width than a width of the respective bottom contact surface, whereby portions of the contact surface straddle the recess. The depth and width of the recess gradually decrease from the front end toward the rear end. During a cutting operation, lubricant enters the recess and creates a pressure which lifts the heel slightly off the rail, eliminating metal to metal contact.

Abstract: A paper product has a first sheet with a pattern of spaced openings permitting separation into sections and a second sheet releasably attached to the first sheet with a pattern of continuous curvilinear openings dividing the sheet into sections and being aligned with the openings of the first sheet. A die sheet for a die for cutting material includes a die sheet surface with a die pattern extending outwardly from the die sheet surface. The die pattern has slitting sections providing curvilinear, continuous openings through a second sheet of the material and spaced perforating sections extending above the slitting sections providing a pattern of spaced openings in the first sheet adjacent to the openings through the second sheet. A first method of constructing a die sheet includes covering a die surface with a first, spaced pattern of a first photo-resist material and then covering the first pattern with a second, continuous pattern of a second photo-resist material.

Abstract: A projectile firing weapon for firing rounds of the type having a projectile and an associated bore seal which is radially expanded by relative axial displacement between the projectile and the bore seal. The weapon includes a barrel assembly having a barrel bore, a barrel chamber for the round to be fired through the barrel bore, and an associated breech chamber for the next round to be fired. A propellant chamber is formed in the barrel assembly between the barrel chamber and the breech chamber, and a feeder feeds propellant into the propellant chamber. Rounds may be fed axially and sequentially through a loading opening to the barrel assembly and into the breech chamber, thereby forcing the existing round therein into the barrel chamber. Holding means cooperable with the round fed into the breech chamber effect a sealing relationship between the breech chamber and the round therein, causing an operative closure of the barrel chamber. An igniter ignites propellant in the propellant chamber.

Abstract: According to the invention there is a provided an obturation assembly for a gun of the type comprising a barrel of which a rear end defines a firing chamber having an obturation seat and the gun further having a breechblock, the obturation assembly comprising: an obturation set including an annular obturator pad for sealing against the obturation seat; an obturation spindle having a shaft and a head, the shaft extending coaxially through the obturator pad; a first shim for location between the obturation set and the breechblock, and a second shim for location between the obturation set and the head of the obturation spindle.

Abstract: The improved gun has a rapid fire trigger assembly. The gun has a main body and a trigger connected thereto and depending therefrom, with the lower portion of the trigger biased into a forward, non-firing position. The improved rapid fire trigger assembly includes a housing having spaced sidewalls and interconnecting front and rear sides and is adapted to be connected to the gun in front of the trigger. A generally circular elongated tube passes transversely through the housing sidewalls and into the central space in the housing. The tube is rotatable relative to the housing and has a central portion within the housing, which central portion has a number of spaced radiating spokes extending outwardly therefrom. The tube also has opposite end portions extending lateral of the housing sidewalls, one of which end portions has a crank with a trigger finger-receiving space therein. The crank is adjacent the external surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the flow rate of compressed air to a spray paint gun as well as to a comparable tool which is optimally operative dependant upon receiving a specified flow rate of air includes a flow control valve which regulates the air flow rate therethrough based on a pressure differential signal received from an air flow meter. The pressure differential signal transmitted to the air flow controller is balanced against an opposing spring biased needle in the flow controller.

Abstract: An actuator for opening a poppet exhaust valve, which is closed by a spring and opens in normal operation against a relatively low pressure and which opens for compression braking against a relatively high pressure, is motivated in either event by the same hydraulic pressure. The actuator has a unitary central valve and piston element, which is coaxially directed toward the exhaust valve stem and has an area providing, when subjected to the pressure, a force sufficient to open the exhaust valve for normal operation but insufficient to open the exhaust valve during compression braking. The element extends through a relatively larger diameter annular piston which is slidably fitted about the element and within a bore receiving the annular piston. In normal operation, the element provides enough force to move from an unactuated position and open the exhaust valve, and initial movement of the element closes off passages in the element that admit the pressure to the piston which thus does not move.

Abstract: An improved brake actuator and method of assembling a cup-shaped housing on a housing member of a brake actuator, wherein the housing member has an open end, an annular radially projecting rib adjacent to and surrounding the open end and a plurality of spaced channel-shaped transverse depressions in the radial rib extending toward the open end of the flange case, a cup-shaped metal cover including a tubular open end having an inside diameter initially less than the outside diameter of the annular radial rib of the housing member, wherein the tubular end portion of the cover is pressed telescopically over the radial rib of the housing member, thereby simultaneously deforming the tubular end portion of the cover into the channel-shaped depressions in the rib of the housing member and stretched over the radial rib, thereby preventing rotation of the cover relative to the housing member.

Abstract: A flexible actuator assembly (20) including a flexible bladder device (22) having an expandable sealed chamber (23) adapted to substantially directionally displace between a deflated condition and an inflated condition, displacing a proximal portion (25) of the bladder device (22) away from a distal portion (26) thereof. An elongated tendon member (27) includes a distal portion (28) oriented outside the chamber (23), while an anchor portion (30) extends into the chamber (23) through a distal opening (31) in the bladder device (22).

Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit includes a working cylinder, a piston attached to a piston rod and arranged so that it is axially movable in the working cylinder, and a fastening element threaded into a threaded bore of the piston rod. The bore in the piston rod includes a tapered surface which widens outward starting from the diameter of the thread and the fastening element has a corresponding diminishing tapered surface arranged on a collar which diminishes from the outside to the diameter of the thread.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveyorized toasting of sandwich buns and like bread and food items simultaneously on opposite sides comprises a central heated platen with two bun transport conveyors traveling in spaced relation along opposite sides of the platen and with a pair of auxiliary heating elements disposed outwardly of the respective food transport runs of the conveyors in facing relation to the opposite sides of the platen. An anti-friction web, e.g., a sheet of polytetrafluoroethylene, is suspended over an enlarged nose element at the upper end of the platen to hang at a spacing from the opposite sides of the platen when food items are not being transported therealong. Static electricity is actively generated in the vicinity of the two conveyors to assist in attracting the suspended portions of the web away from the platen whenever food items are not being toasted. In this manner, heat degradation of the web by the platen is mitigated to extend the useful life of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting seasoning within a food product and particularly within a meat, fish or poultry product is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a handle, a head and a plurality of prongs. Seasoning adheres to the prongs and is transported inside of the food product when the prongs are inserted into the food. In a second embodiment of the apparatus, the prongs are tiered to increase the adhesion of the seasoning to the prongs and thereby transport additional quantities of seasoning into the interior of the food product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kitchen appliance comprising a container and a housing accommodating an electric motor. The container comprises a bottom, a removable lid, and a bearing for supporting a tool which is drivable in the container by the motor. A filter can be placed in the container around the tool and can be filled with ingredients such as fruits or vegetables. After activation of the tool, liquids and juices are obtained from these ingredients which pass through strainer openings of the filter. According to the invention, the filter is held in a fixed position in the container during operation in that the filter is locked in between the bottom and the lid of the container. In a first embodiment of the kitchen appliance, the filter is locked in between the bottom and the lid of the container in that the filter has a length which substantially corresponds to a distance between the bottom and the lid of the container.

Abstract: In a screen printing apparatus for printing a conical object rotatable about a rotation axis (4) by means of a screen member (2) which must perform a circular motion about the cone intersection point (6) of the conical object, this circular motion is reproduced by means of three linear drive devices (14,22) and 24). A first linear drive device (14) produces a translational motion of a U-shaped frame (10), in which the screen member holder (8) is held, in a direction transverse to the rotation axis (4) of the object to be printed. The additional drive devices (22,24) act to superimpose both a translational motion transverse to that of the first linear drive device (14) and a rotary motion of the screen member (2) about its center point (38). The first linear drive (14) and the additional linear drive devices (22,24) are numerically controllable by a computer, in which a predetermined motion course for the screen member is stored.

Abstract: A printing plate for an offset printing machine which comprises an electrically non-conductive material adapted for mounting on a plate cylinder of the printing machine and which has cuts in at least one area thereof adapted to cooperate with register pins arranged on the plate cylinder. An electrically conductive layer is arranged on the printing plate in the area of the cuts for making electrical contact with the register pins to facilitate proper mounting of the plate on the cylinder.

Abstract: A flexible printing plate or continuous printing roll comprising a printing layer formed of an elastomeric composition including an epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) component and a natural rubber component.

Abstract: A downhole tool, adapted to retain a shaped charge surrounded by a superatmospherically pressurized light gas, is employed in a method for perforating a casing and penetrating reservoir rock around a wellbore. Penetration of a shaped charge jet can be enhanced by at least 40% by imploding a liner in the high pressure, light gas atmosphere. The gas pressure helps confine the jet on the axis of penetration in the latter stages of formation. The light gas, such as helium or hydrogen, is employed to keep the gas density low enough so as not to inhibit liner collapse.

Abstract: A simulated ammunition device which includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis and a blind bore provided therein at a location co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the first portion; a second portion having a longitudinal axis, a head which is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a circumferential rim, and a stud which extends co-axial to the longitudinal axis of the second portion, the stud being received by the blind bore of the first portion; and structure for maintaining the stud within the blind bore.

Abstract: A non-lethal, light weight, paint ball weapon is attached to standard rifles and fits underneath the barrel of the rifle on existing hard points provided for M-203 forty millimeter grenade launchers. A separate triggering system allows the shooter to fire the non-lethal weapon while aligning sights upon an intended target. The paint ball is stabilized by a first immiscible high density component filling approximately one-third of the ball interior volume. Paint or some other liquid is used as a lower density component filling the remaining volume. The high density component may be talc powder, lead shot, sand, glass beads, or a high density substantially immiscible liquid, paste or gel. The specially adapted, stabilized paint ball includes a colorant or dye and, optionally, a skin irritant or odor producing liquid. The ball is enclosed by an elastomeric, fluid impermeable skin scored or marked to ensure immediate bursting and kinetic energy dissipation upon impact.

Abstract: A line storage device prevents a line from becoming entangled. A channel formed in a piece of material defines a non-overlapping zigzag pattern. The line is laid in the channel and extends from opposing ends of the piece of material. The material supports the line in the channel until the line attains a threshold tension at which point the piece ruptures sequentially along the zigzag pattern from each opposing end. The channel can be formed in or on one or more surfaces of the piece of material.

Abstract: A travelling device for hauling timber has a loading ramp (4) for the wood and a loading crane (5). Two cable drums (12, 13) with cables (18, 19) are attached to one frame (1), and one cable (19) can be attached in front of and the other cable (18) behind the device at a stationary point (20), and each cable drum (12, 13) can be driven for purposes of winding up the cable assigned to it. Using the cables (18, 19) the device can also be moved on steep or swampy terrain in which it is no longer possible to continue to move by means of conventional drives.

Abstract: A folding sectional table assembly includes a pair of table sections, each of which includes a table top and leg structure pivotably mounted to the table top. Each leg structure includes a pair of upper tubular members pivotably mounted between a pair of apron members secured to the underside of the table top, for providing pivoting movement of the leg structure relative to the table top. A torsion bar assist mechanism is disposed within selected ones of the upper tubular members of the leg structures, and includes a torsion bar located within an internal passage defined by the upper tubular member. Each end of the upper tubular member is pivotably mounted to a hub member secured to one of the apron members.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing grass sprigs from bulk sod, evenly distributing the grass sprigs on the ground to be planted, and thereafter planting the grass sprigs. The apparatus comprises a rigid frame member having a driven conveyor assembly, a bulk sod shredding assembly, and a planting assembly. The driven conveyor transports bulk sod to the shredder assembly at a rate proportional to the ground speed of the apparatus, thus providing the proper sprig output rate from the shredder. The shredding assembly utilizes a rotating shaft having a plurality of shredding members extending therefrom for shredding the bulk sod cooperatively with a shredder bar. The planting assembly comprises a sizable chute for guiding the sprigs from the shredder to the ground to be planted without clogging, a plurality of coulters for pressing the sprigs into the ground, and a plurality of press wheels for firming the soil planted subsequent to the coulters.

Abstract: A shallow-toothed clearing disk pivotally supported from the upper end of the opener drawbar assembly. A four bar linkage is connected to the forward end of the drawbar by a bracket which includes at least one link and corresponding pivot structure located above the drawbar to increase trash clearance and reduce trash build-up. The shallow rounded gullets between pointed teeth provide good disk depth control and trash penetration while reducing soil penetration and soil disturbance. The gullets also hold and prevent sliding of trash away from the clearing influence of the angled disk. The disk effectively clears trash to the side of the opener opposite the gauge wheel to assure optimum depth gauging for the opener. The gear-type structure is capable of operating over a wide range of down pressures and loads while breaking any existing crust in the cleared path with little soil disturbance.

Abstract: In a buttonhole sewing machine, a sewing mechanism and a feed bracket are controlled to form a buttonhole defined by settings, such as zigzag stitch length, zigzag pitch, bar-tack length, bar-tack pitch, and cutter space. The buttonhole can be set on the operation panel and changed to various shapes by changing the above settings. In particular, the left and right zigzag stitch widths can be set differently, and the front and rear bar-tack lengths can be also set differently. Thus, the balance of the buttonhole can be finely adjusted.

Abstract: A clamp for use in quilting that includes a top and a bottom quilt clamp portion that are forced together by a pair of springs to hold multiple layer of quilting materials, such as fabric and batting, firmly together while stitching the quilt pattern. To facilitate movement of the multiple layers in the desired quilt pattern, the quilt clamp is provided with a handle. The bottom surface of the quilt clamp is covered with felt to enhance the slidableness of the clamp on quilting tables and sewing machines.

Abstract: A quilting machine which comprises a frame composed of a first beam arranged horizontally above a cloth to be quilted and a second beam arranged below the cloth, the beams being provided with respective guides for the carriages for supporting sewing heads and, respectively, a hook assembly of at least two stitchers, one of which is provided with means for moving one of the sewing heads and the hook assembly synchronously and along the same path and with the same orientation, the carriages that support the sewing head and the hook assembly of a first stitcher supporting respective motor elements for the synchronous movement of the carriages that support the sewing head and the hook assembly of the second stitcher.

Abstract: A belt-loop sewing machine which is capable of efficiently supplying belt loops, includes a bending-shaft-movement-locus control means which controls such that a forward movement locus GML, through which paired bending shafts of a loop supply means are moved toward a sewing position, and a backward movement locus BML, through which the paired bending shafts are moved apart from the sewing position, are made to be different from each other.

Abstract: A method is provided for hand stitching a multi-panel sports ball.

Abstract: A vessel capable of having a plurality of the following structures and method of construction therefor are disclosed. The vessel comprises a hull including a cavity for receiving a plurality of containers. The vessel has one or more of the following features: a bow ramp with clamshell doors; sideport doors and ramps; internal overhead container handling system with transverse jib booms; container compartment; exterior rolling container crane with jib booms; forward pallet elevators; aft pallet elevators; a helicopter hangar; a cargo/helicopter elevator; a stern ramp/gate; a wet/dry well deck; RO/RO cargo decks; a helicopter flight deck; a wet-well ballast system; and a bow-grounding ballast system.

Abstract: A flat oblong piece of brightly colored, durable, stretchable elastomeric material has a pair of apertures spaced by approximately 2″ less than the outermost reaches of the cleat arms. The visual guard may be stretched over the arms of the cleat and provides a visual warning to passersby without interfering with the function of the cleat: a rope may be attached above or below the guard without inhibiting its function.

Abstract: A mooring apparatus for securing a mooring line for a floating rig or the like, includes a soil penetration means, an anchoring means, and coiled tubing or the like, the soil penetration means and anchoring means being arranged upon the coiled tubing. Fluid may be pumped down the coiled tubing to drive the soil penetration means, or to activate the anchor. A transmission cable, to control the mooring system or supply it with power, may also be disposed along the coiled tubing. Various penetration means, such as drill and helical augers may be used. For soft soil, the soil penetration means may include nozzles to erode the soil. The soil penetration means may either be retracted, of sacrificed to form part of the anchor. The anchor may then be fixed securely by supplying concrete or the like down the coiled tubing and into the hole. The mooring apparatus includes a buoy, releasable by remote signals.

Abstract: An ultrashort fairing is disclosed for suppressing vortex-induced vibration in substantially cylindrical marine elements. The ultrashort falling has a leading edge substantially defined by the circular profile of the marine element for a distance following at least about 270 degrees thereabout and a pair of shaped sides departing from the circular profile of the marine riser and converging at a trailing edge. The ultrashort fairing has dimensions of thickness and chord length such that the chord to thickness ratio is between about 1.20 and 1.10.

Abstract: A floatable park that includes a trampoline and a first inflatable object attached to the trampoline. The first inflatable object is constructed to support a human being thereon. The park is floatable on water.

Abstract: A planing boat's primary hull has an adjunct hull surface rotatably connected thereto near its forward end. The adjunct hull surface extends along the hull of the planing boat to aft of amidships and is constructed of a rigid material that conforms to the shape of the hull of the planing boat. A position controller is coupled to the adjunct hull surface to selectively position the adjunct hull surface relative to the hull of the planing boat. When the adjunct hull surface is spaced apart from the hull of the planing boat, the position controller also absorbs shock loads experienced by the adjunct hull surface.

Abstract: An underwater apparatus for performing subsurface operations adapted to be operated from a remote location above the surface of a body of water is disclosed. The apparatus includes a linelatch system that is made up of a tether management system connected to a flying latch vehicle by a tether. The tether management system controls the amount of free tether between itself and the flying latch vehicle. The flying latch vehicle interfaces with various underwater structures. Also disclosed are methods of transferring power and/or data between two or more underwater devices using the linelatch system of the invention.

Abstract: A direction control assembly for a vehicle, particularly a submarine, travelling through and below the surface of a fluid medium such as the sea. The vehicle has a body formed with a main axis running fore and aft, a contoured outer surface forming flow lines with the fluid medium and a plurality of planes movably secured relative to and extending out from said surface for contact with the fluid medium to permit and produce rising, diving or turning procedures. A movement control assembly including inner and outer gimbal rings are mounted within the body for selective mutual as well as independent movement. A first operating rod is connected to the outer ring for controlling the mutual movement of both the rings and a second operating rod is connected to the inner ring for moving the inner ring independently of the outer ring.

Abstract: An adaptable, multi-purpose boat includes a rigid hull and a buoyant sponson removably connected to the rigid hull. The rigid hull includes a plurality of rigid ribs that are each constructed from a pair of sidewall portions and a ‘V’ angled keel portion, and are connected to form sides, a keel, and a ‘V’ angled bottom interposed between the sides and the keel. The plurality of rigid ribs includes a plurality of hull connectors arranged in a predetermined organized pattern, such that a variety of external components may be removably fastened to the boat using at least one of the plurality of hull connectors. As a result, the boat is repeatedly reconfigurable to adapt to multiple post-fabrication purposes.

Abstract: Inflatable kayak having a pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube with elongated side sections which come together fore and aft to form a passenger compartment, a flexible cover encasing the tube and forming a shell against which the tube can be inflated to form a relatively rigid structure. A sheet of tarpaulin material extends across the bottom of the passenger compartment and along the lower and outer sides of the tube, and an inflatable floor cushion rests on the tarpaulin material in the passenger compartment. A seat is provided toward the rear of the passenger compartment, and a splash skirt attached to the cover extends across the passenger compartment between the side sections of the tube in front of the seat.

Abstract: A hulls' shape of which cross-section is a section of a circle, thus retaining symmetry of its wetted surface (9) regardless of its rolling motion or heeling while under way. Shape that results in reduced weather helm effect, and more course stability on sailboats, as well as very low water resistance on vessels in general.

Abstract: A shade for a personal watercraft includes a canopy and a canopy support frame. The shade is formed to provide a clearance such that a person thrown from the craft to either of its sides is not in danger of striking the canopy or its frame. The frame is easily broken down into small, easily transported components and is quickly assembled and mounted onto the craft. A breakaway strap holds the shade in position at the helm of the craft.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for launching or retrieving a vessel. This apparatus includes a first vertical member having a top and a bottom end. A lower vessel engagement hook is positioned at the lower end of the vertical member. A second vertical member is positioned in parallel spaced relation to the first vertical member. An upper vessel engagement structure is positioned at the lower end of the second vertical member in spaced opposed relation to the lower vehicle engagement hook. The second vertical member moves axially upwardly and downwardly to allow for engagement with the vessel.

Abstract: A locating device for avalanche victims having a collapsible, balloon-like envelope having a release and drive means to expand said envelope, and having a connecting element to connect said locating device with the user is provided with at least two essentially rigid opening parts (3, 3′, 11), which are connected to said envelope (7), being movable relatively towards each other by spring power and are being held in their resting positions by means of a releasable locking means (5).

Abstract: A method, composition and system for coating an external surface of containers and in particular, plastic containers, provides for low permeability to gases and vapors. The coating applied to the external surface of the containers is very thin and is comprised of one or several inorganic substances or layers of substances. For example, the coating can include silica which is bonded to the external surface of the container. This coating will be flexible and can be applied regardless of the container's internal pressure or lack thereof. The coating will firmly adhere to the container and possess an enhanced gas barrier effect after pressurization even when the coating is scratched, fractured, flexed and/or stretched. Moreover, this gas barrier enhancement will be substantially unaffected by filling of the container.