Abstract: A flow distributor for distributing liquid onto a packed bed of a process column. The distributor includes an elongated liquid trough having first and second laterally spaced, longitudinally extending sidewalls and a longitudinally extending floor which extends between and interconnects the sidewalls. The sidewalls each have a plurality of holes therethrough, which holes are spaced apart longitudinally of said distributor. The distributor also includes a respective elongated liquid distributor drain pipe for each of said holes. Each pipe has first and second ends and a central internal liquid conducting passageway extending therethrough between its ends. Each pipe also has a first segment adjacent its first end and a second segment spaced longitudinally of the pipe from the first end. The segments are angularly disposed relative to one another.

Abstract: Simulations are performed for (1) the change in shape of the molten resin when a parison is formed by extruding said resin through the gap between the extruder die and core, (2) the change in shape of the molten resin due to clamping the mold around the extruded parison and blowing compressed air into the parison, and (3) the thermal deformation that will occur in the molded product due to cooling after the molded product, obtained when the molten resin has solidified in the mold, is removed from the mold in a high-temperature state. The shapes of the mold, extruder die and core that will give the desired shape of molded product are determined from the results of these simulations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus useful in the development of molds are disclosed. In particular, the methods and apparatus of the present invention are useful, for example, in the context of dimensionally expanding and printing a picture image on a printable sheet for use in making a picture print thermoforming female mold of castible shrinkable material. In addition, a process for producing a male mold which replicates brush strokes of an original painting is disclosed.

Abstract: A sheet of plastic to be thermoformed into an appliance liner is brought to a substantially uniform temperature, preferably to a temperature differential of less than 5° F. throughout, by directing a fluid medium upon opposing side surfaces of the sheet. In the most preferred form of the invention, the fluid medium is constituted by air which is heated, impinged upon the opposing surfaces and recirculated, with the temperature and flow rate of the air being controlled based on sensed operating parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of foamed sandwich elements including skins joined by a frame. In applying the foam in a cassette formed by the frame and one of the skins the invention provides for use of an applicator having a two-dimensional movable discharge orifice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an odor adsorbent tampon or related catamenial device. The method of the present invention includes the steps of forming a plurality of fibers, preferably by extrusion, and impregnating or urging into or inserting into the interstices of the fibers with one or more odor adsorbent materials while the process of forming the fibers is being performed. Thereafter, the plurality of fibers so formed are suitably and conventionally brought together to produce the finished device. Preferably, the one or more odor adsorbent materials is in liquid form and/or is naturally sourced.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a floor covering involves leading a glass fiber matt 1 from a supply reel 2 onto a conveyor belt 3. At a first scattering station 4, a saturation material is scattered onto the matt 1 to form a scattered layer. The matt 1 is then led between upper and lower heated belts 10, 11 to gel the scattered layer. The belts are then passed between a pair of smoothing/nipping rollers to form a layer of uniform thickness. The belts are then cooled and the matt 1 with saturation layer applied is wound for further processing. In an alternative arrangement a saturation material is scattered directly onto a substrate belt at the first scattering station 4, a glass fiber matt 26, is applied over the scattered material and, at a second scattering station 28, an amount of the saturation material or a different material is scattered onto the matt 26.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a part out of reinforced plastics material, the method comprising the following steps:

Abstract: In the method, after the pattern-bearing film is fed to the female mold, the distal end of the film is fixed under a lower portion of the female mold, and at the same time the film is retreated by a force from the film supply portion. Thus, this tightens up the film so that the slacks or wrinkles cannot be formed on the film. Therefore, the film can be fortunately spread around the parting surface of the female mold. In the apparatus, the film suppressing frame is pressed to the female mold through the sliding rod arranged in the female mold, in such a manner that the female mold embraces the frame. Thus, the pressing of the frame is performed by a simple structure, and the film is accurately positioned to the internal surface of the female mold. Also, the film suppressing frame is constituted to advance from and retreat to the female mold. Thus, this causes a space between the both molds and an outside standby position to be useless. A space around the apparatus can be effectively utilized.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an insert molding having a conductor member in which a part thereof is coated with resin is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of securely supporting a part of the conductor member by a fixation member provided in a holding member, grasping the holding member supporting the conductor member by a mold so as to accommodate a portion of the conductor member where is other than a portion to be utilized as a contact point, injecting the resin into inside of the mold, and coating the conductor member accommodated in the mold integrally with the holding member by the resin.

Abstract: A method of making an interior trim panel for attachment to structure of a vehicle includes the steps of loading a trim blank into a cavity of a first side of a mold and depositing a molten thermoplastic material onto a core on the first side of the mold. The method also includes the steps of closing the mold, moving the slide in a channel of the core, and injecting a molten thermoplastic material into a second side of the mold to form the interior trim panel.

Abstract: Method for on-mold surface coating fiberglass-reinforced molded articles during their manufacture with environmentally friendly and physiologically safe thermosetting unsaturated polyester on-mold coating powders which serve as replacements for liquid gel coats. The thermosetting coating powders employed are adapted to cure at low temperatures to avoid causing thermal damage to the heat sensitive plastic molds which must be reused over and over again, and to cure in the presence of atmospheric oxygen to enable over coating with liquid fill resins and fiberglass, which constitute the bulk of the finished article, without having the fill resins bleed through the powder coating film and detrimentally affect the overall quality of the surface finish.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making artificial nail, including a printed pattern layer. A film having a transfer portion with a printed pattern is placed between two surfaces forming a cavity with a hole. A fluid resin is injected into the cavity through the hole and contacting the transfer portion. The resin solidifies and integrates with the transfer portion, which forms an artificial portion with the printed pattern. Also disclosed is an apparatus for use in making the artificial nail. The apparatus includes a mold including the two surfaces and a film supplier feeding the film with the transfer portion to the mold.

Abstract: A plastic molding for use in an optical device, a method of producing the molding by injection molding, and an apparatus for practicing the method are disclosed. Only a part of a molding expected to sink is surely caused to sink while, e.g., a mirror surface is surely transferred to a desired part of the molding.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a copper wire includes a melting furnace in which combustion is performed in a reducing atmosphere so as to produce molten copper; a soaking furnace for maintaining a predetermined temperature of the molten copper supplied from the melting furnace; a casting trough for sealing the molten copper supplied from the soaking furnace in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and for transferring the molten copper to a turn-dish; a degasser provided in the casting trough for dehydrogenating the molten copper passing therethrough; a continuous casting machine for continuously producing cast copper from the molten copper supplied from the turn-dish, and a cutter for cuffing the cast copper into a predetermined length.

Abstract: A two-chamber furnace for smelting scrap aluminum which is contaminated, has a distillation chamber above the first furnace chamber functioning as a charging stack and separated from the first chamber by a slider or flap arrangement. Flue gas from the first chamber is forced through the distillation chamber to destructively distill off the contaminants. The hood of the distillation chamber is equipped with a pressing body to compact the charge.

Abstract: A securing element for dampened securement of a group of components one to another and, in particular, for dampened securement of drive components of trucks, is provided and includes a housing, a support body, an deformable enclosure enclosing a fluid volume and an elastomeric load bearing body which, in one operational condition, supports the entire mass of the group of components without being operatively coupled to the support body in a manner which brings the support body into load bearing duty and which, in another operational condition, cooperatively acts with the support body. The securing element also includes a control device operable to effect a decoupling of the load bearing body and the support body from one another and operable, in another control operation, to effect a coupling of the load bearing body and the support body with one another such that both cooperate together in supporting the load.

Abstract: The present invention provides a workholder and a method for securing a work piece by engaging either a bore contained in the work piece or by gripping the edge of the bore of the work piece. The workholder includes a support platform, and a bore clamping device that is mounted to the support platform. The clamping device has a cylindrical, expandable arbor extending upwardly from the support platform for positioning in and engaging the bore or for gripping an outer edge of the bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and machine for banding groups of bank notes in which a web is projected towards a banding station by a pair of motor-driven rollers, until the end of the web reaches a gripper unit which is mobile, driven by a support and drive device, which draws the web along a closed path defined by a plurality of guide pins until it reaches a final position which coincides with the starting position; upon completion of the feed stage the guide pins move to a position in which they are no longer in contact with the web, which is recovered by the rollers so that the web forms a loop around the group; a cutting device and a sealing device complete the banding stage by cutting and securing a band around the group.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering signatures to a binding line, the apparatus and method preferably comprising a printer feeder apparatus and method for providing personalized information in a variety of locations upon a selected one of a plurality of signatures types before the signatures are fed to the binding line.

Abstract: An auxiliary roller is disposed in the proximity of sides of feed rollers and in the proximity upward from a separation pad. At the print time, the auxiliary roller is slightly projected toward the side of print sheet from roller faces of the feed rollers. The auxiliary roller is displaced as paper is displaced in a stack direction of the paper, and can be freely rotated. A hopper is moved up, paper is pressed against the feed rollers, and the separation pad abuts the feed rollers. Then, the feed rollers and a transport roller are rotated forward for feeding the paper to the transport roller. Further, the paper is sent from the transport roller at a distance equal to or greater than the length along the feeding path between the position of the front end of paper placed in a paper feed tray and the abutment center point of the separation pad and the feed rollers. Subsequently, the feed rollers and the transport roller stop, the hopper is moved down, and the separation pad is brought away from the feed rollers.

Abstract: In a paper-leaves separating/supplying apparatus comprising a rotary separating/supplying belt, a vacuum suction device and a separating/supplying device, the vacuum suction device takes up one by one a plurality of paper leaves set together and conveyed as far as a position at which they come into contact with a belt surface of the separating/supplying belt so that the paper leaf is attached onto the belt surface and is fed toward the downstream side in accordance with the rotary motion of the separating/supplying belt. The belt surface of the separating/supplying belt is placed in a state perpendicular to a traveling plane of the paper leaves or in a state inclined toward the paper leaves.

Abstract: A device for feeding sheets of a recording medium from a stack to an office machine, having movable elements which are moved by means of driven continuously rotating traction devices in the feed direction over the respective top sheet of the stack. The movable elements are supported by guide skids and are in contact with the top sheet under pressure to separate the top sheet from the second sheet of the stack beneath it and displace the top sheet with respect to the second sheet in the direction of feed. The movable elements each have at least one roller arranged across the direction of feed, mounted so it can rotate freely on a traction device.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which various kinds of sheets can be used and which can be made compact and reduce the number of parts.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus is composed of: an insert portion into which the plural number of sheets are inserted in a lump; a conveying belt to convey the inserted sheets through a conveying path by one sheet at a time; a detector to detect directions of both sides and the top and bottom of sheets being conveyed through the conveying belt; a both side reversing mechanism to selectively reverse both sides of sheets conveyed by the conveying belt; a top and bottom reversing mechanism to selectively reverse the top and bottom of sheets being conveyed by the conveying belt; and stackers to sort and stack sheets that are aligned in the same direction by the both side reversing mechanism and the top and bottom reversing mechanism.

Abstract: A circulatory feed system has roller pairs for feeding a stimulable phosphor sheet in a substantially horizontal attitude. Each of the roller pairs comprises first and second coupled rollers interconnected by a shaft for rotation in unison with each other, and first and second separate rollers which are independent of each other. The first and second separate rollers are disposed below the first and second coupled rollers, i.e., in a region toward which the stimulable phosphor sheet is flexed.

Abstract: A gaming method and system which allows a player to wager varying amounts on whether that player will have multiple consecutive wins, losses, or ties of a game of chance and having the option of withdrawing from a consecutive wins, loss or tie bet before reaching the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties originally selected and select a reduced payoff or to make a consecutive wins, losses or ties bet without selecting a predetermined number of consecutive wins, losses or ties and which provides a simplified arrangement for monitoring the progress of such bets made by one or more players, as well as providing a multiple outcome bet tracking system and mark matching system to protect against bet tampering.

Abstract: A connecting assembly is disclosed having a first component defining an opening, a second component adapted to be retained together with the first component and a connector component made of a superelastic alloy. Relative motion between at least two of the components causes a super-elastic activation of the connector wherein the activation simultaneously retains the components together with the connector interposed jointly therebetween. Preferably the connector component is pre-assembled to one of the first and second components. More preferably, the first component is pre-assembled with the connector and the second component is moved relative to the pre-assembled components to activate the superelastic alloy of the connector. Alternatively, the second component is pre-assembled with the connector and the first component is moved relative to the pre-assembled components to activate the superelastic alloy of the connector.

Abstract: A feeder chuck according to the invention includes a tubular chuck body with an axial bore through which a bar is passed, with a downstream section including longitudinal slots enabling elastic deformation in the radial direction. An exterior envelope with an internal conical clamping bearing surface comes into contact with an external conical clamping bearing surface of the chuck body, and is screwed onto the chuck body. The intermediate portion of the exterior envelope has a capacity for elastic deformation in the longitudinal direction, for example by virtue of oblique openings. The feeder chuck therefore has a capacity for adjustment of its diameter combined with improved radial retention of the bar.

Abstract: A pull-to-close collet chuck for use with lathes equipped with servo-type bar loaders. The chuck is configured to be coupled to a lathe drawtube and translates linear movement of the drawtube to a work-gripping action to a collet. The chuck generally includes a ramp body surrounding a first portion of the collet and integral means for fixing the ramp body within a central bore of the chuck. A piston surrounds the collet and has a bearing surface adjacent a ramp surface of the ramp body, and a wedge is located between the ramp surface of the ramp body and the bearing surface of the piston. The wedge has multiple bearing surfaces through which the work gripping action is transferred from the piston to the collet as a result of radial inward movement of the wedge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chuck unit for automatic machine tools, designed to perform both power tasks and high-speed finishing of pieces, with lubricant/coolant fluid flowing through the chuck shaft, which includes:

Abstract: A skate with adjustable size has a toe unit and a heel unit. The heel unit is slidingly associated with the toe unit through sliders and a fastener constituted by a screw is adapted to adjust and lock the mutual axial position of the heel unit with respect of the toe unit. The fastener means is operated through a folding lever associated with the skate.

Abstract: A snowboard binding that includes lock-retaining elements having sloping or conical surfaces for guiding the sole of a snow boot into a seated position. The boot sole becomes more restricted in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the further the boot is introduced into the binding. Also is disclosed a snowboard binding and a boot combination having interengaging boot-retaining members on the binding and locking parts on the boot sole.

Abstract: A ground contact system for a vehicle having a wheel mounted on a wheel carrier, the wheel carrier being mounted on a support by a vertical suspension device, the support being mounted on a chassis by a load transfer arm on one side of which the support is articulated along an essentially horizontal geometrical camber axis, the load transfer arm being connected at its other side to the chassis along an essentially vertical geometrical axis, a camber control rod being mounted articulated to the support some distance from the geometrical suspension axis, the camber control rod being able to move transversely relative to the chassis, a triangulation-forming element connecting the load transfer arm to the chassis around the essentially vertical geometrical axis, such that it controls the moment about the essentially vertical geometrical axis.

Abstract: A gravity driven steerable vehicle having wheels, or skis or a combination of wheels and skis for recreational use, most particularly on surfaces such as pavement, artificial hard-pack turf, mountain slopes, dirt roads, grass and hard-packed or non-packed snow. The vehicle has at least three (3) but preferably four (4) wheels, or skis or a combination of wheels and skis which may or may not be on independent axles one from the other and which may or may not be each independently shock suspended. There is also a steering mechanism for steering the vehicle and a driver compartment portion for containing a driver of the vehicle in a prone face-down and face-forward position. The vehicle is steerable by the driver from the prone face-down and face-forward position. The mechanism for suspension of the wheels and/or skis is configured to provide precise control in turns especially the carving of turns, by the skis, while descending on snow covered terrain.

Abstract: To enlarge the up and down stroke of a front wheel without changing the layout of a steering shaft and a tie rod. An upper arm and a lower arm are arranged in an upward and downward manner, respectively. The upper and lower arms are pivotably attached to a vehicle body and respective front end portions thereof are connected by a knuckle. The upper arm constitutes substantially a triangular shape and is provided with a front pipe, a rear pipe and a vehicle body attaching portion. Furthermore, a joint pipe is provided with a ring-like portion and a ball joint is attached thereto. A rear end portion of the vehicle body attaching portion, an escape portion in the vicinity thereof and an attaching center B of a cushion attaching portion provided on the joint pipe, are respectively arranged forward from a joint center line L passing through center A of the ball joint and orthogonal to a vehicle body center line C.

Abstract: A Tread Wheel Frame System drives a human-powered cycle by means of a tread wheel driving a tread of a drive wheel of a cycle rather than driving a drive wheel hub, as conventional cycles do. Most of the driving mechanism, including the tread wheel, a speed ratio mechanism, shifting means, and a power unit device, are safely located above the level of a cycle s axles where they are less likely to encounter accidental impact. The tread wheel with the power unit device also does the braking, which eliminates the need for caliper brakes or hub brakes. Accordingly, a drive wheel is lighter, without the need for a heavy hub, or a heavy rim to withstand the wear and heat of friction of caliper brakes. The tread wheel frame is uniquely designed and engineered to be light, yet strong where needed.

Abstract: A brazed bicycle frame and method for making. At least two bicycle frame half-shells are fabricated. A filler metal is then placed between the bicycle frame half-shells to form a two-part hollow frame section. The two-part hollow frame section is inserted into a hot volume at a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the filler metal but lower than the melting temperature of the two bicycle frame half-shells. The filler metal is allowed to melt. The filler metal is then allowed to cool and harden to form a rigid joint. In one preferred embodiment the bicycle frame half-shells each have a flange that facilitates alignment fixturing and assembly of the two-part hollow frame sections. In another preferred embodiment the filler metal and the bicycle frame half-shells are placed in an extruded or formed grooved section. The grooved section also facilitates alignment fixturing and assembly of the two part hollow frame sections, and helps to strengthen the braze joint.

Abstract: A vehicular towing apparatus incorporates an air bag in association with shock absorbers and a tow bar. The air bag may be selectively inflated and deflated, allowing the tow bar to be raised and lowered at will. In addition, the tow bar may be extended or retracted as desired. Several platform attachments enable the towing apparatus to be used alternatively as an automobile tow bar, a support for motorcycles or bicycles, or other items that may be supported upon a platform. The towing apparatus retracts under the vehicle, and may also serve as a vehicle step or standard trailer ball attachment point.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a tractor to a trailer is disclosed. The assembly comprises a fifth wheel bearing plate and a trailer bearing plate assembly. The trailer bearing plate assembly includes a self-lubricating plate securely attached to an underside of said trailer by a chemical attachment means.

Abstract: A motor vehicle occupant safety device has a canister of inflator gas secured outside the passenger compartment. At least one air bag is connected to the source, and at least a portion of the air bag is stowed in the “A” pillar generally laterally relative to the passenger-side occupant prior to collision. An airtight frangible seal separates the source from the air bag. Upon collision, an electrical signal causes the seal to rupture which allows the pressurized gas to flow freely into the air bag. As the bag inflates, it moves laterally across the front of the occupant rather than toward him producing a cushion in front of the occupant. There is also a novel air bag formed from an inner bag and an outer bag.

Abstract: An air bag mounted in an automotive steering wheel and having a bag body and flow regulation fabric mounted within the bag body. The bag body includes a front panel and a rear panel and is a horizontally symmetrical, planar bag body. The front panel is provided with a gas inlet port. The flow regulation fabric branches from the gas inlet port into radially extending right and left passages that run to the outer fringes of the bag body. Circumferentially extending passages of the flow regulation fabric extend from the front ends of the radially extending passages along the fringes of the bag body vertically, and are each provided with upper and lower opening ends at which gas can be ejected toward the vertical centerline of the bag body. Upon expansion, the air bag quickly enters between the occupant's abdomen and the rim of the steering wheel.

Abstract: Crash sensor arrangement for determining whether a crash involving a vehicle requires deployment of an occupant restraint device including an elongate sensor arranged in the crush zone to provide a variable impedance as a function of a change in velocity of the crush zone and a processor for measuring the impedance of the sensor or a part thereof at a plurality of times to determine changes in the impedance. The processor provides a crash signal for consideration in the deployment of the occupant restraint device based on the determined changes in impedance. The sensor can have a U-shaped portion extending along both sides of the vehicle and across a front of the vehicle. The sensor may have a coaxial cable and an electromagnetic wave generator which generates electromagnetic waves and feeds the waves into the cable.

Abstract: A gas generator for air bags for use in an air bag system for safely protecting a driver and riders in a vehicle from shock from collisions. The gas generator has the following features to enable a component count to be reduced, thereby manufacturing the gas generator at low cost, while preventing slag in a gas flowing outside.

Abstract: An air bag body (1) is expanded by charging an air therein after being expanded in a flat surface shape. Next, by gently gripping the air bag body (1) by upper and lower blades (26, 25) radially arranged in a radial direction of the air bag body (1), a height in a radial direction of the air bag body (1) is linearly restricted along the upper and lower blades (26, 25). Next, a plurality of movable blocks (24) are forward moved toward a center of the air bag body (1), and upper and lower panels (12, 11) of the air bag body (1) are accumulated. At this time, the upper and lower panels (12, 11) of the air bag body (1) are folded in a state of being apart from each other so as to form a wave shape. Next, the air bag body (1) is rotated, a portion left in a tab shape is wound around a periphery, and a center protruding portion of the air bag body (1) is pressed from an upper side, whereby a front surface deploying portion (35) is formed.

Abstract: A strong lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant and the method of making same. The cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port so as to provide added strength in the region adjacent the port that is located at a radial distance greater than the radius of said port. This is accomplished by shifting or shogging the yarn supplying mechanism relative to the cushion mandrel.

Abstract: An inertia sensor for vehicle-sensitive activation of a belt retractor blocking mechanism, has a mass body, a support for the mass body, and a sensor lever having a control pawl and being mounted on the support for swivelling motion about a swivel axis and resting on the mass body. The support is provided with a first circular cylindrical surface area with a axis which is parallel to the swivel axis and runs through the center of gravity of the mass body. An appendix is formed on the first circular cylindrical surface area of the support for mounting the support to the belt retractor. Further, a belt retractor with the inertia sensor and injection molds for molding the support and the sensor lever are provided.

Abstract: A fuel tank mounting structure for a scooter having a front frame extended downward from a head pipe, a pair of footboard support frames extended backward from the front frame, a footboard attached to the pair of footboard support frames, and a fuel tank disposed under the footboard. The fuel tank mounting structure includes fuel tank shelves extended from lower parts of the footboard support frames toward the center of the body of the scooter, wherein the fuel tank is seated on cushions placed on the fuel tank shelves, and is held in place by the footboard.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a security element for documents, forgery-proof labels, checks, seals and the like, comprising the steps of providing a backing layer and applying a covering layer to at least one face of the backing layer. The method also comprises a step of removing preset regions of the covering layer with a laser beam having a wavelength between 900 and 1200 nm. The preset regions define a code which can be customized in any manner and detected in any manner.

Abstract: A tube nut and a threaded connection between a brake hose and a brake line, as well as a tool for tightening and loosening the tube nut according to the invention are proposed. The tube nut according to the invention permits high torque levels to be transmitted between the tube nut and the tool. In addition, the space required for assembly is reduced.