Abstract: Cable-stripping pliers includes between its clamping jaws (2, 3) a cutting unit (14) having mutually co-acting cutting elements (65, 75). A mechanism (17) is connected on the one hand to handgrip legs (4, 5) of the pliers and on the other hand to said clamping jaws (2, 3) and a pull rod connected to the cutting unit (14). As the jaws (2, 3) are closed, the mechanism causes the clamping elements (2a, 3a) and the cutting unit (14) to initially engage the cable, and thereafter to withdraw the pull rod, whilst essentially retaining engagement between said clamping elements and the cable upon continued closure of the legs of the pliers handle. The pull rod includes a pin (60) that projects freely in a direction which is normal to the movement plane of the clamping jaws (2, 3) and that engages in a corresponding opening (61) in the cutting unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a coaxial cable, or the like, and effecting cutting and stripping operations to remove a portion of one or more layers which concentrically cover a central conductor. A single blade, having a circular cutting edge, is moved in an orbital path about the cable with rotary motion of a motor translated to orbital motion of the blade through a plurality of plates relatively movable on crossed, linear, roller bearings and a shaft eccentrically affixed to the motor with the shaft and motor axes at an acute angle to one another. The shaft extends through a spherical bearing mounted in one of the plates, thereby translating nutational motion of the shaft to orbiting motion of the plate which is directly attached to the blade. A unique clamping assembly includes a pair of jaws having respective gear racks engaging a single pinion gear on a motor output shaft for linear movement of the jaws by equal distances in opposite directions.

Abstract: A gripping device for holding nails includes a rod having one or more slots formed in one end for forming two or more spring legs, and for clamping and grasping the nails with the spring legs, and for safely obtaining the nails without contacting the hands of the users with the nails, and for firmly holding the nails without forcing the gripping device all the time while gripping the nails, and for safely holding the nails while hammering the nails. A spring ring may force the spring legs to clasp the nail. A barrel may be threaded to force the spring legs to clamp the nail.

Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver includes a drive shaft inserted into a shaft-receiving space of a shaft-mounting seat, a regulator sleeved rotatably around one end of the shaft-mounting seat to selectively push two pawls that are mounted in the shaft-receiving space, and a handle fixed on the shaft-mounting seat. The pawls selectively engage a ratchet wheel fixed on the drive shaft when the regulator is moved to first and second angular positions relative to the shaft-mounting seat.

Abstract: A deformable wrench for applying torque to a nut engaging a threaded fastener includes a wrench body having a center portion with at least one wing portion extending therefrom. The wrench body is formed from an elastic material and a socket aperture extends through the central portion between spaced upper and lower surfaces thereof. The socket aperture is configured to cooperate with the profile of the nut to permit rotation relative to the fastener by applying force to the wing portion of the wrench. At a predetermined torque value, the walls of the socket aperture deform to permit rotation of the wrench relative to the nut thereby preventing over-torquing the nut on the fastener.

Abstract: An insert for a socket wrench comprises a polygonal base corresponding in shape to a wrenching socket into which the insert is received, and a plurality of elongated fingers extending from corner locations on the base. Each finger is characterized by a cross-sectional shape that provides a vertex edge registering with a corresponding corner of the wrenching socket, a pair of confinement sides intersecting at vertex edge for registering with adjacent flats of the wrenching socket, and an engagement side opposite the vertex edge for contacting an intermediate portion of a flat of the fastener between the rounded “corners” of the stripped fastener polygon. The insert efficiently transmits torque to the fastener in a non-destructive manner to loosen, or if desired tighten, the stripped fastener. The finger configuration of the invention can also be integrally incorporated into a socket attachment for a socket wrench.

Abstract: A wrench structure with a multiple-thread worm includes a main body having a handle extending from the main body. A fixed jaw projects from one end of the main body opposite to the handle. The main body is formed with a slide channel and a movable is partially received in the channel and moved corresponding to the fixed jaw. The movable jaw has a rack extending therefrom and slidably received in the channel. A receiving hole is defined in the main body and communicating with the channel. The multiple-thread worm is rotatably received in the receiving hole and engaged to the rack of the movable jaw. The multiple-thread worm has multiple parallel spirals spaces from each other.

Abstract: A sliding jaw wrench with a movable lower jaw and a stationary upper jaw. The upper jaw is attached to an elongated shank and the bottom portion of the shank is threaded. An opening in the lower jaw piece allows the lower jaw to slide around the threaded shank. A handle with internal threading is screwed onto the threaded portion of the elongated shank thereby pushing up on the lower jaw piece and causing the jaw opening of the wrench to tighten.

Abstract: A versatile tubular holder for positioning and operating the hex wrenchs includes a tubular holder having a closed end, an open end, a plurality of circular positioning holes of different diameters spacedly formed in the closed end extending along the length of the lateral walls of the holder, a hollow interior extension projected downward from a middle portion of the holder including a plurality of different sized hexagon inserting holes centrally and spacedly formed in one of the lateral sides extending along the length thereof and an opening abutting a pair of stepped inner wall in the other side opposite to the hexagon inserting holes. It is characterized that a plurality of l-shaped hex wrenchs position their tails into the circular positioning holes respectively when not in use and insert their head into the hexagon inserting holes respectively in operation.

Abstract: A wrench extension with a socket-coupling system includes a socket extension shaft, a transmission member mounted in an axial passageway in an end of the wrench extension shaft, a ball mounted in a first transverse passageway in the end of the wrench extension shaft, and a push member mounted in a second transverse passageway in the wrench extension shaft. The transmission member includes a sliding portion that is in sliding contact with a sliding portion of the push member for urging the ball into a detent of a cavity of a socket coupled to the end of the wrench extension shaft. When the socket is subject to an axial force away from the wrench extension shaft, the transmission member is stopped by the push member to thereby prevent undesired decoupling of the socket.

Abstract: A screwdriver for driving collated screws including a slide body coupled to a housing for reciprocal displacement in a cycle including a retraction stroke and an extension stroke. A lever pivotably mounted to the slide body carries at one end a cam pin received in a cam slot in the housing with the other end of the lever advancing successive screws in the screwstrip, the cam slot having first and second camming surfaces for selective engagement by the cam pin to vary the relative positionning of the lever to be different for the same position if the slide body in the housing in the retraction strokes than in the extension stroke.

Abstract: A hand tool including a handle, a plunger, an elastic element, a driver, a device for transforming a blow into a torque and a clutch. The handle is hollow. The plunger includes a first end and a second end. The plunger is inserted in the handle so that it cannot rotate relative to the handle and that the second end extends beyond the handle. The elastic element is received in the handle. The driver includes a first section for engagement with a tool bit and a second section received in the handle so that it can rotate relative to the handle. The transforming device is arranged between the plunger and the driver for transforming a blow on the second end of the plunger into a torque on the second section of the driver. The clutch is mounted on the first section of the driver so that it cannot rotate relative to the driver and can move between a first position where it cannot rotate relative to the handle and a second position where it can rotate relative to the handle.

Abstract: A screw driving tool comprises a housing (1), a drive (2), a drive spindle (3), a torque coupling (4) between the drive (2) and the drive spindle (3), as well as an adjustment mechanism disposed between the free end of the drive spindle (3) and the torque coupling (4), the adjustment mechanism is used for adjusting the torque transmitted using the torque coupling (4). The adjustment mechanism has at least one prestressable spring element (5) cooperating with the torque coupling; a compression sleeve (6) that is displaceable parallel to the axis of the drive spindle (3) and cooperating with the spring element (5); a control sleeve (7) arranged coaxially with the compression sleeve (6) and cooperating with the compression sleeve (6); a rotatable adjustment sleeve (8), and a plurality of rotationally mounted planet wheels (10) cooperating in a form locked manner with the control sleeve (7) and inner teeth (9) of the adjustment sleeve (8).

Abstract: An electromechanical roll towel dispenser includes a housing with a roll carrier disposed therein to rotationally support a roll of towel material. An electro-mechanical feed mechanism is disposed in the housing to dispense measured sheets of the towel material. The feed mechanism operates in a first mechanical operational mode wherein the towel sheets are dispensed by a user grasping and pulling on a tail of the towel material extending from the housing, and a second electrical operational mode wherein a measured length of a next sheet is automatically and electrically fed out of the housing to define the tail for the next user.

Abstract: The present invention is a tire cutting machine comprising of a base, a body member, a drive assembly means and a cutting assembly means. The drive assembly means includes a drive power means simultaneously engaged to a pair of front drive wheels and to a pair of rear drive wheels to provide rotation thereof. The front drive wheels are coaxially mounted in close relation to one another on a front drive wheel shaft extending between a first drive assembly arm and a second drive assembly arm. The rear drive wheels are coaxially mounted in close relation to one another and to a guide wheel which is directly engaged to the drive power means. The cutting assembly means includes a cutting power means simultaneously engaged to a front cutting wheel and to a rear cutting wheel to provide rotation thereof.

Abstract: A Venetian blind cutting machine comprises a mold assembly, which has a main block and a guiding slot on the main block. A sliding block slidably receives in the guiding slot. The guiding slot has at least one stopping potion for stopping the sliding block. The sliding slot is for receiving slats therein between a closed end of the guiding slot and the sliding block. A cutter is slidably provided at the main block of the mold assembly for free shifting. Two driving bars have ends thereof fastening to the cutter. A joint block has two openings for receiving the driving bars therein and holding the driving bar therein by friction. The joint block is fastened to the sliding block. Whereby, the driving bar will drive the cutter, the joint block and the sliding block to move along with it. The sliding block will press the slats first to lock the slats in the guiding slot automatically.

Abstract: A compound miter saw having a bevel adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination of a cutting disk relative to a top surface of a turntable. The bevel adjustment mechanism includes a first knuckle for adjusting the angle of inclination of the cutting disk about a tilt axis and a second knuckle for adjusting the upward and downward movement of the cutting disk. The first knuckle includes a fixed portion mounted adjacent the outer periphery of the turntable and a rotating portion cooperating with the fixed portion. A scale and indicator are provided on the fixed and rotating portions to measure the angle of inclination of the saw assembly relative to the tilt axis. A locking mechanism secures the rotating portion to the fixed portion to secure the saw in a cutting position.

Abstract: A roll web guide system for defining a web travel path in a dispenser is provided. The web guide system includes a drive roller that is rotatably mounted within the dispenser. The drive roller defines at least one annular groove. A guide roller is also present. The guide roller is urged toward the drive roller to form a nip with the drive roller. The guide roller defines at least one annular groove therein. A plurality of stripper guides are partially disposed within the annular grooves of the guide roller and drive roller. The stripper guides prevent the web from wrapping around the guide roller and the drive roller.

Abstract: A cutting system for accurately cutting a notch in a piece of lineal to permit sharp bending of the lineal, permitting the lineal to be placed about the perimeter of picture or similar structure is disclosed. The cutting system includes a handle for driving a cutting blade in the direction of the force of gravity, and includes a retracting mechanism to return the handle and cutting blade to an initial starting position after each cut. A laterally reversible measuring assembly consisting of a measuring guide barn and a pair of adjustable measuring stops for measuring and supporting a piece of lineal to be cut, is releasably secured to the cutting system, facilitating interchange between left and right lateral configurations.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an alignment device for aligning a punch tool to punch a design into a sheet media comprised of a clip, where the clip is comprised of first and second resilient arms meeting at a connection point. A first guide edge is disposed angularly from the first resilient arm, such that when the punch tool is secured in the clip between the first and second resilient arms and the sheet media is placed along the first guide edge, the punch tool is positioned to punch a design into the sheet media. Additionally, a second guide edge may be disposed angularly from the second resilient arm, such that when the punch tool is secured in the clip between the first and second resilient arms and the sheet media is placed along the first and second guide edges, the punch tool is positioned to punch a design into the sheet media.

Abstract: A compass saw comprising a motor-driven reciprocating rod (1) with a tool receptacle (2) disposed at its free end for receiving the clamping shaft (6) of a saw blade (3), a receiving hole (7) and a center bolt (19) that is pre-stressed towards the receiving hole (7), being guided transversely to the reciprocating rod (1) and displaceable in a longitudinal direction (L). The center bolt (19) comprises a centering means configured as a flat bearing surface (21). The bearing surface (21) cuts the longitudinal axis (A) of the reciprocating rod (1) into a slant angle (&agr;).

Abstract: A bridge is mountable in a first secured position on a stringed musical instrument The bridge may be secured by a release mechanism such that when the release mechanism is activated, the distance between one end of a string being held by the bridge and a second end of the string secured elsewhere on the musical instrument is decreased, thereby decreasing the tension on the instrument caused by the tuning of the string. The bridge may be secured in a second released position from the body by a catch. The catch may include an adjustable arm for varying the distance at which the bridge is held in the second released position.

Abstract: A tremolo mechanism is arranged on the body of an electric guitar and is constituted by a tremolo arm, a bridge base, and plural bridge saddles, wherein the bridge base has a roughly T-shape constituted by a plate that is arranged above the exterior surface of the body, and a string stopper that is received in a hollow space of the body. Herein, the bridge saddles are arranged on the upper surface of the plate that is curved approximately in a convex shape whose curvature substantially matches the curvature of a fingerboard of a neck curved in the width direction. In addition, the bridge saddles are interconnected with the bridge base by octave adjustment screws, which are arranged beneath the plate using a prescribed attachment portion arranged inside of the hollow space of the body.

Abstract: An adjustable string tree provides selectable adjustment for tension on a stringed musical instrument. A back plate is fixed to a base plate, which in turn is fixed to the musical instrument. A top plate adjustably and slidably engages the back plate in order to exert tension on a string. Adjustment may be provided by an adjustment bolt in opposition to a compression spring. In a preferred embodiment, an indentation is provided in the top plate in alignment with the string to better hold the string in association with the top plate.

Abstract: A drum has a shell, a pair of batter heads disposed on two sides of the shell, a pair of collars enclosing the batter heads and surrounding the shell, a pair of positioning hoops surrounding the collars, a large number of connection seats disposed on the shell, a large number of positioning mounts disposed on the positioning hoops, and a large number of positioning fasteners fastening the connection seats and the positioning mounts together. Each of the positioning hoops has an inner curved flange to press the corresponding collar on the shell.

Abstract: Performance data processing apparatus includes a memory for storing settings input by a user and a processor for performing various control in accordance with the settings stored in the memory. Performance data are displayed in one or more display forms desired by the user. Marker or repeat mark is displayed in response to an instruction for displaying the marker or repeat mark. The performance data are reproduced in accordance with the input mark indicating that a performance should be repeated within a predetermined range. Further, a chord name is converted in accordance with a designated type of transposing instrument, and the converted chord name is displayed or stored in memory. Because the various control is performed in accordance with the memory-stored user settings, the user is allowed to change convenience-of-use or operability of the performance data processing apparatus in creating/editing of the performance data, by just changing the settings.

Abstract: Performance data processing apparatus includes a memory for storing settings input by a user and a processor for performing various control in accordance with the settings stored in the memory. Performance data are displayed in one or more display forms desired by the user. Marker or repeat mark is displayed in response to an instruction for displaying the marker or repeat mark. The performance data are reproduced in accordance with the input mark indicating that a performance should be repeated within a predetermined range. Further, a chord name is converted in accordance with a designated type of transposing instrument, and the converted chord name is displayed or stored in memory. Because the various control is performed in accordance with the memory-stored user settings, the user is allowed to change convenience-of-use or operability of the performance data processing apparatus in creating/editing of the performance data, by just changing the settings.

Abstract: An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display, management and communications methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user input apparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, a stylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a game controller, and a switch.

Abstract: An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display, management and communications methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user input apparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, a stylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a game controller, and a switch.

Abstract: An automatic accompaniment apparatus of an electronic musical instrument is composed of a keyboards 150, 151, a chord detecting section 10 which detects a chord when a key of the keyboard is pushed or released, a storage section 13 which stores automatic accompaniment data which contains sound generation timings, and a control unit 10 which controls a re-trigger operation in which when the timing arrives at one of the sound generation timings of the automatic accompaniment data stored in the storage section, the automatic accompaniment data is developed in accordance with the chord detected by the chord detecting section such that an accompaniment sound is generated, and only when the key is pushed at a timing other than the sound generation timings, the accompaniment sound currently generated is extinguished, and an accompaniment sound is generated in accordance with the chord detected by the chord detecting section.

Abstract: A sound source circuit is provided for a telephone terminal to reproduce chorus-effect imparted musical tones as incoming call sound or hold sound. Herein, original musical tone data &ohgr;c1 are slightly modified in pitches to produce musical tone data &ohgr;c2 with respect to a prescribed tone color. These musical tone data are periodically selected and synthesized together to form musical tone signals having a chorus effect, based on which the chorus-effect imparted musical tones be reproduced for the telephone terminal such as a portable telephone.

Abstract: A system and methods which allow even a novice performer to easily play music which is not disharmonious and which is pleasing to the performer and his or her audience. The music is preferably created by a performer breaking one or more beams of light, which are emitted by one or more beam emitters and received, or detected, by one or more beam detectors. When a beam detector determines that a beam has been broken, a trigger is sent to a synthesizer, with such synthesizer preferably being a computer interfaced to the beam detectors via a Universal Serial Bus connection. The synthesizer selects from one or more electronic sounds, based on a pre-programmed collection of sounds, and a sound generator, such as an amplifier and speakers, plays the sound.

Abstract: An optical fiber band for decoration is formed of a plurality of optical fibers woven obliquely in a band shape. The band forms a mesh pattern, where each of the optical fibers changes positions above or below at least every two other fibers in a longitudinal direction of the fiber.

Abstract: A composite body produced by a reactive infiltration process that possesses high mechanical strength, high hardness and high stiffness has applications in such diverse industries as precision equipment and ballistic armor. Specifically, the composite material features a boron carbide filler or reinforcement phase, and a silicon carbide matrix produced by the reactive infiltration of an infiltrant having a silicon component with a porous mass having a carbonaceous component. Potential deleterious reaction of the boron carbide with silicon during infiltration is suppressed by alloying or dissolving boron into the silicon prior to contact of the silicon infiltrant with the boron carbide. In a preferred embodiment of the invention related specifically to armor, good ballistic performance can be advanced by loading the porous mass or preform to be infiltrated to a high degree with one or more hard fillers such as boron carbide, and by limiting the size of the largest particles making up the mass.

Abstract: A composite material for armor plating with improved multihit behavior includes at least: a front layer, facing the impact side and mounted on a first sub-layer, the front layer including a plurality of neighboring front-layer segments with form-fit contact between adjacent segments; a rear layer facing away from the impact side; and a supporting layer disposed between the front and rear layers. The supporting layer includes a plurality of supporting-layer segments, which present a surface parallel to the front layer whose area is the same as or less than the area of the front-layer segments parallel to the front layer.

Abstract: A ballistic shield formed of ballistic material is provided with side wing sections and a central section adjustably secured to one another. A support/handle is provided adjacent a shallow V-groove along the upper margin of the shield for mounting and grasping the forward end of a barrel of a long gun with one hand, enabling the individual to support the shield and in part the long gun by one hand. The individual's opposite hand is free to operate the long gun. A strap is connected to the shield and carried by the individual in he hand supporting the shield and the long gun. Thus, the hand that supports the shield also supports the long gun.

Abstract: A fluid control system may comprise a pump, a tank, and an actuator including a working chamber. The system may be operative to control rotational movement of a swing structure and movement of an least one implement. A valve assembly may be configured to control fluid communication between the working chamber and the tank and to control fluid communication between the working chamber and the pump. An input device may be operative to selectively control movement of the swing structure. The system may include a controller in communication with the valve assembly and the input device. The controller may be configured to control a flow condition of the working chamber through a sensed pressure condition of the working chamber and a command from the input device.

Abstract: It is desirable to deliver only the fluid that is used to do useful work and not waste energy. In the subject arrangement, selected ones of a plurality of pistons are held at their top dead center positions when delivery therefrom is not needed. This is accomplished by having a valving arrangement disposed between the associated pressure chambers and first and second inlet/outlet ports. The valving arrangement is movable from a neutral, flow blocking position to an operative flow passing position. At the flow blocking position, fluid flow into and out of the associated pressure chamber is blocked, thus the associated piston is maintained at the top dead center position. By holding selected ones of the pistons at the top dead center position, the effective volume of fluid being used is reduced and energy is saved due to the fact that the selected pistons are not moving any fluid.

Abstract: A tire pump includes a reciprocal member having a first end and a second end, and a handle having a first end and a second end. The first end of the handle is mounted on the second end of the reciprocal member. The handle includes a switch member mounted on the first end thereof. The switch member may be operated by a user's one hand only so that the switch member may be moved between a first position where the second end of the reciprocal member is fixed on the first end of the handle, and a second position where the second end of the reciprocal member may be retracted into the first end of the handle.

Abstract: In an eccentric bearing arrangement for a pump shaft (2) comprising an eccentric ring (4) that is fixedly attached thereto, and further comprising a needle roller bearing that is arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the eccentric ring, a stop washer (12) is retained in a circumferential groove (13) of the needle roller bushing (9) and is surrounded radially by the adjoining flange (11) of the needle roller bushing (9), and said stop washer (12) comprises an axially inward open annular groove (15) in which the cage (6) is guided.

Abstract: A flexible actuator 2 according to the invention includes a movable part 6, an actuator body 8, a reservoir 10, and a pump 12 that moves a liquid between the reservoir 10 and a main liquid chamber 4. The movable part 6 includes a long tube 16 that forms the main liquid chamber, frame members 18a, 18b . . . aligned at predetermined intervals along a length of the tube, and a core member 20 that holds the alignment of the frame members. The tube includes a narrow hollow portion 24 that communicates between flat expanded hollow portions 22a, 22b . . . . Among the plurality of expanded hollow portions, the expanded hollow portion at a base has a largest transverse cross sectional area, with transverse cross sectional areas of the expanded hollow portions gradually decreasing toward a tip, and the expanded hollow portion at the tip has a smallest transverse cross sectional area.

Abstract: A partially preloaded diaphragm having an outer attachment portion defining a first plane (P) and disposed about an axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane. An inner attachment portion is disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of the outer attachment portion and defines a second plane (C). The inner attachment portion is movable away from the outer attachment portion into a fully extended pumping position defining a third plane (F). The first plane and the second plane are spaced at a distance to define a preload distance (PC) when the diaphragm is at rest, and the first and third plane are spaced to define a pump stroke distance (PF) when the diaphragm is fully extended. The preload distance is from about 25 percent to about 85 percent of the pump stroke distance.

Abstract: A joint portion 33 of an oil pump shaft 19 and a balancer shaft (output-side balancer shaft 12) is provided in an open space between opposite surfaces of a sidewall 4b of an oil pump housing 4 and a sidewall 5c1-5c2 (a bearing portion) of a balancer shaft housing 5. The joint portion 33 of the oil pump shaft 19 and the balancer shaft 12 is comprised of a pair of engageable portions 33a, 33b provided at each end of the balancer shaft 12 and the oil pump shaft 19, respectively. The engageable portions 33a, 33b are disengageably engaged with each other in radial directions of the shafts 12, 19. The joint portion 33 can be seen from the outside, and thus a joining operation can be performed with ease.

Abstract: A hybrid of the pneumatic and hydraulic actuators for combining pneumatically powered actuation with incompressible and controllable hydraulic damping in order to achieve smooth displacement, rapid stopping and steady and accurate positioning of the hybrid actuator in which hydraulic damping of a pneumatic actuator is obtained through utilizing positive-displacement hydraulic actuator means with zero volumetric differential.

Abstract: Piston-cylinder unit comprising a cylinder in which a work space is filled with a work medium and which is limited by a closure and is sealed by at least one seal. The closure is fixed axially by a positive engagement with the cylinder up to a temperature threshold and the closure can carry out an axial movement for relieving pressure above the temperature threshold. A cutting device cancels the sealing function of the seal during the axial movement of the closure for relieving pressure.

Abstract: A size preferential electrostatic agglomerator is provided for agglomerating small particles with larger “carrier” particles. The agglomerator comprises an inlet for receiving a gas flow, a separator for separating the gas flow into flow streams based on the size of the particles therein, an ionization region for imparting an opposite electrical charge to each of the flow streams, an agglomeration region receiving the flow streams to facilitate the agglomeration of the oppositely charged particles, and an outlet for exhausting the gas flow containing agglomerated particles to facilitate collection, processing or other activity on the agglomerated particles. The present invention provides an efficient system for gathering large amounts of small particles in a gas flow.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filtered mask enclosure having an exterior portion and interior regions within the exterior portion such that the interior regions have a filtering region and a purging region connected to the filtering region. The present invention further includes a method of removing a first contaminant in a gas phase, a second contaminant in a solid phase, and a third contaminant having an electrical charge from a purge gas and flowing the purge gas through a vicinity of a mask while exposing a wafer with light through the mask.

Abstract: Described is a method of conditioning a gas stream comprising passing the gas stream into a vessel 10 which contains a rotating enclosure 12 and which contains an apparatus 18 to rotate the enclosure, which enclosure is pressure sealed from the surrounding atmosphere and which is divided into a plurality of modulating zones 14, 16; treating the gas to modify its properties within the enclosures due to the presence of modulating materials 68 within the zones in the enclosure; and passing the modified gas to an outlet 24, 25 of the vessel.

Abstract: A system for removing contaminates from the air in a mail sorting room includes a vacuum unit and a filter, both of which may be located within this room. The vacuum unit creates a downwardly directed laminar flow of air which expels airborne particulates (e.g., anthrax spores) from the room. Prior to being expelled, the air is passed through a multi-stage filtration unit which includes a HEPA filter and optionally a carbon V.O.C. filter for removing chemical agents. The mail sorting room preferably has a modular construction with removable walls, a ceiling, and a floor. The walls may be transparent or opaque. An air lock room may be attached to the mail sorting room to prevent air from the sorting room from accidentally escaping. A cleaning device may be included in the sorting room for individually cleaning the mail. This cleaning device may be connected to a conveyor which automatically advances the mail for cleaning.

Abstract: A separation membrane comprising a polyether polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 104 to 107 and obtained by polymerizing an oxirane compound of the formula: 1