Abstract: A liner for an article of footwear, particularly a ski-boot, comprises a thermally formable material which can be selectively heated by means of an insert comprising electrical resistance heating elements. The latter in turn are sandwiched between heat spreading material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a substrate during a thermal process. In one embodiment, a substrate support is provided having a body and an upper top portion having a surface thereon adapted to minimize friction and/or chemical reactions between the substrate support and a substrate supported thereon.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for an injection molding apparatus is provided. The injection nozzle includes a head portion, a body portion and a heater. The head and body portions are connected to each other and together define a nozzle melt channel. The head portion has a head portion outer surface. The head portion is adapted to be in contact with a molding apparatus component that is at a lower temperature than the head portion. The body portion has a body portion outer surface. A groove is defined in the head portion outer surface and the body portion outer surface. The heater wire is positioned in the groove. The heater is adapted to heat melt in the nozzle melt channel.

Abstract: A kettle (10) is provided with LEDs (30) in the base (19) of the kettle that project through holes (18) or groups of holes (36) directly on to a power supply stand (16) to provide an indication that the kettle is switched on and yield a pleasing aesthetic effect.

Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a ceramic heater which has a high thermal conductivity so that the surface temperature of the heater plate promptly follows the temperature change of the heating element to control the temperature of the wafer-heating surface with high efficiency and the thermal diffusion of impurity from the ceramic heater can be successfully prevented.

Abstract: A method of bonding a heating element onto the back of a glass or glass-ceramic material is provided. The heating element is bonded to the back of the glass or glass-ceramic material using a suitable adhesive material, such as an adhesive tape, RTV silicone, or a similar temperature resistant, chemically inert material. A burner unit formed from a glass or glass-ceramic material having a desired shape with the heating element connected to it with a heat resistant adhesive can be formed by this method. This allows greater freedom of design of burners to have any desired shape, as well as providing a strong, easily cleanable surface.

Abstract: A dual source heater with radiant and convection heaters operates to provide radiant and convective heat for heating a surrounding space. A quartz heating element provides radiant heat, and a resistive heating element provides convective heat, through openings in the heater housing. A reflector is positioned so that an airflow updraft is created within the housing and airflow is concentrated through the resistive heating element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for energizing an electrical resistance igniter are disclosed. The systems and methods determine the line voltage into the system and control the voltage being applied to the electrical resistance igniters so a first voltage is applied initially and for a time period and thereafter a second voltage is applied, the second voltage being the operating voltage for the igniter. The systems and methods decrease the amount of time required to heat-up the electrical resistance igniter to a temperature sufficient to ignite the gas while regulating the output voltage being delivered to the igniters to prevent over voltage damage to the igniters.

Abstract: Method for producing a resistive heating element by coating a substrate with an electrically insulating material from the gaseous phase, depositing an electrically conducting material from the gaseous phase onto the layer of insulating material deposited onto the substrate, wherein the layer of conducting material deposited onto the layer of insulating material is subsequently partially mechanically removed thereby forming at least one conductor path. The substrate is machined before depositing the insulating material thereby forming at least one recess provided for receiving the conductor path. The layers of insulating material and conducting material are deposited onto the mechanically processed substrate. Finally, the layer of conducting material is evenly removed until at least the conducting material has been completely removed from the elevated regions of the substrate delimiting the recess of the conductor path, thereby forming the conductor path.

Abstract: An induction-heating cooking device includes a light-transmissive cooking board on which a cooking container to be heated is to be placed; a heating coil for heating the cooking container; light emission means for emitting a light beam; and light-transmissive light conducting means for allowing the light beam emitted by the light emission means to be propagated therethrough. The light beam lights up an outer peripheral portion of the light conducting means.

Abstract: A method of performing regional heating of a system having a substrate. The method may include applying a thin film to the system, and controllably energizing a coil positioned near the thin film. The energized coils thereby generate a magnetic flux. The method further includes inducing a current in the thin film with the magnetic flux thereby heating the system.

Abstract: For optimum induction heating of metallic strips (1) of differing widths—particularly in the edge region—one multicoil transverse field inductor is positioned both above and below the strip (1) to be heated, whose coil axes are positioned vertically to the strip surface. In this case, each inductor comprises at least one inductor segment (2, 3; 7; 15; 17), which is constructed as a coil composite of multiple approximately rectangular coils (8, 9, 10; 16; 18) which extend predominantly transversely to the transport direction of the strip (1), the coils (8, 9, 10; 16; 18) having different, stepped transverse extensions and the coil having the highest transverse extension extending at most up to the lateral edges of the widest strip and the coil having the lowest transverse extension extending at most up to the lateral edges of the narrowest strip.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus can heat aluminum pot etc. with pot vibration noise being suppressed. During a turn-on time of second switching device 57, an energy is accumulated at choke coil 54, and at the same time a resonant current with a shorter period than the turn-on time of second switching device 57 or a driving time of first switching device 55 is generated at heating coil 59, so that during turn-off of second switching device 57, i.e., during on-time of first switching device 55, the energy accumulated at choke coil 54 is transferred to second smoothing capacitor 62. And then the output power is supplied from smoothing capacitor 62 to heating coil 59, thereby reducing the pot vibration noise, which is caused by pulsating current of input voltage.

Abstract: Collapsible container (1) for transport and storage, which container includes a carrying base part (20), collapsible side walls (30). The side walls (30) are moveably attached to the base part (20). Adjacent side walls (30) are inter-connectable. At least two long side walls (30I and 30II) each are provided with a first and a second horizontal folding line (31 and 32 respectively) by being provided with hinges (3). The first horizontal folding line (31) constitutes the lower end (33) of the side wall (30) at which the side wall (30) connects with the base part (20). The second horizontal folding line (32), which divides the side wall (30) into an upper side wall part (30U) and a lower side wall part (30L), is placed at a distance from the first horizontal folding line (31), between the lower end (33) and upper rim (34) of the side walls (30). The two horizontal folding lines (31 and 32 respectively) are mainly parallel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-locking and -releasing connector group, for the connection of two components, at least one of which comprises a hole for the partial introduction of the connector group and which is preferably a corner fitting on a sea freight container. Said group comprises a housing (2), at least one locking component (170), which can be displaced back and forth between a released position and a closed position, a stop component, displaceably mounted on the housing, whereby the housing may be fixed to one of the components and the locking component, in the released position thereof, may be inserted in the hole of the other component, during the relative manoeuvring of the components to be fixed together.

Abstract: An exhaust plug for engine heads including a plug portion having a generally square configuration. The plug portion has a lower end, an upper end, and peripheral side walls. The lower end is dimensioned for being slidably received within a port of the engine head. An outer cover portion is secured to the upper end of the plug portion. The outer cover portion has a generally square configuration. The securement of the plug portion to the outer cover portion defines an outer periphery for positioning over the port of the engine head when the plug portion is disposed therein.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser dispenses towels from a paper supply and includes a dispenser housing a low-reserve indicator mechanism for indicating when a reserve quantity of the paper supply is low. The dispenser housing has a housing wall structure on which the low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed. The paper supply has vertically super imposed edge portions which form an outwardly facing vertical side of the paper supply. The low-reserve indicator mechanism includes an indicator mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for establishing a low-reserve indication detectable from outside of the dispenser house. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism adapted to be spring-biased into contact with the vertical side of the paper supply. The release mechanism is released for movement in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing height of the vertical side of the paper supply to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading a carton or other package holding a set of cylindrical containers such as beverage cans or bottles, and for dispensing them, one-by-one in a horizontal rolling position into a vessel such as a vending machine magazine.

Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic single object dispenser (1) comprising storage means provided with a drum (3) with a horizontal axis on the periphery of which are formed receptacles (5) radially oriented to receive each an object through an opening and a delivery zone (7) whereat the user can collect the selected object, said drum (3) being driven in rotation to being the selected object to the delivery zone (7). The invention is characterised in that said dispenser comprises means for ejecting the selected object when it reaches the delivery zone (7). The invention is useful for selling or renting out articles and in particular video cassettes or compact discs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a package system intended to simplify the usage of multiple medications stored separately and used together, thereby minimize the non-compliant use of the multiple medications. Generally, the separate medication components are contained in a plurality of cavities, arranged in one or more arcs or concentric circles. The package system further includes an access shield having one or more openings, which are selectively aligned in one of a plurality of positions, corresponding to the per use groupings. When the one or more openings in an access shield are aligned with the cavities corresponding to one of the per use groupings, the medication components are capable of being released from their respective cavities. Conversely, the shield substantially restricts access to the medication components located in the non-aligned cavities.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener installation head and feed mechanism including a spring-biased L-shaped feed pawl which feeds a first nut in the feed passage adjacent the plunger passage on the upstroke of the die press. The feed pawl is pivotally supported on a slide bracket which includes a roller in the longitudinal axis of the feed passage which is biased against a central cam surface on the base and the base is interconnected to the nose member by removable pins. A spring biased nut restrictor is pivotally supported on the nose member, simplifying removal of a nut strip from the head and the installation head is more rugged in design and has fewer parts, reducing costs.

Abstract: A specially adapted kit apparatus and method for delivering a cosmetic composition to human skin, preferably a flowable antiperspirant or deodorant composition, which provide enhanced antiperspirant and deodorant effects. The kit includes a cosmetic composition and a massage applicator apparatus. The method consists of massaging a cosmetic composition into human skin using the specially adapted kit.

Abstract: A toothpaste dispenser holds a collapsible tube of toothpaste within a housing between a roller assembly and a wall surface. A plunger is operable from a relaxed, raised position to a lowered, depressed position to drivingly engage the roller assembly so that one or more rollers are moved along the toothpaste tube in a manner which squeezes toothpaste out of the tube and onto the bristles of a toothbrush held in close proximity to a dispensing outlet of the tube or a nozzle. A spring returns the plunger to the relaxed, raised position upon removing the downward force. The housing is provided with toothbrush holders and a removable cover to permit replacement of the tube of toothpaste.

Abstract: A system for dispensing slushy or frozen beverages having an ingredient of interest or importance to a customer. A container of this ingredient is visible to the prospective customer, and an indicator establishes that this ingredient is being supplied while the total beverage is being withdrawn from a mixer.

Abstract: An actuating head (12) of a double-acting pump (1) for ejecting a product (38) from a container (2) includes an outlet duct (13a-13d) leading to an ejection opening (16), wherein a closing piece (18) biased by a spring (17) is arranged in the outlet duct. The closing piece (18) directly seals the ejection opening (16) under the force of the spring (17) and the closing piece (18) releases as a result of the pressure exerted when actuating the double-acting pump (1) the flow of the product (38) through the outlet duct (13a-13d) and through the ejection opening (16) against the force of the spring (17).

Abstract: A single dosage dispenser for delivering chemical reagent to a test sample includes a body having an inlet and opposing outlet. The inlet is threadably and communicably engaged with a container holding a chemical reagent. The outlet includes a plurality of stepped receptacles for communicably receiving respective sizes of test sample holders. A spring actuated plunger is slidably mounted within the dispenser body between the inlet and the outlet. The plunger includes a reagent accommodating compartment. The spring urges the plunger into a first state wherein the plunger is communicably connected to the inlet for receiving a single dosage of reagent from the container. The user presses the plunger to drive the plunger within the dispenser body so that the compartment is communicably connected to the outlet. As a result, the reagent in the compartment is dispensed through the outlet into the test sample holder.

Abstract: A grease gun having a compressed-air-operated reciprocating motor for reciprocating a pump plunger through forward and return strokes. The motor comprises a motor cylinder and a motor piston operable in the cylinder and itself acting as a valve for effecting its return through each return stroke.

Abstract: An assembly including a pump attachment particularly adapted to form an nonaerosol pump sprayer, and a method of using the same. The apparatus desirably includes an attachment having a pump sprayer which is pressurized on the upstroke enabling the sprayer to be shipped and stored in a relaxed position. The attachment includes a body, a coupling, a shaft, a piston, an inlet valve and a biasing member. The body defines an elongate chamber having the first end, second end, and an interior wall extending between the first end and second end. The coupler is sized and shaped to secure the body to the neck of a container. The shaft extends through the opening in the first end of the chamber and defines an internal flow channel. The piston is reciprocally mounted within the chamber and includes an inner annular surface surrounding the shaft and an outer annular surface sized and shaped to form a sealing engagement with the interior wall of the body.

Abstract: A device for carrying articles on the wrist allows the sleeve(s) of a garment(s) to extend down the forearm and wrist to cover the wrist band. However, the article being carried is positioned generally over the wrist band, where it is readily accessible to the person wearing the present wrist band device. The wrist band has a receptacle, with a generally U-shaped article attachment bracket having one leg removably installed therein. The opposite leg of the bracket has an article (e.g., cell phone, pager, calculator, storage pouch, etc.) removably or permanently secured thereto. The two arms of the article attachment bracket define a sleeve clearance area therebetween, with the sleeve(s) of the garment(s) extending into the sleeve clearance area to cover the wrist completely while the article is disposed to the outside of the sleeve(s) for ease of access.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier primarily designed for transporting an off-road bicycle by a motor vehicle is designed to fit onto the trailer hitch of the motor vehicle. A channel member is supported to a support member and a cross member that fits into the trailer hitch and an upstanding post with a plurality of holes for receiving a locking pin. A locking arm is slidably mounted on the vertical post and when the bicycle is guided onto the channel member the locking arm is positioned downwardly with sufficient force to arm the shocking system of the bicycle and preload the bicycle to the carrier.

Abstract: A kayak portage harness includes: a draw cord in a hem of the harness that is used to secure the hem of the harness under the lip of a kayak cockpit coaming and a pair of opposed hooks that are also secured to the lip of the kayak cockpit coaming at the front and rear of the coaming. In addition, the harness may include a pair of hull straps that extend from the harness about the hull of the kayak and carry paddle clips for securing a paddle to a side of the kayak. The harness is secured to the back of the kayaker in a substantially vertical position for portaging by shoulder straps and an equipment gear bag of the harness fits down through the kayak cockpit into the hull.

Abstract: A dispenser for rolls of wrap material is disclosed. The wrap dispenser may include a trunk to which a lid is integrally hinged. The trunk is adapted to receive a roll of wrap therein, while the lid is adapted to move relative to the trunk to allow access to the rolled film. A portion of the dispenser is provided with a reinforced section to which a cutter bar is adhered. The cutter bar may be manufactured from plastic and be attached to the dispenser such that teeth of the cutter bar are all exposed upon opening the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a tag attaching device which can enable one of the operator's hands other than his hand which is used for operating the tag attaching device to be used, to be free for separate necessary operation, when a predetermined tag should be attached to a predetermined good utilizing the tag attaching device 20 and thus it is disclosed that a tag attaching device 20 for attaching a tag attaching pin 1 comprising a filament section 4, an inserting head section 2 provided at one end of the filament section 4, and a socket section 15 or holding section 3 provided at the another end of the filament section 4, onto a predetermined good 100 with a tag 5 engaged on the filament section 4, by inserting the inserting head section 2 of the pin 1 into a hollow needle 21 provided on the tag attaching device 20 and penetrated through the good 100 and by pushing the inserting head 2 out of the hollow needle 21 utilizing a predetermined pin pushing means so as to have the inserting section 2 attac

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for bonding objects to each other, comprising a cleaning part (3) for cleaning at least the bonding surfaces of first objects (2a, 2b) and a bonding part (4) for bonding the cleaned first objects (2a, 2b) to a second object (2c), wherein both parts are connected to each other so that the objects can be conveyed between both parts, and an inverting mechanism (17) for turning over the first objects (2a, 2b) without touching the cleaned bonding surfaces is provided in the bonding part, whereby the cleaning of the bonding surfaces can be carried out efficiently, and a total time for a series of operations ranging from the cleaning to the completion of bonding can be shortened remarkably.

Abstract: A solder ball attaching process for attaching solder balls to a wafer is provided. First, an under-ball-metallurgy layer is formed on the active surface of the wafer. Patterned masking layers are sequentially formed over the active surface of the wafer. The masking layers together form a step opening structure that exposes the under-ball-metallic layer. A solder ball is placed on the uppermost masking layer and allowed to roll so that the solder ball drops into the step opening structure by gravity. A reflow process is conducted to join the solder ball and the under-ball-metallurgy layer together. Finally, various masking layers are removed to expose the solder ball on the bonding pad of the wafer.

Abstract: A mounting method for bonding a first object having a metal joint part to a second object, comprising the steps of cleaning at least the surface of the metal joint part of the first object by irradiating an energy wave or energy particle beam, and thermally bonding the cleaned metal joint part of the first object to a portion to be bonded of the second object by heating in a special gas atmosphere, and a device thereof. In the mounting, the primary and secondary oxidations of the metal joint part can be efficiently prevented, and thereby highly reliable bonding can be carried out.

Abstract: An enhancement in disposable packaging for several types of food, made of a relatively hard laminate material, such as a plastic paper card in both sides. A series of cuts and creases form a pyramidal torso box with four upper closing brims. Two of the brims are folded over one another, with the other two likewise folded over one another. The brims comprise edges which present a crease and a tip in hook, respectively, corresponding to complete the closing of the pyramidal box. In addition, two equal triangular-shaped brims are formed in two opposite sides of the box, also assisting in completing the box configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the triangular brims comprise free edges folded by a vertical cut, so that such edges are juxtaposed when the two brims are lifted against the corresponding lateral wall of the box. At such point, each brim receives a soldering line or a thermo-soldered line along the side and upper edges thereof, creating a tight and secure closure and seal of such area.

Abstract: A point-of-sale terminal initiates a transaction and provides a prompt to be spoken to an operator (e.g. a cashier) of the POS terminal. The prompt indicates a verbal message that is to be spoken by the operator. The POS terminal then receives an audio signal via a microphone or similar device to record what the operator has spoken. Using speech recognition, the POS terminal determines whether the audio signal corresponds to the prompt, and thus whether the operator spoke the prompt properly. In one embodiment, the transaction is paused until the operator properly speaks the prompt. In another embodiment, the POS terminal stores an indication of whether the operator has properly spoken the prompt, thereby allowing the performance of the operator to be measured.

Abstract: A system and method of usage charging at any one of multiple access points to a facility involves the presentation by a user of a personalized electronic storage device, such as a smartcard, at an access point. A history of previous usage is stored on the storage device and compared at the access point with a locally stored tariff table of differential prices for different combinations of usage. An appropriate charge is then indicated to the user and, upon payment, permission to use the facility is granted and recorded in the usage history. The charge for an instance of use is variable according to the tariff table in dependence on the previous usage history.

Abstract: A method of operating a ticketing system comprises generating data representing ticket information and transmitting the same for reception by a mobile station over a mobile communications network link. Data from the mobile station can then be used to verify a transaction.

Abstract: A medication-dispensing unit is provided for tracking medical products having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag uniquely associated therewith. The dispensing unit includes compartments for receiving medical products therein, and readers for reading the RFID tags associated with the medical products in the compartments. A processor is coupled to the readers for receiving and processing readings of the RFID tags in the compartment to identify the medical products in the compartments. The processor may identify a medical product removed from a compartment by determining a difference between readings of the RFID tags in the compartment taken before and after the medical product is removed from the compartment. The processor may verify that the medical product removed from the compartment is authorized to be removed or confirm that an identified patient is intended to receive the medical product being removed from the compartment.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heating unit comprising a tubular wall (1) and first and second end walls (2, 3). A first annular space (6) is located between the tubular wall (1) and a first tubular partition (4). A second annular space (7) is located between the first partition (4) and a second tubular partition (5) inside the first partition (4). An immersion heater (25) is mounted in the central channel (8) formed by the second partition (5). The second space (7) communicates with the central channel (8) near the first end wall (2) and with the first space (6) near the second end wall (3). An intake orifice (13) emerges into the first space (6) near the first end wall (2) and an outlet (14), in the second end wall (3) emerges into the central channel (8).

Abstract: A plurality of elongated, substantially planar, elastomeric members are assembled together in a stack such that the members are generally aligned with each other. The members are made of a stack of tire treads. A means of binding is provided for holding the stack of members together and maintaining their alignment. The addition of one or more rigid longitudinal element(s) provides stiffness.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve with a valve member (10), which cooperates with a valve seat (16) to control injection openings (20). The valve member (10) is guided, in a portion remote from the combustion chamber, in a bore (7) and is surrounded by a pressure chamber (12), which can be filled with fuel at high pressure. The valve member (10) is urged by a spring (27) disposed in a spring chamber (25) and having a closing force in the direction of the valve seat (16), and in an appropriate opening pressure in the pressure chamber (12), as a result of the hydraulic pressure on a pressure shoulder (11), embodied on the valve member (10), the valve member lifts from the valve seat (10) and thus opens the injection openings; the injection of the fuel is effected separately in a main injection and a subsequent postinjection.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator module is proposed, which has at least one piezoelectric element (6), one actuator foot (5) and one actuator head (7), and which is surrounded by an axially extending sleeve (9). To seal off the piezoelectric actuator module (2) in the axial direction, the actuator foot (7) is adjoined by a diaphragm (21) that extends essentially in the radial direction and is connected to the sleeve (9) (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A device for spraying a liquid coating product includes a hub forming or accommodating a liquid feed pipe and a divergent centrifugal deflector having a distribution surface whose overall shape is that of a trumpet bell. Applications include electrostatic painting.

Abstract: An improved spray through cap assembly (10) comprises separable base (11) and cover parts (13). The base part includes a hollow actuator (17) which is adapted to cooperate with an outlet of an aerosol or the like. The actuator is linked to a fluid flow channel (19) formed by correspond recesses in the base and cover parts respectively and a nozzle outlet (20). Depressing the cover part causes the actuator to actuate the outlet and causes the contents of the aerosol to be discharged through the nozzle outlet via the fluid flow channel. In order prevent accidental discharge, in one embodiment, the base part includes a projecting lip (22) and the cover part includes a nose (21), the lip and nose cooperating in an inoperative position to prevent the actuator actuating the outlet. In a further embodiment, the cover part is formed from two separable parts and the fluid flow channel and nozzle outlet are formed by corresponding recesses in the parts of the cover parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spray pistol comprising a pistol body (1); a nozzle system (9) which is ranged on the pistol body (1); a compressed air supply channel (22, 23) which is arranged in the pistol body (1) and which comprises a valve system (17) for controlling the supply of compressed air to the nozzle system (9); a regulating device (6, 13) for regulating the supply of the substance to be sprayed; an actuating element (12) for actuating the valve system (17) and the regulating device (6, 13); a device (31, 33, 37) for regulating the supply of compressed air to the nozzle system (9); and a pressure-measuring device (35, 38, 39) for detecting and indicating the pressure in the compressed air supply channel (22, 23). The aim of the invention is to create a compact and handy spray pistol comprising a pressure-measuring device which is easy to monitor when spraying.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus that mixes a plurality of fluids and switches between supply and stop of these fluid, which is able to reduce the degree of retention of the fluid and mix the fluid smoothly. Even in the case where the flow rate of another fluid is larger than the flow rate of the one fluid or even in the case where the fluid is repeatedly supplied and stopped, since a tip end of a nozzle provided at a fluid exhausting portion of the switching valve is disposed at a center portion of flow of the one fluid, another fluid and the one fluid can be mixed quickly with a simple configuration.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine has an inlet fitting, a fuel nozzle, and a housing stem with a pair of fuel conduits fluidly interconnecting the nozzle and fitting. The fuel nozzle includes an annular secondary fuel passageway directing fuel from one fuel conduit to an annular discharge orifice at a discharge end of the nozzle. The secondary fuel passageway is defined between an outer, annular fuel conduit portion and a primary adapter. The primary adapter has an outer surface with a distinct, radially-outwardly-projecting annular shoulder to restrict flow through the secondary passageway and provide substantially uniform distribution of flow through the passageway downstream of the shoulder, for improved combustion and flame stability.