Abstract: The invention is based on a wiper system (10) having a mounting plate (12), on whose mounting plate tube (14) a wiper bearing (20) is disposed on one end and a cast part (16) is disposed on the other, and a first bearing housing (22) for a second drive shaft (26) and a second bearing housing (28) for a control shaft (30) of a four-bar lever linkage are integrated with the cast part, and the second drive shaft (26) is driven by a wiper motor (32) via a motor crank (36), a drive element (44), and a bearing rocker (46). It is proposed that the wiper motor (32) is disposed as a reversing motor on the passenger side, and its motor shaft (34) is disposed on the cast part (16) in the vicinity of the second drive shaft (26), between the second drive shaft (26) and the control shaft (30), and the drive element (44) is embodied as a coupling plate.

Abstract: A paint roller grid includes a wiping surface surrounded by a frame member having a pair of spaced apart hooks connected to the upper edge of the frame member for releasably attaching the grid to a container rim. The hooks may be spaced laterally outwardly from opposite ends of the upper edge of the frame member to provide spaces therebetween for receipt of portions of the upper rim and upper side wall of the container in the spaces. A plurality of spaced apart tabs may be provided along the side edges of the grids for connecting two or more such grids together along their respective side edges to form a paint roller grid assembly comprising two or more such grids.

Abstract: An autonomous floor-cleaning robot comprising a housing infrastructure including a chassis, a power subsystem; for providing the energy to power the autonomous floor-cleaning robot, a motive subsystem operative to propel the autonomous floor-cleaning robot for cleaning operations, a command and control subsystem operative to control the autonomous floor-cleaning robot to effect cleaning operations, and a self-adjusting cleaning head subsystem that includes a deck mounted in pivotal combination with the chassis, a brush assembly mounted in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to sweep up particulates during cleaning operations, a vacuum assembly disposed in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to ingest particulates during cleaning operations, and a deck adjusting subassembly mounted in combination with the motive subsystem for the brush assembly, the deck, and the chassis that is automatically operative in response to an increase in brush torque in said brush

Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner has a nozzle comprising a suction port; a cleaner body having a filter housing in which a filter is mounted, and a motor housing in which a motor is mounted, the cleaner body for being removably connected with the nozzle, the suction port being connected with the filter when the cleaner body is connected with the nozzle; a locking member slidably disposed on a side of the nozzle; a slot formed in the motor housing for receiving the locking member and thereby preventing the cleaner body from separating from the nozzle; and a unlocking means for sliding out the locking member from the slot. By sliding the locking member, which is slidably disposed in the nozzle, into or out from the slot of the cleaner body, the nozzle and the cleaner body can be connected or disconnected simply.

Abstract: A device for protecting a motor in a vacuum cleaner is provided which includes a lower casing for forming a lower portion of a main body of the cleaner; a motor housing which is installed in the lower casing and includes the driving motor therein, and of which an upper portion is opened upwardly; a filtering means installed onto the lower casing for filtering out foreign materials from introduced air; and an intermediate cover integrally formed with a first cover portion positioned onto an upper portion of the filtering means and a second cover portion for covering the upper portion of the motor housing. Further, a pressure switch for sensing pressure within the motor housing and a damper for introducing external air into the motor housing when the pressure within the motor housing is lowered below a predetermined pressure value are directly installed onto the second cover portion of the intermediate cover.

Abstract: A system for passing a cable, a conduit, a pipe or the like sealingly through an opening in a wall, comprising a sealing device made of an elastic material, such as rubber, which includes at least one lead-through channel having a smooth inner wall, wherein the sealing device is externally provided with axially spaced-apart, circular, at least substantially inflexible, compressible ribs lying in (imaginary) radial planes, whose outside diameter is larger than the inside diameter of the opening, and wherein the system furthermore includes at least one grommet to be fitted round the cable, the conduit, the pipe or the like that is to be passed through, which grommet can be fitted sealingly in said lead-through channel, which grommet, which has a smooth outer side, includes a bore whose wall is provided with axially spaced-apart, circular, at least substantially inflexible, compressible ribs lying in (imaginary) radial planes, whose inside diameter is at least substantially identical to the outside diameter of t

Abstract: The invention relates to a door arrester for motor vehicle doors. The door arrester comprises a holder housing (3) with a passage opening (7) for a retaining bar (2) and comprises a swinging element (15) which, in relation to the passage opening (7), can swivel toward the narrow face of the retaining bar (2). The door arrester also has a spring element (14) for acting upon the swinging element (15). The arresting of a motor vehicle door can be effected in an inexpensive and reliable manner due to fact that at least one supporting first housing part (4) of the housing (3) is produced from plastic in an injection molding method.

Abstract: A hinge device includes a housing (10), a shaft (20), and a pair of springs (30) coiled in opposite directions from each other. The housing defines a through hole (11) and a slot (14) therein. The through hole includes a large hole (13) and a small hole (12), the large hole communicating with the slot. The shaft includes a first portion (22). Each spring has a free end (34), and forms a plurality of protrusions (32) on an inner surface thereof. The shaft is rotatably received in the through hole of the housing. The springs are frictionally positioned around the first portion of the shaft, the free ends of the springs being retained in the slot of the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hinge device of a portable wireless terminal. The portable wireless terminal includes a first housing, a second housing rotatably coupled to the first housing in such a manner that the second housing moves away from the first housing or approaches the first housing according to a rotational movement thereof, a first hinge axis extending parallel to an upper surface of the first housing, and a second hinge axis extending perpendicular to the upper surface of the first housing and providing a rotational center for the first hinge axis. The first and second hinge axes act as rotational axes of the second housing when the second housing rotates with respect to the first housing.

Abstract: A hinge for a notebook computer is composed of a pintle and two barrels. The first barrel is provided outside the first part of the pintle, and the second barrel is provided outside the second part of the pintle. At least one arcuate protrusion is formed on the pintle. The first barrel has a lug formed at an end facing the arcuate protrusion and abutting the arcuate protrusion. When the computer is closed, the first barrel is compressed to provide an elastic force to open the monitor.

Abstract: A hinge for a notebook computer is composed of a pintle and two barrels. The first barrel is provided outside the first part of the pintle, and the second barrel is provided outside the second part of the pintle. At least one pin diametrically extends through the pintle. The first barrel has a lug formed at an end facing the pin and abutting the pin. When the computer is closed, the first barrel is compressed to provide an elastic force to open the monitor.

Abstract: A hinge for a notebook computer is composed of a pintle, two barrels and a coil spring. The first barrel is provided outside the first part of the pintle, and the second barrel is provided outside the second part of the pintle. The coil spring has a central end secured on the pintle, and a free end secured on a monitor of the computer. When the computer is closed, the coil spring is compressed to provide an elastic force to automatically raise the monitor.

Abstract: An apparatus on a draw frame for textile fibre slivers has a drawing system having weighting of the top rollers of successively arranged pairs of rollers comprising a bottom and a top roller. During operation, the top rollers are pressed against the bottom rollers by weighted pressure elements in pressure arms. Two pressure elements with a common holding element are associated with each top roller and the weighting device is removable. To improve the said apparatus, a pressure element is rotatably or pivotally mounted at a centre of rotation or a pivot bearing and the pressure elements are connected with one another by a supporting element.

Abstract: A drawing mechanism for the doubling and drafting of fibre slivers, has a drawing mechanism frame for accommodating the drawing mechanism, which has at least two pairs of rollers each comprising an upper roller, and a lower roller, and has means for adjusting the spacing of at least one of the lower rollers in relation to another lower roller, in each case having a mounting device for accommodating the lower roller, wherein lower rollers are arranged to be driven by a drive device comprising at least one drive element endlessly revolving around pulley wheels.

Abstract: Tying arrangement comprising a strip, which is serrated at least on one side, and a lock, which is intended for receiving two ends of a portion of the strip and contains at least one blocking device, which is serrated in such a way as to match the serration of the strip. In order to preserve the tips of the teeth, the teeth tips of the teeth provided on the blocking device and the teeth bases of the strip are rounded off or beveled at least on their sides lying against one another in the tightened state. Such an arrangement is used in tying methods in which the free strip end is led back into the lock after wrapping around the item to be tied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-part closure device or clip having a first and a second clip body component. The clip has a releasable latch at one end, a rigid connection at an opposite end, and at least one flexible neck disposed between the releasable latch and the rigid connection. The flexible neck hinges one clip body component with respect to the other clip body component while enabling the rigid connection to remain stationary with respect to both clip body components.

Abstract: A clamp includes a clamp body having a spring arm with first and second ends and a deflection arm with first and second ends. The deflection arm is connected at its first end to the spring arm proximate the first end thereof, and the second end of the deflection arm is opposed spatially to a protrusion extending from the spring arm proximate the second end thereof. An actuating device engaged with the deflection arm and the protrusion can be manipulated to effect relative movement of the second end of the deflection arm away from the protrusion to cause a corresponding circumferential contraction of the spring arm. The actuating device includes a force-limiting mechanism, which limits the extent by which the second end of the deflection arm is moved away from the protrusion, thereby limiting the maximum circumferential contraction of the spring arm that can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clip system for fixing an attachment to a support part, using a connecting clip (1) consisting of a resilient material. Said connecting clip (1) can be clamped to a retaining rib (8) of the attachment (6) and can be inserted into an essentially rectangular orifice (9) of the support part (7). The connecting clip (1) has two spring-loaded limbs (3), which originate from a central segment (2) and are bent back on themselves, whose free ends (4) are bent outwards and backwards in such a way that when the external limbs (5) formed by said bend are introduced into the orifice (9), they are pressed together in a spring-loaded manner between the edges (10) and snap into said opening, thus securing the connecting clip (1) in a non-positive fit. To fix the connecting clip (1) to the attachment (6), the central segment (2) has a gap (15) for introducing the retaining rib (8).

Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener mounting clip for use in securing a fastener to sheet material having a bore hole formed therein. The fastener mounting clip is preferably formed of a single sheet of thin spring steel. The mounting clip includes a rectilinear planar surface having opposing guide arms and opposing retainer arms extending beneath its outer edge at obtuse angles. The guide arms are operative to minimize the insertion force required for seating the fastener mounting clip in the bore hole formed in the sheet material. The retaining arms are resiliently flexible and compress and expand during insertion wherein a top end of the retaining arm abuts against the sheet material when the fastener mounting clip is fully seated within the bore hole. The planar surface includes support tabs for supporting the planar surface in the plane of the sheet material and also includes a recessed aperture for receiving and retaining a fastener therein.

Abstract: Reliable and durable tether clips that continue to tether two panels together while allowing for a controlled displacement between the two panels in response to a predetermined force are disclosed. The tether clips according to the present invention include a first retaining means near a first end that is adapted to be securable to a first panel, a second retaining means that is engageable with the second panel and limits the relative separation between the panels, and a releasable fastener means intermediate the first and second retaining means that normally maintains the two panels in a closed configuration relative to one another but that releases at least one of the panels relative to the other panel in response to a predetermined force tending to separate the panels.

Abstract: A container (110) including a closure device (121) is disclosed. The closure device (121) includes a pair of interlocking fastening strips (130, 132) and a slider (134) for occluding and deoccluding the fastening strips (130, 132). The fastening strips (130, 132) are interlocked when the slider (134) is at a first end (136). The slider (134) includes a separator (192) that is configured to urge the fastening strips (130, 132) to wrap around the separator (192) to provide a seal when the slider (134) is at the first end (136) of the fastening strips (130, 132). The slider (134) can include a nose portion (252) for latching the slider (134) at the first end (136) of the fastening strips (130, 132). The slider (134) can include a valve (198). The slider (134) can have different configurations.

Abstract: A restraint for retaining a person within a seat. The restraint has a lap bar and a shoulder bar which can be independently adjusted. The lap bar can be rotated either to retain a person or to permit a person to enter or exit. Also, the lap bar can be pulled farther away or pushed closer to a person. When extended completely, the lap bar will remain locked in such position until the lap bar is rotated toward the position a person will occupy. When pushed toward a person, the lap bar cannot be pushed farther away until a rod to which the lap bar is attached is released from a lock. The shoulder retainer is attached to a similar rod which is locked in this same fashion.

Abstract: A plurality of pieces of process data are acquired from a semiconductor production apparatus while it is in operation, and then, a multivariate analysis model is created using at least a portion of the plurality of pieces of process data.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing the solid electrolytic capacitors that can be directly connected to semiconductor components and have a faster response to a high frequency as well as a larger capacitance includes: a dielectric forming stage where a valve metal sheet (2) is made porous and dielectric coating (7) is provided on the porous face (3); an element forming stage where solid electrolytic layer (8) and collector layer (10) are formed on the dielectric coating (7); and a terminal forming stage where connecting terminal (16) to an external electrode is formed. The element forming stage includes the steps of: forming solid electrolytic layer (8); forming through-hole electrode (9) in through-hole (5) that is prepared on valve metal sheet (2); and forming collector (10) on solid electrolytic layer (8).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing multiple dimension transducer arrays of multiple layer elements from modules is provided. A plurality of multiple layer strips are formed. The strips are separate, such as an elongated strip corresponding in size to one row of elements. Connections between the electrodes of various layers or separate connections from the various electrodes to a bottom of the strip are formed on the separate multiple layer strips. The separate strips are then aligned within a frame and bonded together. The resulting sheet of multiple layer transducer material is then diced to form elements. Due to the previous interconnection of electrodes, each element includes electrical connections for each of the layer electrodes, avoiding the need for vias or high aspect ratio sputtering.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method to manufacture acoustic probes comprising unitary piezoelectric transducers. The method comprises an original step to realize an earth plane formed from a flexible dielectric film covered by a conducting film. The flexible dielectric film is ablated locally to expose the conducting film. The ablated film acts as draping and earth plane for the unitary piezoelectric transducers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine tool comprising a turning head with turning tool (18) and tool holder (26). The object of the invention is to improve and make a tool machine with turning function more flexible. In accordance with the invention the turning tool (18) is pivotably arranged in the tool holder (26). This achieves increased possibility to easily turn a workpiece on an inclined work table, turn a workpiece on both the inside and outside and to allow the turning tool to perform an optionally chosen feeding movement. The invention also relates to a method for machining in which the turning tool is pivoted during the turning process and/or between different turning processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating element for the engaging and extraction of planar sub-assemblies, with a display element (7) in the operating lever (4), a front element for a planar sub-assembly with operating element and component support for accommodating planar sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method to engage a liner in an cylinder of an engine is provided. A wedge and rod are utilized as part of a liner remover assembly to move at least one collet axially to engage the liner. In a preferred embodiment, a novel eyehook is provided at an end of the rod to assist in the pulling of the liner from the cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making and breaking tubular connections at the surface of a well by utilizing a pipe joining system. The pipe joining system includes a movable support frame for supporting and integrating on a rig floor the tools associated with making and breaking the connection between two tubulars. Tools incorporated in the pipe joining system include combinations of a wrenching assembly for gripping the tubulars and applying torque to the connection, a spinner for spinning the joints of the tubulars into connection, a positioning tool for vertically and/or horizontally aligning the tubulars in the system, a cleaning and doping device for cleaning and doping the threads of the tubulars, a stabbing guide for properly aligning the tubulars before joining, a mud bucket for handling mud spillage during the breaking of the tubulars, and a control system that remotely operates the entire automated system.

Abstract: In response to the recent various requests, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a filler neck to facilitate jointing a mouthpiece and a feeding pipe which were manufactured separately into an integrated filler neck having an excellent hermeticity. The method for manufacturing a filler neck 1 comprises the following steps: jointing an inner face of the circumferential wall portion 16 of a feeding pipe and an outer face of the circumferential wall portion 12 of the mouthpiece, and integrating with the mouthpiece 2 and the feeding pipe 3, wherein the outer face of the mouthpiece and the inner face of the feeding pipe are in relation to be fitted in a press-fitted condition, a seam welding is executed to the welding area W provided in a range of the overlapped area S defined by the width of the circumferential wall portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing heating elements in the form of tubes with a resistive heater therein, surrounded by refractory powder. A filling pipe is inserted into said tube, and powder is allowed to flow down said pipe. The pipe is moved upwardly, to allow powder to flow out, and then moved downwardly to rest on the powder. In a preferred form, the pipe is forced downwardly to further compact the powder, preferably by means of an impact with a hammer. Means may be provided to selectively grip the pipe to move it upwards, and the gripping means and the hammer can have a common drive mechanism. A valve may be provided to allow flow of powder into the pipe to be shut off when said tube is filled with powder.

Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.

Abstract: The electrodes (1, 3) are formed by surface coating and cold compression on metal strips (2, 4). They are then assembled, by hot pressing, with an electrolytic membrane (5). The metal strips (2, 4) are then removed, preferably by mechanical detachment. Current collectors are then formed on each of the electrodes by PVD type techniques that are conventional in microelectronics. The resulting thin micro-battery with a high surface capacity can then be integrated in an integrated circuit, in particular by bonding by means of indium connecting balls.

Abstract: An apparatus for making reinforcing cages, the apparatus having: a frame; a former adapted to receive a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods; a bed attached to the frame, wherein the former rests on and is able to rotate relative to the bed; a drive for rotating the former; a loading module located adjacent to the former; a shuttle mounted on the loading module for longitudinal reciprocal movement towards and away from the former, wherein the shuttle feeds reinforcing rods into the former by moving towards the former, and withdraws the reinforcing rods from the former by moving away from the former as a reinforcing band is positioned around the reinforcing bars; and a rotatable cage holder adapted to hold a reinforcing cage during construction of the reinforcing cage, the cage holder being adapted to substantially prevent twisting of the reinforcing rods which form part of the reinforcing cage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling and/or pre-processing microelectronic workpieces. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an input/output station configured to removably receive a plurality of microelectronic workpieces at an input/output location, a transfer station, and a first transfer device that moves the microelectronic workpieces directly between the input/output location and the transfer station. A second transfer device moves the microelectronic workpieces directly from the transfer station to at least one process station. The transfer station can include a pre-process station configured to identify and/or align the microelectronic workpieces. The apparatus can further include a storage station configured to support a plurality of microelectronic workpieces and can be positioned to at least partially overlap the pre-process station.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for fabricating a component-embedded board according to the present invention comprises: a detecting unit 11 for detecting, before the board 21 is covered with an insulating layer 23, the actual position of an electronic component 22 formed on the surface of the board 21; a holding unit 12 for calculating a displacement between the design position of the electronic component 22 and the actual position of the electronic component 22 on the surface of the board 21, and for holding the displacement as displacement data; and a correcting unit 13 for correcting, based on the displacement data, design data to be used for processing the board 21 after the board 21 is covered with the insulating layer 23.

Abstract: A tool for inserting wires or cables in a flexible harness wrap is disclosed. The tool includes a first member and a second member connected to the first member. The first member has an extension member connected thereto, and a first nose portion extending at an oblique angle from the first bottom end. The second member has a receiving member connected thereto, and a second nose portion extending at an oblique angle from the second bottom end. The first and second members are movable from a first, closed position to a second, open position. The open position is at least 50 degrees from the closed position. A method of inserting wires or cables in a flexible harness wrap is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for forming a contact member cable. The cable is a longer version of a contact member and can then be cut into shorter, individual contact members, to meet the particular requirements for a specific connector application. The contact members can be used as the conductive elements for a family of land grid array connectors that provide, among other things, a low profile, uniform electrical and mechanical performance, and reworkability if a contact member is damaged. The connectors are intended to interconnect electrical circuit members such as printed circuit boards, circuit modules, or the like. Such circuit members may be used in information handling system (computer) or telecommunications environments.

Abstract: In order to prestress a tube (4) of a heat exchanger in tension in the axial direction, with precise tailoring of the prestress, at least one of the end parts (4a, 4b) of the tube (4) is expanded diametrally using a hydraulic pressure while the tube (4) is fixed at its ends in the tube plates (3a, 3b). The value of the prestress in each of the tubes (4) of the heat exchanger is tailored by altering the initial radial clearance between the external surface of the end part (4a, 4b) of the tube (4) and the internal surface of the hole (5) passing through the tube plate (3a, 3b) in which hole the end part (4a, 4b) of the tube (4) is engaged before diametrally expanding the end part. The end part (4a, 4b) of the tube which runs substantially over the entire length of the hole (5) passing through the tube plate (3a, 3b) is hydraulically diametrally expanded.

Abstract: This invention relates to fabrication of tube bank style heat exchangers and similar assemblies. It provides a novel device and a method for presenting and feeding multiple relatively flexible tubes in a predetermined spaced apart manner, and subsequently threading them through corresponding holes in tube-sheets, baffles or similar components during fabrication of the core structure, for example a heat exchanger core.

Abstract: An internal grooved tube according to the present invention comprises a large number of fine spiral grooves on the inside surface in parallel arrangement, wherein the grooves are formed to assure that the ratio of a groove width in the tube axial direction to a groove height is in the range of 1 to 2. A lead angle &thgr; of the grooves to the tube axis is preferably limited to 26 to 35 degrees. A method of manufacturing an internal grooved tube according to the present invention comprises the steps of inserting a grooved plug into a blank tube rotatably, and then pressing the blank tube against the outside surface of the grooved tube with several balls revolving both around the circumference of the blank tube and on its axis in a location of the grooved plug inserted, while drawing out the blank tube longitudinally in one direction, wherein the number of balls is limited to 2 to 3.

Abstract: In order that a worm 1 is rotated, a clearance (a region constituting a clearance portion between bearings and a worm gear) is formed (FIGS. 4(1) to (3)) in an upper surface of a base plate 3. A mold 12 for forming a lower half region of the worm therein is formed (FIG. 4(8)). A material 5 for the worm is deposited (FIG. 4(9)) to a height equal to that of a lower half region plus that of an upper half of the worm. An upper half of the worm is formed (FIGS. 4(10) to (12). Finally, the material 13 in the clearance between the base plate 3 and gear 1 is removed (FIG. 4(13)).

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a compound helically toothed planet gear for a planetary gear set wherein the individual gear elements of the compound planet gear have different leads. The method identifies and utilizes the several factors affecting gear timing for compound helical planet gears having different leads to provide planet gears capable of attaining equal load share among the several gears of the planetary gear set. Specifically, the method of the present invention utilizes a mounting shoulder and bore axis to provide common locating features for use throughout the manufacturing process The method further provides for bore honing and removal of equal amounts of material from both sides of each gear tooth in the gear finishing process so as not to alter gear timing between the compound gear elements.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a desired tooth flank backlash for a transmission having at least two interlocking toothed gears, comprises applying a removable coating on at least one of the toothed gears for purposes of setting the backlash, the coating comprising a mixture containing a bonding agent and a filling material; adjusting the least two interlocking toothed gears with the coating relatively to each another essentially play-free or with only small play; and removing the coating.

Abstract: A hair clipper includes a handle portion having a drive end with a first coupler formation, and a blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a housing at least partially enclosing a reciprocating blade and a fixed blade, and having a top, bottom, and at least two sides joining the top and bottom. Integrally joined to and extending away from the bottom of the housing is a second coupler formation for engaging the first coupler formation. The first and second coupler formations form a releasable connection which inhibits movement of the blade assembly with respect to the handle portion when the two coupler formations are engaged.

Abstract: A cutting tool is provided for cutting hair. The tool includes an elongate handle arranged to mount a blade member formed of glass material on one end thereof. The blade member includes a cutting edge which comprises a fractured edge of the glass material which has been ground so as to be continuous and smooth in profile. A mounting member is provided for selectively mounting the blade member on the handle so as to permit replacement of the blade member when dull. In use the cutting edge is stroked along a person's hair for tapering the ends of the hairs at random lengths to provide texture to the hair.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for slicing of foodstuffs is provided that has a rotatable disc with a radial slot, a knife blade projecting above the rotatable disc, an angled chute for conveying foodstuffs, and an orifice between the chute and the rotatable disc. The orifice has a shape that decreases in width in the direction of rotation of the rotatable disc.

Abstract: A food chopper and cutter has at least two rotary cutting elements which are mounted on a common shaft and are rotatable relative to a common handle. Movement of the cutting elements conforms to the contours of the inner surface of a salad bowl to quickly and efficiently cut salad. The cutting elements are also movable in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the plane of the inner surface of the salad bowl to provide a chopping action in addition to the rotatable cutting action.