Abstract: A phial (10) for distributing products, in particular medicinal products, lubricants, glues and creams, comprising a truncated-conical annular wall (18), positioned between the walls of the mouthpiece (14) and those of the collar (15) of the above phial (10), in order to allow a stable positioning of a distributing element, which extends from the mouthpiece (14), also in inclined positions with respect to the vertical axis (19) of the phial (10); this allows a simplified application of the product, also in points which are extremely difficult to reach and in sensitive and delicate areas of the human body.

Abstract: A roof rack for vehicles to facilitate the transport and unloading of cargo from a roof of a vehicle. The roof rack includes a plate for supporting a load that is mountable to a roof of a vehicle and has a plurality of slots. A plurality of mounting brackets releasably attaches the plate to the vehicle. A pair of actuator assemblies is rotatably couplable to each of the mounting brackets. Each of the actuator assemblies comprises an elongate main member, a plurality of elongate arm members, and a plurality of elongate support members. A lever member for rotatably biasing the actuator assemblies is releasably attachable to a rear end of each of the main members of the actuator assemblies. A plurality of securing members selectively secures the cargo to the top side of the plate. An elongate storage member for storing articles is mounted on the bottom side of the plate. A plurality of extension members facilitates guiding the cargo to a ground surface.

Abstract: A foldable cargo carrying basket includes a mounting bar capable of being mounted to a vehicle hitch. Supported by a support bar and main frame member, the basket includes an upstanding front wall. A platform is pivotally coupled to the main support member and selectively movable between configurations perpendicular or parallel to the front wall. The basket includes side walls pivotally coupled to opposed struts of the front wall and movable between configurations perpendicular or parallel to the front wall. When coupled to the platform, the side walls receive a significant portion of any load forces encountered by a loaded platform. A rear wall may be pivotally coupled to the platform. The side walls may be coupled to the rear wall so as to be indirectly connected to the platform for load distribution. The platform and each wall include a framework with a metal mesh overlying respective frameworks.

Abstract: A backpack entertainment system with detachable speaker pockets is provided. The speaker pockets can be detached from the backpack and positioned separately therefrom to provide an enhanced stereo sound quality and/or ambience. Audio equipment within the backpack is connected to the speakers. The speaker pockets preferably comprise canvas or other like material, and can be quickly and easily attached to and detached from the backpack by zippers or other similar means.

Abstract: An article of luggage, of the type having a retaining device for pressing an object against an outer wall of the article of luggage, of the type in which the retaining device includes a flexible tie that runs along a path following the return points borne by the outer wall of the backpack, and of the type in which the length of the tie path can be adjusted due to a clamp whose position on the tie is adjustable, wherein the clamp is affixed to a retaining element that is affixed to the article of luggage but which can be spaced from the outer wall, the object to be pressed being at least partially received between the outer wall and the retaining element, inside the tie path.

Abstract: A low slung tool belt carrier includes pouches designed to be suspended from a belt strap construction with a shoulder strap crossing over the torso or shoulders to support the larger of two pouches, the pouches arranged to fit on the hips or be rested upon the hips of an individual.

Abstract: A method of opening an ampoule and an ampoule opening device are disclosed.

Abstract: A ticket machine for dispensing tickets from a strip of tickets having perforated joints is provided. The ticket machine includes a roller assembly, a detection mechanism and a bursting blade. The roller assembly adapted to communicate a portion of the strip of tickets along a ticket path. The detection mechanism is disposed adjacent the ticket path and adapted to determine the position of at least a leading ticket of the strip of tickets along the ticket path. The bursting blade is adjacent the ticket path and adapted to floatably strike the strip of tickets adjacent the perforated joints to separate at least the leading ticket from the strip of tickets. A method for separating tickets from a strip of tickets connected along perforated joints is also provided.

Abstract: A stiffening rail support is provided for attaching a stiffening rail to an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine to discourage the flexing thereof. The stiffening rail support includes a clamping piece defining a vertically extending inner face, an opposite vertically extending outer face, and a bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A jaw element is operatively connected to the clamp piece so as to define a clamp cavity therebetween. The jaw element is movable between a clamping position for retaining a portion of the stiffening rail in the clamp cavity and a release position.

Abstract: A propellant charge-operating setting tool for driving fastening elements and including a housing (11), a setting mechanism (12) located in the housing (11) and actuated in response to ignition of a propellant charge (24) for driving in a fastening element, and a device (30, 40, 50, 60, 70) for cutting a used portion of a propellant charge-carrying magazine strip (22).

Abstract: A nail gun carriage 10 is provided to support a nail gun 2 adjacent a surface such as a board B to be nailed by the nail gun 2. The nail gun carriage 10 includes at least one wheel 30 or other bearing surface which is located and oriented to rest directly against the boards B to be nailed by the nail gun 2 when the nail gun 2 attached to the nail gun carriage 10 is positioned properly for firing a nail into the board B. The wheel 30 is preferably rotatably supported by a frame 20 which is slidably attached to the nail gun 2. Alignment brackets 40 attach to the nail gun 2 and slidably attach to the frame 20 to keep the nail gun 2 aligned along a firing axis of the nail gun 2 during recoil and relative movement of the nail gun 2 with relationship to the frame 20.

Abstract: A vision system and method for use with a bonding tool that takes into account variations due to temperature changes and other nonrandom systemic effects. The vision system includes a cornercube offset tool having a plurality of total internal reflection surfaces, the cornercube offset tool located below the vision plane of the optical system; and an optical detector to receive an indirect image of the bonding tool through the cornercube offset tool. The method comprises the steps of providing a cornercube offset tool having a plurality of total internal reflection surfaces below a vision plane of the bonding tool; and receiving an indirect image of the bonding tool through the cornercube offset tool.

Abstract: A method for forming a thermoelement for a thermoelectric cooler is provided. In one embodiment a first substrate having a plurality of pointed tips separated by valleys wherein the substrate is covered by a metallic layer, portions of the metallic layer is covered by an insulator, and other portions of the metallic layer are exposed is formed. The other portions of the metallic layer that are exposed are covered with a thermoelectric material overcoat. A second substrate of thermoelectric material is then fused to the pointed tip side of the first substrate by, for example, heating the back of the first substrate to melt the thermoelectric material overcoat or by passing current through the pointed tips to induce Joule heating and thereby melt the thermoelectric material overcoat.

Abstract: A method for assembling a rigid industrial food-cooking container is disclosed wherein metal sheets respective recesses and projecting elements are first assembled and then shaped to a specific predetermined geometry for receiving the industrial food and the sheets temporarily connected and assembled at right angles, and welded or brazed to cover the entire contact surface between the sheets to provide a leak proof container for the industrial cooking of the food.

Abstract: A method of forming reflowed bumps comprising the following sequential steps. A wafer is provided. A series of spaced initial bumps is formed upon the wafer. The initial bumps having exposed side walls and top surfaces and organic residue over the initial bump side walls and/or the initial bump top surfaces. The organic residue is simultaneously removed from the initial bump side walls and top surfaces with the forming a surface oxide layer over the initial bump side walls and top surfaces. The surface oxide layer is stripped from the initial bump top surfaces and an upper portion of the initial bump side walls to form partially exposed bumps. The partially exposed bumps are heat treated to melt the partially exposed bumps to form the reflowed bumps.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for the insertion the leading end of a length of a metallic element into a through hole which is formed in a substrate, and for heat deforming the inserted leading portion of the metallic element into a predetermined configuration prior to severing therefrom the remaining length of the metallic element.

Abstract: The invention provides a water-soluble preflux that can solve problems with a soldering land array having a narrow spacing in that fused solder is likely to cause soldering bridges with defective soldering, a printed circuit board with its film formed thereon, and a surface treatment process for a metal in that circuit. The water-soluble preflux comprises given two different benzimidazoles compound and an iodine-based compound optionally with an amino acid, etc. The invention provides a printed circuit board with a film of that preflux formed thereon, and a surface treatment process for the metal in that circuit.

Abstract: A mechanical numeral wheel counter comprising several numeral wheels and switch sensors set alternatively around the numeral wheels. The circumferences of the numeral wheels are divided into equal spaces and a sensing material is placed on each of the spaces. As the numeral wheels rotate, the status of each sensor will be different when the numeral wheel is at different position. Signals output from the sensors are processed by a computer capable of reading and recognizing the signals. A standard digital wave form can be obtained from the processed signals received by the computer from the sensors.

Abstract: A wheel chart having at least one rigid disk formed by a compact disk which, in addition to having a mirrored or reflective layer capable of carrying reproducible information, has legible matter on an obverse side which cooperates with a member such as a transparent rigid disk which can also bear indicia to enable calculations to be made by relative rotation of a disk and a member juxtaposed therewith.

Abstract: In the present invention, a system for interlocking material supply equipment in semiconductor manufacture management system comprises collecting means for collecting a user's identification and content identification of material supply equipment. Communication means is for transferring the user's identification and the content identification. A controller is communicated with the material supply equipment and the collecting means through the communication means. Alarm means is coupled to the material supply equipment and communicated with the controller. A method for interlocking managing change materials of material supply equipment comprises collecting a changed material information in an material supply equipment. The changed material information is checked by a controller communicated with the material supply equipment. An alarm message is transferred to the material supply equipment from the controller. The corresponding material supply equipment is disabled according to said alarm message.

Abstract: A networked copier and printer system permits on-line payment for use of copier or computer printer, charging against a positive balance customer account stored at a central station, and permits customers to add to their copier account. A network transaction station accepts a customer ID from a magnetic card or bar code reader, or from a keypad input. After the customer enters his or her PIN, the account balance is downloaded from the central database, and the copier or printer is enabled. An add-value station on the network allows the customer to deposit cash and add to his or her account balance, after entering a customer ID and PIN. The value added station presents a receipt that omits the customer account identification but contains a unique transaction tracking code. An off-line mode permits copying during network outages.

Abstract: The gate system includes a center to perform the ticket reservation control, an automatic gate apparatus that is connected to the center and examines a magnetic recording medium or a wireless card inserted as a ticket, a ticket vending machine to issue a ticket, and an in-compartment ticket issuing terminal carried by a trainman in a train for performing a fare adjustment for a riding past ticket, etc. through the wireless communication.

Abstract: A system, method and/or apparatus aids in preventing duplicate bar code entries in an item security database. Bar codes from items that vary with respect to a security characteristic such as a non-weight characteristic are compiled into a custom bar code format or template that is stored in a custom bar code format file. An obtained bar code from a scanned item is compared to the custom bar code format. If the obtained bar code compares to the custom bar code format, the bar code is manipulated according to the custom bar code format. The manipulated bar code is used to retrieve a security characteristic (value or data) regarding the scanned item and/or to create a bar code entry with an associated security characteristic if the bar code entry is not in the item security database.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for counting the number of people crossing from one side of a given threshold to the other. The apparatus comprises a plurality of sensing means (10) for mounting above the threshold, each capable of detecting an item passing beneath it. Processing means compare the detection signals of each pair of adjacent sensing means to prevent the same person from being counted separately by the adjacent sensing means.

Abstract: An optical scan module includes a scanner for scanning a scanning beam over a target plane at which indicia to be electro-optically read is located, and a pair of spaced-apart detectors for sensing light reflected from the indicia over respective fields of view. The detectors have optical axes intersecting each other, generate respective electrical signals indicative of the indicia, and are connected to a multiplexer for selectively acquiring one of the signals based on the direction of the scanning beam. The acquired signal is decoded by a decoder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reading coded information, comprising illumination means, means for picking-up a luminous signal diffused by an illuminated support containing coded information, means for detecting the luminous signal intended to generate an electrical signal that is proportional to said luminous signal (for example, an electrical signal with an amplitude variable, along at least one reading direction, between at least one maximum value Vmax and at least one minimum value Vmin), and means for processing said electrical signal, intended to extract the information content from it. The device further comprises means for varying, preferably point by point, the amplitude pattern of said electrical signal along said at least one reading direction so as to generate an electrical signal having a predetermined amplitude pattern, for example, substantially constant.

Abstract: An invisible symbol reading apparatus includes a heating unit for heating an invisible symbol formed on a sample and containing a material which emits infrared light when heated, a detecting unit for detecting infrared light emitted from the invisible symbol, and an arithmetic operation unit for binarizing a detection signal from the detecting unit. The arithmetic operation unit calculates a differential coefficient of the detection signal, that corresponds to a position on the sample. On the basis of upper and lower threshold values set for the differential coefficient, the arithmetic operation unit determines a maximum value of the differential coefficient in a region exceeding the upper threshold value and a minimum value of the differential coefficient in a region smaller than the lower threshold value. The arithmetic operation unit binarizes the detection signal by using the maximum or minimum value as a leading or trailing edge of a binary function.

Abstract: A versatile system and method for VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) bar code and data scanning is disclosed, including a housing (102) having a scanning surface (116), a detector element (106) disposed within the housing in close proximity and normal to the scanning surface, a VCSEL component (104) disposed within the housing in close proximity to the detector element and scanning surface, and an aperture (122) formed within the housing between the scanning surface and the detector element.

Abstract: A suspension mass is mounted for swinging movement relative to, and extends between, a pair of fixed posts spaced apart from each other on an annular support mounted in a portable electronic device. The mass is connected to the posts through a pair of breakable links.

Abstract: A UPC identification device for affixation to a product includes a label-bearing portion having a side bearing UPC information; and a tail portion fixed to said label-bearing portion and extending outwardly therefrom for attaching the identification device to a product. The tail portion is held in place by expanding the distal portion thereof, or by forming the tail portion into a loop for capturing the label-bearing portion thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reporting dynamic properties of a product using radio frequency identification device technology. With this invention, an electronic tag is equipped with a sensor which determines dynamic properties of a product when the tag is activated. The dynamic properties of the product are then either further processed into other dynamic properties. In any event either the former or the latter dynamic properties are then transmitted from the tag. Such dynamic properties could be the temperature of a product or the expiration date of the product derived from periodic measurements of the temperature of the product.

Abstract: A memory card and a method for operating a memory card, the memory card comprising: a memory mass storage; a first data interface with a contacting interface and a high data transfer rate; a second data interface with a contact-less interface. In a preferred embodiment, a memory card controller is included for selecting a first data line from said first data interface or a second data line from said second data interface to communicate with said memory mass storage based on a criteria.

Abstract: An on-premises restaurant communication system for communicating a particular customer's table location to a food server at a central service counter. A communication device is mounted on each of the tables in the restaurant, and has a unique table identifier stored therein. The particular customer is provided with a data token on which a customer number is encoded. The customer selects a table and inputs the token in the communication device mounted on the selected table. In response to reading the customer number, the communication device sends a message to the central service counter that includes the unique table identifier and the customer number. There, the table identifier and the customer number are extracted from the received message, and a table location is determined and provided to the food server.

Abstract: A module (1) for a data carrier (3) for performing of operations with contacts and operations without contacts comprising an integrated component (4) with component connections (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A7, A8) and having a contact field (5) accessible to counter contacts with module connecting contacts (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8), with each component connection (A1, A2, A3, A5, A7) used for operations with contacts being in an electrically conductive connection with a module connecting contact (C1, C2, C3, C5, C7) of the contact field (5) and each component connection (A4, A8) used for operations without contacts also being in an electrically conductive connection with a module connecting contact (C4, C8) of the contact field (5).

Abstract: A motor vehicle automatic climate control determines the heating or cooling influence of the deep mass components of the cabin and compensates the climate control to offset the thermal effects of the deep mass components on the cabin air temperature. The deep mass temperature is either measured or estimated by modeling, and combined with an estimate of the thermal resistance between the deep mass components and the cabin air to determine the heating or cooling power required to offset the deep mass temperature. The heating or cooling power so determined is used by a climate control algorithm to adjust the system air discharge velocity and temperature, directly compensating for the deep mass temperature effects.

Abstract: To provide a low-cost block-type expansion valve containing a strainer. A block-type expansion valve is configured such that a hollow cylindrical strainer is arranged in a space for introducing high-pressure liquid refrigerant, in a manner surrounding a valve element, and the refrigerant introduced into a refrigerant pipe-connecting hole is permitted to flow into a space on the upstream side of the valve element 17 via the strainer. Therefore, since the shape of a body is not substantially changed, it is possible to provide the expansion valve at low costs by suppressing an increase in the manufacturing costs to the cost of the strainer.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device, in particular for the delivery of combustion air to a heating burner of a motor vehicle or for the delivery of heating medium, preferably heating air, through a heating medium duct system of a motor vehicle, comprises a delivery member which can be driven to rotate by a drive, a rotary state monitoring arrangement for monitoring the rotary state of the delivery member, and also an operating state sensing arrangement for determining the operating state of a system to be supplied with fluid by the fluid delivery device, based on the monitoring result of the rotary state monitoring arrangement.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a heating apparatus (1), in particular, an auxiliary heater and/or a parking heater for a motor vehicle, with a one-piece or one-part housing (2) that contains a combustion chamber shaft (3), in which a heat transfer casing (8) is arranged, wherein the inner side (9) of said heat transfer casing encloses a combustion chamber (5) and is subjected to hot exhaust gases during the operation of the heating apparatus (1), wherein the outer side (11) of the heat transfer casing forms the inner envelope of a cooling fluid space (10), through which a cooling fluid flows during the operation of the heating apparatus (1), wherein the outer envelope of said cooling fluid space is formed by the inner side of the combustion chamber shaft (3), and wherein the housing (2) also contains a catalyst shaft (4), in which at least one catalytic element (15) is arranged through which hot exhaust gases flow during the operation of the heating apparatus (1).

Abstract: In a high frequency semiconductor device, a shield plate which is connected to the ground potential is provided above an MMIC structure including line conductors, with an insulating interlayer provided therebetween. By using the shield plate to shield the MMIC, interference caused by external electromagnetic waves or leakage of electromagnetic waves to the exterior can be reduced in a chip alone.

Abstract: This station (10) comprises at least two areas (11, 12) for cleaning/filling a reservoir, each adapted to receive a sub-assembly (7) formed by a reservoir (8) and a sprayer (9) while this sub-assembly (7) is disconnected from the robot. A device or devices (51, 52) for cleaning and/or filling the reservoir and/or the sprayer in each of these areas are provided, while these areas (11, 12) are adapted to be brought (F2, F3) into a position of connection of a sub-assembly (7), disposed in one (11) of them with the cleaning and/or filling device or devices (51, 52). The process consists, inter alia, in positioning (F6) a coating product supply unit (52), in a position of connection with the first sub-assembly (7) received in an area (11) of the station (10) of cleaning/filling.

Abstract: A system for dispersing a scent and marking a trail useful in hunting and other outdoor endeavors is provided, the system providing for easily positioning a self-fastening scent dispenser and marker to a preselected structure as well as the person and apparel of a user. The apparatus includes a camouflage cover so that the apparatus can easily be concealed when in use. A reflector can also be included, however, so that the apparatus can be located in the dark using a generated light beam, while also protecting the user by identifying the user to other hunters in the area. Methods are also provided to permit a hunter or hiker to readily attach the self-fastening scent dispenser and trail marker as the user moves along a trail during a hunt, hike, or other outdoor excursion.

Abstract: A programmable odor-bearing substance diffusion device includes a number n of odor diffusion devices, where n is equal to or greater than 1, each odor diffusion device including a store of an odor source which is dispensed by the odor diffusion device, a device for independently controlling each odor diffusion device to emit a single odor or a mixture of odors from a by a combination of p of the n stores, and a programmable control device for establishing odor peak emission cycles and a predetermined interval between two successive emission cycles, the predetermined interval being based on an olfactory saturation and desaturation times of the olfactory system of a user.

Abstract: This invention is to improve the reproducibility and yield in separating a bonded substrate stack. A bonded substrate stack having a porous layer inside is held by substrate holding portions 105 and 106, and a fluid is injected from a nozzle to the porous layer of the bonded substrate stack, thereby separating the bonded substrate stack at the porous layer. The variation in pressure of the fluid is suppressed within a predetermined range by a servo-driven pump.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve, especially an injection valve for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, includes a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator and a valve-closure member, which can be actuated by an actuator via a valve needle and interacts with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat. An intermediate piece is connected via a first flexible seal to a support plate; the support plate is connected via a second flexible seal to a driver at the valve needle; and the driver is connected via a third flexible seal to the intermediate piece, thereby creating a sealed hydraulic translation device.

Abstract: A skin cleaner includes a lower container, and an upper bowl having a rim defining an opening for receiving the face of users. The container has a chamber for containing a first liquid while the bowl has a cup located in the opening for containing a second liquid. A heater is provided for heating and converting the second liquid into vapor, which is then discharged from the cup into the opening of the bowl. The skin cleaner further includes a nozzle disposed in the bowl, and a pump for pumping the first liquid to the nozzle and spurting the first liquid from the nozzle over the face received in the bowl.

Abstract: A spraycoating apparatus with a tubular, hollow affixation element (16) to affix an adapter (8) to a casing (2), a coating-material tube (14) running through the hollow affixation element (16) into the casing (2).

Abstract: An adjustable adapter includes two arms, each having an axis, a surface substantially normal to the axis, wherein the surfaces of the arms face each other, an end and a passageway for fluid communication between the end and the opening, wherein one of the arm ends is for connection to an inlet of an applicator and the other arm end is for connection to an outlet of a container, and a fastener for pivotally coupling the arms. One of the arm surfaces is provided with a groove in fluid communication with both arm openings. The groove is sealed to prevent fluid from leaking from between the surfaces. When the fastener is in a rotation-resisting mode, the fastener forces the surfaces of the arm toward one another sufficiently to increase friction and resist rotation therebetween, and when the fastener is in a rotation-permitting mode, the fastener releases the surfaces sufficiently to decrease friction and permit rotation therebetween.

Abstract: Nozzle attached to the boom of agricultural sprayers each include an improved air eduction system and discharge slot eliminating the need to change the angle of the boom and nozzle to ensure a comprehensive spray pattern irrespective of boom height and improved penetration of the material sprayed into and under the crop canopy.

Abstract: A gardening sprinkler includes a main body and a rotary spray head fastened to one end of the main body by a revolving mechanism having a pivoting base and a pivoting body. The pivoting base is extended from the one end of the main body and is provided with an elastic locating body. The pivoting body is fastened to the spray head and is provided with an arcuate rack, which is engaged with the elastic locating body of the pivoting base. As the pivoting body is turned on a pivot of the pivoting base, the elastic locating body moves from one gullet to another of the arcuate rack.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve having a valve body, in which a bore with a pistonlike valve member disposed in it is embodied, which valve member is longitudinally displaceably in the bore counter to a closing force and by its longitudinal motion controls at least one injection opening, through which fuel can be injected into the combustion chamber of the engine. A valve holding body is braced axially against the valve body. An inlet conduit, which carries fuel at high pressure, extends through the valve holding body and its contact face, embodied as a high-pressure sealing face, on the valve body as far as the injection openings. The bracing of the valve holding body against the valve body is effected by means of a lock nut, which grips the valve body and with a female thread engages a male thread embodied on the valve holding body.