Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the position of the combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. In order to enable an early determination of the 50% mass conversion point it is provided that the maximum value of the heating progress of the combustion is determined, that the 50% mass conversion point is assigned in a temporal respect to the maximum value of the heating progress, and that the temporal assignment of the 50% mass conversion point to the maximum value of the heating progress occurs prior to the end of the combustion.

Abstract: For monitoring the state of a motor brake, the invention provides a method by means of which in a measuring sequence in speed-regulated operation, the brake is applied for a short time and over this time a motor current is measured and the brake torque determined on the basis of the thus obtained measuring data.

Abstract: In a borehole logging tool, the flow of conductive fluid into or out of a wellbore at the wellbore wall is detected and measured with a sensor loop proximate the borehole inner wall. The sensor loop includes a series of contiguous sensors that act as electromagnetic flowmeters and provide fluid measurements covering the entire circumference of the sensor loop. The sensor loop includes an elastic element that forces the sensor loop outward to maintain pressure along the sensor loop circumference against the interior borehole wall. The sensor loop is designed to lie at a non-perpendicular angle to the wellbore axis, and mechanical arms press the top and bottom of the loop against the borehole inner wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing of electrical, mechanical, physical and/or chemical properties of material in sheet form includes a cassette for holding of sheets and sensors rigidly mounted relative to the cassette. The sensors may be mounted adjacent a test location exterior to the cassette. The cassette and the sensors may be so configured and positioned that a suitable end effector may move sheets of material between storage locations in the cassette and test locations adjacent the sensors. A method for testing sheet material includes the steps of placing the sheet material in a cassette, and conducting tests employing one or more sensors rigidly mounted with respect to the cassette. The method may include employing an end effector to remove the sheet from the cassette, to position the sheet stepwise in several positions relative to the sensors, and to replace the sheet in the cassette upon completion of testing.

Abstract: A remote two-module electronic fluid monitoring system to be used as an agricultural aid in the application of a fluid to a field. A tank module sits atop a field tank and monitors internal fluid level. Fluid level detection is achieved by tracking the position of an embedded permanent magnet associated with a given internal fluid level within an existing float gauge mechanism. An integrated circuit capable of precisely detecting the orientation of magnetic fields senses the angular position of an existing magnet and outputs an angular field reading to an interfaced microcontroller which then translates angular reading to fluid level. The tank module contains a radio frequency transmitter which then sends fluid level information to a display module mounted within the tractor cab. The display module receives the signal from the tank module and reports to the user the present fluid level remaining in tank via a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid level detecting apparatus capable of achieving miniaturization, which includes a float arm 2 provided with a float floating on a liquid surface, an arm holder 4 for holding the float arm 2 and provided with shaft portions 24 as rotation supporting points of the float arm 2, a main body frame 3 provided with two bearing portions 30 and 31 for axially supporting the shaft portions 24 of the arm holder 4, a circuit board 7 fixed to the main body frame 3, and a contact holding member 5 provided with a sliding contact 6 sliding on the circuit board 7 and fixed to the arm holder 4, and the arm holder 4 is positioned between the bearing portions 30 and 31 and holds the float arm 2 and the contact holding member 5.

Abstract: An acceleration measurement system for measuring acceleration of a target object includes an accelerometer mount that includes at least one mass, at least one elastic member, and at least one damping material. A method of measuring acceleration of a target object includes selecting the at least one elastic member and the damping material provide a more accurate transmission from the target object to an accelerometer that is connected to the accelerometer mount.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the condition of a bearing mounted on a rotating shaft, particularly one present in an aircraft gas turbine engine, where the vibration sensor that monitors the bearing is remote therefrom but proximate to the rotating shaft. The vibration sensor obtains a broadband signal having frequencies that include the bearing defect peak of the monitored bearing. The broadband signal is analyzed to identify the presence of the bearing defect peak. If the bearing defect peak is present, the amplitude of this peak is quantified to determine whether degradation of the monitored bearing has at least reached a threshold criteria previously established.

Abstract: In a cylindrical transducer constructed of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays arranged in a circular form, the ultrasonic transducer arrays is divided into a plurality of groups, and tilt angles of transmitting and receiving beams are controlled to compensate for swing motions of the cylindrical transducer depending on which group the individual ultrasonic transducer arrays belong. Provided that the uncompensated tilt angle of the beam is a and the angle of inclination of the cylindrical transducer in a particular direction is b, the tilt angle of the beam formed by a transducer array in the inclining direction should be adjusted to &agr;−&bgr; and the tilt angle of the beam formed by a transducer array in the opposite direction should be adjusted to &agr;+&bgr;.

Abstract: A system for identifying ultrasonic displacements in a material under test utilizing a time-varying output pulse of a first laser beam. The system includes a seed laser light source for providing a laser beam, a modulating assembly in the path of propagation of the laser beam for time-varying of the laser beam, at least one optical isolation assembly placed in the path of propagation of the laser beam for preventing reflected laser light feedback into the seed laser light source, and at least one laser light amplification assembly placed in the path of propagation of the laser beam for amplifying the laser beam which passes the amplified time-varying output pulse of the laser beam.

Abstract: Accuflate measures the temperature and pressure of a tire and by processing this information through an Allen Bradley Micrologix and comparing this information to the ambient air temperature and the recommended inflation pressure allows the operator to inflate the tire to a SET-POINT PRESSURE so that when the tire has cooled it will be at the recommended operating level. This “HOT-TIRE INFLATION” allows the operator the opportunity to accurately inflate tires during an operational day when the opportunity to inflate cold is not available.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and a method for regulating exhaust pressure in an evacuation system of a semiconductor process chamber are provided. The method comprises steps of generating a first pressure in the semiconductor process chamber with the evacuation system, monitoring the first pressure to generate a first signal, determining a set point for the exhaust pressure responsive to the first signal, and regulating the exhaust pressure by a controller till reaching the set point. The key aspect of the present invention is to maintain the equilibrium of the chamber pressure and the exhaust pressure by implementing an exhaust controller to control the gas flow rate introduced into the evacuation system. In other words, when the chamber pressure is increased, the gas is introduced into the evacuation system at an increased flow rate. On the other hand, when the chamber pressure is decreased, the gas is introduced into the evacuation system at a decreased flow rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automating asphalt mix design by estimating volumetric properties for one or more mix designs; running one or more tests on the mix design using a gyratory compactor; digitally collecting data for each gyration from the gyratory compactor; and selecting an optimum mix based on the gyration data.

Abstract: This sensor (10) generates accurate measuring results, for example with an error in the order of 0.5% of the measuring value, hat has mimimized production costs as well as a shorter overall length compared to that of conventional sensors. The sensor has two parallel V shaped measuring tubes (1, 2) each being of one-piece construction. Each tube has a straight inlet portion (11, 21), a straight outlet portion (12, 22), an inlet bend (13, 23) connected with the inlet portion, an outlet bend (14, 24) connected with the outlet portion, a straight tube portion (15, 25) connected with the inlet bend, a straight tube portion (16, 26) connected with the outlet bend, and a vertex bend (17, 27) connected with the first and second straight tube portions. The inlet portions (11, 21) are fixed in an inlet manifold (18) and the outlet portions in an outlet manifold (19); the manifolds (18, 19) are mounted in a support frame (30) which forms part of a housing (3).

Abstract: An installed or temporarily inserted air flow instrument 48 measures air flow in a pneumatic subsystem of a cleaning station in a copier or printer. The air flow instrument has a pitot tube 52 and a static pressure tube 54. The pitot tube is substantially parallel to the length of in-line adapter 50, is centered within in-line adapter 50, and terminates in impact end 74. Static pressure tube 54 is substantially transverse to the length of in-line adapter 50. Static pressure tube 54 penetrates adapter wall 64 of in-line adapter 50 and is flush with adapter inner surface 66 of in-line adapter 50. The pressure difference at the ends of the pitot and static pressure tube represents a measurement of the air flow in the body of the air flow instrument.

Abstract: In a small-sized, high precision load cell, an annular fixed section is arranged around a load application section, and the load application section and the fixed section are connected by a plurality of arms. The arms connected to the fixed section are not radial or straight, but are bent. Thus, a direction of extension n of a distortion vulnerable section at which a hole is formed is approximately perpendicular to a straight line m which connects the load application section and the distortion vulnerable section. Therefore, it is possible to prevent tension, which arises when a load is applied to the load application section, from being conveyed to the distortion vulnerable section and to detect only the distortion with a gauge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented which allow efficient environmental testing of components such as printed circuit boards, integrated circuits, sub-systems and other components. In one method of the invention, a component can be placed into a chamber having an internal space filled with a gaseous atmosphere. The component is indirectly cooled by smartly positioning one or more cooling coils near the component to be tested, and the cooling coils are fed with a cryogenic fluid from a source of cryogenic fluid. The warm cryogenic fluid is recycled by one of two means: a thermosiphon conduit loop, and a storage and compression facility for reusing the warm cryogenic fluid. The internal space is preferably filled with a dry gas.

Abstract: A method to determine the compression factor of powders for processing by roller presses with a roller diameter of 100-400 mm. A rotating press-roller (2), a matrix (4) and a piston (11) for measurement of the compression factor are used in the inventive method. The device to carry out the inventive method consists of a rotating press-roller (2) which is connected to a groove (5) in a displaceable matrix (4) and a piston (11) connected to a ruler (17) and a pointer (15) by means of a guide element (12) and a guide rod (13), whereby the depth of the groove is greater than the 20° angle tangent on the press-roller (2) when measured from the horizontal center axis.

Abstract: One end of a cylinder disposed on the outer periphery of a ball screw shaft is fixed to the end face of a ball nut, while the other end of the cylinder is closed by an end plate to thereby form a lubricant filling space between the end plate and the leading end face of the ball screw shaft. And, the lubricant is supplied into the lubricant filling space from a grease nipple mounted on the cylinder.

Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission has a torque transmission provided between an input shaft and an output shaft of a gear-type transmission The torque transmission in at least one change gear stage is a friction clutch. When performing a change gear from one change gear stage to another change gear stage, the friction clutch is controlled. A transfer torque capacity detector detects or computes transfer torque of the friction clutch when performing a change gear to a predetermined change gear stage, and a clutch release timing determining apparatus determines a timing when releasing the claw-type clutch into a neutral state based on the value detected or computed by the torque capacity detector.

Abstract: An electric tilt and/or telescopic steering column apparatus comprises a steering shaft having a steering wheel mounted on a rear end thereof, a steering column for rotatably supporting the steering shaft, an electric actuator for adjusting the tilt and/or telescopic position of the steering shaft by driving this steering column, and position detecting means for detecting the position of the steering shaft in a non-contact manner.

Abstract: A bicycle attachment assembly comprises a handlebar stem, an end cap attached to an upper end of the handlebar stem, and an accessory-mounting device having a first end securely, releasably attached to the end cap and a second end to which an accessory is releasably attached. In another embodiment, the bicycle attachment assembly comprises a handlebar stem, an end cap attached to an upper end of the handlebar stem, and at least one accessory releasably attached to at least one mounting portion of the end cap. In a further embodiment, the bicycle attachment assembly comprises a handlebar stem, an end cap including a closing portion securely attached to the upper end of the handlebar stem for closing an upper end of the handlebar stem, the end cap further including an engaging portion formed on top of the closing portion, and an accessory releasably attached to the engaging portion.

Abstract: A treading type vehicle driving device includes a substrate, a first transmission assembly, a second transmission assembly, a treadle structure, a gear assembly and a position limiting plate. The straight-cut gear A can move reciprocally along the trenches of the slant-cut gears C1 and C2 so as to drive the straight-cut gear A to engage with the straight-cut gear B2 of the first transmission assembly (treading forwards), or to engage with the straight-cut gear D of the second transmission assembly 2A (treading backwards). When the pedal is treaded forwards and backwards, the vehicle moves forwards rapidly with less power. The straight-cut gear A will separate from the engagement of the straight-cut gear B2 or straight-cut gear D of transmission assembly since the teeth trench of the slant-cut gears moves on the slant-cut fan gear(forwards is C1 and backwards is C2); thereby, wheels rotate continuously.

Abstract: An axle differential assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a differential housing and a central shaft rotatably mounted within the differential housing. The central shaft has opposing first and second ends, includes a ring gear mounted thereon, and defines a central axis of the axle differential assembly. A pair clutch packs are mounted to each end of the central shaft. Each of the clutch packs is adapted to connect to an end of an axle half shaft and is adapted to selectively transfer rotational motion from the central shaft, across the clutch packs, and to the axle half shafts. A pair of actuators are adapte to exert an axial force onto the clutch packs.

Abstract: A rotary-type earth-boring drag bit with cutters oriented at varied rake angles and methods for designing such drag bits. Specifically, cutters that are located sequentially adjacent radial distances from a longitudinal axis of the drill bit have cutting faces that are oriented at rake angles that differ from one another. These cutters may be located on the same blade of the drag bit or on different blades of the drag bit. The rake angles at which the cutting faces of these cutters are oriented may be based, at least in part, on the relative radial distances these cutters are spaced from the longitudinal axis of the drag bit, on the vertical positions of these cutters along the longitudinal axis of the drag bit, or in response to actual or simulated evaluations of the use of the drag bit to drill a subterranean formation.

Abstract: This invention is to provide an improved device for measuring torque with high accuracy and a simple structure. The device is so constructed that one end of a torsion bar (which is twisted depending on an actual steering operation) is combined with one end of an input shaft, while the other end of the torsion bar is combined with one end of an output shaft. The other end of the input shaft is combined with a steering wheel, while the other end of the output shaft is connected to vehicle wheels. A rotor of a first resolver comprising the rotor having a resolver excitation winding and a stator having a resolver output winding is fixed to the input shaft (one end of which is combined with the steering wheel). A rotor of a second resolver comprising the rotor having a resolver excitation winding and a stator having a resolver output winding is fixed to the output shaft (the other end of which is connected to the vehicle wheels).

Abstract: Disclosed is a roofing removal apparatus for removing existing shingles from a roof. The apparatus includes an elongate base member that has a front end and a back end. A frame is mounted on the base member, and a power source is secured to the frame. A pair of wheels are rotatable coupled to sides of the base member. An elongate upper member for separating the shingles from the roof is positioned on top of the base member. The upper member has a forward end and a rearward end. A pivot coupler is positioned between the upper member and the base member. A cam member is attached to the power source. A coupling member couples the upper member to the power source. A guard protects the power source from debris. A handle member for allows a user to control movement of the base member, and a control assembly for controls the power source.

Abstract: An articulated support for a manually-operated power tool, such as a manually-positioned and trigger-operated tool having a driven rotary spindle for engagement with a work, includes a plurality of elongated segments that are connected by articulating joints to thereby define several relative joint angles. Angle sensors at the joints generate relative angle information that is used by a controller to determine when the tool has been placed in a position, relative to either the support's fixed base or the work, in which a selected tool operation is likely to be performed successfully. Thereafter, the controller enables trigger-operation of the tool, monitors the length of time that the selected tool operation is performed, and, preferably, determines the likelihood of a successful completion of the operation based at least in part on the monitoring.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench has a through cavity in which a reversing lever is disposed. The reversing lever has a pair of protruding lips formed thereon opposite from one another. A cooperating ledge is formed on the head in the cavity and on the pawl which is adjacent to the reversing lever. A spring-loaded pusher is disposed longitudinally in a blind bore in the reversing lever and the pusher engages a pocket in the pawl. A cover plate is disposed on a shelf recessed on the bottom of the wrench and spaced apart from the reversing lever.

Abstract: A positioning device for holding hook screws includes a tubular body with a passage defined longitudinally therethrough and two slots are defined through a wall of the body. One of the slots communicates a first open end of the body so that a hook portion of a hook screw can be slid in the first slot and a magnet is embedded in the wall of the body so as to attract the hook portion. A holding assembly is mounted to the body and includes a first piece movably mounted to the body and a second piece fixedly mounted to the body. A spring is mounted to the body and biased between the first piece and the second piece. The hook portion is engaged with the first piece. A rod is movably inserted into the passage via the second open end of the body and has a magnet connected to a distal end of the rod so as to attract the hook portion of the hook screw.

Abstract: A fore end wrench for removing a locking nut from a slide action of a pump action shotgun. The fore end wrench includes a body member being designed for being inserted into the locking nut of the slide action of the shotgun. The body member is designed for supporting the locking nut of the shotgun. An engagement member extends through the body member. The engagement member is designed for engaging channels of the locking nut whereby rotation of the body member by a user rotates the engagement member against the locking nut for rotating the locking nut to remove the locking nut from the slide action to allow removal of the slide from the slide action.

Abstract: In order to eliminate errors in roundness and the occurrence of helical waves, a skiving head is provided with at least three skiving blades arranged in a radially displaceable manner in the skiving head. With this skiving head, both the requirement for self-centering of the skiving blade set as well as the requirement for circular skiving geometry with consistent cutting depth are fulfilled.

Abstract: An improved structure for a portable plate circular arc punch shear which has a driver to activate a press plate for leverage pivoting with another end of the press plate to restrict a plunger for the plunger to push a punch shear dies unit in various shear arc provided on the peripheral of the dies unit. The circular arc punch shear is operated for a plate work piece by turning the punch shear dies unit to easily shift the radius of the arc area to be sheared while the main frame and related air pipe can be easily removed and modified to allow operation in portable and fixed modes in coping with requirements of individual process, thereby effectively expanding processing agility, and reducing costs of diversified production of smaller quantity.

Abstract: A cutting head for rolls (12) of kitchen towel or toilet paper, positioned on a cutting machine (11) on which at least two rolls (12) are conveyed step by step by a pusher conveyor, the cutting head (17) being connected to a motorized cutting disc (20), the cutting head (17) cutting the rolls (12) crosswise, the rolls (12) being set on a surface of a conveyor (14), where the rolls (12) are guided through grooves (13), wherein the cutting head (17) is connected to a rotary arm (26) affixed to sleeve (24) which is affixed to a supporting structure (21), the cutting head (17) further comprising a rotary shaft (47) for at least one cutting disc (20).

Abstract: The present invention provides a cutting method of a ceramic honeycomb formed body 5 for cutting the ceramic honeycomb formed body 5 with a fine line stretched at an appropriate tension substantially at right angles to the direction of throughholes 9 thereof. The method comprises the steps of providing a cutting guide groove 10 running through the outer periphery of the ceramic honeycomb formed body substantially at right angles to the direction of throughholes 9, and putting a fine line 2 to the cutting guide groove 10, to cut the ceramic honeycomb formed body 5 only by pressing the fine line 2 against the ceramic honeycomb formed body 5. By using this cutting method, it is possible to cut a ceramic honeycomb formed body having thin partition walls of under 125 &mgr;m without causing a distortion. The possibility to reduce the cutting frequency of the fine line leads to possibility to improve the cutting efficiency.

Abstract: An armored booth that functions as a protective enclosure permitting the occupants to approach armed individuals with reduced risk of harm to the occupants. The booth includes a housing formed of armored material and proportioned to be able to enter the doorway of a building. The housing has armored windows and gun ports. The housing has wheels and may be moved from place to place by the occupant walking inside of the housing.

Abstract: A plunger arrangement (46,56,58) for a braking servomotor that has an actuating piston to provide a force to activate a master cylinder. The plunger arrangement (46,56,58) is located in a bore of a movable wall (14) that separates the interior of the servomotor into a front chamber and rear chamber, The plunger arrangement (46,56,58) is connected to a resiliently returned control rod (38) and slides in bore as a function of an input force to define a braking application. The end of the plunger arrangement (46,56,58) is slidingly fitted so as to bias a reaction disk of the actuating rod and transmit a reaction force to the control rod. The plunger arrangement (46,56,58) includes a unidirectional clutch device (56) comprising a key (60) and a sleeve (58) that are slidably mounted on a plunger (46) such that when the control rod (38) is actuated at a given speed the sleeve (58) is locked in the bore of the movable wall (14), independently of the control rod (38), to maintain a braking application.

Abstract: An improvement of a valve plunger 14 used in a brake booster 1. A valve plunger 14 is made up of a rearwardly disposed body 34, and an engaging member 35 mounted on a front portion of the body 34. When a brake pedal is quickly depressed during an emergency brake operation, the engaging member 35 retracts rearward relative to the body 34, whereby the axial size of the entire valve plunger 14 is reduced, thereby increasing the opening of an atmosphere valve during the emergency brake operation as compared with a normal brake operation, allowing an output of an increased magnitude to be rapidly obtained. Thus, the invention allows an output from the brake booster 1 to be rapidly increased in immediate response to a quick depression of a brake pedal.

Abstract: A vacuum brake booster comprises a vacuum chamber and a working chamber which is separated in a pressure-tight manner from the latter by a mobile wall. In order to obtain a pressure difference at the mobile wall, a control valve is provided which comprises a housing coupled in a force-transmitting manner to the mobile wall and a first valve seat, which is disposed in the housing and which, in co-operation with a first valve sealing member, controls the supply of atmospheric pressure or overpressure to the working chamber in response to the displacement of an input member, which is coupled to the first valve seat, of the brake booster in order to obtain a pressure difference at the mobile wall. The first valve seat is formed at a displaceable valve member which is coupled to the input member in the actuating direction of the brake booster.

Abstract: The invention is a bi-fluid actuator for precise bi-directional movement and positioning of a mechanical object or load. The bi-fluid actuator includes a pneumatic fluid container defining opposed first and second pneumatic fluid chambers, and having a first mechanical object secured between the chambers; a hydraulic fluid container defining opposed first and second hydraulic fluid chambers, and having a second mechanical object secured between the first and second hydraulic chambers; a pneumatic fluid controller; and, a hydraulic fluid controller. Directing pneumatic fluid into either the first or second pneumatic chambers, while controlling flow of hydraulic fluid between the first and second hydraulic chambers, controls movement and positioning of the mechanical objects which may be secured to a load.

Abstract: A glide adapter for a lift includes an inner seal extending between the piston rod and glide adapter to prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid which may escape the hydraulic cylinder from seeping from the lift. The sealed glide adapter comprises a generally cylindrical member having an axially extended threaded section for receiving a threaded glide at one end and a cylindrical recess formed at an opposite end, including an undercut recess for snap-receiving a resilient polymeric cylindrical seal which includes an annular groove for receiving an O-ring extending between the outer surface of the seal and the inner cylindrical surface of the glide adapter. The seal includes a blind aperture for receiving one end of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder. This design also facilitates servicing of the unit by allowing removal and replacement of the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A device having a rigid rod mobile in a translational and/or rotational movement, whereof one end penetrates inside a recess of a piston and is fixed by a swivel to the recess of the piston directly or via an insert. The insert is mounted inside the recess of the piston, with a mechanism for axially locking the rod or the insert relative to the piston. The locking mechanism includes a stop borne by the piston to provide axial locking along a direction corresponding to the mounting direction of the rod in the piston, and a washer borne by the insert or the rod. The washer has peripheral fins elastically deformable in the radial direction and is pressed against the inner wall of the recess of the piston by being deformed to lock the insert or the rod in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A coffee machine of the “espresso” type that includes a water tank, a pump, a heater unit and passages for feeding hot water and steam to a percolation nozzle. The machine includes an integrated steam delivery device having a steam inlet connected to a steam feed passage and a steam outlet. The steam delivery passages include a cylindrical body equipped with an aperture connected to the steam inlet and a cylindrical piece which can move within the body to open or close the steam circuit depending on its position in the body. A control member actuated by a control or trigger finger enables the steam outlet to be brought into contact with the aperture in the closure of a receptacle.

Abstract: An espresso machine is provided with an infusion piston displaceable inside an infusion cylinder. The infusion piston is force-connected to a spring and to a device for activating the infusion piston and, in a first position, tightly encloses ground coffee inside an infusion chamber of the infusion cylinder between itself and an outlet sieve. A pressurized water inlet is connected to the infusion chamber, the infusion piston is automatically pushed by the pressure of the infusion water flowing into the infusion cylinder and counter to a spring force to a second predetermined position, thereby expanding the infusion chamber, whereupon during a pressure drop inside the infusion chamber the infusion piston is returned automatically to the first position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an interchangeable disposable pan/cover having a continuous wall and a rim surrounding the pan/cover. The wall is preferably inclined and the rim is divided into two substantially equal first rim and second rim sections. The first rim section has a rolled-over bead formed at the outer end thereof. The end of the second rim section has a bead accommodating indent. The bead accommodating indent is sized so that when the bead of the first rim section rests in the bead accommodation indent, the lower surface of the first rim section abuts the upper surface of the second rim section. To have a pair of the interchangeable disposable pan/covers easily joined, each pan/cover has an orientation and closing flange extending upwardly from the outer end of the second rim section and extending substantially perpendicular to the base wall.

Abstract: Baby formula preparation and multiple dispensing apparatus includes a base housing having side and bottom walls, and also having an open top, and further having container assembly support members disposed therein; and also includes a container assembly including a container, and also including a hood being securely and conventionally attached about the container, and further including a bottle support member being securely and conventionally attached to the container, and also including bottle retaining members being securely and conventionally attached to the bottle support member; and further includes a cover being removably disposed over the open top of the container; and also includes a light-emitting assembly being securely fastened attached to the container assembly; and further includes a baby formula preparation and dispensing assembly for preparing baby formula and for dispensing the baby formula to bottles.

Abstract: A flattening roller (38) is supported on horizontal guides (32, 34) and rolls alternately in opposite directions along the guides. A tray (30) is arranged horizontally between the guides, and is progressively lifted to approach to the cylindrical surface of the roller. The tray turns by a quarter turn around a vertical axis at the end of each stroke of the roller along the guides. A lump of dough placed on the tray is progressively flattened to a thin, round shape.

Abstract: A basket featuring a main body with a product capture reception area, a side wall, a bailing extension fixed to the side wall and a capture hook device fixed to the side wall. The capture hook device includes capture hook sections that are circumferentially spaced apart about the circumference of the main body of the basket and designed to engage a pot configured to receive the basket. In one embodiment, the basket capture hook device features a monolithic member with a common back wall that conforms to the curvature of the main body of the basket and from which common back wall the capture hook segments radially extend out from. In another embodiment, the capture hook segments are independent and separated circumferentially on the basket and designed to provide a locking function for a predetermined diameter reception pot.

Abstract: A barbeque system having at least three legs and a variety of components selectively attached thereto, such as a grill surface, a warming rack, a heat source, a potholder, and a utensil arm. Food can be cooked on the grill surface, pots containing food can be heated on the potholder, and food can be warmed on the warming rack. The utensil arm provides a convenient place to position cooking utensils when not in use. The height of the heat source and the warming rack can be adjusted to allow control over the cooking heat. The barbeque system is collapsible and can be contained within a carrying case so that the barbecue system can be easily stored or transported.

Abstract: A bale binding machine utilizes controlled pins to guide the path of a wire (or strap) around a bale such that strength-reducing bending is not introduced to the wire. The bale binding machine binds bales of fibrous bulk materials such as cotton and nylon.