Abstract: A device and method for reducing wear and stress in the string of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar. Certain stringed instruments are strung by advancing strings through string apertures in the body of the instrument. The device includes tubular sleeves that are placed into the string apertures. As the instrument is strung, the strings of the instrument are tightened. When tightened, the strings abut against and bend around the tubular sleeve. The tubular sleeve has a curved surface against which the strings bend. This lowers stress concentrations in the strings at the points of the bend. Furthermore, the tubular sleeves are made from a material that is softer than the material of the instrument's strings. Accordingly, as the instrument's strings wear against the sleeves, the sleeves experience the wear more so than the strings.

Abstract: In an automatic performance system, song and style data DAi and DCj (i:1 through n, j:1 through m) contains tempo and meter data TPa, TMa; TPc, TMc, respectively, so that the style data DCj whose tempo and meter data matches with those of the song data DAi is reproduced concurrently with the song data DAi. On the basis of user's settings, furthermore, style setting data SS (DBi) indicating style data DCk (k:1 through m) to be concurrently reproduced and tone color setting data VS (DBi) for setting a manual tone color are stored in association with the song data DAi. Based on the style setting data SS, the style data DCk associated with the song data DAi is reproduced concurrently with the song data DAi, or a manual performance is conducted, during the reproduction of the song data DAi, on the basis of tone color data derived from the tone color setting data VS. As described above, settings of a style and tone color for manual performance suitable for a song is achieved.

Abstract: A noise abatement apparatus for a gun having a gun tube includes a plurality of generally spherical pressure vessels, with a first pressure vessel having an end adapted to be coupled to the gun tube. The pressure vessels are adapted for attenuating pressure waves caused by a firing of a projectile by the gun and for being mounted on a surface. At least two of the pressure vessels are in general alignment with one another. The apparatus may further include at least one connecting portion, a catcher for entrapping particulates and for permitting the projectile to pass, and at least one orifice plate or baffle for aiding in attenuating the sound. A noise abatement system includes the apparatus and a platform on which the apparatus is mounted. The system may further include an actuator for moving the apparatus along a track that is in physical communication with the platform.

Abstract: An actuator which comprises a pair of elongated elastomer tubes (6,16), sealed by respective members (18, 20, 22, 24) at each end, the members at the one end (18, 20) being fixed and the members at the opposite end (22, 24) sliding in guides (34, 36), the sli ding ends of the first and second tubes being connected by a chain (26) and sprocket (10) to convert linear motion to rotary motion.

Abstract: The invention can prevent gas leakage and reduce friction force while relaxing tolerance for manufacturing a displacer and the like for Stirling cycle machines. Gas leakage between the outer periphery of a seal (1) and the inner peripheral surface (5a) of a cylinder (5) is prevented. Accordingly, precise finish of the radial clearance between the displacer (2) and the cylinder (5) is not required. As the difference of pressures between the front and rear spaces of the displacer (2) is small, the gas leakage is sufficiently prevented without pressing the seal (1) against the inner peripheral surface (5a) of the cylinder (5). On the other hand, as the friction force generated between them is significantly small, it does not affect the reciprocation of the displacer. As the seal (1) is provided so as not to be restricted axially and radially, the displacer is kept closely contacted with the inner peripheral surface (5a) of the cylinder (5) even if the displacer (2) eccentrically shifts.

Abstract: A piston includes a piston structure being unitarily formed in a powder metallurgy process, the piston structure having a crown assembly and a skirt assembly, at least a partial combustion chamber being formed intersecting a piston crown surface during the powder metallurgy process, the skirt assembly depending from the crown assembly and having two spaced apart pin bosses, each pin boss having a pin bore defined therein, a pair of opposed semi-circular skirt members, each skirt member extending outwardly from and being integrally joined to both of the pin bosses. The piston may be formed by executing a powder metallurgy process on at least two different metallic constituents to define a non-homogenous piston structure. A method of forming a piston is further included.

Abstract: This invention provides hydrogen-permeable membranes for separation of hydrogen from hydrogen-containing gases. The membranes are multi-layer having a central hydrogen-permeable layer with one or more catalyst layers, barrier layers, and/or protective layers. The invention also relates to membrane reactors employing the hydrogen-permeable membranes of the invention and to methods for separation hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing gas using the membranes and reactors. The reactors of this invention can be combined with additional reactor systems for direct use of the separated hydrogen.

Abstract: An adsorber vessel for use in the adsorption of a component from a gas and subsequent regeneration by thermally induced desorption of said component comprises an inlet for regeneration gas having an inlet nozzle containing at least one heater element, and an outlet for regeneration gas, said inlet and outlet for regeneration gas being separated by a flow path including a flow chamber containing a body of adsorbent, and wherein said body of adsorbent has a first end which is adjacent said inlet for regeneration gas and a second end which is remote from said inlet for regeneration gas, and the or each heater element is located so as not to penetrate through said first end of the body of adsorbent.

Abstract: Distributed valve simulated moving beds are described in which junctions located between successive columns interrupt the flow of process fluid between columns, and either transmit the process fluid through a zone bypass to a succeeding column within the same zone or, if the junction is located between zones, direct the process fluid to an input/output line that is dedicated to the particular zone that immediately follows the junction. At each step of the SMB's operation, the distribution of flows in each junction is modulated to accomplish movement of ports consistent with the SMB's design. Further described are simulated moving beds that contain one or more decoupled on-line regeneration zones. The regeneration zone is decoupled from the separation zones in the sense that it observes a step time (a “regeneration interval”) that is different than the step time observed by the separation zones of the SMB.

Abstract: A cleaning process of harmful gas containing at least one kind selected from trimethylgallium, triethylgallium, trimethylindium, triethylindium, trimethylaluminum and triethylaluminum as a harmful component by bringing into contact with a cleaning agent comprising a metallic oxide essentially containing copper (II) oxide and manganese (IV) oxide; and an alkali metal compound, thereby removing the harmful component from the harmful gas. According to the invention, a cleaning process of harmful gas containing harmful component such as trimethylgallium exhausted from manufacturing process of gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor, which efficiently cleans with superior cleaning capacity without reducing the removing efficiency of harmful component and without generating new harmful component of nitrogen oxides, etc., even in the case where the harmful gas to be treated is dry, or even in the case where the harmful gas contains ammonia is realized.

Abstract: The replacement of filters for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Organizations having responsibility for many apartment or dormitory units can spend a significant fraction of their man-hours replacing such filters. A novel approach to reducing the labor for this task is to attach one end of sheet-type filtering material to a dispensing roll, and the other end to a gathering roll; both rolls being affixed to a frame. The assembly is installed into an air duct and the filtering material allowed to blouse, somewhat. The flow of air is intermittent in typical HVAC systems, so when the air begins to flow, the filtering material is forced, due to its resistance to flow, in the direction of the flow. This energy—a force applied through a distance—is utilized by a lever arm bracket to advance the gathering roll.

Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus for an air conditioner, including an ionizer to electrically charge dust particles in air; and a metal filter having fine metal fibers, disposed at a predetermined distance from a back of the ionizer, the metal filter having a polarity opposite to that of the charged dust particles to electrically collect the dust particles.

Abstract: A capillary column (10) includes a tube structure having inner walls (14) and a sol-gel substrate (16) coated on a portion of inner walls (14) to form a stationary phase coating (18) on inner walls (14). The sol solution used to prepare the sol-gel substrate (16) has at least one baseline stabilizing reagent and at least one surface deactivation reagent resulting in the sol-gel substrate (16) having at least one baseline stabilizing reagent residual and at least one surface deactivating reagent residual. A method of making the sol-gel solution is by mixing suitable sol-gel precursors to form the solution, stablizing the solution by adding at least one baseline stabilization reagent, deactivating the solution by adding at least one surface deactivation reagent to the solution, and reacting the solution in the presence of at least one catalyst.

Abstract: A deodorizer mounting for engagement into a wall-mounted electrical outlet box. The present invention is constituted by an adsorber unit for removing gases and odors from the ambient atmosphere, a generally L-shaped bracket including a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, a cover plate having a front side and a rear side, at least one prong, mounted to and extending perpendicularly from the rear side of the cover plate, sized and spaced to engage the female receptacle of the electrical outlet box, and a means to affix the front side of the cover plate to the vertical leg of the L-shaped bracket. The invention provides a mounting device for deodorizers and a method of installation which obviates or at least reduces the poor aesthetics of conventional wall-mounted adhesive units and the relatively high replacement costs for non-securable room deodorizers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to air filtering devices for removing malodor and ethylene from the air. Such devices are useful for example for storing and preserving fluid in closed compartments such as refrigerators. The air filtering device of the present invention is characterized in that a first filtering member is capable of removing malodors from the air and a second filtering members capable of removing ethylene from the air.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extremely simple and compact brewing system particularly suited to a restaurant brewpub setting. The system completely eliminates the need for trained brewmasters, cookers, pumps, electric or gas cooker connections, serving tanks or kegs. Heating of the main ingredient, malt extract syrup, is accomplished by simply attaching electric heat belts to the pails of malt syrup. All ingredients are added directly to the combination mixing/fermenting/serving tanks. Fermentation proceeds for the normal time period, after which the tanks are pressurized with CO2, and chilled with a glycol refrigerated chiller unit. The beer is then served directly from the tanks to the customer through standard beer lines and taps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding capsules containing a substance to be extracted in an extraction system under pressure for the preparation of a drink. The device includes a supply of capsules arranged in several series, and a mechanism for individually unloading one capsule into a reception part of the extraction system. The extraction system injects water into the capsule to form the drink as a liquid extract of the substance. The reception part is arranged beneath the unloading mechanism in such a way as to allow the direct descent of the released capsule into the reception part and includes structure for opening the capsule for releasing the liquid extract therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a display device or indicator device and a timer circuit. The display device can be placed in a first or a second state. In the first state the display device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within a beverage receptacle. In the second state the display device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the beverage pitcher. The timer circuit, automatically, after a certain period of time, may change the indicator device from the first or second state to a third state in which the indicator device does not provide a visual indication of the type of beverage within a beverage container.

Abstract: A baking oven comprises a charging section with an inlet for dough pieces to be loaded; a baking chamber; and a discharging section with an outlet for baked dough pieces to be unloaded. Provision is made for a circulating-air arrangement with a source that generates a flow of circulating air, a circulating-air heating device, and a circulating-air guiding channel, sections of which are formed by the baking chamber. An outer wall of the baking chamber is rotationally symmetrical about a vertical axis of rotation, expanding steadily upwards in particular in the shape of a funnel. A baking oven results, in which the dough pieces can be moved and distributed as regularly as possible during baking.

Abstract: A method and system for designing, manufacturing and selling thematic cooking plates that are interchangeable with removable cooking plates in various waffle irons, sandwich grillers and waffle iron/sandwich griller combinations. The cooking plates may have a pattern on one or both sides. The plates may be packaged in a variety of combinations, but most often as a group of three cooking plates each with different patterns representing a single theme.

Abstract: An ice cream machine for cooling liquid ice cream into frozen ice cream includes an evaporator having a cylindrical cooling tank and an auxiliary tank. The auxiliary tank ensures that the cylindrical cooling tank is flooded with liquid refrigerant during normal operation. The flooding of the cylindrical cooling tank provides more efficient and even cooling in an interior cooling chamber. The more efficient cooling allows the ice cream machine to utilize a smaller compressor, thereby reducing the cost and energy consumption of the ice cream machine. The auxiliary tank can be a coil of tubing or a cylindrical container positioned above the cylindrical cooling tank.

Abstract: A palletizer for automatically building a load with product from an infeed area is disclosed. It includes means for defining a desired volume of a load including a length sensor, a width sensor, and a height sensor. It also includes means for transporting product from an infeed area to the load. A controller is associated with means for defining the desired volume, the controller being configured to receive signals from the sensors and to automatically control movement of the means for transporting. The controller is configured to automatically determine when the volume is filled. In another aspect, a method of building a load with product from an infeed area is provided. The method includes defining a desired volume of the load using a length sensor, a width sensor, and a height sensor. It also includes automatically filling the volume with product, and determining when the volume is filled.

Abstract: A compression apparatus for applying a compression force to a stack of filter disks comprising a compression activator and a compression applicator is provided. The compression activator includes a sleeve mounted on a first rod element, a first locking means for locking said sleeve in an upper position on the rod, a second locking means for locking said sleeve on a lower position on the first rod element and a lever for applying a force on said sleeve to move the sleeve along said first rod element. The compression applicator includes a compressible spring mounted on a second rod element, a third locking means for locking the spring in a compressed position when the third locking means is in a lower position on said second rod element.

Abstract: In a rotogravure print block, and a method to produce a print block, by use of a laser beam engraving cups are generated in an engraving surface. Before the laser beam engraving, a chromium layer is applied to the print block as the engraving surface.

Abstract: A rotary offset printing machine has a counter-pressure cylinder at which at least one printing group is disposed, as seen in the direction of rotation of the counter-pressure cylinders, between a feed system and a delivery system. The plate and/or rubber blanket cylinders of the front side printing group and/or back side printing group are constructed as cassette-shaped modular units which can be axially shifted from a use position into a servicing position to provide space for extra printing and/or imaging components.

Abstract: A satellite printing machine for printing sheets includes a single central common counter-pressure cylinder and at least four satellite printing groups arranged in a peripherally distributed manner about the counter-pressure cylinder in a rotational direction thereof from a feed cylinder to an output cylinder. The counter-pressure cylinder is provided in the form of a rubber blanket cylinder. At least one additional satellite printing group cooperates with the counter-pressure cylinder for at least single-color back side printing, and is disposed in the rotational direction of the counter-pressure cylinder before the feed system and after the output cylinder.

Abstract: A hand stamp includes a first marking structure having a front surface adapted to print a first ink onto an object, a rear surface and peripheral edges extending between the front and rear surfaces. The hand stamp includes a second marking structure having a front surface adapted to print a second ink onto an object, a rear surface and peripheral edges extending between the front and rear surfaces of the second marking structure. The first and second marking structures are assembled together so that at least one of the edges of the first marking structure opposes at least one of the edges of the second marking structure, whereby at least one of the opposing edges has a non-porous surface for preventing migration of the first ink of the first marking structure with the second ink of the second marking structure.

Abstract: A printing machine in which excessive ink remaining in ink delivery tubings (20, 22, 24) each connecting an ink reservoir (16) to an ink supply source (18) can be quickly removed or rinsed out is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting printing plate segments on a printing plate carrier comprising accepting positioning data indicative of a set of first positions and loading the imaged segments onto a working surface of the loading table at approximately the corresponding first positions. The method further includes, for each segment, detecting the position of the segment on the table, and using a mechanical pick-up system to pick up the segment and to carry the segment to a final position on the carrier. The carrying is via a path determined using the detected position on the table and the final position. The table's working surface has a set of vacuum holes coupled to a vacuum system. The mechanical pick up system includes a plurality of suction caps coupled to the vacuum system to pick up the plate. One version includes a mechanism for cutting the segments from the sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for digitally building up flexographic plates by ink jetting plate pre-cursor material onto a substrate via an offset blanket and forming the plates by successively polymerizing the ink jet fluid.

Abstract: A printing plate has a photosensitive layer (3) including a photocatalyst formed on a strip-shaped windable substrate (1) with or without another layer (2) interposed so that the printing plate is wound into a roll shape. An unused portion is extracted from the printing plate roll (8A) each time of replacement of a printing plate and an image can be formed on the unused portion whereupon printing plate replacement is realized without regenerating of the printing plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reproducing image data from a press output on another device. The present invention mimics color, resolution and frequency of dots used by varying the color saturation (amplitude) of the dots used to mimic the defining characteristics of the source output. By allowing adjustments in both frequency and amplitude to vary from the original output device, it becomes possible to match the resolution and color of the source device.

Abstract: A print screen tonal control and compensation system and method are provided in which a compensated density curve is utilized to increase press predictability, performance, resources consumption, color variation, and quality. A computerized test pattern is generated, and by applying computer to plate technology, a printed press produces a printed test pattern. The test pattern is subsequently analyzed to identify the plugging point of the production run, and a compensated density curve is created to eliminate plugging within the production pattern. The density curve is then used to generate a compensated printing plate for use in a production press run.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead with imploding charges for isotropic firing of penetrators including a hull, a core in the hull including a plurality of individual penetrators, explosive charge sections in the hull about the core, and a detonator for each explosive charge section arranged to implode the core and isotropically deploy the penetrators.

Abstract: Projectiles or war-heads with an inner arrangement for the formation of bulging zones (4,4a) are proposed, comprised of an enclosed bulging medium (1) which is terminal-ballistically substantially ineffective and is radially enclosed by a penetration material (2) which is terminal-ballistically effective, with the bulging medium (1) having a lower density as compared with the enclosing penetration material (2). This leads to the effect that on impact or on penetrating a target plate (3) the bulging medium (1) remains behind relative to the encompassing terminal-ballistic effective body (2) and is laterally increasingly bulged by the bulging material (1) which continues to flow in from behind. As a result of the high pressures, a conical (crowned) pressure and bulging zone (4,4a) is formed dynamically, which zone radially widens or fragments the passing ambient effective material (5,5a).

Abstract: Projectiles or war-heads with an inner arrangement for the formation of bulging zones (4,4a) are proposed, comprised of an enclosed bulging medium (1) which is terminal-ballistically substantially ineffective and is radially enclosed by a penetration material (2) which is terminal-ballistically effective, with the bulging medium (1) having a lower density as compared with the enclosing penetration material (2). This leads to the effect that on impact or on penetrating a target plate (3) the bulging medium (1) remains behind relative to the encompassing terminal-ballistic effective body (2) and is laterally increasingly bulged by the bulging material (1) which continues to flow in from behind. As a result of the high pressures, a conical (crowned) pressure and bulging zone (4,4a) is formed dynamically, which zone radially widens or fragments the passing ambient effective material (5,5a).

Abstract: A lead-free projectile having a metal jacket (10) with a tip in the form of a truncated parabellum. The metal jacket (10) is partially filled with cold-pressed metal powder (18), the remainder of the metal jacket being filled with metal-filled polymer (26). The metal-filled polymer (26) extends through the truncated parabellum and forms a tip on the projectile. A projectile (bullet) having a higher grain is obtained. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: Projectiles or war-heads with an inner arrangement for the formation of bulging zones (4,4a) are proposed, comprised of an enclosed bulging medium (1) which is terminal-ballistically substantially ineffective and is radially enclosed by a penetration material (2) which is terminal-ballistically effective, with the bulging medium (1) having a lower density as compared with the enclosing penetration material (2). This leads to the effect that on impact or on penetrating a target plate (3) the bulging medium (1) remains behind relative to the encompassing terminal-ballistic effective body (2) and is laterally increasingly bulged by the bulging material (1) which continues to flow in from behind. As a result of the high pressures, a conical (crowned) pressure and bulging zone (4,4a) is formed dynamically, which zone radially widens or fragments the passing ambient effective material (5,5a).

Abstract: A rail system having a light assembly is provided including a rail for holding a panel and at least one column, wherein the rail includes a recess for attachment to an edge of the panel, wherein the rail and at least one column comprise a housing for the light assembly.

Abstract: An auto rack rail road freight car is provided for carrying low density, relatively high value, relatively fragile lading. The car has a relatively soft suspension and an empty vertical bounce natural frequency of less than 2.0 Hz. The car also has additional ballast to increase the dead sprung weight of the car relative to the weight of the lading. In the embodiments in which multi-unit articulated freight cars are employed, such as for auto rack rail cars, the ballast is located preferentially toward the coupler end trucks. The trucks for the railcar have an increased wheel base and damping located to provide a greater moment arm and bearing face to encourage a higher threshold for rail car hunting.

Abstract: A rail vehicle, in particular a lightweight motor car, has a vehicle head which contains a driver's cab, and a car body with a passenger compartment. The vehicle head is embodied as a self-supporting unit. Shock absorbing elements which operate in a telescopic fashion and which absorb the energy occurring during a collision are arranged underneath this vehicle head.

Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.

Abstract: Ink sets that are particularly suitable for inkjet printing over a large range of uncoated papers, have reduced bleed between color and black inks, and include black and color inks that are mutually compatible in pens. The ink sets include at least one pigment-based black ink having cationic and anionic dispersant groups, and at least one color dye or pigment that interacts with the black ink when printed on a receiving medium. The black pigment is self-dispersed and is dual treated with cationic and anionic dispersant groups. When printed onto an alkaline medium, the black pigment will carry a net negative charge that will interact with the positively charged color dyes and/or pigments and, thus, be bleed arrested. When printed onto an acidic medium, the black pigment will have a positive charge, will interact with the negatively charged color dyes and/or pigments, and thus be bleed arrested.

Abstract: An ink, which contains at least one dye of formula (1):

Abstract: A composition is provided consisting of an aqueous solution comprising at least one natural polysaccharide or a derivative thereof and at least one polymeric polyamino compound, the composition being capable of forming a film when applied onto a substrate. The invention also involves a method for temporary protection of a substrate surface from environmental influence using such composition.

Abstract: A composition comprising a high molecular weight, water soluble polymer having a cloud point from about 20 to about 90° C. and at least one carrageenan is provided. The composition may be used as a component of a pharmaceutical dosage form, such as the shell of a dosage form, to provide burst release of active ingredient contained therein.

Abstract: Calcium hydroxide slurries and processes for their production, that have lower mean particle-sizes than otherwise equivalent slurries produced using alternative processes or whereby the mean particle-size is reduced more efficiently than when using alternative processes to produce otherwise equivalent slurries.

Abstract: A high concentration silica slurry can be used for polishing of substrates, such as semiconductor materials. The slurry contains a silica powder dispersed in an solvent. The silica slurry has a silica concentration of more than 50% by weight and a viscosity of less than 1000 mPa·s, wherein the silica powder has a ratio DL/DT of less than 1.3, wherein DL is an average particle size of the silica powder measured by a laser diffraction particle size distribution method and DT is an average primary particle size of the silica powder measured by a TEM photography observation, and wherein the silica powder has an average primary particle size of from 0.08 &mgr;m to 0.8 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and an installation for dehydroxylation treatment of aluminium silicate, in which particles containing aluminium silicate are exposed to a temperature of at least 500° C. The particles are in the form of a dry powder, and the dry powder (26) is optionally transported in a gas stream (30) at a temperature of from 600 to 850° C., for a time which is sufficient to achieve the desired degree of dehydroxylation. The powder may be obtained from a hydrated base paste by reducing the base paste into fragments (23), and by disaggregating the fragments (23) of base paste by mechanical action (at 3) in the presence of a hot gas (24) at a temperature of from 500° C. to 800° C., in order to form the dry powder (26).

Abstract: A light resistant colorant is obtained by coupling a dye or a pigment with a light resistant material. A light resistant colorant-containing composition has no additional light stabilizer. Therefore, side effects caused by the addition of a light stabilizer, such as precipitate generation, may be prevented. Furthermore, substrates to which the composition is applied preserve excellent light resistance for a long term.