Abstract: An article including: disk or vortex ring with a circular opening in the center of the disk; and a fastener adapted to concentrically attach the disk to the particle outlet opening of a classifier wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for separation of solids in froth is presented. The apparatus includes: a housing (1), establishing a chamber (2) for flows of liquid and solid material and a froth bed (30) on the liquid; feeding means (14) for getting incoming material to be separated in contact with said froth bed (30); discharging means (6) for solid material near the bottom (12) of said housing (1); aerator means (24, 26) under the liquid surface (78) for creating bubbles and thus forming said bed of froth (30) and generating movement on the bed of froth (30); means for discharging froth from the housing (1) including at least a froth outlet (74). The apparatus is characterized by a surface (32) connected to said feeding means (14) so as to reduce the vertical speed component of the material being fed with the feeding means (14) from above said froth bed in and on to said froth bed (30).

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting individual timber pieces of different dimensions and or qualities into a number of mutually superposed sorting compartments (1) comprises a conveyor and a transfer device (12). The conveyor transports individual timber pieces places in the vertical direction along the infeed ends of the sorting compartments (1). The longitudinal direction of the timber pieces is approximately horizontal and transversely directed in relation to the longitudinal direction of the sorting compartments (1). The transfer device (12) transfers a specific timber piece place from the conveyor to a specific sorting compartment (1). The transfer device (12) has a least one transfer member (13) per sorting compartment (1). Each transfer member (13) is movable between a passive position outside the path (4) of the conveyor and an active position within the path (4) of the conveyor.

Abstract: This concerns a device whose filtering membrane is gripped annularly at the periphery between a first member forming part of an intake body and a second member forming part of a drainage body with one out of the first member and second member having an elastomer seal by means of which it comes into contact with the membrane, and whose locking means are adapted to allow the opening of the device by requiring only a separation movement between said first member and said second member. The drainage method proposes directly placing the device on a vacuum flask, the sealing with regard to the stopper of said flask being obtained by a rib tapering towards its end.

Abstract: A solid-liquid filtering method and system which comprises a thick band (7) of assembled filaments prepared by closely arranging paralleled monofilaments of predetermined length, a means for fixing (11) one end portion of said band and a network support (4) for keeping said band in a plane situation at proper location when said band is forced to turn in a regular direction, one end portion of said monofilaments being fixed and the other end portion being floated.

Abstract: Provided is a toothbrush holder having a body with spoon-shaped cavities. The cavities optionally are lined with rubber material to conform to the shape of a toothbrush. Rubber grommets are utilized to hold the toothbrush in the cavity. A mounting plate attaches to a wall or other surface and the body removably attaches to the mounting plate. In an alternate embodiment, the grommets are replaced with rubber coated stainless steel rods. The cavity partially covers the toothbrush, allows easy access to light and air, can be easily used with one hand, and mounts closely to the wall.

Abstract: A mobile shelving system having tracks and multiple shelf units for moving along the tracks. A shelf unit includes vertical posts that are attached to a carriage using fasteners that are part of the carriage. U-shaped clips connect to the posts and have slots that also accommodate flanges of shelves so that mounting shelves is facilitated. The shelves include a series of slits for receiving tabs that are part of barrier elements. The barrier elements act to limit movement of file folders stored on the shelves.

Abstract: A beam and tension rod arrangement is for use with a push back storage rack system. A front beam extends between two front vertical uprights across the loading position of one or more cart lanes. An interior structural cross support extends between two interior vertical uprights that are located at points along the length of each cart lane. Diagonal tension rods extend from each end of the interior structural cross support to points on the front beam's structural angles brackets that are adjacent the middle portion of the front beam. When a loaded cart collides with the front beam, the majority of the collision forces are directed toward the middle portion of the front beam, which exerts diagonal tension forces on the tension rods between the front beam and the interior structural cross support. The diagonal tension rods serve to brace the front beam against flexing, transferring much of the impact strain to the interior structural cross support.

Abstract: A railcar coupler which integrates fluid and electrical connections into one modular unit with increased facility for automatically connecting these connections when cars are pushed together and automatically disconnecting these connections when railway cars are lifted up off of railroad tracks.

Abstract: A novel, collapsible container is provided which features container side walls and end walls that have a closed, multi-paneled element forming at least a portion of the wall. The closed wall element is formed from an exterior panel and an interior panel that are joined along top, side and bottom seams of the panel, preferably by hot plate welding, to form a closed, multi-paneled side or end wall element. In more detailed aspects of the invention, the side or end walls incorporate a windowed construction, which includes a window having a seam surrounding a single panel window area.

Abstract: A cap with a way-one valve solves two distinct problems in the field of packaging materials that emit gasses, providing both a means to prevent a package from deforming under pressure built up inside the package, and a means to reseal the package. The cap comprises an inner wall extending downwardly from an inner portion of the top wall to define a cavity. An insert valve is mounted within the cavity, forming a seal with the inside wall. The upper surface of the insert valve, inner wall, and the top wall define a chamber with a gas escape path. A septum is disposed within the chamber, the septum seated on the insert valve and sealing one or more apertures in the insert valve. The septum is capable of at least partially unseating in response to force exerted by increased gas pressure acting through the apertures.

Abstract: A container assembly has a lid which connects to an open ended container. The container has a wall which defines a cavity therein and has an outer surface with a plurality of outwardly directed teeth and at least outwardly directed thread. The teeth are located intermediate the threads and a top of the container wall. The lid has an outer wall with an inwardly directed blade on a leg which cooperates with the outwardly directed teeth on the exterior surface of the container. The lid also has a cutout in a ridge which allows at least a portion of a locking member to extend therethrough, the locking member is normally biased toward a center of the lid in a first position so that the leg is brought into contact with the teeth on the container. The locking member can be moved to a second position to disengage the leg from the teeth to allow rotation in at least one direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluid-storage container facilitating its efficient retrieval, use, and discard by an individual engaged in an athletic activity. The invention is comprised of a weighted base attached to a tube so that both are rotatably disposed effecting a self-righting movement about a preferred axis. In preferred embodiments, fluid is stored within a chamber along the tube. In alternate embodiments, fluid is stored within both tube and base. In yet other embodiments, the base is comprised of a rigid upper element attached to a lower deformable element capable of absorbing and dissipating impact energy. One or more optional hand grips are provided about the tube.

Abstract: An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.

Abstract: A towel dispensing device provides a device for warming towels prior to the towels being removed from the dispensing device. The dispensing device includes an electrically powered heating member, the degree of heat being controllable by the user, for warming the space of a warming chamber containing the towels to be dispensed. The towels to be dispensed can be pre-moistened by water or other fluids as required by the user. The dispensing device can also be presented as a serialized group of warming chambers; each individual chamber being able to contain towels pre-moistened with different fluids and warmed to different temperatures prior to being dispensed.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for dispensing medical items (68, 70, 72) includes dispenser modules (28, 30) movably mounted thereon. The dispenser modules are selectively operative to dispense medical items therefrom into a path (54) which is connected to a delivery area (20) of the dispenser. The dispenser and the dispenser modules therein are configured to provide security against unauthorized access thereto. However an authorized user is enabled to readily access the dispenser modules and the medical items therein by unlocking a lock (22), opening a door (16) and extending the dispenser modules through an opening (18). With the dispenser modules in the extended position the medical items therein may be replenished. Alternatively, the dispenser modules may be disconnected from the dispenser and replaced with substitute dispenser modules.

Abstract: A nozzle is attached to a tip of a fluid container which is formed of two flexible sheets overlapped with each other. The sheets have their internal surfaces fitted to each other in a normal state after contents are filled into the container such that even a very small portion of contents remaining in the container can be removed by a required amount without coming into contact with air.

Abstract: A apparatus with multiple paint intakes for providing a painting professional with the ability to draw paint from more than one container before having to reposition the spray painting equipment to draw from additional containers. The apparatus with multiple paint intakes includes a housing defining an interior chamber and a plurality of elongate support legs mounted on the housing for supporting the housing in an elevated condition above a surface. Each of the support legs has opposite ends, and each of the support legs has a passage formed therein extending between the opposite ends of the support leg and being in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the housing for permitting fluid to be drawn through each of the plurality of support legs and into the interior chamber.

Abstract: Pump systems are provided which allow for highly-accurate dose control. The pump systems may be provided with a valve stem or a piston, either having a constant-diameter stroke portion interposed between reduced-diameter portions. At least one stationary sealing member immovably affixed to a pump body is also provided formed to sealingly engage the stroke portion of the valve stem or the piston. The sealing member is also formed to not engage the reduced-diameter portions. As such, the volume of the administered dose is controlled by the stroke length, which, in turn, is a function of the dimensioning of the constant-diameter stroke portion and the dimensioning of the sealing member. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a minimal number of tolerances can be implicated in controlling dosing volume.

Abstract: An improved structure of a soap dispenser head to deliver a fixed amount of soap liquid and to prevent any leakage of soap liquid, essentially comprised of a graded trough on either side of a soap delivery head of a soap dispenser; a soap liquid inlet being provided on either side of the graded trough; a soap liquid outlet being provided at the bottom of the graded trough; a piston penetrating the graded trough, a cap being provided on the top of the graded trough, a ring seat being provided at the bottom of the piston ring of the piston; a coil being inserted on to the bottom of the ring seat, a stop being provided at the lower end of the piston; a retaining hole is provided at the lower end of the piston, a hole being provided on the stop for the retaining to penetrate through the stop and inserted into the retaining hole in the piston thus to position the stop in the lower end of the piston so that when the soap dispenser is depressed for the piston in the soap delivery head to move downward, the ring seat

Abstract: A dispenser assembly for dispensing a substance from a receptacle is provided. Preferably the collar therefore comprises outwardly projecting and elongated angled ribs for forming complementary elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule. A method of assembling such a dispenser assembly upon a receptacle is also provided and comprises the important step of allowing the collar to rotate over the outer surface of the ferrule and towards the receptacle, such that the elongated ribs form complementary elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule thereby forming an airtight seal between the dispensing assembly and the receptacle.

Abstract: A actuating head of a double-acting or lift and force pump for ejecting a product from a container includes an outlet duct leading to an ejection opening, wherein a valve closing piece is arranged in the outlet duct. Together with the outlet duct, the valve closing piece forms a check valve which, when the actuating head is actuated, is opened by the pressure of the product and allows the product to flow into a space defined by the inner side of the outlet duct and the circumference of the valve closing piece. This space is connected through at least one transverse groove to the ejection opening. The valve closing piece is elastically deformed by the product pressure when the actuating head is actuated and opens the check valve. The valve closing piece borders against the transverse groove and rests with its rear side against a radially inwardly protruding shoulder of the outlet duct.

Abstract: Valves for use in a pressurized receptacle are disclosed including a housing and an orifice in the housing for dispensing a fluid, a shutter disposed in the housing and movable along the axis of the housing under the action of gravity between a closed position in which the shutter substantially closes the orifice when the valve is in a predetermined orientation and a dispensing position in which the shutter releases the orifice, and an absorber disposed downstream from the shutter relative to the direction of flow of the fluid, the absorber adapted to absorb a propellant gas contained within the fluid and for releasing propellant gas upon a decreasing pressure in the area adjacent to the absorber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a pourer, adapted to be mounted on the container neck, and an assembly forming a cover adapted to be mounted on said neck and comprising a cap mobile between a first position where it isolates the neck and the pourer from outside and a second position providing access to the neck and the pourer. The assembly forming a cover comprises two catching string rims (411, 412) extending radially inwards from a ring (41), one first string rim (411) being adapted to be engaged with an external flange (26) of the neck (2) while a second string rim (412) is adapted to be engaged with an external flange (36) of the pourer (3), said string rims (411, 412) defining between them a volume (V) for receiving the flanges (26, 36).

Abstract: An attachment for a beverage container allows for the mixing of ice cream and carbonated drinks to be consumed by an individual. Ice cream is placed in a hollow attached to a beverage container with a valve. The unit is inverted and the valve is opened to allow the carbonated drink to mix with the ice cream in the hollow container producing a float like beverage.

Abstract: A method of tucking a pair of refastenable side seams into a body portion of a pant-like garment in which the fold locations can be controlled and the likelihood of creases occurring in the fastening components is reduced or eliminated. The garment is positioned either on one vacuum conveyor or between an upper vacuum conveyor and a lower vacuum conveyor. Vacuum zones from the conveyors hold the garment in place. While the garment is held by the vacuum zones, the refastenable side seams are pushed between the front and back regions toward one another with the fastening components being placed in a flat configuration.

Abstract: A tool lanyard for releasable attachment to a safety harness of a workman to resiliently arrest the inadvertent dropping of a tool by the workman. The tool lanyard includes a looped cord on one end of the lanyard to receive a tool in a tightly gripped relation and a hook on an opposite end of the lanyard for mounting on a ring of the safety harness. A resilient connecting structure between the looped cord and the hook minimizes any shock action resulting from inadvertent dropping of the tool while arresting the dropping of the tool. The resilient connecting structure includes an outer non-elastic sheath about an inner elastic cord.

Abstract: A holder for a mobile telephone includes a generally tube-shaped body comprising an exterior and an interior cavity having an opening at a first end of the body and an opening at an opposing second end of the body. The interior cavity has a surface comprising a material having frictional properties allowing the device to be slidingly inserted by hand into the interior of the tube-shaped body. The tube-shaped body is semi-rigid and sufficiently elastic so that the body can stretch to allow the hand insertion of the device into the interior of the body and can retain the inserted device in the interior of the body. The tube-shaped body can be positioned on a belt so that the belt extends through the interior cavity and out of the first opening and the second opening. A mobile electronic device can be slidingly inserted into the interior cavity, thereby stretching a portion of the body to cause the tube-shaped body to retain the inserted device in the interior cavity.

Abstract: A tension device is utilized for equalizing, or at least reducing differentials in tension across strands in a web. The device utilizes an overfeed roll which rotates faster than the speed of feeding the web. Strands at the desired tension, or less, slip about the exterior surface of the overfeed roll. Strands which are greater than the desired tension have sufficient friction to be rotated, at least temporarily, by the overfeed roll to thereby create slack in the higher tension strands to equalize the tension relative to the other strands. Feedback from feed rolls, support rolls, and/or the overfeed roll may be utilized to adjust the speed of the overfeed roll.

Abstract: A setting tool includes a piston guide (13) displaceably arranged in the tool housing (11) and in a hollow chamber (14) of which a piston guide (13) is displaceable under action of a propellant from an initial position thereof to an end position thereof, a device (20) for breaking displacement of the setting piston (15) in its end position at an end of a setting process, and a wear recognition device (30) associated with the setting piston braking device (20) for automatically blocking a setting process dependent on a wear condition of the setting piston braking device.

Abstract: A stapler comprising a base defining a horizontal plane, a cartridge assembly coupled to the base at a cartridge attachment point, the cartridge assembly including a ram, and a lever arm pivotally coupled to the base at a lever pivot axis. The lever arm includes a grip for receiving a manual input from a user, and the lever arm is coupled to the ram at a ram input in order to provide a drive force. The stapler includes an inherent force factor, calculated as the horizontal distance from the lever pivot axis to the end of the lever arm divided by the horizontal distance from the lever pivot axis to the ram input, of at least 3.8. Preferably, the lever arm defines an effective lever axis that is at least about 65° offset from the ram axis when in the static position. When stapling, the effective lever axis is preferably offset greater than about 95° when the lever arm is compressed to the fully stapled position.

Abstract: A nail gun and depth control spacer assembly for ejecting nails into a substrate which contains two or more layers of roofing materials one of which is a compressible fibrous layer. The nails penetrate the substrate but are prevented by the depth control spacer from permanently compressing the compressible fibrous layer which springs back to is original thickness after completion of the nailing process. The depth control spacer, attached to the base of the nail gun, is of semi-oval configuration having a pressure sensitive layer and a solid layer, is provided with an oval cavity in its center portion through which the nails are ejected into the substrate.

Abstract: A sonotrode for an ultrasonic welding device has an ultrasound generator that supplies high-frequency electrical energy to a converter that converts this energy into mechanical vibrations and conveys the latter, optionally via a booster, to a sonotrode (2). The sonotrode (2) is formed with a contact surface (3). In order to avoid troublesome sink marks, pegs (1) are arranged on the contact surface (3).

Abstract: A wire bonding apparatus including a capillary, which allows a tip end of a bonding wire to protrude from the bottom, and a discharge electrode, which generates a spark between the electrode and the tip end of the wire by an electrical discharge; and auxiliary electrodes being disposed so as to surround the area between the tip end of the wire and the tip end of the discharge electrode. The end portion of the spark on the wire side is guided onto the axial line of the portion of the wire that protrudes from the capillary by the electric fields from the auxiliary electrodes, and the end portion of the spark on the discharge electrode side is guided onto the axial line of the discharge electrode. Dissociated ions are adsorbed on the auxiliary electrodes, preventing the discharge electrode from being contaminated.

Abstract: An electronic component carrier includes a frame, a circuit board clamp fixed to the frame for clamping a circuit board, a vibrating device for vibrating the circuit board while the circuit board is carried through a reflow oven and the temperature inside the reflow oven is a predetermined temperature, and a collector installed on the frame for collecting electronic components dropping from the circuit board.

Abstract: A method is provided for placement of a first workpiece onto a second workpiece. The first workpiece is initially positioned at an origination location and the second workpiece has an attach location different from the origination location. A first place step is performed to displace the first workpiece from the origination location to an intermediate location different from the origination and attach locations. A second place step is performed to displace the first workpiece from the intermediate location to the attach location and the first workpiece is attached to the second workpiece at the attach location.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and method for friction welding structural members. The apparatus includes a connected shank and probe. The probe defines an absorption surface and a cavity extending thereto. The absorption surface is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source such as a light source or RF generator. The radiation heats the probe, supplementing the heat generated by friction between the probe and the structural members, and thereby increasing the speed at which the probe can be used to frictionally weld the structural materials.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat-conducting connection between two work pieces (1, 2) includes the steps of first producing a porous sintered layer (3), interposed between the two work pieces (1, 2) and sintered onto every work piece (1, 2) across a certain area, and subsequently compacting the porous sintered layer (3) sintered onto the two work pieces (1, 2) by pressing the two work pieces (1, 2) against each other.

Abstract: A method of dry fluxing metal surfaces of one or more components to be soldered, comprising the steps of: a) providing one or more components to be soldered which are connected to a first electrode as a target assembly; b) providing a second electrode adjacent the target assembly; c) providing a gas mixture comprising a reducing gas between the first and second electrodes; d) providing a direct current (DC) voltage to the first and second electrodes and donating electrons to the reducing gas to form negatively charged ionic reducing gas; e) contacting the target assembly with the negatively charged ionic reducing gas and reducing oxides on the target assembly.

Abstract: An electronic key and reader apparatus for a lock include a key (400) incorporating a display (402) on which is rendered an image representing a keycode (410), the keycode being adapted in relation to the operation of the key. A reader incorporated in the reader apparatus scans the keycode using a sensor array (408) and may interact with the key by exchanging message data (406) using communication port (404).

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating a user for an account is provided. The system comprises a form factor enclosing a microprocessor, a first memory associated with the microprocessor, authentication information stored in the first memory for the account, a display device, a microcontroller in communication with the microprocessor, a second memory associated with the microcontroller, an input device providing a data entry interface for the user to the form factor and a card reader interface selectively connecting the microprocessor to a remote card reader. In the system, the microcontroller is adapted to receive authentication data from the input device provided by the user, to evaluate the authentication data against the authentication information and to enable the card reader interface if the authentication data is validated against authentication information.

Abstract: When a shopping container put on a counter is moved on this counter, a bar code scanner reads a bar code from bar code holding means mounted on the shopping container and outputs it to a cash register.

Abstract: A system for locating a mobile device within a wireless network includes detecting one of a plurality of infra red beacon signals, each from a location beacon. A memory stores a plurality of predetermined transmission frames, each corresponding to one of the plurality of beacon signals. A transmitter selects one of a plurality of predetermined transmission frames in accordance with the detected beacon signal and transmits the predetermined frame to a remote monitoring device across a network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article and method for identification, classification, and inventory tracking of articles in bulk. The article has a first state and a second state. The state is the condition of the article including such states as new, used, broken, or depleted. When the article is new, it will have a perception indicating its state. The perception will be different from other perceptions of the article because of an identifiable characteristic which differentiates it from articles being in other states. The article has a second perception that is representative of a second state of the article. The second perception may be fixed upon or within the article or, in the alternative, the first perception may be such that, when the article changes state, the first perception changes into the second perception.

Abstract: A ballistics fire control system for a spin or fin stabilized projectile is provided with means which are operated such that the closest point of approach between a fired projectile and a target is taken to be at the instant the projectile velocity vector (6) is orthogonal to the position error vector (13) between the projectile and target in accordance with the relationship: Vp•(PP−PF)=0 where Vp is the projectile velocity vector, PP is the projectile trajectory or position vector, PF is the target future position vector, • is the vector dot product and (PP−PF) is the position error vector.

Abstract: Determination of the authenticity and integrity of various types of documents such as lottery tickets is accomplished by using an electronic verification machine to compare data contained in electronic circuits printed on the document to document data printed on the document. The electronic circuits are printed on the document in conductive or semiconductive ink using, for example, the gravure printing process, and the presence and status of the circuits can be used to verify or authenticate the document. Data can be represented in the electronic circuits by the electrical signature of the circuit which is measured by the electronic verification machine. In the case of lottery tickets, a ticket can be validated by having the electronic verification machine determine which play spots have been removed from the ticket and comparing data on the ticket with the removed play spots to determine a play redemption value for the ticket.

Abstract: An IC card reader comprises a card transport path for passing an IC card, an abutting portion and an IC contact, which contacts a contact terminal pattern of the IC card and is capable of coming close to or being distanced from the IC card. The IC card reader further comprises a card discharge port, which is provided at the rear end of said card transport path, regulation means for regulating a distance between said IC contact block and the card transport path, a driving portion for releasing control of the distance and a stopper for aligning the IC contact block to the card transport path. When the IC card left on the card transport path needs to be discharged from the card discharge port, control of the regulation means is released so that the abutting portion and the IC contact are distanced from the card transport path at least to a position such that the IC card cannot contact thereagainst.

Abstract: A wireless terminal (30) including a smart card application host (34), such as a contact smart card or the terminal MCU or a terminal security component, and including a terminal interface (32), and also including a smart card router (33) that enables RF communication with a contactless card reader (35) in for example a ticketing system (31), even though the smart card application host (34) does not contain a contactless interface. The smart card router (33) includes an RF antenna (33c), separate from and external to the smart card application host (34), and also a modulator/demodulator (33b), and also includes a card access module and router (33a) for routing communication traffic (Rin) arriving via the RF antenna (33c) to either the smart card application host (34) or to the terminal interface (32), based on information included in the arriving communication traffic (Rin).

Abstract: A unique method of simultaneously marking both packaging and prepackaged articles such as tablets, pills, medical devices, and the like on the fly, without the deposition of ink or other marking materials on their surfaces, and without degrading the prepackaged articles or breaching the packaging. The markings can serve as unique identifiers for each individual marked article (serial numbers), as product identifiers (bar codes), or as tamper protection (positioning symbols), or the like. One product can be provided with all three types of marking, if desired. A radiation sensitive marking material such as titanium dioxide, for example, can be provided in both the article and a markingly associated window of packaging material. The article and the window together provide a marked pair.

Abstract: A machine readable code on a label of a pill or imprinted directly thereon. The code may be used to track the identity of the pill for purposes of avoiding mix-up or trademark violations. The code has patterns whose resolution is too small for the unaided eye to discern.