Abstract: A multiple coupling fan drive provides power to a fan in a cooling system. An input shaft drives a constant viscous coupling and a variable viscous coupling, both of which are operative to drive the fan.

Abstract: A damper mechanism is provided to suppress the enlargement of a prescribed angle in a damper mechanism. A clutch disk assembly 1 has an input rotary member 2, a spline hub 3, a damper section 4, a large friction mechanism 13, a friction suppressing mechanism, and an elastic member 104. The spline hub 3 is arranged to rotate relative to the input rotary member 2. The damper section 4 couples the input rotary member 2 and the spline hub 3 together rotationally. The large friction mechanism 13 can generate friction when the input rotary member 2 and the spline hub rotate relative to each other. The friction suppressing mechanism is a rotational gap &thgr;ACp for preventing the large friction mechanism operating within a prescribed angular range. The elastic member 104 softens the impact between the members that touch against each other at the end of the prescribed angular range.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly 1 having a wear compensating mechanism having accurate wear compensation is provided. In the clutch cover assembly 1, a restricting mechanism 25 restricts movement of a pressure plate 22 away from a friction facing 11 in a clutch release operation. The restricting mechanism 25 is configured to detect an amount of wear of the friction facing 11, and to shift a stopping position of the pressure plate 22 moving away from the friction facing 11 in accordance with the wear amount toward the friction facing 11. A strap plate 26 biases the pressure plate 22 away from the friction facing 11. A leaf spring 35 axially biases the pressure plate 22 and the fulcrum ring 23 toward each other.

Abstract: A clutch pack actuation system for compressing the annular clutch pack of a limited slip differential includes a pump which can provide a supply of pressurized fluid, an annular member provided between the pump and the annular clutch pack, and an annular piston which is slidable within the annular member. Together with the annular member, the annular piston defines a clutch pressure chamber adapted to receive the supply of pressurized fluid. A fluid return line, by which the pressurized fluid is discharged from the clutch pressure chamber, is provided, and a valve, through which the pressurized fluid is returned to a fluid reservoir, is disposed in the fluid return line. The valve includes an element which is electromagnetically actuated so as to produce a desired pressure in the clutch pressure chamber.

Abstract: A clutch system includes a clutch device with at least one clutch arrangement for installation in a motor vehicle drive train between a drive unit and a transmission. The at least one clutch arrangement is actuated by a slave cylinder using a pressure medium which is supplied to the clutch device by a first pump. A further medium is also supplied to the clutch device by a second pump arrangement as an operating medium used during operation of the clutch device. The further medium is selectively supplied as a pressure medium to the slave cylinder.

Abstract: A stator winding system and method includes a winding pallet on transport pallet arrangement, with the winding pallet holding the stator and being removed from the transport pallet for a winding operation.

Abstract: A conveyor system and the operation of a conveyor system will convey articles such as baggage at airports. A buffer arrangement is provided for storing and pre-sorting at least a part of the article-flow through the system. A conveyor system for conveying and sorting articles for a number of different destinations may be operated with a much lower number of stations for discharging the articles if the possibility of pre-sorting and temporarily storing the articles exists within the system. In particular, a storage rack can be provided for storing articles and the conveyor system comprising such a storage rack.

Abstract: An inline feeder for delivering oriented parts, said inline feeder including a hopper section including a vibratory hopper for storing parts and transporting parts to an elevator section including an inclined elevator for receiving parts from said vibratory hopper and depositing said parts onto a linear feeder. Said inline feeder further including a part sensor for sensing flow of parts along said linear feeder, said sensor sensing flow and orientation of said parts on said linear feeder; and a an air fitting/valve for applying a burst of compressed gas against a part for rejecting and removing said part from said linear feeder, wherein said air valve operably in communication with said part sensor means for triggering a part rejection due to misorientation or jammed parts from said linear feeder and allowing properly oriented parts to be delivered.

Abstract: A modular and removable track placed on the ground, comprises a succession of panels, supplied with at least one longitudinal guiding, groove which allows at least one beak, tightly connected to the load to be dragged, to penetrate inside it, to interact with the series of towing elements, one for each panel, and to be guided in running along the track; each towing element being constituted of a longitudinal ring like element, stretched between two spools and furnished with dragging elements, of at least one switch and of the motor connected to one of the spools and activated/deactivated by the switch. Each panel furthermore comprises at least the ducts and for the connections of the switch to the motor and with the fluid dynamic circuit connected at the start of the track with a primary motor, through which at least one motor is activated in one of the panels of the track.

Abstract: Rotating conveyor for the evacuation of metallic shavings resulting from mechanical work processes comprising a collection container in which is able to rotate a motorised bucket above whose bottom wall is positioned the lower end of an evacuation conduit connected to an aspiration unit, for instance pneumatic. A stationary conveying member extends between the vertical axis of rotation of the bucket and the lower end of the evacuation conduit to convey the shavings below it.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cases for storing eyeglasses also having an item such as a mirror, thermometer, compass, laser pointer, or timepiece included in its structure.

Abstract: A pouch for tobacco and smoking items and accessories includes first and second outside panels that are attached at an edge and are foldable relative to each other between an open position and a closed condition. A first pocket panel on the first outside panel and a second pocket panel on the second outside panel. A separate pouch for storage of tobacco or other materials which pouch is detachably attached, e.g. by a hook and loop fastening to the first panel. A double-loop, item support attached to the second pocket panel. The double-loop is formed from a single piece of elastic material which is secured to the second pocket panel.

Abstract: A storage container for an item of recorded media includes a centrally disposed hub surrounded by and spaced from an outer wall. The hub includes a pair of resilient arms that cooperate to loosely but securely retain an item of recorded media having a centrally disposed inner hole. The hub includes a first support platform that includes a plurality of raised bumps that essentially frictionlessly support the item of recorded media from below. The outer wall includes a second support platform that also includes a plurality of bumps that supports the item of recorded media from below about its outer periphery. The outer wall also includes a blocking wall that extends above the outer edge to prevent the user from grasping the outer edge of the item of recorded media. The outer wall further contains a finger access hole that extends through the blocking wall that allows the user to grab the edge of the item of recorded media in a selected position that is aligned with the arms of the hub.

Abstract: A compact disk container includes a base having a central bar to support serially stacked compact disks, a cover being diametrically smaller than the base and having a downward extended central sleeve, first connecting means including angularly connected horizontal and vertical bars, and second connecting means including angularly connected horizontal and vertical tubes. By connecting the horizontal bar and tube together, the vertical tube to the central bar of the base, and the vertical bar to the central sleeve of the cover laid in a reversed position, compact disks stacked on the base may be shifted along the connected first and second connecting means to the reversed cover, enabling a user to conveniently locate a desired compact disk and remove the same from the container by separating the connected horizontal tube and bar, or the connected vertical tube and central bar from each other.

Abstract: A small inline spinner box comprised of an enclosure, anchoring spacers, and a top lid that provides a case for containing fishing spinners which enables their organized placement to further facilitate access and handling.

Abstract: A tool storage container has a base member with a tool receiving member. A cover is coupled with the base. An opening is in the cover. The opening may have a configuration corresponding to the tool maintained within the carrying case or any other configuration which enables viewing and prohibits removal of the tool when the container is in a closed position. A plurality of storage areas are within the inside of the cover. Also, fingers secure the tool in the carrying case so that in an open condition, the tool is maintained in the carrier.

Abstract: A strap protection and storage device designed to protect a strapped down piece of equipment from buckle damage and also secure the free end of the strap from causing damage or loosening the strap itself. The device has two sheaths, one being more elongated than the other, that are connected by a tether. A storage bag is attached to the longer of the two sheaths.

Abstract: When packaging a roll product in which a belt-shaped sensitized material has been wound around a core with a light shielding sheet, the packaging apparatus is capable of forming an angle pleated portion of a gather-folded portion which covers a roll end surface with stability, and the package of roll product is capable of retaining the light shielding property and the moisture resistance while making the area of the sheet as small as possible. The gather-folding apparatus forms angle pleated portions on end surface wrapping material by means of both plate-shaped folding members which come into plane contact from outside of the end surface wrapping material and inter support arms which come into line-contact with the inner peripheral surface of the end surface wrapping material. This gather-folding apparatus forms, by means of both the surfaces of the plate-shaped folding members and the line of the inter support arm, two planes of folded planes sandwiching the line concerned.

Abstract: A container having a multiplicity of cans therein. The container disclosed is modified from a rectangular, closed wall container to a container with part of the walls removed, thereby allowing easy access to the cans of the container. Applicant discloses a unique relationship between the walls of the opened container and the size of the beverage cans. Applicant also discloses a method for constructing a closed container that may be easily modified to remove the cans of the container.

Abstract: A windshield packaging system that provides effective support for the windshield during substantial vertical drops, protects the windshield against side impacts, is simple in design, requires only modest skill to effectively assemble, protects windshields of different size with the same size carton, and minimizes inventory management problems. The windshield packaging system includes jaw components having a synergistic effect, horizontally-running flutes, and pressure-regulated clamps.

Abstract: A light-sensitive material package includes a light-shielding envelope containing a stack of sheet-form light-sensitive material, the light-shielding envelope having heat-seal parts on four edges. The light-sensitive material package further includes a cushioning member, which holds down all or a part of the heat-seal parts. The light-sensitive material package further includes a fitting-type box for storing the envelope, the fitting-type box being formed from an inner box and a lid. The stiffness of the heat-seal parts is at least 0.05 N·cm.

Abstract: A blister pack, said pack comprising a support card with a transparent plastics blister at the rear of the card, the card closing an open side of the blister to enclose product within the blister, the front face of the card being laminated with a transparent plastics sheet and including a window through which the contents of the blister can be viewed from the front of the pack.

Abstract: A child-resistant container for holding an item includes a housing and a tray that is pivotably connected to the housing for pivotable movement between a closed position in which the tray is in the housing for preventing access to the item and an open position in which the tray extends out of the housing for exposing the item. A latch in the form of a flexible member is connected to the tray and is biased to engage the housing when the tray is in the closed position. A lock assembly is connected to the housing and is engageable with the tray when the tray is in the closed position. In use, the tray is secured in the closed position by the latch and the lock and is angularly displaceable from the closed position to the open position upon the simultaneous application of a first force to the latch, a second force to the lock and a torque to the tray.

Abstract: A carton for packaging fragile article comprising an outer sleeve and an inner article receiving structure. The inner structure comprises an inner sleeve having a first pair of opposed side walls secured to a first pair of opposed side walls of the outer sleeve and a second pair of opposed side walls spaced apart from a second pair of opposed side walls of the outer sleeve. The inner structure further comprises a first bridging closure panel hingedly connected to one end of the inner sleeve for movement between an open position where the bridging closure panel allows the inner and outer sleeves to collapse into a flat form and a closed position where the bridging closure panel forms a first brace structure between one of the second pair side walls of the inner structure and the adjacent one of the second pair side walls of the outer sleeve.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for separating mineral particles according to their dielectric and/or electrophysical properties. In one practical example, rutile particles can be separated from zircon particles. In the method, the mineral particles which are to be separated are passed through a sharply non-homogenous electrical field. Particles with different dielectric and/or electrophysical properties are subjected to different forces which separate them spatially. The spatially separated particles are collected in discrete fractions.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator which, in at least certain aspects, has supporting apparatus with a plurality of openings therethrough, screening material on the supporting apparatus over the plurality of openings, the supporting apparatus recovered from a predecessor screen assembly by applying heat to the predecessor screen assembly, the predecessor screen assembly having the supporting apparatus and predecessor screening material secured to the supporting apparatus by securing material, the heat applied to the predecessor screen assembly sufficient to degrade, powderize, turn to ash and/or cook off the securing material so that recovery of the supporting apparatus is facilitated; and methods for effecting such recovery.

Abstract: In the rotationally symmetrical screen for fiber suspensions with a series of straight profiled bars which extend the direction of the screen axis and form slot-shaped screen openings between them, and with several ring-shaped profiled bar supports lying in planes extending perpendicularly to the screen axis, each of the profiled bar supports having in its edge region adjacent to the inlet side of the screen a series of cutouts opening towards the inlet side of the screen for insertion of the profiled bars, with the shape of these cutouts corresponding to the configuration of the cross-sectional regions of the profiled bars held positively in these cutouts, in order to simplify insertion of the profiled bars into the cutouts of the profiled bar supports each profiled bar has for each profiled bar support a recess which decreases the width of this cross-sectional region of the profiled bar, and the recesses lie outside the profiled bar supports in the finished screen.

Abstract: A paper processing apparatus feeds papers one by one from the first cassette for storing papers to be delivered to the outside, conveys the fed papers on the first conveyance path to store them in a predetermined temporary storing section, and then delivers the stored papers in a block through a paper delivery aperture to the outside. Also, the paper processing apparatus leads papers having difficulties with delivery after being fed from the first cassette, to the second conveyance path which is a divergent path of the first conveyance path, and stores the led papers in the second cassette. The paper processing apparatus further comprises the third conveyance path for receiving papers coming from the outside and transmitting them to the first conveyance path.

Abstract: A strainer assembly for a camp cooking kit has a strainer body having at least one rim for engaging a rim of a camp cooking pot and a plurality of openings for pouring liquid from the camp cooking pot while preventing egress of other contents from the pot. Strap guiding features formed in the strainer body provide for guiding a securing strap around both the strainer body and the camp cooking pot. The securing strap includes a fastening arrangement for securing the securing strap together for attaching the strainer body to the camp cooking pot. Handles, which can be formed in the strainer body or attached to the securing strap enable the strainer body to be tipped together with the camp cooking pot to strain the contents of the cooking pot.

Abstract: A storage container for cards and file folders. The container has an open top tray with a bottom, side and end walls. A rod extending through the tray between the end walls. A multiplicity of retainer loops mounted on the rod inside the tray. Each retainer loop formed of a tough, resilient, abrasive-resistant resin having a bight portion and two legs. The retainer loops positioned in the tray with their bight portions extending above the side walls of the tray. An opening formed in each leg of each retainer loop to receive the rod to retain the loops in the tray. A slit extends from the opening in each leg to the outer edge thereof to permit the legs to be easily mounted on and removed from the rod. The side walls of the tray are inclined upwardly from front to rear and the retainer loops are varied in height from front to rear to provide a stepped positioning of the cards or file folders held between the retainer loop. The storage container may be formed as a portion of a note paper holder.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting a device into a rack comprises a mounting shelf that is attached to the rack, a first bracket that is attached to a first side of the device, and a second bracket that is attached to a second side of the device, wherein the second side is located opposite to the first side, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are substantially similar, and wherein the device, with the first bracket and the second bracket attached thereto, is slideably positioned into the mounting shelf and attached to the mounting shelf via the first bracket and the second bracket.

Abstract: A rack for stacking flat articles, in particular cases for CDs and other disc-type information carriers, has a stand part and a base part. The stand part is provided with substantially horizontally aligned compartments for accommodating the flat articles. The base part is formed by a base plate which can be connected with the stand part and the base area of which is larger than the projection of the stand part on the base plate. The base plate can be removed for packing purposes, and is divided into base plate parts which are of such a size that at least in one transverse dimension they do not project over the width of the stand part. Accordingly, the cross-section of packaging for the entire rack does not exceed, or exceeds only to an insignificant extent, the cross-section of the stand part.

Abstract: An apparatus for hanging items from a fireplace mantel or other elevated surface. The apparatus includes an elongated bar having a front edge and a rear edge, and at least one hook body detachably connected to the front edge of the elongated bar. Preferably, the elongated bar is manufactured from steel, iron, or another suitably heavy material. Each hook body includes a threaded end which may be screwed into the front edge of said elongated bar, as well as a hooked end from which various items seasonal may be hung.

Abstract: A display rack comprises a pair of vertical supports, and a number of shelves which can be placed at various locations on the supports. To accommodate shelves of different widths, the vertical supports are interconnected by diagonal braces whose angle can be changed to alter the spacing between the supports, while maintaining them parallel and vertical.

Abstract: A preform (207,301), and a container (201,312,319) blown therefrom in a two stage process (as defined in the specification) is disclosed having a loop (202,304,313) defining a handle portion of the resulting blown container and wherein the loop is integrally connected by both a first end (306) and a second end (308) to respective first location (307) and second location (309) of the preform during manufacture of the preform.

Abstract: A hose direct cannister lid includes a port that accepts a hose connected to a source of vacuum in order to evacuate a cannister to which the lid is connected. The hose direct cannister lid includes a first valve for exposing the cannister to the source of vacuum when the vacuum hose is secured to the lid, and wherein the first valve closes when the source of vacuum is removed in order to seal the lid and cannister from ambient. The hose direct cannister includes a second valve used to break the vacuum and expose the interior of the cannister to ambient.

Abstract: A sealable casing having a quarter-turn closing arrangement including a tubular body defining an orifice at one end having radially projecting arcuate members and clearances formed along an inner periphery thereof. The casing further includes a cap having radially projecting arcuate members and clearances formed along its inner periphery that are complementary to arcuate members and clearances of the tubular body. A hoop member is connected to the cap and includes a plurality of extensions that are biased by at least one resilient member connected to the cap so as to press against the inner Periphery of the tubular body. The extensions are connected to a drive handle mounted underneath a bail of the cap and cooperate with the at least one resilient member.

Abstract: A container is provided having corresponding shells that mate together about a joint to create an enclosed airtight container. A valve seat is formed on the exterior of a shell adjacent the joint. The valve seat has an opening in communication with the container interior. A latch assembly is used to secure the shells in a closed position. The assembly includes a latch body which is attached to a shell by a hinge fastener close to said joint. The inside face of the latch body is provided with a valve gasket having a curved outer face that is aligned and sealingly engageable with the valve seat. When the latch is closed, the gasket will seal against the valve seat. When the latch is dislodged from its connection to the other shell, the gasket will be simultaneously removed from the valve seat and allow air to flow through the opening. This action permits equalization of any pressure differentials between ambient pressure and the pressure in the container interior.

Abstract: An improved temperature control device for maintaining the temperature of the contents of a beverage receptacle. The device is designed to keep a contained two-liter bottle cold for long periods of time. The device includes an annular column formed from insulating material encased within a durable sheath. The annular column defines a cylindrical container for placement of the two-liter bottle. A cover is included enclosing the two-liter bottle within the container. The cover is also formed from an insulating material and enclosed within a durable sheath. An outer wrap surrounds the cover and container, hingedly attaching the cover to the container so that the cover is removably securable. The outer wrap additionally includes a zipper, enabling the nylon wrap to be opened or closed, fastening the cover to the cylindrical container. The device also includes a variety of carrying straps that are removable from the outer wrap for ease and convenience.

Abstract: A napkin dispenser is designed with a flat base to rest on a horizontal surface. A substantially perpendicular flat front plate is mounted on the base, and a stack of napkins, resting on their edges on the base, is biased toward engagement with the front plate. The front plate carries a movable friction member, which may be in the form of a rotating device or a reciprocally mounted member, for engaging a napkin adjacent the front plate and moving it upwardly to remove it from the stack of napkins. The dispenser may be designed in kit form with different removable front plates, each carrying a different type of friction member.

Abstract: A handle of a door is covered by a disposable tissue when that handle is used to open the door. The tissue is dispensed from a housing mounted on the door superadjacent to the handle. Tissues from the housing are sized so the tissue will remain attached to the housing but will cover the handle. Disinfectant can be sprayed onto a handle before the handle is grasped via the tissue. Once the door is opened, a user simply pulls the tissue out of the housing and discards it. As one tissue is pulled out of the housing, that tissue pulls the next tissue out of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-connected ampoules dispensing apparatus which is compact and have a high operation reliability. The dispensing portion 3 comprises a pair of rotors 8a, 8b each of which has a substantially C shape of cross section and is formed with a cutting edge 10 on one side edge. The rotors 8a, 8b are disposed in a vertical direction with a predetermined distance. The rotors 8a, 8b are synchronized to rotate from a receiving position to a cut-off position and return to the receiving position, whereby in the receiving position the rotors 8a, 8b can receive the first ampoule 4a and then cut off and dispense it. The second ampoule 4b adjacent to the first ampoule 4a is positioned in the waiting position by the positioning member 9 synchronized with the dispensing portion 3.

Abstract: An adjustable cup dispenser includes a tubular body having overlapping portions extending between a discharge opening at one end and an opposing end. A fastening mechanism selectively fixes the overlapping portions relative to each other to define a desired tubular body diameter. A plurality of radially inwardly extending dual-length fingers extend from the discharge opening for engaging a cup disposed in the tubular body. The dispenser body and fingers can be formed from a single sheet of flexible material, and then folded and rolled into the shape of the cup dispenser. The overlapping sides can be repositioned to define a different tubular body diameter.

Abstract: Device by means of which a supply container subjected to positive pressure is connected in a sealed manner to a consumer element with the aid of a sealing element, sealing in the direction of the surroundings taking place before an opening element opens the valve of the supply container. This is realized by a sealing element which, as measured in the longitudinal direction (L) from the base of the cutout, is wider than the opening element, and by an amount of play, which allows the sealing element to accommodate the full displacement.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing a fluid, said apparatus comprising (d) at least two internal chambers, (f) a fluid product line leading from each chamber to (g) a junction for product lines from at least two of said chambers to produce a mixed product, (h) means for delivering a desired ratio of fluid products in said mixed fluid product, (i) an exit line from said junction for said mixed fluid product, and (j) means for reversibly closing said exit line.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for use to dispense a material from a squeezable and collapsible tube is provided. The dispenser apparatus comprises a housing unit having a storage portion at the top end, a dispensing portion at the bottom end, and at least one channel which extends vertically from the top end to the bottom end. The dispenser also includes a feeder plate which is downwardly sloping from the storage portion to the dispensing portion, and a dispensing member above the feeder plate. When the dispensing member is in an open position, passage of one tube from the storage portion to the dispensing portion is permitted, and when the dispensing member is in a closed portion, passage of any tube into the dispensing portion is precluded. When in the dispensing portion, material can be dispensed from the tube, and thus converted the full tube to a collapsed, empty shape. Only when the tube has taken on the collapsed empty shape, is the tube removable from the dispensing portion.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a base into which the open end of a conventional tube of toothpaste is threaded, a manually operated pump in the base to draw paste from the tube and discharge the paste onto a toothbrush, a perforated tube positioned in the tube of toothpaste to prevent prematurely collapsing of the walls and resulting flow restriction as paste is drawn from the tube, and a cover that hinges to the top of the base to conceal the tube and that provides presentation area for advertising, logos and other graphic or written information.

Abstract: A pressurized dispensing system (10) for dispensing a multi-component product, comprises an outer body (11) defining a first chamber (8) constructed to contain a first component of said product; an inner container (20), disposed within said body, defining a second chamber (7) constructed to contain a second component of said product and maintain said second component separate from said first component; a dispensing head (50), in fluid communication with said first (8) and second (7) chambers, through which the product is dispensed; and a modular valve assembly (5), including a valve constructed to move between a closed position, in which said first and second chambers are sealed, and an open position, in which said first and second components flow simultaneously from said first and second chambers to said dispensing head.

Abstract: A toothpaste dispenser holds a collapsible tube of toothpaste within a housing between a roller assembly and a wall surface. A plunger is operable from a relaxed, raised position to a lowered, depressed position to drivingly engage the roller assembly so that one or more rollers are moved along the toothpaste tube in a manner which squeezes toothpaste out of the tube and onto the bristles of a toothbrush held in close proximity to a dispensing outlet of the tube or a nozzle. A spring returns the plunger to the relaxed, raised position upon removing the downward force. The housing is provided with toothbrush holders and a removable cover to permit replacement of the tube of toothpaste.

Abstract: This invention relates to a container suitable for preparing and dispensing a liquid cosmetic product, particularly a product for dyeing or bleaching hair.