Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for height-adjustment of a support surface for a patient by: a) combining an inflatable support member constructed from a plurality of separate layers with at least a part of an existing bearing structure for persons, b) filling a single layer of the inflatable support member until this layer has been brought under a determined minimal pressure, and c) repeating step b) by filling a subsequent layer of the inflatable support member until the support surface of the patient has reached a desired height. The invention also relates to a method for lowering a support for a patient and an apparatus for height-adjustment of a support surface for a patient.

Abstract: A mattress including side cushions configured to retain a patient thereon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for cleaning and/or refreshing soiled fabric article(s) by placing the soiled fabric article(s), together with a cleaning composition, into a bag, sealing the bag, placing the bag into the drum of a laundry washing machine, inflating the bag and running a wash cycle on the washing machine. The invention also relates to a fabric cleaning and/or refreshing kit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining color changes on dyed textile substrates by treating the dyed textile substrates with an electrochemically generated aqueous solution of reducing or oxidizing agents, which comprises controlling the cell current in such a way that the solution, when in contact with the dyed textile substrate, has a suitable redox potential to obtain the color change.

Abstract: Methods for making carboxylated cellulosic fibers using the N-halo hindered cyclic amine compounds. N-halo hindered cyclic amine compounds react with a secondary oxidizing agent to provide a primary oxidizing agent that reacts with cellulosic fibers to provide carboxylated cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: Formulation for rinsing textile fiber articles in an aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic medium, comprising an active substance comprising a liquid or solid, hydrophobic organic or organosilicon material in particulate form, a surfactant and a vehicle comprising a water-soluble organic polymer, the vehicle being capable of bringing said active substance to the surface of said textile fiber articles in the rinsing operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a photo-bleaching component and a fluorescent whitening component having good compatibility. In particular, the present invention relates to a composition suitable for the treatment of textiles, comprising a photo-bleaching component and a fluorescent whitening component, wherein the photo-bleaching component is capable of absorbing light to form an intermediate energetically excited photo-bleaching component, the intermediate energetically excited photo-bleaching component is capable of activating molecular oxygen from its triplet oxygen electronic energy state to its singlet oxygen electronic energy state, characterised in that the intermediate energetically excited photo-bleaching component has a lifetime of greater than 50 microseconds, preferably greater than 100 microseconds, more preferably greater than 200 microseconds, and most preferably greater than 300 microseconds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a drum-type washing machine including the steps of (a) switching on a water supply valve and switching on a circulation pump and a heater, (b) switching off the water supply valve after the switching-on of the water supply valve, and (c) switching off the circulation pump and the heater after the switching-off of the water supply valve. The method allows laundry to be effectively cleaned using a small quantity of the wash water and minimizes a power consumption rate required to operate the heater through several repetitions of the steps (a) to (c).

Abstract: A spin-dry control method in a washing machine includes sensing a first clothes amount contained in a washing tub, sensing an unbalance of the clothes and a second clothes, after execution of the sensing the first clothes amount, determining a final clothes amount, based on the first clothes amount and the second clothes amount, and executing a main spin-dry process, based on the final clothes amount.

Abstract: A drum washing machine including a water tub, a rotary tub rotatably provided in the water tub, a detergent feed pipe having a first end connected to the water tub and a second end disposed at an inlet of the rotary tub, and a detergent feed unit to feed a detergent contained in the water tub into the rotary tub through the detergent feed pipe, wherein the detergent feed unit dissolves the detergent before feeding the detergent into the rotary tub in response to the detergent being a powdered detergent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drum washing machine and method of controlling the drum washing machine, in which a drain structure of a rotary drum is improved, thus reducing an amount of wash water used, conserving electric energy, and reducing overall washing time.

Abstract: A clothes amount sensing method in a washing machine which is capable of reducing clothes amount sensing errors caused by frictional forces, thereby achieving an enhancement in accuracy and reliability. The method includes an acceleration step for accelerating, to a predetermined RPM, a motor adapted to rotate the wash tub, a constant-speed step for maintaining the motor at the predetermined RPM when an RPM of the motor reaches the predetermined RPM in accordance with the acceleration step, a deceleration step for turning off the motor to decelerate the motor, following the constant-speed step, and a clothes amount determination step for determining the amount of the clothes by use of equations of motion respectively established in the acceleration, constant-speed, and deceleration steps.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use as direct dyeing agent of at least one tetraazapentamethine compound, a dyeing composition comprising at least such a compound, as well as a method for dyeing keratinous fibers, in particular human keratinous fibers and more particularly hair, which consists in applying at least one composition comprising such a compound. The composition also concerns tetra-azapentamethine compounds of formula (I). The invention further concerns a method for bleaching such compounds, as well as bleaching keratinous fibers previously dyed therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates u) a cosmetic dyeing composition that is used to lighten human keratinous matter and, more specifically, artificially coloured or pigmented hair and dark skin. The inventive composition comprises at least one flourescent dye. The invention also relates to the methods using said composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibers, for instance human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising at least one oxidation base, 2-chloro-6-methyl-3-aminophenol and 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolone. The present disclosure also relates to the process of dyeing keratin fibers comprising the application of the composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibers to keratin fibers.

Abstract: Coloring of continuous textiles includes pad dying the textiles many times in at least one trough; subsequently green painting the textiles in an oxidation line; then washing and drying the textiles; and expelling oxygen from the textiles immediately before each pad dying, wherein a reintroduction of oxygen in the textiles is prevented before each green painting.

Abstract: In a method for dyeing garments in a dyeing machine by means of a dyeing bath, the garments are previously connected to one another to form a line, and the line is moved through the dyeing bath. The invention also concerns a textile line for use in a dyeing machine, in which the line comprises garments connected to one another.

Abstract: A dock leveler for bridging the gap between a loading dock and the bed of a vehicle parked at the loading dock. The dock leveler is configured for installation on the top of the dock and is designed to rotate from a vertically-stored raised position to at least one lowered, operative position. In some embodiments, the dock leveler can be lowered either for normal operation so that the deck assembly rests on the bed of the vehicle or it can be lowered to accommodate an end-loading condition.

Abstract: A rotary cutter and end bit therefore is provided for cleaning and clearing debris and roots from a pipe. The cutter comprises a support housing having a plurality of radially extending skid fins, which help position the chain root cutter in the center of the pipe. The support housing carries a rotor and the rotor rotates relative thereto. A motor supported by the support housing is adapted to rotate the rotor. A plurality of linkages extends radially from the rotor and attaches at least one end bit to the rotor of the chain root cutter. The end bit comprises a hard wear resistant material, such as carbide, that faces radially outward and increases the wear life of the end bit. The wear resistant material may comprise carbide chips that continuously provide sharp edges over the life of the end bit.

Abstract: A snake includes a handle, a flexible cable, multiple brushes with various sizes and a crank. The handle has a proximal end, a distal end and a ring with an eye on the distal end. The flexible cable is made of glass fiber and has a rear end attached to the proximal end of the handle, a front end and a connector attached to the front end of the flexible cable. A brush shaft has a rear end attached to the connector, a front end and a head attached to the front end of the brush shaft. The brushes each have a shank that can detachably attach to the head of the brush shaft. The crank is L-shaped and has a longitudinal arm, a transverse arm with a free end to be inserted through the ring and a cap with an aperture attached to the transverse arm of the crank.

Abstract: A brush for cleaning purposes comprising a brush head from which a plurality of bristles arranged in clumps depend from an underside thereof, the clumps of bristles being disposed in at least two groups, a first group in which the clumps of bristles exhibit a variation in orientation from a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned in normal use of the brush to being inclined in a first direction relative to the perpendicular direction, and a second group in which the clumps of bristles exhibit a variation in orientation from substantially perpendicular to being inclined to the perpendicular in a direction opposite to said first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a butterfly mop having an elongate shaft with a mop element disposed at one end of the shaft and a wringer connected to the shaft and the mop element. In preferred embodiments, the wringer includes a channel body having first and second leg portions defining a channel therebetween. The mop element includes a foldable, compressible, liquid-absorbent member, a mounting element having first and second support portions connected by a flexible member, and a scrubber mounted to the mounting element. The mop element and channel body are movable relative to one another, whereby the mop element may be drawn into the channel causing the mop element to fold along a central transverse axis and to become compressed between the channel body leg portions. The wringer includes a handle and an actuator link connecting the handle to one of the mop element and channel body for effecting relative hinged movement thereof.

Abstract: A bath brush has a holding frame, a thread girdle, and a tube-shaped elastic net. The holding frame has a corrugated handle portion having an end hole, and a binding portion having five protruded blocks. Each protruded block has a through aperture. The protruded blocks contact the tube-shaped elastic net. The thread girdle surrounds the tube-shaped elastic net to squeeze and to bind the tube-shaped elastic net. The thread girdle is inserted through the protruded blocks to form a plurality of X-shaped twin lines.

Abstract: A multi-functional tool for use on flat or curved surfaces, comprising a flexible hand-held member characterized by a plurality of undulations formed in the member and having a plurality of edges and surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal wiper adapter for connecting a wiper blade assembly to a wiper arm including a pair of sidewalls having an aperture and a land extending between the sidewalls cooperating to define a channel. The present invention further includes a cantilevered beam, between the sidewalls, having a super-surface and a subsurface each cooperating with the sidewalls to define an elongate passage and an elongate track, respectively. The channel and the elongate passage cooperate to receive two sizes of hook-type wiper arms, while the channel and the elongate track cooperate to receive three sizes of hook-type wiper arms. The present invention also includes a substrate between the sidewalls cooperating with the land and the apertures to receive two sizes of pin-type wiper arms. The substrate further cooperates with the sidewalls and the land to define an elongate cavity to receive a bayonet-type wiper arm.

Abstract: A cleaning assembly for a shaft or a tubular structure such as a telescopic cylinder, which comprises a sealing joint between an outer tubular element and an inner tubular member in translation inside the outer tubular element, a pipe wiper, and a blade positioned in series in relation to the pipe wiper, wherein the blade has a sharp cutting edge and is mounted by adjusting a tool angle thereof and a pressure it creates on an outer surface of the inner tubular member so that when sliding on this outer surface it scraps contaminants such as organic and mineral material off.

Abstract: Stepper and/or scanner machines including cleaning devices and methods for cleaning stepper and/or scanner machines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a stepper and/or scanner machine includes a housing, an illuminator, a lens, a workpiece support, a cleaning device for removing contaminants from the workpiece support, and a stage carrying the workpiece support. The stage and/or cleaning device is movable to selectively position the workpiece support proximate to the cleaning device. It is emphasized that this Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).

Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Abstract: A mounting device 202 for mounting accessories 258, 260 of a vacuum cleaner to an elongate tube 94 of the vacuum cleaner for storage is disclosed. The device 202 comprises a collar 244 for mounting to the elongate tube 94 and a body portion 256 has open ends for accommodating accessories 258, 260 for storage. The device 202 also includes a latching portion 204 for releasably mounting the device to a housing of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner (A) includes an upright housing section (B) and a nozzle section (C). A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber (54) is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source (E) pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening (26) formed in the underside (24) of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber (54). The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container (52) that defines the chamber (54). A main filter element (K) filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.

Abstract: An improved wheel assembly comprises a caster swivel post that is adapted to pivot about a pivot axis transverse to the caster swivel post. A caster fork is supported for rotation relative to the caster swivel post and rotatably supports a caster wheel. The caster swivel post is adapted selectively pivot about the pivot axis that is transverse to the caster swivel post or be held in a substantially fixed position. A setscrew can be threadable into an upper end of a pivot nut to hold the pivot nut and thus the caster swivel post in a fixed position within the housing.

Abstract: A hinge for a folding ladder including a hinge latch movable between a locked position and an unlocked position disposed within a hinge latch cavity. The hinge latch includes a first locking portion protruding therefrom, an elongated slot formed configured to slidingly receive a hinge shaft, a first opening configured to receive a first biasing member, and a second opening configured to receive a locking member. Rotational movement of one hinge casing relative to another hinge casing is prevented by engagement of the first locking portion and locking member with a respective one of the first opening and second opening.

Abstract: An improved friction hinge assembly is provided. The friction hinge assembly includes a rotatable shaft and a band having a circular spring portion for defining an opening in which the shaft is rotatably inserted in order to provide frictional torque between the shaft and the band spring portion. The band also includes a substantially flat tail portion having at least one edge. A reinforcing rib is disposed against at least one edge of said band tail portion in response to the shaft being inserted within the spring portion opening. The rib prevents flexing of said tail portion when said spring portion of said band rotates relative said shaft. Such flexing is prevented even if said shaft is at least partially retracted from within the spring portion opening by locking the reinforcing rib in position.

Abstract: A slim profile covered pinned hinge is provided which comprises a first hinge member, a second hinge member, and a mechanically articulated cover. The first and second hinge members are pivotally connected by a pin. The first and second hinge members may each further comprise a leaf for attachment to a hinged object, a door or door jamb for example, and at least one knuckle through which the pin maybe received. The cover may be elongated and has an internal cavity, thereby allowing the cover to be slipped over the hinge concealing the knuckles and joints therebetween of the hinge members. The cover has two ends and may be mechanically coupled to the pin at one or both ends. In one embodiment, at least one end of the pin may have at least two gears comprising a gear segment. The ends of the cover may have at least one gear rack to engage the gears on the end of the pin.

Abstract: A support for a vehicle grab handle comprises a mounting part provided to be fastened to the vehicle, a support part provided to be joined to a grip part, and a support spindle by which the support part is rotatably supported on the mounting part. The support spindle is formed as an integral part of the mounting part and is injection-molded into the support part so as to be rotatable.

Abstract: A method for treatment of uranium-containing wastes, which realizes the decontamination of steel-based metallic wastes such as carbon steel or stainless steel containing nuclear fuel materials such as uranium or plutonium, produced from nuclear facilities, simultaneously with the reduction of volume thereof. Spent nuclear fuel (uranium) 6, which is mixed with hull 5 as stainless-based metal, is separated from the stainless-based metal, through the separation of uranium that constitutes the spent nuclear fuel 6 as oxides by melting the stainless-based metal wastes.

Abstract: A secure clamping mechanism formed with two spaced apart surfaces; a resiliently compressible biasing member positioned between the two spaced apart surfaces; a clamp having a drive shaft that is structured to be slidingly engaged between the two spaced apart surfaces; and an interference means for engaging the biasing member between the drive portion and at least one of the spaced apart surfaces.

Abstract: In combination, a conventional cable tie and a cable encircling member having a width exceeding the width of the cable tie. The cable encircling member has an opening extending between upper and lower surfaces thereof. The free end of the cable tie tail is inserted from the upper surface of the cable engaging member through the opening and the tail of the cable tie is dressed along the lower surface of the cable engaging member such that the free end of the cable tie extends outwardly of an end of the cable encircling member. Conductors to be ensnared are now laid upon the upper surface of the cable encircling member. The free end of the cable tie tail is now inserted into the head of the cable tie forming the cable encircling member into a spiral coil loosely encircling the conductors. The free end of the cable tie is now pulled beyond the cable tie head until the spiral coil moves into tightly encircling relation with the conductors.

Abstract: Cable ties have configuration which self-urges free ends of the cable ties to emerge from mounting plates after the free ends of the cable ties are inserted into disposition into a limited space existing between the mounting plates and parent structure to which the mounting plates are secured.

Abstract: The present invention pertains fasteners with critical configuration of the barbs, which allows the fasteners to be used in slots of various widths and panels of various thicknesses, and prevents rattling, which would take place in the case of fasteners of the present state of the art. The critical configuration is based on the special dimensions and special shape of the barbs with regard to the parts and the slots involved in assemblies of the fasteners and the parts. The present invention also pertains assemblies of miscellaneous parts connected together by means of the fasteners, as well as vehicles comprising such assemblies. In addition, the present invention comprises fasteners providing a combination of low barbs and high bent barbs, which combination prevents rattling of the fastener and allows secure attachment on a part, such as a sheet metal, for example.

Abstract: An article clamp (10) of the band type including an elongated flexible band (11) having on one side a plurality of spaced teeth (20) and a head (14) having a chamber (22) for receiving screw (23) for cooperation with the teeth (20) on the band (11), a proximal end (12) of the band (11) being connected to the proximal end (15) only of the head (14) such that the distal end (16) of the head (14) is spaced from and free of the band (11), the head (14) further having a passage (30) therethrough for receiving a distal end (13) of the band (11) to form the band (11) into a loop.

Abstract: A side hook for a shower curtain is mainly made up of a fixing clip having a base with a double-sided adhesive tape applied thereon disposed at one side thereof, and an arc flexible plate disposed at the other side thereof wherein a clamping passage is defined at the bottom ends of the base and the arc flexible plate there-between, and fixing teeth are correspondingly protruded at the inner side of both the base and the arc flexible plate respectively in clamping abutment. In practical use, the lateral sides of a shower curtain are pushed through the clamping passage of the fixing clip to be clamped tight by the fixing teeth therein for secure location of the shower curtain in closing manner. Besides, the fixing clip can also have a flexible plate with an arc slope and a plane section extending at one side thereof. Fixing teeth are protruded at the inner side of the plane section thereof in clamping abutment with the base thereof for precise location of the shower curtain thereof.

Abstract: A simple, strong handle for use as a grip for holding articles is disclosed comprising a carabiner-like snap hook provided with a gripping surface of the proper size and shape to be comfortably held by a human hand. The snap hook has a generally C-shaped back portion on which the gripping surface is disposed, and a gate selectively attached to the back portion, forming a closed loop. Articles such as shopping bags and animal leashes received by the snap hook and secured by the gate may be held comfortably by the grip. The snap hook may be made of a variety of materials and shapes depending on the application and requirements of the user.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement (10) is proposed, with a fastening part (12) to be secured to an object (16), the fastening part being made of plastic and containing at least two through holes (50), into each of which a blind rivet member (14) is inserted, the blind rivet members (14) being insertable in location holes in the object (16) which are at a predetermined spacing (58) from each other. The through holes (50) each have a retaining portion (60) and an adjoining, widening-out portion (62) which are constructed so that the blind rivet members (14) are pre-mounted captive on the fastening part (12) and mounted so that they can swivel, for adaptation to the spacing (58) of the location holes in the object (16) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A lid for a casket includes a cover including longitudinally spaced-apart first and second end edges, transversely spaced-apart first and second side edges, and a dome extending between the first and second side edges and between the first and second end edges, and an end cap including an end panel and a rim appended to the end panel. The end cap is coupled to the cover adjacent to the first end edge. The rim extends from the end panel to cover a portion of the cover adjacent to the first end edge.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a seamless bag includes the steps of: forming yarns by adding an appropriate amount of setting yarns to natural or chemical fibers; weaving the yarns into a seamless bag body; accommodating the bag body around a mold having a shape of a bag; heating the mold accommodated by the bag body by means of steam or other heat sources for allowing the bag body to be evenly heated; cooling and setting the heated bag body and the mold by cold air for forming a seamless bag; and stitching and shaping the bag. According to the above manufacturing method, a seamless and integral handbag is completed, while also offering consistent manufacturing process for accelerating manufacturing speed of the handbag.

Abstract: In order, during the processing of a thread layer, which is tensioned in tensioning means and exhibits threads running parallel to one another, to be able to vary the sequence of the processing of the threads, a storage device is proposed for the temporary deposition of at least one of the threads which can be separated from a thread layer. The storage device is provided with at least one storage means, which exhibits at least one retaining means for the retention of one or more threads under tension, whereby the minimum of one retaining means is arranged outside the plane of the thread layer. In addition, the storage device exhibits at least one transfer means, with which the thread can be transferred to the storage means.

Abstract: The resonator comprises a piezoelectric layer arranged between two electrodes. An electrical heating resistor is arranged in thermal contact with at least one of the electrodes. Temporary heating of the electrode enables the material constituting the electrode to be partially evaporated, so as to thin the electrode and thus adjust the resonance frequency. Measurement of the resonance frequency in the course of evaporation enables the heating to be interrupted when the required resonance frequency is obtained. One of the electrodes can be arranged on a substrate formed by an acoustic Bragg grating. The resonator can comprise a substrate comprising a cavity whereon one of the electrodes is at least partially arranged.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a duct member having a plurality of adjustable sections which are rotatable relative to one another. The apparatus and method causes relative rotation between individual sections during the manufacturing process, to form a completed duct member in an automated process utilizing a rotating head assembly comprising a plurality of engagement members extendable radially outward of the rotating head body in an engagement position and retractable radially inward to a disengagement position. Accordingly, a 90 degree adjustable elbow can be produced in its 90 degree elbow configuration without requiring the machine operator to manually adjust the adjustable sections.