Abstract: The present invention provides a grazing container for growing a plant variety, such as grass, and making it accessible for a small animal to graze on while preventing access to the growing medium. The apparatus consists of a cover and a container, whereby the cover prevents the unwanted access of the small animal by ensuring that the cover is constructed and arranged to prevent the small animal from the displacing the cover relative to the container. The cover consists of a framed grid having a plurality of openings. The container is filled with a growing medium, and seeded to grow one or more plant varieties. The plurality of openings in the cover is dimensioned to allow grass to grow through while preventing limbs of small animals from extending through the grid. These openings also allow watering of the growing medium without the need to remove the cover.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted for attachment to a conventional overhead lift device such as a crane or the like, includes a pair of movable side arms each attached to a respective end of a transverse member. Each side arm has attached thereto a respective engaging member for engaging lateral ribs of a first seed box for lifting the seed box. The apparatus further includes a pivoting connection for rotating the first seed box to an inverted orientation for positioning on a second seed box in a nested configuration for storage. The first seed box may also be positioned on the second seed box in a stacked configuration for receiving and storing seed by engaging and lifting the first seed box, rotating the first seed box to an upright orientation, and placing the first seed box on the second seed box.

Abstract: A natural fiber lining material (10) for horticultural containers (16) which is placed below soil (14) and will not absorb or release water (30) until soil is saturated with water.

Abstract: A unitary rigid wetter is reversibly and releasably coupled by hand to the bottom of a plant pot that is then inserted into a reservoir filled with liquid. The length of the wetter is adjustable to fit pots and reservoirs that are available on the market. The wetter is appropriate for use by plant growers, by retailers, and by plant owners. Wetness is conveyed by the wetter from the liquid to a medium wherein a plant grows, via at least one lower wetness conductor retained in the interior the wetter. A wetness controller is adjustable to limit the amount of wetness conveyed, to match the type and the nature of the plant. Optionally, at least one upper wetness conveyor is available.

Abstract: A barrier movement operator is having a position sensor in a telescoping barrier control arm is described. A controller, remote from the arm, senses the barrier position to identify limits of barrier travel and to control rate of travel of the barrier between limits. The operator includes both optical and edge sensor obstruction detectors and is responsive to wireless communication for receiving user initiated command signals.

Abstract: An articulate railroad grade crossing assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the crossing assembly has an adjustable reach so that it can be adjusted to completely or partially close roadways of various sizes. In another preferred embodiment, the assembly includes one or more sensors for detecting the presence of people and/or objects in the crossing area so that the assembly can automatically respond to such presence.

Abstract: A door for a cold storage locker or other applications includes an inflatable or fluid-filled seal system. The seal system comprises a network of pliable tubular seals that expand as air or another fluid is forced air through the seals. Expansion of the seals provides a more positive seal. To inhibit frost from accumulating near the seals, the seals are kept relatively warm by continuously circulating fluid through the seals regardless of whether the door is open or closed. In some cases, the fluid within the seals is heated.

Abstract: A dispenser that includes one or more sliding user doors for selectively restricting access to items disposed within the dispenser. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a unique locking and drive mechanism that allows a single actuator to both: (1) lock and unlock a sliding user door; and (2) move the user door into and out of driving engagement with a drive mechanism that may be used to open and close the user door. In a particular embodiment, the dispenser further includes a door support that supports the weight of a downward-opening sliding user door when the downward-opening user door is in a closed position, but that may be selectively repositioned to facilitate the movement of the user door from a closed to an open position.

Abstract: A protective guard is used to cover the gap formed between a hinged door and a door frame or doorjamb when the door is in the open position. The guard comprises several elements that are pivotally joined to one another using a C-clamp. One element is mounted on the face of the door and another element is joined to the frame or jamb. Each of these is joined to a transition element which in turn may be joined in succession to one or more channel elements. Optionally, the guard may include a retainer spring that serves to preserve the convex shape of the guard when the door is being pivoted between the open and the closed positions. The safety guard may be made out a wide variety of materials including metal, plastic, rubber and foam.

Abstract: A louvre window system has an end clip (10) which is formed with at least one internal drainage channel (14) which can drain water through the end clip (10). A number of such clips can rotate between an open position and a closed position. The clips (10) are aligned when in the closed position which insures that water can drain from an upper clip through a lower clip. The clips (10) have a low friction design which enables a larger number of louvers to be rotated by a single handle (55) without placing too much load on the handle and on the louvre operating mechanism. A simple efficient louver operating mechanism (27; 37) is used to operate the end clips.

Abstract: An abrasive article and methods of making the same are disclosed. The abrasive article includes a backing and an array of features on the backing. Each feature includes a base and a body. The body includes a face having an undercut. In one embodiment, the feature also includes a planar top portion having abrasive particles disposed thereon. In another embodiment, the feature also includes a radiused portion on the undercut sidewall adjacent the base.

Abstract: An abrasive article includes an array of protruding abrasive units. Each unit has a base and a distal apex that is off-center from the base when projected on to a plane that is coplanar with the base. The abrasive article includes a backing bonded to an abrasive coating formed to include the aforementioned abrasive units. Methods for making the abrasive article include nipping a production tool, an abrasive slurry, and the backing. A binder within the slurry is cured during fabrication. The abrasive article may be used to abrade a workpiece.

Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad for chemical-mechanical polishing comprising (a) a first polishing layer comprising a polishing surface and a first aperture having a first length and first width, (b) a second layer comprising a body and a second aperture having a second length and second width, wherein the second layer is substantially coextensive with the first polishing layer and at least one of the first length and first width is smaller than the second length and second width, and (c) a substantially transparent window portion, wherein the transparent window portion is disposed within the second aperture of the second layer so as to be aligned with the first aperture of the first polishing layer and the transparent window portion is separated from the body of the second layer by a gap. The invention further provides a chemical-mechanical polishing apparatus and method of polishing a workpiece.

Abstract: An abrasive article includes an array of protruding abrasive units. Each unit has a base and a distal apex that is off-center from the base when projected on to a plane that is coplanar with the base. The abrasive article includes a backing bonded to an abrasive coating formed to include the aforementioned abrasive units. Methods for making the abrasive article include nipping a production tool, an abrasive slurry, and the backing. A binder within the slurry is cured during fabrication. The abrasive article may be used to abrade a workpiece.

Abstract: An abrasive article includes an array of protruding abrasive units. Each unit has a base and a distal apex that is off-center from the base when projected on to a plane that is coplanar with the base. The abrasive article includes a backing bonded to an abrasive coating formed to include the aforementioned abrasive units. Methods for making the abrasive article include nipping a production tool, an abrasive slurry, and the backing. A binder within the slurry is cured during fabrication. The abrasive article may be used to abrade a workpiece.

Abstract: An abrasive article and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The abrasive article includes a plurality of features on a backing. The features have a base and a body. The body is defined by sidewalls having parabolic sections. In some embodiments, the sidewalls are defined by a series of inner-connected lines segments approximating a parabolic section.

Abstract: A structured abrasive article, methods of making an abrasive article, and methods of using an abrasive article. The abrasive composites forming the abrasive article have a height of at least 500 micrometers, and the abrasive particles in the composites have an average particle size of at least 40 micrometers, in some embodiments, at least about 85 micrometers. The large topography composites, together with the large ceramic abrasive particles, provides an abrasive article that has a more consistent cut, a longer cutting life, and a more consistent surface finish than conventional make/coat abrasive articles with the same size and type of abrasive particles. Additionally, the large topography composites, together with the large ceramic abrasive particles, provide an abrasive article that has a more consistent cut, a longer cutting life, and a more consistent surface finish than structured abrasive articles having a smaller topography, even with the same abrasive particles.

Abstract: Methods for making glass-ceramics comprising Al2O3, REO, at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2 and at least one of Nb2O5 or Ta2O5. Glass-ceramics according to the present invention can be made, formed as, or converted into glass beads, articles (e.g., plates), fibers, particles, and thin coatings. Some embodiments of glass-ceramic particles according to the present invention can be are particularly useful as abrasive particles.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus (10) is described for incorporation into a tiled wall, panel, ceiling, floor or similar structure (38,40). The apparatus comprises: a reflector unit (12, 14) that has at least one reflective surface (24, 26) for location behind the surface of the structure and an external light-transmissive face (14) for location generally flush with the surface of the structure; and means (28) for coupling an end of a fibre-optic cable (32) having a multiplicity of optical fibres (34) to the reflector unit behind the surface of the structure so that light projecting from the ends of the fibres enters the reflector unit and is reflected by the reflective surface(s) so as to provide substantially uniform illumination across the light-transmissive face. The reflector unit is formed with an external flange (20) generally parallel to the light-transmissive face.

Abstract: A wall panel system attaches to a wall. The wall panel system has an attachment clip, a panel perimeter, and a wall panel. The attachment clip is secured to the wall. The panel perimeter has two legs. One leg is held between the attachment clip and the wall. The wall panel is attached to the other leg.

Abstract: A foldable, deployable framework for a structure has a lower hub having a first central axis, sets of tracks, masts, and rafters connected pivotally to the lower hub, to one another, and to an upper hub in a manner that allows the framework to be folded into one, two or three small packages, and to be deployed into a structural frame supporting floors, walls, and roof for an enclosed structure. In different versions folding and deployment is accomplished in a different way. Structures based on the framework can be made for many and varied purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for packaging rolls, particularly paper web rolls (5), the method comprising the steps of taking a roll into a supported position on a wrapping station (6) and wrapping onto the roll a paper wrapper (1, 1a) or the like material dispensed by means of at least one wrapper dispensing station (8) and dispensing means (9), whereby the wrapper is wound so as to form either a centered wrapping or an overlapping wrapping. The invention is implemented by way of aligning the roll (5) for the wrapping operation by means of transferring the wrapping station (6) laterally in the axial direction of the roll in regard to the wrapper dispensing system (8, 9). The invention also relates to an apparatus and a novel roll package utilizing the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-treated plastic pressurized container that is resistant to polar liquids and impact stresses and the process for making such container.

Abstract: In a device for closing side ends of packages enclosing only one roll or one row of rolls in an automatic packaging machine, operating means are connected to the machine packaging line. A package, partially wrapped by a sheet, is fed to the packaging line in a forward direction, so that only the outer cylindrical surface of the package is touched by the operating means. The operating means translate and rotate the package about an axis, in the forward direction, so that edges of the sheet wrapping the package, during transferring along said packaging line, hit edges of stationary folding means situated beside the packaging line, and become twisted.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering desired counts of products to containers. The apparatus includes a conveyor for moving discrete product portions along a path of travel. A force detecting device located along the path of travel measures force applied to the force detecting device. A counter adds one to a product count each time a force in a product identifying range is measured. A directing structure directs the product portions into a first container until the product count reaches a desired container count and directs the product portions into a second container after the product count reaches the desired container count.

Abstract: A banknotes processing apparatus has a banknote discriminator for discriminating banknotes and a reversing portion for reversing the direction of banknotes to be conveyed according to a discrimination result of the banknote discriminator. The conveying direction of banknotes is properly arranged by the reversing portion and furthermore, according to the discrimination result of the banknote discriminator, banknotes for each designated note kind are stacked in a first stacker or a second stacker. Each banknotes in a predetermined number of sheets which are stacked in these stackers are conveyed to a tape winding portion in a batch. The conveyed banknotes, on the basis of the note kind discrimination result by the detector, are banded by the tape winding portion in a batch using tapes whereon attributes including the note kind of the concerned banknotes are color-printed by a printer.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include at least one axially extending rib.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments provide, among other advances over existing systems: a) a system and method that can count seeds; b) a novel counting apparatus; and/or c) a novel seed handling process (e.g., from cleaning to bagging) including an in-line seed counter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing and bagging decorative grass, comprising an extruder, a godet, a slitter, a cutter, a divider, a bagging assembly and a programmable logic controller. The extruder produces a sheet of flexible material, which is fed by the godet into the slitter, cutter and divider. The slitter slits the sheet into a web of strands of material. The cutter cuts the web of strands, producing a quantity of decorative grass, which is then divided into discrete aggregates and sent by ducts to bagging assemblies, each of which has a rotatable turret having magazines for receiving and discharging discrete aggregates, an inserter and a bag handler. A programmable logic controller coordinates the production and bagging of the decorative grass, based on the properties of the sheet and the divider, and the predetermined properties of the decorative grass.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus employ web material having cohesive on facing surfaces of two web portions between which an item is packaged. The cohesive adheres to itself by application of pressure alone, without heat, but tends not to adhere to other surfaces. The web portions are sealed together about the item by seal devices that apply pressure without heat to the web portions. The web portions and item can be passed through a resilient nip formed by two rolls, at least one of which has resiliently compliant roll portion(s) for pressing the web portions closely about the item.

Abstract: Even if a paper spliced portion is included in the web-shaped packaging material, in filling machine, seal insufficiency is not generated in longitudinal seal of the paper spliced portions, an interruption due to the broken part of continuous operation is prevented. When a using web-shaped packaging material rear end is spliced to a next web-shaped packaging material front end, in order to continuously operate filling machine for paper container, notches are provided on a corner portion of the paper spliced portion around metal layer.

Abstract: In the case of nested containers to be filled by a filling station, a gripping device picks up a row of empty containers and transfers it to a weighing station. Following weighing, the row of containers is simultaneously filled and subsequently re-weighed. The row of containers is then reinserted into the nest and sealed, without being refilled, which allows checking the operation of the filling station without wasting any of the product involved.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing bag packages filled with a product has a tubular-bag-making machine, in which the bag packages are produced. After that, the bag packages reach a weighing device and from there they reach a conveyor system, which delivers the bag packages to downstream evacuating and closing systems. Because the weighing device is disposed between the tubular-bag-making machine and the conveyor system, it is possible to ascertain the current weight of a bag package that has just been filled, and if the weight deviates from a rated filling weight, it is possible to trigger the metering device of the tubular-bag-making machine in such a way that the next bag package filled contains the rated filling quantity again.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine (1). According to the invention, the film (11) is transported from a roll to a forming station (2), whereupon it is heated and deep drawn by a forming tool (9) to form a packaging tray. The forming tool can also contain a cutting device enabling the packaging trays (10) to be cut of the strip of film (11). The rest of the strip of film (11) is wound by means of a coil (13). The packaging trays thus produced are transported by means of the conveyor belt (14) to the filling station (4) and filled with packaging items. The filled packaging trays are then closed with a covering film (12) in an evacuation and sealing station, said covering film being used to seal the packaging trays (10). A cutting system is integrated into the sealing tool (15) and is used to cut the finished packaging from out of the covering film (12). The remaining covering film is wound by means of a coil (16). The finished packaging is removed by means of an exit strip (17).

Abstract: A bottom folding assembly for a packaging machine is configured to infold the bottom side panels, leading panel and trailing panel of a carton for forming a sealed carton bottom in such a manner as to reduce the contact of rotating elements with the carton material to reduce the generation of dust. The bottom folding assembly is positioned about a rotating turret that defines a turret plane. The mandrels are configured to receive a carton in the tubular form and to carry the carton with the carton positioned such that a bottom of the carton is positioned at a free end of the mandrel. The bottom folding apparatus, located between a carton bottom heater and a carton bottom sealer includes a rotating drive shaft mounted transverse to the turret plane and a pair of opposing rotating members are operably mounted to the drive shaft and are disposed on either side of the turret rotational path. The rotating member rotate in a plane transverse to the turret plane.

Abstract: Device (11) for the automatic inserting of printed products or sheets (12) in individual envelopes (13), where the individual printed products or sheets (12) are fed by one or more feeders and the envelopes (13) are arranged piled up in a storage container (16) equipped with at least one gripping element (17, 18, 19) for feeding an individual envelope (13) between a first upper conveyor belt (20) and a first lower conveyor belt (21) facing each other to define a feeding group of the envelope (13) towards an inserting of products into envelopes zone, also foreseeing a second upper conveyor belt (15) and a second lower conveyor belt (14) facing each other to advance the printed products or sheets (12) one after the other, a nozzle (22) being associated with the first conveyor belts (20, 21) for opening and flipping back a tab (24) of the envelope (13) taken out from the storage container (16), the second conveyor belt (14) foreseeing an end (37) that can move forwards and backwards with respect to a sucked conv

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for use in connection with a stirrup (5) for controlled positioning of a rider's foot relative to a riding animal by means of the stirrup (5). The system comprises a foot support (3) and a riding boot (1), said stirrup (5) being arranged to carry said foot support (3), which in use is in contact with the lower surface of the riding boot (1). The upper side of said foot support (3) is formed with a first pattern adapted to cooperate with a second pattern formed at the underside of the riding boot (1), said first and second patterns being arranged with cooperating abutments directed so as to prevent the rider's foot from moving horizontally in at least one direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a saddle pad having a malleable zone that permits a relief area to be shaped between the saddle pad and the withers of the horse. The malleable zone is generally formed near the apex of the leading edge of the saddle pad and may include one or more ductile elements. The one or more ductile elements may be shaped or otherwise bent to the optimal shape for each individual animal and each individual saddle to provide a relief area. The malleable zone may also include EVA foam as surface or embedded padding, and nylon webbing may be used on the surface or embedded to reduce the discomfort to the horse due to the weight of a saddle and rider or movement of the saddle during riding. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A Vacuum conveyor device (10) with a multi-stage filter system, has at least one inner filter (10A), one outer filter (10B), and one filter adapter (20) especially for air-tight and/or fluid-tight insertion of at least one of the filters, for which the outer filter is arranged up-stream of the inner filter. In order of preparing a filter system for a vacuum conveyor device, which features both the cleaning-related elements of conventional filters and also the safety-related advantages of multi-stage systems, but which remains compact in structure, the one or more inner filters (10A) are used as carrier units for the one or more outer filters (10B) that can be mounted on or inserted into these inner filters and can be connected or are connected to the filter adapters (20).

Abstract: A gas/liquid separator comprising a vertical vessel having an inlet for a gas/liquid mixture; a gas/liquid separation device arranged within the vessel, which separation device has an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the vessel, and an outlet means for at least partially separated gas and liquid; an outlet for gas from the vessel, above and in fluid communication with the outlet means of the separation device; a liquid collection space in the vessel, below and in fluid communication with the outlet means of the separation device; and an outlet for liquid from the vessel, having a receiving end in the liquid collection space, wherein the gas/liquid separation device is a vane inlet device and wherein between the separation device and the liquid collection space a liquid collection promoter tray is arranged, forming a receiving area for liquid impinging on the tray from above and having a passage for liquid received on the receiving area to flow to the liquid collection space; and the use of such

Abstract: A safety cabinet which can prevent contaminated air from leaking from a working space through the periphery of a front shutter, and which can prevent outside air from entering the working space has a peripheral structure part surrounding the working space formed with air suction ports in a part opposed to the inner surface of the front shutter connected to a negative pressure passage formed outside of the working space. The negative pressure passage guides air sucked through the air suction ports from the inside and the outside of the working space, toward a filter for purification of the air.

Abstract: A filter pack includes a filter construction and a sealing system for sealing the construction within a duct or housing. The filter construction has first and second opposite flow faces and is configured for a straight-through flow. The sealing system includes a frame construction and a compressible seal member. The compressible seal member is molded around a portion of the frame construction. The compressible seal member is sufficiently compressible to form a radial seal between and against the frame construction and a surface of a housing when the filter pack is inserted within the housing.

Abstract: An air cleaner for a portable engine, includes an air cleaner case attached to an upper part of an engine body of the engine. Preferably, the air cleaner case is supported on an upper wall of a shroud covering the engine. Preferably, the air cleaner case is formed integrally with the shroud. Preferably, the air cleaner further includes an air intake structure divided into a plurality of intake passages having inlets displaced relative to each other with respect to an air flow direction in which an intake air flows.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a multiport filter having at least three intake ports and at least two layers—a first layer for containing particles 3 microns or greater and a second layer that contains particles 3 microns or less in size. In alternate embodiments, the filter includes a third layer for trapping odors and gases and a fourth layer for trapping fines. The second layer may be comprised of ULPA material and may have antimicrobial material. The invention also includes a contaminant removal system for the filtering and recirculation of air contaminated with smoke from cautery-type surgical procedures. The invention also broadly comprises a surgical assemblies control service head designed to house powered surgical devices and a vacuum-filtering system for the treatment of air contamination caused by surgical procedures.

Abstract: A vegetation cutting blade is rotatably attached to a deck which is vertically adjustably mounted on a frame which is supported by a pair of ground wheels on each side. Each pair of wheels is driving independent of the other by a hydraulic motor mounted on the frame which is, in turn, driven by a hydraulic pump mounted on the deck. The cutting blade and the pumps are driven by a gasoline engine mounted on the deck. Radio remote controls separately control the engine, the pumps and a clutch to disengage the cutting blade. A retractable segment of the deck can be raised by remote control to facilitate the cutting of heavy brush and small trees.

Abstract: An improved line trimmer and edging unit for lawn and garden use provides a multi-position accessory handle, a roller edge guide having a flange concentrically located about the motor shaft and being of sufficient diameter to maintain a consistent distance between the cutting plane and the object being edged around, symmetrically disposed safety switches, and a battery located symmetrically in-line with the center of the shaft of the unit. The combination lawn trimmer and edger unit may be used in a first, horizontal cutting plane position for lawn and weed trimming, and may be further used in a second, vertical cutting plane position for edging.

Abstract: A roof-raking device designed to safely and efficiently remove pine straw and leaf debris from roofs of houses. When attached to a lightweight telescopic or other long pole this device can be used by a person standing at ground level or on a ladder, eliminating the risk of climbing and walking on a pitched roof. Formed of a flexible, resilient material our rake-head is a one-piece injection molded device comprising a plurality of deeply curved, reinforced tines, a central housing support structure and a female flange fitting. The tines are of varying length, width, thickness and curve radius. When slight downward hand pressure is applied to the upper surface of a connecting pole the flexible self-adjusting tines form themselves evenly to any horizontal pitched roof surface, and when applied to a V-shaped roof angle where two roof planes meet, the tines flex and form themselves to both roof planes simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic cord for reinforcing a tire moldable in a tire manufacturing step without complicating operations and keeping strength by reducing rusting and an excellent pneumatic tire employing the metallic cord. The inventive metallic cord for reinforcing a tire is formed by shaping a bundle prepared by paralleling a plurality of metallic wires having substantially circular sections in an unstranded state with a binder of a polymer material having a melting point of 50° C. to 200° C. The polymer material is preferably low-density polyethylene or medium-density polyethylene. The diameters of the metallic wires are preferably 0.15 to 0.3 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator provided with a coated hoisting rope (9), in which elevator a hoisting machine engages a set of hoisting ropes by means of a traction sheave (5), said set of hoisting ropes comprising coated hoisting ropes (9) of substantially circular cross-section which have a load-bearing part twisted from strong steel wires (16). The cross-sectional area of the steel wires (16) of each hoisting rope is larger than about 0.015 mm2 and smaller than about 0.2 mm2, and the strength of the steel wires (16) is greater than about 2000 N/mm2. Moreover, the core of each hoisting rope (9) consisting of steel wires (16) is coated with a substantially thin sheath (17) softer than the core, forming the surface of the hoisting rope.

Abstract: Polyester carpets of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) are disclosed which have excellent stain-resistance, texture retention and resistance to crushing. The bulked continuous filament yarn used to make the carpets and the process for making the yarns are also disclosed.