Abstract: The invention includes a dyed knit, elastic fabric comprising polyethylene terephthalate and spandex. The fabric has staining grade numbers of 4.0 or higher, as measured by staining of multifiber test fabrics in AATCC Test Method 61-1996-2A, and is dyed with disperse dyes comprising azo or anthraquinone molecular groups. The invention further includes a method for making the knit fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous liquid formulations comprising 5-25% by weight of a dye composition comprising 70-95% by weight of a dye obtainable by reduction or thermal treatment of Direct Yellow 11 1-30% by weight of a blue direct dye and 0-20% by weight of a red direct dye (all based on the dye composition) 1-15% by weight of a saturated, cyclic or acyclic water-soluble amine comprising a primary, secondary or tertiary amino group and at least one further functional group selected from primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups, OH groups and ether groups, and 1-30% by weight of urea based on the total weight of the aqueous liquid formulation, wherein the total amount of water-soluble amine and urea does not exceed 40% by weight, and also their use for dyeing cellulose material especially paper.

Abstract: This portable car ramp has two structural components coupled longitudinally together, while allowing limited relative vertical movement when each's bottom edge rest on a medium surface. The first component has an elevated wheel run while the second component has an inclined wheel run. When coupled together, the component wheel runs are longitudinally aligned, meeting at a corner, so that a vehicle wheel can roll up the inclined run, over the corner, and onto the elevated run, and vice-versa. Friction pads fixed to the second component bottom edge increase resistance against ramp sliding along the medium surface, particularly with the wheel supported on the inclined wheel run. The first component has no bottom edge friction pads so that car ramp sliding along the medium surface is possible, such as should the wheel be rolled against a stop on the elevated wheel run.

Abstract: A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush refill head combines a typical round oscillating or primary tuft block which oscillates in a rotational manner with a secondary tuft block. The secondary tuft block may be oscillated in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly back and forth in the same direction as the handle of the toothbrush. The secondary tuft block could be in the form of a pair of side by side plates mounted on the head adjacent to the round oscillating block. The invention could also be practice where the secondary tuft block is in the form of a plurality of sets of rows of bristles mounted for back and forth movement in a direction perpendicular to the handle.

Abstract: A machine is provided for clearing a rail flangeway, of debris or ice, the machine comprising: a frame; mounting means for mounting the frame on a vehicle, the vehicle for moving the machine across the surface in a direction of travel generally parallel to the length of the flangeway; at least one rotating member mounted on the frame for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular to the direction of travel; drive means in communication with the rotating member to provide rotation; and at least one elongate clearing member mounted on the rotating member, the elongate clearing member being configured to fit inside the subsurface groove; such that, as the vehicle moves the machine across the surface, rotation of the rotating member causes the elongate clearing member to intermittently enter the flangeway to clear it of debris.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a wet region and corresponding dry region on a wafer. A proximity brush unit delivers fluids with a rotatable brush to produce the wet region on the wafer. As the proximity brush unit moves in a selected scan method across the wafer, a plurality of ports produces the dry region on the wafer. Further, the rotatable brush disposed within the proximity brush unit can rotate via mechanical gears or electromagnetic levitation. The selected scan method that produces the wet region and the dry region moves the proximity brush unit in a variety of methods including a radial scan, a linear scan, a spiral scan and a raster scan. To further produce a dry region during the selected scan method, the plurality of ports disposed on the surface of the proximity brush unit is on the trailing edges of the proximity head unit and the wafer.

Abstract: Attachment apparatus and method for interlocking attachment of a scraper blade with a drive shaft of a scraped surface heat exchanger includes a blade having dual attachment beams and a central locking member, and at least one pin having dual fingers each for interlocking with a respective attachment beam.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a handle and a bristle head connected to the handle, the bristle head having a support plate including bristles, and a bristle protector which is movable back and forth between a working position and a storage position of the cleaning device, the bristle protector extending beyond the support plate in the storage position on the side facing away from the handle by an amount essentially corresponding to the length of the bristles, the bristle protector having an actuating rod which is guided within the handle.

Abstract: A cleaning tool, which in some instances may be a mop, for use in cleaning a surface is provided. The cleaning tool includes a frame and a primary cleaning member that is carried by the frame. The primary cleaning member is configured for removing generally smaller size particles from the surface that is cleaned. A secondary cleaning member is included and is also carried by the frame. The secondary cleaning member is configured for removing generally larger size particles from the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A mop and a disposable cleaning apparatus is provided. The mop includes a handle that is attached to a handle attachment surface of a mop head. A disposable wipe is attached to the mop head and is configured to be removed from the mop head by a user of the mop. The disposable wipe is configured for engaging a surface to be cleaned and for removing unwanted material from this surface. A squeegee blade is attached to the disposable wipe. The squeegee blade is configured for removing excess fluid from the surface to be cleaned. Removal of the disposable wipe from the mop head causes the squeegee blade to also be removed from the mop head.

Abstract: An adjustable broom comprising a pivotally adjustable handle having an extendable and retractable inner rod, lock system for locking the inner rod in place and a rotatably adjustable broom head having side sections that are extendable and retractable for adjusting the width of the broom head, as well as at least one and preferably a plurality of interchangeable brush cartridges of different sizes corresponding to the available widths of the broom head wherein the brush cartridges are removably mounted to the broom head by sliding them through tracks the bottom of the broom head.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cleaning article including a brush portion. The brush portion has a plurality of strips and at least one layer of a fiber bundle.

Abstract: A robot cleaner comprises a suction unit installed within a cleaner body, for sucking dirt on a floor; a driving unit for moving the cleaner body; a detecting unit mounted at the cleaner body, for detecting a height between a bottom of the cleaner body and a floor; and a control unit controlling the suction unit in response to signal from the detecting unit, for adjusting a suction force of the suction unit. Accordingly, cleaning efficiency of the robot cleaner can be improved by controlling the suction force for sucking dirt in accordance with unevenness of the floor.

Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is provided and includes a housing. A distributor is operatively connected to the housing for distributing solution to the surface. A first solution container is mounted to the housing and contains a first solution. The first solution container has a bottom portion with an outlet portion fluidly connected to the distributor for supplying a flow of a first solution to the distributor. A second solution container with an outlet is provided in the first solution container and contains a second solution. The outlet of the second solution container is fluidly connected to the distributor for supplying a flow of a second solution to the distributor.

Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is provided and includes a housing for movement along the surface. A solution container is mounted to the housing and contains a solution. A dispensing nozzle is provided on the housing and is fluidly connected to the solution container. The dispensing nozzle dispenses solution beyond the edge of the housing. In one aspect, an edge cleaner is provided at an edge of the housing and includes a plurality of pliable elements for agitating the surface, wherein the pliable elements contact the surface beyond the edge of said housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-purpose position sensitive floor cleaning device having two separate and distinct selective modes of operation whereby 180° longitudinal rotation of the floor cleaning device selectively activates one of the two separate and distinct selective modes of operation. The two separate and distinct selective modes of operation are, for example, a scrubbing mode for scrubbing an associated floor and a suctioning mode for suctioning associated liquid from the associated floor.

Abstract: A motor mounting assembly includes a motor mount member having a first and second generally opposing sides. A generally U-shaped channel is formed in the second side of the motor mount member extending around its periphery to form a lip extending from the first side of the motor mounting member. The U-shaped channel allows slight movement of the motor mount member in a radial direction to absorb vibrations from a motor attached thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360° turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface.

Abstract: A brush configured to move repeatedly over a vacuum filter. The brush will remove dust particles to prevent them from clogging the filter. In the preferred embodiment, the brush is mounted on a revolving shaft. As the shaft turns it moves the bristles of the brush over the surface of the filter, whereby dust particles may be dislodged. In one embodiment, the shaft is attached to the vacuum motor and is turned directly by the motor. In this embodiment a speed reducer may be employed to slow the rate of rotation of the brush. In another embodiment, a turbine is attached to the shaft. The turbine is placed in the path of the air stream moving through the vacuum. The air passing through the turbine cause it and the shaft to rotate, thereby reducing the load on the motor.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, and having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet. A handle is pivotally attached to the nozzle, and a suction motor is provided in the nozzle or the handle. The suction motor has a suction motor inlet, and is adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a rigid dirt receptacle 14 having an outlet at one end, through which the collected dirt and dust can be emptied, a flap 16 for closing the outlet, and an actuator 58 for moving the flap 16 between a closed position and an open position, the actuator 58 being operable to control the position of the flap 16 between the open and closed positions. A location is provided at a partially opened position of the flap 16, at which position fine dirt and dust can be emptied through the restricted outlet in a controlled manner. The restricted size of the outlet retains any coarse and fibrous dirt inside the receptacle 14. Once the fine dirt has been emptied, the flap 16 can be moved to its fully open position to allow the coarse dirt and fibrous matter to be emptied from the receptacle 14 separately from the fine dust.

Abstract: A portable blower unit (1) includes a housing (2). A device for guiding the blower unit (1) over the ground (6) can be fixed to the housing (2) in order to facilitate a multi-use of the blower unit (1).

Abstract: An adjustable mechanism for sliding panels, such as sliding windows and doors is disclosed. One embodiment comprises adjustable buttons that extend from a housing positioned in the sliding panel. The adjustable threaded buttons of the present invention provide a surface having reduced friction that extends from the bottom edge of a window or door and that can slide along a track supporting the window or door. In addition to providing a mechanism to facilitate horizontal sliding of a window or door, the adjustable buttons may be used to set the height of the sliding window or door as it sits in its frame.

Abstract: A door closure system for a vacuum sterilization chamber includes a mechanism to allow movement of the door with respect to the chamber at the hinge. An elongated slot on the door captures a fixed shaft to allow rotation of the door. A spring in the door operates against the shaft biasing the door toward the chamber. Forces applied by the hinge and by an opposite latch are normalized.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (9) includes a shell (1), a coil spring (2), a shaft (3), and two bolts (4). The shell defines a cavity (12) therein, with one end of the shell being closed and the other end being open. Two holes (14) are defined in the shell near the open end. The shaft includes a cam (32), a soleplate (38), and an interconnecting neck (34). The cam includes a cam surface (324) at one end thereof, the cam surface including peaks and valleys. The spring and the shaft are received in the shell, but with the soleplate exposed outside. The spring biases the cam surface against the bolts no matter what part of the cam surface abuts the bolts. Because the hinge assembly of the present invention is effectively an integrated, modular structure, it is easily incorporated into a portable foldable device such as a mobile phone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a home-bar door opening/closing device for a refrigerator. According to the present invention, guide slots 72 are provided in both side surfaces of an opening 59 provided in a refrigerator door 55 and connected to one ends of links 75 which rotate and vertically move. Then, a home-bar door 63 is installed in the opening 59 so that an upper end of the home-bar door 63 vertically rotates about a hinge 65. The other ends of the links 75 are pivotably connected to both side surfaces of the home-bar door 63, respectively. An upward elastic force from coil springs 77 is provided to the one ends of the links 75, while an elastic force from torsion springs 79 is provided to the other ends of the links 75. According to the present invention so constructed, it is possible to reduce the impact due to the rapid opening of the home-bar door.

Abstract: A hinge assembly comprising first and second hinge elements rotatably mounted relative to each other and a plurality of elongate flexible members connected to the first and second hinge elements and extending there between, the elongate members being twisted about a longitudinal axis to a first condition prior to assembly the hinge assembly, wherein the hinge elements are rotatably movable from a first position in which the elongate members are in said first condition to a second position in which the elongate members are in a second condition.

Abstract: A drawer pull, wherein a one-piece pull member has projections which cooperate with openings associated with the drawer front. Assembly of the pull member and drawer front involves principally relative sliding movement of the pull member parallel to the drawer front so as to effect a locking engagement of the pull member to the drawer front.

Abstract: A plunger with interchangeable handle system for machine tools. The plunger includes a shank adapted to engage a machine tool and having a retractable plunger and a threaded adapter, the interchangeable handle system includes a plurality of knobs, each having a discrete shape differing from the others and a socket to receive the threaded adapter of the shank.

Abstract: In conjunction with a spray bottle having a manually operated, elongated trigger-type grip, this invention improves upon the existing art by providing a cover for the grip. In the preferred embodiments, such a cover is in the form of a sleeve of pliable material having an open end, a closed end, an internal length and an internal cross-sectional dimension, and wherein the length is on the order 2.5 cm or less; and internal cross-sectional dimension is on the order of 1 cm or less. The material may by vinyl, PVC, or other polymeric, preferably of the chemically resistant variety. The internal cross section of the sleeve may be circular or rectangular, depending upon the grip type, and may be composed of a coextensive liner and overlay.

Abstract: A gasket for sealing between a wall and a gasket support surface, such as between an oven housing and an oven door. The gasket includes a clip, the clip typically being made from a single strand of wire. The wire is bent into a head and a base, the base for engaging the gasket and head dimensioned for engagement with a wall for a support surface.

Abstract: A zipper includes a slide and two tapes each having a row of helically arranged teeth sewn to a lateral edge thereof. The slide includes two opposed boards whose first ends are connected by a central guide. A second end of at least one of the boards includes two flanges respectively extending along two lateral edges thereof toward the other board, defining a substantially Y-shaped channel between the boards and the central guide. A flange extension extends from each flange toward the first end of the board, with a distance between each flange extension and the central guide being the same as a width of each tooth of the zipper. At least one of the flange extensions extends to a level aligned with or beyond a maximum width of an inner end of the central guide and includes an end edge with a stop corner.

Abstract: The invention provides an end stop never inducing separation or deterioration in its mounting portion by fusing part thereof. A linear fastener element row formed of synthetic resin is mounted on a side edge of a fastener tape, and a rod-like body of synthetic resin is inserted into the interior of plural fastener elements located at a final end of the element row. A fused portion is provided by welding only a side of an outer end portion of the rod-like body while a non-fused portion is formed without welding a side of an inner end portion, so the end stop as a top or a bottom end stop is produced. The non-fused portion absorbs an impact when a slider collides with the end stop and induces no deterioration in sewing yarn and such. The fused portion integrates the end stop with fastener elements firmly, so a rigid structured end stop is completed.

Abstract: A web for use in applying a functional material is provided. The web includes a layer that has a plurality of elevated regions. The layer defines a plurality of cavities such that the cavities are located between adjacent elevated regions. A plurality of depressed regions are located on the layer intermediate the elevated regions. The layer has a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal mid-plane defined therethrough. A plurality of functional material members are located in the cavities of the layer. The functional material members are adapted for adhesion of particles or surfaces thereon. The layer is extendable in the longitudinal direction so that the elevated regions are moved in a direction towards the longitudinal mid-plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming preferably a unitary polymeric hook fastener comprising a flexible backing, and a multiplicity of spaced hook elements projecting from the upper surface of the unitary backing. The hook elements each comprise a stem portion attached at one end to the backing, and a head portion at the end of the stem portion opposite the backing. The head portion projects in different directions for some adjacent hook members which adjacent hook members each have a flat face which flat faces are mutually opposing in face to face relation.

Abstract: A buckle comprises a male portion, a female portion and a push button. The male portion comprises a base and at least one locking leg having a release tab. The female portion comprises a hollow body and a catch for locking the locking leg to the female portion when the male portion is inserted into the female portion. The push button is inserted into the female portion and is adapted to move longitudinally toward and away from the male portion. The push button has a base, a spring mounted on an inside surface of the base and at least one release prong. Depressing the push button causes the release prong to slide between the catch and the release tab, to release the release tab from the catch, and causes the spring to push against the male portion and eject the male portion from the female portion.

Abstract: A shoelace with variable decoration members includes a shoelace, and two decoration members wherein both ends of the shoelace have an engagement piece made of plastics of soft metal attached thereto respectively. The engagement piece includes a number of tapered registration portions consecutively defining the outer periphery thereof, indented arc guide facets dividing each registration portion from the others thereof, and a conic guide portion disposed at the end thereon. And the decoration member is provided with an engaging groove having a thin flexible guide ring defining the opening end thereon, a number of consecutive tapered registration cavities and protruded arc stop facets alternatively formed at the inner wall therein, and a conic engaging section disposed at the end thereof, via which the decoration members thereof are securely coupled with the engagement piece thereof.

Abstract: A method for forming a multi-colored cap part of snap button includes the steps of forming a design portion of the cap part of snap button using a first group of molds, which includes a first female mold, a first male mold, and a plate-shaped middle mold, and a slide-plate mold adapted to movably assembled to the first male mold and having a plurality of mold cavities for forming the design portion; removing the slide-plate mold having the design portion molded therein from the first male mold; movably positioning the slide-plate mold into a second female mold included in a second group of molds for forming a body portion of the cap part of snap button; positioning a post for the cap part of snap button in a second male mold of the second group of molds; and forming the body portion while associating it with the design portion through injection molding to produce a complete molded cap part of snap button.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic capacitor, in which internal electrodes printed on each of a plurality of dielectric sheets have reduced thicknesses using an absorption member, thereby allowing the multilayer ceramic capacitor to have a high capacity and be minimized. The method includes printing the internal electrodes on each of the dielectric sheets, and stacking the dielectric sheets, wherein the internal electrodes formed on each of the dielectric sheets have a reduced thickness by causing an absorptive member to contact the surface of each of the dielectric sheets provided with the internal electrodes and then separating the absorptive member from the surface so that portions of the internal electrodes having a designated thickness are eliminated, and the dielectric sheets provided with the internal electrodes having the reduced thickness are stacked to form a chip element.

Abstract: A method for making metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors having insulators with high-dielectric-constant and sandwiched between wide-band-gap insulators resulting in low leakage currents and high capacitance per unit area is achieved. The high-k layer increases the capacitance per unit area for next generation mixed-signal devices while the wide-band-gap insulators reduce leakage currents. In a second embodiment, a multilayer of different high-k materials is formed between the wide-band-gap insulators to substantially increase the capacitance per unit area. The layer materials and thicknesses are optimized to reduce the nonlinear capacitance dependence on voltage.

Abstract: A turret for a machine tool is provided with: a turret body; a swiveling drum on which a tool holder for holding the rotating tool is mountable; a swiveling and indexing drive portion for swiveling the swiveling drum with a swiveling and indexing motor and for indexing any desired rotating tool; and a rotational driving motor, having a rotating shaft directed to an index position, incorporated into the swiveling drum and supported to the turret body. Under the condition that the rotating tool is indexed, a holder shaft of the tool holder of the rotating tool and the rotating shaft are coupled directly with each other and thereby the rotating tool is rotated by the rotational driving motor. Thus, when the rotating tool is drivingly rotated, the power transmission efficiency for rotational drive is high to thereby make it possible to reduce the heat generation, vibration and noise.

Abstract: A method of removing iron oxide scale and coating sheet metal bonds a pre-paint to a wustite layer of the sheet metal. The iron oxide scale on the sheet metal generally comprises three layers prior to surface conditioning: a wustite layer, a magnetite layer, and a hematite layer. The wustite layer is bonded to a base metal substrate of the sheet metal. The magnetite layer is bonded to the wustite layer, and the hematite layer is bonded to the magnetite layer. Conditioning the surface of the sheet metal includes bringing a surface conditioning member into engagement with the surface of the sheet metal in a manner to remove substantially all of the hematite and magnetite layers from the surface, and in a manner to remove some but not all of the wustite layer from the surface. The portion of the wustite layer that remains bonded to the base metal substrate of the sheet metal protects the surface from oxidation until the surface is coated.

Abstract: A retaining ring installation tool for use in installing retaining rings onto shafts and into bores is formed from a single piece of metal to define a cylindrical, elongated body. A hollow cavity is formed in one end of the body and the wall of the body that defines the cavity is slotted to form a plurality of individual, flexible spring contact arms or fingers which extend forwardly from a rear body portion and which collectively define an insertion end of the tool. The ends of the fingers are enlarged to ensure contact occurs between the tool and the retaining ring during the installation of the ring onto a shaft or into a bore. The contact arms are bent either radially inwardly or outwardly so that they will contact the retaining ring at all times during installation of the ring.

Abstract: For a workpiece having a metal part bonded to a rubber part, a method is devised to separate the metal and rubber parts. A flame is used to heat a portion of an exposed surface of the metal part, while moving the flame relative to the metal part until substantially all the exposed metal surface is heated. The process is repeated until the metal and rubber parts separate.

Abstract: A compact removal feature comprises a plurality of recesses, such as radius slots, on an inner diameter (ID) of a bearing inner ring. The removal tool can engage the removal feature and remove the entire bearing assembly without damage to the parts. The placement of the removal feature on the bearing inner ring ID allows for a reduction in inner ring length (and weight) while maintaining bearing assembly integrity.

Abstract: A bushing can be anchored in a sheet steel blank for a cross beam for a vehicle chassis by inserting the bushing into a hole precisely provided in the steel blank, hot forming the steel blank in a die and hardening the hot formed shape steel body in the die. The cooling of the hardening step shrinks the sheet steel into a groove formed in the circumference of the bushing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine drum comprising a cylindrical shell (3) that is provided with several flood holes (4) and a front wall and a rear wall, the peripheries of which are connected to the cylindrical shell (3) by means of a lock seam (5). Said lock seam (5) is reinforced by stamping (6) all the sheet metal layers thereof so as to prevent the lock seam (5) from tearing during high-speed tumbling. The cylindrical shell (3) is also provided with several depressions (7) increasing the surface of the shell (3) so as to render the shell (3) more resistant and elastic such that any bulge that might be formed in the shell (3) during high-speed tumbling will affect the depressions (7) but not the lock seam (5), whereby the lock seam is protected.

Abstract: A golf club head composed of a damascene patterned metal, such as a Damascus steel, is disclosed. The golf club head may be a putter head or an iron-type club head with a majority of the club head body formed of the damascene patterned metal, or a wood-type club head or an iron-type club head with a damascene patterned metal face insert.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a glazing panel from an inside location. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method of treating glazing panels used in windows and patio doors. Initially, an orifice is formed on both the inside and outside panes on windows and on the side and outside frames of patio doors. Then, particulate matter such as dirt, dust, and mineral deposits are purged from the enclosed volume of the glazing panel by applying a cleaning solution via the orifice. Next, a valve is attached to the outside pane/frame to cover the orifice whereby the valve is designed to reduce the amount of precipitation or matter from entering while allowing air to exit the glazing panel. Finally, a seal is used to cover the orifice on the inside pane or side frame to ensure that the building air does not enter the interior of the glazing panel. The method can also be used to treat windows for high altitude transport, or to prevent explosion in the presence of intense heat.