Abstract: A dock leveler assembly includes a base and a ramp that is pivotably movable under the influence of a biasing arrangement to a raised position. The ramp is lowered into engagement with a truck bed, preferably via a lip connected to the outer end of the ramp, and a holddown assembly maintains the ramp in a lowered position during loading and unloading of the truck bed against the force of a biasing arrangement that urges the ramp toward a raised position. The holddown assembly includes an extendible and retractable mechanism which is selectively fixed in position to maintain the ramp in a desired position. A “float” apparatus using a compression spring accommodates a certain amount of vertical movement of the ramp as the truck bed moves up and down during loading and unloading.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a handle and a brush member having a brush head, individual cylindrical bristle holders with tufts of bristles held rotatably in the brush head. They are set into an oscillatory rotating movement by means of a connecting rod executing a reciprocating sliding movement and simultaneously an oscillatory movement about its longitudinal axis, with transverse grooves, disposed therein. In addition, a bristle holder plate in the brush head is held so as to oscillate about a shaft running in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush. Thus, during the oscillatory movement of the bristle holders the bristle holder plate swivels back and forth in synchronism with the connecting rod.

Abstract: A device or cleaning apparatus 10 which includes a telescoping shaft member 8 and a universal joint assembly 40 and which allows a user to easily and ergonomically clean or otherwise engage an angled or curved glass surface or another surface.

Abstract: A multi-roller applicator for the application of paint having a handle member and a frame member, the frame member having secured thereto in parallel relationship, a pair of spaced apart axles for the receipt of a frame core member and paint absorbing sleeve member rotationally mounted thereon for the application of paint.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel automobile wiper holder with pressurized stability, warning effect and variable size, at least constituting the blade holder, the first connecting panel, the second connecting panel, the third connecting panel and the holder seat. The pressurized panel is design to be mounted on the both sides of surface of the holder seat so as to keep the wiper blade always pressed close to the windshield during the driving irrespective of the wind pressure applied to the wiper holder. The holder seat has a projected hollow body to house the a circuit linking to the lighting elements which will illuminate the transparent or translucent pressurized panel or semicircular tube in an effort to bring to the attention of the driver the poor vision in the bad weather. The second and the third connecting panels provide a plurality of retaining holes or retaining slides in collaboration with the cover panel for employing variable size of wiper blades.

Abstract: A wiper device with a wiper blade for cleaning windows of motor vehicles, in which the wiper blade can be moved back and forth laterally to its longitudinal span by a driven wipe arm which can be connected to the wiper blade and loads the same against the window. The wiper blade has an elongated wiper strip that can be placed against the window and an elongated spring-elastic carrying element, which has a connecting unit for the wiper arm and is disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wiper strip to distribute a contact force over the entire wiper strip length. A particularly effective and low-noise operation of the wiper system is achieved because the contact force of the wiper strip against the window is greater in its center section than in at least one of two end sections of the wiper strip.

Abstract: In a device on a carding machine for setting the working gap between the cylinder and a neighboring roller, which cooperate with one another with a working gap between their cylindrical surfaces at the fiber transfer points, the working gap is readjustable as a result of changes in dimensions caused by thermal expansion and/or centrifugal forces. If the dimensions of the rollers change, it is readily possible to set substantially the same gap between neighboring rollers. The temperature of the framework walls carrying the cylinder can be matched to the working gap by supplying or discharging heat. If the dimensions of the rollers change, the working gap substantially the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved paper clip which is suitable for holding documents of different thicknesses. The improved paper clip includes three elements, which are a first clipping piece, a second clipping piece and a support beam. The first clipping piece is formed with a sunken slot therethrough and is connected to a bottom side of the support beam. The second clipping piece has a bending curve part and is connected to a top side of the support beam. The bending curve part is partially protruding into the sunken slot and is roughened to become a rough surface for increasing friction to tightly clamp documents. The inner surface of the support beam is a flat plane so as to provide a guiding function when the document is received between the first and second clipping pieces. The first and second clipping pieces are both adjoined to the inner surface of the support beam, such that the outer surface of the support beam substantially forms part of the outer contour of the paper clip.

Abstract: A releasable fastening system comprises a knob portion comprising a knob element, a cavity portion comprising a cavity configured to receive the knob element, and an ionic polymer metal composite actuator disposed at the knob element. The ionic polymer metal composite actuator is operable to mechanically interlock the knob element with the cavity. A method of operating a releasable fastening system comprises contacting a knob portion with a cavity portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein the knob portion comprises a knob element disposed on a first support, and wherein the cavity portion comprises a cavity disposed at a second support; maintaining constant shear forces and constant pull-off forces between the knob portion and the cavity portion; and activating an ionic polymer metal composite actuator at the knob portion to facilitate the interlocking of the knob portion and the cavity portion.

Abstract: This invention provides a web expander comprising means for carrying a web 2 having longitudinal slits, means 5 for expanding the width of the web, and opening control means 6 for uniformly forming size and form of openings of the web expanded by said means for expanding. The means 5 for expanding the width consists of a flat expander 15 and two pairs of cloth guider 21, and opening control means 6 comprises two expander rolls 31 as a rotatable ribbed roll, the ribbed roll being adapted to be applied to one side of the traveling net-like web to rotate in the direction in which the net-like web 2 is reduced in width.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ink-jet head, including forming a mark for indicating the positions of pressure chambers on a surface of a passage unit; preparing a member containing a piezoelectric sheet on which a common electrode is supported; attaching the member to the surface of the passage unit; and forming individual electrodes, based on the mark, on a face of the member facing the direction opposite to the attached face thereof to the passage unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a slider onto a flexible zipper tape, comprising: a zipper tape guide that supports a section of zipper tape in a slider insertion zone and guides advancement of the zipper tape along a line; a mechanism for displacing a slider from a pre-insertion position to an inserted position on the section of the zipper tape located in the slider insertion zone; and a slider guide for guiding the slider from a transition point to the pre-insertion position. The slider guide is configured so that the slider travels along a generally U-shaped path in its transit from the transition point to the pre-insertion position. The slider guide may be a channel configured to maintain one end of the slider constantly in the lead as it moves along the channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sight tube flowmeter is formed of a plurality of fluoropolymer components welded together to form a unitary flowmeter body. The components can comprise a PFA upright sight tube having two end portions, a flow conduit extending therethrough and two fitting portions that are uniquely welded onto each end of the sight tube, and a fluoropolymer float device movable to various positions within the flow conduit depending on the flow level of the fluid flowing therethrough. The float device can be of conventional design or for those flowmeter embodiments where low fluid flow rates are to be measured, an elongate float can be utilized. The floats and, in particular, a designated portion thereof, are visible through the sight tube to provide visual indication of the position, and thus the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter. In addition, alternative embodiments include the implementation of the unique sight tube and elongate float design in conventional flowmeters.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of small sensors with reproducible surfaces, including electrochemical sensors. One process includes fanning channels in the surface of a substrate and disposing a conductive material in the channels to form an electrode. The conductive material can also be formed on the substrate by other impact and non-impact methods. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes cutting the substrate to form a sensor having a connector portion and a transcutaneous portion, the two portions having edges that define one continuous straight line.

Abstract: A method of removing stators from tubular stator housings involving subjecting a tubular stator housing having an interior surface to which a worn stator is adhered by adhesive to cryogenic refrigeration until the stator shrinks and pulls away from the interior surface of the tubular stator housing.

Abstract: A method for reducing ac loss in a superconducting coil of cable-in-conduit type superconductor made from chrome-coated compound superconducting strands, characterized in that when a superconducting coil is produced by the wind-and-react technique, bending or twist strain is applied in an amount of 0.15˜0.3% to the conductor cable portion after it has been heat-treated to form the superconducting compound, thereby separating the individual superconducting strands the chrome coat on which sintered as the result of heat treatment and further characterized in that the applied bending or twist strain is thereafter reverted to 0.1% or less, thereby reducing the ac loss of the superconducting coil.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed-on-display (POD) antenna for a wireless device is provided. First, a conductive transparent layer comprising indium oxide doped with tin oxide (ITO) is coated on a glass substrate. Next, a photoresist layer is coated on the conductive transparent layer and then a mask having an antenna pattern is disposed on the photoresist layer. Next, the mask is exposed by ultraviolet (UV) rays. Thereafter, the photoresist layer is developed and cured. Finally, the conductive transparent layer is etched to form a patterned conductive transparent layer and subsequently the patterned photoresist layer is removed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a device are provided. The method and the apparatus can form micro wiring without undesired wetting and spreading using an inexpensive functional-liquid supplying method. A method for forming a device, such as a radiofrequency identification tag, includes: making patterns at a plurality of sections having different degrees of affinity to the functional liquid on a substrate to form the device; and supplying the functional liquid to the selected section having high affinity to the functional liquid. Forming the plurality of sections having different degrees of affinity to the functional liquid includes, for example: supplying an organosiloxane film on the substrate, and exposing the organosiloxane film through an optical mask.

Abstract: A method for producing a shim piece for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet. The shim piece is used to form a shim of a magnet and is designed to suppress eddy currents in the shim created by the introduction of a gradient magnetic field. The shim piece is formed by a plurality of ferromagnetic rods placed side-by-side and surrounded by a dielectric material.

Abstract: A major problem in Lead Overlay design for GMR structures is that the magnetic read track width is wider than the physical read track width. This is due to high interfacial resistance between the leads and the GMR layer which is an unavoidable side effect of prior art methods. The present invention uses electroplating preceded by a wet etch to fabricate the leads. This approach requires only a thin protection layer over the GMR layer to ensure that interface resistance is minimal. Using wet surface cleaning avoids sputtering defects and plating is compatible with this so the cleaned surface is preserved Only a single lithography step is needed to define the track since there is no re-deposition involved.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are for operating an automatic component mounting unit for mounting an electrical component onto a substrate of an electrical assembly. The automatic component mounting unit utilizes a number of different mounting members, such as a head, feeding and sensor members, for mounting a variety of different components. Each of the mounting members includes a data storage device. The automatic component mounting unit also includes a control device for communicating with a data storage device of each of the mounting members for processing an amount of process data that is specific to each of the mounting members and that is generated prior to installation. As a result, the mounting members are readily configured for optimal use upon installation of the mounting members.

Abstract: An electrically operated chucking apparatus including (a) an electrically operated chuck including at least two movable members movable toward and away from each other, and at least two drive devices which include respective electrically operated actuators operable to move the at least two movable members, respectively, toward and away from each other, and (b) a control device operable to control the at least two drive devices, and wherein the control device includes: a drive control portion operable to control the at least two drive devices such that each of at least one of an actual position and an actual speed of movement of the at least two movable members changes toward a predetermined target value; and a load detecting portion operable to detect a load acting on the at least two movable members during operation of the drive control portion to control the at least two drive device.

Abstract: A method of forming a multichip module in which a thin film structure is formed on a temporary carrier and then an electrically insulating frame is attached to the thin film structure. A semiconductor device is attached to the thin film structure and then the temporary carrier is removed. Lastly, at least one semiconductor device is attached to the other side of the thin film structure. There is interconnectvity through the thin film structure between the semiconductor devices and the frame.

Abstract: A method for making an electronic circuit arrangement comprises providing a substrate having an electrical conductor thereon, wherein the electrical conductor includes two contacts spaced apart substantially a predetermined distance; providing an electronic jumper having two contacts spaced apart substantially the predetermined distance; mounting an electronic device on the electronic circuit jumper and having two contacts respectively connected to the two contacts of the electronic circuit jumper and then mounting the electronic circuit jumper on the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in chip format having a chip which has at least one first insulating layer and electrical connection pads free of the insulating layer is described. On the first insulating layer, interconnects run from the electrical connection pads to base regions of external connection elements. A further applied insulating layer is provided with openings leading from the outside to the base regions of the external connection elements. In the openings there is a conductive adhesive, onto which small balls which are metallic at least on the outside are placed. The semiconductor element can also contain a solder paste instead of a conductive adhesive in the openings, and metallized small plastic balls are placed onto the solder paste. The invention furthermore relates to methods for producing the semiconductor device described.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conformally coating microchip devices and for sealing reservoirs containing molecules or devices in a microchip device. One method comprises (i) providing a substrate having a plurality of reservoirs having reservoir openings in need of sealing; (ii) loading reservoir contents comprising molecules, a secondary device, or both, into the reservoirs; and (iii) applying a conformal coating barrier layer, such as a vapor depositable polymeric material, e.g., parylene, onto the reservoir contents over at least the reservoir openings to seal the reservoir openings. Another method comprises vapor depositing a conformal coating material onto a microchip device having at least two reservoirs and reservoir caps positioned over molecules or devices stored in the reservoirs, and providing that the conformal coating does not coat or is removed from the reservoir caps.

Abstract: A method of making a thermal management material for a circuit board panel comprising the steps of cutting a thermally conductive, rigid substrate from a larger sheet of heat conducting material, degreasing the thermally conductive substrate, mechanically abrading at least one surface of the thermally conductive substrate, acid cleaning the at least one abraded surface of the thermally conductive substrate, rinsing the thermally conductive substrate, passivating the at least one abraded surface of the thermally conductive substrate to render the at least one surface chemically inert, rinsing the thermally conductive substrate, drying the thermally conductive substrate and baking the thermally conductive substrate at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an elastic connector, integrated with an electrode of at least either a chip-type LED or a printed circuit board on which a LED element is directly mounted and to which the LED is electrically connected. The LED-integrated connector can subsequently be mounted on another circuit board by being sandwiched and compressed between a lower surface of the chip-type LED or lower surface of the LED-mounted printed circuit board and the other circuit board to which the LED-integrated connector is being mounted, so as to provide an electric connection. The method providing a LED-integrated connector which is thin and cost-effective while able to provide a simple and secure conductivity between electrodes of the chip-type LED and other circuit board, to which the LED-integrated connector is subsequently mounted.

Abstract: An electrical and mechanical connection between (a) a first shielded cable including a metal sheath and electrical conductors and (b) a second cable including a ground conductor and electrical conductors, comprises a zone of interconnection between the first and second cables. In this interconnection zone, a first connection is made between the free end of the metal sheath and the free end of the ground conductor, and second connections are made between the free ends of the electrical conductors of the first cable and the free ends of the electrical conductors of the second cable, respectively. Still in the interconnection zone, the interconnected metal sheath and ground conductor have a first length shorter than second lengths of the interconnected electrical conductors of the first cable and electrical conductors of the second cable whereby, in operation, longitudinal tension in the interconnection zone is totally supported by the interconnected metal sheath and ground conductor.

Abstract: Spring structures are subjected to pre-release and post-release annealing to tune their tip height to match a specified target. Post-release annealing increases tip height, and pre-release annealing decreases tip height. The amount of tuning is related to the annealing temperature and/or time. Annealing schedules are determined for a pre-fabricated cache of unreleased spring structures such that finished spring structures having a variety of target heights can be economically produced by releasing/annealing the cache according to associated annealing schedules. Selective annealing is performed using lasers and heat absorbing/reflecting materials. Localized annealing is used to generate various spring structure shapes. Both stress-engineered and strain-engineered spring structures are tuned by annealing.

Abstract: A piston includes a piston structure being unitarily formed in a powder metallurgy process, the piston structure having a crown assembly and a skirt assembly, at least a partial combustion chamber being formed intersecting a piston crown surface during the powder metallurgy process, the skirt assembly depending from the crown assembly and having two spaced apart pin bosses, each pin boss having a pin bore defined therein, a pair of opposed semi-circular skirt members, each skirt member extending outwardly from and being integrally joined to both of the pin bosses. The piston may be formed by executing a powder metallurgy process on at least two different metallic constituents to define a non-homogenous piston structure. A method of forming a piston is further included.

Abstract: A method for making a tubular element, in particular a motor vehicle front cross member (1), for forming at least an air conduit (2,3,4) including at least two half-shells (5,6) assembled on two outer longitudinal edges (5a, 6a–5b, 6b), facing each other, with punctiform mechanical bond elements (7). The method further comprises the production of sealing elements (8) for the tubular element (1) consisting of at least a continuous convex or concave deformation simultaneously produced on each of the outer longitudinal edges (5a, 6a–5b, 6b) facing the two half-shells (5 and 6), in the proximity of the mechanical bond elements (7).

Abstract: A scissors assembly includes a main body, a jaw plate, and an angle adjusting base. Thus, the scissors assembly has a simplified construction and can be positioned efficiently. In addition, the scissors assembly can adjust the cutting angle easily and conveniently. Further, the scissors assembly is operated easily and conveniently.

Abstract: A manually operated implement is provided having a housing fixed on a frame and accommodating an internal combustion engine that is adapted to drive a tool. The implement has a front hand grip secured to the frame, and a rear handle secured to a side of the frame that is remote from the tool. The rear handle is mounted to the frame in such a way as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. A mounting is provided that comprises a pin mounted in a receiver, the receiver being embodied such that it is adapted to be split.

Abstract: An electric driving scissors provide a high torsion force. The electric driving scissors includes a casing, a motor, a driving disk, a crank, and a cutting unit with a pair of knives. The driving disk, crank and knives of the cutting unit are connected pivotally and eccentrically. The motor is installed with a speed change means so that the rotation speed of the motor can be reduced to a lower speed in the rotary shaft with a higher torsion force. Thereby, a hard object can be cut. Furthermore, by the eccentric hole of the driving disk, the axial hole and pivotal hole at two ends of the crank, the rotary shaft of the motor can rotate, while the crank move linearly. Thereby, the angle of the movable knife of the cutting unit is changeable.

Abstract: A filament trimmer includes a rotatable trimmer head having an outwardly extending filament. The trimmer has an upper handle that the operator can grip to operate the trimmer in either a trim mode or an edge mode. In the trim mode, the filament extending outwardly from the trimmer head is positioned in a generally horizontal cutting plane, while in the edge mode the trimmer is reoriented such that the filament is positioned in a generally vertical cutting plane. The upper handle of the trimmer includes dual triggers for selectively starting and stopping rotation of the trimmer head. One trigger is actuated when the trimmer is operated in the trim mode and the other trigger is actuated when the trimmer is operated in the edge mode.

Abstract: A knockout punch is provided with a member such that when the punch and the die are drawn together by the draw stud to make a hole in a workpiece, the member on the punch will locate the punch assembly in a pilot hole. In three embodiments of the invention, the member is formed integrally with the punch and extends from the punch proximate to a bore in the punch which is used to connect the punch to the draw stud. In another embodiment of the invention, the member is provided as an insert which is connected to the punch within a counterbore. The punch is also provided with a pair of piercing portions for piercing through the workpiece after the member has centered the punch assembly with the pilot hole and a pair of cutting portions for shearing the workpiece after the piercing portions have pierced the workpiece.

Abstract: A razor includes a handle, a flexible neck extending from the top of the handle and a blade-carrying razor head pivotally fitted on the distal end portion of the neck. A lower portion of the handle functions as an actuator for dispensing shaving material contained within the handle and is operable between a stop position and a dispensing position. The neck is structured to flex and/or twist in a yielding action in response to external forces as the blade-carrying razor head travels over irregular or varying contours of the skin surface. The flexible neck may be formed to include a scoop for directing a stream of water through the blade-carrying razor head in a fanned array, providing an enhanced flushing action to remove debris and residue which accumulates on the blades.

Abstract: Disclosed is an encoder including a rotary member and a fixed member. The fixed member is provided with an electrode having A-channel, B-channel and C-channel patterns, the rotary member is provided with contacts which are to be opposed to the electrode. A-C state switches from OFF to ON at each rotation of the rotary member for one click angle from a stable click position in both CW and CCW direction. During CW rotation for one click angle, B-C state remains unchanged from OFF; during CCW rotation for one click angle, B-C state switches twice between ON and OFF.

Abstract: A magnetic compass includes a base having a receiving chamber for receiving a compass body, a battery chamber for receiving a battery set, an illuminant chamber for receiving an illuminant, and a locating chamber for receiving an electrically conductive member. The illuminant has a first terminal suspended above the battery set. A push button is supported on the first terminal of the illuminant for pressing by the user to force the first terminal of the illuminant downwards into contact with a first terminal of the battery set. The conductive member has a base frame mounted in the locating chamber, and a contact portion extended from the base frame and inserted into the battery chamber and pressed on a second terminal of the battery set. A second terminal of the illuminant is electrically connected to the base frame of the conductive member.

Abstract: A device and method for a straightedge with a handle and a level are provided. The device includes a rectangular body having at least one flat edge surface; a handle adapted to engage the rectangular body; and at least one leveling vial mounted to the handle. The vial indicates whether the at least one flat edge surface of the rectangular body is level against a planar surface when the handle is engaged with the rectangular body. The method of leveling or measuring includes the steps of providing a rectangular body having at least one flat edge surface, providing a handle adapted to fit with the rectangular body, the handle having at least one leveling vial mounted thereto, and removably engaging the body to the handle.

Abstract: A method for providing feedback to the operator of a portable coordinate measurement machine which comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments is presented. The method includes sensing deformation of a portion of the articulated arm when the arm is placed under a load, the deformation being an indication of the magnitude of the external force being applied to the arm, and providing feedback to the operator of the CMM in response to the sensed external forces.

Abstract: A board spacing tool comprising a balanced handle defined by a geometrically-shaped body having a front-end portion and a rear-end portion wherein the rear-end portion has a rocking surface to lift a planar board spacing or wedging member perpendicularly coupled to the bottom surface of the balanced handle. The bottom surface of the balanced handle has a substantially straight front-end portion and a rear-end portion gradually curving upward to permit rocking thereon. The planar board wedging member is adapted to be wedged between two adjacent floor slats. To remove the tool, the balanced handle is rocked on the rocking surface to lift and raise the planar board wedging member. Thus, other carpenters' tools are not required to remove the tool when wedged.

Abstract: An apparatus for tracing a contour onto a tile prior to cutting the tile includes a base member having a first longitudinal slot and a retaining lip disposed at one end thereof. A first extension member includes a second longitudinal slot and is pivotally attached to the base member by a fastener assembly that passes through the first and second longitudinal slots. A second extension member includes a third longitudinal slot and is pivotally attached to the first extension member by a second fastener assembly that passes through the second and third longitudinal slots. The second extension member includes a 45 degree angled end that terminates in a point, the point being useful for locating a point on an obstruction. The 45 degree end is used to orient the first and second extension members at a 45 degree angle with respect to a raised edge of the base member.

Abstract: A tool is triangular in shape and made of a clear plexi-glass. The tool contains two types of rate of spread scales, historical and real time. The historical rate of spread scale is based upon previous large-scale brushfires, while the real time scale utilizes GPS technology. The historical rate of spread scale is designed to address two brush fire environments. These environments are a brush fire occurring under Red Flag conditions and a brush fire occurring under Non-Red Flag conditions, and references are placed on the tool at each 30-minute time zone.

Abstract: A method of measuring the position of the cutting edge of a tool T mounted to a spindle 14 of an NC machine tool includes steps of measuring the dimension of the center of an end surface of the spindle 14 relative a reference position in a machine coordinate system of the machine tool in the axial directions of the X-, Y- and Z-axes, measuring the dimensions of the position of the cutting edge of the tool T mounted to the spindle 14 relative to the center of the end surface of the spindle 14 in the axial directions of the X-, Y- and Z-axes, obtaining the dimensions of the position of the cutting edge of the tool T mounted to the spindle 14 relative to the reference position in the machine coordinate system through a calculation on the basis of the relative dimensions of the center of the end surface of the spindle 14 in the machine coordinate system and the dimensions of the position of the cutting edge of the tool T mounted to the spindle 14.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring rigger-spread of a boat has an elongate casing 1 for support athwartships of the boat with a shoulder 2 of the casing 1 abutting the outside of the gunwale 4 opposite the rigger 5 and a slidingly-adjustable shoulder 6 abutting the opposite gunwale 9. A measuring tape 10 is extendable longitudinally from the casing 1 to the oarlock 14 of the rigger 5 to give a reading of spread, the extendable length being limited in dependence upon the spacing between the shoulders 2,6 of the casing 1 such that this length is increased or decreased by half the amount of any increase or decrease, respectively, of that spacing. Limitation of the extendable length involves a mechanism in which the two ends 18,19 of a flexible strip 15 or wire are secured respectively to the sliding shoulder 6 and the casing 1 so as to define a loop that is caught by a hook 16 of the tape 10 in limiting tape-extension.

Abstract: A stationary dryer, which may be used for drying clothes, is provided having a housing enclosing a space. A stationary support is located within the space for receiving articles to be dried. An air moving device is provided for generating an air flow through the space from an air inlet to an air outlet. An air distributor mechanism comprising a distribution plenum is positioned between the air inlet and the stationary support, with a plenum wall having a plurality of perforations therein. At least one of the distribution plenum and the perforations are sized, shaped and arranged so as to equalize an air flow distribution over the stationary support.

Abstract: Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.

Abstract: The thermal foot cover is an article of footwear to be worn when the wearer's foot is subjected to cold temperatures. The thermal foot cover has an upper cover portion attached to a bottom panel to define a cavity for insertion of a wearer's shoe-encased or boot-encased foot or a wearer's foot. The upper cover portion and the bottom panel are made from a material comprising an outer covering, a radiant barrier and a inner covering where the radiant barrier is sandwiched between the outer cover and the inner cover. The radiant barrier is the insulation system of the thermal foot cover, which reflects the wearer's body heat back inside the footwear and keeps the wearer's feet warm. The thermal foot cover is flexible, lightweight and readily washable due to the use of the radiant barrier as the insulation system.