Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Tamar Lavender’, characterized by its upright, broadly outwardly spreading and uniformly mounded plant growth habit; freely branching and freely flowering habit; very dark green-colored foliage; and large, rounded, light pink and red purple bi-colored flowers that are positioned above and beyond the foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of ×Heucherella plant characterized by its abundant warm pink flowers, compact habit, and maple shaped leaves.

Abstract: A new and distinct Veronica spicata cultivar is provided that is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in flower gardens. The plant is free-flowering and forms attractive bubblegum pink-colored racemes. A vigorous semi-prostrate growth habit is displayed. Durable long ovate to lanceolate leaves are formed. The plant commonly flowers on a substantially continuous basis from early July to mid-September.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Echinacea purpurea plant named ‘Little Giant’ characterized by its unique flowers with numerous red purple rays that radiate out, orange cone, lovely fragrance, and an upright dwarf habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Azalea plant named ‘Roblef’, characterized by its unique blooming time, dense and globose growth habit, and attractive large single pink flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct highly ornamental cultivar of Rhus typhina is provided. This Staghorn Sumac plant displays a dwarf, compact and spreading growth habit with a somewhat flat crown. Attractive chartreuse green foliage initially is formed that quickly largely changes to bright yellow. Predominantly yellow foliage is displayed in the fall together with some scarlet coloration. During observations to date the plant has been relatively free of insect and disease problems. The plant is well-suited for providing distinctive colorful ornamentation in the landscape.

Abstract: A hybrid tea rose plant having long stems bearing thick petaled, orange flowers having long vase life, the plant having an upright angular growth, and the ability to grow its own roots.

Abstract: Climber rose plant having a strong, vigorous climbing habit; glossy, disease resistant foliage; constant bloom during the growing season; large flower clusters; good bud form; and ability to grow vigorously on its own roots.

Abstract: A new and distinct Pittosporum plant named ‘CNI Three’, characterized by its compact and roughly hemispherical plant form; freely branching habit; dense and bushy plant habit; relatively small green and pale yellow variegated leaves; tolerant to full sun and partial shade conditions; and tolerant to low temperatures.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Fiveranda Pink’ that is characterized by a compact habit, strong branching, long flower life, short response time, a large inflorescence and a uniform crop. In combination, these traits set ‘Fiveranda Pink’ apart from other known existing varieties of Kalanchoe.

Abstract: A biaxially stretched polyester film for forming a container, characterized by being formed of a polyester substantially consisting of an ethylene terephthalate unit and an ethylene naphthalate unit, the refractive index in the direction of thickness of the film being 1.5 or greater. This film is not only excellent in the formability during formation into cans or the like, but has excellent properties in taste property, particularly, the taste property after the retorting, and may be suitably used for containers produced by forming process and, particularly, for metallic cans.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lubricating oil composition which contains from about 100 to 450 parts per million of molybdenum from a molybdenum compound which is substantially free of active sulfur and about 750 to 5,000 parts per million of a secondary diarylamine. This combination of ingredients provides improved oxidation control and friction modifier performance to the lubricating oil. The composition is particularly suited for use as a crankcase lubricant.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transforming a volume of material into pant legs by means of a transforming fastener. The transforming fastener has multiple tracks, each track having a pair of matable rows. A slider coupled to the rows transforms the volume of material into pant legs when the slider moves along the rows. The slider accomplishes this transformation by fastening one of the pair of rows while simultaneously unfastening another of the pair of rows.

Abstract: A gardening glove or the like designed to prevent fingernails which project beyond the end of a wearer's finger from being damaged during gardening comprises a sponge or foam insert in the distal ends of the finger stalls of the glove and having a horizontal slit for receiving the fingernail. The insert is held in compression by the walls of the finger stalls with the slit closed and opens to receive the nail. The insert may be adhesively secured to the wall of the finger stall.

Abstract: A hockey helmet for receiving a head of a wearer, the head having a crown region, left and right side regions, a back region and an occipital region. The helmet comprises a shell comprising left and right side inner surfaces and left and right side inner pads at least partially covering the inner left and right side surfaces of the shell, the left and right side inner pads facing the respective left and right side regions of the head. The helmet also comprises a wedging member located between one of the left and right side inner pads and one of the respective left and right side inner surfaces. The wedging member is movable between first and second positions, wherein, in the first position, one of the left and right side inner pads apply a first pressure upon the respective left and right side regions of the head, and in the second position, one of the left and right side inner pads apply a second pressure upon the respective left and right side regions of the head.

Abstract: A toilet and toilet system suitable for a boat, recreational vehicle, bus or the like is operated via a microprocessor controller to effect a convenient and efficient operation. The toilet includes a base assembly having an electrically-operated flush valve that opens and closes a passage to a waste receiving area. A flush lever assembly has a flush lever displaceable from a neutral position toward one of a “flush” position and an “add water” position. In this context, the flush lever initiates a flush cycle in the “flush” position and initiates an add water cycle in the “add water” position. The controller communicates with a water inlet valve, the flush valve and the flush lever assembly. In operation, the controller opens and closes the water inlet valve and controls a position of the flush valve in accordance with a position of the flush lever.

Abstract: A water valve assembly is disclosed for mounting with respect to a mounting surface, the water valve assembly including a water valve body having external threads on the exterior thereof and internal threads to receive a headworks and the headworks; the improvement comprising: a handle trim connecter; the handle trim connecter having a hollow cylindrical lower portion and an upper flange portion; the hollow cylindrical lower portion having internal threads to mate with the external threads on the threaded portion and the upper flange portion for engaging the mounting surface. In one embodiment the improvement further comprises a hollow cylindrical spacer member mounted surrounding the handle trim connecter below the upper flange portion.

Abstract: An inflatable bed unit includes an inflatable primary bed that has a main part, a head part connected to and in fluid communication with the main part and pivotable relative to the main part, a pillow part connected to the head part such that the head part is raised by the pillow part and is pivoted relative to the main part when the pillow part expands upon injection of air therein, and a check valve interconnecting the pillow part and the head part and defining a valve opening that is opened to permit air flow from the pillow part to the head part when the pressure in the pillow part is greater than that in the head part, and that is closed to prevent air flow from the head part to the pillow part when the pressure in the head part is greater than that in the pillow part.

Abstract: A pillow includes a main support part, two secondary support parts, several mats, and a bag for housing the supports and the mats therein; the main support part is used for supporting the neck and the head of a person sleeping on the back; the secondary support parts are positioned on two sides of the main support part, used for supporting the neck and the head of a user who is sleeping on one side; a suitable number of mats are positioned under the support parts for changing the heights of the support parts according to the need of the user.

Abstract: An external change aid having engaging means which can engage with a landing member on an absorbent article and having a specific peel force and/or shear force when engaged with such an absorbent article. Also provided are combinations of such external change aids and absorbent articles and methods for applying an absorbent article by use of the external change aid. Also provided are external change aids having specifically designed engaging means structures and absorbent articles with specifically designed engaging means structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scabbard for a combat knife and cutting tool combination. The scabbard generally comprises a body extending along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, and includes a channel formed therethrough that extends in spaced, parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a cavity that extends along the longitudinal axis. The cutting tool comprises first and second legs pivotally interconnected to one another that extend along longitudinal first and second axes, respectively, with the first leg being removably positionable within the channel of the scabbard, and the second leg being movable relative to the scabbard, but held firmly in position by a releasable strap when the tool is not in use. A combat knife is removably positionable in the cavity of the scabbard.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a handle, a support rotatably coupled to the handle for rotation by a drive motor mounted in the handle and a cleaning element mountable on the support. The cleaning element a flexible mat fixed about the support or about a core mountable on the support. An auxiliary cleaning element attachment may be mounted on the end wall of the support. A liquid container may be mounted in the support or used to form the support to dispense fluid to the cleaning element disposed about the support.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for removing hair entangled among the teeth of combs or the bristles of brushes, after their use, which acts through the action of rotating whips and of an assembly for sucking and collecting the removed residuals.

Abstract: A device for providing self-assisting hygienic activity to individuals of limited dexterity, the device including an elongated body constructed of first and second telescoping portions and terminating at a first end in an ergonomically configured handle. A hygienic related accessory is secured to the other end of the elongated body, which includes a repositionable goose neck portion. The accessory capable of being manipulated relative to the elongated body in at least one of axially extending and angularly configurable fashions and the accessory is further capable of being releasably engageable to the associated end of the elongated body and substituted by at least one alternately configured accessory drawn from at least one of a sponge attachment, lotion dispensing attachment, disposable sheet attachment, scrub brush attachment and powder applicator attachment.

Abstract: A carpet slide for use as a recreational entertainment device includes a first member having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. The first member is formed from a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface and a bottom surface. An at least one strap like member having a first end and a second end is provided. A first mechanism is disposed along the upper surface of such first member adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of the first member and a back portion of such first member for engaging a first end of the at least one strap like member. A second mechanism is disposed along the upper surface adjacent a radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between the front portion of such first member and the back portion of such first member for engaging a second end of such at least one strap like member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hold-open apparatus for controlling the position of a door, preferably a screen door or storm door. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a piston assembly and can maintain a door in a predetermined open position, such as about 45° to about 100° in relation to a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus can automatically lock and/or unlock when the door reaches predetermined positions. The apparatus advantageously can be retrofitted to existing door assemblies.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a hinge apparatus for mobile phones. In the hinge apparatus, a fixed cam is installed in a rotary hinge part, in place of a fixed hinge part, different from conventional hinge apparatuses. Therefore, the design of elements of the hinge apparatus can be preferably changed so as to allow the elements to be easily and simply assembled into a single structure without being scratched. It is thus possible to minimize wobble of the hinge apparatus due to scratches of the elements, and prevent a degradation in the operational performance of the hinge apparatus caused by the wobble.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an air formed, reinforced fibrous web has a form member on which fluent fibrous material is deposited in an air formed deposition process. The fibrous web may be used as an absorbent core of an absorbent article. The form member has a forming surface which is shaped and arranged to contact and support a reinforcing member, such as a web of scrim. The forming surface is particularly formed to locate the reinforcing member at the proper position within the thickness of the fibrous web. No additional locating structure is needed and the reinforcing member can be placed on the forming surface prior to entry into the forming chamber where fibrous material is deposited onto the forming chamber. A form and a method for making a reinforced fibrous web are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a clip structure that can be used with a clip rotated and a clip structure assembling method. The clip structure includes, a clip body that is formed into a substantial U shape to form a holding portion in which a thin object to be clipped is held, a clip securing member for securing the clip body so that a side of an opening of the clip body can rotate along an arc and stop, and an elastic body that urges the clip body along a rotation axis of the clip body toward the clip securing member is provided to urge the clip body toward the clip securing member.

Abstract: A container (120) includes a closure device (121). The closure device includes interlocking fastening strips (130, 131) and a slider (132) slidably disposed on the fastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips. The slider (132) includes a top portion (140) and first and second side portions (142, 144). The slider additionally includes shoulders that merge into the first and second side portions and prevent the slider from being disengaged from the fastening strips. The slider includes long length front shoulders (150, 156) and long length rear shoulders (162, 164) in conjunction with shorter length front shoulders (152, 154) and shorter length rear shoulders (160, 166). If an upward force (180) is applied to the slider (132), the longer length shoulders are designed to remain engaged with the fastening strips when the side portions of the slider are forced to flex outward.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ink jet print head and a fabrication method for a pressure chamber thereof. A silicon substrate has at least one large-size opening. A photoresist layer is formed in the large-size opening of the silicon substrate and has a plurality of small-size trenches spaced apart from each other. Each of the small-size trenches serves as a pressure chamber. An adhesion layer is formed overlying the silicon substrate to cover the photoresist layer and the small-size trenches. A silicon layer is formed overlying the adhesion layer to serve as a vibrating layer.

Abstract: A device having a first, a second, a third, and a fourth slidably adjustable element arranged in a rectangular configuration, forming a rectangular pass-through opening approximately the size of a doorway and being slidably adjustable in a height dimension and a width dimension of the rectangle and having clamps for attaching the device to a doorframe so that the doorframe can be placed within a rough opening in a wall of a building while keeping a rectangular shape. The device has telescoping feet for adjusting the height off of the floor and leveling the frame. Once the frame is attached to the rough opening in the wall the clamps are released from the frame and the elements are contracted to allow the device to be removed from the frame, leaving the frame secured and properly aligned within the rough opening.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tube for a vehicle driveshaft assembly forms a flat sheet of material having a greater thickness than other portions over a portion of its width and along its length, rolling the sheet about a longitudinal axis such that its lateral edges are mutually adjacent, then securing the lateral edges together by seam welding to form a tube. The mass distribution is not uniform because the wall thickness of certain portions of the tube is greater than the wall thickness of other portions of the tube. A tube yoke is machined and the angular location of its overbalance about its longitudinal axis is determined. The tube is secured to the tube yoke such that the angular location of overbalance of the yoke is aligned with the weld seam and diametrically opposite the region of the tube having the greater wall thickness.

Abstract: A method of feeding a blank (31) by cutting a billet (11) for plastic working includes the steps of superimposing a plurality of annular members (15 to 18) having a coefficient of linear expansion smaller than that of the billet and an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the billet on one another to assemble a tubular jig (12), inserting the billet into the assembled jig, heating the billet and the jig to a temperature at which the billet is half-molten, and cutting the billet into at least one blank by moving the annular members adjacent to one another in opposite directions. The cutting of the billet does not need a cutting tool, thus causing no wear of blades, and thereby allowing reduction in production cost. The billet can be cut into a plurality of pieces at a time, increasing productivity. Since the blanks can be fed together with the annular members, there is no need to reheat the blanks, providing increased productivity.

Abstract: A rotor cover attach and release apparatus for use with a centrifuge. The apparatus includes a knob, a cover and housing that are both affixed to the knob. The apparatus also includes an adapter having detents pitched at an angle, that is connected to the housing along with a plunger that is disposed within the knob and housing. In addition, the apparatus has a first moveable element that is retained within a passage located on the housing and a biasing element located within the housing. The apparatus additionally includes a plurality of sealing elements.

Abstract: Substantially rectangular-shaped tanks are provided for storing liquefied gas, which tanks are especially adapted for use on land or in combination with bottom-supported offshore structure such as gravity-based structures (GBS). A tank according to this invention is capable of storing fluids at substantially atmospheric pressure and has a plate cover adapted to contain fluids and to transfer local loads caused by contact of said plate cover with said contained fluids to a grillage of stiffeners and stringers, which in turn is adapted to transfer the local loads to an internal truss frame structure. Methods of constructing these tanks are also provided.

Abstract: A device and method for optimumly holding a personal watercraft while making repairs or improvements without damaging the watercraft. The device in its preferred form allows a personal watercraft to be held with specialized mounting sections and plates and further mounted between stands which allow the watercraft to be rotated. When mounted with the stands, the watercraft may be locked at a user desired rotational angle to make repairs or maintenance easier and more convenient to the user. The stands preferably have pivoting wheels which allow translational movement for the watercraft and stands combination.

Abstract: The measurement and adjustment of characteristics of a filter alone are performed using a connector adapter, in which a pin of the filter becomes a central conductor of the adapter. The filter after the adjustment and a device which is not adjusted are assembled, such that the filter and the device are connected by connecting the pin provided in the filter and a transmission line provided in the device. Accordingly, the time for adjustment is shortened and the adjustment for obtaining the desired characteristics of the filter module are made easy.

Abstract: A rotating electric machine (1) has a rotor, a stator (2), and stator windings (3, 4). The windings (3, 4) include high voltage cable drawn through slots (5, 6) in the stator (2). Support members (8) are arranged inside the slots (5, 6) along and in contact with the windings (3, 4), said support members (8) comprising a hose (8?) with a substantially triangular cross-section. A wire (9) is extending through and being attached to each support member (8). When mounting the support members (8) air inside a support member (8) is evacuated in order to shrink the support member (8). Then the wire (9) extending through the support member (8) is used to pull the evacuated support member (8) into a slot (5, 6), whereupon the evacuated support member (8) is expanded by releasing the vacuum inside in order to make it clamp a cable inside a slot (5, 6) of the stator (2).

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed in the method for producing a multifilament (Nb, Ti)3Sn superconducting wire by the steps of preparing a plurality of Nb or Nb alloy rods where Nb or Nb alloy monofilaments are encased in copper or copper alloy sheaths; packing the Nb or Nb alloy rods within a copper containing matrix to form a packed subelement for the superconducting wire; providing sources of Sn, and sources of Ti within said subelement; assembling the subelements within a further copper containing matrix; and diffusing the Sn and Ti into the Nb or Nb alloy rods to form (Nb, Ti)3Sn. The method is improved by diffusing the Ti into the Nb from a minor number of Ti dopant source rods which are distributed among the Nb or Nb alloy rods.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool for facilitating the installation and removal of a hollow, elastically extensible handgrip on a tubular portion of a device such as, for example, the handlebar of a bicycle or motorcycle. The tool has a handle portion adapted to be comfortable gripped by the hand. A proximal end of the handle portion is adapted to provide a leak-proof connection to a source of compressed air. The distal (opposing) end of the handle portion has an extension portion extending distally therefrom with a relatively short insertion tip portion having an air injection port extending laterally from a distal end of the extension portion. The insertion tip portion is angled with respect to the axis of the handle portion of the tool and has a convex upper surface and a concave lower surface; the curvature of the lower surface substantially conforming to the curvature of the outer surface of the tubular member.

Abstract: A system and method for precision fastening of a fastener. The fastening system includes a motor and a sensor that provides a feedback signal from the motor to a controller. The controller compares the feedback signal to a threshold value to determine if an error condition exists. If the error condition exists, the controller oscillates a rotor to the motor between a first and a second position. In one construction, a resolver provides a signal to the controller representing a position of the oscillating rotor. The oscillating rotor vibrates the housing, thereby alerting an operator of the error condition. In one construction, the fastener device can alert the operator that the fastener is not tightened to a proper torque, and that the fastener is not rotated through a proper angle of rotation.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a system for handling microelectronic dies is provided. A wafer support, to support a diced semiconductor wafer having microelectronic dies, is mounted to the frame. An ejector head is connected to the frame for movement below the wafer. A pick head is connected to the frame for movement above the wafer. The ejector head has a passageway therethrough and an intake and an outlet. An air pump is connected to the intake to shoot air from the outlet towards one of the dies. The air impinges the wafer support, exerting a force on the die, to assist the pick head in removing the die from the wafer support.

Abstract: An electric terminal connector block is provided with oblong tool openings that communicate with interior channels of the connector block and with openings in the motor wiring electric terminals positioned in each channel of the connector block. The oblong shapes of the tool openings enable insertion of tool pins through the tool openings and openings of the electric terminals and movement of the tool pins along the lengths of the oblong tool openings whereby the tool pins engage with the electric terminals and move the terminals relative to the connector block to insure that the terminals are locked in place in the connector block. In addition, the tooling used with the connector block is operated according to a method that insures that the terminals of the motor winding are moved to a position relative to the connector block where the terminals are locked in place.

Abstract: An implantable, substantially isodiametric, low resistance implantable lead having at least one electrode positioned in a stimulation/sensing portion of the lead as well as a method of manufacturing the same. At least the stimulation/sensing portion is unitized through partially surrounding and supporting insulation and conductive element(s) of the stimulation/sensing portion with a fused matrix of material having mechanical properties consistent with a body of the lead.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a method of manufacturing a flexure blank whereby an opening portion is provided in a in a connecting portion of a flexure blank, an opening end portion of an insulating base layer is coated with a conductive member without exposing the opening end portion of the insulating base layer in the connecting portion, and a lower surface of the conductive member of the opening portion in the connecting portion of the flexure blank is structured such as to form the same surface as the lower surface of the insulating base layer.

Abstract: A method of assembling a power distribution apparatus including a plurality of conductive circuit plates, each conductive plate including a plurality of contact pads that are interconnected by removable connecting links. The method includes selectively removing a portion of the connecting links on each conductive circuit plate to form discrete circuits on the conductive plates, stacking the conductive plates, mounting contact pins to selected contact pads, and heating the stacked plates and the mounted contact pins, thereby reflowing the conductive circuit plates and the pins to create solder joints therebetween.

Abstract: When mounting an IC chip on a circuit board, bumps are formed on electrodes of the IC chip, and the bumps and the electrodes of the circuit board are aligned in position with each other with interposition of an insulative thermosetting resin having no conductive particle between the electrodes of the circuit board and the bumps. The IC chip is pressed against the circuit board with a pressure force of not smaller than 20 gf per bump by a heated head so as to perform warp correction of the IC chip and the board, while the resin interposed between the IC chip and the circuit board is hardened to bond the IC chip and the circuit board together.

Abstract: Method for producing a printed circuit board on a substrate comprising five steps: (a) printing a predetermined circuit pattern onto the substrate using a conductive material, (b) applying additional connection traces onto the substrate, (c) depositing a metal onto the printed circuit pattern by electroplating or electroforming a metal onto the substrate, (d) applying an adhesion and insulation glue layer over portions of the metal that comprises the desired circuit pattern, and (e) removing any undesired connection traces from the substrate.

Abstract: Devices capable of protecting electronic components during the occurrence of a disturbance event using printed circuit board manufacturing techniques. A three (3) layer structure is formed comprising a polymer-based formulation sandwiched between two electrode layers. The devices can be manufactured in panel form providing high quantities of devices which can be removed from the panel and applied directly to the component to be protected. Desired patterns can be formed on either one of the electrode layers by photo-etch techniques thereby providing a process that can be tailored to a large number of applications.