Abstract: A wall framing system includes formed metal, channel shaped, upper and lower tracks, column or stud members and intermediate brace members which are interconnected and located relative to each other by inwardly facing circular projections formed on the track and brace members and cooperating circular recesses formed in the flanges of the column members. The configurations of the projections and recesses provide ease of locating and locking the framing members to each other. The track members and brace members are further secured to the column members with fasteners, such as self drilling screws, having heads which fit within recesses formed by the track and brace member projections. The framing system may be erected on site or prefabricated and transported to the building site.

Abstract: There is provided a heating element for a hair styling device, including an electrically insulating inner ceramic layer, an electrically conductive resistive heating layer disposed on and in contact with the inner layer, and an electrically insulating outer ceramic layer disposed on and in contact with the resistive heating layer. There is also provided a method for manufacturing the heating element. There is further provided a hair setting device for curling hair including the heating element a cylindrical barrel surrounding the heating element.

Abstract: A cooker is disclosed, the cooker comprising: a case having an air inlet and an air outlet; a cooking plate provided on the case; a heating unit formed between the case for heating the cooking plate and the cooking plate; and a cooling unit for cooling the cooking plate by introducing outside air into the air inlet, letting it circulated around the cooking plate, and discharged via the air outlet, such that the cooling time of the cooking plate can be shortened.

Abstract: Described herein is a thermoregulation sistem for heated components (N) of apparatus for injection moulding of plastic materials, equipped with a first heating resistor (R1) and a second heating resistor (R2) with respective thermocouples (TC1, TC2) associated thereto, comprising an electronic control unit (C) for controlling the fail-safe electric supply of the two resistors (R1, R2) according to signals coming from the respective thermocouples (TC1, TC2). The two resistors (R1, R2) are connected independently to the control unit (C), to which the thermocouples (TC1, TC2) are also independently connected.

Abstract: A multistage control system of a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater for a vehicle is disclosed with a PTC heater that contains heating elements relevant to a first, second, and third stages. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) outputs a control signal to a first relay, which switches the first stage into an ON and OFF state, for controlling the operation of the first stage of the PTC heater. A heater controller outputs control signals to a second relay and third relay, respectively, for controlling the operation of the second and third stages of the PTC heater, only if the first stage of the PTC heater is in activation via the ECU, wherein the second relay and the third relay each switch the second and third stages into an ON and OFF state.

Abstract: A modular heater system is provided that includes a heat trace assembly and a connector assembly. The heat trace assembly has a heat trace section that defines a plurality of fins, an insulation jacket surrounding the heat trace section, and at least one terminating member disposed at an end of the heat trace section. The connector assembly has a shell, including a plurality of outer walls and inner walls defining cavities therebetween, and a fitting heater assembly that includes a fitting adapter, a heat trace section disposed around the fitting adapter, and an outer casing disposed around the fitting adapter.

Abstract: A heater and a vapor deposition source having the same capable of plating materials having a uniform thickness on a board by ensuring a temperature uniformity of a melting pot. The heater is provided on at least one of an upper side or a lower side of the melting pot to heat the melting pot. The heater includes a plurality of bents with non-uniform pitches. A central part of the heater has a pitch larger than pitches at both edge parts of the heater. As such, the plurality of bents with the non-uniform pitches reduce a temperature difference between the central part and the edge parts of the heater, and makes an evaporation of plating materials uniform, thereby making the thickness of plated materials uniform.

Abstract: A dumpster comprises a fiber-reinforced composite material. Exemplarily, the dumpster comprises a metallic frame and a plurality of fiber-reinforced polymer panels secured to the metallic frame to define an interior waste storage volume for storing waste in the dumpster.

Abstract: A water fillable blast suppression bin (1, 12, 23) comprising an inflatable container (2, 13, 24) for holding e.g. a bomb, the container comprising an outer layer of ballistics-grade material (4) acting as a last line of containment for a subsequent blast, one or more internal layers for forming containers (6, 7, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25) for holding water and/or gas and/or material layers to provide separated volumes of water and/or gas, such as nitrogen, in use, and/or material, such as mineral wool, and a closure lid (3, 16) also having an outer layer of ballistic-grade material and one or more layers of water and/or gas finable containers (6, 7, 9) and/or material.

Abstract: A storage body comprises a main body, a cover body, an interlocking member, a slider, and an urging member. The main body has an opening portion and a guide portion. The main body has a base plate which is provided with the guide portion, the interlocking member, the slider, and the urging member integrally. The slider has a pin portion connected to the interlocking member by way of a connecting mechanism composed of a rack and a pinion. The urging member has opposite ends. One of the opposite ends of the urging member is fastened to the base plate or the interlocking member, and the other one of the opposite ends of the urging member is fastened to the slider. Dampers damping the opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body can be further provided in the base plate integrally.

Abstract: A leak-proof, box-like, open-top, double-wall corrugated plastic floating container support with a means of retaining at least 4 hingededly-mated triangular shape corner flaps 46 exteriorly positioned to said container's cavity area 36 which retain and cooperatingly support said container's structure and shape, while also supporting said structure in a plurality of supporting roles comprising gusset-like corner support properties, carrying handle-like support properties, and aerodynamic rudder-like support properties. Its multiplicity of uses may be best described as a floating container support for human users and/or their objects, and whether upon land or water.

Abstract: This invention is an injection-moldable, substantially rectangular lipped paint bucket, with opposite-side, substantially parallel-edged ledges, ledges formed from the walls beneath the rectangles shorter sides. The first ledge is substantially 0.5 to 0.7? down from the bucket lip. the second ledge is substantially 2? down from the bucket lip. These lips are formed substantially as upside-down L-shaped indentations in the bucket sides under rectangle shorter sides. Each ledge edge protrudes substantially 1? into the bucket, and is substantially 6? wide. The first ledge is for brush wiping below the bucket lip. The second ledge, along with the bucket lip on the opposite side, is for brush support. The second ledge doubles as a handle.

Abstract: A cup holder includes a holder body, an inner-peripheral-side supporting member, a first urging member, an outer-peripheral-side supporting member, and a second urging member. The holder body has an accommodation portion. The first urging member urges the inner-peripheral-side supporting member rotatably upward to a first datum position. The second urging member urges the outer-peripheral-side supporting member rotatably upward to a second datum position. The first rotary shaft-center of the inner-peripheral-side supporting member, which is located at the first datum position, being disposed at a position, which is displaced by a predetermined magnitude toward an imaginary center of the accommodation portion of the holder body with respect to the second rotary shaft-center of the outer-peripheral-side supporting member, which is located at the second datum position.

Abstract: A swinging handle, which may swing with respect to a wall of a kitchen vessel, comprises an U-shape end, having free arms facing the kitchen vessel, wherein, from each end portion of the U-shape arms, mutually facing swinging pivot pins project, said pivot pins being housed in a seat of a supporting body fixed to a projection rigid with the vessel wall, the support body seat also housing herein a spring bearing with a side thereof against the bottom of the seat and by the other side thereof against one of two locating surfaces, arranged at 90° with respect to one another, and formed by an extension projecting from each swinging pivot pin.

Abstract: A pot belly bag which includes a bag portion having four walls and a top portion, and a floor portion; a portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the floor portion, which defines the pot belly portion; a pair of channels formed along either sidewall of the pot belly portion with the channel sleeves secured along the underside of the pot belly portion of the bag which results in the two sleeves and the pot belly functioning as a united unit to overcome various stresses normally placed upon the bag. The bag also provides a free flowing product which may attempt to push the sidewalls of the pot belly outward contacts the plastic channels in an attempt to outwardly displace the channel, but as the channel begins to move outwardly it immediately encounters the outer sleeve which is tied to the pot belly which restricts outer movement and spreads the forces out along its entire length.

Abstract: A multifunctional dispenser is disclosed, having at least one electronic component integrated therein. The multifunctional dispenser includes a cavity configured to accommodate at least some portion of a predetermined dispensing container configuration, such as a tissue box. Electronic components integrated into, and/or operatively connectable to, the multifunctional dispenser may include a clock, an alarm, a radio, a television, a telephone, a computer, a portable storage device (e.g., mp3 player) and others. Sensors may be incorporated into the multifunctional dispenser to sense a quantity of items dispensed and/or remaining. The electronic components may be remotely operable. The multifunctional dispenser may also include a wireless transmitter and/or receiver for communicating with external electronic devices. The multifunctional dispenser may also be configured for the reversible connection of a predetermined multimedia medium such as a CD, DVD and/or flash memory device.

Abstract: Systems and processes may provide for management of a fuel dispenser. In particular implementations, a system and process in a fuel dispenser may have the ability to determine whether a condition has occurred and determine whether the condition warrants a response if a condition has occurred. The system and process may also have the ability to determine an appropriate response if the condition warrants a response and implement the appropriate response.

Abstract: An initial weight of a grease storing cartridge attached to a pump is measured, and the measured value is compared with a reference weight and it is determined whether the initial weight of the cartridge is within an appropriate range or not. The weight of the cartridge is measured before and after execution of one operation cycle of the pump, and it is determined whether the difference therebetween (i.e., weight of grease which is actually supplied during one operation cycle) is within an appropriate range or not.

Abstract: A multi-compartment dispenser comprising a deformable outer container body having a plurality of mutually separated compartments (A, B) for separately storing desired dissimilar materials which may have different viscosities, the compartments being separated by at least one elastic partition (3), with each compartment being provided with a discharge outlet (6, 7) adapted to provide a discharge aperture of an area proportional to the resistance to flow raised to an exponent whose value is greater than zero, said resistance to flow being of the material to be discharged from the respective compartments for controlled discharge of dissimilar materials from the discharge outlets.

Abstract: A pliable single use liquid container and dispensing device for delivery of a precise amount of orally administered liquids across a broad range of viscosities is provide with the container being formed of generally opposed pliable sheets, a first seal joining the first and second pliable sheets and partially defining a liquid-containing chamber, a second seal joining the first and second pliable sheets and partially defining a pressure relieving chamber adjacent to the liquid-containing chamber, a boundary seal joining the first and second pliable sheets between the liquid-containing chamber and the pressure relieving chamber, a precisely measured single dose volume of fluent liquid disposed within the liquid-containing chamber, the boundary seal being lighter than the first and second seals so that upon application of pressure to the liquid in the liquid-containing chamber the fluid transfer region seal opens to permit the liquid to flow from the liquid-containing chamber into the pressure relieving chamber

Abstract: A drink dispenser (10) which is particularly suitable for use on board a passenger plane, comprises a drink preparation unit (12) and a supply unit (14). The supply unit (12) has a fuel cell system (16) with a fuel cell (18) and is configured to supply the drink preparation unit (12) with water produced by the fuel cell (18).

Abstract: A piston device comprises a sleeve, a casing pipe, a first piston, a resilient member, and a second piston. The sleeve includes at least one hole arranged at the periphery of its closed end. The casing pipe has at least a through hole arranged on a lateral side thereof proximate to its closed end and is sheathed and connected to the sleeve by a manner that the open end of the casing pipe is faced toward the closed end of the sleeve. The first piston is arranged to sheathe the casing pipe at a position proximate to the closed end of the casing pipe for selectively covering and exposing the through hole by a reciprocate movement. The resilient member is installed in side the sleeve at a position between the closed end of the sleeve and the first piston while ensheathing the casing pipe therethrough. The second piston is arranged to sheathe the sleeve at a position proximate to its open end.

Abstract: A dispenser for a fluid material includes a handle portion and a cartridge having the material to be dispensed. The cartridge is easily mounted to the handle portion or removed, whereby the handle portion may be used with a variety of cartridges, each of which may contain a selected material. The handle portion includes a plunger that is moved linearly by actuation of a trigger mechanism, which is engaged by a user's finger. The trigger mechanism is configured to release pressure applied to the plunger quickly upon release of pressure on the trigger and to allow the plunger to move away from the cartridge to ensure release of pressure in the material to be dispensed to prevent dripping.

Abstract: An improved drink delivery apparatus and method permits a race car driver to obtain a drinkable liquid from a reservoir without having to remove a hand from the steering wheel. A hose transports a drinkable liquid from the reservoir, to a hose end that is located within a race car helmet and proximate a racer's mouth. In one embodiment, an electrically powered pump is utilized to propel the drinkable liquid through the hose, which pump is activated by a switch located on the race car steering wheel.

Abstract: A microcomputer (160) is programmed to determine an amount of ice cubes to be sliced on a basis of operation of either one of size button switches (80a˜80c), to determine a mixing time for mixing sliced ice with an amount of beverage on a basis of operation of either one of drink button switches (90a˜90c) and to control each operation of a shaving motor (M1) and a mixing motor (M2) for preparation of an amount of cold beverage.

Abstract: Pumping and floating pistons (70) suitable for a hand pump (10) for a viscous fluid material such as a toothpaste, made of a plastics material coated with a barrier layer (75). A preferred barrier layer is a thermoplastic elastomer. The barrier layer of the pumping piston may be integrally formed into a one way outlet valve. The barrier layer reduces leakage of components of the fluid material out through the piston, or ingress of environmental components through the piston.

Abstract: A spray head includes a cap with an output and an insertion tube is in communication with the output. The cap is movably connected to a cylindrical member with a spring connected therebetween. The cylindrical member is connected with a main body and a suction tube connected to the main body is inserted into a container. An axle is connected to the cap and an end of the axle is moved to seal a mediate hole in the main body when pushing the cap to squeeze air in the cap and the insertion tube. When the cap is released, the second section of the axle is removed from the mediate hole and the liquid in the container is sucked into the insertion tube and can be squeezed out from the output.

Abstract: A dispensing head which can be mounted on a receptacle. The dispensing head includes a pump, for surmounting the receptacle, with an actuating rod having a longitudinal axis X. A diffuser is mounted on the pump, and includes a tube opening at a dispensing orifice, with the tube being elongated along an axis Y distinct from the axis X. A lever arm controls the actuation of the pump, with the lever arm including a portion capable of coming to bear on the diffuser in order to actuate the pump. In addition, a locking member is configured such that, in a first position, the locking member allows actuation of the pump and, in a second position, the locking member prevents actuation of the pump. In a disclosed example, in the second position the tube abuts against a portion of the locking member to prevent actuation of the pump.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge may include a fastener housing, a fastener, and a retaining member. The fastener housing may include a fastener seat. The fastener may include a head supported on said fastener seat and a shank extending therefrom. The retaining member may extend into the fastener housing and engage the fastener head, generally securing the fastener head between the fastener seat and the retaining member. The fastener cartridge may additionally include an alignment feature forming in an opening of the fastener housing. The alignment feature may correspond to a predetermined orientation of the fastener and may be configured to provide alignment between a driver and the fastener.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser head for associating with a fluid dispenser member, said head comprising a body (1) defining a fluid outlet channel (131), a nozzle (2; 2?) defining a dispenser orifice (21), and a cover (3) that is assembled on the body (1) in such a manner as to mask it at least in part, the head being characterized in that the cover (3) is overmolded on the body (1).

Abstract: A household liquid dispensing apparatus includes a container for holding a household liquid and a pump for pumping the household liquid out of the container. The pump includes a pump chamber. A dip tube is adapted to be positioned in the container and communicates with the pump chamber. An exhaust tube communicates with the pump chamber and an outlet for the household liquid. A pump actuator mechanically drives the pump. A motor operatively engages the pump actuator. The motor is electrically connected to a power source. A switch is electrically connected to the motor and the power source. A trigger assembly is operatively connected to the switch to control power delivered to the motor. The trigger assembly is positioned under the outlet for the household liquid for easy actuation by an upturned hand.

Abstract: Assembly (10) consisting of a dispensing valve (11) for dispensing pressurised fluids, and a pouch (12) of flexible film material in fluid-tight connection therewith, which is placeable in an outer container (15) through an opening (14) therein that is sealable by a cover (13), the dispensing valve (11) having a valve body (18) which is mountable fluid-tightly at the edge (16) of a cover opening (17) formed in the container cover (13), to which valve body (18) an outlet tube (20) extending through a pouch opening (19) is able to make fluid-tight connection. The outlet tube (20) has a disc-shaped, especially cylindrical-cap-shaped, widened portion (21) extending around the pouch opening (19) inside the pouch (12). The pouch (12) is supported against the widened portion (21) of the outlet tube (20), with the intermediate arrangement of an annular disc (22) that bounds the pouch opening (19).

Abstract: A volumetric displacement dispenser and method of using the dispenser is disclosed for dispensing liquid contents from an interior of a bottle with a bottle neck while preventing air from filling a void created within the interior of the bottle caused by the liquid contents being poured out of the bottle by gravity. The dispenser includes a stopper having first and second boreholes extending there through, the stopper being adapted to form an air-tight seal when it is seated into the bottle neck. An air pressure tube routed through the first of the boreholes has a first end open to atmospheric air and a second end open to the interior of the bottle. An expandable volumetric displacement balloon is attached to the second end of the air pressure tube and a one-way liquid valve is disposed in the outlet of the liquid flow channel in the stopper.

Abstract: A grout applicator including a chamber, a lid, a hose or hose assembly and a stop. The chamber includes a top, bottom, side wall, mixing aperture, and an extrusion aperture. The mixing aperture is through the top. The extrusion aperture is through the side wall and closer to the bottom than the top. The lid may include a cover, a shaft, a plunger, and/or an actuator. The hose is flexible and transparent. The stop is coupleable to the extrusion aperture and configured to form a fluid tight seal when coupled thereto, thereby preventing escape of fluid from the chamber.

Abstract: A base is detachably mounted on an aerosol canister and includes projections on which an array of spray tubes may be carried for subsequent installation on the combination valve and nozzle of the canister. The base additionally carries a holder for a spray shield and a spray restrictor in a detachable manner. One version of the base seats in place on the uppermost rim of a canister and is provided with a series of projections for spray tubes. A modified base of the attachment includes an insert at its upper end for engagement with cap structure of an aerosol canister with the base lower end in biased engagement with the canister. Base mounted projections additionally carry an assortment of spray tubes.

Abstract: A kettle has a spout closure movable between open and closed conditions, and an actuator assembly manually operable for effecting movement of the closure between the open and closed conditions, the actuator assembly including a retaining mechanism for retaining the closure in each of its open and closed conditions.

Abstract: Clothes hangers system mainly for closets, wardrobes or shop display. Useful for hanging pants or trousers, t-shirts, sweaters, towels, sheets or linen, tablecloths and other pieces of cloth or garments following the methods of the previous international filing WO 2004/008919 (Escatllar, 29.01.2004). The open clothes hangers consist of a horizontal open bar 1 with hooks 2 in both ends, for suspending them from two parallel clothes bars, and usually a handle 3. Includes an updated quick hanging method, and ideas for an integrated closet organizing system.

Abstract: A garment hanger comprises a header card and a clamp, the header card being preferably “free-floating” relative to the clamp to give a prospective purchaser a sense that the clamp is attached more to the garment than to the header card and that the card is thus disposable after purchase. In one embodiment, a hanger for displaying and holding an article such as a pair of gloves comprises a clothespin-like clamp comprising a pair of jaws resiliently biased about a pivot region to a closed, article-holding position, and a header defining an opening for receiving the pivot region of the clamp. Preferably, the opening in the header is larger than the pivot region of the clamp so as to provide for relative movement between the clamp and the header.

Abstract: An apparel accessory holder is described. An elongated panel is suspended by a hook from a standard support rod. One side of the panel contains a series of hook and loop locking pads for securing heavy and bulky items such as handbags, while the opposite side contains a series of gentle magnetic locking pads for delicate, amorphous items such as scarves. The hook connection permits swiveling the panel left and right or up and down 360°. Written indicia guide the user to recommended storage procedures; and making one side softer to the touch provides an additional sensory direction to the user. The holder provides added convenience for apparel accessory storage and retrieval within the home, and for a variety of merchandise displays.

Abstract: An assist device for donning and/or doffing a compression garment includes a sleeve having an interior surface bounding a passage extending between a top end and an opposing bottom end, the top end including a top opening communicating with the passage, the bottom end including a bottom opening communicating with the passage, the sleeve being comprised of a sheet of flexible material. A resiliently stretchable material is secured to the bottom end of the sleeve so as to resiliently, radially constrict the sleeve thereat. A band is secured to the top end of the sleeve, the band outwardly expanding the top end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A bag includes a back wall having a hook accommodating the hanging of the bag when opened, a plurality of compartments on a front surface of the back wall, the plurality of compartments having a front portion being of a mesh material accommodating a view of the objects and a circulation of air within the compartments. The compartments can have shelves projecting from the back wall to accommodate the objects. The wall can be folded or rolled to close the back wall into the bag for carrying by the handles through hands or on a back of a user. A locking bar on a zipper enclosing the bag can be used to secure the bag to a locker.

Abstract: An implement holder apparatus having a length of fabric tubing coaxially doubled over itself having a near end forming an opening and a far end forming a fold; an elastic cylinder disposed within the fabric tubing fold; and a detachable connector secured to the fabric tubing near end, whereby an implement can be held by the implement holder by inserting an implement into the far end and securing the apparatus with the detachable connector. Another embodiment is an apparatus comprising a piece of fabric tubing having a near end and a far end; a piece of heat shrink tubing secured to the fabric tubing far end such that at least a portion of the heat shrink tubing extends beyond the fabric tubing far end; and a detachable connector secured to the fabric tubing near end, whereby an implement can be held by the implement holder by inserting an implement into the heat shrink tubing and securing the apparatus with the detachable connector.

Abstract: A storage system for a vehicle passenger compartment provides reconfigurable storage for cds, trash and other items. The storage system includes multiple portable storage containers that are selectively mountable at several optional locations in the vehicle passenger compartment, or storable inside a floor console. One of the example portable storage containers is a cd sleeve and the other example portable storage container is a receptacle, such as for trash storage. In the example embodiments, the portable storage containers are securable to one of a plurality of interior panels via a magnetic coupling between the portable storage container and the interior panels. Additional mechanical coupling may be provided to prevent the storage containers from slipping on the interior panels. For example, in the portable trash storage receptacle, a protrusion is received in a complementary recess between the container wall and the interior panel, in order to prevent the container from sliding.

Abstract: An article carrier system for use on a roof of a motor vehicle such as a pick-up truck. The system includes a housing within which cross bar components may be stowed when not in use, and which also includes one or more stowage compartments or stowage bins for stowing vehicle article carrier accessories. In one embodiment the cross bar components are detached from the housing and reattached to the housing such that they extend width-wise along the roof of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the cross bar components are pivotally supported and may be pivoted between stowed and deployed positions. A removable cover allows the cross bar components to be locked within the housing.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier, including a rack and a fork mount. The rack includes cross bars for mounting on a vehicle. The fork mount includes a head portion adapted to selectively clamp the fork mount to one of the cross bars, and a skewer assembly adapted to selectively secure forks of a bicycle to the head portion. The skewer assembly includes a skewer bolt, an actuator handle that is moveable between a first position and a second position, and an adjustment member threaded onto an end of the skewer bolt that permits longitudinal adjustment of the skewer assembly to accommodate different fork dimensions. The adjustment member is accessible when the actuator handle is in the first position, but is covered by the actuator handle when the actuator handle is in the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mount for installing an accessory to a bicycle. The mount includes a first body to which the accessory is connected. The first body defines two apertures and a channel in communication with the apertures. The width of the channel is smaller than the diameter of the apertures. A second body is pivotally connected to the first body, and defines an aperture. A pin is inserted in the aperture of the second body and selective one of the apertures of the first body. The pin includes two flat sides and two convex sides. The distance between the flat sides is about the width of the channel. The distance between the convex sides is about the diameter of the apertures. The pin cannot move between the apertures through the channel in a position but can do in another position. A fastening device causes the bodies to clamp the bicycle.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted bicycle carrier for transporting non-standard bicycle frame types, such as full suspension mountain bikes. The carrier typically is mounted to the hitch structure of a vehicle and is comprised of a vertical support mast, with a top mounted horizontal bar, containing cradles for hanging bicycles from their fork crowns in a vertical position, providing independent access. The cradle design turns the fork and handlebars to a degree that prevents interference with an adjacent bicycle's handlebars, thereby allowing the closest possible spacing. Lower down on the vertical support mast is a horizontal bar for securing the bicycle rear wheels, preventing the bicycles from swinging freely on the cradles.

Abstract: A storage device for restraining items on a vehicle includes a panel portion comprising at least one storage receptacle and a conforming portion adapted to fit adjacent at least one generally non-planar portion of a vehicle, the at least one generally non-planar portion protruding from a vehicle surface. The storage device is adapted to be suspended from the vehicle surface, wherein the storage device conforms to and lies substantially against the vehicle surface including the at least one generally non-planar portion.

Abstract: A specialized, generally oblong towel-like fishing accessory. At a first end of the towel-like fishing accessory will be means for attaching the fishing accessory to an item of clothing of a fisherman. At an opposite end will be a pocket. The pocket may be used in conjunction with a tacky material on a surface of the fishing accessory for gripping by a fisherman whose hand will be inside the pocket. The pocket may have smaller pockets disposed on its outside and inside surface for receipt of small items or tools. The fishing accessory may be designed with a mitten for use by the fisherman for gripping and may have a measuring rule along its longer dimension for use by the fisherman to measure catches or for other purposes.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method for splitting an object made of brittle material into at least two pieces. The object has a first flat surface and a second flat surface opposite to each other. The method includes etching at least one trench in at least one of the surfaces so as to form at least one line on the surface. The method also includes splitting the object into separate pieces along the line.