Abstract: An apparatus for producing artificial snow comprises a core element, provided with a nebulizing device arranged for nebulizing a liquid and/or a gas/liquid mixture, and a sleeve element associated with said core element.

Abstract: A floater for a straw includes a main body, a central hole and an airtight space. The central hole is located in the intermediate portion of the main body. The airtight space filled with air is positioned around the central hole. A straw is to be fitted in the central hole. The combination of the straw and the main body has a specific gravity less than water, enabling it to float up while put in a bottle with a liquid, convenient for drinking.

Abstract: A disposable fragrance chamber (10) for dispensing a fragrance from an aromatic liquid. The disposable fragrance chamber (10) consists of an outer casing body (20) having pad exposure openings (24), a detachable lid (34) and an absorbent pad (30) disposed between the body (20) and the lid (34). The chamber (10) permits an aromatic liquid to be applied into the absorbent pad (30) through the pad exposure openings (24). The aromatic liquid emits a fragrance into the surrounding environment when the chamber (10) is installed on an earring post (40) that extends beyond a person's ear lobe (48) held in place with an earring clasp (50).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dispersing fragrances are disclosed. A fragrance emitting device includes a container having a reservoir and a liquid fragrance in the reservoir. A housing having a first and second opening is provided. The container is attached to a first opening in the housing in a position above the housing. A cap positioned on the second opening of the housing. The cap has an outlet covered with a semi-porous material. The liquid fragrance is delivered from the reservoir to the semi-porous material by gravity and is dispersed from the semi-porous material in vapor or gas form. A fan and/or a heater can be included to enhance the dispersement of the fragrance from the semi-porous material.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate volatile liquid into an atmosphere comprises a reservoir containing volatile liquid and a liquid transfer member that transfers liquid from the reservoir to the atmosphere via an orifice in the reservoir. The reservoir orifice is closed by a puncturable membrane, and the transfer member is mounted adjacent to the orifice on the side of the membrane remote from the liquid and adapted such that it can be pushed through the puncturable membrane into, and then held in contact with, the liquid in the reservoir, to permit the flow of the liquid from the reservoir to the atmosphere. The liquid transfer member preferably comprises capillary channels. The apparatus has the advantage of being leakproof in transit.

Abstract: A readily expandable portable above ground sprinkling system for watering a newly sodded lawn is provided. The system includes a portable container housing a water inlet, a bypass outlet, a battery powered control means, and a plurality of hose outlets, each having an associated flow control valve. A plurality of sprinkler heads are connected in fluid communication to the hose outlets with standard hoses. The control means is operable to electronically regulate the valves in order to accomplish a desired watering pattern.

Abstract: A method of generating a spray comprising subjecting a liquid on a continuous atomisation surface (1) to acoustic vibration, characterised in that the continuous atomisation surface (1) comprises multiple hollows from which the liquid is atomised.

Abstract: A shower handle water supply diverter system includes a water supply in fluid communication with a hose. A handle sprayer is in fluid communication with and extends from the hose. A water diverter is provided within the handle sprayer and is in fluid communication with the showerhead. The water diverter can be operated in three modes: handle sprayer only water expulsion, shower head only water expulsion, and simultaneous handle sprayer and shower head water expulsion. By placement of the first hose and second hose in proximity to provide thermal contact therebetween, stagnant water in one hose at ambient temperature exchanges heat with water flow at a particular temperature in a second hose to change stagnant water temperature towards the temperature of the water flow.

Abstract: A bottle for dispensing two liquids, the bottle comprising two reservoirs, one for each liquid, a nozzle through which the liquids are dispensed from the bottle, a passageway from each reservoir leading out of the nozzle, and a deflector plate between the two passageways and projecting from the end of a nozzle in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of flow from the nozzles thereby causing the liquid leaving one passageway to be deflected towards the liquid leaving the other passageway so that the two liquids first mix once they have passed the deflector plate.

Abstract: A liquid spray apparatus having a liquid supply assembly is disclosed. The assembly has a container and a collapsible liner received within the interior of the container. Sidewalls of the liner have a plurality of annular weak portions. As liquid (e.g. paint) in the liner is dispensed, the sidewalls are folded and collapsed regularly in the longitudinal direction without irregular local transverse deformations. The uniform collapsing of the liner enables stable spraying of the liquid and minimizes the amount of liquid left unsprayed.

Abstract: A liquid spraying device with a return-preventing structure comprises a receiving chamber having an inner tube; a front end of the receiving chamber being formed with a spraying mouth; a tapered section being formed between the spraying mouth and a front end of the liquid chamber; an elastic body being annularly installed on an inner wall of the inner tube; a gap being formed between the elastic body and the inner tube; a front end of the elastic body being filled with liquid; a valve being installed between the liquid chamber and the expansion chamber; a base having an actuation portion; and a pad at an edge of the liquid chamber near the connection of the tapered section and the liquid chamber; the pad being installed between the elastic body and the wall of the inner tube.

Abstract: A texture spray gun (10), is provided with an air valve (12) design that can use several rotations of the control knob for full adjustment with smooth and steady flow change through the full range. The air shutoff (24) is integral to the fluid needle (26) actuation and consists of only two simple and inexpensive components. The body (20) of the spray gun (10) is produced as a one piece plastic piece which requires no secondary operations (after molding) to complete. The spray gun may be configured to operate with both hopper and pump feeds. A molded soft polymer one-way valve (48) is installed in the air passage (50) of the texture gun (10). A multi-hole air cap (52) is installed directly to the end of the needle of the texture gun (10) and gives a more consistent and desirable pattern than the prior art single hole arrangements.

Abstract: The present invention includes devices, apparatus, systems and methods for removing sand or debris on a person.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a housing defining a first fluid passage in fluid communication with a second fluid passage, and a sleeve disposed within the housing and fluidly connected to the first and second fluid passages. The housing defines a radial fluid passage proximate a front end of the sleeve. The nozzle assembly also includes at least one orifice in selective communication with a regeneration device.

Abstract: A foam generator employing a foam generator nozzle that injects compressed air and ambient air into the nozzle body where the air impinges upon a spray of foam liquid within the nozzle body is disclosed. The foam generator nozzle further includes spaced apart first and second fluid dispersion media downstream from the air-liquid mixture to generate a substantially dry foam suitable for application to agricultural crops for frost protection. The method for generating the substantially dry foam is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that uses a flow-control methodology to control sprays at very high precision and frequency. The device is based on an enhanced Coanda effect. The control flow is selectively applied to the region in which we desire the jet to vector and control the profile (width) of the jet. In one embodiment, the control flow is applied at the desired circumferential location by the action of a rotting disk with a flow passage of a size that spreads the jet the desired amount. The size of this flow passage may be controlled by using two overlapping disks with large holes in each. By rotating one disk relative to the other, the size of the resultant passage can be modified.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing and centrally positioning an inner capillary in a concentric nebulizer comprises supporting the inner capillary near the tip of the nebulizer by contacting the nebulizer body against the inner capillary or by interposing a support between the nebulizer body and the inner capillary near the tip. An embodiment of a nebulizing device having stabilized central positioning of its inner capillary is disclosed which comprises an outer capillary with a linear bore and a gas/liquid orifice in a distal tip, a central capillary disposed within the linear bore, and a support sufficiently proximate the orifice to maintain the central capillary substantially centered within the outer capillary adjacent to the orifice. An open volume within the outer capillary between the orifice and the support is dimensioned to enable gas flow to spread substantially evenly around the central capillary.

Abstract: There is provided a showerhead device that includes a shower stem connector, a water/air mixing chamber, and an outlet cap. The shower stem connector includes a water inlet to receive water from a standard shower plumbing system and an air intake opening to receive air from outside the device. The preferred embodiment features an air intake opening located near the water inlet on the shower stem connector. A user can adjust the air intake knob in order to vary the amount of air that enters the device and mixes with the water flow. As the water progresses through a nozzle in the device, the speed of the water is increased by the decrease in diameter of the nozzle orifice. The water mixes with the air and the combination of water/air hits a plate on the inner wall of the outlet cap within the mixing chamber. This oxygenation of the water provides for a better water flow though the showerhead device. The mix of water and air provides for a stronger water flow and a better shower experience for a user.

Abstract: A nozzle apparatus for an organic light emitting device. The nozzle apparatus includes a nozzle and a pressure regulator. The nozzle discharges organic solution onto a substrate. The pressure regulator controls a discharging quantity of the organic solution through the nozzle. The discharging quantity of the organic solution is minutely controlled through adjusting a length of the nozzle. Therefore, the nozzle apparatus can precisely achieve a small amount of low-viscosity organic solution being discharged onto a substrate to form an organic layer with reduced thickness and narrow width.

Abstract: A nozzle spray assembly which comprises: a spray arm assembly which comprises at least one outlet disposed therein to allow fluid to exit the spray arm assembly; a fluid distribution arm extending from the outlet of the spray arm assembly, wherein the distribution arm comprises an interior surface and a plurality of apertures disposed within the interior surface; and a baffle comprising: (i) a projection portion which extends within the fluid distribution arm a predetermined length, such predetermined length being less than the length of the distribution arm, and the projection portion having a width substantially similar to the cross-section of the interior surface of the distribution arm, thereby forming at least two compartments within the distribution arm wherein a first compartment is formed between a first portion of the interior surface of the distribution arm and a first side of the projection portion without any the apertures disposed within the first compartment, and a second compartment formed betw

Abstract: An improved irrigation sprinkler nozzle is provided for enhanced short range or close-in distribution of water for irrigating vegetation and the like positioned relatively close to the sprinkler. The improved sprinkler nozzle includes a nozzle passage for outward projection of a water stream, at least a portion of which is defined by a generally vertically oriented, fan-shaped spray pattern. A lower margin of the nozzle passage defining this fan-shaped pattern is lined with a plurality of forwardly extending ramps each formed with a selected width and a different declination angle. A portion of the water discharged through the nozzle passage is forced and guided downwardly along these ramps for enhanced close-in distribution of water near the sprinkler.

Abstract: In a dispensing adapter (1) for cartridges, cans or tubes adapted for storing and metered dispensing of highly viscous materials, in particular liquids such as adhesives, sealants, foamed-in plastics or the like, through a nozzle head, the nozzle head of the metering nozzle (6, 17) has several spaced-apart openings (7, 25) for discharge of the material.

Abstract: An ink jet type recording apparatus comprises a connection member which has a passage for leading ink to a recording head from an ink cartridge. In the passage, a valve member having a magnetic body is provided. A rotation member has a permanent magnet and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the rotation member is located in the first position, an attraction that can move the valve member in an opening direction of the passage acts between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member opens the passage. When the rotation member is located in the second position, the attraction that can move the valve member does not act between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member closes the passage.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement comprises a body (10) of two parts (11), (12) which define between them a fluid passage (15), leading to a discharge outlet (25), from a feed passage (17). The passageway contains a chamber (19) wherein is located a flap member (20) which can be displaced by increased pressure of fluid flow in the passageway to variably obstruct an outlet orifice (21). This may be achieved by the cooperation of holes or notches in the displaceable flap member and corresponding apertures or notches in a fixed member.

Abstract: A spraying device for atomizing a liquid is proposed. The spraying device includes a nozzle plate and an actuator. The nozzle plate is provided with a plurality of nozzle apertures. Each of the nozzle apertures includes an entry end for the liquid to enter and an exit end for the liquid to exit. The entry end and the exit end of at least one of the nozzle apertures are asymmetrical structures. The actuator is integrated with the nozzle plate to actuate atomization of the liquid. The spraying direction of a liquid droplet after the liquid is atomized can be controlled by modifying the shape of the exit end of the nozzle aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting knife extension. A knife assembly comprises a base and cover plate for clamping a knife therebetween. The cover plate attaches to the base and indexes the knife. An adjustment mechanism provides for adjusting the position of the cover plate relative to the base and defining an adjusted position of the knife relative to the base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly monitoring and/or controlling the processing operations of a mobile rock crushing plant.

Abstract: A flavoring container includes a main body, a grinding member, a knob and an outer shell. The main body is composed of a bottom cylinder and a sleeve. The bottom cylinder is provided with a locking projection located at an outer upper portion. The sleeve is provided with an outer matching member at the lower portion provided with a locking recess in the inner surface. The outer shell can be fixed in a fixing groove of the bottom cylinder. The sleeve is put inside the outer shell from the top and then, fixed together with the bottom cylinder via locking the locking projection with the locking recess, enabling the outer shell to be restricted between the bottom cylinder and the sleeve. Finally, the grinding member and the knob are assembled together orderly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. The chopper has a backup roll comprising a wheel and a working layer on the outer peripheral surface of the wheel and an engaging blade roll. The outer peripheral surface of the wheel contains spiral grooves or ridges that mate with ridges or grooves on an inner peripheral surface of the working layer such that a worn working surface can be quickly and easily unscrewed from the wheel and a new working surface can be quickly and easily screwed into place, making the job of replacing the working surface faster, easier and less costly than prior art practice.

Abstract: A refiner plate including a generally planar surface having annular rows of teeth arranged concentrically on the plate, and at least one of said rows includes teeth including a leading edge corner angle of less than 90 degrees. These teeth may include a leading sidewall having a radially outward portion slanted in a direction opposing the rotation of the plate.

Abstract: A refiner stator plate having concentric rows of teeth wherein an outer row is at or near an outer periphery of the plate, and the outer row teeth include leading sidewalls slanted to deflect high-velocity refining particles moving along a radial line between the plates.

Abstract: A refiner plate including: concentric rows of teeth and the teeth arranged facing radially inward, the sidewalls of the teeth are at an angles to radii of the plate such that the angle of teeth in a first row(s) of teeth differs from the angle of teeth in a second row(s) of teeth.

Abstract: A device and process for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread or yarn, which includes a housing having a thread inlet opening and an thread outlet opening. A preparation device is provided in the housing for applying a preparation fluid to the advancing thread and for applying a swirling air stream against the advancing thread to cause the fluid to penetrate into the interior of the thread. The housing and the preparation device are both divided so that they may be opened to facilitate the initial thread up of the thread through the housing. Also, the inlet and outlet openings are configured to provide a seal between the advancing yarn and the housing to minimize leakage of the fluid from the housing.

Abstract: A self-blocking belt retractor has an emergency tautening device, which is provided for the belt shaft and which can be tripped, in particular, during an accident, and has a second tautening device, which is also connected to the belt shaft and which is designed as a reversibly operating pre-tautening device. The invention is characterized in that the emergency tautening device (15) is designed to work at a higher rotating speed than the rotating speed produced by the pre-tautening device (11), and the coupling (13, 17, 20) between the pre-tautening device (11) and the belt shaft (14) is designed in such a manner that after the emergency tautening device (15) is tripped, the belt shaft (14) thereby set in a faster rotating motion brings the coupling (13, 17, 20) back into its releasing position whereby releasing the coupling connection between the belt shaft (14) and the pre-tautening device (11).

Abstract: The disclosed belt winder can comprise a belt spindle for winding a safety belt, a belt force limiting device in communication with the belt spindle for limiting a belt restraining force exerted by the seat belt in case of an accident, and a belt force increasing device for blocking further extraction of the safety belt upon reaching a predetermined belt extraction length. The belt force increasing device can be configured to automatically deactivate itself upon exceeding a preset maximum belt restraining force.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the operation of a reversible belt retractor to release a belt extraction lock of a restraint belt in a motor vehicle, the lock can be activated by an acceleration sensor. After the belt retractor has been triggered as a consequence of a hazardous situation having been detected and after the hazardous situation has been recognized as being over, the operation of the belt retractor is controlled by a release signal at a release time in order to bring about the release of the belt extraction lock to shift it from a blocking state into a comfort-providing state. The release time is determined by a sensor model algorithm based on a model of the acceleration sensor from at least one variable characterizing the running dynamics.

Abstract: A paper roll holder which functions without the use of a spindle. Two opposed arms with (one slidable) back holders have support plugs or protrusions extending inwardly from ends of the arms, to engage in the ends of a paper roll. The one holder moves laterally in opposition to the other in a slide track. This allows clearance for center loading of a paper roll.

Abstract: An axial bearing, for a spooling roller on a spooling machine, with a shaft fixed to a machine frame, or to a machine chassis, a fixed rear cover disc, a hub freely rotating about the shaft and a flange, arranged on the free front face of the shaft with a front cover disc. At least one stud chamfers in the radial direction, away from the shaft in the region of the flange, engaging in but without projecting beyond a guide slot of a bayonet sleeve, detachably connected to the flange. The open guide slot, on the front face, rises up to an arched peak, turns away from the front face of the bayonet sleeve at a separation and runs toward the front face with a blind terminus. A pressure spring, tensioned on the shaft, is arranged between a shaft mounting and the hub, which presses the roller core with the spooling roller, over the hub, in the axial direction on the flange and forms therewith a rapid closure with the centered spooling roller.

Abstract: The a dispenser for dispensing a rolled material such as toilet paper and paper towels is disclosed, wherein the dispenser includes a support about which a roll of the rolled material rotates when dispensing portions of the material, and wherein the support does not detach from a housing of the dispenser when a new tissue roll is provided on the support In particular, the support may remain attached to the housing by one end of the support during the process of changing or replacing a roll of toilet paper or paper towels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding a vehicle to intercept a target is described. The method iteratively estimates a time-to-go until target intercept and modifies an acceleration command based upon the revised time-to-go estimate. The time-to-go estimate depends upon the position, the velocity, and the actual or real time acceleration of both the vehicle and the target. By more accurately estimating the time-to-go, the method is especially useful for applications employing a warhead designed to detonate in close proximity to the target. The method may also be used in vehicle accident avoidance and vehicle guidance applications.

Abstract: A fire control system that includes an array of photodiode elements. For each element of the photodiode array, there is a specific optical path in the atmosphere leading from the laser to a target and back from the target to the element. Accordingly, each element of the detector array can be regarded as if illuminated by a distinct light source. For short time periods (in the range of tens to hundreds of milliseconds) the shape or spatial distribution of the refractive-index irregularities does not significantly change, and the irregularities drift with the atmospheric wind. By measuring the signal fluctuations by any element of the photodiode array, it is possible to compute the crosswind velocity. By comparing signal fluctuations patterns of two or more elements it is possible to define the wind direction and to determine the turbulence strength value.

Abstract: A tilt-rotor aircraft (1) comprising a pair of contra-rotating co-axial tiltable rotors (11) on the longitudinal centre line of the aircraft. The rotors (11) may be tiltable sequentially and independently. They may be moveable between a lift position and a flight position in front of or behind the fuselage (19).

Abstract: A high lift stepped aerofoil section, incorporating a leading edge 1, trailing edge 3 and a step 2 to provide a higher vertical component in its construction; the aerofoil has greater perceived root thickness giving greater lift through compression 4 on the aerofoil under surface. The section has high pressure area 5 below the aerofoil and low pressure area 6 above the aerofoil. The aerofoil has much higher strength on all axes than conventional aerofoil sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to mechanisms for reducing heat generation in a pivot joint, and to methods for their use. The mechanism may be designed to average relative velocities of a pin with respect to velocities of first and second members joined by the pin. The mechanism may comprise at least one linked member adapted to rotate the pin simultaneously with respect to both the first and second members. In such manner, the heat generated in the joint may be reduced, thereby decreasing the likelihood of failure of one or more of the joint's parts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for driving an aircraft having an undercarriage wheel, comprising aircraft drive means for driving an undercarriage wheel, and a clutch disposed between said driven means and said wheel, wherein said drive means and said clutch are directly connected to the undercarriage apparatus. Said apparatus may have gears disposed between said drive means clutch, or between said clutch and said wheel. In a most preferred arrangement, the apparatus of the invention fits inside the hub of said wheel. When the invention is applied to an aircraft undercarriage wheel, the clutch allows the wheel to be disengaged for takeoff and landing.

Abstract: A UAV recovery system is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment for UAV recovery over water, the system includes ship-based elements and UAV-based elements. The UAV-based elements include a mass, such as ball, that is coupled to cord, which is in turn coupled to the tail of a UAV. The ship-based elements include a capture plate and a boom, wherein the boom is pivotably coupled to the deck of a ship. For use in recovery operations, the boom is rotated so that it extends over the side of the ship. A UAV is flown over the boom toward the capture plate at an altitude such that the mass that is attached to the tail of the UAV hangs lower than the capture plate. With continued forward motion, the cord that hangs from the UAV is captured by a grooves in the capture plate. The capture plate geometrically constrains the mass, thereby assuring positive capture of the UAV.

Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning system for conditioning of the cabin and/or cockpit air comprises an air re-circulation circuit (13, 14, 15, 16) and a UVC radiation unit (12) positioned so as to irradiate air in the re-circulation circuit (13, 14, 15, 16) with ultra violet light. The air conditioning system comprises a re-circulation fan (14) having the inlet thereof connected to a mechanical filter (33), and the output connected to a mixer unit (13) adapted to mix re-circulated air supplied to the mixer unit (13) by the fan (14), and a UVC radiation unit (12) positioned so as to irradiate the re-circulated air with ultra violet light at a wavelength of nm.

Abstract: An aircraft contains a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells located in different portions of the aircraft. A method of operating the plurality of solid oxide fuel cells includes providing power from each of the plurality of solid oxide fuel cells to at least one of a plurality of power consuming components located in a same portion of the aircraft as the solid oxide fuel cell. Another method of operating at least one solid oxide fuel cell located in an aircraft includes providing ambient air and power to the solid oxide fuel cell without providing fuel to the solid oxide fuel cell to generate oxygen for the aircraft cabin when the aircraft is in flight. Another method of operating at least one solid oxide fuel cell located in a passenger aircraft includes providing water from the solid oxide fuel cell to the aircraft cabin.

Abstract: An aircraft heated floor panel (10) comprising a heat-generating layer (20) including an electric heater (52) having current supply lines (54) and a controller (60) which controls the current supplied to the heater (52) via the supply lines (54) to thereby control the heat generated by the layer (20). The controller (60) is integrated into the floor panel (10) whereby the panel has a stand-alone control system which need only be connected to the on-board power source of the aircraft, but can be connected to a main controller for networking or other purposes.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling through an environmental media such as air experiences drag. The drag is actively modulated by energy beams which may either increase or decrease the drag. The energy beams may provide either a chemical, acoustic or electromagnetic energy at a transition region between turbulent and laminar flows or at the leading edge of a laminar flow or in the direction of a crosswind in order to facilitate the respective increase or decrease in drag. Where the energy beams are acoustic or ultrasonic, some or all of the beams may be used to generate an audible signal, in a directional manner, outside the vehicle.