Abstract: There is provided an asymmetric integrally skinned membrane comprising a polyimide and another polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, sulfonated polyetheretherketones and mixtures thereof. The membrane which is substantially insoluble in an organic solvent and substantially defect-free can be useful as a separation membrane.

Abstract: The device according to the invention comprises a drip chamber, which is adapted for connecting to the ordinary water mains, a metal plate and a nozzle that is connected to the drip chamber and disposed above the metal plate and a collecting vessel. The object of the drip chamber is to convert the continuous flow of water from the water mains into discrete drops, thus forming a water reservoir in the button of the drip chamber, which is electrically insulated from the water supply while the reservoir still receives a constant new supply of water. Water from the reservoir is passed on to the nozzle and sprayed over the steel plate. An impressed voltage on the nozzle and thereby the water attracts the impurities in the air and these will bind to the water and follow it when the water runs down into a collecting vessel, which is subsequently emptied into the house's drainage system.

Abstract: A tower air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The tower air cleaner includes a base portion, a tower portion extending substantially vertically above the base portion, an air inlet extending substantially around a circumference of the tower portion, wherein an inlet airflow is admitted around substantially 360 degrees of the circumference, and an air outlet in communication with the air inlet.

Abstract: An electret filter media that includes a thermoplastic resin and a compound of the formula Y2-A(R1)n—Y1, where A is benzene, naphthalene or anthracene, Y1 and Y2 are each independently R2-R3, R2 is an ester linking group or an amide linking group, R3 is an alkyl group having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, R1 is R2-R3 where R2 and R3 are each independently as defined above, and when A is benzene, n is from 0 to 4, when A is naphthalene, n is from 0 to 6, and when A is anthracene, n is from 0 to 8.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively adsorbing gas during adsorption processes and desorbing gas during desorption processes. A tube has a porous sidewall, and at each end is an end-fitting sealingly connected thereto. A particulate porous gas storage material is located within the tube, wherein the porosity prevents the material, but allows gases, to pass therethrough. A selected gas from a porous inner tube, a heating coil, or a heat exchanger located within the tube may provide heat for the desorption processes, and the selected gas or heat exchanger may provide cooling during the adsorption processes.

Abstract: An air dryer cartridge (10) is provided with an inlet connectable to a compressed air source, an outlet connectable to a reservoir and a desiccant (18) provided intermediate the inlet and outlet adapted to remove moisture from air passing through the air dryer cartridge (10), wherein the air dryer cartridge (10) further includes a filter (20) to capture oil droplets present in air eceived from the source, and wherein further the filter (20) is positioned downstream of the desiccant (18).

Abstract: An air quality device includes a housing defining an airflow path, a humidity control module in flow communication with the airflow path, and an air contaminant removal module. The air contaminant removal module comprises at least one of a particle removal module arranged within the housing, an odor removal module arranged within the housing, and an anti-microbial module arranged within the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adsorptive filtering material with biological and chemical protective function, in particular with protective function with regard to both chemical and biological poisons and noxiants, such as chemical and biological warfare agents, the adsorptive filtering material having a multilayered construction comprising a first outer supporting layer and a second outer supporting layer and an adsorptive layer disposed between the two supporting layers, the adsorptive filtering material further comprising at least one catalytically active component, the first outer supporting layer and/or the second outer supporting layer being provided with the catalytically active component. The adsorptive filtering material is particularly useful in NBC protective materials (for example NBC protective apparel) and also for production of filters.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for receiving and containing loose beverage substance with a transfer device such as a scoop or measuring device and transferring it to a corresponding holder for retaining the loose beverage substance during dispensing process. The system and apparatus facilitates orderly transfer of loose beverage substance to the holder for dispensing.

Abstract: Prepacked serving of coffee powder, particularly for an espresso coffee making machine, comprising a cartridge (1) enclosing a given portion of coffee powder (40), the said cartridge (1) comprising an essentially cylindrical side wall (101) provided at its two ends with a first wall (201) designed to be acted upon by the pressurized hot-water supply means, and with a second wall (301) designed to be acted upon by the brewed coffee dispensing means, the said cartridge (1) being made of an essentially airtight material, and the said wall (301) being continuous and made of a thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus for use in a beverage brewing machine, the liquid dispensing apparatus, includes a dispensing chamber, a liquid delivery and venting arrangement in communication with an interior of the dispensing chamber for delivery of liquid thereto and for venting air therefrom, an air pump assembly in communication with the interior of the heating and dispensing chamber for pumping air into the dispensing chamber, a liquid discharge conduit in communication with the interior of the heating and dispensing chamber for discharging liquid therefrom, an end of the discharge conduit located at a predetermined level of the dispensing chamber, and a liquid pump connected to the liquid discharge conduit for pumping liquid out of the heating and dispensing chamber. During liquid dispensing, the liquid delivery and venting arrangement is closed.

Abstract: A coffee pod with varying intensity. The coffee pod includes a substantially rigid sidewall, a substantially rigid base, and coffee grinds positioned therein. More than about seventy percent (70%) of the coffee grinds may include a particle size distribution of between about 200 to about 300 microns. The coffee grinds may have a weight of the about five (5) to about eight (8) grams.

Abstract: A support for holding a fowl above a roasting pan during the cooking procedure. The support rests on the bottom of the pan, and is also releasably attached to an end wall of the pan to prevent lateral displacement of the fowl during cooking. The support and the fowl mounted thereon may be easily removed from the pan so as to permit accumulated juices or the like to be scraped out of the pan.

Abstract: The present invention provides a basting device comprising an elongate body portion defining a first passageway therethrough and having a distal and a proximal end and a resilient and flexible squeeze bulb having a collar portion located therein for removable attachment to the distal end of the body portion.

Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof includes a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steamflow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.

Abstract: A device for heating liquids (10), particularly milk, comprising a container (12) for the liquid to be heated operatively associated with heating means. The latter comprise a heating element (18) delivering variable power over time as a function of the temperature reached by the liquid. Particularly, the heating element (18) is suitable to reduce the power supplied with the increasing temperature of the liquid and is positioned so as to heat the bottom (14) of said container (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling slaughtered poultry, including the steps of: positioning the poultry with spread legs, with the abdominal cavity upward and oriented in the transporting direction of the poultry; and transporting the positioned poultry through cooled flowing water, wherein the transporting direction of the poultry is opposed to the flow direction of the water such that water flows around and through the poultry from the abdominal cavity toward the neck cavity. The present invention also relates to an installation including: a positioner for receiving the slaughtered poultry with the abdominal cavity oriented upward in the transporting direction; a transporter for transporting the positioned poultry; and a cooler including a container for cooled and flowing water, wherein the flow direction is opposed to the transporting direction, and to the treated poultry.

Abstract: Fruit items are positioned between vertical pins located in the calyx and stem hole of said fruit item, thereby securing the fruit item by a compressive force through its core. A core tube surrounding the upper pin descends to meet the lower pin, thereby completely piercing the fruit item and isolating its core inside the tube. A cushioned ram pushes the edible portion of the fruit item down over the core tube, through a cassette of radial knives, creating a plurality of wedges that fall immediately into an enzyme bath. The bath seals freshness into the fruit item's cell structure by preventing contact with oxygen. The solid core is ejected and the edible outside portion of the fruit item is not touched or bruised by mechanical handling.

Abstract: The present invention is a kitchen hand tool for crushing, slicing, or juicing food products. The tool is operated by closing two handles that rotate a drive gear that engages the ratcheting tooth portion of a crush paddle resulting in the movement of the crush paddle toward a basket, crushing and discharge of the food item through the basket. A drive pawl forces the drive gear to rotate counterclockwise, which in turn forces ratcheting tooth portion and subsequently the crushing paddle down in a clockwise direction applying crushing force on the garlic or any item placed in the crushing area. As the drive gear turns until it clicks past a locking pawl. This cycle of opening and closing the handles is repeated until the crush paddle is fully advanced and can move no further and is against the basket.

Abstract: A pad printing system includes a pad printing machine and an object positioning device. The object positioning device is a multiple positioning device by means of which an object support may be consecutively positioned at a print station each time.

Abstract: In a fixed print portion 100, a cylindrical holding member 125 holds a fixed print member 112 and an ink storage body 113 from the side of the ink storage body 113 and a frame member 120 having an L-shaped section is set from the side of the fixed print member 112 so that it is fitted to the outer periphery of the holding member 125, thereby a print face 111 is held and exposed outside. A portion of the fixed print member 112 near the outer periphery is nipped between the frame member 120 and the holding member 125 in a compressed state because the frame member 120 is fitted to the holding member 125 and an exposed portion of the fixed print member 112 has a difference of height H between the end face of the frame member 120 and the print face 111. A damper member 300 is disposed between the frame member 120 and a flange 203 provided on a supporting case 201 of the movable print portion 200.

Abstract: A stencil printing machine includes a rotatable drum having an outer circumferential wall formed by an ink impermeable member, a stencil clamping part for clamping a leading end of a stencil sheet, an ink supply unit having an ink supply opening for supplying a surface of the outer circumferential wall with ink, a press roll for pressing a printing paper against the outer circumferential wall of the drum, an ink recovery unit having an ink recovery opening formed on a downstream side of a maximum printing area in a printing direction to collect ink flowing into the ink recovery opening by suction, the maximum printing area being defined on the outer circumferential wall, and a press unit for pressing the stencil sheet onto the outer circumferential wall of the drum and a control unit for controlling respective operations of the main motor, the ink recovery unit and the press unit.

Abstract: The machine comprises at least a transfer cylinder, an impression cylinder, a plate cylinder, a collector cylinder, and a delivery cylinder, each said impression cylinder, plate cylinder and collector cylinder comprising pits with, respectively, gripping means, clamping means and holding means for holding, respectively, at least one sheet, at least one plate and at least one blanket. The number of pits per cylinder and the relative position of said cylinders are such that the pits of the impression cylinder, plate cylinder and collector cylinder pass each other at the same moment during operation of the printing machine.

Abstract: A transport device for sleeve-shaped covers for cylinders in printing units of a printing press includes a translation element and a number of carrier elements for sleeve-shaped covers. The carrier elements are received on the translation element. A movement of the translation element causes at least a group of carrier elements to be positioned in the vicinity of cylinders of the printing press such that sleeve-shaped covers received on the carrier elements of the group are transferable directly from the carrier elements to the cylinders or that sleeve-shaped covers received on the cylinders are transferable directly to the carrier elements of the group. In the method of changing sleeve-shaped covers, groups of carrier elements are positioned in front of the cylinders so that the sleeve-shaped covers are taken off the cylinders and transferred directly to carrier elements or are transferred and mounted from carrier elements directly to cylinders and are mounted thereon.

Abstract: A rotary element of a printing press is provided, in particular in a folding apparatus of the printing press, including an encoder for generating a first periodic signal in response to rotation of the rotary element, the encoder being linked to an evaluation unit which has at least one synthesizer for generating a second signal having a resolution ratio, a frequency ratio, and a phase relation to the first signal. The possible uses of the signal generated by the encoder in response to the rotation of the rotary element are expanded and rendered flexible.

Abstract: An offset printing group is part of a printing machine which is used for printing newspapers. The offset printing group includes a printing cylinder and a transfer cylinder. The length of the transfer cylinder corresponds to at least six widths of newspaper pages. Two blankets are arranged adjacent each other on the peripheral surface of the transfer cylinder. A width of each of these blankets in the axial direction of the transfer cylinder corresponds to three widths of newspaper pages.

Abstract: An offset printing press includes a plate cylinder having a plate cylinder circumference and a blanket cylinder having a blanket cylinder circumference, the plate cylinder circumference being in a N:1 relationship with the blanket cylinder circumference, N being 2 or greater. The large plate circumference area permits for various components to fit around the plate cylinder, while using small blankets.

Abstract: A printing group of a printing machine is comprised of at least two cylinders, a forme cylinder and a transfer cylinder. The transfer cylinder can be moved between a print-on position and a print-off position along a linear adjustment path. Both of the cylinders in the printing group can be driven mechanically to rotate independently of another printing group. This rotation is accomplished by at least one drive motor which is fixed on a frame of the printing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the amount of fluid to be transferred, contains a first rotating device which has a first fluid-transferring section in its circumferential direction, a second rotating device which has a second fluid-transferring section in its circumferential direction, and a control device for setting the phase position between the first fluid-transferring section and the second fluid-transferring section. The control device is configured for accelerating and retarding a rotation of the first rotating device periodically.

Abstract: The invention concerns an ink fountain with a blade support wherein said blade support comprises several adjacent sections moveable by setting means to vary the distance between said sections and the circumference of an ink fountain cylinder. The ink fountain further comprises a blade interposed between said sections and the circumference of the ink fountain cylinder and having a ridge for maintaining a specific thickness of ink on the ink fountain cylinder, the blade resting directly on said sections and being fixed relative to said blade support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a print making apparatus and provides a technique which makes it possible to achieve a generally high processing speed without depending upon enhancement of the processing speed of individual processing apparatus. A number of stations (S1 to S4) at least equal to the number of steps of a plate making procedure are arranged in order, and a plurality of processing apparatus (30 to 34) corresponding one by one to the steps of the plate making procedure are disposed in order of the plate making procedure at the stations (S1 to S4). A transport apparatus (11) successively transports a plurality of printing plates (1) from one to another one of the stations in order of the plate making procedure.

Abstract: Reusable printing forms and thermal image setting on the printing forms is optimized in terms of performance. A method for manufacturing the printing form, in particular a rewritable printing form, having a thermally insulating layer, is distinguished by the fact that the thermally insulating layer is produced by the configuration of individual layers to form a layer sequence as a multilayer system. A printing form which is manufactured by the method according to the invention can have images set on it with a low power image setting device, as it is possible to effectively prevent heat from dissipating in an undesirably pronounced manner, for example into a metallic carrier.

Abstract: A method is used to identify a single panel or proof copy that has a printed image of defective quality on printed material that includes several such panels or proof copies. An image of at least part of the printed material is captured photographically. Data, that correlates with the captured image, is analyzed to determine if a defect exists which reduces the quality of the printed image on the printed material. Information with respect to the specific location of the proof copy which contains the defect is determined by comparing the data which correlates with the captured image, to an electronically generated data record which includes information, with respect to the arrangement, form or size of the individual panel that is located on the printed material. An image processing system may perform the comparison of the data record for the form of the individual panel or proof copy on the printed material.

Abstract: A misregistration judging method, registration mark for color printing, color slippage detection mark, color slippage correction chart, color registration correction chart, color slippage detection method color slippage correction method, and color image forming apparatus are provided. The color image forming apparatus prints registration marks for color printing respectively including marks of reference colors and marks of colors for measurement that are centered at same positions and having similar figures and judges any relative positional displacement, if any, of a mark of a reference color and the corresponding mark of the color for measurement as misregistration.

Abstract: A spin sensor and method of detecting fuze spin are disclosed. The spin sensor, including a fuze housing, a sense weight and a rotating induction device. The rotating induction device comprises a first rotatable element affixed to the fuze housing and a second rotatable element affixed to the sense weight. The second rotatable element is mechanically coupled to the first rotatable element such that it may rotate relative to the first rotatable element. In addition, the second rotatable element is inductively coupled to the first rotatable element such that the relative rotation between the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element generates a spin signal on an electrical connection to the rotating induction device. The spin signal may be compared to a suitable spin profile to determine if a valid spin environment is present.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expelling a projection from an air gun by striking a primer cap filled with a shock-sensitive explosive compound, causing the cap to explode, which in turn rapidly compresses a volume of air located between the projectile and the cap, causing the projectile to exit from the barrel of the air gun at a high rate of speed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to Accident Prevent Launcher uses high pressure compressed gas, that can go up to 1,000 at?, for launching fluids as gas and liquid, and it can be used for preventing car accidents, and also for other civil uses, As described for example in FIG. 1d, the device-10 is comprising the following: 1) a launch tube-11; 2) a gas cylinder-13, for holding a high pressure compressed gas; 3) a tap-12, the tap-12 is connecting the gas cylinder-13 and the launch tube-11, and by opening the tap-12 the compressed gas passes from the gas cylinder-13 through the tap to the launch tube-11 to launch said high pressure compressed gas with or without liquid, and creating forces on the vehicles that preventing the accident.

Abstract: Methods and articles are provided for frangible slugs. A method of manufacturing a frangible slug includes heating substantially spherical metallic powdered particles, wherein substantially all of the powdered particles have diameters larger than 125 microns and smaller than 250 microns, to form heated powdered particles. The method includes heating a microcrystalline wax, to form a melted wax. The method also includes combining the heated powdered particles with the melted wax, to form a liquid mixture. The method further includes filling a payload cavity of a frangible slug container with the liquid mixture to form a liquid mixture payload.

Abstract: A single-carriage reversing train positioning system which includes an extending spike-type car engaging member for engaging and moving one or more railcars. An extending chuck assembly may be provided with the ability to operate gates in bottom-discharging railcars. The system uses a single self-propelled carriage with an on-board carriage drive system that includes a drive motor which operates the car along a fixed chain situated along a guideway. A generally horizontally disposed, laterally extendable pin car-engaging assembly is mounted on the car-moving carriage for aligning with and engaging a hook loop on a railcar for moving the car. A gate-operating assembly which includes a laterally extendable chuck system which aligns with, engages and rotates gate-operating capstans on bottom discharging railcars may also be provided.

Abstract: A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The mounting interface between the ends of the axles and the sideframe pedestals allows lateral rocking motion of the sideframes in the manner of a swing motion truck. The lateral swinging motion is combined with a longitudinal self steering capability. The self steering capability may be obtained by use of a longitudinally oriented rocker that may tend to permit resistance to deflection that is proportional to the weight carried across the interface. The truck may have auxiliary centering elements mounted in the pedestal seats, and those auxiliary centering elements may be made of resilient elastomeric material. The truck may also have friction dampers that have a disinclination to stick-slip behaviour. The friction dampers may be provided with brake linings, or similar features, on the face engaging the sideframe columns, on the slope face, or both.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dye sets and ink formulated using the same, and in particular dye and ink sets for ink jet printing. The dyes/inks are configured to work in cooperation with one another to produce high quality printed images.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wax formulation for use in lignocellulosic products, which impart improved properties such as dimensional stability when the products are exposed to moisture. The wax formulations include a wax and a surface tension/interfacial tension reducing agent comprising one or more of a fluorinated compound having two to six carbon atoms, an alkylphenol alkoxylate or an ethoxylated acetylenic diol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of precipitated silica which can be used as a reinforcing filler for elastomers. The invention also relates to novel precipitated silicas in the form of powder, granules or, preferably, substantially spherical beads, these silicas being characterized in that they have a BET specific surface of between 185 and 250 m2/g, a CTAB specific surface of between 180 and 240 m2/g, and a pore distribution such that the pore volume V2 made up of the pores with a diameter of between 175 and 275 ? represents less than 50% of the pore volume V1 made up of the pores with diameters of less than or equal to 400 ?, a pore volume (Vd1), made up of the pores with a diameter of less than 1 ?m, of greater than 1.65 cm3/g, a fineness value (F.V.) of between 70 and 100 ?, and a content of fines (?f), after deagglomerability with ultrasound, of at least 50%.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include chemicals, modified pigments, and methods of preparing a modified pigment.

Abstract: Processes for altering surface properties of pigment particles are provided. The processes include coating the particles with ionic natural polysaccharides or ionic derivatives of natural polysaccharides, providing enhanced properties.

Abstract: A drying shrinkage-reducing agent which comprises a polymer containing as an essential component at least one structural unit (I) represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2, and R3 independently stand for a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a —(CH2)pCOOX group, wherein X stands for a hydrogen atom, a monovalent metal, a divalent metal, an ammonium group, an organic amine group, or a hydrocarbon group, and p is an integer of 0-2; and R4 stands for a hydrocarbon group of 4-30 carbon atoms, and exhibiting surface tension in the range of 25-50 mN/m in a solution containing 0.2 mass % of the polymer in a cement supernatant is provided. The drying shrinkage-reducing agent manifests no dispersibility in an amount capable of attaining necessary drying shrinking-reducing properties and, when used in combination with a dispersing agent, acquires ability to adjust the dispersibility and the drying shrinkage-reducing properties fit for the purpose.

Abstract: Rapid repair and retrofit of existing infrastructures demand durable high early strength materials that not only deliver sufficient strength within a few hours of placement but also significantly prolong the maintenance interval. The invention comprises a class of newly developed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber-reinforced high early strength engineered cementitious composites (ECC) materials featuring extraordinary ductility. The tailoring of preexisting flaw size distribution through non-matrix interactive crack initiators in the composite matrix results in high tensile ductility. The resulting high early strength ECC materials are capable of delivering a compressive strength of 21 MPa (3.0 ksi) within 4 hours after placement and retaining long-term tensile strain capacity above 2%.

Abstract: To provide an ultrafine particle grouting composition which is excellent in dispersibility and dispersion retainability and can be easily injected into minute spaces between particles of grounds, rock cracks, and the like.

Abstract: An additive for a hydraulic material which comprises a polyamine compound having a hydrocarbon group of 4-30 carbon atoms as a side chain as an essential component is provided. The additive can effectively reduce the drying shrinkage of a cement material.

Abstract: An improved coating and devices using said coating are disclosed The coating is applied in a liquid form and then dried or otherwise cured to form a durable adherent coating resistant to high temperatures and in at least one embodiment possessing hydrophobic properties. In one aspect of the invention the coating formulation contains at least in part an aqueous formulation of silica, such as colloidal silica, and one or more fillers, such as inorganic fillers, and sufficient base, such as potassium hydroxide, to have a pH exceeding about 10.5 during at least part of the formulation process.