Abstract: A napkin ring composed of a napkin holder and a receptacle. The receptacle holds a decorative element and further defines a slit for holding a card. The card is used to display information to an end user.

Abstract: A non-rectangular or asymmetrically shaped credit card or phone card with an associated case or holder. The card has a configuration that complements the configuration of the case so that the card is easily removed from the holder for access, yet is maintained inside the case in a covered position and is protected from abuse. The case is designed to be light-weight and easily carried and to serve as a device to carry the card in a safe and convenient manner outside of a wallet or purse. Alternatively, the card may be in an I-shape or square shape configuration.

Abstract: A photo album insert including a sheet of material; and a transparent cover overlaying the sheet, resulting in a generally rectangular sandwich, the sandwich having an upper edge, a bottom edge and a side edge, the side edge being sealed such that a sealed portion of the side edge extends no more than half an inch from the side edge.

Abstract: A body mounted weapons platform is disclosed that attaches to a user's forearm and allows the user to mount within it one or two firearms (depending on the user's preferred embodiment) and two cameras. Both embodiments of the body mounted weapons platform will help improve optical reconnaissance, firearm safety, and targeting skills.

Abstract: A soft gelatinous elastomer composition and article useful as fishing bait, floss, liner and other uses formed from one or a mixture of two or more of a one or a mixture of two or more of a hydrogenated controlled distribution styrene block copolymer(s) and one or more plasticizers being in sufficient amounts to achieve a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram BlooField of the Invention.

Abstract: A disposable flying insect trap having an entry plate with a plastic bag affixed to the entry plate periphery and including entry plate port openings for receiving the insects. The entry plate is sealed by a lid which is removable for insertion of liquid therewithin. The lid is positionable from its sealed position to a second position spaced from the entry plate surface and defining a gap therebetween to enable the insects to fly into the bag interior, attracted by the bait within the bag. The lid is removable from the entry plate by a hang cord which, when pulled, dislodges the lid from the entry plate surface.

Abstract: A device for the synchronized actuation of sliding doors, provided for two sliding doors moving indistinctly in the same plane or in two planes forming any angle, consisting of two pairs of cogwheels (8-8?) and (9-9?) between which there is arranged, inside of each pair, an also cog belt (10-10?), a connection part (13-13?) fixed to the corresponding suspension grip (6-6?) of the respective sliding door being joined to each one of these belts. Joined to the two neighboring cogwheels (9-9?) there are respective cogwheels (18-18?) of a larger diameter, directly meshing with one another, to synchronously transmit motion from one cog belt (10-10?) to the other, cogwheels (18-18?) which are kept joined by means of parts (20) bridging their shafts (19-19?) and maintaining the drive transmission both when the doors are coplanar and when they form any angle.

Abstract: An assist mechanism for assisting in the pivotal movement of an enclosure member between closed, intermediate, and open positions. A first biasing member has a swing arm pivotally connected to a strut and extends between a base plate and enclosure member, and a second biasing member has a link pivotally connected to a limited tension spring and also extends between the base plate and enclosure member, whereby each impart a substantially biasing force substantially on only one side of the intermediate position, with the first biasing member biasing the enclosure member away from the closed position, and a second biasing member biasing the enclosure member away from the open position.

Abstract: A locking strut for use on sliding doors, windows and other sliding closures. The locking strut is supplementary to any closure lock. The strut has at least one receiver in the bottom surface to receive one or more guide rails included in the guide channel of the casement. The apparatus also preferably includes a hold or holds that allow easier insertion and handling. One strut may be used in the casement both when the sliding door is in the open position and the closed position. This is allowed by having one end received in the casement upright in a first orientation for a first slider position. The other end does not fit within the casement in a second slider position. This allows the strut to serve as both a supplementary locking device and as a threshold cover to exclude debris from the guide channel when the slider is open.

Abstract: A container, especially intended for use as a workroom, with an adjustable volume includes a base container with a floor panel and a roof panel, and at least one box-shaped expansion element that can be extended from the base container. The expansion element includes a floor panel, a roof panel, a side that is open to the base container, a front panel that is opposite the open side, and two side panels. The container further includes a device with which a box-shaped expansion element can be lowered, such that, once the expansion element has been extended, the floor panels of the expansion element and the base container are at the same height, and with which an expansion element can be raised such that, once the expansion element has been lowered, it can be reinserted into the base container. The roof panel of the box-shaped expansion element is designed to fold along a horizontal axis on the upper edge of the front panel of the expansion element.

Abstract: A roof transition system is provided for supporting and ventilating roof tiles near a roof transition such as a valley or a side wall. The system includes a corrugated flashing and an eave riser extension containing one or more openings for ventilation and drainage. The eave riser extension supports the lowermost row of roof tiles along the eaves at the pitch desired for the roof transition. The eave riser extension completes the closure of the entire eaves and provides support, ventilation, and drainage, while also providing a barrier to wind-driven precipitation, bird nesting, and animal invasion.

Abstract: A vibration control apparatus using a water tank, which is installed at the uppermost floor of a tall building, the water tank being formed at the inner wall surface thereof with horizontal protrusions. In order to improve a vibration attenuation rate in a horizontal direction within the water tank, the water tank is installed with vertical wire meshes therein, and the horizontal protrusions serve to improve a vibration attenuation rate in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An access floor assembly includes a base floor, a substructure mounted to the base floor, a bearing plate, formed with a first cavity, mounted to the substructure and disposed at an elevated location relative to the base floor, an isolator plate, formed with a second cavity, overlying the bearing plate, a ball disposed between the bearing plate and the isolator plate contacting the first and second cavities, and a floor plate coupled to the isolator plate and together forming an access floor disposed at an elevated location relative to the base floor.

Abstract: A wall device for supporting fittings includes a plurality of horizontal and vertical uprights (2), which can be assembled together to form the wall device. The horizontal and vertical uprights are mutually coupled together by at least one first adjustable fixing device (10), with connection elements (20) used for joining the fittings. The uprights (2) include at least a first channel section (5) and a second channel section (6), each including, starting from a respective bottom side (50), two respective opposed side parts (51) nearly orthogonal to the bottom side (50), and two respective first portions (52), parallel to the bottom side (50). The sides, parts and portions (50, 51, 52) of at least the first channel section (5) and the second channel section (6) define a respective cavity (55) and longitudinal openings (8) for the first fixing device (10) and for the connection elements (20).

Abstract: A block connector for pre-cast building blocks comprising a top body portion to be fitted into the bottom surface groove of an upper block and a bottom body portion to be fitted into the top surface groove of a lower block. The top and bottom body portions define three pairs of lateral sides. When mounting the blocks about first pair of lateral sides no offset between the blocks is provided. When mounting the blocks about the second pair of lateral sides, an offset is provided. When mounting the blocks about the third pair of lateral sides, an offset is provided that is greater than the offset of the second pair of lateral sides. A kit for building walls including a plurality of these blocks and block connectors is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compacting, fully enclosed, floored combination multi-antechamber and ramp system for emergency and civil defense use providing, when expanded, means of ingress and egress for the general population including the infected, wounded and handicapped to and from buildings or other folding structures via portals to which its adapter may be securely attached or retrofit while passing through a series of two or more antechambers so as to prevent spreading contamination and allow for various decontamination protocols to be conducted in separate chambers. Compacting is achieved by modularity in some embodiments, and folding in other embodiments, in both framed and panel versions, providing important advantages for transport, pre-positioning, storage, and warehousing.

Abstract: A flashing and method for installing a window or other portal in a wall opening is provided. The flashing includes a base member with first and second portions that are angled so that an outer surface of the first portion can be disposed against a sill of the opening and an outer surface of the second portion can be disposed against one of the jambs of the opening. A front face plate of the flashing extends perpendicularly from the first and second portions of the base member, and a plurality of channels in the base member are structured to direct water toward and through the front face plate.

Abstract: A packaging machine for closing containers (5) is provided having a supply device (1, 2) for supplying containers (5) to be closed; a removal device (11) for removing closed containers (5?); and a closing device (25) between the supply device (1, 2) and the removal device (11). The closing device (25) is arranged lateral of a main transport path (8) of the containers (5) from the supply device (2) to the removal device (11) and a device is provided which transports at least one container (5) to be closed into the closing device (25) by means of a linear motion while transporting at least one closed container (5?) out from the closing device (25).

Abstract: An allergen-barrier fabric includes a tightly-constructed fabric substrate, woven from 0 to 45% continuous synthetic filament yarns and 55 to 100% natural or synthetic spun yarns. The fabric substrate is finished to produce a fabric with a mean pore size of 4 to 10 microns, an air permeability of 0.5-25 cfm, a mean fabric flexibility of 0.5 to 6.5 grams (bending resistance), and a moisture vapor permeability in excess of 800 g/m2/24 hours. This fabric provides a barrier to mite-induced allergen particles. Various additional finishes can be included on the fabric. For example, an antimicrobial finish may be provided on the fabric to extend fabric wearlife by providing protection against mold and mildew. As another alternative, a fluorochemical finish can be provided to extend fabric wearlife by providing protection against fluid stains.

Abstract: A wafer case is inserted into a packaging bag, and an ear folding and shaping bar is pressed against a root of each corresponding triangular ear portion, making a folding back line in each triangular ear portion. Each of the triangular ear portions is folded back over a container side surface by a bag rear end ear folder. The folding operation for each of the triangular ear portions is performed precisely and smoothly.

Abstract: A trimmer blade assembly comprising a blade within a housing is provided. The housing includes a wall for propelling cut vegetation away from the blade assembly. The blade assembly may also include a ridge on the housing for further propulsion of cut vegetation away from the trimmer blade. The present blade cuts vegetation more efficiently since cut vegetation will generally be propelled away from the blade by the perpendicular wall and ridge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a plastic chain link, which has interspaced plates (10, 11) as well as lower and upper cross-connecting elements (15) that connect said plates, whereby at least one cross-connecting element is connected to one of the plates (10) in an articulated manner. According to the invention, at least one of the plates is firstly produced followed by the production of at least one of the cross-connecting elements while simultaneously forming a joint connection between one of the plates and one of the cross-connecting elements.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for increasing lifetimes of components in a gas turbine engine. Ordinarily, components are replaced after they experience a certain number of thermal cycles, or a certain operating temperature limit is exceeded. Under one form of the invention, the components are not replaced at that time, but are subjected to increased cooling, which decreases the highest temperature reached in subsequent thermal cycles. Also, many components are replaced when acceleration of an engine falls below a target. In one form of the invention, the components are not replaced, but (1) fuel schedule is increased and (2) compressor stall margin also increased, in order to attain the target acceleration.

Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine that includes providing a low-pressure turbine inner rotor that includes a first plurality of turbine blade rows configured to rotate in a first direction, and rotatably coupling a low-pressure turbine outer rotor to the inner rotor, wherein the outer rotor includes a second plurality of turbine blade rows that are configured to rotate in a second direction that is opposite the first rotational direction of the inner rotor and such that at least one of the second plurality of turbine blade rows is coupled axially forward of the first plurality of turbine blade rows.

Abstract: A control device of an internal combustion engine suppressing catalyst deterioration by prohibiting fuel cuts, wherein the generation of odor from the catalyst after deceleration is suppressed. The control device is provided with a fuel cut executing device for stopping the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine when a vehicle is in a decelerating state and a fuel cut prohibiting device for prohibiting a fuel cut when a temperature of a catalyst provided in an exhaust system is a predetermined temperature or more, wherein when a fuel cut is prohibited by the fuel cut prohibiting device when the vehicle decelerates in a predetermined period after an increased fuel operation is performed, the internal combustion engine is operated so that the combustion air-fuel ratio becomes lean in the decelerating state or in the decelerating state and its succeeding idling state.

Abstract: A motorcycle exhaust system includes a catalytic converter (43) disposed within an exhaust passage (37) for discharging exhaust gas (G) from a multi-cylinder combustion engine (E) and operable to purify the exhaust gas (G). An upstream end of the catalytic converter (43) has different regions (S1 and S2) communicated with upstream exhaust passage portions (37a and 37a), respectively, and a downstream end of the catalytic converter (43) is communicated with downstream exhaust passage portions (37b and 37b) in a number equal to or smaller than the number of the upstream exhaust passage portions (37a and 37a). Also, the catalytic converter (43) has a partition wall (43c) extending in a direction of flow of the exhaust gas (G) for allowing the exhaust gas (G) from the upstream exhaust passage portions (37a and 37a) to flow through the catalytic converter (43) without being mixed together.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system (11) of the type including a hydrostatic pump-motor unit (35) having a pumping mode in which the unit pressurizes, from its port (A), a high pressure accumulator (41), and a motoring mode, in which the unit is driven by pressurized fluid from the high pressure accumulator. The system also includes a low pressure accumulator (39) in communication with the opposite port (B) of the pump-motor unit (35), and a filter circuit (107) disposed therebetween. The filter circuit (107) defines an unrestricted first flow path from the low pressure accumulator to the port (B) when the unit is in the pumping mode, and a second flow path from the port (B) to the low pressure accumulator when the unit is in the motoring mode. The second flow path comprises one path portion (125) through a filter shut-off valve (121) and a filter (127) in series, and in parallel therewith, another path portion through a controlled flow restriction (135).

Abstract: A travel control device enables a crawler type hydraulic excavator to start slowly regardless of the preset speed ratio whenever the manipulation amount of a manual travel control device is small. The travel control device includes left and right travel motors respectively provided with speed changing mechanisms, a high speed shifting valve provided on a high speed signal line for cutting off or transmitting a high speed signal pressure to the speed changing mechanisms, a travel signal detection means for detecting a travel control signal pressure outputted from manual travel control devices. A shutoff valve is provided on the high speed signal line for closing or opening the high speed signal line to keep the speed changing mechanisms in a low speed condition or a high speed condition depending on the magnitude of the travel control signal pressure supplied from the travel signal detection means.

Abstract: A charge air cooler is composed of a framed heat exchange core which is sealably attached in a selectively removable manner with any suitably shaped inlet and outlet ducts, and is, at the other sides thereof provided with cover panels which collectively necessitate that all of the hot charge air coming from the turbocharger pass entirely through the heat exchange core. In this regard, the heat exchange core is provided with a pair of opposingly disposed mounting frames, each of which being connected sealably to a commensurately sized and configured mounting flange of an inlet duct or an outlet duct.

Abstract: A mounting bracket adapted for use in mounting a wastegate actuator to a turbocharger of an automotive engine. The mounting bracket includes a flat metal bracket having a hole formed therein, for supporting the wastegate actuator, and a clamping portion integrally attached to the metal bracket. The clamping portion surrounds a cylindrical inlet portion of the turbocharger to mount the bracket thereon. The clamping portion is also used to tighten the wastegate actuator in place on the turbocharger body. Once a desired position of wastegate actuator is achieved, the clamping portion is tightened around the turbocharger pipe using a fastener to keep the two halves of the clamping portion fastened together. The design of the mounting bracket allows for a large number of positions in which the wastegate actuator is placed on the turbocharger.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for synchronizing an induction machine to an electrical grid. The embodiment described is an ORC power plant having a motor-generator in mechanical communication with a turbine. The motor-generator is operated with open windings (e.g., freewheeling) by driving the turbine with a variable speed pump. The rotational speed of the motor-generator is sensed. When the motor-generator is operating at a rotational speed near the steady state rotational speed that corresponds to operation of the ORC power plant, the contacts between the motor-generator windings and the grid are closed, and the motor is synchronized with the grid.

Abstract: In a fuel injector assembly, for an internal combustion engine, a curved outer housing, fixed at one end, fully encloses a curved flexible fuel feed member, affixed to the housing inlet end and has a nozzle assembly operatively connected to an inner end, wherein the improvement comprises that the housing inlet includes at least one first shaped surface portion, and the nozzle assembly includes a movable nozzle spray-tip having another shaped surface portion that mates conformingly with and is in contact with the at least one shaped surface portion, resulting in relative motion therebetween upon operation of this engine, as a result of the thermal differential arising due to the differing temperatures of the housing and feed member.

Abstract: A high power thermoelectric controller system is disclosed, capable of operating multiple thermoelectric cooler (TEC) devices, each with a maximum power demand greater than 200 watts. The controller system utilizes interleaved triggering of multiple pulse width modulated power conversion circuits in order to minimize switching transient currents. In another aspect, the system incorporates a novel combination of a PWM controller circuit and H-bridge switching network into a single circuit that reduces the number of components needed to provide closed-loop proportional control of multiple TEC devices in a temperature control system.

Abstract: A cryogenic biological preservation unit having a removable lid and an integrated cryocooler positioned apart from, or within a fixed portion of, the lid and which provides refrigeration to the upper portion of the interior of the unit which also contains a pool of liquid cryogen and at least one biological sample preferably positioned above the pool of liquid cryogen.

Abstract: An automatically actuated line connection and delivery system is disclosed for the delivery of a cryogenic fluid coolant to tools mounted on manufacturing machines such as vertical and horizontal machining centers, punching presses, thermal spray systems, welding systems, laser cutters, etc. The system includes a linearly-actuated, cryogenic fluid socket/plunger connection “(20)” with a differential, thermal contraction-controlled sealing mechanism, “(22,24)” as well as provisions for installing this connection on automated manufacturing machines “(60,84)” and integrating operation of the connection “(20)” with the manufacturing cycle controlled from a remote control panel “(70)”.

Abstract: A refrigeration system and method includes a refrigeration component and an electronics module preconfigured with a data set for the refrigeration component. The electronics module stores the data set including identification and configuration parameters of the refrigeration component. A refrigeration system controller that communicates with the electronics module to copy the data set and to regulate operation of the refrigeration component within the refrigeration system.

Abstract: In a multi-circuit heat pump system least one of the circuits has a reheat function. Various reheat concepts may be independently utilized for each circuit to reheat and dehumidify air. Moreover, the ability to bypass refrigerant around the outdoor heat exchanger may also be provided. Communication means between the circuits may be present to re-optimize the refrigerant charge and to provide better control over system operational parameters. The above mentioned control functions and design features assure system flexibility in satisfying a wide spectrum of market requirements and potential applications by operation in a variety of cooling, heating and dehumidification regimes and a combination of thereof.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a stationary vehicle air conditioning system with a refrigerant circuit, in which a compressor circulates refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit including at least one condenser. The one compressor may be powered by the vehicle's mechanical power, by an electrical source, or by a combination of these driving forces. Depending on desired operating characteristics, a plurality of condensers may be arranged in a series or parallel configuration within the circuit, and a second compressor also may be added, which second compressor may be powered by a source other than the mechanical energy of the vehicle's engine. A plurality of fans may be positioned and selectively operable to provide cooling air streams to one or more of the condensers, with the vehicle engine mechanically driving one fan and an electrical power source driving another fan.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a cooling system provide for determining one or more cooling requirements of a computing system and controlling one or more vent valves of the cooling system based on the cooling requirements. In one approach, the cooling requirements are determined based on operating system state data and/or power management data.

Abstract: An expansion valve control system, a method of controlling an expansion valve and a refrigeration unit incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the expansion valve control system includes (1) a superheat error circuit configured to derive a superheat error for a fluid associated with the expansion valve and (2) a valve position circuit, associated with the superheat error circuit, configured to reposition the expansion valve proportionally based on both a current position thereof and the superheat error.

Abstract: A method which include an air intake into an air separation unit; extracting from the separation unit at least a gas stream, essentially consisting of an air gas, in particular oxygen or nitrogen, and directing one or more of these gas streams towards the combustion chamber of a gas turbine; controlling at least one parameter related to the or each gas stream, by acting on a compressor in each gas stream arranged downstream of the air separating unit; assigning to one or more parameter a variable setpoint value, based on a value representing the load of the gas turbine.

Abstract: The invention provides a gemstone material having therein embedded a plurality of dichroic particles. Methods of producing the gemstone material are also provided. The gemstone material can be provided in the form of a slab, faceted gemstone, or cabochon.

Abstract: Method for transferring heat onto a glass in the furnace meant for heat treatment of glass, into which glass is transferred on a path of rollers, furnace heated by resistors (5) located inside of the furnace, the radiation heat directed onto the glass and convection heat transferred by means of a blower and air onto the glass. In the method the glass being heated and roller space (8) are separated by a wall (9) from air circulation space (3, 7), by means of blowers the air circulation is arranged to heat above and/or below the glass by means of the first chamber (7) and second chamber (3), wherein air is sucked by the blower from the first chamber and blowed into the second chamber, wherein air circulation is conducted from the vicinity of the glass and from roller space (8) through an opening in the wall (9) into vertical channels (7C2) and further into the first chamber and chamber the glass is directed onto the glass through nozzles (6).

Abstract: An I.S. Machine is disclosed which includes a structure displaceable from a start location to an end location and a motor for displacing that structure. A control controls the operation of the motor to displace the structure and the speed of displacement can be varied by changing inputs to the control. A fixed period of time from a datum to the ideal time when the structure will be displaced to its end location is set and compared with an actual period and a selected input to the control is provided for changing the speed of the structure to reduce the difference.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical waveguide is disclosed. The method comprises first forming a lower cladding layer having at least one waveguide support. Next, a core material is formed onto the waveguide support using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD) process. Finally, an upper cladding layer is formed over the core material, such that the upper cladding layer and the lower cladding layer surround the core material.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for supporting a preform manufactured in an installation for manufacturing or building up preforms having supporting cores, said installation including at least rotation means having a horizontal axis of rotation and two mounting points between which the supporting core of the preform to be manufactured or built up is mounted, plasma-torch and material-supply means disposed radially relative to said supporting core and being mounted to move in axial translation relative to and parallel to the supporting core so as to make said preform around said supporting core, said apparatus being wherein it includes controlled support means constituting additional localized abutment points between said mounting points for said preform being manufactured or built up.

Abstract: A method to orient a tubular knitted article, such as a sock or the like, with respect to a pocket of fabric, for example the heel or toe pocket of said article. The method comprises the phases of: stretching an article on a tubular member (1) so that an intermediate part of the band (F) surrounding an end to be sewn of said article (M) is positioned along a line intersecting in two points the end edge of the tubular member and the remaining part is disposed along the outer side surface of the tubular member; detecting the angular position of said band on the tubular member; identifying the position of a pocket of fabric of the article on the basis of the angular position of said band with respect to the tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knit made in one piece, based on an arrangement formed by at least two sheets of yarns, comprising at least one first sheet that defines a first chain structure and at least one or more non-meshing sheets, of partial weft, each of these non-meshing sheets defining a structure, which knit comprises at least one free chain yarn, a free chain yarn being defined as a chain yarn for which, along the entire longitudinal dimension of the knit, all yarn of said meshing sheets approaching said free chain yarn makes a 180 degree turn at this free chain yarn. The invention also relates to a textile medical device obtained by unraveling of at least two free chain yarns of said knit. The invention also relates to a method of production of said knit.

Abstract: An oscillating control device (1) for thread-guide bars (2) of linear knitting machines (60), comprising a support (5) that can rotate around a middle axis (6) to which at least one thread-guide bar (2) can be associated, movement means (10) for the support (5), and transmission means (20) operatively connected to the movement means (10) for imparting an oscillating movement to the support (5). The transmission means (20) are operatively associated to the support (5) on at least two separate actuating points (7a, 7b) for moving it with an oscillating movement in a balanced manner with respect to the middle axis (6) thereof. In particular, a pushing action and a pulling action are applied simultaneously on the two actuating points (7a, 7b) by the movement means (10) through the transmission means (20).

Abstract: A washing machine in which steam and hot water are supplied to heat wash water. The washing machine includes a water tub for containing wash water, a steam generating unit for heating water supplied thereto, thereby generating steam, a water supply unit for supplying water into the water tub and the steam generating unit, a steam supply unit for supplying the steam generated from the steam generating unit into the water tub, and a hot water supply unit for supplying hot water from the steam generating unit into the water tub. In the washing machine, the temperature of wash water can be rapidly increased in accordance with steam and hot water supplied into the water tub. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the overall wash time while reducing the amount of wash water to be used. The energy consumed to heat the wash water can also be reduced.