Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a filter including a membrane adapted to hold a material to be filtered and adapted to allow a filtrate to pass through. The membrane includes an indicator adapted to indicate a quantity of the material to be placed in the filter.

Abstract: An electric cooker includes an upper burner and a lower burner which are adjustably coupled to a control platform. The lower burner is coupled to a pair of wheels (at least one of which is provided with a ratchet stop) which are rotatable about a horizontal axis such that the lower burner can be angled up from horizontal to 45° or more. The upper burner is coupled to the wheels by a pair of floating hinges so that the space between the upper and lower burners is automatically adjustable. The floating hinges are provided with notches and the control platform has a pair of movable bosses which engage the notches to keep the upper burner spaced a fixed distance above the lower burner. The floating hinges also allow for a full 180° rotation so that the upper and lower burners can be arranged as side by side burners. The control platform has separate digital temperature controls for the two burners and is also equipped with a digital timer which automatically turns the cooker off.

Abstract: A food serving tray having a replaceable pattern which comprises a front plate for dishing out the food and a planar bottom portion, a plurality of compartments formed in the planar bottom portion, each compartment having a transparent bottom portion, a plate having a printed pattern which is detachably put on the base of the transparent bottom portion, a frame for holding the plate in the compartment, a transparent cover put on the bottom of the compartment and a tableware groove provided longitudinally on the flange of either front plate or planar bottom portion of the food serving tray.

Abstract: A cutting frame for use in a curd vat, which cutting frame comprises substantially parallel frame girders, between which is situated a lattice formed from longitudinal knives and transverse knives, of which the transverse knives are mounted on the frame girders by welding and have aligned openings, in which the longitudinal knives are received, wherein the longitudinal knives are strip-shaped knives having a length dimension and a width dimension and having at least one sharp cutting edge extending in the length dimension, which cutting edge is formed by at least one obliquely ground cutting face, wherein the width of the longitudinal knives is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the openings of the transverse knives, and wherein means are provided for substantially preventing displacement of the longitudinal knives in the length dimension, wherein at least a number of openings of at least a number of transverse knives is provided with supporting elements which substantially lock the longitudinal kniv

Abstract: A roaster oven for roasting pizza and other food includes a housing having its interior formed with at least two accommodating chambers. Each accommodating chamber has its opposite inner sidewalls respectively and correspondingly provided with positioning members, and its inner upper and lower sides respectively and oppositely installed with electric heating tubes. The housing has its faceplate disposed thereon with control rotary selectors for setting roasting time and temperature, and one of the two accommodating chambers of the roaster oven is movably provided therein with a pizza holder. By so designing, the roaster oven of this invention can be used for roasting pizza and other food simultaneously or respectively.

Abstract: The multi-function juicer is a tool used for meat grinding and juice extraction. By changing the blade and screw bolt inside, it can serve the double purpose of either meat grinding or juice extraction. By repetitively rotating the handle, the screw bolt and the blade will rotate, too. This will drive the meat to pass through the pedal blade to smash into smaller ground meat, or drive the fruit to pass through the rotating blade and screw bolt to extract juice. The wetness of the pulp can be adjusted by controlling the wetness control unit. There is no need for extra processes to separate the juice from pulp, or to control the wetness of the pulp. It provides a convenient way to use one simple juicer to extract juice from different fruits. The other special point of this invention is that it has a vacuum disk on the bottom. Before meat grinding or juice extraction, the user only needs to rotate the handle inside the body.

Abstract: An electrically driven mechanical servo press machine including a brake and a clutch is arranged such that a motor shaft of a servomotor is connected to a drive shaft or a sleeve of the mechanical servo press machine on a clutch side. With this arrangement, safety in control can be improved.

Abstract: A baler, comprising a compacting mechanism and a binding mechanism is provided. The compacting mechanism comprises a bearing plane against which cardboard is compressed. This baler includes a compacting mechanism and rope tightening mechanism. In using the baler of the invention, a cardboard compacting platform is pulled up towards the compacting bearing plane along a channel in a frame. The compacting platform is pulled up by mechanical force and dragged downwards by its weight. A rope clamp placed on each side of the rack combine with the rope retracting ratchet gear and other elements from a rope tightening mechanism to tie up the compacting cardboard.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a printing process. In particular, the invention relates to a printing process where a first-printed feature or vanishing trace causes a second-printed feature to have a smaller dimension than it would in the absence of the first-printed feature or vanishing trace.

Abstract: The invention is involved in a method for four-color printing and dyeing in textiles industry. The process comprises the processes of engraving and printing & dyeing. The process of engraving includes separating the color picture into four primary colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black). Four data files are generated in accordance with the result of color separation, and stored in four compact discs representing separated colors, respectively. Special curves are created based on types of fabric and types of design in this process. Four screens are made for the separated four colors in accordance with the data files. Then the exact positioning and superposition of the locating points or cross marks of the four screens are ensured during the process of printing and dyeing. The present invention provides a fastest and cost-efficient process for printing and dyeing in textile industry.

Abstract: A pump inking unit of a printing machine is usable to dose a predetermined amount of ink onto axially adjacent areas of a peripheral surface of a roller, by the provision of a discharge opening, with the aid of several dosing pumps. These several dosing pumps are arranged adjacent each other in an axial direction of the roller. Each one of these dosing pumps has its own motor. The adjacently arranged dosing pumps are arranged along an application strip that is provided with the discharge openings. Each of these dosing pumps is a rotating displacement pump with an externally toothed, internal rotor and with an internally toothed external motor. The axes of rotation of these two rotors are eccentric to each other. The teeth of the external and internal rotors are at any time in engagement with each other to form a system of several sealed transport chambers between the external rotor and the internal rotor, during rotation of these rotors about their individual axes of rotation.

Abstract: A printing couple of a printing unit for a web-fed rotary press includes a transfer cylinder, a form cylinder, and an inking couple having at least one roller. The transfer cylinder is coupled to the form cylinder, and the form cylinder is coupled to at least one roller of the inking couple, by side-by-side straight gears arranged in a first gear plane. The drive motor is coupled to the transfer cylinder by side-by-side helical gears arranged in a second gear plane.

Abstract: A multiconfiguration printing assembly comprising a first inking assembly for a first type of printing, a second inking assembly for a second type of printing, a printing roller related to the first type of printing and a printing roller related to the second type of printing, a single contrast roller being provided and being common to the printing rollers.

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium, which includes a) a phase change ink component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image; b) an imaging member for accepting the phase change ink image from the phase change ink component, and transferring the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, the imaging member having i) an imaging substrate, and thereover ii) an optional outer layer; and iii) iii) a release agent material coating, wherein the release agent material coating includes a perfluorinated polyether having a skeleton selected from the group consisting of Formulas I and II and mixtures thereof: CF3—(CF2CF2)m—O—(R1R2O)—(R3R3O)n—(R3O)p—(CF2)q—CF3Formula I wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CF2, CF—CF3 and —NR4R5; R2 is selected from the group consisting of CF2, CF—CF3, and —NR4R5; R3 is selected from the group consisting of CF2 and CF3; R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl

Abstract: A device is provided for determining incorrectly sized or manufactured blankets includes a first blanket on a first blanket cylinder independently driven by a first motor, a first controller for determining torque values of the first motor, a second blanket on a second blanket cylinder independently driven by a second motor, a second controller for determining torque values of the second motor. A processor determines the existence of a size difference between the first and second blankets as a function of the torque values of the first and second motors. A method for comparing blankets is also provided.

Abstract: A printing state automatic switching apparatus includes a printing state switching unit, abnormal end detection unit, and error recovery unit. The printing state switching unit automatically switches the printing state of a printing press from a first printing state to a second printing state through a plurality of switching steps. The abnormal end detection unit detects an abnormal end of each switching step of automatic switching from the first printing state to the second printing state. When the abnormal end detection unit detects an abnormal end of a switching step, the error recovery unit receives an error recovery instruction and eliminates the error of the switching step. A printing state automatic switching method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The method or system for controlling a printing or copying system for processing single sheets, a first single sheet and at least a second single sheet immediately following the first single sheet is processed with aid of n processing units. A required minimum distance between the first and the second single sheet is determined for each processing unit. A delay distance is determined for the first and at least for each of the n?1 following processing units. A difference between the minimum distance of a processing unit and a sum of the delay distances of the preceding processing units is formed. A smallest possible distance with which the second single sheet is fed to the first processing unit after the first single sheet is determined by a highest value of the determined minimum distance of the first processing unit and the determined differences.

Abstract: A combustible propellant charge casing for ammunition which can be shot from the barrel of a weapon. So that the erosion-reducing additive will lead to a decrease in the erosive action of the propellant powder present in the molded part of the ammunition better than that of known additives, either polyacetylene or a mixture of WO3 and MoO3 and CeO2 or La2O3 or Y2O3 is used as the erosion-reducing additive. The particle size of the erosion-reducing additive does not exceed 30 ?m, and the specific surface area of the erosion-reducing additive is at least 2 m2/g. The mixture can also contain polyoxymethylene (POM).

Abstract: A multiple track railroad system for use with two adjacent sets of parallel continuous tracks with the tracks having a distance therebetween and each set of tracks including two continuous rails having a distance therebetween. The railroad system includes an engine for pulling a train that has a set of wheels riding on at least two of the rails, and the engine has a width equal to at least one set of the tracks. The railroad system also includes at least one rail car connected to and propelled by the engine, wherein the rail car spans and extends beyond the outer rails of both sets of tracks.

Abstract: A rail road freight car, which may be a gondola car, may have a flat deck, and a peripheral wall structure. The peripheral wall structure may include arcuate sidewalls and arcuate endwalls. The car body may include internal stiffeners having an arcuate outside sidewall profile. Those stiffeners may be lined up with cross-bearers and bolsters, such that large spring-like frames are formed. The car may include stations at which there are cross-bearers, but no corresponding upstanding wall reinforcement posts mounted outside the car walls. The end top chords may be curved and may be pin jointedly connected to the side top chords. The side top chords may have a central portion that has a substantially greater second moment of area for resisting lateral deflections than adjacent end portions. The arcuate form of the endwalls may provide additional space in which to mount safety appliances.

Abstract: A product for treating the surfaces of vehicles comprising a silanol-containing composition used to enhance gloss and aid in protecting substrates. More particularly, a product for treating vehicles comprising silanols and catalysts that cure to form a durable coating when exposed to the moisture in air.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for forming a corrosion resistant thermal barrier coating material includes steps of blending indium oxide with at least one hydrate forming oxide to form a mechanical mixture, heating the mechanical mixture to a sufficiently high temperature to form an indate precursor, and blending the indate precursor with at least one non-hydrate forming oxide to form a co-stabilized mixture. In one embodiment, the co-stabilized mixture can be changed into an APS powder by using a powder forming method. In another embodiment, the co-stabilized mixture can be formed into a desired shape and heated to form an EB-PVD ingot.

Abstract: Pigments having covalently bound stabilizing groups that enable formation of a stable dispersion of the pigment in a liquid and covalently bound species containing at least one external reactive carbonyl group are disclosed Such pigments are particularly useful in reactive inkjet ink formulations.

Abstract: Printing inks for offset and/or letterpress printing which comprise NIR absorbers, and solubility of the NIR absorber in the printing ink is at least 0.1% by weight. NIR absorbers consisting of cyanine cation with an anion which has long-chain alkyl or aralkyl groups. Use of such printing inks for printing processes in which the curing of the printing ink is promoted by using IR lasers. NIR absorbers comprising a cyanine cation with an anion which has long-chain alkyl or aralkyl groups.

Abstract: The present invention is a dye represented by the following general formula (1), a method of producing the dye and an ink containing the dye, wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group that may be substituted, an aryl group that may be substituted or an aralkyl group that may be substituted; R2 represents an alkyl group that may be substituted, a cycloalkyl group that may be substituted or an aralkyl group that may be substituted; R3 represents an alkyl group that may be substituted, an aryl group that may be substituted or an aralkyl group that may be substituted; X1 through X3 independently represent a hydrogen atom or any substituent; and M represents a counter ion.

Abstract: The present invention includes a paint or coating composition comprising an organic pigment or dye complexed to the surface of a layered or fibrous inorganic clay. A wide variety of paint colors can be obtained by varying the pH during the preparation as well as by varying the synthesis conditions and changing particle size of the clay. The paint has unprecedented stability.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a method of manufacturing iron oxide pigments from mill scale. The mill scale is mixed with alien iron oxide and the resultant mixture is heated to a temperature of 200° C. to 900° C. in an oxidizing atmosphere to produce iron oxide pigment which can be black, brown or red. The alien iron oxide used and the iron oxide pigment produced are predominantly Fe2O3 or Fe3O4 or a mixture of both. The iron oxide pigment produced as above or from any other sources can be turn into black by mixing it with mill scale and the resultant mixture is heated to a temperature of 200° C. to 900° C. in a non-oxidizing or reducing atmosphere to produced iron oxide black pigment. Additives can be added to produce better quality iron oxide black pigment. The additives can be chromium oxide or manganese oxide or magnesium oxide or any carbonaceous material or mixtures thereof. The iron oxide black pigment produced as above is cooled in a non-oxidizing or reducing atmosphere to ensure no re-oxidation.

Abstract: A method for producing a one-piece carbon foam article having a complex geometric shape is described. The method may include heating a carbonizable polymeric foam article having a complex geometric shape to temperature sufficient to carbonize the polymer foam and produce carbon foam. The resulting carbon foam article retains substantially the same shape and physical pore structure of the carbonizable polymeric foam article.

Abstract: Carbon foam enclosures for at least partially or mostly shielding an at least partially enclosed volume from electromagnetic inference, and a method for using such enclosures, are described. The enclosure may comprise a continuous, non-planar piece of carbon foam. The continuous, non-planar piece of carbon foam may comprise at least two walls an angle greater than zero degrees and define at least a partially enclosed volume. Alternatively, the enclosure may include at least one curved wall and define at least a partially enclosed volume. The carbon foam of the enclosure is electrically conductive. The invention may also include a method for producing a carbon foam electromagnetic interference shielding enclosure.

Abstract: A load-bearing platform that includes an expandable polymer matrix core and a skin disposed over a bottom side of the core. The core includes a base and a plurality of legs extending from one side of the base, the legs having one or more core insert openings in a bottom surface of the legs. The skin includes a plurality of legs, each adapted to accept a leg of the core and one or more skin insert openings corresponding to a core insert opening, where at least one leg insert per leg is inserted into an insert opening. The load bearing platform can be used for shipping articles.

Abstract: A system for handling rolled sheet goods includes at least two pallets with a box situated on each pallet, each box containing a plurality of rolls of sheet goods arrayed within each box so that an open central core of each roll is aligned perpendicular to the box bottom. A compression resistant member is situated adjacent to or within the open central core of some of the rolls, each compression resistant member extending from the box bottom to a plane above the roll top edge to contact a lower surface of the box top to resist vertical compression of the box that would damage the rolled sheet goods. At least one tension member can be used to couple the boxes and pallets of the system together in a vertical stack.

Abstract: A desktop including a first portion and a diagonal portion oriented diagonally with respect to the first portion. Both the first portion and diagonal portion each have a top surface, a bottom surface opposite said top surface, a plurality of side surfaces, and first and second longitudinal axes, respectively, that substantially bisect each portion. The first portion and diagonal portion are oriented so that the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are diagonal to one another. The desktop also includes a return portion having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a plurality of side surfaces. The return portion is joined with the first portion and has a third longitudinal axis that substantially bisects the top surface of the return portion. The third longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The modular folding table includes a collapsible truss framework that supports a folding table top and a folding utility shelf, and includes legs that can be connected horizontally or vertically to the legs of one or more similar modular folding tables, to provide desired table and shelf space with a structure that is foldable, strong and stable.

Abstract: A modular conference table may be expanded from an assembly of two identical end sections by adding one or more extension sections with all configurations utilizing the same connection assemblies. The two and three module tables use the same single center leg. The use of structural connecting blocks at the joints between the extension section and each of the end sections obviates the need for additional supporting legs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lap trays, specifically to non-rigid automobile lap trays with four surrounding high sides, constructed from FDA-approved materials for safe contact with food, having properties available to withstand temperatures greater than 200° F. The non-rigid automobile lap tray is formed through one of several processes: they can be compression molded or transfer molded if a rubber or silicone material is used, or injection molded with non-rigid plastic materials.

Abstract: A gun safe door storage system is permanently affixed to an interior surface of a gun safe door. The door storage system comprises a plurality of integrated pouches or pockets and a rack arranged such that the pouches or pockets are accessible even when the rack is holding rifles or rifle parts, such as barrels. Substantially all of the available space on the interior surface of the door is filled with pockets or pouches. The pouches or pockets are affixed to a backing material having strength and weight sufficient to prevent sagging. The backing material is permanently affixed to the interior surface of the gun safe door. The rack comprises a barrel support and a stock support mounted permanently on the interior surface of the gun safe door over the pouches or pockets.

Abstract: A vault assembly generally comprises a lock box, an anchor bracket, and a locking member. The lock box includes a mounting wall having a plurality of outward extending hooks arranged in a spaced pattern and a locking opening. The anchor bracket includes a panel for attachment of the lock box including one or more locking openings and a plurality of joining openings for receiving the hooks. The locking member is disposed in the box and includes a locking shaft for insertion in the locking openings and a locking flange on the end to prevent withdrawal. The lock box mounting wall can be attached in a plurality of positions to either side of the panel.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved grain drill and a method retrofitting a previously manufactured grain drill to provide accurate weight determination of seed in a seed hopper of the grain drill. A grain drill in accordance with the invention includes a frame having a plurality of wheels for supporting the grain drill during rolling over a surface of ground to be planted with seed grain; a hopper for containing the seed grain to be planted in the ground; a support which is joined to opposed sides of the frame and to spaced apart locations of the hopper to transfer weight of the hopper to the frame, the support including at least one weight sensing device which senses a weight of seed grain in the hopper transferred through the support to the frame and provides an output of the sensed weight of the seed grain in the hopper; and a display, coupled to the output, for displaying the weight of the seed grain contained in the hopper.

Abstract: An embroidery frame holding workpiece cloth for embroidery sewing includes a lower frame receiving a lower side of the workpiece cloth and having a cloth clamping side, an upper frame holding the workpiece cloth in cooperation with the lower frame between the frames and having a cloth holding side, a clamp mechanism pressing the upper frame against the lower frame and retaining the upper frame in a pressing state, and a hold assisting member enhancing hold of the workpiece cloth and detachably attached to the cloth holding side of at least one of the upper and lower frames.

Abstract: A thread tension mechanism and a sewing machine including a thread tension dial that adjusts thread tension applied to a needle thread; a pair of thread tension discs allowing adjustment of thread tension applied to the needle thread by operation of the thread tension dial; a dial shaft secured unrotatably to an element constituting a body of the thread tension mechanism and rotatably supporting the thread tension dial; a first coil spring mounted in intimate contact with an outer periphery of the dial shaft; a second coil spring mounted in intimate contact with the outer periphery of the dial shaft in a position spaced from the first coil spring and being wound in a same direction as the first coil spring; and a pair of non-confronting outer end portions positioned at both ends of the first coil spring and the second coil spring or a pair of inner end portions positioned at confronting ends of the first coil spring and the second coil spring are engaged with the thread tension dial so as to be unrotatable re

Abstract: A control method for a motor driven linear drive device is provided in which: a device control unit receives information representative of measured speed of said device; on receiving a start-up command, start-up of the motor is not initiated if the measured speed is zero; information representative of the speed of the drive devices is monitored; and a control sequence which brings about rotation of the motor in accordance with a pre-programmed acceleration profile is initiated when rotation of the device caused by an external action is detected.

Abstract: A structure can be installed in and removed from a body of water in a seasonal fashion. The structure has a lower level that includes a boat lift and may include an upper level that provides an entertainment area. The structure carries a buoyancy system for selectively floating the structure on the body of water or sinking the structure in the water. A substantially enclosed boathouse may form the structure when the structure has only a lower level. The boathouse is separable into sections each of which could be separately rolled over the ground by wheels attached to each section. This reduces the usual operational width of the boathouse into the smaller towed widths of the individual sections to ease the task of transporting the boathouse over the ground.

Abstract: Personal watercraft systems are described. The personal watercraft systems include a housing for supporting a water jet engine system. The housing has a pickle fork shaped hull for operation enjoyment. A pair of sponsons is removably attachable to the housing to facilitate breakdown of the watercraft system assembly into more easily transportable components. A cowling is disposed in the housing about the water jet engine system for forming a water jacket about the engine. A support is attached to the housing to support a torso area of an operator. A seal is disposed between the support and the housing for sealing the interface therebetween and absorbing impacts. A steering mechanism is connected to the personal watercraft system for allowing an operator to control the personal watercraft systems direction of travel. The steering mechanism is located below the support for preventing inadvertent operator contact therewith.

Abstract: The Invention provides a method of reducing friction and water pressure when an ocean going Vessel moves trough water by a device consisting of a sub-water container that is supplied and continuously pressurized with air that is then released through outlets at the top of the container, thus creating a mixture of air and water that provides less friction and pressure to the bow of the Vessel, resulting in greater speed and less fuel consumption.

Abstract: A steering and control apparatus for steering a waterjet propelled watercraft includes: (a) a joystick apparatus including a movable joystick and a mechanical housing supporting the joystick in the cockpit; (b) an outdrive at a rear of the watercraft including a movable rear nozzle, (c) a trim control push-pull cable operably connecting the joystick apparatus and the nozzle; (d) a left/right push-pull cable operably connecting the joystick apparatus and the nozzle; (e) a throttle trigger portion attached to the joystick apparatus; and (f) a forward/reverse push-pull cable linking the throttle trigger portion and the throttle. The steering and control apparatus preferably also includes: (g) a forward/reverse lever mechanism adjacent the joystick apparatus with a forward/reverse lever; and (h) a forward/reverse push-pull cable operably connecting the forward/reverse mechanism and a mechanism for diverting an outflow from the outdrive nozzle movably attached to the outdrive.

Abstract: A multi-person racing canoe that can be assembled in sections to make different canoe configurations for different numbers of people. When the sections are disassembled, they pack for storage and/or transportation. A particular embodiment of the present invention uses a common tail section with an optional middle section and different bow sections to configure as a 2-man, 4-man or 6-man racing canoe. The sections can be coupled to form the various configurations with a rhino horn-shaped fastener. An outrigger or AMA can be mounted at several different positions fore and aft in the different configurations.

Abstract: A warning device includes a sign connected with a first end of a cable and a second end of the cable passes a pulley, and is connected to a garage door, so that when the garage door is opened, the sign is lowered to a desired height and seen by the driver to stop the car.

Abstract: A valve cover includes a base that attaches to an engine and a display window that attaches to the base. The display window is made of material that can withstand the operating environment of the engine, including temperature and resistance to petroleum-based substances. The display window is secured to the base using a flexible gasket that encircles the display window and snaps into a groove in the base to secure the display window to the base. The display window may be see-through so the valves are visible. The display window may also include one or more display elements, such as light-emitting diodes, optical fibers, electro-luminescent panels, incandescent bulbs, liquid crystal displays, etc. The display window may include embossed or etched portions, and may include multiple colors and sequenced operation to provide any desired effect on the display panel.

Abstract: Homogeneity residuals of the refractive index have a strong influence on the performance of lithography tools for both 193 and 157 nm application wavelengths. By systematic investigations of various defects in the real structure of CaF2 crystals, the origin of homogeneity residuals can be shown. Based on a quantitative analysis we define limiting values for the individual defects which can be either tolerated or controlled by optimized process steps, e.g. annealing. These correlations were carried out for all three relevant main crystal lattice orientations of CaF2 blanks. In conclusion we achieved a strong improvement of the critical parameters of both refractive index homogeneity and striae for large size lens blanks up to 270 mm diameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for heat treating a single crystal, comprising a step of heating a single crystal of a specific cerium-activated orthosilicate compound in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.