Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a breaker interlock device adapted to mechanically resist switching a handle of a first circuit breaker from an OFF position to an ON position when a handle of a second circuit breaker is in an ON position, wherein the first circuit breaker is adjacent to the second circuit breaker.

Abstract: A dustproof cover is used in conjunction with a casing, which at least has a first opening, a second opening, a first engaging part and a first connecting part. The dustproof cover includes a first dustproof part, a second dustproof part, a second engaging part and a second connecting part. The first dustproof part corresponds to the first opening of the casing. The second dustproof part corresponds to the second opening of the casing. The second engaging part corresponds to the first engaging part of the casing. The second engaging part is located between the first dustproof part and the second dustproof part. The second connecting part is connected with the first connecting part of the casing. The first dustproof part is located between the second engaging part and the second connecting part. In addition, an electronic apparatus including the dustproof cover is also provided.

Abstract: A reservoir assembly is disclosed including a one-piece integrally formed fluid level switch housing and outlet wherein the switch housing can be rotated 360 degrees about its longitudinal axis to locate the outlet at any desired position. A conventional fitting may be integrally formed at the outlet. The orientation of the outlet may be changed at any time after the manufacturing process.

Abstract: To provide a structure in which a rotary connector, a turning signal switch and a wiper switch can be combined into a sub-assembly, and besides even when an unduly-large force acts on the turning signal switch or the wiper switch after the rotary connector and the two switches are mounted on their respective mounting portions, an adverse effect of this force on the rotary connector can be suppressed.

Abstract: A low-profile robust switch having low pre-travel and high overtravel is provided through the use of counteracting biasing elements that operate upon the actuating area of the switch in the absence of externally applied forces. These biasing elements set the switch very close to its actuation point. In the disclosed embodiments, these counteracting biasing elements include a lever and at least one spring which are arranged to provide a low-profile switch.

Abstract: A switch device including a switch operation shaft movable between a plurality of operation positions for setting a control amount for an apparatus. A follower is driven to follow the movement of the switch operation shaft. An attraction member generates magnetic force to attract the follower so that the follower becomes immovable and to hold the switch operation shaft at a single operation position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switch has a shaft and a movable contact member slidably supported by the shaft. The shaft is moved with a plunger when an electromagnet is formed of an electromagnetic coil receiving an electric current and attracts the plunger. The movable contact member is moved with the plunger and connects fixed contact members with each other to turn on the switch. The shaft has a shaft body and a projection projected from the shaft body. The movable contact member has a hole. The projection is inserted into the hole to pass through the hole, and the movable contact member is disposed on the shaft body. Then, the movable contact member is rotated so as to engage the projection with the movable contact member. Therefore, the projection prevents the movable contact member from coming out of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selected components, moving a movable mass within the keyboard, and energizing a driving transducer within the keyboard. Further disclosed herein is a keyboard for a computer, comprising a plurality of keys, a cover with the keys protruding therethrough, a base supporting the cover and the keys, and at least one selectable mass wherein the mass is selected from a plurality of masses, a movable mass supported by the base and movable relative to the base, and a driving transducer supported by the base.

Abstract: A push switch is arranged to be mounted on a board. The push switch includes a case, plural contacts provided in the case, an operation body for activating the plurality of contacts upon being pushed in an operation direction parallel to the surface of the board, first and second terminals protruding from the case. The case has first and second side surfaces opposite to each other. The first terminal includes a first base portion protruding from the first side surface of the case, and a first end portion extending from the first base portion in non-parallel to a direction perpendicular to the operation direction. The second terminal includes a second base portion protruding from the second side surface of the case and a second end portion extending from the second base portion in non-parallel to a direction perpendicular to the operation direction. The push switch has a small size and is mounted securely onto a board.

Abstract: A remotely configurable control lever is disclosed for operating an electrical switch on the control panel of an agricultural vehicle. A cam plate 22 rotatable with the control lever has a cam track 23 defining at least one notch, which is selectively engaged by a resiliently biased detent 24 to latch the control lever in a predetermined position. A solenoid 32 is provided for retracting the detent to allow the control lever 10 to return to a neutral position. A second cam track 123 is provided which is rotatable with the control lever 10 and defines at least one stop cooperating with a further retractable detent 124 to limit the range of angular displacement of the control lever 10.

Abstract: A switch for a vehicle used to control the on-off operation of a stop lamp for an automobile ensures electrical contact and separation with a simple structure. The switch includes an input terminal and an output terminal each protruded outside the case at one end and is disposed in the case at the other end. Between the input terminal and the output terminal is disposed a switching unit having an input part, an output part, and a signal input part. The input part and the output part are connected to the input terminal and the output terminal, respectively. Between the signal input part of the switching unit and the input terminal is disposed a switch contact, which slides to perform electrical contact and separation in response to the vertical motion of the operating body accommodated in the case.

Abstract: All the traditional coke towers are lower skirt supporting structure, which makes the heat fatigue of the tower under high temperature inevitable. The weld crack on the lower skirt and the expansion and deformation at the lower part of the tower will occur within several years. The working efficiency and lifespan of the coke tower are severely restrained. Provided is a new design of coke tower which can greatly improve the performance of the coke tower under the existing technique condition. The skirt support is raised higher, the coke stuffing segment is suspended, and the bearing force mode is changed at the coke stuffing segment. Additionally, a jacket is added to the outer wall of the coke stuffing section of the tower. The new design significantly improves the efficiency of the coke tower, and the lifespan of the tower is greatly extended.

Abstract: A system for optimized operation and troubleshooting/diagnosis of an amine regeneration system comprising a flash tank, a rich/lean heat exchanger, a still, a reflux condenser, a reflux accumulator, a pump, a reboiler, and a pump bypass line to the flash tank.

Abstract: Among other things, a force field is used to manage an aspect of an energy profile of a chemical reaction. In some cases, the aspect of the energy profile is managed to alter the profile or to monitor the profile. Among other things, an electromagnetic beam and one or more magnetic fields are applied in a controlled manner to manipulate a small particle to move from one location to another based on a magnetic state of the particle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the treatment of gases comprising impurities, in which the gas, which is essentially at atmospheric pressure, is subjected to a radio-frequency inductive plasma (RF-ICP) discharge.

Abstract: A modular system for improving electro-metallurgical processes comprising a nucleus formed by upper and lower rectangular frames, the nucleus. At least one cathode guide is attached to at least one of longitudinal beams. The at least one cathode guide is operable to keep positive ions from reaching border or edge of the cathode. At least one anode guide is provided.

Abstract: An electrolysis system (100) is provided. In addition to an electrolysis tank (101) and a membrane (105) separating the tank into two regions, the system includes at least one pair of low voltage electrodes (115/117) of a first type comprised of a first material, at least one pair of low voltage electrodes (117/118) of a second type comprised of a second material different from the first material, and at least one pair of high voltage electrodes (121/122) comprised of a material that may be the same as either the first or second material or different from both the first and second material. The low voltage applied to the low voltage electrodes and the high voltage applied to the high voltage electrodes is pulsed with the pulses occurring simultaneously with the same pulse duration.

Abstract: A system for the treatment of water to remove metals and undesirable substances from well and groundwater so as to render the water potable is disclosed. The system employs microbubbles of oxygen, which remain suspended in water at a concentration above 100% of the calculated saturated concentration at a particular temperature and pressure. These microbubbles oxidize undesirable substances in the water, which substances include iron manganese, arsenic, antimony, chrome, aluminum, reduced sulfur compounds, pesticide residues, drug metabolites and/or bacteria. Microbubbles are produced by electrolysis or by sparging through a microorifice. A control system for the electrolytic system is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fault detection for use in a plasma processing chamber is provided. The method comprises monitoring plasma parameters within a plasma chamber and analyzing the resulting information. Such analysis enables detection of failures and the diagnosis of failure modes in a plasma processing reactor during the course of wafer processing. The method comprises measuring the plasma parameters as a function of time and analyzing the resulting data. The data can be observed, characterized, compared with reference data, digitized, processed, or analyzed in any way to reveal a specific fault. Monitoring can be done with a detector such as a probe, which is preferably maintained within the plasma chamber substantively coplanar with a surface within the chamber, and directly measures net ion flux and other plasma parameters.

Abstract: A contrivance is applied to the wiring configuration for securely feeding electricity to electrodes provided in a multiplicity of reaction regions arranged on a substrate, irrespectively of the arrangement configuration of the electrodes. A bioassay substrate being a disk-shaped substrate having such a configuration that reaction regions 2 to be fields for interactions between substances are arranged in multiplicity and electrodes E are provided in the reaction regions 2, wherein feeder wirings 401, 402 which are extended from a current passing portion or portions (for example, 36) provided at a central portion of the substrate 1 and which are connected to the electrodes E1, E2 in the reaction regions 2 are extended to entirely cover the whole area of the substrate.

Abstract: A gas concentration measuring apparatus for use in air-fuel ratio control of automotive engines is designed to determine the concentration of oxygen within a wide and a narrow range using a sensor current flowing through a sensor element. The apparatus includes an amplifier circuit equipped with an operational amplifier and a plurality of amplifying resistors and a switch. The switch is responsive to a request signal to switch a relation in electrical connection between an operational amplifier and the amplifying resistors to distribute the amplifying resistors into an input resistor and a feedback resistor for the operational amplifier to change an amplification factor of the amplifier circuit. This results in a change in resolution of measurement of the concentration of oxygen, thereby ensuring enhanced accuracy in determining the concentration of oxygen in a selected one of the narrow and wide ranges.

Abstract: A microchannel cleaning method includes: generating bubbles by electrolyzing a fluid flowing through a microchannel; and passing the fluid containing the bubbles through the microchannel.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for more efficiently performing electrophoresis and electroblotting. A sandwich structure includes an electrophoresis gel affixed to a blotting membrane. A gel casting and/or running frame is used to hold the sandwich. A method and composition that allows separation of the gel and membrane after performing a combined electrophoresis and electroblotting operation so as to allow further operations to be performed individually upon the membrane, gel or both. A uniform electrophoretic field may be created by surrounding the sandwich structure using an insulating fluid; the insulating fluid is then swapped for a conducting fluid to allow application of an electroblotting field. An apparatus automatically manages fluid exchange and actuation of electrophoresis and electroblotting electrodes. A plurality of parallel cavities may be used to hold multiple gels or gel membrane sandwiches.

Abstract: An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be used with a pressure-driven separation apparatus to provide potable water having a desired total dissolved solids (TDS).

Abstract: An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be utilized to desalinate seawater and/or brackish water to provide irrigation water having a desired sodium adsorption ratio (SAR).

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell water management device is provided. The device includes a hydrophilic water transport element spanning from inside the fuel cell to outside the fuel cell and disposed between a gas diffusion layer and a current collector layer in the cell. The transport element includes an intermediate wick outside the fuel cell that is hydraulically coupled to the transport element, and has a transport element structure integrated with a flow field structure within the fuel cell. The device further includes an electroosmotic pump, where the pump is located outside the fuel cell and is hydraulically coupled to the intermediate wick. The hydraulically coupled pump actively removes excess water from the flow field structure and the gas diffusion layer through the transport element, where a key aspect of the invention is the decoupling of water removal from oxidant delivery and reduced parasitic loads.

Abstract: An apparatus separating a polarizable analyte using dielectrophoresis includes a vessel including a membrane having a plurality of nano- to micro-sized pores, the membrane disposed inside the vessel, electrodes generating spatially non-uniform electric fields in the nano- to micro-sized pores of the membrane when an AC voltage is applied to the electrodes, and a power source applying the AC voltage to the electrodes, wherein a sectional area of the pores varies along a depth of the pores. A method of separating a polarizable material uses the apparatus.

Abstract: A low friction top coat over a multilayer metal/ceramic bondcoat provides a conductive substrate, such as a rotary tool, with wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The top coat further provides low friction and anti-stickiness as well as high compressive stress. The high compressive stress provided by the top coat protects against degradation of the tool due to abrasion and torsional and cyclic fatigue. Substrate temperature is strictly controlled during the coating process to preserve the bulk properties of the substrate and the coating. The described coating process is particularly useful when applied to shape memory alloys.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for plating a portion of a work piece. The apparatus comprises a fixture having a cavity formed therein. The cavity is dimensioned to receive the portion of the work piece. An attaching means is provided for attaching the fixture to the work piece whereby a sealed chamber is formed between the fixture and the work piece. An inlet port in the fixture fluidly communicates with the sealed chamber. An outlet port in the fixture fluidly communicates with the sealed chamber. A circulation system fluidly connects to the inlet port and the outlet port and includes a source of a plating solution. The circulation system is operable to circulate a plating solution through the sealed chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-cost, high quality metal nanotube comprising Ni, Fe, Co or the like. A metal thin film having a thickness of 10 to 80 nm is formed as a cathode on one surface of a film having penetrated holes, and an electrolyte solution is filled between an anode and the cathode to which a voltage is applied. Metal ions in the electrolyte solution are electrochemically deposited on the walls of the penetrated holes, thereby forming metal nanotubes. A thermoplastic resin porous film such as a polycarbonate film, an alumina porous film or aluminum anodic oxide film may be used as the film, and the diameters of the penetrated holes are preferably 15 to 500 nm. The metal thin film can be formed by sputtering, and preferably comprises a platinum-palladium alloy. The electrochemical processing of nanostructured tailored materials is a unique technique.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for silver plating using a non-cyanide acid silver plating bath to form a silver plating film exhibiting good adhesiveness while suppressing dissolution of resist in pattern plating. The method includes conducting strike plating using a non-cyanide acid strike plating bath prior to the silver plating.

Abstract: A process for preheating an electrolytic cell, which involves disposing at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite across at least a portion of the surface of cathode blocks in the cell.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrolysis system (100) to achieve high hydrogen output flow rates is provided. At least three types of electrodes are positioned within an electrolysis tank (101), the three types including at least one pair of low voltage electrodes (115/117) comprised of a first material, at least one pair of low voltage electrodes (117/118) comprised of a second material different from the first material, and at least one pair of high voltage electrodes (121/122). The low voltage and high voltage cathode electrodes are positioned within one region of the tank (101) while the low voltage and high voltage anode electrodes are positioned within the second region of the tank (101), the two regions separated by a membrane (105). The tank (101) is filled with an electrolyte containing water (103). The power supplied to the low and high voltage electrodes is simultaneously pulsed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing silver triangular pyramid particles including: forming an electric field in an electrolytic solution including silver ions and a surfactant to reduce the silver ions into silver triangular pyramid particles.

Abstract: A method of detecting shorts and bad contacts in an electrolytic cell, the cell comprising a housing, electrolyte and at least one anode/cathode pair, the housing comprising an electrolyte in-flow side and an electrolyte out-flow side and electrical transmission means, the anode/cathode pair, electrolyte and electrical transmission means in electrical communication with one another, the method comprising: A. Passing an electric current of pre-determined amperage through the cell; B. Measuring the voltage drop across the cell at the electrolyte in-flow side of the housing and at the electrolyte out-flow side of the housing, C. Comparing the electrolyte in-flow side voltage against the electrolyte out-flow side voltage, and D. Comparing the electrolyte in-flow and out-flow side voltages against a calculated or estimated target voltage.

Abstract: An integrated contact lens case and an electronic timer which may be set to a predetermined time such as seven, fourteen or thirty days as the period during which the user may use contact lenses before replacing them. The timer generates an electrical signal upon reaching the predetermined time which signal is applied to an indicator carried by the housing to provide a visual signal to the user that the time for replacing the contact lens has arrived. The contact lens case is removably secured through the housing within which the electronic timer apparatus is disposed by a plurality of complimentary protrusions and recesses.

Abstract: A card carrying case for one or more credit cards consisting of a first member hingedly connected to a second member, each of the first member and the second member having an exterior panel, an interior panel and a dividing panel, the exterior panel and the interior panel being mateably connected to the dividing panel to form a pair of cavity sections, the cavity sections having dimensions to receive at least one credit card. Each of the dividing panels is disposed between and mateably connected to the exterior panel and the interior panel. Each of the exterior panels and the interior panels consisting of an inner surface having a pair of rib portions extending generally therefrom, and wherein each of the dividing panels consisting an upper surface and a lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface having a pair of channel portions extending therefrom.

Abstract: A shot dispenser comprises a housing (30), and a chamber (50) having a cap (60). The chamber is movable axially of the housing to open an outlet whereby the contents of the chamber can drain past the base. A tear band (32,33) prevents movement of the chamber until removed. The dispenser permits mixing of two liquids just prior to use.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a container or dispenser having a top, at least one sidewall, a bottom and an interior volume. The at least one sidewall joins the top to the bottom, and the top, the sidewall and bottom define the interior volume capable of holding at least one product. The sidewall has an exterior surface which is covered by an outer sheet component sleeve. At least a major portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall is covered by the outer sheet component sleeve. The outer sheet component sleeve has at least one graphic, image or decorative design located thereon and the outer sheet component has at least one shrinkable polymeric film layer. Also, located within the interior volume is product contained or dispensed from the container or dispenser.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closing aid for cigarette packs of the hinged lid type, comprising vertical webs (31) of a collar (12) and an inner lid fold (25) located on the interior face of a front wall (19) of the lid. Said inner lid fold (25) is provided with lateral recesses (37) whose relative position is selected such that the threading process of the webs (31) into an interlocked position with the inner lid fold (25) is initiated when a maximum edge pressure is attained on top transversal edges (35) of the collar (12).

Abstract: A soft package of filter cigarettes comprises an inner pack 10 of an almost rectangular parallelepiped and containing a cigarette bundle CB, and an envelope 12 of an almost rectangular parallelepiped and covering the inner pack 10 except for a top face 28 of the inner pack 10. The envelope 12 has slant edges 20 at the four corner edges extending along the longitudinal direction of the inner pack 10, and the slant edges 20 impart an octagonal cross section to the envelope 12.

Abstract: A holder for a gift card of the type for recording a monetary amount for a gift to enable a purchase by the recipient, includes electronics enabling a voice message to be recorded by the purchaser of the gift card. The voice message can then be played back by the recipient upon first removal of the card from the holder or by actuating a switch to eject the card from the holder. Upon return of the card to the holder, a speech synthesizer may be provided to state the amount remaining on the card when it is inserted into the holder.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a CD case for either polishing or cleaning a stored CD comprising a tray; a platter pivotably provided on a top of the tray with the CD placed thereon; and a lid hingedly secured to an edge of the tray, the lid including an actuating assembly rotatably provided on its bottom facing the tray, an actuating unit moveably mounted on the actuating assembly and adapted to press onto one surface of the CD when the lid is closed onto the tray, and a driving assembly rotatably provided at the lid and having one end extended beyond the lid and the other end connected to both the platter and the actuating assembly such that turning one end of the driving assembly will turn the platter, the actuating assembly, and the actuating unit through its other end for move the actuating unit relative to one surface of the CD immediately therebelow for either polishing or cleaning the CD.

Abstract: An information recording medium capable of displaying multiple labels and a storing case for the information recording medium are provided. The multiple labels are displayed by changing the labels to be displayed while selectively selecting information layers in a multi information recording medium. The medium has a function to receive either voltage or current, and the information layers selectively receive either voltage or current for changing the labels.

Abstract: A case for heated appliances. There is a sheath member, a restraining system, and a clip. The sheath member is a single molded piece and includes first and second cradle members and an accordion member coupled to the side edges of the cradle members, thereby forming an enclosure having an opening. The accordion member has a U-shaped cross-section. The restraining system is elongated and is coupled to the sheath by a protruding member through apertures in the restraining system. There is a restraining mode wherein the restraining system compresses the accordion member therebetween. The clip is disposed near an opposite end of the sheath from the restraining system and receives a cord to keep the cord wound about the sheath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inexpensive disposable tree cover system particularly useful for enclosing trees to catch shed leaves and needles. One embodiment is directed at a disposable tree cover system that may be attached at the base of the trunk of the tree then extended up and around the tree to provide a shed-proof enclosure for the tree. The material forming the cover system may be inexpensive fabric, cloth, or plastic. If the material is strong enough, handles may be provided on the enclosure to facilitate handling of the tree. The handles also facilitate manipulating the cover system during enclosing of the tree. The disposable tree bay may also be used in other areas, such as shipping of live trees, where the bag would serve as protection for the tree. If desired, the bag may be manufactured of sturdier material so as to be reusable instead of disposable.

Abstract: An environmental-friendly book cover packaging with built-in bookmarks works by inserting the front and back cover pages and into the books, and using customizable cut-in edges to secure the cover around the book. Packaging pages with rip lines can be inserted book to prevent the book from opening up unintentionally. The user only have to rip along the preset lines on the cover (this step can be omitted if the book cover and back pages are inserted into the packaging first) to begin reading the book. The ripped strips are also designed to work as bookmarks, unless the book cover and back pages are inserted into the packaging first. This invention allows a reduction in the cost of book packaging and in garbage disposal, featuring an efficient and environmental-friendly solution to packaging books.

Abstract: A container for adhesive agent, comprises a container main body having a storage section which stores the adhesive agent capable of dispersing as volatilized gas, and a cap which is attached to the storage section, and an outer covering which covers the container main body, wherein a projection is formed on the container main body so that a spaced section in which the volatized gas of the adhesive agent is kept is formed between an outer surface of the container main body and the outer covering.

Abstract: A container assembly includes a container part and a lid part. The lid part has a connection portion to be connected to the container part. For automatic assembly of the container assembly from the container part and the lid part it is advantageous that separate lid parts can be manipulated easily. The lid parts are stackable. More particular it is proposed to provide the top side of the lid with a circumferential cam which can engage inside a circumferential rim of the connection portion. To be able to remove dust and debris from the top side of the lid it is proposed to provide a circumferential cam with interruptions. In the embodiment wherein part of the lid is shaped to correspond with its aimed contents, as is for example part of the spoon, the interruption should preferably be provided at the location of such shape such as a spoon.

Abstract: A child-resistant package includes a rectangular tray having a pair of sidewalls, a pair of laterally opposed spring arms extending from the sidewalls, a finger tab on each spring arm and a locking lug adjacent to each finger tab. A rectangular shell has an open front end, a pair of sidewalls, a slot extending longitudinally along each of the sidewalls and terminating short of the open front end of the shell, and a locking pocket extending from each slot at a position spaced from the open end of the shell. The tray is slidably received in the shell with the spring arms interiorly adjacent to the shell sidewalls and the finger tabs slidably received in the slots. The locking lugs on the finger tabs are resiliently receivable in the locking pockets on the shell sidewalls in the closed position of the tray within the shell.