Abstract: A method of shaping a portion of a woody plant into a desired form is provided. The method is effected by providing a root of a woody plant, shaping the root into the desired form and culturing the root under conditions suitable for secondary thickening of the root.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing window shutter slats or louvers converts rotary motion by a knob or electric motor into rotary motion of one of the slats. The apparatus is attached to a frame structure that is included with the window shutter and which surrounds the slats. A connecting rod that is pivotally attached to all of the slats pivots all of the slats an amount that is nearly equal to that of the one slat. The knob includes a first shaft that is attached to a drive gear in an enclosure which turns a driven gear. The driven gear is attached to a second shaft which is adapted to turn a pin end of the one slat. The motor is adapted to rotate one of the slats directly. Retrofit use and use in newly manufactured shutters is described. The apparatus can also be used to pivot open the shutter with respect to a pair of hinges that pivotally attach the shutter to a surrounding support structure.

Abstract: A barrier, such as a PV module, is secured to a base by a support to create a shingle assembly with a venting region defined between the barrier and base for temperature regulation. Water resistant junctions may be formed between the bases of adjacent shingle assemblies of an array of shingle assemblies. The base may include an insulation layer underlying a water barrier. The base may also include a waterproofing element; the width and height of the barrier may be shorter than the width and height of the waterproofing element.

Abstract: An interlock connector (10) for interlocking stackable building blocks (26). The blocks are provided with apertures (32), such as grooves, on their top and bottom surfaces. The connector comprises a main body which includes two separate and vertically superimposed body portions and is interposed between two stacked blocks with each body portion disposed in a respective groove (32). One body portion is pivotable with respect to another, with a vertical pivot axis that is offset from the central vertical axis of the main body, so as to be pivotable to positions where the stacked blocks are offset. In another embodiment, the interlock connector comprises a single piece main body having an aperture to receive a projection protruding from the surface of one of the stacked blocks while being disposed in the groove of the other block, with the connector being pivotable about the projection to positions where the stacked blocks are offset.

Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.

Abstract: A wall block includes an upper surface spaced apart from a substantially parallel lower surface, opposed first and second faces, and opposed side surfaces converging between respective ends of the first and second faces. Blocks in a wall may be stacked on top of each other in either a vertical, set forward or set backward relationship. The length of a block face may be a multiple of its height, and the blocks otherwise are formed such that blocks may be stacked with the top surface of one block in abutment with a bottom surface of a vertically adjacent block or, optionally, with the top or bottom surface of one block in abutment with a side surface of a vertically adjacent block. The blocks may be manufactured in different sizes, such that their faces are of different lengths and heights, thereby enabling the construction of walls or fences of highly variable appearances.

Abstract: A rebar spacer having a clip for securely holding a rebar centered in the clip such that the rebar cannot be dislodged from the clip once the clip engages the rebar. The clip is held at a desired height by a base, which will not easily tip over do to a wide stance of the base of the rebar spacer. The rebar spacer will quickly and easily accept the rebar in the clip. The rebar spacers can have a large or small footprint at the surface of the concrete. The rebar spacer can be made of lightweight, durable plastic. The rebar spacer can be molded as one inexpensive piece. The rebar spacer can have a variety of heights and accept a variety of rebar sizes.

Abstract: A door and a method for manufacturing a door are described. A door according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a split frame, or two frames. Each split frame is attached to an inner surface of a skin and a core material is poured onto the inner surface between the stiles and rails of the frame. The resulting door section is machined to a close tolerance and combined with a complementary section to form a complete composite door.

Abstract: A product bagger and method where products are placed in inflated lead bags on a bag assembly without actuating a sensor for shutting down the bagger.

Abstract: A method comprises pulling a continuous web to advance the web along a path of conveyance and to create tension in a lengthwise portion of the web; manipulating the web to cause the portion of the web at a point along the path to have a non-uniform tension across the width of the web, with a maximum tension being at a location spaced from the first longitudinal edge of the web, and with the tension decreasing from such location toward the first longitudinal edge of the web such that a zone in the web at the first longitudinal edge has reduced tension; and controlling transverse positioning of the first longitudinal edge in the zone of reduced tension. The reduced-tension zone is produced by a tension-reducing member about which the web is pulled.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for loading stacked food product into packages. Open top containers are arranged in rows and movable into a loading station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface having an end region extendable to a position arranged above the containers of a row of the containers. A guiding and pushing apparatus is arranged above the row and includes guides that are lowered to capture a row of stacked food products on the conveying surface, and plungers within the guides that lower and press a top of the stacks. When the conveying surface is retracted from beneath the guides and the row of containers, the guides are lowered further, adjacent to the containers, and the plungers are lowered with respect to the guides to push the stacks into the containers.

Abstract: An applicator unit for a system applying pressure relief valves to packaging during the packaging process. A punch shaft and an applicator shaft each have an axis and opposed ends. The punch shaft has a punch at one end. The applicator shaft has an applicator vacuum head at one end. Each shaft moves axially between retracted and extended positions. The shafts are angled, with the punch and applicator ends more apart than the respective opposed ends, and are carried on a plate for limited rotational movement relative to the applicator unit. First the punch is pivoted from a first position into a third position, while the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from a second position into the first position. Then the punch is pivoted from the third position back into the first position, and the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from the first position back into the second position.

Abstract: In order to provide a bag-manufacturing and packaging system that can smoothly convey a bag in a conveyance section disposed downstream of the bag-manufacturing and packaging machine, the bag-manufacturing and packaging system of the present invention includes a rotating brush mechanism disposed between a transverse sealing mechanism and a chute conveyor. The rotating brush mechanism sandwiches, between two rotating brushes, a bag dropped from the transverse sealing mechanism, and conveys the bag to the chute conveyor even when the bag is dropped at a position other than the predetermined discharge position.

Abstract: A packaging line and method for continuously packaging discrete products such as, for instance, magazines, CDs, DVDs and combinations thereof in a continuous manner, comprising: a product assembling path which is provided with a conveyor and feeders arranged therealong; a packaging module provided with folding means for forming a packaging tube from a continuous packaging web, and a cross separating device for separating packages in cross direction; a control which is designed for, inter alia, controlling the sealing means and the cross separating device such that per product to be packaged at least three cross seals are formed such that a packaged product is obtained which is characterized by a first and a second cross seal which are situated at a small distance from the end edges of the product and with a third cross seal which is situated at some distance from the second cross seal for forming a flap on the package.

Abstract: A device for closing boxes which are each provided, at least one end face, with at least one flap with a complementary end flap and with at least two folding lateral tabs which mutually interlock in the closure configuration with the complementary end flap, comprising, arranged laterally with respect to the direction of advancement of the boxes and one after the other, a folding element for folding the flap with respect to the box, at least one first rotating element for folding the complementary flap with respect to the flap, at least one second rotating element for inserting the complementary flap in the mouth of the box, and at least one third rotating element for interlocking the complementary flap with the lateral tabs, to completely close the box.

Abstract: A method for packaging plastic material using a film to surround the material, and more particularly to a method for packaging hot melt adhesives, the resulting package formed thereby, and the film composition used therein. The method is preferably a coextrusion process for packaging a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive by extruding a hot melt adhesive through a die orifice, and coextruding a wax-based polymeric film to surround the hot melt adhesive. The coated adhesive may then be formed into individual packaged units having a finite size and shape. The polymeric film comprises a composition having at least 25% by weight of a wax material, an enthalpy of fusion of at least about 100 J/g, and an elongation value at break of at least about 100%. Any type of hot melt adhesive formulation can be packaged or surrounded by the polymeric film in the process.

Abstract: A device comprising a plug positioned within a housing to regulate air within a container, for example, plastic storage containers or bags. The plug is positioned within the housing to occlude a port hole in the housing. The housing is positioned within a container so the port hole faces a wall of the container. A hole is created in the container above the port hole. To evacuate or inject air into the container, a hose adaptor with a specialized hose tip is connected to a vacuum or air hose. When inserted into the port hole, the hose tip temporarily displaces the plug from the port hole. Vents within the housing allow air to move through the housing and into or out of the hose tip. Removal of the hose tip allows the plug to resume position over the porthole to maintain the vacuum or air pressure within the container.

Abstract: A process by which low viscosities liquids are filled into syringes without gas bubbles utilizing lowered temperature and valves to isolate the filling system from the vacuum. The liquid may be drug, device, pharmaceutical, and/or biotech products.

Abstract: A method for enclosing articles in heat-shrink film and for perforating or slitting the heat shrink film.

Abstract: Smart Cards are kitted by preprinting a piece of film with a licensing agreement, wrapping the film around the Smart Card and sealing the package. The kitted Smart Card is much smaller and thus easier and cheaper to store and transport than standard #10 envelopes. The assembly process reduces damage to the Smart Cards caused by bending, scratching, static electricity and physically contacting the module, hence reduces replacements costs. These advantages are considerable when viewed in the context of kitting, storing and transporting hundreds of thousands to millions of Smart Cards for single applications such as DIRECTV access cards, American Express Blue Cards, medical history cards, etc.

Abstract: A method of packaging merchandise items for shipment and display provides a box shaped merchandising container is formed including an enclosure with four quadrilateral sides and open top and a bottom closed by flaps. In preparation for shipment, the merchandise is loaded into an open bottom end of the container, opposite the end in which an information panel is installed, and then a removable cap is installed. The product information panel at a top corner of the enclosure is exposed when an enclosure cap is removed from that end of the enclosure. The information panel disposed at a corner of the rectangular open end of the enclosure is dimensioned to permit flat merchandise, such as home type air filters, to be withdrawn from the enclosure without destructive effect on the information panel when the closure cap is removed from the container.

Abstract: Packets of cigarettes with a predominating longitudinal axis, presenting two larger side faces, two smaller flank faces and two end faces, are overwrapped by a unit incorporating a first conveyor rotatable about a relative axis, on which a sheet of transparent film is folded initially around the side and flank faces of each packet by one of a set of peripheral holder mechanisms pivotable about respective axes parallel to the axis of the conveyor. Each holder mechanism supports a relative packet, gripped between a pair of jaws and disposed with the longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the conveyor, and comprises a clip serving to grip and retain one end of the sheet, operating in conjunction with suction holes by which the remaining free end of the sheet is attracted and restrained and thus kept perfectly under control during the transfer of the packet to a second conveyor that will complete the initial overwrapping step.

Abstract: The invention is directed to changing the height of the wrapping bar on a lap seal machine so that articles of different heights can be accommodated by making the height of the wrapping bar adjustable to accommodate taller or shorter articles on a conveyor.

Abstract: A plant (10) for the continuous packing of food products in modified atmosphere (11), comprises a machine (12) for continuous packing of food products in modified atmosphere and conveyor (13) for the continuous sequential feeding of food products to the machine. A device (21) is present at the entrance of the machine (12) that temporarily submits a product fed by the conveyor (13) to vacuum and to a modified atmosphere before being packed in modified atmosphere in the machine.

Abstract: A system for sealing thermoplastic film includes one or more bag sealing units, each comprising a lower vacuum platen and a vacuum chamber cover adapted for sealing engagement on the platen to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly includes a sealing bar designed for constant heated operation and a pair of cooling plates which function as heat sinks. The sealing bar assembly is pneumatically reciprocated between a raised, disengaged position and a lowered position with the sealing bar engaging the neck of a bag for hermetically sealing same. The cooling plates clamp the bag neck against a sealing support assembly. A method of sealing a thermoplastic film bag includes the steps of placing a packaging object in a thermoplastic bag and placing the bag on a cradle with the bag neck extending over a bag support assembly. Avacuum chamber cover is placed on the platen and evacuated to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly melds the thermoplastic to form a sealed area across the bag neck.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading small objects into respective blisters of a foil web has a plurality of substantially identical fill plates each having an array of receptacles corresponding to the blisters of an area of the foil. A conveyor moves the fill plates one after another in a transport direction at an upper level from a fill station remote from the web to a transfer station close to the web, then lowers them to a lower level, then returns them in an opposite return direction from the transfer station to the fill station, and finally raises them in the transfer station to the upper level. At the fill station the receptacles of the plates are filled with the small objects. At the transfer station the small objects are taken out of the receptacles of the plates and put into the blisters of the web.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures.

Abstract: In a device for conveying capsules containing at least one pharmaceutical product, each capsule is fed along a feed line defined by two pocket conveyors connected to each other at a transfer station having a detecting device for determining at least the weight of the pharmaceutical product in the capsule, and is transferred from one pocket conveyor to the other of the feed line with no change in its orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging products in boxes provided with a supporting footing, a box feeding magazine, at least one pick-up device, at least one feeder conveyor of products to be placed in the boxes, at least one rotating carousel for receiving in a plurality of peripheral receptacles that have one open side, from the pick-up device, the boxes in a parallelepipedal configuration, and with axial pusher elements. The feeder conveyor has a loop element provided with supporting cups for the products to be placed in boxes.

Abstract: A sun wheel is centered on a sun axis between a magazine and a conveyor, a planet carrier is rotatable about the sun axis and defines a planet axis generally parallel to but offset from the sun axis, and a gripper shaft is journaled in the planet carrier at the planet axis and carries a gripper. A planet wheel carried on the gripper shaft is coupled by a toothed belt with the sun wheel. A first drive rotates the planet carrier about the sun axis and thereby rotates the gripper about the first planet axis to move the gripper through a hypocycloidal path past the magazine and the conveyor. An erecting shaft pivotal on the planet carrier carries an erecting element, and a second drive rotates the erecting shaft and its erecting element and unfolds a flattened box blank held by the gripper.

Abstract: A stirrup (210,310) includes a footrest (214,314) as well as a hanger (216,316) for suspending the stirrup from a saddle. A shock absorber (350) is provided for the footrest (314) and has passages (364) which allow the shock absorber to be tied to the footrest. Each of the passages (364) extends between two opposite surfaces of the shock absorber (350) and is made up of two tapering portions (374) which narrow in a direction away from the respective surfaces.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a front mounted reel cutting unit and a rear handle. The operator pushes the handle towards the ground to lift the reel cutting unit off the ground prior to turning the walk reel mower around. When this occurs, the manner in which the reel cutting unit is supported in conjunction with the influence of gravity causes the reel cutting unit to pitch rearwardly relative to the frame of the walk reel mower. This change of orientation is used to close a switch which, in turn, initiates an automatic slow down of the mower to ease the task of turning the mower around. When a turn is completed and the cutting unit is dropped back down into engagement with the ground, the slow down is terminated and the ground speed resumes at whatever predetermined ground speed was previously selected by the operator.

Abstract: A vacuum system adapted for mounting to a riding lawn mower. The vacuum system includes a blower section removably mountable to the mower deck of the mower, a unit for delivering power from a drive system on the mower deck to a propeller within the blower section, a trailer section configured for towing behind the mower, a hitch system for connecting the trailer section to the rear of the mower, and a passage connecting the blower section to the trailer section and through which debris discharged by the mower deck is propelled into the hopper. The blower section has a housing that receives debris discharged from the mower deck and a device for propelling the debris through an outlet of the housing. The hitch system permits pivoting of the trailer section about lateral and fore-aft axes of the mower but not about a vertical axis, such that the trailer section remains aligned with the fore-aft axis of the mower when the mower is turning.

Abstract: The center sickle overlap arrangement of a sickle type mower for a cutter bar that include a pair of sickles for reciprocating motion where each sickle is essentially half the length of the cutter bar for reduced forces and vibrations for high speed cutting. In the center, the sickle blades overlap at only guard and the blade of one sickle is inverted and co-operates with a top ledger surface of the associated guard so that both the blades are in proper shearing arrangement with the respective guard ledgers. Further the top ledger surface is adjustable to allow clearance adjustment to ensure tight clearance between all sickle cutting surfaces and guard ledgers. Further the arrangement ensures that all crop is cut between sickle sections and guard ledgers rather than between a pair of sections on the opposing sickles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a resilient and flexible discharge deflecting chute of a lawn mower. A discharge deflecting chute utilizing a flexible sheet shaped into a chute-like form by a frame is disclosed. A flexible, resilient discharge deflecting chute is provided which has memory characteristics and returns to shape even after substantial deflection from obstacle contact. Preferably, a flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient stiffness to substantially maintain its shape in normal operation. The flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient flexibility to deflect substantially when contacted by obstructions during mowing operations.

Abstract: A wheel rake including an adjustment mechanism for adjusting wheel beam angle for more aggressive or less aggressive raking action.

Abstract: A device for correcting a flexible material web that is guided to a processing machine, wherein the underside of the material web incorrectly points upward due to wrongly connected web ends or due to twisting. The device comprises a rotatable pair of cylinders that is arranged on a rotating device fixed on a frame and causes the material web to be turned by 180° about its longitudinal axis such that the underside of the material web once again correctly point downward. The device also comprises a stationary pairs of cylinders that are respectively arranged upstream and downstream of the rotatable pair of cylinders, particularly in the region of the respective face sides of the frame. The rotatable pair of cylinders can be displaced along the frame and the cylinders of the first and/or the second stationary pair of cylinders and of the rotatable pair of cylinders can be moved into an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a spun thread includes a drafting unit having a delivery roller pair and an airjet assembly arranged downstream thereof. In the airjet assembly, a vortex chamber with an air evacuation channel is provided. Furthermore, at least one cleaning channel is provided, which is arranged with a suction opening to the delivery roller pair. This cleaning channel is connected by a mouthpiece to the air evacuation channel. A compressed air opening of an injector channel is located in the area of the mouthpiece. The injector channel increasing the low pressure of the air evacuation channel when required.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline axis therethrough, including: a fan section at a forward end of the gas turbine engine including at least a first fan blade row connected to a first drive shaft; a booster compressor positioned downstream of the fan section, the booster compressor including a first compressor blade row and a second compressor blade row connected to a second drive shaft and interdigitated with the first compressor blade row; and, a pulse detonation system for powering the first and second drive shafts. The pulse detonation system powers only the second drive shaft during a first designated condition of the gas turbine engine and both the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft during a second designated condition of the gas turbine engine. The first and second drive shafts are powered independently of each other by the pulse detonation system.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, an aircraft having a scramjet engine is provided. The scramjet engine includes a flowpath which varies in three dimensions. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a method for launching an aircraft having a scramjet engine with a nozzle section and a solid rocket booster positioned within the nozzle section is provided. The method includes the steps of igniting the solid rocket booster to accelerate the aircraft to a speed at which the scramjet engine can operate, clearing the nozzle section by ejecting the solid rocket booster from the nozzle section upon exhaustion of the solid rocket booster; and injecting fuel into a flow of air passing through the scramjet engine and igniting the fuel and the air to provide thrust to the aircraft.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment device has a turbulator provided by a tube having a perforated star-plugged downstream end.

Abstract: A system for assisting regeneration of a particle filter of an exhaust line (3) of a diesel engine associated with, in particular: a particle filter (7); an oxidation catalytic converter (6); a common system (8) for feeding fuel to the cylinders of the engine; means (16) for adding to the fuel an additive adapted to reduce the combustion temperature of the trapped particles and propagate their combustion; and monitoring means (17) for triggering a phase of regeneration of the particle filter by combustion of the particles trapped therein during a phase of multiple injections of fuel; characterized in that the particle filter (7) is impregnated with a catalyst for oxidizing the hydrocarbons and CO present in the exhaust gases flowing through said particle filter.

Abstract: The invention concerns an internal combustion engine exhaust line comprising an active noise reduction system with variable choke device, continuously regulated based on the instantaneous discharge rate pulses of exhaust gases exiting from the internal combustion engine, including an expansion chamber for closing phases of the variable choke device arranged upstream of said active noise reduction system and a cavity dispersing medium and high frequencies arranged downstream of the active noise reduction system. The expansion chamber for the closing phases of the variable choke device is integrated in a first depolluting system arranged upstream of said active noise reduction system.

Abstract: A device for the pneumatic operation of a tool includes a generally closed pressure fluid circuit (2), at least one compressor (5), for increasing the pressure of the pressure fluid in the circuit, the compressor (5) having an inlet and an outlet, and a tool driven by the pressure fluid in the circuit, and through which the pressure fluid is transported in the circuit from the outlet to the inlet of the compressor (5). The pressure that is generated by the compressor and the load adopted by the tool (8) are adapted such that the pressure of the returning pressure fluid downstream the tool (8) is higher than the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A transaxle comprised of a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A multivariable controller that models the interaction between groups of sensors and groups of actuators during the operation of an engine. By accounting for the interactive effects that a group of actuators has on a sensor or group of sensors, improved system performance may be achieved. When emission sensors are used, such as NOX and/or PM sensors, the multivariable controller may help control the various engine actuators to reduce emissions of the engine.

Abstract: An integrated platform to house an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system that utilizes: (i) a cold water circuit consisting of a way of receiving and distributing the cold water from the cold water pipe (CWP) to vertical conduits housing the condensers into collectors that discharge via large pumps into open discharge channels connected to the discharge water pipe (DWP); (ii) a surface water circuit consisting of a way of collecting and distributing the surface water to vertical conduits housing the evaporators to surface water collectors that discharge via large pumps into the same discharge channels connected to the DWP; (iii) means of adjusting the buoyancy of the integrated platform by adding water as ballast into floatation chambers in the hull surrounding the discharge channels or in a plurality of either vertical or horizontal flotation chambers to provide protection to the CWP and DWP and stability to the integrated platform.

Abstract: A rotary piston heat engine system is composed of two units. Each includes two pistons mounted for movement in opposite directions. Each piston is mounted for rotation in a cylinder. The longitudinal axes of the pistons and cylinder are collinear. The pistons are mounted for movement in opposite directions. Effective cylinder displacements are formed in each case between two radial boundary surfaces of the two respective pistons which execute an angular motion relative to each other when the engine is operating. At least one mechanism superimposes a circular motion on the angular motion of the two pistons, and each unit includes a shaft for driving a torque-producing device. The system also includes a heater, a heat storer and a cooler connected to a pipe system by which the inlet ports and outlet ports of the displacements of the cylinders of the units are connected to each other.

Abstract: A wall in a gas turbine engine includes inner and outer surfaces having a row of compound chevron film cooling holes extending therethrough. The chevron holes diverge both longitudinally and laterally between an inlet at the wall inner surface and a chevron outlet at the wall outer surface.

Abstract: A method for the generation of electrical power from a carbonaceous fuel, wherein the fuel is combusted in presence of oxygen under increased pressure in a combustion chamber is described. The exhaust gas from the combustion is separated into a CO2 rich fraction that is handled so that it does not escape to the surroundings, and a CO2 depleted fraction that is expanded over one or more turbines to power other processes and/or generation of electrical power, before the gas is released into the surroundings, where the temperature in the combustion chamber is reduced under the generation of steam that is expanded over steam turbines connected to electrical generator for the generation of electrical power. Additionally a thermal power plant for the performing of the method is described.