Abstract: A system and method for quickly refilling a pressurized irritant dispenser is disclosed. In the system and method, either the dispensing nozzle or the connection between the dispensing nozzle and the valve assembly is replaced with a quick connect fitting. The quick connect fitting allows for both the quick refill of irritant and the quick attachment (and detachment) of various accessories to the pressurized irritant dispenser.

Abstract: An electric sharpener for writing instruments, e.g. an electric pencil sharpener, is disclosed as including an electric motor, a cutting blade which may be driven by the electric motor to rotate to cut an end of a pencil received within the sharpener, a circuit opening arrangement operatively associated with the motor in which the circuit opening arrangement is adapted, upon insertion of the pencil into the electric pencil sharpener by a pre-determined length, to open an electric circuit in the sharpener to cease operation of the electric motor, and an adjustment member operable to change the orientation of the circuit opening arrangement relative to a longitudinal axis of the electric sharpener to vary the pre-determined length.

Abstract: There is provided a protective gas composition for preventing a rapid oxidation or combustion of a molten magnesium/magnesium alloy, comprising a fluorine-containing organic compound and a carrier gas. Furthermore, there is provided a method for preventing a rapid oxidation or combustion of a molten magnesium or magnesium alloy, which is characterized in that the above gas composition is used as a protective gas for preventing an oxidation or combustion of a molten magnesium or magnesium alloy in a magnesium or magnesium alloy production.

Abstract: An austenitic stainless steel displaying high temperature oxidation and creep resistance has a composition that includes in weight percent 15 to 21 Ni, 10 to 15 Cr, 2 to 3.5 Al, 0.1 to 1 Nb, and 0.05 to 0.15 C, and that is free of or has very low levels of N, Ti and V. The alloy forms an external continuous alumina protective scale to provide a high oxidation resistance at temperatures of 700 to 800° C. and forms NbC nanocarbides and a stable essentially single phase fcc austenitic matrix microstructure to give high strength and high creep resistance at these temperatures.

Abstract: A damage tolerant microstructure for a lamellar alloy, such as a lamellar ?TiAl alloy, is provided in accordance with the present invention. The alloy comprises a matrix and a plurality of grains or lamellar colonies, a portion of which exhibit a nonplanar morphology within said matrix. Each of the lamellar colonies contains a multitude of lamella with irregularly repeating order. The ?TiAl platelets have a triangular (octahedral) unit cell and stack with ? twins. The ?2Ti3Al platelets are irregularly interspersed. The unit cell for ?2Ti3Al is hexagonal. Each of the layers has a curved, nonplanar structure for resisting crack formation and growth.

Abstract: A manual device, for use in a stand, provides a threaded rod with two opposed cones coaxial upon the rod. The cones have wider bases located outwardly from the center of the rod and narrow tops located inwardly. Threaded holes centered in the tops of the cones admit the rod. In use, a wheel is placed upon the rod and the cones are turned towards the wheel, points toward the wheel. As the cones engage the wheel, the angled surface of each cone guides the wheel to be centered upon the rod. For open hubs, one cone is reversed so the base contacts the wheel while the top of the other enters the wheel hub and the base. When finger tight, the cones secure the wheel to the rod without marring for spinning and balancing on an axis coaxial with the rod.

Abstract: A population of extrusion billets has a specification such that every billet is of an alloy of composition (in wt. %): Fe<0.35; Si 0.20-0.6; Mn<0.10; Mg 0.25-0.9; Cu<0.015; Ti<0.10; Cr<0.10; Zn<0.03; balance Al of commercial purity. After ageing to T5 or T6 temper, extruded sections can be etched and anodised to give extruded matt anodised sections having improved properties.

Abstract: A galvannealed steel sheet contains, by % by mass, about 0.05 to about 0.25% of C, about 2.0% or less of Si, about 1 to about 3% of Mn, about 0.1% or less of P, about 0.01% or less of S, about 0.3 to about 2% of Al, less than about 0.005% of N, about 1% or less of Cr, about 1% or less of V, about 1% or less of Mo, less than about 0.005% of Ti, and less than about 0.005% of Nb, and satisfies the relations, Si +Al >0.6% and Cr +V +Mo =0.1 to 2%, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: Directionally solidified columnar grain nickel base alloy casting consisting essentially of, in weight %, of about 11.6% to 12.70% Cr, about 8.50 to 9.5% Co, about 1.65% to 2.15% Mo, about 3.5% to 4.10% W, about 4.80% to 5.20% Ta, about 3.40 to 3.80% Al, about 3.9% to 4.25% Ti, about 0.05% to 0.11% C, about 0.003% to 0.015% B, balance essentially Ni and having substantial transverse stress rupture strength and ductility as compared to a similar casting without boron present.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating a component comprising solution treating the component for a period of about 4 to about 10 hours at a temperature of about 1750 to about 1850° F.; cooling the component to a temperature of about 1580 to about 1650° F. at an average rate of 1° F./min to about 25° F./min; stabilizing the component at about 1580 to about 1650° F. for a period of about 1 to about 10 hours; cooling the component to room temperature; precipitation aging the component at a first precipitation aging temperature of about 1275 to about 1375° F. for about 3 to about 15 hours; cooling the component at an average rate of 50 to about 150° F./hour to a second precipitation aging temperature of about 1100 to about 1200° F. for a time period of about 2 to about 15 hours; and cooling the component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wallet card holder device adapted for receiving a wallet card having an identifier and an encoded strip, the wallet card identifier being partially covered by said device, said encoded strip remaining uncovered, the device including a front panel spaced from a rear panel and being generally associated with the wallet card, the front panel having a configuration and an engaging member associated with the identifier, said engaging member limiting movement of the wallet card received within the wallet card holder device, the rear panel positioned below the encoded strip and a lower biasing structure adapted for positioning the identifier within the configuration.

Abstract: A cover includes a main flexible sheet adapted to extend around a covered item. A flexible lip is secured to the top edge of the main sheet and extends in from the top edge to cover at least a portion of the top of the covered item. The lip defines a hole in the cover that allows access to the covered item. The cover also has a separable seam, which can be separated at least in part to expose at least part of the covered portion of the top of the covered item without removing the entire cover. A method includes placing a flexible cover on a container. The flexible cover defines a top access hole that allows access to the container, and the cover has a separable seam extending down from a top of the flexible cover. The method also includes attaching the separable seam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tire/wheel assembly which, even in a case of forming a run-flat support member by processing a metal material high in breaking strength, realizes the forming without generating wrinkles and cracks. In the tire/wheel assembly, a run-flat support member is inserted into a cavity portion of a pneumatic tire mounted onto a rim, a run-flat support member being formed of an annular shell having an arched cross-section, and elastic rings attached to bent ends of the annular shell in an inner peripheral side thereof In the tire/wheel assembly, while plural notches are provided in the bent ends along a circumferential direction thereof, a length Ln (mm) of the notches in the circumferential direction is set between 1.0 mm and 15.0 mm inclusive, and a ratio Ws/Wg of a width Ws (mm) of the bent ends of the annular shell to a thickness Wg (mm) of the elastic rings is set between 0.55 and 0.92 inclusive.

Abstract: A run flat device for use in a wheel assembly comprises a wheel rim made of a plurality of blocks and a tire cover having beads mounted against flanges of the rim. The device includes an annular support structure for mounting around the rim to support the cover, the structure subdivided in at least two ring sectors to form the structure by juxtaposition in the circumferential direction thereof, and means for locking the beads against the flanges to connect the ring sectors to the beads. Each ring sector comprises at least two rigid support elements superposed in the radial direction of the structure and separated in pairs by respective rubber-based resilient layers, the layers adapted to shear based on a lateral force applied to the structure to enable the radially outer support element to be displaced axially relative to the radially inner support element.

Abstract: A run-flat support system and method for installing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the run-flat support system includes a torque assembly removably coupled to a split wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel. A plurality of support segments are adapted for attachment to the torque assembly in order to support the pneumatic tired wheel in a flat condition such as an under-inflated condition or deflated condition.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is disclosed having a carcass with a pair of beads and one or more plies extending between and wrapped around each bead. The tire further includes a plurality of reinforcing belts, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, and a pair of axially outer sidewalls extending radially inwards from the tread along the axially outer surface of the carcass and towards the beads. The lower sidewalls have a buttressed portion, wherein the outer diameter of the buttress portion preferably extends from the axially widest point of the sidewall down to the radially innermost portion of the tire.

Abstract: The pneumatic tire is provided with a plurality of main grooves 1, a rib 2 formed at least on the shoulder portion of the tread, and a fine groove 3 that extends in the tire circumferential direction on the inner side of the tire width direction than the grounding end E, in which the fine groove 3 is provided with narrowed portions 11 and wide portions 12 alternately at the tread opening portion, and the groove bottom 5 of the fine groove 3 is cross-sectional arc shaped and the sidewall 3a of the fine groove 3 on the inner side in the tire width direction is substantially vertical to the tread surface and is joined to the groove bottom 5, and the sidewall 11a of the narrowed portions on the outer side in the tire width direction is joined to the groove bottom 5 so that the groove width becomes larger as the sidewall 11 a goes toward the groove bottom 5.

Abstract: A tire includes bead insulation compound that is formed by combining a rubber component, a bituminous hydrocarbon resin, and a processing oil that includes naphthenic oil.

Abstract: Backing blocks, transducer arrays and methods are provided for thermal cycle survivability. By decoupling a portion of the backing block from a case used to contain the transducer stack, the greater thermal expansion properties of most backing blocks may be minimized. For example, a rim is formed on the backing block material. The rim is bonded to the case structure while other portions of the backing block remain free of bonding to the case structure. During thermal cycling or other temperature changes, the backing block may be less likely to expand or bulge and crack, delaminate or damage transducer elements or other transducer materials.

Abstract: There are disclosed embodiments of a composite label having first and second label sections on a release liner having first and second release liner sections. The first label section overhangs and captures the second release liner section(s) so that after the label and the second release liner section(s) are applied to a substrate, the second label section can be separated from the first label section without removing the second release liner section(s) from the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a storage media comprises the steps of providing two essentially disk-shaped, flat, circular substrate with a first information layer, bonding said substrates together using an adhesive and separating said two bonded substrates again such that at least the adhesive remains with the second substrate. During said separation process the separation force is being measured. A respective apparatus comprises a holding or clamping means (5) for one side of said bonded substrates (3, 5); a fastener (6) for the other side of the bonded substrates; force exerting means via such fastener (6) on said other side of the bonded substrates; and a force measurement device (2) for measuring the separation force acting on the bonded substrates.

Abstract: A repair device which includes an intermittent coating of PSA on a first side of a sheet of release paper. The cured PSA may be easily transferred to a surface by pressing the release paper against the surface thereby effectively transferring the intermittent coating of PSA to the surface. The improved repair device is useful for repairing delaminated or detached wallpaper; holding wall patch repair devices in place during the application of spackling or repair compound and holding door hinges in place during the installation thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a casing-and-diverging-portion unit, the method comprising the following steps: forming fiber reinforcement from a first fiber preform made with a first type of fiber and a second fiber preform made with a second type of fiber different from the first type of fiber, said second preform being placed on the first preform; maintaining the fiber reinforcement in tooling so that it has a shape identical to the shape of the casing-and-diverging-portion unit that is to be made; and impregnating said fiber reinforcement with a thermosetting resin and impregnating the resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of intermediate layer films for composite glazings by the combination of partial films containing softener to form an intermediate layer film, softener parts migrating between the partial films. The invention also relates to the production of composite glazings using said intermediate layer films.

Abstract: Extrusion and lamination processes are provided for producing multi-layer constructions wherein metal and polyolefin layers are bonded through a tie-layer comprising a base resin and two functionalized ethylene polymers.

Abstract: A waterproofing membrane and uses for it. The membrane has a layer of bitumen based material on a sheet of support material, and preferably has a protective layer on the bituminous material to allow the membrane to be easily unrolled if it is shipped in a roll. It is to be installed to a surface by an adhesive coating and can be provided adhered to a board to form a waterproofing panel. The membrane can be used as an adhesive to apply a decorative facade on a wall in addition to being used for sole waterproofing purposes. The decorative facade is applied subsequently to heating the membrane, which volatilizes the protective layer and softens the bituminous layer. To increase the adhesiveness of the membrane, a tackifier such as styrene-isoprene-styrene is blended into the bituminous layer.

Abstract: A wood gluing and clamping system enabling the continuous production of edge or face glued pieces of lumber or wood products. The system includes a deck, a clamping and downstream pressure system, and a braking system. The edge-gluing system may be used in conjunction with finger-jointing processes or with single pieces of lumber and may be used for the production of structural and non-structural wood products.

Abstract: A water feed device for feeding water to a moistener for moistening envelope flaps that is incorporated into a mail handling machine, the water feed device comprising a reserve stock of water from which a quantity of water flows to a reservoir of water, said quantity of water being suitable for imbibing a piece of foam dipping in said reservoir of water, said device having at least two distinct water feed circuits for feeding water separately to two separate compartments of the reservoir of water from two isolated compartments of the reserve stock of water in a manner such as to define two distinct levels of water for the two isolated compartments of the reserve of water, and thus to define two different heights of water in the two corresponding separate compartments of the reservoir of water.

Abstract: Provided is a lamination unit of ceramic green sheets including a pair of upper and lower plates having a plurality of slits formed therein; a plurality of posts of which the upper and lower ends are closely attached to corresponding surfaces of the respective plates such that the upper and lower plates are supported in parallel to each other; a plurality of fixing sections, each of which is composed of a bolt inserted into a contact portion between the plate and the post and a button surrounding the bolt; and a pressing bar attached on the bottom surface of the lower plate and pressing the top surface of the ceramic green sheets laminated under the lower plate.

Abstract: A tire changing machine for changing difficult to mount tires is provided. The machine utilizes various implements configured about the machine's chassis in such a way that they do not interfere with each other's operation. In this way, the machine enables an operator to effectively change various tires.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blind or awning photo-generator comprising first and second elements (1, 2) which are embodied in the form of a flexible cloth or an arrangement of bars (28) and movable between the folded and unfolded positions. The first element (1) is superimposed in a parallel position on the second element (2) at a certain distance when they are unfolded. Photovoltaic cells (6, 15, 20, 35, 37) are arranged on one and/or another element (1, 2) in such a way that the active photovoltaic surface of said cells (6, 15, 20, 35, 37) is located on the top and/or lower surface of the first element (1) and/or the top surface of the second element (2). The first element (1) allows sun light to pass at least partially when said two elements are arranged in such a way that the light is directed to the active photovoltaic surface of the cells (6, 15, 20, 35, 37) located on the lower surface of the first element (1) and/or on the top surface of the second element (2).

Abstract: This architectural assembly includes a wall, and a structure supported on the wall over a top portion of the opening. The structure has a light transmission portion permitting light from the opening to pass therethrough. The structure comprises a lower and an upper frame structures. A transparent or translucent, preferably stained-glass, panel is secured between the cornice members using a silicone or other adhesive material. The upper and lower frame structures each have a groove therein facing the groove of the other that receives the adhesive and the glass. A top panel cover structure covers the upper frame stucture. A method for efficiently manufacturing the structure is also provided.

Abstract: A window shade detention member universally installable on a sliding flute of a upper beam to provide positioning and chained movement for window shades includes a first action side and a second action side. The first action side is located on a transverse side of a detention member and has side boards extended upwards and inwards from two sides of a base board to form a first trough and a second trough that form a transverse clipping trough which clips side wings of the sliding flute of the upper beam. The first action side also provides bucking for the chained movement of the window shades. The second action side is located on a longitudinal side of the detention member and has a third trough and a fourth trough on two ends of the connection junctures of the base board and side boards to form a longitudinal clipping trough. The longitudinal clipping trough clips the side wings of the sliding flute of the upper beam.

Abstract: An end cap for use in a shade assembly in a vehicle. The end cap is capable of folding and includes a base and a linkage pivotally connected to the base. The end cap also includes an extension pivotally connected to the linkage. The folding end cap will allow for the effective length of the end cap to be reduced by pivoting the extension of the end cap in an approximate 180° arc such that it engages and is secured to the base on an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A pull across screen assembly has a flexible screen member (e.g. flymesh) wound about a vertical rod positioned at one side of the opening. A line member arrangement is attached to the front of the screen member and part of the line member winds about a tapered drum which is positioned on top of rod and which rotates with rotation of the rod. The arrangement allows the screen member to be tensioned and also to be balanced as it is pulled across the opening.

Abstract: A drive unit (10) for a roller shutter assembly is disclosed. The drive unit (10) includes at least two electrical motors (14) and a reduction gear train (12). Each electric motor (14) includes an output shaft that is mechanically coupled to an axle engaging means (20) via the reduction gear train (12). The electric motors (14) are operable to generate mechanical power generated by the combination of the electric motors (14) is coupled to the axle engaging means (20) via the reduction gear train (12) to wind a roller shutter of the roller shutter assembly onto or off an axle.

Abstract: An end cap for use in a shade assembly for use in a vehicle wherein the end cap is a rotating end cap. The end cap is capable of rotating and twisting and includes a base and a rotating connector partially arranged within an end of the base. The rotating end cap also includes an extension with the rotating connector partially arranged within an end of the extension. The rotating end cap will allow for the end cap to effectively reduce its length by rotating the extension with relation to the base from a generally parallel position to one having an orthogonal position between the extension and base.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a portable screen system (PSS) for use with projecting equipment or for advertising. The PSS includes a collapsible frame that may be opened to an expanded position to support a screen. The PSS includes locking straps and support lines allowing the PSS to be erected in a variety of locations including both indoor and outdoor locations.

Abstract: The invention provides a low density paperboard material and associated method for use in producing an insulated container, and is especially well-suited for making cups. The paperboard material comprises a paperboard web including wood fibers and expanded microspheres, and has a relatively low density ranging from about 6 to about 10 lb/3 MSF/mil, a relatively high caliper ranging from about 24 to about 35 mil, and an internal bond strength of at least about 80×10?3 ft-lbf., preferably at least 100×10?3 lft-lbf. For applications such as cups the material is also coated on one or both sides with a barrier coating, preferably low density polyethylene, to limit liquid penetration into the web. The low density paperboard material of the invention is convertible for manufacture of containers, particularly cups, and exhibits insulative properties comparable to higher cost materials conventionally used to make cups.

Abstract: In this invention a composition is applied to the surface of paper comprising a glycol ether based polymer that provides enhanced ink-jet print quality. The advantage of using the composition is that it improves ink-jet printing on the paper without significant loss of water hold-out. More specifically, the paper is uncoated and has been treated on the surface with the following materials and dried to the point of usefulness. These materials are: 1) one or more compounds that increase water hold-out. These are known as sizing agents, 2) starch, 3) A glycol ether based polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security feature for security papers, value documents and the like having an acid-labile feature substance as the core and a shell consisting substantially of metal oxide, the security feature exhibiting greater stability against the action of acids compared with the acid-labile feature substance.

Abstract: A paper product (20) is provided of at least one sheet of soft degradable paper material at least partially coated or impregnated with a mineral material such as rock dust (11) in a fine particulate form. The mineral material having characteristics which enhance micro-organism activity at the paper product (20) at least under some naturally occurring environmental conditions. Seeds (12) may also be added to the paper product (20).

Abstract: A process for applying an interface coating includes the step of applying an interface coating material upon at least one surface of a fiber-based substrate. The interface coating material may be composed of a sizing agent, a ceramic powder and optionally at least one of the following agents: a dispersing agent, a deflocculating agent or a surface wetting agent.

Abstract: A spring doctor, particularly for use for cleaning the surface of rolls (2), used in the and including a blade (8) that is essentially the width of the roll (2) being cleaned, and which is attached to a blade holder (1). In the device, there are operating means (for example, 6, 7) for creating the desired pressure of the doctor blade against the roll. Longitudinally, the blade (8) is curved for at least part of its length.

Abstract: A press fabric having a plurality of surface pressing plates on a sheet side of the fabric imparts an impression onto a sheet of paper web during a pressing process. The surface pressing plates are preferably resin pressing plates, and form at least one of a random pattern of dots, a predetermined pattern of dots, a grid pattern of dots, a regular grid pattern of lines, an irregular grid pattern of lines a plurality of squiggly lines, a plurality of wavy lines, a plurality of straight lines, words and pictures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and apparatus for providing heat to a molten metal flowing through metal-conveying apparatus. The apparatus includes a molten metal-conveying channel, an enclosure for receiving and circulating combustion gases while preventing entry of the gases into said channel, a heat-conductive body of material separating at least part of the channel from the enclosure; and a combustion device for generating combustion gases and delivering the gases to the enclosure. Heat from the combustion gases is used to heat molten metal held in the channel, while preventing contact between the combustion gases and the molten metal. The body of material may be a trough used to form the channel, a tube for conveying the molten metal, or a tube acting as the enclosure, or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting method for aluminium or aluminium alloys, in which molten aluminium is treated and fed to at least one casting station (33, 34), in which the molten metal is cast into semi-finished products or similar. A number of casting ladles (25) are used to treat and feed the molten aluminium to the respective casting station (33, 34). The ladles are filled with the molten metal and the latter is then transported to at least one additional stage (32), where it is treated. The molten metal is subsequently delivered in the ladles (25) to the casting station (33, 34), where the ladles (25) are emptied. The invention thus provides an efficient method that can be flexibly adapted to the time periods of the process, said periods altering according to the situation.

Abstract: A core assembly including two cores is used to manufacture a blade. The first core has an outer surface shaped to complement the tip wall bottom surface. The second core has a tip surface, a side surface, and a protrusion or a depression. The tip surface is shaped to complement at least a portion of the tip wall top surface and is configured to be disposed proximate the first core. The side surface is shaped to complement at least a portion of the side wall, and the protrusion extends from the second core side surface to contact at least a portion of the ceramic mold inner surface. In embodiments employing a depression, the depression is formed in the side surface.

Abstract: A die casting method initially injects an alloy with minimal volumetric contraction during solidification into a die cavity, monitors at least one of the pressure of the shot cylinder and the position of the plunger, and reduces the injection pressure during the final stage of filling of the die mold. A die casting machine includes a shot cylinder having one of a pressure detector located for detecting the hydraulic pressure applied to the cylinder or a position sensor for a plunger rod. The plunger rod includes a tip extending into a cold chamber, which receives a metal alloy having a minimal shrinkage characteristic. A source of hydraulic pressure is coupled to the shot cylinder by a control valve and a control circuit is coupled to said valve and to one of said detector or sensor for reducing the injection pressure near the end of an injection cycle.

Abstract: The production of steels with high contents of manganese (Mn), aluminum (Al), and silicon (Si) with TWIP properties (Twinning-Induced Plasticity) by continuous casting is considered difficult or impossible in the present state of the art for various reasons. These reasons include low strength of the strand shell during solidification due to intense microsegregation of Mn, high strength at relatively low temperatures, reactions of the aluminum in the steel with the flux powder, macrosegregation, depletion of the alloying elements near the surface, and oxidation of the grain boundaries during the reheating of slabs in the pusher furnace. Therefore, in accordance with the invention, successively arranged process steps are used to cast light gauge steel with a given chemical composition of 15-27% Mn, 1-6% Al, 1-6% Si, ?0.