Abstract: Methods of degassing silicone hydrogel lens formulations are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A modular waste treatment system for substantially liquid waste streams and methods of treating liquid waste streams are disclosed. The modular waste treatment system includes a maceration chamber for initial treatment and homogenization of waste material; a metal ion infusion chamber in fluid flow communication with the maceration chamber for introducing metal ions into the waste material; and an oxidation chamber for wet oxidation of the waste stream.

Abstract: A powerplant and method for production and use of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon fuel is disclosed in a combination of a triple helical flow vortex reactor (100) and a power producer (510). The triple helical flow vortex reactor (100) steam-reforms a hydrocarbon fuel in a rich combustion environment and produces a gas stream with synthesis gas. The triple helical flow vortex reactor (100) has a plasma torch to introduce a central vortex and two swirlers to introduce counterposing vortexes, or circumferential flows, at the periphery of a reaction chamber in the triple helical flow vortex reactor. The synthesis gas fuels the power producer (510).

Abstract: A backwash distribution apparatus for a filter having a filter tank and a plurality of underdrain laterals includes a first and second separator device positioned in a common main conduit to define first and second auxiliary flumes. The first and second auxiliary flumes are in fluid communication with the common main conduit and the underdrain laterals. The first separator device has at least one flume liquid metering orifice preferably located near the bottom of the first separator device so that it may be below a gas liquid interface in the first auxiliary flume. The second separator device has either a weir edge or a plurality of metering orifices (or both) for passing backwash liquid from the common main conduit into the second auxiliary flume.

Abstract: Provided is a decorative item adapted to be suspended from a dwelling closure, including a hanger bracket that has an upper hook portion for placement over a top of the dwelling closure, a lower support portion, and an elongate suspension arm extending therebetween. A decoration is supported by the lower support portion and a self-contained power supply is mounted to the upper hook portion for providing power to the decoration.

Abstract: A disc storage system comprising a plurality of plastic pouches arranged to be stored on a storage device having two parallel elongate storage elements. The pouches are provided with an opening for receiving a disc and apertures arranged to engage with the parallel elongate storage elements such that the pouch can be located on and removed from the storage device.

Abstract: A storage system is presented, operable to provide horizontal and vertical adjustment of one or more attachment assemblies configured to hold an attachment assembly mounting device. In one embodiment, the storage system comprises a rail mounted substantially horizontally to a mounting surface such as a wall or ceiling, a vertical support suspended from the rail by an upper end of the vertical support, the vertical support configured to move, slide, or roll substantially horizontally along the rail, and an attachment assembly configured to be attached to the vertical support and to support a storage item from the attachment assembly mounting device. The attachment assemblies are further configured to slide vertically along and lock in position along one of the vertical supports. Thus, only the rail needs to be permanently attached to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A rack for supporting clothes and/or personal items is shown. A mounting rails 201 is fitted with garment supports 202. A plurality of extending members 203, 204 are also fitted with garment supports 205, 207.

Abstract: The modular garage storage system includes a geared retraction system that allows a storage platform of the modular garage storage system to be lowered for easy access to loading and loading the storage platform, and that allows the storage platform to be raised up to be completely out of the way.

Abstract: A service crane for a wind turbine comprising a main crane beam (128) having a track (154) that accommodates a trolley (156). A hinge (144) is provided at a pivot point (148) near a proximate end of the main beam (128), such that an aft portion of the main beam (128) extends beyond the pivot point (148) to the exterior of the turbine. A distal end of the main beam (128) rests upon a forward beam. A lateral motion actuator (134) moves the main beam (128) back and forth along the forward beam. The trolley (156) runs back and forth along the main beam (128). A turbine component is attached to a hook lowered by cable from the trolley (156). The trolley (156) with the component on the hook is moved to the aft portion of the main beam (128), which extends beyond the turbine. The hook is lowered to the ground so that the component can be serviced or replaced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container (1) for a liquid or viscous product, comprising a substantially ovoid or spherical container body (2) having a diameter D1, and a neck (3) having a diameter D2, said neck comprising a dispensing opening and means for allowing closing means to be attached thereto, D1 being greater than D2, said container (1) being made out of semi-cristalline PET, the walls of 10 said container body (2) having a thickness inferior or equal to 100 ?m at least in the middle-height region of said container. In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the container body comprises at least two opposite flat, substantially vertical, surfaces (8), and a flat, substantially horizontal, surface (9) located opposite the neck and forming a bottom side.

Abstract: The invention relates to the first-time filling of a liquid conducting system in an inhaler. According to the invention, a pressure that is built up in the reservoir by mounting the closure thereupon is released when the reservoir is inserted into the inhaler so as to displace liquid from the reservoir by means of the liquid conducting system such that the dead volume of the liquid conducting system is filled with liquid and the nozzle is connected in an air-free manner to the liquid store.

Abstract: A bottle closure assembly 101, consisting of a decorative overcap 102 coupled with a bottle top closure 103. A decorative overcap 102 is coupled with a bottle closure 103 which may or may not already be secured on the bottle 104. The decorative overcap 102 can be coupled to the bottle closure 103 with adhesive 105, by interference fit or by interlocking fit. Additionally the method for coupling could be achieved by use of materials such as the overcap 102 being made of a heat shrink material or the bottle closure 103 being made of an expanding material. Additionally the method can be done mechanically or manually. The bottle closure assembly can be fixed or removably affixed. Once the decorative overcap 102 is coupled with the bottle closure 103, creating the assembly 101, an ordinary bottle 104 is transformed into a decorative bottle 100.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create a cap, whose sealing behavior is identical to that of common PT sealing systems, wherein the amount of compound used is reduced, meeting current and future requirements related to the sealing of containers which are filled with foodstuffs. The invention relates to a method for forming a tight, sealing zone (10;10V,10D) which is provided with a compound (A,B) in a cap (1) made of a substantially metal material. Two methods for applying two compound layers are used successively, involving the application of a first compound (A) and a second compound (B), said compounds being different from each other. The two compound layers (A,B) extend in different geometrical areas (Area 2, Area 3) of the cap in the edge area (R) thereof with a tight and sealed area (10D,10V).

Abstract: Containers for pressurized filling and pasteurization and methods of reducing creep in a pressurized pasteurizable container. The container is a blow-molded plastic container having a biaxially oriented wall of a structural polymer with a moisture content of no greater than a predetermined value at the start of a pressurized filling, capping, and pasteurization process. Also disclosed are pasteurizable containers having a desired shelf life.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bottle-shaped containers having a trunk portion approximating a square. The trunk portion comprises four tabular side walls arrayed about a center axis and four corner walls connected to adjacent side walls in a corner-cutting form. The width of the corner walls expands from the top end and the bottom end toward a position about midway between the top end and the bottom end. By making the widths of the side walls and the corner walls about equal at a location about midway between the top portion and the bottom portion, the distance between the corner walls in mutual opposition with respect to the center axis can be decreased, forming a waist portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods for carrying and manipulation of bottles are presented herein. The apparatus may include a closure that may be sealably secured to a bottle. The apparatus may further include a movable handle attached to the closure with portions of the movable handle received in a recess defined by the bottle. The movable handle may be locatable between at least a first position and a second position. The methods may include providing a closure and a movable handle, attaching the movable handle to the closure, and locating the movable handle in at least the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A method for producing a device which is suitable for delivering a substance into or through the skin and includes an array of microneedles developed out of an Si semiconductor substrate, the microneedles being affixed on and/or inside a flexible support made from a polymer material. A device producible by this method.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to methods, devices and systems designed to remove selected portions of a material to expose an underlying material or substrate. One or more electrical components may be coupled to the underlying substrate through an electrical contact. Kits and systems for producing electrical contacts are also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing liquid discharge heads having a substrate where energy generation elements that generate energy used for discharging liquid are formed, a wiring electrically connected to the energy generation elements, and a flow path communicating with discharge ports for discharging liquid and corresponding to the energy generation elements. The method includes forming a resin layer on the substrate, a first pattern for forming the wiring on the resin layer, the wiring on the substrate using the first pattern, a second pattern for forming the flow path on the resin layer, a coating layer for coating the second pattern, and the flow path by removing the second pattern.

Abstract: A method for processing a substrate including a pre-cleaning etch and reduced pressure process is disclosed. The pre-cleaning process involves introducing a substrate into a processing chamber; flowing an etching gas into the processing chamber; processing at least a portion of the substrate with the etching gas to remove a contaminated or damaged layer from a substrate surface; stopping flow of the etching gas; evacuating the processing chamber to achieve a reduced pressure in the chamber; and processing the substrate surface at the reduced pressure. Epitaxial deposition is then used to form an epitaxial layer on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A process for etching a metal or alloy surface which comprises applying an etch-resist ink by ink jet printing to selected areas of the metal or alloy, solidifying the etch-resist ink without the use of actinic light and/or particle beam radiation and then removing the exposed metal or alloy by a chemical etching process wherein the etch-resist ink comprises the components: A) 60 to 100 parts carrier vehicle comprising one or more components which contain at least one metal chelating group; D) 0 to 40 parts colorant; and E) 0 to 5 parts surfactant; wherein the ink has a viscosity of not greater than 30 cPs (mPa·s) at the firing temperature, all parts are by weight and the total number of parts A)+B)+C)=100.

Abstract: A method of making nanoparticles includes reacting a first material powder with a second material vapor to form a surface coating on particles of the first material powder, and selectively removing the first material powder to convert the surface coating to third material nanoparticles.

Abstract: A substrate processing system as illustrated at (1). A substrate (2) lies upon a piston (3) shown in both the loading position (3a) and in a processing position (3b). The substrate is loaded via a port (4) through a door (5). The loading area (7a), and/or the hole chamber (7) may be pumped out via a vacuum exhaust pipe (6) connected to a pump (not shown). A linear drive mechanism shown diagrammatically at (8) lifts the piston and the substrate in the chamber such that a process volume (7b) of the chamber is defined with poor gas conduction between the piston and the walls of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for processing a surface involves depositing at least one class of enzymes (2) onto the surface (1); introducing at least a reactant (3) into an environment of the surface (1), and causing interaction between the enzymes (2) and the reactant (3), thereby to cause processing of a region of the surface (1), the processed region of the surface (1) being defined with respect to a region thereof that is proximate (4) to where the enzymes (3) have been deposited.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter has a housing, a first contact system, which includes a movable contact piece and a fixed contact piece, and a second contact system, which includes a grounding contact and a grounded mating contact piece. The grounding contact is disposed on a movable contact rod, which is passed out of the housing in a sealing manner, with which vacuum interrupter an interaction of the arc with the grounded mating contact is prevented. The first contact system is held in the interior of the housing using vacuum-tight separating means, which divide the interior of the vacuum interrupter into a first interior having the first contact system and a second interior having the second contact system.

Abstract: An electrode wire with multi-coated layers for electrical discharge machining (EDM) is capable of fast and precisely machining a work piece for a desired shape without changing the electrode wire, and a method of manufacturing the electrode wire is obtained by performing the steps of manufacturing a core wire, coating the core wire with zinc, drying the coated core wire, diffusion-heat treating of the coated core wire, drawing a product from the coated core wire, and stabilization treating of the coated core wire in order.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser-rotating arc hybrid welding system and a welding method using the system. The laser-rotating arc hybrid welding system of the present invention includes an arc discharge unit (2) for generating arc discharge along an area to be welded. A laser generation unit (4) radiates laser light onto the area to be welded. A rotating device (24) rotates the arc discharge unit (2). In the welding method using the laser-rotating arc hybrid welding system, a plurality of parent metals is aligned with a welding location. A laser-rotating arc hybrid welding system is located with respect to an area to be welded, arc discharge is generated while an arc discharge unit is rotated at a predetermined turning radius, and laser light is subsequently radiated using a laser generation unit.

Abstract: An automated method for detecting the wear of a non-consumable electrode of an arc welding torch and for automatically replacing or remachining the electrode when it is eroded with a fresh electrode includes the following steps: a) the number of strikes performed by the electrode in question, and possibly the arc time of the electrode and the strike time for establishing the arc, is measured or counted during welding; b) the value of at least one of the wear-indicating parameters determined in step a) is compared with at least one preset respective reference value; and c) the eroded electrode is replaced with a fresh or sharpened electrode when the value of at least one of the wear-indicating parameters is equal to or exceeds at least the preset respective reference value.

Abstract: While steel sheets are positioned and held by a holding mechanism, a first laser beam is applied to a heating region of the steel sheet to space the steel sheet from the other steel sheet by a predetermined distance. A second laser beam is applied to a welding region to weld the steel sheets. An amount of heat applied by the first laser beam, a moving speed of the first laser beam, and a focused spot diameter of the first laser beam are set to keep the sheet irradiated with the first laser beam in an unmelted state and plastically deform the sheet.

Abstract: Process for producing a weld seam (1) in hardenable steel, comprising at least the following steps: a) positioning a laser beam (2) with respect to a weld line (3); b) heating subregions (4) of the steel by means of the laser beam (2), with the laser beam (2) being guided along a welding track (5) which is longer than the weld line (3); c) cooling the heated subregions (4) of the steel. This welding process produces crack-free welded joins without the need for secondary heating of the hardenable steel. A preferred application area for weld seams of this type is to join components of the drive train of automobiles.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for controlling the quality of a laser-welding process, for example of laser welds of semifinished products constituted by elements of sheet metal of different thickness and/or properties (“tailored blanks”), of the type that comprises the steps of: detecting a radiation (E*) produced in the welding area (2, 3) and issuing signals (E*) indicating said radiation; acquiring and processing said signals (E*) indicating said radiation; making a division into blocks of said signals (E*) indicating said radiation; calculating (205) for each block a block-mean value (u) and a value of block standard deviation (o); and in supplying input values comprising block-mean values (u) and values standard deviation (o) for identifying defects and/or porosities and insufficient penetration.

Abstract: A laser processing machine that includes a chuck table adapted to hold a workpiece thereon and laser beam irradiation unit for applying a laser beam to the workpiece held on the chuck table. The laser beam irradiation unit includes: a laser beam oscillation section for emitting a pulse laser beam; a defection section for deflecting the pulse laser beam emitted from the laser beam oscillation section; and a concentrator having an ellipsoidal focusing spot forming section for focusing the pulse laser beam deflected by the deflection unit and forming a focusing spot into an ellipse.

Abstract: A discharge voltage detecting unit 7 detects a discharge voltage and determines an average discharge voltage in a specified period of time. An optimum machining condition computing unit 8 determines a discharge current that makes an average discharge voltage detected by the discharge voltage detecting unit equal to an average discharge voltage when a new machining liquid is used and determines discharging time, non-operating time, and a servo reference voltage depending on the determined discharge current from the relational equations with a discharge current, discharging time, non-operating time, and a servo reference voltage that are stored in the machining condition data base storing unit 9 and establish optimum machining conditions and controls a servo 4 and a machining electrode 5 under the optimum machining conditions by a servo control unit 6 at the time of machining.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the tandem welding of a workpiece with at least two fusible electrodes A and B to which different potentials are applied, wherein between electrode A and workpiece an impulse arc A and between electrode B and workpiece an impulse arc B burns and wherein the impulse arc A has at least one basic and one impulse current phase A with the frequency A and the impulse arc B has at least one basic and one impulse current phase B with the frequency B. According to the invention the frequency B is an integral multiple of the frequency A, while the impulse current phase A and the impulse current phase B do not overlap.

Abstract: A metal sheathed heater includes a solid state control device that allows the metal sheathed heater to be more efficiently operated. The control device supplies or terminates power to the heater according to certain conditions. Further, the control device uses predetermined time periods to control power to the heater. Thus, the heater is not kept on unnecessarily.

Abstract: A food heating warmer includes a placing section divided into a plurality of divided sub-sections in a warming compartment so that food is placed on the placing section, a plurality of constant temperature heating units located so as to correspond to the divided sub-sections of the placing section, each unit including a heater for heating the divided sub-section, a divided section temperature sensor detecting a temperature in each divided sub-section, and a switching element turning the heater on and off according to the temperature detected by the divided sub-section temperature sensor, a failure detecting unit which detects failures of the constant temperature heating units provided for the respective divided sub-sections of the placing section, and a notifying unit which specifies and notifies the constant temperature. heating unit for which failure has been detected by the failure detecting unit.

Abstract: A non-curling flexible food warmer with evenly heated surface for use in table-top banquet style settings with an integrated temperature control and with transversely oriented heating elements such that it may be readily rolled up for storage without damage to the heating elements. In one embodiment the body of the food warmer also has transversely oriented channels that permit the warmer to be folded accordion style without damage to the heating elements.

Abstract: A warmer device includes a protection device, a rechargeable warmer bag and a monitoring device. The rechargeable warmer bag includes a bag, a heating unit, a charging unit, and a monitoring unit for protecting the rechargeable warmer bag. When the rechargeable warmer bag is being charged in the cavity of the protection device, the rechargeable warmer bag is monitored by the monitoring device. When the rechargeable warmer bag is heated to be over expanded, the monitoring device disconnects the external circuit to protect the rechargeable warmer bag from being broken or explosion. When the rechargeable warmer bag is being used, the rechargeable warmer bag and the monitoring device are separated.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a woven fabric system is provided. Generally, regarding the structure of the system, the system contains a top fabric layer, a heating element, and a bottom fabric layer. The heating element further contains at least two electrically conductive buses, wherein the electrically conductive buses are parallel to each other, a series of electrical resistive wires located between the at least two electrically conductive buses, and a horizontal electrically conductive bus connecting the at least two electrically conductive buses to each other. The top fabric layer, the heating element, and the bottom fabric layer are connected to prevent the heating element from moving within the system.

Abstract: A system for microwave assisted high-throughput chemical processes is disclosed. The system includes a source of microwave radiation, a microwave cavity in communication with the source, and a microtiter plate in the cavity. The microtiter plate is formed of a microwave transparent material and includes a plurality of sample wells. A fluid chamber is defined by the interior of the four walls, the base, the profiles of the wells, and by the top surface of the microtiter plate. A microwave-moderating fluid in the chamber helps produce a more uniform microwave field among the individual wells in the microtiter plate when microwaves are applied in the cavity from the source.

Abstract: An electric appliance comprises in particular an interior space which is separable from an outside environment and at least one radiation-emitting device arranged in the interior space for emitting electromagnetic radiation into the interior space.

Abstract: An apparatus allowing for the adjustment of the size and volumetric content of a container is presented. The container is constructed such that numerous component sections, in which foodstuff or the like can be stored, can be added or removed one to/from the other, respectively, as is desired. Each of the component sections has an annular threaded portion that is sized so as to allow the top or bottom of another like component section to be screw fitted onto the first. In this manner then, component sections can be screw fitted one on top of another thereby allowing for adjustment of the overall size and volumetric content of the container. One component section acts as a base, having a solid bottom, while another component acts as the top onto which a cap/lid can be screw fitted. Each component section can additionally be individually sealed by the addition of a solid bottom and/or of a foil or plastic cover to seal over the section's openings.

Abstract: A container for holding elastic loops therein is described. The container comprises a substantially planar card having two portions with a folding section therebetween. A foldable, substantially planar sheet is included for holding elastic loops thereon. The sheet is formed such that it can be contained within the card. A separator is pivotally attached with the card. When an elastic loop is placed upon the sheet and the sheet is positioned upon the card, the separator covers a portion of the sheet such that it holds elastic loops against the sheet. Thus, the separator assists in folding both the elastic loops and sheet when the card is being folded along the folding section. For ease of storage and concealment, the card has a shape and size such that when folded, the card is of a substantially similar shape and size as a credit card for placement within a wallet.

Abstract: A container enclosing an interior and having at least one door that can be displaced from a closed position preventing access to the interior, and an open position providing access to the interior; the container including: a first recess, the recess being in the door; an insert projecting into the recess so as to extend outwardly therefrom to provide an insert portion outside the slot; a second recess, the second recess being in a part of the container other than the door; a second insert, the second insert projecting inwardly of the second recess so as to extend outwardly therefrom to provide an insert portion outside the second recess; and wherein when the door is in the closed position the portions are adjacently located so that when secured together movement of the door toward the open position is inhibited.

Abstract: A beverage cup lid with a pull back type sipping hole includes a tab that is disposed at a predetermined position of a sipping hole. The tab has a substantially ?-shaped perforated portion extending from the top rim of a wall side to the center of a top side and a turnover portion formed after pulling off the ?-shaped perforated portion. A raised inclined plane is extended from the external side to the center. A straight rib is formed at the external side of the turnover portion beyond the ?-shaped perforated portion in such a manner that the turnover portion may be swiveled forward and downward at 270° and engaged in place, thereby forming a double layered structure on the wall side.

Abstract: A cooler having a foot operated lid. The cooler includes a body, a lid, and a mechanism for opening the lid. The mechanism includes a pedal, the application of force to which causes the lid to move relative to the body. A cooler may also have a plurality of sides and a dry erase board mounted onto at least one of the sides. A cooler may also have a compartment inside at least one of the sides that is accessible by opening a door. A cooler may also include a bin or panel on at least one of the sides that is rotatably attached to at least one of the sides. The opening of the bin or panel allows access to the interior of the cooler without opening the lid.

Abstract: A trash can having a foot pedal for actuating a lid atop the trash can into an open position. The foot pedal may be either retractable or foldable to provide a small footprint for boxing and to allow multiple trash cans to be stacked one inside another. The stackability provides several cans to be packaged together in shipment to retailers. The retractable or foldable foot pedal allows the retailer and end user to easily display or use the can without the need of tedious construction of the foot pedal.

Abstract: A closure device for a container and methods for making closure devices for containers, the closure device having a repositionable closure lid pivotably mounted to a closure body. A repositionable actuator may be incorporated into the closure body for repositioning the closure lid with respect to the closure body. The closure body may include a spout having an opening that may be closed by the closure lid.

Abstract: A child-resistant package includes a housing having an internal volume for holding items to be dispensed, a cylindrical neck, an end wall on the neck and a dispensing opening in the end wall. A closure has an end wall with a dispensing opening and a skirt. One of the skirt and the neck, preferably the neck, has a channel and the other of the skirt and the neck, preferably the skirt, has a bead for receipt in the channel such that the closure is rotatable on the neck for selectively aligning the dispensing openings to dispense items from within the housing. A child resistance mechanism between the closure and the neck resists rotation of the closure on the neck. The end wall of the closure preferably includes a dosage window, and a disk preferably is disposed between the closure and the end wall of the neck having dosage indicia viewable through the dosage window.