Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying wet bio-solids by utilizing waste heat from a clinker cooler in a cement making process.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a drum; a discharging duct communicating with the drum, and discharging inner air of the drum; a supplying duct communicating with the drum, and supplying external air into the drum to make a flow direction of the external air pass across that of the inner air; and a heat exchanger connected to the discharging and supplying ducts, in which a first air flow path which passes therethrough the inner air discharged outward through the discharging duct and a second air flow path which passes therethrough the external air supplied into the drum through the supplying duct cross each other. The washing machine may also include a humidity regulating part which reduces the humidity of the inner air as it is discharged. Thus, the washing machine improves efficiency of heat exchange between the inner air and the external air through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dryer, by which a simpler assembly between a rear supporter and a back cover is provided. The dryer includes a back cover covering a rear side of the dryer, a drum containing a laundry and rotating to dry the laundry, a rear supporter supporting a rear side of the drum, and at least one latching part provided to an upper side of the back cover to latch an upper edge of the rear supporter.

Abstract: The tap shoe with an adjustable tap assembly facilitates changing taps and can be used to alter the sound of the tap. The tap shoe with an adjustable tap assembly is a tap shoe having a toe portion and a heel, two taps, two metal spacer plates, machine screws, and nuts. The nuts are embedded in the heel and toe portion of a tap dancing shoe. The spacer plates are attached to the heel and toe portions, respectively, with adhesive and nails. Machine screws then secure the taps to the nuts in the toe portion and heel of a tap dancing shoe, being inserted through holes in the spacer plates. Self-locking nuts are used to eliminate the possibility of the machine screws vibrating loose.

Abstract: Footwear, incorporating a self-locking sock for stopping the slippage of a user's foot inside the shoe while walking or running. The footwear with a self-locking sock comprises: a footwear with two male portions of hook and loop fasteners with one attached to the inner side of the tongue and the other attached to the insole, and a sock with two female portions of hook and loop fastener with one attached to the instep and the other attached to the sole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe or footwear item comprising a sole consisted of an outer face which is intended to come into contact with the ground and an inner face which is intended to come into contact with the foot of the user. According to the invention, the sole includes a dynamic support element which comprises at least two elastically-deformable elements and which is used to store and release energy when said sole is subjected to later stresses. The dynamic support element is positioned in the sole such that it expands at least partially beneath the area corresponding to the front part of the foot. In this way, a dynamic interaction is produced between the two elastically-deformable elements when the sole is subjected to stresses and two corresponding lateral ground support points are obtained, which are located on either side of the longitudinal axis of the shoe.

Abstract: An insole construction for footwear comprising a base member, an intermediate member formed of a foam and having a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced raised cushioning elements on the upper surface thereof, and a flexible cover member surrounding the intermediate member and extending beneath the base member. The intermediate member preferably is formed of a foam such as polyurethane foam. The raised cushioning elements are of a height of approximately 6 millimeters above the upper surface of the intermediate member and are spaced approximately 10-30 millimeters from each other.

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing the chamber are disclosed. The chamber may be incorporated into a sole structure of the footwear and includes a central area and a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central area. The lobes are in fluid communication with the central area and are formed from a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall. The sidewall joins with the first surface with the second surface to seal the fluid within the chamber, but no internal connections are generally utilized to join interior portions of the first surface with interior portions of the second surface. The fluid within the chamber may be air at a pressure that is approximately equal to an ambient pressure.

Abstract: A foldable display is provided having at least three panels hingedly connected to each other, wherein the panels include means for receiving corresponding means on other displays for interlocking and stacking the displays. In the preferred embodiment, these means comprise at least two slits provided at the top of each display and at least two slits provided at the bottom of each display, which slits cooperate to create complementary tabs on adjacent displays, which tabs interlock with each other to frictionally attach one display on top of another. A separate header unit, also including slits disposed therein, may be mounted to the top of an assembled display to further buttress the structural stability of the unit.

Abstract: A label holder includes at least one panel having a rib. The at least one panel is constructed to have a resilient rearward curvature that flexes to flatten against a shelf. The label holder further includes a retainer structure extending rearwardly from the at least one panel. The retainer structure includes a clip configured to resiliently clamp the label holder to the shelf. When mounted to the shelf, the rib engages the shelf and causes flexure of the resilient rearward curvature of the front panel, forms a lid for a cavity that houses a label, and biases the clip against a back surface of the angled front panel to provide secure attachment of the label holder to the shelf.

Abstract: Promotional material display devices are provided. The display devices have a unique configuration that improves visual display and organization of promotional material including flyers and business cards. The display devices uniquely integrate a direction indicator with the display device providing an attractive dimension to and purpose for the flyer and business card holder in real estate applications.

Abstract: A portable attachment (1) with a clip allowed to be easily fitted to a portable object by integrally holding a specified used-article such as a diverging component-contained material having a smell components or medically effective components and the clip, wherein an intermediate material (5) and a rear sheet material (6) are stacked on the rear side of a synthetic resin front sheet material (4) and the peripheral edge portion thereof is sealed to form a front storage part (7) and a rear storage part (8), and the front storage part forming an opening part (9) with a fastener (20) in the upper part thereof and partly having a ventilation part (21) stores the diverging component-contained material so as to be extracted and retrieved and the rear side storage part (8) is formed such that the one end part (3a) thereof for holding the clip (3) is inserted into clip insert storage parts (8a) separately formed on both sides thereof and the other end part (3b) thereof for holding the clip is formed to have a locking

Abstract: A firearm accessory comprising at least one handle that may be attached to a firearm, the firearm comprising a butt and a barrel which define a plane, wherein a longitudinal axis of the firearm lies in the plane, wherein in a gripping position of the at least one handle, the at least one handle angularly extends away from the plane.

Abstract: The present invention is a reticule featuring both rapid close-quarters target acquisition and precise distance shooting functionality. The reticule features a broad central aiming ring and four sets of aiming point-indicating dots. The lowest set comprises dots of differing dimensions and distances apart. Ranging rings are also provided. In an alternate embodiment the aiming ring comprises a plurality of varying transparent and opaque cells. The reticule can be illuminated through known or future discovered means for low-light or night shooting. A further alternate embodiment features a caliber specific ranging system.

Abstract: A sighting device for a firearm exhibits a display device, which is a component of a measuring device for the distance to the target and which displays this target in the field of vision of the marksman. Of the other components of the measuring device, at least one part is not arranged in or on the sighting device. The sighting device exhibits an interface, through which the components of the measuring device arranged in or on the sighting device may be connected to components of the measuring device arranged in or on the firearm in an assembly in accordance with the intended use of the sighting device on the firearm, in such a way that, as a result, collectively a measuring device in working order arises. To this end, the firearm also exhibits a corresponding interface as well, as one of the components of the measuring device.

Abstract: A waterfowl luring system provides directional motion to one or more waterfowl decoys. The system employs a motor or other force-generating device to rotate a platform to which one or more decoys are attached so that the decoys are moved in relation to rotation of the platform. In operation, the decoys are moved along a substantially circular flight path. The system is highly versatile and may be employed on dry land or in shallow as well as deep water environments.

Abstract: A fishing pole strike alert device having an anchor pivotally connected to a rod holder with spring tensioned members positioned between the anchor and the rod holder. The tensioning members vary the angular displacement of the rod holder and anchor, which is used in an electrical alarm circuit with alarm contacts actuatable through the angular displacement between the anchor and rod holder with one of the contacts user selectively positionable to vary the pressure required to actuate the alarm circuit. The electrical circuit uses a self-contained DC power source, preferably a battery. The present invention also provides a fishing strike pole alert device wherein the anchor is a stake decreasing diametrically to a point whereby the anchor can be inserted into the ground.

Abstract: A slip bobber rig having an elongated member carrying a slip bobber and a bobber stop with one end of the line securable to a fishing line and the other end of the line securable to an article of fishing tackle as well as a method of attaching a slip bobber to a fishing line without having to thread the fishing line through the slip bobber.

Abstract: A fish hook removal apparatus includes a shaft having opposed end portions. One end portion defines a hook for fitting into a fish's mouth. Such a hook is engageable with a fish hook. The shaft enables a user to remove a hook from fish. A grip is positioned about another end portion. Such a grip includes indentations spaced along a length of the grip allowing for a firm grasp. A clevis is attached to the shaft and situated proximate to the grip. A handle includes body and rod portions. Such a rod portion has opposed end portions. The body portion is positioned about one end of the rod extending from the body. The handle is abutted against the shaft in such a manner that rotation of the handle causes the hook to twist about a fishing hook lodged within the fish's mouth, thereby dislodging the fishing hook.

Abstract: A device into which gravid (pregnant) female mosquitos are attracted to deposit their eggs and where both the adult and her offspring are then eliminated. The trap is set in the out-of-doors at the onset of the mosquito breeding season and is replenished by rain water and, by its unique construction, a larvicide within is protected from flushing and photo degradation thereby making it maintenance free throughout the mosquito breeding season. The low cost trap is constructed from biodegradable paperboard and at the end of the mosquito breeding season, decomposes, thereby foreclosing the possibility that the trap will become a breeding incubator.

Abstract: A rodent bait dispenser that has a dispenser assembly and an activator mechanism. The dispenser assembly includes a generally cylindrical bait dispensing head with a piston assembly slidably disposed therein. The piston assembly includes a pair of spaced apart piston members coupled by a central rod, with the first piston member serving as a bait moving piston and the second piston member acting as an end cap for the cylinder head. The activator mechanism has a handle assembly and an actuating wire generally enclosed by a flexible sleeve. The actuating wire is coupled to the piston assembly for controlling extension and retraction of the piston assembly in relation to the cylinder head.

Abstract: An electric blind includes a frame, a plurality of horizontal slat units, and a stepping motor. The frame has two side vertical rods pivotally connected with the slat units, and a linking rod is fixed with a lengthwise side of all the slat units, possible to force the slat units synchronously swing for an angle. The stepping motor unit is composed of a stepping motor and a controller. The stepping motor is positioned in a cavity of one of the two side vertical rods, connected with a slat of the salt units. Further the controller controls the rotating angle of the motor, and the stepping motor can rotate idle in case the motor should meet an exterior force (for example, in case of the slat units already swung to the largest angle), or the slat units are manually moved any time. Thus the electric blind may not easily be broken or damaged.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism of the power device includes a movable gear member which is rotated integrally with a wheel and engaged with a stationary gear member when moved in a first direction and disengaged from the stationary gear member when moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, an armature which moves the movable gear member in the first direction when rotated relatively to the movable gear member, and an electromagnetic coil for applying brake resistance to the armature by attracting the armature by magnetic force to restrict a co-rotating state of the armature and the movable gear member. The armature has a clutch holding surface for maintaining a clutch-engaged state where the movable gear member and the stationary gear member are engaged with each other even when the electromagnetic coil is turned off in the clutch-engaged state.

Abstract: An inflatable docking station for a Mars roving vehicle (Mars rover) provides a recharging station as well as a storage facility for the Mars rover during adverse environmental conditions. The docking station/garage allows for extended operational life for the Mars Rover, allows for the Mars rover to operate at the polar regions of Mars, where extreme cold conditions restrict rover operation, and provides for a warmer habitat for the Mars rover. Conventional planetary roving vehicles only be deployed from the warmer equator region of the planet surface. However, these roving vehicles may never explore the polar regions because the roving vehicle may not have enough stored power. The docking station/garage provides a remote outpost for, among other things, storing and recharging the Mars Rover to allow it to reach more remote areas.

Abstract: A building component for forming a roof. The component includes an ETFE foil cushion comprising sheets of ETFE foil which are held in a frame about their periphery, and which are inflated. The frame includes a release mechanism for releasing the cushion from the frame, for example, in the event of a fire.

Abstract: A building component for forming a roof. The component includes an ETFE foil cushion comprising sheets of ETFE foil which are held in a frame about their periphery, and which are inflated. The frame includes a release mechanism for releasing the cushion from the frame, for example, in the event of a fire.

Abstract: A panel assembly for providing underdeck water drainage and for other applications such as wall panels and skirting for exposed areas under building. The panel assembly, for an underdeck water drainage system, includes a plurality of joist brackets that are mounted transversely to and under the joists of a deck, a plurality of drainage panels, a plurality of drainage panel brackets, and a plurality of joist bracket spacers. The drainage panels may be slidingly engaged or snapped into separate panel brackets or into panel bracket portions of adjacent drainage panels. When properly installed, the underdeck drainage system will protect an area of interest, such as a patio or storage area under a deck, from rain water and keep the area dry. Another application of the present invention is to provide a shield, skirt, or cover for an exposed area under a deck, a home, a mobile home, a wall, or other place of interest.

Abstract: Techniques are described for constructing geodesic dome structures. For example, a method includes connecting a set of panels to form a geodesic dome. The panels have surface contours that conform to a surface contour of a geodesic dome having a dimension larger than a dimension of the geodesic dome formed by the panels. Another method includes attaching flanges to a set of permanent structure members that form a permanent geodesic dome structure. The method further includes fastening a set of panels to the flanges. The panels enclose the geodesic dome structure to form the geodesic dome. The techniques described may allow the construction of a geodesic dome structure of precisely controlled dimensions with relatively small numbers of people and little strenuous labor.

Abstract: A landscape stake system comprises an improved stake and a hammer cap. The stake comprises a tapered lower region and an intermediate region. Preferably, the intermediate region comprises an I-beam format to provide reinforcement of the stake to prevent cracking of the stake during insertion of the stake into the ground. An upper region of the stake comprises a first U-shaped channel that is configured to receive a portion of a landscape edging board. The upper region of the stake further comprises a plurality of horizontal grooves and apertures configured to receive a fastener. The hammer cap comprises a substantially horizontal surface that is configured to receive the head of a hammer and a pair of vertical legs that form second channel and are configured to receive the upper region of the stake.

Abstract: In order to correctly align a door in a doorway structure, this device has been contemplated. It will be comprised of several identically shaped members that extend from the top of the door jamb to another separate member that is secured to the floor. The use of dual members that extend from the door jamb to the floor aligns the door in one dimension in the doorway but in order to align the door from the side a separate side member will be used.

Abstract: A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a surface is provided. The system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on a surface, according to the present invention, includes an apparatus and method useful for removably and adjustably mounting one or more photovoltaic modules on a surface such as a roof, and includes one or more dual track rails. Also included are at least one clamp configurable in at least two different constructions for securing the rails to a footing grid.

Abstract: A thermal insulating cover is presented. The cover includes a top, a plurality of sides extending from the top and a wide base perimeter extending from the plurality of sides. The device may be formed as a unitary piece, or may be provided in two or more sections which are easily assembled together. A piece of foam, acting as a gasket may be affixed to the base perimeter.

Abstract: A pair of upright wall panels are each provided with a sidewardly spaced pair of generally parallel but inclined guide grooves extending vertically along the outer face of the upright frame edge rails. A connector assembly including a main activator rod having a pair of wedge members threaded thereon in spaced relationship therealong is positioned between the opposed upright edge rails. The wedge members have wedgelike edge flanges which protrude into the grooves of the opposed upright edge rails. Rotation of the activating rod causes the wedge members to simultaneously move relative to the rod in opposite directions between a first end position wherein the wedge members effect gripping engagement with the groove walls to simultaneously effect a drawing together of the edge rails and alignment thereof, and a second end position wherein the wedge members clampingly engage only a single edge rail to facilitate initial mounting of the connector assembly.

Abstract: An interlocking drawer or door assembly has a rear panel and a front panel. The rear panel is a five sided box, four low walls surrounding a face. One or more apertures are formed in two or more of the walls, and a plastic rivet or other deformable member is located in each of the apertures, such that the head of the rivet is on the outside of the wall. The front panel is a similar five sided box, with each of the four corners laser welded to form a smooth and hidden seam. Each of the front panel walls has an additional portion that is bent 180 degrees toward the inside of the box to form a rolled wall that is parallel to and in close proximity to the wall. Holes are formed in the rolled wall to correspond to the location of respective deformable members in the rear panel.

Abstract: An I-beam (10) comprises a first D-shaped flange (20) and a second D-shaped flange (60) connected by a web (100). Each flange includes a planar segment (30,70) and a curved segment (40,80). A lip (50,90) depends from the planar segment (30,70) of each flange (20,60) and is adapted to be attached to the web (100). The curved segment (40,70) of each flange (20,60) includes an outer surface (42,82) and an outer surface (44,84). The outer surface (42,82) is serrated to grip a wall panel or other structure attached to the flange (20,80) and the inner surface includes ridges (46,86) to strengthen the flange (20,60).

Abstract: A clipper has a punch movable in a reciprocating path from a retracted position to an extended position, a clip rail for feeding a clip into the reciprocating path of the punch, a tag loading window oriented to hold a tag in the reciprocating path of the punch, a die adjacent to the extended position of the punch, a knife movable in a reciprocating path from a retracted position to an extended position, the knife having a top side and a bottom side, the reciprocating path of the knife being adjacent to the die, and a tag lifter plate mounted between the die and the reciprocating path of the knife, the tag lifter plate having a top side, the top side being between the top side of the knife and the bottom of the knife when the knife is in the extended position.

Abstract: The guillotine cutter of the present invention has a fixed blade and a movable blade that moves back and forth along a straight line while contacting against the fixed blade, and the movable blade and the fixed blade cooperate to cut a tape-shaped object for cutting in a widthwise direction. In addition, a surface of the fixed blade at a side that contacts the movable blade and a surface of the movable blade at a side that contacts the fixed blade are provided with a recess portion which is a concave portion that is wider than the object for cutting.

Abstract: Capping head assemblies that are useful for applying pre-threaded closures onto containers with improved sensitivity. The novel features of the devices are a simple and novel means of adjusting the torque in a magnetic clutch assembly. In addition, the advantage of preventing contamination by water and other liquids during the filling and capping of liquid containers, and further, have the capability of being greased without having to disassemble the device. In addition, these can be accomplished without changing the capability of being able to read the adjustment scales on the outside surface of the magnetic clutch assembly and the adjustment scales on the outside surface of the upper spring assembly for adjusting the tension in the spring.

Abstract: Confectionery products (2) are packaged singly in double twist wraps (1) prepared from a strip (3) coated with first longitudinal bands (4) and second transverse bands (5) of adhesive, the transverse bands spaced apart to create adhesive-free zones (6) offered in direct contact to the products (2), and caused to advance along a set path (P) in a given feed direction (D). The strip is prepared with an easy tear point (A) on each second adhesive band (5), consisting of a first notch (7) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strip (3) and a second notch (8) superimposed on the first notch (7); the strip (3) is then cut transversely along the second bands (5) to generate single leaves (11), each presenting an indentation (12) and a projection (13) generated by the second notch (8). The leaf (11) is folded around the product (2) to produce a hermetically sealed wrap (1) designed to tear open from the notches.

Abstract: A packaging article comprises two sheets of material bonded to form a pouch, with one layer comprising a first sheet of a porous material, e.g., Tyvek® film, and a second nonporous sheet overlying and sealed to the first sheet. The second sheet is impermeable to passage of gas therethrough and includes a peelable film, e.g., of polyethylene, in contact with the first sheet of porous material to permit peeling removal of the second sheet from the first sheet. A method of integrity testing includes fabricating a packaging article, pressurizing same with a gas and monitoring pressure to determine package integrity, removing the peelable film, and exposing a packaging article to sterilant gas supplied through the porous first sheet.

Abstract: Stacks of pieces (24) are cut out from the lay-up (20) on a cutting table, on the basis of recorded information relating to the locations of the pieces on the surface of the lay-up, and the skeleton (26) of the lay-up is split up (lines 28) into a plurality of portions while the stacks of pieces are being cut out. Then the lay-up is brought onto an unloading table (60) for successively unloading the stacks of cut-out pieces by causing an unloading tool (80) to move so as to bring it into contact with the stacks that have arrived on the unloading table, by using information relating to the locations of the pieces, and so as to take off each stack from the remainder of the lay-up merely by moving it substantially parallel to the plane of the lay-up, without interfering with the stacks of pieces that have not yet been unloaded.

Abstract: A method and a line for the high-speed packaging of filter bags (1) containing an infusion product comprises at least three successive operating steps whereby: the filter bags (1) are wrapped in a continuous protective tubular envelope (2) by sealing a continuous V-shaped folded strip (3) along a longitudinal sealing line (5) and transversal sealing lines (6); the tubular envelope (2) is cut into lengths; and the filter bags (1), individually wrapped in respective envelopes (2), are placed in cartons. In the method and line (26) according to the invention, the transversal seal (6) is made in two successive steps as the continuous folded strip (3) moves through two separate consecutive sealing stations (7, 8), the first station (7) making a part of the transversal seal (6) and the second station (8) completing the same transversal seal (6).

Abstract: A system for collecting a harvested product is provided. The system may include a continuously constructed flexible container for collecting the harvested product. For instance, the continuously constructed flexible container is a continuous sheet of flexible material such as plastic. A sealing device may be included within the system which is operationally coupled to the continuously constructed flexible container to allow the container to be sealed in discrete increments. Further, the system includes a traceability device operationally coupled to each of the discrete increments of the continuously flexible container to allow the harvested product included within each increment to be tracked. The use of the continuously constructed flexible container allows the harvested product to be collected continuously.

Abstract: In a machine for packaging articles into box-like containers, obtained from tubular blanks in flat folded configuration, tubular blanks are conveyed from a feeding station to an erecting station, by an erection unit, moving between the erecting station and a station for vertical introduction of articles into the erected blanks. A folding element cooperates with the unit to fold a second lower flap of the blank by ninety degrees. A horizontal plane supports the blank and articles contained in the blank. The blank is transferred and guided on the horizontal plane while blank flaps are folded. At closing stations a bottom and a cover of the so obtained pack are closed.

Abstract: A waste disposal device has a rotatable geared rim to operate a cartridge. The device comprises a rotation mechanism. A flange supports a rotatable geared rim. The support flange is operatively configured to be driven by the rotation mechanism. The cartridge is also operatively configured to engage the geared rim so as to be capable of rotating with the support flange upon actuation of the rotation mechanism.

Abstract: A compact, athletic equine boot that resists turning on the animal's hoof when the animal such as a horse is jumping, running and turning in water, mud, sand and sawdust comprising a bell portion having a cushiony layer on the interior of a relatively rigid or hard shell, an internal compressible protrusion, a fastener to secure the boot on the hoof, the hard shell being flexible and strong to resist blows from over-reaching rear hooves. The invention also includes a laminate comprising a layer of a tough, flexible, strong material, a cushiony layer and a fastener for attaching one end of the laminate to another end of the same or different laminate. Also disclosed is a method of making.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower vehicle having a riding traveling vehicle body and a mower operatively connected via a lifting/lowering link mechanism to the vehicle body to be lifted and lowered relative thereto, the mower vehicle comprising: a pair of right and left hand-operated traveling control members; a lifting control pedal having a lifting stepping face and configured to cause the mower to be lifted; a lowering control pedal having a lowering stepping face and configured to cause the mower to be lowered; and the lifting stepping face and the lowering stepping face being located laterally to each other on a floor of a driving section of the riding traveling vehicle body.

Abstract: A reel mower assembly comprises a mower reel rotatably mounted to a frame, and a drive operative to rotate the reel about a reel axis. A plurality of magnets are mounted on the frame and a bed knife is magnetically held against the magnets in an operating position such that the bed knife is oriented in cutting relationship with the reel.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing a cord consisting of twisted metallic wires comprises a pair of crimping wheels with meshing toothed surfaces for crimping a plurality of wires when they are passed between said meshing toothed surfaces, and a twisting means for twisting together the wires along a twisting path downstream of the pair of twisting wheels. The pair of crimping wheels is arranged at the beginning of the twisting path and the twisting together of the wires preferably starts between the meshing toothed surfaces.

Abstract: A skate for a flexible cable guide comprises a series of interconnected skate units, each comprising a pair of parallel rails with rollers, the rails being connected by transverse connecting bars. A connecting block is provided with two holes. A connecting bar of one of skate units extends through one of the two holes. The other hole has a longitudinal entry slot for receiving a narrowed portion of a bar of the other skate unit. The narrowed portion is formed by providing one or more flat portions on the bar, disposed at a 45° angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the skate, in order to require manipulation of the connecting block for engagement and disengagement of the bar having a narrowed portion from the connecting block.