Abstract: An optical scanning device for scanning an optical record carrier. The optical scanning device includes: a radiation source system (661; 761); an optical element (1; 101; 201; 301) comprising a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B; C) separated from each other by a fluid meniscus (16; 116, 138; 216; 316) having an adjustable configuration; and a control system (20; 120; 220; 320) arranged to adjust the fluid meniscus configuration to introduce a first type of wavefront modification. The first type of wavefront modification causes the radiation beam to be redirected from an input radiation beam path (2; 102; 244; 348) onto one of a plurality of output radiation beam paths (24, 26; 140; 246; 350) which each have a different angular displacement (?, ?, ?, ?, ?) from the input radiation beam path. The control system is further arranged to adjust the fluid meniscus configuration to introduce a second type of wavefront modification.

Abstract: A IC package for a wireless device includes an antenna that is attached to the chip. The electrically conductive elements of the antenna are spaced away from the antenna and particularly the endpoint of the antenna to prevent interference with the antenna. An element on the IC package may be shielded antenna. The antenna may have the shape of a space-filling curve, including a Hilbert, box-counting or grid dimension curve.

Abstract: A protected contactless presentation instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the protected contactless presentation instrument includes an RFID chip that can be manually exposed and shielded by a user. The protected contactless presentation instrument may include a moveable tab that includes the RFID chip. The protected contactless presentation instrument may also include a moveable shield. Another embodiment of the invention provides for a contactless presentation instrument that includes an electroluminescence material.

Abstract: An optically variable magnetic stripe assembly includes a magnetic layer, an optically variable effect generating layer over the magnetic layer, and an electrically non-conductive reflective layer between the magnetic layer and the optically variable effect generating layer.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for ensuring a proper bar code scan on a multi-package of containers includes overcoating bar codes on each respective container with a dye and applying a unitizing carrier to the containers. The containers may also be oriented so that a bar code on each container is not readable by a bar code scanner.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention provide for a method for preserving and maintaining document integrity. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the contents of a document, or contents of a document layer may be encoded into a machine-readable form. In some embodiments, the encoded information may be represented using a 2-dimensional bar code. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the machine-readable code is printed along with contents of the document based on space available in the document. In some embodiments, a printed document containing the machine-readable code may be scanned and digitized, and content extracted from the scanned data. In some embodiments, the machine-readable code printed on the document is used to recreate layer data from the printed document.

Abstract: A tender separator for placement in a section of a till, such that tenders can be separated within the section by placing a first form of tender below the separator and a second form of tender above the separator. Preferably, the tender separator is movable in a vertical direction to accommodate varying amounts of the first form of tender. Optionally, the tender separator may be adapted for placement in one or more tracks of a back of the section, such that the tender separator is movable, in a vertical direction, in the one or more tracks. As another option, more than one separator may be placed in one section of the till, such that multiple forms of tender can be separated within the section by placing the tender separators between the multiple forms of tender. The tender separators may be tabbed and/or flexible (e.g., for easier access to tenders placed therebeneath).

Abstract: A method of determining a temperature of a coolant in a coolant circulation system is disclosed. The coolant circulation system includes a coolant flow valve having a valve housing and an expansion element provided in the valve housing for controlling flow of the coolant through the valve housing. According to the method, an ohmic resistance of the expansion element is measured. The temperature of the coolant is determined by correlating the ohmic resistance of the expansion element with the temperature of the coolant.

Abstract: A humidity control system (10) is constituted by a single outdoor unit (13) and two humidity control units (11, 12). The two humidity control units (11, 12) are connected to the outdoor unit (13). With switching of the position of an outdoor four-way selector valve (22) in the outdoor unit (13), the flow direction of refrigerant in humidity control circuits (30, 40) in the humidity control units (11, 12) is inverted. Out of a first adsorption heat exchanger (31, 41) and a second adsorption heat exchanger (32, 42) in each humidity control circuit (30, 40), one serving as an evaporator dehumidifies a first air and the other serving as a condenser humidifies a second air. Each humidity control unit (11, 12) performs a dehumidification operation by supplying the dehumidified first air to a room and performs a humidification operation by supplying the humidified second air to the room.

Abstract: A tankless return hot water return system to facilitate whole-house or whole-building hot water return recirculation used in conjunction with tankless water heaters. The system is designed to compensate for tankless head losses and to protect the tankless heat exchanger. The system has a hot water return by-pass for heat exchanger protection. The invention utilizes the tankless water heater as the heating source for the hot water return and eliminates the need and use of tank-type water heaters for tankless hot water return recirculation. The system is self-contained with built-in temperature sensing and does not require any auxiliary controls, sensors, switches, timing mechanisms or remote activation. The system is energy efficient and water conservative.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a railroad tie comprising a core comprising wood or a wood product, and a first sleeve encapsulating the core, wherein the first sleeve comprises at least one of the group consisting of plastic, plastic-composite, or non-plastic polymers. A second sleeve may additionally encapsulate the first. In a preferred embodiment, the first sleeve is comprised primarily of poly ethylene terephthalate, and the second sleeve is comprised primarily of high density poly ethylene.

Abstract: A track set for toy vehicles and a method for colliding toy vehicles are provided. The track set has a collision platform that defines a collision area. The track set further includes a first track member being pivotally secured to the collision platform at a pivot axis of the collision platform, and a second track member being pivotally secured to the collision platform at the pivot axis. The first and second track members each have a vehicle launcher for launching a toy vehicle towards the collision platform. The first track member defines a first vehicle pathway to the collision platform and the second track member defines a second vehicle pathway to the collision platform. The track set further includes an actuator configured to simultaneously activate the vehicle launcher of each of the first and second track members to propel at least one toy vehicle along at least one of the first and second vehicle pathways toward the collision area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a track part (10) for a lane-guided toy car racing track, which, on at least one end face (18), has a fastening device for a further track part (10), wherein the fastening device has at least one first pocket (22) and at least one pin (20) that fits into the first pocket (22), which are arranged symmetrically to one another with respect to a center (24) of the end face (18), such that, when two track parts (10) are inserted together, one pin (20) engages in a first pocket (22) in each case. The fastening device additionally has at least one pair (28) of second pockets (30), which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center (24) of the end face (18), such that, when two track parts (10) are inserted together, two second pockets (30) come into contact with each another in each case.

Abstract: A rail-carrying plate lies on an upper surface of a base. An anchor-bolt assembly has an elastomeric buffer sheet between the rail plate and the base upper surface and a bolt set in the anchor sleeve passing through the rail plate. An inner ring surrounds the bolt, bears directly on the base surface, is pressed downward by the bolt against the base surface, has an annular outwardly directed outer surface. An outer ring is transfixed by the bolt, has an annular inner surface spaced outward from the inner-ring outer surface, and bears upward on the rail plate. An annular elastomeric body between the inner and outer rings is bonded to the respective outer and inner surfaces thereof so that vertical displacement of the outer ring relative to the inner ring tends to self-center the two rings.

Abstract: An engine system includes an intake system, an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system. The internal combustion engine includes a fuel droplet generator, and a fuel injector configured to inject fuel directly into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method to eject a fluid from a surface. The steps of the method are i.) vibrating a surface of a nozzle in a direction substantially normal to the surface and ii.) providing an amplitude of the vibration that is equal to or greater than about 120 microns.

Abstract: An air freshener is constructed from parts to make a model of an object from everyday life, e.g. an airplane, insect, or bird. The air freshener is made out of a light material such as cardboard, paper, wood, plastic or foam. Other types of models include a space ship, flying dinosaur or other flying object. The scent is sprayed, impregnated, or infused into the body of the air freshener.

Abstract: An injector in which it is possible to switch a pressure booster on or off so that it is possible to control not only the injection duration, but also the progression of the injection pressure within a broad range during the injection.

Abstract: An ultrasonic nozzle for applying a coating to an exterior surface of a substrate. The ultrasonic nozzle has an ultrasonic nozzle having an amplitude. The amplitude is greater than 120 microns.

Abstract: Field is ejected from a surface of an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a.) a power supply operating at a frequency; b.) a transducer, which upon being applied the power is made to vibrate with a first amplitude; c.) a vibrating nozzle, comprising the surface, which is acoustically coupled to the transducer, to transmit the transducer vibration to the surface with a second amplitude; and, d.) a control unit to control the power supply applied to the transducer. The fluid is delivered to the surface of the nozzle. During this time the control unit cycles the power applied to the transducer at the frequency between a low power level and a high power level. The fluid is ejected from the surface when the high power level (i.e., first power level) is applied to the transducer but not when the low power level (i.e., second power level) is applied to the transducer.

Abstract: A handheld device and method for clearing obstructions from spray nozzles includes a housing, a gas valve system contained within the housing, and a nozzle body attachment structure. A trigger associated with the gas valve system is operable to release a blast of compressed gas through the attachment structure. A spray nozzle placed in contact with the attachment structure receives a blast of compressed gas to clear obstructions. The attachment structure interfaces with both the normal discharge side and the normal inlet side of the spray nozzle to allow compressed gas to be blown through the spray nozzle in both directions. A backup tool is provided to engage a backside of the spray nozzle to prevent a spray tip within the spray nozzle from blowing backwards out of the spray nozzle. A backup tool cover has a slender projection for removing screen filters associated with the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A rotary nozzle for a cleaning device, specifically for a high pressure cleaning device. The device has a housing with a fluid inlet and outlet for the passage of the fluid. Within the housing, there is a nozzle body traversed and rotated by the fluid. The rotary nozzle body is designed so that it will not be in direct contact with the housing's inner surface during rotation, but rather a fluid film is built up around the nozzle body. The fluid film is created because the nozzle body does not rotate around its own center axis, but only around the center axis of the housing.

Abstract: A liquid supply assembly is disclosed. The liquid supply assembly may be used in combination with a spraying device or spray gun to apply liquid to a substrate. The liquid supply assembly is particularly suitable for use in systems utilizing pressurized liquid containers.

Abstract: A device and a spray head for atomizing a cosmetic fluid by with an electrically operable compressed air generator. In order to permit atomization of the fluid largely without any delay, an intermediate store for the fluid is arranged above and/or directly next to a nozzle. When the device is switched off, some fluid remains in the intermediate store so that, immediately after the compressed air feed is switched on, initially, fluid is transported from the intermediate store into the nozzle and is atomized, at least until a feed of fluid from the reservoir takes place.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel oil atomizer comprised of an elongated outer member, an elongated inner member and an atomizing head. The inner member is a fuel supply conduit which coaxially received within the central opening of the outer member defining therebetween a generally annular atomizing fluid supply conduit. The atomizing head includes a fuel chamber, an atomizing fluid chamber and a mixing chamber. The fuel supply conduit communicates with the fuel chamber. The atomizing fluid supply conduit communicates with the atomizing fluid chamber. The fuel chamber has a first end and a second end. The atomizing fluid chamber is circumambient to the first end of the fuel chamber and the fuel chamber has a portion that extends axially from the atomizing fluid chamber. The mixing chamber is circumambient to the second end of the fuel chamber.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel oil atomizer comprised of an elongated outer member, an elongated inner member and an atomizing head. The inner member is a fuel supply conduit which is coaxially received within the central opening of the outer member defining therebetween a generally annular atomizing fluid supply conduit. The atomizing head includes a fuel chamber, an atomizing fluid chamber and a mixing chamber. The fuel supply conduit communicates with the fuel chamber. The atomizing fluid supply conduit communicates with the atomizing fluid chamber. The fuel chamber has a first end and a second end. The atomizing fluid chamber is circumambient to the first end of the fuel chamber and the fuel chamber has a portion that extends axially from the atomizing fluid chamber. The mixing chamber is circumambient to the second end of the fuel chamber.

Abstract: A spray nozzle for directing a fluid into a desired uniform spray pattern is disclosed that includes a nozzle body, a spray plate and a deflector plate. The spray nozzle may be formed of replaceable components to allow for modifications to the individual components to change the spray pattern.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulator (20) comprising: a fluid inlet port (34) and a fluid outlet port (54); at least one open-faced flow control channel (60) defined by a planar bottom (62) and two side-walls (64) that communicates with the outlet port (54) at a junction (66) and has a cross-section that decreases with distance from the junction; an elastic diaphragm (40); a support shelf (58) on which the diaphragm (40) seats and which supports the diaphragm (40) along a planar contour parallel to the bottom of each of the at least one channel (60); wherein to regulate fluid flow, with increasing inlet fluid pressure the diaphragm (40) covers portions of the open face that are farther from the junction (66) in a region where the cross-section decreases with distance from the junction (66).

Abstract: An injection valve for fuel-injection systems has a valve-seat support, a valve needle, a solenoid and a connection piece having a filter, to convey the fuel. Valve opening and valve seat are formed on the one-piece valve-seat support itself, which additionally guides the valve needle so as to be axially displaceable; solenoid coil and connector plug are combined in a separate, plastic-extrusion-coated coil part, the magnetic cup is placed over the coil part, and the connection piece is formed as separate plastic-injection-molded part having an integrated filter. Joining and sealing points between the connection piece on the one side and the coil part, magnetic cup and/or valve-seat support on the other side are bonded.

Abstract: A nozzle for introducing pressurized fluids into an industrial vessel is releasably attachable to and detachable from a mounting member securedly attached to an exterior surface of the vessel. The mounting member is attached, via extension piping, to a source of pressurized gas, such as the exhaust valve of an air cannon. Both the nozzle and the mounting member include respective mating collars which engage each other in a twist lock manner. Additional securing members are provided to securely retain the nozzle and mounting member in twist lock engagement. Removal of the nozzle is performed by releasing the securing members, twisting the nozzle from inside of the vessel to unlock it from the mounting member, and uncoupling the nozzle from the mounting member. Installation of a replacement nozzle is performed by performing the foregoing steps in the reverse order.

Abstract: A sachet (1) having walls of flexible material is disclosed. The walls are joined so as to form an impermeable seal, thereby defining a cavity within the sachet (1). A conduit (2) passing through the seal and having inner and outer ends is disposed with the inner end within the cavity and the outer end outside the sachet (1) such that the cavity is in fluid communication, via the conduit, with the outside of the sachet. The cavity contains a volume of liquid (8) in use, and the conduit (2) is adapted to prevent the liquid (8) flowing from the cavity without the application of an additional stimulus, irrespective of the orientation of the sachet (1).

Abstract: A method for industrial production of especially fine powders and mineral powders, where the material to be ground is mixed to a gas-solid matter suspension, which through acceleration nozzles (12) is led at least to two counter jets, which meet in grinding chamber (13) for further grinding of the powders. The ground gas-solid matter suspension is led in its turn by means of working gas at least to two intermediate containers (2a);(2b) in the grinding circulation, in which containers the gas is removed from the mixture and into intermediate container (2) a certain quantity of solid matter is collected, which quantity is returned to be ground and led to the other container (2) and the said quantity is circulated through the grinding process among intermediate containers (2a);(2b) until in some container the quality is established sufficient for removal off the process.

Abstract: Process for milling a substance selected from sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium sesquicarbonate or trona, in which a cleaning agent is introduced into a mill for the purpose of obtaining a powder with a mean diameter of less than 100 ?m and of inhibiting the formation of incrustations in the mill.

Abstract: With this invention, in a nanoparticle production method, wherein nanoparticles are produced by irradiating a laser light irradiation portion 2a of a to-be-treated liquid 8 with a laser light, in which suspended particles are suspended, to pulverize the suspended particles in laser light irradiation portion 2a, laser light irradiation portion 2a of to-be-treated liquid 8 is cooled. In this case, by the cooling of to-be-treated liquid 8, the respective suspended particles are cooled in their entireties. When the portion 2a of this to-be-treated liquid 8 is irradiated with the laser light, the laser light is absorbed at the surfaces of the suspended particles at portion 2a. Since to-be-treated liquid 8 is cooled during this process, significant temperature differences arise between the interiors and surfaces of the suspended particles and between the surfaces of the suspended particles and the to-be-treated liquid at laser light irradiation portion 2a, and highly efficient nanoparticulation is realized.

Abstract: A food waste disposer has a housing 12 defining a grinding chamber 14 having an inlet 16 and an outlet 18. A grinding mechanism including a shredder ring 20 and a grinding disc 22, is disposed within the grinding chamber 14. A liner 21, preferably of a plastics material, extends from the shredder ring 20 to the inlet 16. The liner 21 reduces the noise generated by the disposer when in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to cutting blades for shredders. Specifically, this invention teaches cutting blades, cutting blade assemblies, and a rotary cutting assembly which reduce the power needed to shred paper, plastic, and other forms of media that hold information. This is accomplished by creating a cutting blade with at least three adjacent teeth. The formation of three or more adjacent teeth more readily tears through paper and other media thus reducing the amount of power necessary to drive a shredder. This invention further discloses light weight cutting blades which require less material to manufacture, thus saving both materials and cost.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a roll crusher for a grate cooler for cooling hot bulk material, in particular hot cement clinker, comprising several parallel crusher rolls. Said rolls are driven in opposite directions and comprise respective rotatably mounted axle tube rolls, onto each of which a large number of crusher rings that can be connected to the axle tube can be pushed. According to the invention, the crusher rings are configured in such a way that crusher elements project from the cylindrical outer face of the crusher rings, said elements being uniformly distributed both over the periphery and over the width of the crusher rings.

Abstract: A liner assembly for use in a grinding mill, the liner assembly including a liner body including a mounting member, and an elastomeric cushioning member operatively connected to the mounting member. The cushioning member includes a plurality of support cavities therein, and a plurality of wear elements mounted within the support cavities.

Abstract: A wear part for protecting a vertical rotor wall of a rotor of a VSI-crusher includes a wear body having a wear surface adapted for contacting abrasive particles. The wear surface is provided with at least one ridge extending over at least a portion of the wear surface. At least a portion of the length of the ridge is, when the wear part has been mounted to the vertical rotor wall, inclined in relation to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A new device for the storage, management, & transportation of articles such as cord, wire, cable, and tubing that generally comprises a main housing body having a lid, a multitude of cord, wire, cable, and tubing dispensing openings, a multitude of cord, wire, cable, and tubing retractor devices, and first and second mounting clamps, and which is intended to be mounted or attached to a device such as a medical monitor stand and used to manage a multitude of wires which are commonly referred to as “lead wires” and are used for the medical monitoring of a patient, whereby the user can simply grab the exposed end of the cord, wire, cable, or tubing that is desired, and pull or extract it from the housing to the desired length and then locked into place.

Abstract: A tape reel including: a substantially circular cylinder shaped hub; flanges provided as separate bodies from the hub at both end portions of the hub; a connecting member connecting together the flanges at the inside of the hub, in a non-contact state with the inner peripheral face of the hub. The recording tape is wound on the hub in such a manner that the side of the recording tape with the smaller radius of tape edge curvature is on the smaller diameter side of the hub. Also disclosed are: a recording tape cartridge housing such a tape reel; a take-up reel provided in a drive device; a drawing-out member, housed in the hub of a take-up reel and on which recording tape drawn-out from a recording tape cartridge is wound; and a drive device with take-up reel and drawing-out member.

Abstract: In a tape reel that includes a hub around which recording tape is wound and flanges disposed on both end portions of the hub, the elastic modulus in a radial direction of the hub is equal to or greater than 16.0 GPa, and the hub includes different radii on one end side thereof and another end side thereof. The recording tape is wound around the hub such that the side where the radius of curvature of the curvature of a tape edge of the recording tape is small corresponds to the small radius side of the hub. When the recording tape is wound around the hub, fluctuation of the recording tape in an axial direction of the hub is controlled, and one-layer protrusion and disorderly winding of the recording tape that has been wound around the hub are controlled.

Abstract: A cap is provided for a seat belt retractor having a housing. The cap is placed onto a side of the seat belt retractor facing a sensor. The cap is made of aluminum and is equipped with an adhesive plate by which the cap is glued onto the housing. The adhesive plate may consist of a butyl adhesive.

Abstract: A belt retractor (10) includes a frame (12), a belt spool (14) being rotatably supported in the frame (12), a locking disc (16) being rotatably mounted on the belt spool (14), a load limiting element (18) being effective between the belt spool (14) and the locking disc (16), a holding element (20) being able to hold the locking disc (16) relative to the belt spool (14) so as to be locked against relative rotation, and a drive element (22) for the belt spool (14), the drive element (22) being rotatable to a limited extent relative to the belt spool (14) between an initial position in which the drive element (22) ensures that the holding element (20) holds the locking disc (16) relative to the belt spool (14) so as to be locked against relative rotation, and a release position in which the drive element (22) ensures that the holding element (20) frees the locking disc (16).

Abstract: A system and method for spooling coiled tubing is provided, the system including a second levelwind mechanism. The second levelwind is positioned adjacent ground level, thereby eliminating the need for personnel to work at heights associated with traditional spooling of coiled tubing from one reel to another. Coiled tubing is transferred from one reel to another reel on the low side of the spool so that personnel may work at ground level.

Abstract: The retractable ID badge holder kit provides removable and replaceable indicia on a retractable reel housing to celebrate a promotional event, special occasion or holiday. The kit contains a retractable reel supporting an ID badge holder at the end of the retractable cord or tether, a ferromagnetic plate to be glued to one side of the reel housing, an assortment of promotional pictures symbolic of special events, special occasions and holidays, and a rubberized sheet magnet attached or attachable to the rear surface of the pictures.

Abstract: A winding machine includes flyers 5 rotated around a flyer rotation axis AXf orthogonal to the axis AXs of a rotor 2 constituting a work while at the same time winding wires 6 on core 23 of rotor 2. Rotor 2 is set in the winding machine in such a position that the center position of core 23 in the direction along rotor axis AXs and flyer rotation axis AXf are displaced from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing stabilizer material is provided. The apparatus includes one or more spools and stabilizer material. The stabilizer material is disposed around at least one of the one or more spools. The apparatus also includes a dispenser containing the one or more spools and the stabilizer material.

Abstract: A cable reel holder (1) for use with a cable reel (13) having a hollow cable spool (14). The holder comprises a head unit and a base unit (2) which are releasably connectable via a spindle (5, 10) upon which, in use, the cable spool (14) is mounted. Tho spindle is comprised of a first member defined by the base unit and a second member defined by the head unit, with the first member being releasably connectable to the second member. The first and second members are releasably connectable by a screw connection (6, 11). The spindle is preferably upright during use of the holder. The screw connection between the first and second members is preferably arranged such that, as cable is drawn from a cable reel mounted on the spindle, the screw connection is caused to tighten.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a continuous replenishing of the lift gas and maintaining the proper pressure and lift of a tethered medium altitude aerostat utilizing a novel feed tube running the entire length of the tether. A first end of the feed tube is connected to the aerostat while a second end is connected through a novel slip ring means to a pressure controlled helium ballast chamber and scrubber on the ground to maintain pressure and lift by a reversible compressing pump. A plurality of pressure and temperature sensors and tension gauges strategically placed inside and around the airship continuously monitor the temperature and pressure changes in the aerostat. A data retrieval and communication unit mounted on the aerostat collects measurement data from the pressure, temperature and tension sensors which is relayed to the ground station and the data is used to regulate lifting gas pressure inside the aerostat.