Abstract: A planting board system is provided for use in performing germination testing or planting within the flat of a seed type. The planting board system includes a housing, a lower panel disposed in the housing, said lower panel having a plurality of apertures disposed within the lower panel in a predetermined, spaced apart relationship and an upper panel disposed within the housing, the upper panel at least partially overlapping the lower panel and being moveable within the housing relative to the lower panel between first and second positions.

Abstract: A sliding door includes a frame comprising an elongated header member having a topwall, a backwall, an intermediate wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall and intermediate wall are engageable with sliding door panel support rollers and the bottom wall and intermediate wall are interconnected by a separate support member to distribute door panel loads between such walls. A movable cover is attached to the header member by a hinge part including spaced apart flanges and projections co-operable with projections on the header member to support the cover in open and closed positions. The door operator is supported in the header member by a single angle-shaped frame member supporting a power supply, a controller and a door operator motor. An adjustable torsion bar assembly supports the door panel against sagging.

Abstract: It is composed of a framework made up entirely of pieces of recycled plastic that basically comprises bearers (1-2), distributed in several sectors along the whole length of the greenhouse and made up of sections (3-4) that are fitted to one another by means of linear connectors (5) which engage on lugs (12-16) and which are in turn joined by means of cross connectors (8) that engage on lugs (17) provided on horizontal sections (6) making up horizontal cross members (7) which brace the framework forming the roof, side walls, front wall and rear wall of the greenhouse. It includes inner spacer clips (23) and intermediate spacer clips (30) that engage on rods (27-27?-27?) securing inner plastic laminar layers (28-28?-28?), between which air chambers are formed that act as thermal insulation for the greenhouse.

Abstract: A scissors type vertical elevated substructure. The base and the surface of the substructure are articulated through folding legs. The nodes of the legs are articulated through connection rods and form double parallelograms which are mirror images and share a common base. There is a guide device on the base. Lifting sheaves are installed on both the surface of the substructure and the top of the guide. One end of the lifting wireline is fixed on the nodes of the folding legs and the other end of the wireline runs around the lifting sheaves in a given order to connect with the drawworks. The guide pulley sits in the vertical elevated guide-rail which is set on the guide device. The support rod is fixed to the base, the surface, and the folding legs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for fixing an object in the ground, comprising at least one fixing peg (10) and means for carrying out the above. The peg (10) comprises a tube (14) and at least two lugs (28) on the lower end of a central support rod (24). An axial tension acting on the rod (24) which runs axially in the tube (14) and is fixed in rotation therein, causes the lugs (28) to deploy through openings (30) in the tube (14), such as to cause the extension thereof in the direction of tension at an angle to the length of the tube (14). An operating mechanism (33) comprises a threaded pin (36) with a screw (40) pressing on the head of the tube. The lower end of said threaded pin (36) is coupled to the upper end of the central support (24) in order to transmit an axial tension thereto on turning the screw (40) in a first direction.

Abstract: A column-and-beam join structure comprises connecting the column and beam with a pair of split tees. At least one split tee has a web with a portion of the web having a reduced cross-sectional area. The web with the reduced cross-sectional area is located between a flange of the beam and a buckling restraint. The buckling restraint is connected to the flange of the beam with bolts. The sides of the bolts are in the proximity to the side surface of the portion of the web of the split tee having the reduced cross-sectional area. Annular members may be arranged surrounding portions of the bolts that are in proximity to the side surface of the portion of the web having the reduced cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A multistory apartment building complex may comprise vertically stacked modules and includes one or more vehicle parking levels grade and one or more dwelling unit levels vertically stacked above the vehicle parking levels. At least one of the parking levels includes private garages for at least selected ones of the dwelling units and occupants of the selected dwelling units may move between their own garage and their dwelling unit via an elevator extending directly to the individual dwelling units on each level. The elevators may also serve plural dwelling units on each dwelling unit level. A service corridor is provided on selected dwelling unit levels which may be accessed by a service elevator or spaced apart stairways to provide secondary access between each dwelling unit on each dwelling unit level and street level. Each dwelling unit may include a small service room having a lockable door between the service room and the dwelling unit and a door opening to the service corridor.

Abstract: A floor/ceiling 10 has downwardly extending ribs (14) separated by downwardly opening channels (16). The floor/ceiling member (10) sits down on a horizontal header (32) that is on top of a building wall that extends perpendicular to the ribs (14) and the channels (16). A preformed wall panel (24) has a lower strip portion (26) that is connected to a side flange (36) on the header (32). Preformed wall panel (24) has upwardly directed peaks (28) and upwardly opening valleys (30). The peaks (28) are sized and shaped to snuggly fit within the ceiling channels (16). The valleys (30) are sized and shaped to snuggly receive the ribs (14) when the peaks (28) are in the channels (16). A continuous lower strip portion of the preformed wall panel (24) is connected to the flange (36) of the header (32), below the ribs (14). The peaks (28) extend into and block or close off the channel openings formed in and by the channel (16) above the web (38).

Abstract: An improved railing/wall system for elevated slab balconies. The system uses a number of fascia brackets to secure posts to the outer face of the elevated slab balcony. The posts have a base track secured to them. Infill panels are then placed between the posts to provide the wall structure. A top rail can be used to cover the top of the infill panels. The lower portion of the infill panels also can be tinted to conceal the face of the concrete balcony, if desired. The infill panels can be selected from a group of materials, including tempered glass, pickets, expanded metal, perforated metal, metal cut with water jets or a composite material.

Abstract: Flooring panel or wall panel and a use thereof in a wet room. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. The groove (6) and the tongue (7) are preferably made of water tight material and formed with a snap-together joint.

Abstract: A multi-level chair for supporting a concrete reinforcement cable at a fixed height from the bottom of a concrete form is provided. The multi-level chair comprises a body having a plurality of receptacles at different heights. Each of the receptacles is adapted to retain a concrete post-tension reinforcement cable. In one embodiment, the body of the chair assumes an inverted V-shape including a pair of legs extending downwardly from an apex. Each of said legs has multiple receptacles to support a cable at a predetermined height from the bottom of the concrete form.

Abstract: A stairway with a finished skirt/fascia board is formed using parallel stringers and tread/riser support brackets spaced and aligned along the stringers. The brackets are temporarily and pivotally attached to stringers and the stringers are moved parallel to and relative to each other to orient the stringers for the slope of the stairway. The pivotal attachment of the brackets to one of the stringers and the unattached stringer is moved into contact with the other stringer at mating faces. The brackets are them permanently attached to the parallel stringers. The mating faces of the stringers form a finished skirt/fascia board for the stairway. Several variations in contoured faces, including tongue and groove contours, for the mating surfaces provide for a smooth and clean looking skirt/fascia board on a finished stairway.

Abstract: A device and method for securing a substantially flat sheet of metal (such as metal roofing or siding) to a substrate in a manner which avoids or reduces oil canning. A longitudinal spacer is installed between the metal surface and the substrate so as to induce a bowing or camber of the sheet of metal.

Abstract: An ice-bagging apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice, a hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker, a drawer system comprising a drawer and a top door operatively associated with the hopper for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice, a bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism for placing the ice in a bag, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the ice, a sealer for sealing the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice, and a control device for managing and monitoring the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allowing transmission of the collected data to the internet.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a holder; a first motor operatively secured to holder; a transporting assembly including a second motor and a slide; a heating unit; a controller; and a housing for enclosing the transporting assembly and the heating unit; A thermally contractible film is put on a closed cryovial containing biological specimens. The cryovial is secured to the holder such that activating the second motor to move the first motor and the holder from an original position to a heating position, stopping the second motor and activating the first motor to turn the holder about a length axis of the cryovial, activating the heating unit to heat the thermally contractible film and contracting same onto the cryovial, and activating the second motor again to move the first motor and the holder from the heating position to the original position will produce a sealed cryovial.

Abstract: A system and method of vertically loading a product into a carton includes a bucket assembly and a funnel forming a lower portion of the bucket assembly. An open carton having a scoreline between a machine-side flap and the opening is positioned underneath the bucket assembly and a gate of the bucket assembly is moved from a closed position to an open position away from the scoreline of the carton.

Abstract: Various device embodiments include first and second plate assemblies. Each plate assembly includes a base, a seal plate and a servo motor to provide a linear motion of the seal plate with respect to the base. The device farther includes at least one plate assembly motor operably linked to the bases of the plate assemblies to provide a linear motion of the first and second plate assemblies toward each other to perform a sealing operation and away from each other. The device further includes a controller connected to the at least one plate assembly motor and to the first and second servo motors to coordinate the motion of the first and second seal plates to perform a seal operation on a web while traveling with the web.

Abstract: A machine (1) for the production of packaging material in the form of air filled cushions (24) comprises feeding rollers (2) for conveying parallel two films of plastic material (20a and 20b), unwound starting from rolls (30a and 30b), according to a conveying direction. Downstream of the feeding rollers (2) air is supplied between the two films (20a and 20b) by means of a plurality of tubes (6) extending from a collector (5) and parallel to the conveying direction of the films (20a and 20b). Each tube (6) extends between two longitudinal heatsealing elements (10), crosses a couple of dragging rollers (8) and ends at transversal heat-sealing elements (15).

Abstract: A device for packing flat articles in transport containers includes a feeder for feeding the flat articles in imbricated form and a conveyor disposed downstream of the feeder, in travel direction of the flat articles. The conveyor has an at least approximately vertically extending end for discharging the articles into the transport containers for filling the transport containers therewith at a filling location. Equipment for further conveying the transport containers at the filling location includes two lateral belt conveyors disposed at the filling location for moving the transport containers forward during the filling thereof with the articles.

Abstract: A two-piece strapping tool having a manual tensioner and a battery-operated sealer is disclosed. The tensioner is a feedwheel tensioner that uses a serrated feedwheel to grip a first portion of the strap and a tension gripper to hold a second portion of the strap in a stationary position. The tensioner is configured to matingly receive the sealer between the tensioner's support legs such that the sealer may readily engage the overlapping portions of the strap to be welded. The sealer is battery-operated and uses a vibrational-type weld assembly driven by an electrical motor to weld overlapping portions of the strap. The sealer also includes a cutting assembly to sever the welded strap from a strap source.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a sickle knife driven by a first hydraulic motor and a crop transfer system including three conveying drapers which is driven by at least one second hydraulic motor. A mechanical drive input from the combine harvester drives a first pressure regulated piston pump generating flow for the first motor and a second gear pump for the second motor. When the drive input is driven in the reverse direction, hydraulic fluid is supplied from the second pump in the reverse direction for driving the second motor in the reverse direction. As the first pump does not pump in the reverse direction the hydraulic control circuit is arranged such that, when the second pump is driven by the drive input in the reverse direction, hydraulic fluid is supplied from the second pump to the first motor for driving the first motor in the reverse direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a helically-wound electric cable having a winder means for winding two groups, each group having two twisted-together conductor wires, in such a manner as to form a group helix. A means is provided for varying the pitch of the group helix, having two accumulators located respectively upstream and downstream from the winder means, each accumulator having a moving drum enabling a varying length of a central line to be retained. A control means controls the position of each moving drum, where the groups are wound together at a speed that varies between two limit speeds having the same sign and where the winding is in such a manner that the pitch of the group helix varies along the cable between two limit values having the same sign.

Abstract: A chain puller includes an elongate housing having a C-shaped channel extending between the first end and the second end of the housing. First and second chain engaging members are provided. Each has a lower portion and an upper portion. The upper portion has a chain engaging face to be inserted between links of a chain. The lower portion of the first chain engaging member is fixedly attached toward the first end of the housing, and the lower portion of the second chain engaging member is slideably engaged within the C-shaped channel toward the second end of the housing. A screw actuator has a nut fixedly attached toward the second end of the housing relative to the second chain engaging member and a screw member engaged within the nut. The first end of the screw member has an engagement face that engages the second chain engaging member. The second end has means for rotating the screw member to cause the engagement face to advance or retract.

Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like, where the upper strand lies on the lower strand and rollers (11, 12) are provided on at least some chain links of the lower strand and/or the upper strand, which roll on running surfaces (16) provided on the chain links of the opposite strand when the energy guiding chain is traversed, it is envisaged, in order to guarantee very quiet running, that the axis of rotation of each of the rollers (11, 12) coincides with the pivoting axis of the adjacent pair (4) of side straps (5, 6).

Abstract: Continuous engine monitoring with regard to gas turbine engines is difficult particularly when the engine is utilized for propulsion of an aircraft. Nevertheless, by use of transfer passages 4 to an arrangement located within the tail cone 9 of an engine, it is possible through a transparent test cell 6 and appropriate heating to generate sufficient infra red radiation as well as incandescent visible light for detectors 11, 16 to determine various constituent parts of the gas flow. Thus a photo detector 11 can provide through electrical signals, the proportion of soot/smoke particles in the gas flow through their incandescence, whilst use of filters 17 for particular spectral lines in an infra red radiation spectrum will allow detectors 16 to provide an indication through an electrical signal the proportion and presence of other constituents such as NO, CO and unburnt hydrocarbons in an exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and metering of reducing agents that may be used within the framework of a catalytic exhaust gas aftertreatment, having a device for storing the reducing agent to be metered and a metering device for applying the reducing agent to the exhaust gas to be treated, the device for storing the reducing agent having an outer container and a cartridge, containing the reducing agent, that is able to be exchangeably positioned in it.

Abstract: An emission control system is provided for an engine for reducing NOx emissions, the system comprising an ammonia injector, a controller for controlling the ammonia injector and a catalyst, wherein the controller includes a transmitter for transmitting information regarding the amount of ammonia used and the amount of NOx reduced.

Abstract: An aqueous urea dosing system has a first tube through which the urea solution is conveyed to a small mixing chamber. Compressed air is continuously conveyed through an annular space between the outer surface of the first tube and the inner surface of a second tube which has a distal end that extends beyond a distal end of the first tube. The mixing chamber is positioned between the respective distal ends of the first and second tubes. The urea solution is discharged into the small mixing chamber, and subsequently immediately into an exhaust gas, in a series of discreet pulses, the width and period of which are controlled by a pulse-width-modulated flow control valve spaced from the exhaust gas.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system reliably detects an amount of accumulated particulates, lengthens forced regeneration intervals, and improves fuel efficiency. The exhaust gas purifying system comprises: a particulate filter 22 disposed in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine 2 and collecting particulates from exhaust gas, and an NO2 generating unit 21 upstream of or in the particulate filter 22; a discharged particulate amount calculating unit A1 calculates an amount Me of discharged particulates on the basis of an excess air ratio ?; a burnt particulate amount calculating unit A2 calculates an amount Mb of burnt particulates on the basis of the temperature of exhaust gas in front of the particulate filter or the temperature of the particulate filter; and a particulate accumulation amount calculating unit calculates an amount Ma of accumulated particulates on the basis of the amount Me of discharged particulates or the amount Mb of burnt particulates.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold is provided with a plurality of branch pipe parts and a collecting pipe part. The plurality of branch pipe parts are respectively connected to a plurality of exhaust ports of a multicylinder internal combustion engine. The collecting pipe part is formed by merging the plurality of branch pipe parts. The plurality of branch pipe parts and the collecting pipe part are formed by an upper shell member and a lower shell member superposed on each other. A partition plate is attached to at least one of the upper shell member and the lower shell member. The partition plate separates between exhaust gases flowing into the collecting pipe part from two of the branch pipe parts respectively connected to adjacent two of the plurality of exhaust ports.

Abstract: A hydraulic controlling device in which, when performing a combined operational process, a position of a straight travel valve is switched to a straight travel position to drive both a travel motor and a working actuator by separate pumps. In this case, to prevent a sudden reduction in travel speed resulting from a reduction in a flow amount at a travel side, pump lines of both pumps are connected to each other at an intermediate position by a connection path, so that a portion of oil at a working side is sent towards the travel side. With such a structure, when a rotational speed of an engine is less than a set rotational speed, an opening amount of the connection path is reduced through a straight travel proportional valve by a controller, thereby preventing pressure interference causing, for example, the working actuator to no longer move.

Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic fluid supply structure including: a discharge line fluidly connected to a discharge port of a hydraulic pump body and regulated to have a first pressure value; an external hydraulic fluid extraction line for supplying the hydraulic fluid to an actuator for raising and lowering a working machine, the external hydraulic fluid extraction line being fluidly connected to the discharge line through a resistance valve; a PTO hydraulic fluid line for supplying the hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic operating type clutch mechanism for engaging or disengaging power transmission to the working machine, the PTO hydraulic line being fluidly connected to the discharge line through a throttle valve and regulated to have a second pressure value lower than the first pressure value; and a PTO switching valve interposed in the PTO hydraulic fluid line so as to turn ON/OFF the supply of the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A two piece center section assembly for mounting inside the housing of a hydrostatic or hydraulic drive apparatus is disclosed. The assembly includes separate pump and motor support portions that are preferably generally identical in structure. The need for fasteners between the pump and motor portions is eliminated.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a gas turbine engine comprises a first positive displacement pump (16), a second positive displacement pump (27), said first and second positive displacement pumps (16, 27) being operable simultaneously for the supply of fuel from a low pressure source, and switching valve means (14) downstream of said first positive displacement pump (16) for changing a connection mode between said first and second positive displacement pumps (16, 27) between a series mode and a parallel mode.

Abstract: A two-stage pulse tube refrigerator having a compact design, low vibration and low heat loss is provided where at least the 2nd stage is co-axial but preferably, both stages are co-axial with the second stage pulse tube being central and the first stage pulse tube occupying the annular space between the second stage pulse tube and the first stage regenerator. Convection losses associated with different temperature profiles in the pulse tubes and regenerators are minimized by shifting the thermal patterns in the pulse tubes relative to the regenerators by one or more of spacers in the regenerators, physical differences in length with gas channel connections, adjustment of dc flow, and thermal bridges.

Abstract: A cooler machine using the Stirling cycle and comprising: at least one compressor with a compressor piston movable in a compression cyclinder; a regenerator with a regenerator piston movable in a regeneration cyclinder placed at a given angle relative to the compression cyclinder; a rotary drive crank; and two connecting rods, respectively a compressor connecting rod coupled to the compressor piston, and a regenerator connecting rod coupled to the regenerator piston, and both coupled to the crank with a mutual angular offset; the compressor and/or regenerator connecting rod is arranged to be of length that is variable over a rotation of the crank in such a manner that the movement of the corresponding piston is least slowed down on passing through top and/or bottom dead center.

Abstract: The present provides a cryogenic thermal battery arrangement for maintaining a superconducting magnet coil or similar apparatus at cryogenic temperature for a required shipping period, such as thirty days, without consuming a significant amount of costly cryogen. According to another aspect, the invention allows extended shipping periods without incurring excessive costs.

Abstract: A liquid cooler is disclosed that includes a housing and at least two heatsinks attached with the housing. The heatsinks each include a top wall with an inwardly facing wall, a bottom wall with an inner surface, interior sidewalls and an interior lower wall. The inner surface is formed to surround and contact a portion of an outer surface of a container. The inwardly facing wall, the interior sidewalls, and the interior lower wall define a cavity. The interior lower wall of the cavity includes at least one heat fin. An outer covering is included and surrounds the heatsink. A method of rotation is provided to rotate the heatsink and the outer covering.

Abstract: An adsorption heat pump is provided in which water vapor can be efficiently adsorbed and desorbed using a heat source having a lower temperature than ones heretofore in use because the pump employs an adsorbent which has a large difference in water adsorption amount in adsorption/desorption and can be regenerated (release the adsorbate) at a low temperature. The invention provides an adsorption heat pump which comprises an adsorbate, an adsorption/desorption part having an adsorbent for adsorbate adsorption/desorption, a vaporization part for adsorbate vaporization which has been connected to the adsorption/desorption part, and a condensation part for adsorbate condensation which has been connected to the adsorption/desorption part, wherein the adsorbent, when examined at 25° C., gives a water vapor adsorption isotherm which, in the relative vapor pressure range of from 0.05 to 0.30, has a relative vapor pressure region in which a change in relative vapor pressure of 0.

Abstract: An indoor unit for an air conditioner capable of performing cooling and heating, as well as ventilation functions as a single unit is provided. The indoor unit includes a main chassis, a ventilation port, a cross-flow fan, a side fan, and a ventilation duct. The main chassis is installed on a mounting portion and composing its exterior. The ventilation port formed to pass through the main chassis for inletting and exhausting air. The cross-flow fan is installed on one side of the main chassis to blow air in a direction perpendicular to its rotating shaft. The side fan is formed next to the cross-flow fan. The ventilation duct is connected to the ventilation port of the main chassis to ventilate the air forcibly blown by the side fan.

Abstract: Disposed is a contaminant recovery receptacle (40) which is connected, through an inflow pipe (42) and an outflow pipe (43), to the suction side of a compressor (21). The inflow pipe (42) has an exit end which opens towards the inner bottom of the recovery receptacle (40). The outflow pipe (43) has an entrance end which is situated above the exit end of the inflow pipe (42) in the recovery receptacle (40). Firstly, a preliminary operation is carried out which causes refrigerant to circulate in a refrigerant circuit (10) for a predetermined length of time so that gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the recovery receptacle (40). Thereafter, a recovery operation is carried out, which causes refrigerant to circulate in the refrigerant circuit (10) so that gas refrigerant flows into the recovery receptacle (40). As a result, contaminants are recovered in the recovery receptacle (40).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for optimization of integrated air separation systems. In an integrated process for the compression, cooling, and purification of air, an adiabatic compressor compresses an air stream to produce a compressed air stream. The compressed air stream is used to warm a first pressurized stream at a first pressure and a second pressurized stream at a second pressure. The produced streams include a first warmed pressurized stream, a second warmed pressurized stream, and a cooled compressed air stream. The first warmed pressurized stream is gaseous and is expanded in a turbine. At least part of the work produced by the turbine is used to power the adiabatic compressor. The cooled compressed air stream is further cooled by a cooling unit by heat exchange with water, and then purified in a purifying unit using a TSA process.

Abstract: Method of making an article, the method comprising coalescing a plurality of the glass particles. Examples of articles include kitchenware (e.g., plates), dental brackets, and reinforcing fibers, cutting tool inserts, abrasives, and structural components of gas engines, (e.g., valves and bearings).

Abstract: A charged glass raw material B is melted in a melting tank 10 by heating with a burner 31 and by heating with electrodes 12, to form molten glass G. Then, the molten glass G flows into a tank additionally provided as a noble gas dissolving tank 20 through a throat 40. The noble gas dissolving tank 20 is provided with a noble gas dissolving device 53, and the noble gas dissolving device 53 is provided with sixteen noble gas inlets 22 for introducing a helium or neon gas supplied to a hearth through heat resistant gas introduction tubes 21 into the noble gas dissolving tank 20. Bubbles of a helium gas A having a purity of 99% are blown out from the noble gas inlets 22 in volumes such that the bubbles have an average diameter of 80 mm or less in the molten glass G.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a quartz glass jig for use in semiconductor industries, which enables increasing the surface layer cleanliness simply and surely at low cost; it also provides a quartz glass jig improved in surface layer cleanliness. The inventive means for resolution are a method comprising processing a quartz glass raw material into a desired shape by a treatment inclusive of fire working, annealing for stress removal, and cleaning treatment to obtain the final product, the method is characterized by that it comprises performing gas phase etching step and gas phase purification step on the surface layer of the quartz glass jig after applying the annealing treatment for stress removal but before the cleaning treatment, wherein the gas phase purification step is carried out continuously after the gas phase etching step.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a curved glass sheet includes a disk roll conveyor and a roll conveyor set positioned downstream of the disk roll conveyor. The roll conveyor set has a plurality of roll conveyor units. In this apparatus, first and second adjusting devices are operable to provide the curved glass sheet with (a) a first conveyance route in which the disk roll conveyor and the roll conveyor set are in a horizontal position to provide a smooth horizontal conveyance surface or (b) a second conveyance route in which the disk roll conveyor is in a downward position and in which at least one roll conveyor unit at a downstream side of the roll conveyor set is in an upward position to provide a continuous concave conveyance surface.

Abstract: A spacer-fabric sweatband, for, and incorporated into headwear which has an inner, skin-contact fabric layer, and an outer, headwear-facing fabric layer connected by a multiplicity of hydrophobic monofilament-pile spacing elements. The pile spacing elements function like thousands of miniature springs to maintain the fabric layers in uniform spaced parallel relation while creating substantial, pile-supported airspace between the fabric layers to facilitate the movement of ventilating airflow. The headwear-facing fabric layer is mesh-like for enhanced air circulation. The skin-contact layer is composed of solid skin-friendly fabric. The pile segments block sweat from migrating from the inner to the outer fabric layers by virtue of their hydrophobic composition.

Abstract: A garment run prevention method includes cutting an opening, for example for a leg, in a portion of a knitted garment approximately parallel to the wales across a minimum number of wales to prevent runs in the direction of knitting. Another aspect of such a method includes knitting a garment from back to front and placing run-prevention stitches, such as float stitches or tuck stitches, in areas where cutting a front leg opening cuts across wales of the garment to prevent runs in the direction of knitting.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to efficiently perform a series of processing including washing in which, for example, different types of clothes or a large volume of clothes etc. are washed and thereafter arranged in order. The clothes etc. are sortably stored in a washing basket (A) for storing the clothes etc. hung on hangers by hanging them vertically, a washing basket (B) for storing the clothes etc. hung on hangers by stacking them horizontally, and a washing basket (C) for storing the clothes etc. by folding them up and stacking them on each other. Pre-processing is performed such that after these washing baskets have beet charged into a pre-processing chamber (1) and the pre-processing chamber (1) has been evacuated to remove gases such as air contained in clearances in the clothes etc., deaerated washing fluid is introduced into the pre-processing chamber (1) to immerse the clothes etc. in the washing fluid.