Abstract: An articulated arm for an awning has an articulation part and an arm profile which are inserted one into the other. Furthermore, pull-off protection is present. The articulation part and the arm profile are inserted one into the other with a press fit, and the pull-off protection is designed as a claw present between the articulation part and arm profile.

Abstract: A drive coupling hub (60) includes a body (120) and lugs (126) that extend radially from the body (120) and are engageable with a primemover (54) of a primary power source (14). The lugs (126) have a fastening lug (80) that includes a radially extending bore (82). A bearing (88) is set within the bore (82). A setscrew (90) extends within the bore (82) and applies pressure on the bearing (88) to engage the drive hub to a shaft (58) of a secondary power source (16).

Abstract: A method for at least slowing a vehicle moving along a surface, the method comprising: providing first and second panels rotatably disposed on the surface and capable of extending above the surface, wherein each of the first and second panels rotate in a different and opposite direction; providing at least one center panel disposed between the first and second panels, the center panel being capable of being deployed into a position extended from the surface; detecting at least one of a vehicle speed, vehicle type, and vehicle weight; and controlling one or more of the first, second, and center panels based on the detecting.

Abstract: An agricultural crop freeze control method and apparatus that can be effectively used to prevent growing crops such as avocado and citrus crops from freeze damage. The apparatus includes an irrigation system within which one or more commercially available tankless water heaters are installed to controllably heat the water that is delivered to the crop.

Abstract: In methods for treatment of in ground chromium ore processing residue contamination, ferrous sulfide is provided as a substantially insoluble material in the residue deposit. The ferrous sulfide accordingly may remain substantially in place, in the pores of the soil or residue, even over long periods of time, regardless of underground water movement or diffusion. As a result, the ferrous sulfide may act continuously to chemically reduce and remove contamination. As hexavalent chromium diffuses from the soil or residue, it is reduced by the ferrous sulfide. The ferrous sulfide may be placed into the underground deposit by injecting a ferrous salt solution into the deposit, waiting for a precipitation to elapse, and then injecting a sulfide solution into the deposit.

Abstract: An articulating band saw apparatus provides a frame that includes a vertically extending section having upper and lower end portions. An elevator moves between the upper and lower end portions of the frame. A first hydraulic actuator is supported on the elevator for movement therewith. A first arm provides arm end portions, the first arm supported by the first hydraulic actuator. An end of the first arm supporting a second hydraulic actuator that is spaced away from the first hydraulic actuator. The second hydraulic actuator supports a second arm. An endless band type saw is mounted on the free end of the second arm generally opposite the second actuator. The band saw is movable by articulation of the first and second actuators and resulting movement of the first and second arms. In one embodiment, the band saw is a diamond wire saw.

Abstract: A piping transport structure for use with a deployment vehicle to provide for improved efficiencies in laying temporary or semi-permanent piping structures. There is also a system for having one or more deployment vehicles smoothly lay piping and to allow for long pipe lays to be carried out in less time.

Abstract: A method is provided for heavy metal stabilisation comprising: mixing waste, comprising heavy metals, with molecular sieve with the proviso that carbon-based molecular sieve is excluded, and clay; and vitrifying the mixture. In particular, a method comprising the steps of: preparing a pre-stabilised mixture by mixing waste, comprising heavy metals, with the molecular sieve, and optionally other chemicals; mixing the pre-stabilised mixture with clay; and vitrifying the obtained mixture is provided. It also provides a product comprising heavy metals that have been stabilised into the structure of the clay-based ceramic matrix, wherein the product is a vitrified product of a mixture of at least waste, comprising heavy metals, molecular sieve (with the proviso that carbon-based molecular sieve is excluded) and clay.

Abstract: A yielding rock bolt having a solid metal shaft with a relatively wide portion and a relatively narrow portion and an anchor member mounted about the shaft. The anchor member has longitudinal bore which is of lesser dimension than the relatively wide portion. The anchor member is mounted about the relatively narrow portion adjacent the wide portion. In use the shaft is extruded through the anchor member to cause the rock to yield as a rock face moves.

Abstract: A method for saturating cavities present in a mass of soil or in a body in general, comprising at least one step for at least partial filling of the cavity by introducing into the cavity a filler material in the solid state or in the fluid state and capable of setting. At least one step of saturating the cavity is then performed by introducing into the cavity a fluid synthetic substance which expands and sets by chemical reaction. The synthetic substance is adapted to generate, as a consequence of its expansion, at least the saturation of the cavity and a compaction and/or loading of the filler material introduced into the cavity in the filling step, creating an optional state of permanent tension on the walls that delimit the cavity, to the point of producing, if necessary, a deformation of the walls.

Abstract: One embodiment of modular wall blocks of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. An interlocking retaining wall block, adapted for assembly into a retaining wall including a plurality of stacked rows of at least a plurality of said blocks. The block includes left, right, front and rear body portions, and left and right protruding body portions extending outwardly in left and right directions from said left and right body portions, respectively. The block further includes left and right aligning elements extending upwardly from an upper surface of said left and right protruding body portions, respectively, each of said aligning elements having an upper surface that is angled downwardly from rear to front, each of said aligning elements being operable to be received by a void of another one of said blocks.

Abstract: A machining apparatus includes at least one tool holder (1) and at least one cutting tool (2) that are detachably interconnected. At least one first marking (7a) is provided on the tool holder (1) and at least one further marking (7b) is provided on the cutting tool (2). When connecting the tool holder (1) to the cutting tool (2), they can be aligned with each other with the aid of the markings (7a, 7b). The machining apparatus is preferably used for machining spectacle lenses, especially progressive lenses.

Abstract: A turning tool including a basic body having an insert seat, an indexable turning insert having a triangular basic shape, and a tightening element fixing the turning insert in the insert seat. The insert includes an upperside and an underside between which three side surfaces extend that are situated in a first imaginary, equilateral triangle and therefore converge in pairs at an angle of 60° toward corners in which cutting edges are included. The turning insert is engaged with the insert seat via an interface that includes elongate and straight, female-like and male-like engagement members, which are in engagement with each other in order to prevent turning of the turning insert. The insert seat includes a supporting surface having a corner section against which an active corner of the turning insert is applied.

Abstract: A power driver may include a housing, a tool chuck and a power take off mechanism. The tool chuck may have an input shaft mounted for rotation on the housing. The input shaft may support threaded chuck jaws. A chuck actuating shaft may be mounted for rotation on the input shaft. The chuck actuating shaft may be screw coupled to the threaded chuck jaws. The power take off mechanism may be connected to the tool chuck. The power take off mechanism may be adjustable into a DRILL DRIVE MODE to rotationally drive the input shaft and the chuck actuating shaft together as a unit, and a CHUCK MODE to rotationally drive the chuck actuating shaft relative to the input shaft. The power take off mechanism may be internal of the housing. The power take off mechanism in the CHUCK MODE may rotationally fix the input shaft to the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides a drill head for deep hole machining capable of raising circularity and straightness of a hole and improving precision of hole machining. In the drill head for deep hole machining constituted by fixing a cutting blade to a tip surface of a head body and fixing guide pads to a periphery of a tip of the head body, the length Lm of a margin, which is formed at a tip side of a periphery of the cutting blade in a drill rotating direction, in an axis direction is made substantially the same as the length Lp of the guide pads in the axis direction, and a top end and rear end of the margin are substantially aligned with a top end and rear end of the guide pads, respectively, in a circumference direction.

Abstract: A workpiece table arrangement for a milling and drilling machine comprising a rigid machine tool frame comprising an upper cross girth, a machining unit movable on the front side of the cross girth along at least two coordinate axes by means of a motor and including a rotationally driven work spindle including exchangeable tools. The workpiece table is disposed in front of the machine tool frame and horizontally movable along at least one coordinate axis by means of a motor and comprises a tabletop for clamping at least one workpiece. The machine tool frame comprises two rigid side walls rigidly connected to each other by the upper crossbar and a front end.

Abstract: A blind fastener (11) for installation in a thermoplastic workpiece, which blind fastener has a leading end face (21) which is substantially flat and non-abrasive and without drilling teeth, so that when the leading end face of the fastener is held in contact with the near face of the thermoplastic workpiece (22) and heat and pressure are applied to the contacted area of the workpiece by means of the leading end of the fastener, the fastener progressively forms a hole through the thermoplastic workpiece in which hole it can then be installed.

Abstract: A fastener is provided for projection resistance welding to a panel. The fastener includes a base having a fastening element, such as a threaded stud or a nut integral therewith. Multiple projections formed integral with the base extend therefrom to engage with the panel to be welded to the panel by electric resistance welding. A groove is provided in the base facing the panel and is filled with a heat activated expandable sealer material. Upon heating of the base during the electric resistance welding, or in an oven, the sealer expands to fill and seal any gap between the base and the panel.

Abstract: A thrust screw (14) for applying force against an object. The thrust screw (14) comprising a housing having a ball (12) secured therein. The ball (12) having a flat planar surface (16) which contacts the objects for applying force against the object.

Abstract: A push nut including a base plate formed with a bolt passing hole at a center of the base plate and four engaging pieces. Pairs of engaging pieces extend respectively from a pair of opposing sides of the base plate, base portions of the four engaging pieces are folded back to have a U-shape, and tip end portions of the engaging pieces extend to a surrounding of the bolt passing hole. The tip end portions of the four engaging pieces surround a periphery of the bolt passing hole. The four engaging pieces incline toward an insertion direction of a bolt and elastically abut against an outer circumference of the bolt, which is inserted into the bolt passing hole.

Abstract: A cart includes a projecting load receiving platform mounted on a slide frame in turn mounted for vertical movement on a main frame. A spring mechanism urges the slide frame and platform to an elevated position so that objects may be stacked on the platform without placing them on the floor. As the weight of the stack on the platform increases the platform starts to descend until the cart is full. Conversely as items are removed from the top of the stack the platform elevates so the operator doesn't have to pick up an object from the floor. The spring mechanism uses a plurality of air springs each with a different load rating and operating in a cascading fashion. A pivoting weight operated latch holds the platform in its bottom position until released by a kick plate.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle such as a combine is provided with a collapsible agricultural material storage bin. The bin may be collapsed to allow for decreased overall vertical height during transport to avoid contact with obstacles, such as overhead power lines and street lights. In the field, the agricultural material storage container may be expanded to increase the agricultural material holding capacity of the vehicle. The bin may be provided with an internal extension mechanism to increase the lifting power of the container to allow for the placement of a second container or other material thereabove. Alternatively, the container may be provided with an external lifting means to allow for unobstructed evacuation of the interior of the container.

Abstract: A moving robot includes a first arm portion is coupled to a first joint on a side portion of a main robot body. The first arm portion has concave portion with an opening. A folding mechanism is accommodated in the concave portion. In the folding mechanism, a second arm portion is connected to the first arm via a second joint portion. A third arm portion is also connected to the second arm portion via a third joint portion. The first arm portion is rotated around the first joint to orient the opening in an upper direction. The second joint portion can be slid along the concave portion to take out the folding mechanism through the opening. The third arm portion can be rotated around the third joint portion to extend the third arm portion.

Abstract: A method for putting a glass plate to a target position includes (a) putting the glass plate at a preliminary position above an air table that discharges air upwardly, by moving a suction member that supports the glass plate through suction; (b) releasing suction of the suction member, while air is discharged upwardly from the air table, thereby floating the glass plate at the preliminary position above the air table; and (c) moving a pressing member in a horizontal direction, while the pressing member is in abutment with a top surface of the glass plate and while air is discharged upwardly from the air table, thereby moving the glass plate in the horizontal direction from the preliminary position above the air table to the target position above the air table by a frictional force generated between the pressing member and the glass plate.

Abstract: A transport apparatus which can properly transmit a rotary driving force of a rotating motor to a transport arm and can correctly detect an angle of rotation of a rotary driving shaft, thereby transporting an object to be transported in a transport unit to a correct position. The transport apparatus includes: a housing having an airtight structure; first to third driving shafts that are provided in the housing to be independently rotatable around a predetermined coaxial rotary shaft; permanent magnets arranged at predetermined positions of the first to third driving shafts, respectively; and electromagnetic coils provided in the housing to correspond to the respective permanent magnets. Driving currents are supplied to the electromagnetic coils based on predetermined information, so as to move the first to third driving shafts. The object to be transported is transported by first and second linkages fixed to the first to third driving shafts.

Abstract: A system for automatically forming stacks of cartons for feeding a magazine for supplying cartons to a packaging machine includes a primary support on which the stacks of cartons are formed, and a secondary support for temporarily receiving a series of the cartons thereon as a previously formed stack of cartons is removed from the primary support. The stack of cartons collected on the primary support is moved onto a transport conveyor for transport to a loader for the magazine for feeding into the packaging machine.

Abstract: Described herein is a transport tank trailer having a tank that can be used to more completely and effectively transport, store, load and unload a viscous product, such as a viscous liquid product, or liquid with solid(s) in suspension. Materials for transport, storing, loading and unloading include both food-grade and non-food grade products. Exemplary products include chocolate, paint, wastes, and asphalt. The tank system involves: a) agitation means (e.g., vibration devices) to force viscous product to flow during unloading; b) a heat-traced closed loop venting and unloading system resulting in the elimination of opening of the manhole on the tanker, which results in the release of heat; c) use of enhanced insulating materials to reduce product solidification during product discharge; and d) reduction of thermal bridges to increase product heat retention. The invention also involves an inventive cargo tank shape that promotes viscous product discharge during unloading of the tank.

Abstract: A linear fluid impulse engine enables efficient conversion of the kinetic energy of large volume flows of fluid at low velocity into useful work. The linear fluid impulse engine uses symmetrically curved blades that are mounted to continuous power transmission belts that revolve on a pair of axles. The blades move in substantially linear paths on both the upstream and downstream sides of the inter-axle plane, which extends between the axes of the shafts. A linear cascade of stationary mid-plane guidevanes, located between the two sets of moving blade cascades, acts as a row of nozzles, accelerating the fluid so that it interacts with the downstream blade cascade with the proper velocity characteristics of an impulse device. Water entering the upstream blade cascade may be accelerated by stationary guidevanes to enable impulse operation.

Abstract: A turbo vacuum pump of the present invention includes a suction part for sucking gas in an axial direction; a discharge section in which rotating impellers and stationary impellers are alternately arranged; a rotating shaft for rotating the rotating impellers; and a turbine impeller part fixed to the suction side end face of the rotating shaft. The rotating impellers include one or more turbine impellers for discharging the sucked gas in the axial direction, and one or more centrifugal impellers, located downstream of the one or more turbine impellers, for further discharging the discharged gas by a centrifugal drag effect. The one or more centrifugal impellers are fixed to the rotating shaft passing therethrough. The one or more turbine impellers are included in the turbine impeller part.

Abstract: A rotary machine includes a rotor, a stationary machine casing extending around the rotor, and a bling assembly extending between the casing and the rotor. The machine also includes at least one rotor tip seal assembly and at least one shaft seal assembly. The seal assemblies have a groove configured to receive at least one seal ring band. A method of assembling a rotary machine is also provided. The method includes fabricating the bling assembly by providing two identical members comprising a mating surface and having a semi-circular profile. The method also includes coupling the two members together at their mating surfaces such that a circular ring is formed and such that the mating surfaces define a horizontal joint. The method further includes machining concentric, circular and annular radially inner and outer and airfoil portions within predetermined radial portions of the bling assembly.

Abstract: What is described is a turbine guide vane having a guide vane leaf and with a radially outer platform connected to the guide vane leaf and having a platform surface which faces radially away from the guide vane leaf and on which a connecting structure is provided for fastening the guide vane to a supporting structure which has side wall portions which project radially beyond the platform surface and delimit an inner cavity and on which is provided at least in portions a joining contour which can be inserted into a reception shape countercontoured within the supporting structure. At least one seal is provided between the connecting structure and the supporting structure.

Abstract: An axial flow turbine provided with a stage composed of a turbine nozzle and a turbine rotor blade arranged in an axial flow direction. Both end portions of a nozzle blade of the turbine nozzle are supported by a diaphragm inner ring and a diaphragm outer ring, and a flow passage is formed to have its diameter expanded from an upstream stage to a downstream stage. In such axial flow turbine, trailing edges at ends of the nozzle blade supported by the diaphragm inner ring and the diaphragm outer ring are curved as a curvature to an outlet side, and an intermediate portion between the trailing edges is formed to be straight.

Abstract: A flow-guiding member unit used for assembling a flow-guiding member comprising pluralities of vanes, an outer platform and an inner platform, the unit comprising an integral body member comprising one vane portion, an outer platform portion, and an inner platform portion, a first elastic member attached to a step of the outer platform portion, and a second elastic member attached to a step of the inner platform portion, the body member being formed by the thermal compression of sheet-molding compounds or fiber-reinforced resin pellets, and the first and second elastic members being made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A fan rotor arrangement comprises a fan rotor (24) and a plurality of fan blades (26). Each fan blade (26) comprises a root portion (36) and an aerofoil portion (38). Each aerofoil portion (38) has a leading edge (44), a trailing edge (46) and a tip (48). Concave pressure surface (50) and convex suction surface (52) extend from the leading edge (44) to the trailing edge (46) of each aerofoil portion (38). An annular wall (54) surrounds the fan rotor (24) and fan blades (26) and an inner surface (56) of the annular wall (54) has a circumferentially extending groove (58). The circumferentially extending groove (58) is arranged axially, or chordally, between the leading edges (44) and the trailing edges (46) at the tips (48) of the aerofoil portions (38) of the fan blades (26).

Abstract: A turbine airfoil used in a gas turbine engine, the airfoil including an internal cooling air circuit that includes two nested and parallel serpentine flow circuits that both flow in the airfoil aft direction. The first and second legs of the two nested serpentine circuits are separated by ribs so that the cooling air flows do not mix. The last leg of the two nested serpentine circuits is separated by a rib which includes a plurality of cross-over holes so that the flows can mix. The aft-most serpentine flow circuit of the two nested circuits includes a last leg that is connected to cooling slots spaced along the trailing edge of the airfoil such that cooling air from the last leg flows out the ducts. The forward-most serpentine circuit of the two nested circuits includes a blade tip channel extending along the blade tip and connecting the first leg with the second leg, the blade tip channel including a plurality of blade tip cooling holes.

Abstract: A turbine blade having a squealer tip rail forming a squealer pocket on the blade tip, and a row of blade tip peripheral film cooling holes on the pressure side and suction side of the blade for cooling the blade tip rails. A TBC is applied to the pressure side and suction side walls of the blade up to the row of tip peripheral film cooling holes, leaving these surfaces uncovered. The squealer pocket is covered with TBC while the top surfaces of the tip rails are uncovered. The surface of the airfoil wall above the row of tip peripheral cooling holes is without a TBC so that the metal surface will be exposed to the layer of film cooling holes discharged from the tip peripheral cooling holes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating and/or precluding stick-slip, or other oscillatory or resonant behavior, through use of a virtual transducer, which precludes the need for having sensors located adjacent to a driven element of the system, or adjacent contact surfaces at which the stick-slip relative motion may occur. Parameters measurable at a drive mechanism are utilized for controlling a system in a manner which precludes stick-slip, or other oscillatory or resonant behavior, of the driven element. Relative motion between contacting surfaces in the driven element, prone to stick-slip behavior, is controlled such that, after sufficient force is applied by the drive element to overcome static friction forces between the contacting surfaces and break them free from one another, relative motion between the surfaces is maintained at a high enough relative speed that the surfaces are precluded from statically contacting one another, so that stick-slip behavior is precluded.

Abstract: A variable capacity automotive refrigerant compressor is provided with a pressure equalization passage between the crankcase volume and the suction passage in the manifold to prevent a pressure imbalance between the two that could otherwise cause a reduction in crankcase lubricant retention during extended periods of system inactivity.

Abstract: To provide a vacuum pump capable of evacuating in pressure ranges from an atmospheric pressure to a high vacuum, capable of rotating at a high speed to be downsized and improved in pumping performance, and capable of producing a completely oil-free vacuum. A vacuum pump for exhausting a gas comprises: a main shaft 5 rotatably supported by a bearing 22; a motor 23 for driving the main shaft 5 for rotation; a first exhaust section 10 having a first rotary vane 13 attached to the main shaft 5, a first fixed vane 14 fixed in a first casing 12, and an intake port 11; and a second exhaust section 30 having a second rotary vane 33 attached to the main shaft 5, a second fixed vane 34 fixed in a second casing 32, and an exhaust port 31. The intake port 11 is located in the vicinity of an end of the main shaft 5, and the first exhaust section 10, the bearing 22 and the second exhaust section 30 are arranged in this order axially along the main shaft 5.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump comprising a pump housing, a compressible pump tube positioned between rotatable occluding members and a pump tube track in the housing, where there is an opening in the pump tube track between a first occluding member and a second occluding member such that when the second occluding member has exited occlusion of the pump tube at the opening, a third occluding member completes occlusion of the pump tube thus capturing a compensating volume of fluid between the first and third occluding members, and when the second occluding member reenters occlusion at the end of the opening, it displaces the compensating volume towards the outlet of the pump tube, thus maintaining fluid velocity in the outlet stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dividing device, comprising an outer housing with an inlet and at least two outlets, at least two pump chambers placed adjacently of each other in the outer housing, each with a pump chamber infeed connected to the inlet and each with a pump chamber discharge connected to the outlet, at least two vane-type rotors, one in each pump chamber and with a rotation axis in line, each vane-type rotor comprising a hub provided with continuous vanes which are slidable through the hub along their longitudinal axis and almost perpendicularly of the axis of the hub, wherein the outer housing is divided into outer housing segments.

Abstract: An oil pump for a compressor includes a driving shaft having an oil passage, a gear driving unit coupled to the drive shaft, a pump body having a driving shaft insertion groove, a friction reducing member assembled on the driving shaft insertion groove to reduce friction between the driving shaft and pump body, and a a gear unit coupled to the pump body and rotating with rotation of the driving shaft. The pump may further include a pump cover coupled to the pump body and having an intake for inhaling oil.

Abstract: A scroll compressor that has reduced leakage loss and high efficiency includes an orbiting scroll that has spiral teeth on two surfaces, and a fixed scrolls that face the surfaces of the orbiting scroll and that have spiral teeth that intermesh with the spiral of the orbiting scroll. Tip seals are mounted only to a spiral tooth of one of the fixed scrolls that intermeshes with a spiral tooth of the orbiting scroll and a spiral tooth of the orbiting scroll.

Abstract: Vent valve for venting bores of vulcanization moulds, especially for the tread profile area, consisting of a valve sleeve, in which a valve insert and a wound spring are movably located, wherein the valve insert consists of a valve shank, which is at one end equipped with a disk and at the other end with a conical surface changing into backwards oriented conical end, and the movement of the valve insert is controlled by a delimiter of opening the valve. Inner surface of the valve sleeve is in its part located further away from disk provided with conical surface, oriented away from the disk, and the delimiter of opening the valve is formed by two mutually cooperating conical surfaces or parts of conical surfaces, wherein the conical surface formed at the end of the valve shank of the valve insert is oriented against the conical surface or part of conical surface of the valve sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mold stack of a molding machine. A cavity insert is provided. The cavity insert comprises a body having: an internal surface defining, in use, at least a body portion of a molding cavity; an external surface defining, in use, at least a first portion of a cooling channel configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant; and a mounting flange configured to support, in use, the body relative to a front face of a cavity plate, the mounting flange including a member configured to define, in use, a second portion of the cooling channel.

Abstract: A UV nanoimprint lithography process and its apparatus that are able to repeatedly fabricates nanostructures on a substrate (wafer, UV-transparent plate) by using a stamp that is as large as or smaller than the substrate in size are provided. The apparatus includes a substrate chuck for mounting the substrate; a stamp made of UV-transparent materials and having more than two element stamps, wherein nanostructures are formed on the surface of each element stamp; a stamp chuck for mounting the stamp; a UV lamp unit for providing UV light to cure resist applied between the element stamps and the substrate; a moving unit for moving the substrate chuck or the stamp chuck to press the resist with the element stamps and substrate; and a pressure supply unit for applying pressurized gas to some selected regions of the substrate to help complete some incompletely filled element stamps.

Abstract: There is provided a tool roll with a cylindrical base and a first ribbon having an inner face, an outer face, and first and second major sides located therebetween. The outer face of the first ribbon includes a plurality of depressions or holes formed therein and the first ribbon is wound in helical coils around the base roll such that the inner face is proximate the base roll. The plurality of depressions or holes in the outer face of the first ribbon form a plurality of discrete mold cavities with each of the discrete mold cavities including a mold opening at the outer face of the first ribbon.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for making articles made of polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having coated directly to at least one of the surfaces thereof one or more layers of thermoplastic material with good gas-barrier characteristics. In one preferred method and apparatus, preforms are injection molded, barrier-coated immediately thereafter, and remain on a mold portion for a time to speed cooling of the completed preform. Preferably the barrier-coated articles take the form of preforms coated by at least one layer of barrier material and the containers are blow-molded therefrom. Such barrier-coated containers are preferably of the type to hold beverages such as soft drinks, beer or juice. The preferred barrier materials have a lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide than PET as well as key physical properties similar to PET.

Abstract: The continuous heat treatment furnace of the present invention is provided with at least one drying and binder-removing area where drying of the objects to be thermally treated and/or removal of binder are carried out and a firing area where the objects to be thermally treated is fired in succession from inlet side towards outlet side of the furnace, the objects to be thermally treated being subjected to drying and/or removal of binder while being transported through the drying and binder-removing area and thereafter being fired while being transported through the firing area, wherein the heat treatment furnace has at least two transporting mechanisms disposed along the transporting direction of the objects to be thermally treated as transporting mechanisms for transporting the objects to be thermally treated, the objects to be thermally treated are transported by different transporting mechanisms in the drying and binder-removing area and the firing area, respectively, and the transporting speed of each tran

Abstract: A method and apparatus for whitening teeth which allow the user to undergo dental bleaching with the mouth closed and without protruding instruments, trays or electrical wires and the like. The apparatus includes a support structure and a dental whitening composition in contact with the support structure. A light source is included in the apparatus, disposed on or in the support structure so that light emitted from the source contacts on the dental whitening composition. The apparatus has a volume ranging between 0.5-450 cm3 permitting the apparatus to fit entirely within the mouth of a user during treatment.