Abstract: A washing machine and washing method therefor are provided. In the washing method, in which a drum of a drum type washing machine is rotated in a first direction, the method includes applying a first directional torque to the drum so that laundry in the drum is rotated and lifted; braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped; and then again applying the first directional torque to the drum so that the dropped laundry is rotated and lifted again.

Abstract: Dye mixtures comprising at least one dye of formula together with at least one dye of formula wherein the radicals indicated in the formulae are defined in accordance with the claims, are suitable for dyeing or printing cellulosic fibre materials with good build-up behaviour and yield dyeings of a deep shade having good fastness properties.

Abstract: A hand-guided device has a housing and a drive component with a drive element that is movable relative to the housing by way of a motor. A tool is releasably connectable to the drive element. In order to achieve a universal usability of the device by equipping it with various tools as well as with a different way of movement each, the drive element is eccentrically mounted in the drive component with an eccentricity and on the housing, a fixed bearing is disposed at a distance from the drive element for an optional cooperation with a tool.

Abstract: An aftermarket attachment designed to retrofit onto 2? ft. standard pushbroom that allows said broom to stand erect and stable in an upright position. Attaches to broom-top (hard surface opposite bristles) with 4 screws and enables the broom to be located, grasped and operated with user ease.

Abstract: An apparatus for stimulation of the body, including sexual stimulation, includes a body, formed by a bathing or showing sponge, with a compartment for holding a stimulating apparatus, such as a vibrator. The compartment with the stimulating apparatus is concealed by the body, from plain view.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brush having a generally arc-shaped base surface with a plurality of bristles that are grouped together into arcuate or splayed tufts that are seated with cavities on the base surface and extend outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A toothbrush and method of use for improving oral health habits. A plurality of light assemblies and an overlay including appealing graphics are provided on the toothbrush with some of the graphics disposed adjacent the assemblies. A microprocessor carries software that tracks actual brushing time over a plurality of brushing events in a pre-set time period. The total brushing time during that time period is compared with a preferred brushing time and a proportionate number of the light assemblies are illuminated to indicate the degree of brushing compliance.

Abstract: An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head with tooth cleaning elements extending from fixed pods. Additional tooth cleaning elements extend from one or more central pods suspended between the fixed pods via a bridge. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central pods to move from an initial position toward the head during use. The central pods, the bridge and outer portions of the fixed pods may be formed as a unitary structure. When a single central pod is employed, a flexible section may be disposed in the middle of the central pod so that cleaning elements extending from either end of the central pod can move toward one another during use.

Abstract: The Energized Curling Broom is a traditional curling broom the head of which is bearing an energy source and an energy transferring device capable to deliver, during the course of a curling game, additional energy to the ice and favor not only for easing the control over the direction and distance of the moving curling rock, but also permitting older and feeble player to participate fully in the curling game.

Abstract: A steam pad for use with a steam mop is provided. The fabric steam pad comprises at least one cleaning fabric layer, and a corresponding layer of fabric where the fabric layers are joined around the perimeter. The fabric steam pad has at least one fastener band secured to the mesh fabric in a position to correspond to at least one fastener anchored on the steam mop frame and increased structural stability of the pad to avoid buckling of the fabric at the edges. A warp knit mesh layer may be disposed on the fabric surface opposed to the cleaning surface.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, There is a means provided to create an ergonomic roller paint brush to allow full motion of the wrist of the painter to the rolling assembly and full and even pressure applied to the painting surface this inventions allows the painter to view the layer of paint being applied during the painting session this invention removes the requirement to step on a step ladder or larger ladder in order to access the correct motion and force of the painter to place an even layer of paint on a ceiling surface this invention by allowing the angled access to furniture removes the lack of leverage that is created with straight angled extension rods when painting above or behind the furniture that is being painted this invention allows easier angles of painting a corner painting in the corner of the room being painted

Abstract: A vehicle wiper controller includes a wiper drive circuit which drives a wiper. An operation switch is manipulated in a plurality of manipulation directions or to a plurality of operation mode positions when a manipulation force is applied thereto. A wiper operation control unit electronically controls the operation of the wiper and sets the wiper to an operation mode corresponding to the manipulation of the operation switch. A control signal hold circuit, discrete from the wiper operation control unit, transmits a control signal to the wiper drive circuit when the operation switch is manipulated in a predetermined first manipulation direction or when the operation switch is manipulated to a predetermined first operation mode position. The control signal hold circuit sets a hold state for holding the transmission state of the control signal.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for a oscillating arm comprising two longitudinal arm sections connected to each other by means of a curved intermediate section, wherein said oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis, with the special feature that the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about the pivot axis, with the interposition of a joint part, wherein the joint part comprises a resilient tongue engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in the oscillating arm, and wherein the joint part and the connecting device are pivotally connected to each other by mutually cooperating protrusion/hole means, the p

Abstract: An automobile windshield wiper blade (10) having an elongated belt-shaped, flexible resilient support element (12), on the lower belt surface (22) which faces the windshield and has an elastic rubber wiper strip (24) extending along the windshield parallel to the longitudinal axis. A wind deflection strip (42 or 112) on the upper belt surface (16) has an incident surface (54 or 140) facing the direction of driving wind (arrow 52). The deflection strip extends longitudinally, and has two sides (48, 50 or 136, 138) that diverge from a common base point (46 or 134) as seen in cross section, such that the incident surface (54 or 140) is located at one exterior side (50 or 138) and the wind deflection strip has a constant cross section along its entire length.

Abstract: A frameless windshield wiper includes a curved resilient metal plate, two flexible bars, two rubber back covers, a rubber wiping strip, and two end closure caps. The resilient metal plate is an elongate plate having an H-shape including a central connection section connecting between two strips defining therebetween elongate slits so that the metal plate assumes a fork-like configuration having opposite fork-like open ends. The central section is riveted to a coupler over which a plastic protective cap is fit. The flexible bars have upper and lower faces respectively forming upper and lower retainers to which the rubber back covers and the rubber wiping strip are respectively fit. The end caps are fit to opposite ends of the metal plates. Thus, an automobile windshield wiper that can be efficiently and easily assembled is provided.

Abstract: A hose valve for central vacuum cleaning systems that employ retractable suction hoses of the type that retract into a system vacuum pipe. The hose valve comprises a valve box with a connection port wherein a locking assembly is secured within the valve box. The locking assembly includes a compression cylinder. A cylindrical deformable sleeve is coaxially disposed within the compression cylinder. The deformable sleeve is radially inwardly deformable responsive to an axial compressive force. A thrust means is provided for engagement with the compression cylinder to impose a compressing force on the deformable sleeve. The thrust means being axially movable from a first unlocked non-compressing position where the deformable sleeve is in its non-deformed condition, to a second locked compressed position where the deformable sleeve is compressed to cause deformation with its walls collapsing radially inward to form a seal around a retractable hose disposed through the locking assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum container having a vacuum producing means, mounted on a vehicle, a trailer, or skid mounted, with options chosen from an articulating boom, a water jetter system, a liquid pressure dissipating means, a valve actuator, and a drive motor for the valve actuator being either hydraulic, air, or electric powered, a global positioning system to determine and log the position of work, service or hardware, controls and measuring devices and de-chlorinator.

Abstract: A hand held vacuum cleaner comprises a housing (10) with a dust container (7) having an inlet (8) for dust laden air; a filter unit (11) with a filter body; and a motor fan unit (6) for generating a flow of air through the inlet (8) and through the filter unit (11). The filter body is flexible and the vacuum cleaner further comprises dust removing means configured to collapse and expand the flexible filter body in response to a force applied to the dust removing means (29).

Abstract: A cleaning implement having a dirt bin for collecting debris from a floor, a cleaning sheet and an air filter. The cleaning sheet and air filter comprise a unitary assembly. When the user discards a soiled sheet, the soiled air filter is likewise discarded. This process prevents the air filter from becoming unduly clogged, and diminishing the performance of the cleaning implement.

Abstract: A cleaning implement having a dirt bin for collecting debris from a floor. The dirt bin has at least one of a cleaning sheet and/or air filter attached thereto, as presented to the user. This arrangement allows for more efficient disposal of debris from the dirt bin and soiled components. The dirt bin may be emptied and reused or may be discarded after a single use.

Abstract: A cleaning implement having a dirt bin for collecting debris from a floor, a cleaning sheet and optionally an air filter. The implement has a head with opposed top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface may receive a cleaning sheet for cleaning a floor. The cleaning sheet is attached at a separate surface recessed relative to the bottom surface of the cleaning implement.

Abstract: A regulating valve, which in particular is attachable in a bore of a hydraulic door closer formed with a female thread. The valve has a body, having an anti-rotation protection and a thread, which can be disposed in the female thread of the bore. A regulating area is attached to the body. The anti-rotation protection has at least one groove, which is disposed at the thread and accommodates an elastic element.

Abstract: An unburied hydraulic door hinge system for automatically closing a door is directly mounted on a bottom corner of a door. Since the unburied hydraulic hinge system can be installed on the bottom corner of the door, it does not damage the aesthetic appearance of a transparent glass door such as a reinforced glass door, and is very easy to install and repair because it is not buried. From the maintenance point of view, the worker can easily gain access thereto because the split-type mounting plates can be quickly and easily separated. A hydraulic cylinder and a rotating drive mechanism, having a simplified structure and operation, not only improve the durability and lifespan of the hydraulic hinge system but also provide the possibility of mass production as well as production cost saving. Consequently, the hydraulic door hinge system has high economical efficiency.

Abstract: A sliding door automatic closing device is provided whereby a cylindrical tube is attached to the sliding door and a pulley housing is rotateably mounted to the top of the cylindrical tube. A cable is attached at one end to a cable housing, the housing mounted onto the frame header, and the cable is attached at a second end to a weight within the cylindrical tube. The bearing-mounted pulley housing allows the sliding door panel to breakout when needed and then be returned to its original position for continual use of the automatic closing feature without any mechanical adjustments. The bearing-mounted pulley housing, cable, and cable housing all remain in their original planar positions relative to the sliding door panel header; that is, these components do not breakout along with the sliding door panel.

Abstract: A hold open rod is provided that includes an outer tube, an inner tube, an inner rod, and a friction pad. The inner tube is slidingly disposed within the outer tube and includes a head with an inner bearing surface. The inner rod is slidingly disposed within the inner tube, is secured to one end of the outer tube, and has at least one tapered end portion. The friction pad is captured between the head inner bearing surface and the inner rod.

Abstract: An engine hood hinge for an engine hood can be transferred from an operating position into a protective position and pivoted about an engine hood pivot into an open position. The engine hood pivot is mounted on a supporting structure of a motor vehicle via a lever mechanism, and the engine hood, as it transfers from the operating position into the protected position, carries along the engine hood pivot. In order to provide a robust engine hood hinge, the lever mechanism is designed as a multi-bar linkage mechanism, in particular as a four-bar linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A breakaway hinge receptacle includes a base including first and second hinge arm mounting structures. The second hinge arm mounting structure is movable between an operative position and a breakaway position. A breakaway lever is connected to the base and includes inner and outer ends, wherein the inner end is operatively engaged with the second hinge arm mounting structure. A spring is operatively engaged between the breakaway lever and the base. The spring biases the breakaway lever to a first position in which the inner end of the breakaway lever biases the second mounting structure to its operative position. The second hinge arm mounting structure is selectively movable from its operative position to its breakaway position against the biasing force exerted by the inner end of said breakaway lever and the spring. Alternatively, the second hinge arm mounting structure is defined by or is connected to or is otherwise included on the inner end of the breakaway lever.

Abstract: A vehicle door attachment unit for rotatably and detachably coupling a vehicle door to a vehicle body. The unit may include a bodyside bracket mountable to the vehicle body and having first and second portions with respective first and second apertures, with the first and second portions extending generally away from the vehicle body. A doorside bracket may be mountable to the vehicle door and include a segment with a third aperture, the segment extending generally away from the vehicle door. A retaining mechanism may extend through the third aperture, and through the first and/or second apertures. A fastener may extend through at least one of the apertures and mate with the retaining mechanism to substantially align the first, second, and third apertures. A bearing may be disposed on the retaining mechanism for providing rotational freedom between the retaining mechanism, and the bodyside or doorside bracket.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an opening/closing device which can be produced simple in construction and reduce the surface pressure of its cam portions, and a mobile phone which can be reduced in cost and sufficiently reliable in the hinged members by using the opening/closing device.

Abstract: A hinge includes a rack, a shaft, and a bracket. The shaft includes a head with a stopper protruded thereon. A first side of the head is secured on the rack, and a second side of the head forms a post thereon. The bracket defines a pivoting hole. The bracket forms a restricting block adjacent the pivoting hole. The post is capable of rotating in the pivoting hole and the restricting block is capable of resisting against the stopper of the shaft to prevent the post from further rotating.

Abstract: A hinge includes a first element and a second element. The first element includes a shaft sleeve. The shaft sleeve defines a receiving space along an axial direction, and at lest one locating hole communicating with the receiving space in a circumference of the shaft sleeve. The second element includes an elastic shaft rotatable received in the receiving space, and a locating protrusion on a circumference of the shaft engagable in one of the at least one locating hole. A collapsible device utilizing the hinge is disclosed.

Abstract: A transport cart for attaching to a patient care apparatus having a locking system that converts the forward caster of the transport cart from an omni-directional pivotable caster to a fixed directional device by restraining its pivoting about a vertical axis. The forward caster is located at about the center of the footprint of the combined transport cart/patient care apparatus and the fixed directional movement of the forward caster provides stability in moving the combined apparatus. The locking mechanism may be internal to the caster or may have a pair of pivotable lock arms that contact the patient care apparatus as the two are brought together and the pivotable lock arms pivot to a locked position where they sandwich the caster therebetween to restrain its ability to pivot. The locking mechanism automatically or manually releases the forward caster to again freely pivot when the transport cart/patient care apparatus are separated.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (4) for the connection of two panels (10, 12) at their adjacent edge regions (8d) to allow said panels to rotate up to 360 degrees relative to one another, the hinge assembly comprising an elongate member (20) providing two opposing curved surfaces adjacent the edge of each panel, said member co-operating with at least one pair of intermeshed gears (24), the assembly including connector means (34) for attaching each panel to said member and a bubble seal (22) disposed between the edge of each panel and each curved surface of the member.

Abstract: A level assembly hood hinge unit includes a side outer panel having a space between an upper panel and a lower panel in which a hood hinge may be disposed, and a stud bolt provided on the lower panel, a hinge bracket which may be configured for assembly engagement while it laterally moves along the lower panel towards the space of the side outer panel, and which may be provided with an assembly portion, positioned in the space of the side outer panel, at an upper portion of the hinge bracket and an insertion groove at a rear portion of the hinge bracket, in which the stud bolt may be inserted for stopping movement of the hinge bracket, and/or a hinge arm which may be to be assembled with the hinge bracket in the assembly portion by a hinge pin, and which may be provided with a hood combining portion to which a hood panel may be mounted at an end portion thereof.

Abstract: A hinge includes a shaft, a first bracket being rotatably mounted on the shaft, an interference assembly including a first element, and a second element, a biasing member, a fastener, and a fixing member. The second element is engaged with and capable of rotating relative to the first element and together with the shaft. The shaft is passed through the first and second elements, the biasing member in turn. The fastener is fixed to a distal end of the shaft, to prevent the interference assembly and the biasing member from disengaging from the shaft. The fixing member is configured for passing through the first element to engage with the first bracket, resulting in fixing the first element to the first bracket. A collapsible device utilizing the hinge is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for preparing large crystal products of a crystalline product in a fluid bed crystallizer, said fluid bed crystallizer comprising a crystallization vessel and means for mechanically impacting of crystals; and connected to the crystallization vessel (i) a feed line; (ii) an external circulation circuit comprising means for determining properties of the slurry in the external circulation circuit and a heat exchanger; and (iii) a product withdrawal line, wherein—for any specific crystalline product and at any flow rate chosen in the external circulation circuit—the weight percentage of crystals of the crystalline product in the slurry in the external circulation circuit, ECCWPC, is controlled by said means for determining properties of the slurry within a specified and predetermined narrow range having a maximum and minimum value not more apart than at most 25% by weight and falling within the range of from 1 to 50% by weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching an extraneous item to a military uniform is disclosed. The apparatus for attaching an extraneous item to a military uniform, which can attach a name tag, a unit marking, insignia of rank, etc. to a predetermined position of the military uniform, comprises: a female Velcro tape where an attaching means is formed; an attaching member which is formed with the same size as the female Velcro tape and has the same pattern or color as the military uniform formed on the surface and a male Velcro tape formed on the back side; and an extraneous item comprising a name tag, a unit marking, insignia of rank, etc. to be attached to the surface of the attaching member.

Abstract: A tie comprising a strap (1) having two end portions (1A, 1B) respectively provided with a female portion and a male portion of a fastening system is characterized in that the female portion of the fastening system is an opening (2) in the strap that is bordered by a cleavable region (2A-2C) of the strap. Said tie can be used to create an animal identification band whose diameter can be increased without removing the band from the animal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a towel holding apparatus for providing a ready access to a towel by a user. The towel holding apparatus includes an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly includes a clasping member capable of being detachably attached to an item of the user. Further, the attachment assembly includes a first connector detachably attached to the clasping member, and a first set of magnets removably engaged with the first connector. The towel holding apparatus further includes a holding assembly. The holding assembly includes a second set of magnets removably coupled to the first set of magnets of the attachment assembly. Further, the holding assembly includes a second connector removably engaged with the second set of magnets, and a holding member detachably attached to the second connector. The holding member is capable of removably holding the towel.

Abstract: The clamp comprises two substantially L-shaped members, arranged opposite each other, articulated on an intermediate support on which rest the lateral profile sections of the frames of the panels to be clamped, one of the arms of each of the L-shaped members having an end profile adapted for its coupling to the profile sections to be clamped, while the other arm of each of said L-shaped members receives a displacement action in order to effect its rotation from a mechanism incorporated in the intermediate support, intended to effect the opening and closing of the L-shaped members of the clamp.

Abstract: A hook-connector includes a first hook part and a second hook part. Each hook part includes a first plate and a second plate. The plates have a cord opening defined there-through. The hook-connector further includes a hub disposed between the first and second plates which hold the plates in essentially parallel, spaced apart relationship. The hook-connector further includes a hook member attached to a first end of at least one of the first or second plates. The hook member includes a hook element defining a hook opening, and the hook opening is sized to receive the hub of a corresponding hook part. The hook-connector further includes a means for ensuring a positive and releasable engagement of each hook element about the hub of the corresponding hook part.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to the use of laser energy to weld or fuse selected locations in paper machine clothing (“PMC”) and other industrial and engineered fabrics. The invention also relates to an improved loop seam for an on machine seamable papermaker or other industrial fabric.

Abstract: Methods for making a self-conforming non-crimp fabric involving tailoring at least a first parameter to anchor the fabric and at least a second parameter to provide conformability of the fabric, the first and second parameters selected from stitch type, stitch spacing, stitch density, stitch material, stitch weight, stitch tension, and combinations of the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of capacitors on metal foil using chemical solution deposition of a barium/titanium precursor formulation. The metal foil substrate is annealed and subsequently polished prior to the precursor formulation deposition in order to obtain a desirable process yield of capacitors without short circuits across the dielectric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor in which a capacitor element has conductive polymer solid electrolyte on a dielectric oxide film layer. The method includes the following processes: forming a manganese oxide layer on the dielectric oxide film layer; and chemically polymerizing a reaction solution containing a monomer, aromatic sulfonic acid, and a solvent using the manganese oxide layer as an oxidizing agent. Here, polyhydric alcohol capable of being coordinated to manganese ions released from the manganese oxide layer is made to coexist with the chemical polymerization reaction.

Abstract: A removable tool for a display assembly wherein the display assembly includes a base housing, a lens assembly mounted to the base housing by a plurality of radial locking tabs extending from one of the lens assembly and the base housing, and a display unit having a matrix display contained within a display housing mounted in optical alignment with the lens assembly. The removable tool can include a body having a series of removal protrusions corresponding to the radial locking tabs of the one of the lens assembly and the base housing which are simultaneously axially positionable and insertable inline with openings in the lens assembly to simultaneously disengage the radial locking tabs upon insertion of the removal protrusions into the openings in the lens assembly, thereby disassembling the lens assembly from the base housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of optionally changing damping characteristics of a twin-tube shock absorber. In the method of changing the damping characteristics of the twin-tube shock absorber (10), a threaded hole (11a) is formed in an outer tube (11), oil is drained from the inside of the twin-tube shock absorber (10) through the threaded hole (11a), replacement oil (35) is charged into the twin-tube shock absorber (10), and a check valve (20) is mounted in the threaded hole (11a). Thereafter, in a state that the check valve (20) is positioned on the upper side in the twin-tube shock absorber (10), a gas is sucked out from the inside of the twin-tube shock absorber (10) through a flow channel of the temporarily opened check valve (20), and a replacement nitrogen gas (36) is injected into the twin-tube shock absorber (10).

Abstract: A heat blanket for use in the repair of aircraft outer casings and method for using the heat blanket are provided. The heat blanket has an inner and outer layer of thermally conductive material. A series of heating elements are disposed between the inner and outer layers of materials and arranged into a plurality of heating zones. A control apparatus has a plurality of temperature sensors, each of which corresponds to one of the plurality of heating zones. The control apparatus provides power to the heating elements to control temperature for each respective zone as a function of sensed temperature. The blanket is shaped to cover a portion of the engine nacelle.

Abstract: A method for servicing a plasma processing system. The plasma processing system may include a plasma chamber. The plasma chamber may include a top piece and a bottom piece, wherein the top piece may be disposed above the bottom piece. The method may include using a robot device to control a lift mechanism to lift the top piece from the bottom piece. The method may also include extending a first member of the robot device into the top piece to perform a first set of tasks according to a first set of service procedures. The method may also include extending a second member of the robot device into the bottom piece to perform a second set of tasks according to a second set of service procedures.