Abstract: An oral hygiene device includes a handle, a head coupled to the handle, a substantially planar base disposed on the head, and a plurality of cleaning elements projecting from the base. The plurality of cleaning elements are characterized by at least two different geometries, and at least some of the plurality of cleaning elements are generally oblong cleaning bars. Adjacent cleaning elements define at least one channel that extends in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal direction of at least some of the oblong cleaning bars.

Abstract: A cleaning cloth apparatus and method therefore capable of being coupled to an article of clothing, such as a hat, necktie, jacket lab coat or the like at one end so that the other end can be used to clean a pair of glasses or other glass-type surface.

Abstract: A disposable toothbrush includes a handle member produced from a pre-selected biodegradable material. The handle member has a predetermined size and a predetermined shape. There are a predetermined number of rows of bristles attached to and extending above a top surface of the handle member closely adjacent one end thereof. Such bristles have a predetermined length. A pouch containing toothpaste is disposed beneath the rows of bristles such that the toothpaste will be in fluid communication with the bristles when the pouch is punctured and compressed.

Abstract: Brush, particularly toothbrush and method for the manufacture thereof The present invention relates to a brush, particularly a toothbrush, comprising a brush head carrying bundles of bristles, and a handle with an injection-molded basic body which comprises a fastening section extending up to the brush head. To provide a brush that meets the hygienic standards as much as possible and can be manufactured in an easy way, it is suggested according to the invention that the bundles of bristles should be bonded to the basic body via a casting compound.

Abstract: A brush suitable for cleaning dentures, comprising: a handle attached to a brush head; the brush head having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having a pad disposed thereon and the bottom surface having a plurality of bristles in perpendicular orientation to the bottom surface. This invention improves on prior art by having two sets of bristles where the second set surrounds the first set and is perpendicular to the first set of bristles.

Abstract: A plural nozzle cleaning implement. The nozzles are oriented inwardly, to provide a converging spray pattern. The converging spray pattern provides more coverage of the target surface, which increases residence time of fluid sprayed onto debris.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaner system for an automobile which comprises one or more portals located inside the passenger compartment of an automobile and/or in the space optimized canister located in the trunk or rear of the automobile Transitory tubing connects the one or more portals to the space optimized canister wherein debris is collected and stored. Debris can be placed directly in the portal or a hose and/or additional attachments may be attached to the portal. A portal cover covers the one or more portals blocking the portal when debris is not being placed directly in the portal or when no hose is attached. The central vacuum cleaner system may be powered using the automobile's battery or an external battery.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to methods and apparatus comprising the use of attachment components comprising fluid-driven turbines to dusting, trimming, polishing, and claiming a locus, such as a surface.

Abstract: A dust separating device of a vacuum cleaner includes a first dust separator (1, 1?) and a second dust separator (2, 2?). The axis of the first separating unit (101, 101?) of the first dust separator (1, 1?) is arranged perpendicular to the axes of the second separating units (201, 201?) of the second dust separator (2, 2?). The first separating unit (101, 101?) of the first dust separator (1, 1?) is communicated with a dust cup (103, 103?) via a dust outlet (102, 102?)? and is located outside of the dust cup (103, 103?).

Abstract: A plastic eyelet is formed of plastic by injection molding. The plastic eyelet makes it possible to couple male and female eyelets by means of simple pressing. After coupled, the male and female eyelets are not separated arbitrarily.

Abstract: A runner 5 including a striker 51 in a lower portion; a catcher 6 corresponding to the striker 51 and engaging a movable body 1 in a reference position R; and an urging device 7 storing an urging force when the catcher 6 is in the reference position R, are provided. The catcher 6 in the reference position R captures the striker 51 of the runner 5 stopped and engaged with a rail 2 in a self-propelling start position SA of the movable body 1, and upon this capture, an engagement between the catcher 6 and the movable body 1 is released. At the same time, due to a backward movement of the movable body 1 from the stop position SA, the catcher 6 is positioned in the reference position R again, and releases the striker 51 of the runner 5. An engagement between the runner 5 and the rail 2 is subsequently released.

Abstract: A guide block for a window in a frameless vehicle door, the guide block, comprising: a main body portion having a collet received within a cavity of the main body portion; a spring disposed between the collet and an inner surface of the cavity; and a threaded screw received within the collet and the spring wherein the spring acts against the collet to allow the screw to threadingly engage the collet and the opens and allows the threaded screw to slide within the collet.

Abstract: A hinge construction for a mobile apparatus that includes two hingedly connected to body parts includes an actuator assembly that is located in one of the body parts and a connection rod that transmits the torque generated by the actuator assembly to the other body part.

Abstract: An exemplary hinge assembly includes a frame, a first rotating module, and a second rotating module. The first rotating module includes a first pivotal shaft non-rotatably connected to the frame. The second rotating module includes a second pivotal shaft substantially perpendicular to the first pivotal shaft, a plurality of resilient washers, a supporting member, a rotating member engaging with the supporting member, and a limiting member. A first end of the second pivotal shaft is fixed on the frame. The resilient washers, the rotating member, the supporting member, and the limiting member are orderly sleeved on a second end, opposite to that of the first end, of the second pivotal shaft. A position of the limiting member relative to the second pivotal shaft is adjustable. The second pivotal shaft is capable of driving the rotating member to rotate.

Abstract: A hinge includes a first connecting member, a shaft, a second connecting member, a first fixing member rotatably mounted to the shaft, a ring immovable fixed to the shaft and abutting against the first fixing member, a number of biasing members all rotationally mounted to the shaft, and a fastener. The shaft extends from the first connecting member, with a threaded distal end of the shaft engaging with the fastener. The second connecting member defines a first depressed portion, a through hole transversely passing through the first depressed portion for rotationally fitting about the shaft, and a fixing slot in a first end of the second connecting member. The first fixing member is received in the first depressed portion, and a fixing protrusion extends from the first fixing member for engaging with the fixing slot.

Abstract: An internal hinge for a fire-resistant enclosure is provided. The internal hinge includes a cabinet end and a door end. The cabinet end is pivotally coupled with a bracket mounted on the enclosure and the door end is fixedly coupled with a door of the enclosure. The hinge includes first, second, third, and fourth segments. The first segment extends linearly from the cabinet end of the hinge. The second segment extends from the first segment in a generally curved path wrapping around the cabinet end approximately 90 degrees. The third segment extends linearly from the second segment and at an angle relative to the first segment. The fourth segment extends linearly from the third segment to the door end of the hinge and is perpendicular to the first segment. The internal hinge of the present invention allows the door of the enclosure to open approximately 147 degrees.

Abstract: A resilient axis damper for providing torque and return characteristics for closing and opening action, respectively, of a cover against a frame which has a skeletal member which is secured to the cover and the frame, and a resilient sleeve secured on the skeletal member in a position to absorb torsion forces as the cover is moved in one direction toward the frame and to release torsion forces as the cover is moved in a second direction opposed to the first direction away from the frame.

Abstract: A fleece-laying device for laying a fleece from a card web having a laying carriage movable above and transversely to an output conveyor belt, an upper carriage also movable transversely to the output conveyor belt, and a first card web conveyor belt and a second card web conveyor belt for guiding the card web via the upper carriage and the laying carriage into a laying nip formed in the laying carriage. The fleece-laying device includes a card web guiding area between the upper carriage and the laying carriage with two sections of the first and second card web conveyor belts holding the card web between them and being guided over at least one support roll mounted in a support carriage which is also movable transversely to the output conveyor belt.

Abstract: A structure includes two plates (planar plates) joined at right angles to one another. The first plate has a non-round opening (first opening) and can include tabs extending from one end (a first end) of the first plate. The second plate has a round opening and/or a notch, depending upon implementation. The second plate can also include tab openings on opposite sides of the round opening, again depending upon implementation. If a notch is used, the notch is positioned along an edge of the second plate (positioned along a second end of the second plate). When the first and second plates are connected, the optional tabs are positioned within the optional tab openings, a first end of the first plate being connected to the second end of the second plate. A locking structure is positioned within the first opening, the round opening, and the notch (if used). The locking structure connects the first plate to the second plate.

Abstract: A napkin or eating utensil band, wrap or holder imprinted with a quotation or written material. The napkin band may be made of paper, ribbon, cardboard, cloth, foil, metal, plastic, glass or any other suitable material. One or both surfaces of the napkin band may be imprinted. The printed material may be in any direction or configuration, and any font, style or font size, or any combination thereof, may be used. The written material may comprise a quotation from a book, a famous quotation or saying, a proverb, a factual statement, Bible quotes, a joke, a riddle, a trivia question, a short poem, lyrics (or partial lyrics) from a song, brain teaser, haiku, or the like. The napkin band may be used in a restaurant or facility where books or similar material are sold, so the written material may include quotations or facts from a book or similar material on sale may be used in order to promote sales of the book or material. The book or source material may be identified on the napkin band.

Abstract: A securing apparatus is provided. The securing apparatus may include a first base portion; a second base portion pivotally coupled to the first base portion; a first side support member may include a plate portion and a pivot pin extending therefrom, the first side support member may be pivotally coupled to the first base portion; and a second side support member may include a plate portion and a pivot pin extending therefrom, the second side support member may be pivotally coupled to the base plate portion.

Abstract: A hook surface fastener excellent in the heat resistance, flame resistance, retention of hook shape, and pull-out resistance of hook engaging elements (fibers). The hook surface fastener is composed of a base fabric and the hook engaging elements formed on the base fabric. The base fabric is a woven fabric composed of warp yarns, weft yarns and fibers constituting the hook engaging elements. The warp yarns and the fibers constituting the hook engaging elements are polyphenylene sulfide fibers. The weft yarns are substantially non-twisted, paralleled yarns of polyphenylene sulfide fibers and heat-fusible fibers having a melting point or softening point each being 230° C. or lower. The polyphenylene sulfide fibers constituting the hook engaging elements have a crystal orientation of 85.0 to 90.0% and a crystallinity of 32.0 to 42.0% so that the retention of hook shape is good. The fibers constituting the hook engaging elements are anchored to the base fabric by fusion of the heat-fusible fibers.

Abstract: A fastener-fabric assembly in which a torsion member holds a section or sections of fabric securely against a rigid post, without penetrating the fabric or causing it damage.

Abstract: An attachment arrangement is provided. The attachment arrangement comprising a mounting structure having an opening, an attachment element to be inserted into the opening for attaching a part to the mounting structure, and a locking element of the attachment element for locking the attachment element to the mounting structure. Said locking element being inserted as a part of the attachment element along an insertion direction into the opening in the mounting structure up to an end position and engaging behind the opening in the end position such that it prevents removal of the attachment element from the opening (75) and thus locks the attachment element to the mounting structure. Said locking element having at least a first and a second section that rest against the edge of the opening in succession when inserting the attachment element through the opening.

Abstract: A theft resistant strap and buckle assembly for securing cargo on a vehicle rack includes a strap and a buckle. The strap is reinforced to resist cutting. The buckle has a lock and pawl device that operates to prevent loosening of the strap when the buckle is locked.

Abstract: A funeral urn formed of a plurality of component urns adapted to engage with each other in a cooperative engagement. The urn structure formed of the engaged component urns has a first visual appearance. Each of the component urns, when not cooperatively engaged with another component urn, has a second visual appearance distinct from the first visual appearance of the urn structure. Cooperative engagement of all of the component urns to form the urn structure provides a visual cue to viewers of the formed urn structure, that all of a plurality of individuals whose ashes are held in the component urns are deceased such as with an urn structure formed of two component urns housing the ashes of a deceased husband and wife.

Abstract: A method for forming an industrial textile product by spiral winding an array of machine direction (MD) yarns to form a system having a defined width, and then connecting the MD yarns in the cross machine (CD) direction with resin. This method is a replacement for conventional weaving or knitting of substrates which can be used as forming, press or dryer fabrics in papermaking, and other industrial applications. Devices for forming the product are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a surface acoustic wave apparatus that can reduce degradation of electric characteristics and also reduce the number of manufacturing processes. The method for manufacturing a surface acoustic wave apparatus includes the steps of: forming an IDT electrode on an upper surface of a piezoelectric substrate, forming a frame member surrounding a formation area in which the IDT electrode is formed on the piezoelectric substrate, and mounting a film-shaped lid member on the upper surface of the frame member so as to be joined to the frame member so that a protective cover, used for covering the formation area and for providing a tightly-closed space between it and the formation area, is formed.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe comprising a transmitting piezoelectric layer, an electrode layer and a receiving piezoelectric layer laminated in that order, the ultrasound probe transmitting and receiving an ultrasound, wherein a polarization treatment on the receiving piezoelectric layer is carried out by providing a peelable dielectric layer on the receiving piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surface acoustic wave filter device includes a step of forming grooves in one principal surface of a piezoelectric substrate, a step of embedding a metallic film in the grooves to form IDT electrodes, a step of performing a process of removing a portion of the piezoelectric substrate from the one principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate, thereby forming a recessed portion including the bottom surface in which the IDT electrodes are embedded, and a step of bonding a cover member to the piezoelectric substrate.

Abstract: There is provided a splitting tool for use with a pipe defining a longitudinal pipe axis. The pipe includes an outer wall and an inner wall defining a pipe channel. A ferrule is circumferentially disposed about the outer wall. The splitting tool includes a pipe support member defining an outer periphery that is substantially complimentary in shape to the inner wall. The pipe support member is insertable within the pipe channel to extend at least through the ferrule and to provide radial support to the inner wall. The splitting tool additionally includes a splitter member operatively connected to the pipe support member. The splitter member defines a longitudinal splitting axis that is substantially perpendicular to the pipe axis when the pipe support member is inserted within the pipe channel. The splitter member is moveable along the splitting axis to radially engage with and pierce the ferrule.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mass-productive automatic rhinestone attachment apparatus. More particularly, disclosed is a mass-productive automatic rhinestone attachment apparatus capable of performing mass-productive processes for the attachment of symmetrical or asymmetrical rhinestone using a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A process for assembling two assemblies, for example aircraft fuselage assemblies, using multiple fastening components. The process includes drilling of holes through an overlap zone, carried out using a drilling tool which passes through an associated centering hole made in a drilling grid fixed to this overlap zone, wherein the drilling tool includes a support mandrel and an expanding ring which fits onto the mandrel along a conical contact surface. A relative movement between the expanding ring and the mandrel is applied so that, following immobilization of the ring in the associated centering hole, displacement of the mandrel supported against the overlap zone is produced, through the centering hole and towards this overlap zone, to exert a pressure on the latter.

Abstract: A method to protect a police officer receiving small arms fire utilizes a pliable armor sheet of interconnected, hinged, articulating panels. During construction of a police vehicle outwardly curving convex panel windows are utilized and made from tempered glass or from laminated glass including an outer convex surface, a first glass panel, a second glass panel, and a polymer sheet intermediate said first and second glass panels. The armor sheet is mounted in a dispensing unit housing in a wound configuration in said driver's side door for deployment therefrom at an angle canted inwardly toward said interior of said frame, to contact directly with said outer convex surface of a convex window in the driver's side door to form a canted convex small arms fire-resistant laminate comprising the armor sheet and the window in the driver's side door.

Abstract: A co-axial catheter assembly (100), including a first lumen (110) having a first distal end (114) and a first proximal end (112), and a second lumen (120) having a second distal end (124) and a second proximal end (122). The second lumen (120) extends co-axially with the first lumen (110), wherein the second lumen is at least partially disposed within the first lumen and the second distal end extends distally of the first distal end. A method of manufacturing the catheter is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for crimping self-expanding devices. The crimping devices may be useful for crimping a variety of different self-expanding devices (whether such devices are biodegradable or bio-durable). The crimping devices may have crimping members to engage the self-expanding device to reduce the device from an expanding configuration to an unexpanded configuration. The crimping member may comprise or include a suture, wire, ribbon, guiding hoop, pusher, prong, holding bar, balloon, jaws, combinations thereof, or the like. The crimping devices may also include or comprise a holding structure to hold the self-expanding device in an unexpanded or expanded configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping a stent by segmental radial compression, comprising a stationary base member; a rotatable drive hub which is moveable in relation to the stationary base member; and a crimping head aligned with respect to the stationary base member and to the rotatable drive hub. The crimping head includes at least ten segments. The segments each have a proximal end and an angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in an edge of a predetermined length, each segment having a centerline between the proximal and distal ends, each segment having a proximal point and a distal point, the distal point being disposed on the centerline and the proximal point being disposed off the centerline, and the proximal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the stationary base member and the distal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the rotatable hub member.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient and a method for manufacturing the same. The stent has front and back open ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The stent has a plurality of adjacent hoops that are held in alignment with the longitudinal axis between the front and back open ends by a thin film tube. The hoops are attached to either the inner or outer surface of the thin film tube. The stent is compressed into a first smaller diameter for insertion into the vessel with a delivery tube and a second larger diameter for deployment into the vessel. The inventive stent can be retracted into the delivery tube if it is improperly deployed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin wall isogrid or the like casing by a machining process comprising the steps of: mating a surface of a casing precursor (10,50) with a substantially continuous support surface (20,60) of a hollow support sleeve (18, 58); engaging an engagement surface (26, 66) of a deformation member (24, 64) with an engagement surface (22,62) of the support sleeve (18,58), the engagement surface (22, 62) of the support sleeve (18,58) being opposite the support surface (20,60) and the deformation member (24,64) being co-axially arranged with the support sleeve (18,58); axially displacing the support sleeve (18,58) and deformation member (24,64) relative to one another, the deformation member (24,64) engagement surface (22,62) and support sleeve (18,58) engagement surface (22,62) being configured such that the support sleeve (18,58) is deformed by the deformation member (24,64) by the relative axial displacement in order to mate the support surface (20,60) with substantially the whole of the sur

Abstract: A method is adapted to manufacture an endoscope bending tube from a board-shaped member by a press processing. The endoscope bending tube includes a plurality of bending parts each of which includes a tubular main portion and an extending portion extended from the main portion. The method includes forming a thickness increasing portion in which a thickness is locally increased, on the board-shaped member, by a press processing, and forming the extending portion in the thickness increasing portion, by a press processing.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminated variant-shaped core 10, comprising: Step A of punching out a required number of core sheets 12-14 for each of plural types, from a strip 11 to be processed, to form the outlines of the core sheets 12-14, and push back the punched out core sheets 12-14 into the strip 11; Step B of forming cutouts 28, 30 and 32 reaching outer peripheries of outer plates 27, 29 and 31, the outer plates 27, 29 and 31 being the same in outer shape and respectively containing thereinside the core sheets 12-14, the cutouts 28, 30 and 32 having inner edges respectively in contact with the core sheets 12-14; Step C of forming caulking portions 21 in each of the core sheets 12-14 and caulking portions 33 in each of the outer plates 27, 29 and 31; Step D of punching out the outer plates 27, 29 and 31 from the strip 11 to form the outlines of the outer plates 27, 29 and 31, and laminating and interlocking the core sheets 12-14 to form the variant-shaped laminated core 10 and laminating and interlocking t

Abstract: A high-speed machine and method for placing an RFID circuit onto an electrical component includes separating an RFID circuit from a web of RFID circuits, and placing the RFID circuit onto an electrical component with a placing device. The separating includes directing the RFID circuit onto a transfer drum of the placement device and separably coupling the RFID circuit to the transfer drum. According to one method, a separator device separates and directs chips or interposers onto a placement device. According to another method, chips or interposers are tested before being separated from a web, and if good, are separated from the web, directed onto a placement device, and placed on an electrical component. If defective, the chips or interposers are not directed onto a placement device and are removed by a scrap web removal device.

Abstract: A method of constructing a linear drive motor assembly is disclosed. In accordance with the method, a support plate and a platen with a plurality of teeth are provided. A honeycomb core comprising a commercially available, off-the-shelf honeycomb material is provided. The honeycomb core has a plurality of cells arranged in a planar array where the plurality of cells is defined by walls extending in planes substantially perpendicular to the planar array. The support plate is directly secured to one side of the planar array. The platen is secured directly to the other side of the planar array. A forcer having a motor stack is magnetically coupleable to the platen to form a linear drive motor.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus are provided for automatically disposing plural wires along predetermined trajectories, wherein the plural wires extend from coils wound in slots of dynamoelectric machine cores. Plural wires forming leads (16?, 17?) are located in predetermined positions and caused to extend along predetermined directions (33,34) by means of manipulating equipment and tooling (3) which operates automatically. In addition, the equipment and tooling (3) cause the plural wires to become twisted and cut to form portions (16?, 17?) for connection to terminals. The tooling (3) is provided with reference surfaces (21,23) and seats (26,27) which are used to bend the plural wires along the predetermined trajectories and to provide a position constraint for the portions becoming twisted.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotor magnet for a micro rotary electric machine is provided which includes steps of: a process in which a plurality of thick films, each of which is made of nanocomposite texture composed of ?Fe and R-TM-B where R is either 10 to 20 atomic % Nd or 10 to 20 atomic % Pr, B is 5 to 20 atomic % and TM is either Fe or partly Co-substituted Fe with 0 to atomic %, are formed into a laminated magnet including isotropic nano-crystalline texture which contains ?Fe and R2TM14B and which has a remanence, Mr, of 0.95 T or more; and a process where the laminated magnet is multi-polar magnetized in-plane of the thick films.

Abstract: A stepping motor includes a bracket, a housing having a first end coupled to the bracket and a second end having a reduced width compared with the first end, a stator disposed in the housing to form electric field, a first supporting unit formed on a first end of the bracket, a magnet fixed corresponding to the stator to provide the electric field, a second supporting unit supported on the second end of the housing, a rotor supported by the first and second supporting units, and a stopper fitted on an opened end of the second end of the housing to support the second supporting unit.

Abstract: A monolithic, multi-layer heating element forms the high temperature tip of a glow plug assembly. The heating element includes a conductive core which is surrounded by an insulator layer, which in turn supports a resistive layer. An optional conductive jacket can surround the resistive layer. These layered components are pre-formed in prior operations and then assembled one into the other to form a precursor structure. The precursor structure is transferred to a die, where it is compressed to form a so-called green part having dimensional attributes proportional to the finished heating element. The individual layers remain substantially intact, with some boundary layer mixing possible to enhance material-to-material bonding. The green part is sintered to bond to various materials together into an essentially solid mass. Various finishing operations may be required, following which the heating element is assembled to form a glow plug.

Abstract: A method for making an electronic switch mountable on a circuit board includes the steps of: (A) providing a housing that includes a base having opposite inner and outer sides, and a cover body having a main portion that cooperates with the inner side of the base to define a chamber, and an end portion that cooperates with the outer side of the base to define a sealing space; (B) providing a terminal having a connecting part extending through the base and the sealing space for connection with the circuit board; (C) providing the base with a hollow portion that projects outwardly from the outer side thereof into the sealing space and that confines an air-discharge hole communicating fluidly with the chamber; (D) providing a first adhesive layer to seal the sealing space without covering the air-discharge hole; and (E) sealing the air-discharge hole.

Abstract: A method includes assembling a top portion of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell based power generator that includes an anode cover, fuel cell, top portion of a valve assembly and fuel container cover. A bottom portion of the power generator that includes a fuel container with fuel, an opening for the top portion of the valve assembly, and a diaphragm portion of the valve assembly is also assembled. The top portion of the power generator is then attached to the bottom portion such that the bottom portion is a cathode of the power generator.

Abstract: It is described an apparatus for removing caps (1) from tubular containers (2), comprising a fixed frame (11) provided with grasping means (8) for holding a container (2) in a fixed vertical position and a head assembly (4) which is movable above containers of variable height along the vertical axis thereof. The head assembly (4) has a cap receiving cavity (15) with an upper abutment surface (65) for matching the upper surface of the cap of containers of variable size and is provided with a plurality of movable sharpened means (17) for catching the cap of the container when received in said cavity (15). There are provided first driving means (18) for moving said sharpened means (17) towards the cap of the container to catch it and second driving means (13, 14) for moving the sharpened means (17) in at least one further direction to remove the cap (1) from the container (2).