Abstract: The present invention relates generally to method and a device to make a single or a multiple repeated single servings of a select flavored, carbonated beverage. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for heating foodstuff includes a container defining a heating cavity therein. The container is positioned on a supporting surface during heating of the foodstuff. The kitchen appliance further includes a utensil for manipulating the foodstuff. The utensil has a first and opposite second end. A tray is slidably positioned within a portion of the container. The tray is movable between a storage position in which the tray is substantially within the container and a use position in which the tray is at least partially removed from the container. The tray has a concave portion on a top surface thereof. The concave portion is sized and shaped to support at least a portion of the first end of the utensil above the supporting surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cooking French fries without cooking oil. The apparatus relies on high pressure inert gas at high temperature as the cooking medium. The inert gas acts both as a heat transfer medium to cook the potatoes, and as a protective atmosphere to prevent charring and oxidation of the potatoes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for making egg patties which have been cooked, folded, frozen and which may be reheated to provide an egg patty which resembles an egg patty made from fresh eggs. The invention includes an egg folding apparatus, a method for folding cooked liquid whole egg and a system for cooking and folding a cooked egg composition. The egg folding apparatus includes an endless linear array of egg cooking pans movable as an endless conveyor. One side of the pans has a ramp which extends downward to the bottom pan. A plurality of spatulas are disposed above the pans in an array above the pans. The spatulas are rotatable about an axis which is perpendicular to the linear array of pans, the pans movable upwardly away from the pans and downwardly toward the pans.

Abstract: A feed installation for arrangement in front of at least one multi-tier baking oven having a plurality of hearths provides for increased flexibility. The feed installation includes a pull-out frame with carrier elements for receiving and supporting a pull-out hearth. The feed installation further includes a baking item receiving device having a baking item receiving surface for receiving baking items arranged on a baking surface and which is movable relative to the baking surface. Methods of feeding a multi-tier baking oven having baking surfaces arranged on pull-out hearths with baking items using the feed installation are also provided.

Abstract: A rotatable greens drying device that includes a lid, a rotatable colander, a drive mechanism for rotating the colander, and a receiving ring fan which transfers rotational force from the drive mechanism to the rotatable colander. The fast moving, drier air circulated by the receiving ring fan naturally helps evaporate moisture from the surface of the greens and it helps expel water through container holes. This embodiment also allows air exposure of the leafy contents via the perforations within the spinning colander which further reduces surface moisture.

Abstract: The invention discloses a hand held fat skimmer, which includes an apparatus, consisting of a fat collecting section, a cooling section in thermal communication with the fat collecting section and a handle or gripping area. The apparatus may also include one or more triggers or scraper actuation mechanisms. The preferred embodiment of this invention is one in which the cooling section has a scraper mechanism. The scraper is disposed on the fat collection section. In an optional embodiment scraper is motorized. The scraper may be in mechanical communication with the handle and fat collecting section when then trigger is engaged or when the scraper actuation mechanism is moved. The fat collecting section may also consist of a cooling section in thermal communication with the fat collecting section and a handle or a gripping area. The apparatus can be expanded or collapsed. The cooling section can be expanded and collapsed.

Abstract: A hot-press cushioning member 11a is configured so that an amount of compressed thickness deformation (a) is obtained by subtracting a compressed thickness (H2) of the hot-press cushioning member under a predetermined press-forming pressure from an initial thickness (H1), an amount of restored thickness deformation (b) is obtained by subtracting the compressed thickness (H2) from an uncompressed thickness (H3) of the hot-press cushioning member with the press-forming pressure released, and the (a:b) ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:0.8.

Abstract: A pressing station in a rotary press having a bearing component for a compression roll that can be adjusted vertically in height along a guide attached to the frame of the rotary press, a first adjustment drive fastened to the frame, which is coupled via an adjustment drive to the bearing component for height adjustment of the bearing component, wherein a shaft or axle for the compression roll or the bearing component or a part of these is coupled to a second adjustment drive in such a way that the compression roll can be adjusted in its height independently from the first adjustment drive.

Abstract: A twine arm assembly is provided with a guide member controlling the movement of a twine arm during a tying cycle. In order to facilitate the insertion of new twine into the twine arm, said guide member is made of two parts which can be locked to each other or which can move with respect to each other in order to bring the twine arm into a position, in which twine can be inserted easily.

Abstract: A flexible die is used in an embossing apparatus in which a pair of flexible bases (2a, 2b) are respectively wrapped around a pair of cylindrical rollers disposed opposing each other, and a sheet to be processed (S) is passed through between the pair of rollers, thereby performing embossing. The pair of flexible bases (2a, 2b) are constituted by a female flexible base (2a) and a male flexible base (2b) that are mated with each other, a line-shaped convex portion (3a) corresponding to the contour of an embossing processing pattern is formed in the female flexible base (2a), and the convex portion (3b) is formed in the male flexible base (2b), the convex portion (3b) being fitted within the area encompassed within the line-shaped convex portion (3a) of the female flexible base while leaving an interval from the inner circumferential surface of the line-shaped convex portion (3a). A concave portion (30) is formed in the convex portion (3b).

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-operated stamp (1) comprising an at least partially open-pored printing plate (27) which can be displaced counter to a spring force, from a resting position in which it is retracted into a housing (2), into a printing position by an actuation element (3). The printing plate rests against an ink storage body (25) in order to receive stamping ink therefrom, the ink storage body being mounted in a holder (24) which at least partially encloses it. The holder (24) is trough-shaped and is directly locked with a connecting part (6) which is locked with the actuation unit and which comprises at least one refill support (40, 41) which is oriented towards an ink refill opening (42, 43) in the base wall of the holder (24).

Abstract: An imprint template configured to imprint an imprintable medium by an imprint lithography process is disclosed, the imprint template having a pattern with a pattern density corresponding to a volume of imprintable medium used to substantially fill pattern features per unit area of a contact face of the imprint template, wherein adjacent regions of the pattern on the imprint template contact face, each of which will provide different functionality once imprinted onto a substrate, have substantially the same pattern density, have differences in pattern density which are minimized, or differences in pattern density which are maintained below a maximum.

Abstract: An imaging member is disclosed having a surface layer comprising a heat-sensitive material whose surface compatibility to printing agents, such as toners and inks, can be substantially reversed in response to small changes in temperature. The imaging member is suitable for use in lithographic and printing applications, permitting reversible switching between compatibility states of printing agents, such as between hydrophilic and hydrophobic states or oleophilic and oleophobic states, and enabling rapid production of images on a recording medium.

Abstract: A discharge defect detecting device including a sensor that reads an image, which has been formed on a medium by relatively moving nozzles in a movement direction relative to the medium based on the image data and discharging a fluid, at a reading resolution lower than the resolution of image data in the relative movement direction; standard data writing unit that writes standard data having the same resolution as the reading resolution in the relative movement direction, based on the image data; and a detecting unit that compares the data read by the sensor with the standard data, to detect the discharge defects of the nozzles.

Abstract: A cleaning station includes a fluid input which introduces a passive flow of fluid into a trough and a slit which provides an outlet through which the fluid exits the trough. A wetting roller rotates in a cylindrical cavity to form a viscous fluid pump which draws the fluid through the slit to form a fluid film on an outer surface of the wetting roller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a detonation initiator that can form part of a demolition assembly. The detonation initiator can include a linear actuator assembly having a core with a permanent magnet disposed with respect to a coil, and a firing pin coupled to the core and disposed along a longitudinal axis of the linear actuator assembly. A capacitor can be used to store electrical energy derived from an electrical pulse received by the detonation initiator. An electrical circuit can be used to monitor the charge on the capacitor and to discharge the capacitor through the coil of the linear actuator assembly to propel the core along the longitudinal axis of the linear actuator assembly when the charge on the capacitor reaches a charge threshold.

Abstract: A command to arm apparatus includes a housing having a hollow interior. A pivotally-mounted rotor is disposed in the hollow interior. The rotor has a first, safe position of rotational adjustment that prevents detonation of an explosive and a second, armed position of rotational adjustment that enables detonation of an explosive. A locking cam is pivotally mounted to the rotor and has a rotor-locking position of repose. The rotor is free to rotate from its safe position to its armed position when the locking cam is rotated out of the rotor-locking position by a piston that extends from a piston actuator. The rotor abuts a flat formed in a sidewall of the housing and can rotate no further when the device is in the armed configuration.

Abstract: A method of producing an assembly of a connector block (1, 21, 40) and a detonator (5, 25, 41) suitable for retaining at least one shock tube (4, 24) adjacent to a percussion-actuation end (15, 26) of the detonator, and to an assembly thus produced and a connector block therefor. The method comprising inserting a detonator into a connector block having a housing (2, 22, 40) provided with a bore (13, 31, 44), positioning the detonator in the bore of the housing so that the percussion-actuation end of the detonator is positioned adjacent to a slot (14, 35) for receiving the shock tubes; and fixing the detonator in the housing. The detonator is fixed in the housing by causing a body of material (10) to flow plastically into the recess in the detonator and to harden therein to form a locking element fixed to the housing, thereby preventing accidental movement of the detonator within the connector block.

Abstract: An insensitive munitions casing, such as a motor case, for housing a propellant charge is disclosed. The casing is formed by winding, wrapping or rolling a fiber, tape or sheet of material such that the casing has a plurality of reinforcing layers. At least some of the reinforcing layers have discontinuous interfaces. Other reinforcing layers may overlap the discontinuous interfaces. The reinforcing layers are coated with adhesive bonding material for adhering the reinforcing layer to itself and bonding the discontinuous interfaces. The adhesive bonding material has a bond-strength breakdown temperature which is below the auto-ignition temperature of the propellant charge. Once the bond strength breakdown temperature of the adhesive is reached, the bond fails at the discontinuous interface, thereby enabling release of propellant charge pressurization.

Abstract: A kinetic energy penetrator is provided comprising a consolidated body of a metal nanoparticles phase comprising metal nanoparticles and a metal carbide nanoparticles phase comprising metal carbide nanoparticles. Methods for making a kinetic energy penetrator as well as material compositions comprising a consolidated body of a metal nanoparticles phase comprising metal nanoparticles and a metal carbide nanoparticles phase comprising metal carbide nanoparticles are also provided.

Abstract: A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The door closing mechanism is a mechanical transmission that includes a set of linkages running from the door to a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder. The linkages run generally parallel to the slope sheet. The car has a very short draft installation that includes a removable coupler carrier bar, and the main shear plate has a removable draft gear installation panel. There is a machinery space above the end section shear plate. It is overhung by the slope sheet that is substantially unobstructed by any other primary structure. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted on an angle in this unobstructed machinery space, oriented longitudinally over the draft sill beneath the main drag link of the mechanical transmission, and above the main pivot of the driving input lever of the transmission.

Abstract: A hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The doors are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door. The doors are driven by a longitudinal shaft that is mounted within the center sill. It drives a set of single input, double output bell cranks that drive adjacent pairs of doors, and that employs an over-center toggle to hold the doors in the closed position when the car is laded. The actuators may be mounted in shelters midway along the car, and may be offset from the centersill. The actuators may be mounted predominantly vertically such that gravity may obviate the need for a secondary lock.

Abstract: A system for unloading a railcar includes an imaging system for generating a model of features of the railcar as the railcar enters an unloading station, and an actuation device in communication with the imaging system for identifying a capstan using model information and engaging the capstans to cause the discharge of material from the railcar.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling opening of doors on a hopper car underside. The mechanism includes a pair of stationary hook assemblies located outboard of a discharge opening and having a proximal end affixed to the hopper car and a distal free end. Each hook assembly includes a locking cavity bounded by a cam locking surface and a distal slide surface. Included also is a pair of locking cam assemblies having an upper and lower cam surface matable with the hook cam locking assembly and having a slot. An elongate member has ends affixed to the pair of locking cam assemblies and extends through each of the annular end bearings. A pair of annular end bearings is disposed adjacent to the locking cam assemblies and each affixed to a door.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing an emergency staircase, whereby an operator can promptly and easily arrange the preparation of detrainment with the staircase in an emergency, and the passengers can detrain with a feeling of security. An emergency staircase 40 includes a plurality of step forming members 44a to 44f that are housed in a casing 42, a podium 50 and a railing 46 that are fitted to the casing 42 so that the podium and the railing can be unfolded against the casing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of compositions comprising (a) biocides, and (b) dialkylamides, for wood protection.

Abstract: An ink composition, such as a nonpolar liquid or phase change (solid) ink composition, that includes a non-polar carrier, and a nanoscale pigment particle composition. The nanoscale pigment particle composition includes a benzimidazolone pigment and a sterically bulky stabilizer compound, which is a substituted pyridine derivative, associated non-covalently with the benzimidazolone pigment. The presence of the associated stabilizer limits an extent of particle growth and aggregation, to afford nanoscale pigment particles.

Abstract: A method for producing a water-resistant aluminum pigment dispersion includes (a) adding a treatment agent containing a compound of general formula (1) described below to an aluminum pigment dispersion containing aluminum pigment particles dispersed in an organic solvent and reacting a hydroxy group present on a surface of each of the aluminum pigment particles with the compound of general formula (1) described below to form a film on the surface of each aluminum pigment particle, (b) removing at least a portion of the organic solvent, and (c) adding an aqueous solution containing at least one selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate and salts thereof, (wherein p represents an integer of 1 to 3, q represents an integer that satisfies the equation p+q=3, r represents an integer of 2 to 10, R1 and R2 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R3 represents an acrylic group, an acryloyl group, or a methacryloyl group).

Abstract: Inkjet ink compositions comprising a liquid vehicle, an azo pigment, and a synergist are described. The colorant of the azo pigment and the synergist have specific structural features that, in combination, can be used to form an inkjet ink composition having long term stability in a variety of ink vehicles.

Abstract: A process for purifying a pigment comprising washing the pigment with water having less than 100 ppm by weight of total dissolved solids and a microbiological contamination of less than 100 colony forming units per ml. Pigments so purified are especially suitable for use in preparing ink jet printing inks.

Abstract: A method of modifying a particle that includes reacting a reactive compound having an X—[Y]n reactive group with a secondary compound N—S-ZM to form a substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S-ZM)b, and reacting the particle with the substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S-ZM)b to attach the substituted reactive intermediate to the surface of the particle to form a surface modified particle. The particle may comprise at least one of a dye particle, an inorganic pigment particle, an additive, or a combination thereof. X may be a sulfonyl, phosphoryl, or 1,3,5-triazinyl group. Y may be a halogen leaving group. N may be a nucleophilic group. S may be an organic group. ZM may be an ionizable end group. Also, n is an integer between 1 and 3, b is an integer between 1 and 3, and a=n?b. When n is equal to or greater than b, and wherein if b is 2 or 3, each N—S-ZM can be the same or different.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to magenta inks and ink sets for ink-jet printing. The inks and ink sets provide exceptional ozone fastness, particularly when printed on porous media or plain paper. The inks of the ink sets are formulated to be compatible with each other and are capable of producing high quality printed images.

Abstract: The present invention provides modeling compounds and methods of making such compounds. In addition to other desirable properties, these modeling compounds may be certified organic, gluten-free, and/or soy-free.

Abstract: A system for determining parameters and compatibility of a substance such as an asphalt or other petroleum substance uses titration to highly accurately determine one or more flocculation occurrences and is especially applicable to the determination or use of Heithaus parameters and optimal mixing of various asphalt stocks. In a preferred embodiment, automated titration in an oxygen gas exclusive system and further using spectrophotometric analysis (2-8) of solution turbidity is presented. A reversible titration technique enabling in-situ titration measurement of various solution concentrations is also presented.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a liquid for an oxide thin film is provided, which includes mixing at least two kinds of dispersoids selected from the group consisting of a Zinc compound, an Indium compound, a Gallium compound, a Tin compound and a Thallium compound, with dispersion media corresponding to the selected dispersoids to form a dispersion system, and stirring and aging the dispersion system at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time, wherein a molar ratio of the Zinc compound to each of the Indium compound, Gallium compound, Tin compound and Thallium compound is 1:0.1 to 1:2. According to the present invention, the liquid for the oxide thin film may be fabricated by a sol-gel method making it capable of being implemented in mass production in a simple and low-cost manner as opposed to the conventional vacuum deposition method.

Abstract: A CO2 control device and method for capturing CO2 from fluid flow, including: a flow-through apparatus and an CO2 absorbing filter treated with an alkaline material which is housed within the flow-through apparatus. The flow-through apparatus receives fluid flow and the CO2 from the fluid flow is absorbed by the CO2 absorbing filter. The absorbed CO2 is converted into CaCO3 which is combined with volcanic ash to form a useful cement material.

Abstract: Sorbent components containing calcium, alumina, and silica are used in combination during coal combustion to produce environmental benefits. Sorbents are added to the coal ahead of combustion and/or are added into the flame or downstream of the flame, preferably at minimum temperatures to assure complete formation of the refractory structures that result in various advantages of the methods. When used together, the components reduce emissions of elemental and oxidized mercury; increase the level of Hg, As, Pb, and/or Cl in the coal ash; decrease the levels of leachable heavy metals (such as Hg) in the ash, preferably to levels below the detectable limits; and make a highly cementitious ash product.

Abstract: A ramp system may include a pallet configured to support a product, a ramp configured to secure the product to the pallet when the ramp is in a first position and to connect to the pallet when the ramp is in a second position and a bracket configured to be removeably connected to a top surface of the pallet.

Abstract: A one-piece pallet for securing and stacking drums thereon may include a tray having downwardly and inwardly tapering peripheral side walls, a top surface having a plurality of raised support surfaces, each shaped to engage a bottom of a container, a plurality of raised dividers, each of said dividers being positioned between adjacent support surfaces and being shaped to engage a side wall of a drum resting on said adjacent support surfaces. The side walls may have outer raised ribs terminating adjacent one of the support surfaces and shaped to engage a side wall of a drum resting on said adjacent one of said support surfaces. The dividers may include inner raised ribs having terminal portions opposite the terminal portions of the outer raised ribs such that a drum resting on any one of said support surfaces is constrained by the terminal portions of the inner and outer raised ribs from lateral movement relative to the tray.

Abstract: An industrial platform for material handling, such as a plastic pallet, is constructed of three scuffed thermoplastic sheets, including exterior intumescent polymeric surfaces for resisting the spread of combustion flames and insulating the interior surfaces from the high temperature of fire. The pallet is reinforced with optional rigidifying structures without article modification. Pallet members are joined with snap together features providing an assembled article. The pallet includes handles for ergonomic manipulation by workers and is readily adapted to receive a number of unitization accessories for enhancing material handling operations.

Abstract: A reagent drying system for use with a steam generation system [25] is described having a combustion chamber that produces exhaust flue gasses [FG2]. A preheater [150] receives the exhaust flue gasses [FG1] and transfers heat to create a heated input air stream [A2] and a diverted air stream [A2?]. The heated input air stream [A2] is provided to the combustion chamber. The diverted air stream [A2?] is provided to a dryer [196] as incremental air stream [IA]. Dryer [196] dries bulk reagents for dry milling into powder. The powder is then used to process the exhaust flue gasses to remove pollutants. The incremental air stream [IA] may also include leakage gasses [360] from preheater [150].

Abstract: Solutions for mapping slag zones in a boiler are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an obtainer for obtaining data about a location of a slag zone within a boiler, the slag zone being one of a plurality of slag zones in a slag plane; a determinater for determining a flow distribution of a working fluid within the boiler, the flow distribution originating at a plurality of burners and intersecting the slag zone and a sensor grid including a plurality of grid sensors; an identifier for identifying at least one grid sensor in the plurality of grid sensors that is intersected by the flow distribution of the working fluid; and a user interface module for displaying the flow distribution of the working fluid from the plurality of burners to the at least one grid sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to chemical technology and equipment, in particular, to methods and apparatuses for pyrolysis (gasification) in molten salts and/or alkalis of organic household and industrial waste. The task of the invention is to increase quality and quantity of obtainable pyrolysis gas. Set task is achieved by formation of gas-tight plug from compressed waste in the supply channel. From outside of loading channel a layer of products of low-temperature waste processing is formed, at that along the loading channel temperature regime in the range from 20 to 550° C. is formed. Temperature regulation in the loading channel is carried out by dosed supply of water vapor and/or carbon dioxide into product layer of low-temperature processing waste. Metals, oxides, salts or oxide hydrates thereof are added to waste as processing catalysts. Water vapor and/or carbon dioxide are supplied into the area of high-temperature processing. Silicon dioxide is added to waste for melt regeneration.

Abstract: Provided is a marine boiler structure that is capable of remedying non-uniformity in corrosion progression by making the temperature distribution of combustion gas that passes through a superheater uniform, and that is also capable of reducing the level of NOx contained in the combustion gas. In a marine boiler structure configured such that combustion gas generated by combustion in a burner flows from a furnace through a superheater and an evaporator tube bundle, a bottom air port that supplies part of the combustion air as bottom air from a furnace bottom portion of the furnace is provided, the bottom air port is positioned closer to the superheater relative to a burner center line, and an ejecting direction of the bottom air is set within a range inclining in the burner direction from the vertically upward direction.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for the combustion of metals and other fuels are provided. The system can include a fuel combustion apparatus including a combustor having a combustion chamber for burning ground particles from a fuel charge, and a fuel supply apparatus for supplying the ground particles. The fuel supply system can include a fuel charge holder assembly to house and store the fuel charge, a grinder assembly including a grinder configured to pulverize the fuel charge to produce a combustible fuel, and a fuel charge linear feed assembly including a piston in contact with the fuel charge to selectively bias the fuel charge into the grinder to control the consumption rate. Exhaust from the combustion chamber can be used in the incineration of radioactive, chemical and mixed hazardous materials, and in the propulsion of a vehicle in both an air or water environment.

Abstract: A gauge wheel for an agricultural implement includes a rim having an outer periphery and a tire mounted to the outer periphery. The tire includes an outer shell formed from a first resilient material and an inner core formed from a second resilient material. The first resilient material is harder than the second resilient material.

Abstract: The invention provides an innovative yet straightforward approach to driving the seed distribution system in planters which feature hinged winged extensions. The flexibility of the hinged winged extensions may allow the planter to adjust to the contours of a field and to fold to facilitate transport of the planter. In one embodiment, for example, the invention may provide a mechanical coupling between several sections of a seed drive shaft which may support and be driven by a hydraulic motor for each of the winged sections. The seed drive system may also be coupled to row units to synchronize and power the distribution of seeds by the planter.

Abstract: The invention provides an innovative yet straightforward approach to driving the seed distribution system in planters which feature hinged winged extensions. The flexibility of the hinged winged extensions may allow the planter to adjust to the contours of a field and to fold to facilitate transport of the planter. In one embodiment, for example, the invention may provide a mechanical coupling between several sections of a seed drive shaft which may support and be driven by a hydraulic motor for each of the winged sections. The seed drive system may also be coupled to row units to synchronize and power the distribution of seeds by the planter.

Abstract: A method is provided for sewing a seat cover to provide a side panel and an inset panel with a C-shaped separable seam and inner and outer chutes for air bag deployment. The method comprises sewing the side panel and the inner chute together with permanent vertical extending and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment, and sewing the inset panel and the outer chute together with permanent vertical extending seams and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment. And thereafter sewing the side panel and the inset panel together with separable vertical extending seams and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will break upon the air bag deployment to allow inflation of the air bag while the inner chute remains attached to the front panel and the outer chute remains attached to the side panel to guide the inflating air bag.