Abstract: An apparatus and techniques for detecting unbalanced load in a washing machine are provided. A clothes basket containing a load of clothing and rotatable about an axis is accelerated. As the clothes basket passes a first predetermined rotational speed, one of power and torque applied to the clothes basket is limited. It is determined whether the clothes basket accelerates from the first predetermined to a second predetermined rotational speed within a predetermined time. Failure to reach the second predetermined rotational speed within the predetermined time signifies an out-of-balance condition as to the load of clothing. No resonance of the machine lies between the first and second predetermined rotational speeds. In another aspect, a similar technique can be employed, with or without limiting power or torque, wherein a resonance does lie between the first and second predetermined rotational speeds.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for treating non-trans fats, fatty acids and sunscreen stains with a chelating agent. The invention also relates to methods for reducing the frequency of laundry fires with a chelating agent.

Abstract: The machine has a drum with a perforated wall capable of receiving a load of clothes, a motor for rotating the drum at variable speeds, and a spraying device capable of introducing liquid into the drum. The method includes performing an impregnation with an amount of liquid by several spraying steps for spraying the liquid on the load of clothes while the drum rotates at a medium rotational speed sufficient to keep the load of clothes stationary with respect to the rotating drum but insufficient to extract liquid out of the load of clothes by the centrifugal force generated, and performing, between every two of the spraying steps, a tumbling step for tumbling the load of clothes at a low rotational speed less than 1 G. After the impregnation, a centrifugation at a high rotational speed is performed.

Abstract: Ozone laundry systems include one system, a tunnel washer system that generates ozone and dissolves the ozone in water at various stages of the tunnel washer, such as with a Venturi injector. The ozonated water may be stored and recirculated/re-ozonated to ensure that a desired level of dissolved ozone is present in any water delivered to the various zones of the tunnel washer. The ozonated water provides maximum cleaning efficiency and effectiveness at cooler water temperatures, saving water and energy costs. In some systems, controlled safe application of gaseous and/or dissolved ozone may be made to laundry in a washer. Ozone levels may be monitored and precisely controlled. The application of ozone using some embodiments allows the ozone to treat materials and articles of clothing such as jeans to achieve a desired look and feel, such as an appearance of having been worn.

Abstract: An epilatory composition, substantially provided as flat strips, comprises a gel-like matrix material, for example a rosin-based or sugar-based material and, mixed with the matrix material, a particulate material, for example colloidal particles of fumed silica. The particles reduce the tendency of the epilatory composition to flow, under warm ambient conditions.

Abstract: A dyeing method for raising a blue color is provided. The method includes dyeing fabric with raw dye, ferro-mordanting the fabric having undergone the dyeing of raw dye with ferro-mordant, producing potassium ferrocyanide solution by dissolving potassium ferrocyanide in water, and putting the fabric having undergone the ferro-mordanting into the solution obtained in the potassium ferrocyanide solution production and then ripening the fabric until a blue color of a desired tone is raised. Accordingly, a stabilized dyeing state of blue color group is easily got even using natural dyeing materials as material difficult to raise a blue color on fabric.

Abstract: A submarine in-situ net cleaner includes a skid chassis (1) adapted for smooth and snare free sliding across the surface of the net (2), a buoyancy device (3) associated with the chassis to provide the cleaner with buoyancy, a driving device (4) adapted to cooperate with the net (2) and manoeuvre the cleaner about the surface of the net, a propulsion device (5) adapted to propel the cleaner onto and maintain contact with the net (2) and a cleaning device (6) adapted to remove contaminants from the net including marine fouling from the surface of the net so as to clean the net.

Abstract: A toothbrush has a body, a brush head, and a neck extending between the body and the brush head. The toothbrush also has a massaging element, a plurality of bristles, and a plurality of massaging tips. The brush head has a front face and a rear face. The massaging element is disposed on the rear face of the brush head, while the plurality of bristles and the plurality of massaging tips extend from the front face.

Abstract: The embodiment is a circular body, top, on/button, and shampoo dispensing button produced of plastic that incorporates a soft rubber material compound used for the handle, massaging nubs, and the shampoo inlet reservoir. The embodiment incorporate shock absorption features located on the inside of the removable handle, and provides easy hand-gripping surfaces.

Abstract: A hand tool adopted to remove ice, snow, sleet, frost and the like from the exterior surfaces of a vehicle, including the windows of automobiles. The ice scrapper comprises a rearward grip, a handle, a brush, a squeegee, and a canister containing deicing fluid which is mechanically or electronically operated to disperse deicing fluid onto the window of an automobile to facilitate more efficient removal of crystalline precipitation and condensate.

Abstract: A mop includes a handle; a base seat fixedly disposed at a bottom end of the handle; two links, top ends of the links being pivotally connected with two lateral sides of the base seat; and a compression seat including a pivot block and two compression boards pivotally connected therewith. Bottom ends of the links are pivotally connected with the compression boards. A foam rubber is disposed under bottom face of the compression seat. When shifting a shift lever, via a drive rod, the compression seat is moved into the base seat or moved out of the base seat and stretched to straighten the foam rubber. In the stretched state, the two links are tilted and a distance between bottom pivot points of the links is larger than a distance between top pivot points thereof. Outer lateral faces of the links abut against two lateral sides of the base seat as supports.

Abstract: A versatile cleaning-used duster broom structure comprises a dusting broom body composed of elastic soft bristles to fit to a coupling seat equipped with a handle. The coupling seat has an opening end to which the dusting broom body is accommodated and located thereto. The opening end has multiple conjoining blocks each defined by an insert groove thereon, and the dusting broom body has the surface bundled up into a collecting portion so that the elastic soft bristles can be more evenly arranged to match to a fixing pole thereby. Besides, each elastic soft bristle has multiple individual cellular suction portions, forming an elastic and dense bristle surface thereon to suck up fine particles of dust thereby. Thus, via the stretchable character of the suction portions thereof, the elastic soft bristles can accurately enwrap trash and clean up sand, dust and hair, etc., providing effective and effortless cleaning benefit thereby.

Abstract: The mouthpiece (10) includes receiving portions for receiving teeth from the upper and lower jaws. The teeth receiving portions includes two side portions (26, 28) which are joined by flexible members (32, 34) to a front portion (30). The two side portions move laterally relative to the front portion by the flexible members to accommodate a variety of dental arch configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a hair tangle is provided that moves the hair brush having a first bristle on a rotatable brush element through the hair above the tangle in a first direction, pivots the first bristle on the rotatable brush element about a pivotal axis of the brush in a second direction if the hair tangle is encountered by the bristle, moves a second bristle on the rotatable brush element through the hair below the tangle, and moves additional bristles to a side of the tangle in order to release the hair tangle.

Abstract: The object is to provide a brush which does not easily damage metal during contact therewith. The present invention can provide a brush formed using polyacetal-containing filaments, in which the flexural rigidity per filament is 1 to 100 ?g·m2/yarn.

Abstract: A brush for applying a powdered cosmetic composition, comprising: a tuft of synthetic hairs comprising at least two groups of hairs having, at their free ends, cross-sections of different surface area; and a handle supporting the tuft of hairs from a connecting portion of the hairs, characterized in that the groups of hairs have, in cross-section, the same surface area along their connecting portion.

Abstract: A cleaning implement includes a joint for attaching the handle to a cleaning end and permitting two opposing sides of the cleaning end to be used to clean a surface. The joint is constructed in a manner that permits the desired movement of the cleaning end, but also utilizes few components and has a structure that permits quick and simple assembly. The cleaning end can include features that enhance its strength and stability. In addition, the cleaning end can include features that enhance the transfer of fluid from one side of the cleaning end to the opposing side of the cleaning end. Further, the cleaning end can include features that promote the drying of a cleaning material attached to the cleaning end after use.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a reference member cleaning device used in an optical detection unit causes a driving module to convey a reference member and to rotate a wipe-off member. The reference member cleaning device of the optical detection unit transmits the power of the driving module to both the wipe-off member and the reference member, in such a manner that the rotating direction of the wipe-off member and the conveying direction of the reference member are reversed at the position where the wipe-off member and the reference member come into contact with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper arm/wiper blade connection between a wiper blade (3, 3a, 3b) and a wiper arm (1) of a windscreen wiper installation for vehicles, comprising a wiper blade adapter (4) which is mounted on the wiper blade for detachably fastening the wiper blade to the wiper arm. The wiper blade is designed as a flat wiper blade and comprises at least one nozzle opening (11.1, 12.1) and/or at least one spray or distribution channel (11, 12) having nozzle openings for applying a cleaning or washing liquid to a vehicle screen on at least one wiper blade longitudinal side.

Abstract: A mop strainer has a bucket, a driving unit, a transmission unit and a draining unit. The driving unit and the transmission unit are received in a pedal mount of the mop strainer. The driving unit and the transmission unit are driven by stepping on the driving unit, so as to rotate the draining unit and drain a mop. The driving unit has a reinforced sector wall and a limit slot to limit the stroke in operation. The draining unit has a water guard to prevent drained water from sputtering out and the water guard further has a mop gripper for holding the mop. Given all these features, the present invention is more robust and can be operated and stored more conveniently and practically.

Abstract: A window and glass cleaning device includes a cleaning head and an elongated handle configured to be grasped by a user. The handle has a first end connected to the cleaning head and a second end configured to be connected to an extension handle. A fluid container is housed by the handle, and a spray nozzle is carried by said handle at a position approximate the first end of the handle. A pump is carried by the handle and connects the fluid container to the spray nozzle. The pump includes a pump actuator. An electric motor is carried by the handle and is operatively connected to pump actuator to drive the pump actuator in the pumping of fluid from the container through the spray nozzle. A power source and an electric switch are carried by the handle. The electrical switch is operatively connected to the power source and to the electric motor and is operable by the user to connect the power source to the electric motor to facilitate the pumping of said fluid through said spray nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, comprising a first lid (3), which closes a first compartment (4), and a second lid (5), which closes a second compartment (6). The lids are combined such that the first lid is part of and the first compartment is accommodated inside the second lid. The first and the second lids (3, 5) are separately openable by means of one common actuator (9) of a locking mechanism.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container is selectively mounted to the housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from the suction airstream and includes a first cyclonic air-flow chamber and a second cyclonic airflow chamber. The chambers are spaced apart and are each approximately vertically oriented and arranged in a parallel relationship. An air manifold is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section through which dirty air passes and an outlet section. The inlet section directs a flow of dirty air into two separate inlet conduits leading to a respective one of the first and second airflow chambers. The outlet section collects a flow of cleaned air from both of the chambers and merges the flow of cleaned air into a single outlet conduit.

Abstract: A hinge for a packaging or cargo box or the like, having a first and a second hinge leaf, the second hinge leaf has a first bushing and a second bushing located at a distance therefrom, between which a bushing of the first hinge leaf can be rotated about a mutual hinge axis. An axial tube is rotationally fixed to the bushing of the first hinge leaf and is pivot-supported in the bushings of the second hinge leaf. A torsion spring is disposed in the axial tube and attached to one end of the axial tube. A torque support connects the other end of the torsion spring to the second hinge leaf in a rotationally fixed manner. A damper for the hinge movement is connected to the second hinge leaf and the axial tube.

Abstract: A floor mat mounting system using a pair of brackets for securing floor mats directly to the mounting ear of the seat tracks. The brackets are form fitted to the size of the car and securely hold the floor mats to prevent shifting for maximum coverage of the car floor from dirt and grime.

Abstract: An elastic hinge element for a glasses frame includes a box (100) that includes a guiding cavity (101), a slide (200) that includes a body (201) moving in the guiding cavity (101), and at least one elastic piece (204) that works with the box to produce an elastic reaction that opposes the extraction of the slide from the guiding cavity (101), in which the slide body (201) includes an inside cavity that accommodates the elastic piece. The hinge element includes a holding clip for locking a proximal end of the elastic piece relative to the box (100), with the holding clip including flexible arms that extend in a distal direction and holding element (207a) that work with the box (100).

Abstract: A frame for a device for applying architectural coatings has a handle which may be mounted in three positions—a storage position, a wheelbarrow position and a normal cart position. The handle may be moved from one position to another by removing a pin, moving the handle to the desired position and reinserting the pin.

Abstract: An anti-strangulation apparatus for, and hanging freely with, a looped cord of a window covering device. The apparatus includes a tube. The tube at first has the looped cord of the window covering device enter therein, then has the looped cord of the window covering device exit therefrom and run therealong, and then has the looped cord of the window covering device reenter therein again where the looped cord of the window covering device is reeved, and in so doing, the anti-strangulation device is allowed to hang freely with the looped cord of the window covering device and keep the looped cord of the window covering device snug enough against the tube to prevent strangulation by the looped cord of the window covering device, while allowing the looped cord of the window covering device to remain fully operational.

Abstract: A strap adjustment device may be slid onto a cord or strap to adjust its useful length and the tension provided by the cord or strap. The strap adjustment device may include a housing, a first opening on a first end the housing for accepting a length of material through the housing, the first opening having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an arc shape, the second portion having a rectangular shape, and the first portion contiguously adjoining the second portion to form the first opening, and a locking mechanism for securing a portion of the length of material within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus used in adjusting a garment or a piece of fabric and a method for implementing the same. The apparatus includes a bottom piece of fabric attached to a top piece of fabric and a piece of elastic sized to fit between the top and bottom pieces of fabric. The top piece of fabric includes two openings, one toward each end, through which the elastic piece fits. The elastic piece includes a plurality apertures sized to be able to receive buttons, which buttons are attached to the top and bottom pieces of fabric and buttoned through a corresponding aperture in the elastic piece.

Abstract: A reclosable zipper is provided having first and second opposing profiles forming at least one pair of opposing flanges. The flanges have cutouts, such as notches or apertures, disposed adjacent to side edges of the profiles so as to define at least one pair of cutouts. When the profiles are sealed to opposing inner surfaces of package panels, portions of the panels seal to each other through the at least one pair of cutouts, providing a reinforcing structure to opposing ends of the zippers, thereby preventing the zipper ends from separating upon opening the package.

Abstract: A fastener-forming element, designed to fasten at least one oblong element, e.g. at least one electric cable, to a second element, e.g. a panel or a partition, e.g. of a motor vehicle, is characterized in that it is constituted by a strip having two opposite faces, male elements in particular in the form of hooks, projecting from one of the two faces, said male elements being designed to co-operate either with female elements, in particular loops, stemming from the second element (when a male-female self-fastener is formed), or with other male elements stemming from the second element (when a male-male self-fastener is formed), and in that the strip is rolled up helically, so that said one of the two faces from which the male elements stem is on the outside of the fastener-forming element, the strip thus defining an inside space designed to receive the at least one element of oblong shape.

Abstract: A device for hanging bird feeders, wind chimes and similar objects from the limbs of trees having two opposed jaws that are spring closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock-absorbing seat belt buckle (1) including a housing, a push-button (2) displaceably mounted in the housing, a linearly guided inertia mass (3), and a transmission lever (4) pivot-mounted to the housing, which transmission lever is coupled to the inertia mass (3) by an arm (4a) and supports the push-button (2) against the opening direction with another arm (4b), wherein a sound-absorbing elastic layer (11) is provided between the transmission lever (4) and the inertia mass (3), at least in the region of contact between them.

Abstract: An external covering for coffins, sarcophagi, cinerary urns and the like is made of at least one adhesive film that can be applied to the entire outer surface of a container such as a coffin.

Abstract: A textile motif comprises an arrangement of substantially square, substantially identical modules variously oriented with respect to one another in fixed positions within the motif. Each module includes at least two visually distinct hues. The motif may be repeated to form an overall textile pattern.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for use in the assembly of an elastic sealing element on an electrical conductor as well as a method for sheathing an electrical conductor with an elastic sealing element. The apparatus according to the invention has a first pin which performs a reciprocating movement and at the front end of which is formed a cutting tip which, on penetration through a sealing element positioned in front of the cutting tip in the direction of reciprocation and designed as a solid body, produces a through-opening in the sealing element. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a second pin for receiving the sealing element which has been provided with a through-opening by the first pin, wherein the outer circumference of the second pin in at least one region is larger than the outer circumference of the first pin for expansion of the through-opening produced in the elastic sealing element.

Abstract: A clutching jig includes a pair of clutching bars, a pair of clutching pieces and a protecting means. Each of the clutching bars includes a top end portion and a bottom end portion. The top end portions are connected to each other and the bottom end portion are separated from each other. Each of the clutching pieces is fixed to the bottom end portion of each of the clutching bars. The clutching pieces are covered by the protecting means and exposed from the protecting means via the protecting means moved relative to the clutching pieces. The protecting blocks will cover the clutching pieces if the clutching jig is unused. The protecting blocks will slide upwardly relative to the clutching bars to urge the clutching pieces to be exposed if the clutching jig is used. Hence, the protecting blocks can protect the clutching pieces to prevent the clutching pieces from damage.

Abstract: A method of installing a power steering apparatus into a vehicle using the original steering box includes the steps of first fabricating a frame to support the power steering apparatus. The power steering apparatus is then linked to the original steering box of the vehicle, and a frame is fabricated to support the power steering apparatus. The power steering apparatus is fitted to the frame and the frame is fixed to the vehicle.

Abstract: Method of reducing performance variability of membrane scaling devices. Scaling device performance uncertainty is reduced, thereby reducing the scaling safety factor, by specifying a narrow range or subset of the set of all qualified manufactured membranes for installation into scaling devices. In certain embodiments, the scalability factor is reduced by determining where within the performance distribution a particular membrane lies, and adjusting the scaling factor accordingly.

Abstract: A method of removing a component from an aircraft includes attaching a device comprising a guide member to the aircraft; attaching the component (such as an actuator) to the guide member; detaching the component from the rest of the aircraft; and moving the guide member so that the component follows a predefined path of removal of the component. A device for use in such a method is also described.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining the direction installation of an electronic lock is disclosed. The method achieves automatic determination of the electronic lock installed on the left-handed or right-handed door by controlling rotational directions of the rotational actuator and determining the touching sequence of switch units, so as to enable the electronic lock to be adapted to both the left-handed door and right-handed door, thereby significantly broadening the application scope and convenience of the electronic lock.

Abstract: A method for assembling two structural elements, at least one of the two structural elements being tube-shaped and including a skin made of a fiber-reinforced composite material. The ability of the element to adapt to the shape and perimeter of a junction interface is improved by providing longitudinal grooves distributed on the circumference of the junction interface. The grooves are of a sufficient length to provide the junction interface with the flexibility to accommodate, through relative radial movement of each portion located between two grooves, differences in shape and perimeter among the junction interfaces of the two structural elements.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot, a controller, a workbench, and a workpiece component supplier. The robot includes a body, a first arm, a second arm, a first hand, and a second hand. The robot is configured to transfer at least one of a plurality of types of workpiece components from the workpiece component supplier to the workbench by simultaneously holding each of the plurality of types of workpiece components with the first hand of the first arm and the second hand of the second arm. The robot is configured to transfer remaining types of workpiece components among the plurality of types of workpiece components from the workpiece component supplier to the workbench by holding each of the remaining types of workpiece components with only one of the first hand of the first arm and the second hand of the second arm.

Abstract: A method comprising arranging a first heating element on a first liquid crystal elastomer, arranging a first layer of thermal paste on the first heating element, and arranging a second liquid crystal elastomer on the first layer of thermal paste.

Abstract: A top hardware bar includes a body, a first bracket, and a second bracket. The body is elongate and defines a first end, a second, opposite end, a channel, and a plurality of holes disposed lengthwise along the body. The first bracket is secured to the first end of the body and is releasably secured to a first upright. The second bracket is adjustably secured within the channel at the second end of the body and is releasably secured to a second upright. A backer piece is secured to the body of the top hardware bar along a top portion of the backer piece such that the backer piece hangs from the top hardware bar. A product fixture is then placed in front of the backer piece to support products, with the ends of the product fixture being attached to the first and second uprights, respectively.

Abstract: An SZ laying machine (1) for umbilical/power umbilical is described. Starting from an input end the machine includes: a first die (3) receiving and collecting a first set of elongate elements (10a-I10c) substantially rectilinear from respective supplies (11) of elongate elements, a second static die (4) which receives and collects a second set of elongate elements (1 Od-I Of) substantially rectilinear from respective supplies (16) of elongate elements and this second set is closed together with the first set into an assembled bundle (18), at least one supporting means (5) which keeps the assembled bundle (18) radially in place; a revolving device (6) able to torsional rotate the bundle (18) back and forth in an oscillating SZ manner, and a tape or band winding apparatus (7) which in immediate proximity to the revolving device (6) applies band or tape circumferentially onto the SZ laid bundle (18) of elongate elements (10a-10f).

Abstract: Method for producing an objective, in which the outer mounting includes an outer surface that is, at least in sections, limited by a plane which extends inclined toward the optical axis or which extends at a distance from the optical axis.

Abstract: A mask support 10 comprises a frame element 20 and an elastic element 30. The elastic element 30 is fixed to the frame element 20. The elastic element 30 is a component integrally formed of a flexible material. It comprises a lever or arm portion 37 having a first engagement protrusion 38 extending in an angle of approximately 90° from the free end of the arm portion 37. A mask assembly 40 comprises a laminar mask 41, e.g. manufactured from a thin metal foil, and connecting elements 42. The connecting elements 42 include an engagement portion 43 for engagement with the engagement protrusion 38 of the elastic element 30. The mask 41 may be attached/stretched to the mask support 10 as well as to detached from the mask support 10 comfortably.

Abstract: A media player according to the invention is provided. The media player may include a scroll wheel and a housing including a retention ledge. The retention ledge may maintain the position of the scroll wheel with respect to the housing. A flexible printed circuit may also be included in the media player. The flexible printed circuit may include a first face and a second face. The first face may contact the scroll wheel. The second face may include tactile dome switches. Compressible shims may also form a portion of the media player and may be adjacent the second face. The compressible shims may control the distance between the scroll wheel and the retention ledge.