Abstract: The present invention is a water filter pitcher equipped with a removable, replaceable filter cartridge and means to count the number of times the pitcher is filled with water, and also means to notify the user when the pitcher has filtered enough water to exhaust the filtering capacity of the filter cartridge so that the user can replace the filter cartridge when necessary but does not have to remember to change the cartridge at a specific interval or count the number of gallons filtered manually, and instead can rely on the water filter pitcher to track the amount of water filtered and inform the user when to change the filter cartridge.

Abstract: Plant for melting and cleaning of snow and ice, distinguished in that the plant comprises a means for melting using enthalpy of a water source in order to melt snow and ice, and a means for cleaning for cleaning out the pollution from the water phase that contains the melted snow and ice. Method for melting and cleaning of snow and ice, using the plant according to the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a screen. The apparatus comprising a cylindrical screen for submerging in a fluid, the screen having an inlet pipe for connecting to a piping system, filter members, a first end, a second and a support structure. The support structure is one or more helical members which traverse the screen.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a vessel and a plurality of media canisters contained in series therein. The vessel provides for linear flow of wastewater through the canisters for treating and removing contaminants. The canisters contain seal means to form a fluid tight seal against the inner wall of the vessel. The linear flow provides for increased flow rates and more efficient treatment and removal of contaminants. A method of using the treatment system to treat wastewater to remove or neutralize one or more contaminants therein is also described.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating suspended matter from liquid includes a concentrator filter that draws the liquid out of the suspension while the filter kept unblocked by a sparging filter that allows scrubbing of the concentrator filter by gas bubbles. This invention can be used to replace cross-flow filtration and centrifugation in the bioprocess industry and to reduce the volume of suspensions to concentrate the yield of the end product in the chemical industry.

Abstract: A slide assembly is used for mounting a server. The slide assembly includes a slide and a mounted device. The slide includes a retaining portion. The retaining portion includes a holding member. The mounting device is pivotably attached to the retaining portion. The mounting device includes a spring element and a locking portion. An end of the spring element abuts the holding member. The mounting device is capable of being rotated relative to the retaining portion from a securing position to a release position. In the securing position, the locking portion extends past the retaining portion. In the release position, the spring element is elastically deformed and the locking portion is rotated away from the retaining portion.

Abstract: A dish rack having a base, a plurality of substantially straight partition members integral with and emanating upwardly from the base, the plurality of partition members spaced apart and parallel with one another, where the plurality of partition members in combination with the base form a corresponding plurality of channels, where each channel is formed by the base and two adjacent partition members, and a plurality of drainage apertures, each aperture located in the base and in the plurality of channels, each of the plurality of drainage apertures having a longitudinal axis, and each aperture arranged in the base and in each channel such that the longitudinal axis is arranged diagonally with respect to each of the plurality of partition members.

Abstract: A system for holding nested boxes, where each box features a lid and a bottom joined by a living hinge and where first and second notches are defined between the top and bottom of each box on opposite sides of the living hinge when each box is in an unfolded configuration. The system features a rack including a support adapted to rest on a generally horizontal surface, a pair of generally parallel vertical members mounted to the support and a number of generally parallel horizontal members extending between the pair of vertical members. The system also features a box holder assembly including a base featuring a hook portion and a channel. The hook portion of the box holder assembly engages one of the horizontal members of the rack so that the box holder assembly is supported by the rack above the generally horizontal surface. A fixed arm is attached to the base and features a fixed arm guide.

Abstract: A product display system comprising a plurality of brackets, a plurality of shelves, and a plurality of products is disclosed. Each bracket is configured to mechanically engage a support structure. Each shelf is mechanically engaged with at least one bracket. The shelves form a first row, a second row, a third row, a first column, a second column, and a third column. The first row is adjacent the second row, and the second row is adjacent the third row. The first column is adjacent the second column, and the second column is adjacent the third column. Each product is supported by one of the shelves. The shelves are arranged such that the distance between the shelves in the first column and the third column is smaller than the width of the product supported by the shelves in the second column.

Abstract: A rack has a frame and a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has an enclosing frame member that has two first sides connected by two second sides, a connecting bar that connects the first sides at about the center of the first sides, a plurality of slots provided on the inner surfaces of the second sides, and a plurality of slats, each slat having opposing ends that are fitted into opposing slots at the second sides, and with each slat being connected to the connecting bar. At least one connector is provided for removably connecting each shelf to a portion of the frame.

Abstract: In a lattice boom, a first reinforcing lattice member includes a first reinforcing pipe which has a portion extending in the same direction as a first main member of a base boom and which is separated outward from a first side surface of the base boom and a first mounting part which is provided on the first reinforcing pipe and which is mounted to the first main member so as to transfer a load acting on the first main member in an axial direction of the first main member to the first reinforcing pipe, and a second reinforcing lattice member includes a second reinforcing pipe which has a portion extending in the same direction as a second main member of the base boom and which is separated outward from a second side surface of the base boom and a second mounting part which is provided on the second reinforcing pipe and which is mounted to the second main member so as to transfer a load acting on the second main member in an axial direction of the second main member to the second reinforcing pipe.

Abstract: An inverted bottle assembly includes a bottle, a tip insert, and a cap. The bottle may include: 1) a rounded top portion engaged with or adjacent to a sidewall portion, 2) a base portion engaged with or adjacent to the sidewall portion, 3) a conical flange engaged with or adjacent to the base portion, and 4) a neck portion engaged with or adjacent to the conical flange. Additionally, the bottle may include a non-round cross-sectional shape. The tip insert may engage with the neck portion of the bottle. The tip insert may also have a nozzle with a nozzle passageway with an opening. The cap may cover the tip insert and the neck portion. The bottle assembly may also include first and second sealing structures within the cap.

Abstract: A foldable water bottle has a base, a folding body and a handle device. The folding body is made of silica gel, is mounted on the base and has a connecting ring, a folding segment and a neck. The folding segment is formed on and protrudes from the connecting ring and has multiple folding rings. The neck is formed on the folding segment and has a spout and two inserting mounts. The handle device is detachably connected to the folding body and has an inserting handle and a lid. The inserting handle is connected securely to the neck and has a handle mount and a grip. The lid is connected to the inserting handle and is used to close an opening top of the neck.

Abstract: A closure including a top panel and a transition section extending from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The closure includes a skirt extending from a peripheral edge of the transition section such that the skirt extends away from the top panel. The skirt includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly and away from an outer surface of the transition section.

Abstract: A closure that includes a top panel and a transition section extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The closure includes a skirt extending from a peripheral edge of the transition section such that the skirt extends away from the top panel and a plurality of raised ribs. Each of the plurality of raised ribs includes a first portion extending outwardly from an outer surface of the skirt and extending axially along at least a portion of the skirt and a second portion positioned above the first portion and extending outwardly from an outer surface of the transition section.

Abstract: A threaded cap is disclosed. The threaded cap may form a portion of a closure assembly comprising also comprising a threaded transition. The closure assembly may be utilized to seal a liquid containing bottle, particularly one containing a liquid fabric composition.

Abstract: An oxygen-scavenging apparatus is disclosed that can easily be applied by an end user to the bottom of a wine-bottle cork, or other food or beverage container that is sealed with a container-stopper device, such as a synthetic cork or a screw-type cap. The oxygen-scavenging apparatus is easily attachable and detachable, and relies on a friction-based fastener for its coupling to the container stopper. In some embodiments, the apparatus can serve a dual purpose by both scavenging oxygen and by absorbing moisture by using both oxygen-scavenging compound and desiccant material. The oxygen-scavenging apparatus is simple in design and thus relatively easy and cost-effective to manufacture.

Abstract: Method of making a container having an elongated body equipped with a neck, such as a bottle (2), from a preform (1) made of thermoplastic polymer, said bottle (2) having special dimensional parameters. It essentially comprises a step of stretching and blowing a thin-walled (10) preform (1) with an average thickness (e) of its wall (10) less than 2 mm and an aspect ratio u=l/e, l being the length of the thin walled-preform (1), superior to 45.

Abstract: A pattern is formed by: forming a first imprint mask layer on a processed member; forming a first imprint pattern of the first imprint mask layer using a first template; forming a second imprint mask layer made of a material having a different etching rate from the first imprint mask layer on the first imprint pattern; forming a second imprint pattern of the second imprint mask layer using a second template different from the first template; and etching the processed member using as a mask the second imprint mask layer on which the second imprint pattern is formed and the first imprint mask layer on which the first imprint pattern is formed.

Abstract: A method for producing plastic shell includes following steps. Provide a male mold and a female mold, then chemically etching a first texture on a surface of the female mold. Form a second texture on the surface of the female mold. Produce a plastic shell with various types of textures using the male mold and the female mold.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an arc chute for a medium voltage circuit breaker having a housing, at least one stack of a plurality of substantially parallel metal plates arranged in the housing, the at least one stack defining a first axis in parallel to a stacking direction; an arc space arranged in the housing, wherein the arc space is adapted to allow an arc to expand therein; and at least one arc quenching plate disposed in the housing, wherein the arc guiding plate has at least one surface which has a surface plane extending in parallel to the first axis. Further, the present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker having a switching unit with a first switch contact and a second switch contact, movable between a first position, wherein the first switch contact contacts the second switch contact, and a second position, wherein the first switch contact is separated from the second switch contact, and an arc chute.

Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker that comprises: a containment structure; a control mechanism; a plurality of circuit breaking poles, each of which comprises a housing containing a scaled ampoule that in turn contains at least one fixed contact and at least one moving contact, which can be mutually coupled and uncoupled, said housing consisting of a first side and a second side that define an interior containing said ampoule, the outer side wall on said first side being complementary to and associable with the outer side wall of said second side, said poles being located side-by-side to form a set of poles complementary to at least a part of said containment structure; operative connection means between said control mechanism and said poles.

Abstract: A welding device (1) for powder welding and a method for powder welding is described. The welding device comprises at least a first container (4) for fluxing agent in powder form, which first container (4) comprises an outlet (6) with an outlet direction (7) arranged for outflow of powder. The welding device (1) comprises a first member for inlet of heated gas into the first container. According to the method powder is arranged in the first container. Gas is heated and is allowed to pass into the first container (4) for heating of the powder. The powder is then fed out on a welding area (3).

Abstract: The present invention is a device for coating surfaces of metallic work pieces with an electrically conductive material by employing short duration high current packets of pulses in which the work piece forms the cathode and the consumable coating material forms the anode, which are connected to a generator for generating pulses by charging and discharging a bank of capacitors using a MOSFET.

Abstract: Methods and devices for control for an automated welding system are provided. Disclosed control methods may include receiving a data set including one or more features of a joint to be welded and receiving a weld procedure for the joint to be welded. The weld procedure for the joint is determined based on a sample virtual weld performed by an operator, a stored procedure developed for a substantially similar weld joint, or a combination thereof. The method may further include determining one or more desired changes to the weld procedure based on the received features of the joint to be welded and generating an updated weld procedure by altering one or more parameters of the received weld procedure in accordance with the one or more desired changes, wherein the one or more parameters are included within a predetermined allowable data set.

Abstract: An welding system is disclosed. The welding system may have a power supply, a forging arrangement configured to hold and move ends of two components to be welded together, and a plurality of contacts connecting the power supply to the two components. The welding system may also have a controller in communication with the power supply and the forging arrangement. The controller may be configured to regulate the power supply to selectively operate in a constant voltage mode and a constant current mode during different stages of a single weld cycle, and to actuate the forging arrangement to move the ends of the two components together during a final stage of the single weld cycle.

Abstract: A process for the jet cutting of arcuate openings in a metal workpiece such as steel, by means of creating a jet along a predetermined axis, applying the jet to the workpiece, with the axis of the jet offset from the perpendicular, and rotating the jet around to describe the arc desired while maintaining the non perpendicular axis and terminating the cutting path just prior to completion of the opening.

Abstract: A gas laser oscillator includes a discharge section for exciting laser gas, a blowing section for transmitting the laser gas, and a laser gas flowing path for forming a circulation route of the laser gas between the discharge section and the blowing section. The blowing section is formed of a rotary part to be rotated by a shaft driver and a non-rotary part not to be rotated. The rotary part includes a rotary shaft to which an impeller is mounted at an end, the shaft driver for rotating the rotary shaft, an upper bearing and a lower bearing coupled to the rotary shaft. The rotary part is detachable from the non-rotary part.

Abstract: A workpiece including an irregularly shaped portion on a dividing line is divided along the dividing line by detecting the location of the irregularly shaped portion, applying a detecting laser beam to an area of the workpiece except for the detected location, along the dividing line to detect the height of a surface of the workpiece except for the location, applying and focusing a machining laser beam having a wavelength which permeates the workpiece within the workpiece while moving a focused spot of the machining laser beam based on the detected height of the surface of the workpiece to form a modified layer in an area of the workpiece except for at least the location of the irregularly shaped portion along the dividing line, and applying an external force to the modified layer to divide the workpiece along the dividing line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing the forming of cracks and slowing the crack propagation in metallic airplane structural parts by laser shock peening with the following steps: Providing an airplane structural part having a crack; irradiating a first surface area of the airplane structural part close to the crack with a first pulsed laser beam having a first wavelength and a first pulsation frequency, wherein energy of the first laser beam is absorbed by the airplane structural part and a shock wave runs through the airplane structural part, which creates compressive prestressings in the airplane structural part.

Abstract: An electrode position control method according to the present invention includes a voltage detecting step of detecting voltages on a leading electrode and a trailing electrode that are brought into contact with a welding workpiece, a sensing step of detecting positional information of the welding workpiece from electrical changes in the voltages, a correction amount calculating step of calculating a correction amount for correcting for positional displacement of each of the leading electrode and the trailing electrode with respect to a weld line from the positional information, and a position correcting step of correcting the respective positions of the electrodes by adding or subtracting the correction amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arc welding method that implements an arc welding torch provided with an electrode, in which a central gas flow is supplied so as to contact the electrode and an annular gas flow is supplied on the periphery of said first gas flow. The central gas flow contains only argon and hydrogen (H2), the hydrogen content being 2 to 8 vol %. The sheath gas flow only contains argon and 1.8 to 3 vol % of carbon dioxide (CO2) or 0.9 to 1.5 vol % of oxygen (O2). The method is used for welding parts made of steel, in particular stainless steel or carbon steel, as well as steel coated with zinc or aluminium or any other material for preventing the corrosion of said steel.

Abstract: A videoscope preheater for preheating an endoscope includes: a support tube; an electrical heating layer uniformly coated on an outer surface of the support tube, one side of the electrical heating layer being connected with a power cable for connecting with an external power supply; and a capsule layer coated on an outer surface of the electrical heating layer for fixing and protecting the electrical heating layer and the power cable. The capsule layer is a thermally contractible capsule film, which is fitted around the electrical heating layer and then heated to contract for insulating the electrical heating layer and the support tube from ambient environment. In use, the endoscope is fitted into the support tube and the electrical heating layer is powered on to generate heat and uniformly heat the endoscope. The heating efficiency of the videoscope preheater is controllable by means of adjusting the current and voltage input.

Abstract: Tooling is organized firstly to implant an insert (1) in a cellular panel (2) by means of a thermally reactive sealing material (3), and secondly to withdraw the insert from said cellular panel (2). The tooling comprises an instrument (9) provided a heater endpiece (10) that is in relationship with heater means (11) and that is arranged as a finger suitable for being received inside a cavity (6) in the insert (1) in order to raise the temperature of the sealing material (3). The instrument (9) is fitted with grip means (12) for gripping the insert (1), which grip means are arranged on the heater endpiece (10), and with relative positioning means (13) for positioning the instrument (9) relative to the cellular panel (2).

Abstract: A combination automobile seat heater and occupant sensor antenna is provided having a flexible substrate with the seat heater applied on one side of the substrate and the occupant sensor antenna applied on the other side of the substrate. Structure is provided to minimize interference in the performance of the antenna by operation of the seat heater.

Abstract: Provided is a system for preventing snow from piling or freezing into slippery ice on a road in the winter season. The system comprises a case, an antifreeze fluid supply tank installed in an upper portion of the case, an electric heater installed in a lower portion of the case to heat an antifreeze fluid supplied from the antifreeze fluid supply tank, a circulation pump connected between the antifreeze fluid supply tank and the electric heater to supply the antifreeze fluid to the electric heater, an antifreeze fluid discharge pipe connected to one side of the electric heater to discharge the heated antifreeze fluid outside the electric heater therethrough, a synthetic resin hose buried under a road and connected to the antifreeze fluid discharge pipe at one end thereof, and an antifreeze fluid return pipe connected between the other end of the hose and a middle portion of the antifreeze fluid supply tank.

Abstract: Ink drying apparatus and method for controlling ink drying apparatus are described herein. An example ink drying apparatus includes first and second heating elements positioned adjacent a drying area in a printer, and a controller to determine a temperature of the heating area and to selectively operate, based on the temperature determination, the first heating element in a burst mode and the second heating element in an on/off mode.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance including a first arm pivotable with respect to a second arm. Each arm has a respective housing and heat plate, the heat plate at least partially defines a styling portion of each arm. The appliance also includes a light source positioned to illuminate a work area adjacent the styling portions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting a cover from a portion of a housing of an electronic device, and positioning the cover within the housing are provided. An electronic device can include an interface having an actuator over which a cover is placed. The cover can by cutting away a portion of a housing of the electronic device. To improve the aesthetic appeal of the device, the orientation of the cover can be maintained while and after it is cut away from the housing by a fixture used for the cutting process. An adhesive sheet can be placed over the housing and the cover to ensure that the cover remains stationary relative to the housing once it is separated from the housing.

Abstract: The invention is a device for guiding a laser tool for processing a workpiece and includes a scanner optic, an image sensor that is optically integrated into a portion of the beam path of a workpiece processing beam, and at least one projector that is mounted externally to the scanner optics. Scanner optic, projector, and image sensor move together. The projector projects a second laser beam onto the workpiece. A semi-permeable deflection unit in the scanner optic is permeable to the second laser beam and impermeable to the workpiece processing beam. The image sensor is arranged on the side of the semi-permeable deflection unit facing away from the path of the workpiece processing beam. The measuring light is reflected from the workpiece into the scanner optic, through the semi-permeable deflection unit and then detected by the image sensor. The device enables mass production of fine fillet welds and flange welds.

Abstract: An appliance includes an oven cavity; a gas burner disposed within the oven cavity; an electrical heating element disposed within the oven cavity; and a controller in operative communication with the gas burner and the electrical heating element, the controller being configured to receive a signal indicative of a current state of an associated utility, and to selectively activate at least one of the gas burner and the electrical heating element based upon the signal.

Abstract: A cooking appliance including a plurality of separately controlled cooking areas, a first heating element positioned below one of the plurality of separately controlled cooking areas, a second heating element positioned below the same separately controlled cooking area as the first heating element, and an infinite switch electrically coupled with the first heating element and operable to energize the first heating element to supply heat to the separately controlled cooking area when the infinite switch is located at a first position. The switch has an operational tolerance, and the first heating element is sized such that the separately controlled cooking area is maintained below a target cooking temperature when the infinite switch is located at the first position and is operating at an upper limit of the operational tolerance.

Abstract: A domestic appliance includes a control panel and a control panel mounting bracket which includes a frame shaped for being installed on a surface panel of a domestic appliance. The surface panel has an opening therein for receiving the frame. The frame has an open portion for receiving a control mount adhered over the open portion. The surface panel has a top surface and a bottom surface, and the frame has a main securing member having at least one tab extending therefrom. The tab is bendable along a line off-set from vertical such that when the tab is bent, it bears against the bottom surface of the surface panel to urge the frame against the surface panel.

Abstract: A heating system including an energy supply device, wherein the heating system includes a base heating device having an insulation layer, with an electrothermal base heating layer arranged thereon and with an electrical connecting device by way of which the energy supply device is connected to the base heating layer. The heating system includes an additional heating device having an insulation layer, with an electrothermal additional heating layer arranged thereon and with an electrical connecting device by way of which the energy supply device is connected to the additional heating layer. The energy supply device is connected to the heating layers by way of the connecting devices and in the activation phase, current is supplied during at least a partial period of time to the additional heating layer so that the base heating layer generates heat permanently, while the additional heating layer generates heat in the partial period of time.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a electrical conducting (control) device (5). It is provided that it exhibits at least one conducting-part carrier (5.2) and at least one conducting part (5.1), which is disposed at least partially on and/or for the conducting-part carrier (5.2).

Abstract: An aircraft heating system wherein the heater includes a haven (34) constructed from dielectric layers (40-50), conductive lanes (60), bus bars (70), and strips (80-150). Façade sections (41, 51, 61) of the dielectric layers (40-50) and the lanes (60) form the primary heating surface (31). The strips (80-150), along with sections (42, 52, 62) of the layers/lanes, form havens (34) for harbor sections (72) of the bus bars (70).

Abstract: An induction heating and control system and method have enhanced reliability and advanced performance features for use with induction cooking devices, such as induction heating ranges. Enhanced performance is facilitated via the use of an induction heating system which integrates voltage management, power management, thermal management, digital control sensing and regulation systems, and protection systems management.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for processing fragmented material by pyrolysis, wherein the material to be processed is fed into a processing cavity and heated therein. In the method, the fragmented material is continuously fed through the processing cavity and heated at least at the beginning of the process with microwave energy. The apparatus comprises means for feeding the fragmented material to be processed continuously through said cavity; microwave applicator means for initiating heating of the material at the beginning of the process; and means for collecting the pyrolysis end product.

Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus in which microwaves from a single microwave generator is branched to a plurality of reaction tubes, a heating target material is irradiated with the microwaves while being continuously supplied into respective reaction fields, the reaction fields is heated and controlled simultaneously, parallelly and independently while eliminating the influence of reflected waves generated in the other reaction fields, and a very high throughput is obtained. In the apparatus, branch waveguides for branching microwaves generated from a microwave generator into N branch waves, N being an natural number, are provided, isolators for absorbing reflected waves generated in the reaction fields are provided between the branch waveguides and applicators, power monitors for measuring magnitudes of incident and reflected waves are provided between the isolators and the applicators, and tuners for adjusting impedances in waveguides are provided between the power monitors and the applicators.

Abstract: Provided herein are a cooking apparatus and an operating method thereof. The cooking apparatus includes a cavity, a microwave generator to generate and output microwaves of a plurality of frequencies to heat an object within the cavity, and a controller to calculate interpolated microwave frequencies for a heating session, based on microwave frequencies calculated during a scanning session, and to calculate heating times of the interpolatedmicrowave frequencies. Thereby, operating efficiency of the cooking apparatus is improved.