Abstract: Methods of degassing silicone hydrogel lens formulations are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A self service kiosk station employing a water repellant air filter is provided. The self service kiosk may take many forms including a vending machine, gaming station, ATM, DVD rental machine, or the like. Positive pressure within the housing may be employed as well to keep contaminants outs and ensure air flow into the housing is through the water repellant air filter.

Abstract: A method of pulse cleaning filter media in panel, cylindrical, conical, or V-pack style filter in an opening of a tubesheet is provided. The method includes directing a fluid pulse at the filter media at an angle that is: (i) not normal to a plane of the opening of the tubesheet; and (ii) not in line with the general direction of the filtration flow through the filter media. An air cleaner is provided including a housing including a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, and an interior. A tubesheet is in the housing interior having a plurality of openings. In the plurality of openings of the tubesheet are mounted filters with filter media. There is a plurality of blow pipes, with each blow pipe being pointed to direct at a fluid pulse a respective one of the filters at an angle that is: (i) not normal to a plane of the opening in the tubesheet; and (ii) not in line with the general direction of filtration flow through the respective filter media.

Abstract: A system for condensing water from atmospheric air is disclosed. The aforesaid device comprises (a) a structure comprising at least one cooled member connectable to a cooling device, the surface has a temperature lower than a dew point of an ambient atmosphere and adapted to condense water from ambient atmosphere; (b) at least one water collecting channel adapted to collect said water condensed on the cooled member and, (c) a water storage subsystem fluidly connected to at least one water collecting channel; The member is configured in a form of a hollow shell. The cooled member has an outer downward surface.

Abstract: A preassembled and portable crude oil processing apparatus includes a support platform with a gas separator vessel covered by a shed structure and an elongated liquid separator vessel pivotally connected to the support platform. The liquid separator vessel includes support structure which supports it an a horizontal transport configuration. The apparatus is loaded onto a flatbed trailer and transported to a crude oil processing site with the liquid vessel in the horizontal configuration. At the processing site, the apparatus is hoisted off the trailer and deposited on the ground, and the liquid separator vessel is pivoted to a vertical configuration supported by the platform and secured in place. Plumbing associated with the gas separator vessel is then interconnected with plumbing associated with the liquid separator, with piping carrying a crude oil emulsion for processing, and with tanks for storing products of the process.

Abstract: A portable, combination dehydrator, dry return air and condensed water generator/dispenser configured to alternately provide water from a reservoir of condensed water or from an alternative source of water. In one embodiment, the alternative source comprises a five-gallon bottle of water and the mounting for the bottle includes a removable cover for preventing contamination of the system when the bottle is not in place. In one embodiment, the system provides purified dry make-up air to a home or office air conditioning system and dehydration cabinet, while producing pure atmospheric condensation from humidity found in the air and purifying the air and water for breathing, dispensing and drinking purposes.

Abstract: Clark's Pre-Tamp is a device incorporating a disk with tines to stir espresso ground coffee in an espresso portafilter basket to create a more even distribution of the grounds after dosing and prior to tamping in order to improve the taste of the resulting extraction of espresso coffee. Further improvement of taste is achieved when the disk with tines is moved both horizontally and vertically simultaneously. Yet further improvement is realized when a helix or worm gear is used, allowing the horizontal motion to continue, without stopping or reversing, as the disk with tines is moved vertically down into the ground coffee in the basket and then back up and out of the basket. Clark's Pre-Tamp can be manually or electrically operated, and it can be used alone, or attached to or incorporated into other devices used in the preparation of espresso coffee.

Abstract: A brewer for a vending machine has a brewing chamber, a capsule holder rotatably mounted in the brewing chamber and holding a capsule of the brewed beverage. The capsule holder is a sleeve open at both ends, and first and second closures have respective tools for penetrating the capsule in the capsule holder. The first closure is movable along a longitudinal axis of the brewing chamber and in a closure position can be pressed tightly against an insertion opening. The second closure in the brewing chamber is displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the brewing chamber and can shift relative to the end of the capsule holder directed away from the insertion opening so that at least in the closure position it is tightly pressed against the end of the capsule holder.

Abstract: This invention relates to an interactive device (100) to interactively communicate with a remote device (107). A receiver (101) receives event related information from a remote device which supplies the event related information which includes event progress information. A display (102) displays an image of the current status of the event based on the received event related information. A progress indicator (103) indicates the progress of the event based on received progress information. A sensor (104) receives a modification command from a user indicating a modification of the progress of the event, and a transmitter (105) for transmits the modification command to the remote device. The remote device then adjusts the progress of the event in accordance to the received modification command.

Abstract: A steamer for foodstuffs comprises a lidded pot enclosing a stepped steaming platform adapted to support various foodstuffs at different levels dictated by the intensity and duration of their cooking requirements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production plant for vacuum infusing a food product comprising at least a first storage tank for storing a probiotic suspension, said first storage tank being connected to a first dosage tank for dosing a probiotic suspension, a second storage tank for storing a second solution, said second storage tank being connected to a second dosage tank for dosing the second solution, and wherein the first dosage tank and the second dosage tank are connected to a vacuum infusion tank by one or more spraying nozzles leading into the vacuum infusion tank, and wherein at least the first dosage tank is individually connected to the vacuum infusion tank by one or more first spraying nozzles leading into the vacuum infusion tank.

Abstract: A sip and dip cookie apparatus. The sip and cookie dipper apparatus is made up of an upper elongated portion configured to hold a straw, a lower portion configured to hold a cookie, and a cookie cover. The upper elongated portion and lower portion are integrally connected.

Abstract: A cooking utensil which comprises a container from one region of which there projects a handle and which is constructed and intended to resist the heat generated around the container when the container is filled with herbs, spices, stuffing or the like and the utensil is inserted, container foremost and handle rearmost, into the inside of e.g. a bird such as a turkey which is then place in an oven to be cooked; the container being perforated so that, in use, juices generated within it will infuse into the bird; and the construction and material of the utensil being such that as it heats up, it releases its heat into the bird's inside as and/or after the bird cooks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a juicer, and more particularly to a dual-filter cutter rotary disc for the juicer, which includes a base coupled to the juicer. The base includes two filter nets which are synchronously rotated along with the base and at least one cutter. The two filter nets are an inner filter net and an outer filter net. The two filter nets have meshes which are different in configuration, in shape and in size, so that the two filter nets have different operative filter areas. In this way, the smaller meshes of the inner filter net can filter larger fibers, so the pomace in the juice is less. The meshes of the outer filter net can get a higher juice yield to keep the flavor of fruit. Hence, the present invention achieves a dual-filter effect. The different filter nets can be separated for a desired filter, providing a better filter efficiency and quality.

Abstract: A sandwich cookie dipper for dipping sandwich cookies in milk includes a handle, a cookie cradle and a transition element that interconnects to and sets off the cookie cradle from the handle. The cookie cradle comprises a thin, resilient rod-like member configured to substantially conform to a part of an outer circumference of a crème layer sandwiched between two disk-like cookie members of a sandwich cookie. The sandwich cookie secured thereby is less likely to dislodge as it is dipped and brought to the cookie eater's mouth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a tag into a bale of agricultural material is disclosed. The tag is inserted into the bale material, during bale production, such that the tag is within the bale material, but within reading distance of an outer surface of the final bale. In square bales, the tag is placed in either the first or last slice of the bale. In round bales, the tag is place in the outer circumferential layer of the bale as it is formed. The tag may be gravity fed or forcibly fed into the stream of crop material as it passes from the baling apparatus pick-up to the baling chamber. A system for identifying and tracking an individual bale is also disclosed.

Abstract: A squeezing device allows a user to squeeze a teabag or other packet that has been soaked in a liquid. The squeezing device is substantially flat and has a pair of squeezing pads connected by a strip that is bendable. The squeezing pads receive a teabag there between when the pads are bent together such that a user exerts force directly against the teabag to drain its contents.

Abstract: A tool is provided for a rotary embossing device for embossing flat, sheet-shaped material. The device includes two rotating embossing tools in the form of a male tool and a female tool for creating an embossing. At least the male tool has a roller body to which a seamless annular tool sleeve is attached. The tool sleeve of the male tool has raised embossing dots on its outer circumferential surface. These dots interact with corresponding recesses in the outer circumferential surface of the female tool.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide apparatus and methods of screen printing a multiple layer pattern on a substrate. In one embodiment, a first layer of a pattern is printed onto a surface of a substrate along with a plurality of alignment marks. The locations of the alignment marks are measured with respect to a feature of the substrate to determine the actual location of the pattern. The actual location is compared with the expected location to determine the positional error of the pattern placement on the substrate. This information is used to adjust the placement of the next layer of the pattern to be printed onto the first layer for more accurate placement and reduced positional error.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexographic printing member used to transfer ink from an image area to a receiver element. This flexographic printing member has a relief image including an image area that is composed of an elastomeric composition that has an elastomeric topmost surface and a relief image floor. The relief image has a plurality of dots within a sub-area of the elastomeric topmost surface wherein each dot has a minimum receiver element contact area. A fraction less than 1 of the plurality of dots, known as (b) dots, have a topmost surface that is undercut below the elastomeric topmost surface. The (b) dots are undercut below the elastomeric topmost surface in a predetermined number and arrangement so that the (b) dots are still able to transfer ink to the receiver element. Each of the remainder of the plurality of dots in the sub-area, known as (a) dots, has a topmost surface that is essentially coincident with the elastomeric topmost surface.

Abstract: In a printing press a method is provided. The method comprises coupling an adjustment tool to a transfer cylinder substantially parallel to an axis of the transfer cylinder and coupling a first end of a flexible jacket to a first attachment structure coupled to the transfer cylinder, wherein the first attachment structure is proximate to a first edge of the transfer cylinder. The method further comprises placing the jacket around the transfer cylinder and over the adjustment tool and coupling the second end of the jacket to a second attachment structure coupled to the transfer cylinder, wherein the second attachment structure is proximate to a second edge of the transfer cylinder and the jacket is attached without free play to the transfer cylinder. The method further comprises withdrawing the adjustment tool from between the transfer cylinder and the jacket, whereby an amount of free play of the flexible jacket remains.

Abstract: An imaging method provides a flexographic printing member used to transfer ink from an image area to a receiver element. This flexographic printing member has a relief image including an image area that is composed of an elastomeric composition that has an elastomeric topmost surface and a relief image floor. The relief image has a plurality of dots within a sub-area of the elastomeric topmost surface wherein each dot has a minimum receiver element contact area. A fraction less than 1 of the plurality of dots, known as (b) dots, have a topmost surface that is undercut below the elastomeric topmost surface. The (b) dots are undercut below the elastomeric topmost surface in a predetermined number and arrangement so that the (b) dots are still able to transfer ink to the receiver element. Each of the remainder of the plurality of dots in the sub-area, known as (a) dots, has a topmost surface that is essentially coincident with the elastomeric topmost surface.

Abstract: A method of applying a surface decorative layer on a surface of an article by water pressure transfer in which transfer film 316 which has a print pattern 340 comprising a first area 312A having an ink layer and a second area 312B having no ink layer and has no whole surface pattern fixture layer formed thereon has an activating agent 320 applied onto the surface of the transfer film 316 to activate the ink and to collect a surplus portion of the activating agent in a convex form in the second area, and the water pressure transfer is performed while making a concave-convex reversal of the convex collection portions 320C of the activating agent in the second area 312B have a concave-convex reversal made on the surface of the article 10, the convex collection portions of the activating agent are shrunk and protruded when the print layer is hardened whereby a three-dimensional unevenness is imparted onto the surface of the article and the activating agent includes first photo-polymerization monomer of three or m

Abstract: A cylinder-shaped gas generator includes an elongated and circular cylindrical housing, a working gas generation chamber and a filter chamber provided within the housing, and an igniter. The working gas generation chamber mainly contains a dividing member and a granular gas generating agent. The dividing member has a circular cylindrical portion, a bottom portion and a hollow portion. The granular gas generating agent is stored in the portion of the working gas generation chamber excluding the hollow portion. The bottom portion of the dividing member is configured to have a tapered shape such that its outer shape is reduced in size in accordance with a decrease in the distance from the igniter.

Abstract: A multiple cable zip line ride is provided. The ride includes a support structure with a cross beam mounted to the support structure for routing and mounting of a plurality of cables of the zip line ride. The cables are mounted to the cross beam such that multiple users can travel simultaneously in the same direction along the cables. The cross beam provides for the mounting of additional safety cables and tensioning devices.

Abstract: A low floor vehicle can reduce, during curved track traveling of a vehicle, the lateral pressure of the vehicle, can prevent occurrence of vibration and creaking sounds of the vehicle, can improve riding comfort for passengers, and can reduce wear of wheel flanges, is provided. The low floor vehicle includes: a journal member which couples a pair of wheels and is attached to a truck frame; and a truck frame lateral beam arranged along a vehicle width direction closer to the center of the truck frame than the journal member. The journal member can turn with respect to the truck frame. A coupling member which couples the journal member and the truck frame lateral beam is provided. The coupling member is attached to the center in the vehicle width direction of the truck frame lateral beam so as to be pivotable around an axis extending in a vehicle height direction.

Abstract: An improved rail car is pulled by an engine for transporting coal or other porous dust bearing materials. The car has opposing long sidewalls and opposing shorter end walls, which together define an initially open interior, a bottom and an open top. The open top of the car is covered by at least one pair of main doors in the form of opposing hinged A-frame sections which are pivotable between a closed, transport position and an open loading position which exposes the rail car interior for loading. The A-frame sections also have longitudinally spaced edges which are spaced apart to form a discharge door opening. A discharge door is located in each of the discharge door opening and is pivotally hinged within the respective door opening so that it opens under the influence of gravity in a rotary dumping operation. The discharge doors, together with the A-frame sections, form a door-within-a-door operating configuration.

Abstract: A non-aqueous inkjet ink comprises silica and Brilliant Carmine 6B. A peak area obtained at the time of measurement of an organic acid quantity of a water extract of Brilliant Carmine 6B by use of a capillary electrophoresis apparatus is selected within the range of 50 to 300 mABU*sec.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises an ink-jet head which discharges an ink toward a medium, a UV light source, a movement mechanism which moves the medium, and a controller. When the printing mode is selected, the controller controls the ink-jet head to discharge the ink toward the medium, and the controller controls the UV light source to radiate a small amount of the ultraviolet light to cure the ink. When the erasing mode is selected, the controller controls the UV light source to radiate a large amount of the ultraviolet light toward the medium to decolorize the ink. Accordingly, the medium, on which the printing has been once performed, can be reused quickly and reliably. Further, the printing can be performed on a variety of media.

Abstract: An ink having: a first coloring material; a second coloring material; and a third coloring material, wherein the first coloring material is a compound represented by the following general formula (BkI-1), the second coloring material is a compound different from the first coloring material and is represented by the following general formula (BkII-1) or (BkII-2), and the third coloring material is a compound represented by the following general formula (Y-1).

Abstract: Under the presence of at least one out of copper, manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, zinc, and compounds thereof, a tetravalent titanium salt solution and a basic solution are reacted together to form a hydroxide of titanium and the above metal, and then the titanium hydroxide is peroxidated with an oxidizing agent to manufacture an aqueous liquid or dispersion having therein titanium oxide fine particles having peroxy groups; by using this alone to form a coating film adjacent to a coating film of an organic dye or pigment, or using this to form a coating film together with an organic dye or pigment, a drop in decorativeness of color due to fading or discoloration of a coating material, a printed article, a building material, a fiber, an organic polymer resin product or the like can be prevented, and moreover surface anti-soiling and hydrophilic properties can be realized.

Abstract: Natural amorphous silica filler products featuring high brightness, low oil absorption, fine particle size, and low crystalline silica content are described. Methods for making, using, and measuring the properties of the natural amorphous silica filler products are also described. The natural amorphous silica filler products described herein may be useful in a variety of products including, but not limited to, polymers, sealants, paints, caulks, latex, architectural coatings, industrial coatings, pozzolan, glass catalysts, ceramic glazes, and anti-blocking applications.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pulverulent alditol acetal composition, which comprises a) mixing, in the presence or absence of other constituents, an aqueous alditol acetal composition having a solids content (SC) of between 40 and 75%, relative to the weight of the total aqueous alditol acetal composition, and an antioxidant in solid or liquid form or an antioxidant composition in solid or liquid form, containing one or more antioxidants, and b) drying of the mixture obtained under a). This process makes it possible to obtain pulverulent alditol acetal compositions that have improved density, particle size and flow characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to mixtures containing alkali-activatable aluminosilicate binders, characterized in that the mixture contains vegetable oils and/or fats, and furthermore to the use of the vegetable fats and/or oils for reducing shrinkage and for imparting water repellency in alkali-activatable aluminosilicate binders. The invention also relates to grouts, levelling compounds or coatings in which the mixtures according to the invention are present.

Abstract: A grout for filing a micro-trench formed in the ground includes comprises Class F fly ash in a range of approximately 0 to 30% by weight of grout and cement kiln dust in a range of approximately 50 to 90% by weight of grout.

Abstract: Marine Equipment, more specifically, an apparatus that provides a durable, stable and secure, portable, full service liquor, beverage, and bar accessory storage, display and server box designed for nautical vessels in a marine environment that are subjected to rocking in water. The apparatus can best be described as a box made of plastic composite board with cut-outs on the top of the box. The cut-outs securely accommodate various bar items such as liquor bottles, wine bottles, ice bucket, wine cooler, blender, shaker cup, glasses, a cutting board, and condiment trays. The “fixed top” embodiment of the invention has a wood molding trim top rail for preventing items sitting on the box from sliding off due to the vessel rocking in water.

Abstract: A handicap accessible laboratory table is disclosed for use in lectures and laboratory experiments. The table has a base suitable for wheelchair access, a generally planar countertop mounted on at least three telescoping legs, a motor to raise and lower the countertop without requiring locking the legs into position, and a fixed-height sink mounted adjacent to the edge of the countertop and providing clearance for a wheelchair to fit beneath the sink. Optionally, the table can also have a marine edge to control spills, a two-depth sink to allow for handicap access which can have a faucet or a sprayer, a finger guard to protect children's fingers when the countertop is in motion, a storage area for rods, and a key-activated switch or remote for controlling the countertop height.

Abstract: A desk is disclosed for use by teachers. The desk has a fixed-height portion which remains stationary as well as an adjustable-height portion which can be raised and lowered as needed to allow students to view objects on the desk such as experiments being performed when the adjustable-height portion is in a raised position and to see the space behind the desk, which may contain a blackboard, white board, or other object which students would wan to view, when the adjustable-height portion is in a lowered position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a winch and an autonomous mobile apparatus including the winch. The winch can include: a driving motor; a drum driving axle configured to be rotated the driving motor; a wire drum configured to be rotated by the drum driving axle; a roller driving axle arranged to be parallel to the drum driving axle and configured to be rotated in different direction from that of the drum driving axle by the driving motor; a roller connected with the roller driving axle and configured to support a wire wound on or unwound from the wire drum; and a one way clutch installed in the roller driving axle in such a way that a driving force transferred to the roller by the roller driving axle is cut off when the wire drum rotates in a direction of winding the wire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a table comprising at least three legs and a stabiliser. The stabiliser comprises a rotatable member extending outwardly from a vertical axis of the table. The table may be stabilised by locating the table on the ground such that three legs of said table contact the ground and the stabiliser is not in contact with the ground, and then rotating the rotatable member so as to cause it to come in contact with the ground.

Abstract: A stackable pallet device for use in the transportation of goods includes a flat body having an upper face and a lower face. The upper face is open to a plurality of substantially hollow and elongate support members depending from the lower face of the flat body for forming the lower side of the pallet device. The elongate support members are shaped so that stackable pallet devices can nest one above another.

Abstract: A pallet having a base and a locking assembly for securing a hoisting cable to the pallet with a removable locking member, and a method for use thereof.

Abstract: A mobile platform with six degrees of freedom includes a static base plate, six branched chain, a dynamic moving plate and twelve fixing assembly. Each of the static base plate and the dynamic moving plate defines six spherical ball sockets. The dynamic moving plate is adjustably and movably mounted upon the static base plate. The six branched chains is adjustably assembled between the static base plate and the dynamic moving plate, enabling the dynamic moving plate to move relative to the static base plate along six degrees of freedom. Each branched chain comprises two ball heads rotatably engaged with one corresponding ball socket of the static base plate and one corresponding ball socket of the dynamic moving plate.

Abstract: A detachable table device includes a foldable leg device detachably connected to a table top and operable to support the table top when in an extended state and to separate from the table top when in a folded state. A circumferential portion of the table top has an inner annular surface formed with a radially and outwardly extending annular engaging groove. The leg device includes a pivot unit for interconnecting at least three leg members such that the leg members are pivotable relative to the pivot unit to be angularly equidistant when the leg device is in the extended state, and to be moved toward each other when the leg device is in the folded state. Each leg member includes an engaging end portion disposed movably in and engaging releasably the engaging groove in the circumferential portion of the table top.

Abstract: An emission control apparatus which can be used on an outdoor wood-fired boiler. Ambient air, which has a much higher concentration of available oxygen in relation to exhaust gases, is caused to be heated before being passed through catalyst-coated media along with exhaust gases, thereby improving the performance of the catalytic reaction.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit, a press wheel cylinder configured to vary contact force between a press wheel and a soil surface, a closing disk cylinder configured to vary contact force between a closing disk and the soil surface, a residue manager cylinder configured to vary contact force between a residue manager and the soil surface, or a combination thereof. The agricultural implement system also includes an electronic control unit configured to automatically regulate a pressure within the cylinders, and a manual backup system configured to facilitate manual pressure adjustment of the cylinders.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.

Abstract: A seed meter for an agricultural seed planter, wherein the seed meter includes a rotatable disk assembly for a seed meter to dispense individual seeds at desired intervals. The rotatable disk comprises a seed disk including a plurality of circumferentially spaced seed apertures about the periphery operatively connected to a vacuum source, a substantially nonmagnetic backing disk member having a plurality of vacuum apertures and also in communication with the vacuum source, a resilient disk member adjacent and engageable with the nonmagnetic backing disk comprising a plurality of magnetic portions engageable with a magnetic source and adapted to occlude the seed aperture and disrupt communication with the vacuum source. The seed disk, substantially nonmagnetic backing disk member and resilient disk member are also rotatably mounted within a housing on a conduit. The vacuum source is operatively connected to the inside of the housing.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes an image capture portion that captures an image of a sewing object that is held by an embroidery frame, a data acquisition portion that acquires embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern, an area setting portion that sets a sewing area that is an area within which the embroidery pattern can be sewn on the sewing object, a setting acquisition portion that acquires, as a reference setting, a setting of at least one of a position and an angle of the embroidery pattern in relation to a marker that is disposed on the sewing object, and an area specification portion that specifies an image capture object area for the image capture portion, based on conditions that include the sewing area, the embroidery data, and the reference setting.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a sewing machine motor, an acquisition portion that acquires a reference length, an image capture portion that generates image data by image capture of one of the sewing object and at least one marker, a computation portion that computes an amount of movement of one of the sewing object and the at least one marker, a speed control portion that sets a revolution speed of the sewing machine motor to not greater than a specified value in a case where it is determined that sewing is being performed in a specified range, and a sewing control portion that terminates the sewing of the stitch portion in a case where it is determined that a length that has been sewn in the reference direction of the stitch portion is not less than the reference length.