Abstract: Method for the floating cultivation of a plant, in which, in a first stage of growth, the roots of the plant are kept at a distance from a water supply situated underneath the plant. The supply of moisture to the plant can be effected via the intermediate space between the float for the plant and the water supply and from the top side of the plant. As the plant develops further, the root system grows in the direction of the water supply and, in a second stage of growth, the vast majority of the water requirement is satisfied directly by the water supply. This is achieved by way of a panel which floats on the water supply and is provided with holes for accommodating the plant. This panel may be provided with recesses which are closed at their top sides and reduce the area of contact with the water and provide closed chambers.

Abstract: A process for the generation of a syngas in an entrained-flow gasification process includes a solid, carbon-containing fuel which is introduced via burners into a reactor which also supplies the oxygen for gasification. The fuel is introduced on a burner level where the burners are arranged concentrically around the reaction chamber or in the head area. The syngas obtained is discharged from the reaction chamber via a discharge nozzle, so that the syngas is passed into a collecting chamber for cooling by addition of low-temperature gaseous, vaporous or liquid cooling agents. A quench chamber is provided between the reactor and the collecting chamber. Additional burner levels are in the quench chamber via which a fuel material of renewable fuels or biofuels is introduced into the syngas, so that the heat enthalpy of the syngas can be utilized for the endothermic gasification reaction of the biological raw material.

Abstract: A system includes a carbon dioxide treatment system that includes a catalyst configured to treat carbon dioxide to produce a treated carbon dioxide. The system also includes a gasifier injector configured to inject the treated carbon dioxide, a fuel, and oxygen into a gasifier. The gasifier injector may be coupled to or located inside the gasifier.

Abstract: A system for gasifying biomass materials is provided. The system includes a gasifying unit for converting the biomass materials into a gas and a feeder mechanism for introducing the biomass materials into the gasifying unit. The gasifying unit includes a plurality of gasifying medium and biomass injection ports distributed along a vertical length of the gasifying unit, and each of the plurality of injection ports has a corresponding injection angle. The injection angles include at least one of an upward tangential angle and a downward tangential angle.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the process of gasification and the production of synthesis gas. More particularly, the various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the process of biomass gasification and the reduction or elimination of tars from the hydrocarbon-rich product gas derived from biomass gasification. The present invention comprises systems and methods for the reduction of tar from a synthesis gas derived from biomass gasification.

Abstract: A household appliance includes a door, an opening drive configured to move the door from a closed position into an at least partially open position and a door-opening sensor coupled to the door. The door opening sensor is configured to recognize an acoustically expressed door-opening command and includes a three-axis sensor.

Abstract: A safety gate, in particular for children, is provided that includes a stationarily positionable frame with a lower base and two side parts, the side parts extending upwards from the base, and a door member, the door member being articulated at the frame pivotably about a pivot axis. A closure member is arranged at one of two, the frame or the door member, and a countersupport is arranged at the respective other of the two, such that the closure member and the countersupport are interacting in a closed position of the door member. The door member can be moved in the direction of the pivot axis in order to release a positive blockade, wherein the movability of the door member in the direction of the pivot axis can be releasably locked via an actuable locking member.

Abstract: An automatic gate opening device is claimed comprising: a gate drive axis (134), movable between a gate closed position and a gate open position; a treadle (102) and a rechargeable energy storage means (16, 118). The device also comprises an energy conversion means to convert stored energy into rotational movement of the drive axis (134) in a gate opening and energy conversion means to convert stored energy into rotational movement of the drive axis in a gate closing direction. The treadle (102) is configured such that, with the drive axis (134) in its gate open position, a single actuation of said treadle (102) recharges the energy storage means with sufficient energy to move the drive axis from its gate open position to its gate closed position and back to its gate open position.

Abstract: A multi-layer, laminated panel for a frameless window assembly has an adhesive bead extending along a frameless edge of the panel to contacting and structurally bond the two outer layers of the pane, thereby increasing the stiffness of the panel. The panel is used in a movable window assembly for an automotive vehicle in which a regulator is mounted to the vehicle adjacent a window opening, a seal is installed in the window opening, and the panel is moved by the regulator to a closed position wherein the frameless edge of the panel engages the seal.

Abstract: A door stay device for automatically locking a door in an open position includes a first component adapted to be attached to a stationary support, the first component including a plate having a curved cam edge with a radius matched to a swinging movement of the door between closed and open positions. The plate has a slot open at the cam edge at a location corresponding to the open position of the door. A second component is adapted to be secured at a lower or upper edge of a door, the second component having a locking member arranged to move into the slot when the locking member is aligned the said slot and the door is in the open position.

Abstract: An abrasive article includes a backing including first and second major surfaces, an abrasive layer disposed over the first major surface, and a back coat layer disposed over the second major surface. The back coat layer includes a polymeric material and a fabric.

Abstract: A method of forming an abrasive article includes directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a starting location on an abrasive preform comprising a bonding layer and abrasive grains within the bonding layer, and increasing the power of the beam of electromagnetic radiation to a scanning power while directed at the starting location. The method further includes changing the position of the beam relative to the abrasive preform from the starting location to a second location on the abrasive preform.

Abstract: An abrasive article includes a body having abrasive grains contained within a bond material comprising a metal or metal alloy, wherein the body comprises a ratio of VAG/VBM of at least about 1.3, wherein VAG is the volume percent of abrasive grains within the total volume of the body and VBM is the volume percent of bond material within the total volume of the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cubic boron nitride (cBN) cutting elements that have high cBN content and that are cuttable by electric discharge machining (EDM). A cutting element according to an embodiment includes a self-sintered polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) compact, having a first phase of cubic boron nitride (cBN) particles and a ceramic binder phase with titanium compounds. The first phase occupies greater than 80% by volume of the self-sintered PCBN compact. The self-sintered PCBN compact has an electrical conductivity sufficient to be cuttable by electrical discharge machining.

Abstract: A metal bond grind stone producing method in which electric power consumption is reduced is provided. In the metal bond grind stone producing method, a sintered metal bond grind stone is obtained by a sintering process of sintering a metal bond grind stone material that is a mixture of a metal binder powder and abrasive grains. In the sintering process, the metal bond grind stone material containing the metal binder powder is heated with microwaves to obtain the sintered metal bond grind stone. The sintering process may be a pressure sintering process of performing microwave heating while pressurizing the metal bond grind stone material.

Abstract: A modular shelter comprising a first side wall, first end wall, second side wall, second end wall, first roof section, and a second roof section cut from stock material, such that: (a) the first side wall and the first end wall, the first end wall and the second side wall, the second side wall and the second end wall, and the second end wall and the first side wall are disposed at an angle between 60 and 120 degrees relative to one another and are connected by at least two mortise and tenon joints; and (b) the first roof section and the second roof section are disposed at an angle between 45 and 180 degrees relative to one another and are connected by at least two mortise and tenon joints; wherein the components of the mortise and tenon joints are created using one tool resulting in a novel joint.

Abstract: This functional system for a cement mortar panel (102, 135, 160, 196, 216) with prestressed biaxial reinforcement (136, 161) consists concretely of a system contributing to the physical and formal and to the handling and use in conditions of maximum safety and efficiency of a panel (102, 135, 160, 196, 216) of the type prefabricated with cement mortar having prestressed biaxial reinforcement (136, 161) in which the cement mortar panel has embedded in the mass thereof versatile operating means (100, 157, 171, 175, 196, 217) on the panel ensemble (102, 135, 160, 196, 216) allowing for the handling and/or fixing thereof to suspension means to the structure of a building, of means controlling seismic phenomena and the settling movements of the building, means reducing damp inside the building and means reducing the infiltration of damp inside the panel.

Abstract: A compression mounted window assembly is disclosed that includes a circular window having opposed front and rear planar surfaces and an outer periphery having forward and rearward chamfered edge surfaces, a compressible gasket circumscribing the outer periphery of the window, a housing with a portal having an annular seat for accommodating the window circumscribed by the gasket, wherein the annular seat has a first chamfered abutment surface corresponding to the forward chamfered edge surface of the window, an annular bezel operatively associated with the housing for compressively retaining the window assembly within the annular seat of the portal, and structure for securing the bezel to the housing, wherein the bezel has a second chamfered abutment surface corresponding to the rearward chamfered edge surface of the window.

Abstract: The invention, Solar Attic Pressurizer is a unique and simple approach to a residential energy problem. The first and main purpose for the invention is to actively move air through the attic space in the most efficient means possible. The Department of Energy through their Energy Star program have stated that traditional active attic fans, solar and conventional can draw air out of your living space into your attic and out of your house. This increased the losses in energy both in cooling and heating which not only costs more in energy but also overworks the air conditioning equipment. This invention not only ventilates the attic space but uses pressure to reduce or eliminates losses from the living space to the attic that can occur with or without an active attic ventilation system.

Abstract: A single- or multi-component adhesive/sealant compositions containing at least one silane-terminated prepolymer, wherein the adhesive/sealant compositions are free of organic heavy metal catalysts, and the silane-terminated prepolymers comprise terminal groups that are selected from among methyldialkoxysilylpropyl, trialkoxysilylpropyl, methyldialkoxysilylmethyl, trialkoxysilylmethyl, or mixtures thereof. In the two-component embodiment, the adhesive/sealant compositions consist of a component A, containing at least one silane-terminated prepolymer of the aforementioned type, and a component B, containing water and thickener. Said adhesive/sealant compositions are used to elastically bond two or more identical and/or dissimilar substrates, in particular in the production of photovoltaic modules, and in the mounting of photovoltaic modules onto roof surfaces and other surfaces.

Abstract: A window insert system that advantageously provides a high strength mounting system for windows to be positioned within an opening is provided. The window insert system for mounting the window into a an opening formed in a door or other structural element includes a mounting channel connected to a door or other structural element, a window rail to overlie the mounting channel and support a window therein, and a window securing member to engage a portion of the window rail to secure the window. The window rail may include an outer surface portion, an inner sidewall, an exterior sidewall, and a window carrying member. The window may be positioned between the window carrying member and the window securing member.

Abstract: Window assemblies that include window casings are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment of a window assembly includes a window casing that is assembled with a window frame by clips. Each clip is compressed between the window casing and the window frame as the window casing is moved toward an installed position. The clips expand at the installed position to retain the window casing to the window frame at the installed position. Another exemplary embodiment of a window assembly includes a window casing with a top member and side members that are connected by mitered mating surfaces and provide the appearance that the top member and the side members are butt jointed.

Abstract: An acoustical flooring underlayment for placement between a subfloor and a finished floor, includes a mat having an upper surface, an opposite lower surface and including a plurality of corrugations creating a plurality of depressions in the upper surface. A layer of foam is applied to the upper surface and constructed and arranged to fill the depressions for creating a generally planar top surface configured for accommodating the finished floor.

Abstract: A clip assembly for use with a suspended ceiling comprises a first member secured to an overhead structural member and a second member connected to a runner supporting ceiling tiles the first and second member s being adapted to be connected together such that the runner can be suspended from the structural member via the clip assembly.

Abstract: A method for the production of a functional layer of a building shell (2), whereby the building shell (2) has a sheathing (11) on the inside of the building and a large number of rafters (12) with roof bays (14) provided between the rafters (12) and the sheathing (11). It is provided, in this case, that the functional layer is applied at least in some places by painting and/or spraying on the outside (15) of the sheathing (11), and an air-tight and/or water-tight foil (10), made especially as a vapor barrier, forms after application.

Abstract: Covering for a roof and vertical surfaces, constituted by a prefabricated element includes a base layer (1) of a waterproofing substrate; an upper covering (2) made of slate parts (3) fixed by adhesive. A mechanical fastener for the slate parts and anchor for anchoring the prefabricated element to the roof.

Abstract: The invention refers to a set of panels, comprising a first panel having a lateral edge on which a first retaining profile is disposed, at least one second panel having a lateral edge on which a second retaining profile is disposed, which can be joined to the first retaining profile, wherein the panels are joined positively along the lateral edges by the retaining profiles in a direction parallel to a laying plane and in a direction perpendicular to the laying plane in the joined and laid state of the panels, a separate locking element associated with the first retaining profile which, during joining of the retaining profiles, moves from an assembly position into a locking position, wherein in a locking position the locking element ensures form closure at least in a direction perpendicular or parallel to the laying plane by a locking projection of the locking element engaging in a locking recess provided on the second retaining profile.

Abstract: Improved grips for retaining plural concrete reinforcing bars in a selected association are disclosed. The grips include a base portion and a retention portion including engageable structures establishing first and second spaced opposing pairs of clamping formations. Each of the plural reinforcing bars in the association is positively gripped along a length thereof between the clamping formations. Grip embodiments for parallel and right angle reinforcing bar associations are disclosed.

Abstract: A blockout mold is mountable on an anchor bolt to enable a recess to be formed around the anchor bolt when concrete is poured, and is easily stripped from the recess after the concrete has set. The blockout mold has a body and a neck portion with an elongate bore therethrough to receive the shank of the anchor bolt. Pairs of vertically spaced slots in the neck portion enable a releasable clip to selectively secure the neck portion to the shank; while the body has a sleeve of compressible material to enable the blockout mold to be stripped from the recess.

Abstract: A capping head (2) for an apparatus (1) for capping containers (4) comprises a first cap fastening assembly, an additional cap fastening assembly (16) configured to fasten a different type of cap to a container aperture, detachable connecting means for detachably connecting the additional cap fastening assembly (16) to the first cap fastening assembly (12) to convert the capping head (2) from a first type of cap to a different type of cap, wherein the detachable connecting means comprise a trap cavity (17) formed in an external surface (18) of the first cap fastening assembly (12) and adapted to receive a corresponding latch member (19) of the additional cap fastening assembly (16) to lock the latter with respect to the capping head (2).

Abstract: Described herein is a germ guard label and methods of using the same. A germ guard label at least substantially conformal to an oral transmission area of an object can prevent or limit transmission of contaminants like germs, for example, from person to person. When an infected person touches an object covered with a germ guard label, germs transmitted from the infected person can contaminate the germ guard label rather than the object. Another person can remove the contaminated germ guard label from the object, and the oral contact area of the object covered by the germ guard label can be substantially germ free. The germ guard label also can prevent spillage of a substance from the oral contact area.

Abstract: A vacuum device for removal of air from a flexible package storing a perishable food item includes a motor and fan blade assembly having a first air channel and fan blade housing. The fan blade housing encloses at least a portion of a motor and fan blade forming part of the motor and fan blade assembly. The vacuum device also has a nozzle assembly electrically connected to the motor and fan blade assembly. The nozzle assembly is provided with a second air channel in fluid communication with the first air channel. Air in an external environment flows through the second air channel and into to the first air channel upon actuation of the nozzle assembly to a closed position, which energizes the motor and rotates the fan blade connected to the motor to draw air from the external environment into the device.

Abstract: A packaging machine is disclosed for packing cartons with beverage cans in two overlying layers. The packaging machine has a selector flight, a can flight, and a carton flight, all synchronously movable. A single infeed assembly directs first groups of cans into selector bays on the selector flight, sweeps them into adjacent can bays, and directs second groups of cans into the same selector bays, all on the same level. The selector flight and the second groups of cans then ramps up to an elevated level, from where the second groups of cans are swept into the adjacent can bays atop the first groups of cans. The thus staged cans are pushed into open cartons on the carton flight.

Abstract: A packaging material comprising a plurality of flexible strips of material integrally interconnected to one another along one end thereof so as to form a unitary mass and so that the strips of material are intertwineable with one another to form a resilient tuft. The strips of material interconnected via a border have a bonding material disposed thereon for bondingly connecting the packaging material to a container.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a flat bottom pillow pouch that can stand upright on its bottom transverse seal. The flat bottom pillow bag can be made from the same film as a standard pillow pouch and requires less film than prior art stand up packages. The flat bottom pillow pouch disclosed herein has no gussets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing and filling bags of produce using a supply of very long tubular netting. The invention includes: a loading phase, in which a segment of tubular net is positioned on a loading tube, such that the long end portion of the tubular net that encircles the tube is gathered, pleated and compressed longitudinally and such that a second short intermediate portion of the tubular net is stretched out, without gathering, and in which a loading hole is made in the stretched intermediate portion of the tubular net; and a production and filling phase, in which successive segments of the long gathered end portion of the tubular net are repeatedly stretched so that these segments ca be manipulated to form individual bags, the produce to be stored being inserted into each bag through the loading hole made in the stretched short intermediate portion of the tubular net.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a platform for the transfer of a plurality of items from a base level on a transportation device, to a second location, the platform comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a base for supporting the plurality of items, the base attached to the frame; and (c) one or more members for engagement of the platform in both a deployed position and a stored position with the transportation device; wherein the deployed position is at a higher level on the transportation device than the base level of the transportation device. The platform may be removably or fixedly attached to the transportation device. In addition, there is disclosed a method for the transfer and placement of a plurality of items from a lower level of a transportation device, to a second location.

Abstract: A corner post application system comprises a conveyor subsystem and an enveloping machine adapted to envelope the plurality of units with a material. The system further includes a swing arm, an applicator arm coupled to the swing arm and adapted to move linearly, a corner post gripper coupled to the applicator arm, and a controller. The controller rotates the swing arm about a vertical axis until a corner post held by the corner post gripper is aligned with adjacent sides that define a corner of the load. The controller thereafter stops rotation of the swing arm and moves the applicator arm linearly toward the corner of the load until the corner post held by the corner post gripper contacts the adjacent sides of the load. A sensor may be included for detecting a corner of the load, with the controller aligning the corner post based on detection by the sensor.

Abstract: A filter pipeline for an air intake system of an internal combustion engine has a tubular body and a filter element arranged in the tubular body. The filter element is a filter bag of a flexible material that has an opening and is attachable in the area of the opening to the tubular body. The filter bag and an inner wall of the tubular body are provided with ribs projecting inwardly from the tubular body such that in a circumferential direction of the pipeline different spacings are provided between the filter bag and the inner wall of the tubular body.

Abstract: The present invention is a device that rapidly and effectively separates and collects debris from airflow between a debris source and a vacuum source. The device comprises a first chamber situated above and adjoining a second chamber. The first chamber functions to separate and remove the debris and the second chamber functions to collect the debris. The first chamber is circular in cross-section and comprises an upper portion and a downward and outward sloping sidewall. The upper portion has an output port connected by a first conduit to the vacuum source and the sidewall has an input port connected by a second conduit to the debris source. Air and debris are drawn into the first chamber through the input port by suction created at the output port. The debris is centrifugally forced to the sidewall whereby it is then centripetally forced downward into the second chamber through a peripheral opening between the sidewall and a barrier, while cleaned air is evacuated through the output port.

Abstract: A gas-particulate filter canister includes a filter canister body and first and second canister end caps secured to opposing ends of the filter canister body. First and second filter cartridges are supported within the filter canister body for filtering a gas in series. The filter cartridges can be standalone units which are built independently and are installed into the filter canister body. The filter cartridges can be concentrically arranged and can include a particulate filter cartridge and a gas filter cartridge.

Abstract: A pleated filter media comprises a plurality of pleats comprised of pleat segments extending in an axial direction between first and second axial ends and extending in a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction between first and second sets of pleat tips at least partially defined by first and second sets of bend lines. Axial flow channels are defined between the pleat segments in the lateral direction and the plurality of pleats has a width in the transverse direction that varies along the axial direction.

Abstract: A lawn mower system comprising a wheeled push lawn mower primary cutting deck having auxiliary pivotably attached secondary cutting decks attached thereto. The device powered by a motor that may be electric or an internal combustion engine which provides power to operate blade(s) in a horizontal rotary cutting motion. The cutting blades may be attached to the motor via connector shaft(s) and pulley(s) and may be simultaneously driven with a belt system to cut various widths of lawn. The auxiliary pivotably attached right and left secondary cutting decks are vertically rotatable into downward positions for single, double, or triple wide cutting widths to cut small to very large lawns. The lawn mower system may be stored in a wings-up efficient manner.

Abstract: A chemical applying apparatus for use on a rotary mower that includes a mower deck, a blade pan under the mower deck mounted to a driven shaft, and a plurality of blades attached to the blade pan. A slinger ring is attached to a top surface of the blade pan such that a center of the slinger ring substantially coincides with a rotational axis of the driven shaft, and a bottom edge of the slinger ring is sealed to the blade pan. The slinger ring slopes upward and inward from the bottom edge thereof to the top edge thereof. Discharge ports extend through the blade pan adjacent to and inside the slinger ring. A conduit is fixed to the mower deck and oriented to direct chemical onto the top surface of the blade pan inside the slinger ring, and a chemical source delivers chemical through the conduit.

Abstract: A lawn mower and spreader system includes a deck, a hopper, and a spreading element. The deck supports an engine having a power takeoff and at least partially surrounds a blade coupled to the power takeoff. The hopper is configured to support granular fertilizer. Furthermore, the hopper has a discharge chute leading to an opening in the deck. The spreading element is coupled to the power takeoff of the engine and is positioned between the deck and the blade. The spreading element includes a hub and arms that extend laterally from hub. The arms are spaced apart from one another by open slots.

Abstract: A corn picker has at least two feed and snapping units which are driven by a drive shaft at the same operating speed, and each of which is equipped with a snapping gap and an intake conveyor mechanism which draws the plants into the snapping gap which is used to separate crops from the plants, and a chopping device for fragmentizing the stalks of the plants, which is disposed downstream of the particular intake conveyor mechanism, and the chopping unit has a drive which can be used to adapt the drive speed of the chopping unit when the operating speed of the feed and snapping units changes.

Abstract: First and second snap rolls corresponding with a pair of forward-extending row units of a harvesting header wherein the snap rolls oppose one another on opposite sides of a crop passage and wherein one of said first and second snap rolls is substantially smooth along its length. In one embodiment, one of the snap rolls is a powered snap roll and the other smooth snap roll is an unpowered idler roll.

Abstract: First and second snap rolls corresponding with a pair of forward-extending row units of a harvesting header wherein the snap rolls oppose one another on opposite sides of a crop passage and are offset from one another relative the ground to urge the crop stalks in the crop passage toward one of the row units.

Abstract: A gathering auger of a harvesting header driven independently from the speed of the harvester. In one embodiment, a row unit of the header includes at last one powered snap roll in combination with a stripper plate for removing useable parts from crop stalks. The gathering auger is powered by a first drive means and the powered snap roll is powered by a second drive means such that the gathering auger and the powered snap roll are operated at different speeds.

Abstract: A cutting device for crop has a cutting tool which can be set into rotation, and a shear bar which can be displaced relative thereto, each of the two diametrically opposed ends of which is coupled to a control unit, thereby enabling the clearance position of the shear bar relative to the cutting tool to be changed, and a control device which activates the control units in order to change the clearance position of the shear bar, and to move the shear bar toward the cutting tool, the control device can be operated to activate the control units to each perform a working step in alternation, so that within this working step the particular activated control unit initially moves the end of the shear bar assigned thereto toward the cutting tool by a first adjusting distance, and then away from the cutting tool by a second adjusting distance, wherein the second adjusting distance is smaller than the first adjusting distance.