Abstract: A method for drying a thin film stack having a thin film located on a substrate is disclosed. The thin film stack is conveyed past a flashlamp during which the thin film stack is irradiated with a composite light pulse from the flashlamp. The composite light pulse is composed of multiple micropulses. The time duration of the composite light pulse is shorter than a total thermal equilibration time of the thin film stack. In addition, when the thin film stack is being conveyed past the flashlamp, the thin film stack should move less than 10% of the length of the irradiating area in the conveyance direction during the delivery of the composite light pulse.

Abstract: A substrate drying apparatus which dries a substrate cleaned by a diamagnetic liquid includes a magnet unit for moving the liquid adhering to the substrate by means of a magnetic force; and a magnet transfer mechanism for moving the magnet unit along the substrate toward an edge of the substrate. A substrate drying method of drying a substrate cleaned by a diamagnetic liquid includes bringing a magnet unit close to the substrate, the magnet unit being configured to move the liquid adhering to the substrate by means of a magnetic force; and moving the magnet unit along the substrate toward the edge of the substrate.

Abstract: An Ankle-Foot Orthosis, or AFO, has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion joined together. The horizontal portion is fixed to a shoe, which is selected by a user, by separating at least part of the sole such that the horizontal portion can be adhered near or between a midsole of the sole of a shoe. The horizontal portion provides the necessary structure needed to connect a shoe to the vertical portion of the AFO such that a user suffering with a weakness or deformity can walk with a more normal gait. In an alternate embodiment, the AFO is removable from a shoe such that it can be replaced onto the same or a different shoe.

Abstract: An adaptive fluid system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The adaptive fluid system includes a fluid chamber that provides cushioning and shock absorption for a foot. The adaptive fluid system includes an adjustable pressure regulating valve that may be used to control the pressure of the fluid chamber. The adaptive fluid system includes a valve that prevents fluid from escaping from a fluid chamber during use.

Abstract: An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed internally to the outer bladder to provide enhanced support. A valve member may also be disposed internally to the outer bladder. The valve member can include a contoured edge to provide a contoured shape for the outer bladder.

Abstract: An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member may be disposed externally to the outer bladder. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed within the outer bladder to control deformation of the outer bladder during compression.

Abstract: An adjustable multiple bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member is disposed within the outer bladder and divides the outer bladder into two distinct inflation chambers. The inflation chambers may be inflated separately.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a body balance device, which includes a main body made of a cushioning material. The main body includes a first metatarsal bone section, a fourth metatarsal bone section, and a foot heel section. The main body forms a primary adjustment structure located between the first metatarsal bone section and the fourth metatarsal bone section and a secondary adjustment structure located between the fourth metatarsal bone section and the foot heel section and corresponding to outside of the main body. Both adjustment structures are formed with a structure of through hole or cavity in which a soft material is selectively embedded to allow the human body to reach a balanced condition when standing or walking so as to improve the discomfort of bones and muscles caused by long standing or walking.

Abstract: The upper structure for a shoe includes an upper body formed of stretchable material and covering at least the tiptoe of the foot of a shoe wearer. The structure further includes a toe pressing member located at a position corresponding to toes of the foot, surrounded by the upper body, and formed of non-stretchable material. The toe pressing member presses the toes of the foot from above when the toes of the foot come into contact with the backside of the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion of the foot.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to footwear and methods for making the same, more particularly to a seamless upper for footwear and methods for making a seamless upper. In one aspect of the invention, the upper is seamless and/or is of unitary construction that defines an interior void for comfortably receiving a foot.

Abstract: Foot-receiving devices, such as articles of footwear (e.g., athletic footwear, etc.), include a foot-covering member (such as an upper member) and a foot-supporting member (such as a sole member, optionally including insole, midsole, and/or outsole portions) engaged with the foot-covering member. The foot-supporting member may include or define a cavity or void in the heel portion of the foot-receiving device. The foot-receiving device further may include a removable heel pad detachably engaged within the cavity or void.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for protecting a foot of a user. The apparatus may be applied to an article of footwear having laces worn by the user or may be integral therewith. The apparatus comprises a first tongue guard portion engageable with a first portion of said laces so as to lie adjacent thereto and a second tongue guard portion pivotally supported from the first tongue guard portion and biased so as to lie adjacent to a second portion of the laces. The first and second tongue guard portions may comprise a rigid exterior shell and an interior cushioning layer disposed thereunder. The method comprises securing the first tongue plate to the article of footwear so as to lie adjacent to the first portion of the laces and biasing the second tongue so as to lie adjacent to a second portion of the laces.

Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot for a user includes an outer sole having a substantially continuously curved lateral profile bottom walking surface, wherein a radius of curvature of the lateral walking surface varies between 10 mm and infinity, and an upper portion arranged with the outer sole to support a lower portion of the user's leg.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multi-density shoe sole is described, the method incorporates repeated injections of sole material onto a shoe upper mounted on a last and placed in a mould. The mould has an injection chamber, moveable side frames, a vertically moveable bottom piston and a shoe sole shaping insert which is placed in the mould prior to a first injection and removed from the mould after said first injection and prior to a second injection. The entire body of the shoe sole shaping insert is placed inside the injection chamber during the first injection. The shoe sole shaping insert acts as a dummy during the first injection, and leaves after its removal a cavity which in a later injection step is filled with another sole material, either another colour or another density. Also disclosed is an insert used in a mould for injection moulding of shoe soles.

Abstract: A wading boot sole in accordance with the present invention is designed like the top of a rock, allowing a person to use metal cleats recessed in the boot so as to avoid walking on the metal when walking from different fishing spots. An inner sole holds the boot together and acts as a mounting surface for the cleat base of the cleats in addition to providing a solid base for the boot. Gussets improve the strength of the cleat assembly. An outer bottom rim sole acts as the walking surface when not in the water, providing a smooth ride without sacrificing traction.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-purpose hand-held spinnable sign are disclosed. According to one aspect, a multipurpose, hand-held spinnable sign includes a sign body having a front surface and a rear surface, the front and rear surfaces adapted to display a message, text, image, or other indicia, and means, centrally positioned within front surface of the sign body, to allow a holder of the sign to spin the sign.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle and a method for producing the display apparatus are described. The display apparatus comprises a transparent plastic plate having a front side, a rear side, and an edge surface surrounding the plastic plate. The display apparatus has a switchable light source of visible light directed onto the edge surface of the plastic plate. The plastic plate has transparent display elements that are disposed as limited zones inside the plastic plate and have light-sensitive dopant particles. When the light source is switched on, the dopant particles scatter the light so that the display elements become visible from the front side.

Abstract: The magazine well adapter of the present invention, and associated kits and devices, improves the firing rate and accuracy of AK-type firearms by converting the traditional magazine well into a push-button drop ejection device.

Abstract: A cartridge and shell casing deflecting device for attachment to lever action top ejection rifles. This deflecting device changes the trajectory of the ejected cartridges and empty shell casings from vertical and to the rear of the rifle to a trajectory of between vertical and horizontal and to the right of the rifle as seen from the shooter's position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving and loading cartridges in bulk are disclosed herein. A device described herein includes multiple parallel partition walls configured to couple with cartridge carriers and segregate, group and single file line the cartridges removed from the cartridge carriers and placed onto a receiving surface. An alignment wall on the receiving surface works in conjunction with the partition walls in aligning groups of cartridges into single files on the receiving surface. A loading rod slideably engaged with the receiving surface urges single filed groups of cartridges from the receiving surface into a magazine coupled with the receiving surface.

Abstract: A cleaning, maintenance, and servicing rest for accommodating either a pistol or a revolver. The rest includes a frame, a head, and an apparatus that accommodates and replaceably attaches either the pistol or the revolver to the head. The frame rests on a support surface. The head is swively and pivotally attached to the frame so as to allow the head to swivel horizontally and pivot vertically relative to the frame so as to allow either the pistol or the revolver to swivel horizontally and pivot vertically relative to the frame, by virtue of the attaching apparatus, when being cleaned, maintained, or serviced.

Abstract: This device uses an electric motor to move the magnification change mechanism of a variable magnification telescope that is intended to be used on a gun, or, uses the motor to move an other mechanical accessory, or, can move multiple accessories in unison mechanically with or without the motor, and/or also serves as an electric power supply. This device is universally adaptable, and an example of an accessory could be a flashlight with an adjustable beam, and this could be mounted on the telescope, or on the gun itself. This device also has an electronic control circuit to control the movement of the motor, and can coordinate movement between multiple drive units of various accessories. This device can also be detached from the gun and used hand held.

Abstract: A system configured to imitate actions of a group of animals includes a plurality of decoys. Each of the decoys includes anatomical body parts that are representative of an animal being imitated. Each decoy is capable of making a plurality of body motions in a predefined sequence. The system also includes a motion mechanism located inside the body of each decoy, wherein the motion mechanism is configured to control the plurality of body motions. The system further includes a control terminal including a plurality of button sets, with each set being associated with a switch group and each switch group being used to send a control message to a receiver of the motion mechanism of a particular decoy. Operation of the switch groups causes animation of groups of the plurality of decoys in a programmable or random manner.

Abstract: A handle system for use with a fishing rod. In one embodiment the system is attachable to a rod having a reel seat and operable in conjunction with a reel having a rotatable spool about which fishing line is wound. An attachment section attaches the reel to the handle system and attaches the handle system to the fishing rod. A handle section includes a handle about which a first hand can be placed to hold the rod while catching a fish. The handle extends in a direction away from the attachment section. A leveling system provides back and forth movement of fishing line along the reel spool when the reel is attached to the handle system and the fishing line is being wound on to the spool.

Abstract: The grip of certain embodiments includes a flexible mounting tube that can engage a rod and a sheet that including a polymer outside layer and inside layer and is attached to the tube. The sheet includes a friction enhancing feature and can have a seam joining edges of the sheet in either a substantially vertical or a substantially helical fashion.

Abstract: A case and storage system for fishing rods, reels, and tackle comprising a hard sided case and insert. This insert includes a first end, a second end, a reel support member, a first rod support member, and a second rod support member. The first end includes a plurality of notches to support the handle of a fishing pole. The second end includes a groove sized to fit a tackle container. The reel support member includes a plurality of notches to support the handle of a fishing pole and can be alternately spaced with the notches on the first end to allow increased storage. The rod support members include a plurality of notches to support the fishing rod.

Abstract: A line storage and dispensing device having a spool housing and line passage. The line passage is configured so that friction is created between the line and the line channel. The friction is great enough to resist casual advance of the line through the line channel, substantially maintaining the angular position of the spool in the housing, reducing line unspooling, accidental retraction of the line into the housing or backlash of the line on the spool. The line passage is formed preferably in a resilient material that allows a compressive force to be selectively and manually applied against the line passage and the line. The compressive force is of a magnitude great enough to allow the line to be tensioned as it is pulled from the spool through the line passage, straightening the line and removing coil memory in the line as it is withdrawn from the spool.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus for killing pests in an affected area includes a fuel source, a first air inlet configured to receive a first air flow from the affected area, and a second air inlet configured to receive a second air flow from an unaffected area. The system further includes a premix system operable to generate an air-fuel mixture by mixing a fuel flow received from the fuel source with the second air flow received from the second air inlet. The system further includes a burner operable to generate combustion air by combusting the air-fuel mixture. The combustion air is mixed with the first air flow subsequent to combustion to generate a heated air flow, and the heated air flow is discharged into the affected area. The fuel source, the premix system, and the burner are configured for positioning in the affected area.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus for killing pests in an affected area includes a fuel source, a first air inlet configured to receive a first air flow from the affected area, and a second air inlet configured to receive a second air flow from an unaffected area. The system further includes a premix system operable to generate an air-fuel mixture by mixing a fuel flow received from the fuel source with the second air flow received from the second air inlet. The system further includes a burner operable to generate combustion air by combusting the air-fuel mixture. The combustion air is mixed with the first air flow subsequent to combustion to generate a heated air flow, and the heated air flow is discharged into the affected area. The fuel source, the premix system, and the burner are configured for positioning in the affected area.

Abstract: A coal water slurry comprises smaller and larger coal particles. The smaller coal particles are in a range of from about 20 wt % to about 90 wt % of the coal in the coal water slurry and comprise a mean particle size smaller than 25 ?m. The larger coal particles are in a range of from about 10 wt % to about 80 wt % of the coal in the coal water slurry and comprise a mean particle size in a range of from 50 ?m to 200 ?m.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel composition, comprising: (A) a normally liquid fuel; and (B) a cold flow improving amount of (i) a metathesized natural oil; (ii) a metathesized natural oil derivative; or (iii) a mixture of (i) and (ii). The invention also relates to metathesized derivatives formed by the reaction of a metathesized natural oil with a nucleophile, oxidizer, aromatic compound, enophilic acid reagent, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for converting high free fatty acid containing feed stocks (FFA 20-85%) like palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), restaurant grease, waste cooking oil, Soya deodistillate, acid oil, jatropha curcas oil, mohua oil etc. to biodiesel, which involves esterification of FFA containing oil with lower alcohols like methanol, ethanol, propanol etc. in presence of macro reticular and gel type acidic heterogenous resin as catalyst to bring down acid value in the range of 1-2 mgKOH/g followed by transesterification in presence of homogeneous basic catalyst metal oxides, hydroxides and alkoxides like sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, potassium methoxide etc. and separation of biodiesel and glycerine.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of transforming low rank coals into high quality metallurgical coke, and the coke products produced by such methods.

Abstract: A modular unit, system and method include a base layer having a plurality of reservoirs configured to prevent water flow through a lower portion, the lower portion for contacting a support surface, and having interlocking portions configured to interlock adjacent base layers when installed. A water permeable layer is disposed over the base layer. A detachable wall is mountable on the base layer to contain planting media. The water permeable layer may include a water-holding capillary fabric mat layer with entangled filaments.

Abstract: A water catching basin for placement under plant holders that is designed to capture and hold water that may drain from a plant holder or spill over the edge of the plant holder during the watering process of the contained plant. The exterior of the water catching basin is decorative so when a user needs to bring an outdoor plant indoors, the plant can sit in an attractive water catching basin. The basin also protects furniture and flooring from water spillage that may occur. The device features a draining hole locatable at the center of its base for the purpose of draining water that has collected in the device. A drain plug prevents water from escaping the device until the user is ready to empty the device. A water absorbent material, such as sponge, can fill the interior base of the device to allow for better water collection and retention.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a lower portion and optionally an upper detachable portion which may be sized to surround a plant disposed in a pot. The floral sleeve has a lower end having an angular arcuate portion for improving the conformation of the sleeve to the shape of a pot.

Abstract: Modular amine plants and methods of installing modular amine plants are provided. The method includes providing to a site a modular amine plant having a front-end module and a back-end module in fluid communication with each other. The front-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of various equipment including: a filter, an absorption tower, and a flash tank. The back-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of other various equipment including: a heat exchanger, a distillation tower, and a reboiler. The modular amine plant having moment forces sufficient to withstand wind speeds of about 100 miles per hour.

Abstract: A sliding door system includes at least one sliding door having an upper and lower sliding-door mount, as well as an upper and lower guide rail for displaceably receiving the upper and lower sliding-door mount, respectively. The guide rails extend parallel to each other and each have a clear inner width that is at least twice as large as the thickness of the sliding door. The upper and lower sliding-door mounts are each at most half as wide as the clear inner width of each guide rail, allowing moving the sliding door into recessed and lifted-out positions, each constituting a stable state. By overcoming a resistance force, the sliding door can be moved between stable states. The sliding door system is lightweight and robust, and enables sliding doors to be displaced freely without a particular sliding door being assigned in a fixed manner to a particular opening to be covered.

Abstract: A sliding door with a sliding panel and a fixed panel allows for the sliding panel to pivot with respect to the fixed panel regardless of the position of the sliding panel and allows both the sliding panel and fixed panel to pivot with respect to an outer frame in which the panels are mounted when the sliding panel is fully open or nearly fully open without requiring a floor track. The sliding panel may move linearly with respect to the fixed panel and outer frame along the length of a header, and a guide bracket cooperatively engaged with the sliding panel may be partially positioned in a guide track formed in the fixed panel bottom rail. A floor plate may be secured to the floor surface adjacent the bottom end of a first jamb to provide support/stability to the panels.

Abstract: A barrier operator system is provided including a controller, a motor, a barrier, a power source, and a remote transmitter. The controller scans for a reduced range of radio frequencies while operating in a standby mode to conserve energy. In response to receiving a signal from the remote transmitter, the barrier operator will exit the standby mode and scan for a broader range of frequencies. In response to receiving a command signal from the remote transmitter, the controller will operate the barrier. The controller also scans for signals from an accessory device after exiting the standby mode. The accessory device may also operate in multiple modes with respect to scanning for transmissions and sending signals to the controller.

Abstract: A sliding door apparatus for closing and opening in a wall. The sliding door apparatus includes a sliding door having top and bottom edges, a door frame, a carriage secured to the top edge of the door and a drive mechanism for opening and closing movement of the door. The drive mechanism preferably includes a bi-directional effector, a power-storing power source and a controller configured to enable the door to be continuously closed but not locked when a continuously-closed signal is received by the controller.

Abstract: An explosive breach training system comprising a frame having a lock jamb with two opposing ends and an inner surface, two wide members connected to the opposing ends of the lock jamb, and a long member having ends connected to the wide members. The frame defines an interior space. A hinge jamb assembly comprises an elongate member within the interior space, the assembly being slidably attached to the frame and moveable between the lock jamb and the long member. A door member has a hinge side attachable to the assembly and a lock side, and fits in a door space defined by the elongate member, the lock jamb, and the portions of the wide members extending between the assembly and the opposing ends of the lock jamb. A lock bracket is adjacent to the lock jamb, and defines an elongate slot intersecting with a portion of said door space.

Abstract: A safety gate has a gate frame, a pivotable fence, a latch device and a fence stopper. The gate frame has a base, two side frames and a block formed on the base. The pivotable fence is mounted within the gate frame. One side of the pivotable fence is pivotally mounted within the gate frame by a pivoting element. The latch device has a first pin member and a first latch member respectively having two magnets corresponding to each other. The fence stopper abuts against the block to limit the pivotable fence to be unidirectionally pivotable. The attraction force between the magnets and a restoring force of the pivoting element return the pivotable fence back within the gate frame. The fence stopper and the block abut against each other to avoid the circumstance when the pivotable fence is slammed too hard and the latch device is not securely locked.

Abstract: A removable draft blocker, for blocking drafts by sealing a gap between a bottom surface of a door and an underlying floor surface, includes first and second elongated draft blocking bodies, a base member extending between a bottom of the first draft blocking body and a bottom of the second draft blocking body to join the first and second draft blocking bodies in a spaced apart parallel relationship, and a retaining member disposed between ends of the first and second draft blocking bodies. The draft blocker is adapted to be positioned at the bottom of a door, with the draft blocking bodies on opposite sides of the door, and with the retaining member engaged behind or against a side edge of the door, such that the draft blocker is prevented from moving out of position as the door is opened and closed.

Abstract: A diamond sintered body conventionally used in a cutting tool or the like includes an iron group metal element as a sintering aid, and therefore has a problem in heat resistance. A diamond sintered body not including the iron group metal, on the other hand, does not have sufficient mechanical strength to be used as a tool material, and also does not have conductivity, which makes electrical discharge machining impossible, and thus processing thereof is difficult. A diamond polycrystalline body having high heat resistance and mechanical strength and having conductivity enabling electrical discharge machining is obtained by using only an amorphous or fine graphite-type carbon material as a starting material, adding boron thereto and concurrently performing conversion into diamond and sintering in an ultra-high pressure and temperature condition.

Abstract: A PDC cutting element is described with a high abrasion thermally stable cutting edge that is supported by a diamond matrix which presents a non-planar wear surface to the rock interface. The non-planar wear surface of the supporting layer dramatically reduces the amount of heat generated at the PDC rock interface and provides rapid cutting with less weight on the bit for deep hole drilling applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for preparing a silicon bonded PCD material involving a one step, double sweep process.

Abstract: A data center includes a server, a trestle-floor, and a battery box. The server is positioned on the trestle-floor. The battery box is located under the trestle-floor and below the server. The trestle-floor includes a number of tiles. The battery box receives a number of battery units. When the battery units need to be replaced or repaired, one or more tiles of the trestle-floor are operable to be removed to expose the battery units.

Abstract: A transportable prefabricated container house includes a main body and a house forming body, configured to be housed in the main body and drawn out of the main body at the installation site to be expanded/assembled into a house threefold the size of the main body. Assembly of the pre-assembled square “U”-shape walls sandwiched between the floor and ceiling boards includes tightly tying the ceiling supporting beams and the floor supporting beams together with shackles, and passing steel rods or pipes between the walls to render the house immune from earthquakes and hurricanes. A foundation of steel pipe bodies assists earthquake- and hurricane-resistance. Mega structures housing multitudes of container houses can be used when stacking two or more container houses is insufficient and large scale urban development is necessary, and are capable of resisting earthquakes and hurricanes due to a system of wire mesh covering.

Abstract: Provided are frame members from which a structure can be efficiently assembled, and a structure using the frame members. On a surface of a vertical frame member 28, there are printed a position identification mark (sectional shape mark) showing the position where a horizontal frame member 34 is to be butted, a nut position identification mark N showing the mounting position of a nut 46 which is to be inserted into a guide groove 22, and a position identification mark showing the mounting position of a bracket 42. The frame members can be efficiently assembled to manufacture a structure, without referring to a drawing for assembly.