Abstract: A refrigerator is proposed comprising a fluid mixing apparatus (100) for adding a gas, contained in a storage bottle (125) provided with a valve device (130), to a liquid within a mixing chamber (105); the mixing between the gas and the liquid within the mixing chamber forms a composite solution of mixed gas and liquid and gas being not mixed with the liquid. The pressure value of said non-mixed gas is indicative of the amount of mixed gas within the composite solution. The fluid mixing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a pressure detector (199) configured to detect the pressure value of the non-mixed gas within the mixing chamber; and control means (145, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 197) for controlling, as a function of the detected pressure value, the opening or closing of said valve device in order to automatically adjust the gas flow from the storage bottle to the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a humidifying medium which adopts a natural humidifying system and has excellent lifespan characteristics. The humidifying medium according to the present invention is formed by coupling a linerboard to one or both sides of a corrugated board. The corrugated board and the linerboard have different average pore diameters, and the humidifying medium of the present invention may be formed by coupling a linerboard having an average pore diameter of 35˜40 ?m to one or both sides of a corrugated board having an average pore diameter of 8-10 ?m.

Abstract: The object of the present patent application refers to a contact device with double function for packed columns, acting as a phase distributor and contactor, characterized by differentiated drills in approximately uniform distribution, as obtained by means of stamping of metal trays.

Abstract: There is provided a lens molding apparatus, the apparatus including: a first mold part and a second mold part molding a lens array; first alignment marks respectively formed on the first mold part and the second mold part; second alignment marks respectively formed on the first mold part and the second mold part and positioned outside of the first alignment marks; and a controller sensing an alignment error of the first alignment marks based on the second alignment marks and correcting a relative position of the second mold part with respect to the first mold part in proportion to the magnitude of the sensed alignment error.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing nanocrystalline compositions using focused acoustic processing to cause and/or enhance crystal growth. A flow through system may be employed to expose sample material having a volume of greater or less than 30 mL to focused acoustic energy while flowing through a process chamber at a rate of at least 0.1 mL/min. Sample material may be processed by a suitable focused acoustic field in a cyclic fashion and/or with adjustment of processing parameters based on monitored characteristics of the sample, such as level of crystallinity. Nanocrystalline particles within the sample may have a tight particle size distribution with an average particle size between 10 nm and 1 micron. Stable nanocrystalline compositions may be reproducibly prepared using focused acoustics to have controllable morphologies and dimensions.

Abstract: Cavities are partially or entirely filled with a polymer foam. A flexible, porous mesh tube is introduced into the cavity. The mesh tube has a volume smaller than that of the cavity and has openings. A foamable liquid mixture is introduced into the mesh tube. Despite the presence of the openings, the foamable liquid mixture does not pass through the openings in the mesh tube. The captured liquid composition then expands. As the composition expands, it flows through the openings in the mesh tube and makes contact with the walls of the cavity. After curing, a polymer foam is obtained which adheres to the cavity walls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating a stator of a super-high-speed induction motor, in which the process of loading a stator on which a coil is completely wound into a mold, injecting a functional resin into a chamber, converting the inside of the chamber into the vacuum state, and pressurizing the inside of the chamber is carried out so that bubbles are removed from the inside and the surface of the functional resin and the functional resin is completely filled between the inner circumference of the stator and the inner circumference of the mold, thereby maximizing heat conductivity and insulation, preventing the stator from deteriorating, and improving the performance and endurance of the super-high-speed induction motor.

Abstract: Methods and systems of forming barbed sutures from blown films are provided. A method for forming a barbed suture includes providing a blown film, cutting slits into an outer edge of the blown film, and twisting the blown film such that the slits protrude from the twisted blown film to form a barbed suture. A system for forming a barbed suture includes a set of heating rollers configured for stiffening an outer edge of a blown film, a set of cutting rollers configured for forming slits in the outer edge, a set of twisting rollers configured for twisting the blown film into a suture, and a heat source to set the suture.

Abstract: A method of continuous curing and post-curing of a plurality of extruded strands is provided. A plurality of extruded strands is wrapped through a plurality of spindle units rotatably connected to a rigid frame structure. A plurality of dual spindles are provided in a plurality of upper and lower spindle units, wherein each dual spindle comprises a free spinning roller and a driven roller. A chamber that comprises a dual function chamber configured for heating and cooling is supported on the rigid frame structure. The plurality of extruded strands is continuously transferred between the upper spindle units and the lower spindle units such that the plurality of extruded strands runs in a vertical fashion that continuously alternates between the lower spindle units and the upper spindle units. Each of the plurality of strands is transferred independently of each other and continuously passed through the chamber for continuous curing and post-curing.

Abstract: Volatilization of a photocuring composition is suppressed while reducing residual gas in a nanoimprinting method. A nanoimprinting method transfers the shapes of protrusions and recesses of a mold onto a photocuring composition layer formed on a substrate, by placing the mold and the photocuring composition layer in close contact. One or both of the mold and the substrate is formed by quartz. The mold and the substrate are placed in close contact with a gas having at least 70% He by volume and a pressure within a range from 10 kPa to 90 kPa interposed therebetween.

Abstract: [Summary] [Technical problem] The main object of the present invention is to provide a mold part for resin molding and manufacturing method which can easily change a design on a product surface side without requiring substantial effort and cost and diversify the selection of post-processings on this design surface and are suitably used by being attached to diverse molding tools.

Abstract: A system and method of painting parts of large dimensions that present a certain amount of flexibility that makes their shape geometrically unstable in the event of being moved. The surface of a part is moved in front of a paint spray device by an arm of a robot, while the spray device remains stationary relative to the robot and while the part is being deformed. Other elements include a gripper for gripping parts of large dimensions, the gripper being adapted to implement the method; an installation; and a booth for performing surface treatment of parts.

Abstract: Method of injection moulding a plastics component includes providing a first mould member with a mould cavity, defined by an internal surface, and a second mould member with an external surface complementary to the mould cavity shape. Either the internal or external surface carry an elongate formation with an elongate apex. Then, the second mould member is advanced into the mould cavity such that the apex is spaced from the opposed one of the internal surface and the external surface by a predetermined distance and the internal surface of the first mould member and the external surface of the second mould member together define a mould space. Molten polyolefin material is then injected into the mould space to substantially fill it. The predetermined distance is so dimensioned that the polyolefin material does not completely fill the space between the apex and the opposed surface and the slit is thus formed.

Abstract: Systems and processes that limit distortion of inserts (e.g., previously formed parts) in insert molding and overmolding processes. Initially, a mold may be closed (e.g., clamped) about an insert with the mold at a first temperature. After closing the mold about the insert, the mold is heated up to a second temperature (e.g., a temperature suitable for injection of the molding material) and filled with the molding material to contact (e.g., encapsulate) the insert. After the mold has been cooled, the mold may be opened and the finished part (including the insert and the solidified molding material) removed (e.g., ejected). The process may be repeated for additional finished parts. Closing the mold about the insert before heating the mold to the injection temperature advantageously limits distortion of the insert that would otherwise occur by placing the insert into the mold with the mold already at the injection temperature.

Abstract: A method for using a Poisson's ratio material includes a carbon nanotube film structure is provided. The carbon nanotube film structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes. A first part of the carbon nanotubes are aligned a first direction, a second part of the carbon nanotubes are aligned a second direction. The first direction is substantially perpendicular to second direction. When the Poisson's ratio material is stretched or compressed substantially along the first or second direction, a Poisson's ratio value is negative. When the Poisson's ratio material is stretched or compressed in a direction having an angle of about 45 degrees with the first direction, the Poisson's ratio value is positive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data, whereby a material is deposited in layers in a process chamber and the material is selectively solidified and/or bonded using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber, these steps being repeated. A conveyance of the material proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially and evenly up to an unpacking position.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a polymeric stent with improved fracture toughness including radial expansion of a polymer tube and fabricating a stent from the expanded tube are disclosed. The polymer tube is disposed within a mold and may be heated with radiation. The heated tube radially expands within the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integral irradiation unit for hardening light-hardening polymer compositions, a method for producing hardened polymer molded bodies or bodies coated with hardened polymers using the integral irradiation unit, and to the use of the integral irradiation unit for producing molded polymer bodies or bodies coated with polymers.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn toward compositions, systems, and methods for printing of three-dimensional objects. In one embodiment, a liquid inkjettable material for 3-dimensional printing can comprise from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of a pigment, from 10 wt % to 90 wt % of a UV-curable polymer, and from 0.1 wt % to 70 wt % of a polymeric filler. Additionally, the liquid inkjettable material can be jettable from piezo electric inkjet printer nozzles and has acceptable decap performance measured by jetting a normal 50 picoliter ink drop within 10 electric firing pulses after the piezo electric inkjet printer nozzles have been fired and have been subsequently rested for 24 hours.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process and apparatus for manufacturing plastic articles through the rotational molding method, and is more particularly addressed to a process and apparatus of rotomoulding in furnace for manufacturing containers with multiple layers. The apparatus of the present invention uses a series of bins for the introduction of the materials to be molten on the molds, which are controlled by a computerized control panel.

Abstract: A heat treatment furnace is provided which includes a gas generator with a methanol inlet connected to a methanol feed line and at least one gas outlet for dissociated methanol, wherein said gas generator is disposed to be in heat exchange contact with a cooling zone and a heating zone of the furnace.

Abstract: A refractory particularly for the use in an inner lining of a blast furnace is a layered composite comprising a protective layer and a conductive layer, wherein the interlayer bonding strength between the individual layers is more than 6 MPa.

Abstract: A gas spring suitable for controlling motion of a linear power generator or a linear machine. According to an embodiment, the gas spring comprises a cylinder and a pressure control network. The cylinder comprises two pistons in a coaxial arrangement and three controllable gas volumes or chambers. Each of the pistons includes a piston rod or shaft that is configured to couple to respective drive shaft(s) on the linear power generator. The pressure control network is operatively coupled to each of the three gas volumes and configured with a controller to control the gas pressure in the gas volumes to vary the resistance of the pistons to the movement of the respective drive shaft(s) on the linear power generator. According to another embodiment, the cylinder comprises one piston and two controllable gas volumes or chambers operatively coupled to the pressure control network.

Abstract: The towed roping dummy shock absorption apparatus provides for an apparatus designed to be inserted between a pulling vehicle and a towed roping dummy when practicing team roping from horseback. The apparatus provides for modulation of jerks and forces on the dummy that cause strain on the vehicle, dummy and horse, as well as providing for more consistent speed when being towed.

Abstract: An adjustable vibration reduction device is provided to dampen and reduce vibration in order to maintain performance of equipment attached to a system. The vibration reduction device includes at least one resilient vibration dampener coupling an upper assembly to a lower assembly. The upper assembly is attached to an equipment mount frame via a pair of stop members extending through a pair of stop apertures in the lower assembly to control movement of the lower assembly relative to the upper assembly. The lower assembly is attached to a structure frame via a pair of fastening devices. The vibration reduction device may be adjusted by selectively including at least one resilient vibration dampener, such as an o-ring, having predetermined characteristics to maximize vibration reduction or isolation. A plurality of vibration reduction devices are provided in a system that causes or transfers vibration, such as a vehicle, having electronic equipment attached thereto.

Abstract: A wet-etching jig, which is a wet-etching jig that holds a plate workpiece when the workpiece is wet-etched, includes: a holding unit configured to include a suction unit in which a suction port is formed for absorbing the air and a first close contact unit that is provided to surround the suction unit and that can closely contact a first surface of the workpiece to surround a predetermined region of the first surface; an exhaust path that communicates with the suction port; and a check valve that is provided in the exhaust path to intercept a flow of the air in a direction toward the suction unit and to permit a flow of the air from the suction unit.

Abstract: A fixture for selectably supporting a number of dissimilar workpieces in a substantially vertical orientation. The fixture includes a frame with one or more rotatable and vertically-oriented workpiece tooling assemblies. Each workpiece tooling assembly has multiple faces to which is mounted workpiece support tooling. The workpiece support tooling may be designed to support dissimilar workpieces, such that a single fixture may support any of a given number of workpieces by simply rotating the workpiece tooling assembly or assemblies until the corresponding support tooling is properly positioned. A locking assembly, such as a cam-locking assembly, may be provided to releasably secure each workpiece tooling assembly in the various support orientations that coincide with each of its faces.

Abstract: A clamping device having a C shaped frame and anvils which cannot rotate while applying a clamping force is disclosed. One anvil is affixed to the C shaped frame while the second anvil is mounted to a drive tube which telescopes within a guide tube fixed to the frame. The conformal shapes of the guide and drive tubes prevent rotation as compressive force is applied to a work piece placed between the two anvils.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a substrate supporting edge ring for supporting a substrate. In one embodiment, a substrate support ring is provided. The substrate support ring comprises an annular body. The annular body comprises an outer band extending radially inward from an outer annular sidewall; and a substrate supporting region extending inward from an inner portion of the outer band, wherein the annular body comprises a first material that is exposed and at least a portion of the substrate supporting region is covered with a coating comprising a second material that is different than the first material.

Abstract: A digital printing press is provided. The digital printing press includes at least one digital printing unit printing on a web, at least one cutting cylinder cutting the web into panorama sheets and flysheets and a folder for folding the panorama sheets cut from the web. The folder includes a flysheet cylinder for receiving flysheets printed and cut from the web, a collect cylinder for accumulating at least one panorama sheet and at least one flysheet at a collect location and a folding cylinder for folding panorama sheets received from the collect cylinder into a section. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A finisher is provided with a transport paddle and a control portion. The transport paddle freely moves to a first position where the transport paddle is on standby while protruding above a lower stack tray, a second position where the transport paddle sandwiches the sheet in between and, at the same time, is transported to abut the sheet against the abutment portion, and a third position where the transport paddle retracts in a finisher body 400. The control portion makes the transport paddle be on standby at the first position at least at the start of a job, moves the transport paddle between the first position and the second position for each discharge of the sheet by the bundle discharge roller pair, and moves the transport paddle to the third position after termination of the alignment processing for a last sheet of the job.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus are provided which can reduce the variability of overlapped portions when feeding sheets in an overlapping manner. When sheets are adsorbed to an adsorption conveyance belt, a suction shutter is switched from a block position to block a negative pressure to an adsorption position to adsorb the sheets by the negative pressure. When the sheets conveyed in an overlapping manner reaches a predetermined number and the next sheet is adsorbed, the timing to switch the suction shutter to the adsorption position is delayed compared to the timing at which a preceding sheet adsorbed in advance and a subsequent sheet overlap.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which prevents lowering of productivity when sets of tab sheets are used in one print job. The apparatus includes first sheet feeding units storing tab sheets, and a second sheet feeding unit storing plain paper. The apparatus produces print products in each which at least part of each set of tab sheets and plain paper are mixed. A print job processor causes print products to be produced by repeating a sequence of processing for feeding the at least part of each set of tab sheets and feeding plain paper. The processor causes surplus tab sheets to be discharged which have not been used for the print products and remaining in the first sheet feeding units, after a print product is produced through sheet feeding from a last one of the first sheet feeding units in order.

Abstract: A medium feeding device includes a loading member; a holding member that includes a movable holding-member body having a gas suction opening, and a suction device connected to the gas suction opening, the holding member being configured to attract and hold each of mediums on the loading member while the suction device performs suction; a holding-member-moving mechanism that moves the holding member between a suction position where the medium is attracted to the holding member and a feed position on a downstream side with respect to the suction position; a transport member that transports the medium held by the holding member at the feed position toward the downstream side; and a suction-force-changing mechanism that reduces a suction force after the medium is attracted to the holding member and before a trailing end of the medium attracted to the holding member passes over the gas suction opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image-forming part; a paper feeding part; a resist part; a rotating body; a detector for detecting the arrival of paper at the resist part; a timer part for measuring a measurement time from when feeding of a second sheet of paper from the paper feeding part is begun to when the detector detects the arrival of the second sheet of paper, and a sheet interval time from when the detector detects the passage of a first sheet of paper immediately preceding the second sheet of paper to when the arrival of the second sheet of paper is detected; and an identifier part for referring to the measurement time, a reference measurement time, the sheet interval time and a reference sheet interval time, and deciding the paper feeding part advancing or delaying the paper feed start timing.

Abstract: A retard roller and a retard roller module are provided. The retard roller is used in an automatic document feeder for providing a frictional force to separate plural documents from each other. Unidirectional rotation of the retard roller is permitted. Due to the unidirectional rotation, the contact surface of the retard roller can be switched. During the sheet-feeding process, the document is contacted with a specified contact surface. By rotating the retard roller, the document is contacted with another contact surface.

Abstract: The sheet feeding apparatus includes an apparatus body, a sheet cassette, a positioning member which includes a positioning pin arranged at one of the apparatus body and the sheet cassette and a positioning hole arranged at the other of the apparatus body and the sheet cassette and which performs positioning of the sheet cassette owing to fitting of the positioning pin with the positioning hole when the sheet cassette is slidingly moved to an attached position, and a restriction member which performs restriction of movement of the sheet cassette in the horizontal direction being perpendicular to a sliding direction from a drawn position to a fitting beginning position where fitting of the positioning member begins and which releases restriction of the movement of the sheet cassette in the horizontal direction from the fitting beginning position to the attached position.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus move, when stacking a sheet on a stacking tray, a supporting tray disposed to freely appear above the stacking tray to a first position in which the supporting tray projects above the stacking tray and supports the sheet stacked on an intermediate stacking tray. When these apparatuses discharge a processed sheet bundle, these apparatuses move the supporting tray from the first position to a second position in which the supporting tray supports an edge of the discharged sheet in an upstream side in a discharging direction, and guides the moving sheet bundle to a stacking wall. Further, these apparatuses move the supporting tray from the second position to a third position at predetermined timing, so that the supporting tray stops supporting the sheet bundle and stacks the sheet bundle on the sheet bundle previously stacked on the stacking tray.

Abstract: A finisher 100 includes a pair of bundle discharge rollers 130, a lower stack tray 137, and a width-direction aligning portion 200. The width-direction aligning portion includes a pair of aligning members 1 and a driving motor. The aligning member includes a pair of first aligning members 91 that is rotatably supported while being movable in the sheet width direction orthogonal to the discharge direction and a pair of second aligning members 92. The driving motor rotates the pair of first aligning members and moves the pair of first aligning members in the width direction. When the pair of first aligning members rotates and one of the pair of second aligning members abuts on the sheet, the pair of second aligning members forms opposite surfaces in which the sheet can be aligned in the width direction, and the pair of first aligning members align the sheet by the opposite surfaces.

Abstract: A paper reversing assembly includes a paper roller, a driving member, and a plurality of balls. The paper roller includes a recess defined in an end portion thereof and a plurality of concave portions formed on the internal circumferential sidewall of the recess. The driving member is received in the recess and includes a plurality of lobes, which interact with the balls to allow the free rotation of the paper roller when the paper is being pulled out.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a turn-around mechanism, and a re-feeding unit that includes a first feeding unit having a guide curved to bulge in such a direction as to be farther from an image forming unit, the guide defining an outer side of a curved first feeding route for feeding a sheet received from the turn-around mechanism, and a second feeding unit defining a second feeding route for feeding the sheet fed via the first feeding route, the guide including a first section on a first side thereof in the width direction of the sheet, and a second section around a second side opposite to the first side thereof in the width direction, the second section being curved to bulge more than the first section in such a direction as to be farther from the image forming unit.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of high-precision sheet position correction is provided. At the time of moving a pair of registration rollers in the width direction, a data storage portion stores the deficiency quantity of a motion quantity in the width direction and an inclination quantity incurred in the pair of registration rollers with respect to the sheet conveying direction. At the time of correcting a skew feeding of a sheet by a pair of skew feeding correction rollers, a controller adjusts a skew feeding quantity detected by an activation sensor by the inclination quantity stored in the data storage portion, and at the time of moving the pair of registration rollers in the width direction, the controller adjusts the motion quantity by the deficiency quantity of the motion quantity stored in the data storage portion.

Abstract: There are provided a sheet stacking apparatus capable of stably stacking a large number of sheets and an image forming apparatus. The sheet stacking apparatus configured to stack sheets includes a plurality of discharge units disposed to an apparatus main body in a vertical direction and configured to discharge sheets, a plurality of sheet stacking units disposed to be independently elevatable on a side surface of the apparatus main body corresponding respectively to the plurality of discharge units and configured to stack thereon the sheets discharged from the discharge units, and an alignment unit disposed between the plurality of sheet stacking units and configured to sequentially align a position in a width direction perpendicular to a discharging direction of the sheets stacked on a lower sheet stacking unit among the plurality of sheet stacking units.

Abstract: An image reading device is provided, which includes a controller configured to, when a carriage reaches a turn-around position in a moving direction, control a motor to once stop, then rotate in a second direction opposite to a first direction such that a planetary gear swings to a position separated from an output gear and that an intermediate gear moves to an engagement position to engage with the output gear, and thereafter again rotate in the first direction so as to transmit a driving force from the motor to the output gear via an input gear, a planetary gear, and the intermediate gear.

Abstract: A card shuffler that moves cards one-at-a-time from the bottom of a group that may be a deck in a deck-crib, to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a receiving or dealing rack. Either the deck-crib or the receiving rack is moved by a motor to align a receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A space is provided in the dealing rack in one embodiment, where a dealer's hand can reach cards and remove them from the dealing rack. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for a player hand or a dealer hand. A card reader may be included, and positions in the receiving or dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a board game for teaching basic arithmetic and mathematical operations (such as addition, subtraction and multiplication) along with the order of operations to children in need of such skills. The game board includes a continuous playing path having a series of playing positions there along, with each of the positions requiring a player to roll combinations of polyhedral dice and using mathematical operations to achieve a score for each turn along the playing path. Play proceeds as described above until a predetermined total amount of points is achieved.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for blackjack insurance may be shown. The method, system and apparatus allows players in a traditional blackjack game to buy insurance against the outcome of the dealer's cards having a value equal to 21. The bet may be placed after the dealer has been dealt the traditional two cards and revealed the top card. The bet may be placed regardless of the value of the dealer's top card.

Abstract: Methods and devices, including kits, are disclosed herein for playing a flying disc game. For instance, some aspects are directed to kits for playing flying disc game that can include one or more poles (e.g., two), one or more target objects (e.g., two), and/or a flying disc. The pole can be insertable into a ground surface, or can optionally be inserted into a free standing base. The target object can be detachably placed on the a target support of the pole, which can be dislodged by a player throwing the flying disc at the target object. Various configurations for the poles, target objects, and flying disc are discussed. As well, a method for playing a flying disc game, (e.g., one using some assembly of the equipment disclosed) is also revealed.

Abstract: A non-planar target board, fascia boards connected to the non-planar target board, and support members connected to one or more of the fascia boards and the underside of the target board, form at least one target board assembly for an advanced bag toss game. A method of making the target board assembly is also a part of the invention.

Abstract: A sealing device in which a good lubricating oil film is formed along the entire circumference of a sliding surface. The sealing device (1) is fitted in an annular groove formed in either of two elements that are a housing having a shaft hole and a shaft inserted through the shaft hole, and the sealing device (1) seals an annular gap between the two elements. The sealing device (1) has a seal ring (2) sliding against the other element by relative axial movements of the two elements. In the seal ring (2), on each of axially opposite ends of a sliding surface (20) sliding against the other element, there are formed grooves (22) extending from an end surface (21) of the seal ring (2) toward the axial center of a sliding surface (20).