Abstract: A beverage preparation machine of the type which uses pre-packed cartridges of beverage ingredients. The cartridges may be designed so that air becomes entrained so as to produce a desired foam or crema. Air inlets are provided in an outlet nozzle to allow air to enter the beverage preparation machine and so be available for entrainment. Advantageously, the air inlets extend through the sides of the nozzle in an elevated position at a widened portion of the nozzle. This reduces the flow of beverage into and through the air inlets, aiding cleanliness.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) for conditioning a food substance, such as milk or a milk-containing substance, comprises: —a food conditioning module (31) that has a structure (32) for holding such food substance and that has an electric device (35) comprising a conditioner (36) for imparting as a conditioning effect to such food substance and a conditioner control unit (37) for controlling the conditioner; and —a user-interface device (40) in data-communication with the conditioner control unit to transmit user-data from the user-interface device to the control unit for controlling the conditioner accordingly. The user-interface device (40) is external to the food conditioning module (31) and disconnectably connected thereto.

Abstract: A coffee maker and coffee holder cooperate to tamp coffee in the coffee holder. The coffee holder may include a top tamping spring, a bottom tamping spring, or a top or bottom passage allowing entry of a tamper into the coffee holder. The coffee maker includes an actuator above or below the coffee holder, or a fixed tamper attached to a ceiling or platform of the coffee maker. The coffee holder may be inserted between the ceiling and platform, or into a moving drawer of the coffee maker. The actuator may be a solenoid actuator or a hydraulic actuator actuated by water pressure of heated water used for brewing.

Abstract: An automated temperature control system for a barbecue grill or other structure comprises an automated damper assembly coupled to a vent of said grill, which damper assembly opens and closes selectively to adjust the flow passage area of the grill's vent. The system further comprises an operating area temperature probe for communicating the temperature of the operating area of the grill to the automated damper assembly, such that the automated damper assembly may maintain a user-specified target operating temperature by way of affecting combustion rates within the grill. A remote control may also be provided to allow the user to input a desired temperature for the system to obtain and/or to change temperature information for the grill or other structure.

Abstract: An improved screen printing machine is provided. The main body portion and the support table portion of the printer main body are constructed independently of each other, and the main body portion is supported by the support table portion so as to be movable forward. A feed screw is axially immovably and rotatably held by the main body portion so as to be parallel to the front and rear direction, and the feed screw is engaged with the nut provided on the support table portion. An operator rotates the handle attached to the feed screw to move the main body portion forward with respect to the support table portion so that the main body portion is drawn from the support table portion.

Abstract: Certain examples of printers and methods of printing may involve determining colorant amounts of image regions within a print image.

Abstract: An ink film thickness distribution correction method in an ink supply apparatus including an ink fountain storing an ink, a plurality of ink fountain keys, an ink fountain roller to which the ink is supplied from the ink fountain, an ink ductor roller to which the ink is transferred from the ink fountain roller, and an ink roller group including at least one ink form roller to which the ink transferred to the ink ductor roller is supplied. A throw-off operation of the ink form roller positioned at the end of the ink roller group is performed during test printing or final printing. An ink film thickness distribution correction apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ink film thickness distribution forming method in an ink supply apparatus including an ink fountain. A plurality of ink fountain keys are arranged in the ink fountain. Ink is supplied to an ink fountain roller in accordance with the opening ratios of the plurality of ink fountain keys. Ink is transferred to an ink ductor roller from the ink fountain roller. Ink from the ink doctor roller is transferred to an ink roller group including at least one ink form roller. A throw-off operation of the ink form roller positioned at an end of the ink roller group is performed after the end of a print job. The ink roller group is divided into a plurality of roller subgroups after the end of the print job. The ink in at least one of roller subgroups is removed. An ink film thickness distribution forming apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A digital sheet-fed printing method includes providing one cycle of printing to print on a series of sheets of paper whose number is equal to the least common multiple of respective numbers of allocated positions; producing a reference signal on the basis of which an image in each color is printed on the sheet of paper; detecting with an image detection sensor means a mutual out of register between images in different colors printed on each sheet of paper in the series, furnishing the printing control means with a detection signal for each sheet of paper from the image detection sensor, and correcting the timing at which each image is printed on each sheet of paper in one cycle of printing so that timings to print the images in different colors on each sheet of paper coincide with one another; and printing images in the different colors.

Abstract: A shaped charge having a liner, a shaped charge case, high explosive between the ilner and the case, and an active wave shaping element that is made of an energetic material that reacts at a rate different from the high explosive. The wave shaping element is disposed in the high explosive between an apex of the liner and base of the shaped charge case. Example materials of the wave shaping element include HMX, RDX, PBX types, PETN, HNS, TATB, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An overhead wafer transport system includes an over head transportation (OHT) rail and at least one shuttle. The OHT rail includes a main track and two lateral tracks, each having a hollow transverse cross-section, each lateral track being in corresponding connection with the main track through the two sides thereof, constituting an approximate tri-directional branch form. The shuttle has a track-interface assembly and a docking unit, the track-interface assembly being adapted to travel along the OHT rail. The track-interface assembly being arranged at the junction of the two lateral tracks and the main track, wherein the track-interface assembly is adapted to selectively travel along at least one of the main track and the lateral tracks. Therefore, the overhead wafer transport system can be applied to a clean room with higher transfer efficiency and clean room space utilization.

Abstract: Modified pigments including an organic group containing a 5-membered heteroaromatic ring, as well as related compositions, articles, and methods, are disclosed. The diazonium salts containing a 5-membered heteroaromat is ring exhibit enhanced activity in modifying pigments, thereby resulting in modified pigments with a higher treatment level and improved dispersibility in an ink composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to coatings for wood and improvement in the surface properties of cured coatings of the invention. The invention further relates to a method for improving at least one property such as mechanical, optical or a combination thereof and to a process for preparing a nanocrystalline cellulose-containing hydrodispersible, hydrosoluble and hydrophobic wood coating.

Abstract: A bond coating having high corrosion and oxidation resistance and good compatibility with a thermal barrier coating is disclosed. The bond coating may be an optimized NiCrAlY material with additional materials that eliminates the presence of beta phase for oxidation by replacing the beta phase with a gamma/gamma prime system. The bond coating may also decrease the presence of phases that are detrimental to the mechanical and oxidation properties of the system, such as the sigma and BCC chromium phases. The bond coating may also have a gamma/gamma prime transition temperature that is about 400 degrees Celsius higher than conventional bond coatings, which enables local stresses to be reduced.

Abstract: A geopolymer concrete formed by mixing about 3% to about 43% by weight incinerator fly ash, about 3% to about 35% by weight coal fly ash, about 7% to about 38% by weight alkaline activator liquid, and about 31% to about 70% by weight aggregate. The incinerator fly ash may be derived from a solid waste incinerator facility. The alkaline activator liquid may include a sodium hydroxide solution and sodium silicate. The aggregate may include a fine aggregate, such as sand, and a coarse aggregate, such as gravel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for the production of gypsum board using starch pellets. In accordance with the present disclosure, the starch necessary for board formation is provided in the form of starch pellets. These pellets are mixed with a gypsum slurry in a mixer. The pellets are initially insoluble and do not dissolve. However, during subsequent drying stages, the pellets become soluble and dissolve into the gypsum phase. This both provides the desired starch component and also results in the formation of voids within the set gypsum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a production method for a lightweight construction material using asbestos waste, and more specifically to a production method for a lightweight construction material using asbestos waste in which the production takes place with the addition of loess, silicon carbide, a zeolite and half silty clay to asbestos waste, and relates to a lightweight construction material produced thereby. By adding silicon carbide, loess, a zeolite and half silty clay to asbestos waste, the present invention has the advantageous effect that construction materials can be made lighter in weight without the asbestos component being detected, and an environmentally friendly lightweight construction material can be produced which has outstanding strength, thermal insulation properties, forming properties, water-absorbing power and water-retaining ability.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising unexpanded perlite, cement kiln dust, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising ground unexpanded perlite, Portland cement interground with pumicite, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises a settable composition comprising: ground unexpanded perlite; cement kiln dust; and water.

Abstract: A method for preparing a composite material from a waste appearing as sludge is provided. The method comprises a step consisting in putting said waste appearing as sludge in contact with a dry cement mixture. Also provided are the thereby obtained composite material and the use of such a method for treating and/or inertizing wastes and notably industrial and/or radioactive wastes.

Abstract: An ergonomic support system that comprises a tray type support surface, in conjunction with a system of extendable support arms, designed to afford the user maximum functional capability in an ergonomic setting. The system may comprise a portable embodiment, or may also comprise a stationary mounted embodiment which may be located within an office apparatus such as a desk, or within a vehicle such as an automobile, a train, a boat or an airplane. The stationary mounted embodiments may additionally comprise components with retractable capabilities for ease of use and stowage and pivotable with respect to the support arm so that the same surface of the tray that faces upwardly during use that may become soiled also faces outwardly when the tray table is stowed in the seatback.

Abstract: An article of furniture has been developed having a tilting tabletop mechanism, which securely maintains a tabletop in either a generally horizontal or generally vertical position while permitting a user to tilt the tabletop easily. The article of furniture includes a first component, a second component, a first member, a second member, a first lock element, and a second lock element. The second component is pivotally coupled to the first component. The first and second members are connectable to a first secured component. The first secured component is one of the first and second components. The first lock element is mounted to engage the first member when the first component is in a first position relative to the second component. The second lock element is mounted to engage the second member when the first component is in a second position relative to the second component.

Abstract: A work surface includes a grommet and door assembly that provides for routing of utility lines through an opening in the work surface. The door pivots in first and second opposite directions about first and second axes, respectively, to first and second open positions. Magnetic connectors retain the door during pivoting about the first and second axes, and also retain the door in a closed position.

Abstract: When a pallet is in use, goods to be shipped are generally mounted on the top surface. A pallet support formed from a polymer, preferable a fiber reinforced biopolymer, fits on the open end of the pallet, and adds great strength thereto, while still permitting a loaded pallet to be used in a standard fashion.

Abstract: An application for a safe or strong box attachment mechanism that attaches to a bed system includes a barbed plate that has barbs. The barbed plate readily inserts between a box spring and a mattress, but due to the barbs, is difficult to remove without lifting the mattress from the box spring making it at least difficult to remove by, for example, children in the home. In some embodiments, the safe (or strong box) has a revolving door that, when a proper code/combination/biometric is provided, rotatably opens to expose the contents.

Abstract: Tuyere stock arrangement of a blast furnace including a tuyere body configured for installation in a shaft furnace wall, the tuyere body including a front face facing an interior of the shaft furnace and an opposite rear face, a tuyere channel extending from the rear face to the front face the tuyere stock arrangement further including a blowpipe connected between the rear face of the tuyere body and a hot blast air supply system, the blowpipe having a front portion connecting to the tuyere body and an opposite rear portion connecting to the hot blast air supply system where a fuel injection lance is provided for feeding fuel into the shaft furnace and a gas injection lance is provided for feeding an oxidizing gas to the shaft furnace, the fuel injection lance being arranged through the tuyere body and according to an important aspect of the invention, the gas injection lance is arranged in the rear portion of the blowpipe, the gas injection lance being arranged in such a way as to feed the oxidizing gas into

Abstract: A biomass pulverizing apparatus includes a pulverizing apparatus body having a feedstock supply pipe, a pulverizing table for placing the supplied biomass feedstock thereon, a drive section for rotationally driving the pulverizing table, a pulverizing roller for pulverizing the biomass feedstock by a pressing force, and a blower unit for forming an upward flow upward from below on the outer peripheral side of the pulverizing table so as to jet conveying gas, and the pulverizing apparatus further includes an erected weir that is provided around the pulverizing table, and a first extending weir that extends from the pulverizing apparatus body side at lower portions of the pulverizing rollers and is formed with a plurality of slits that forms a predetermined gap with the upper surface of the erected weir.

Abstract: Integrated cement production systems and methods implementing the systems are disclosed, where the integrated cement production systems include a burnable fuel supply subsystem, a cement raw material supply subsystem, a kiln subsystem and a cement clinker composition storage subsystem. The burnable fuel supply subsystem is adapted to receive one or a plurality of used and/or unused healthcare materials. The burnable fuel supply subsystem can feed the materials directly into the kiln subsystem, can convert the materials into different form and feed the different form to the kiln subsystem or feed a combination of the materials, different forms and optionally conventional fuels to the kiln subsystem.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided including a fluid conduit configured to provide product to a ground engaging tool. The ground engaging tool is configured to deposit the product into soil. The agricultural implement system also includes an air source fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to provide an air flow through the fluid conduit in a downstream direction toward the ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system further includes a product delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to transfer the product into the air flow. In addition, the agricultural implement system includes a product flow measurement system configured to determine a mass flow rate of the product based on a pressure drop between an upstream portion of the fluid conduit and a downstream portion of the fluid conduit, a flow rate of the air flow, and a velocity of the air flow.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided including a fluid conduit configured to provide product to a ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system also includes an air source fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to provide an air flow through the fluid conduit in a downstream direction toward the ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system further includes a product delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to transfer the product into the air flow. In addition, the agricultural implement system includes a product flow control system configured to determine a mass flow rate of the product based on a pressure drop through the fluid conduit, and to adjust product transfer into the air flow based on the determined mass flow rate of the product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a device having aerodynamic lift surfaces that is capable of rotation about a stayed mast.

Abstract: A portable water level-responsive mooring device has a mooring strap with a ring capable of engaging the mooring device around a dock piling. The mooring strap has a suitable length of cord having a clip or ring on each end capable of releasably attaching to a fender, spacing tubes, and rollers. The spacing tubes and rollers have an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the spacing tubes and an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cord. The cord is positioned within an arrangement of the spacing tubes and rollers, the length of cord being sufficient to wrap around a dock piling.

Abstract: An underwater diver glider includes: a body having a nose and a tail, opposed left and right sides, and spaced-apart upper and lower walls, the body including: an interior space defined between the upper and lower walls that is configured to contain a gas vessel therein; an air chamber defined in an upper portion of the body beneath the upper wall; and an outlet positioned in the body near the tail and below the upper wall, in communication with the air chamber; a pair of wings extending from left and right sides of the body, respectively; and a handle extending axially aft from the body.

Abstract: A small craft locking device comprising two rings, one being smaller than the other, each ring connecting to an eye at their midpoint, a rigid hook ending with an eye on a long end of said hook and a padded piece on a short end of said hook, the eye of the hook connecting to the eye of the smaller ring, and the eye of the larger ring being connected to the hall hook at the first bend in the hook relative to its long end by a flexible piece.

Abstract: A boat cover for a boat includes a cover section that is sized to cover the deck from bow to stern and extending over the rub rail, and a shipping section attached to the cover section and sized to cover the hull from below the rub rail toward the chine. The shipping section is removable from the cover section. The boat cover eliminates waste as a shipping cover and is usable by the boat owner as a daily or long term storage, mooring and trailering cover.

Abstract: Modular vessel (11) including at least one hull, a vessel deck extending between said at least one hull, and being provided with propulsion/steering means for propulsion of the vessel, arranged in said at least one hull. The vessel is formed of two or more hull modules (12) adapted to be arranged together in longitudinal direction and/or lateral direction to form at least one hull for the vessel (11), and at least one assembly module (14) adapted to be arranged to the hulls/hull modules (12) to connect the hulls (13a-c)/hull modules (12) together in lateral direction and/or longitudinal direction to form a vessel structure being rigid both in lateral direction and longitudinal direction. The assembly modules (14) are further provided with or furnished with facilities or desired functionality for the vessel.

Abstract: A flag mounting system provides a compact flagpole that may be mounted on a vertical surface or the like. A sliding tubular sleeve on the flagpole supports the flag and in a half-mast position exposes a distal end of the flagpole which is painted black. When the sliding tubular sleeve is extended to a full extension position, this black portion is covered.

Abstract: Discrete sensing elements are described that can be integrated into dental hygiene products and can provide rapid and direct feedback to a user as to oral environmental status and as to the performance of the intended oral care product. Selectively tuned elements can both sense and report relevant information including usage time, adequacy of performance during use, training for better usage, and/or the physical or biological status as can be measured by direct oral contact. Sensing and reporting mechanisms can be tuned for increased or decreased sensitivities. Sensing elements can comprise one or more discrete optical changes, structural changes, or other physical changes to the dental hygiene product as a means of alerting a user of a stimulus. Use of optical reference colors provides a high level of accuracy and objectivity as to the status of a sensing event. Enabling delivery and application compositions and methods are described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a group 13 nitride crystal includes a crystal growth process to form the group 13 nitride crystal by growing the group 13 nitride crystal having a hexagonal crystal structure from a seed crystal which is a gallium nitride crystal having a hexagonal crystal structure in which a length “L” in a c-axis direction is 9.7 mm or more, and a ratio L/d of the length “L” to a crystal diameter “d” in a c-plane is larger than 0.813. The crystal growth process includes a process of forming an outer periphery containing a {10-10} plane and an outer periphery containing a {10-11} plane at side surfaces of the group 13 nitride crystal, and forming an outer periphery containing a {0001} plane at a bottom surface of the group 13 nitride crystal.

Abstract: A high heat-resistant member includes a graphite substrate including isotropic graphite and a carbide coating film including a carbide, such as tantalum carbide, and covering a surface of the graphite substrate, the carbide coating film having a randomly oriented isotropic grain structure in which crystallites having a size indexed by a full width at half maximum of a diffraction peak of an X-ray diffraction spectrum of not more than 0.2° from (111) planes are accumulated at substantially random. The orientation of the carbide coating film is determined by whether degree of orientation (F) in any Miller plane calculated based on an XRD spectrum using the Lotgering method is within a range from ?0.2 to 0.2.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a silicon carbide crystal, including the steps of: placing a seed substrate and a source material for the silicon carbide crystal within a growth container; and growing the silicon carbide crystal with a diameter of more than 4 inches on a surface of the seed substrate by a sublimation method, in the step of growing, a pressure within the growth container being changed from a predetermined pressure, at a predetermined change rate.

Abstract: A paint mist collecting device for collecting a mist of paint particles produced when a paint is sprayed onto a workpiece within a paint booth includes a tubular duct having one end adapted to be connected to an outlet of the paint booth from which air containing the paint mist and a cleaning air are allowed to flow out, and a swirl-generating guide fin unit disposed inside the tubular duct and configured to force axial flows of the paint-mist-containing air and the cleaning liquid into a rotational movement to thereby generate a helical vortex as the paint-mist-containing air and the cleaning liquid flow downward along the tubular duct.

Abstract: The present inventions provide method and apparatus that employ constituents from one or more constituent supply source or sources to form one or more films of a precursor layer formed on a surface of a continuous flexible workpiece. Of particular significance is the implementation of PVD systems that operate upon a horizontally disposed portion of a continuous flexible workpiece and a vertically disposed portion of a continuous flexible workpiece, preferably in conjunction with a short free-span zone of the portion of a continuous flexible workpiece.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing chamber; process areas each of which supplies a reaction gas; a turntable that rotates to cause a substrate to pass through the process areas; a gas nozzle provided in one of the process areas; a separating area that supplies a separation gas to separate atmospheres of the process areas; and a cover part configured to cover the gas nozzle and cause the reaction gas supplied from the gas nozzle to remain around the gas nozzle. The cover part includes an upstream side wall, a downstream side wall, and an upper wall. The cover part also includes a guide surface configured to guide the separation gas to flow over a lower part of the upstream side wall to a space above the upper wall. The distance between the gas nozzle and the upstream side wall is greater than or equal to 8 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is an epitaxial wafer susceptor and a supportive and rotational connection apparatus matching the susceptor used for an MOCVD reaction chamber. The susceptor comprises a top surface and a susceptor rotating shaft protruding downward. A vertical driving shaft is coupled to the susceptor. The driving shaft comprises a counter bore inside an upper end of the driving shaft. At least a part of the susceptor rotating shaft is inserted into the counter bore if the susceptor is loaded. The susceptor is positioned and supported in the reaction chamber via coupling and connection between a contact surface of the susceptor rotating shaft and a corresponding contact surface of the counter bore. The susceptor is driven to rotate by the driving shaft if the driving shaft rotates. Reactant gases are introduced into the reaction chamber for an epitaxial reaction or a film deposition on the epitaxial wafers placed on the susceptor.

Abstract: The present invention is a detection device, system and/or method for locating the position of at least an object present in space, such as the position of a teat of an animal. The device may include an array of sensors. Each sensor in the array may incorporate a transmitter-receiver pair. The transmitter and receiver within each pair may be disposed at an angle, to detect an object in space, through the use of signals. Embodiments of the present invention may include one or more detection devices and may be utilized to detect one or more objects present invention space. The device of the present invention may be used in a system for milking dairy animals.

Abstract: A milking arrangement in includes a milking robot with a gripper (10). The robot includes a base, a link arrangement attached to the base and rotatable around a base axis via a base joint. The gripper (10) has a proximal end and a distal end and is attached to the link arrangement at the proximal end. The gripper has an extension plane and a longitudinal center axis (x4) extending in the extension plane through the proximal end and the distal end. The longitudinal center axis divides the gripper in a primary side (10a) and a secondary side (10b). The gripper has a plurality of separate gripping recesses (11-14), each being configured to grip a respective teatcup. The gripping recesses are asymmetrically positioned with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

Abstract: A thermodynamic pet cooling station that uses conductive properties to transfer cold temperatures from a cooling element contained within an insulated base to the surface of a platform tile, creating an efficiently cooled area where an animal my rest when he/she is subjected to dangerously hot weather. The pet cooling station is thermodynamically cooled using three integral components: a molded insulated base, structural platform tiles made from a conductive metal comprised of a planar surface with temperature-transfer cases affixed to their underside, and cooling pods, that can be pre-frozen and are reusable, containing a non-toxic liquid that is housed in either a similar conductive metal or a durable membrane that will hold its shape and efficiently transfer the frozen temperature to the temperature-transfer cases allowing thermodynamics to follow the specific pathway of interconnected metal and move the cold temperature up and across the structural platform planar surface in an efficient manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for gravity fed animal feeder forms from a mold that combines a storage compartment that protects feed. The feed is entered into the storage compartment through a top opening. The storage compartment is connected with a food trough that allows feed to refill once the feed is removed. An upper attachment and a lower attachment attach the storage compartment with existing tree of pole. An upper mounting bracket in the upper attachment is larger than a lower mounting bracket in the lower attachment allowing the feed to easily flow towards a side opening of the storage compartment. Attaching straps are connected to the upper mounting bracket and to the lower mounting bracket by strap connecters. A lid is attached around the top opening and secured to the storage compartment by a locking mechanism. The apparatus can be placed at ground level or at an elevated level.

Abstract: A bird feeder includes a fine-mesh inner container positioned in a course-mesh outer container. One or more features within the inner container urge the inner container outwardly against the outer container.

Abstract: A foldable poultry brood box having a folding bottom, folding endwalls, and folding sidewalls provides a sheltered environment for the maturation of a brood of young poultry. Preferably, after the brood box is deployed, a floor overlay insert is placed and retained within the brood box to overlay, bridge over, and cover substantial portions of two floor free edges.