Abstract: Multiple shafts are aligned along a frame and configured to rotate in a direction causing paper products to move along a separation screen. The shafts are configured with a shape and spacing so that substantially rigid pieces of the paper products move along the screen while non-rigid pieces of the paper products slide down between adjacent shafts. In one embodiment, the screen includes at least one vacuum shaft that has a first set of air input holes configured to suck air and retain the non-rigid paper products. A second set of air output holes are configured to blow out air to dislodge the paper products retained by the input holes.

Abstract: A friction lock adaptable spacer configured to provide suitable separation between two or more objects. The spacer may be used during the storage, transport, display, and/or use of the objects to separate them and protect them from their surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the spacer is designed to maintain a suitable separation between two or more beverage containers. The spacer has a single piece construction, which reduces assembly and disassembly labor, and also reduces materials required for construction and disposal. The spacer may be constructed from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tube loading system suitable for rapidly loading, handing, manipulation and storing large numbers of tubes.

Abstract: A wall mounted shelving system is provided. The system includes a support rail mountable on a wall and having a notch on a wall-facing surface thereof. At least one support member is mountable on the rail and defines an end portion for abutting the wall and further defines a recess having a rail receiving portion and a bracket receiving portion. The bracket receiving portion includes a slot with a notch formed at an end thereof. A bracket is configured to extend from the rail through the slot of the bracket receiving portion and has a first flange on a first end thereof for engaging the notch of the bracket receiving portion and a second flange on a second end thereof for engaging the notch of the support rail.

Abstract: An attachable, adjustable railing device for shelves comprises a plurality of horizontal rails, a plurality of vertical braces, and a structure to fasten to a shelf. The rails are “L”-shaped being joined along a front edge portion by a telescoping insertable connection for adjusting an overall width of the device. The rails further comprise fasteners affixed to side portions which attach to corresponding fasteners attached to adjacent surfaces of cabinets, cupboards, walls, or other adjacent structures.

Abstract: A closet insert structured to fit in a closet enclosure in its entirety—includes at least one insert module including back, top and floor panels, and two end panels. Mounting structure is provided on at least one of the panels to which a coupling device is mountable for coupling another insert module to the at least one insert module.

Abstract: A method of forming a device with a controlled electrode gap width includes providing a substrate, forming a functional layer on top of a surface of the substrate, forming a sacrificial layer above the functional layer, exposing a first portion of the functional layer through the sacrificial layer, forming a first spacer layer on the exposed first portion of the functional layer, forming an encapsulation layer above the first spacer layer, and vapor etching the encapsulated first spacer layer to form a first gap between the functional layer and the encapsulation layer.

Abstract: A housing for a hand-held electronic device is provided. The housing includes an extruded element having a length and a profile, the length corresponding to a distance that the extruded element extends in the direction of extrusion, and the profile corresponding to a cross-section of the element, which is perpendicular to the direction of extrusion. The housing further includes a cap, coupled to the extruded element, wherein the cap extends to cover substantial portions of two or more adjacent sides.

Abstract: A vessel includes a cylindrical section coaxially disposed about a central axis of the vessel. The cylindrical section includes an inside vessel surface, an outside vessel surface opposing the inside vessel surface, an upper end region circumscribing a vessel opening, and a lower end region axially spaced from the upper end region. A bottom section is disposed at the lower end region. A flange is coaxially disposed about the central axis and extends radially outward from the outside vessel surface at the upper end region. The flange includes a bottom surface facing generally toward the lower end region and perpendicular to the inside vessel surface. A ring may be coaxially disposed about the central axis and provide the bottom surface. An annular shoulder may protrude from the outside vessel surface, and may be spaced from or integrally adjoined to the flange.

Abstract: A synthetic resin hollow body which includes a hollow molding body made of a resin, the hollow molding body capable of holding a liquid material, and a resin sheathing body formed outside the hollow molding body in an integrating manner with the hollow molding body, wherein the resin sheathing body is made of a highly transparent synthetic resin having a total ray transmittance of at least 80%. The synthetic resin hollow body can exhibit a satisfactory decorating property and a satisfactory recycle property and is hardly damaged. In addition, the product cost and operation cost can be suppressed.

Abstract: A closure with a flexible diaphragm that equalizes the internal pressure of a container to the external pressure. The closure may include an inner member having a generally cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall may include internal threads capable of engaging with external threads of the container. The closure may also include an outer member including a generally circular cap body and an annular ring extending downward from the edges of the cap body. The annular ring shrouds at least a portion of the cylindrical wall. A flexible diaphragm may be operatively attached to the top of the cylindrical wall and spaced apart from the cap body. The flexible diaphragm deflects in response to the internal pressure of the container.

Abstract: A closure 10 is provided for retaining fluid pressure within a vessel, and comprises a hub 12 having an access opening to the vessel, with the hub having a circumferential stop 17 and one or more recesses 50 each extending radially outward from an adjacent inner surface 26 of the hub. A door 22 is positioned between the stop surface and the vessel, and a latch member 30 brings the door into sealing engagement with the stop member. One or more lugs 24 each extend radially outward from an exterior surface of the door, which may be tilted from a closed position to an open position then back to the closed position by a pair of cables extending from the door to outside the hub.

Abstract: A closure cover for tanks under internal pressure, with a cover body (6) which can be fixed in a tank neck by rotation, and with a cover (14) which is provided with a handle (15) and is operatively connected to the cover body (6), and with a pressure control valve (40). A coupling device (22-28) is arranged between the cover body (6) and the cover (14) and, during the positive pressure which prevails in the fuel tank during normal operation, releases the rotational connection between the cover body (6) and the cover (14) such that the fuel tank cannot be opened, and in that a pressure control valve (40) is provided which opens when the positive pressure prevailing during normal operation is exceeded.

Abstract: The invention provides for containers that can be formed from a liquid-holding vessel, a closure, and a skeleton. The liquid-holding vessel can comprise a flexible polymer or plastic material for preventing contact between a liquid stored in or dispensed from the container and the skeleton. The liquid-holding vessel and the closure can be formed from a minimal amount of polymer or plastic.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to support arrangements for semi-membrane tank walls and, more particularly, to a universal support assembly for tanks that experience thermal expansion and contraction. One embodiment of the invention may include a tank assembly having at least one tank wall, a support structure at least partially adjacent to the wall, and a link member coupling the tank to the support structure. The link member may be configured to accommodate relative movement between the tank and the support structure through rotation. The link member may be coupled to the tank wall by a ball and socket joint and coupled to the support structure with another ball and socket joint, allowing substantially unlimited in-plane movement of the tank wall relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A package for delivery of a tacky product includes a carrier with a plurality of cavities separately disposed along a length and width thereof. Each of the cavities in the carrier tape includes a base that is sized to operably receive and support the product within the cavity. The base of each cavity includes a surface profile which defines a contact surface area that is sufficiently low so as to facilitate removal of the product from the cavity without damage to the product. In some cases, the contact surface area is less than about 50% of a base surface area of the base. The carrier may be configured to stack with other carriers without risk of damage to the tacky product.

Abstract: A cooler includes a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; a collapsible cooler wall, extending between and attached to said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler, and including a membrane having a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration for use of the cooler, and a collapsed configuration during nonuse of the cooler, by bending along the hinge lines, each of the configurations corresponding to a stable configuration of the cooler; and a handle for lifting of the cooler, wherein the handle is attached to the base and is configured for rotational movement relative to the base about a pivot axis.

Abstract: A package for containing a viscous substance in a transport configuration and for dispensing the viscous substance in a dispensing configuration is disclosed. The package includes first and second sheets disposed in opposing relation that are sealed together around a perimeter. The package has a compartment that defines a space for holding the viscous substance. The package further includes an integral tube having a first end in fluid communication with the compartment, and a second end that is closed in the transport configuration. The second end can be opened such that the viscous substance contained in the package can flow from the container, through the integral tube, and exit the package via the opening. The second end of the integral tube is positionable independent of the compartment for depositing the substance at multiple, spaced apart target locations without moving the compartment.

Abstract: A waste cart includes a container having first and second wall portions, and first and second openings defined by the wall portions to receive and support a grab bar. The container includes at least one positioning element to constrain the lateral movement of the grab bar. During assembly, the first end of the grab bar is inserted through the opening in the first sidewall, and the grab bar is pivoted to align the grab bar with the opening in the second sidewall. During the pivoting of the grab bar, the first positioning element is deformed. The second end of the grab bar is inserted into the opening in the second sidewall, allowing the first positioning element to snap back to its original, non-deformed orientation. When the grab bar is installed, the positioning elements are positioned at the outer ends of the grab bar.

Abstract: A lid for securing to the brim of a container, the lid including a container closure having a disk shaped member with a periphery for mating with the brim of the container. The periphery includes annular inner and outer side walls with at least one annular rib disposed on each of the inner and outer side walls. The ribs of the annular walls form a gripping area to secure the lid to the container for preventing leaks and accidental spillage. A top wall interconnects the inner and outer side walls and includes visual cues for viewing the brim of the container when the lid is affixed to the brim. The lid additionally includes a pronounced wedge shaped sipping spout projecting upwards from the container closure. The container closure includes a circular indented channel for stacking one lid covered cup over another with additional stability provided by the sipping spout.

Abstract: The tablet cassette includes a division block installed to be rotated by a drive motor to discharge tablets introduced from above through transfer passages indented in an outer circumferential surface thereof. Each of the transfer passage includes a separation recess for downward transfer of the tablets, a lower end of which is blocked by a prop, and a supply recess along which the tablets having passed through the separation recess are moved on the outer circumferential surface of the division block to thereby be discharged downward via rotation of the division block. The tablet cassette further includes a bottom ring provided around a lower end of the division block to transfer the tablets located in the separation recess into the supply recess via rotation of the division block.

Abstract: A glue dispenser includes an injector, a controller, a gas conduit and a dispensing head. The injector includes a glue conduit and a heat sink assemble. The controller controls a gas volume input to the glue conduit. The gas conduit is connected with the controller and the injector. The dispensing head is connected with the glue conduit for dispensing glue. The heat sink assemble defines a through hole connecting the gas conduit and the glue conduit. The glue dispenser maintains the glue conduit at a stable temperature.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser device comprising: a reservoir (1) of fluid to be dispensed; a dispenser member (2), such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir (1); and a body (3) that is suitable for receiving said reservoir (1), said body (3) being provided with a dispenser orifice and with an opening (310) via which said reservoir (1) can be inserted into the body (3), said reservoir (1) being displaceable between a working position, in which said dispenser member (2) co-operates with said body (3) between a rest position and a dispensing position, and a withdrawn position in which said dispenser member (2) does not co-operate with said body (3), said reservoir (1) being secured to said body (3) in all positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and trigger mechanism enables a user to ergonomically discharge aerosol container contents. The apparatus comprises a trigger unit, a handle assembly, a tension member, a tubular member, an operative end housing assembly, and an actuator assembly. The trigger unit interfaces the tension member to the handle assembly. The tension member transmits force from the trigger unit to the actuator assembly via the tubular structure, which structure interconnects the handle assembly and operative end housing. The operative end housing houses or receives the actuator assembly and an aerosol container. The transmitted force actuates the aerosol container via the actuator assembly. A method of assembling the apparatus is further described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser unit particularly suitable for a liquid container, including an air pump with an air cylinder and an air piston axially displaceable in the air cylinder, an air space defined between the air cylinder and the air piston, supply-closing structure for closing the air supply to the air pump, discharge-closing structure for closing the air discharge from the air pump, an axially displaceable activating element for activating the air pump, and an air inlet opening in the activating element, wherein the air inlet opening debouches in the air space, and at least a part of the air piston forms the supply-closing structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam dispensing assembly comprising a liquid piston pump, comprising a liquid cylinder and a liquid piston delimiting a liquid pump chamber, and a liquid inlet and outlet, an air piston pump comprising an air cylinder and an air piston delimiting an air pump chamber, and an air inlet and outlet, a common actuation button for actuation of said liquid pump and said air pump, a dispensing channel for mixing and dispensing liquid and air pumped by said liquid and air pump, respectively, and a securing collar for attachment of said dispensing assembly to a container. The invention is characterized in that said air cylinder is formed by a cylindrical skirt of said actuation button, and said air piston is at least partially formed by a cylindrical extension of said securing collar and in that said air chamber at least partially surrounds said liquid chamber.

Abstract: A device for dispensing and receiving a liquid or semi-liquid product via a dosage chamber of a pump body. The device includes a piston which is fixably mounted in the pump body and is provided with an end sealingly engaged into the chamber. The piston end is provided with a membrane forming an intake valve allowing the introduction of the product in the dosage chamber and including at least one sealing peripheral lip in sliding contact with an inner wall of the dosage chamber. The device includes a connection element wholly within the pump body for connecting the piston to the pump body. The connection element is an independent part from the membrane and the pump body and is connected to a bottom part of the pump body over a conduit extending up from the bottom part of the pump body.

Abstract: A cartridge for a flowable material, e.g. caulking compounds, sealants and adhesives, includes a tubular container, an end plate disposed at a first end to a tubular container, a nozzle extending from the end plate, a plunger received in the tubular container, and a barb extending inwardly from the tubular container. The end plate includes an opening. The nozzle is in communication with the opening. The barb is configured to limit movement of the plunger in a first axial direction. A method for packaging a flowable material includes introducing flowable material into a tubular container, inserting a plunger into the container, and deforming the tubular container at a location axially spaced from an end of the container at a location axially spaced from an end of the container to create a mechanical stop.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a fluid product, including a device for taking the product off under pressure that is equipped with an outlet tube, the system also including a push button actuating the device in which a chamber is formed for dispensing the product that is in communication with a well for mounting the push button, the well being arranged to be associated sealingly around an area for mounting the outlet tube so as to allow supply to the chamber dispensing product under pressure emerging from the tube, the outlet tube including a vent recess having at least one opening that is formed in the mounting area and that emerges inside the tube, the opening being located on the mounting area so as to be covered sealingly by the mounting well and to open the inside of the outlet tube to open air when it is not covered.

Abstract: A floating fluid inlet that adjusts to the level of a beverage within a soda keg or similar container. The floating fluid inlet is constructed preferably of stainless steel and food grade plastic tubing. By rotating its inlet port aperture from downward facing when the soda keg is full of a beverage, to upward facing when the soda keg is nearly empty, the floating fluid inlet avoids picking up sediment from the bottom of the soda keg. The principal components are a tube that connects at its one end to the outlet port of a soda keg and at its other end to a pickup tube that is retained within a bracket to which is attached a float. The pickup tube has an aperture disposed in its sidewall for ingress of a beverage.

Abstract: A bottle accessory for application with a cap to the neck of a bottle, includes: a housing dimensioned so as to be fixedly received within the bottle neck; and a connector disc attached to the upper end of the housing and receivable within the cap to serve as an inner liner thereof when the cap is applied to the neck of the bottle. The housing and connector disc are constructed to enable the housing to be attached with the cap to the bottle neck and, once so attached, to enable the connector disc to be released from the housing, such that when the cap is removed, the connector disc will remain as a liner within the cap, while the housing will remain attached to the bottle neck. The invention is particularly useful in a retractable spout assembly wherein the housing houses a retractable spout.

Abstract: A submerged nozzle has a lower part with a bottom and two outlet side channels above the bottom, and a skirt with a center fixed to the lower part of the nozzle above the outlet side channels. The skirt has two parallel flat surfaces each having side edges that are smoothly connected to each other by two respective cylindrical surfaces, the two outlet side channels being identical and lying along a common longitudinal axis making an acute angle with the parallel flat surfaces. A portion of the skirt is spaced apart from the nozzle to allow hot metal to flow in the space between the nozzle and the skirt.

Abstract: A high-heat-retention ladle for carrying molten aluminum includes a ladle body defining therein a storage space, which contains molten aluminum therein, the ladle body including a molten metal inlet and a molten metal outlet, which allow the storage space to communicate with outside, a cover opening and closing the inlet of the ladle body, and a stopper opening and closing the outlet of the ladle body. Each of the ladle body and the cover has an outer shell, which defines a contour thereof, and a multi-layer insulation structure inside the outer shell. The multi-layer insulation structure includes two or more refractory layers. The molten aluminum contained inside the storage space has a temperature drop rate of 5° C./min or less. It is possible to carry the molten aluminum for a long time in a heat-insulated state and cast a product by directly pouring the molten aluminum into a mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for constructing bows includes a horizontal layout board holding vertical dowels and a method for winding ribbon around the dowels to form a bow. A center dowel, left dowels, and right dowels are positioned at progressively increasing spacing from a base dowel. The spacing of the dowels on the layout board facilitates efficient use of material. The apparatus facilitates construction of bows without extensive training or experience.

Abstract: A T-shirts hanger is provided, comprising a hook member, an inverse V-shaped flexible member, and a pair of shoulder members. The inverse V-shaped flexible member comprises two legs and a cusp portion, and the legs are spread so as to have an inverse V shape without pressure and the legs are closed substantially under a pressure larger than a predetermined magnitude for putting the legs together. The two legs are closed under the pressure larger than the predetermined magnitude so as to be inserted into and retrieved from a neck hole of the T-shirts without stretching the neck hole of the T-shirts.

Abstract: A carrier for a bulk beverage container having a spout includes a shell having walls forming a hollow interior space sized and shaped for receiving the bulk beverage container therein, an opening formed in one of the walls for passage of the spout therethrough, and a flap secured to the shell for selectively covering the opening. The flap hinges between a closed position wherein the flap covers the opening and an open position wherein the flap does not cover the opening. A gasket can be provided at the opening for closely receiving the spout to seal the opening about the spout. Fasteners, such as hook-and-loop type fasteners, can be provided for removably securing the flap in the closed and open positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and apparatus for supporting a firearm from a person can be provided. For example, in one embodiment, a sling system for an object, such as a firearm or weapon, can be provided. The sling system can include a sling operable to mount an object to a portion of a person's body, wherein the sling comprises at least one adjustment loop. The sling system can also include an adjuster mounted to a portion of the at least one adjustment loop. Furthermore, the sling system can include a quick tab adjuster operable to change the size of the at least one adjustment loop, wherein the length of the sling can be changed when the sling is mounted to a portion of a person's body.

Abstract: An accessory rack for transporting objects such as small boats on an ATV or pickup truck includes a pair of upright posts, one mounted on a front rack support at a front platform and the other at a rear platform. Each of the posts is connected to a base member secured to a rack support, and cross members with upturned ends for receiving a boat are connected to tops of the posts. An elongated beam is connected to the cross members at both ends of the beam. Square steel tubing is used for most of the structure, with sizes being varied to allow overlap and adjusting length of components. Racks for use in pickup trucks may be bolted to the pickup bed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pill cutter that has a protected cutting edge. The pill cutter includes a guard, a base, and a cover. The components are arranged such that the guard slides over the cutting edge when the pill cutter is in an open position and the guard exposes the cutting edge when the pill cutter is in a closed position. The invention is also directed at a method for assembling the pill cutter and a method of using the pill cutter to cut a pill or tablet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus may permit the storage of flexible sheet materials in a space-efficient manner and may provide a continuous point-of-use dispensing capability of such sheet materials at such stored location. Serially joined sheet materials may be separated from one another at sheet materials separation zones utilizing interference tabs having yieldable configurations, intra-planar configurations, trans-axial configurations, movement resistive configurations, and projective configurations. Such interference tab configurations may permit the simplified design and construction of a sheet materials dispensation apparatus, and multiple flexible sheet materials may be serially joined for use with such configurations. A substantially rigid enclosure for storing such serially joined sheet materials and incorporating an interference tab having one or more of such configurations may be dimensioned to dispense sheet materials from within an open-ended receptacle, for example a refuse container.

Abstract: In the method for cutting a continuously moving glass sheet with an inhomogeneous thickness distribution across the glass sheet, a cutting tool is moved across it at an angle to its travel direction to form a fissure and then the glass sheet is broken along the fissure. To avoid premature breakage in thin regions the applied cutting force is controlled by a controller based on control commands so that the cutting force is decreased when the glass sheet thickness decreases and is increased when it increases. In a preferred embodiment cutting force switchover points are based on an initial measurement of the thickness distribution. In another embodiment the thickness is continuously measured and the applied cutting force is automatically adjusted accordingly, so that the cutting force is greater when the thickness is greater, and vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a fastener (1300) including a nose (1202) having a passageway including a first channel portion (1204) and a second channel portion (1214). The first channel portion is adapted to receive a first fastener body portion (1302) and the second channel portion adapted to receive a second fastener body portion (1304). The first and second fastener body portions are obliquely angled relative to one another. The apparatus also includes a driver blade (120) configured to apply a force to a first end of the fastener for driving the fastener at least partially from the passageway.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments, structures and methods for enhancing the properties of tissue to be repaired or joined. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical stapling apparatus is provided including a wound treatment material dispersion system for delivering wound treatment material to a target surgical site. The dispersion system includes an aperture formed in the anvil assembly oriented to dispense wound treatment material in an outward direction; and a source of wound treatment material in fluid communication with the aperture of the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus including a fastener receiving frame including a plurality of spaced apart openings formed therein and a fastener supporting member containing a plurality of surgical fasteners extending therefrom. The surgical fasteners are engagable with the plurality of openings to mate with the fastener receiving frame to fasten tissue therebetween. The fasteners are engageable with the openings in a plurality of positions dependent on a tissue thickness between the fastener receiving frame and the fastener supporting member.

Abstract: A curable flux composition is provided, comprising, as initial components: a resin component having at least two oxirane groups per molecule; a carboxylic acid; and, an amine fluxing agent represented by formula I: and, optionally, a curing agent. Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the curable flux composition.

Abstract: A flux composition is provided, comprising, as initial components: a carboxylic acid; and, an amine fluxing agent represented by formula I: Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the flux composition.

Abstract: A curable flux composition is provided, comprising, as initial components: a resin component having at least two oxirane groups per molecule; a carboxylic acid; a fluxing agent represented by formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from a hydrogen, a substituted C1-80 alkyl group, an unsubstituted C1-80 alkyl group, a substituted C7-80 arylalkyl group and an unsubstituted C7-80 arylalkyl group; and wherein zero to three of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is(are) a hydrogen; and, optionally, a curing agent. Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the curable flux composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-piece blank (14) made of corrugated cardboard for the production of a display case (1), the case, the method and the machine for producing said case. The blank comprises a band (2) of panels (15, 16, 17, 18) connected together in pairs by parallel fold lines (24, 25, 26, 27). The band (2) comprises a precut transverse line (20) making it possible to divide the blank into two half-blanks (21, 22), said transverse line determining on either side and for each parallel fold line (24, 25, 26, 27) two separate portions of fold line (24?, 24?; 25?, 25?; 26?, 26?; 27?, 27?) offset relative to one another in order to make it possible to at least partly compensate for the thicknesses of cardboard when the second half-blank is wrapped over the first half-blank around a mandrel.

Abstract: A shipping and display carton convertible into a cover portion and display tray is described comprised of a cover portion formed from a cover blank and a tray portion formed from a tray blank. The blanks are preferably glued together at only three glue points when the tray blank is laid flat on top of the cover blank in order to form a two-layered blank that may be erected into the present carton. The fully erected carton may be easily broken apart into an attractive display tray and a disposable/recyclable cover by gripping the cover within a grasping aperture and lifting the cover portion up to break the carton apart at the two side tabs and along the rear of the carton.

Abstract: A presentation instrument package is constructed of a carrier having a package identifier. The package defines an enclosure into which is held a presentation instrument having a human readable presentation instrument identifier such that the human readable information is hidden from view.