Abstract: A device for cutting, peeling and slicing avocados and other fruits and vegetables includes a handle, a frame element connected to the handle, and a rotating blade assembly operably secured to the frame. The rotating blade assembly has one or more cutting elements for cutting, slicing and peeling. The rotating blade assembly is operably secured to the frame by a shaft allowing both movement and positioning of the blade assembly at various angles in relation to the frame, and fixing the rotating blade assembly in a desired position for use.

Abstract: Process of baling a switchgrass biomass material at between about 22 and about 32 psi into a rectangular switchgrass bale having a bale density of between 14.6 and 20.5 lb/ft3. A 3×4×8 ft switchgrass bale so produced weighs between 1,402 and 1,968 pounds.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid cooling a hot isostatic press including a pressure container. The pressure container has an internal load space and includes insulation disposed at least partially around the load space, heating elements disposed inside the insulation, and a load disposed on a load bearing plate. Fluid is directed into the load space of a pressure container using at least one nozzle to form a rotational flow. The fluid from the at least one nozzle is mixed as it passes through the rotational flow near the insulation with fluid near the load. The fluid from the at least one nozzle has a lower temperature than the fluid in the load space and/or the load.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nail print apparatus including a storage unit in which a plurality of sets of data relating to a plurality of design parts constituting each of a plurality of design images are stored, a photographing unit which obtains a finger image by photographing a finger, a nail region information detection unit which extracts a nail region from the finger image and detects an area, a length in horizontal direction and a length in vertical direction of the nail region, a design selection unit which selects one design image from the design images which are stored in the storage unit, a part layout calculation unit which reads out the one design image and calculates a print size and a print position of each of the design parts, and a print unit which performs a printing to the nail region according to printing data.

Abstract: The invention describes an insert element (1) for a stamp, with several setting wheels (9) disposed adjacent to one another which are rotatably mounted on a shaft (7) of an insert body (2). The setting wheels (9) are designed to support typeface belts (10). The typeface belts (10) are covered at least in the region of the setting wheels (9) by a cover element (12) which in turn has end regions (19, 20) spaced apart from one another in the direction of the shaft (7) and is provided with slots (13) through which setting wheel circumferences (11) extend. In order to couple the cover element (12) with the insert body (2), at least one coupling mechanism (15) is provided, which comprises respective co-operating coupling elements (16, 17) on the insert body (2) and on the cover element (12).

Abstract: There is provided a screen printing apparatus and a screen printing method which can implement printing work with good efficiency while securing a good printing quality in screen printing intended for an upper surface of a substrate and a bottom surface of a recess portion which is opened in the upper surface.

Abstract: A challenge to be met by the present invention is to provide a screen printer arranged so as to be able to readily perform both replacement of squeegees and operation for filling a paste feed syringe with paste. A paste feed syringe (14) is configured so as to be able to change its position between a paste feed attitude having an imaginary extension within a vertical plane at an oblique angle such that a nozzle (14a) provided at a lower end of the paste feed syringe comes to a position immediately below squeegees (15) and a storage attitude which is turned from the paste feed attitude through about 90 degrees around an axial line (41).

Abstract: A method for setting-up or making-ready an ink fountain of a printing press includes setting side walls of the ink fountain against an ink fountain roller of the ink fountain, while simultaneously tensioning or stressing springs so that the springs press the side walls against the ink fountain roller. A printing press including an ink fountain configured for performing the foregoing method is also provided.

Abstract: A self-inking stamp includes a housing, in which an ink pad holder adapted to receive an ink pad and a stamping unit including stamp types are arranged. The ink pad holder is replaceably arranged in the housing. An actuating member is slidably mounted on the housing and is coupled with a turn-over mechanism for pivoting the stamping unit between a coloring position and a print position. A signal generator records a movement of the actuating member into an actuating position corresponding to the print position. An electronic evaluating unit including a counting module is connected to the signal generator for processing a signal supplied by the signal generator. A switching member is connected to the evaluating unit and is arranged to be switched from a first switching state to a second switching state when the ink pad holder is inserted or removed.

Abstract: A method of forming a contact printing stamp, including creating a stamp material in a plurality of recessed regions formed in an exposed end-region of a multilayer thin film structure. The stamp material having a printing surface adapted to transfer a transfer material.

Abstract: A cleaning station includes a fluid input which introduces a passive flow of fluid into a trough and a slit which provides an outlet through which the fluid exits the trough. A wetting roller rotates in a cylindrical cavity to form a viscous fluid pump which draws the fluid through the slit to form a fluid film on an outer surface of the wetting roller.

Abstract: An assembly for actuating a stripper blade in an indirect printer has been developed. The system includes a blade mounted to an elongated member, a first cam, a second cam, and an actuator configured to rotate the first and second cams. The elongated member is fixed in the vertical direction by a channel, and the first cam is configured to limit the horizontal movement of the elongated member. The second cam pivots the elongated member in and out of engagement with an image receiving member when the horizontal movement of the elongated member is constrained.

Abstract: An activation unit (1, 10) for munitions-free decoys, active masses or active bodies (3) is characterized by an ejector tube (2) and a high-powered heater element (4) arranged around the ejector tube (2, 12), wherein the heater element is made up of at least one heating wire (6), provided with electrical current by a regulator unit. Each heating wire (6) is enclosed in a sleeve (7) and embedded in at least one heat-loss minimizing material. The active body (3) passing through the activation unit (1,10) directly or indirectly contacts with the individual elements (4) of the activation unit (1, 10). Thermal energy is transmitted to the active body (3) from the heating wires (6), which ignites at the touching or contact point.

Abstract: A detonator (120) which has a battery (136) which is movable by a pressure wave from a shock tube (158) to a position at which the battery is placed in electrical contact with a circuit (130) which controls firing of an ignition element (128).

Abstract: A perforating system having a perforating gun with shaped charges, a chassis sub, a communication line in communication with a controller and extending through the chassis sub and perforating gun, a selectively opened and closed continuity switch in the communication line, a lead line connecting the communication line to a detonator, and an arming switch in the lead line. A method of testing the detonator involves confirming electrical continuity through the detonator.

Abstract: A lightweight composite sabot useful in large, medium and small caliber rifled gun systems, wherein each of the sabot segments are reinforced with thin aluminum, or other, metal wedges to increase the torsional strength of the sabot body to survive the torsional forces created when fired from a rifled gun tube. And, which composite sabot also has a metal bulkhead about the periphery thereof, to reduce the spin and resulting hoop stresses, and to help protect the composite material during firing.

Abstract: A wear plate for use with a railway truck, the wear plate being configured for installation on a downwardly facing surface of a pedestal opening of a side frame of a railway truck. The wear plate includes a base and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base with inwardly disposed locking features designed to engage the pedestal when the wear plate is installed, the locking features in a preferred embodiment being configured as resilient projections that engage, clamp or drag lock onto opposite sides of the pedestal with the base of the wear plate protecting the downwardly facing pedestal surface. The wear plate may be constructed from malleable or ductile metals or plastics.

Abstract: A reinforced longitudinal beam for railway vehicles includes a first partial beam and a second partial beam. The first partial beam is connected to a second assembly of the railway vehicle and the second partial beam is connected to a first assembly of the railway vehicle. Particular surfaces are provided on the first partial beam for forming a welded connection to the second partial beam, and particular surfaces are provided on the second partial beam for forming a welded connection to the first partial beam, wherein one of the partial beams comprises an end facing.

Abstract: A table arrangement having a guide rail structure secured to the table adjacent the underside of the table top. A carriage is movable along a guide structure from a retracted position under the table top to an extended position disposed adjacent one table edge. A supporting frame is hingedly carried on the carriage and mounts a flat-panel video monitor thereon, the latter being storable directly under the table top when the carriage is in the retracted position. Movement of the carriage to the extended position causes the supporting frame and monitor to project beyond the adjacent table edge, whereupon the supporting frame and monitor can be swung upwardly about the hinge axis into an upright use position wherein the monitor protrudes above the table top adjacent the one edge, and the monitor screen fronts onto the region above the table top.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing pallet runners and pallets constructed using them for use in the storage and/or transport of goods and, more particularly, to a low cost, strong, recyclable, reinforced pallet and runner design.

Abstract: The present invention is a materials-handling pallet with a non-flat-deck, particularly for flexible cargo, which composed of any known pallet's construction, except that its upper deck is not flat. Moreover, the provided pallet can be reinforced by inserting or attaching reinforcing elements and can include a taut cable that prevents or reduces the declining of the upper deck when the pallet is loaded.

Abstract: A folding reading desk formed by a support structure with two boards, with an intermediate cavity in-between wherein a worktop board can be introduced and extracted, wherein said worktop board is coupled, in a sliding assembly with a braking system, to a board arranged in the mentioned intermediate cavity between the facing boards.

Abstract: An air infiltration abatement system (300) for a power plant (10) includes a recirculated flue gas source (175), a recirculated flue gas supply line (310) connected to the recirculated flue gas source (175) and a power plant component. The power plant component has a leakage area in fluid communication with the recirculated flue gas supply line (310). The recirculated flue gas source (175) receives a combustion flue gas (75) from an oxygen fired boiler (20) of the power plant (10), and provides the combustion flue gas (75) to the recirculated flue gas supply line (310). The recirculated flue gas supply line (310) supplies the combustion flue gas (75) as a recirculated flue gas (330) to the oxygen fired boiler (20) via the leakage area of the power plant component.

Abstract: A method for burning raw materials by which method the raw material and a secondary fuel are separately introduced to one and the same rotary kiln in which the raw material as well as the secondary fuel are heated by gases formed by burning of a primary fuel in the rotary kiln so that the secondary fuel is converted to gases and solid matter in the form of combustion residues such as ashes and coke. The secondary fuel during the process of conversion to gases and solid matter is kept separate from the introduced raw material, which may ensure that the secondary fuel and hence the locally reducing zones and major areas with reducing conditions are brought into minimum contact with the raw material.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved boiler assemblies (10) with enhanced pollution abatement properties through injection and recycling of particulate sorbent materials including sodium bicarbonate, trona, and mixtures thereof. The assemblies (10) include a boiler (12), economizer (14), air heater (15), and recirculation reactor (16). Fresh sorbent material is introduced via assembly (60) into the boiler assembly (10) at one or more injection locations, and serves to sorb NOx, SOx, and other pollutants in the flue gas. The flue gas and entrained sorbent material then pass through reactor (16) for separation of sorbent, which is then recycled for injection back into the assembly (10) upstream of reactor (16). In another aspect, the invention provides pollution abatement apparatus (110) and methods employing an upstream recirculation reactor (114), a supply of fresh sorbent (118), and a downstream collector (116).

Abstract: An improved quilting machine, with a housing made by a C-shaped frame that has upper and lower arms, wherein the needle structure at the front end of the upper arm have conventional design (as used in commercial sewing machines) and the bobbin is placed to an elevated height by providing an upwardly extended end portion of the lower arm, wherein an offset shaft transmission means is be provided in the upwardly extended portion that acts as a power transmission towards the bobbin driving axle from the lower driving axle extending in the lower arm, wherein the upper and lower driving axles comprise of hollow drive shafts connected via flexible coupling means to half-shafts mounted on plates that are integral parts of the C-frame by dual ball bearing mounts.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a machine for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. In one example, the present invention may be applied (e.g., as a machine and/or method) to a multi-needle machine or method.

Abstract: A method for using a tufting machine to produce athletic turf bearing precise graphic tuft patterns at a high throughput rate is disclosed. The utilized machine includes tenter frame and a series of tufting frames upon which tufting head components are mounted. The entire length of a piece of backing material is wrapped around the tenter frame, and the tenter frame circulates the backing past the tufting frames, and the tufting head components are shifted as may be necessary to form a desired graphic tuft pattern.

Abstract: The sailboat of the present invention's space frame base is supported by three hulls. Each hull is allowed to rotate freely about a vertical axis intersecting one vertex of the triangular base and weathervane in the direction sailboat of the present invention motion. The direction that sailboat of the present invention moves is only constrained by an independent dagger board/canard rudder structure, whose orientation can be controlled relative to the space frame, when locked at an angle, relative to the nominal configuration. There are two masts on the sailboat each with a twin sail set. Each of said mast assemblies', orientation relative to the apparent wind, is controlled by associated canard winglets. These two masts and the fore spar complete the foldable space frame. The mast assembly angle relative to said base deck plane is changeable to enhance lift on one of said bow, starboard, or port hulls.

Abstract: The vehicle flotation system is adaptable to a conventional land motor vehicle to provide sufficient buoyancy for the vehicle should it become immersed in water. A plurality of permanently inflated pneumatic elements and/or solid closed-cell (e.g., foam, cork, etc.) elements is installed throughout the bodywork of the vehicle. Such permanently inflated and solid flotation elements do not require a pneumatic inflation system, thus providing benefits in reliability and economy. Optionally, a pneumatic inflation monitoring system may be provided for the pneumatic elements. As an additional option, a plurality of collapsed, inflatable elements may be installed within the vehicle fenders for deployment and inflation in the event of water immersion of the vehicle. These inflatable elements are automatically ejected laterally from slots or openings in the vehicle fenders and are automatically inflated by an on-board container of compressed gas, in the event of water immersion of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a monohull offshore drilling vessel comprising: a hull having a moonpool and a main deck, which hull further has a hold, which hold has a floor and a side wall, a firing line hoist system that is mounted on the hull above the moonpool, which firing line hoist system comprises a mast, which is connected to the hull of the drilling vessel, a pipe storage for storing drill pipes in a substantially horizontal position, a riser storage for storing risers in a substantially horizontal position, wherein the pipe storage and/or the riser storage extend to the floor of the hold.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for reducing the pitching and rolling motion of a vessel, the apparatus including a plurality of buoyancy members spaced apart from each other and vertically slidably mounted on a vessel, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders that are connected to the upper end portions of the respective buoyancy members and receive the locomotive power of the buoyancy members that rise from waves, and a hydraulic connection line provided in such a manner that the hydraulic pressures of the hydraulic cylinders are interconnected, so that the hydraulic pressures, which are generated from the rise of the hydraulic cylinders due to the rise of the buoyancy members located at the peaks of the waves, can be supplied to the hydraulic cylinders located at the troughs of the waves to cause the buoyancy members to fall, thereby increasing the buoyancy of the vessel and restraining the pitching and rolling thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flow-driven antifouling device for a seismic marine streamer cable. A cylindrical housing is circumferentially mounted to a submerged, circular cable. Fluid flow over the cable provides motive power to rotate the device around the outer surface of the cable, preventing barnacles, marine growth and other fouling accumulation. Interior wheels contact the cable outer surface to disrupt fouling growth and control the direction of travel along the length of the cable. Radially-protruding vanes utilize the local fluid flow over the cable to apply a rotation to the device, powering its movement. The orientation of the inner wheels determines corkscrew direction, allowing forward and aft travel along the cable. Continuous and uninterrupted motion prevents fouling development, which improves the fidelity of seismic sensors and decreases drag on the cable.

Abstract: An underwater robot is configured to be charged in response to a charging signal from a charging dock, and includes a main body having a waterproof chamber, and an electric power unit disposed in the waterproof chamber. The electric power unit includes a rechargeable battery set storing electric power, and a charging module coupled to the rechargeable battery set and configured to charge the rechargeable battery set in response to the charging signal from the charging dock.

Abstract: A self-scuttling device can include a pressure hull that can define an internal void having an internal pressure PVOID. The device can be disposed in an underwater environment having a pressure PAMBIENT that is greater than PVOID. The pressure hull can be formed with a fill port, which can be selectively opened to flood the void. A reactive agent can be disposed within the void. The reactive agent can be chosen to mix with seawater and establish a solution that corrodes the pressure hull when the reactive agent is exposed to seawater by flooding the void. The reactive agent can be disposed within a watertight container, which maintains watertight integrity at PVOID, but loses watertight integrity at the greater PAMBIENT. When this occurs, the reactive agent becomes exposed to seawater to establish the solution within the void that corrodes the pressure hull.

Abstract: An aircraft glazing component is provided having at least a partially transparent body and a visual wear indicator positioned on or in the body which indicator is configured such that a predetermined amount of erosion on the body changes the appearance of the indicator.

Abstract: A release of the frozen solvent trapped inside a solidified gel occurs when the temperature increases, followed by a dissolving of a reactive substance present in a membrane that is located in direct physical contact with the gel, resulting in the reabsorption of the reactive substance dissolved in the solvent into the solid gel layer within a constant time. In this manner, the components generating color change come together within the solid gel layer initiating a reaction to change the color of the indicator layer. Thus, the increase in temperature above a melting point of the solid gel layer is enough to activate the intelligent label with an irreversible color change.

Abstract: An application apparatus includes: a medium conveying device which holds and conveys a medium in a predetermined conveyance direction; an application roller which applies a liquid to the medium held by the medium conveying device; an application roller rotating device which rotates the application roller at a predetermined rotational speed; a measuring roller which feeds a predetermined measured amount of the liquid to the application roller; a measuring roller rotating device which rotates the measuring roller at a predetermined rotational speed; a first moving device which causes relative movement between the application roller and the medium conveying device to change a distance between the application roller and the medium conveying device; a second moving device which causes relative movement between the application roller and the measuring roller to change a distance between the application roller and the measuring roller; and a movement controlling device which controls the second moving device in such

Abstract: Methods for coating medical devices for implantation within a body vessel are provided comprising providing a cylindrical container, placing a medical device inside the cylindrical container, and applying a polymer in liquid form inside the container.

Abstract: A bottomer for the production of sacks, preferably cross-bottom valve sacks, includes at least one glue unit that applies glue to the components of the sacks. The glue unit includes a nozzle bar, which has at least one nozzle for extruding glue onto the sack components. The glue unit also includes a counter support, which positions the sack components with a force against the nozzle bar.

Abstract: A milking system includes a vacuum pump (11); milking equipment (15); a conduit (14) connecting the milking equipment to the vacuum pump; and a first vacuum regulator (25) provided to maintain a preset vacuum level in the milking equipment. A second vacuum regulator (27, 29, 30a) is arranged between the first vacuum regulator and the vacuum pump and is provided for regulating the preset vacuum to a desired level. Preferably, the second vacuum regulator includes a pressure sensor (30a) provided for measuring a pressure level in the milking system; adjustable air admitting elements (31), e.g. a solenoid valve, provided for admitting air to enter the conduit; and a control device (29) provided for controlling the second vacuum regulator depending on the measured pressure level.

Abstract: A modular cat station comprising a plurality of spaced apart platforms disposed at different heights relative to a connected base plate is presented. In particular, the different platforms are removably connected to either the base plate and/or each other in order to create a modular, customized, and collapsible cat station. In addition, the cat station comprises a plurality of camouflaging elements generally representative of leaves, branches, flowers, twigs, and/or other parts of a tree or other plant life in order to at least partially conceal one or more accessories, add-ons, or portions of the station, including scratching posts, toys, food and water bowls, beds, litter box, etc.

Abstract: An automated animal feeder may store at least two different varieties of animal feed and automatically dispense a desired amount of feed at specified times of the day. Feed, stored in storage bins, gravitates to a conveying mechanism which transfers the feed to the feeding station. The conveying mechanism, which comprises almost all of the moving parts of the apparatus, is an integrated unit which is easily removed from the housing of the apparatus for maintenance. The volume of feed may be regulated by adjustable panels which control the volume of feed which is transported to the feeding station.

Abstract: A liquid nectar hummingbird feeder has a reusable base with a feeding basin that receives a disposable cartridge containing a pre-filled volume of liquid nectar. The cartridge has a single bottleneck opening at a lower end which is initially sealed by a breakable seal in the form of a film layer of foil, coated paper stock, plastic or the like. The base includes a cartridge mounting and opening structure adapted to secure and open the cartridge bottleneck opening by rupturing the film layer seal to allow liquid nectar to flow from the cartridge into the feeding basin.

Abstract: A child's toy for collecting fish includes a clear bowl with a rope handle attached to it. Tethered to the rope handle is a lid with a water and air permeable mesh. The handle preferably includes a buoyant member such as a wooden cylinder hand grip which will keep the apparatus from sinking if let go. The apparatus is preferably made from a plastic fish bowl into which two diametrically opposed holes are created to receive ends of the rope handle which is held in place by tying. The fish bowl has an upper lip and a ring dimensioned to fit over the lip. A circular mesh screen is attached to the ring and the ring is attached by a tether to the bowl or to the rope handle. A kit and a method of assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A leash apparatus includes a housing containing a spool assembly, a spring biased lever arm, and a first tensioning line. The first tensioning line is attached to a first end of the lever arm and wrapped at least once around the spool assembly, and has an opposite end attached to other than the rotatable portion of the spool assembly, such as a fixed location on the leash housing on a mounting of the spool assembly. A surface of the spool assembly slidingly rotates relative to the tensioning line portion that wraps at least once around the spool assembly. A second tensioning line is wound about the spool assembly and extends outside of the housing. The second tensioning line is guided around a wheel attached to a second end of the lever arm located on an opposite side of the lever arm.

Abstract: A lick deterrent device to deter animals from biting or chewing. The deterrent device has a flexible substrate physically conformable in three directions with conductive traces thereon. The lick deterrent device is configured for electrical connection to a removable power source. The traces are configured so that they may be contacted by an animal's tongue or saliva, so that upon contact, an electrical circuit is completed thereby delivering a mild electric shock to the animal. The lick deterrent device may be stretchable in at least one direction.

Abstract: A water heater includes combustion means (burner) that combusts fuel and generates exhaust; heat exchange means (primary heat exchanger and secondary heat exchanger) that exchanges heat of the exhaust for supplied water; bypassing means (bypass pipe) that makes the supplied water flow to an outlet of the heat exchange means; exchanged heat temperature detection means (exchanged heat temperature sensor) that detects temperature of the supplied water after heat exchange; flow rate adjustment means (bypass valve) that adjusts a volume of the supplied water flowing into the bypassing means and the heat exchange means; and a control unit that controls the flow rate adjustment means so as to make a predetermined volume of the supplied water or over flow to the heat exchange means.

Abstract: A system includes a diesel engine and a fuel-cracking system in fluid communication with a fuel supply to the diesel engine.

Abstract: During engine warm-up, a flow regulating unit in a cooling system operates in a fuel efficiency priority mode. In this mode, a head-side cooling water flow rate (Qhd) is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a first upper limit; a block-side cooling water flow rate (Qbk) is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a second upper limit; and cooling water flowing out of a block-side passage and a head-side passage flows mainly into a bypass passage. When a heating request to heat blown air is made during engine warm-up, the regulating unit operates in a heating priority mode. In this mode, Qhd is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a third upper limit; Qbk is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a fourth upper limit; and at least cooling water flowing out of the head-side passage flows into a heat exchanger.