Abstract: A beverage bottle handling machine construction method for constructing a beverage bottle handling machine, such as a beverage bottle cleaning machine, a beverage bottle pasteurization machine, and a beverage bottle shrink wrap machine in a beverage bottling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a pivotally closable cap with a base connected to a cover by a foldable hinge during a closure operation. The fixture includes a U-shaped slide member having a back wall and a pair of side walls extending therefrom for accommodating the cap with the base and cover in an open condition. The side walls have distal extents, which extend beyond a transverse mid-line of the cover and prevent angular movement of the cover within the slide member.

Abstract: In a method of making a high-pressure accumulator pipe as composite pipe of steel for pressures of up to 1800 bar and above with high static strength and fatigue strength for fuel injection systems with common rail systems for internal combustion engines, a first inner pipe part is inserted into a second outer pipe part with little clearance, and the inner pipe part is connected to the outer pipe part gap-free and by interference fit through mechanical forming. The mechanical forming includes a rolling-in process, wherein the inner pipe part is subjected to a ductile expansion and the outer pipe part is subjected to an elastic expansion using an oversized rolling tool that is moved within the inner pipe part, and wherein a residual compressive stress adjusted to the operating pressure is applied to the inner pipe part after the forming process via the elastic resilience of the outer pipe part.

Abstract: A method for reinforcing, baffling or sealing a vehicle structure by providing a sealing body with an integrated fastening tab.

Abstract: During operation of a vending machine, a dispensed product moves from a product dispensing location to a product retrieval location. To detect movement of the dispensed product to the dispensing location, the intensity of light at an array of pixels is monitored. The monitored array of pixels forms a portion of a larger group of pixels. A change in the intensity of light at pixels in the array of pixels is detected upon movement of a dispensed product to a product retrieval location.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting an advanced electronic module to a legacy chassis is presented. A method includes removing a legacy module from the legacy chassis. The legacy module is an older module that communicates with legacy chassis through at least two legacy module connectors on the legacy module and at least two chassis connectors on the legacy chassis. Next, a connector plate with a front side and a back side is attached to the improved electronic module that communicates to the font side of the connector plate with fewer that the at least two legacy module connectors. The method attaches the connector plate and the improved electronic module to legacy chassis so that an equal a number of connectors on the back side of the connector plate communicate with an equal number of legacy chassis connectors on the legacy chassis.

Abstract: A method (20) is described for making a stator (1) of an electric machine, the stator comprising a stator core (2), the stator core comprising a main body and a plurality of slots (8) which are axially extended inside the main body and are adapted to receive bar conductors. (5, 5?, 5?) of a bar stator winding. The method (20) comprises the steps of : inserting (23) at least one preshaped insulating sheet (10) inside at least one of said slots (8); hot shaping (26) said preshaped insulating sheet (10) inside the slot, along the entire axial extension of the slot (8) or along a substantial portion thereof, in order to confer form regularity and stability to said preshaped insulating sheet (10). Through the described process, it is possible to make stators with bar winding having a stator core with relatively high height and slot fill factor.

Abstract: A lead assembly and a method of making a lead are provided. The method of making a multi-contact lead assembly comprises placing monofilament placed in the void spaces not occupied by the plurality of conductor wires and, in one embodiment, thermally fusing the monofilament to the like material spacer by applying heat just below the melting temperature of the monofilament and spacer material. Alternatively, the monofilament and spacer may be of different materials and heat is applied to cause at least one material to thermally reflow or melt. The conductive contacts may be located at either the distal end and/or proximal end of the lead. Oversized spacers may be used in order to provide extra material to fill voids during the thermal fusion/reflow process.

Abstract: Methods and structures for controlling wafer curvature during fabrication of integrated circuits caused by stressed films. The methods include controlling the conductor density of wiring levels, adding compensating stressed film layers and disturbing the continuity of stress films with the immediately lower layer. The structure includes integrated circuits having compensating stressed film layers.

Abstract: A device for aligning and prefixing a flat substrate on a carrier substrate for the further processing of the substrate. The device includes aligning means for aligning a substrate's outside contour relative to a carrier substrate's outside contour by engaging the substrate's outside contour. The alignment of the substrate is carried out along a substrate plane E that is parallel to a contact surface of the substrate. Attaching means is provided for at least partial prefixing of the aligned substrate on the carrier substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming solder-less printed wiring boards includes attaching a electronic components to a workpiece using an adhesive material. A mold material is added to partially cover the electronic components to form a sub-assembly including the electronic components attached to the mold material and a planar surface on the workpiece side. At least tops of the electronic components extend beyond a height of the mold material. The adhesive material is removed to separate the workpiece and sub-assembly. A first prepreg dielectric is attached to the planar surface of the mold material. First vias are formed in the first prepreg dielectric to expose bondable contacts of the electronic components. The first vias are filled with electrically conductive plugs to provide connections to the bondable contacts of the electronic components. A circuit layer is formed on a surface of the first prepreg dielectric to provide contact to the first plugs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to circuit boards and, more specifically, a process for providing electrical connections with reduced via capacitance on circuit boards. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for providing an electrical connection between traces disposed on different layers of a circuit board, the method comprising forming in the board a via hole that extends between the different layers and interconnects a pair of electrically conductive traces disposed on the different layers. An inner sidewall of the via hole includes electrically conductive material thereon. The method further comprises removing a first portion of the conductive material from the inner sidewall by removing a first portion of the inner sidewall. A remaining portion of the conductive material on a remaining portion of the inner sidewall interconnects the pair of traces and has a corresponding width that is substantially similar to a width of each trace.

Abstract: A circuit layer manufacturing method is applied to a portable computer. The portable computer includes a front bezel, a display module, and a back cover. The front bezel is connected to the back cover for containing the display module. The front bezel includes a metal portion. The metal portion has a flat region corresponding to a side of the back cover. The circuit layer manufacturing method includes forming at least one control circuit layer assembly on the flat region, grounding the control circuit layer assembly to the flat region, and forming a protection layer on the control circuit layer assembly. The control circuit layer assembly includes an insulation layer and a control circuit layer. The control circuit layer is electrically connected to the display module. The insulation layer is formed between the control circuit layer and the flat region for being alternately stacked with the control circuit layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for bleeding electrical charge and methods for installing a ground stud in a composite structure. The apparatus includes a ground stud and a composite structure including a hole. In one embodiment the ground stud engages the hole in the composite structure in a transition fit. In another embodiment the ground stud is countersunk within the composite structure. Embodiments of the present methods include drilling a hole in the composite structure; inserting the ground stud into the hole such that the ground stud is in electrical contact with conductive fibers within the composite structure; securing the ground stud to the composite structure; and attaching a connective device to the ground stud such that the connective device is in electrical contact with the ground stud. In some embodiments the ground stud and the composite structure engage one another in a transition fit.

Abstract: A method of balancing a crankshaft includes connecting a torsion-absorbing pendulum to a cheek of the crankshaft, which is coupled to a crankpin. As the pendulum connected to the cheek has insufficient mass to balance the crankshaft, a lightening bore is formed through a bisection plane of the cheek. In forming the lightening bore, enough material is removed from the cheek so that the mass of the pendulum becomes sufficient to balance the crankshaft.

Abstract: A method of repairing a damaged notch fillet radius of a turbine blade shroud includes a replacement notch fillet radius and a hardface nugget. The damaged notch fillet radius is blended out and a hardface structure positioned proximate the damaged notch fillet radius is removed. A replacement notch fillet radius is formed with weld filler and the hardface nugget is welded to at least a portion of the replacement notch fillet radius.

Abstract: Processes for fabricating components to have two or more regions with different grain structures, and components produced by such processes. First and second preforms are fabricated to comprise interface surfaces at which the preforms can be joined together. The first and second preforms are formed of first and second precipitation-strengthened alloys, respectively, and the first alloy differs from the second alloy by having a higher solvus temperature or a higher grain refiner content. The preforms are joined together to form an article comprising first and second portions formed by the first and second preforms, respectively, and corresponding to first and second regions of the component, respectively, and the interface surfaces of the preforms form a joint between the first and second portions of the article. A supersolvus heat treatment is performed on the article so that greater grain growth occurs in the second portion than in the first portion.

Abstract: A method provides for assembling a wind turbine blade from at least two blade segments, with each of the blade segments having a pressure side shell member, a suction side shell member, internal support structure, and ends with joint sections that are offset span-wise from the pressure side shell member to the suction side shell member. The blade segments are aligned in an end-to-end orientation and moved into a mating configuration with relative movement that includes overlapping the respective joint sections of adjacent blade segments. The overlapped joint sections are subsequently moved into engagement with each other and joined along respective joint profiles at a chord-wise joint.

Abstract: A hedge trimmer having a rear handle, a tubular handle and a blade arrangement with at least one cutter bar disposed in a cutter bar plane. An internal combustion engine drives the cutter bars in a reciprocating manner, and has a combustion chamber and a crankshaft mounted in a crankcase so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The combustion chamber faces the rear handle, and the crankcase faces the blade arrangement. The blade arrangement has a longitudinal central axis, and the hedge trimmer has a longitudinal plane that is disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft and transverse to the cutter bar plane. The longitudinal central axis of the blade arrangement lies in the longitudinal plane of the hedge trimmer.

Abstract: An aerodynamic trimmer head assembly for use in flexible line rotary trimmers including a trimmer head having a curvilinear upper head surface and a shroud having a curvilinear portion extending over the head surface. A plurality of ribs extend downwardly and forwardly in the direction of rotation between the head surface and shroud defining a plurality of channels extending between portions of the upper head surface and shroud along curvilinear paths defined by the ribs. The channels define inlet openings in an upper portion of the shroud and outlet openings about the lower end portion thereof. During rotation of the head and shroud, air is drawn downwardly about the drive mechanism, through the channel inlets, into and through the channels and outwardly therefrom at a forward inclination about the line projecting from the housing thereby cooling the drive mechanism of the rotary trimmer and reducing aerodynamic drag on the line.

Abstract: Provided are devices for determining the correct aiming point of a low velocity projectile and methods and systems for using the devices. For example, the devices can be attached to a bow and used to improve accuracy for hunting game.

Abstract: A method for helping to position a component on the wall of a structural element, including the steps: elaborating an image to be projected on the wall, from a virtual model of the structure and from the positioning of a projector with respect to the structure, and an additional motif providing positioning information of the piece with respect to the direction normal to the wall, projecting the image on the structural element by means of the projector; placing the base of the piece inside an outline of the image projected on the wall; and, while keeping contact between the piece and the structural element, modifying the positioning of the piece with respect to the direction normal to the wall, until the predefined set of points of the piece coincides with the motif.

Abstract: A laser system for creating a linear laser marking, including a radiation source that emits a laser beam and that emits it along a direction of propagation, a focusing lens assembly with an optical axis, and a conical mirror that, at least in certain areas, is configured as a straight cone with a cone axis and a reflecting lateral surface. The conical mirror is arranged in the beam path of the laser beam behind the focusing lens assembly, and the cone axis is oriented parallel to the optical axis of the focusing lens assembly. The direction of propagation of the laser beam is inclined at an angle relative to the optical axis of the focusing lens assembly.

Abstract: A portable, parallel straightedge drafting board is disclosed which utilizes a unique wire arrangement with control locks attached thereto to achieve a movable straightedge that will always be parallel to itself when moved during use of the drafting board.

Abstract: The present application provides for feeler gauges. The feeler gauges include a plurality of elongate measuring leaves rotatably coupled on a common axis of rotation with an elongate housing. The leaves may be manually, selectively rotatable between a “home” position wherein the leaves are substantially aligned with the housing and an “extended” position wherein the leaves are spaced from the housing. The leaves may be relatively flexible and substantially flat such that they define a substantially constant thickness. One or more extended leaves may be used to measure the thickness of a clearance or gap. The gauges may be configured to detect, determine or measure the thickness of the leaves that are in the “home” position and/or the “extended” position, and thereby determine the total thickness of a clearance or gap measured by the extended leaves.

Abstract: An analogue probe for use with a coordinate positioning machine. The analogue probe comprises a temperature actuator which can be modulated so as maintain the temperature of at least a part of the analogue probe at a substantially constant predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A laundry drying machine (1) includes a casing (2) containing a rotatable drum (4) for holding the laundry (5) to dry, and a drying air circuit (6) for conveying a drying air flow towards the inside of the drum (6) and from it to the outside. At least one filter (12) is provided for intercepting the fluff dragged out of the laundry (5) by the drying air flow. Vibrating means (19) are adapted to cause the filter (12) to vibrate, so as to drop down the fluff from the filter (12). The filter (12) is selectively positionable between an operational position in which the filter (12) is arranged in a seat (11) intercepting the drying air circuit (6), and an extracted position in which the filter (12) is removed from the seat (11), outside the drying air circuit (6). The vibrating means includes an exciter, associated to the casing (2), and an exciter-responsive element, associated to the filter (12).

Abstract: The invention provides a monitoring device (32) for a dryer (10) includes a means for sensing a physical parameter, such as temperature or strain, at a sensing locus within the dryer (10), for example at a vial (20). The sensing means comprises an optical sensing fiber (38) having at least one fiber Bragg grating (54). Moreover, the invention provides a dryer, in particular a freeze dryer (10), which is equipped with such monitoring device (32).

Abstract: The invention relates to a Yankee dryer (1) made of steel with a cylindrical steel shell (2) that is closed off at each end by a cylinder end cover (3, 4). According to the invention the Yankee dryer (1) has a one-piece central shaft (7) with a first and a second connecting flange (8, 9) to join the central shaft (7) to the end covers (3, 4), where the diameter of the first connecting flange (8) is smaller than the diameter of the opening (6) in the second end cover (4) so that the central shaft (7) can be pushed through this opening (6) into the Yankee cylinder (1). The invention also refers to a manufacturing process for a Yankee dryer (1).

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer having a drying chamber and an air flow system including a variable speed blower for forcing air through the drying chamber comprises the step of assessing a value related to the water removal rate and the step of adjusting the speed of the blower depending on the assessed value, the value being preferably based on a ratio between the water condensing rate and the power of a heater used to heat up the air flow upstream the drying chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dryer which can sense a laundry amount and a dryness, and a method for controlling the same. The dryer includes a drum (3) for holding a drying object, a heater (5a, 5b) for supplying hot air to an inside of the drum (3), a sensing unit (20) for providing a pulse signal depending an contact to the drying object in the drum (3), a microcomputer (60) for determining a load and dryness of the drying object with reference to the pulse signal from the sensing unit (20) to control a general drying course. According to this by providing a new system of sensing means in which the load and the dryness can be determined, not by using a direct contact system with the electrode sensor, but by using a number of contact to the laundry, the present invention permits to provide more accurate and safer system.

Abstract: A shoe with an air circulation system has a porous ventilated upper and a compressible pumping chamber in the heel which pumps cooling ambient air from an external air intake into a three dimensional mesh air distribution pad and out through the porous ventilated upper, providing cooling and reducing moisture in the cavity containing the wearer's foot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functional footwear of a new concept, which adapts itself to the shape of a foot and gives a soft feeling when walking The footwear includes: an upper foot fixing section (1) for covering and fixing an upper portion of a foot; and a foot supporting section (8) attached to the upper foot fixing section for supporting a lower portion of the foot. The foot supporting section comprises a soft resilient mat (2) which can be deformed according to the shape of the foot. The footwear has a simple structure and can give a feeling of walking barefoot on a sponge mat or on a lawn like a extreme-soft-elastic carpet to provide complete comfort to the wearer during walking.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole. The sole has an upper sole member, a lower sole member, and at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the upper sole member and the lower sole member. The at least one inflatable bladder has an inflated state and a deflated state. A distance between the upper sole member and the lower sole member is greater in the inflated state than the deflated state. Varying the inflation of the inflatable bladder varies the amount of cushioning in the sole and the thickness of the sole so that the shoe can serve as a multipurpose shoe for activities requiring different amounts of cushioning.

Abstract: A device for the protection of a high heel is disclosed which is adjustable to adapt to various shoe heel diameters and is barely visible during use.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole, an outsole, and at least one groove. The groove includes a macro groove and at least one micro groove located within the macro groove. The macro groove may be formed by an indentation or area of reduced thickness in the sole structure. The micro groove may be formed by an indentation or area of reduced thickness in a surface of the macro groove.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The upper is configured to receive a foot, and the outsole is secured to the upper. The outsole defines a plurality of apertures extending entirely through the outsole. In addition, the outsole has a ground-engaging surface positioned at a first elevation. The midsole is positionable such that a lower surface of the midsole extends into the apertures of the outsole and is exposed by the apertures.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting a material grappled by a grapple member of a grapple device is mounted on one side wall portion of a bucket which is pivotable vertically with respect to an arm swung vertically and is rotatable on an axis in an extension direction of the arm. The cutting device includes a cutting blade which is positioned outside or inside a side wall of the bucket and is pivotally supported on a base end portion of the open mouth portion of the bucket to be pivoted in a direction along the side wall from a position separated from an opening edge of the bucket to a position along the side wall of the bucket. A hydraulic cylinder is provided on a rear surface portion of the bucket and is connected to a pivoting base portion of the blade.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed having a casing, a drawer and a stopping mechanism. The drawer is inserted into the casing and a hidden section of the drawer is alternately hidden from view and then displayed when the system transitions between retracted and extended positions respectively. The drawer may optionally include an insert that is displayed when the display is in the extended position. In one aspect, the stopping mechanism may be a flexible membrane attached to the inside of the casing and the drawer back. Alternatively, the casing may include a crossbar section disposed within said drawer where fasteners within said drawer prevent drawer extension beyond the crossbar thereby providing the stopping mechanism. Functionally, the display system may serve as a greeting card where images on the casing and drawer are drawn apart on drawer extraction to reveal extended images on the hidden section and the insert.

Abstract: A biometric monitoring device and multiple carrying cases for same are provided. In some implementations, the case may be made from a flexible viscoelastic material and the biometric monitoring device may be slipped into a receptacle in the case through an opening in the case; the opening may become distended during the insertion of the biometric monitoring device. In some implementations, the case may feature a display window that, in combination with materials of the biometric monitoring device, may mask a display of the biometric monitoring device from view when the display is off and may allow the display to be seen when the display is displaying content.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to firearms or more precisely—to devices providing underwater firing firearms from within the dry environment. The device for underwater firing for a firearm comprises: a weapon with ammunition, a fire control tool and a controllable muzzle valve with a passage opening intended for passing of the projectile in the course of the underwater shot. Moreover, the device comprises an outer housing having inside it at least a weapon and ammunition. The fire control tool has at least one pyrotechnical charge intended to produce inside the housing before firing the excessive pressure exceeding the exterior water pressure. Moreover, the fire control tool is connected with the muzzle valve that provides firing after opening of the muzzle valve in the result of increasing pressure of the pyrotechnical gas inside the housing and ceasing firing after closing of the muzzle valve.

Abstract: Applicant has disclosed a Method and Apparatus for stripping and feeding cartridges to enhance stripping cartridges out of a detachable double-stacked magazine, inserted into a (well opening of a) receiver of a bolt-action rifle, and to enhance feeding the cartridges into the firing chamber. In the preferred “apparatus” embodiment, Applicant's device comprises two protrusions (“bumps”) integral with, and radially spaced around, a bottom of the breech bolt head. When the rifle's breech bolt is pushed through the receiver, towards the firing chamber, a flat front face of a protrusion engages the rim of the top cartridge, pushing the cartridge out of the magazine, over the feed ramp or lip, and towards a firing chamber of the rifle. The protrusions alternate as to which engages the next top cartridge(s), due to the staggered (zigzag) columns of the cartridges in a double-stacked magazine.

Abstract: A device for modifying an existing high capacity magazine to reduce the friction between the bolt and the cartridges and assure more reliable feeding, by biasing the cartridge into the feed position in a manner independent of the magazine's primary spring pressure.

Abstract: A customizable firearm is disclosed. The firearm can perform one or more functions, including firing a bullet, firing a less-than-lethal projectile, and/or providing light. In some cases, the firearm includes a main frame component having an inner cavity, wherein a barrel is slidably received within the cavity so as to selectively slide back and forth within the cavity. In some cases, a proximal end of the barrel comprises a bullet chamber. In such cases, the barrel fires the bullet by carrying the bullet proximally and striking it against a stationary firing pin. In other cases, a firing pin is attached to a distal end of the barrel. In such cases, the barrel discharges the firearm by moving the firing pin distally and striking a cartridge at a distal end of the main frame. In some cases, the barrel rotates between a safe and a fire alignment. Other implementations are described.

Abstract: A gun trigger-looking device which is configured to be manually installed on a gun with a trigger-blocking member disposed behind the trigger to prevent the gun from being fired. The device includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same as data stored in the memory. If a data match is indicated, the logic device causes an electromagnetic device to move a locking member to an unlocked position, permitting the trigger-blocking member to be manually removed from the gun so the gun can be fired. A separate electronic key is provided to transmit unlock data to the data receiver of the trigger-locking device. This unlock data may be a password, a long pseudo-random number or biologic data identifying the gun owner or some other person who is licensed or otherwise authorized to fire the gun.

Abstract: A system for removably securing a hand guard to a semi-automatic or automatic rifle is provided. The system having: a first locking assembly for removably coupling a rear end of the hand guard to an upper receiver of the rifle; a second locking assembly for removably coupling a forward end of the hand guard to the rifle; and wherein the first locking assembly and the second locking assembly axially and rotationally position the hand guard with respect to the rifle and wherein the hand guard is not directly secured to a barrel of the rifle.

Abstract: Rifle scope turrets with spiral cam mechanisms include a scope body, a movable optical element defining an optical axis enclosed by the scope body, and a turret having a screw operably connected to the optical element for adjusting the optical axis in response to rotation of the screw. The turret has a spiral cam mechanism engaged thereto. The turret defines first and second stop surfaces positioned for engagement by the spiral cam to limit rotation of the turret. The first stop surface defines a zero position of the screw and the movable optical element. The second stop surface defines a maximum point of displacement of the screw and the moveable optical element. The stop surfaces may be defined by a spiral cam groove in the indexing portion of the turret. The groove may overlap itself at least partially. The turret may be an elevation turret or a windage turret.

Abstract: A firearm sight comprising: a sight base; a left contrast geometry wall extending generally upward from the sight base, the left contrast geometry wall having a left operator end and a left firing end; a right contrast geometry wall extending generally upward from the sight base, the right contrast geometry wall having a right operator end and a right firing end, and where the left contrast geometry wall and right contrast geometry wall are tapered in position with respect to each other such that distance between the left operator end and the right operator end is greater than the distance between the left firing end and the right firing end; a targeting space located generally between left and right firing ends; a mounting interface attached to the underside of the base, and configured to attached to a top surface of a firearm; where the left and right contrast geometry walls each have an inner surface that has a visually contrasting appearance such that user intuitively adjusts the firearm such that the con

Abstract: A moving decoy is provided. The decoy is connected to a actuator which causes the decoy to pivot. When positioned on the surface of a body of water, the decoy is capable of mimicking the movements of a live animal.

Abstract: A fishing apparatus for implementing a substantially hands-free form of angling, includes a movable arm assembly securable to a fixed point, where the movable arm assembly is operatively engaged to a fishing rod having a distal end through which a fishing line extends, and is adapted for imparting a reciprocating motion to the distal end of the fishing rod relative to the fixed point.