Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing the braking of an aircraft fitted with undercarriages (1) bearing braked wheels (2), the method comprising the step of generating braking commands by means of a braking computer (4) for each of the braked wheels as a function of longitudinal speed information representative of a longitudinal movement of the wheels in question, characterized in that there is placed at the bottom of the undercarriage, close to the braked wheels, a sensor adapted for generating a signal that can be used for generating the longitudinal speed information used for generating the braking commands.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and methods related to park brake systems and methods. In various embodiments, a park brake system may comprise a motor shaft having a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion, the second diameter portion having a greater diameter than the first diameter portion. A park brake system may further comprise a spring disposed at least partially around a circumference of the motor shaft, a wire coil disposed at least partially around a circumference of a bobbin, a one-way clutch disposed at least partially within the bobbin and coaxial to the motor shaft, an annular magnet disposed coaxial to the motor shaft and distal to at least a portion of the bobbin, and a clutch release mechanism disposed coaxial to the motor shaft and around the first diameter portion.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator in an aircraft brake system may include a stationary body, an actuator drive unit in an actuator drive unit housing, a ball screw coupled to the actuator drive unit, and a ball nut piston coupled to the ball screw. A supplemental back drive mechanism may be disposed between the ball screw and the stationary body. The supplemental back drive mechanism may comprise a spring and a clutch. The spring may store back drive potential energy when the electromechanical actuator is actuated to drive the ball nut piston forward, and may supply back drive energy to the retract the ball nut piston.

Abstract: A system for damping vibration and/or shimmy of a landing gear system is disclosed. The system is a friction-based damping system that utilizes a friction pad and friction wedge to dampen vibration and/or shimmy. The friction pad may be coupled to an apex pin that is used to couple a first torque link and a second torque link together. The friction wedge may be a made of a wearable and/or consumable material.

Abstract: A hydraulic strut assembly, for use in a semi-levered landing gear in an aircraft, comprising an actuator and a manifold associated with the actuator. The actuator comprises a housing, a first piston, a second piston, and a third piston. The first piston is positioned between outer and inner cylindrical structures of the housing. The outer and inner cylindrical structures and first piston form an outer chamber that receives a first fluid. The inner cylindrical structure, the first piston, and the second piston, which is nested within the first piston, form an inner chamber, which holds a second fluid comprising a gas. A volume of the inner chamber changes when at least one of the first and second pistons moves. The third piston is positioned between the outer cylindrical structure and the first piston. The first, second, and third pistons move in a direction parallel to an axis through the housing.

Abstract: Off-board gyrocopter take-off systems and associated methods are disclosed. A representative method includes restraining a gyrocopter from vertical and lateral movement, pre-rotating a fixed-pitch lift rotor of the gyrocopter via a power source located off the gyrocopter, and releasing the gyrocopter for vertical movement to allow the gyrocopter to lift under a force provided by the lift rotor. Optionally, the method can further include interrupting or reducing power from the power source to the gyrocopter as a way to release the gyrocopter for vertical movement.

Abstract: A propeller system includes a propeller located at a tail section and a drive shaft operably connected to the propeller to drive the propeller about a propeller axis. A propeller gearbox connects the propeller to the drive shaft and a propeller gearbox lubricant cooler is operably connected to the propeller gearbox and disposed circumferentially about the drive shaft. The propeller gearbox lubricant cooler transfers thermal energy from a flow of lubricant flowing therethrough to a flow of air flowing through the tail section across the propeller gearbox lubricant cooler. A method of cooling a gearbox for a propeller includes circulating a volume of lubricant through a propeller gearbox and flowing the lubricant into a propeller gearbox cooler. Thermal energy is transferred from the lubricant to a flow of air flowing across the propeller gearbox cooler and the flow of air is vented from the tail section of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: A propulsor gearbox assembly for a translational thrust propeller includes a housing defining an interior cavity, a planetary gear assembly contained within the interior cavity, an input shaft aligned on a first axis or rotation, and an output shaft aligned along a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation is coaxial with the second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A rotor hub assembly for a rotary-winged aircraft includes a spool portion and a plurality of hub arms extending radially outwardly from the spool portion. A rotor blade is connectable to each hub arm. Each hub arm includes a spine portion and at least two leg portions extending from the spine portion. The spine portion and the at least two leg portions defining an I-shaped cross-section of each hub arm. A rotor assembly includes a rotor hub assembly including a spool portion and a plurality of hub arms extending radially outwardly from the spool portion. Each hub arm includes a spine portion and at least two leg portions extending from the spine portion. The spine portion and the at least two leg portions define an I-shaped cross-section of each hub arm. A rotor blade is secured to each hub arm.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided and includes an airframe, a blade disk, which is rotatable relative to the airframe, including a plurality of rotor blades, a rotor shaft disposed to drive rotation of the blade disk relative to the airframe and a pitching of each of the rotor blades about corresponding pitch axes and a rotor assembly configured to form couplings by which each of the rotor blades is coupled to the rotor shaft. The rotor assembly includes a composite laminate arranged to resolve loading associated with the couplings in-plane of the composite laminate.

Abstract: A pin configured for use in a rotor blade movable between an aligned position and a folded position and having a rotor blade airfoil contour is provided including a cylindrical body configured to couple a first section and a second section of the rotor blade when the rotor blade is in the aligned position. A handle is mounted to an end of the cylindrical body and has an airfoil contour complementary to the rotor blade airfoil contour. The handle is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the handle is in the closed position, the handle is flush with an adjacent portion of the rotor blade. When the handle is in the open position, the handle is accessible to pull the cylindrical body from the first and second section s of the rotor blade.

Abstract: Embodiments of rotary-wing aircraft include a fuselage, and a main rotor assembly mounted for rotation on the fuselage. The rotary-wing aircraft also have an anti-torque device. The anti-torque device has a body that is contiguous with the fuselage, and a rotor mounted within a duct defined by the body.

Abstract: A fixed wing type Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft retains a conventional seating arrangement and utilizes a single point VTOL lift source, in the form of a counter-rotating centrifugal compressor assembly having co-axially aligned upper and lower impellers. Air is fed to the upper impeller through a central intake, and to the lower impeller through either a VTOL mode intake or a flight mode intake. Air is exhausted from the impellers through a plurality of main air outlets. Each main air outlet is fitted with a thrust augmentation duct that can be pivoted downward for VTOL, or rearward for forward flight. A controller alternately closes the flight mode intake when the thrust augmentation ducts are in the downwardly pointing VTOL position, and closes the VTOL mode intakes when the thrust augmentation ducts are in the rearwardly pointing flight position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft which can both take off and land vertically and can hover and also fly horizontally at a high cruising speed. The aircraft has a support structure, a wing structure, at least three and preferably at least four lifting rotors and at least one thrust drive. The wing structure is designed to generate a lifting force for the aircraft during horizontal motion. To achieve this the wing structure has at least one mainplane provided with a profile that generates dynamic lift. The wing structure is preferably designed as a tandem wing structure. Each of the lifting rotors is fixed to the support structure, has a propeller and is designed to generate a lifting force for the aircraft by means of a rotation of the propeller, said force acting in a vertical direction. The thrust drive is designed to generate a thrust force on the support structure, said force acting in a horizontal direction. The lifting rotors can have a simple construction, i.e.

Abstract: A deployable airborne surveillance kite for flying in a wind over a surface includes a wing, a tail, and a spar coupling the wing to the tail. The kite further includes a thrust rotor mounted to the kite in a vertical orientation for providing vertical lift to the kite. A tether assembly extends from the kite to the surface and couples the kite to the surface providing downward resistance in opposition to the vertical lift provided by the thrust rotor.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a package transport container for a UAV includes a manifest device having a computer processor, a receptacle including a base that secures contents of the receptacle, a locking mechanism that couples the manifest device to the receptacle during transport, and a connector coupling the manifest device to the UAV. The processor transmits material properties of the contents of the receptacle to the UAV, receives routing information for a package to be transported, monitors coordinates of the package transport container during transport, and upon determining the coordinates match coordinates of a delivery location specified in the routing information: sends a release request signal to the UAV to release the receptacle; receives a release command from the UAV; and disengages the locking mechanism to release the manifest device from the base. The routing information is determined at least in part based on the material properties of the contents.

Abstract: A toilet module attachment assembly that includes a retainer member that is adapted to be secured to a wall. The retainer member includes a wall attachment flange and a press fit portion extending generally inwardly from the wall attachment flange. When the retainer member is secured to a wall a channel is defined between the wall and the press fit portion. The attachment assembly also includes a seal member that includes a bulge portion that is received in the channel of the retainer member.

Abstract: An air supply controller is configured to supply cooling air to an air cycle machine. The controller includes a chamber having a first inlet configured to receive air from a first source, a second inlet configured to receive air from a second source, and an outlet configured to pass air from first inlet and/or the second inlet to an air cycle machine. A control member is disposed within the chamber and configured to move from a first position to a second position. When the control member is in the first position it obstructs an airflow from the second inlet to the outlet and permits an airflow from the first inlet to the outlet. When the control member is in the second position it obstructs the airflow from the first inlet to the outlet and permits the airflow from the second inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: An aircraft (2) comprises at least first and second gas turbine engines (10a, 10b) arranged in a line extending generally normally to an aircraft longitudinal axis (A), each engine (10a, 10b) comprising at least one compressor or turbine rotor disc (32-42) defining a respective rotational plane (D32-D42). The rotational plane (D32-D42) of at least one of the rotors (32-42) of at least one of the engines (10a, 10b) is angled relative to the aircraft longitudinal line (A) such that a burst disc plane of the respective engine (10a, 10b) is nonintersecting with another engine (10a, 10b).

Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a wing and a pusher fan engine. The pusher fan engine is configured in the wing.

Abstract: An upper bifi frame for preventing air leakage in a gas turbine engine including an engine casing and a fan case is provided. The upper bifi frame includes a forward fairing having a forward fairing midsection extending between the engine casing and the fan case. The forward fairing has a forward fairing first end including a flange configured to couple to the engine casing. The forward fairing has a forward fairing second end extending from the forward fairing midsection and configured to couple to the fan case. At least one aft seal is secured to the forward fairing and forms a seal therewith. A wedge seal is coupled to the forward fairing and the at least one aft seal and is operative to prevent air leakage to a pylon that is secured to the engine casing.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine for a propeller-driven aircraft, including setting an initial maximum power limit, wherein the initial maximum power limit is associated with a maximum allowable thrust for an aircraft, receiving an indication that a predetermined aircraft condition is satisfied, and setting an updated maximum power limit.

Abstract: An inlet protection system for filtering air prior to entry into an air intake of an engine of an aircraft includes interchangeably a particle separator panel and a barrier filter panel. The barrier filter panel is adapted to be mounted conformal to the contour of the aircraft and to be interchangeable with the particle separator panel. The particle separator panel has an outer skin and a plurality of particle separators. The outer skin has an opening disposed along a portion of it to discharge filtered particles from within the removable panel directly outward therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transport machine such as an aircraft (1), into the transport machine, an electronic device (30) that generates an electromagnetic wave is carried, the transport machine including: a cable (27) to which the electronic device (30) is connected; a clamp (31) having a clamp body (32), the clamp body (32) holding the cable (27); and a medium (31A) that is provided inside the clamp body (32) to absorb the electromagnetic wave conducted through the cable (27).

Abstract: The present invention provides a transport machine such as an aircraft (1), the transport machine including a compartment (11, 12) into which an electronic device (30) that generates an electromagnetic wave (W1) is carried. In the transport machine, an intra-compartment member (21, 22, 24) is at least one of a member (21, 22) defining an inside of the compartment (11, 12) and a member (24) disposed in the compartment (11, 12), and the intra-compartment member (21, 22, 24) includes an interior material (21) that constitutes an inner wall of the compartment (11, 12); and a floor material (22) that constitutes a floor of the compartment (11,12) or is provided on the floor. At least one of the interior material (21) and the floor material (22) includes a medium (21A, 22A) that absorbs the electromagnetic wave (W1).

Abstract: A mobile UAV infrastructure and management system for control and management of one or more unmanned aerial vehicles including at least one landing platform to facilitate operational readiness of the unmanned aerial vehicle, radio beacons for localization of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a command and control station in communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle, and an unmanned ground vehicle for deploying the landing platform, the radio beacons and the command and control station.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for predictive shimming of large structures. Systems may include a remote device configured to move along a first path relative to a first vehicle structure. The remote device may be configured to move a sensor device along a plurality of measurement points included in the first path. A base device may be configured to identify a position of the sensor device at each measurement point. The base device may be configured to generate measurement data including a first plurality of measurements identifying at least one structural dimension of a first surface of the first vehicle structure. A controller may be configured to control operation of the base device and the remote device based on engineering data associated with the first vehicle structure. The controller may be further configured to determine at least one shim dimension associated with the first surface.

Abstract: A computerised aircraft engine maintenance planning system for maintaining an aircraft engine fleet comprising a plurality of aircraft engines, each engine in the fleet comprising an engine health monitoring system configured to provide data indicative of an incipient fault for a respective engine. The planning system comprises: a fault forwarding sub-system configured to receive indications of incipient faults from respective engine health monitoring systems, the fault forwarding system being configured to identify two or more engines having linked incipient faults; and a queuing sub-system configured to assign each engine identified as having an incipient fault to a virtual maintenance queue position; wherein the queuing sub-system is configured to group engines having linked incipient faults to adjacent queue positions.

Abstract: An electric propulsion device for a satellite equipped with at least four active thrusters exerting a parallel thrust upon a transfer, the device comprises means for detecting a thruster failure and means for reorienting the thrusters, and comprises means for computing a reorientation angle of the thrusters remaining active upon a failure of a thruster, the value of the angle being computed to reorient at least two of the remaining thrusters in order to cancel the total torque about the center of mass of the satellite.

Abstract: A fuel depot in space is provided. The fuel depot has a collapsible housing with a guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) system, a power management system, and a reaction control system (RNC). Connected to the housing are a plurality of fuel tanks that are connected via collapsible rods. The fuel tanks have pipe systems that are in communication with a plurality of pumps to transfer fuel from the tanks through a refueling arm and into a spacecraft during refueling.

Abstract: A plasma propulsion system with no internal electrodes is described. Gas is flowed into an insulated axisymmetric plasma liner. A radio frequency antenna generates an inductive or helicon plasma discharge within the liner. The plasma is accelerated through a converging/diverging magnetic field out of the liner, generating thrust.

Abstract: An integrated control device that assigns a same attribute to plural pieces of status information integrally monitored over at least two or more pieces of equipment, to derive integrated status information and integrate the plural pieces of status information. An integration processor derives the integrated status information such that a group of pieces of preset status information is referenced with respect to plural pieces of status information with a same attribute from among status information of monitoring target functions stored in monitoring data of equipment and provided for each of plural pieces of the equipment to be monitored or an operation applying an operator being set for each attribute to pieces of status information with the same attribute from among status information of monitoring target functions stored in monitoring data of equipment and provided for each of plural pieces of the equipment to be monitored is carried out.

Abstract: A cosmetic impregnated foam manufacturing apparatus of the present disclosure includes: a fixing holder for fixing a container; a two or more multi nozzles for filling the container with liquid-state make-ups having different colors and viscosities; a pressing member pressing the impregnated foam to the container filled with the liquid-state make-ups; and a fabric placed on the impregnated foam. Accordingly, various colors and patterns are achieved by impregnating two or more liquid-state make-ups having different colors by the two or more multi nozzles and the fixing holder that is rotated and horizontally moved.

Abstract: The metering apparatus for the volumetric metering of pourable filler includes a housing and a metering slider which is movable relative to the housing. The housing and the slider conjointly define a metering chamber. The slider is configured as a vertical slider with a stroke axis. The housing includes a guide surface for the slider which extends in the direction of the stroke axis. The slider has a boundary surface corresponding to the guide surface and abuts in a sliding manner against the guide surface. A metering recess is introduced into the slider proceeding from the boundary surface and/or into the housing proceeding from the guide surface. With the slider in a stroke position wherein the metering recess is covered by the guide surface and/or by the boundary surface, the metering chamber is formed by the metering recess, the guide surface and/or the boundary surface.

Abstract: A package includes a container and a lid adapted to mate with a brim of the container. The lid closes a top opening in the container when mounted to the brim of the container.

Abstract: A packaging device for medications includes a packaging material supply and a folding and guiding unit. The folding and guiding unit folds a packaging material web in the longitudinal direction so that the edges of the packaging material web are guided along packaging material web folding regions and a folding section establishes a folded region in the packaging material web. The folding and guiding unit includes an impact region for medications to be packaged, a first joining unit and a second joining unit. The folding and guiding unit also includes a medication supply section spaced apart from the folding section and via which medications are conducted vertically spaced apart from the folded region into the folded packaging material web.

Abstract: The mechanism comprises a floating mandrel that is movable to engage with a filler tube. A strand of netting sleeve material is mounted to encapsulate the floating mandrel. Traction wheels are used to support the mandrel and to move the netting sleeve material along the mandrel and over the filler tube. A cutter is mounted between the mandrel and the filler tube for cutting netting sleeves material from the strand of netting sleeve material.

Abstract: A method for bringing together a wrapper and a plurality of inserts can be used to form an advertising means compilation. In a region of a compilation section, the wrapper and the inserts are deposited on one another individually and in succession on a conveying element which is moved in a direction of transport. A leading edge of the wrapper is deposited offset relative to leading edges of the inserts so as to form an excess length of the wrapper. The inserts are deposited on one another, forming a stack, such that the leading edges of the inserts form a common fold edge. The excess length of the wrapper, which lies flat on the conveying element or on the stack of inserts, is folded around the fold edge and, at least in part, around the stack of inserts so as to form the advertising means compilation.

Abstract: A method for producing a container package includes forming container streams in which the containers have had adhesive applied thereto, separating the containers into container groups, with a container from each stream being in the group, and pressing the containers together from the side by using a pair of clamps so that the adhesive binds the containers together to form the container package.

Abstract: A method for the wrapping of containers, particularly bottles, into bundles including rows of adjacent containers, wherein the containers are fed continuously, according to a displacement axis, to a wrapping station (2, 3) and wound with a spiral of a stretching plastic film defining a continuous wrapping. The containers (B) are pushed into a portion upstream of the wrapping station (2, 3) by a conveying unit (1) provided with at least guiding and supporting elements of the containers and with a pacing unit (1a), the containers (B) wrapped with the stretching plastic film being withdrawn, downstream of each winding unit (2, 3), with the help of a dragging device (T1, T2, T3), the guiding and supporting elements including members (11, 12, 13) elongated in the longitudinal direction of the displacement axis which extend also into the wrapping station (2, 3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for manipulation of eggs, particularly (though not exclusively) removal of eggs from a crate, at least comprising a gripper. The present invention relates to a device which comprises: —the at least one gripper (9) which is configured to grip the egg and which comprises at least two legs (14), these legs being designed to grip round the egg. The device comprises here at least one upward pusher (8) which is configured to push up the at least one of the eggs out of the egg drawer, container or crate with receiving locations for accommodating at least one of the eggs each, wherein the at least one gripper (9) is configured to grip the egg pushed up by the pusher (8), wherein the pusher (8) comprises a base (15) for supporting an egg and at least one arm (16) reciprocally movable along the base (15) for aligning an egg accommodated on the base. Use can alternatively or additionally be made within the scope of the disclosed invention of a carrier template.

Abstract: A conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products. The system can include a first conveyor and a second conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products. The rolled absorbent products can be either partially wrapped or naked. The first and second conveyors can each have aligned centerlines parallel to a direction of movement. A first transfer device can be coupled to the first conveyor for diverting at least a portion of the partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the first conveyor to another conveyor for moving the diverted rolled absorbent products to a subsequent unit operation. The un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products can be conveyed to the second conveyor. In operation rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from the first conveyor to the subsequent unit operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knife for a sealing jaw arrangement of a filling machine, the knife in use being provided in a first member, and designed to cooperate with a groove of a second member. The knife further has a body being provided with a cutting edge on one side thereof, the body further comprising a guide. The guide is configured to enter the groove for controlling a movement, in use, of the cutting edge into the groove, and the guide is configured to enter the groove before the cutting edge enters the groove. The invention further relates to a sealing jaw assembly having such a knife.

Abstract: A process for forming and filling pouches on a vertical, fill, seal (VFFS) machine having an apparatus for producing an oscillating force that actuates a mechanism comprising: a frame; channels attached to sides of frame; a servo motor positioned on top of frame; a shaft assembly having an off-set slider assembly where top end is attached to servo motor and bottom end is positioned adjacent to bottom of the frame; a pusher block having a rectangular shaped opening therein and horizontal rails each attached to opposite sides of block and slidably positioned in channels of frame and off-set slider assembly positioned in rectangular shaped opening of pusher block; an actuation mechanism attached to pusher block that provides a forward and backward oscillating motion to pusher block; and a heat sealing mechanism actuated by the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A vending machine provides a housing for enclosing a container unit, a printing unit, a bagging unit, and a retrieval bin. The units are connected to each other by a number of passages that allow stored products to be transported between the units. Customers interact with the vending machine via a terminal, which actuates other components based on customer inputs. The container unit serves as a primary storage, holding the product until a customer makes a purchase. The requested product is then funneled into a primary passage, either towards the bagging unit or forked to the printing unit if necessary. The bagging unit has a door that allows the product to drop into a bag. The bag itself is retrieved from a storage area and positioned below the door by a bag manipulating mechanism. It is then sealed and dropped into the retrieval bin to allow a customer access.

Abstract: A method of controlling an upstream and a downstream process wherein the upstream process conditions a stream of product delivered to the downstream process is provided. The control method uses an empirically determined formula to determine a metric for adjusting the activity of the upstream process to thereby adjust the rate with which the upstream process conditions and feeds a stream of conditioned product to the downstream process. The empirically determined formula determines the metric using two input variables: a duty cycle setting of the upstream process and an output rate of the downstream process expressed as a decimal amount of the output rate set-point.

Abstract: Packaging machine of articles into containers, comprising a plurality of work stations, each work station comprising one or more working devices of the packaging machine; a conveyor of containers using movers and a linear motor, comprising a path and a plurality of independently controllable movers, wherein the control system of the machine is configured so as to dynamically vary a master/slave configuration between the motion control of the movers on the path, and the control of the working devices of the packaging machine.

Abstract: The invention provides a storage basket and relates to daily necessities. The storage basket comprises a bottom supporting layer, wherein a plurality of connecting rods are arranged at two opposite ends of the bottom supporting layer respectively, one end of each connecting rod is connected with the bottom supporting layer, the other ends of the connecting rods are connected with the two ends of an upper enclosing rod, and a storage box is connected with the upper enclosing rod through a hanging hook. According to the storage basket of the invention, the storage box is additionally arranged, thereby ingeniously combining and connecting the storage box with the enclosing rods of the storage basket. The storage basket can be used for placing not only ordinary small articles, but also soup spoons, brushes and other similar small objects, and thus further upgrades the convenience in use of the storage basket.

Abstract: A container has a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The container may include a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides to form an interior when in the folded configuration. The top may be formed of one or more panels and may include one or more tabs. The tabs may be positioned on the top at a location spaced from lateral edges of the top and/or lateral edges of the sides adjacent the top. The tabs may extend from or be formed from one or more panels forming the top, may be folded over an edge connected to the top, and engaged with a panel of the top. The container may include one or more openings in and/or through the bottom of the container, where the openings may be configured to receive tabs when containers are stacked to create stability in stacks of the containers.

Abstract: A full aperture beverage end has a center panel, a countersink surrounding the centre panel, a main score arranged in proximity to the countersink to define a removable aperture panel and a vent score. The beverage end is adapted for use with products that are pressurized to over 30 psi (200 kPa) when opened, and during opening the vent score is adapted to sever first, controlling the pressure differential between the external surface and internal surface of the centre panel, thereby allowing the main score to tear in a controlled and reliable manner.