Abstract: A drying apparatus having an airflow management system for recycling heated air and providing two forced air streams within a drum to effectively and efficiently dry one or more articles are contained.

Abstract: A hockey team room storage locker is disclosed. The hockey locker includes separate storage areas for various equipment used by hockey players: helmet, skates, pads, gloves, breezers, and uniforms. The hockey locker includes forced air and passive ventilation to allow for drying of the equipment while in storage. The hockey locker can include lights for the various compartments, locks for the various compartments, and a charging station for electronics. The hockey locker can be custom-sized to fit in specific locker rooms and in various configurations.

Abstract: An ironing appliance including a steam distribution circuit having at least one filter designed to retain lime scale particles transported by the steam flow, wherein it includes a lime scale disposal orifice that communicates with a portion of the steam distribution circuit located upstream of the filter and that said filter is fixedly mounted in the appliance or is removable via an orifice separate from the lime scale disposal orifice.

Abstract: A method of making an electrically conductive cotton material by incorporating conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) films into a base cotton substrate by drop casting or dip coating. Unlike most conventional methods that have typically included the use of templates such as metal oxide, carbon and/or silica nanoparticles, the polymerization of PEDOT:PSS in this method is not template-assisted. The amount of PEDOT:PSS used in the fabrication process controls the conductivity and sheet resistance of the conductive cotton material, and can be varied by the number of repeated drop casting or dip coating cycles.

Abstract: A resin-coated non-woven fabric is provide that may be welded through a high-frequency welder and may be remedied in hardness, and further may have a clear embossed pattern. A resin-coated non-woven fabric of the present invention comprises: a filament non-woven fabric that is of a thermocompression-bondable type, is made of a polyethylene terephthalate and has a weight of 50 to 150 g/m2; and a resin coat layer positioned over one surface of the filament non-woven fabric and having a coating amount of 40 to 150 g/m2 after dried; wherein the resin coat layer contains 10 to 45% by mass of a vinyl chloride unit and 30 to 55% by mass of a (meth)acrylic acid ester unit, and further a surface of the resin coat layer has an embossed pattern.

Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a crusher unit, a defibrator unit, a second web forming unit, and a shaping unit. The crusher unit coarsely crushes a raw material that contains fibers into coarsely crushed pieces. The defibrator unit defibrates coarsely crushed pieces into defibrated material. The second web forming unit forms a web by accumulating defibrated material. The shaping unit forms a sheet from the web. The crusher unit is positioned vertically below the shaping unit.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating on a substrate is provided comprising forming a lignin solution by at least partially dissolving lignin in a solvent, coating the lignin solution onto the substrate and exposing the lignin coated substrate to a treatment selected from the group consisting of a heat treatment and an acid treatment. The coating provides for improved waterproofing and/or strengthening of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices that change their appearance and/or physical properties when under an external influence, and methods for their production and use. Such devices may be used as features of any type of items, documents, billboards, posters, display devices, advertisements and other items etc. and may be adapted to include decipherable content. Such devices also afford new techniques for a user to check quickly and easily whether the item is a legitimate or a counterfeit copy, either by hand-manipulation of the device, or with the assistance of an additional screening tool.

Abstract: A mat that includes first and second side beams, a core structure located between and connected to the side beams, with the support structure including longitudinal members and having a height that is less than that of the side beams, a plurality of joining rods that attach the side beams to the support structure, with the joining rods passing through the sides of the side beams and the sides of the longitudinal members of the support structure; one or more elongated members attached to the upper portion of the support structure to form with the beams the top surface of the mat, and one or more elongated members attached to the lower portion of the support structure to form with the beams the bottom surface of the mat. If desired, steel plates can be provided between the beams and longitudinal members to increase the strength and ruggedness of the mat.

Abstract: A stackable mat includes a first industrial mat, a second industrial mat and an internal support structure. The mats each have a plurality of layers or plies of construction materials for forming the upper and lower portions, respectively, of the stacker mat, and have a thickness that provide support for vehicle movement thereover. The internal support structure includes a truss or elongated members for retaining the first and second mats in parallel spaced relation at a distance that is greater than the thickness of the first industrial mat. Preferably, the internal support structure and the second industrial mat or both the first and second industrial mats are configured with sufficient openings to allow water to flow therethrough so that the stacker mat may be placed in wet areas to form a temporary roadway or platform.

Abstract: A pneumatic ball gathering system that clears tennis balls from a tennis court using air supplied to at least one discharge nozzle with optional intervening valves forming a structure that is typically disposed underground and selectively raised to clear balls. In one implementation, the structure is located along one side edge of the tennis court. In an alternate implementation, the structure may be located under the net and be configured with at least one nozzle disposed to direct air in both directions away from the net. A collection trough formed with a slope to cause collated balls to roll downward therein is disposed opposite the at least one nozzle. An optional mechanical conveyor system is placed in the trough to move collected balls to a predetermined location. A vertical conveyor raises balls for discharge into an appropriate container. The system may be used to facilitate drying the court after rain.

Abstract: A road surface condition determining method according to the invention includes: detecting a suspension pressure of a dump truck during a travel of the dump truck; calculating a maximum amplitude and a frequency of a detection value of the suspension pressure in a predetermined period of time; and determining a road surface condition based on the maximum amplitude and the frequency.

Abstract: A movable machine includes an engine, a rotatably-mounted rotor, a rotor driver mounted on a frame supported on a plurality of ground engaging members; a rotor speed sensor and machine ground speed sensor provide a rotor speed signal and machine ground speed signal, respectively, to a controller. The controller is configured to use a current machine conditions parameter to determine an optimal rotor speed and command the rotor drive to adjust the rotational speed of the rotor to the optimal speed. The current machine conditions parameter includes the rotor speed signal, the machine ground speed signal, and cutting depth.

Abstract: A walkway installation comprising a base (1) intended to be fastened to a support construction, such as to the deck (5) of a ship (6), as well as a base bridge part (2) that is connected at one end so it can be rotated around an upright base axis of rotation (11) with the base. Furthermore, a main bridge part (4) is provided on the other end of the base bridge part (1) as well as a hinge construction between the base bridge part (1) and the main bridge part (2). The hinge construction has an upright main axis of rotation (12) and an auxiliary axis of rotation (13) aligned transversely to the upright main axis of rotation and transversely to the main bridge part. By rotating the gangplank parts, the installation may be adjusted in a reliable and quick way in relation to a fixed object or another vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transition slab connected at the ends thereof to a deck compression slab and to an anchoring. The mentioned transition slab absorbs the expansions of the deck by means of the compression of sheets of polymer, elastomer or the like arranged in parallel and integrated in said transition slab, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the road. The transition slab absorbs the contraction movements of the deck by means of expansion, due to the summation of crack openings in induced cracks and the spacing between the crack planes. Said crack planes are forced by forms made of wood, polymer or the like arranged in parallel, spaced apart and integrated in the transition slab.

Abstract: Composite and methods are applied to the surface as a highly visible colored pavement treatment. In an embodiment, a highly visible colored pavement treatment comprises an aggregate material, an enhanced visibility material, and wherein the enhanced visibility material is mixed with and blended into the aggregate material to form a composite. In another embodiment, the method of applying the highly visible colored pavement treatment to a surface may comprise applying an adhesive to a target area, applying enhanced visibility material to the target area, and applying an aggregate material to the target area.

Abstract: A snow vaporization assembly includes a vehicle that has a cab and a box. The cab has a front side and the box has a top side. A collection unit is attached to the vehicle and the collection unit collects snow while the vehicle is driven. A vaporizing unit is positioned within the box and the vaporizing unit is in fluid communication with the collection unit. The vaporizing unit converts the snow collected by the collection unit into steam. The vaporizing unit expels the steam from the vehicle.

Abstract: A heating system for a train track rail, coal car, and other comparable units contains a main power supply, a system control unit, a plurality of environmental sensors, and a plurality of induction heating units. The plurality of environmental sensors is used to maintain a constant feedback of the environment the heating system is used in. Each of the plurality of induction heating units includes a heating head which is used to generate heat. In particular, the heating head generates heat through a pancake induction coil. The generated heat is used to melt snow or ice which accumulates on the train track rail. Since each of the plurality of induction heating units can be controlled individually, energy usage is minimized.

Abstract: A foundation pile includes a double-layered web and single-layered flanges. The double-layers web has first and second web segments coupled together. The first and second web segments form a first and second exterior lateral surfaces, respectively, of the foundation pile. The double-layered web includes front and rear edges.

Abstract: The deck block has is made of plastic by a roto-moulding process. The deck block has a truncated pyramidal shape with a flat top plane, a hollow center; a uniform wall thickness; a central vertical post socket and four joist slots extending horizontally from the post socket at a right angle with each other. The deck block has a multi-wall pillar therein extending between a bottom surface of the post socket and a bottom plane of the block. This pillar is made of four vertical hollow oval-shaped columns that are arranged in a circular array under the post socket for reinforcing the bottom surface of the post socket. In another aspect, the joist slots have protruding lips on each side thereof, for enlarging a top surface of the block and for reinforcing the joist slots.

Abstract: A cover (1) for manholes or traps is described, equipped with a mechanism for lifting and horizontally translating the cover (1), the mechanism being actuated through actuating means (10, 11, 12), and being adapted to automatically lift and afterwards horizontally translate or rotate the cover (1) to which it is operatively connected in order to completely open the manhole or trap.

Abstract: In a trace generation device including a trace generation determination unit that outputs a command of trace generation, when a difference of an actual load applied to a bucket and a reference load is equal to or larger than a predetermined value during excavation and a candidate trace generation unit that generates a trace in which a work amount is almost constant, after the command is output, the reference load is an estimated load and the command of the trace generation is output when the difference of the actual load and the estimated load is equal to or larger than the predetermined value during the excavation. As a result, working efficiency can be raised while a trace in which an excavation amount is almost constant is generated.

Abstract: A method for controlling an earthmoving machine and a work implement associated with the earth moving machine is disclosed. The method includes receiving positioning signals from a positioning system associated with the earthmoving machine, the positioning signals indicative of a topography of the work surface. The method further includes determining a profile of the work surface based on the positioning signals and determining if the profile of the work surface includes a bump, the bump having a bump height which is greater than an expected surface height. The method further includes determining a depth adjustment based on the bump height and adjusting the target depth based on the depth adjustment, if the profile of the work surface includes the bump.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dredged soil transport system including a pipe module wound with a coil applying an electromagnetic field to an internally flowing dredged soil and including a plurality of pipelines, a pump module configured to provide a transport pressure for transport of dredged soil to the pipe module, database stored with flow information on flow velocity and flow form in response to physical properties of liquefied unit, and a control module communicating with the pipe module, the pump module and the database wiredly and wirelessly and applying, to the coil, a current of waveform matching to a flow waveform of the dredged soil transported inside the pipeline, and a control method thereof.

Abstract: An earth moving implement incorporating left and right rails; a bucket between the left and right rails; left and right pivot axles interconnecting the bucket and the left and right rails for rotating the bucket between earth scooping and blading position; left and right arms extending leftwardly and rightwardly from the bucket's left and right ends, the arms' proximal ends underlying the left and right rails; left and right linear motion actuators respectively positioned leftwardly and rightwardly from the left and right rails, the actuators having bucket ends pivotally attached to the left and right arms; left and right columns rigidly positioned at the rails' rearward ends, the actuators' base ends being pivotally attached to the left and right columns for rotating the bucket; a plurality of wheels rollably mounted to the rails' rearward ends; and a towing tongue rigidly extending from the rails' forward ends.

Abstract: A work, vehicle includes a tank, an exterior cover, an openable cover, and a hinge member. The tank has a replenishing port. The exterior cover covers the tank and includes an opening section in a portion facing the replenishing port. The openable cover covers The opening section. The hinge member is provided between a lower end of the openable cover and the exterior cover and allows rotation of the openable cover. A recessed section is formed on an upper part of the hinge member when the openable cover is opened.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to accurately detect the absorption torque of the other of two hydraulic pumps by a purely hydraulic structure and feed the absorption torque to one of the two hydraulic pumps, thereby to accurately perform a total torque control, effectively utilize a rated output torque of a prime mover, and enhance mountability.

Abstract: A display device of a work vehicle is configured to alternatively display a plurality of display screens including a first display screen with a video display area and a second display screen without the video display area in accordance with an operation of a screen changeover switch, wherein upon switching from the first display screen to the second display screen for display, a temporary second display screen on which precaution information prompting to switch to and display the first display screen is displayed is displayed.

Abstract: A stop control unit carries out control, when a moving speed of a bucket in a direction toward target design topography is the same in both of a first specifying state in which a bucket weight specifying portion specifies a weight of the bucket as large and a second specifying state in which the bucket weight specifying portion specifies a weight of the bucket as small, such that the moving speed of the bucket in the direction toward the target design topography is reduced from a position more distant from the target design topography in the first specifying state than in the second specifying state.

Abstract: Modular electrical appliance for recycling greywater, connected to: a drainage pipe (S1) via which greywater enters into the greywater reservoir (1) thereof; a sanitary water supply (S) via which sanitary water enters into the auxiliary reservoir (7) thereof; and a flush pipe (D) which connects to the standard opening of the tank (WC) of a toilet. The electrical appliance has a built-in three-way valve (4) which opens the outlet of said greywater reservoir (1) if it contains a sufficient amount for a full flush. If not, the outlet of said auxiliary reservoir (7) is opened. A hydraulic pump (3) connected to the electrovalve (4) pumps the flush water, grey or sanitary, through the flush pipe (D).

Abstract: A rainwater harvesting roof for a water storage tank has a roof of relatively water-impermeable material substantially covering the tank. The roof has a central support supporting the roof, forming a peak, and the roof further has a substantially circumferential band of relatively water-permeable material located in the roof near the outer edge of the roof. The rainwater harvesting roof preferably also has a circumferential gutter of relatively water impermeable material depending downward from the interior surface of the roof and located beneath the substantially circumferential band of relatively water-permeable material. The circumferential gutter further has slits allowing the passage of water therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments concern a system and method for extracting water from a water well using a vacuum-assisted technique. Particular embodiments of the system concern using a water well with a well casing, a casing seal and a water pump within the well, and a water tank, a compressor, and a heat exchanger above ground to withdraw water from the well. In particular embodiments, the casing seal is positioned over the well casing, to which the compressor is fluidly coupled to create a reduced pressure within the well and draw water into the well. In particular embodiments, the system can be used during an entire pumping season, thus providing the ability to extract water and/or increase water extraction from the ground during dry parts of the year and/or freezing parts of the year.

Abstract: A method of in-line inspection of integrity of a pipeline includes identifying a first prospective cluster related to at least a first feature of the pipeline and a second prospective cluster related to at least a second feature of the pipeline. The method includes calculating an effective area using Length Adaptive Pressure Assessment (LAPA) techniques. The effective area corresponds to a lower calculated burst pressure than surrounding areas of the pipeline. LAPA techniques are used to determine if the first prospective cluster interacts with the second prospective cluster. The method includes combining the first and the second prospective cluster when the effective area includes the first and the second prospective cluster to form a resultant cluster. The method further includes generating an indication of an attribute of the resultant cluster.

Abstract: The combination of: an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has an adaptor assembly with a body made from a non-metal material and having at least a first connector. The valve has at least a second connector. The first and second connectors cooperate to maintain the body operatively connected to the valve. A first conduit part is configured to connect to the body and bound a portion of the access passage accessible through an entry opening remote from the valve.

Abstract: An embodiment wall hydrant includes a reservoir, conduits containing an operating rod assembly and a service rod assembly, and a fluid outlet with a hose connector. The service rod assembly allows water supply to the hydrant to be shut-off from the front of the hydrant which allows servicing of the hydrant without requiring water shut-off to all or a portion of the water supply to the building. Embodiments include a vacuum relief dual check valve assembly at the fluid outlet which prevents backflow of water into the hydrant. Embodiments include a box which protects the hydrant controls.

Abstract: A mixer connection mechanism convenient to be mounted on a countertop is provided, which may be provided to be mounted to a countertop of a sink having a mounting hole. The mixer connection mechanism includes a base seat, a locking device, a screw rod assembly, and a position-limiting blocking lever. The screw rod assembly and position-limiting blocking lever are arranged between the base seat and the locking device. When mounted, the screw rod assembly is screwed up by an operation above the countertop of the sink to allow the screw rod assembly to be rotated, whereby rotation of the locking device is limited by the position-limiting blocking lever. Further, the locking device moves towards the countertop of the sink and abuts against a lower surface of the countertop of the sink. Meanwhile, an abutting end at the bottom of the surrounding wall abuts against the countertop of the sink.

Abstract: Pull out sprayhead (1) for a faucet, comprising: an inlet fitting (10), provided with a coupling end (10d) connectable to a extractable water supply pipe; a supply mouth (11a) in fluid connection with said attachment end (10d); and a magnet (12) fixed at the inlet fitting (10) and prearranged to allow a releasable connection of said pull-out sprayhead (1) to a faucet neck (20), said magnet (12) being arranged in a housing chamber (13), defined between an outer wall of said inlet fitting (10) and a covering nut (14), within which an insulating sleeve (30) is placed, distinct from the covering nut (14) and interposed between the inlet fitting (10) and the magnet (12), so as to minimize the heat flow occurring between a supplied fluid and the magnet (12) through the inlet fitting (10).

Abstract: Smart water conservation systems are described herein, as are methods of using the same. In some embodiments, the systems can comprise a flow assembly configured to discharge fluid received from a fluid source to a shower area at a variable flow rate, the flow assembly comprising a flow path and one or more valves positioned along the flow path. In some embodiments, the systems can comprise a proximity sensor system comprising one or more proximity sensors, the proximity sensor system being configured to detect a person's proximity to the smart water conservation system. In some embodiments, the systems can comprise a controller configured to control operation of the smart water conservation system based at least in part on signals received from the proximity sensor system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sanitary basin molded part, for example a kitchen sink, a washbasin or a shower tray, having a main part (10) which has the shape of the sanitary basin molded part and ensures the mechanical stability thereof, characterized in that on the visible side of the sanitary basin molded part a covering layer (20) is arranged in at least one surface region on top of the main part (10), which covering layer comprises a fibrous tissue (24) saturated with a cured binding agent. The invention further relates to a method for producing a sanitary basin molded part of this kind.

Abstract: A drain assembly that aids in maximizing the flow of water through a drain. The assembly includes a first coupling element, a drain plate connected to the first coupling that includes a body with a plurality of protrusions that are spaced from each other and extend from the body at a plurality of angles and a drain cover that is connected to the drain plate.

Abstract: A tubular strainer having a wall defining interior and exterior surfaces, and a first flange on the upper end of the wall, a tubular insert having a cylindrical wall sized for reception by the tubular strainer, and a second flange carried by the insert wall, an elastomeric seal having a tubular body fittingly sealingly carried by the insert cylindrical wall, the seal body configured for progressive compressive radial sealing engagement with the strainer wall interior surface when endwise inserted by the insert within said tubular strainer.

Abstract: A pipe cleaning device. The pipe cleaning device includes a connector, a body, and a cleaning head each having an interior channel therethough. The connector is removably attachable to a water supply hose, such as a garden hose. The cleaning head includes a central aperture and one or more radial apertures wherein the apertures have a diameter less than the diameter of the interior channel. In use, the connector is connected to a water supply hose and the cleaning head is inserted into a clogged or otherwise blocked drain. Water flows through the interior channel via the water supply hose and is expelled from the apertures. The smaller diameter of the apertures relative to the interior channel diameter causes water to be expelled from the apertures at a high velocity, which in turn removes debris or blockages from the pipe.

Abstract: A plunger device comprising a piston pump assembly and a plunger head that is sized to fit inside a trap of a toilet and downstream of a siphon jet of the toilet. Pressurized air from the piston pump assembly is used to dislodge an obstruction and push it down the toilet drain. The plunger is easy to use, easy to clean and can be adapted to use different plunger heads to unclog different types of drains other than toilet drains.

Abstract: An automatic non-electric toilet includes a toilet body, a water curtain spraying device, a water storage device which is able to move upward and downward, a disinfection device, a toilet seat and arm assemblies. The water curtain spraying device is provided on the toilet body; the water storage device, the disinfection device, the toilet seat and the arm assemblies are provided on the water curtain spraying device; each arm assembly has a first end connected with the water storage device and a second end connected with the toilet seat; the water storage device has a water tank, a base frame and a water tank frame; the water tank is provided on the water tank frame; the water tank frame is provided on the base frame and moves upward and downward relative to the base frame; and the disinfection device is provided at a bottom of the base frame.

Abstract: A flush toilet apparatus includes a hole wherein a tubular member is connected to a connecting portion disposed on the outside of a flush toilet apparatus through a hole portion formed at the rear top surface of a flush toilet main body, and the hole portion comprises a hole penetrating the entire wall thickness of the flush toilet main body; and an guiding path disposed adjacent to the hole, for guiding the tubular member to the hole; wherein at least a portion of the hole of the hole portion is covered by an affixing member, and the tubular member is inserted into the hole through the gap formed between the affixing member and the guiding path.

Abstract: A Geodesic Dome made of triangular panels pre-casted with Magnesium Phosphate ceramic cement is described. Said triangular panels consist of multiple layers of Magnesium Phosphate ceramic cement poured into a mold with successive layers at various levels of porosity, reinforced with basalt and hemp fibers. A plurality of hubs joins a plurality of triangular panels at specific dihedral angles to enclose space. The hubs are bolted into a threaded sleeve that is embedded into the corner of each triangular panel, thus creating a Geodesic Dome.

Abstract: A process for the production of an aerogel material comprises the following steps: a) preparation of a silicon oxide sol in an alcoholic solvent mixture; b) triggering of the gelation of the sol by adding base, whereby a gel is formed, and optionally aging of the gel; c) hydrophobicization of the optionally aged gel; d) removal of the solvent mixture by subcritical drying, whereby the aerogel material is formed. The silicon oxide sol formed in step a) comprises at least one acid-catalytically activatable hydrophobicization agent, wherein the volume fraction of the hydrophobicization agent in the sol is 5 to 60%. The hydrophobicization in step c) is induced as a result of release or addition of at least one hydrophobicization catalyst acting in combination with the hydrophobicization agent.

Abstract: Connector apparatus for wall panels are disclosed herein. An example room divider includes a first curtain, a second curtain spaced from the first curtain, and a connector to couple the first curtain and the second curtain. The connector includes a first flange, a second flange and a web, the web lying between the first flange and the second flange such that the first flange, the second flange and the web overlap each other. A first pocket is defined by the first flange and the web, where the first curtain extends into the first pocket between the first flange and the web. A second pocket is defined by the second flange and the web, where the second curtain extends into the second pocket between the second flange and the web. A fastener coupled to the connector, where the fastener penetrates the first curtain, the second curtain, the web, the first flange and the second flange.

Abstract: Storey ceiling construction having a first lower wooden support (5) for supporting a storey ceiling, a first upper wooden support (5) for supporting a further storey ceiling and a first support head (6) made of wood for introducing the forces of the storey ceiling into the first lower wooden support (5). The first support head (6) lies on the first lower wooden support (5). The first upper wooden support (5) is supported directly on the first lower wooden support.

Abstract: A slat roof (1) with several parallel slats (2) which are rotatable between an open position and a closed position, in which at least one slat (2) comprises a panel-shaped element (3) and comprises a profiled section (4, 5) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the panel-shaped element (3) and is attached thereto, which at least partly delimits a slat gutter along virtually the length of the slat (2) and which only extends above and optionally laterally from the panel-shaped element (3).