Abstract: A polar solvent solution of the present invention is a polar solvent solution in which a solute containing a polyamino acid is dissolved in a polar solvent. The solution has a moisture content of less than 5 mass % based on 100 mass % of the solution. A method for producing a polar solvent solution of the present invention includes changing a moisture content of the solution to adjust the viscosity of the solution. Further, another method for producing a polar solvent solution includes reducing a moisture content of the solution to increase the viscosity of the solution. Thus, the present invention provides a polar solvent solution that enables stable spinning and casting without lowering its viscosity when used as dopes for spinning, film, etc., and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: Porous nanocomposite fibers are fabricated by electrospinning a solution including a polymer, a solvent, and a nanomaterial. The resulting fibers can be used in the form of a filter to remove a variety of organic and inorganic contaminants from an aqueous environment, and provide a macroscopic matrix to facilitate separation of the nanomaterial from the aqueous environment.

Abstract: The invention provides an antimicrobial fiber which exhibits excellent antimicrobial properties even without the addition of antimicrobial agents and can remain antimicrobial even after repeated washing. The antimicrobial fiber comprises a fiber having on a surface thereof a polyacetal copolymer (X) containing oxyalkylene groups, the molar amount of oxyalkylene groups in the polyacetal copolymer (X) being 0.2 to 5 mol % relative to the total of the molar amount of oxymethylene groups and the molar amount of oxyalkylene groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-tenacity circular fabric made of normal yarn rather than high-tenacity yarn. The high-tenacity circular fabric has a weight in a range of 150 g/sqm to 400 g/sqm and is woven with yarn having strength in a range of 3 g/den to 6 g/den, wherein the yarn is woven into the high-tenacity circular fabric by a circular knitting machine, and a cam of the circular knitting machine is formed with grooves which are sequentially formed according to arrangement of a running position, a clearing position, a modified running position, a tuck position and a knock-over position.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is a performance fabric. The performance fabric includes a plurality of warp yarns extending along a warp direction. The warp yarn includes a first warp yarn and a second warp yarn that is directly adjacent to the first warp yarn. The plurality of warp yarns are blended staple warp yarns each of which has cotton fibers and regenerated cellulosic fibers. The performance fabric includes a plurality of weft yarns interwoven with the plurality of warp yarns to define a woven fabric structure. The plurality of weft yarns includes at least one yarn comprising thermoplastic fibers or a blend yarn comprising regenerated cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A fabric includes an A side mainly configured by yarns made of fibers capable of being dyed within color coordinates and in a luminance factor defined in ISO 20471; and a B side mainly configured by blended spinning yarns made of flame-retardant fibers having a self-extinguishing property and non-melting fibers.

Abstract: An object is to provide a cloth tape having flame retardancy and a fiber product, and means for achieving the object is a cloth tape formed from an organic fiber, which has an afterflame time of 2.0 seconds or less, as measured in the flammability prescribed in JIS L1091-1999 A-4 method (12-second heating method).

Abstract: Elongated bodies made from high tenacity polyolefin fibers are provided that are useful as fishing lines, and processes for making the lines. Fibers having tenacities of at least 39 g/denier are braided and fused together to form braided bodies having very small diameters.

Abstract: A sewing system comprises a sewing machine, a camera that captures an image of a reference position for sewing, a robot arm that holds the sewing machine and the camera, and a controller. The controller controls operations of forming a first stitch position that results from stitching of the sewing machine, and forming a second stitch position that results from stitching of the sewing machine after rotating the sewing machine at a prescribed angle about a rotation axis that passes through a needle center position stored by the controller. The controller further performs calibration processing that calibrates the needle center position stored by the controller, based on each position of the first stitch position and the second stitch position within image capture ranges of capture images that are obtained by capturing images of the first stitch position and the second stitch position using the camera.

Abstract: A sewing machine capable of replacing a feed dog in accordance with a type of sewing, the sewing machine including a feed bar performing a horizontal motion and a vertical motion by interlocking with a feeding mechanism, a feed dog detachably mounted on the feed bar, and a control unit that identifies the feed dog mounted on the feed bar. In the sewing machine, the feed dog includes an identification member that corresponds to a type of the feed dog, the feed bar includes a sensor that detects the identification member and outputs an identification signal, and the control unit includes a feed dog identifying means that, based on the identification signal from the sensor member, identifies the type of the feed dog mounted on the feed bar.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for assembling a fabric strip to a knitted article. The method includes the steps of loading a knitted article onto a loading form, wrapping at least an end portion of the knitted article so that an open end thereof is accessible, loading a fabric strip onto loading members, and wrapping it thereon so that a first welt is accessible. Additionally, the method includes mutually positioning the loading form and the loading members by aligning the loading form with respect to the loading members, introducing the loading form into an inner space of the loading members so that the fabric strip surrounds outside the end portion of the knitted article, and letting the first welt overlap and match the open border.

Abstract: A washing machine, including: a washing drum, a stirring component which is rotatable and is for stirring washings, a motor for rotating the stirring component, and a microcomputer for supplying water to the washing drum or controlling rotation of the motor. When a selection of a soft wash mode different from a standard mode and a delicate mode is received, the microcomputer rotates the stirring component intermittently through a washing process of the soft wash mode in operation conditions that volume of water in the washing drum is greater than that in the standard mode, a maximum rotating speed of the motor is lower than that in the standard mode and higher than that in the delicate mode, and a duration, in which the motor is rotated in each period in which the stirring component is rotated intermittently, is longer than that in the standard mode.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a washing machine and method for controlling the same. An embodiment of the washing machine includes an auxiliary washing unit placed below a door arranged on top of a main body; an input unit for receiving instructions to start and stop auxiliary washing; and a water supply unit for supplying water to the auxiliary washing unit if the instruction to start water supply is input, and stopping supplying water to the auxiliary washing unit if the instruction to stop water supply is input.

Abstract: A washing machine lid and a hinge for attaching the washing machine lid. The washing machine includes a cabinet and a rotatable lid. A hinge rotatably connects the lid to a top panel or front panel of the cabinet. The hinge includes a shaft, a housing defining a cavity for receiving an end of the shaft, and a connecting member extending from the housing such that the housing and the connecting member are rotatable around the shaft. The connecting member includes one or more tabs. The lid includes a pocket, the pocket receives the hinge, the pocket defines one or more sockets for receiving the one or more tabs, and the one or more tabs are biased into engagement with the one or more sockets.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub having a rear wall that includes a plurality of structural ribs. A drive hub has a bearing housing insert injection molded into the rear wall. A stator is attached to the drive hub at stator fastening portions exposed through the rear wall of the tub. A reinforcing cap is fixed to the structural ribs of the rear wall of the tub. The bearing housing of the drive hub extends rearwards through a portion of the reinforcing cap. The stator fastening portions are exposed through the reinforcing cap.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method implement dynamic damping force optimization during a wash cycle to optimize a force-generating operation such as a spin operation performed during the wash cycle. The dynamic damping force optimization may utilize inputs from a suspension force sensor in combination with an accelerometer to dynamically determine a damping capability for a suspension of a laundry washing machine such that damping in the suspension system may be maintained within the damping capability of the suspension system to balance operation performance against the generation of undesirable forces and vibrations.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an industrial washer permitting operation only when secured. In exemplary embodiment, a body including a cylinder is located inside a stationary tub weldment, the cylinder defines a plurality of inner compartments and including a plurality loading openings, each loading opening is dimensioned to permit the placement of laundry within a respective inner compartment of the plurality of inner compartments; a cylinder door is configured to move between an open position and a closed position within the stationary tub weldment, the cylinder door covering at least one the plurality of loading openings in the closed position; a sensor is disposed on the stationary tub weldment; a sensor target bracket is mounted on the cylinder door; and a sensor target is positioned on the sensor target bracket such that the sensor only detects the sensor target when the cylinder door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method may use a distance sensor to determine dry and wet distance values associated with a load disposed in a wash tub, and dynamically configure a wash cycle based upon the determined values. In some instances, the distance sensor may also be used to detect an excessive fluid level, excessive foaming, or a floating item in the wash tub.

Abstract: A domestic appliance for cleaning a load has a treatment space for accommodating a load to be cleaned, a load detecting device for detecting a load quantity in the treatment space, and a time detecting device for detecting a time value. A controller of the domestic appliance automatically starts a cleaning program when (i) the load quantity detected by the load detecting device exceeds a predetermined load limit value and (ii) the time value detected by the time detecting device exceeds a predetermined time limit value.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a fluid additive dispenser therefor. The washing machine appliance includes a wash tub and a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, a gap is defined between the wash tub and the wash basket. The fluid additive dispenser includes a reservoir with a siphon tube and a siphon cap. The siphon cap includes an overflow inlet. The fluid additive dispenser is in fluid communication with the wash tub and the wash basket only via an outlet of the siphon tube. The siphon tube outlet is positioned for directing fluid into the gap between the wash tub and the wash basket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a discharge/recirculation system (1) for electric household appliances, comprising: a single pump assembly (10); which is selectively configurable to pump water from an intake path (7) either to a discharge path (8a) leading to the drains or to said recirculation path leading (8b) leading back to the washing chamber.

Abstract: A drying rack designed to easily mount to a vehicle or other similar structure that is portable and collapsible. The drying rack includes a U-shaped bracket, a first support arm, a second support arm, a drying rod, a first locking hinge, and a second locking hinge. The first support arm and the second support make up the frame and are positioned parallel and offset to each other. The first support arm is terminally mounted to a first leg of the U-shaped bracket through the first locking hinge. Similarly, the second support arm is terminally mounted to a second leg of the U-shaped bracket through the second locking hinge. The drying rod is perpendicularly connected in between the first support arm and the second support arm. Additionally, the drying rod and the U-shaped bracket are positioned opposite to each other, across the first support arm and the second support arm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control method for a laundry drying machine. The control method includes driving a compressor configuring the heat pump cycle for generation of heated air, sensing a compressor outlet temperature (TE) and a drum outlet temperature (TD), and determining plugging of a filter, based on a difference between the compressor outlet temperature (TE) and the drum outlet temperature (TD).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and a method for receiving and straightening four edge pieces of cloth, the apparatus having a machine direction parallel with a delivery direction of the straightened cloth, the apparatus comprising; at least three charger stations, each for receiving a piece of cloth and locating a pair of adjacent fore edge corners of the cloth, a set of spreader clamps for releasably receiving the pair of adjacent fore edge corners, at least two grippers, each for conveying the pair of fore edge corners from the charger station to the set of spreader clamps, where the grippers are configured to move along at least a portion of a first path transversally to the machine direction, wherein at least one central charger station has a first waiting location for the cloth with the corners being located, the waiting location being retracted opposite the machine direction from the set of spreader clamps away from the first path.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrically conductive textile element that includes the steps of modifying a surface of a textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte; and coating the modified surface of the textile element with metal particles.

Abstract: A golf ball of a first color is dyed to a second color with an anionic or nonionic disperse dye. Either or both of a pigmented coating layer or an optional clear coating layer on the pigmented coating layer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, polyamides, and combinations thereof, which can be dyed by the anionic or nonionic disperse dye.

Abstract: A method for optimizing reduction and content of total titratable alkali of green liquor of a recovery boiler. The method comprises producing green liquor in a dissolving tank by conveying smelt and weak white liquor into the dissolving tank and measuring at least the contents of sodium sulphate, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulphide, and sodium carbonate of the green liquor. The method comprises controlling at least a process parameter of a recovery boiler to maximize the reduction of the recovery boiler and controlling the flow of the weak white liquor into the dissolving tank to optimize the content of total titratable alkali of the green liquor. In addition, a system for producing green liquor with optimized reduction and content of total titratable alkali. The system comprises a first sensor arrangement, a first and a second regulator, and a processing unit arrangement configured to perform the method.

Abstract: A barrier coating composition may include an alcohol-based binder; and an inorganic particulate, wherein mineral oil transmission through the barrier coating is such that the reduction in measured IR intensity at 2920 cm?1 is less than 1.0%, as determined by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy.

Abstract: A process for the production of paper, board, and cardboard is disclosed. The process results in improved drainage and comprises adding to the wet end of a paper machine (a) microfibrillated cellulose and (b) a coadditive. The coadditive can be one or more of (1) a cationic aqueous dispersion polymer, (2) colloidal silica, (3) bentonite clay and (4) vinylamine-containing polymers or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus having: a defibrating unit configured to defibrate, in air, feedstock containing fiber; a mixing unit configured to mix, in air, resin with the fiber defibrated from the feedstock by the defibrating unit; an air-laying unit configured to lay a web from the mixture output from the mixing unit; a liquid application unit configured to add water to part of the web laid by the air-laying unit; and a sheet forming unit configured to form a sheet with parts having different light transmittance by heating and compressing the web to which water was added by the liquid application unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a casing for concrete, appropriate for use in the construction of a concrete bedding of a railway, which casing includes a reinforcement, appropriate for reinforcing the concrete bedding and which reinforcement is connected bearingly to the casing, in which the reinforcement is connected bearingly to at least a part of at least one attachment means, which attachment means is appropriate for mounting at least one rail to the concrete bedding to be constructed and further relates to a method for the construction of a concrete bedding of a railway using the casing for concrete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the construction of a ballastless railway in which a concrete bedding can be constructed in a correct, well-aligned and finished way, regardless of the location where the concrete bedding must be constructed.

Abstract: A removable and serviceable paving apparatus including an access port for providing access to the interior of the slab. The access port is operable to improve access to components of the paving system prior to, during, and/or after installation. The paving apparatus further includes a removable fastener for improving removability and serviceability. The removable fastener attaches the paving apparatus to its neighboring structures to form a paving surface, may be disengaged from the neighboring structures for removal, repair and/or service of the paving apparatus, and may be re-engaged upon re-installation of the paving apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are rejuvenating compositions for asphalt applications. In one aspect, the rejuvenating composition comprises a polymerized oil having a polymeric distribution ranging from about 2 to about 80 wt % oligomer content and Hildebrand solubility ranging from about 6 to about 12. In another aspect, the rejuvenating composition comprises an oil having a Hildebrand solubility ranging from about 6 to about 12 and a flash point ranging from about 100° C. to about 400° C. In yet another aspect, the rejuvenating composition comprises a modified oil having a Hildebrand solubility ranging from about 6 to about 12 and a flash point ranging from about 100° C. to about 400° C.

Abstract: Hollow composite dowel bar assemblies, their manufacture, and apparatus for manufacture. The dowel bar assemblies may include an elongate and hollow core, a protective jacket coating at least the sidewall exterior of the core, and a sealing structure coupled with each end of the combined core and jacket, that are configured to protect the core from the environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organic infill for artificial turf fields. The organic infill includes at least one layer of particles having walnut shell particles. At least 1% of the walnut shell particles are particles that have a sieve size of 50 or smaller sized particles. The at least one layer can further include walnut shell particles in other sieve ranges, sand, or both, and be intermixed in the at least one layer. The organic infill can also include a layer of sand overlaying a backing of an artificial turf field. The at least one layer overlays on the sand layer. The organic infill can further include a layer of walnut shell particles or extruded composite. The layer includes walnut shell particles having a sieve range different from the sieve range in the at least one layer. The layer overlays on the at least one layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organic infill for artificial turf fields. The organic infill includes at least one layer of particles having olive pit particles. At least 1% of the olive pit particles are particles that have a sieve size of 50 or smaller sized particles. The at least one layer can further include olive pit particles in other sieve ranges, sand, or both, and be intermixed in the at least one layer. The organic infill can also include a layer of sand overlaying a backing of an artificial turf field. The at least one layer overlays on the sand layer. The organic infill can further include a layer of olive pit particles or extruded composite. The layer includes olive pit particles having a sieve range different from the sieve range in the at least one layer. The layer overlays on the at least one layer.

Abstract: A concrete screeding device for screeding uncured concrete placed at a support surface includes a screed head having a grade setting device and a vibrating member, and an extendable and retractable boom. A base end of the boom is attached at a base structure and the screed head is supportable at a distal end of the boom. The boom is extendable so as to position the screed head at a distance of at least 20 feet from the base structure, and the screed head is movable between its extended location and the base structure to screed the concrete placed at the support surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkyd or hydrocarbon resin-based pre-manufactured thermoplastic airport runway signage that is applied in relatively large sections onto an airport runway where the alkyd or hydrocarbon resin-based composite includes a functionalized wax incorporated in the resin-based composite within the range of 0.2 to 3 percent by weight, thereby allowing the resin-based composite to exist in a molten state within a viscosity range of between 35,000 and 85,000 centipoise and wherein the top surface provides an area for surface indicia materials existing on the top surface together with retroreflective glass beads with an index of refraction of 1.9 such that when the beads are suspended in and applied on the surface of the resin-based composite in a molten state the beads do not sink into the resin-based composite provide for allowing and maintaining an overall retroreflectivity of about 1000 millicandellas/m2/lux (mcd).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for controlling a speed regulator are described. A monitor detects a speed of a vehicle. A speed regulator controller configures a speed regulator based on the detected speed, the speed regulator being configurable to extend and retract.

Abstract: Provided are a deicing unit adjustment mechanism, a deicing unit, a deicing vehicle, and a deicing method. The adjustment mechanism comprises sub-adjustment unit(s) comprising a positioning wheel, a screw rod, a guide rod having one end connected with the screw rod, an upper-end cover slidably arranged at one end of the screw rod away from the guide rod, a lower-end cover fixedly arranged at one end of the screw rod close to the guide rod, a positioning wheel-adjustment spring sleeved outside the screw rod and having two ends abutting against the upper- and lower-end covers and a pressure-adjusting nut at one end of the screw rod away from the guide rod and one side of the upper end cover away from the guide rod. The positioning wheel is rotatably-arranged at other end of the guide rod, with an axis of the positioning wheel perpendicular to that of the guide rod.

Abstract: A sand cleaning vehicle including a debris collection mechanism that collects debris from sand, a storage compartment that stores the collected debris, a capture device that captures at least one image of the collected debris, a memory storing a computer program, and a processor that executes the computer program. The computer program categorizes the collected debris into a plurality of different debris types using at least one image of the collected debris.

Abstract: A metal fin tube foundation includes a pair of coupled metal plates, each plate being comprised of a plurality of flat panels, wherein each panel is positioned at an angle relative to an adjacent panel, and each plate including a fin on each lateral end of each plate, wherein each fin overlaps a fin of the other metal plate forming two pairs of overlapped fins, wherein the plates are coupled along each of the two pairs of overlapped fins; wherein the plurality of panels of the coupled two metal plates form a closed perimeter polygon shape having an open interior and wherein each pair of overlapped fins form a combined fin element which extends away from the perimeter of the polygon.

Abstract: A mining machine having a control system for operating the mining machine. The control system includes a vibration monitor. The mining machine further includes a sensor and a vibration control system. The sensor senses vibration of a component of the mining machine. The vibration control system determines when the mining machine is moving in a proper cycle, triggers acquisition of vibration sensor data from the sensor in response to determining that the mining machine is moving in the proper cycle, and outputs the vibration sensor data.

Abstract: A universal backhoe bucket coupler for a work machine includes a first pair of apertures positioned to be spanned by the mounting flanges of a first style bucket having mounting holes for receiving at least one front mounting pin, a second pair of apertures positioned to be spanned by the mounting flanges of a second style bucket having mounting holes for receiving at least one front mounting pin. A pair of like pivotal spacers is disposed laterally intermediate corresponding outer and inner side portions of the coupler and are pivotable between stowed positions and deployed positions aligned with the first pair of apertures for minimizing lateral bucket motion.

Abstract: An interface for coupling a work tool to a stick of a machine is provided. The interface includes a plate having an engaging face and a coupling face. The engaging face of the plate is connected to the work tool. The interface also includes a first bracket and a second bracket positioned at a predefined distance from the first bracket. The first bracket and the second bracket extend from the coupling face of the plate and include at least one first hole and at least one second hole, respectively. The interface also includes a first pin received through the at least one first hole and the at least one second hole, and connected to a coupling member. The coupling member is connected to the stick of the machine and is configured to couple the work tool to the stick of the machine.

Abstract: An automatic dump control system and method are disclosed for a loader having a boom and a bucket each positionable by hydraulic cylinders actuated by a hydraulic circuit. The control system includes a source of image data of a receptacle and a source of position data for the boom and the bucket. The control system includes a controller that: determines a height of the receptacle based on the image data; determines a difference between the height of the receptacle and a height of the bucket based on the position data; outputs one or more control signals to the hydraulic circuit to position at least one of the boom and the bucket at a target height above the receptacle; determines that the bucket is positioned over the receptacle; and outputs one or more control signals to the hydraulic circuit to dump a load in the bucket into the receptacle.

Abstract: A drawbar assembly for a motor grader is provided. The drawbar assembly includes a yoke plate, a backbar, a drawbar tube, and a sleeve. The yoke plate includes a first surface and a second surface. The backbar is attached to the first surface of the yoke plate. The backbar includes a tube facing surface. The drawbar tube includes a first end and a second end. The drawbar tube is attached to the first surface of the yoke plate, defining a clearance between the first end of the drawbar tube and the tube facing surface of the backbar. The sleeve encloses at least a portion of the drawbar tube. The sleeve includes a backbar attachment portion and a yoke attachment portion. The backbar attachment portion is attached to the tube facing surface of the backbar and the yoke attachment portion is attached to the first surface of the yoke plate.

Abstract: A pin for pivotally connecting two components together is received in aligned openings of the two components. One end of the pin has a head of reduced dimension to be received in a correspondingly-shaped opening in one of the components. Axial movement of the pin in the openings is limited by a lock that engages the head of the pin.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator drive system includes: a control valve for a cylinder that swings a swinging unit; an operation device that outputs an operation signal in accordance with an inclination angle of an operating lever when receiving a first operation of moving the swinging unit closer to a cabin or a second operation of moving the swinging unit farther from the cabin; a solenoid proportional valve connected to a first pilot port of the control valve, the first pilot port being intended for the first operation; and a controller that, when the operation device receives the first operation, controls the solenoid proportional valve such that: a pilot pressure outputted from the solenoid proportional valve is proportional to the operation signal outputted from the operation device until the pilot pressure reaches an upper limit pressure; and the closer the swinging unit to the cabin, the higher the upper limit pressure.