Abstract: The present invention provides a method for electrowinning a titanium metal from a titanium-containing soluble anode molten salt, and relate to the technical field of nonferrous metallurgy. The method comprises: mixing a titanium-containing material and a carbon-containing reducing agent at a mol ratio of 5:1-1:20 as a raw material, press-molding after uniformly mixing, holding a temperature range of 1000° C.-2000° C. under a nitrogen-containing atmosphere, reacting for 30-600 min; preparing a titanium-containing compound with a good electrical conductivity; and then electrowinning a titanium metal in a halide molten salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal by using such a titanium-containing compound as an anode. The method for electrowinning a titanium metal from a titanium-containing soluble anode molten salt, provided by the present invention, is a simple in process and low in energy consumption, and can realize industrialized preparation of a high-purity titanium metal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a copper foil that exhibits surprising low repulsive force characteristics; and to methods for manufacturing such copper foils. Typically, the copper foil has (a) a lightness L* value of the nodule untreated side, based on the L*a*b color system, in the range of 75 to 90 and (b) a normal tensile strength in the range of 40 kgf/mm2 to 55 kgf/mm2. The disclosure further relates to flexible printed circuit boards and electronic devices using the above-mentioned copper foils for forming conductive lines therein.

Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte for the deposition of a metal layer on a substrate surface as well as a method for the deposition of a metal layer on a substrate surface by which electrolyte and in which method the formation of airborne emissions above the surface of the electrolyte in a plating tank is significantly reduced or more preferably omitted. The aqueous electrolyte composition according to the invention comprises at least one surfactant in a concentration affecting a dynamic surface tension of the composition of ?35 mN/m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the coating of a surface of a TiAl alloy, in which at least one layer is electroplated on the surface of the TiAl alloy, wherein the surface of the TiAl alloy is subjected to an at least two-step surface treatment for the formation of a roughened surface, this treatment comprising at least one electrochemical processing and at least one electroless chemical processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a coated stainless steel member, comprising: performing Wood's strike nickel plating on a stainless steel substrate, and then performing cationic electrodeposition on a formed Wood's strike nickel plating layer.

Abstract: Techniques for increasing the lifespan of a nanopore DNA sensing device are disclosed. A related method may include forming a first electrode, forming a second electrode, disposing the first electrode and second electrode within an insulator, and disposing a lipid bilayer having a nanopore between the first electrode and second electrode. The forming of the second electrode may comprise forming a silver (Ag) layer, pressing a mold into the Ag layer to form a pattern in the Ag layer, removing the mold from the Ag layer, and exposing the Ag layer to an electrolyte.

Abstract: The present describes a chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) film comprising: cellulose nanocrystals that self-assemble to form an iridescent CNC structure, wherein the self-assembled structure comprises a finger-print pattern of repeating bright and dark regions, defining a pitch of the iridescent film, where the pitch variable. Also described are conductive polymer nanocomposite based on the CNC film. Further described is the electrophoretic method of producing the chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal film as well as the polymer nanocomposites and the apparatus used.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus has one or more membrane tube rings which act as electric field shields, to provide advantageous plating characteristics at the perimeter of a work piece. The membrane tube rings may be filled with fluids having different conductivity, to change the shielding effect as desired for electroplating different types of substrates. The membrane tube rings may optionally be provided in or on a diffuser plate in the vessel of the apparatus.

Abstract: Provided herein is a portable apparatus for surface inspection and electrolytic polishing, the apparatus including a housing where a motor and controller are embedded. The apparatus also includes a screw axis rotatable by the motor and a cylinder with a ball nut coupled to the screw axis and coupled to a slider. A plurality of guide members are included that each have an upper end coupled to the housing and a lower end coupled to a base plate. The guide member penetrates the slider, and the slider moves up and down along the guide members with the cylinder. A surface inspector and an electrolytic polisher are coupled to the slider and move up and down together with the slider allowing the surface inspector and the electrolytic polisher to test a test subject in various industrial fields, such as machinery, construction, chemicals, and the like.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a SiC single crystal having a concave growth surface and containing no inclusions, even when conducting large diameter crystal growth. This is achieved by a method for producing a SiC single crystal in which a seed crystal substrate held on a seed crystal holding shaft is contacted with a Si—C solution having a temperature gradient such that the temperature decreases from the interior toward the liquid level, to cause crystal growth of a SiC single crystal, wherein the seed crystal holding shaft has a shaft portion and a seed crystal holding portion at the bottom end of the shaft portion, and the ratio of the diameter D1 of the shaft portion to the diameter D2 of the seed crystal holding portion (D1/D2) is no greater than 0.28.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nozzle plate and the use of the nozzle plate for producing filaments, preferably silica gel fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides bi-component polymeric macrofibers having an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) outer component and a core or second component comprising a polymer blend of polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride and polypropylene or polyethylene. The bi-component polymeric macrofibers provide excellent fiber reinforcement in concrete applications.

Abstract: A device for texturing a thread-like plastic material in order to form a crimped textile yarn, comprising a texturing unit having at least two texturing channels for forming respective yarn plugs, wherein the texturing channels extend in the texturing unit along respective axes which converge in the direction of the discharge openings. The device preferably also comprises a discharge channel in order to guide the yarn plugs from the texturing channels to a moving conveying surface in a converging manner.

Abstract: Flexible electronically functional fabrics are described that allow for the placement of electronic functionality in flexible substrates such as traditional fabrics. The fabrics can be made using flexible electronically functional fibers or a combination of electronically functional fibers and textile fibers. Electronic devices can be incorporated into the fabric to give it full computing capabilities.

Abstract: An industrial two-layer fabric includes an upper layer fabric including upper side warps and upper side wefts and a lower layer fabric including lower side warps and lower side wefts, and the upper layer fabric and the lower layer fabric are bound by warps that function as binding yarns. The industrial two-layer fabric, warp knuckles are formed on a surface side, and each warp knuckle is formed by allowing a warp to pass over a single upper side weft; in a shaft adjacent to the warp knuckle, at least two other warp knuckles are arranged in a diagonal direction in a planar view; and the warp knuckles are sequentially arranged in such a way as to form a herringbone pattern on a surface layer side of the fabric.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid fabric comprising at least one structural fiber having a first melting temperature range and at least one thermo-formable fiber of having a second melting temperature range which is lower than the first melting temperature range to such an extent that the structural fiber does not melt in the second melting temperature range of the thermo-formable fiber. The hybrid fabric comprises (1) a first network comprising the structural fibers, (2) a second network comprising the thermo-formable fibers, the thermo-formable fibers comprising non-relaxed fibers made of a thermoplastic material, and (3) a plurality of openings between the fibers of the first and second network. The structural and thermo-formable fibers of respectively the first and second network interpenetrate one another and are connected to each other over at least part of the first and second network at a plurality of knot positions in the fabric where the structural and thermo-formable fibers are interwoven.

Abstract: A bendable straight knitting needle consisting of at least three parts that provides ergonomic benefit by enabling bending of the needle during stitch/loop creation by the knitter typically done with two knitting needles, one in each hand. This addition of the bendable portion to the standard conventional straight knitting needle would allow flexible knitting motion with enhanced comfort and better ease of knitting in a tight place.

Abstract: A dry adhesive includes a first plurality of fiber segments mechanically interlocked with a second plurality of fiber segments. A dry adhesive can include a first plurality of fibers mechanically interlocked with a second plurality of fibers or a single plurality of fibers having a first end region mechanically interlocked with a second end region. The fiber segments and fibers can be aligned, electrospun nanofibers. One or more continuous and scalable methods of making aligned fibers are also provided. One or more apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: A loom system for making a fibrous preform may comprise a base, a bedplate coupled to the base, wherein the bedplate is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and an air entangling module coupled to the base. The air entangling module may comprise an air entangling head coupled to an outer support and an inner support, wherein the air entangling head is configured to apply a jet of air toward the bedplate at an entangling zone. The air entangling head may have freedom of motion along the outer support and the inner support, and may be configured to rest on top of a fibrous layer.

Abstract: A computer-controlled sewing machine positioning system integrated with a processing device (50), and positioning method thereof, fixedly disposing at least one processing device (50) at one side of the sewing head (41) of a computer-controlled sewing machine (40); movement of the processing device (50) is controlled by a processing program of the computer-controlled sewing machine (40); a relative distance is provided between the processing head (51) of the processing device (50) and the sewing head (41) to give the movement range of a conveying mechanism (20) to extend to covered positions below the sewing head (41) and the processing head (51), such that a fixing mechanism (30) is moved and feeds below the sewing head (41) and the processing head (51); and presetting a positioning distance between two positioning parts (33, 34) of the fixing mechanism (30) and the relative distances in the processing program, thus automatically determining the feed distance of the fixing mechanism (30) between the sewing h

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for labeling a piece of merchandise with a wireless communication device. In addition to a wireless communication device, the merchandise tag includes an associated label made of a washable fabric material. The wireless communication device is incorporated into the label and includes an RFID chip and a slot-loop hybrid antenna, with the antenna including a conductor sheet that defines a slot. The label is secured to a piece of merchandise at a sew line, with the sew line dividing the label into an upper portion and a lower portion. The RFID chip and the slot of the antenna, along with a relatively high conductance piece or portion of the conductor sheet, are positioned within the upper portion of the label, while a relatively low conductance piece or portion of the conductor sheet is positioned within the lower portion of the label.

Abstract: Provided is a horizontal rotary hook including: an inner rotary hook including an attracted member made of metal in an outer lower surface portion; a permanent magnet that attracts the inner rotary hook; a magnet plate accommodating the permanent magnet and provided with a mounting hole at a center of a diameter thereof; a non-metallic outer rotary hook accommodating the magnet plate and having a shaft hole at a center of a diameter of an inner bottom portion thereof; and a hook supporting shaft that is inserted through the hole of the magnet plate and the shaft hole of the outer rotary hook and includes, at an upper end thereof, a flange for rotatably supporting the outer rotary hook and the magnet plate. A friction coefficient of a contact surface of the magnet plate that comes into contact with the outer rotary hook is set to be larger than a friction coefficient of the flange of the hook supporting shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a tufting machine configured for forming tufted carpet. The tufting machine can have a system controller in communication with the tufting machine and with a plurality of yarn feed controllers for controlling operation of yarn feed motors that are configured to supply yarn from a source of yarn to the tufting machine. The system controller is programmable to enable input of a plurality of predetermined yarn feed profiles for selected stitches of a programmed pattern to be tufted such that, although at least two of the predetermined yarn feed profiles can be different, substantially the same feed length of yarn is used from each of the plurality of yarns.

Abstract: A stitch distribution control system for a tufting machine for controlling placement of yarns being fed to the needles of the tufting machine by yarn feed mechanisms to form a desired pattern. A backing material is fed through the tufting machine at an increased stitch rate as the needles are shifted according to calculated pattern steps. A series of loopers or hooks engage and pick loops of yarns from the needles. The yarn feed mechanisms further can be controlled so that selected loops of yarns can be back-robbed so as to be hidden from view in the finished patterned tufted article.

Abstract: A laundry apparatus including a cabinet; a first space provided in the cabinet, in which a first treating part provided to treat laundry is installed; a second space provided in the cabinet, in which a second treating part provided to treat laundry is installed; a drawer movably provided in the second space, in which the second treating part is installed; and a rail unit configured to limit vertical and horizontal movement of the drawer with respect to the second space and to guide the outward movement of the drawer. Therefore, laundry may be treated by using the first and second treating parts and vibration and noise generated in the second treating part may be reduced.

Abstract: A hand-held laundry treating apparatus includes a portable body, a supply tank including a tank body provided at the portable body, a water chamber provided in the tank body to store water therein and a detergent chamber provided in the tank body to store detergent therein, a suction tank including a suction chamber provided at the portable body to store liquid therein, and a liquid transferring part for supplying liquid stored in the supply tank to laundry and transferring liquid remaining in laundry to the suction tank.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning at least one soiled substrate in a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum of a cleaning apparatus with a multiplicity of solid particles are provided. One method includes the steps of: agitating the at least one soiled substrate in the drum with wash liquor and the multiplicity of solid particles for a first cleaning cycle wherein the wash liquor includes at least one cleaning agent; draining the wash liquor from the cleaning apparatus; and introducing an aqueous non-detergent medium into the cleaning apparatus and agitating the at least one soiled substrate with the multiplicity of solid particles in the drum for a second cleaning cycle. Another method includes rotating the drum such that the at least one soiled substrate moves about a generally circular path and introducing the multiplicity of solid particles into the drum through an annulus defined by the generally circular path as the drum rotates.

Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus is provided that may include a cabinet having an introduction port for introduction of laundry and an opening that communicates with an outside of the cabinet, a tub arranged in the cabinet and provided with a tub introduction port that communicates with the introduction port, and a detergent supply module that stores a detergent and provides the stored detergent to the tub, the detergent supply module being detachably provided at the opening.

Abstract: A controlling method for a dryer is applied to a dryer, in which at least one of a heat pump system and a heater is selected as a heat source for heating air supplied in to a drum and a heat supply capacity of the heat pump system is more than that of the heater. The controlling method includes, when both the heat pump system and the heater are selected as the heat sources, turning the heat pump system on, turning the heater on after the heat pump system is normally turned on, turning the heater off to cool the drum and terminate drying after the drying is performed, and turning the heat pump system off after the heater is turned off.

Abstract: A steam iron (10) comprising a soleplate (13), a heating element (14) for heating the soleplate (13), an inlet junction (16) comprising a first inlet (28) for receiving input steam from a steam generator and a second inlet (29), a water-steam separator (18) connected to the inlet junction (16) to receive steam from the inlet junction (16) and separate steam from condensed water entrained in the steam. The steam iron also includes an evaporation chamber (19) connected to the water-steam separator (18) to receive condensed water from the water-steam separator (18) and which includes a surface heated by the heating element (14) to generate evaporated water from the condensed water. The evaporation chamber (19) is connected to the second inlet (29). The inlet junction (16) comprises a venturi effect nozzle (31) for expelling the input steam and to generate a reduced pressure in the region of the second inlet (29) to draw the evaporated water into the inlet junction (16).

Abstract: The present application relates to a hand-held steaming device (10). The hand-held steaming device comprises a steam generating surface (4A), a heater (5) to heat the steam generating surface, a water supply unit (6) to supply water to the steam generating surface and a sensor (12) configured to detect the inclination of the steam generating surface with respect to the horizontal. The hand-held steaming device further comprises a controller (11) configured to perform a user selectable descaling process wherein the heater is operated to heat the steam generating surface to a first temperature and the water supply unit is operated to supply water to the steam generating surface at a first flow rate to remove scale from the steam generating surface.

Abstract: An electrically-powered ironing device having a sole plate on an upper arm and a sole plate on a lower arm, wherein the arms can be moved into different positions to allow a user various ways of using the device. More specifically, the ironing device includes two arms, at least two sole plates with at least one sole plate located on each arm, a plurality of heat settings, a hinge connecting the two arms together, and a power source.

Abstract: A method to wash and dry carpets and an in situ carpet washing service is described. The service uses transportable equipment comprising in one frame a washing unit, a drying unit and conveyor for transferring the carpet between the washing and drying units of the equipment, a control unit for controlling the operation of the equipment, and means for receiving production goods to the equipment. In the equipment the carpet is transported from a first feeding end, through the washing and drying units to the second receiving end at a constant speed such that the washing and drying steps can be completed in less than 20 minutes and the tack free carpet can be returned to the customer without a need of a replacement carpet.

Abstract: A system and method for welding edge seams at the edges of fabric is presented. A method begins by lowering a fabric pre-fold bar onto a piece of fabric. A pre-aligned portion of the fabric is pushed on top of the pre-fold bar so that the pre-fold bar is between the portion of fabric on top of the fabric pre-fold bar and other fabric below the pre-fold bar. The fabric on top of the fabric pre-fold bar is folded edge fabric and fabric not on top of the fabric pre-fold bar is not folded edge fabric. A folded edge is formed between these two sections of fabric. The method pinches some of the fabric at the folded end and then pulls the folded edge fabric off of the fabric pre-fold bar. After that, the method welds at least some of the folded edge fabric to the not folded edge fabric.

Abstract: To provide a water/oil repellent composition which is excellent in the stability as a working liquid and the water repellency whereby the occurrence of scum having a high adhesion is low, to provide its production process and to provide an article of which the surface is treated with the water/oil repellent composition whereby the occurrence of dirt is suppressed. A water/oil repellent composition which comprises a nonionic surfactant having a melting point of from 50° C. to 70° C., a fluorinated copolymer (for example, a copolymer of a (meth)acrylate having a C6 perfluoroalkyl group) and a medium containing water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a coated yarn having outstanding physical properties, the method comprising: collecting thermoplastic polyurethane in virgin form, as scraps remaining after being suitably used for airbag patterns in a shoe manufacturing process, or as scraps remaining after other thermoplastic polyurethane is processed; mixing the various kinds of thermoplastic polyurethane with various additives; compounding the resultant mixture using an extruder to prepare a thermoplastic polyurethane compound for a coated yarn; and coating the surface of a yarn made from polyester, nylon, spandex, etc. with the compound using an extruder.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics comprising an organopolysiloxane polymer coating that can impart softness to said nonwoven fabric surface. Also disclosed are disposable absorbent articles comprising said nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: A wire drawing apparatus (10) is used in a final drawing process to ensure adequate initial performance of adhesion between brass-plated steel wire and rubber without a drop in productivity. At least one of the die (14z) disposed in the most downstream position, the die (14y) disposed in the second most downstream position, and the die (14x) disposed in the third most downstream position is a drawing die having a friction coefficient ? of 0.12 to 0.41 with the brass-plated steel wire. The other dies (14) are drawing dies each having a friction coefficient ? of 0.1 or below. By using these drawing dies, brass-plated steel wire (13) is drawn, and a noncrystalline portion of high lattice defect density is formed on the surface of the crystalline portion of the brass-plating layer of the brass-plated steel wire (13).

Abstract: A device including a hollow body defining axially extending compartments therein for receiving a slurry of pulp fibers in a carrying flow. The device includes a stationary screen within the hollow body defining a slurry compartment on one side of the screen, and a screened compartment on the other side of the screen. The hollow body also includes a slurry inlet into the slurry compartment, an elutriation suction outlet in communication with the slurry inlet, and elutriation nozzles into the slurry compartment. The device also includes an elutriation pump outside of the hollow body, the elutriation suction outlet being in fluid communication the elutriation pump, and the elutriation pump being in fluid communication with the elutriation nozzles.

Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes an impeller mill, a first sieve, a first belt, a rotary body, a second sieve, a second belt, and a heating roller. The impeller mill defibrates a raw material containing fiber and discharges a defibrated material. The first sieve screens the defibrated material by causing the defibrated material to pass through a first net. The defibrated material passing through the first sieve is deposited on the first belt to form a web. The rotary body has a protrusion radially protruded from a rotation center and divides the web by rotation to form a subdivided body. The second sieve refines the subdivided body by causing the subdivided body to pass through the second net to form a web. The refined subdivided body is deposited on the second belt to form a web. The heating roller heats the web from the second belt to form a sheet.

Abstract: The invention provides a creped tissue web having satisfactory softness without the excess use of water insoluble creping compositions. The satisfactory softness levels, which may be measured as TS7, are generally less than about 10.0 and may be achieved by creping the tissue web with less than about 100 mg/m2? (milligrams of creping composition per square meter of creping cylinder surface area) such as from about 25 to about 100 mg/m2? and more preferably from about 50 to about 75 mg/m2?. It was previously believed that water insoluble creping compositions need to be added at high add-on levels, such as 100 mg/m2? or greater to achieve a desirable softness at a given tensile strength. It has now been surprisingly discovered that the add-on of water insoluble creping composition may be reduced significantly by adding a water soluble adhesive to the creping composition.

Abstract: A mechanism for coupling a track rail to a substrate includes a rail plate and a base plate, where the rail plate surrounds the base plate. An overmolded coating is formed of a non-metallic material and encases the rail plate and the base plate. Related methodology is disclosed.

Abstract: In the course of rehabilitation of a ballast bed of a track, while creating a track construction site (10), old bulk material (6) to be removed is stored on a plurality of storage wagons (2) connected to form a loading train (7). Parallel thereto, new bulk material (9) pre-deposited on a plurality of storage wagons (2) connected to form a loading train (8) is introduced into the track construction site (10). The introduction of the new bulk material (9) into the track construction site (10) is controlled automatically in dependence on a volume of the old bulk material (6) removed from the track construction site (10).

Abstract: A rail plate handling device is provided for removing and reinstalling rail tie plates located on rail ties on a railroad track, includes a frame configured for movement relative to the track, at least one tie plate gripping assembly mounted to the frame, the assembly configured for grasping a selected tie plate at the front and rear edges between an adjacent one of the at least one raised rail raised from the operational position supported by the selected tie plate and the associated tie in the operational position upon which the plate was resting, each gripping assembly including a pair of opposing gripping jaws which are configured for controlled reciprocation in a direction parallel to the rails along a guide bar, the guide bar being slidable with the gripping jaws and the selected plate, relative to the frame.

Abstract: Generally L-shaped, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, parallelogram and other-shaped paving stones with inter-fitting vertical spacers forming serpentine side contact surfaces that provide enhanced stone-to-stone interlocking in both water-permeable and water-impermeable paving installations.

Abstract: The present invention provides for synthetic turf infill materials and methods of making such materials wherein the surfaces of the materials have been modified with hydrophilic properties. The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a method to modify the surface of synthetic turf infill through coating, crosslinking or other methods. The surface of the infill is modified to become substantially hydrophilic with low contact angles. The present invention also provides a process for producing surfaces with hydrophilic properties.

Abstract: A method for installing hot asphalt pavement includes heating an aggregate to a temperature of from about 350° F. to about 400° F. using an emitter comprising a birefringent material, the emitter generating electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 2 microns to 1 millimeter, wherein the aggregate is a recycled asphalt pavement; adding the aggregate to an asphalt in a mill to yield a mixture of aggregate with baked-on asphalt; laying the mixture down over a base to form a first layer of lift; and compacting the first layer.

Abstract: A vibration damping device for suspension-bridge type cables includes first and second linear dampers supported by a generally V-shaped support member mounted to the bridge deck.

Abstract: A water diverting device is used for fitting inside a porous surrounding wall of a vertical drainage pipe which is deeply inserted into the soil for collecting water from the ground level. The water diverting device includes a tubular wall having at least one slit, and a base wall having at least one drainage port. The drainage port is located at a higher level than a lower slit edge of the slit so as to have a lower level of water accumulated for passing through the slit and an upper open end segment of the porous surrounding wall, thereby soaking the soil near the ground level.

Abstract: A method for removing oil from a body of water including providing a matrix having a longitudinally-directed column defined by oil-absorbing and/or oil-adsorbing blankets each affixed independently of each other to a connecting strip that extends along the length of the column; deploying the matrix to a body of water to bring the column into contact with the body of water; inducing tension in the connecting strip to move blankets of the column in unison relative to the body of water; collecting oil with the first and second blankets; and removing the blankets and at least a portion of the oil collected thereby. Also, an oil spill removal system including such a matrix and in which, during matrix movement in the longitudinal direction, drag on a following blanket of a matrix column is carried by the connecting strip rather than by a preceding blanket of that column.