Abstract: The disclosure relates to microfluidic devices and methods of use thereof for monitoring the directionality, velocity, and migration persistence of neutrophils or other cells in the absence of chemical gradients for the purposes of detecting and quantifying abnormal neutrophil motility phenotypes, using low sample volumes and with minimal activation of the neutrophils. The devices and methods can be used to diagnose sepsis in subjects suspected of having sepsis or at risk of developing sepsis. The devices and methods can also be used to monitor the responses of patients to sepsis therapies.

Abstract: A microfluidic filtering system may include a first microfluidic channel, a first pump to move fluid along the first microfluidic channel in a first direction, a second microfluidic channel, a second pump to move fluid along the second microfluidic channel in a second direction opposite to the first direction and a filter channel extending between and interconnecting the first microfluidic channel and the second microfluidic channel.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods are described for capturing magnetic target entities bound to one or more magnetic beads. The systems include a well array device that includes a substrate with a surface that has a plurality of wells arranged in one or more arrays on the surface. A first array of wells is arranged adjacent to a first location on the surface. A second and subsequent arrays, if present, are arranged sequentially on the surface at second and subsequent locations. When a liquid sample is added onto the substrate and caused to flow, the liquid sample will flow across the first array first and then flow across the second and subsequent arrays in sequential order. The wells in the first array each have a size that permits entry of only one target entity into the well and each well in the first array has approximately the same size.

Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. In order to improve the sorter speed, accuracy or yield, the particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the sample inlet channel. The particle manipulation device may have two separate sort output channels, wherein the sort channel used depends on the characteristics of the sort pulse delivered to the micromechanical particle manipulation device. Because of the improved focusing and pulse details, a droplet may be formed which contains a single particle, which may also be barcoded with an identifiable signature bead.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus capable of treating biological particles in a sterile state, and a treatment apparatus. An apparatus for forming a liquid flow including biological particles includes: a chamber member; a sample liquid supply portion; a sheath liquid supply portion; and a vibrating electrode member. The chamber member includes a chamber and a flow cell extending from an interior to an exterior of the chamber. The sample liquid supply portion is configured to supply a sample liquid including the biological particles into the chamber. The sheath liquid supply portion is configured to supply a sheath liquid into the chamber. The vibrating electrode member extends from the interior to the exterior of the chamber, is made of an electrically conductive material, and is configured to be capable of supplying an electric charge to the sheath liquid and the sample liquid in the chamber and propagating an ultrasonic vibration.

Abstract: A method for uniquely identifying tubes may include programming a motion of a laser relative to a tube pad printed with a mixture of ink and a laser sensitive material and exposing the laser-sensitive material to the laser to colorimetrically transform the material and reveal a unique identifier. A method of coating tubes includes plasma or flame treating the tube and mixing a laser-sensitive material with ink to form a mixture to pad print onto the tube. A system for identifying tubes coated with laser-sensitive material includes a laser mounted in translational relationship to a stage, a camera positioned to capture an image of a tube on a stage, a processor that receives the image and translates the laser relative to the stage in order to position the laser for marking the tube, and a laser controller to move the laser in order to mark the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluidic connector, to combine with a microfluidic chip cartridge, comprising: a base, having a plurality of through holes; and a plurality of soft tubes, penetrating the base via the through holes and fixed on the base, and having a Shore A hardness in a range of 50-99, wherein an end of the plurality of soft tubes is protruded from a first side of the base to form plurality of protrusion portions and each protrusion portion has a length in a range of 0.5-10 mm. The present invention also provides a microfluidic chip cartridge and a fluidic connector assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid heater (6) for an analyzer, including a heating element (602), and at least a first liquid chamber (604) and a second liquid chamber (606), which do not communicate with each other in the heater (6), wherein at least one liquid chamber is accommodated in another liquid chamber, the heating element (602) heats the liquid in one liquid chamber, and the heated liquid heats the liquid in the other liquid chamber. In the liquid heater, the liquid in at least one liquid chamber is not in direct contact with the heating element and is indirectly heated by the heat transfer of the heated liquid, thereby avoiding the problem that corrosive liquid corrodes the heating element, and accordingly the service life of the heating element is prolonged; and on the other hand, the problem that two heaters are respectively used for heating separately, resulting in large installation volume and high cost is avoided, the volume of the liquid heater is reduced, and the cost is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is provided. The apparatus comprises a microprocessor configured to communicatively couple with a user input device and receive instructions from the user input device and implement the received instructions; an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) generator configured to generated EMR at frequencies ranging from 300 THz to 400 THz and communicatively coupled with the microprocessor; a reaction vessel, communicatively coupled with the microprocessor, to house the nucleic acid, sequence, necessary reagents to the PCR, and particles comprising a transition metal material, and to receive the EMR generated by the EMR generator; and a temperature sensor communicatively coupled with the reaction vessel and the microprocessor.

Abstract: A powder gathering apparatus includes at least two rotating plates and a driving mechanism. The at least two rotating plates are disposed with respect to each other. Each of the rotating plates includes at least one spherical member. The at least one spherical member protrudes from the rotating plate. The driving mechanism drives at least one of the at least two rotating plates to move, such that the at least two rotating plates get close to or away from each other. The driving mechanism drives the at least two rotating plates to rotate.

Abstract: A beater wheel for a pulverizer mill is provided. The beater wheel includes a rotatable hub disc having apertures defined therethrough and a ring disc having respective apertures defined therethrough, and a plurality of tubular ribs, disposed therebetween and weldingly coupled thereto at a tubular first end to the hub disc and at a tubular second end to the ring disc to define respective weld joints thereat. Each respective aperture in the hub disc and ring disc are sized and disposed to allow direct access therethrough to at least one respective weld joint at the respective interior surface of the first and second tubular ends for inspection and testing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mining and processing of an ore. The method comprises at least one mobile comminution device (26) comprising at least one mobile crusher unit and at least one mobile grinding unit located proximate to an ore body that is being mined (20), fragmented ore (22) from the ore body is comminuted in the mobile comminution device (26) to a size which can be readily pumped (28) without the use of special carrier fluids, preferably to a particle size p50 in the range between 0.05 to 1 mm and the comminuted ore is combined with water to form a slurry.

Abstract: A vertical roller mill includes a housing, a chute that supplies materials to be grinded to a center portion of the housing, a grinder that is provided below the chute and grinds the materials to be grinded, an exhaust pipe that is provided above the grinder, a transport mechanism that forms an air flow for transporting, to the exhaust pipe, grinded materials grinded by the grinder, and a flow-constricting flow path provided between the grinder and the exhaust pipe and narrows a flow path area for the air flow, in which the flow-constricting flow path is formed between a first flow-constricting ring provided in the center portion of the housing and a second flow-constricting ring provided to protrude from the housing toward the center portion of the housing.

Abstract: A charger includes: a first opposed electrode and a second opposed electrode disposed at mutually opposed positions; a discharge electrode between the first opposed electrode and the second opposed electrode; and a power supply unit that applies a voltage to at least one of the first opposed electrode, the second opposed electrode, and the discharge electrode. A first period in which a first charging region is formed between the first opposed electrode and the discharge electrode and a first non-charging region is formed between the second opposed electrode and the discharge electrode, and a second period in which a second non-charging region is formed between the first opposed electrode and the discharge electrode and a second charging region is formed between the second opposed electrode and the discharge electrode are repeated periodically. In the first charging region and the second charging region, particles are charged to the same polarity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the selection or processing of particles sensitive to the application of an external stimulus to rupture/lysis at least one selected particle or the fusion of first and second selected particles are disclosed herein. Particles are organized using a first field of force by selectively energizing electrodes of an array of selectable electrodes having dimensions comparable to or smaller than those of the particles. A first configuration of stresses is applied to the electrodes; and then a second configuration of stresses is applied to the electrodes, so as to create a second field of force, located substantially close to at least one selected particle to be lysated or to a pair of first and second particles to be fused and such as to produce the application of a stimulus suited to produce their lysis or fusion.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a swing rotor. Rotor arms of the swing rotor have recesses into which hangers of the swing rotor at least partially swing in a swung-out state. As a result, the centrifuge container and thus also the centrifuges are more compact, because the swinging-out requires less space. An inertial mass of the swing rotor is reduced due to the recesses provided therein, whereby energy consumption, primarily when starting the centrifuge, is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a stationary casing and a centrifuge rotor, which is provided in the stationary casing and arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation at a rotary speed and which includes a plurality of nozzles for discharge of a product from the centrifuge rotor. The centrifugal separator includes a sensor device which includes a transfer element, which has a first part and a second part and which is configured to be mounted in such a way that the first part is located inside the stationary casing and outside the centrifuge rotor and that the second part is located outside the stationary casing. At least the first part of the transfer element has an elongated shape, a receiving head, which includes the first part of the transfer element.

Abstract: A method for thermally disinfecting a centrifuge to reduce the quantity of germs therein, the centrifuge having a rotatable drum and being used for centrifugally processing a product, involves reducing the quantity of germs using vapor that is not pressurized or which is at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to devices and methods for treating a mixture of expansion gas and filling product foam in a beverage filling plant, comprising the steps of introducing the mixture of expansion gas and filling product foam into a closed separation container and extracting the expansion gas out of the closed separation container via suction.

Abstract: An alignable conformal, cup-shaped flag-mushroom fluidic nozzle assembly is engineered to generate a flat fan or sheet oscillating spray of viscous fluid product 316. The nozzle assembly includes a cylindrical flag mushroom fluidic cup member 180 having a substantially closed distal end wall with a centrally located snout defined therein. The flag mushroom cup assembly effectively splits the operating features of the fluidic circuit between a lower or proximal portion formed in the housing's sealing post member and an upper, or distal portion formed in cup member 180 which, in cooperation with the sealing post's distal surface, defines an interaction chamber 192 fed by impinging jets each comprising a continuous distribution of streamlines that impinge at selected angles to define arcs providing a lesser degree of impingement at a centered axial plane within the exit orifice 194 and a greater degree of impingement at the edges of exit orifice 194.

Abstract: A waterway switching mechanism in a shower includes a fixed portion and a rotating block connected to a fixed portion. The fixed portion has a plurality of switching positions each with a sealing portion that can move relative to the fixed portion in the first direction. The waterway switching is controlled through the activity of the sealing portion. The outside wall is provided with a pushing portion. The sealing portions are circumferentially spaced apart and surround outside of the rotating block. Each sealing portion is provided with a fitting portion capable of cooperating with the pushing portion, when the rotating block rotates the pushing portion follows the rotating block and move in a circumferential direction, and the fitting portion is driven to move in the first direction by a circumferential movement of the pushing portion, and the first direction intersects with vertical plane of the vertical swivel axis of rotation.

Abstract: A shower head includes a housing, and a jet faceplate mounted to the housing and including a first water jetting area composed of a plurality of subunits and a second water jetting area having a second aperture therein. The subunits are arranged to present an arc-shaped distribution, each defining therein a plurality of first apertures. The subunits are in a fan-shaped area of the jet faceplate so that the water line of the ejected water can be concentrated and fan-shaped, enhancing the effect of removing dirt.

Abstract: A showerhead may include a first plenum in fluid communication with a first group of nozzles, a second plenum in fluid communication with a second group of nozzles, and a water direction assembly in fluid communication with the first plenum, the second plenum, and a fluid inlet, and alternatingly fluidly connecting the first plenum and the second plenum with the fluid inlet. The water direction assembly may include a turbine and a shutter arranged to oscillate between positions, oscillation of the shutter alternatingly fluidly connecting the first and second plenums with the fluid inlet.

Abstract: A chemical discharging fan system has a ducted fan adapted and configured to generate a flow of air from an inlet of the fan into a duct of the fan and through the outlet of the fan. A spray gun is arranged on the fan in the flow of the air generated by the fan. The spray gun has a fluid inlet adapted and configured to receive a pressurized fluid from a fluid supply source. The spray gun is configured to intermittently discharge the fluid from the fluid source into the flow of air generated by the fan. A control is in communication with the spray gun. The control is configured to generate a pulse width modulated signal to cycle the spray gun, which causes the fluid to vaporize upon being discharged from the spray gun into the flow of air generated by the fan.

Abstract: An atomizing spray nozzle device includes an atomizing zone housing that receives different phases of materials used to form a coating. The atomizing zone housing mixes the different phases of the materials into a two-phase mixture of ceramic-liquid droplets in a carrier gas. The device also includes a plenum housing fluidly coupled with the atomizing housing and extending from the atomizing housing to a delivery end. The plenum housing includes an interior plenum that receives the two-phase mixture of ceramic-liquid droplets in the carrier gas from the atomizing zone housing. The device also includes one or more delivery nozzles fluidly coupled with the plenum chamber. The delivery nozzles provide outlets from which the two-phase mixture of ceramic-liquid droplets in the carrier gas is delivered onto one or more surfaces of a target object as the coating on the target object.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to nozzles, in particular bath and shower wands that may be hand held and which generate microbubbles from water saturated with air. The bath and shower wands comprise an elongate body comprising an inlet, an elongate outlet and internal flow constriction that can generate micro bubbles from water passing through the wand.

Abstract: A system for heating, coating, cooling and screening a granular substrate is provided. The system, such as an apparatus for continuous coating granular particles, includes a preheater apparatus for heating granular particles, a rotary drum having an inlet horizontally coupled to the preheater for receiving heated granular particles directly from the fluidized bed preheater, a coating apparatus positioned within the drum for applying a coating to the heated granular particles, and a cooling apparatus positioned horizontally in association with the drum for cooling the granular particles subsequent to coating.

Abstract: Sprayer devices and related methods. The sprayer devices can be of a type that may be carried or worn on the back of a user. Each sprayer device has a tank, a spray outlet (e.g., a spray nozzle or spray wand) and either a manual or power pump. The sprayers may also incorporate one or more of the following: a) a brace member for deterring bending or deformation of a bottom bracket on the sprayer, b) a pump axle with redundant rotation-limiting stop members useable for either right-handed or left-handed operation, c) system for selective and/or controlled agitation or non-agitation of liquid within the sprayer tank and/or d) an information card holding niche with removable information card.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing device (1) having a pump device (2), which has an actuating element (5) having an output opening (12), wherein the actuating element (5) is movably arranged relative to a hearing element (6), which is connected to a pump housing (7) in a rotationally fixed manner in the usage position, wherein the actuating element (5) is rotatably arranged relative to the bearing element (6) and the bearing dement (6) has at least one protruding bridge (25) having an upper stop edge (24) and a substantially tubular portion (5?) of the actuating element (5) has, on the inner surface thereof, distributed over the circumference, at least two stages (22,22?, 22?) defining a different displacement path, of which stages, depending on the rotational alignment of the actuating, element (5), one stage (22, 22?, 22?) contacts the stop edge (24) in a lower displacement position.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for controlling fluid pressure. A predetermined output pressure is assigned to at least one selected outlet, and a command signal is sent to a supply pump positioned in fluid communication with the selected outlet. The command signal corresponds to an optimized flow profile having at least one flow characteristic configured to discharge a pressurized fluid medium from the selected outlet at the predetermined output pressure. The pressurized fluid medium is released to at least one conduit in fluid communication with the selected outlet in accordance with the optimized flow profile, and the pressurized fluid medium is discharged from the selected outlet at the predetermined output pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fertilizer allocation system and fertilizer allocation method. The fertilizer allocation system includes a sprayer, a plurality of solution tanks, a camera, a processor, data storage unit and a controller. The sprayer connects to solution tanks by a flow switch and spray fertilizer, which in solution tanks to crop. The camera takes a picture of a crop and the processor compared the picture with a plurality of identification data stored on the data storage unit, then judges a growing situation of crop and generates an allocation information. The controller receives the allocation information and adjust the flow switch to change the flow of fertilizer so that crop get desired element.

Abstract: A masking device for covering a masking area includes a first member having a first tab portion and a first base portion. The masking device also includes a second member having a second tab portion and a second base portion. A pull tab of the masking device includes the first tab portion coupled to the second tab portion. The masking device further includes a third member having a member connection surface and a masking connection surface. The member connection surface is opposite the masking connection surface. A base of the masking device includes the first base portion, the second base portion, and the third member. A first adhesive couples the member connection surface of the third member to the first base portion and to the second base portion. The masking connection surface of the third member is made to removably attach to the masking area.

Abstract: An atomizing spray nozzle device includes plural inlets that receive different phases of materials of a coating. The device also includes an atomizing zone housing portion fluidly coupled with the inlets and shaped to mix the different phases of the materials into a mixed phase slurry. The device also includes a plenum housing portion fluidly coupled with the atomizing housing portion along the center axis of the device. The plenum housing portion includes an interior plenum that is elongated along the center axis of the device. The plenum is configured to receive the mixed phase slurry from the atomizing zone. The device also includes one or more delivery nozzles fluidly coupled with the plenum. The one or more delivery nozzles provide one or more outlets from which the mixed phase slurry is delivered onto one or more surfaces of a target object as a coating on the target object.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a sound producing member adapted to press at any angle and a press-switching water discharging mechanism and a shower head. The sound producing member is a rotating shaft having a semicircular cross section, and the rotating shaft includes an abutment surface for abutting a press-switching water discharging valve and an arc-shaped surface adapted to press at any angle; pivot shafts for being rotatably installed at the bottom of a button are disposed at two ends of the rotating shaft, the arc-shaped surface is adapted with a contact surface at the bottom of the button; and a sound producing member adapted with a contact surface of the press-switching water discharging valve is concave in shape and is disposed in the abutment surface of the sound producing member.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly including a pressure regulator and a flow stop element combined in a single assembly. In one embodiment, the sprinkler includes a sprinkler body in fluid communication with a water supply to provide water to the sprinkler, a riser movably mounted in the sprinkler body and in fluid communication with the sprinkler body such that the riser rises up and out of the sprinkler body when water is provided to the sprinkler, a nozzle assembly mounted on a top end of the riser and in fluid communication with the riser; and a regulation element mounted in the riser and in contact with a portion of the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly holds the regulation member in an open position to allow flow of water to the nozzle assembly and to maintain a substantially constant water pressure in the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a riser with a nozzle assembly rotatable mounted thereon. The nozzle assembly includes a pressure regulator and flow control element.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing device for wallboard joint taping is provided, including a body for holding a supply of viscous material and having a rear end and an opposite front end, a spool assembly disposed on the body and configured for supporting a spool of tape; at least one drive roller positioned at the front end and receiving an end of the spool of tape. Certain embodiments include an adhesive application assembly connected to the drive roller and mounted in operational relationship to the front end for dispensing a measured amount of adhesive upon an upper surface of the tape upon rotation of the at least one drive roll. In such embodiments, the body may be configured for holding sufficient adhesive to cover tape advanced by at least 200 rotations of the at least one drive roller.

Abstract: A fluid application device for applying a fluid to a surface and removing the same as necessary. The device may generally comprise a fluid applicator and a textile base member for sanitizing gym equipment, wiping windows, applying sunscreen, and the like. The fluid applicator may comprise a spray applicator, a permeable bladder, and the like. The textile base member may include but is not limited to a hand towel, a wristband, and any other known textile configurations. In one embodiment, the present invention may be used by gym patrons to sanitized gym equipment before and/or after use. The present invention may also be used to clean other surfaces including but not limited to household windows, vehicle windows, and the like. Additional embodiments of the present invention may also be used either to apply sunscreen on a user or as a fishing towel to clean hands and remove odor.

Abstract: A method of applying a sealant material to a corner joint, formed by a first planar surface and a second planar surface, comprises positioning a sealant-applicator tip relative to the corner joint such that a first planar face of the sealant-applicator tip is in flush surface contact with and parallel to one of the first planar surface or the second planar surface and a second planar face of the sealant-applicator tip is in flush contact with and parallel to another one of the first planar surface or the second planar surface. The method further comprises advancing the sealant-applicator tip in a first direction along the corner joint while supplying the sealant material to the corner joint through a channel of the sealant-applicator tip and shaping the sealant material, supplied to the corner joint, with a seventh edge of the sealant-applicator tip to form a first bead of the sealant material.

Abstract: A casing for coaxially receiving and fitting a cartridge or a cartridge-like container on an ejection device for ejecting a viscous compound, wherein at least one shell portion of the casing is telescopic, and wherein the telescopic portion has at least two tubular portions which are arranged coaxially to one another in certain portions, and which are displaceable relative to one another in the axial direction. The tubular portions are inter-engaged via latching elements and can be locked relative to one another in different positions, and that the first tubular portion has a flange with a coupling element at a first end and can be releasably connected by the coupling element to the ejection device directly or via an intermediate piece, and that the first tubular portion has a sliding portion on which the second tubular portion is displaceable between a first locked position into a second locked position.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating can include: preparing a substrate surface with adherent characteristics; applying charge of a first polarity to at least one non-carbon-based topological insulator with selected optical transmittance; and/or applying the charged at least one non-carbon-based topological insulator to the substrate surface to provide a topological insulator layer on the substrate surface. The at least one non-carbon-based topological insulator can have one or more of selected optical transmittance, selected thermal conductivity, selected electrical conductivity, or selected electrical resistivity.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing a surface-metalized polymer article, comprising: (a) continuously immersing a polymer article into a graphene dispersion comprising multiple graphene sheets dispersed in a liquid medium for a period of immersion time and then retreating the polymer article from the dispersion, enabling deposition of graphene sheets onto a surface of the polymer article to form a graphene-attached polymer article; (b) continuously moving the graphene-attached polymer article into a drying or heating zone to enable bonding of graphene sheets to said surface to form a graphene-covered polymer article; and (c) continuously moving the graphene-covered polymer article into a metallization zone where a layer of a metal is chemically, physically, electrochemically or electrolytically deposited onto a surface of the graphene-covered polymer article to form the surface-metalized polymer article. Step (a) may be preceded by a surface treatment of the polymer article.

Abstract: A method for constructing an abradable coating comprises: a slurry layer formation step S2 in which a slurry layer 31 is formed on the surface of a base material 30 using a slurry containing ceramic particles and a solvent; a calcination step S3 in which the slurry layer 31 formed on the surface of the base material 30 is sintered and a sintered layer 35 to be a portion of an abradable coating layer 22 is formed; and a slurry removal step S5 in which extraneous slurry is removed after the abradable coating layer 22 has been formed on the surface of the base material 30, a plurality of the sintered layers 35 having been laminated in the abradable coating layer 22 through a plurality of repeated cycles of the slurry layer formation step S2 and the calcination step S3.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a surface-metalized polymer article, comprising: (a) preparing a graphene dispersion comprising multiple graphene sheets and an optional conductive filler dispersed in a first liquid medium, which is an adhesive monomer or contains a liquid adhesive monomer, oligomer or polymer dissolved in a solvent; (b) bringing a polymer article into a graphene deposition zone, wherein the graphene dispersion is sprayed, painted, coated, cast, or printed to deposit graphene sheets and optional conductive filler to a surface of the polymer article; and (c) moving the graphene-coated polymer article into a metallization chamber which accommodates a plating solution therein for plating a layer of a desired metal onto the graphene-coated polymer article to obtain a surface-metalized polymer article and retreating the surface-metalized polymer article from the metallization chamber.

Abstract: Methods of mitigating current overload of an ultrasonic system having an ultrasonic stack under load at startup are provided. The methods include beginning an ultrasonic cycle in the ultrasonic system having the ultrasonic stack that runs a closed loop phase control through the weld cycle by ramping up the power of the ultrasonic stack under load. During ramping up of the power of the ultrasonic stack under load, a controller lowers the phase to a negative phase. After ramping up the power of the ultrasonic stack under load is complete, the controller raises the phase to 0 degrees and the ultrasonic stack is operating at steady state and with the phase at 0 degrees.

Abstract: A vibrating actuator is disclosed, comprising: a magnet arrangement including at least one magnet (1); a hollow member (4) comprising at least one coil member (2) with a coil transversally surrounding a cavity (5) forming a longitudinal passageway for receiving the magnet arrangement and permitting a longitudinal relative movement between the hollow member (4) and the magnet arrangement; and elastic means (6) interconnecting the magnet arrangement and the hollow member (4). In one aspect, the elastic means (6) are thin membranes having an oblong shape with transversal indentations (10) on their opposite long sides. In another aspect, at least two magnets (1) are arranged with same polarities facing each other inside a magnet frame (8) at least partially surrounding the magnets (1). Furthermore, methods for assembling the magnet arrangement of a vibrating actuator, the hollow member of a vibrating actuator, and the overall vibrating actuator are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for sorting mixed waste materials, comprising: a housing (260) configured to be vibrated to assist sorting; a screen (210) supported by the housing (260) and having an inlet end (212) for receiving waste materials and an outlet end (214) for discharging at least some waste received at the inlet end (212), the screen (210) comprising at least one portion (220) pivotally coupled adjacent the inlet end (212) to a substantially horizontal axle (222) mounted in the housing (260); and drive means (224,228) configured to pivot the at least one portion (222) of the screen (210) about the axle (222) with a controlled reciprocating action.

Abstract: Disclosed is a separator device comprising a suction device to suck in air, and a wind-force sorting mechanism for sorting a mixture to separate projection materials from the mixture, wherein the wind-force sorting mechanism comprises: an airflow passage which extends horizontally from an inlet to an outlet thereof and in which an airflow is generated by suction force of the suction device; a mixture supply port formed on an upper side of a midstream region of the airflow passage; and a sorting section configured to allow a mixture containing projection materials and powdery/granular foreign substances to freely fall from the mixture supply port into the airflow passage to thereby cause the airflow to hit against the mixture so as to sort the mixture into a first group which move beyond a given reference height position, and a second group which fall without moving beyond the reference height position.

Abstract: A chip sorting and packaging platform comprises a supply module, a sorting module, and a packaging module. The supply module is adapted to feed a plurality of chips. The sorting module is configured to pick up the chips fed by the supply module and to determine whether each of the chips is qualified. The packaging module is configured to package qualified chips of the chips sorted by the sorting module.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of operating the same are described. A method may include receiving a card from a first storage compartment. The method may include analyzing the card using a first sensor to obtain characteristic information of the card. The method may include identifying a group associated with the characteristic information. The method may include identifying a second storage compartment associated with the group. The method may include sorting the card to place the card into the second storage compartment.