Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to additive manufacturing systems and methods on a large-scale format. One aspect involves a build unit that can be moved around in three dimensions by a positioning system, building separate portions of a large object. The build unit has an energy directing device that directs, e.g., laser or e-beam irradiation onto a powder layer. In the case of laser irradiation, the build volume may have a gasflow device that provides laminar gas flow to a laminar flow zone above the layer of powder. This allows for efficient removal of the smoke, condensates, and other impurities produced by irradiating the powder (the “gas plume”) without excessively disturbing the powder layer. The build unit may also have a recoater that allows it to selectively deposit particular quantities of powder in specific locations over a work surface to build large, high quality, high precision objects.

Abstract: A cemented carbide comprising a first hard phase composed of tungsten carbide particles and a binder phase including Co, the cemented carbide having a ratio Nt/Na of 0.9 or more, where, in any surface or any cross section of the cemented carbide, a region in which there is a distance X of 5 nm or less between surfaces respectively of tungsten carbide particles adjacent to each other, the surfaces facing each other along a length L of 100 nm or more, is referred to as a WC/WC interface, and Na represents a total number of WC/WC interfaces and Nt represents a number of WC/WC interfaces having distance X of 1 nm or more and 5 nm or less and having therein an atomic percentage of Co higher than an average value of atomic percentages of Co in the tungsten carbide particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved eating utensil, with improved traction, better scooping and/or cutting. Unlike the traditional chopstick which does not pick up food items easily or manipulate the food items, like cutting or scooping, the present invention provides a covering attachment having pick up features, scooping features and cutting features, making chopsticks into better eating tools and more sanitary.

Abstract: An exemplary nucleus removal device may be used to remove a portion of nucleus pulposus from an intervertebral disc. A nucleus removal device may include a cannula, an access tool, a maceration tool, and an evacuation tool. The access cannula is inserted into an intervertebral body laterally, creating a fissure in the annular fibrosis. The access tool 304 is slid through the access cannula and the fissure in annular fibrosis, such that a portion of access tool extends into the nucleus pulposus. The maceration tool is extended from the access tool into the nucleus pulposus, in a direction orthogonal to the axial extension of access tool, and macerates the nucleus pulposus. To assist in maceration, a stream of liquid may also be introduced into the vertebral body through the access tool before, during, or after maceration. Macerated material and liquid is removed from the intervertebral disc by the evacuation tool.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a gasket that is reinforced by a metal band, which is completely encapsulated within the elastomeric material of the gasket. The metal band is formed with spaced-apart dimples stamped into its inner surface, causing raised projections to form on the outer surface of the metal band. When the metal band is placed in a mold, the raised projections on its outer surface cause the metal band to be spaced apart from the inner wall of the mold. Elastomeric material is then injected into the mold and is able to completely encapsulate the metal band. The gasket is cured and then removed from the mold.

Abstract: A cutting instrument has a cutting blade portion formed with a skin made of an electrode material or a reaction product of the electrode material, the electrode material having been molten by pulse discharges induced between the cutting blade portion and an electrode in a machining liquid or gas, having as the electrode one of a mold molded from powder of a kind or powder of a mixture of kinds out of a metal or metals, a metal compound or metal compounds, and a ceramic or ceramics, and a heat-treated mold being the mold as heat-treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight knife. Conventional knives are made of steel and other heavy materials. While metal knives provide excellent strength and cutting ability, they can be heavy, which adds weight to an individual's load, pack, kit, or supplies on their person. Previous attempts to produce a lightweight knife have focused on replacing steel with lightweight materials. Plastic knives are light and have been produced, but do not provide an effective, sharp cutting edge. The present invention uses plastic insertion molding technology to imbed a partial steel blade in an otherwise plastic knife, significantly reducing overall weight while still providing a strong, effective cutting edge.

Abstract: A process to make atomically sharp cutting devices is described. The process may provide for a cost effective and efficient technique of producing the atomically sharp cutting devices made from single crystal material such as, for example, sapphire, silicon carbide, silicon, and the like. The process may include identifying and choosing a preferred geometric orientation of the crystal material where cleavage can be promoted along a preferred natural plane of the single crystal material, thus ultimately producing an atomically sharp edge. The single crystal material may be covered at select surface locations by a photo-resist material arranged in a predetermined alignment with reference to the preferred plane to prevent etching at unexposed surface portions while permitting etching at exposed surface portions of the single crystal material. An atomic edge may be created by physical cleaving once the etching has reached a predetermined end-point.

Abstract: A disposable, single-use utensil type is provided for use by children and child caregivers while traveling or otherwise away from home, wherein a spoon, knife, and fork are disclosed having features suitable for use by young children and a construction that is disposable after one use. The utensils include rounded edges and wide handles suitable for use by children, while the structure of the utensils is one that is disposable or recyclable after use. The utensils are packaged in sets and distributed as packs of disposable travel utensils, where further a travel pack is provided for storing a plurality of utensils during an outing and thereafter disposing of the utensils once in contact with food items and a child's mouth. The goal is to eliminate the need for parents to travel with permanent utensils, which become messy and are not easily stored after use.

Abstract: A ceramic knife and a method for producing the ceramic knife are disclosed. The ceramic knife includes a base member and two layers on the base member. The base member includes zirconia as a main component. The base member further includes a cutting edge and a cutting edge portion that is adjacent area of the cutting edge. Two layers include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is located at least on the cutting edge portion of the base member, and includes nitride material such as zirconium nitride, silicon nitride and aluminum nitride. The second layer is located on the first layer, and includes diamond-like carbon or DLS.

Abstract: Rolling mill shear provided with at least one blade having characteristics of toughness and resistance to thermal shock typical of the family of tool steels for hot shearing and at the same time having sufficiently high characteristics of surface hardness and wear resistance, typical of tool steels for cold shearing. This shear is particularly suitable for carrying out, with greater efficiency and for a longer time, relative to the known shears, the shearing of sections or bars at a temperature between 150 and 800° C., downstream of the Quenching & Tempering heat treatment thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel application of hard, low friction aluminum magnesium boride (AlMgB14, also known as BAM) based ceramic coatings to surfaces of razor components and in particular to blade edges of razor blades. On razor blade edges, these coatings may elevate blade performance, while also simplifying the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A composite material knife tool, comprising: a knife blade, lower rim of which is a knife-edge portion, at least a hole is provided on said knife blade; and a knife handle, which is formed integrally and extends to envelop said knife blade and said holes, thus exposing said knife-edge portion for cutting objects. Said composite material knife tool uses the smallest knife blade to achieve full utilization of knife tool, hereby realizing cost reduction effectively.

Abstract: An extendable utensil comprises a base part and a body formed from sheet material having a first surface and a second and surface, wherein the body is arranged in a wrap around the base part in successive turns, and a point on the first surface at an end of a turn is fixed to a point on the second surface at a beginning of the turn. A method of manufacturing an extendable utensil is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic cutlery item molded from a plastic material, such as polystyrene, having a metallic coating that imparts to this cutlery item the appearance of metal cutlery or silverware. In one embodiment the plastic cutlery or tableware items are molded using injection molding techniques, and subjected to a vacuum metallizing process in an individualized non-contiguous manner, where a thin metallic layer is deposited on at least one of their surfaces. The resultant items simulate the appearance of metal cutlery or tableware. In one embodiment of the invention the plastic cutlery or tableware articles are molded from a clear polystyrene resin and are coated with a thin stainless steel layer through vacuum sputtering deposition on only one of the sides. The abrasion resistance of the metallic coating can be enhanced by subjecting the articles to a post-metallizing holding period or by applying a clear protective overcoat.

Abstract: A cutting instrument (1) has a cutting blade portion (13) formed with a skin (7) made of an electrode material or a reaction product of the electrode material, the electrode material having been molten by pulse discharges induced between the cutting blade portion (13) and an electrode in a machining liquid or gas, having as the electrode one of a mold molded from powder of a kind or powder of a mixture of kinds out of a metal or metals, a metal compound or metal compounds, and a ceramic or ceramics, and a heat-treated mold being the mold as heat-treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to biodegradable nano-polymer compositions, or nanocomposites, comprising poly(lactic acid) and co-polyester polymer with adipic acid compounded with nanoparticles of a mineral material having a degree of purity of at least 99.9%, preferably 99.99%, selected from the group of silica and magnesium silicate. In addition, the present invention refers to a process for manufacturing the said compositions as well as biodegradable articles made on the basis of such compositions, such as molded, formed and extruded articles.

Abstract: A string for string trimmer has a non-circular cross section and is made of degradable material such as Polylactide (PLA), Polycaprolactone (PCL) or Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA). The string is a spiral string with multiple cutting edges spirally extending along a longitudinal axis of the string.

Abstract: A kitchen tool or implement construction comprises a composite glass fiber reinforced polyamide material, preferably “Nylon 6.6”, and may be used for making kitchen implements such as flour sieving implements, ladles, large spoons, mixing spatulas, whisks, smooth and perforated vanes, skimmers, bread, salad, spaghetti, sweet, sugar springs and grippers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a food peeler comprising a conical shaped handle having a longitudinal axis, a head containing a blade holder affixed to the top of the handle, the head having an axis transverse to the axis of the handle, the head comprising an elongated member with a recessed inner section, defining opposed vertically situated walls on opposite sides of the recessed inner section. The walls have flat inner surfaces, and vertically oriented projections extending from the surfaces thereof, and an orifice in the upper section of each wall, a blade mounted within a blade holder positioned within the recessed inner section, the blade comprising a flat elongated member having one exposed sharp edge, the blade holder further having a pin at each end thereof, each pin adapted to fit within one of the orifices of the walls to secure the blade holder in place.

Abstract: An improved structure of a cutting edge of a diamond blade allows the cutting edge to be constantly sharp for cutting and have a long service life. The cutting edge is formed at an appropriate part of a particularly shaped metal shank or blank and is corrugated by stamping so as to form recesses on two sides of the cutting edge. The recesses of the cutting edge have inner bottoms whose depths are one-half or more than one-half a thickness of the metal shank or blank. The cutting edge can be further formed with plural openings. In addition, the two sides of the cutting edge have outer surfaces electroplated or coated with diamond particles, wherein a vertical distance between outermost portions of layers of the diamond particles formed respectively on the two sides of the cutting edge is greater than a thickness of the cutting edge.

Abstract: Saw blades, including band saw blades, reciprocating saw blades, hole saw blades and hand hack saw blades, are made from a bi-metal strip. The bi-metal strip includes a cutting edge defined by a plurality of cutting teeth that is welded to an axially-elongated carbon or spring steel backing. The cutting edge is formed of a high speed steel alloy consisting essentially of: about 8/10% to about 1% carbon, up to about 45/100% silicon, up to about 4/10% manganese, up to about 3/100% phosphorous, up to about 3/100% sulfur, about 4% to about 6% cobalt, about 3% to about 5% chromium, about 4½% to about 5½% molybdenum, about 1% to about 2½% vanadium, about 5½% to about 7% tungsten, and about 74% to about 78½% iron.

Abstract: A child resistant safety scissor includes a first scissor member having a handle end and a blade end and having a first pivot point located between the handle end and the blade end; a second scissor member having a handle end and a blade end and having a second pivot point located between the handle end and the blade end; a pivot rotation means located at the first pivot point of the first scissor member and at the second pivot point of the second scissor member, rotatably connecting the first scissor member to the second scissor member at the pivot points; a slideable, spring-loaded lock mechanism first component located on the handle end of the first scissor member and a spring-loaded lock mechanism second component located on the handle end of the second scissor member, the first component having a first position, being a lock position wherein it is interconnected with the second component and is inoperable, and the first component having a second position being an unlocked position, wherein it is not inte

Abstract: A putty knife coated with a non-stick coating, such as a flurorpolymer, that integrates the non-stick surface properties into the knife thereby making the knife easier to clean and better for applying/removing materials.

Abstract: A product is formed from a crop-based resin that decomposes into a compost within 120 days or less and is heat resistant being able to remain in hot water at a temperature of at least 190 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 minutes without any substantial loss in rigidity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cemented carbide comprising 5 to 10 mass % of cobalt and/or nickel, and 0 to 10 mass % of at least one selected from a carbide (except for tungsten carbide), a nitride and a carbonitride of at least one selected from the group consisting of metals of groups 4, 5 and 6 of the Periodic Table, the balanced amount of tungsten carbide, a hard phase comprising mainly tungsten carbide particles, and containing ? particles of at least one selected from the carbide, the nitride and the carbonitride, and the hard phase being bonded through a binder phase comprising mainly cobalt and/or nickel, wherein a mean particle size of the tungsten carbide particles is 1 ?m or less, and the cemented carbide having a sea-island structure in which plural binder-phase-aggregated portions composed mainly of cobalt and/or nickel are scattered in the proportion of 10 to 70 area % based on the total area on the surface of the cemented carbide. The cemented carbide is excellent in wear resistance and fracture resistance.

Abstract: A cutter is composed of a Ni—Cr alloy containing from 32 to 44 mass percent of Cr, from 2.3 to 6.0 mass percent of Al, the balance being Ni, impurities, and additional trace elements and having a Rockwell C hardness of 52 or more. This Ni—Cr alloy provides a cutter produced with a superior workability and by a significantly simplified process, having a low deterioration in the hardness even when heated in use, having excellent corrosion resistance and low-temperature embrittlement resistance, and satisfactorily maintaining the cutting performance for a long time.

Abstract: A utensil is provided comprising a body and a handle. The handle includes a plurality of openings wherein at least a first opening is adjacent a second opening.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a heated blade for cutting a synthetic line or rope as well as heated sealing cylinders for sealing the cut or raw ends against raveling. The cutter can accommodate lines of a variety of diameters. The cutter is powered by a rechargeable battery and is portable and safe for use in a marine environment. Other embodiments seal the raw ends by shrinking a heat-shrinkable tubing over the raw ends.

Abstract: A shearing apparatus includes a pair of scissors including a first blade, a second blade, a first slide on the first blade and a second slide on the second blade. A first handle defines a groove for receiving the first slide, a first portion through which the pair of scissors can be retracted into and extended from the first handle, a second portion, a slot and two apertures in communication with the slot. A second handle is pivotally connected to the first handle. The second handle defines a groove for receiving the second slide. A positioning device is connected to the pair of scissors. The positioning device is normally located in one of the apertures to position the pair of scissors and can be pushed and then moved between the apertures along the slot to move the pair of scissors.

Abstract: A bimetal saw band which is suitable for cutting materials of high hardness and wear resistance at high cutting speeds and with a reduced consumption of coolant is disclosed. The saw band includes a support band with from 0.20 to 0.45% of carbon, from 0.2 to 0.6% of silicon, from 0.5 to 1.8% of manganese, from 0.1 to 3.5% of molybdenum, from 1.0 to 5.0% of chromium, from 0.5 to 1.5% of nickel, from 0.1 to 1.0% of copper, from 0.1 to 2.0% of tungsten, from 0.1 to 0.5% of vanadium, from 0.01 to 0.30% of niobium and/or tantalum and less than 0.2% of cobalt, and the remainder iron including melting-related impurities, with the tungsten, vanadium and niobium/tantalum contents matched to one another. The saw includes hardmetal tips including at least 75% of tungsten carbide and 5 to 15% of cobalt, as well as grain stabilizers with a grain size of less than 5 ?m.

Abstract: Sharp-edged cutting tools and a method of manufacturing sharp-edged cutting tools wherein at least a portion of the sharp-edged cutting tool is formed from a bulk amorphous alloy material are provided.

Abstract: A plate-shaped shearing knife is provided made of hard metal for shearing off allotments of liquid glass. The hard metal of the shearing knife has a thermal conductivity of at least 85 W/mK. Next to a V-shaped or circular-shaped cutting region -2-, there are edge regions on both sides that do not flare out wedge-like, and have an average width b which is in a range of 5% to 30% of the total width of the shearing knife B in this section.

Abstract: In a method of providing a surface with a protection layer having at least a first surface area (2) and a second surface area (1), which surface areas (1, 2) are distinguishable in that the surface areas (1, 2) differ from each other in at least one visual property, parts of the surface situated outside the first surface area (2) are masked with a mask layer which partially covers the surface, and the surface is subjected to an electrochemical treatment (14, 20), whereby non-masked parts of the surface are treated. As the mask layer provided on the surface is a sol-gel layer forming the protection layer in the second surface area (1), a wear-resistant surface-protection layer having visually distinguishable surface areas is provided in an efficient manner. An object which can be obtained by means of the proposed method is also described.

Abstract: A composite tool comprising a supporting part of a metallic material having a first composition and a working part of a metallic material having a second composition which is different from the first composition, a process for the manufacture thereof and a method of cutting an austentic alloy article with this composite tool. The supporting part of the composite tool is made of a tenacious iron-based material, and the working part is made of a precipitation harden iron-cobalt-tungsten alloy. The parts are joined by a metallic connection.

Abstract: An object is provided, which has a portion to be in contact with a human's skin when used, and can suppress irritation of the human's skin. A skin-contact portion of the object to be in contact with the human's skin when used is coated with a carbon film. For example, the carbon-film-coated object is glasses having ear pieces of temples and node pads coated at least partially with carbon films having a function of suppressing skin irritation.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymeric thermoplastic moldable compositions comprising poly(alkylene carbonates), which are useful in manufacturing of articles which may be manipulated and shaped by their user, but regain their shape after distortion. These compositions are free from toxic compounds and have a glass transition temperature from about 15° C. to about 132° C. These compositions are useful in manufacturing of articles such as toys, utensils to convey solids or liquids to the mouth, soothing articles (i.e., teething rings and pacifiers) and articles which support food (i.e., candy/confection sticks or holders.) They are most useful in manufacturing of children's toys and products.

Abstract: A plate-shaped shearing knife is provided made of hard metal for shearing off allotments of liquid glass. The hard metal of the shearing knife has a thermal conductivity of at least 85 W/mK. Next to a V-shaped or circular-shaped cutting region -2-, there are edge regions on both sides that do not flare out wedge-like, and have an average width b which is in a range of 5% to 30% of the total width of the shearing knife B in this section.

Abstract: A rescue working tool is provided with a luminescent layer on exposed portions of the tool, and preferably over the entirety of the working tool. In a specific embodiment, the working tool is a rescue saw used to cut through debris and mangled structure at a vehicle crash or building collapse site. The luminescent layer can be fluorescent, but is preferably phosphorescent so that the layer emits light when the tool is used in low light or darkness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning body made of high-grade steel for the cleaning of human skin, in particular under running water, with at least one cleaning-active area. A particularly good odor-removing effect of the cleaning body according to the invention is achieved in that the cleaning-active area is formed by an accessible area of the surface of the cleaning body, whereby the cleaning-active area is finally worked by metal-cutting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spoon for receiving soft or liquid food. Said spoon has a handle with an attached mouthpiece constructed of soft and flexible material. The aim of the invention is to significantly simplify the manner in which food is received by small children and people with facial paralysis. The spoon has a practical shape in that the mouthpiece is trough-shaped and concave and has a level defining upper edge, whereby the thickness of the mouthpiece in the front and on the lateral side is proportional so that its concave shape can be inverted by the pressure of the tongue (Z) during swallowing and the mouthpiece can adapt to the arched shape of the hard palate (G) in a sagital and transversal direction.

Abstract: A handle of a cutting device is formed of shape memory resin. The handle has an assisting portion that makes it easy to reshape the handle.

Abstract: An explosive laminated cutting tool which provides a self sharpening edge. The improved cutting tool s preferably comprised of two softer metals adhered to a hard central layer forming the cutting edge, with the central layer being made of such a material as tungsten carbide. The central laminate layer is preferably perforated to allow the outer layers to fuse through the perforations to adhere to one another, thus creating a strongly bonded laminated cutting structure which may be self sharpening. A method for manufacturing the cutting tool is also described. Another embodiment comprises a laminate wherein one of the layers has a plurality of recesses in the surface facing another layer. The recesses are filled with particles such as tungsten carbide or diamond. When the layers are explosively welded together, the particles are fused in the weld area.

Abstract: Densely sintered piece of cutlery, which is produced of a high performance ceramic oxide in an injection molding process and which exhibits a decoration based upon metal oxide, which is fired in at a temperature of between 600° C. and 1,700° C., as well as process for production thereof. This type of cutlery possesses high value appearance which visually distinguishes them from conventional cutlery pieces.

Abstract: A knife handle formed of two diverse materials includes a frame of rigid, thermosetting plastic having external surfaces and an elongated, internal cavity. A somewhat rubbery, resilient material covers portions of both the external surfaces and the cavity walls of the frame. The cavity is open at the distal end of the handle and is of substantially rectangular cross section. The resilient material covers all four walls of the cavity from the open end for a portion of its length, and covers only the two longer sides within the main body of the frame. A tang extending integrally from the knife blade is inserted into the cavity, contacting only the resilient material, with interference fit, within the cavity. Assembly is completed by inserting a rivet through aligned openings in the tang and handle, the handle openings being entirely surrounded by the resilient material.

Abstract: A hard facing for an agricultural machine blade which contains hard particles of 40 to 100 .mu.m in particle size and a hardness of greater than 1400 HV in a matrix with hardness of 500 to 800 HV.

Abstract: Knives molded from a plastics material for cutting lettuce and for cutting baked goods in a non-stick pan respectively are described. The blade portions of the knives include a cutting edge comprised of arcuate, convex segments. The thickness of the blade increases from the cutting edge in discrete steps, resulting in a stronger blade that remains sharp longer. Being molded from a plastics material, the knives will not promote the oxidation of cut lettuce nor scratch or damage the surface of a non-stick pan respectively.

Abstract: Polyacetal compositions containing a minor amount of sodium acetate sufficient to exhibit a luminous flame when exposed to combustible conditions.

Abstract: An improved hand shear is provided having a wear-resistant cutting edge made of either:70% to 84.5% tungsten carbide and 15.5% to 30% cobalt; or70% to 97% tungsten carbide and 3% to 30% nickel; or94% to 99.9% by weight of tungsten carbide and nickel taken together, the ratio of tungsten carbide to nickel being 0.70:0.30 to 0.97:0.03, and 0.1% to 6% of at least one of cobalt, titanium carbide and tantalum carbide.

Abstract: A utility knife (10) incorporates a handle (12) and a multi-purpose blade (14) with multiple sharpened cutting edges (48, 50 and 52) to facilitate making various types of cuts without changing grip, positions, knives, and/or blades.