An aqueous ink for ink jet containing a self-dispersible pigment, an aromatic sulfinic acid or a salt thereof and an aromatic sulfonic acid or a salt thereof.

An aqueous ink containing a self-dispersible pigment for use in an ink jet recording method using a recording head that ejects an ink by an action of thermal energy. The aqueous ink contains a compound represented by General Formula (I): where in General Formula (I) R1's are independently of each other, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxylic acid group, a phosphoric acid group or a phosphonic acid group, R2 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and n is an integer of 1 to 5.

An ultralight suitcase comprises a case framework, case material, pull rods, wheels and supporting legs. The case framework comprises upper connectors, lower connectors, upper corner connectors and lower corner connectors; the bottom parts of the lower corner connectors are connected with the supporting legs; the upper connectors and the lower connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the upper corner connectors and the lower corner connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the upper connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the lower connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the upper corner connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the lower corner connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the whole framework of the case is firmer through the buckling connection between the upper corner connectors and the upper connectors and between the lower corner connectors and the lower connectors, and the total weight of the suitcase remains unchanged.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an expandable suitcase comprises: a front portion; a back portion; a plurality of side panels, each side panel aligning with one of a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side of the suitcase, and each side panel having a primary board, at least a first side board rotatably connected to the primary board about a common edge therewith, and a first side flap rotatably connected to the first side board about a common edge opposing the common edge with the primary board; and a plurality of hinges disposed at an intersection of two side panels, each hinge comprising a first hinge panel attached to one of the side panels and a second hinge panel connected to the other side panel, wherein the hinge remains in a substantially planar position in a rested state.

The invention provides a carry-on wheeled luggage (1) for photographic equipment that has an interior compartment (80) deep enough to accommodate a large article of photographic equipment such as at least a 400 mm 2.8 f-stop aperture telephoto lens.

A piece of luggage has a body with a surface. A weight scale has a top surface and is disposed in the body of the luggage. The top surface of the weight scale is coplanar with the surface of the body of the luggage. The weight scale determines a weight of the piece of luggage when in an operating state. When the weight scale is in a non-operating state it is stored safely within the body of the luggage. Most importantly the weight scale does not stick out from the body of the luggage so as to be susceptible to damage during transport of the luggage.

A case for a portable electronic device such as cell phones, cameras, MP3 players and PDAs wherein said case includes material at the corners to provide protection to the electronic device. To reduce bulk at the corners and allow the material forming the case to conform with the contours of the device, the protection at the corners includes strips of material defining apertures there between. The apertures provide reduction in bulk and allow the case to conform to the corners of the device therein. Alternately, the protection at the corners can be provided by other structures co-molded into the corners of the cases. Such structures include material that is of a reduced thickness than other material used in the case, or structures that are formed to conform to the corners of the case. Such structures can be joined to the material forming the panels of the case by co-molding.

An apparatus that includes a suitcase and integrated support arrangements that are transformable from an extended state to provide support for a person to lie down and a stored state for ease of transport.

This invention relates generally to wheeled luggage, and particularly to wheeled luggage with one or more controlled wheels for improved tracking and steering control of the luggage case when it is in motion. The invention provides a support structure for a luggage case comprising a plurality of spaced parallel wheels and at least one biasing element that is operable up to a certain torque to releasably restrain the angular movement at least one wheel to at least one angular position with respect to the base. Conveniently, the at least one angular position corresponds to a desired direction of travel.

The present invention is a smart luggage having an outer case and an inner case with a weight determination mechanism therebetween in electrical communication with a circuit having firmware and an exterior electronic display. The circuit further incorporates a GPS locator and a transponder, whereby a user having a mobile device enabled with tracking software may be able to locate and retrieve lost or stolen luggage. Also provided within the smart luggage is a camera that can take one or more pictures when the smart luggage is opened by a person.

A display stand case table provides additional utility for users attending tradeshows, conventions and similar events by providing a work table or display table usable for various purposes. In addition to including a protective housing for transporting displays stands, the case is convertible to a table configuration wherein a carried tabletop is supported by a top edge of the case along with a related hinged lid. In this way, the tabletop is of sufficient size for the display of promotional items, samples, brochures, etc. while also being sufficiently supported. In addition, a secondary lid is provided at an interim location along one side of the case body. The secondary lid can be supported in a substantially horizontal orientation, thus providing an additional supporting shelf. It is contemplated that this secondary support shelf provides a surface to hold or contain audio visual equipment, laptop computers or promotional materials.

A portable suitcase tabletop system features a suitcase with a u-shaped telescopic handle located on a suitcase top surface. The telescopic handle slides out and away from the suitcase top surface when extended. The suitcase features a plurality of wheels located on a suitcase bottom surface. The system features a planar table pivotally located on a suitcase rear surface or a suitcase front surface. A U-shaped bar is slides out from the suitcase rear surface or the suitcase front surface next to a table bottom surface. The bar supports the table. The table and the bar are located in a zippered pouch. A telescopic front support slides out from a front support cavity located in the suitcase rear surface or the suitcase front surface close to the suitcase bottom surface.

A suitcase comprising a body with an edge adapted to be coupled to a space of a connection means for a partition adapted to divide the internal space of the suitcase into a smaller space and a larger space, the connection comprising a raceway adapted to be slidingly coupled to a sliding element which is complementary to the raceway and fixed to a support element with which the partition is integrally associated, the connection includes an internal portion of the body made of soft material, at the extremity of which the raceway which is made of rigid material is fixed, and an external portion of the body made of soft material, the sliding element being made of rigid material fixed to the support element which is made of soft material.

A bow case that includes a body with a bottom, a top, four sides, an internal storage area, at least one removable leg that supports the body in a raised position, and a mounting bracket that removably attaches the leg to the body. Area of a rear side is greater than an area of a front side. Also, left and right sides may be inclined from a rear side to a front side. A bow case that includes a body with a top, a bottom, an internal storage area, and an internal storage cavity, where the bow case body is trapezoidally shaped. The cavity is externally accessible while the body remains closed, and any contents stored in the internal storage area are prevented from exiting the body as the body is rotated in any direction while the body is closed.

The briefcase and backpack luggage includes a housing that may carry a plurality of items. The housing comprises a case portion of the housing that may store the items. A folder portion of the housing is coupled to the case portion of the housing. The folder portion of the housing may store items. A handle is coupled to the housing. The handle may be gripped. A strap is coupled to the housing. The strap may be positionable on the user so the housing is retained on the user.

An expandable item carrying device facilitates carrying items such as groceries and the like. The device includes a container having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending upwardly from a perimeter edge of the bottom wall defining an interior space. A top edge of the perimeter wall defines an opening into the interior space. The perimeter wall has a pair of opposed ends sides and a pair of longitudinal sides extending between the opposed end sides. The longitudinal sides and the bottom wall are compactable along a longitudinal axis of the bottom wall. A primary handle comprises opposed ends coupled to a first one of the longitudinal sides of the perimeter wall.

A micromechanical component is described having a substrate which has at least one stator electrode fixedly mounted with respect to the substrate, a movable mass having at least one actuator electrode fixedly mounted with respect to the movable mass, and at least one spring via which the movable mass is displaceable. The movable mass is structured from the substrate with the aid of at least one separating trench, at least one outer stator electrode spans at least one section of the at least one separating trench and/or of the movable mass, the at least one actuator electrode protrudes between the at least one outer stator electrode and the substrate, and at least one inner stator electrode protrudes between the at least one actuator electrode and the substrate. A related manufacturing method is also described for a micromechanical component.

One embodiment of the invention provides a system for identifying an anomalous movement of a reciprocating element in a reciprocating device, the system comprising: at least one sensing device for sensing a vibration signal of the reciprocating element; a processing apparatus for separating the vibration signal into a first component having a first frequency range and a second component having a second frequency range different than the first frequency range; and a device for at least one of analyzing or displaying at least one of the first or the second components of the vibration signal, wherein the vibration signal includes positional data of the reciprocating element along at least one axis of the reciprocating element.

A method, apparatus and system for testing the self-sealing properties of a concrete sample. The method may include providing an apparatus for creating a consistent and reproducible crack in a concrete sample and creating a consistent and reproducible crack in the concrete sample with the apparatus. The method may further include providing a fluidic delivery system that provides a consistent flow of fluid for testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample and testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample with the system.

The invention relates to a method for determining the fatigue capital of a cable supporting a civil engineering structure, the method including: a measuring step (S1, S2) during which the normal tensile stress in the cable and the bending stress in the cable are measured in a synchronized manner so as to obtain the compound stress in the cable; a counting step (S3) during which a count of the number of stress cycles, depending on the amplitude of the stress, is carried out from the measured compound stresses; and a step (S4) of assessing the fatigue capital of the cable during which the fatigue capital of the cable is determined by comparing the count, carried out in the counting step, with a pre-set Wohler curve for the cable.

Apparatus configured detect a physical quantity, for example a density, of a flowing fluid, the apparatus including: a sensor body (2) configured to extend into the flowing fluid, the sensor body comprising a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) of a fiber Bragg grating sensor (3, 7, FBG), for generating a detector signal relating to vibration of at least part (2B) of the sensor body (2); anda processing unit, configured to process the detector signal, and to determine the physical quantity based on detected vibration at a mechanical eigenfrequency of the flexible part (2B) of the sensor body (2).

A kiosk apparatus that may select for a person a recommended footcare product based on pressure measurements collected from pressures sensors or calculated biomechanical data estimates. Pressure measurements and calculated biomechanical data estimates may be used to determine if a foot is unshod on the pressure sensor and also group a person into a classified subgroup. The pressure measurement and calculated biomechanical data estimates may also be used to select a recommended footcare product.

A manufacturing method for a cap, for a hybrid vertically integrated component having a MEMS component a relatively large cavern volume having a low cavern internal pressure, and a reliable overload protection for the micromechanical structure of the MEMS component. A cap structure is produced in a flat cap substrate in a multistep anisotropic etching, and includes at least one mounting frame having at least one mounting surface and a stop structure, on the cap inner side, having at least one stop surface, the surface of the cap substrate being masked for the multistep anisotropic etching with at least two masking layers made of different materials, and the layouts of the masking layers and the number and duration of the etching steps being selected so that the mounting surface, the stop surface, and the cap inner side are situated at different surface levels of the cap structure.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit system including a first active layer fabricated on a front side of a semiconductor die and a second pre-fabricated layer on a back side of the semiconductor die and having electrical components embodied therein, wherein the electrical components include at least one discrete passive component. The integrated circuit system also includes at least one electrical path coupling the first active layer and the second pre-fabricated layer.

Remotely readable valve position indicators and related methods are described. An example apparatus in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure includes a valve body, a valve stem and a fluid flow control apparatus coupled to the valve stem. The fluid flow control apparatus is longitudinally displaceable between a first position and a second position to control fluid flow through a flow aperture of the valve body. The apparatus also includes a valve position indicator including an identifier device coupled to the valve stem. In the first position, the wireless identifier device associated with a first value indicative of the first position of the fluid flow control apparatus. In the second position, the wireless identifier device associated with a second value indicative of the second position of the fluid flow control apparatus.

A method of calculating a 3-D geologic model in real time using, as input, 2-D geologic data. The 3-D is used for conducting further drilling operations. The model may be updated in real time using additional measurements obtained during drilling operations.

An under deck mid cabin entry system for a mono hull boat including an entry console and exposed top and front surfaces. Front and top openings extend to the top edge of the front surface and collectively define a generally L shaped entryway. The entry console is disposed to the side of a center console and provides access to steps extending beneath the main deck. A top step is within the entry console proximate to the front surface and the steps curve towards a central beam of the boat and descend into the mid cabin such that a bottom step proximate to a floor of the mid cabin directs a user into a central area of the mid cabin and terminates to avoid obstructing movement in the central area.

An equipment complex for deploying and recovering marine geophysical seismic or electric-survey bottom stations is mounted on a ship. The complex includes—a powered capstan, —rotatable turntables and rolls, —load-bearing units connected to the bottom stations by various fasten means and capable of winding onto the capstan and turntables, a work platform supporting a bottom station placed thereon, —an indicator for registration of the bottom stations' coordinates, mounted on the platform, —a limit switch mounted on the platform, switching ON when the bottom station is placed on the work platform, and OFF when it's removed therefrom providing for operation of the indicator. The complex may include floating buoys, damping loads, and halyards for deploying the stations. Methods for deploying and recovering the bottom stations using the equipment complex are described. Some recovering methods contemplate winding the load-bearing units onto the capstan, while switching the turntables for each subsequent load-bearing unit.

A method and device to permit a water vessel to releasably capture a line in a towing station, remote from a parent ship. The towing station may be attached to the parent ship via a tow line. The line capturing device is an actuated catch that includes a hook assembly that is moveable between a release mode and a retrieval and holding mode. The actuated catch also includes a spring biased retaining catch that prevents a captured line from being inadvertently released.

The present invention provides an improved height adjustable tower with integrated cargo rack apparatus for wakeboard boats. The inventive apparatus enables the adjustability of the height of the cargo rack/bimini which is accomplished by lowering or raising the lower tower legs with an actuator after releasing a locking mechanism. The apparatus also includes a displacement mechanism which allows the cargo rack to be simultaneously translated and rotated. The benefit to the user is the ability to control the amount of shade/sun for the people in the general cockpit area. It also allows a user to achieve a higher walk-through height for ease of maneuvering in the boat and provides easy access to items stored on top of the cargo rack.

An oil spill clean-up apparatus and method, and more specifically to a self-contained oil spill clean-up vessel with ice displacement capabilities. One preferred oil spill clean-up system includes a vessel subsystem, an ice displacement subsystem, and an oil spill skimming subsystem. Preferred oil spill clean-up systems may include at least one storage subsystem. Preferred oil spill clean-up systems may include an oil/water separation and removal subsystem.

A method of fabricating a micro drill, which includes a drill part for machining a hole and a shank part fixed to a motor, the drill part and the shank part being made of different materials. The method includes the steps of forming a drill part-forming powder compact having a recess in one end thereof, and forming a shank part-forming powder compact having a protrusion, the protrusion intended to be fitted into the recess of the drill part-forming powder compact, forming an assembly of the drill part-forming powder compact and the shank part-forming powder compact, with the protrusion fitted into the recess, and simultaneously sintering the assembly of the drill part-forming powder compact and the shank part-forming powder compact.

In some examples, a laminated tooling die may include multiple sheets or plates used in conjunction in any of a number of forming operations such as, for example, hydroforming, compression molding, and stamping. The sheets or plates can include an open interior that, when used in conjunction with neighboring sheets, produce a cavity into which a deformable workpiece can be placed and subjected to the forming operation. In some examples, one or more sheets can be coupled with a heat exchanger to impart a heat transfer with the workpiece.

A cutting table includes a cutting surface, an opposing surface, a cutting table outer wall, and one or more fins. The cutting table outer wall extends from the circumference of the opposing surface to the circumference of the cutting surface. The fins extend from a portion of the cutting surface to a portion of the cutting table outer wall. The cutting table is optionally leached prior to forming the fins. One or more fins are positioned in parallel with at least another fin in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the fins are positioned circumferentially around the cutting surface. In some embodiments, the cutting table is coupled to a substrate to form a cutter. The fins are formed either after or during the formation of the cutting table.

A method of thermo-mechanically processing a preform composed of tool steel and a tool to modify a workpiece. The preform has a region containing austenite. The method comprises establishing the region at a process temperature between a martensitic start temperature and a stable austenitic temperature. While at the process temperature, the region is deformed to change an outer dimension and to modify the microstructure to a depth of 1 millimeter or more. The tool comprises a member composed of tool steel. The member includes a first region that extends from the outer surface to a depth of greater than 1 millimeter and a second region. The first region includes a plurality of grains having an average misorientation angle greater than about 34°, an average grain size that is at least 10% smaller than the second region, and has a different grain orientation than the second region.

An elliptical climbing exercise apparatus includes a base frame, a swing unit including a pair of swing arms, a pedal unit including a pair of pedal shafts respectively pivotally connected to the swing arms, a damping unit including a rotating wheel with a spindle, a guiding unit including a pair of cranks respectively affixed to the two opposite ends of the spindle, a pair of rockers respectively pivotally connected to the cranks and a pair of links respectively pivotally connected to the rocker. Cooperation between the base frame, the swing unit, the pedal unit, the resistance unit and the guiding unit is used to achieve a training of the leg muscles.

Apparatus (2) for exercising a person's calves (4) in two different ways, which apparatus (2) comprises a footrest (8), a kneerest (10), and a length of stretchable material (12) for extending between the footrest (8) and the kneerest (10), and the apparatus (2) being such that: (i) the length of stretchable material (12) is flat sided;(ii) the footrest (8) has roller means (14);(iii) the roller means (14) allows the length of stretchable material (12) to connect to the footrest (8) such that the flat sides of the length of stretchable material (12) slide over the roller means (16);(iv) the kneerest (10) has anchor means (16) for the length of stretchable material (12);(v) the anchor means (16) allows the length of stretchable material (12) to connect to the kneerest (10) such that the flat sides of the length of stretchable material (12) pass over the anchor means (16); and(vi) the footrest (8), the kneerest (10), and the length of flexible material (12) are separable from each other.

A method and apparatus for physical exercises and, in particular, for training the movements “jump” and “squat” from spot for training. The method and apparatus can have the “jump” and “squat” motions follow into a continuous alternating sequence as a response to a passing via a training spot in the same continuous alternating sequence of a lower obstacle, obligating the performance of “jump”, and of the upper obstacle obligating the performance of “squat”.

A device and methods for bilateral or unilateral physical therapy of lower limbs are disclosed. The device comprises a curved rail mounted on a base and a pair of support members configured to accommodate a portion of a leg of a person, and to slide along the curved rail. The curved rail allows lateral movements of the lower limbs with the support members, the movements being driven by a force of the lower limbs. The methods of the invention allow physical unilateral or bilateral therapy of lower limbs of a person. The initial reinforcement of the lower limbs of a person is improved by the use of this device, which reduces the friction or the resistance caused by the device during the prescribed movements. The invention provides to patients with severe lower limb disability, a physical therapy device that is easy to use with minimum supervision by a physical therapist.

A insensitive explosive comprises: 34.9 wt % diethylenetriamine trinitrate (DETN),33.4 wt % ethylenediamine dinitrate (EDD),25.4 wt % methyl-guanidine (MeNQ), and6.3 wt % guanidine (NQ). This quaternary eutectic is used in combination with a sensitive explosive. A low melting temperature facilitates melt casting to fill 155 mm artillery shells.

Bimetallic alloys prepared in a ball milling process, such as iron nickel (FeNi), iron palladium (FePd), and magnesium palladium (MgPd) provide in situ catalyst system for remediating and degrading nitro explosive compounds. Specifically, munitions, such as, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine (RDX), nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine that have become contaminants in groundwater, soil, and other structures are treated on site to remediate explosive contamination.

The present invention relates to a method for recrystallizing fine spherical cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (Research Department Explosive, hereinafter, referred to as “RDX”) particles, and the method for recrystallizing fine spherical RDX particles according to the present invention may include (a) introducing a powder material containing RDX into a container, (b) introducing a dimethylether compressed gas into the container and dissolving the RDX to form a RDX solution, (c) releasing and decompressing the RDX solution into atmospheric pressure to form crystallized RDX particles, and (d) separating and collecting the RDX particles.

Provided is a fuel of catalytic metal-containing ionic liquid (MCIL) and an IL, to spur hypergolic ignition of such liquids upon contact with an oxidizer to define a hypergolic bipropellant.

The invention concerns copper azide containing carbon nanotubes. The invention also concerns methods of producing such nanotubes by placing CuO nanoparticles within carbon nanotubes to produce CuO-containing carbon nanotubes, contacting CuO-containing carbon nanotubes with hydrogen to produce reduced nanotubes; and contacting the reduced nanotubes with hydrazoic acid to produce copper azide containing carbon nanotubes.

A double base propellant modifier uses a lead-tin component with a defined amount of lead and a copper component with a defined surface area to effect super-rate burning of double base propellants with defined plateau and mesa burning rate characteristics.

A composition capable of producing either solid propellant grains, liquid or gel monopropellants, all of which are electrically ignitable and capable of sustained controllable combustion at ambient pressure. Additional compositions capable of sustained controllable combustion at elevated pressures are described. Applications for the compositions disclosed herein are provided, and include among other applications use in small micro thrusters, large core-burning solid propellant gains, shaped explosives charges for military application, and pumpable liquids and gel monopropellants or explosives for military, commercial mining or gas and oil recovery. In alternative embodiments the above compositions may also incorporate an energetic nitrate polymer, bum rate modifiers, and/or metal fuel(s). The HIPEP formulation makes it possible to ignite and sustain combustion at ambient and vacuum conditions (a) without continuous electrical power and (b) while providing faster bum rates.

Reduced toxicity fuels containing hydrocarbons having both strained rings and internal, conjugated triple bonds are disclosed. The fuels described herein are hypergolic with nitrogen tetroxide and/or inhibited red fuming nitric acid.

The present invention discloses a drive device for a rotor of s carousel door, In addition to a main drive motor (10), which has a main-drive-motor shaft (12), the drive device according to the invention comprises a secondary drive motor (12) with a secondary-drive-motor shaft (22). The main-drive-motor shaft (12) is coupled at least indirectly to the secondary-drive-motor shaft (22, 62) in terms of rotation, and therefore the secondary-drive-motor shaft (22, 62) is coupled to the rotor in terms of movement.

A method for processing explosives containing a high loading of CL-20 may advantageously include a binder system having naphthenic oil and/or paraffinic oil. Solid energetic ingredients are added into the binder system and mixed to form a free-flowing suspension in which the solid energetic ingredients are homogeneously mixed and coated with the binder system. The binder system is then cured and cast to form a cross-linked explosive.

The invention provides for a receptor, capable of binding to a target molecule, linked to a hygroscopic polymer or hydrogel; and the use of this receptor in a device for detecting the target molecule in a gaseous and/or liquid phase. The invention also provides for a method for detecting the presence of a target molecule in the gas phase using the device. In particular, the receptor can be a peptide capable of binding a 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) or 2,4,-dinitrotoluene (DNT).