An annealing process for a TMR or GMR sensor having an amorphous free layer is disclosed and employs at least two annealing steps. A first anneal at a temperature T1 of 200° C. to 270° C. and for a t1 of 0.5 to 15 hours is employed to develop the pinning in the AFM and pinned layers. A second anneal at a temperature T2 of 260° C. to 400° C. where T2>T1 and t1>t2 is used to crystallize the amorphous free layer and complete the pinning. An applied magnetic field of about 8000 Oe is used during both anneal steps. The mechanism for forming a sensor with high MR and robust pinning may involve structural change in the tunnel barrier or at an interface between two of the layers in the spin valve stack. A MgO tunnel barrier and a CoFe/CoB free layer are preferred.

A method for treating a component comprising a metallic or ceramic material with a crystalline, semi-crystalline or amorphous structure. According to the method, to case-harden the component, at least part of the surface of the component is exposed to an oil jet, while the temperature of the oil and/or the component is regulated. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out the method.

A biometric monitoring device and multiple carrying cases for same are provided. In some implementations, the case may be made from a flexible viscoelastic material and the biometric monitoring device may be slipped into a receptacle in the case through an opening in the case; the opening may become distended during the insertion of the biometric monitoring device. In some implementations, the case may feature a display window that, in combination with materials of the biometric monitoring device, may mask a display of the biometric monitoring device from view when the display is off and may allow the display to be seen when the display is displaying content.

A system and a device for anti-thief protection, especially for open pockets of trousers, bags and the like, includes a mobile protection strip element (1) to be applied on the pockets hooks (12). The aim is attained by superposing the strip (1) on the pocket (T) and blocking the strip (1) using a plurality of hooks (12) in the form of clips located in the lower part (5) of the strip (1), the strip (1) supported by support elements (G), located in the upper part (2) thereof, which insert or hook in the zone overlying the pocket (T) to be protected.

A one-piece ice chest cover for changing the appearance of an ice chest includes a flexible main pocket portion having a front side, two lateral sides, and a back side forming a main pocket opening for receiving a main body of the ice chest. It also includes a flexible lid pocket portion formed of an inner portion configured to face an inner-facing surface of a lid of the ice chest and an outer portion for covering an outer-facing surface of the lid. The lid pocket portion may include a lid pocket opening sized smaller than a size of the main pocket opening. The lid pocket opening may be sized to receive a portion of the lid of the ice chest. The outer portion of the lid pocket portion may be connected to the back side of the main pocket portion so that the ice chest cover flexes when the lid is pivoted to open and close the ice chest.

A toteable or wearable fashion item configured to provide an electronic charge to a mobile electronic device. The device includes a battery comprising one USB port and one pin port and a pouch secured to the fashion device and containing the battery substantially concealed therein, the pouch defining at least one opening which facilitates access to the USB port and the pin port.

A system and method are provided for the shielding of outdoor electrical equipment from inclement weather, the system comprising: a plurality of support brackets affixed to the outdoor electrical equipment; a support frame disposed in the support brackets; a waterproof cover disposed over the frame; an apron depending from the cover, configured to cover electrical connections on a side of the outdoor electrical equipment.

A sign holder device for the support and display of signage. The device includes a base, sign holder and a stem, the stem having a first end appended to the base and a second end supporting the sign holder. The stem has a length defined by the distance between its first and second ends, the length being adjustable to vary the distance between the base and sign holder.

An apparatus to support a device includes a first base; a first support; a first base-support hinge adapted to rotatably couple the first base and the first support along a first axis of rotation; a first swivel slidably connected to the first support and having a first cut-out adapted to receive a first portion of the device; a second base; a second support; a second base-support hinge adapted to rotatably couple the second base and the second support along a second axis of rotation; and a second swivel slidably connected to the second support and having a second cut-out adapted to receive a second portion of the device spaced apart from the first portion of the device.

A point of sale device includes a card mounted on a hanger on a vertically extending mounting structure of a retail shop. The card carries a reusable storage container in which articles are stored. The container includes a body with an opening closed by a transparent, sealable, removable and re-sealable lid. The container is mounted on the card and the device is mounted on the hanger so a prospective purchaser can see the articles through the transparent lid. In one embodiment, the body includes a permanent magnet abutting the base.

First support portions 71 and 72 positioned on a predetermined straight line L2 approximately perpendicular to a broken line of a hinge portion is set in a support portion 70 that supports a back plate 27 with respect to a back face side of a door portion 36. Second and third support portions 73 and 74 positioned in line symmetry with respect to the straight line L2, are set in the support portion 70. It is possible to receive the centrifugal force, which is applied to the back plate 27 due to the expansion of the door portion 36, with good balance by the first to third support portions 71, 72, 73, and 74. An emblem 24 can be reliably fixed to the door portion 36 with preventing a fixing pin 31 from being excessively locked into a through hole 33 more than necessary.

The invention relates to a device for identifying an animal, comprising a male part and a female part which are intended to be joined together, said female part comprising a head (12) for holding a tip of said male part, and a rigid shell (11) containing electronic identification means (42). According to the invention, a resin (41) is placed inside a housing defined in said shell so as to cover said electronic means (42) and to secure said head (12) to said shell (11).

Methods for cleaning a side edge of a thin film photovoltaic substrate utilizing a laser are provided. The method can include transporting the substrate in a machine direction to move the substrate past a first laser source, and focusing a first laser beam generated by the first laser source onto the side edge of the substrate such that the laser beam removes the thin film present on the side edge of the substrate. An apparatus is also generally provided for cleaning a first side edge and a second side edge of a thin film photovoltaic substrate.

A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The solution tank may include an inlet and an outlet. The cleaning device may include at least one discharge line filter in fluid communication with the solution tank and a pump having a pump intake and a pump discharge. The pump may be configured to direct cleaning solution from the solution tank outlet through the at least one discharge line filter. The cleaning device may include a cleaning head in fluid communication with the pump discharge and a bypass line in fluid communication with the pump discharge and the inlet. The bypass line may be configured to divert cleaning solution received from the pump discharge away from the cleaning head and toward the solution tank.

A substrate rotates, and a liquid nozzle of a gas/liquid supply nozzle moves to a position above the center of the rotating substrate. In this state, a rinse liquid is discharged from the liquid nozzle onto the rotating substrate. The gas/liquid supply nozzle moves toward a position outside the substrate. A gas nozzle reaches the position above the center of the rotating substrate, so that the gas/liquid supply nozzle temporarily stops. With the gas/liquid supply nozzle stopping, an inert gas is discharged onto the center of the rotating substrate for a given period of time. After that, the gas/liquid supply nozzle again moves toward the position outside the substrate.

A method for cleaning a film separating device involves: a) performing positive-direction water cleaning when the ratio between the film filter resistance and the preliminary film filter resistance is less than 1.2; b) performing reverse water cleaning when the ratio between the film filter resistance and the preliminary film filter resistance is greater-than or equal-to 1.2; c) performing reverse chemical cleaning when the ratio between the film filter resistance and the preliminary film filter resistance is greater-than or equal-to 2; d) performing positive-direction chemical cleaning when the ratio between the film filter resistance and the preliminary film filter resistance is greater-than or equal-to 3.

A dishwasher having a washing compartment; an air-guiding channel to generate an airflow; and a sorption drying system to dry items to be washed. The sorption drying system has a sorption compartment with reversibly dehydratable sorption material and the sorption compartment is connected to the washing compartment by the air-guiding channel. The reversibly dehydratable sorption material in the sorption compartment is layered in form of a sorption unit that has an inlet cross-sectional area such that the substantially identical respective air volume flow value that is applied to each entry point of the inlet cross-sectional area.

A device for cleaning and sanitizing a moving handrail, such as those found on escalators and moving walkways. The device can automatically and continuously sanitize a handrail as it moves past or through the device, thereby preventing the spread of germs and viruses and encouraging users to make contact with the handrail for safety reasons without worrying about disease transmission.

A device (20) for adjusting the blade guard holder (17) arranged on the saw arm (3) of a wall saw (1), having a coupling element (25) is provided, whereby a first end of the coupling element (25) is joined to the blade guard holder (17), and, in a locked state, a second end is joined to the saw arm (3).

A supply device for a handheld power tool for a cutting grinder includes a cutting tool and a protective cover which at least partially surrounds the cutting tool. The supply device includes a U-shaped element which can be arranged on the protective cover and via which a fluid medium can be supplied to the cutting tool. The U-shaped element has a connection piece on which a coupling element can be arranged. On the coupling element a pipeline can be connected via which the fluid medium can be supplied to the U-shaped element through the connection piece. The coupling element can be turned about the axis of rotation of the connection pieces.

The invention relates to a device for dressing a grinding wheel, comprising a sleeve to hold a corundum rod laterally and to guide it along its longitudinal axis, a ram to apply constant thrust force onto the corundum rod held in place and guided in the sleeve, to bring it into contact with the grinding wheel, means of rigidly connecting the ram shaft to the end of the corundum rod, and linear guide means for the sleeve for translating the corundum rod parallel to the axis of the grinding wheel while keeping the rod pressed against the grinding wheel with a constant force. Application to a centerless grinder in which the grinding wheel is used to grind nuclear fuel pellets.

A receiving housing of a hydraulic tensioning device for a traction mechanism drive in an internal combustion engine, having an opening that extends along a longitudinal axis for receiving a piston that is implemented for deflecting a tensioning rail of the traction mechanism drive. The receiving housing is a cast component, and the opening comprises an inner contour having an inner surface that comprises at least first segments and inclines for removing the workpiece from the mold in the opening. The second segments include surfaces that are directed into the inside of the opening and are aligned in parallel with the longitudinal axis. A sliding core is also provided that has an outer contour that is complementary to the inner contour of the opening of the receiving housing and fits into the opening. A traction mechanism drive and tensioning device having a receiving housing of this type are also included.

The core sand filling device includes the core box, a blow head which is placed below the core box so as to move up and down in a relative manner to the core box and divided into a sand blowing chamber and a sand storage chamber that are communicatively connected to each other, a compressed air supply unit which is communicatively connected to the sand storage chamber and supplies compressed air into the sand storage chamber, an aeration air supply unit which is communicatively connected to the sand blowing chamber and supplies into the sand blowing chamber aeration air for suspending and fluidizing core sand inside the sand blowing chamber, and an exhaust valve which is communicatively connected to the sand blowing chamber and exhausts compressed air remaining in the sand blowing chamber.

A method of pulsed-air compacting of mold-sand in combination with compacting by compression supplements the pulsed-air compacting of the mold-sand by an operation of re-compacting the mold-sand by pressing which is performed with the pattern plate containing the patterns by the plate moving inside the cavity of the filling frame in the direction of the latticed pressing element which is subjected to a counter-pressure force corresponding in its value to the prescribed level of the half mold compaction. The method is realized with a device in which the pattern plate containing the patterns is mounted with the possibility of a reciprocal motion inside the cavity of the filling frame, and the pressing cylinder is mounted with the possibility to apply a force against the movable pattern plate.

A die casting method and apparatus are provided, thereby making it possible to produce a thin diecast product that has hitherto been considered impossible to realize, and a diecast product is also provided. A semi-solidified metallic material is formed having particles in solid phase of a particle size less than 30 μm, and is thereupon injected into a die. A die casting machine has a sleeve into which a melt of metallic material is poured, and the semi-solidifying material there when it has a certain proportion of solid phase reached is injected into the die with a plunger to which pressure is applied. The melt of metallic material is poured into the sleeve so that the material occupies inside the sleeve at a proportion in vertical cross-sectional area of 30% or less. The particle size in this semi-solid material is held unvaried in a product as diecast.

A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a first spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container and coupled to the RF source. The device may further include a second spirally wound electrical conductor carried within the hydrocarbon processing container. The first spirally wound electrical conductor may be configured to generate magnetic fields with the hydrocarbon processing container that are parallel with an axis thereof.

A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container and coupled to the RF source. The spirally wound electrical conductor may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container that are parallel with an axis thereof.

A filter device for filtering a suspension includes at least one filter for continuous creation of a filter cake including particles from the suspension, at least one dispensing device configured to apply at least one first wash liquid to the filter cakes, at least one steaming unit configured to steam the filter cake using steam; at least one removal device configured to remove a surface layer of the filter cake facing away from the at least one filter, wherein the filter device is configured to convey the filter cake to the at least one removal device, the at least one dispensing device and the at least one steaming device, and at least one transport device configured to transport the removed surface layer of the filter cake away from the filter device.

A dial of a circular hosiery knitting machine of the type with a cylinder and dial with yarn cutting device. The dial comprises a dial body which is substantially disk-shaped. The dial is provided with a cutting device, which comprises a plurality of cutting sectors which are distributed around the axis of the dial body and have cutting edges. The cutting sectors are arranged at sectors of the dial body which are intended to be free from needles. The cutting device comprises a cutter which is adapted to abut against the cutting edges of the cutting sectors to cut at least one yarn engaged by one of the cutting sectors in its rotary motion about the axis of the dial body with respect to the cutter.

A light-based medical diagnostic system includes a plurality of semiconductor diodes with pump beams and a multiplexer capable of combining the pump beams and generating at least a multiplexed pump beam comprising one or more wavelengths. A first waveguide structure is configured to receive at least a portion of the one or more wavelengths and outputs a first optical beam. A second waveguide structure is configured to receive at least a portion of the first optical beam and to communicate at least the portion of the first optical beam to an output end of the second waveguide structure to form an output beam. A lens system is configured to receive at least a portion of the output beam and to communicate at least the portion of the output beam onto a part of a patient's body, such as a patient's blood.

A fruit and vegetable juicer has a motor above which is a filter basket that is surrounded by a collection chamber. A feed tube is supported above the filter basket and is integral with a lid to the collection chamber. In preferred embodiments, the separation chamber comprises a central liquid collection portion and a pulp collection portion that surrounds it. In particularly preferred embodiments, the inside diameter of the interior sidewall that separates the pulp collection chamber from the juice collection chamber is tapered toward a central axis of rotation. The smaller diameter end of the sidewall is adjacent to an upper rim of the filter basket.

A method of converting a conventional atmospheric frying device to a vacuum frying device is provided. The method includes positioning a hood on top of a conventional frying device to provide an enclosure for drawing a vacuum within the modified devices. In addition, the method can include strengthening the existing vat so that it is capable of withstanding the forces associated with vacuum frying.

The present invention provides a device and method for simulating cooking stuffing in a bird, such as a turkey. Stuffing prepared with the device and method of the invention has both the appearance and taste of cooked-in-the-bird stuffing. In addition, the device and method of the invention allows the user to prepare simulated cooked-in-the-bird stuffing at any time, in any quantity and in less time compared to the several hours usually needed to cook stuffing in a bird. The invention, therefore, provides all the benefits of cooked-in-the-bird stuffing without the safety concerns of bacterial contamination when cooked in a bird.

A treatment device for treating food products with conditioned air comprises a housing which delimits a treatment space and is provided with an entry and an exit, at least one conveying device for conveying the products from the entry throughout the treatment space to the exit, the conveying device between the entry and the exit following a conveying path with several windings which are situated one above the other, air-circulation device for circulating conditioned air throughout the treatment space via a hollow drum. According to a first aspect, air-conditioning device are provided upstream of the air-circulation device for conditioning the air. According to a second aspect, at least one winding of the conveying path near the entry has a pitch which is different to the pitch of the downstream windings.

A shell cracking and retaining device for cracking shelled food products, wherein the device entirely or substantially retains food, shell portions and other debris during the cracking process, and therefore prevents said food, shell portions and other debris from being sent airborne from the device.

The inventive food holding apparatus comprises a holding area that accommodates food and warms the food with heat radiated by a bottom surface and with warm convection air. Part of the convection air forms an air curtain having a Bernoulli effect that removes excess moisture from the external surface of the food and maintains the food in a warm, crisp condition. The apparatus conditions food to attain a biologically safe noncooking temperature and to retain its freshly cooked texture and internal moisture for more than two hours. This lets restaurants serve the food longer to its customers, allowing efficient batch cooking and significantly decreasing food waste.

Machine (1) for extracting puree, or fruit juice starting from vegetable or animal food, such as a rough extractor or a fine extractor. The machine (1) comprises essentially a cylindrical body (2) having an inlet (3) for the product to treat, an outlet (4) for a part of the product that can be used and an outlet (5) for another part of product to dispose of. The rotor (6) is wheeled to a motor (80) by a shaft (15). The product that is put in the cylindrical body (2) of the machine (1) is pushed by centrifugal force by a plurality of blades (20) of the rotor (6) to pass through a sieve (7) having holes (8) and a cylindrical or conical shape. The blades (20) of the rotor (6) comprise, in particular a first portion (21) having a first concavity and a second portion (22) having a second concavity opposite to the first.

The present invention relates to a device to regulate the level of a liquid inside a boiler of a coffee machine, having a transparent duct connected to the boiler and designed to visibly display the level of the liquid inside the boiler, a capacitive sensor that can be positioned outside the transparent duct in determined positions and designed to generate electric signals representing the presence or absence of liquid in correspondence to the position of the sensor along the transparent duct. The sensor of the device has first measuring elements and second measuring elements, both of capacitive type; the second measuring elements are positioned at a predetermined distance from the first measuring elements, and a measuring device designed to measure the impedance between the first and second measuring elements and to generate signals indicating the presence or absence of liquid in correspondence to the position of the sensor. The invention also relates to the machine that includes this device.

A coffee machine comprises a frothing device, wherein an internal milk channel leading to a frothing chamber is provided into which opens a bypass air inlet for operable air supply to the frothing device. A flexible milk suction line connects the frothing device with a milk supply container. Means are provided for cleaning the frothing device and the milk suction line with rinsing water from a continuous-flow water heater of the coffee machine. A controlled valve arrangement is provided which feeds rinsing water from the continuous-flow water heater to the bypass air inlet of the frothing device. A milk suction end of the milk suction line is directly or indirectly, fluid-conductively connectable with a residual water pan of the coffee machine prior to feeding rinsing water to the bypass air inlet.

The invention proposes a device for decaffeinating a liquid. The device includes at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode which are spaced apart and which are immersed in the liquid; a power supply coupled to the at least one cathode electrode and the at least one anode electrode and configured to apply power thereto, wherein the at least one cathode electrode and the at least one anode electrode are configured to generate an electric field in the liquid upon application of the power to attract caffeine molecules in the liquid to the at least one cathode electrode; wherein the at least one cathode electrode is made of or coated with an absorbing material configured to absorb at least part of the caffeine molecules that are attracted to the at least one cathode electrode.

Device for forming buttons from a pin-on back plate, a front plate, and a cover over the front plate, with the device having a pair of button-forming dies alternately shiftable into operation alignment with a forming punch which on descent with the successively aligned dies cooperates with the latter to assemble the separate button parts into a button, and a cover-blanking punch and die set above the forming punch, of which the blanking die is topmost and has a die aperture open at the top and bottom and a cutting edge at the bottom of the aperture, with the blanking die being by the forming punch raised into blanking cooperation with the blanking die, and the forming punch being moved upwardly and downwardly by manually operable means.

Device for forming buttons from a pin-on back plate, a front plate, and a cover over the front plate, with the device having a pair of button-forming dies alternately shiftable into operative alignment with a forming punch which on descent into the successively aligned dies cooperates with the latter to assemble the separate button parts into a button, and a blanking punch and die set above the forming punch, of which the blanking punch is raised into cooperation with the blanking die for blanking a cover from a supply sheet, and a handlever operatively connected with the punches for simultaneously lowering the forming punch and raising the blanking punch.

A button covering device having a platform with a central opening which forms a well to receive a button to be covered and the fabric for covering the button. A pair of sliding plates having contoured recesses are mounted on the platform whereby the contoured recesses may be positioned to overlap the opening to gather the fabric over the rear of the button.

A device is disclosed for pressing objects by lifting the objects into a waiting pressing shaft. The shaft includes a forming element at its lower end for forming the object, and the shaft is engaged by its upper end through a pivot member to an air cylinder in a manner which provides a force advantage to the air cylinder. Also, a system for pressing objects is disclosed, in which the press device is employed in conjunction with a turntable for sequential and continuous pressing operations.

A button making device capable of simply exchanging a first pressed mold, a second pressed mold, and a pressing mold so as to produce buttons of different sizes; a polygonal button whose front surface plate is dome-wise curved and has its shape fixed; and such a button making device, are provided. The button making device has a sliding platform, two pressed molds, a fixed member, a pressing shaft, a pressing mold, and an operation mechanism. The pressed molds are provided on an attachment member which is removably attached to the sliding platform. The pressing mold is removably attached to a lower end of the pressing shaft using magnetic force. The present invention can be used for a button making device which can easily form a metal button by press processing which can be used as an accessory adhered to clothes or the like by a pin or the like.

The present invention relates to a button manufacturing device that is lightweight and robust, and that can be operated even at an unstable location and in a small space. A button manufacturing device comprises a base, a slide platform disposed on the base for reciprocating movement, first and second lower dies provided on both sides of the slide platform in the reciprocating directions, a press screw shaft capable of moving in the axial direction by screwing into a female screw section provided on a beam fixed to the upper part of struts, fixed on the base, an upper die provided on a lower end of the press screw shaft for joining to the first lower die or the second lower die, and an operating handle provided on an upper part of the press screw shaft.

A mounting device, for mounting a plurality of buttons on a product, includes a supporting member, a punching member, and a driving member The supporting member includes a supporting panel, a plurality of holding portions fixed on the supporting panel for supporting the product, a molding board having a plurality of molding holes a platform, and a base fixed on the platform for supporting the molding board. The punching member includes a retaining member positioned above the supporting member, and a plurality of cutters fixed to the retaining member The cutters cut the buttons off a button assembly, and couple to a vacuum generator for creating suction to hold the buttons. The driving member drives the punching member to mount the buttons on the product.

A soy protein product having a protein content of at least 60 wt % (N×6.25) d.b., preferably an isolate having a protein content of at least about 90 wt % (N×6.25) d.b., is formed from the supernatant from the precipitation of a soy protein micellar mass. A calcium salt or other divalent salt is added to the supernatant, before concentration, after initial concentration or after final concentration, to provide a conductivity of about 2 to about 30 mS. Precipitate is removed from the resulting solution and the pH of the clear soy protein solution is optionally adjusted to about 1.5 to about 4.4. The optionally pH-adjusted clear solution is concentrated to a concentration of about 50 to about 400 g/L and the clear concentrated protein solution is optionally diafiltered prior to drying. The soy protein product is soluble in acidic media and produces transparent, heat stable solutions at low pH values and, therefore, may be used for protein fortification of soft drinks and sports drinks.