Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a strip material. A first sensor detects a first distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a first reference location and a second sensor detects a second distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a second reference location. A controller determines a difference value between the first distance and the second distance to detect material curvature of the strip material.

An apparatus for shot peening blade mounting areas on a disc of a rotor includes a peening nozzle unit which streams shot peening media along a longitudinal axis. The unit includes a nozzle outlet which extends at least partially in a circumferential direction of the unit, and a deflection arrangement with a deflection area for the media. The deflection area is at least partially cone or half-hyperboloid shaped, such that the media passes the nozzle outlet over an angle range in circumferential direction after being deflected by the deflection arrangement. A method for shot peening the blade mounting areas positions the unit in a slot profile of a blade mounting area, and guides the unit along the contour of the slot profile with the nozzle outlet facing the contour of the slot profile to approximately uniformly peen the contour of the slot profile.

Methods and apparatus for forming non-woven fiber mats from polymers and monomers that are traditionally difficult to use for fiber formation are shown and described. Applicable techniques include electrospinning and other traditional fiber formation methods. Suitable polymers and monomers include those having low molecular weight, a low melting point, and/or a low glass transition temperature.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of paper, e.g., traditional Korean paper, and a composite yarn manufactured thereby, a method for manufacturing a fabric using the same and an automotive interior material manufactured thereby. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of traditional Korean paper by using a traditional Korean paper yarn and a synthetic yarn, in which the composite yarn can be used in weaving and knitting, and a method for manufacturing a fabric as an automotive interior material using the same. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of paper, comprising twisting a tape-type paper yarn, and covering the twisted paper yarn as a ground yarn at least two strands of synthetic yarn as an effect yarn to manufacture a composite yarn of paper of 160˜700 denier.

The invention relates to a method and a device for removing and drawing a synthetic thread to form a fully drawn yarn. The thread is formed by joining a plurality of extruded filaments and is guided by contact on the circumference of heated guide jackets of several driven galette pairs. In order to obtain a gentle and highly homogenized treatment of the filaments, the thread is guided in an S-shaped or Z-shaped thread course by a first galette pair having two guide jackets driven in opposite directions during the removal from a spinning zone and before the drawing. Thus, both sides of the thread can be brought directly into circumferential contact with the guide jackets for in order to heat the thread.

The spinning station of a spinning machine includes a yarn end disposal means, arranged between the outlet of the spinning device and the winding device, and with the aid of which an end section of the produced yarn is separated from the rest of the yarn and eliminated. Furthermore, a process for removing an end section of a yarn at a spinning station of a spinning machine prior to the subsequent piecing process is proposed, wherein the end section is gripped, cut off, and subsequently eliminated from the area of the spinning station with the aid of a yarn end disposal means arranged between the outlet of the spinning device and the winding device.

A hybrid yarn for producing molded parts having a thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers embedded therein. The hybrid yarn includes a core substantially made of staple fibers aligned in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the hybrid yarn, and a cover made substantially of staple fibers wound helically about the core. The staple fibers forming the core and the staple fibers forming the cover each are made of an intimate mixture of thermoplastic matrix fibers and reinforcing fibers.

This invention provides for a vegetation removal system capable of removing vegetation from irrigation canals, rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes and other water systems where the growth of vegetation impedes the flow of water, access to water or there is a desire to remove unwanted vegetation. The vegetation removal system comprises a rake system that allows for the removal of the vegetation while letting the water and silt or mud flow through the rake and substantially remain as part of the bank or bottom of the body of water. The invention also allows for the folding of the vegetation removal rake into a compact form by folding the outboard wings over on top of the main rake section. Sensors attached to the vegetation removal system can provide situational awareness for the operator as well as determine the position orientation of the rake when the rake is submerged or working near obstacles.

An improved apparatus for removing snow and ice from the roof top of a truck, trailer, bus or similar vehicle is mounted atop a conventional flatbed trailer for ease of relocation from one site to another for use. The addition of a height adjustable scraper or plow blade that is operator controlled to remain in contact with the roof of the vehicle being cleaned is provided with a self-contained front-to-back and side-to-side stabilization mechanism to prevent damage to the tops of vehicles by gouging or tearing the roof top.

An automated variable speed control system for a cutter head of a dredging cutter has a cutter head and a pump. The pump pumps cuttings from the cutter head through a cuttings discharge line. A sensor monitors amperage draw of the pump. A controller controls speed of movement of the cutter head based upon data received from the sensor. The controller increases a speed of movement of the cutter head through the materials when the amperage draw of the pump falls below the determined amperage range and the controller decreases the speed of movement of the cutter head through the materials when the amperage draw of the pump exceeds the determined amperage range.

A removable plow attachment for a snow blower or thrower is provided. A plow attachment includes a plow member and hook-shaped brackets. The plow member is an arcuate shaped member configured for moving or plowing loose material such as snow, slush, etc. The plow member is removably coupled to the snow blower by the hook-shaped brackets and fasteners. L-shaped angling members are provided on the plow member. The brackets and the L-shaped angling members are configured so that the angle of the plow member relative to the snow blower and the surface being plowed can be adjusted.

A removable device for attaching two mechanical parts includes a pin removably locking a first part with respect to a second part, a retainer member on the pin and a resiliently loaded tension member which collaborate to prevent the pin from coming out of its locked position; the removable device further includes at least two inclined surfaces, the general shape of which is that of a projection oriented in the axial direction of the pin, such that when the pin rotates, the retainer member runs along the inclined surfaces and the pin moves between the locked position and unlocked position against a force exerted on the pin along a longitudinal axial direction of the pin exerted by the tension member.

An ice scratcher for attachment to a snowmobile has a first ice scratcher end, a second ice scratcher end opposite the first ice scratcher end, a first coil spring having a first spring axis disposed at or near the first ice scratcher end, a first elongated member having a first end connected to the first coil spring, a second coil spring connected to a second end of the first elongated member, the second coil spring having a second spring axis, and a second elongated member having a first end connected to the second coil spring and a second end at or near the second ice scratcher end. Alternative embodiments of the ice scratcher are disclosed. A snowmobile having the ice scratcher is also disclosed.

A disposable smoking pipe may comprise a shaft having a mouthpiece end and a bowl end, a recess being formed in the bowl end, a mouth opening formed in the mouthpiece end, and a passage extending from the mouth opening to the recess to put the recess in fluid communication with the mouth opening. The shaft has an exterior surface with a generally cylindrical in shape between the mouthpiece end and the bowl end, and the shaft is formed from a corncob.

A smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a polymeric material in intimate contact with the smokeless tobacco and stabilized in conformance to a surface topography of the tobacco's fibrous structures such that the stabilized polymeric material secures the smokeless tobacco together. The smokeless tobacco product has a moisture-permeable porous surface and an overall oven volatiles content of at least 10 weight percent.

An apparatus for accurately dosing moist smokeless tobacco includes a dosing assembly and a dosing air source. The dosing assembly defines a loading chamber and a dosing chamber for containing a quantity of moist smokeless tobacco material. The dosing assembly also includes a discharge opening communicating with the dosing chamber. The dosing air source communicates with the dosing chamber and is operable to deliver compressed air to the dosing assembly so as to move moist smokeless tobacco material from the dosing chamber to the discharge opening. A method of pouching moist smokeless tobacco includes placing a predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco in a dosing chamber having a predetermined volume, and ejecting the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco to pouching apparatus using compressed air.

An electronic smoking article comprising an aerosol generator and a mechanical aerosol converter insert having the capacity to improve characteristics of aerosol produced by the aerosol generator, including sensory attributes.

The invention provides a filter element of a smoking article having a longitudinal axis and adapted for filtration of mainstream smoke generated by the smoking article, the filter element including a first region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a first pressure drop and a second region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a second pressure drop lower than said first pressure drop, wherein the first and second regions are arranged in a side-by-side configuration such that both regions are visible in a cross-section of the filter element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein mainstream smoke can move from the second region into the first region, and further comprising a smoke-altering material, such as an oxidation catalyst, positioned in the first region.

A pocket sized dispenser houses in coiled form a flexible strip of portions of smokeless tobacco sized for placement between a consumer's cheek and gum, where the flexible strip includes a base tape removably attached to the plurality of portions, and wherein the dispenser and strip are adapted to allow a consumer to separate individual portions from the base tape. The individual portions comprise either a collection of tobacco particles at least partially enclosed by a coating comprising a water-soluble non-crosslinked component and a substantially water-insoluble cross-linked component; or pouches attached to the base tape with a food-grade adhesive, the pouches comprising smokeless tobacco enclosed in a water-permeable wrapper with at least one lap-sealed edge. Methods of preparing such are disclosed.

A flavor delivery release system for a cigarette or cigarette package. The system includes a cigarette, at least one capsule containing a flavorant, the capsule positioned on an external surface of the cigarette; and wherein the flavorant is released upon rupturing the capsule.

Delivery of additives in a smoking article is provided through thermally degradable, robust immobilized additive inserts. Additives can be immobilized in an elongated device or an insert, wherein the elongated device or the insert is sufficiently robust to allow the elongated device or the insert to be manually or machine inserted into a smoking article while maintaining the structure of the elongated device or the insert. By providing additives in the form of thermally degradable immobilized additive inserts, migration and/or loss of the additives in a smoking article prior to smoking can be reduced.

The various embodiments herein provide an air suction device for a smoking apparatus. The air suction device comprises a cylindrical housing, an impeller, an impeller cover, a motor assembled inside the housing to drive the impeller, a plurality of batteries provided in the housing, a battery cover to enclose the plurality of batteries and a switch provided externally to the cylindrical housing. When the switch is in ON condition, the plurality of batteries supply an electrical power to the motor and the motor converts the electrical power into a mechanical power which in turn causes propulsion of the impeller thereby sucking out the air from a water bowl of the smoking apparatus. The propulsive motion of the impeller sucks out the air from the water bowl until the air inside the water bowl is replaced by condensed smoke.

A method of converting tea leaves into a smoking product suitable for use with a smoking device such as, but not limited to, a hookah. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of heating a batch of sundried tea leaves in water to provide a batch of wetted tea leaves; fermenting the wetted tea leaves to provide a batch of fermented tea leaves; rinsing the fermented tea leaves with water to provide rinsed fermented tea leaves; drying the rinsed fermented tea leaves to provide dried fermented tea; and adding glycerine to the dried fermented tea leaves to provide a tea leaf based smoking product. In another embodiment a nicotine free smoking product is provided comprising of glycerin treated dried fermented tea leaves.

A system for producing porous masses may include a mold cavity disposed along the material path, at least one hopper before at least a portion of the mold cavity for feeding a matrix material to the material path, a heat source in thermal communication with at least a first portion of the material path, and a cutter disposed along the material path after the first portion of the material path.

A smoke box is provided to hold smoking material, a smoking pipe, and a smoking bowl. The smoking pipe holds a small quantity of smoking material. The smoking bowl holds a more substantial quantity of smoking material. The small smoking pipe, when inserted into the side-cavity on the smoke box, becomes a mouthpiece and a filtering chamber for the smoking material to be smoked through the smoking bowl, thereby providing two choices for the amount of smoking material for smoking.

The current invention discloses an inexpensive, easy to use anti-smoking device. The device has an elongated strip having a center portion, a first arm, and second arm along the elongated strip, and a center piece that is attached to the center portion of the elongated strip. The first arm and second arm of the elongated strip can be wrapped around the center piece to attach to the center piece, forming two loops that allow two fingers of the person trying to quit smoking to engage the anti-smoking device. The center piece is to be stuck between two fingers, preferably the fingers the person trying to quit smoking normally uses to clutch cigarettes. The center piece is sized so that two fingers cannot be held close enough to clutch a cigarette.

A portioned moist tobacco product with a super-hydrated membrane coating and method of manufacturing is disclosed. The super-hydrated membrane coating is formed by ionic cross-linking using two polymers. The soluble component of the super-hydrated membrane coating dissolves upon placement in the mouth, while the insoluble component maintains the tobacco within the coating for the duration of the use of the product. The moist tobacco product is soft and flexible so as to fit comfortably in an oral cavity when placed therein.

A smoking composition for inclusion in a combustible smoking article includes a combustible organic material, such as tobacco and/or tobacco substitutes and at least one alkanoylated glycoside for enhancing the flavor of mainstream smoke. Optionally, dry hops extract can also be included in the smoking composition.

A device for filling cigarette tubes that can be designed and used manually, partially automatically, or, fully automatically for packing cigarette tubes with a metered, precise amount of tobacco that leads to a consistent filling of the tube to an even and complete density such that the burning rate and continuity are consistently the same, regardless of the cut of tobacco being used, or of moisture content of the tobacco, and, independent of operator control variables.

An orally-enjoyable tobacco product includes a portion of smokeless tobacco comprising an active ingredient and either: (1) a collection of tobacco particles at least partially enclosed by a coating comprising a water-soluble non-crosslinked component and a substantially water-insoluble cross-linked component, or (2) a pouch comprising smokeless tobacco enclosed in a water-permeable wrapper. The active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of a mercaptan, camphor, borneol, isoborneol, bornyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, mono-bornyl succinate, mono-isobornyl succinate, mono-bornyl formate, and mono-isobornyl formate. The active ingredient is present in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate the sensory irritation arising from the smokeless tobacco. Also disclosed is a method of making such a product.

A smokeless tobacco product is configured for insertion into the mouth of a user and incorporates materials from Nicotiana species (e.g., tobacco-derived materials) and plant materials from non-Nicotiana species (e.g., non-tobacco plant materials). The tobacco material can have the form of processed tobacco material (e.g., granulated, reconstituted, heat treated, or otherwise processed tobacco laminae and/or stem), tobacco extract (e.g., an extract of water soluble tobacco components obtained by extracting tobacco with water), or a combination thereof. The non-tobacco material can have the form of vegetable pulp (e.g., sugar beet pulp), pulp obtained after removal of water soluble components as a result of water extraction treatment, or a combination thereof. The tobacco product is composed of a mixture of the tobacco material and non-tobacco material components; such as a mixture of tobacco material, tobacco extract and processed non-tobacco material, or a mixture of aqueous tobacco extract and water-extracted vegetable pulp.

Power levels of a backlight are adjusted in a number of ways and based on a number of criteria. The adjustments result in a lower power consumption and, in some cases, may enhance audience attention to important objects in a scene. The adjustments comprise, for example, a combination of ramping down power (lowering final display brightness) in concert with corresponding compensatory LCD adjustments (increasing final display brightness). The adjustments may also include, for example, system dimming after ramp down/LCD adjustments are exhausted, or the shifting of an LDR2HDR curve.

A method of simulating print color on mobile devices, comprising: obtaining a second group of tristimulus values by a chromaticity measuring device through a measuring method; creating a CIEXYZ color space of the mobile device by the second group of tristimulus values, and transforming the CIEXYZ color space to a sRGB color space via a 1D lookup table and a transformation matrix; obtaining a print color from a ICC profile of an output device by 3D lookup table and generating a second color calibrated profile by finding another color, similar to the print color from the ICC profile of the output device, in the sRGB color space through tone mapping; and simulating the print color on a screen of the mobile device by using the second color calibrated profile, whereby the user can directly preview the printed photo on the screen thereby achieving saving print ink and time.

A transfer modules arrangement (100) for an articles conveyor (110). The transfer modules arrangement includes at least one transfer module (125) in turn comprising a frame (310) housing a plurality of idle rollers (135) for allowing an inertial run of transported articles (140) between consecutive conveyor belt/chain elements (115a, 115b) of the articles conveyor. According to the invention, the transfer modules arrangement includes at least one positioning rod (120). Additionally, the frame of the at least one transfer module further includes a shaped cavity (315) for allowing a sliding insertion of the at least one transfer module on the at least one positioning rod.

A transport apparatus for transporting goods, wherein a moving truck arrangement having at least two moving truck elements can be displaced along a guide track, wherein great spatial freedom of design of the guide track is made possible. The moving truck arrangement can be moved both in a pulling and in a pushing manner by a drive mechanism and the goods can be transported by the individual moving truck elements.

The present invention provides a truss device for an escalator or moving walk comprising an outer panel and an inner panel facing the outer panel, characterized in that, the inner panel is formed from a single integral panel and comprises a body part and a plurality of connection parts extending from the body part toward the outer panel thus forming corresponding through openings in the inner panel, each connection part is connected to the outer panel so that the outer panel and the inner panel are fixed together, wherein the inner panel further comprises a support part formed on the body part of the inner panel and projecting in a direction away from the outer panel. The present invention also provides an escalator or moving walk having the above truss device.

An assembly line, wherein at least one operating branch of fixed length accommodates a number of platforms aligned with one another and with a given travelling direction; each platform being designed to receive a respective vehicle body, feed it in the travelling direction, and subject it to a succession of n assembly operations along the operating branch; each platform being designed for connection to at least one longitudinal extension to assume a total length, which depends on the length of the body carried, and ranges between a minimum length equal to the length of the platform with no extension, and a maximum length; and the length of the operating branch being equal to n times the maximum length.

In a method for manufacturing an element (8) of a modular scaffolding system, an at least partly galvanized pipe part (10) having a first end (12) and a second end is provided, together with an at least partly galvanized first connection head (40) which is designed to be connected to the first end (12) of the pipe part (10). A weld (24), which connects the first end (12) of the pipe part (10) to the first connection head (40), has an internal weld surface (24b) and an external weld surface (24a). The internal weld surface is proximal to the pipe part (10) and/or the connection head (40), and the external weld surface is proximal to an outside environment (60) of the pipe part (10) and the connecting head (40). A protective layer covers the external weld surface, such that it is screened off from the outside environment (60).

An apparatus for facilitating the storage of equipment such as ladders in the upper area, but particularly in the upper area on the outside of emergency vehicles such as trucks which includes a capability of moving the ladder to an extended lower deployed position to facilitate immediate access thereto by emergency workers such as firemen. An outer bracket is connected to an inner housing through a parallel linkage with the inner housing attached to the vehicle and the outer bracket attachable to the equipment. The outer bracket includes a downwardly extendable sliding carriage to facilitate positioning of the equipment at a lower level for aiding in retrieval thereof utilizing a flexible control arm.

The present invention relates to playground equipment and, more particularly, to a playground apparatus incorporating modular construction, which permits rapid simplified assembly, modification and universal arrangement of playground equipment modules without tools.

A tree stand for removable attachment to a tree comprising: a support bar having an upper end and a lower end with a length therebetween; an upper jaw coupled to the upper end of the support bar and a lower jaw coupled to the lower end of the support bar, and a platform mounted to the outer side of the lower jaw by insertion of a set of protrusions on the platform into the pivoting snap locks of the arms of the lower jaw. A seat may also be attached to the support par through the upper jaw.

A boom mountable robotic arm for temporarily supporting an elongate conductor includes a rigid member such as a beam or beam assembly adapted for mounting onto the upper end of a boom for example using a boom adaptor, at least one electrically insulated support post mounted to the rigid member, where each post temporarily supports an elongate electrical conductor, and at least two rotation devices for selectively controllable rotation of the rigid member and the electrically insulated support posts about at least two corresponding axes of rotation.

A carbon oxygen hydrogen motor comprises an enclosure, a combustion chamber, and a plurality of injectors. A rotational crank is positioned within the enclosure and connected with a piston. The piston is positioned within the combustion chamber and connected to the rotational crank by a rod. A stream of hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, and carbon dioxide gas enter into the combustion chamber through the plurality of injectors. A spark plug, which is connected to the combustion chamber, ignites hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, and carbon dioxide gas inside the combustion chamber causing a reaction. The reaction moves the piston upward. After the reaction has taken place, the piston moves downward. The downward motion of the piston ejects all of the byproducts from the reaction through a ejecting valve located in the combustion chamber. Since the piston is connected with the rotational crank, the rotational crank rotates in cycles creating mechanical energy.

A device for injecting fuel over a cylinder head of an engine, including a tubular body, an injection nozzle forming an extension of the tubular body, a needle extending coaxially to the nozzle in a form of a rod, an end of which includes a head forming a valve on a seat supported by the injection nozzle, and an actuator configured to cause a movement of the head so as to open the valve, the needle configured to axially resonate when the same is subjected to axial pulses at a predetermined nominal frequency by the actuator. A system for mounting the device includes a spacer for bearing on the cylinder head, as well as on a front surface of the tubular body at the connection to the nozzle.

Embodiments of systems and methods for tuning a turbine are provided. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving at least one of a measured operating parameter or a modeled operating parameter of a turbine during operation; and tuning the turbine during operation. The turbine may be tuned during operation by applying the measured operating parameter or modeled operating parameter or parameters to at least one operational boundary model, applying the measured operating parameter or modeled operating parameter or parameters to at least one scheduling algorithm, comparing the output of the operational boundary model or models to the output of the scheduling algorithm or algorithms to determine at least one error term, and closing loop on the one error term or terms by adjusting at least one turbine control effector during operation of the turbine.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as a method that includes precharging channel material of a string of memory cells in an unselected sub-block of a block of memory cells to a precharge voltage during a first portion of a programming operation. A programming voltage can then he applied to a selected memory cell in a selected sub-block of the block of memory cells during a second portion of the programming operation. The selected memory cell is coupled to a same access line as an unselected memory cell in the unselected sub-block. Additional methods and apparatus are disclosed.

A semiconductor memory device includes first and second memory cells, each of which includes a charge storage layer, a first bit line that is connected to the first memory cell, and a second bit line that is connected to the second memory cell. A writing operation includes multiple loops of a programming operation and a verification operation, and first data is written in the first memory cell, and second data different from the first data is written in the second memory cell through the writing operation. In a first loop of the writing operation, a first voltage is applied to the first bit line and the second bit line is maintained in an electrically floating state during the programming operation, and a verification operation relating to the second data is not performed and a verification operation relating to the first data is performed.

A nonvolatile memory device is provided as follows. A memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells. An address decoder provides a first verify voltage to selected memory cells among the plurality of memory cells in a first program loop and provides a second verify voltage to the selected memory cells in a second program loop. A control logic determines the second program loop as a verify voltage offset point in which the first verify voltage is changed to the second verify voltage based on a result of a verify operation of the first program loop.

A programmable memory including a self-latching read data path. A sense amplifier senses the voltage level at a bit line, the bit line communicating the data state of a selected memory cell in its associated column. A data latch coupled to the output of the sense amplifier passes the sensed data state. Set-reset logic is provided that receives the output of the data latch in the read data path and, in response to a transition of the data state in a read cycle, latches the data latch and isolates it from the sense amplifier. The set-reset logic resets the data latch at the start of the next read cycle. In some embodiments, a timer is provided so that the latch is reset after a time-out period in a long read cycle in which no data transition occurs.

A radiation hardened memory cell includes an odd number of storage elements configured to redundantly store an input data logic signal. The storage elements include output lines for outputting respective logic signals having respective logic values. A logic combination network receives the respective logic signals and is configured to generate an output signal having a same logic value as a majority of the logic signals output from the storage elements. An exclusive logic sum circuit receives the respective logic signals output from the storage elements and is configured to produce a refresh of the logic data signal as stored in the storage elements when one of the logic signals output from the storage elements undergoes a logic value transition due to an error event.