ni Antiseptic applicators and packaging techniques By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure describes example antiseptic applicators that may be used in combination with one or more cleansing, antimicrobial and/or antiseptic agents to reduce or eliminate contaminates on a surface. According to some embodiments, the disclosure describes that the applicators may contain an impermeable layer and a permeable layer, where the impermeable layer prevents contaminates for transferring from a user's hand to the permeable layer and the surface. Full Article
ni Low foam media cleaning detergent with nonionic surfactants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A detergent for cleaning media is provided. The detergent comprises deionized water, between about 1% and about 5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant having an hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB) value between about 10 and about 20, and an ethoxylation level between about 5 and about 20, between about 1% and about 5% by weight of a dispersing agent, between about 3% and about 10% by weight of a chelating agent comprising phosphonic acid, and between about 2% and about 6% by weight of an inorganic salt. Full Article
ni Method and apparatus for multiple cutoff machining of rare earth magnet block, cutting fluid feed nozzle, and magnet block securing jig By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT In a method for multiple cutoff machining a rare earth magnet block, a cutting fluid feed nozzle having a plurality of slits is combined with a plurality of cutoff abrasive blades coaxially mounted on a rotating shaft, each said blade comprising a base disk and a peripheral cutting part. The slits in the feed nozzle into which the outer peripheral portions of cutoff abrasive blades are inserted serve to restrict any axial run-out of the cutoff abrasive blades during rotation. Cutting fluid is fed from the feed nozzle through slits to the rotating cutoff abrasive blades and eventually to points of cutoff machining on the magnet block. Full Article
ni Self-cleaning wiresaw apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a self-cleaning wiresaw cutting apparatus including a cleaning mechanism adapted to clean the components of the wiresaw before, during, or after a cutting process or to humidify the cutting region of the apparatus. The apparatus contains at least one dispenser adapted to dispense an aqueous fluid onto various components of the wiresaw. Full Article
ni Ductile mode machining methods for hard and brittle components of plasma processing apparatuses By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A method of ductile mode machining a component of a plasma processing apparatus wherein the component is made of nonmetallic hard and brittle material wherein the method comprises single point turning the component with a diamond cutting tool causing a portion of the nonmetallic hard and brittle material to undergo a high pressure phase transformation to form a ductile phase portion of the hard and brittle material during chip formation wherein a turned surface is formed from a phase changed material and the turned surface is a grooved textured surface of phase changed material. Full Article
ni Method for manufacturing titanium ingot By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is a method for manufacturing a titanium ingot (30), the method being characterized by comprising: a step of melting a titanium alloy for a predetermined time by cold crucible induction melting (CCIM); a step of supplying molten titanium (6) to a cold hearth (10), and separating high density inclusions (HDIs) (8) by precipitation in the cold hearth (10) while spraying a plasma jet or an electron beam onto the bath surface of the molten titanium (6); and a step of supplying a molten titanium starting material from which the HDIs (8) are separated by precipitation to a mold (20) to obtain the titanium ingot. Full Article
ni ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Cold chamber die casting of amorphous alloys using cold crucible induction melting techniques By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various embodiments provide systems and methods for casting amorphous alloys. Exemplary casting system may include an insertable and rotatable vessel configured in a non-movable induction heating structure for melting amorphous alloys to form molten materials in the vessel. While the molten materials remain heated, the vessel may be rotated to pour the molten materials into a casting device for casting them into articles. Full Article
ni Segmented receiving housing hole, sliding core, tensioning device and traction mechanism drive By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ni Method for producing a nickel strip By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A nickel strip is made from a starting material of solid cathode sheets having a minimum nickel content of 99.94% by weight and a maximum trace element content, in ppm by weight, of Full Article
ni Method for continuous casting of a metal with improved mechanical strength and product obtained by said method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A new method for continuous casting of molten metal is provided that allows one to obtain an intermediate product such as slab, billet wire, etc. before subsequent thermomechanical treatment (e.g. lamination or annealing), such that its chemical composition is modified by the addition of elements in order to give it greater mechanical strength. Full Article
ni Insert casting or tack welding of machinable metal in bulk amorphous alloy part and post machining the machinable metal insert By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming a connection mechanism in or on a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy by casting in or on, or forming with the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy, a machinable metal. The connection mechanism can be formed by machining the machinable metal. Full Article
ni Aluminium-copper alloy for casting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An aluminium-copper alloy comprising substantially insoluble particles which occupy the interdendritic regions of the alloy, provided with free titanium in quantity sufficient to result in a refinement of the grain structure in the cast alloy. Full Article
ni Method for producing a trailing arm of a twist beam axle in which a drive unit of an electrical drive close to the wheel, comprising an electrical engine and a transmission, is integrated By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of producing a trailing arm of a torsion beam axle in which an integrated drive unit of a wheel-adjacent electric drive has an electric machine and a transmission. By using the method, the trailing arm is produced in the form of a casting with a box profile. The contours for producing the area that accommodates the transmission, the connection point to the vehicle body, the bore that receives the cross-member which connects the two trailing arms to one another, the U-profile of the trailing arm, the box profile and the area that accommodates the electric machine, are modeled by cores such that the contours for producing the connection point of the trailing arm to the vehicle body, the bore that receives the cross-member and the U-profile of the trailing arm are modeled by one core. Full Article
ni Foundry mixture and related methods for casting and cleaning cast metal parts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A foundry mixture for making molds used for molding cast metal parts includes foundry sand, a non-aqueous binder, and a cleaning agent that includes calcium oxide. Residual foundry mixture remaining on the cast part after removal from the mold is removed by electrolytic cleaning of the cast part. Full Article
ni Titanium based ceramic reinforced alloy for use in medical implants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A titanium based, ceramic reinforced alloy ingot for use in producing medical implants. An ingot is formed from an alloy having comprising from about 5 to about 35 wt. % niobium, from about 0.5 to about 3.5 wt. % silicon, and from about 61.5 to about 94.5 wt. % of titanium. The alloy has a hexagonal crystal lattice α phase of from about 20 vol % to about 70 vol %, and a cubic body centered β crystal lattice phase of from about 30 vol. % to about 80 vol. %. The ingot has an ultimate tensile strength of about 940 MPa or more, and a Young's modulus of about 150 GPa or less. A molten substantially uniform admixture of a niobium, silicon, and titanium alloy is formed, cast into a shape, and cooled into an ingot. The ingot may then be formed into a medical implant and optionally annealed. Full Article
ni Cold chamber die casting of amorphous alloys using cold crucible induction melting techniques By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various embodiments provide systems and methods for casting amorphous alloys. Exemplary casting system may include an insertable and rotatable vessel configured in a non-movable induction heating structure for melting amorphous alloys to form molten materials in the vessel. While the molten materials remain heated, the vessel may be rotated to pour the molten materials into a casting device for casting them into articles. Full Article
ni Tailings solvent recovery unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A tailings solvent recovery vessel substantially without conventional internals utilizes nozzles for forming very fine solvent-containing hydrocarbon droplets from a solvent-containing tailings feedstream. The hydrocarbon droplets are discrete from water droplets. The hydrocarbon droplets are small enough to result in a large surface area and a desired fall residence time but sufficiently large that they are not entrained with the rising vapor in the vessel. The feedstream is introduced to the vessel with a pressure drop to result in an initial flashing of the solvent from the solvent-containing droplets. Heat from the vessel atmosphere or from steam flowing countercurrent to the falling hydrocarbon droplets is transferred to the falling hydrocarbon droplets resulting in vaporization of any residual solvent therefrom. A substantially solvent-depleted pool is collected in the bottom of the vessel and retained only so long as is required to pump the underflow stream from the vessel. Full Article
ni Optimizing feed mixer performance in a paraffinic froth treatment process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. One process provides for operation of a bitumen froth treatment plant at optimum shear rates in the feed pipe carrying the bitumen froth to the froth settling unit. Another process provides for optimizing the design of a bitumen froth treatment plant by optimizing the diameter of the feed pipe to impart an optimum shear rate to the bitumen froth mixture and further optimizing the volume of the feed pipe to impart an optimum residence time for the bitumen froth stream in the feed pipe. An optimal plant design is also disclosed, the plant including optimal diameter and volume of the feed pipe. Full Article
ni Methods and extraction units employing vapor draw compositional analysis By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of extraction unit and an analysis method are provided. In one embodiment, the analysis method includes the steps of providing a feed stream and a species-selective solvent to the distillation column, drawing a vapor sample from the distillation column, condensing the vapor sample, and analyzing at least a portion of the condensed vapor sample. Full Article
ni Extraction of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing materials By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted. Full Article
ni Apparatus for upgrading whole crude oil to remove nitrogen and sulfur compounds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A crude oil feedstream is treated to remove or reduce the content of known undesired heteroatomic and polynuclear aromatic compounds containing nitrogen and sulfur by contacting the feedstream with one or more solid adsorbent materials selected from attapulgus clay, alumina, silica gel and activated carbon in a mixing vessel for a time that is sufficient to optimize the adsorption of the undesired compounds from the crude oil, subjecting the mixture to atmospheric flash distillation and then to vacuum flash distillation to recover presorbed boiling ranges of products having a lowered content of the undesired compounds, and preferably regenerating at least a portion of the solid adsorbent material for reuse in the process. Full Article
ni Method of making a knit apparel with a tie dyed appearance and an apparel made by the method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A knit apparel is made using a decorating pattern that is generated to give the apparel the appearance of tie dyed apparel. The decorating pattern includes a main element, a secondary element and intermediate zones have the same color but gradually lighter shades as the main element. Full Article
ni Method for making a knitted mesh By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A biocompatible surgical silk mesh prosthetic device employs a knit pattern that substantially prevents unraveling and preserves the stability of the mesh device, especially when the mesh device is cut. An example prosthetic device employs a knitted mesh including at least two yarns laid in a knit direction and engaging each other to define a plurality of nodes. The at least two yarns include a first yarn and a second yarn extending between and forming loops about two nodes. The second yarn has a higher tension at the two nodes than the first yarn. the second yarn substantially prevents the first yarn from moving at the two nodes and substantially prevents the knitted mesh from unraveling at the nodes. Full Article
ni Dial of circular hosiery knitting machine of the type with cylinder and dial with yarn cutting device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ni Rotary sinker, knitting machine, and stitch forming method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A rotary sinker enabling stitch formation by a knitting machine using a rotor for forming a stitch, a knitting machine including the rotary sinker, and a stitch forming method are provided. The ring sinkers as rotating bodies are capable of rotating about a rotation axis independently of each other. The rotation times of the ring sinkers are set to be different from each other. Thus, the rotation times are adjusted to be different between the ring sinker that holds an old loop and the ring sinker that holds a new loop. Adjustment of the rotation times prevents application of a large tension to the knitting yarn made of low stretch fiber, and a stitch can be formed even with a knitting yarn made of non-stretch or low-stretch fiber. Full Article
ni Double-cylinder circular machine, particularly for knitting hosiery items or the like, with simplified actuation mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A double-cylinder circular machine, particularly for knitting hosiery items, with simplified actuation mechanism, comprising a supporting structure which comprises a footing, which supports a lower needle cylinder, and a column which extends substantially vertically, protrudes upwardly from the footing and supports an upper needle cylinder, which is arranged above and coaxially with respect to the lower needle cylinder, and further comprising elements for the actuation of the lower needle cylinder and of the upper needle cylinder with a rotary motion about a common axis, the actuation elements comprising an electric motor which is connected kinematically to the lower needle cylinder and to the upper needle cylinder and is accommodated inside the column. Full Article
ni Knit cozy system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A fabric tube has a closed bottom and an open top. The closed bottom forms a semicircular section when unstretched. The tube has a cylindrical section between the open top and the semicircular section. The cylindrical section has a common circumference when unstretched. A tunnel is formed in the open top of the tube. The tunnel is formed by a folded back edge adjacent to the open upper end of the tube. An elastic thread joins the folded back edge of the tube to a portion of the tube there beneath. A cord has a central section within the tunnel. The cord has two free ends extending through end openings to exterior of the tunnel. Full Article
ni Knitting machine, particularly with a high gauge By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A knitting machine comprising a needle holder, which supports a plurality of needles which can be actuated with an alternating motion along their axis and means for guiding the needles on the needle holder which comprise channels for forming knitting which are defined proximate to the end of the needle holder and sliding channels which are defined on the needle holder in a region that is spaced from the end of the needle holder, each one of the channels for forming knitting being engageable by a needle and defining with its inlet, which is directed toward the outside of the needle holder, resting contact regions for the knitting during the retracting motion of the needles, the number of the sliding channels being smaller than the number of the channels for forming knitting. Full Article
ni Knitted fabric bed skirt By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A knitted fabric is designed and adapted to fit box springs of varying size. The knitted fabric includes four panels that each includes three layers—a middle layer, a top layer and bottom layer. The knitted fabric is elastic and stretches to fit over the box spring. The four panel construction provides a large opening on the top of the box spring, which allows the knitted fabric to be removed from the box spring without removal of the mattress. Full Article
ni Knitting head for knitting machines of flexible hoses and knitting machine comprising the head By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A knitting head of a knitting machine for manufacturing flexible hoses (1) with a knitted reinforcement layer, which comprises a guide body (14) with a central tubular conduit (15) for the passage of the bearing layer (2) and having a outlet end portion (16) with a first outer peripheral surface (17) having a first predetermined radius (r1), a plurality of knitting needles (18) arranged along the periphery of said end portion (16) of said conduit (15) and having first longitudinal end sections (18') arranged along the circumference of said outer peripheral surface (17) and second longitudinal end sections (18″) arranged over a second cylindrical surface (19) having a second radius (r2) greater than said first radius (r1), at least one disk-shaped cam element (22), which is adapted to rotate at a first rotation speed and has a third predetermined radius (r3). The third radius (r3) is greater than said second radius (r2), connection means (23) being provided for connecting said disk-shaped element (22) to said second end sections (18″) of said needles (18), said connection means (23) having at least one longitudinal portion (24) with a radial dimension decreasing from said third radius (r3) to said second radius (r2). Full Article
ni Puncture resistant, optionally cut and abrasion resistant, knit garment made with modified knit structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A knit fabric having a modified knit structure, having a front layer of knit fabric and a back layer of knit fabric, wherein the front layer and back layer are joined together by rows of tuck stitches formed from a yarn having no more than 3% elongation and wherein the knit fabric is puncture resistant, and optionally cut and/or abrasion resistant, and a protective garment made therefrom. Full Article
ni Independently controlled rollers for take-down assembly of knitting machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. Full Article
ni Knitted fabric By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A knitted fabric is disclosed, comprising a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer and a plurality of pliable threads having a predetermined length, the respective ends of the pliable threads being stitched to the first and second layers thereby connecting the first and second layers. Preferably the fabric also contains sacrificial yarn to tie in the pliable threads. Also disclosed is a method for knitting a fabric according to the invention. The fabric has uses in inflatable devices, including airbags, or lifting devices. Full Article
ni Warp knitted fabric manufacturing method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention addresses the problem of providing a warp knitted fabric manufacturing method capable of stably producing a warp knitted fabric wherein the longitudinal stretchability is 200%. To solve the problem, the invention is a warp knitted fabric manufacturing method that forms bands of a warp knitted structure with increased longitudinal stretchability by forming stitches with an elastic warp (2) while knitting in an elastic inserted yarn (3) in the warp direction and knitting in the weft (4) in the course direction, wherein: active feed means (30), which are obtained by placing a single follower roller (323) above two drive rollers (321, 322), are disposed on the respective paths of the warp (2) and the inserted yarn (3) to feed the warp (2) and the inserted yarn (3) to the warp knitting machine while increasing the respective elongation percentage. The active feed means (30) keep the respective feed rates of the warp (2) and the inserted yarn (3) constant while feeding same to the crochet warp knitting machine (40). Full Article
ni Circular knitting machine with mounting arrangement for sinker cams By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Sinker cam segments in a circular knitting machine are located with respect to the generally radial direction by a generally radially inwardly facing location surface disposed radially outward of the segments. Each segment's radially outer end defines a contact region that abuts the locating surface. The contact region can be complementary surface contour to that of the locating surface, or a pair of discrete, spaced contact points protruding out from the radially outer end of the segment. The contact region is a reference for positioning the sinker cam segment with respect to the generally radial direction. Full Article
ni Knitting machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A knitting machine having needles which are mounted to be longitudinally moveable and having needle cams (14) with a needle control curve (13) for moving the needles, the needle control curves (13), at least in the latch closure region (Z), having a withdrawal angle (α)≦35°. Full Article
ni Knitted component for an article of footwear including a full monofilament upper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST An article of footwear including a full monofilament upper is described. The full monofilament upper incorporates a knitted component including a monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element is formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures. Full Article
ni Linear electronic transducer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST An electronic transducer comprises a knitted structure extendible in two dimensions defined by its courses and wales. An electro-conductive yarn (4) defines at least one single course in the structure adjacent non-conductive yarns (2), and is to be part of a circuit providing an indication of an electrical characteristic of the yarn. When unextended in either direction, successive loops of the stitches including the electro-conductive yarn are in engagement. Extension of the structure in the course direction separate loops forming the stitches, and extension in the wale direction urges the loops together. The structure can be used in methods of registering extension of the structure in either or both of the course and wale directions. Full Article
ni Method of knitting a gusseted tongue for a knitted component By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A knitted component including a knit element and a gusseted tongue is incorporated into an upper of an article of footwear. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The knit element and the gusseted tongue are formed together as a knitted component during a knitting process as a one-piece element. The gusseted tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and is joined with the knit element in an instep area of the upper. The knitting process includes steps of forming portions of the knitted component, transferring portions of the knitted component to opposite needle beds, shifting needle beds along a lateral direction to cause portions to overlap, and joining the overlapped portions by knitting to form the gusseted tongue. Full Article
ni Knit sock with targeted compression zone By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A knit sock includes a foot portion having an upper instep area and a lower sole area integrally knit of a body yarn in circumferential courses and axial wales. The lower sole area defines inner and outer arch regions. The inner arch region incorporates a targeted compression zone adapted to reside generally adjacent an inner arch of a wearer's foot. The compression zone includes axially extending compression ridges of variable length spaced apart from a top of the compression zone to a bottom of the compression zone. When the sock is worn, a compression force applied by the foot portion within the targeted compression zone is greater than the compression force in directly adjacent areas of said foot portion. Full Article
ni Independently controlled rollers for take-down assembly of knitting machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator. Full Article
ni Article of footwear including a monofilament knit element with peripheral knit portions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear including a knitted component having a monofilament knit element with peripheral knit portions is described. The knitted component includes a monofilament knit element formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures. Full Article
ni Article of footwear including a monofilament knit element with a fusible strand By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear including a full monofilament upper is described. The full monofilament upper incorporates a knitted component including a monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element is formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures. A fusible strand may be knit with the monofilament knit element. Upon heating, the fusible strand can combine and surround the monofilament strand within the monofilament knit element. Full Article
ni Method of knitting a gusseted tongue for a knitted component By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A knitted component including a knit element and a gusseted tongue is incorporated into an upper of an article of footwear. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The knit element and the gusseted tongue are formed together as a knitted component during a knitting process as a one-piece element. The gusseted tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and is joined with the knit element in an instep area of the upper. The knitting process includes steps of forming portions of the knitted component, transferring portions of the knitted component to opposite needle beds, shifting needle beds along a lateral direction to cause portions to overlap, and joining the overlapped portions by knitting to form the gusseted tongue. Full Article
ni Simplified single-knit circular knitting machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In the case of a single circular knitting machine consisting of a central rotatable needle cylinder (Z), around which a sinker ring (PR) comprising sinkers (P) as well as stationary cam systems (S) are arranged, which act on the needles (1), which are in each case assigned to the sinkers (P) and which can be moved vertically up and down, so as to replace the pitches, which hit one another rigidly, with a sinker grid system, which is flexible per se, which is automatically oriented in the needle gaps, a rocker (44) comprising an upper and a lower control bump (45) being provided in each case on the end of the sinkers (P), which is spaced apart from the needle, the sinker ring (PR), at the end below the sinkers (P), which is spaced apart from the needle, is embodied as a pivot point projection (40) comprising pivot point slits (41), in which the sinkers (P) are accommodated with their pivot inlet (43) so that they are capable of being tilted and the sinkers (P) being are laterally fixed in the needle gaps with sliding noses (47) at the end, which is spaced apart from the needle, transport the last knitting loops to the needle shaft (1) behind the needle latches in response to the knitting loop formation. Full Article
ni Article of footwear including a monofilament knit element with peripheral knit portions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear including a knitted component having a monofilament knit element with peripheral knit portions is described. The knitted component includes a monofilament knit element formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures. Full Article
ni Knitted velcro sleeve By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A knit fabric for use as a wrap around-sleeve having connectors along opposed edges. The fabric comprises a body portion knitted in a single layer of warp and weft yarns, a first edge portion of warp and weft yarns formed into spaced chains which secure a woven tape having hooks onto the knit fabric and a second edge knit to form raised loops. The hooks secured along the first edge are adapted to secure with the loops along the second edge securing the fabric edges forming the fabric into a wrap-around sleeve. Full Article
ni Method of knitting a knitted component with an integral knit tongue By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear that include knitting an upper with an integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine are described. The knitting process forms the integral knit tongue of unitary knit construction with the upper so that the integral knit tongue extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue can include raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. Full Article
ni Machine for the homogenization and thermal treatment of liquid and semi-liquid food products By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A machine for the homogenization and thermal treatment of liquid and semi-liquid food products, for example ice creams, whipped cream, creams, chocolate, yogurt and the like, comprises a containment tank for the mixture and a centrifugal pump put in fluid communication with the bottom of the containment tank for drawing mixture from the tank and putting it back into the tank, heating and cooling means acting at the pump for heating and cooling the mixture in transit in the pump. The heating and cooling means comprise a thermal machine with reversible thermodynamic cycle and using carbon dioxide as refrigerant. Full Article
ni Method and an apparatus for determining the residual time until a cooking process of a foodstuff has been finished By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for determining the residual time until a cooking process of a foodstuff (12) has been finished. At first a set temperature value for a core (14) of the foodstuff (12) is defined. Next the actual temperatures in the core (14) of the foodstuff (12) at predetermined times are measured and the time dependence of the measured temperature in the core (14) of the foodstuff (12) is determined. At last the time dependence of the measured temperature is compared with the set temperature value and “the residual time of the cooking process is estimated. The invention relates further to a corresponding apparatus for determining the residual time until a cooking process of a foodstuff (12) has been finished. Full Article