76results about How to "Minimal labor" patented technology

There is provided an insulation displacement connector (IDC) assembly having a main body defining at least one wire channel. The main body has at least one substantially flat surface to which a vacuum nozzle can be affixed in order to pickup the IDC assembly. The IDC assembly has at least one contact member with a piercing, cutting or slicing end that is slideably disposed within the main body, and a mounting end that extends from the main body. The mounting end of the contact is attached to a printed circuit board. An insulated conductor, such as wire, cable, and / or ribbon, can be quickly and easily inserted in the channel without being pierced by the piercing end of the contact. When a user pushes down on the IDC, the contact slides into the channel and pierces the insulated conductor.

A method is set forth for making a computer model of patient's jaws, teeth, soft tissues, pharyngeal airway, tongue, condyles, tempromandibular joints and associated structures and recording the relationship of these structures at specific positional orientations of the upper jaw to the lower jaw. This computer model allows for the virtual design of dental devices that are custom, one of a kind appliances using computer controlled milling or computer controlled layered manufacturing. The three dimensional (3D) data set of the patient's anatomy can be sent via the Internet to any health care provider involved in treatment and allows for visualization of the device prior to manufacture. Design changes can be made to the virtual device prior to its manufacture. The process revealed in this patent has specific utility in the construction of appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea and conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint or muscles of mastication.

A fiber optic network having one or more zones is disclosed. Each zone of the fiber optic network includes one or more zone terminals or devices. Such zone terminals or devices may be located at a mid-span access point of a distribution cable optically connected to a service provider's feeder cable. The zone terminal has a plurality of connector ports with at least one adapter positioned within one of the plurality of connector ports. The adapter is configured to establish an optical connection with one or more optical fibers of the distribution cable. The second multi-fiber optical connector is suitable for outside-plant installation, and the terminal is configured to extend optical service from a service provider toward at least one subscriber premises in a zone. The fiber optic terminal is reconfigurable based on at least one of, a number of subscriber premises in the zone, a geographical relationship of the subscriber premises in the zone, and a demographic make-up of the subscriber premises in the zone.

An authoring tool assists an author in building an automated troubleshooter for a product. The authoring tool includes a cause editor interface, an action editor interface and a question editor interface. The cause editor interface allows an author to place, in a cause data structure, information pertaining to causes of malfunction of the product. The action editor interface allows an author to place, in an action data structure, information pertaining to actions that can be taken to correct malfunction of the product. The question editor interface allows an author to place, in a question data structure, information pertaining to questions that can be asked a user of the product to help identify causes of malfunction of the product.

The present invention comprises a flexible material storage device that may be transported disassembled directly to the end user. The end user may quickly and easily assemble the device, that includes a tube portion and flanges. The device is substantially held together by a unique locking system that includes frictional inducing components and a series of aligned tabs and cut-out portions.

The present invention provides liquid electrolyte electrochemical cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical, ion exchange, and battery applications. The present invention also provides methods of manufacturing the liquid electrolyte cassettes and stacks of the invention. In certain preferred embodiments, the invention provides cassettes and stacks which are suitable for use in fuel cell and flow through battery applications.

A storage and transport device for flexible material that allows for easy assembly by an individual, wherein the device includes a cylindrical core made of two identical tube portions which include several locking mechanism to join the tube portions, and a first flange connected to the top of the cylindrical core and a second flange connected to the bottom of the cylindrical core, wherein flexible material is wound or unwound around the core.

An apparatus for cutting a product includes a conveyor assembly and a slitter assembly. The conveyor assembly conveys the product in a feed direction and defines a conveyance surface, on which the product is conveyed. The slitter assembly slits the product into strips as the product is conveyed in the feed direction. The slitter assembly comprises a plurality of cutting elements arranged in a V shape and overlapping one another in the feed direction, as viewed in a direction substantially normal to the conveyance surface. A chopping assembly is positioned downstream of the slitter assembly. The chopping assembly comprises an elongated blade, which moves in an elliptical cutting motion, such that it has a component in the downward direction to sever the strips of product, and a component in the feed direction to toss the severed pieces of product in the feed direction.

A system of interlocking construction blocks comprising mating interlocking protrusions and openings with interior openings in the blocks creating passageways through assembled arrays of blocks for conduits and wiring to pass.

A sectionalized flood control barrier (10) for mounting on top of a levee or a river bank to prevent flooding. The barrier (10) consists of a footing (20) with a series of support channels (24) that are butted end to end attached to the footing. The support shells are sealed watertight at the interface with each other and also to the footing. A series of primary channel bridge assemblies (32) and secondary channel assemblies (46) are disposed within the support channels (24) and are also butted end to end. Wind protectors (60) contiguously engage each support channel (24) and rest upon the footing for diverting the wind over the barrier. Stepped fastening risers (62) are attached to the footing on each end and over the channel assemblies, and wind protectors hold them securely in place.

A tool for holding a component during an assembly process includes a suction cup assembly which is operatively associated with an assembly system. The assembly system includes a supporting fixed frame and a movable subframe. The suction cup assembly is attached to the movable subframe by a movable arm. Each suction cup assembly includes a housing fixed to the movable arm and a suction cup movably positionable within part of a bore formed through the housing. A suction cup driver is provided to selectively and axially position the cup with respect to the housing. The housing comprises a component-abutting boot and a base. The boot includes a face which is contoured so as to substantially mate with the outer surface of the component being held.

An improved pool cleaning vehicle with the ability to clean and sanitize pool water includes a housing having an interior. The vehicle includes a chemical dispenser member connected to the housing. The chemical dispenser member has a hollow interior suitable for storing chemicals for sanitizing pool water. The chemical dispenser member includes an inlet for allowing pool water to contact the chemical dispenser member. The chemical dispenser member includes a dissolvable seal and upon continued contact with water, the seal dissolves. The chemical dispenser member also includes an outlet facilitating communication between the chemical dispenser member and the pool water.

A cutting tool holder adapted for mounting thereon a cutting insert having a top face, a bottom face and formed with an insert bore having an inner surface extending between the top and the bottom face. The holder comprises a seat defined by a bottom surface and at least one side wall angled to the bottom surface, a seat bore with a bore axis having an open end at the bottom surface of the seat, and a securing mechanism for securing the cutting insert in the seat. The securing mechanism comprises a securing pin received within the seat bore and having a body with an outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the body and defining a pin axis therealong. The securing mechanism further comprises a displacement arrangement adapted for axially displacing the securing pin along the bore axis of the seat bore between at least a first, mounting position in which the distal end protrudes from within the seat bore through the bottom surface into the seat to a first extent so as to allow the cutting insert to be placed within the seat, having its bottom face aligned against the bottom surface, and a second, securing position in which the distal end protrudes from within the seat bore through the bottom surface into the seat to a second extent, greater than the first extent, so as to engage the inner surface of the insert bore, thereby securing the insert in place.

A cartridge type heater is provided with at least one hot wire coil (13), which has two coreless coil strands (11, 12), which extend in an insulating material (50) along the two sides of a carrier wall (14). The heater includes an insulating material that is coordinated with the internal diameter of a metal jacket (2). The hot wire ends (9, 10) are provided with terminals projecting from the same end of the metal jacket (2). The hot wire coils (11, 12) are electrically connected to one another in the area of an end edge of the carrier wall (14). This edge is located in the closed end area of the metal jacket (2) and the coils are guided by spacers (45) distributed at the longitudinal edges of the carrier wall (14). At least the terminal-side end of the dimensionally stable carrier wall (14) is provided with an attached coil holder (15, 15 / 1), to which the hot wire ends (9, 10) are fastened under tensile stress. This keeps the windings of the hot wire coil (13) spaced apart from each other. At least one filling opening (42) is provided for the granulated insulating material (50).

An apparatus for cutting a product includes a conveyor assembly and a slitter assembly. The conveyor assembly conveys the product in a feed direction and defines a conveyance surface, on which the product is conveyed. The slitter assembly slits the product into strips as the product is conveyed in the feed direction. The slitter assembly comprises a plurality of cutting elements arranged in a V shape and overlapping one another in the feed direction, as viewed in a direction substantially normal to the conveyance surface. A chopping assembly is positioned downstream of the slitter assembly. The chopping assembly comprises an elongated blade, which moves in an elliptical cutting motion, such that it has a component in the downward direction to sever the strips of product, and a component in the feed direction to toss the severed pieces of product in the feed direction.

A portable toilet chemical additive charging system comprises a restroom cabana containing a toilet bowl which opens into a waste-holding tank. A water source, such as a separate water tank, is connected by a conduit to the toilet bowl for delivering flush water to the bowl when a flush pump, that is connected to the conduit, is actuated. The flush water passes through a control valve in the conduit. A chemical additive container is removably positioned near the toilet bowl and is connected by a tube to the control valve. The control valve injects a pre-determined amount of additive to the flush water when flush water is flowed through the control valve to the bowl. Preferably, the container is shaped to closely fit within a space between a vent pipe extending upwardly from the waste-holding tank and the adjacent interior surface of a wall of the cabana. A portion of the container is substantially transparent and exposed so that an observer may view the level of additive content in the container, while the remainder of the container is substantially concealed by the vent pipe.

There is provided a biodegradable feminine hygienic interlabia pad which includes a biodegradable inner absorbent sliver made of cotton or rayon and a biodegradable outer cover also made of cotton or rayon. The edges of the outer cover are sewn together to form a hollow cylinder. There is also provided a method and apparatus for manufacturing the pads. A rope of absorbent material and a web of the outer covering are brought together in a die. The die in the form of a hollow tube and a tapered guide which causes the outer covering to enclose the absorbent material with the seam for the outer covering being on the inside of the pad. The die includes an opening for exposing the adjacent edges of the web so that the edges may be sewn together. Also adjacent panels are formed by sewing the pad itself.

A cartridge type heater is provided with at least one hot wire coil (13), which has two coreless coil strands (11, 12), which extend in an insulating material (50) along the two sides of a carrier wall (14). The heater includes an insulating material that is coordinated with the internal diameter of a metal jacket (2). The hot wire ends (9, 10) are provided with terminals projecting from the same end of the metal jacket (2). The hot wire coils (11, 12) are electrically connected to one another in the area of an end edge of the carrier wall (14). This edge is located in the closed end area of the metal jacket (2) and the coils are guided by spacers (45) distributed at the longitudinal edges of the carrier wall (14). At least the terminal-side end of the dimensionally stable carrier wall (14) is provided with an attached coil holder (15, 15 / 1), to which the hot wire ends (9, 10) are fastened under tensile stress. This keeps the windings of the hot wire coil (13) spaced apart from each other. At least one filling opening (42) is provided for the granulated insulating material (50).

This invention comprises an orthodontic dental distractor for rapid orthodontic tooth movement, particularly into a fresh extraction socket. The rapid movement can occur from the effect of distraction osteogenesis.The device can include four components: a molar tooth band with buccal tube, a canine tooth band with buccal tube, a threaded screw, and a screw retaining clip. The threaded screw is engaged internally to the molar band tube which is threaded internally. The screw head bears externally on the anterior (mesial) end of the clip, and the clip bears externally on the canine band tube so that when the screw is turned the canine tooth moves distally toward the molar tooth. Thus the movement of a tooth can be controlled to proceed at a rapid and prescribed rate.

The present invention relates to a system and method for disassembling scrapped vehicles in which multiple process-based facilities are provided in series on one path for performing each disassembling process from a loading process of a scrapped vehicle to a final vehicle body compression process. The scrapped vehicles are moved along the path while mounted on a truck that moves the vehicles via a transfer rail. The truck that has completed a transfer is lowered into the interior of a tunnel beneath the path and transferred back to the position where the first process was performed.

This invention relates generally to filtration cassettes, and, more particularly to methods of fabricating cross-flow filtration cassettes. Cassettes of the invention are characterized, in part, by a series of sealing channels which selectively seal the filtrate and retentate ports to prevent undesired flow. The sealing channels have formed barriers on either side thereof which create side-walls for precisely controlling the flow of the sealant during the cassette formation. Filtration cassettes of the present invention can be manufactured from conventional membrane and flow screen components and can utilize both injection molding and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding fabrication processes.

A battery monitoring apparatus that obtains a current measurement for a current in a conductive element. The battery monitoring apparatus includes conductive lines configured to couple to a conductive element having an electrical current, a filter coupled to the conductive lines and configured to filter noise from a signal derived from a voltage difference between the conductive lines, an analog-to-digital converter that converts the signal filtered by the filter and outputs a digital signal, and a controller that receives the digital signal from the analog-to-digital converter.

The present invention is a modular construction method for enclosures and counter assemblies. The counter assembly has a series of modules, which can be added or removed at will. The counter assembly comprises an innovative metal framework having modules connected by angled splices to enhance customization into variable shapes and sizes. Cross-supporting framework and perimeter rails may be added to incorporate customized components for drawers, shelving, appliances, storage, access doors, vents, and the like. The framework is capable of supporting countertops formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the modular assembly. Side panels may be supported on the framework for purposes of enclosing the assembly, said panels being attached by a plurality of metal clips designed to fit into the metal framework with extensions designed to secure the side panels. The framework and components of the counter assembly are moveable, rearrangeable, and replaceable.

Disclosed is an apparatus for pipeline stabilization and shoreline erosion protection, termed a BulkMat device, for protecting and securing pipelines, which are typically located in ditches or on the floor of large bodies of water. In preferred form, the BulkMat comprises a long fabric mat with four to eight fabric compartments sewn onto the mat and filled with dry bulk sand / cement mix. In the preferred embodiment, the BulkMat is comprised of polypropylene. The BulkMat has four lifting loops that are used to pick-up and lower the BulkMat onto the desired location. When the bulk mat is placed on the location, and water sets in, the sand / cement mix in the compartments will harden to concrete. By hardening after it is set in place, the BulkMat will conform completely to the pipeline or covered area to be protected, precisely matching the specific area.

Engineered human tissue constructs are provided that are suitable for use in making humanized animals for use in pharmaceutical development. Humanized animals having the constructs implanted in vivo are provided. Methods of making and using the tissue-engineered constructs and humanized animals are also provided.

A method for electrostatic deposition of graphene on a substrate comprises the steps of securing a graphite sample to a first electrode; electrically connecting the first electrode to a positive terminal of a power source; electrically connecting a second electrode to a ground terminal of the power source; placing the substrate over the second electrode; and using the power source to apply a voltage, such that graphene is removed from the graphite sample and deposited on the substrate.

The invention describes an explicit solvent all-atom molecular dynamics methodology (SILCS: Site Identification by Ligand Competitive Saturation) that uses small aliphatic and aromatic molecules plus water molecules to map the affinity pattern of a large molecule for hydrophobic groups, aromatic groups, hydrogen bond donors, and hydrogen bond acceptors. By simultaneously incorporating ligands representative of all these functionalities, the method is an in silico free energy-based competition assay that generates three-dimensional probability maps of fragment binding (FragMaps) indicating favorable fragment:large molecule interactions. The FragMaps may be used to qualitatively inform the design of small-molecule ligands or as scoring grids for high-throughput in silico docking that incorporates both an atomic-level description of solvation and the large molecule's flexibility.