me Method for Network Self-Healing in Cluster-Tree Structured Wireless Communication Networks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a network self-healing method in which, when a link between a parent device and a child device breaks down in a wireless communication network of a cluster-tree structure in which a main communication device (referred to an access point (AP)) manages network operation, routers that are devices capable of having their child devices, and end devices that are devices incapable of having their child devices are associated with each other in a parent-child device relationship, the link is restored. When a router becomes an orphan device, the router makes network re-association in a cluster unit while maintaining synchronized operation with its child devices, and thus time, energy and signaling burden for network self-healing is largely reduced. Full Article
me ASYMMETRIC COMMUNICATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention is in relation to a method initiating a device discovery process communications between user terminals capable of communicating on device-to-device and cellular communications links in the cellular communications network; determining a first parameter indicating interference of transmissions from a first user terminal on a device-to-device communications link to a second user terminal; determining a second parameter indicating interference of transmissions from the first user terminal on a cellular communications link; applying, on the basis of the first parameter exceeding the second parameter, asymmetric communications between the user terminals such that transmissions from the first user terminal to the second user terminal are communicated over the cellular communications links via infrastructure of the cellular communications network and transmissions from the second user terminal to the first user terminal are communicated over the device-to-device communications link. Full Article
me Method and device in a paper or board machine line for straining paper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EDT In a paper or board machine drying line after the wire section, during dewatering a web's (W) width is affected in a direction crosswise to the web's traveling direction. Starting from an edge, at least one device (20A, 20B) brings about a force effect of a desired magnitude which is directed all the way to a desired arbitrary crosswise web position in order to modify web characteristics. A device in a paper or board machine line after the wire section has means for processing the web and for dewatering. The paper or board machine line after the wire section further has at least one device (20A; 20B) for directing a force effect at a desired partial area (WS) of the web (W) in the cross machine direction in order to modify the web's characteristics profile in the cross machine direction. Full Article
me Three-dimensional camouflage pattern By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST The stealthiness of a camouflage fabric product is enhanced by rendering the camouflage pattern in three dimensional relief. In one implementation, a treatment such as an anti-pill treatment is applied to selected portions of the pattern prior to a finishing process. In the case of a circular web fabric, the finishing process may involve fleecing the fabric. In this manner, a cost effective process is provided for constructing a three-dimensional relief camouflage fabric product. Full Article
me Sheet or film oblique stretching method and sheet or film clipping stretcher By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EDT Clipping both right and left side edge parts of a sheet or film by right and left pitch-variable clips having flow-directional clip pitches variable along with travel movements, respectively, having positions (AR, AL) for initiation of enlargements of flow-directional clip pitches changed between right clips and left clips, and enlarging flow-directional clip pitches along with travel movements of clips to thereby make an oblique stretch. Full Article
me Systems and methods for fabricating biased fabric By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a biased fabric is supplied. The biased fabric supply has a first specified width and a first bias angle of warp yarns relative to weft yarns. At least one overfeed roller configured to overfeed fabric from the biased fabric supply at an overfeed rate is provided. At least one spreading arm configured to stretch the fabric to a second specified width and a fabric oven configured to heat the biased fabric supply to a specified temperature and output a balanced crimp and/or elongation biased fabric are also provided. Full Article
me Method for vehicle internetworks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST Vehicle internetworks provide for communications among diverse electronic devices within a vehicle, and for communications among these devices and networks external to the vehicle. The vehicle internetwork comprises specific devices, software, and protocols, and provides for security for essential vehicle functions and data communications, ease of integration of new devices and services to the vehicle internetwork, and ease of addition of services linking the vehicle to external networks such as the Internet. Full Article
me Apparatus including an asymmetrical wedge-like member for controlling deflection in small diameter rolls of an open width stabilizer so as to create a straight line nip with uniform pressure across the nip By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST An improved apparatus for correcting deflection in small diameter feed and retard rolls of an open width stabilizer so as to create a straight line nip with uniform pressure across the nip. The improved apparatus provides apparatus for adjusting deflection of the rolls to thereby maintain a desired size to a passageway between them so as to optimize compaction of a fabric web material. A wedge-like member is disposed between, and in moving relationship to, feed and retard roller bearings. The wedge-like member is asymmetrical, has feed and retard sides that engage the feed and retard roller bearings, respectively, and exerts reaction forces against each of the respective bearings. Improvement resides in the reaction forces causing the rolls the rolls to not deflect downwardly. Full Article
me Machine, methods, and program product for electronic order entry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST Systems, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods and services, or other products, through messaging over a financial services electronic payment network, are provided. A customer provides electronic order registration activation information for an electronic order transaction card. The customer is provided an electronic order card having a unique electronic payment network compatible electronic order card identifier including a non-financial transaction IIN and a customer number, and is provided a catalogue or list including product order codes each associated with a different product, to enable electronic ordering over the financial services electronic payment network. An electronic order card configured to interface with a conventional point-of-sale terminal can be used to facilitate the electronic ordering over the existing financial services electronic payment network when presented to the point-of-sale terminal with a product order code identifying a selected product. Full Article
me Structure for supporting clothes to be decolorized, method of forming the same and method of using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST This invention is about a structure for supporting clothes to be decolorized and for aiding in the process of decoloration, to a method of forming the same, and to a method of using the same to decolorize clothes. It includes manufacturing a semi-finished product for supporting clothes and manufacturing the supporting structure as well as a the method of decolorizing clothes using the supporting structure to have various decolorizing textures and styles. Full Article
me Device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST A device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll. The device includes an impact blade and a stabilizing apparatus. The impact blade is rigid and interchangeable. The stabilizing apparatus stabilizes the impact blade against moving away from the feed roll to prevent the jamming of the fibrous material between the feed roll and the impact blade during the compressive treatment of the fibrous material. Full Article
me System and method for preventing race condition vulnerability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST A method for identifying vulnerable system call pairs is disclosed. The method is based on a model for identifying Time-Of-Check-To-Time-Of-Use (TOCTTOU) problem (called STEM), which enumerates the potential file system call pairs (called exploitable TOCTTOU pairs) that form the check/use steps. The system function calls are classified into a plurality of predefined classes and pairs of the function calls are formed according to predefined criteria, where the function calls within a pair are associated with the same file invariant. Full Article
me Method for opening fabric, fabric, and composite material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EDT According to the present invention there is provided a method for opening a fabric, in which warp and weft yarns can be uniformly opened using a simple method without having to alter the fabric weaving procedure. The method is a method for opening a fabric (4) produced by weaving a warp yarn (2) and a weft yarn (3), each of which having a bundled plurality of fiber filaments (1). A contact body (6) is provided to a surface of the fabric (4) with a protective film (5) interposed therebetween, and the contact body (6) is caused to move over the fabric (4) obliquely, and in a relative manner, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the warp yarn (2) or the weft yarn (3), whereby the warp yarn (2) or the weft yarn (3) is spread. Full Article
me Process for producing intertwined ultrafine filament sheet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 May 2012 08:00:00 EDT A method of producing an entangled sheet of microfine long fibers using long fibers for forming microfine fibers. The method includes a step of forming a long-fiber web made of long fibers for forming microfine fibers, at least one component of the long fibers being a water-soluble, thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol resin; a step of entangling the long-fiber web to form a long-fiber entangled sheet; a step of shrinking the long-fiber entangled sheet to form a long-fiber shrunk sheet; and a step of converting the long fibers for forming microfine fibers in the long-fiber shrunk sheet to microfine long fibers, thereby producing the entangled sheet of microfine long fibers. The step of entangling is conducted so as to allow the long-fiber entangled sheet to have an interlaminar peel strength of 2 kg/2.5 cm or more. The step of shrinking is conducted so as to shrink in an areal shrinkage of 35% or more. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for pilling reduction By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Jul 2012 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for reducing pilling on a piece of garment/fabric includes at least one holding member adapted to secure the piece of garment/fabric, a rotatable brush member adapted to brush on the piece of garment/fabric until loose fibers of the garment/fabric migrates to a surface of the garment/fabric to form a layer of pillable fuzz, a shaving member adapted to remove the layer of pillable fuzz on the piece of garment/fabric, and a control unit adapted to control movement of the rotatable brush member and the shaving member. Full Article
me Porous film manufacturing method and successive biaxial stretching apparatus for manufacturing porous film By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a method for manufacturing a high-quality porous film. Here, while the porous film is being manufactured through forming micropores by stretching, a raw film is prevented from slipping on the surfaces of the respective rolls as much as possible even though the raw film includes oil or liquid paraffin as a solvent. The method is for manufacturing a porous film through forming micropores by successive biaxial stretching. A tensile force applied to the raw film F transferring from the longitudinal stretching machine (10) to the transverse stretching machine (50) is set not less than a stretching force necessary for the longitudinal stretching, and thus the raw film is prevented from slipping on a contact surface between the raw film and each roll of the longitudinal stretching machine (10). Full Article
me Artificial turf and method and device for forming thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an artificial turf, comprising a backing and a number of artificial grass blades connected to the backing and extending transversely of the surface thereof, which artificial grass blades have an irregular, in particular a locally narrowed, cross-section. Owing to this locally narrowed cross-section in the vicinity of the free end thereof, these artificial grass blades greatly resemble natural blades of grass and also display similar behavior. The invention also relates to a method for forming such an artificial turf and to a device with which this method can be performed. The narrowed cross-section can herein be formed by stretching the artificial grass blades, wherein the artificial grass blades can be plasticized before, during and/or after the stretching, for instance by local heating thereof. Full Article
me Data conversion system and method for converting data that is distributed in a vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 08:00:00 EDT A data conversion system for a vehicle includes an interface gateway device that is configured to be communicatively coupled with a data acquisition module and a client module. The data acquisition module obtains a value of a data parameter related to operation of the vehicle and communicates the value to the interface gateway device in a first message provided in a first format. The interface gateway device is configured to convert the first format of the first message into a different, second format to form a second message and to communicate the second message to the client module. The client module uses the second message to perform a function for the vehicle. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for managing a network, network management program, and storage medium including a network management program stored thereon By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 08:00:00 EDT A method, apparatus, program, and storage medium, for managing a network device by communicating with an information processing device and the network device via a network and managing the network device in response to a request from the information processing device. If a request for execution of a process, which needs particular authorization, upon the network device, is received from the information processing device, it is determined whether a command to invalidate a password of said network device has been received together with the process execution request. When the password of the network device is to be invalidated, a password invalidation request is transmitted to the network device. This technique makes it possible for an administrator of a network device to use it even when the administrator forgets the device password assigned to the network device without having to perform initialization which would cause all setting data to be lost. Full Article
me Sheet or film oblique stretching method and sheet or film clipping stretcher By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 08:00:00 EDT Clipping both right and left side edge parts of a sheet or film by right and left pitch-variable clips having flow-directional clip pitches variable along with travel movements, respectively, having positions (AR, AL) for initiation of enlargements of flow-directional clip pitches changed between right clips and left clips, and enlarging flow-directional clip pitches along with travel movements of clips to thereby make an oblique stretch. Full Article
me Apparatus and method for transporting a fabric By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for transporting a fabric having first and second transport faces for gripping a fabric therebetween and to displace the fabric along its length, in which at least one of the transport faces has an irregular surface. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for compacting tubular fabrics By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 08:00:00 EST A two-stage process and apparatus for compacting tubular knitted fabrics, wherein at each stage the fabric, is acted upon by cooperating feeding and retarding rollers spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of the fabric. Opposite fabric sides thus cannot be in simultaneous contact with the feeding and retarding rollers at the same point along the fabric. Fabric is transferred from a feed roller to a retarding roller while opposite sides of the fabric are closely confined in a compacting zone, free of contact with either roller. Fabric is longitudinally compacted during its traverse of that zone. In the second stage, the rollers are reversely oriented with respect the fabric. Unlike known two-stage procedures, not more than 60% of the compacting effort is imparted in either one of the stages. Preferably each stage imparts about 50% of the compacting effort. Higher production speeds and superior product quality are achieved. Full Article
me Device for measuring thickness of cloth and method for measuring thickness of cloth By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST A device and method for measuring the thickness of a cloth when the predetermined pressing force is applied to the cloth. A device for measuring a cloth thickness includes a stationary part having a base surface; a movable member having a pressing end to press a cloth against the base surface; a movable member driving mechanism to move the movable member linearly without rotating around itself from an initial position up to an over-pressing position where the pressing end presses the cloth against the base surface with a force exceeding the predetermined pressing force; a load cell for detecting a force with which the pressing end presses the cloth against the base surface; and a pulse coder for detecting the space between the base surface and the pressing end when a force value detected by the load cell reaches the predetermined pressing force. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for pliabilizing knitted or woven materials By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EST An apparatus for pliabilizing tubular materials including a frame, a ring holder, and a mandrel assembly. The ring holder assembly is mounted to the frame and includes a circumferential ring, and a plurality of pairs of non-mechanically driven, rotatable wheels mounted around the ring and having a recess extending circumferentially around an outer edge. The mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having proximal and distal ends and a maximum outer circumference, and a plurality of non-mechanically driven, rotatable wheels spaced apart about a circumference of the mandrel and mounted thereto so as to extend radially beyond the maximum outer circumference. The wheels of the mandrel assembly are positioned between and so as to mate with respective pairs of the wheels of the ring holder assembly, and the wheels of the mandrel assembly are sized shaped to mate with the recesses of the respective pairs of wheels of the ring holder assembly. Full Article
me Machine and method for the combined mechanical and heat treatment of fabrics, especially knitted fabrics By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A machine and a method for treating fabrics, comprise in combination a step of inducing substantially vertical vibrations in a quantity of fabric in the form of a substantially compact mass and a simultaneous step of drying the rest of the fabric in opened-out form. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for applying a compaction pressure to a fabric preform during wrapping By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for applying a compaction pressure to a fabric during formation of a fabric preform. One end of the fabric is applied to the form having a central axis. The form with the fabric applied thereto is at least partially surrounded with a film. This film extends along a film path to the form and around at least a portion of the form. The fabric and the film are fed onto the form such that the fabric is wrapped around the form to create the fabric preform while the film is fed around the form. A vacuum is drawn to evacuate a gas from between the form and the film, thereby pressing the film onto the fabric and applying the compaction pressure to the fabric. Full Article
me METHOD OF MAKING A BASKET WEAVE HANDBAG By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 1971 08:00:00 EST A method for the manufacture of an interwoven wicker, plastic strip basket, handbag or luggage which involves interweaving the wicker or plastic strips to form a body and to form a cover for the body of the basket and then anchoring by means of a tool the protruding ends of the strips of the body and of the cover to channel-shaped rails which rest on removable supports in the body, thus forming the frames of the body and cover. Full Article
me Method of making a decorative article from pine needles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 May 1979 08:00:00 EDT A method of making a basket-like or other decorative article from pine needles comprising the steps of twisting and arranging pine needles, stitching the pine needles with a sewing needle and thread, so as to form a surface or wall, forming a basket-like object, the outer and inner surfaces of which are sealed with a protective coating, such as varnish. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for assembling reels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Feb 1980 08:00:00 EST A method and apparatus for assembling a reel having a pair of axially spaced circular flanges provided with facing annular grooves, a plurality of axially extending staves fitted into the grooves to form a cylindrical drum extending coaxially between the flanges, and a plurality of tie rods extending axially through the flanges within the drum to draw the flanges together, the apparatus having an inner ring assembly removably supported on the rods concentrically within the drum; an outer ring assembly releasably supported on and downwardly of the inner ring assembly concentrically therewith and adapted to open circumferentially so as to be removed from the drum; and a plurality of lances releasably engaging the tie rods for threading the rods through one of the flanges. Full Article
me Stave machine and method of stave manufacture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Mar 1995 08:00:00 EST A machine for making staves includes a first section and a second section with each section including components for cutting one side of a blank in a manner inclined to the blank's lengthwise axis. Conveyors on each section are equipped with lugs for propelling the blanks with each lug having a foot to support a lug engaged end of the blank against laterally applied loads imparted by wheel members. Additionally supporting each of the conveyed blanks on each section is a fence on each section with the lug foot and the fence serving to maintain the blank in a skewed position to present a displaced side edge to a cutter head. The fence on the second section additionally supports the blank against lateral loads applied in an opposite direction by wheels biasing the blank into fence and lug engagement to skew in an opposition direction. A cutter head on the second section of the machine completes shaping of the blank by cutting a second side edge inclined to the stave's lengthwise axis. A method of forming tapered articles from rectangular blanks is also disclosed. Full Article
me Wine barrel reconditioning method and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 May 1997 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for reconditioning wood wine barrels. An open wine barrel is placed on a barrel rotator stand and positioned into a planer-cutter apparatus. Cutting parameters are set, and a horizontal screw advances the cutter into the barrel, cutting a swath the length of the barrel stave. The cutting process is repeated through the number of passes required. The barrel is dried, placed on a toasting rotator stand, and positioned under a toaster so that the toaster elements are inside the barrel. An expansion mechanism places the toaster elements adjacent the barrel interior surface, and the barrel ends are closed. After toasting, the expansion assembly is retracted and the barrel is removed. The barrel heads are run through a planer, dried, and sanded, and placed in a head toaster. The head toaster doors swing closed placing the heads adjacent oscillating firebars. Full Article
me Conductive primer mix By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 1997 08:00:00 EDT Electrically ignitable conductive primer mixture comprising aluminum and carbon black and having reduced tetrazene, the mixture also containing lead styphnate, antimony sulfide and barium nitrate. Full Article
me Segmented variable height basket body form By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jan 2001 08:00:00 EST Each of two end sections and one middle section of the present basket form is formed with a centrally and axially disposed passageway and with a pair of diametrically opposing passageways spaced radially outwardly from the central passageway. All of the passageways in one of the sections are simultaneously alignable with corresponding passageways in the other sections. The central passageways are adapted to receive a mounting member. Each of the radially outwardly disposed passageways are adapted to receive a bolt, and a wing nut is tightened onto an outwardly projecting threaded end of each bolt to hold the separable sections of the form in alignment with one another. The middle section of the form may be removed and the two end sections held in alignment with one another to accommodate a shallower basket. Full Article
me Apparatus and method for forming a basket bottom By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Mar 2001 08:00:00 EST A working surface 14 is provided with a plurality of splint locators 15-18 and a bottom locating area 27 suitable for arranging basket splints 11A-C, 12A-C into a predetermined number and configuration of angularly related sets 11, 12. A slot 44, 45 and a linearly aligned set of sockets 48A-C, 49A-C are formed in the working surface 14 outwardly from two of the perimeter edge portions 21, 22 of the bottom locating area 27. An alignment rim 29, 30 is provided for positioning one end of each of the basket splints in one of the angularly related sets 11, 12. A bolt 50, 51 is slidably mounted in each of the slots 44, 45 and extends upwardly through each of the alignment rims 29, 30. A wing nut 56, 57 is threadedly mounted on each of the bolts 50, 51 for releasably tightening the alignment rims 29, 30 at selected sites on the working surface 14. A ring-headed pin 58, 59 extends downwardly through each of the alignment rims 29, 30 for releasably engaging a selected one of the sockets 48A-C, 49A-C. Full Article
me Basket form apparatus and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 08:00:00 EDT A method of constructing an interwoven basket using a collapsible basket form apparatus is disclosed. The present invention permits the construction of an interwoven basket including a solid bottom surface and upwardly converging woven side walls that define a top opening which is relatively smaller than the largest diameter of the basket. The present collapsible basket form apparatus permits construction of a basket from which a unitary basket form of the same shape could not otherwise be removed upon completion of the basket. The present basket form apparatus is adaptable to construction of baskets of many different sizes and shapes by the use of interchangeable rib components which function to define the basket contours. Full Article
me Basket weaving kit and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 May 2002 08:00:00 EDT A basket weaving kit and method for producing a container to be decorated and used for carrying objects. The basket weaving kit and method includes a plastic cylinder. A plurality of spoke members are for coupling to the plastic cylinder. Each of the spoke members is positionable in substantially parallel spaced relationship to an adjacently positioned spoke member such that the spoke members are positioned around the plastic cylinder. A plurality of reed members are for weaving through the spoke members. Full Article
me System and method of fastenerless construction of a decorative article By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Dec 2005 08:00:00 EST A system and method of constructing a substantially decorative article without the need for fasteners. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the decorative article is a woven basket. One or more retainers are provided to retain the material used to construct the outer surface of the decorative article. Each retainer is provided with a channel for receiving one end of the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article. The channels are able to retain the ends of the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article without the need for fasteners. If the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article is sufficiently rigid, the decorative article will be self-supporting. If the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article is not sufficiently self-supporting, supports may be located between the retainers. The channels may be oriented at an angle, or may be provided with a texture, to assist in retaining the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article. Full Article
me Apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels. In particular, the present invention relates to reconditioning used wine barrels by shaving the inside surface to a predetermined depth, ready for re-crozering, toasting, and re-use. Conventional shaving methods typically involve routing the internal surface by hand, but this technique is problematic in that it is a very slow process, the quality of the wood is often adversely affected, and there is no way of ensuring that the surface will be shaved to the same depth across the entire surface. Therefore, the resultant internal dimensions of the barrel are not reflective, relatively, of the original barrel surface. The apparatus of the present invention includes a scanning device adapted to scan the internal dimensions of the barrel, and a cutting device adapted to shave the internal surface to a predetermined depth relative to the scanned internal dimensions. Full Article
me Machine and method for the selection and the arrangement of staves By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a machine and method for selecting and organizing staves for making barrels. The machine includes an input unit, including a stave-measuring station, a storage assembly for storing the staves awaiting allocation and receiving the staves from the input and measuring unit, a calculation unit able to select staves from those measured in such a way as to form a collection of staves ready to assemble into a barrel, and an output unit, in relation with the storage assembly, equipped with a stave-reorientation system. Staves used by the machine and in the method may be asymmetric about a horizontal axis. The staves selected by the calculation unit are advantageously delivered to the output unit in an order and a configuration that make for easy assembly of the barrel. Full Article
me Method for shaving the inside of barrels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels. In particular, the present invention relates to reconditioning used wine barrels by shaving the inside surface to a predetermined depth, ready for re-crozering, toasting, and re-use. Conventional shaving methods typically involve routing the internal surface by hand, but this technique is problematic in that it is a very slow process, the quality of the wood is often adversely affected, and there is no way of ensuring that the surface will be shaved to the same depth across the entire surface. Therefore, the resultant internal dimensions of the barrel are not reflective, relatively, of the original barrel surface. The apparatus of the present invention includes a scanning device adapted to scan the internal dimensions of the barrel, and a cutting device adapted to shave the internal surface to a predetermined depth relative to the scanned internal dimensions. Full Article
me Apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels. The invention relates to reconditioning used wine barrels by shaving the inside surface to a predetermined depth, ready for re-crozering, toasting, and re-use. Conventional shaving methods typically involve routing the internal surface by hand, but this technique is problematic in that it is a very slow process, the quality of the wood is often adversely affected, and there is no way of ensuring that the surface will be shaved to the same depth across the entire surface. The resultant internal dimensions of the barrel are not reflective, relatively, of the original barrel surface. The invention includes a scanning device to scan the internal dimensions of the barrel, and a cutting device to shave the internal surface to a predetermined depth relative to the scanned internal dimensions and where the scanning device and the cutting device may be supported by different robotic arms. Full Article
me Wood kiln moisture measurement calibration and metering methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST A moisture metering calibration method and system for, e.g., determining the moisture lumber within a lumber drying kiln is disclosed. Calibration of moisture indicative electrical signals obtained from, e.g., moisture sensing capacitive plates spaced apart within a stack of drying lumber is performed, wherein long lengths (e.g., up to 1000 linear feet or more) of coaxial cable can be used for transmitting the signals, and effectively removing signal anomalies induced in such cabling so that accurate lumber moisture measurements result. Such extended cable lengths provides flexibility with respect to placement of electronic moisture metering equipment. This flexibility allows such equipment to be placed in an environmentally-controlled enclosure, rather than on the weather exposed exterior of a kiln whose lumber is being monitored. Full Article
me Apparatus and method for producing barrel staves By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present invention therefore provides an improved apparatus and integrated method for producing barrel staves. The apparatus measures the profile of unfinished stave workpieces and based on the width and shape of the stave, as well as other parameters such as the type of barrel that is required, the edges of the stave are trimmed accordingly. This ensures fewer rejected staves, less waste in that the width of the unfinished stave is continuously measured across its entire length with minimum depth of cut required, and most importantly, barrel staves having extremely accurate jointed edges ensuring superior finished barrels have an internal surface that is free from undesirable spacing between the staves, utilizing less labor than hitherto known apparatus. Full Article
me Exercise device with a linear drive mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An exercise device (20) includes a frame (22) and a drive mechanism (100) attached to the frame. The drive mechanism includes a first shaft (122) having a first fixed gear (128) and a second shaft (124) having a second fixed gear (130). The first fixed gear and the second fixed gear are mechanically linked to cause the first shaft to rotate in an opposite direction than the second shaft. A first linear input is mechanically linked to the first shaft and a second linear input is mechanically linked to the second shaft. Full Article
me Control device for dual clutch transmission and control method for dual clutch transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A control device for a dual clutch transmission includes a transmission control unit that determines immobility in an engaging-side clutch in a next stage as sticking and, when the engaging-side clutch in the next stage malfunctions and when a gear in a previous stage is out of engagement, engages the gear in the previous stage and thereafter controls a clutch torque capacity in the previous stage to a predetermined value, and a back torque limiter operates according to a predetermined condition to engage a release-side clutch in the previous stage. Full Article
me Locating beam and robot linear motion unit having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A locating beam and a robot linear motion unit having the same, wherein the locating beam comprises a first support beam and a second support beam which are parallel to each other, a crossbeam connected between the first support beam and the second support beam and is vertical to the beams, and a joints between the crossbeam and the beams is provided with a right-angle connecting piece. The robot linear motion unit includes a motion track and a transmission mechanism arranged along the extension direction of the motion track, and the motion track is arranged on a surface of the locating beam. Arranging the crossbeam and right-angle connecting pieces between the first support beam and the second support beam in the locating beam, improves the mechanical structure strength, reduces deflection deformation and twist deformation of the locating beam, and improves the impact resistance of the robot linear motion unit. Full Article
me XY all-directional precision alignment platform By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An XY all-directional precision alignment platform is provided and includes an XY-axes moving platform including X-axis moving platform and Y-axis moving platform, the X-axis and Y-axis moving platforms being stacked together, and a θ-angle rotating platform, the θ-angle rotating platform stacked onto the carrier surface thereof; wherein the θ-angle rotating platform is driven to perform precise θ-angle rotation achieving 360° and is of a four-layered thickness only, achieving the goal of having a light and thin product. Full Article
me Securing element, steering bearing with a securing element and steering column with a steering bearing and a securing element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A securing element (1) with an annular body (3, 12a, 26) and with holding tongues (4) which emerge from the annular body (3, 12a, 26) and end at a hole (6) in the securing element (1), which hole is centered with respect to the center axis (5) of the securing element (1), wherein the hole (6) leads axially in the same direction as the center axis (5) through the securing element (1) and, at the radial narrowest points of the hole (6), is bounded at least by end edges (7) formed on the end sides of the holding tongues (4), and wherein in each case at least two surfaces (8, 9) bounding part of the holding tongue (4) meet and end at the respective end edge (7), and of which one of the surfaces (8) is formed on the front side of the holding tongue (4). Full Article
me Clutch arrangement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A clutch arrangement, in particular for use in the drive train of a motor vehicle, including a flywheel which is arranged on the drive side and is coupled via a spring arrangement to a secondary disk and is part, with said secondary disk, of a two-mass flywheel. The secondary disk has at least one centrifugal force pendulum, and a threaded sleeve is screwed with an outer thread into an inner thread of the secondary disk, and a clutch housing is screwed to an inner thread of the threaded sleeve via a fastener. Full Article
me Transmission housing having integrally-formed walls By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A housing for a transmission is disclosed. The housing may have a plurality of integrally-formed walls that together create an enclosure with an open first end and an open second end disposed axially opposite the first end. The housing may also have a first flange located at the first end of the enclosure and configured to engage an input housing of an engine, and a second flange located at the second end of the enclosure and configured to engage a differential housing. The plurality of integrally formed walls includes a lower wall having at least one impingement protection feature. Full Article