Appliances having a detergent dispenser that may be flushed with a water flow for removal of residual treating chemistry while reducing sudsing are disclosed. An example dispenser includes a cup with a bottom wall, a siphon tube projecting upwardly from the bottom wall, a cover for the siphon tube, an opening configured to introduce a liquid stream into the cup from a position above and beyond a periphery of the cover, wherein substantially all of the liquid stream flows downwardly along a trajectory defined by the opening and terminating below and within the periphery of the cover, and wherein the liquid stream directly impinges a portion of at least one of the cup or the siphon tube below the cover.

The present disclosure therefore relates to a method for lightening keratin materials, in which the following are used: (a) a direct emulsion (A) comprising at least one fatty substance in an amount greater than 25% by weight, such as greater than 50%, at least one surfactant; at least one alkaline agent and an amount of water greater than 5% by weight, of the total weight of the emulsion, (b) a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent. It also relates to a multi-compartment device comprising, in one compartment, an emulsion (A), in another compartment a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent.

A photoresist composition includes a binder resin combined with a black dye, a monomer, a photo-polymerization initiator and a remainder of a solvent.

The present invention provides dye mixtures containing at least one dye of formula (I) and at least one dye of formula (II) where T1, T2, R1 to R9 and n are each as defined in claim 1, processes for their preparation and their use.

The present invention relates to new azo dyes, a process for their preparation, and their use for dyeing or printing fibrous materials, to produce materials with brownish shades.

A bluing composition concentrate comprises an aqueous medium and at least one colorant that exhibits a blue or violet shade when deposited onto a textile material. The concentrate can be used to produce a bluing composition, and the bluing composition can be used to treat textile materials in such a way as to decrease the visually-perceived yellow coloration of textile articles that can occur with repeated use and laundering.

The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising: a) one or more fatty substances; b) one or more surfactants; c) one or more oxidation bases; d) one or more couplers based on 2-hydroxynaphthalene derivatives or particular phenol derivatives, acylaminophenol derivatives or quinoline derivatives; f) one or more basifying agents; e) optionally one or more chemical oxidizing agents; and the fatty substance content representing in total at least 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the formulation. The present invention also relates to a process using this composition, and to a multi-compartment device that is suitable for performing the said process.

The present invention relates to a hair dye composition, and more particularly, to a foam-type hair dye composition comprising: a first agent including a dye and an alkaline agent and a second agent including an oxidant; and a nonionic viscosity increasing agent of a PEG-aliphatic acid ester or a PPG-aliphatic acid ester in one or both of the first agent and the second agent, thereby largely improving dyeing properties without dripping after the composition is coated on hair.

Concentrated cleaning formulations for removing debris from hard surfaces and textile surfaces. An exemplary formulation includes a mixture of the following chemical components, in specified proportions: glycerin;monopropylene glycol;triethylene glycol methyl ether;a non-ionic surfactant;an emulsifier;soya methyl ester or canola methyl ester, or both; andhydroxypropyl sulfonate; The formulation is free of water other than insignificant amounts present in the chemical components combined to make the mixture. Combining the formulation with water causes a temperature of the combination to increase above the temperatures of the water and the formulation before combining.

A system includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) to generate an output signal based on an input voltage and a multi-stage delay network to receive the output signal from the VCO. Each stage of the delay network produces a phase-shifted output signal. The system includes a multi-stage digital-to-analog converter (DAC) network, where each stage of the DAC network is associated with a corresponding stage of the delay network. Each stage of the DAC network receives the phase-shifted output signal from its corresponding stage of the delay network and generates a weighted output signal based on the received phase-shifted output signal. The DAC network combines the weighted output signal of each stage. A weighting factor for each stage of the DAC network is selected to reduce harmonic content of the combination of weighted output signals.

A voltage-resistant switch is described. The switch comprises a signal input, a first FET transistor with a first channel with an extended drain and a first gate connector and a second FET transistor with a first channel with an extended drain and a second gate connector. A control signal connector is connected with the first gate connector and with the second gate connector via a second node and with the first channel and the second channel via a second resistor, and a signal connector is connected with the second channel. The voltage-resistant switch can be switched on and off.

A high-voltage electronic switch includes first and second transistors defining a current flow path between an input and output of the switch. The transistors have a common point of the current flow path and a common control terminal. A control circuit includes a voltage line receiving a limit operating voltage and first and second branches coupled between the voltage line and the common point and common control terminal, respectively. Further transistors are activated, upon turning-off of the first and second transistors, for coupling the branches to the voltage line. The branches include a parallel connected resistor, diode, and string of diodes with opposite polarities. The diode of the first branch plus string of diodes of the second branch and diode of the second branch plus string of diodes of the first branch provide coupling paths between the voltage line and, respectively, the common point and common control terminal.

Capacitors connected between gate terminals of a plurality of parallel-connected power transistors are charged and discharged in each switching cycle to provide a plurality of power transistor control waveforms from a single gate driver waveform that equalize power losses/temperatures or steady-state currents among the plurality of power transistors. The capacitors are charged to different voltages by diverting current from one transistor driver by disabling another power transistor driver at different respective times in response to measured transient or steady state current or temperature or other operational parameter.

The present disclosure is directed to multichannel transducer devices and methods of operation thereof. One example device includes at least two acquisition modules that have different sensitives and a signal processing stage that generates a blended signal representative of a lower gain signal mapped onto a higher gain signal. One example method of operation includes receiving a first signal from a first sensor having a first sensitivity, receiving a second signal from a second sensor having a second sensitivity that is different from the first sensitivity, generating a blended signal by mapping the second signal to the first signal, outputting the first signal while the first signal is below a first threshold and above a second threshold, and outputting the blended signal when the first signal is above the first threshold and when the first signal is below the second threshold.

A power conversion system may include a plurality of power devices and a sensor operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of power devices and configured to detect a voltage, current, or electromagnetic signature signal associated with the plurality of power devices. The power converter may also include circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of power devices and the sensor. The circuitry may send a respective gate signal to each respective power device of the plurality of power devices, such that each respective gate signal is delayed by a respective compensation delay that is determined for the respective power device based on a respective time delay of the respective power device and a maximum time delay of the plurality of power devices.

A circuit suitable for data backup of a logic circuit is provided. The circuit includes first to fourth nodes, a capacitor, first to third transistors, and first and second circuits. Data can be loaded and stored between the circuit and the logic circuit. The first node is electrically connected to a data output terminal of the logic circuit. The second node is electrically connected to a data input terminal of the logic circuit. The capacitor is electrically connected to the third node. The first transistor controls electrical continuity between the first node and the third node. The second transistor controls electrical continuity between the second node and the third node. The third transistor controls electrical continuity between the second node and the fourth node. The first and second circuits have functions of raising gate voltage of the first transistor and raising gate voltage of the second transistor, respectively.

A circuit includes a first node, a first inverter connected to the first node and a second node. A variable resistive element is connected to the second node and a third node. A first switch is connected to the second node, a first capacitive element is connected in series with the first switch and the third node, a second switch connected to the second node, a second capacitive element is connected in series with the second switch and the third node, and a second inverter is connected to the third node and a fourth node.

The present invention relates to processes that may be used singly or in combination to prevent lithium (or alkali metal) plating or dendrite buildup on bare substrate areas or edges of electrode rolls during alkaliation of a battery or electrochemical cell anode composed of a conductive substrate and coatings, in which the electrode rolls may be coated on one or both sides and may have exposed substrate on edges, or on continuous or discontinuous portions of either or both substrate surfaces.

The object of the present invention is to provide a positive electrode active material usable for a lithium ion battery capable of high charge/discharge cycle performance and high discharge capacity. The positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery has a layered structure and comprises at least nickel, cobalt and manganese. Further, the positive electrode active material satisfies requirements (1) to (3) below: (1) a primary particle size of 0.1 μm to 1 μm, and a 50% cumulative particle size D50 of 1 μm to 10 μm, (2) a ratio (D90/D10) of volume-based 90% cumulative particle size D50 to volume-based 10% cumulative particle size D10 of 2 to 6, and (3) a lithium carbonate content in a residual alkali on particle surfaces of 0.1% by mass to 0.8% by mass as measured by neutralization titration.

Composites of lithium-ion-conducting ceramic and polymeric materials make superior separators and electrolytes for use in lithium batteries. The ceramic material provides a high conductivity pathway for lithium-ions, enhancing the properties of the less conductive polymeric material. The polymeric material provides flexibility, binding, and space-filling properties, mitigating the tendency of rigid ceramic materials to break or delaminate. The interface between the polymer and ceramic can be made to have a low ionic resistance through the use of additives and coatings.

Provided is a positive electrode active material that can be used to fabricate a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent output characteristics not only in an environment at normal temperature but also in all temperature environments from extremely low to high temperatures. A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, the positive electrode active material includes a boron compound and lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide of general formula (1) having a layered hexagonal crystal structure. The lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide includes secondary particles composed of agglomerated primary particles. The boron compound is present on at least part of the surface of the primary particles, and contains lithium. Li1+sNixCoyMnzMotMwO2 (1)

Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (

Systems and methods for treating small elongated fibrous and particles of certain materials, e.g., PTFE materials in a suspension are presented. In some instances, high-intensity ultrasound (or acoustical energy) is applied to a sample of the material, through a fluid coupling medium or suspension, to achieve a material transformation in the sample. In various embodiments, fibrillation of particles of PTFE or similar materials is accomplished, or the formation of extended structures of these materials is caused or enhanced. Also, the ability to separate long fiber samples by ultrasonic or acoustic cavitation action is provided.

A method for mixing short staple and down cluster by a dry processing utilizes an air tool to blow the short staple over, so that the scattered short staple is mixed in the down cluster. Stirring blades are further applied for stirring. Chemical agents are needless, no pollution is generated, and processing time is preferably reduced since the mixture does not have to be soaked in the chemical agent. Both the processing time and the manufacturing cost are decreased. Preferably, a proportion of the short staple to the down cluster is adjustable for different needs and divergent warmth retaining effects.

The present invention refers to a process of making a fibrous structure, wherein roughly graded material is provided to rotating, apertured drums. The drums have at least one needle roll in their inside. The roughly graded material is agitated inside the drums, whereby fibers or small fiber clusters are separated from each other. These fibers and small fiber clusters are flung through the apertures to the outside of the drum, where they are directed onto a foraminous carrier to form a fibrous structure. The fibrous structures are especially useful in absorbent articles.

In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

Apparatus for producing spread fiber bundles by strategic use of tension control throughout the device and use of higher differential speeds between driven rollers and line speed of the running fiber bundle are provided herein, along with methods for producing spread fibers, prepregs, and articles of manufacture therefrom.

A hydrocarbon sequestering product, a method to obtain the product, and a method and a facility to sequester hydrocarbons, wherein the product comprises an oleophilic filamentous material that gets in contact with a medium contaminated by one or more hydrocarbons with the purpose of sequestrating the hydrocarbon(s) present in the medium to free it from said hydrocarbons.

Apparatus and methods for automatically training (i.e., straightening) saw blades along a saw mandrel are disclosed.

The present invention relates to a method for the continuous production of laid staple fiber fabrics with aligned fiber orientation, in which method the laid fabrics are produced by continuous plaiting down of carded fiber web at defined laying angles onto a synchronized transport belt (1), wherein the carding machine (2) and plaiting means (3) arranged downstream of it are arranged at an acute angle with respect to the advancing direction of the transport belt. Said laid staple fiber fabrics are used for producing high-strength fiber-reinforced plastic composites, as are used in wind power plants, aircraft construction and the automotive industry. In particular in the loading direction, said composites have high composite strengths and rigidities, to which end a defined fiber orientation is required. In addition to a defined orientation of the finite fibers, the laid fabrics also have a defined mass per unit area.

A method for harvesting bast plants that have stalks, husks, and seeds. The method includes cutting the bast stalks from the bast plants and receiving the bast stalks onto a first belt. The method then orients at least a portion of the bast stalks on the first belt by moving a bar back and forth across the first belt in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction the first belt is moving, the bar elevated above the first belt and having spaced tines extending toward the first belt, the longitudinal axis of the at least a portion of the bast stalks being generally oriented in the direction the first belt is moving. The husks and seeds may be removed from the bast stalks. The bast stalks may be packaged.

A processing line of bast fiber is provided. The processing line is comprised of various devices for carding, cutting, degumming, high temperature washing, separating and water washing, softening, drying, batching and applying oil, permeating and reconditioning, stretching-breaking carding, and combing and sorting. The processing line of bast fiber can improve production efficiency, and improve the yield of long hemp fibers. Moreover, the produced fiber has stable quality and is convenient for post-processing.

A processing agent containing five specified kinds of components including esters and ethers as required components is used in the production or fabrication process of synthetic fibers such that superior spinning property is maintained and synthetic fibers with superior yarn quality and dyeing property can be obtained. Aqueous liquids of such processing agents, processing methods using such liquids and synthetic fibers obtained by such methods are also presented.

A pressure steam treatment apparatus according to the invention includes a pressure steam treatment chamber and labyrinth sealing chambers. The labyrinth sealing chambers are respectively arranged on a fiber bundle inlet and on a fiber bundle outlet of the steam treatment apparatus, having a running path of the fiber bundle in a horizontal direction and having plural labyrinth nozzles on top and bottom of the running path. The difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the distance in the perpendicular direction of the top and bottom side labyrinth nozzles, of a pair of opposing labyrinth nozzles is 0.5 mm or smaller when the ambient temperature of the labyrinth sealing chamber is 140° C. This structure ensures that the energy cost can be reduced, the deformation of the apparatus and also, the raise of fuzz on the fiber bundle and fiber bundle breakage can be prevented at the same time.

Device for mechanically splitting finite textile fiber bundles, comprising n individual fibers (n≧2) in fiber bundles having less than n individual fibers and/or individual fibers, characterized in that in a milling chamber that is closed off from the outside and that has one or more dead spaces of at least 10% of the milling chamber volume and in which one or more rotating striking elements operate in a non-cutting manner and so as to reduce load peaks and at a rotational speed that can be adapted to the material but that is at least 200 r.p.m., the material is adjustably input in different amounts in batches, treated for an adjustable duration, and then discharged again from the milling chamber.

The invention relates to a clothing carrier (3) for flexible or semi-rigid clothings (2) for processing fiber material, wherein the clothing carrier (3) has a longitudinal direction (6) and a transverse direction (7). The transverse direction (6) corresponds to a working direction (A) of the clothing (2). The clothing carrier (3) exhibits a maximum tensile force (FL) in the longitudinal direction (6) which is greater than a maximum tensile force (FQ) in the transverse direction (7).

A connection device for setting up an arrangement of a plurality of loudspeaker boxes that are suspended beneath one another comprises a first assembly rail which is provided for assembly on a first loudspeaker box and to which a latching part is attached, and a second assembly rail which is provided for assembly on a second loudspeaker box and to which a retaining element that interacts with the latching part is attached. Herein, a free path length of a longitudinal displaceability of the latching part in relation to the first assembly rail is preselectable. Furthermore, the position of the retaining element in relation to the second assembly rail is preselectable.

Described herein is an arm stabilization member for dampening inadvertent movement of the arm of a user during a surgical procedure, comprising an arm support and a movement mechanism coupled to the arm support. The arm support comprises an outer frame sized to support at least a portion of the user's arm and an inner pad lining an inner surface of the outer frame and configured to conform to the user's arm. The movement mechanism comprises a counterbalance system movably connected by joints and configured to compensate for the gravitational forces exerted by the arm of the user.

An intermediate support structure for an escalator or moving walk having a dampening device with slots formed therein allowing a supported escalator truss to be free to move laterally to accommodate lateral displacement caused by story drift during an earthquake or seismic event.

An air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress which comprised of an array of air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for the body of a human, and a pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for introducing into ordered patterns of air bladder cells a wave-like time sequence of air pressure pulses which vary quiescent pressure levels in the cells, the pressure wave resulting in a traveling wave of support force variation which travels over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave pattern may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects.

A wheelchair cushion comprises a dual stiffness fluid. A cushion also comprises an ability to adjust fluid volume.

A mattress including a plurality of cells aligned and disposed on a body pressure working surface of a substrate that supports a human body; and a pressure control member that changes a height of each cell by adjusting a pressure in a fluid chamber formed within the cell. The cells are configured such that as the each cell is inflated by fluid supplied to the fluid chamber within the cell, the height of the each cell increases and a width dimension of the each cell in a direction of alignment decreases, and that peripheral portions of adjacent cells in the direction of alignment are overlapped with each other prior to cell inflation.

A mattress structure contains: an elastic mattress. The elastic mattress includes a main body, two elongated extensions extending along two peripheral sides of the main body, and an outer segment formed on one end thereof to correspond to user's feet. The elastic mattress is made of plural first plastic wires which are solid and are irregularly winded together, a connection portion of at least two of the plural first plastic wires is melted, and a disconnection portion of the at least two of the plural first plastic wires includes plural gaps formed therein. The elastic mattress also includes two support areas arranged below the two elongated extensions, and each support areas has plural second plastic wires winded therein, wherein a density of the plural second plastic wires is greater than those of the other positions of the elastic mattress besides the two support areas.

A vacuum mattress for an operation table has plural foam strips oriented longitudinally with respect to a patient, the foam strips being laterally spaced apart, wherein the gaps are free from granulate of the vacuum mattress at least in their upper parts and the plural foam strips are separated from the granulate by a gas-impermeable layer.

An acupressure pillow includes pressure members that are interconnected by an elastic member and arranged so that, when the user rests a body part (e.g., head or neck) on the pillow between the pressure members, the pressure members automatically adjust to accommodate the body part and produce pressure on the body part due at least in part to the elastic member, which biases the pressure members toward one another. Thus, the pressure exerted on the body part may have different vector components, including some pressure produced essentially perpendicular to the pillow surface on which the body part rests and some pressure produced at other angles due to the shape of the pressure members and the inward force on the pressure members produced by the elastic member.

The invention discloses a body cushioning pad, a body contact mat and a multi-layered cushioning structure composed of the body cushioning pad and the body contact mat. The cushioning pad consists of a plurality of foam blocks, each provided with an internal cavity having a predetermined size and shape to control the firmness of the block and means for maintaining the foam blocks as a unit. The body contact mat is a bi-dimensional latticed structure of spaced-apart studs made of a compressible material linked together by flexible linking elements. The multi-layered cushioning structure comprises both the cushioning pad and the body contact mat, and a wrapper to wrap the cushioning pad and the contact mat together.

An infant care accessory comprising a combination diaper bag and changing mat. The accessory comprises a body having a two side panels and a center panel. When the side panels are upright, the body forms a diaper bag. When the side panels are opened flat with the center panel, the body forms a diaper changing mat. The inside surface of the body is made of fluid impermeable material, and a fluid barrier is positioned along the center panel. The fluid barrier may be a strip of absorbent material. When a baby is placed lengthwise on the opened out body with the center panel positioned at about the baby's waist, urine and other body fluids will be blocked or absorbed by the fluid barrier and will not travel up under the baby's back and head. A removable accessory pouch may be included for carrying diapers, lotion, powder, and other changing essentials.

Person support apparatuses with selectively coupled foot sections are disclosed. In one embodiment, the person support apparatus includes a base frame, a primary support frame supported on the base frame, and a foot section coupled to the primary support frame. The person support apparatus also includes a carriage that is freely translatable between a head end of the primary support frame and a foot end of the primary support frame, the carriage comprising a torso portion and a seat portion having a thigh segment and a gluteal segment. The person support apparatus further includes a selectable trunnion that selectively and severally couples the foot section to the primary support frame and the thigh segment of the seat portion.

A patient support apparatus having a support table, a transfer plate, which is disposed movably in relation to the support table in a direction and on which a patient is supported for a surgical intervention and/or a medical imaging examination, and a surgical head restraint unit, which is disposed on the transfer plate is provided. The patient support apparatus includes a position monitoring apparatus for monitoring and/or checking a position of the surgical head restraint unit.