The image recording method includes the following steps (a) to (c): (a) forming a barrier layer on a recording medium by using a solution which contains an acidic group-containing polymer in a nonaqueous medium;(b) forming an organic acid-containing layer on the barrier layer; and(c) forming an image by jetting an aqueous ink onto the organic acid-containing layer by an ink jet method.

An aqueous ink for ink jet containing a self-dispersible pigment, a compound represented by General Formula (I): where in General Formula (I) each R1 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.

An aqueous ink for ink jet containing a self-dispersible pigment, an aromatic sulfinic acid or a salt thereof and an aromatic sulfonic acid or a salt thereof.

An aqueous ink containing a self-dispersible pigment for use in an ink jet recording method using a recording head that ejects an ink by an action of thermal energy. The aqueous ink contains a compound represented by General Formula (I): where in General Formula (I) R1's are independently of each other, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxylic acid group, a phosphoric acid group or a phosphonic acid group, R2 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and n is an integer of 1 to 5.

Provided is a cleaning solution used for cleaning an ink containing a resin in an amount of 5 percent by mass or greater, the cleaning solution including a mixture solvent containing water and a solvent, wherein a hydrogen bond term of a Hansen solubility parameter of the mixture solvent is 7.0 (cal/cm3)1/2 or less.

A method for marking references on a flat article includes providing a model having at least a through-opening and exhibiting the same peripheral profile as a flat article to be marked; detecting the peripheral profile of the model and storing that profile in a memory; detecting a profile of the through-opening and the relative positioning with respect to a reference system; detecting a peripheral profile of the flat article; replicating the peripheral profile of the model so as to superpose it on the peripheral profile of the flat article; replicating also the profile of the through-opening of the detected model, taking account of the relative positioning with respect to the reference system and of the positioning of the peripheral profile of the model with respect to the peripheral profile of the flat article. Contactless marking of at least a reference on the flat article is made at the profile of the through-opening which has been replicated.

An exposure device includes: a board on which light emitting elements are arranged; an optical system disposed opposite to the board; a support member which supports the board and the optical system; and a cured body disposed on the support member and including a board contact surface to come into contact with the board, wherein the cured body is formed by curing a deformable material.

A piezoelectric element includes: a titanium-containing adhesion layer, a lower electrode, a PZT-based piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode, which are sequentially provided on a silicon substrate, in which the lower electrode includes a columnar structure film consisting of a large number of columnar crystals which are grown from a surface of the titanium-containing adhesion layer and have a platinum group element as a primary component, and an adhesion layer component diffused from the titanium containing adhesion layer and oxygen diffused from the piezoelectric film side, which are present in the columnar structure film, and a main column diameter of the columnar crystal of the columnar structure film is 50 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

In one or more embodiments, a control unit reads image data and date information of a main image from a memory card into a RAM. When a watermark printing is set, the control unit combines characters of the date information having a high gradation value with overcoat layer data having a mixture pattern in which pixels having a high gradation value and pixels having a low gradation value are located randomly or alternately in rows and columns to generate overcoat layer print data and stores the data in an overcoat layer data storage area. The control unit generates CMY print data from the image data of the main image to print it on image-receiving paper by using a print processing section. After printing of the main image, the control unit prints the overcoat layer print data so that it is superimposed on the main image on the image-receiving paper.

A retractable wheel assembly includes a bracing member and a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the bracing member. The wheeled arm is sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through an aperture of the bracing member. The wheeled arm includes an arm member, a wheel, and an aperture cover shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap. The wheel assembly includes a deployment arm and a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode. The retractable wheel assembly includes a handle operationally coupled to the trap member.

A strap handle for a piece of luggage that has been modified to have the strap handle added thereon. The strap handle includes a strap, and apparatus for having the strap handle added onto the piece of luggage. The apparatus sits within the piece of luggage. The strap engages into the apparatus.

The instant disclosure relates to a customizable vacuum molding method for forming personalized luggage bags utilizing a customizable vacuum molding device having a main mold body (1) and a personalized pattern module (2) customized to suit a customer preference. The vacuum molding method comprising the steps of: 1) placing the personalized pattern module on a molding surface of the main mold body at a predetermined location; 2) placing a plastic luggage bag substrate onto the molding surface of the vacuum molding device and soften the substrate by heating; and 3) generating negative pressure in the vacuum molding device and stretching the plastic substrate onto the personalized pattern module on the molding surface of the main mold body while cooling the plastic substrate to form a personalized pattern. The instantly disclosed vacuuforming method provides a simple yet cost effective solution for manufacturing luggage bags having personalized patterns of a customer's choice.

The invention provides a reading stand. The reading stand may comprising a base portion including at least one base portion sidewall, the base portion sidewall being supported by the base portion; and a platform portion forming a support surface to support the document, the platform portion including at least one page holder to retain the document. The reading stand may further include a side support clip extending from the platform portion such that the base portion sidewall is receivable between the platform portion and the side support clip in an assembled position, the side support clip having a protuberance disposed thereon, the protuberance engageable with the base portion sidewall. The assembled position affords side reading.

A piece of luggage has a body with a surface. A weight scale has a top surface and is disposed in the body of the luggage. The top surface of the weight scale is coplanar with the surface of the body of the luggage. The weight scale determines a weight of the piece of luggage when in an operating state. When the weight scale is in a non-operating state it is stored safely within the body of the luggage. Most importantly the weight scale does not stick out from the body of the luggage so as to be susceptible to damage during transport of the luggage.

The present invention relates to an item of luggage (101) incorporating a collapsed resting support (125) which when erected may be used to support portions of a resting person (55) in a forwards leaning seated position. The item of luggage comprises an external casing (102) that extends across a plurality of sides of the item of luggage, and a personal resting support (125) for supporting a resting seated person's upper torso, the personal resting support being removeably affixable to a side (103) of the casing when not in use for resting support of a seated person. The resting support includes a main supporting section (126) for supporting a seated user's upper torso in a forwards leaning seated position, and at least two supporting legs (117, 118; 146) for supporting the main supporting section and which in use extend downwardly from the main supporting section. The item of luggage (101) comprises at least one ground engaging rolling means (109, 110) by which the item of luggage may be wheeled along the ground when being moved about and a handle (114) by which the item of luggage may be pulled to wheel the item of luggage along the ground. The handle (114) is joined to the casing (102) through one or more of the legs (117, 118) when the personal resting support (125) is affixed to the side (103) of the casing.

A cover-type containing structure for flexible enclosures primarily includes a front cover sheet, a rear cover sheet and a flexible enclosure. The front cover sheet includes a first joining edge and a cover piece, whereas the rear cover sheet includes a cover assembly corresponding to the cover piece. The flexible enclosure includes a second joining edge and by engaging the first joining edge with the second joining edge, the front cover sheet and the flexible enclosure are fixed. Besides, the containing structure further includes a holding portion. Under a contained state, the holding portion is used to contain smaller objectives; whereas, in an unfolded state, in addition to using the flexible enclosure to contain larger objectives, the holding portion can be also used to contain smaller objectives. The present invention can be also applied to a piece of clothing combined with a bag unit or other flexible enclosure.

A luggage assembly includes a first piece of luggage and a second piece of luggage. An attachment member is affixed to the second piece of luggage. The attachment member couples the second piece of luggage to the first piece of luggage so that the first and second pieces of luggage are self-stabilized while upright and inclined, and while in motion and while stationary.

A self-supporting, rigid, and collapsible reusable bag made from flexible material and having a bottom, two first sidewalls, two second sidewalls, a top opening, and rigid insert. A rigid full-wall board is embedded in each of the two first sidewalls. A rigid insert comprised of at least one pair of sidewalls and bottom with substantially similar dimensions to the second sidewalls and bottom of the bag are placed in the interior and in frictional contact with the second sidewalls and bottom of the bag. The rigid insert sidewalls are held in place with securing devices located on the interior upper corners of the sidewalls of the bag. The bag can be collapsed by moving the rigid insert away from the second sidewalls and bottom to allow the second sidewalls to fold either inward or outward. A full-wall pocket is provided for each first sidewall to receive the full-wall board.

A reconfigurable bag is disclosed. The reconfigurable bag has a center expanding section and two bottom expanding sections, all of which may be moved between stored and open configurations. Opening one or more of the expanding sections changes the shape and configuration of the bag.

The present invention provides a new and useful apparatus for charging battery powered electronic devices using a rolling means. The rolling means transfers mechanical energy from a plurality of wheels to a generator by way of a gear ratio. The generator in turn yields electrical energy that is later transformed via integrated circuitry into viable power for the purposes of charging an optional internal batter or that of an attached device. This apparatus does not limit the user's mobility and can be used in everyday settings. The apparatus can be an integral part of a piece of luggage or added to an existing hand cart. Additionally, the apparatus can have a connection for a DC input to charge the internal battery when the apparatus is not in motion.

Luggage includes an upper panel portion which has a receptacle. The receptacle enables a user to insert a portion of a tablet computer into the receptacle and the receptacle retains the tablet computer at a convenient angle for operation.

An electronic device includes a base body, a functional element that is placed on the base body, and a lid body, formed from silicon, that is placed over the base body so as to cover the functional element. A hole portion and a sealing member that closes the hole portion are disposed in the lid body, in the hole portion, the area of a second opening disposed on a side opposite to a first opening is larger than the area of the first opening disposed on the base body side, and the ratio of the volume of the sealing member to the volume of the hole portion is equal to or higher than 35% and is equal to or lower than 87%.

A method and apparatus for identifying an inconsistency. A number of waves that propagate through a structure are generated. A response signal is generated in response to detecting at least a portion of the number of waves that propagate through the structure. A determination is made as to whether the response signal includes a reflected component. A presence of the inconsistency in the structure is indicated when the response signal includes the reflected component.

A method and apparatus for inspecting a composite structure. A response sound signal to a sound signal sent into the composite structure at a location on the composite structure is detected. An attenuation is identified in the response sound signal detected in response to the sound signal sent into the composite structure at the location on the composite structure. An indication of whether additional evaluation of the location is needed based on a comparison of the attenuation in the response sound signal to a baseline attenuation value for porosity for the location on the composite structure is generated.

One embodiment of the invention provides a system for identifying an anomalous movement of a reciprocating element in a reciprocating device, the system comprising: at least one sensing device for sensing a vibration signal of the reciprocating element; a processing apparatus for separating the vibration signal into a first component having a first frequency range and a second component having a second frequency range different than the first frequency range; and a device for at least one of analyzing or displaying at least one of the first or the second components of the vibration signal, wherein the vibration signal includes positional data of the reciprocating element along at least one axis of the reciprocating element.

A pressure transmitter has a pressure sensor, an isolator diaphragm, and a fill tube. Interior passages in the pressure sensor module body are filled with isolator fluid and provide fluid connections. The isolator fluid couples pressure from the first isolator diaphragm assembly to the pressure sensor. A first crimp portion of the fill tube radially narrows into a substantially solid circular cylindrical cross section to form a first primary seal that is resistant to high pressure cycling.

A method, apparatus and system for testing the self-sealing properties of a concrete sample. The method may include providing an apparatus for creating a consistent and reproducible crack in a concrete sample and creating a consistent and reproducible crack in the concrete sample with the apparatus. The method may further include providing a fluidic delivery system that provides a consistent flow of fluid for testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample and testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample with the system.

A compression fitting includes a housing, a compressible seal, a follower and a driving member. The housing includes an axial cavity having a lateral sidewall that includes an axial keyway therein. The cavity terminates at a first end portion thereof at a seat. The compressible seal may receive a signal transmitting lead therethrough, and is disposed within the cavity and seated on the seat. The follower is axially movable within the cavity for selective engagement with the seal for axially compressing the seal against the seat, the sidewall of the cavity and the signal transmitting lead. The follower includes an integral key that extends laterally outward therefrom and is received within the keyway, and an axial bore for accommodation therewithin of the lead. The driving member is rotatably mounted on the housing and engageable with the follower such that rotation of the driving member causes an axial translation thereof.

Apparatus configured detect a physical quantity, for example a density, of a flowing fluid, the apparatus including: a sensor body (2) configured to extend into the flowing fluid, the sensor body comprising a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) of a fiber Bragg grating sensor (3, 7, FBG), for generating a detector signal relating to vibration of at least part (2B) of the sensor body (2); anda processing unit, configured to process the detector signal, and to determine the physical quantity based on detected vibration at a mechanical eigenfrequency of the flexible part (2B) of the sensor body (2).

A kiosk apparatus that may select for a person a recommended footcare product based on pressure measurements collected from pressures sensors or calculated biomechanical data estimates. Pressure measurements and calculated biomechanical data estimates may be used to determine if a foot is unshod on the pressure sensor and also group a person into a classified subgroup. The pressure measurement and calculated biomechanical data estimates may also be used to select a recommended footcare product.

Wireless strain and displacement sensors wirelessly monitor structural health and integrity, and are made by printing inductor-interdigital capacitor sensing circuits on a variety of substrates, including ceramic substrates, with thermally processable conductive inks. Sensors of the invention can be employed to detect strain and displacement of civil structures, such as bridges and buildings. The sensors include sensing elements that are mounted or printed on stiff, inflexible substrates, which prevent the sensing elements from bending, stretching, or otherwise warping when the sensor is strained. An interlayer between the sensing elements allows the sensing elements to move with respect to each other during application of strain. Thus, strain causes the sensing elements to move but not to deform, causing changes in sensor resonance that can be detected through wireless radio-frequency interrogation. Because the sensing elements do not change shape when under strain, the sensor can undergo millions of measurement cycles before breaking.

A force/moment sensor for measurement of three orthogonal forces and three orthogonal moments, comprises an inner holding element which is surrounded by an outer holding element. The two holding elements are connected to each other by deformation elements. For each deformation element, at least one deformation transducer is provided. The force/moment sensor is preferably monolithic, and the deformation transducers, formed as strain gauges, are preferably arranged in one plane or in two preferably parallel planes.

A support structure for a load measurement sensor has sufficient durability without adding a large load to a portion transmitting a load to the load measurement sensor. In a support structure for a load measurement sensor, including a sensor body detecting a load generated from a seat having a seat frame and an extension shaft portion extending from the sensor body, by way of attachment brackets in the state where the extension shaft portion follows the horizontal direction, the support structure includes a load input portion which comes into contact with the sensor body and inputs a load to the sensor body, the sensor body includes a load receiving surface which contacts the load input portion and receives the load, and the load input portion is formed to be movable in the axial direction of the extension shaft portion with respect to the load receiving surface.

A device for controlling fluid flow pressure and flow rate is disclosed. The device includes a first orifice plate, a second orifice plate housed in a tubular structure. The first orifice plate includes a first orifice of a first diameter (d1) and the first orifice is positioned near an edge of the first orifice plate. The second orifice plate includes a second orifice of a second diameter (d2) and the second orifice is positioned near an edge of the second orifice plate. The tubular structure has an effective diameter (D) comprising the first orifice plate and the second orifice plate placed at perpendicular direction to the fluid flow within the tubular structure, separated by an optimum distance (X).

A shaft connection structure connects a pair of rotating shafts by a fit between a pair of spline shafts, wherein the pair of rotating shafts are provided with corresponding ones of the pair of spline shafts. The shaft connection structure includes a shaft connection assist device. The shaft connection assist device includes a centering ring and centering pins. The centering ring is arranged outside of a first one of the spline shafts and coaxially with the first spline shaft. The centering pins are provided outside of a second one of the spline shafts. The centering pins engage with an outer peripheral surface of the centering ring and bring a shaft axis of the first spline shaft and a shaft axis of the second spline shaft into a range enabling the fit therebetween.

The invention relates to a temperature sensor comprising: a temperature-sensitive element (3); and a peripheral casing (7) accommodating the temperature-sensitive element (3) and having a closed end (9), the peripheral casing (7) being able to be inserted into a corresponding cavity (11), characterized in that the closed end (9) of the peripheral casing (7) has a peripheral portion (21) revealing, butted against the closed end, a flexible assembly stop (23) after said peripheral portion (21), said stop (23) being able to deform towards the peripheral portion (21) by shape cooperation with the bottom (15) of the corresponding cavity (11). The subject of the invention is also a process for manufacturing a temperature sensor as described above and a method of assembling said sensor.

A method of processing downhole measurement data includes: receiving formation measurement data generated by a downhole tool during a logging-while drilling operation over a selected time period; receiving a measured depth corresponding to the selected time period based on data taken at a surface location; receiving tool rotation data generated by measurements of a rotational rate of the downhole tool taken by a downhole sensor during the selected time period; calculating a new depth of the tool as a function of time over the selected time period based on a relationship between the tool rotation data and the measured depth; and correcting an original depth of the measurement data with the new depth.

Remotely readable valve position indicators and related methods are described. An example apparatus in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure includes a valve body, a valve stem and a fluid flow control apparatus coupled to the valve stem. The fluid flow control apparatus is longitudinally displaceable between a first position and a second position to control fluid flow through a flow aperture of the valve body. The apparatus also includes a valve position indicator including an identifier device coupled to the valve stem. In the first position, the wireless identifier device associated with a first value indicative of the first position of the fluid flow control apparatus. In the second position, the wireless identifier device associated with a second value indicative of the second position of the fluid flow control apparatus.

A method of calculating a 3-D geologic model in real time using, as input, 2-D geologic data. The 3-D is used for conducting further drilling operations. The model may be updated in real time using additional measurements obtained during drilling operations.

A modular system and method for testing and measuring various physical and chemical properties of substances includes a user interface unit having a micro controller, a power source, a display, and an input device; and a sensing module having a sensor probe, a signal conditioner, and a sensor controller. The user interface unit and the sensing modules are in electrical communication with one another such that sensor data generated by the one or more sensor probes, corresponding to one or more properties of the substances, is transmitted to the micro controller of the user interface unit. The user interface unit can be used to remotely view, test, record, and analyze data obtained by the sensing module, which module may be located at a remote location. The user interface unit and the sensing module may be in wired or wireless communication according to various known wired and wireless connection means.

A flotation system for a recreational board such as a stand up paddleboard includes an elongated substrate that is sized and shaped to releaseably wrap around the perimeter of a recreational board. The elongated substrate is constructed of a buoyant material such as foam, and defines a plurality of apertures that can be used to store items such as beverages and personal belongings. The elongated substrate is releaseably attached to the board by a variety of fastening means, and serves to increase stability and buoyancy of the board, and to protect the board.

The rescue device for the passengers and crew of a ship includes: a container that contains survival equipment; a system that is intended for stowing said container relative to the deck of the ship and contains at least one strap and a system for multimodally attaching and releasing said container; an airbag-type inflatable balloon set up between a structure, secured to the deck, and said container, said structure defining a passage for the passengers when needed; and a means for releasing the airbag set up on the wheelhouse of said ship. The frame-shaped structure is formed of: two side posts; a lower cradle, on which said container rests; an upper crosspiece; and a plate set up inside the ship and acting as a counterbearing for the airbag when said container is ejected.

Disclosed is a drillship having a vortex suppression block with a recessed flow stabilizing part in a moon pool. The flow stabilizing section is formed so that a bottom of the vortex suppression block that protrudes from a bottom of a hull toward a stern in the moon pool is recessed in an upward direction of the hull to stabilize a flow in the moon pool and reduce a variation in resistance of the drillship. The flow stabilizing section (30) is formed by partly recessing the bottom of the vortex suppression block toward an upper portion of the hull. The drillship having this configuration provides resistance performance improvement and flow stabilization of the drillship.

A rowing shoe retaining system includes a plate mountable to a sole of a shoe and a receiver mountable to a footboard of a rowing boat. The receiver removably retains the plate, thereby removably retaining the shoe.

A method and device to permit a water vessel to releasably capture a line in a towing station, remote from a parent ship. The towing station may be attached to the parent ship via a tow line. The line capturing device is an actuated catch that includes a hook assembly that is moveable between a release mode and a retrieval and holding mode. The actuated catch also includes a spring biased retaining catch that prevents a captured line from being inadvertently released.

The present disclosure relates to a grouting and welding combined connection joint and an offshore installation method thereof, characterized in that: it comprises a set of grouting systems disposed inside of the annular space formed by an inner shell of the central pore canal of a column with large cross section and an outer wall of a column with small cross section, as well as a group of brackets welded on a top deck of a column with small cross section and an inner shell of the central pore canal of the column with large cross section. The grouting and welding combined connection joint provided by the present disclosure has advantages of being able to adapt to the connection of different dimensions of columns, and having simple offshore installation, highly reliable structural safety and low cost.

A hull robot is disclosed for operation on a surface of a hull of a vessel. The robot can include a drive subsystem onboard the robot for driving and maneuvering the robot about the hull. A sensor subsystem onboard the robot can sense an attachment state of the robot to the hull. The attachment state can include at least one of attached and detached. A signal generation subsystem onboard the robot can emit a distress signal when the attachment state is detached.

A keel pad is provided for a hull of a boat. The keel pad contains a main body and two fingers extending from the main body in a direction of a front of the hull. Due to curved shape of the fingers, drag is reduced allowing the boat better planing properties and greater fuel efficiencies.

An air vent that passes from the deck of a surfboard through to its bottom. The vent may have a wide variety of shapes. The trailing boundary of the vent's lower portion is preferably inclined forward toward the surfboard's nose. The inclination serves to prevent water flowing upward. Instead, air is entrained by the water flowing across the vent's bottom exit and pulled downward. A portion of the entrained air flows rearward out of the bottom exit along the surfboard's bottom. This entrained air forms an air film between the board's bottom and the surrounding water, thereby reducing friction.

A vessel and method for breaking ice drifting in a predominant direction relative to an offshore installation such as a drilling vessel. The vessel is used to deploy an anchor in a position at a distance from the offshore installation and in a direction which, seen from the offshore installation, is substantially in parallel with the direction of movement of the ice. By means of the machinery of the vessel, the direction of the anchor line is adjusted and so is the orientation of the vessel relative to the anchor line to the effect that the propellers can be used to crush and dispose of the ice without using motive energy to hold the vessel against the pressure of the ice.