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Micromechanical component and manufacturing method for a micromechanical component

A micromechanical component is described having a substrate which has at least one stator electrode fixedly mounted with respect to the substrate, a movable mass having at least one actuator electrode fixedly mounted with respect to the movable mass, and at least one spring via which the movable mass is displaceable. The movable mass is structured from the substrate with the aid of at least one separating trench, at least one outer stator electrode spans at least one section of the at least one separating trench and/or of the movable mass, the at least one actuator electrode protrudes between the at least one outer stator electrode and the substrate, and at least one inner stator electrode protrudes between the at least one actuator electrode and the substrate. A related manufacturing method is also described for a micromechanical component.




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Porosity inspection system for composite structures

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.




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Compression fitting

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.




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Method for manufacturing a cap for a MEMS component, and hybrid integrated component having such a cap

A manufacturing method for a cap, for a hybrid vertically integrated component having a MEMS component a relatively large cavern volume having a low cavern internal pressure, and a reliable overload protection for the micromechanical structure of the MEMS component. A cap structure is produced in a flat cap substrate in a multistep anisotropic etching, and includes at least one mounting frame having at least one mounting surface and a stop structure, on the cap inner side, having at least one stop surface, the surface of the cap substrate being masked for the multistep anisotropic etching with at least two masking layers made of different materials, and the layouts of the masking layers and the number and duration of the etching steps being selected so that the mounting surface, the stop surface, and the cap inner side are situated at different surface levels of the cap structure.




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Computer-based method for real-time three-dimensional geological model calculation and reservoir navigation

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.




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Vessel comprising a stowable magnus-effect rotor

A vessel includes a hull and a deck, a substantially cylindrical rotor having a peripheral wall rotatable with respect to the deck around a longitudinal center line, the rotor being at a lower end connected to the deck and including an upper end plate, the rotor being mounted on the deck in such a manner that in an operational state the rotor is substantially vertically oriented and in an inoperational state the upper end plate is situated in the vicinity of the deck, the end plate extending transversely to the longitudinal center line, wherein the end plate is provided with movable edge segments that in the operational state of the rotor extend radially outwardly from the peripheral wall to an extended position and in the inoperational state of the rotor are moved to a retracted position that is situated closer to the peripheral wall than the extended position.




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Vessel comprising a stowable magnus-effect rotor

A vessel includes a hull, a propeller for propulsion of the vessel and at least one rotatable cylinder which in its operational state is vertically mounted on the vessel, the cylinder having a rigid outer surface, a motor drive for rotating the cylinder around a longitudinal axis and a displacement member for displacing the cylinder to an inoperational position, wherein the motor drive is situated inside the cylinder.




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Grouting and welding combined connection joint applied to a deepwater floating type platform and an offshore installation method thereof

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.




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Fuel preprocess system for coal combustion boiler

A fuel preprocess system for a coal combustion boiler is disclosed. The fuel preprocess system for a coal combustion boiler that dries biomass or refuse-derived fuel in accordance with the present invention can include: a dryer configured to dry the biomass or refuse-derived fuel by use of flue gas generated after combustion in the boiler; and a torrefier configured to devolatilize a fibrous component contained in the dried fuel from the fuel dried in the dryer by use of primary air that is heat-exchanged after the combustion in the boiler.




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Systems and methods for efficient microwave drying of extruded honeycomb structures

Systems and methods for efficient microwave drying of extruded honeycomb structures are disclosed. The methods include conveying first and second sets of honeycomb structures in opposite directions through multiple applicator cavities. Each honeycomb structure has a moisture content MC, and the honeycomb structures within each cavity define an average moisture content MCA between 40% and 60% therein. The methods include irradiating the first and second sets of honeycomb structures within the cavities with microwave radiation having an amount of input microwave power PI that results in an amount of reflected microwave power PR from the honeycomb structures, where PR




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Earth-boring tools including sinterbonded components and partially formed tools configured to be sinterbonded

Partially formed earth-boring rotary drill bits comprise a first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component having at least one recess, and at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component disposed at least partially within the at least one recess. Each less than fully sintered particle-matrix component comprises a green or brown structure including compacted hard particles, particles comprising a metal alloy matrix material, and an organic binder material. The at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component is configured to shrink at a slower rate than the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component due to removal of organic binder material from the less than fully sintered particle-matrix components in a sintering process to be used to sinterbond the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component to the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component. Earth-boring rotary drill bits comprise such components sinterbonded together.




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Methods for training saturation-compensating predictors of affective response to stimuli

Described herein are methods for training a machine learning-based predictor of affective response to stimuli. The methods involve receiving samples comprising temporal windows of token instances to which a user was exposed, and target values representing affective response annotations of the user in response to the temporal windows of token instances. This data is used for the training of the predictor along with values indicative of the number of the token instances in the temporal windows of token instances, which are used to compensate for non-linear effects resulting from saturation of the user.




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Computerized, segmented steel rule type die making system and method

A steel rule die making system produces a steel rule dies having an operative surface that form creases and cut patterns in a sheet material to form a box blank. The system includes a die manufacturing station having an indexing bench that securely holds a substrate. At least one slug driver device is disposed adjacent the die manufacturing station to drive the penetrating point of a slug into the substrate. The upper surface of the slug head defines a segment of the operative surface of the steel rule die.




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Method of joining two components to ensure axial and angular alignment therebetween

A method for bonding together components, such as a tip and a shaft which include mutually facing carbide end surfaces. The tip includes circumferentially spaced flutes formed in its cylindrical outer periphery. The shaft has a cylindrical outer periphery and a plurality of coolant holes extending through the shaft. Bonding of the tip to the shaft is performed by inserting gauge wires into the coolant holes and associated flutes, and positioning brazing material between the first and second end surfaces. A water-soluble bond-blocking material is applied to the gauge wires for preventing brazing of the gauge wires to the brazing material. The brazing material is heated to braze the first and second end surfaces together while the flutes and their associated coolant holes are maintained in alignment by the gauge wires. Then, the gauge wires are removed, and residual bond-blocking material is dissolved in water.




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Superabrasive compact including at least one braze layer thereon

A superabrasive compact (e.g., a polycrystalline diamond compact) including a substrate pre-coated with at least one braze layer and an in-process drill bit assembly including at least one of such superabrasive compacts are disclosed. Pre-coating the substrate with at least one braze layer and dimensioning the pre-coated substrate to fit within the tolerances of a conventionally-sized cutter recess of a drill bit body enables a drill bit manufacture to easily and rapidly braze the disclosed superabrasive compacts into the conventionally-sized cutter recess without substantially decreasing the superabrasive volume of the superabrasive compact.




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Methods of forming earth-boring tools and components thereof including attaching a shank to a body of an earth-boring tool

Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body, an element having an attachment feature bonded to the bit body, and a shank assembly. Methods for assembling an earth-boring rotary drill bit include bonding a threaded element to the bit body of a drill bit and engaging the shank assembly to the threaded element. A nozzle assembly for an earth-boring rotary drill bit may include a cylindrical sleeve having a threaded surface and a threaded nozzle disposed at least partially in the cylindrical sleeve and engaged therewith. Methods of forming an earth-boring drill bit include providing a nozzle assembly including a tubular sleeve and nozzle at least partially within a nozzle port of a bit body.




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COMBINATION MASSAGE TABLE WITH ONE OR MORE RESISTANCE BANDS

A combination massage table with one or more resistance bands (hereinafter, a combination table) is disclosed. In some embodiments, the combination table may comprise: a massage table; the one or more resistance bands; and a means for attaching the one or more resistance bands to the massage table; such that a client using the combination table receives at least one improved health benefit as compared against massage therapy without any resistance band use. Furthermore, methods for using the combination table are disclosed. Such methods may comprise: preparing the combination table for use; preparing the client so the client is laying on top of an upper surface of the combination table; and massaging the client while the client at least intermittently engages one or more resistance bands that are attached to the combination table; wherein in the at least intermittent engagement of the one or more resistance bands while the client is being massaged results in the at least one improved health benefit to the client.




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COMPOSITE TRAMPOLINE ENCLOSURE SYSTEM

A composite trampoline enclosure system has a trampoline with a trampoline frame and a trampoline bed. The trampoline enclosure is mounted to the trampoline. The trampoline enclosure further includes an enclosure pole formed as a tubular post, and an endcap. The endcap fits over the tubular post. A flexible top line is made of polyethylene or polypropylene. The flexible top line connects to the endcap. The flexible top line supports the trampoline enclosure netting. An extended coil spring is whipped in a helical orientation around an external circumferential periphery of the flexible top line. The trampoline enclosure netting is extended around the trampoline bed. The trampoline enclosure netting is supported by the trampoline pole. The extended coil spring is preferably made of spring steel. The flexible top line is preferably made of a high density polyethylene tube.




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Energetic compositions including nitrate esters and articles including such energetic compositions

Methods of forming energetic compositions include forming a premix comprising a nitrate ester, a polymer, and a stabilizer, and combining solids with the premix. Additional stabilizer may be added with the solids and may remain in a crystalline state. Some methods include dissolving a stabilizer in at least one of a plurality of nitrate esters. Energetic compositions include a continuous matrix and a stabilizer. The continuous matrix includes a nitrate ester and surrounds a solid energetic material. Some compositions include a first nitrate ester, a second nitrate ester having a decomposition rate lower than the first nitrate ester, and a stabilizer. An article includes a housing and an energetic composition in the housing.




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Perchlorate-free yellow signal flare composition

Perchlorate-free flare compositions are disclosed which, when burned, produce yellow smoke and flames. Methods of producing the compositions are also disclosed.




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Autoignition compositions

A gas generator 10 includes an autoignition composition that contains an alkali metal chlorate such as potassium chlorate as an oxidizer, a carboxylic acid such as DL-tartaric acid as a fuel, and a desiccant in operable communication therewith. Gas generating systems 180 such as vehicle occupant protection systems 180, containing the gas generator 10, are also provided.




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Lead-free pyrotechnic and primary explosive compositions containing metal iodates

A lead-free pyrotechnic and primary explosive compositions including metal iodates as an oxidizer in nanocomposite energetic compositions including metal powder fuel.




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Gas generating compositions having glass fibers

Compositions and methods relate to gas generants used in inflatable restraint systems. The gas generant grains include a fuel mixture having at least one fuel and at least one oxidizer, which have a burn rate that is susceptible to pressure sensitivity during combustion. The gas generant composition further includes a plurality of pressure sensitivity modifying glass fiber particles distributed therein to lessen the pressure sensitivity and/or to increase combustion stability of the gas generant. Such gas generants can be formed via spray drying techniques.




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High performance gas generating compositions

Compositions and methods relating to gas generants used in inflatable restraint systems. The gas generant grains formed via spray drying techniques of the present disclosure provide superior performance, including high burn rates and high gas yields. Further, processing of the gas generant grain products can be streamlined. Such gas generants include by way of non-limiting example, guanidine nitrate, basic copper nitrate, and a secondary oxidizer, such as potassium perchlorate.




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Method for preparing a pyrotechnic composition and charge

The invention is directed to a method for preparing a pyrotechnic composition, to the use of a water-soluble cellulose ether binder, to a pyrotechnic composition, to a method for preparing a pyrotechnic charge, and to a pyrotechnic charge. The method of the invention comprises mixing the fibrous nitrocellulose in wet form with the one or more water-soluble cellulose ether binders and optionally one or more solvents, wherein the amount of organic solvent in the mixture is 10 wt. % or less based on total weight of the mixture.




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Solid-state thermite composition based heating device

A solid state thermite reaction composition is provided comprising a fuel component, an initiating oxidizer, a primary oxidizer, a fluxing agent and a thermal diluent. According to another aspect, a heating device is provided comprising a heating chamber for receiving and storing a substance to be heated having at least two walls, a reaction chamber affixed to a wall of the heating chamber, a solid state thermite reaction composition located within the reaction chamber and an actuatable trigger mechanism affixed to the reaction chamber such that the trigger mechanism is in contact with the reaction composition. According to another aspect, a solid-state thermite reaction activation mechanism is provided comprising a first compound substantially in contact with a thermite reaction fuel, a second compound and a removable barrier located between the first and second compounds preventing any contact between the first and second compounds.




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Gas generation via elemental carbon-based compositions

A gas generating pyrotechnic composition that in addition to a primary fuel component and a primary oxidizer component includes critical relative amounts of elemental carbon and cupric oxide. Also provided are associated methods for producing an inflation gas for an occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle.




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Explosive composition having a first organic material infiltrated into a second microporous material

An energetic composition with controlled detonation having at least a first organic material and a second material, where the second material is a porous material (micro-, meso-, or macroporous), having a pore ratio of at least 10% and preferably greater than 50%, and the first material is, at least partially, infiltrated into the pores of the second material. A mixture containing such a composition, and a method for manufacturing such a composition and such a mixture. Additionally, a method for fragmenting or expanding a microporous material at nanoscale.




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Clothing iron comprising a sole having a recess equipped with steam exit holes

Clothing iron including a sole (1) having a bottom side with a sliding surface (11) coming into contact with cloth and comprising at least one steam-supplied recess (10), the recess (10) being bounded on its entire periphery by the sliding surface (11) in such a manner that the recess (10) forms a steam diffusion cavity that is surrounded by the sliding surface (11) when the sole (1) is applied to the cloth being ironed, characterized in that the depth of the recess (10) is greater than or equal to 1 mm.




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Ironing board comprising one leg composed of two parts connected to one another by a joint

Ironing board consisting of a top supported by at least one leg with two sections connected to one another by hinge; said hinge allows lower segment of leg to pivot between an unfolded position, in which said lower segment forms an extension of upper segment of leg, and a folded position, in which lower segment is folded in the direction of upper segment, wherein said hinge contains a mechanism to lock the lower segment in an unfolded position and at least one unlocking button to deactivate the locking mechanism to allow lower segment to rotate into the folded position.




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Ironing board comprising two legs arranged in an X-configuration

Ironing board comprising a frame supporting a top and at least two legs joined to the frame, one of the legs having an upper end pivotably mounted on a back end of the frame, the other leg having an upper end slidably mounted on said frame, the two legs being connected to one another by a pivot linkage and movable between a storage position, and a working position.




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Fluid-tight end fitting for a composite hose and method of assembling a composite hose on such end fitting

A composite hose includes a tubular body of flexible material for transferring cryogenic fluid through the hose and for preventing fluid leakage through the body. The tubular body includes an inner wire helix spirally wound along the length of the hose, an outer wire helix spirally wound along the length of the hose, at least two reinforcing layers placed in between the inner and outer wire, at least one sealing layer placed between two reinforcing layers, an end fitting at both ends of the tubular body, each end fitting provided with a part for connection to another hose flange and an elongated cylindrical part, which is divided in an anchoring area for anchoring the tubular body and a static sealing area for fluid tight sealing of the hose. A gas tight sealing is created by bonding the at least one sealing layer to the cylindrical part over a ring shaped bonding area.




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Conveying device for cylindrical members, comprising running rails inclined in the direction of travel

A conveying device for cylindrical members, such as parisons (1) for hollow objects, has running rails (8, 9) which are inclined in the direction of travel of the parisons (1). A neck (3) of the parisons (1) which is part of a head (2) lies on the running rails (8, 9). A guide rail (11) which is located at a certain distance from the head (2) of the parisons (1) is fixedly arranged above the running rails (8, 9). A movable intermediate element (12) is retained and guided within the running rail (11). A force component (16) directed against the head (2) of the parisons (1) acts on the intermediate element (12).




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Method of manufacturing a valve for an internal combustion engine

A method of manufacturing a valve for an internal combustion engine, comprises: (i) a primary step of forging a bulging portion at one end of a rod material to form a generally disk-shape valve head of the valve having a tapered periphery; (ii) an thickness adjustment step of machining an excessively thick portion of the valve head; and (iii) a secondary step of forging a peripheral region of the valve head to create radial slip deformations therein to form a valve face of the valve head. In the step of thickness adjustment, only the front end of the disk-shape valve head is machined without harming dense grain flow lines induced in the tapered face (16a) in the primary forging while advantageously saving the valve material and reducing thickness adjustment time. In the secondary forging, the hardness of the valve face is further enhanced.




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Compositions comprising estolide compounds and methods of making and using the same

Provided herein are compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.




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Method of producing a braid comprising a plurality of wires

The invention relates to a method for the production of a strand (11) of several wires (12), consisting of an electrically conductive material, which are hard drawn to a final diameter in at least a single or multiblock wire-drawing machine (19, 28) or drawing apparatus in a last drawing step before the stranding, so that in each case the wire or wires (12) have a tensile strength of at least 300N/mm2, and that subsequently the hard drawn wires (12) or a mixture of hard drawn wires (12) and soft-annealed wires are stranded into a strand (11) in a stranding machine (21), without a subsequent annealing process, as well as a strand which is produced according to the present method.




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Composite cord and method of making and support structure and tire containing same

A composite hybrid cord comprising a core comprising of a first bundle of synthetic filaments having a filament tenacity of from 10 to 40 grams per decitex and a plurality of cabled strands helically wound around the core, each cabled strand comprising of a plurality of metal strands helically wound around a center second bundle of synthetic filaments that have a filament tenacity of from 10 to 40 grams per decitex. The ratio of the largest cross sectional dimension of the first bundle of synthetic filaments to the largest cross sectional dimension of the second bundle of synthetic filaments is from 1.5:1 to 20:1. The metallic filaments of the cabled strands have an elongation at break that is no more than 24 percent different from the elongation at break of the synthetic filaments of the first and second bundles.




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Cut resistant composite yarn

The invention relates to a cut resistant composite yarn comprising: a) at least one yarn containing filaments and/or staple fibers, said filaments and/or staple fibers containing a hard component, said hard component being a plurality of hard fibers, said hard fibers having an average diameter of at most (25) microns; and b) at least one continuous elastic filament. The invention further relates to a fabric and articles comprising the yarn, in particular a glove.




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Composite yarn, fabric, and automotive interior material made from paper

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of paper, e.g., traditional Korean paper, and a composite yarn manufactured thereby, a method for manufacturing a fabric using the same and an automotive interior material manufactured thereby. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of traditional Korean paper by using a traditional Korean paper yarn and a synthetic yarn, in which the composite yarn can be used in weaving and knitting, and a method for manufacturing a fabric as an automotive interior material using the same. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of paper, comprising twisting a tape-type paper yarn, and covering the twisted paper yarn as a ground yarn at least two strands of synthetic yarn as an effect yarn to manufacture a composite yarn of paper of 160˜700 denier.




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Fire retardant compositions and methods and apparatuses for making the same

An apparatus for producing a textile product generally includes a feeding section for providing a starting material to facilitate producing a textile product derived from the starting material; a drafting section operably coupled to the feeding section for gripping, pulling, stretching and breaking at least one strand of the starting material into at least one continuous and cohesive network of an intermediate product; and a spinning section operably coupled to the drafting section for winding and twisting the at least one continuous and cohesive network of an intermediate product onto a removable receiving member to form the textile product; the feeding section, the drafting section, and the spinning section are configured to form the textile product in a continuous operation.




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Rubber-steel cord composite

Provided is a rubber-steel cord composite which is excellent in workability and which is markedly excellent in tensile characteristics, an adhesive property after vulcanization for a short time and a heat resistant adhesive property. The rubber-steel cord composite has such a constitution that a steel cord which has a brass-plated layer on a peripheral surface thereof and in which a content of phosphorus contained in the form of oxide in a wire surface layer region extending from a surface of the above brass-plated layer up to a depth of 5 nm in a wire radial direction toward the inside is 1.5 atomic % or less is adjacent to a rubber composition containing a rubber component, sulfur and a sulfeneamide base vulcanization accelerator represented by the following Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6; x and n are as defined in the specification.




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Size-covered composite yarns and method for making same

Composite yarns, comprising one or more elastomeric fibers and hard yarns, are formed by adhering the elastomeric fibers and hard yarns together using a size material. The size-covered composite yarn can be used in weaving and knitting to make stretch fabrics with desired garment characteristics. The size material may be removed by subsequent wet fabric processing.




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Lay-out for splicing strips comprising cords

A plain stepped splice lay-out scheme is presented that can be used for splicing strips to one another that comprise longitudinally arranged cords. The strips can take the form of a conveyor belt, transmission belt, timing belt, elevator belt, a rubber track or a reinforcing strip. The splice is optimised for uniform bending stiffness and maximum strength retention. The cross section of the strip and the splice are substantially equal: there is no increase in thickness or width at the splice. The splice lay-out is characterised by the fact that the abutments (130)—those positions where cord ends (111, 121) meet—are positioned sufficiently far away from one another and by preference as far away from one another as possible. Preferred embodiments in terms of length common between cords of the different strips and local strength are given.




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Wear resistant component

A wear component for use on, for instance, an excavator formed by a shell formed from a tough metal such as carbon steel and an inner body formed from an abrasion resistant metal such as a chromium white iron. The shell includes cross portions extending through the inner body, the cross portions being made of the tough metal. This has the effect of strengthening the overall toughness of the wear component, while retaining desirable abrasion resistance.




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Plasticizer composition for degradable polyester filter tow

A filter material adapted for use as a filter element of a smoking article is provided, the filter material being in the form of a fibrous tow that includes a plurality of filaments of a degradable polyester and a plasticizer composition applied thereto, the plasticizer composition and the degradable polyester having a Relative Energy Difference calculated using Hansen Solubility Parameters of less than about 1.3. Exemplary degradable polyesters include polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polycaprolactone, polybutylene succinate adipate and copolymers or blends thereof. Exemplary plasticizer compositions include one or more of dimethylisosorbide, propylene carbonate, methylbenzyl alcohol, glycerol carbonate acetate, glycerol carbonate ethyl ether, and mixtures thereof, optionally in combination with triacetin. Filter elements and smoking articles, such as cigarettes, that contain the filter material are also provided.




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Composite smokeless tobacco products, systems, and methods

A smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a polymeric material in intimate contact with the smokeless tobacco and stabilized in conformance to a surface topography of the tobacco's fibrous structures such that the stabilized polymeric material secures the smokeless tobacco together. The smokeless tobacco product has a moisture-permeable porous surface and an overall oven volatiles content of at least 10 weight percent.




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Charger package for electronic cigarette components

A charger package apparatus for use with electronic cigarette components, which include truncated components and elongated components that have an electrical coupling connected to a rechargeable power source. The apparatus includes a compact box enclosure with an access opening, and with plural compartments formed indies, which receive electronic cigarette components, and where are least one of the compartment is an elongated compartment. The box also includes a battery compartment with a battery contact for engaging a replaceable battery, and a charge circuit coupled to receive power from the battery contact. A charge contact assembly is coupled to the charge circuit and aligned with the elongated compartment to engage the electrical coupling of an elongated component, which can then transfer power to its rechargeable power source. Also, a lid is selectively engaged with the access opening to close the box.




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Filter element comprising smoke-altering material

The invention provides a filter element of a smoking article having a longitudinal axis and adapted for filtration of mainstream smoke generated by the smoking article, the filter element including a first region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a first pressure drop and a second region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a second pressure drop lower than said first pressure drop, wherein the first and second regions are arranged in a side-by-side configuration such that both regions are visible in a cross-section of the filter element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein mainstream smoke can move from the second region into the first region, and further comprising a smoke-altering material, such as an oxidation catalyst, positioned in the first region.




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System comprising a simulated cigarette device and a refill unit

A simulated smoking device (1) comprising a simulated cigarette having a substantially cylindrical cigarette-like shape and a refill device (2, 50) having a substantially cuboid housing with a cigarette pack-like shape containing refill gas (32, 59) for the simulated cigarette and having means for selectively retaining the simulated cigarette. The simulated cigarette may be retained wholly within the housing. It may be retained at a location different from the refill location. A dose counter may be provided to give a visual indication of the doses in the refill device.




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Smokeless tobacco composition comprising tobacco-derived material and non-tobacco plant material

A smokeless tobacco product is configured for insertion into the mouth of a user and incorporates materials from Nicotiana species (e.g., tobacco-derived materials) and plant materials from non-Nicotiana species (e.g., non-tobacco plant materials). The tobacco material can have the form of processed tobacco material (e.g., granulated, reconstituted, heat treated, or otherwise processed tobacco laminae and/or stem), tobacco extract (e.g., an extract of water soluble tobacco components obtained by extracting tobacco with water), or a combination thereof. The non-tobacco material can have the form of vegetable pulp (e.g., sugar beet pulp), pulp obtained after removal of water soluble components as a result of water extraction treatment, or a combination thereof. The tobacco product is composed of a mixture of the tobacco material and non-tobacco material components; such as a mixture of tobacco material, tobacco extract and processed non-tobacco material, or a mixture of aqueous tobacco extract and water-extracted vegetable pulp.