Pigmented substantially crack-free casein plastic compositions containing a minor, luster-imparting quantity of coated mica platelets, wherein at least 75% of the pigment particles possess an average platelet size of below 10 μm., a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.7 μm. and a ratio of diameter to thickness of about 10 to 200.

A fabric covered button comprising a button head having a peripheral groove for receiving a locking ring. The fabric is secured to the button head and the marginal edge thereof is retained within the groove by the locking ring.

Apparatus for assembling covered buttons in which a first die assembly including a first punch carrying a first sleeve which sequentially receives a piece of covering material and the button shell with its flange extending toward the open end of the sleeve. A second assembly including a second sleeve having a bore one end of which is formed with a first cam surface extending axially inwardly of the above. The second sleeve is spring loaded to an extended position on a supporting post having a centrally located button back fastener receiving cavity in the end thereof with a second cam surface extending inwardly from the outer edge of the end to the bottom of a recess surrounding the cavity. An annular boss at the inner edge of the recess around the cavity is elevated to allow the material and the shell flange to curl inwardly under the button back. In the retracted position of the second sleeve on the post, the second cam surface forms a continuation of the first. In operation, when the first assembly carrying the covering piece and the shell moves toward the second assembly, the first sleeve stops against the spring loaded bottom sleeve and the punch continues forcing the material down so that the material is tucked inward by the beveled or curved surface of the second sleeve. Upon continued relative movement of the assemblies, the shell flange acts on the cam surface of the second sleeve to force the sleeve to its retracted position and the shell flange is moved inwardly of the back wall under the continued action of the first post, the extent of the inward movement of the shell flange being determined by the thickness of the material of the covering piece, as well as the height of the shell and the type of back used.

An improved method of forming and assembling two-part merchandise display hooks, including new design features of the hook itself, enable two-part hooks to be manufactured and assembled at extremely low cost. Wire from a continuous length is gripped and bent to form the outer portion of the hook. The wire is then severed and bent in a single operation to form a hook-mounting portion. While the severed wire remains gripped by its shaped outer end, a preoriented and guided base member is applied over the just-formed mounting portion of the wire. A retractable bend-forming member is withdrawn when the base member is applied to the wire, to enable the bent portion to be fully received within the plastic base. Major manufacturing economies are realized.

A device is disclosed for pressing objects by lifting the objects into a waiting pressing shaft. The shaft includes a forming element at its lower end for forming the object, and the shaft is engaged by its upper end through a pivot member to an air cylinder in a manner which provides a force advantage to the air cylinder. Also, a system for pressing objects is disclosed, in which the press device is employed in conjunction with a turntable for sequential and continuous pressing operations.

A universal assembly machine manufactures conventional buttons with formed backs. The machine comprises a rotatably indexable die table to which are mounted pickup and crimp dies. The die table indexes about a center column of the machine frame. A ram die is advancable and retractable in a pickup stroke and a crimp stroke by means of a handle. The ram die includes a ram outer ring that is rotatable by means of a shifter post joined to the die table. Indexing the die table causes the shifter post to rotate the ram outer ring into a pickup mode or a crimp mode to suit the ram pickup and crimp strokes, respectively. The universal assembly machine also manufactures buttons with flat backs by using a different crimp die pedestal than is used with the formed backs. An adapter on the crimp die pedestal used with formed backs allows that crimp die pedestal to also be used for manufacturing buttons with flat backs. The invention also embraces button medallions. A flat back button is loaded into the pickup die, and the die table is indexed. The ram die is advanced in a third press to form the shell frusto-conical wall of the flat back button inwardly to be flat and parallel to the flat back.

A universal assembly machine manufactures conventional buttons with formed backs. The machine comprises a rotatably indexable die table to which are mounted pickup and crimp dies. The die table indexes about a center column of the machine frame. A ram die is advancable and retractable in a pickup stroke and a crimp stroke by means of a handle. The ram die includes a ram outer ring that is rotatable by means of a shifter post joined to the die table. Indexing the die table causes the shifter post to rotate the ram outer ring into a pickup mode or a crimp mode to suit the ram pickup and crimp strokes, respectively. The universal assembly machine also manufactures buttons with flat backs by using a different crimp die pedestal than is used with the formed backs. An adapter on the crimp die pedestal used with formed backs allows that crimp die pedestal to also be used for manufacturing buttons with flat backs. The invention also embraces button medallions. A flat back button is loaded into the pickup die, and the die table is indexed. The ram die is advanced in a third press stroke to bend the shell frusto-conical wall of the flat back button inwardly to be flat and parallel to the flat back.

A button system and method of manufacturing the same are provided for identifying fiber from which an article of apparel is manufactured. Initially, an article of apparel manufactured with a predetermined fiber is identified. Next, indicia indicative of the predetermined fiber is selected. Next, at least one button is manufactured with the indicia thereon for identifying the fiber from which the article of apparel is manufactured.

An adapter enables a universal assembly machine to manufacture buttons with either flat backs or formed backs. The machine comprises a rotatably indexable die table to which are mounted pickup and crimp dies. A ram die is advancable and retractable in a pickup stroke and a crimp stroke. Indexing the die table causes a shifter post to rotate a ram outer ring into a pickup mode or a crimp mode to suit the ram pickup and crimp strokes, respectively. The universal assembly machine manufactures buttons with flat backs by using the adapter on the same crimp die pedestal as is used for manufacturing buttons with formed backs. The adapter has a top surface that is in the location relative to the ram die that suits flat back buttons. The adapter enables the same crimp die pedestal to be used for manufacturing both flat back and formed back buttons.

A machine manufactures buttons having coplanar shell flanges in a two-stroke operation. The machine comprises a crimp die having different resistances to advancement of a ram. The first resistance enables a metal shell margin to partially bend under a flat back that is placed on a first surface of the crimp die. The second resistance enables the shell wall to completely bend against a second surface of the crimp die so as to form flanges that lie in a single plane. Both round and rectangular buttons are manufacturable using the same basic machine. The rectangular machine uses a shifter cage on the ram that rotates in response to indexing a die table on which the crimp die and a pickup die are attached. The round machine uses a rotatable frame on the ram. With the rectangular machine, the shell is initially bent during a pickup stroke of the ram.

A method for forming a multi-colored cap part of a snap button including the steps of forming a design portion of the cap part of snap button using a first group of molds, which includes a first female mold, a first male mold, and a plate-shaped middle mold, and a slide-plate mold adapted to movably assembled to the first male mold and having a plurality of mold cavities for forming the design portion; removing the slide-plate mold having the design portion molded therein from the first male mold; movably positioning the slide-plate mold into a second female mold included in a second group of molds for forming a body portion of the cap part of snap button; positioning a post for the cap part of snap button in a second male mold of the second group of molds; and forming the body portion.

A button, knob or control key with an etchable support plate which is engraved on the backside with a fine symbol by laser, erosion or mechanical engraving, which only cuts into the material of the support plate, but not through the support plate. The backside of the support plate is optionally coated. A foil is applied on the laminated layer and affixed thereto. The front side of the support plate is treated with a material-removing substance. The material removal with the material-removing substance is performed until the engraving extending into the support plate is at least partially or completely exposed on the front side. Application of a protective layer to the front side of the support plate from which the material was removed. A function symbol is provided on the button such that it can be backlit. It is engraved in a fine line width providing a sharp optical definition erosion, mechanical engraving.

A mounting device, for mounting a plurality of buttons on a product, includes a supporting member, a punching member, and a driving member The supporting member includes a supporting panel, a plurality of holding portions fixed on the supporting panel for supporting the product, a molding board having a plurality of molding holes a platform, and a base fixed on the platform for supporting the molding board. The punching member includes a retaining member positioned above the supporting member, and a plurality of cutters fixed to the retaining member The cutters cut the buttons off a button assembly, and couple to a vacuum generator for creating suction to hold the buttons. The driving member drives the punching member to mount the buttons on the product.

The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for producing food products, in particular sleeveless products of a specific form with the following steps: entry of form parameters, display of the form of the food product as a function of the entered form parameters as a 2D or 3D graphic, calculation of process parameters as a function of the entered form parameters.

Rebaudioside M compositions with improved aqueous solubility and methods for preparing the same are provided herein. The rebaudioside M compositions include (i) disordered crystalline compositions comprising rebaudioside M and rebaudioside D, (ii) spray-dried compositions comprising rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D and steviol glycoside mixtures and/or rebaudioside B and/or NSF-02, (iii) spray-dried compositions comprising rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D and at least one surfactant, polymer, saponin, carbohydrate, polyol, preservative or a combination thereof. Sweetened compositions, such a beverages, containing the rebaudioside M compositions with improved water solubility are also provided herein.

A crumb is manufactured by a process including adding an aqueous flour mixture into an extruder, partially extruding the aqueous mixture through the extruder, adding an aqueous gelling agent to the extruder at a point downstream of the start of the extrusion of the aqueous mixture through the extruder to form a resultant mixture of the aqueous mixture and the aqueous gelling agent in the extruder, and extruding the resultant mixture at a temperature greater than 100° C. to form an extrudate. The extrudate is allowed to expand, dried and milled to form the crumb, which has moisture-resistant properties particularly well-suited for use on frozen, microwavable food products.

The brewing system disclosed herein includes a spinning or rotating inlet nozzle for use in intermixing hot water and coffee in a coffee cartridge. The inlet nozzle may include one or more flow ports that inject hot water into an inner chamber of the coffee cartridge at select angles, locations and pressures to create the desired fluidized mixture of hot water and beverage medium. Such an inlet nozzle may be adapted for use in commercial coffee brewers and the amount of coffee brewed may be user regulated with an external indicator dial coupled to a controller-regulated rheostat that governs fluid flow to the brewer head by taking readings from a pump, flow meter or strain gauge.

Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide systems and methods for creating a pressed food item in an oven cooking cavity. The oven system is secured within the oven cooking cavity and is not dependent upon oven door movement or any other oven function. An upper platen is configured to move up and down with respect to a lower platen in order to press a food item during the cooking process. The lower platen is generally secured with respect to the oven interior, whether to a jet plate, to an oven wall, or to a frame that is secured within the oven. The upper platen moves along a vertical support system. When the oven system is not in use to create a pressed food item, the upper platen can remain in a lowered position so that the oven may be used without the pressing features described.

The present invention relates to a plant-based wrapping paper for wrapping food. The plants (raw materials) may be fruits, herbs, medicinal plants, tea, vegetables and/or spices. The invention further relates to a method for producing said wrapping paper, its use for wrapping food or its use as packaging material.

A combination of a container and a plurality of food items nested within the container may include base and a first cavity in the base. A first food item may be nested in the first cavity. The first food item may include a decorated section. The first food item may include a disposable wrapper having an exposed upper wrapper edge. The container may include a lid moveable between a closed position and an open position. A first retainer may be on the lid. When the lid is in the closed position the first retainer may overlie a first portion of the upper wrapper edge. When the container is inverted with the lid in the closed position relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity may be limited by contact between the first retainer and the upper wrapper edge.

The invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage preparation device. The capsule has a flange which is partially made of paper and partially made of polymer. The polymer is essentially arranged on the flange to cover at least partially the paper part and so to improve the inside tightness of the capsule, in particular, to prevent air enters inside the capsule via folds and creases.

A cup comprises a container having a flat bottom wall pierceable by a needle, a filter has a flat filter bottom supported on or sufficiently close to the flat bottom to allow the needle to push part of the flat filter bottom upwards to form a beverage collection chamber, a lid having an outer sidewall and a sloped inner sidewall to transform the brewing pressure in the cup into radial outward force acting on the outer sidewall to impart rigidity to the lid during brewing, and a pressure sensitive adhesive O-ring between the horizontal wall of the lid and the container rim. The cup may comprise a pressurization chamber enclosed by the outer sidewall, inner sidewall and a top film and adapted to become pressurized and expanded when hot water is injected into the cup, thereby imparting rigidity to the lid and improving the seal to the container.

An apparatus for producing a food product is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: an enclosed vessel for holding the food product, the vessel having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite to the first end wall, and a side wall between the first and second end walls; a first agitator rotatably mounted to the first end wall, the first agitator extending inside the vessel towards the second end wall; and a second agitator rotatably mounted to the second end wall, the second agitator extending inside the vessel towards the first end wall. The first agitator is unsupported by the second end wall, and the second agitator is unsupported by the first end wall.

The present invention provides a wafer product decorating apparatus comprising a laser, a collimator, at least one galvanometer driven mirror, and an aspheric scan lens, the apparatus being positionable relative to the wafer product to be decorated wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a laser beam having a spot size of from 100 to 750 μm in diameter on the surface of the product to be decorated and a substantially flat focal plane, characterised in that the focal plane has a depth of field of from 5 mm to 20 mm and that the focal plane of the laser beam is from 5 mm to 30 mm above or below the surface of the product to be decorated. The invention also provides a process for decorating a wafer product.

Cat food products are provided. The cat food product may comprise a single sealed container comprising 10 g to 40 g of a complete and balanced semi-moist or wet cat food, or may comprise a plurality of such sealed containers. Methods of providing a cat food are also provided and comprise filling a container with from 10 g to 40 g of a complete and balanced semi-moist or wet cat food and sealing the container.

A formulation consisting of a food-grade dye and a plant aroma cocktail is uptaken by plants and flowers and fruit. The improved aroma profile and color make the plant or it's flowers or it's fruit more desirable for consumption or viewing with an enhanced aroma.

An apparatus for heating foods comprises a supporting structure, a treatment zone designed to receive at least one food product to be heated, a radio frequency dielectric heating system, a system for moderating the temperature of at least one surface of the food product during heating. The temperature moderating system comprises at least one fluid container intended to be interposed between an electrode of the dielectric heating system and a surface of the food product received in the treatment zone. During use of the apparatus, the radio frequency dielectric heating system supplies energy to the food product in the treatment zone, the at least one fluid container receives thermal energy from the surface of the food product, a fluid circulates in the at least one fluid container between the infeed and the outfeed for removing at least part of the thermal energy received.

Inhibition of expansion of a cereal product, such as a ready-to-eat cereal, by a particulate insoluble component such as fiber and/or calcium is avoided by pelletizing the particulate insoluble component. A binder component, such as gelatinized starch, is used to bind particles of the particulate insoluble component into a coherent mass which is formed into non-expanded pellets for fortification of the cereal product. The expanded cereal products, such as extruded puffed RTE cereals which contain the pellets, exhibit a crisp, uniform texture and cell structure, improved, prolonged bowl life, a non-gritty mouthfeel, and a smooth, uniform surface appearance even though they are fortified with high amounts of the solid or particulate insoluble nutritional components.

A brewing system includes a brewing apparatus and a capsule containing a substance for brewing. The capsule has an opening on one side and a base on an opposite side. The base includes a light input surface, a light-output surface and a light conductor to conduct light from the light input surface to the light output surface. The apparatus includes: a brewing chamber including an inlet for heated water, an outlet for the brewed beverage, and an opening in communication with the opening of the capsule. A light source on the brewing apparatus emits light into the base via the light inlet surface of the capsule. The light conductor conducts the light to the light-output surface. A light detector of the brewing apparatus detects light emitted by light-output surface on the base of the capsule. A method of operating the brewing system and a capsule system are also described.

A cartridge (10) containing a dose (12) of at least one substance for preparing a liquid product, e.g., coffee, by means of liquid and/or steam introduced into the cartridge (10). The cartridge comprises a body (14) containing the aforesaid dose (12), with a bottom wall (142), through which the liquid product is able to flow out of the cartridge (10), and a cover (16) that closes the body of the cartridge (10) at the end of the body opposite to the bottom wall (142). The body (14) comprises a crushed-plant-fibre material (e.g., with a base of rice husk), which may also be used for producing the cover. Alternatively, the cover (16) may be made of paper material (e.g., filter paper). The body (14) and the cover (16) are connected together via purely mechanical connection, it thus being possible to avoid gluing or welding.

A capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product is disclosed. The capsule includes a circumferential first wall, a second wall closing the circumferential first wall at a first end, and a flexible sheet-shaped third wall closing the circumferential first wall at a second, open, end opposite the second wall, the third wall being at least one of perforate and porous. The first, second and third wall enclose an inner space including the extractable product. The third wall forms an outermost boundary of the capsule in an axial direction thereof. The third wall includes a filtering material. The second wall is one of a flexible porous sheet, a flexible foil provided with a plurality of entrance openings, and a substantially rigid wall that comprises a plurality of entrance openings.

The present invention relates to an emulsified flavor composition for an alcoholic beverage that does not generate a floating matter or a sediment, that maintains a stable emulsified state, that imparts transparent appearance to the alcoholic beverage and that does not impair the taste/flavor of the alcoholic beverage, even when mixed with a concentrated syrup that has an alcohol concentration several times higher than that of the alcoholic beverage during the steps for producing the alcoholic beverage. The emulsified flavor composition for alcoholic beverages of the present invention comprises: (a) an oil-soluble component containing a flavor; (b) a polyglycerol fatty acid ester whose 1% by weight aqueous solution has transmittance of 65% or higher at 600 nm; and (c) lecithin.

A powered ratchet drive for a ratchet wrench includes a pair of elongate pawls for driving an output member of the wrench. Each pawl may have a lower portion pivotally attached to a rocker and an upper portion comprising teeth for engagement with teeth of the output member to turn the output member. The upper portion of the pawl extends outward at an angle with respect to the lower portion. The ratchet may include a compression spring secured inside a cavity of each pawl for biasing the pawl into engagement with the output member. The ratchet also includes a reversing switch mechanism for selectively configuring the ratchet in a forward-driving configuration and in a reverse-driving configuration. The switch mechanism includes a cam disposed between the pawls. The cam has a groove for receiving one of the pawls during operation depending on the configuration of the ratchet.

A reaction arm for use with a torque generating device, the reaction arm including a reaction bar, and a body portion having a first internal diameter, and having formed on an internal surface thereof a female spline having a second internal diameter and a guide bushing having a third internal diameter, the first, second, and third internal diameter being distinctly sized.

A torque-exerting device includes a clutch arranged between a handle and an axle. The handle includes a chamber defined therein by a wall. The clutch includes a movable element, a rotatable element, recesses and balls. The movable element is placed in the chamber in an axially movable manner. The rotatable element is placed in the chamber in a rotatable manner and secured to the axle. The rotatable element is in releasable engagement with the movable element. The recesses are defined in the movable element or the wall of the chamber of the handle. Each of the balls is partially placed in a respective one of the recesses and in contact with the wall of the chamber of the handle or the movable element.

A forceps includes first and second shafts, each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one jaw member is configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. A trigger assembly includes a trigger and at least one linkage coupled to the trigger and to the blade such that rotation of the trigger translates the blade between the retracted and the extended position. An interference member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position is also provided. The interference member is configured to engage the linkage(s) when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted to the extended position.

An apparatus includes a spool configured to supply a wire, a cutting device configured to form a notch in the wire, and a capillary configured to bond the wire and to form a stud bump. The apparatus is further configured to pull the wire to break at the notch, with a tail region attached to the stud bump.

A securing mechanism is provided for a tool that allows for the attachment and release of the shafts of a variety of implements from the tool. The mechanism has a construction that provides an easily releasable, but secure engagement of the implement shaft within the mechanism while also having an alignment feature which engages the implement at multiple locations when engaged with the mechanism to maintain the alignment and concentricity of the implement shaft with regard to the mechanism and the tool when in use.

A socket includes a body and a sleeve. The body is made of metal and includes first and second coupling ends for respectively coupling with a fastener and a driving tool. The first coupling end includes an outer periphery having a first protruded section, a second protruded section, and an engagement section extending between the first and second protruded sections. The sleeve is made of metal having a hardness greater than a hardness of the body. The sleeve includes an inner periphery extending between first and second end faces of the sleeve. The inner periphery of the sleeve includes an engagement portion engaged with the engagement section of the body, with the sleeve not contacting the first and second protruded sections.

A method and tool for driving a bit. The tool includes a handle extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The handle can be in a first configuration to provide a first drive ration. In a second configuration, such as a T-shaped configuration, a gear assembly can be disengaged to provide a second drive ratio for the bit driving system.

A method for assembling a structure is described. The method includes locating a position in an assembly stack-up where a one-sided fastener is to be installed, drilling a hole through the assembly stack-up at the position, countersinking the hole to a specified depth, operating a calibrated probe to determine at least parameter associated with one or more of the hole and the stack-up proximate the hole, inserting the one-sided fastener into the hole, applying a rotational torque to the one-sided fastener to complete installation of the one-sided fastener, and comparing a measurement of angular displacement required to complete installation of the one-sided fastener to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct installation of the fastener.

A method, system, and apparatus for holding a connecting instrument comprises a first member including a first finger cup and a first needle nose tip formed on the forward end of the finger cup and a second member comprising a second finger cup and a second needle nose tip formed on the forward end of the second finger cup wherein the first needle nose tip and the second needle nose tip are configured to grip a connecting device as it is being driven into a target.

An extendable handled tool may include: a shaft; a hollow shaft extension encompassing the shaft and configured to move axially on the shaft so that the shaft moves in and out of the hollow space in the shaft extension; a locking collar attached to the shaft extension, the locking collar configured to rotate on the shaft; a tooth connected to the locking collar such that the tooth rotates with the locking collar; and a locking ring mounted on the shaft, the locking ring configured to fit with the tooth to rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents the shaft extension from moving axially with respect to the shaft and the unlocked position permits the shaft extension to move axially with respect to the shaft. A method of exting a handle on a tool may also be provided.

An apparatus for stitching an interior component is disclosed herein. The component having an outer skin layer and the apparatus is a single needle chain stitch machine with a rotary looper and wherein a needle of the apparatus descends through the interior component and a hook of the rotary looper engages a thread loop formed during retraction of the needle after it has descended through the interior component; and wherein the apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving the interior component relative to the needle and looper to establish a stitch length.

The invention relates to a guiding device for guiding an oblong intermediate element while joining at least two decorative elements by means of this intermediate element.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a machine for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. In one example, the present invention may be applied (e.g., as a machine and/or method) to a multi-needle machine or method. In another example, the present invention may provide for automatic lower (or bottom) thread cutting. In another example, the present invention may provide for automatic lower (or bottom) thread cutting by utilizing the phase (that is, movement phase) of a return of a looper (or hook) to cut the lower (or bottom) thread.

A threading device for a sewing machine lower looper is disclosed that can thread a lower looper safely and reliably by reliably preventing a main shaft from rotating when an operation of threading the lower looper is carried out.

A sewing machine accessory includes a plate for attaching to a sewing machine workbed and to be located below a needle, the plate includes an opening and a guiding track, and a positioning device includes a sliding member slidably engaged with the guiding track of the accessory plate, and a pointed member extended from the sliding member for engaging with a cloth material to be stitched and for forming of an arced stitch on the cloth material, and the pointed member is movable close to the needle for stitching or forming a circular or arced stitch that includes a relatively decreased or smaller outer diameter.

A composite material includes a composite body having a composite surface, and a reinforcing element extending through the composite body in a first plurality of stitches and a second plurality of stitches. The first plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially similarly to each other. The second plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially dissimilarly to each other.

A process for the production of a textile product includes placing a flat motif template on a textile substrate, sewing the motif template onto the textile substrate in such a way that a perforation defining a desired motif in the motif template is produced, removing the part of the motif template, that is outside the motif defined by the perforation, and permanently fixing the remaining part, having the motif, of the motif template to the textile substrate.