A device for unwinding a strand from a bobbin, which includes: a plate supporting at least one bobbin holder, which extends along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plate and is intended to receive a bobbin capable of rotating about the axis of the bobbin holder; an element for translationally moving the bobbin along the axis of the bobbin holder; and an element for controlling the movement element and configured so as to maintain the strand leaving the bobbin in a substantially constant position along the axis of the bobbin holder.

An auxiliary distribution station is configured to be used in cooperation with a primary distribution station. The auxiliary distribution system includes a mobile vehicle, an auxiliary hose reel and auxiliary hose, a lift, a tank, a pump, an auxiliary meter, and a tank hose. The auxiliary hose is configured to be fluidly connected with a hose of the primary distribution station. The lift is configured to move and deploy the auxiliary hose reel from the mobile vehicle. The pump is operable to pump fluid from the tank, through the meter, and through the tank hose.

A method for spreading a tow of textile non-braided filaments, preferably chemical or inorganic fibres comprises providing a tow of textile non-braided filaments extending along its own main direction and having a section transverse to the main direction with a predetermined thickness and a predetermined width, feeding the tow along a travel path and spreading the tow in order to increase its width and reduce its thickness, defining a spread tow. The step of spreading the tow includes immersing the tow in a bath and generating in the bath a sequence of transverse waves crossing the tow transversely to the main direction in order to separate and place the individual filaments side by side, thereby spreading the tow, wherein the tow entering the bath and/or the spread tow extracted from the bath is/are unsized.

A creel system includes a plurality of tension controller apparatuses that hold spools of wire. The tension controller apparatuses apply tension to the wire and may be manipulated to fine-tune or control the tension applied to the wire. The creel system may further include a plurality of sensors that measure operation of the creel system as well as the condition of the wire. In such embodiments, the creel system may include a user-interface that provides data to the operator in real time and with which the operator may interact to control operation of the creel system.

An auxiliary distribution station is configured to be used in cooperation with a primary distribution station. The auxiliary distribution system includes a mobile vehicle, an auxiliary hose reel and auxiliary hose, a lift, a tank, a pump, an auxiliary meter, and a tank hose. The auxiliary hose is configured to be fluidly connected with a hose of the primary distribution station. The lift is configured to move and deploy the auxiliary hose reel from the mobile vehicle. The pump is operable to pump fluid from the tank, through the meter, and through the tank hose.

A pet walking device for walking a plurality of pets comprising a top housing with a handle and a bottom housing; a swivel coupling rotatably coupling the bottom housing to the top housing for 360 degree rotation; a plurality of co-axial overlapping spool assemblies independently rotatably disposed within the bottom housing; and a leash carried by each of the plurality of co-axial overlapping spool assemblies.

A method of forming fiber-reinforced composites. The method includes stabilizing two or more carbon fibers tows together (a) with a stabilizing resin and (b) in-line with a commercial carbon fiber production process to form a semi-finished tape; and impregnating the semi-finished tape with a matrix resin in a process offline of the carbon fiber production process to form a prepreg.

A fiber bundle joining apparatus includes: a support table configured to hold a terminal end portion side of a first fiber bundle; a roller mechanism having a roller around which a leading end portion side of a second fiber bundle is capable of being wound; a movement mechanism configured to perform a first movement for moving the roller mechanism to the vicinity of the terminal end portion side of the first fiber bundle, and a second movement for further moving the roller mechanism on the terminal end portion side of the first fiber bundle to create a state where the leading end portion side of the second fiber bundle is stacked on the terminal end portion side of the first fiber bundle; and a thermocompression bonding mechanism configured to pressure-bond the first fiber bundle and the second fiber bundle.

A roller assembly having a central axis can comprise a roller having an outer surface and defining an inner bore. The apparatus can further comprise a bushing comprising a sleeve having an outer surface and defining an inner bore. The inner bore of the sleeve can have an operative circumference. The sleeve comprises a bladder that is configured to expand radially upon receipt of a fluid to reduce the operative circumference of the inner bore. The bushing can further comprise a flange extending radially outwardly from the sleeve. The flange defines a vessel containing fluid therein. The vessel is in fluid communication with the bladder of the sleeve. The bushing comprises an actuator that is configured to cause the fluid from the vessel of the flange to flow into the bladder of the sleeve. An alignment feature can be configured to rotationally position the roller relative to the bushing.

A cable feeding unit for a shore cable management system, wherein the cable feeding unit has two or more sets of cable reeling means with a motor, a shaft connected to the motor, one or more sets of rollers arranged on the shaft and transmission means connecting the rollers of the one or more sets of rollers on the shafts.