Abstract: A liquid level gage system is disclosed. This system includes a displacer secured to a cable and movable in response to winding or unwinding said cable around or from around a rotatable drum. The rotatable drum is coupled to a driven shaft, and a drive assembly is provided to drive the driven shaft. An indicator subsystem is included which provides an indication of a change in the apparent weight of the displacer as the displacer is moved across a liquid level. A strain gage is a key component of the indicator subsystem. In one embodiment, an assembly is provided for powering the indicator subsystem and transferring data from the indicator subsystem which involves two pair of coils. In another embodiment, the gage system can be effectively remotely programmed using light signals.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a contact lens is disclosed and comprises placing the contact lens to be disinfected into a liquid electrolyte containing chlorine dioxide precursor, e.g., stabilized chlorine dioxide, and forming a disinfecting amount of chlorine dioxide in the liquid electrolyte by passing an electric current through the liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for producing an amino-2-imidazoline derivative comprises contacting an imidazoline sulfonic acid with at least one amine component in the presence of an alcohol-containing liquid medium at conditions effective to form the amino-2-imidazoline derivative.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting lenses includes a single hand-held case with a lens compartment and a power supply compartment. A battery powered unit disposed within the power supply compartment responds to activation of a switch on the case to generate an electric current which is coupled to a pair of electrodes within the lens compartment to electrolyte a solution in the lens compartment and thereby disinfect lenses submerged in the solution. Disinfecting proceeds using a buffered solution to retain solution pH within predefined limits while enabling electrolysis with a large current of shorter duration to decreased disinfecting time. A lip circumscribing an upper opening of the lens compartment is covered with a single hinged cover member that lifts directly away from the lip, and a slidable retainer member is used to retain the cover member in a closed position. Ribs on the cover member retain the lenses submerged in the solution, and a hydrophobic element discharges gases produced by electrolysis.

Abstract: A compound selected from the group consisting of those having the formula: ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl radicals having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; the R.sub.2 s are each H or alkyl radicals having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or are, together, oxo; the R.sub.3 s are each H or alkyl radicals having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or are, together, oxo, provided that the R.sub.2 s or the R.sub.3 s are alkyl radicals; the 2-imidazolin-2-ylamino group may be in any of the 5-, 6, 7- or 8-positions of the quinoxaline nucleus; and R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 each is located in one of the remaining 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-positions of the quinoxaline nucleus and is independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, H and alkyl radicals having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A composition comprising an acid resistant substrate coated with electrically conductive, fluoride ion doped tin oxide.

Abstract: A motor assembly useful for rotating a drum comprising: a hub adapted to be removably secured to the drum so that the drum rotates in response to rotation of the hub, the hub including a first outer surface adapted to face toward the drum and a second outer surface adapted to face away from the drum; a motor comprising a spring element having a first end adapted to be secured to the hub and being in aligned position relative to the hub to be wound around the hub between the first and second outer surfaces to apply a force to the hub which force urges the hub to rotate in one direction; and a housing adapted to hold the hub and the motor in aligned position substantially without frictional contact with the first and second outer surfaces of the hub.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a foldable lens into an eye through an incision in the eye comprising: a paddle permanently affixed to the apparatus, and sized and adapted to contact the lens in the unfolded state; an elongated tube including a distally open interior space sized and adapted to receive the paddle in contact with the lens in the folded state, and a distal end portion sized and adapted to be inserted into the eye through the incision, the tube being cooperable with the paddle to fold the lens into the folded state as the lens in contact with the paddle is received through the distal opening into the interior space; and a mechanism to provide relative movement between the paddle and the tube.

Abstract: A method of thermally oxidizing a gaseous component, e.g., including one or more volatile organic compounds, is disclosed. This method comprises passing an amount of an oxygen component, a controlled amount of a fuel component and an amount of a gaseous component to be thermally oxidized to a combustion zone to combust the oxygen component and the fuel component, to at least partially thermally oxidize the gaseous component and to form a gaseous effluent; contacting the gaseous effluent in a retention zone at conditions effective to thermally oxidize the gaseous component, and thereby form a flue gas; and controlling the amount of fuel component passed to the combustion zone based on the temperature in at least one of said combustion zone and said retention zone contacting occurs. A thermal oxidation apparatus useful for practicing the present method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for generating chlorine dioxide which involves contacting a stable precursor with a transition metal in a buffered aqueous medium.

Abstract: A compound selected from the group consisting of those having the formula: ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, wherein R.sub.1 wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, OXO, and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the 2-imidazolin-2-ylamino group may be in any of the 5-, 6-, 7- or 8- positions of the quinoxaline nucleus, and R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 each is located in one of the remaining 5-, 6-, 7- or 8- positions of the qunioxaline nucleus and is selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, H and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Such compounds, when administered to a mammal, provide desired therapeutic effects, such as alteration in the rate of fluid transport in the gastrointestinal tract, reduction in intraocular pressure, and increase in renal fluid flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying or storing jewelry of the type having at least one pin-like shaft, such as pierced earrings, comprises a frame having two frame support members and at least one frame spacer member. A fabric panel is stretched across the frame, the fabric being directly attached to the support member but not the spacer member or members. To display or store the jewelry, the pin-like shaft is inserted through the fabric panel. The frame can be quickly disassembled by detaching the frame spacer member or members from the frame support members. Once the frame is disassembled, the fabric panel may be scrolled about the frame support members to create a compact package for easy transportability or storage.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for cleaning the debris-laden transmission of an assembled bicycle having a bicycle frame, the transmission including chainrings and a free wheel gear cluster. The apparatus comprises a first reservoir adapted to be secured to the bicycle in proximity to the chainrings, the first reservoir including a first receptacle adapted to hold a quantity of liquid cleaning composition and to collect debris removed from the chainrings; and a second reservoir adapted to be secured to the bicycle separately from the first reservoir in proximity to the free wheel gear cluster, the second reservoir including a second receptacle adapted to hold a quantity of liquid cleaning composition and to collect debris removed from the free wheel gear cluster.

Abstract: An animal dish is disclosed which includes a moat sized and adapted to be filled with water to inhibit crawling insects from having access to the food or drink in the dish. The dish, which includes two elements, is configured to inhibit food or drink from the dish from passing into and contaminating the water in the moat.

Abstract: An assembled battery including a plurality of bipolar cells is disclosed. In one embodiment, the battery comprises a plurality of conduits for introducing electrolyte into the bipolar cells, each of the conduits acting to introduce electrolyte into a different one of the bipolar cells. In another embodiment, the battery comprises at least one spacer element acting to maintain the spacing between plates and/or electrodes in the battery.

Abstract: A composition useful as a gasoline additive, preferably to increase engine performance and/or mileage per unit volume of fuel, is described. The composition comprises about 45% to about 55% by weight of toluene and about 45% to about 55% by weight of C.sub.8 alkyl aromatic component selected from the group consisting of ethylbenzene, paraxylene, metaxylene, orthoxylene and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A valve assembly, particularly a breather valve assembly for fluid storage tanks, is described. This assembly comprises a valve housing including a fluid conduit and a valve seat defining a fluid outlet of the fluid conduit, and a pressure pallet sized and adapted to move away from the valve seat in response to an increased fluid pressure in the fluid conduit. A seal is provided and acts to effectively seal the fluid outlet against fluid flow from said fluid conduit when the seal is in contact with the valve seat. The seal which includes first and second flexible seal elements which are unsecured to the pressure pallet at or near their respective outer peripheries, is structured so that fluid from the fluid conduit is in the space between the first and second seal elements when the seal means is in contact with the valve seat.

Abstract: A resistance heating element includes a three dimensional substrate having and electrically conductive tin oxide-containing coating on at least a portion of all three dimensions thereof, the coated substrate being adapted and structured to provide heat upon the application of an electrical potential across the coated substrate.

Abstract: A replacement disc for use between adjacent vertebrae comprising:a body portion having substantially opposing first and second surfaces and being adapted to fit and be held between the adjacent vertebrae; first securement means extending out from the first surface and acting to secure the replacement disc to the first adjacent vertebrae; and second securement means extending out from the second surface and acting to secure the replacement disc to the second adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A vehicle having a length, a front end and a substantially opposing rear end useful for propelling an implement pivotably coupled thereto at or near the front end. The vehicle comprises two driven wheels located at or near the rear end and positioned to rotate in a direction generally parallel to the length of the vehicle; a power system acting to provide power to rotate the two driven wheels; at least one non-steered wheel located at or near the front end, the non-steered wheel being rotatable about an axis which axis is at least partially rotatable; and a seat acting to provide a location at which a human being can sit on the vehicle and control the vehicle. The vehicle is sized so that the human being sitting in the seat is capable of directly steering the pivotably coupled implement.