Abstract: This invention comprises a concentrate further comprising a salt(s), a rheological modifier(s), an effective amount of a stabilizing compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic carboxylic acids optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, aliphatic polycarboxylic acids optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, aliphatic and alicyclic organic compounds having at least three hydroxyl groups, glycols, mixtures thereof and the like and water which is present in an amount at least sufficient to solubilize the stabilizing compound(s) up to an amount at which said thickening compound is activated. This composition, upon dilution, after aging has the viscosity development characteristic(s) of a freshly diluted concentrate. If desired, this concentrate further comprises performance additives and other components and is preferably formulated for use in preparing a fire retardant concentrate.

Abstract: A mattress system includes a first section of foam material forming the head section of a mattress, a second section of foam material forming, the central section of the mattress, and a third section of foam material forming the foot section of the mattress. The second section of foam material has a load responsive characteristic different from the load responsive characteristic of the first and third sections. The central section may be replaced by an inflatable air chamber.

Abstract: An air mattress system includes a plurality of inflatable air chambers operatively connected to form an air mattress, a reversible air pump operatively connected to the air chambers, and a manually operable control operatively connected to the air pump for controlling the operation of the air pump. The manually operable control has at least a first setting for operating the air pump in a first direction for inflating the air chambers and at least a second setting for operating the air pump in a second direction for deflating the air chambers. Preferably, at least one inflatable air chamber is disposed below the plurality of air chambers to form a foundation for the air mattress. A gauge is included for measuring the air pressure in at least one of the air chambers, the gauge having a display for displaying the measured air pressure to a user.

Abstract: A lumbar support mechanism includes a flexible support member, a spring and a cable assembly. The flexible support member has oppositely disposed first and second ends. The spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the spring is connected to one of the first end and second ends of the flexible support member. The cable assembly includes a sleeve and a cable slidably disposed therein. The sleeve has a first end connected to the second end of the spring. The cable has a first end connected an other of the first and second ends of the flexible support member.

Abstract: A cosmetics organizer comprising a palette, hook and loop fasteners having mating halves, and at least one cosmetic item removably secured to the palette by hook and loop fasteners wherein one mating half of each fastener is secured to the palette and the other mating half is secured to said cosmetic item. The invention also encompasses a kit for the creation of a cosmetics organizer, said kit comprising a palette and hook and loop fasteners having mating halves wherein the user of the kit can secure one mating half of each fastener to the palette and the other mating half to a cosmetic item to removably secure the cosmetic item to the palette.

Abstract: A sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample comprises a sensor comprising an optical fiber portion having a first end and a second end, the second end having a tip portion attached thereto and an active material incorporated within the tip portion, the tip portion adapted to be inserted into a sample, the active material capable of interacting with a substance within a sample, a light source coupled to the first end of the sensor for emitting a beam of light into and through the sensor and into a sample, the emitted beam of light having a wavelength and the active material interacting with a substance within a sample to change the wavelength of the emitted beam of light to produce a reflected beam of light and the sensor for transmitting the reflected beam of light out of the second end thereof, an optical detector for receiving the reflected beam of light from the second end of the sensor for producing a signal indicative of the reflected beam of light, and a processor for re

Abstract: A business form with label areas removable therefrom and an improved process for producing a label. The process includes feeding a sheet of paper into a paper processing apparatus, having a roll of transfer adhesive stock with a first and second liner with adhesive therebetween, means for separating the second liner from the transfer adhesive stock, cutting a strip of transfer adhesive stock from the roll of transfer adhesive stock and adhering the transfer adhesive stock to the sheet of paper whereby it can be cut to form a label peelable from the transfer adhesive stock. In addition, a transfer adhesive stock comprising a first and second liner with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive between one side of the first liner and one side of the second liner, each liner having a different adhesive affinity whereby one liner may be removed from the other liner and adhesive.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the alignment of a wheel of a vehicle includes mounting a known optical target to a wheel on the vehicle, the known optical target having a plurality of optical elements, each optical element having at least one straight edge disposed on a background, obtaining at least one video image of the optical target, estimating from the video image of the optical target the characteristics in said video image of a plurality of lines corresponding to projections onto the video image of the straight edges of the optical elements, and determining from the estimates of the characteristics the alignment of the wheel. A similar target for determining the position of a runway on which the vehicle is positioned is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mattress system includes a first section of foam material forming the head section of a mattress, a second section of foam material forming the central section of the mattress, and a third section of foam material forming the foot section of the mattress. The second section of foam material has a load responsive characteristic different from the load responsive characteristic of the first and third sections. The central section may be replaced by an inflatable air chamber.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related medical instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening as used during general anesthesia, intensive care, or critical patient care. The mask includes an inflatable positioning shield formed to fit within a patient's oropharynx and seal around the circumference of the laryngeal opening, the shield having an inflatable annular toroid peripheral portion, a contoured rear portion, and a recessed front. The mask also includes a flexible respiratory tube having an proximal end lumen, a gently curved tubular body of sufficient size to permit passage of endo-tracheal tubes, and related medical instruments, and a distal end passing through and secured to the proximal edge of the annular toroid peripheral portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of correcting imbalance on a motor vehicle wheel/tire assembly. A sensing device coupled to an electronic measuring apparatus is used to scan the wheel in a continuous motion, obtaining the profile of the surface intended for the placement of at least one imbalance correction weight. The balancer computer analyzes the scanned profile and determines the best arrangement of correction weight locations and magnitudes. This system reduces the amount of weight, number of weights, and/or residual imbalance caused by systems where the operator determines the correction planes. The display shows the scanned profile and the weights exactly as the physical wheel and placed weights appear, improving intuitiveness and providing confidence in the measuring apparatus. The correction weight magnitudes and locations can be manually adjusted via the user interface and a real-time display update of required weights and the corresponding residual imbalance.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling pipe, coiled tubing, casing, and conventional tubing in well drilling and servicing operations.

Abstract: An adapter to permit a temperature measuring instrument ordinarily used with a thermistor temperature sensor to be used with a temperature probe of the thermocouple type. The adapter has an output for connection to the temperature measuring instrument and has circuitry for processing the signal from the thermocouple probe to produce at the adapter output a resistance which a thermistor sensor would generate at the same temperature. A temperature measuring instrument for efficient use of an electrical source has circuitry for processing a temperature related signal according to a sequence of operations to provide an electrical variable having a value which is a function of the temperature being measured. The sequence commences with connection of the electrical source to the processing circuitry. At the completion of the sequence a signal indicative of completion is produced. In responsive to the completion signal the electrical source is disconnected from the processing circuitry.

Abstract: A tube and fitting assembly is disclosed which includes a plastic fitting with a hollow pin frictionally receiving an end portion of a plastic tube, and an integral collar surrounding the pin and tube end portion and with the tube end portion clamped between the pin and collar. A method of making a tube and fitting assembly is disclosed which includes spin-forming the collar of a fitting about an end portion of a plastic tube while the end portion is disposed on a hollow pin concentric with the collar.

Abstract: A histological specimen infiltrating and embedding composition including paraffin and a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. The copolymer may be between 0.5 and 5% by weight of the paraffin. A surface active compatibilizer soluble in molten paraffin and which reduces the turbidity of the molten paraffin may be added to the composition in an amount between about 0.4% and 2% by weight of the paraffin.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube assembly is provided which includes an endotracheal tube, and an insufflation catheter connectable to a source of high frequency gas and disposed in the tube. The tube has spacers adjacent the distal end to space the distal end of the catheter from the inner sidewalls of the tube. The catheter may be provided with a ventilation lumen, a suction lumen, and connection means for supplying gas to the ventilation lumen and/or negative pressure to the suction lumen.

Abstract: A catheter placement device for use in introducing high frequency jet ventilation gas to the trachea of a patient is provided which includes a catheter, and a catheter introducer having a needle within the catheter and includes an actuating member for moving the needle to an extended position in which the needle tip extends beyond the distal end of the catheter for percutaneously inserting the catheter and needle into the throat of a patient. A spring moves the needle tip to a retracted position within the catheter upon release of the actuating member. The introducer is removable from the catheter so that a source of high frequency ventilation gas can be connected to the catheter. The introducer has a piston which is movable in a bore which communicates with the needle lumen.

Abstract: Antibodies specific to glycosylated hemoglobin and substantially free of cross-reactivity with nonglycosylated forms of hemoglobin are obtained by administering a synthetic antigen to a host animal. The antigen comprises a glycosylated synthetic peptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to that of the NH.sub.2 -terminus of the .beta.-chain of hemoglobin. The peptide comprises a sequence of between about four and ten, and preferably seven, amino acids, and is conjugated with glucose and a protein. The protein preferably comprises an immunoglobulin which is foreign to the host animal.