Abstract: An electrical connector for clamping a cable to an electrical junction box. The connector has a cylindrical body with a flange at one end and a male threaded portion adapted to mate with the threads of a female connector receptacle on the box. The connector includes a cable immobilizer that receives the cable inserted into the box from the flanged end of the connector and which bites into the cable insulation such that the cable cannot be withdrawn after insertion. In a preferred aspect the connector has radially extending protrusions which in concert with the end flange allow the connector to insert into and lock in a non-threaded, knock-out style connector receptacle.

Abstract: A computerized reminder system collates medical prescription information such as provided by commercial retail pharmacies to customized schedules for administration of medication and therapy to patients. The system broadcasts reminder information via radio frequency wireless transmissions over a wide area network subsystem to portable receivers uniquely associated with specific patients. The patients receive real-time reminders directed only to them to take medicine. Patients receive only their own respective reminders and do not obtain reminders for other patients who subscribe to the system.

Abstract: A cyclic process for controlling environmental emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from vapor recovery in storage and dispensing operations of liquids maintains a vacuum in the storage tank ullage. In the first part of a two-part cyclic process ullage vapor is discharged through a vapor recovery system in which VOC are stripped from vented gas with a selectively gas permeable membrane. In the second part, the membrane is inoperative while gas pressure rises in the ullage. In one aspect of this invention, a vacuum is drawn in the membrane separation unit thus reducing overall VOC emissions.

Abstract: A form-fitting cover has a top panel that has an elastic stretch in a least one linear direction in the range of 25 to 150% and a skirt attached to and depending from the periphery of the top panel. The skirt has an upper edge that has an elastic stretch at least equal to the elastic stretch of the periphery of the top panel. The skirt further has of an elastic or inelastic stretch that is at least as large as the elastic stretch of the periphery of the top panel.

Abstract: A device for disinfecting door handles and knobs comprising a dispenser for soap or disinfectant adapted to spray the soap or disinfectant on the door handles or knobs when triggered by the motion of a hand.

Abstract: A slip resistant cover for various articles has a central, substantially non-stretchable sheet and a border of a cross-extensible strip around the perimeter of the sheet. The strip can extend incrementally from its relaxed state by at least 150% under tension of 160 g/cm of strip width or less. Preferably the strip has an open mesh net structure. The slip resistant cover is suitable for covering diverse items, including bedding materials, vehicles, equipment, furniture and the like.

Abstract: An improved stitchbonded fabric has a pattern of stitches formed by a multi-needle stitched set of contractible stitching threads in a planar material that comprises a non-fibrous layer of polymer or metal, such as a metallic foil, a polymeric film, or a leather. Contraction of the stitchbonded fabric provides the fabric with unusual tactile, visual and functional effects.

Abstract: A gas separation module includes an adsorbent filter medium inside the case that holds the active gas separation membrane. The adsorbent filter is positioned upstream of the membrane and is operative to extract from the feed gas contaminants which adversely affect membrane separation performance and which if not removed, would cause the membrane separation performance to deteriorate. The adsorbent filter fits within vacant space in conventionally-sized hollow fiber membrane modules and thus can obviate the need to install an external adsorbent filter upstream of the module and/or to enlarge the space occupied by the module to accommodate addition of the internal adsorbent medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fire-protection and safety glazing laminate having a haze value less than 4 percent comprising (A) a plurality of high modulus layers laminated with (B) at least one fluoropolymer resin layer wherein (B) resides between (A). The high modulus layers comprise glass, polycarbonate or polyurethane. The fluoropolymer resin layer has a matte finish surface, an embossed finish surface or a combination thereof and is exposed to a corona treatment in an organic gas atmosphere. The high modulus layers are adhered to the fluoropolymer resin layer through a pressure and heat lamination.

Abstract: A cyclic process for controlling environmental emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from vapor recovery in storage and dispensing operations of liquids maintains a vacuum in the storage tank ullage. In one of a two-part cyclic process ullage vapor is discharged through a vapor recovery system in which VOC are stripped from vented gas with a selectively gas permeable membrane. In the other part, the membrane is inoperative while gas pressure rises in the ullage. Ambient air is charged to the membrane separation unit during the latter part of the cycle.

Abstract: A stand can support a conventional four-posted bed at an elevation substantially higher than floor level and provides open access to the greatly increased space beneath the bed. From above, the stand has a straight-sided-U shape with a leg at each corner. Two legs at the head and at the foot of the bed are connected by cross braces such that the stand has two opposing H-shaped end units. A a single longitudinal horizontally disposed truss extending along one side of the bed rigidly and strongly connects the end units.

Abstract: Isopycnic or asymmetric mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes for gas separation can be made by a continuous spinning process. Mixed matrix membranes are characterized by a continuous phase of selectively gas permeable polymer in which are uniformly dispersed discrete absorbent particles such as molecular sieves that also have selectivity enhancing properties. The fibers can be monolithic in which the fiber wall is entirely mixed matrix, or composite in which an active mixed matrix layer is positioned adjacent to a supporting substrate layer. The novel mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes provide higher selectivity than dense film membranes of the continuous phase polymer.

Abstract: A process for metal coating diamond superabrasive particles involves heating the superabrasive particles in the presence of coat-forming powder of a metal compound under a common inert atmosphere. The metal compound contains a metal which can be thermochemically reduced by the superabrasive substance serving as the reducing agent. The process forms a chemical bond at the interface between the outer metal layer and the superabrasive particle substrate. The metal coated superabrasive particles can be hydrogen treated in situ and separated from excess coat-forming powder easily by filtration. The product particles are ideal for use in a wide variety of metal bonded cutting, machining, dressing and other abrasive tools, especially diamond film insert and single layer diamond tools.

Abstract: An intercrosslinked multilayer polymeric article comprises (A) at least one thermoplastic polymer layer in contact with (B) at least one crosslinkable polymer layer, wherein (A) and (B) are incompatible with each other, and wherein (A) and (B) are secured together by intercrosslinking. Also disclosed is a method for preparing an intercrosslinked polymeric article.

Abstract: A multicomponent, ground based system for reducing the hazard of explosion of aircraft fuel in the on board tanks of aircraft. The system is adapted to provide a supply of scrubbed fuel having a low concentration of dissolved oxygen. The scrubbed fuel can be supplied from bulk storage tanks to dispensing stations nearby the aircraft loading and boarding positions at an airport. The system also includes equipment adapted to wash the ullage of the aircraft fuel tanks to remove excess oxygen above the fuel in the tanks. The system further includes a gas cleaning unit to strip excessive amounts of volatile organic compounds from gas exhausted during operation of the system thereby producing environmentally benign atmospheric emissions. The system also includes redundant sources of inert gas so that the system can continue to operate in the contingency that one of the inert gas sources temporarily ceases to operate.

Abstract: A method of coating core having a metal surface with a uniform thickness, smooth, thin layer of fluorinated polymer calls for inserting the core into a sleeve of the polymer. The sleeve has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the core so that the sleeve stretches to form a skin-tight fit over the core upon insertion. The assembly of sleeve and core is then subjected, in sequence, to aging under vacuum at a temperature below the softening point of the polymer prior, heating to a temperature above the softening point, and cooling below the softening point to thermally bond the fluorinated polymer to the metal surface. A firm bond is achieved without additional adhesive components or etching of the surface. A fuser roll for suitable for electrophotographic copy machine service can be prepared by this method without the need for a separate, post-bonding burnishing step to smooth the exposed surface of the fluorinated polymer layer.

Abstract: A method of raising the concentration of a liquid mixture utilizes osmotic distillation to transfer a volatile liquid component from the mixture in contact with one side of a nonporous, preferably high free volume, gas permeable membrane to a strip solution in contact with the other side of the membrane. Due to its nonporous nature the gas permeable membrane resists penetration and wetting by oily components that may be present in the feed mixture. Similarly, occlusion of the membrane by solids is resisted. Preferably, an amorphous copolymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole is useful for the gas permeable membrane. Osmotic distillation utilizing such high free volume, nonporous gas permeable membranes can concentrate difficult liquid mixtures such as pulpy fruit juices and especially, limonene-containing juices, for example, orange juice. The process can be operated at high flux for long durations between membrane cleanings.

Abstract: A process for metal coating diamond superabrasive particles involves heating the superabrasive particles in the presence of coat-forming powder of a metal compound under a common inert atmosphere. The metal compound contains a metal which can be thermochemically reduced by the superabrasive substance serving as the reducing agent. The process forms a chemical bond at the interface between the outer metal layer and the superabrasive particle substrate. The metal coated superabrasive particles can be hydrogen treated in situ and separated from excess coat-forming powder easily by filtration. The product particles are ideal for use in a wide variety of metal bonded cutting, machining, dressing and other abrasive tools, especially diamond film insert and single layer diamond tools.

Abstract: A mixed matrix membrane for gas separations is provided with a nonporous continuous phase of a polymer and a dispersed phase of molecular sieve particles reacted with a monofunctional organosilicon compound. The monofunctional organosilicon compound is characterized by (a) at least one silicon substituent group which reacts or is compatible with the polymer, and (b) at most one displaceable radical that can react with the molecular sieve. A process for making a selectively gas permeable mixed matrix membrane involves reacting a molecular sieve with the monofunctional organosilicon compound, uniformly dispersing the reacted sieve with a polymer, and forming the resulting mixed matrix composition into a membrane structure. These mixed matrix membranes provide an improved combination of permeability and selectivity as compared to polymer-only membranes and mixed matrix membranes in which the molecular sieve is not reacted with a monofunctional organosilicon compound.