Abstract: A dental instrument adapted to be used as a dental file and dental reamer for removing dead or damaged tissue from the root canal of a tooth. The dental compactor instrument is formed with a tapered shank having at least two helical flutes defining at least two continuous helical cutting edges. A helical peripheral land extends between the helical flutes at the periphery of the shank. The cutting edges have a neutral rake angle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting segments from a strip of limp sheet material advanced lengthwise along a planar support surface utilizes a finger mechanism for ensuring that following severance of the strip from the remainder thereof, the remainder of the strip is guided along a desired path. The segments are cut from the strip by a pair of blades which move between an open condition accommodating the advancement of the strip to a position between the blades for cutting and a closed condition for cutting a segment from the strip and wherein the severed strip end is bent away from the plane of the support surface by the closing of the blades.

Abstract: A method for disposing of non-polar organic wastes including the steps of dissolving the organic waste in an organic solvent which is not environmentally objectionable, in combination with a suitable surfactant, mixing the resultant solution with a quantity of water to develop an emulsion in which the organic element is effectively dispersed in the water and thereafter mixing the emulsion with cement which, when allowed to solidify, encapsulates the organic waste within the solid cementitious mass. This solid mass is suitable for disposal in a landfill or the like. This invention is useful in safely disposing of environmentally hazardous organic wastes.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies demonstrating reactivity to genus-specific epitopes present on outer membrane proteins of bacteria of the genus Legionella and hybridomas for secreting the antibodies are disclosed.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for bending the user's legs by the exercise of muscles in the user's upper body includes a stationary frame, a seat mounted upon the frame for forward and rearward movement relative thereto and hinged leg support sections which fold and unfold in synchronism with the forward and rearward movement of the seat. To use the apparatus, a user sits upon the seat with his legs draped over the hinged leg supports and he pushes and pulls upon the stationary frame to effect the forward and rearward movement of the seat relative to the frame. As the leg support sections are folded and unfolded in response to the forward and rearward movement of the seat, the user's legs are bent at the waist and knees. A hydraulic cylinder is interposed between the frame and seat providing an adjustable resistance to the forward and rearward movement of the seat.

Abstract: A method of custom manufacturing of shoes at a specified heel height is disclosed and includes forming a positive impression mold of the foot from a negative impression mold made with the foot oriented at the specified heel height. A sold impression form is provided having an upper surface shaped to correspond to the lower surface of the sole of a shoe with the specified heel height. The positive impression mold is located with its lower surface separated from the upper surface of the sole impression form by a distance approximating the desired sole thickness, after which a settable material adapted to harden to form a suitable sole is introduced into the space between the positive impression mold and the sole impression form. The sole impression form is then removed from the sole and the desired upper materials are attached to the sole to generally conform to the shape of the positive impression mold.

Abstract: A hand-held control device for use in controlling directional characteristics in apparatus, such as the direction of movement of video display images in electronic game machines, includes a body having an opening and four depressible switches regularly spaced about the opening. The opening is sized to receive the finger of a user inserted endwise therein, and the switches are disposed adjacent the sides of the opening so that each of the switches can be actuated with the side of the user's finger when the user's finger is received by and moved toward a corresponding side of the opening. When the device is in use, each switch is responsible for initiating a directional control signal corresponding to an X or Y coordinate direction in an X-Y plane. Fifth and sixth switches are mounted in the body for actuation by the thumb and index finger of the hand which holds the device and are responsible for control signals, such as "fire" or "jump" signals, which are independent of the directional control signals.

Abstract: An automatic message system employs a transducer to provide sound reproduction through a sounding surface which is isolated from the environment, as in museum display cases and the like or in outdoor displays. The sounding surface can be any semicompliant surface, including glass, and the system can be switched by means of a remote sensor which may act through the sounding surface. The device may be removably mounted on the sounding surface by use of suction cups or other devices. The sound reproduction system eliminates conventional speaker diaphragms, which may be damaged by weather or abuse. A stiff inverted cone is used to transmit the sound vibrations from the voice coil of the transducer directly to the sounding surface for amplification.

Abstract: A system including a method and apparatus for treating waste containing organic contaminants which includes a direct fired, countercurrent, rotary kiln providing a soaking zone having an oxidizing atmosphere through which the materials being treated are passed after the unwanted organics are removed, and a secondary combustion chamber for oxidizing gases containing vaporized or pyrolyzed organics in which the organics are burned and are subjected to high temperatures for a holding time sufficient to effect destruction of the organic contaminants. The system includes means to minimize off-gas so as to make possible a reduction in size of the equipment employed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for cross-stream sampling of bulk material from a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a sampler movable across the conveyor belt for segregating a cross-stream increment of bulk material from the belt and ejecting the sample into a collection chute positioned adjacent the belt. The sampler has a trapezoidal cross-section so that the surface area which it projects upstream of the bulk material flow is relatively small in comparison to its sample-accepting capacity. The system also includes a surge dam positioned upstream of the sampler for limiting buildup of bulk material against the upstream side of the sampler. Upon completion of an increment-collecting cycle, the sampler is parked in a position relative to the opening of the collection chute so that ingress of bulk material into the chute opening from the belt is restricted by the sampler.

Abstract: Alkali metal sulfates are converted to a sulfur-free form by dissolving the alkali metal sulfate in water to produce an aqueous solution containing alkali metal ions and sulfate ions at a pH below about 8, and then passing the solution through a weak base, anion exchange resin having bicarbonate ions associated therewith that exchange with the sulfate ions so that the sulfate ions become associated with the resin and the bicarbonate ions become associated with the alkali metal ions in the solution. The resin can be regenerated to the bicarbonate form by treatment with an ammonium hydroxide solution followed by contact with carbon dioxide and the regeneration by-products are commercially useful.

Abstract: A fishing lure having a lure body which is soft and flexible for use with various hook carrying rigs. The body is elongated and includes a head portion and a tail portion. The head portion is generally cylindrical and the tail portion semi-cylindrical with a generally flat lower surface, the transition between the head and tail portion defining a generally straight line which extends transversely over the flat surface of the tail portion.

Abstract: A probe for measuring heat includes an elongate rod fitted within a sheath, and a plurality of annular recesses are formed on the surface of the rod in a spaced-apart relationship to form annular chambers that are resistant to heat flow. A longitudinal bore extends axially into the rod and within the cylinders defined by the annular chambers, and an integrated heater and thermocouple pack is dimensioned to fit within the bore. In construction, the integrated pack includes a plurality of wires disposed in electrical insulation within a sheath and a heater cable. These wires include one common wire and a plurality of thermocuple wires. The common wire is constructed of one type of conductive material while the thermocouple wires are each constructed of two types of materials so that at least one thermocouple junction is formed therein. All of the wires extend the length of the integrated pack and are connected together at their ends.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for compressing a mass utilizing a plurality of interfitting anvils mounted for movement relative to one another along co-planar paths and include faces which, when the anvils are operatively moved relative to one another, exert compression on a mass positioned between the faces in at least two directions in a plane simultaneously. The faces of the apparatus can be so shaped that the cross section of the mass being compressed is urged toward a shape other than that of a regular polygon. Methods of the invention include the consolidation of a mass of compactable material enclosed within a hollow tube having deformable walls, the extraction of juice or oil from fruit or seeds and the internal fracturing of solids so as to swell materials such as solid rocket propellants.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a condenser instrument for thermomechanically condensing a thermoplastic material, such as gutta percha, in the extirpated root canal of a tooth through rotation of the instrument is disclosed. The condenser instrument includes a shank having a tapered working portion along part of its length. The working portion includes a single, continuous helical flute defining a continuously helical shoulder having a negative rake angle. The shoulder is generally directed downwardly toward the tip end of the shank. A wide land is formed at the periphery of the shoulder. In a second embodiment, a remover instrument for removing a thermoplastic material, such as gutta percha, from a previously obturated root canal of a tooth through rotation of the remover instrument is disclosed. The remover instrument includes a shank having a tapered working portion along part of its length.

Abstract: A method of purification for anethole which involves forming an aqueous emulsion of crude anethole and crystallizing anethole from the emulsion. The process provides a purified anethole having improved odor and taste.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process and system utilize a single adsorber for fractionating at least one constituent from a stream of a gaseous mixture fed into the adsorber and a reservoir for receiving product gas exiting the adsorber. Following a step in the process operation involving a venting of the adsorber inlet during which no product gas is withdrawn, the feed stream is shut off and remains shut off while product gas collected in the reservoir is conducted to the adsorber outlet for the purpose of equalizing the internal pressures of the adsorber and reservoir. Once the pressures are equalized, the flow of the feed stream into the adsorber is resumed and any flow of product gas between the adsorber outlet and the reservoir is shut off so that the continued feed stream flow into the adsorber raises the adsorber pressure to an elevated level.

Abstract: A fireplace grate including a ribbed framework providing a support surface for fireplace fuels and a plurality of legs for supporting the framework above a fireplace floor utilizes a plurality of recesses disposed across the support surface which each extend downwardly into each leg. The recesses are sized to nestingly receive the legs of a grate of like construction placed in overlying relationship with the grate and have sidewalls which are joined to the sections of the support surface encircling the recesses along smooth arcuate surfaces so that the opening of each recess is devoid of sharp corners.

Abstract: A device to create such turbulence in water normally held motionless in a toilet that splashing and spattering is suppressed when solids, liquids, or both are inserted in a traditional manner. This device includes a submerged, motor driven rotor which when rotated rapidly causes the desired hydraulic turbulence. Appropriate switches are provided to accommodate the various ways in which a toilet is operated. A mounting bracket for hanging the device on any given toilet is provided. This same bracket also permits adjustment of the rotor's height to achieve proper submersion. A power cord is provided for connecting the splash suppressor to an electrical power source. A fluid resistant housing is provided for the motor and switches. This same housing extends from the motor to form a housing for the submerged rotor.