Abstract: The invention describes a redox initiating system consisting of Cu.sup.II salts, enolizable aldehydes and ketones, and various combinations of coordinating agents for Cu.sup.II, coordinating agents for Cu.sup.I, and a strong amine base that is not oxidized by Cu.sup.II. In particular, Cu.sup.II octanoate/dibenzyl ketone/pyridine/triethylamine/triphenylphosphine systems are effective. In addition to initiating free radical polymerizations and copolymerizations, this initiating system can be applied to the synthesis of functionalized telechelics, polymers with ketone linkages in the backbone, block and graft copolymers consisting of free-radical and step-growth polymer blocks, and crosslinking reactions.

Abstract: A pest collection-disposable device having a means to pull a vacuum or to move air positioned in an elongated air duct forming at least part of the inside of a housing, preferably part of the duct comprises a disposable, telescoping tube containing a pest collector therein or comprising an essentially elongated circular tube containing a flexible flap means, said flap means acting to effect a surge initially of the air flow and spaced down stream a short ways a filter or screen means to stop the pest and when the fan stops, allows the flap to return to its original position to trap the pest between the flap and screen.

Abstract: A device (20) that pierces the skin due to the collapsing of dome (1) between the fingertips. Immediately after a puncture is made, a blood or exudate sample can be collected. A shutter device (50) is incorporated into the skin perforator to prevent repeated use of the device.

Abstract: An air-operated percussive tool incorporates apparatus for reducing vibration transmission from a working end portion (1) to a hand grip (2), thereby to reduce vibration transmission to the hand/arm of the user. The apparatus includes a male frustoconical portion (3) whose tip is located facing a female bed (4) with the base of the frustoconical part attached to the handle grip (2) while the bed (4) is attached to the working end portion (1). Three rubber balls (5) are trapped between the portion (3) and bed (4) and the balls (5) are located in their mean positions under compression. Oscillatory movement of the female bed parallel to the longitudinal access of the frustocone causes the balls to roll on the male and female surfaces and effectively provide a rising spring rate or stiffness. Apparatus is also disclosed for reducing vibration transmissions from the working portion to a casing (12) of the tool.

Abstract: An inflator for a vehicular air bag. The inflator has a metal cover and metal base sealingly connected to each other by a weldless joint. The cover or the base has a circumferential lip defining a channel and a rim of the other of the cover and base is received within the channel. The cover and base are shaped such that an external portion of the lip abuts the other of the cover and base to form a joint which sealingly connects the cover and base. In a disclosed embodiment, the cover and base are of stamped metal and the base has a circumferential lip defining a channel or trough which receives an external circumferential lip portion of the lid, an external portion of the lip being in abutment with the cover, the channel and lip portions thus being shaped to interlock with each other.

Abstract: A tamper-evident seal for application to interior surfaces of motor vehicle hoods, trunks and other portals, the seal formed as an elongate strip of stock material having a band of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) affixed to a side of the strip near each end thereof; and transverse perforations between the bands of PSA. When the hood or trunk is opened, the perforation or weakened area will tear, before the PSA detaches from the inside trunk surface where it is adhered.

Abstract: This invention relates to heat-resistant polyimide blends and laminates thereof, which have excellent heat and moisture resistance, and excellent mechanical properties, including outstanding toughness. The blends contain a thermoplastic polyimide component and a thermosetting imide oligomer. The weight ratio of the thermoplastic component to thermosetting component is selected in the range of 99/1 to 5/95. The thermoplastic polyimide component has a number average molecular weight of 10,000 or more.

Abstract: The invention describes new biphenyl dianhydrides, and new polyimides and copolyimides made from the dianhydrides. The synthesized polyimides exhibit significantly enhanced solubility when the biphenyl dianhydrides are substituted, particularly at the 2 and 2' positions on the phenyl rings.

Abstract: The first synthesis of a multi-arm radial-star polyisobutylene is described. The synthesis occurred by the addition of excess divinylbenzene (DVB) linking reagent to a living polyisobutylene (PIB.sup..sym.), charge, i.e., by the "arm first" method under specific conditions. The radial structure of the star-PIB was proven by determining the molecular weight of a sample by light scattering, then selectively destroying the aromatic polydivinylbenzene core, and finally determining the molecular weight of the surviving aliphatic PIB arms. The synthesis strategy, kinetic observations during synthesis, and procedures leading to a representative star-PIB are described. This product whose M.sub.w =1,134,400 g/mole with M.sub.w /M.sub.n =2.83, contained .about.90.3 mole % (.about.78 wt. %) PIB arms and .about.9.7 mole % (.about.22 wt. %) aromatic core; thus the number of PIB arms emanating from the core was N.sub.n, arm =56 or N.sub.w, arm (weight average number of arms)=110.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and holding a flexible and collapsible trash liner comprises a rigid upright trash receptacle having a main body with a generally closed bottom and an open top. The bottom has a periphery about which the bottom is affixed to the main body, and this periphery has at least one cavity formed therealong. The cavity effectively forms a foothold for a user in removing the trash liner from the receptacle as well as a handhold for a user in transporting the trash receptacle.

Abstract: In optical, microwave, acoustical and other wave fields diffraction spreading and loss of gain is countered by giving the wavefront approaching an aperture a bevelled lip or edge, whereby the radiation spreading inwards from this edge prevents the outward diffraction spreading of the field, and where any aberrations resulting from the de-diffraction process are corrected by methods analogous to those used to correct for spherical aberrations, the result of these adjustments being to cause a field such as that emitted by a lens or laser, to emerge free from diffraction spreading, gaining in resolution beyond the diffraction limits.

Abstract: A device to be worn by a dog or other animal to accept and retain primarily feces. The device includes a contact member contoured to the general shape of the animal buttocks and designed to be secured adjacent to the buttocks of the animal. The contact member includes an aperture designed to circumscribe the anus of the animal. A disposable container is secured in the aperture by a retaining insert. The device may be secured adjacent to the animal by means such as straps which originate from a harness worn by the animal.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for introducing pulverulent material into a tire through a tire valve stem is performed by confining a predetermined amount of pulverulent material in a cylindrical chamber having axially spaced and radially offset inlets and outlets, subjecting the confined pulverulent material to pressurized air which is transformed into a cyclonic air current within the chamber by the radially offset inlet and outlet, and introducing admixed air/pulverulent material from the chamber into a tire through its associated tire valve stem.

Abstract: A device for chucking a zigzag spring, which comprises a pair of pawl elements, a drive source, and a detector. One of the two pawl elements may be moved and stoped at at least one position by operation of the drive source through detection of the detector, and then both two pawl elements are brought into engagement with both end portions of the zigzag spring, respectively, according to a length of the spring. The detector may comprise a plurality of proximity switches, one of which detects movement of such one of the pawl elements to that particular position. By those plural proximity switches, a base position may be set for that one of pawl elements in relation to another of them, according to a selected one of plural different zigzag springs with different lengths.

Abstract: A reminder device with circular dials similar to the face of a clock for pill and medicine containers is adapted for attaching to a pill bottle or other container. The rotatable dials may be manually set to indicators showing the weekday, date and time for taking a pill or other medicinal dose. The reminder device is disposable and may be pinned to the bottle top or other medicine container or temporarily affixed by means of an adhesive.

Abstract: A device for detecting slag in molten metal comprises a ladle shroud with a hollow passage that communicates a ladle containing the molten metal to a tundish to allow the molten metal to flow from the ladle to the tundish, and an electrically conductive element positioned in a wall of the hollow passage, so that the element is in electrical contact with the molten metal. If the ladle shroud is electrically conductive, the electrically conductive element is electrically isolated therefrom by an insulating sleeve around the electrically conductive element. Preferably, the electrically conductive element is a steel pin, particularly one where the steel pin has an flanged end in electrical contact with said molten metal, and more particularly where opposite end has a bore therein to accommodate an electrical lead wire to communicate the pin to a voltmeter.

Abstract: An instrument for use in endoscopic biopsy procedures comprising biopsy forceps which utilize a simple and cost effective construction. The apparatus of the invention eliminates the use of an outer housing and utilizes a simplified hinge assembly in conjunction with simple activation of the biopsy jaws. By eliminating the outer housing, the rigid portion of the device is greatly reduced thereby reducing the potential for damage to the instrument or to the narrow channel of the endoscope through which the instrument is inserted and retrieved. The apparatus includes an outer flexible tubular sheath which carries a control wire extending through the sheath. The control wire is movable within the flexible sheath, and includes an operating mechanism coupled to a first end of the tubular sheath for controlling movement of the wire within the sheath. The device further includes a pair of jaw assemblies and a simplified activator for opening and closing the jaws.

Abstract: A pressurized liquid dispensing container and valve assembly comprises an essentially upright container for containing under pressure a liquid to be dispensed and a discharge valve assembly above the container. The valve assembly includes a valve body and a nozzle having a discharge opening that is controlled by a valve. The valve includes a frustoconical valve seat formed in an end wall of the nozzle, and a frustoconical valve head which is axially movable between an inward seating position and an outward position in which the valve is open. A protective cap is screw threaded on the outside of the nozzle and has a discharge aperture in its outer end wall. The valve head has an outer end surface that normally abuts against an inside surface of the cap so as to restrict flow from the nozzle through the discharge aperture in the cap. The cap when screwed tightly holds the valve closed. Partial unscrewing of the cap adjusts the amount of valve opening and rate of liquid discharge.