Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument assembly including a support sheath, a miniature medical implement member, and a securing mechanism for securing the support sheath and the medical implement member together in fixed relationship. The securing mechanism is adapted for securing the miniature medical implement member and the support sheath to one another when the miniature medical implement member is advanced axially through the support sheath so that the implement member and the support sheath form a co-axial unit. As a result, the support sheath provides rigid support for the miniature medical implement member and prevents the elongated portion thereof from breaking during an endoscopic medical procedure.

Abstract: A process for treating a substrate, e.g., lignocellulosic pulp or cellulosic pulps with a mixed peracid solution comprising percarboxylic acid and Caro's acid which results in a higher conversion rate of the active oxygen in the hydrogen peroxide in order to provide an inexpensive and effective delignification and/or bleaching solution and the process for making the mixed peracid solution.

Abstract: A novel recreational rocking-chair for use in summer resorts and the like. The chair is constructed from a tubular frame comprising a base portion with four legs supporting an upstanding C-shaped support arm. A rigid lounge portion is pivotally suspended from the upper end of the C-shaped support arm to provide for pivotal movement of the lounge portion by the user.

Abstract: A curtain rod mounting device for preventing window molding damage comprising a mounting housing with a front mounting surface, and a top surface and a side surface which depend rearwardly from the front mounting surface so that the three surfaces are in generally orthogonal relationship. The top surface of the mounting housing includes a wall securement flange adjacent to and extending upwardly from at least a portion of the rear edge which defines one or more apertures therein for receiving one or more wall securement elements. One embodiment of the mounting device provides for one or more apertures in the front mounting surface for securing a curtain rod bracket thereto and another embodiment provides a curtain rod bracket as an integral part of the front mounting surface.

Abstract: Electrical switch having a body that includes two perimeter walls and second internal walls that are parallel to the perimeter walls. The second inner walls in combination with the perimeter walls define a continuous channel that is adapted to collect and discharge water or condensation.

Abstract: Superabsorbent solid organic polymers which absorb over 100 times their weight in water are used in aquatic environment insect population control compositions. Methods for using the superabsorbent polymer insecticidal delivery agents for the control of aquatic environment insect populations, including mosquito population control methods, in an area needing aquatic environment insect population control treatment or in a dry area that is expected to need aquatic environment insect population control, are described.

Abstract: A sewing machine having a presser bar with a force transducer mounted thereon for detecting forces applied to the presser bar during high speed sewing and an electromagnetic actuator operatively connected to the presser bar. Circuit means is electrically connected to the force transducer and to the electromagnetic actuator and is adapted to control current to the electromagnetic actuator so as to maintain a constant contact force between the presser foot and a fabric being sewn.

Abstract: A method for preparing biological specimens, such as cells and soft tissues, for electron microscopy, preferably scanning electron microscopy. The method is free of detrimental effects on the protective ozone layer of the earth, as the method comprises air drying the specimens with a fluorinated carbon fluid that has an ozone depletion potential of 0. Suitably, the fluorinated carbon fluid is also inert, thereby obviating any potential health hazards to the technicians performing the method and other nearby persons. The fluorinated carbon fluid employed needs to have a fairly low surface tension, less than about 10 dynes/cm at 25.degree. C., and a fairly low boiling point, less than 35.degree. C., so that the material will readily evaporate from the specimen via air drying. A suitable material is the perfluorinated carbon fluid of the empirical formula, C.sub.5 F.sub.12.

Abstract: A poultry and swine pulverizing or grinding apparatus comprises an enclosed housing having an inlet end and an outlet end. A grinding drum is rotatably mounted within the enclosed housing and provided with raised cutting teeth extending in a helical orientation along the longitudinal length of the grinding drum. A carcass retention element is positioned adjacent the length of the grinding drum and cooperates therewith to facilitate pulverizing or grinding of animal carcasses by the grinding drum into small size particles which exit the housing through the outlet end. The grinding drum of the apparatus is motivated by an operatively connected motor.

Abstract: A package is formed by locating a vacuum formed plastics insert into a glass with inward movement of the plastics insert into the glass being restricted by an edge of the insert abutting the rim of the glass. The insert is a friction of force fit on the inner portion of the glass adjacent to the rim. A plastic sleeve is then shrink wrapped around the exterior surface of the glass and over the rim of the glass to hold the insert in place in the glass. The top of the insert includes an opening which is pushed over the enlarged cap of a bottle to retain the package on the bottle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi-shed warp-wave weaving wherein weft threads are inserted into shed retainers by a stationary weft thread supply chamber. The inserted weft thread is transported through the shed retainer by air jet nozzles cooperatively associated with the shed retainer and in fluid communication with corresponding air supply sources stationarily mounted beneath the pathway of the shed retainers from weft thread insertion towards the fell of the fabric being woven. The weft thread inserting mechanism in combination with the air supply system act to increase the efficiency and reliability of weft insertion in multi-shed warp-wave weaving.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-site dressing and truing of rubber-covered cylinders mounted within sanding machines. The grinding apparatus comprises a base having a pneumatic cylinder mounted thereon for imparting oscillating or reciprocating movement to an abrasive plate which extends back and forth along the length of the rubber-covered cylinder during the dressing and truing procedure. The grinding apparatus removes the necessary amount of rubber compound from the rubber-covered cylinder upon which it acts until the rubber-covered cylinder is perfectly round, and the grinding apparatus is then removed from the sanding machine. In this fashion, the apparatus and method of the invention provide for on-site dressing and truing of rubber-covered cylinders of sanding machines without the necessity for conventional removal of the rubber-covered cylinders for dressing and truing.

Abstract: A magnetic stirring device which also provides for simultaneous heating/cooling of samples. The magnetic stirring apparatus comprises a plurality of wells into which respective vessels can be placed and continuously stirred by motivating a magnetic stirring bar therein with a three phase frequency controller. Simultaneously, the temperature of the vessels can be maintained at a predetermined temperature either above or below room temperature by means of thermoelectric elements in contact with a heat conducting block within which the wells are located.

Abstract: A dog toy for providing an unpredictable bounce to a ball and comprising a ball target base element with a generally cylindrical circumference. The top surface of the ball target base element is formed from a multiplicity of planar target areas wherein each planar target area defines a different plane than the other planar target areas. The multiplicity of planar target areas includes a plurality of upwardly inclined planar target areas extending generally toward the central portion of the ball target base element and a plurality of generally downwardly inclined planar target areas and a horizontal planar target area defined by the lowermost edges of the inclined planar target areas in the central portion of the top surface of the ball target base element.

Abstract: A multi-function exercise machine which makes use of the body weight of an exerciser and has a base frame and a user support frame pivotably mounted thereon. A lever arm mechanism for pivotably raising and lowering the user support frame against the user's weight is provided and comprises a handle bar having a lever arm depending therefrom and carrying a roller on the lower end thereof. An arcuate track is adjustably mounted to the base frame so as to provide an adjustable arcuate pathway for the lever arm roller to travel upon as the user pivotably motivates the handle bars and lever arm secured thereto in order to raise and lower the user support frame. Pushing and pulling exercises may be performed according to the selected position of the arcuate track.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and reorienting an object having an internally accessible axially extending opening, such as a pipe or a roll of plastic. The apparatus has an elongated shaft and a tapered probe attached at the lower portion thereof. A plurality of gripping members or dogs are provided for engaging the inside surface of the internal opening of the object with a force corresponding to the weight of the object so that the apparatus may be employed for lifting and reorienting the object.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method for real-time multi-dimensional blood flow imaging with enhanced sensitivity to lateral blood flow. The apparatus constitutes an improvement on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the type wherein an ultrasonic pulse beam is repeatedly transmitted into the subject under examination at a fixed pulse rate and the reflected echoes are picked up, amplified and displayed. The improvement comprises an ultrasonic transducer means comprising a phased array transducer which is electronically and/or mechanically divided into two or more independently controlled sub-apertures and adapted for transmitting ultrasonic pulse beams from one of the two or more sub-apertures and for receiving the reflected echoes with at least two of the two or more sub-apertures.

Abstract: The invention relates to diver-to-diver communication apparatus. There is provided a communication apparatus (2) for diver to diver communication, the apparatus comprising a waterproof casing (4), power supply means (52), ultra acoustic transmission means (72), ultra acoustic reception means (72, 74), control means (56) for the ultra acoustic transmissions, monitoring means (56) for the ultra acoustic reception, and means (16) to actuate the transmission means (72); whereby upon actuation of the transmission means (72) a predetermined signal is transmitted by the transmission means (72) suitable for reception by the reception means (72, 74) of another diver using similar apparatus (2).

Abstract: Described is a method of treating diarrhea in a warm-blooded vertebrate animal, and a composition therefor. The method involves administering to the animal an effective amount of a methylamine, such as betaine. Also described is the use of a composition for the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diarrhea in a warm-blooded vertebrate animal, wherein the composition contains an effective amount of a methylamine, such as betaine.