Abstract: A solid-state fringe effect capacitive proximity sensor is described which lends itself to use for surface mounting and other space constrained applications. The sensor comprises an insulating substrate having a plurality of sensing electrodes formed thereon and without any screen elements therebetween. The electrodes are adapted to measure the proximity distance of a target object (conductive or non-conductive) by means of the fringe capacitance effect created between the electrodes. Capacitance measurement processing circuitry is electrically connected to the plurality of sensory electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of alkylaryl polyether alcohol polymers as antioxidants to suppress certain oxidant chemical reactions that cause tissue injury and disease in mammals. Disclosed is a method of inhibiting oxidants using alkylaryl polyether alcohol polymers. More particularly, disclosed is a method for the treatment of mammalian disease entities related to overproduction of partially reduced oxygen species comprising administering to a mammal a treatment effective amount of an alkylaryl polyether alcohol polymer. The mammalian disease entities include, but are not limited to, myocardial infarction, stroke, adult respiratory distress syndrome, oxygen toxicity of the lung, lung injury from asbestos, Parkinson's disease, thermal and solar burns of the skin, and injury to the gastrointestinal tract from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

Abstract: A process for forming a medicament carrier for use in a dry powder inhalator device wherein the medicament carrier has at least one carrier screen portion. The carrier screen portion defines a plurality of interstices therein and carries a powdered medicament, applied in a suspension and the suspending agent then evaporated off, which is substantially loaded onto the screen portion surface such that the interstices of the carrier screen portion are at least partially open and free of the dry powdered medicament.

Abstract: A method of therapeutically administering certain BZ.sub.1 specific trifluorobenzodiazepines in order to maximize the BZ.sub.1 effects and minimize the BZ.sub.2 effects on the human central nervous system in order to maximize the anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant and hypnotic effects and minimize the ataxic and incoordination effects of the drug. Also, a method of sublingual administration of trifluorobenzodiazepines and certain other compounds, such as propoxyphene and nefazodone, in order to decrease unwanted metabolites.

Abstract: A combination bookmark and holder for a writing instrument including an elongated, flexible bookmark strip having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is of sufficient length so as to fit between the pages of a book in the direction parallel to the spine of the book and the lower portion defines an elongated, flexible pouch therein parallel to the upper portion for releasably holding a writing instrument. In the preferred embodiment, the bookmark is formed from a knit stretch material such that it may be easily folded or compressed into a small bundle when the writing instrument is removed for easy storage on the person of the user.

Abstract: A new tire sealant and inflator composition is described which utilizes a sealant having superior performance, presented in a water-based carrier, and with an inflator composition consisting of mainly dimethyl ether, modified by trichloroethylene and nitrogen gas. The composition comprises a terpolymeric latex sealant emulsion, prevented from coagulating or vulcanizing in the dispenser by the addition of additives, and made more potent by the inclusion of certain wood flours having selected particle size distributions. Other ingredients, such as propylene glycol, a surfactant, triethanolamine and ammonia, confer special attributes; for example, softening the wood flour particles and keeping them dispersed in the aerosol can, while causing them to pack down into a sealing matrix once added to a tire having a puncture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing ink from xerographically printed paper. The method comprises pulping said printed paper in an aqueous slurry at a non-acidic pH to a consistency of about 8% or less. Next, added to the pulp slurry is a sufficient amount of long chain alcohol, the long chain alcohol having a melting point above room temperature, for a time sufficient with heating at a temperature sufficient, whereby an agglomeration of long chain alcohol and ink particles is formed. Next, the heating is stopped whereby the agglomeration solidifies into particles that settle to the bottom of the pulp slurry. Then, the agglomeration of solidified particles is removed from the pulp slurry thereby leaving a remaining slurry of deinked paper fiber and water. Optionally, the remaining slurry is subjected to flotation to remove substantially any remaining minute ink left particles behind after the agglomeration.

Abstract: A fluidizing apparatus, such as a winterizing apparatus, and related method for preventing freezing of water in the water pipes of a dwelling. The apparatus includes a pump, an inlet line, an outlet line, a pressure switch, and an air compressor tank. The outlet line is connected to a faucet of the water pipes of the dwelling and the inlet line is positioned in a container of fluid, such as antifreeze. When a second faucet is opened, the pump is activated, and the pump will then cause antifreeze to flow from the container, through the inlet line, the pump, and the outlet line, and then into the faucet and through the water pipes of the dwelling. An associated air compressor tank is in fluid communication with the pressure switch and exit line, and cooperates with the pressure switch to maintain consistent pumping of the antifreeze. After antifreeze is in the pipes, a shut-off valve in the exit line is closed and/or the at least one valved water outlet is closed, which causes the pump to deactivate.

Abstract: A method and medicament for the inhibition of oxidants comprising administering a treatment effective amount of alkylaryl polyether alcohol polymers to a chemical or biologic system in need thereof. The medicament is preferably administered by aerosolization into the mammalian respiratory system. The medicament may also be applied to the mammalian skin. Preferably, the medicament includes a physiologically acceptable carrier which may be selected from the group consisting of physiologically buffered saline, isotonic saline, normal saline, petrolatum based ointments and U.S.P. cold cream.

Abstract: A method for the rapid cooling of a raw egg in a shell, the shell egg being warm and having an internal temperature typically of about room temperature or higher. The method preferably involves placing the shell egg for about 1 to about 5 minutes in an atmosphere of cryogenic gas at a temperature of about -60.degree. F. (about -51.degree. C.) to about -120.degree. F. (about -84.degree. C.), whereby the internal temperature decreases sufficiently to inhibit residual pathogenic and/or spoilage microorganisms, such as Salmonella and/or Pseudomonas, respectively, present inside the shell egg. Also a cool raw shell egg in a shell that has been rapidly cooled in an atmosphere of cryogenic gas after having been warmed, typically to where the shell egg had an internal temperature typically of about room temperature or higher. The cool shell egg that has been so subjected to rapid cooling has fewer viable residual pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, i.e.

Abstract: A break-out device particularly adapted for providing enhanced strain relief to the fiber optic ribbon which is broken out into individual optical fibers within the device. The break-out device comprises a housing having an aperture in one end to receive a fiber optic ribbon and an aperture in the opposing end to allow an exit for individual buffered optical fibers. A flexible elongate strain relief clamp is provided which is adapted to be fixedly positioned within the housing. The strain relief clamp includes an aperture in the medial portion thereof adapted to receive a fiber optic ribbon therein, and the strain relief clamp is further adapted to then be folded back upon itself at the aperture so as to fixedly engage the fiber optic ribbon between the overlaying portions thereof.

Abstract: A method of removing the encapsulant matrix from a selected span of optical ribbon fiber to provide access to one or more selected optical fibers wherein a strip of adhesive tape having a plastic card element attached to one end thereof is placed on a support surface with an adhesive surface of the strip of tape facing upwardly. A selected span of optical ribbon fiber is placed across the exposed top surface of the strip of tape and across the plastic card element. A selected amount of glue is positioned beneath the span length of the optical ribbon fiber overlaying the plastic card element so as to bond the optical ribbon fiber to a portion thereof.

Abstract: A method of midspan or end entry accessing of one or more selected optical fibers carried by an optical ribbon fiber. The top and bottom surfaces of a first selected span of the optical ribbon fiber are friction abraded to initiate delamination of the bond between the optical fibers and the matrix encapsulant. The delamination is completed by applying a rolling force to the circumference of the first selected span, and the delamination is then propagated by introducing the first selected span into the bore of a die element and urging the die element along a relatively longer second selected span of the optical ribbon fiber. With the delamination completed, the tip of an elongated tool is inserted through the encapsulant within the second selected span and between one or more selected optical fibers and the remaining optical fibers within the optical ribbon fiber.

Abstract: Provided is a co-axial hydraulic hose assembly having a co-axial hose coupling releasably joining an inner hose and an outer hose of the assembly in a fluidly sealed engagement. The coupling construction comprises an end seal nut that securely fixes each end of the inner hose to each respective end of the outer hose, but which may be removed so that the inner hose may be removed if it has ruptured. Thus, a ruptured inner hose may be removed and replaced with a new inner hose inside of the original outer hose, and then the end seal nut is replaced at each end of the hose assembly to secure the two hoses releasably together in a fluidly sealed engagement, thereby allowing for continued use of the repaired co-axial hose.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for freezing biological specimens, such as human tissues, animal tissues, and plant tissues. The specimens are frozen so that they may be presently examined with light microscopy, or first stored frozen at ultra low temperatures and then later examined with light microscopy. The specimens are prepared with a matrix gel and then frozen with a fluorinated carbon fluid that is non-toxic to humans and thus the method does not present adverse health effects to humans. Preferably, the fluid also is non-flammable. More preferably, the fluid also has an ozone depletion potential of 0, whereby the preferred procedure is free of detrimental effects on the protective ozone layer of the earth. A suitable fluorinated carbon fluid is one that stays in the liquid state at low temperatures, for instance -60.degree. C. or lower. A suitable material is the perfluorinated carbon fluid, C.sub.6 F.sub.14.

Abstract: A yarn delivery system including a trolley creel and a yarn guide apparatus. The trolley creel is made up of a plurality of independently moveable trolleys and each includes a set of rotatable yarn packages. When each trolley is moved into place, the yarn guide apparatus is vertically spaced therefrom. As yarns are drawn vertically from the creel, the yarn guide apparatus vertically guides them.

Abstract: A pneumatic apparatus for withdrawing goods from defective blister packages on a blister packaging machine and comprising a pair of spaced-apart and laterally shiftable vacuum heads reciprocally mounted above the carrier strip between the detection station and the sealing station of the blister packaging machine so that when one head is in vertical registration with the carrier strip the other head is laterally offset from the carrier strip. Each vacuum head comprises a plurality of suction elements depending from the bottom thereof which are adapted to selectively engage a predetermined plurality of goods on the carrier strip.

Abstract: An improved projection radiography procedure which provides for simultaneously removing scattered radiation and reducing noise with a Bayesian statistical estimation algorithm that results in an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).