Abstract: It is disclosed that 2-(4'-pyridyl)-1,3-dioxolane methiodide and 2-(1'-methyl-4'-piperidyl)-1,3-dioxolane hydroiodide are neuromuscular blocking agents or neuromuscular blocking agent antagonists, depending upon the amount of the drug administered.At doses of 10.sup.-.sup.6 to 10.sup.-.sup.4 gm./kg. of body weight, they antagonize or reverse the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents, such as d-tubocurarine and succinylcholine, produce post-drug repetitive activity (PDR), block post-tetanic potentiation (PTP), have no direct muscle effect and reverse the PTP suppression caused by d-tubocurarine and succinylcholine; and at doses of 10.sup.-.sup.3 to 10.sup.-.sup.2 gm./kg. of body weight they act as neuromuscular blocking agents.

Abstract: An hydraulically operated striking apparatus for driving a rock drill or the like comprises a body having an axial, generally cylindrical, interior space with an inwardly protruding annular member. A cylindrical piston is positioned in the space in sliding contact with the protruding annular member, and the piston has canal means in its outer surface. The body, the annular member and the piston define two annular spaces and an annular distributing valve is slidably disposed within one of the spaces. The two spaces communicate with each other by means of the piston canal when the piston is in a first slidable position, and the protruding annular member prevents communication between the two spaces when the piston is in a second slidable position. The piston is provided with an axially disposed extension which, in combination with an outlet means, serves to permit a third, annular axial space to communicate with either an inlet means or an outlet means at all times.

Abstract: A buoyant swimming pool cover in the form of a flexible lightweight sheet comprising a large plurality of hollow buoyancy cells spaced apart over the sheet, there being a plurality of drain apertures distributed over the sheet in areas thereof not occupied by the buoyancy cells and serving to allow rain water to flow through the cover into the pool. Best results are achieved when the configuration of the upper surface of the cover presents depressions serving to direct into the drain apertures any water falling onto the cover. Advantageous embodiments are in the form of a lamination of at least two polymeric films at least one of which has been thermoformed to provide generally cup-shaped portions which are closed by another of the polymeric films. Since water cannot collect in any substantial quantity on the cover, the cover can be very lightweight and is always easily lifted off the water, without any dirt or debris which has collected on the cover being carried into the pool as the cover is removed.

Abstract: A cylinder lock for a rotary switch having a rotor, a stator surrounding the rotor and an engagement sleeve surrounding the stator. The engagement sleeve is attached to the fixed portion of the rotary switch and the stator is coupled to the movable portion thereof. Separate latching devices are provided between the stator and engagement sleeve and between the rotor, stator and engagement sleeve. Sets of tumblers are also provided between the rotor and stator and the rotor has a key slot, the position of which indicates the switch position. Insertion and rotation of the key rotates the rotor, disengaging the tumblers and the latching device between the rotor, stator and sleeve, permitting the rotor to rotate alone through a predetermined angle. Further, torque applied to the key causes the latching device between the stator and sleeve to disengage, rotating the stator and the rotary switch to the new switch position at which the stator-sleeve latching device re-engages in that new position.

Abstract: A radially deformable clamping device including a cylindrical body having a central bore, a pair of inwardly extending annular grooves near the ends of the body and a pair of annular grooves extending outwardy from the central bore and spaced inwardly of the first pair of grooves. The grooves define a central portion and flexible zones to permit the central portion to be radially deformed. A plurality of equally spaced concentric axial bores extend from one end face of the body through the central portion. Slots extend between the plurality of bores and the central bore in the central portion. The bushing can be applied around the mandrel having a shoulder and a threaded end with a nut, the body being axially compressed between the shoulder and nut to cause radial deformation. A pin can be provided in one of the bores to prevent rotation of the body. In another embodiment, the plurality of bores extend entirely through the body and receive screws or bolts to cause the axial compression.

Abstract: A method of counting and analyzing pulses representative of characteristics of particles passing through a detector device including detecting the amplitude of each pulse, measuring the area under each pulse and above a reference level, deriving a ratio of amplitude to measured area, and determining which pulses have a ratio over a selected threshold as an indication of simultaneous passage of more than one pulse through the sensing zone of the detector device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for separating iron, zinc and lead from flue dust and/or flue sludge, wherein the three following reaction stages are performed in the aqueous phase:A. Oxidation of the iron and filtration of the resulting first turbid liquid;B. Suspension and acidification of a first filtration residue and subsequent filtration of the resulting second turbid liquid, whereby a second filtration residue containing mainly iron sludge is obtained;C. Neutralization of the filtrate and subsequent filtration of the resulting third turbid liquid, whereby a third filtration residue containing the precipated heavy metals is obtained.

Abstract: The exposed edge of a box is covered by placing a strip of heat-shrinkable PVC around the box so that it projects axially beyond the box edge and heating the strip so that the projecting portion shrinks and bends over the box edge, covering it. The projecting portion can be made to project far enough so that, when the strip shrinks and bends, a portion protrudes inwardly beyond the box edge. That protruding portion is then pressed against the inner box wall by a fitted lid or mandrel. A second strip can then be applied in similar fashion and shrunk to form a guarantee seal between the box and lid. An end of the second strip is left free to provide a seal tearing grip.

Abstract: A strip assembly comprising an elongated support strip, either rolled or folded, and at least one second strip superimposed on the support strip, the second strip having transverse slits formed therein at equal intervals, each slit extending only partly across the central portion of the second strip, leaving edge portions of the second strip connected and leaving substantially the entire support strip connected. By severing the edge portions, the second strip can be separated into individual sheets, leaving the support strip attached in the central region. The second strip can be provided with a coating of reproduction material on the back surface thereof so that data can be printed on the sheets of both strips, forming a plurality of individual receipt slips and a continuous information-bearing strip usable for accounting purposes. The support strip can be provided with holes near the ends of the slits to reduce the criticality of location of the severing operation.

Abstract: A special purpose workbench for holding chain assemblies in the nature of tire chains. A table with a flat top has a vertical transverse wall located near one end and movable to a number of different locations. A similar wall at the opposite end of the table is fixed in one embodiment and movable in other embodiments. The walls are provided with hooks to engage the ends of longitudinal chain sections between which transverse chain sections extend. An apparatus for determining the location of one wall includes a central bar having holes, the wall having a flange with matching holes through which a locking pin can be placed. Guide brackets are provided at the ends of the wall to engage parallel side edges of the table. The means for adjusting the other wall includes either a threaded shaft engaging a threaded member on the wall or a fluid-actuated piston and cylinder assembly with control means. When the second wall is movable, guide means engaging the table edges are provided.

Abstract: A process for conditioning food strands in which food strands are formed from a dough of food material and each of the strands is passed individually through a separate zone of positive air pressure.

Abstract: A substantially colorless bisfluoran chromogenic material having the structural formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an alkyl group;X and Y each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, a nitro group, an amino group, an acyl group, or a carboalkoxy group;Z represents an oxy radical, a carbonyl group, an alkylene group, an alkylidene group, a sulfonyl group, or a thio radical; andn represents an integer from 0 to 1.The bisfluoran compounds are produced by reacting a 4-dialkylamino-2-hydroxy-2'-carboxybenzophenone with a diphenol wherein the diphenol is unsubstituted in at least one of the positions ortho to an hydroxyl group in each of the phenyl rings. The bisfluorans are used in pressure-sensitive copy systems comprising a support bearing microcapsules containing the bisfluorans, alone, or in combination with other color-forming materials.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for belling an end of a length of thermoplastic pipe by thermally softening the end of the pipe, inserting an expansible belling head into the softened end, expanding the belling head to accomplish shaping of the thermoplastic material, cooling the pipe, and then separating the pipe from the belling head.

Abstract: A novelty closure consists of a container cover, such as that used in connection with soft drink cups, and a puzzle means coupled with said cover at the central portion thereof. The puzzle means takes the form of a planar member having indicia imprinted thereon and having depressions therein and small spherical balls are movably mounted upon the planar member so that by manual manipulation of the cover the balls can be rolled into the depressions.

Abstract: An apparatus for the wet processing of textile strands including a kier with several drums therein, each drum being supported by rollers in the bottom of the kier for rotation about the central axis of the coaxial drums. The drums have central openings to permit the strand to be fed into and out of the drums in sequence. Jetting-in devices are associated with each drum to inject the strand under fluid pressure and reels are provided to guide the strand from the drums and to the respective jetting-in devices. A liquid circulating system withdraws processing liquor from the bottom of the kier and injects the liquid under pressure to the jetting-in devices. The drum walls are perforated. In one embodiment, the strand is recirculated through a series of drums in sequence and through a pipe extending through the central openings in the drum from the last to the first of the series.

Abstract: A smokeable material comprises a base material, consisting of calcium-alginate fibers, and additional material which renders the smokeable material suitable for use in place of smoking tobacco. The additional material may consist of tobacco alone, but alternative or other additional materials include cellulosic fibers (wood pulp), a coloring agent, a nicotine donor, flavor-modifiers, and a burning sustainer. It is also disclosed that calcium-alginate fibers will (unexpectedly) papermake in the traditional manner used for non-synthetic fibers, and the above additional material may, or may not, be incorporated during such papermaking. Any incorporated tobacco is preferably 55% or less, by weight, added by blending or otherwise. Where there is no tobacco, there may be preferably (by weight) at least 80% of calcium-alginate fibers, and 10% each of the cellulosic fibers, and total other constituents.

Abstract: An automatic unloading apparatus is adapted for use in unloading mail from a container and delivering such unloaded mail to a mail sorting machine separator. The mail is initially provided in an open topped container having openings or apertures formed at the lower forward end thereof. The unloading apparatus includes blades which can pass through the openings or apertures into the container and beneath the mail therein. The unloading apparatus also includes fingers movable perpendicularly through the blades and a movable carriage upon which the blades and fingers are mounted. After the fingers are raised to act as a forward stop for the mail, the blades are raised to remove the mail from the container. The carriage moves forwardly to deliver the removed mail to the sorting machine separator and then moves rearwardly to discharge the empty container.

Abstract: A hermetically sealable sectional structural cover free of perforations and comprising a longitudinally extending planar web portion with upstanding side flange portions, the flange portions having lateral portions extending inwardly over the web portion from the tops thereof, and corrugations extending transversely along the web portion, along the flange portions and along the lateral portions but terminating short of the free edges of the lateral portions.

Abstract: A unique double acting piston and cylinder assembly is disclosed wherein the assembly can be moved to any one of three positively determined positions by application of fluid pressure to any one of three ports.

Abstract: Laminated, radar-defeating camouflage material for use under snowy, low-temperature conditions without delamination or undue decrease in flexibility at temperatures at least as low as -40.degree. C.