Abstract: A foldable climber comprises a plurality of walls coupled to each other by a plurality of hinges, each wall being substantially perpendicular a support surface when the climber is in an assembled position. At least one platform is removably connected to at least two of the walls to stabilize the structure when in the assembled position. When the structure is in the collapsed position, the walls fold into a substantially flat configuration and define regions in which the platform can be stored.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing tetrabromobisphenol A is described, which comprises continuously and simultaneously feeding a methanolic tetrabromobisphenol A solution and water separately to a first crystallizer to obtain a slurry in which a part of the tetrabromobisphenol A is crystallized and continuously and simultaneously feeding said slurry and water separately to a second crystallizer to crystallize substantially the whole amount of the tetrabromophisphenol A.

Abstract: A device for over-pressure protection of a tank has a main body defining a main passage with an inlet and an outlet. The main body also defines a release passage branched from the main passage. A shut-off mechanism is movably disposed within the main passage and defines an open position for allowing a liquid to flow from the inlet to the outlet and a closed position for at least partially blocking the flow. Additionally, a plunger is movably disposed within the main body and connects to the shut-off mechanism. The plunger has a weight sufficient to maintain the shut-off mechanism in the open position until pressure in the release passage exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A printing system utilizing object-oriented modules in a distributed object system is disclosed. Particularly, a method is described for controlling a printing system using a job-oriented approach to facilitate communication between system objects. In one aspect, a plurality of print job objects are provided including a top level job control object that maps communication between the print job objects via a virtual control network. A job is then created involving the print job objects for the purpose of transferring an electronic print image to a substrate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a means for standardizing a kit that provides a means for measuring the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs). The present invention further provides a novel isolate AGE that is antigenic and useful for forming antibodies having utility in diagnostic assays and for standardizing diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A transparent heat-swellable material, a method for its preparation and fire-resistant glazing panels in which it is incorporated, are provided by a mixture of hydrated alkali metal silicate and an additive selected from polyalcohols and mono-or polysaccharides, in which the additive content is in the range of 5 to 22% by weight, the water content is in the range of 12 to 19.5% by weight, and the hydrated alkali metal silicate has a silicon oxide (SiO2): alkali metal oxide molar ratio greater than 3.3 to 1. Glazing panels including the said material offer thermal insulation of greater than 30 minutes, a barrier to flames and fumes for greater than 90 minutes and thermal radiation of less than 10 kW/m2, or even of less than 6 kW/m2, after 90 minutes.

Abstract: A flexible pipe features an open end and a generally closed end. The open end is elevated so that it is maintained above the remaining portion of the flexible pipe. The generally closed end of the pipe features a venting arrangement. As a result, the flexible pipe may be filled with fluid. The open end of the flexible pipe is flared and features dividers so that the ends of guidewires placed within the flexible pipe are separated. The flexible pipe features a cross section that prevents the guidewires stored therein from interacting with one another. The flexible pipe may be held in a coiled configuration by clamps. Alternatively, the flexible pipe may be straightened and attached to a surface, such as the sterile drapes covering a patient, by way of one or more wire/catheter guides which include channels positioned upon a base which features adhesive. A wire gutter serves as a bridge between the flexible pipe and the patient and features adhesive so that is may be attached to the drapes covering the patient.

Abstract: In a method of monitoring animals within an area, position data of each animal within the area is collected at interval. The position data is then processed to generate movement pattern data of the animals. The movement pattern data is then analyzed to determine at least one physical condition of the animals.

Abstract: A ceramic welding process for the formation of a coherent refractory repair mass on a surface of an electrocast refractory material includes providing an electrocast refractory material having a surface to be repaired; providing a first powder mixture comprised of combustible particles, refractory particles, and at least one constituent which enhances production of a vitreous phase in the coherent refractory repair mass; and projecting the first powder mixture in a gas stream containing oxygen against the surface to be repaired so that the combustible particles react with the projected oxygen against the surface in a highly exothermic manner and release sufficient heat of combustion to form a first coherent refractory repair mass.

Abstract: A sealing gasket (J) intended to be damped between two pipework connection flanges (5, 9), the said gasket comprising a sealing ring (1) including a rigid metal annular part (11, 13, 18, 16) with which are integral a number of radiating metal lugs (2) capable of being folded along the contour of a support flange. The sealing gasket having to be able to be mounted between flanges of different transverse dimensions, the metal lugs (2) are longer than the corresponding transverse dimension of the largest flanges on which the gasket can be mounted. The lugs can thus be folded to conform with the exact dimension of an assembly flange so that the gasket may be suitably supported centered by the said flange prior to the mutual assembly and tightening of the two flanges.

Abstract: A smart antenna, i.e., blind adaptive antenna array, is a method and system to suppress multiple access interference and to improve performance, for example in a code division multiple access (CDMA) wireless communications system, including third generation (3 g) cdma2000 and wide band (W)-CDMA. A convergence parameter is employed in a smart antenna processor. In general, a constant convergence parameter value is empirically determined and used after studying the convergence speed and the steady state mean square error (MSE) or other performance data, such as bit error rate. As the convergence parameter value increases, the convergence speed also increases but the MSE increases unfortunately, and vice versa. The traditional smart antenna with a constant convergence parameter would yield poor performance when the channel environment changes, which is true particularly when a mobile user moves around.

Abstract: The antenna comprises several primary sources (6A-6C) fed independently and arranged to have different radiation characteristics. These primary sources are placed in a first medium (7A-7C) so as to be spatially decoupled. A second medium (8A-8C), of a characteristic impedance substantially lower than the first medium covers the first medium. Each primary source has a direction of focus (A-C) perpendicular to the interface between the first and second media, along which the distance (d1) between said primary source and said interface is &lgr;1.(2p1−1)/4 and the second medium has a thickness (e2) equal to &lgr;2.(2p1−1)/4, where &lgr;1 and &lgr;2 denote the wavelengths radiated by said primary source in the first and second media, respectively, and p1 and p2 are integers.

Abstract: An automated system for removing waste grease is provided employing a pump, the pump being used to draw waste grease from a grill grease trap via an intake assembly and pump the waste grease through the system, the intake assembly comprising a wand, hose, and in-line filter. The intake assembly is connected in flow communication with a suction line which guides waste grease into the pump. A pressure line then guides the pumped waste grease out of the pump and to a waste grease storage container which may be connected to the system. The suction line, pump, and pressure line are heated to prevent solidification of the waste grease as it flows through the system.

Abstract: This invention describes a therapeutic sleeping aid device comprising a far infrared radiation layer on the inner surface of the device which can wrap around the user's head, thereof said far infrared radiation permeates into the skin of human being to raise subcutaneous temperature for feeling of warmth simulating the touches from human and pets, and to promote circulation and metabolism within for helping the head recover from stress and fatigue and maintain the health and function of the head while sleeping.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain phenylheterocyclic compounds, herbicidal compositions thereof and a method for their use as general and selective preemergent or postemergent herbicides or plant growth regulants.

Abstract: A vegetation cutting tool such as a brush cutter, lawn mower, etc. includes a hub (110) for mounting on the rotary shaft of the brush cutter and blades (112) mounted thereto via pivoted links (116). In use the blades are held by rivets (114), having enlarged eccentric heads (122), which are received in keyhole-shaped slots in the blades. Thus the blades may be readily removed without tools by first rotating a blade and then translating it relative to the hub. The blades may be enlarged in width towards their distal ends which are radiused with a smaller radius than that of the cutting circle.

Abstract: A soil- and grass seed-less sod precursor containing a non-woven bio-cellulosic fiber mat and grass sprigs. The sod precursor can be used to produce a soil-free sod which is useful for manufacturing athletic fields, golf courses and lawns.

Abstract: The device comprises a rigid container, a manual pump mounted on the container for dispensing in unit doses the product contained in the container and a filter for filtering outside air entering the container when the pump is actuated. The pump has no air intake in the container and the filter is arranged in an air intake passage provided in the base of the container, which is injection-moulded. The invention is useful for packaging and dispensing of fluids, in particular liquids, which need to be maintained germ-free.

Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device tank from a bulk storage tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid features a pump in communication with the bulk storage tank, a dispensing line in communication with the pump and a heater in communication with the dispensing line. A system control device controls the operation of the pump and heater. A liquid level sensor and temperature or pressure sensor communicate with the use device tank and the system control device and the system control device. As a result, the conditions of the cryogenic liquid initially in the use device tank may be used by the system control device to calculate the appropriate amount of cryogenic liquid and heat that should be added to the cryogenic liquid as it is dispensed so that the use device tank becomes substantially filled with saturated cryogenic liquid. A liquid level sensor may alternatively be used as the sole use device tank sensor.