Abstract: A versatile physical therapy apparatus is disclosed. Beneficially, the apparatus, when mounted, is adapted to be supported by an end of a bed, and includes an angularly positionable guide wheel for variation in exercise and in the muscles exercised.

Abstract: Fibrous structures containing immobilized particulate matter and processes for making them are disclosed. These structures may be used for filters and for fabrics including chemical defense garments and others. The fibrous structures have webs containing composite fibers having a lower melting component and a higher melting component. The particles are distributed into the interior of the web and fused to the low melting component of the individual fibers without substantially reducing the available surface area of the particle. A fibrous structure of a composite staple having a nylon sheath and a polyester core, with activated carbon particles bonded to the sheath is specifically disclosed. The processes for producing such a fibrous structure include carding a web of staple fibers and distributing particulate matter therein, air laying a web of staple fibers and particulate from a suspension thereof between two wet formed layers of staple fibers.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus including a flexible lip for adjusting the lip gap, and including reciprocally movable members in operative contact with the flexible lip is described. Beneficially, a generally laterally movable actuator bar is connected to angled slots of the reciprocally movable members by pin members rotatably mounted in bores of the actuator bar. Lateral movement of the actuator bar advantageously results in lip gap control across the full width of the lip gap. Use of reciprocally movable members with slots of selected angles provides for profiling the lip gap. Also provided is an advantageous mechanism for controlling movement of the actuator bar and reciprocally movable members.

Abstract: A fibrous structure comprising a fibrous matrix with surrogate particles fixed to the fibrous matrix, is provided. Functionally active, fine particles are immobilized on the fixed surrogate particles.

Abstract: A fibrous structure comprising a fibrous matrix with immobilized surrogate particles, is provided. A labile active substance is selectively deposited on the immobilized surrogate particles. In one embodiment, the surrogate particles are porous and have surface cavities, and the labile active substance is deposited in the pores and surface cavities. In another embodiment, the labile active substance is in attractive association with or attached to the surrogate particles.

Abstract: A spectrophotometric analytical method for lung permeability is described. An exogenous polydispersed macromolecule is administered, and fluid of the patient is evaluated using infrared spectroscopy.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a load-bearing structure with a novel interlocking edge. Also provided is a method of making a load-bearing structure having an overlapping edge, in which structural members are combined so that a stepped-down lip of one structural member covers a peripheral edge of another member. Also provided is a load-bearing structure having cellular structure and which is useful with or without an overlapping edge. In addition, there is provided a molding method for making cellular, load-bearing structures.

Abstract: A thermal translator device providing improved performance and faster expansion response, is described. Also described is an extrusion apparatus including a plurality of thermal translator devices operatively arranged for thermally actuated, localized action upon the lip. The thermal translator device includes a thermal energy source disposed within a structural member. The thermal energy source and the structural member are an integral unit. Also described is an extrusion apparatus including tie rods for a support assembly otherwise without support.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a load-bearing structure with a novel interlocking edge. Also provided is a method of making a load-bearing structure having an overlapping edge, in which structural members are combined so that a stepped-down lip of one structural member covers a peripheral edge of another member. Also provided is a load-bearing structure having cellular structure and which is useful with or without an overlapping edge. In addition, there is provided a molding method for making cellular, load-bearing structures.

Abstract: A patterned fibrous web and a process for making the patterned fibrous web are disclosed. The patterned web includes a plurality of functional particle-loaded areas forming a pattern of functional particles. Beneficially, when cut, the patterned fibrous web does not release functional particles from the cut edges.

Abstract: A novel, high performance yet permeable, tough, fibrous structure, and a process for making the structure are disclosed. The fibrous structure includes a stabilized microstructure of improved uniformity of fiber and particulate distribution. Beneficially, the fibrous structure is of improved structural integrity and stiffness, as a result of being reduced in thickness.The process includes the steps of dry forming a fibrous web including crimped staple composite fibers, thereafter distributing and entrapping the functional particles in the web, and thereafter heating the fibrous web to form a microstructure-stabilized fibrous web. According to the process, the microstructure-stabilized fibrous web is thereafter by an additional heat treating step carried out without application of pressure to the web, heated to a thermoforming temperature, and thereafter the heated web is reduced in thickness and yet microstructural relative geometry is maintained. IR heat may be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a load-bearing structure having interlockable peripheral edges. The peripheral edges provide at least one pair of upper and lower offsets. Each offset includes a plurality of spaced apart projections.

Abstract: Disclosed are a hydrogen-occluding alloy electrode comprising an alloy powder wherein the alloy comprises a Ti-V solid solution mother phase and a secondary phase predominantly containing a Ti-Ni phase or an AB.sub.2 Laves phase in which the secondary phase forms a three-dimensional reticulate skeleton in the alloy; said hydrogen-occluding alloy powder surface-treated with hydrofluoric acid, to provide a titanium hydride surface and surface-coated with at least one metal of Ni, Cu and Co.

Abstract: Disclosed are a hydrogen-occluding alloy electrode comprising an alloy powder wherein the alloy comprises a Ti--V solid solution mother phase and a secondary phase predominantly containing a Ti--Ni phase or an AB.sub.2 Laves phase in which the secondary phase forms a three-dimensional reticulate skeleton in the alloy; said hydrogen-occluding alloy powder surface-treated with hydrofluoric acid to provide a titanium hydride surface and surface-coated with at least one metal of Ni, Cu and Co.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus having an internal deckle system, includes a deckle blade that extends through an end of the apparatus into a flow passageway. The apparatus may beneficially include a cold-formable, sealing member for preventing leakage through the apparatus end. In a variation, the apparatus may include an upstream deckle plug that includes a sealing member formable under heat and compression to prevent leakage transversely past the upper deckle plug. In a further variation, a full width, upper deckle plug may extend through an end of the main body into the manifold. A wavy or scalloped edge may be avoided by an extended portion that extends downwardly and terminates at or near the exit orifice.

Abstract: Fibrous structures containing immobilized particulate matter and processes for making them are disclosed. These structures may be used for filters and for fabrics including chemical defense garments and others. The fibrous structures have webs containing composite fibers having a lower melting component and a higher melting component. The particles are distributed into the interior of the web and fused to the low melting component of the individual fibers without substantially reducing the available surface area of the particle. A fibrous structure of a composite staple having a nylon sheath and a polyester core, with activated carbon particles bonded to the sheath is specifically disclosed.

Abstract: A novel immersible colorimetric test strip is provided. The test strip includes a flow through, colorimetric indicator-bearing carrier, and a substance separately carried on the test strip for chemically modifying analyte into a detectible ionic form for color development of the indicator. Also provided are a test kit and an analysis method for using the kit.

Abstract: A self-cutting implant anchorable in a jawbone is provided. In a preferred embodiment, cutting teeth of the implant include a non-cutting edge opposite to a cutting leading edge. Also provided is a crown structure formed from a collar including aligned bores. In addition, a process for making the crown structure is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel filament coating process. Useful filaments include high strength, reinforcing fiber such as fiberglass. By the process, a filament bundle is transversely spread and individual filaments are coated. In a particular application, pultruded rod may be advantageously made from the coated filament.

Abstract: A fibrous structure comprising a composite fiber matrix loaded with immobilized functional particulate and including void spaces forming tortuous flow paths, is provided. The particulate is beneficially distributed in the interior of the fibrous structure in three dimensions and fused to a low melting component of the composite fibers without substantially reducing the available surface area of the particulate. A filtration structure of a composite staple having a nylon sheath and a polyester core, with activated carbon particles bonded to the fiber matrix, and including a microfiber web located within the structure, is specifically disclosed.