Abstract: An apparatus and method for interfacing a capillary with a detector is disclosed. In particular, a capillary that is used in a capillary electrophoresis technique is interfaced with an off-column detector that is destructive of the sample or that will otherwise create adverse affects on the operations of the capillary electrophoresis. By way of example only, a nitrogen chemiluminescent detector using pyro-chemiluminescent techniques is discussed. An interface between the separation and detection systems is essential to prevent interference between the two systems. The interface apparatus and method are achieved by creating a closed connection between the two systems within which the pressure and sample flow rate can be controlled. Pressure control is achieved through the introduction and venting of gas into and from the integrated system. Interference between interfaced systems is then prevented by equalizing the pressure in the interface apparatus with the head pressure on the inlet end of the capillary.

Abstract: There is disclosed an assembly including a protective sleeve spaced about an intermediate pipe of a riser which is adapted to extend through an opening in the bottom of a vertical compartment of a offshore rig for use in drilling or completing a subsea well, with a ball shaped portion on the upper end of the sleeve is closely received by ball shaped surfaces of the upper portion of the riser pipe, while a ball shaped part on the lower portion of the riser pipe is so received within the lower end of the sleeve to permit them to swivel as well as to move vertically with respect to one another.

Abstract: The device is made up of two refractory plates, one of them fixed (15) and externally joined to the melt recipient and fitted with a hole matching the outlet nozzle of the recipient, and a sliding one (16) fitted with a refractory melted metal conveyance pipe, which sliding plate is fitted on a tilting frame (25) so that it is capable of sliding linearly. The sliding refractory plate (16) and the refractory pipe (5) are composed of two independent parts that are assembled upon a metal plate (11). The stationary (15) and sliding (16) refractory plates feature similar dimensions and structures and are fitted with a peripheral compression collar (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing a door from opening. The apparatus preferably comprises a pair of anchors which are mounted to a floor. The anchors are located beyond both edges of the door on the side toward which the door opens. Each of the anchors has a slot in it so that it can accept an end of a cross bar to form a connection. The anchors are oriented so that the slot in each anchor aligns with the slot in the other anchor when the door is in a closed position and the apparatus is engaged. A cross bar is placed between the anchors to prevent the door from opening. The cross bar is connected to the anchor on the edge of the door which is on the same edge of the door as the hinge of the door by a pin which allows the cross bar to be rotated upwardly. The anchor with the hinge is connected to the floor in such a manner as to allow the anchor to rotate on an axis which is perpendicular to the floor.

Abstract: A composition for a guacamole preparation that inhibits spoilage and/or oxidation of the avocado fruit present in the preparation and the discoloration and souring that commonly accompanies oxidation. The inhibitory effect is achieved through the use of a natural antioxidant or preservative that is found in tomatillo. The composition only requires avocado flesh and the pulp of tomatillo as no other chemical preservatives are required to achieve stability of the preparation. The composition may optionally include flavoring additives such as spices, peppers and vegetables and as well as chemical agents for controlling the pH of the composition. A process for preparing the composition is disclosed that includes combining the avocado flesh and tomatillo pulp and heating the mixture prior to sealing it in sterilized containers.

Abstract: A tubular drill pipe section to be used in a well bore is disclosed. The drill pipe section includes upper and lower tool joints, a main steel tubular portion extending upwardly from the lower joint and terminating near the upper tool joint, and an elongated steel protector tube extending downwardly from the upper tool joint and secured to the upper end of the main portion. The main portion has a much lesser wall thickness throughout substantially its entire length than the protector tube. The protector tube is made of AISI 4100 series chrome-molly steel that is quenched and tempered to give it high strength and high hardness (30-38 HR.sub.c) with a Martensite small, close knit, grain size. This hard material reduces the penetration of the slip teeth into the wall of the pipe section and increases the fatigue life of the protector to beyond that of the main steel tubular portion.

Abstract: A new game and apparatus for playing the game are disclosed. The game involves throwing darts onto specially designed dart board. The board is subdivided into different targets each having a number of point areas. Each target is associated with a specific player although only the player knows the identity of his or her target. During the game, players take turns throwing darts at the targets. When a dart lands on a target's point area, the points are scored against that target. When a target's score reaches or exceeds a set elimination value, the player associated with that target is eliminated from the game. Further, during the game, a player may identify his or her target after their score exceeds a set 'FESSUP.TM. value. After identifying one's own target, the player can deduct points from his or her score by landing darts in his or her own target point areas.

Abstract: A multiple channel gravity-fed slide for a sorting machine is disclosed wherein the heights of the divider ribs between channels are at least high enough to define the channels and keep normally sized products flowing within the respective channels. At least some of the dividers or ribs have a tall height for supporting a product guide or keeper to provide some singulation and order to the products in the respective channels while allowing oversized and misshapen items to overlap into adjacent channels, thereby minimizing jamming of one or more channels.

Abstract: A well screen is disclosed for positioning in a well bore to screen solid particles from the fluid produced by the well comprising a base pipe, a portion of the wall of which is perforated, and having threaded connections for connecting the base pipe into a pipe string, a wire screen surrounding the perforated portion of the base pipe, a thin porous membrane comprising two layers of woven cloth of ceramic fibers wrapped around the wire screen, means for holding the ends of the porous cloth membrane in sealing engagement with the base pipe, and a perforated tubular metal shroud surrounding the woven ceramic cloth membrane to protect the membrane from damage when lowered into a well bore.

Abstract: A waterproof splice for use in connecting two multiconductor electric cables having jackets of different insulation material and a method of making the splice are disclosed. The splice consists of a mechanical electrical connection between the conductors, a mechanical bond formed on the insulation of one of the conductors and a sheath of insulation material molded over the splice and adjacent cables. The sheath bonds with the jacket of one cable and the mechanical bond formed on the insulation of the other cable. The mechanical bond is a seal ring of elastomeric material that is compressed between glands to move the seal ring into sealing engagement with the conductor. The disclosed splice is both strong and waterproof in spite of the poor bonding characteristics between the two different insulation materials on the two conductors. The splice is appropriate for cables having surface, subsurface and underwater applications and is specifically designed for use in conducting seismic surveying operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for connecting the edges of two panels of EPS each of which has a groove therein. The apparatus and method contemplate the use of a tensile connector having tongue means and groove means. Means are provided for attaching the tongue means within the groove in one of the panels of EPS and attaching the groove means within the groove of the other panel of EPS. Means are provided for locking the tongue means within the groove means when the grooved edges of the panels are assembled to frame a hollow connection between the panels. The hollow connection filled with concrete to complete the connection between the EPS panels such that tensile forces applied to one of the panels are distributed across the tensile connector to the other panel. The invention is applicable to a plurality of EPS panels for interconnecting the panels to form the walls, ceiling, and roof of a building.

Abstract: A method and kit for conducting a silent or live auction or some combination thereof. The method includes identifying each potential bidder, auction item, and potential sales prices with a unique identification code that is machine readable using optical or electronic means. The codes are most preferably bar codes that may be read using a standard retail industry scanner. The codes are printed on adhesive labels for use by the bidders in placing bids on auction items. A bid may be placed on an item by affixing the appropriate labels to a bid sheet. Bid sheets may be prepared with item codes and descriptions.

Abstract: The invention described includes a panel made of sheets of expanded polystyrene (EPS) that are held together by tensile connectors on each side of the panel and rebars that extend along the sides of the panel and are bent so that the rebars exert compressive forces urging the sheets of EPS into engagement. The invention also includes a novel concrete for coating the panels after they are arranged to form a structure. The concrete shrinks slightly to form a hard exoskeleton for the structure. A unique foundation for such structure is also enclosed where the panels provide the side forms for a slab of concrete and sand the bottom form.

Abstract: A mandibular advancement, or positioning, device for short-term or one-time use is described. The appliance has an upper tray and a lower tray holding impression material, into which the patient bites. The impression material, and optional adhesive, serve as a way to secure the trays to the patient's upper and lower teeth, and, therefore, to the patient's maxilla and mandible. Preferably, the front portions of the trays are bendable or flexible, for allowing the use of just a few sizes of trays for all patients. A connector is attached to a rear area of the lower tray and adjustably connects to the upper tray at or near the center of the upper tray front area, so that the connector easily may be manually pulled forward and temporarily locked in place to advance the mandible. The device may also include spacers or bite planes for opening the patient's bite.

Abstract: A threaded pipe connection is disclosed for connecting two joints of pipe having externally threaded pin members, one pin member having external right-hand threads and the other pin member having left-hand threads. An internally threaded coupling having right and left-hand threads that mates with the threads on the pin members. An internal pressure seal ring is positioned to provide a seal between the ends of the pin members. A plurality of mating lugs and grooves on the ends of the pin members hold the pins from relative rotation when the connection is being made up. A metal-to-metal seal located between each pin member and the coupling adjacent each end of the coupling isolates the threads of the connection from the ambient environment thus sealing off the pipe annulus from external pressure due to hydrostatic head.

Abstract: A defined current and aeration system for the aeration chamber of an aerobic wastewater treatment plant is disclosed. It includes the release of oxygenation gas or air into the aeration chamber through a diffuser or the like at a position such that the air injected into the tank provides the necessary amount of oxygen for aerobic bacterial digestion of the waste while creating a current or circulation pattern in the chamber that forces every portion of the fluid within the aeration chamber into circulation thus preventing the accumulation of solids as sludge in the wastewater treatment plant.

Abstract: Apparatus maximizing multitubular penetration of a pressure vessel wherein a plurality of tubular sections are series joined to and concentrically aligned with an opening of a pressure vessel, such tubular sections presenting an internal diameter being greater than the I.D. of the effective entrance into said vessel; and a plurality of thermocouple cables passing from outside said apparatus, and into said pressure vessel, said thermocouple cables being fixedly secured to pressure-retaining discs.

Abstract: A fence frame is disclosed that preferably comprises galvanized steel posts that provide an accessible flat surface or surfaces parallel with the surface of the transverse rails and through which are applied holding bolts for securing the post to adjoining ends of rail sections. The posts and rail sections are preferably made of standard length L-shaped galvanized angle irons that are readily available. The rails are stripped at their ends to fit over the posts and to present a flat plane of fence frame parts for the installation of a covering. Such covering can conveniently be paneling secured to the fence rails by self-tapping, self-drilling screws or by flexible galvanized wire tie rods.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for rapidly and efficiently dissolving gases in a liquid. A diffuser, having a closed top and an opened bottom, preferably in the form of a conical-shaped frustum having a plurality of openings around the perimeter near the closed top, is submerged in the liquid and rotated at relatively high speeds creating a centrifuge-pump. When the rotating diffuser is located near the surface of the liquid, no additional gas is required in the dissolution process because gas from the surface of the liquid is introduced by cavitation. When the device is submerged substantially below the surface or if a gas other than oxygen is to be dissolved, additional gas must be pumped into the bottom opening of the rotating diffuser or very near the high velocity horizontal liquid jets on the periphery of the diffuser. This device can be used in the oxygenation of treated sewage water, the removal of impurities from liquids, and the oxygenation of horticultural ponds to increase production.