Abstract: A packaging web is disclosed. The web is an elongate, flattened plastic tube having face and back sides delineating the faces and backs of a set of side by side bags. The tube includes an elongated top section and spaced sets of side seals each extending transversely from the bottom to a location near the top section. The side seals of each set delineate sides of adjacent bags such that the sides and bottoms delineate the perimeters of a set of open top bags. The top section is essentially a bottom open tube for providing bag support when the web is fed into a bag loading machine. The web includes superposed, spaced lines of weakness in each of the face and back sides delineating tops of the bags. Each such spaced line of weakness extends substantially across an associated bag top and terminates in spaced relationship with an associate one of the spaced lines of weakness to leave solid sections in the face and back sides.

Abstract: A liquid crystal material for a display device includes a liquid crystal material comprising first chiral nematic liquid crystal component and a second component that exhibits no liquid crystalline phase. The second component is present in an amount not greater than 5% by weight based upon the total weight of the liquid crystal display material and is effective to avoid image sticking of the display device when in use. The liquid crystal material has positive dielectric anisotropy. The second component may have a molecular weight not exceeding 205 grams/mole.

Abstract: A retaining means for evaporative cooler pads comprising a clip wherein the clip is resiliently deformable to enable fitment between a pair of evaporative cooler pads and wherein the evaporative cooler pads are retained in position upon release of the deforming force from the clip. The clip provides support and adjustment to evaporative pads in a single component which is easily installed and adjusted. The clips are always retained on a post inside the cooler, and thereby cannot be lost while servicing the cooler.

Abstract: An improved loading assembly in a packaging system utilizing chains of interconnected preopened bags is disclosed. The assembly includes an elongated chute component including a tubular portion having spaced end loading and exit openings. The chute is movably mounted adjacent a load station for sequential cooperation with bags sequentially registered in and opened at the load station. A gate is mounted on the chute. The gate is movable between a closed position closing the exit opening and an open position for transfer of products being packaged from positions within the chute into registered bags. The gate includes a canning arrangement for moving the gate from its closed to its open position. A spring against the gate for urging the gate toward its closed position. A process of packaging using the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A support ring adapted to support a rupturable rupture disc member in a rupture disc assembly. The support ring includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a central aperture defined by an inner peripheral edge and at least one tear-initiating projection, and having a cutting means extending inwardly from the inner peripheral edge and below the upper surface and adapted to cut the rupture disc member. The cutting means includes a plurality a curved cutting portions, each of the plurality of curved cutting portions including an inner arc section extending closer to the inner peripheral edge than other portions of the curved cutting portion.

Abstract: A support structure for interposition between a base of a sloping base cooler and a roof during installation of the cooler onto the roof. The support structure comprises a transition component adapted to be connected to the cooler and to ducting protruding through the roof to feed cooled air from the cooler into the ducting. The transition component includes a movable prop or flap, separate from or formed with the transition component, to be positioned between the transition component and a horizontal surface such that the transition component, when fitted to a sloping base cooler, maintains the cooler in a vertically upright condition for assembly or transportation or storage.

Abstract: A composition comprising bifluoride salts in a somewhat viscous form for roughening glass, ceramic and porcelain surfaces in preparation for refinishing includes: a. bifluoride salts in an amount ranging from 10.0 to 85.0 parts by weight; b. thickener in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight; c. organic solvent in an amount ranging from 2.0 to 20.0 parts by weight; and d. water in an amount ranging from 7.0 to 75.0 parts by weight. A coating of the composition is applied to a substrate, such as those having low surface tensions and to which paint adhesion is difficult. The coating is left in contact with the substrate for a period of time effective to roughen the substrate. The coating is then removed and discarded or alternatively, collected and reused. The substrate after treatment will have a roughened surface from which improved paint adhesion results.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 to cover the load area of a pick-up truck. The apparatus 10 comprising a number of pivotally interconnected panels 28 extending between a pair of tracks 14. The panels 28 are moveable between a closed position with the panels 28 extending in a generally co-planar manner, and an open position where the panels 28 are folded to lie substantially against each other extending upwardly away from the tracks 14.

Abstract: A system for issuing printed documents exchangeable for value having interconnected printer and feeder modules. The printer module includes a printing station having a printhead supported for reciprocal movement in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the print medium. A sensor carried by the printhead is operative to sense and read preprinted indicia on the print medium. The feeder module includes a receptacle for storing the print medium as a continuous form. A slot is provided for enabling the insertion of print media external to the feeder module. A gate mechanism blocks the feed slot under predetermined operating conditions. A first drive mechanism is operative to feed the print medium from the receptacle towards the printing station. A severing mechanism is operative to sever the lead document from the supply. A severing sensor detects failure of the severing mechanism.

Abstract: A dental appliance includes a lingual section adapted to engage at least one abutment tooth. A first tissue replacement portion extends from one end portion of the lingual section. A second tissue replacement portion extends from another end portion of the lingual section. A buccal or labial gate is adapted to engage the at least one abutment tooth. A hinge is partially formed by an end portion of the gate. A latch may be disposed at another end portion of the gate. The end portion of the gate is comprised of a tissue replacement material. The dental appliance is made by forming the hinge portion and/or the latch portion of the gate as well as corresponding hinge and gate recesses in the tissue replacement portions by application of curable tissue replacement material into exposed regions within investment material or by application of secondary curable material to formed components of cured tissue replacement material to selectively bond to certain portions of the tissue replacement portions.

Abstract: A knittable, cut-resistant yarn for use in protective wear, such as gloves, arm protectors, aprons, or the like, including a core with at least one strand of flexible, stainless steel wire having a diameter of about 0.002 inches and at least one strand of an anti-microbial treated fiber. A first wrap is wound in one direction about the core and is a polyester fiber having a denier in the range of 40-600 and a second wrap is wound in a second direction about the core which includes at least one strand of a polyester fiber having a denier in the range of 40-600. The anti-microbial treated fiber may be acetate-based, acryl-based or olefinic. The anti-microbial treated fiber contains an anti-microbial agent, such as Microban-B, where the active ingredient is 5 chlor-2-(2,4 dichlorophenoxy) phenol.

Abstract: A bath lift for assisting a person into and out of a bath tub is disclosed. The lift includes a tower mounted adjacent or atop a bath tub. The tower includes structure for attachment of the tower to a wall adjacent the tub or to the tub when the lift is in use. The tower defines a spaced pair of tracks, reciprocatably mounting a carriage by rollers engaged with the tracks. An elongate threaded member is rotatably mounted in the tower and operably engaging the carriage. A drive is connected to the member to effect member rotation thereby causing longitudinal movement of the carriage relative to the tower as coaction of the tracks and rollers guides movement when the lift is in use. An occupant chair including a seat and a back is supported by the carriage. The chair as also mounted on the support for rotation about a horizontal axis when the lift is in use to enable adjustment of the chair back for occupant comfort.

Abstract: A pressure relief device comprises an unimpregnated graphite membrane having a gas impermeable coating.

Abstract: A Rutherford backscattering detector for determining the angle of incidence between an ion beam and the crystalline lattice structure of a semiconductor workpiece. A process chamber defines a chamber interior into which one or more workpieces can be inserted for ion treatment, and a rotating workpiece support is disposed within the process chamber for mounting one or more semiconductor workpieces. An energy source sets up an ion plasma from which is created an ion beam which is caused to impact the surface of the semiconductor workpiece. A Rutherford backscattering detector measures the intensity of backscattered particles and the backscattered ion intensity is correlated to an angle of incidence between the ion beam and the crystalline structure of the semiconductor workpiece.

Abstract: An LED light bulb for use as an indicator or warning lamp comprises a support structure; a generally circular and planar disc attached to the support structure, wherein the disc is a printed circuit board and is perpendicularly oriented with respect to the structure. A plurality of interconnected LEDs are concentrically mounted on the disc wherein a portion of the LEDs are outwardly splayed at an angle away from a central axis point of the disc so that the LEDs collectively transmit light having about the same light intensity at viewing angles from about 0° to about 360° about the disc. The LED light bulb has circuitry means for providing a current to the LEDs.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a pair of water treatment tanks, each tank defining a flow path extending from a tank inlet to a tank outlet and containing a water treatment material disposed along the flow path for treating water as it travels from the inlet to the outlet. A system controller controls which of the tanks is on-line and which of the tanks is off-line and controls the regeneration of an exhausted tank. The system controller is operative to provide a final rinse in the service direction. This is accomplished by a purge valve which communicates the outlet of a tank being regenerated to a drain under predetermined operating conditions. The operation of the purge valve is responsive to fluid signals applied to an inlet valve and an outlet valve associated with the tank being regenerated. More specifically, the fluid signals that close the outlet valve and open the inlet valve, are utilized to cause the opening of the purge valve in order to communicate the tank outlet with the drain.

Abstract: The invention provides a valve 10,30 for connecting first and second conduits 12,14. The valve 10,30 comprises; a valve member 16 rotatably mounted in a housing 18, to define a space 22 between the valve member 16 and the housing 18; and inflatable seal means 20,32, operable to provide a seal between the valve member 16 and the housing 18. The invention further provides a valve assembly 40 for connecting first and second conduits 12,14. The assembly 40 comprises: a valve member 16 movably mounted in a housing 18, to define a space 22 between the valve member 16 and the housing 18; inflatable seal means 20,32, operable to provide a seal between the valve member 16 and the housing 18; and an air inlet controller 42 for supplying compressed air into the space 22, for driving a pig 44 along the conduits 12,14. The invention also provides methods of cleaning the valve 10,30 and assembly 40 in situ by in-line fluid flow.

Abstract: Device for filtering a liquid. The filter device is provided with at least two filter elements (8, 15) placed parallel to each other. A three-way cock (6, 13) is accommodated in the pipe (4, 5) to each filter element (8, 15) for connection of the inflow opening of each filter element (8, 15) to a mains system (3) for supplying the liquid with sufficient pressure to press the liquid through the filter device. The three-way cocks (6, 13) are mutually connected by a pipe (19). A drain (23) to a sewer is provided which has a closing device (21), which is connected to a branch point (26) of the pipe (19) via a pipe (20). A three-way cock (10, 17) is accommodated in the pipe (9, 16) of each filter element (8, 15) for connecting the outflow opening of each filter element (8, 15) to a mains system (12) of a user. The three-way taps (10, 17) are mutually connected by a pipe (24).