Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the tensile strength of dental materials utilizing a mold. The dental material is placed in the mold and is adhered to a surface. The mold containing the dental material is then engaged with a pulling device which subjects the mold to a measured force to disengage the dental material from the surface. This provides a measure of the tensile strength of the dental material.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for determining the adhesive strength of materials has a test rig (12) with a base plate (14). A compression plate (20) is provided above a support (18). The compression plate (20) is urged into engagement with the support (18) by means of springs (22). The compression plate (20) has a recess (30) which receives a mould (32). The support (18) contains a substrate (34) which engages with material to be tested contained in the mould (32). The application also relates to a method which involves measuring the force required to remove the mould (32) from the substrate (34).

Abstract: An external bone distractor (1) having a threaded curvilinear rod (4) including several diametrical flat sections (7,8) with the thread (9) of the rod (4) continuing along longitudinal lines. At least a pair of carriages (2) are engaged on the rod and solidly connected to spindle supports (3). Guide members (10, 13) cooperate with the flat sections for preventing rotation of each of the carriages about the axis of the rod. Adjusting devices (14, 15) position each of the carriages along the length of the rod. The curvilinear rod (4) provides for use of the distractor in reconstruction of curved bone segments, such as in the jaw, face and skull.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for carrying out a transaction comprising prior steps of identifying the card by reading its number and authenticating the bearer optionally by writing in the secret code using a keyboard. The invention is characterized in that the secret code and/or the card number, comprise(s) in a specific position at least a character modified at each transaction. The modified character(s) (N) of the secret code and/or the card is/are modified in accordance with at least a character of a predetermined parameter.

Abstract: End panel (36) has its periphery (38) affixed to a flange portion (34) of container ring member (30) disposed in a planar position, and the flange portion (34) is then displaced from the plane for forming an angle (A) therewith. The method results in placing the interface between the end panel (36) and the flange portion (34) in sheer, rather than in peel, during retorting or unintentional impact loading.

Abstract: A germicidal absorptive material for use in surgical packings, wound bandages, sanitary tampons and bed sore prevention and/or treatment uses is provided by a foam-like matrix of hydrophilic polyurethane polymer to which application-specific loads of a germicidal disinfectant dye have been made. Polyurethane polymer of various densities and thicknesses exhibits an exceptional ability to absorb different levels of a number of disinfectant dyes, both basic and acidic, such as gentian violet and methylene blue, respectively. The relationship between dye-load and application-specific uses permits a totally-bound gentian violet pad to be used as a conventional bandage or pad on a surface wound with the capability of preventing the incursion of external pathogens from entering the wound through the pad, where the pathogens are killed by the bound-dye. The wound exudate is absorbed safely by the pad, where wound-originating pathogens are also killed.

Abstract: A flexible elongate structure, such as a flexible riser (10) for connecting oil and gas wells to floating production platforms, comprising at least one layer (20) of steel wires near the surface which extend at least partly along the length of the structure, can be monitored by inducing a magnetic field in the steel wires using an electromagnetic coil, and monitoring the magnetic flux density near the surface of the structure so as to detect if any wires have broken. Measurements are made at two different frequencies, the lower frequency giving an output dependent both on stresses and on the number of adjacent wires in the layer (20), and the higher frequency giving an output primarily dependent on the number of these wires. By comparing these two measurements a corrected output parameter (P) may be obtained that is indicative only of stress. A break in a wire can be expected to change the stress in that and adjacent wires.

Abstract: An inflatable game table (10) constructed of flexible, air impervious panels (22) for forming an inflatable enclosure having an upper playing surface for use as a pool table or the like and being capable of resisting inclement, outdoor weather. The game table (10) is inflatable to a condition for use, and can be deflated for compact storage and transport.

Abstract: The invention relates to a custom-fit implantable surgical guide (1) and an associated milling tool (4), which is positioned in straddling on the alveolar ridge (7) of a maxillary or mandible arch (2) and comprises at least one drilling barrel (11) for axially guiding said milling tool (4), wherein said barrel (11) is laterally open and at least one part of the internal surface thereof (17) and at least one part of the external surface of the milling tool (4) interact and axially maintain the entire milling tool (4) with respect to the barrel (11). Said invention makes it possible to carry out high precision osteotomies for lateral insertion dental implants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for acquiring and managing morphological data of persons on a computer network, wherein said data is used for producing and/or delivering ready-made individually dimensioned clothes by at least one of the plurality of manufacturers. The inventive method consists, at a preliminary stage, in forming a first data base (3) on human body profiles by storing standard data sizes in a first computer system, in acquiring (6, 10), at a subsequent stage, representative current data of the morphology of said persons by means of a computerized acquisition system and in selecting (5, 8) personal data nearest to current data (6, 9) of each person from standard data. Said method is characterized in that personal data (12) is selected on a second computer system from a second database (4, 7), wherein standard data is organized by size ranges according to each manufacturer.

Abstract: A hairbrush for detangling, smoothing, shaping and drying of hair and designed for improving efficiency of a conventional air blow dryer. At least one channel in the head of the brush includes an inlet that is shaped for receiving preferably heated air from a blow dryer and directing the air to exit from an outlet of the channel in an approximately reverse direction closely adjacent to the inlet thereby concentrating the drying action of the heated air.

Abstract: A knuckle-swivel (10) is used with well drilling equipment for protecting helical wound line 62, which may be wire rope, cable and/or strand, against torsional forces and also providing for angular displacement of sinker bars or other tools during wireline strip over operations to minimize interference with rig equipment (80) when pulling pipe or tools 64 from a well head.

Abstract: Capsules, for example for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, are produced from two films (18) of a water-soluble polymeric material, by deforming the films to form a multiplicity of recesses, and filling the recesses, using two adjacent rotary dies (14, 15; 42) with recesses (16) into which the films (18) are deformed. The dies (14, 15; 42) act as electrodes for welding the films together by dielectric welding to form filled capsules (30). The capsules (30) can be separated from the resulting web either by coating at least one of the dies (14) with an electrical insulator (21), or by transferring the web from the dies (14, 15; 42) to a second pair of dies which cut the capsules (30) free. The polymeric material may be gelatin, or a water-soluble cellulose derivative such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and may also contain a plasticiser.