Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of novel genes encoding a polypeptide having creatinine deiminase activity and methods of use. Also disclosed is a kit using the novel sequences for determining the concentration of creatinine in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for controlling writing instruments, in particular ball-point pens, on paper, which consists in guiding the writing instrument relative to the paper plane in a repeated movement and displacing the paper in forward direction. The movement are thus coordinated so that the line obtained forms a meandering pattern which consists in rectilinear trajectories. The invention also concerns the device for implementing said method.

Abstract: A tool and method of manufacturing a tool for making ballpoint pen tips, called rough tips, in their seat zone and preferably in their cone zone. The tool is mounted in fast-rotating precision spindles and the position of the tool may be adjusted to adjust the dimensions of the tip to be formed by the tool. The equipment is configured in a single-piece unit. A seat zone element for making the seat zone and preferably a cone element for making the cone of the tip may be formed on a base component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device called a rotating head which is used to deform the edge of the points or nibs of ball-point pens. The inventive device has two rotating rolls which are installed so that they can pivot freely in the rotating head. The rotating rolls can turn freely around aligned axes. The rolls each have forming disks and are arranged to define a gap between the front surfaces of the forming disks. A tongue having a V-shaped end face is disposed in the gaps and can be moved against a spring. The tongue engages a tip ball in a nib positioned between the rotating rolls to be formed into a finished nib.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for controlling writing instruments, in particular ball-point pens, on paper, which consists in guiding the writing instrument relative to the paper plane in a repeated movement and displacing the paper in forward direction. The movement are thus coordinated so that the line obtained forms a meandering pattern which consists in rectilinear trajectories. The invention also concerns the device for implementing said method.

Abstract: A tool and method of manufacturing a tool for making ballpoint pen tips, called rough tips, in their seat zone and preferably in their cone zone. The tool is mounted in fast-rotating precision spindles and the position of the tool may be adjusted to adjust the dimensions of the tip to be formed by the tool. The equipment is configured in a single-piece unit. A seat zone element for making the seat zone and preferably a cone element for making the cone of the tip may be formed on a base component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device called a rotating head which is used to deform the edge of the points or nibs of ball-point pens. The inventive device has two rotating rolls which are installed so that they can pivot freely in the rotating head. The rotating rolls can turn freely around aligned axes. The rolls each have forming disks and are arranged to define a gap between the front surfaces of the forming disks. A tongue having a V-shaped end face is disposed in the gaps and can be moved against a spring. The tongue engages a tip ball in a nib positioned between the rotating rolls to be formed into a finished nib.