Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.

Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.

Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.

Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector plug having an anti-snag guide to prevent the plug from being caught on corners and edges when an attached cable is being pulled around corners and edges during installation and removal of the optical fiber connector plug. The optical fiber connector plug includes a unique arrangement of different width apertures corresponding to a removal tool having corresponding different width prongs to be received by the apertures to release the optical fiber connector plug from a coupling adapter.

Abstract: A splice protector is provided having a trough configuration body form a chamber therein with first and second openings at opposing ends of the body, and first and second end caps coupled to the first and second openings of the body of the splice protector, the first and second separable end caps each including at least one channel for passing through an optical fiber. At least one optical core having been coupled using fusion splicing, passes through the channels of the first and second end caps and the chamber, wherein the splice is located within the chamber, and a flexible filler is filled within the chamber to secure the spliced fibers therein.

Abstract: A combination of a wet mate electrical connector and a gigabit miniature transceiver in a pressure resistant cable plug connector assembly. The cable plug connector assembly includes a wet mate connector, a miniature gigabit transceiver, and electrical and optical connections necessary to convert transmitted electrical data signals to optical data signals and vice versa.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector plug having an anti-snag guide to prevent the plug from being caught on corners and edges when an attached cable is being pulled around corners and edges during installation and removal of the optical fiber connector plug. The optical fiber connector plug includes a unique arrangement of different width apertures corresponding to a removal tool having corresponding different width prongs to be received by the apertures to release the optical fiber connector plug from a coupling adapter.

Abstract: An optical switching apparatus comprising a housing with first and second optical ports on the housing for receiving optical connectors, wherein the first and second optical ports are optically connected in a first state. A third and fourth optical port for receiving optical connectors are provided in the housing for which are optically connected in a first state. An optical switch within the housing optically connects the first optical port to the third optical port and optically connects that the second optical port to the fourth optical port in a second state, wherein the optical switch is mechanically actuated due to insertion of an optical connector in at least one of the first and second optical ports. A sliding cam against a ball bearing accurately re-aligns two fiber optic arrays to switch from a first state to a second state.

Abstract: A splice protector is provided having a trough configuration body form a chamber therein with first and second openings at opposing ends of the body, and first and second end caps coupled to the first and second openings of the body of the splice protector, the first and second separable end caps each including at least one channel for passing through an optical fiber. At least one optical core having been coupled using fusion splicing, passes through the channels of the first and second end caps and the chamber, wherein the splice is located within the chamber, and a flexible filler is filled within the chamber to secure the spliced fibers therein.

Abstract: A combination of a wet mate electrical connector and a gigabit miniature transceiver in a pressure resistant cable plug connector assembly. The cable plug connector assembly includes a wet mate connector, a miniature gigabit transceiver, and electrical and optical connections necessary to convert transmitted electrical data signals to optical data signals and vice versa.

Abstract: A composition for sealing exposed wood before finishing the wood, which composition includes polymer solids and an acid neutralizing agent. The acid neutralizing agent may be a weak base and/or a buffering agent. The polymer solids may include acrylate monomers, urethane monomers, and the like. Also disclosed is a method of sealing and neutralizing a wood surface before finishing the wood surface by applying the composition to the exposed wood surface.

Abstract: A stain removing composition having a mixture of N-methyl pyrrolidinone and at least one solvent from the group consisting of 1-methyl-2-butanol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Preferably, the stain removing composition comprises, in percent by weight about 70-90%, N-methyl pyrrolidinone and about 10-30%, in percent by weight, at least one of the solvents from the group described above. In another embodiment, a method of removing a stain from a textile includes the steps of applying the stain removing composition to an area of application. After the composition has been applied to the area of application it is removed with a suction device or other type of absorption device. Water may be applied to the area of application after the composition has been applied to dilute the composition and help in the removal process.

Abstract: A composition for sealing exposed wood before finishing the wood, which composition includes polymer solids and an acid neutralizing agent. The acid neutralizing agent may be a weak base and/or a buffering agent. The polymer solids may include acrylate monomers, urethane monomers, and the like. Also disclosed is a method of sealing and neutralizing a wood surface before finishing the wood surface by applying the composition to the exposed wood surface.

Abstract: Carpeting, upholstery, drapery and other textile fibers are cleaned by applying to the fibers an aqueous, chemically carbonated cleaning solution prepared by mixing a carbonate salt and a low soluble acid with hot water, such that the low soluble acid delayedly reacts with the carbonate salt to produce carbon dioxide before being applied to the textile fibers. The delayed production of carbon dioxide helps prevent the loss of carbon dioxide before the carbon dioxide is lost. The hot water increases cleaning capability of the cleaning solution.

Abstract: This invention includes a cleaning composition, the method of use of the cleaning composition, and a new use of a composition. The composition includes an oxidizing agent with a reduction potential of greater than about 0.1 E°(V) at 25° C., and is devoid of an oxidizing agent with a reduction potential of greater than about 1.5 E°(V) at 25° C. The oxidizing agent may be a salt of a nitrate or nitrite. The method includes applying the composition to a textile and working the composition. The composition may be effective in cleaning urine odors from textiles. The composition may remove odors from textiles without bleaching or discoloring the textile, even if the textile includes natural fibers such as wool.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a floor-etching solution comprising a ketone such as 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, a surfactant, and water. The solution further comprises a viscosity such that it may be applied to a surface by spraying, spritzing, or other similar application methods. The solution further comprises an evaporation rate low enough that it does not completely evaporate from the surface for at least 15 minutes.

Abstract: A matte finish composition exhibiting superior qualities of maintaining a matting agent in dispersion without significantly increasing viscosity, which includes a polymer, a water-based solvent, a matting agent and a crosslinking agent. The polymer may include urethane monomers. The matting agent may be silicon dioxide. The matting agent may be a fine dust. The crosslinking agent may include a polyfunctional aziridine such as pentaerythrito-tris-(?-N-aziridinyl propionate).

Abstract: A method and new use of an aqueous composition including a surfactant and a buffering agent, wherein the new use and method include the steps of applying the composition to a surface with an acidic finish, etching the surface, and removing the aqueous composition. The removal may be by evaporation. A new finish may be applied to the surface. Methods are disclosed for the cleaning and neutralizing of an existing finish to allow for the application of a new finish. Also disclosed are compositions for the cleaning and neutralizing of an existing finish without complete removal of the existing finish. The compositions include a buffering agent configured to neutralize the existing finish, and a surfactant.

Abstract: A stain removing composition having a mixture of N-methyl ppyrrolidinone and at least one solvent from the group consisting of 1-methyl-2-butanol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Preferably, the stain removing composition comprises, in percent by weight about 70-90%, N-methyl ppyrrolidinone and about 10-30%, in percent by weight, at least one of the solvents from the group described above. In another embodiment, a method of removing a stain from a textile includes the steps of applying the stain removing composition to an area of application. After the composition has been applied to the area of application it is removed with a suction device or other type of absorption device. Water may be applied to the area of application after the composition has been applied to dilute the composition and help in the removal process.