Abstract: A molding apparatus and molding method are provided for molding of small objects from a thermoplastic elastomer. The apparatus includes a heated transfer plate assembly, an insulation plate assembly adjacent the transfer plate assembly and a cooled cavity plate assembly. The transfer plate assembly is heated sufficiently to maintain a thermoplastic elastomer in a molten state. The cavity plate assembly is cooled sufficiently to solidify a thermoplastic elastomer injected into cavities of the cavity plate assembly.

Abstract: A hydrostatic injection molding apparatus and process are provided for thermoplastic materials, especially thermoplastic elastomers. The apparatus includes a hot pot plate with a transfer chamber for receiving a thermoplastic material. The hot pot plate is heated to maintain the thermoplastic material in the transfer chamber in a molten state. A cavity plate is positioned adjacent the transfer pot plate, the cavity plate is formed with a plurality of cavities extending therein. Gates are formed in the hot pot plate and the cavity plate. The gates in the respective plates register with one another to provide communication between the transfer chamber and the cavities. The cavity plate is cooled to enable a rapid curing of the thermoplastic material therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for intradermally administering a pharmaceutical composition or other substance into and through the skin of a mammalian body in a manner that avoids or eliminates excess pain and discomfort normally caused as a result of the microabraders or microneedles entering the epithelial layers beneath the stratum corneum. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is a microdevice with an array of microabraders or microneedles with a manipulating member.

Abstract: A process for making a closure assembly includes placing a closure cap portion in a compression mold, introducing a melt of elastomer, pressing the melt into a septum against the cap and applying a foil barrier against the septum. The process may be performed in a rotary compression molding apparatus.

Abstract: An optical fiber is surrounded by a protective cladding of a liquid crystal material and fabricated by passing the optical fiber through a die member which operates to deposit relatively thin individual high-strength layers built up to a desired thickness. In another embodiment, the desired thickness is achieved by surrounding the optical fiber or fibers with a plurality of individual high-strength strands of liquid crystal polymer collectively compressed about the optical fiber(s).

Abstract: An optical fiber cable wherein the optical fiber is cushioned with an elastomeric material around which is provided a protective cladding of a liquid-crystal material.

Abstract: An emergency breathing hood for use with a breathing apparatus has a plastic hood made of a gas-impermeable, flame-resistant and transparent plastic film for covering the head of the wearer, a mouthpiece secured to and extending through the plastic hood, for providing a connection between the wearer's mouth and the breathing apparatus, and a nose blocking device for blocking the gas inflow into the nostrils and inhibiting outflow from the nostrils of the user, the nose blocking device being a cylindrically shaped device supported within the hood so that the cylindrically shaped device is positioned in front of and in contact with the wearer's nostrils when the hood is worn, and a thin elastic material over the cylindrically shaped device and extending over an area effective for covering the wearer's nostrils.

Abstract: The personal escape breathing apparatus comprises exhalation and inhalation bags connected by a carbon dioxide absorption canister, a chemical oxygen generator connected to the exhalation bag and a relief valve for releasing built-up gas within the exhalation bag. The two unequal size bags provide a flexible volume sufficient to store the user's vital capacity a surface area sufficient to cool gas heated from the exothermic reaction of O.sub.2 generation and CO.sub.2 absorption, but the bags are readily foldable to minimize the stored size. The two bags are integrally formed on a flexible, gas impermeable sheet which serves both as the back walls of the bags as well and as a support collar which extends from the bags and has a hole for passing the user's head therethrough. The apparatus also comprises a flexible transparent hood and nose block to protect the user from the hostile environment.

Abstract: The disclosed gas flow sensor has an orifice connected in an oxygen conduit and a pressure switch connected to the conduit by having a pressure chamber communicating with the conduit. The chamber terminates at a diaphram which is operatively coupled to a normally open microswitch by a spring loaded rod. As the flow rate of oxygen flowing through the conduit drops below a permissible minimum magnitude, back pressure on the orifice decreases so as to close the microswitch to provide a control signal. A bypass valve is connected across the orifice to prevent the oxygen pressure within the conduit from excessively increasing.

Abstract: Breathing apparatus which incorporates a sensing device operable to adjust the amount of breather's exhaled gas captured in a gas collector section as a direct function of the carbon dioxide content of the exhalation. The amount of exhaled gas captured is sufficiently low in carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) content to permit rebreathing on the next inhalation, at which time the sensor again adjusts the volume of exhaled gas to be captured. In the one embodiment, a fire fighter's breathing system is described wherein the gas collector section is integral with the breathing mask worn by the fire fighter.