Abstract: We provide an alkylation process unit, comprising: a control system connected to an alkylation reactor, that enables the alkylation reactor to operate in both an alkylate mode that produces a gasoline blending component having a RON of 90 or higher and in a distillate mode that produces a second gasoline blending component having a RON of 85 or higher.

Abstract: A dental tool for use in photo-cured filling processes. The dental tool includes a tool tip formed from a material that allows the transmission of ultraviolet and visible light wavelengths through the tool tip without significant distortion or reflection. The material is also relatively high strength so not to shatter or break during use. The fill material will also not easily adhere to the tool. The material of a preferred embodiment is sapphire. The tool is able to continue to compact and shape the fill material while the composite polymer fill material is undergoing photo-curing. The light beam used for photo-curing is able to safely pass through the tool without the risk of damage to the surrounding tissue from reflection or distortion of the light beam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an examination apparatus that includes a manually movable structure having a first movement from a free state to a compressed state and a second reversing movement from the compressed state to the free state. Also included is a plurality of fingers that are disposed adjacent to the structure. The fingers having a stowed state and an open state, the stowed state having a nested relationship between the fingers to reduce a silhouette profile size. In moving from the stowed state to the open state of the plurality of fingers requires a selected sequential movement of each the fingers to proceed from the nested relationship to the open state that is accommodated by an assemblage for moving the fingers sequentially utilizing the manually operated structure, wherein the fingers are moved from the stowed state to the open state and reversed manually.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus of producing vibrato on keyboard percussion/tone bar instruments such as the vibraphone and marimba are provided. Means are disclosed for real time control of the expressive qualities of both the speed and strength of the vibrato of such instruments, while eliminating the need for an electrical motor. According to certain embodiments, methods and apparatus are disclosed to easily produce a change of dynamic level (crescendo and diminuendo) after a single strike of a tone bar or chord.

Abstract: A keyboard percussion instrument may include an improved dampening system that provides wave dampening or progressive dampening of the tone bars. A keyboard percussion instrument may also include a dampening system with a mechanism capable of retracting the damper without distorting the damper and capable of adjusting the leverage of the dampening system independently of the spring tension. A dampening system may further include an adjustable mounting for the damper that allows the dampening action to be adjusted at either end of the damper. A keyboard percussion instrument may further include an improved bar rail assembly that facilitates removability, adjustment of various dampening zones and/or vibration isolation.

Abstract: A dental tool for use in photo-cured filling processes. The dental tool includes a tool tip formed from a material that allows the transmission of ultraviolet and visible light wavelengths through the tool tip without significant distortion or reflection. The material is also relatively high strength so not to shatter or break during use. The fill material will also not easily adhere to the tool. The material of a preferred embodiment is sapphire. The tool is able to continue to compact and shape the fill material while the composite polymer fill material is undergoing photo-curing. The light beam used for photo-curing is able to safely pass through the tool without the risk of damage to the surrounding tissue from reflection or distortion of the light beam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an examination apparatus that includes a manually movable structure having a first movement from a free state to a compressed state and a second reversing movement from the compressed state to the free state. Also included is a plurality of fingers that are disposed adjacent to the structure. The fingers having a stowed state and an open state, the stowed state having a nested relationship between the fingers to reduce a silhouette profile size. In moving from the stowed state to the open state of the plurality of fingers requires a selected sequential movement of each the fingers to proceed from the nested relationship to the open state that is accommodated by an assemblage for moving the fingers sequentially utilizing the manually operated structure, wherein the fingers are moved from the stowed state to the open state and reversed manually.

Abstract: A multi-function pedal controller may be used with a musical instrument, such as a keyboard percussion instrument, to allow control of both vibrato and damper functions. The multi-function pedal controller may control damper functions with a first range of motion and vibrato functions with a second range of motion, thereby facilitating intuitive control of both functions by the instrumentalist.

Abstract: A keyboard percussion instrument may include an improved dampening system that provides wave dampening or progressive dampening of the tone bars. A keyboard percussion instrument may also include a dampening system with a mechanism capable of retracting the damper without distorting the damper and capable of adjusting the leverage of the dampening system independently of the spring tension. A dampening system may further include an adjustable mounting for the damper that allows the dampening action to be adjusted at either end of the damper. A keyboard percussion instrument may further include an improved bar rail assembly that facilitates removability, adjustment of various dampening zones and/or vibration isolation.

Abstract: An improved resonator for keyboard percussion instruments such as marimba, vibraphone and xylophone and instruments including such resonators are described herein. In one or more embodiments, a tubular resonator bent or formed into a smooth curve, open or stopped on one end, resonating only its natural fundamental frequency and its natural overtones with no non-harmonic resonances from a struck tone bar associated with the resonator is provided. According to one or more embodiments, the number of joints in the resonator is reduced to less than two joints.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an examination apparatus that includes a manually movable structure having a first movement from a free state to a compressed state and a second reversing movement from the compressed state to the free state. Also included is a plurality of fingers that are disposed adjacent to the structure. The fingers having a stowed state and an open state, the stowed state having a nested relationship between the fingers to reduce a silhouette profile size. In moving from the stowed state to the open state of the plurality of fingers requires a selected sequential movement of each the fingers to proceed from the nested relationship to the open state that is accommodated by an assemblage for moving the fingers sequentially utilizing the manually operated structure, wherein the fingers are moved from the stowed state to the open state and reversed manually.

Abstract: An improved resonator for keyboard percussion instruments such as marimba, vibraphone and xylophone and instruments including such resonators are described herein. In one or more embodiments, a tubular resonator bent or formed into a smooth curve, open or stopped on one end, resonating only its natural fundamental frequency and its natural overtones with no non-harmonic resonances from a struck tone bar associated with the resonator is provided. According to one or more embodiments, the number of joints in the resonator is reduced to less than two joints.

Abstract: This invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations comprising particles with a substantially non-hygroscopic inner crystalline core and an outer coating comprising at least one bioactive molecule. The invention also relates to methods of forming particles comprising a substantially non-hygroscopic inner crystalline core and an outer coating comprising at least one bioactive molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein-coated micro-crystals and their method of preparation. The protein-coated micro-crystals may find particular application in preparing enzymes for use as biocatalysts; preparation of therapeutic proteins for use in pharmaceutical formulations; production of cleansing agents comprising enzymes; production of paints, varnishes, coatings, films and the like comprising proteins which impart protective and/or antifouling properties; production of films, polymers, inks, coatings, electrodes and/or optical materials comprising proteins for diagnostic kits and/or biosensor applications; use of proteins for studies of molecular recognition, molecular binding and inhibitor binding in non-aqueous media; and preparation of protein based food additives.

Abstract: A mailing machine is provided with a removable control panel device that is repositionable thereby enabling the operator to position the control panel device to face in different directions with respect to the mailing machine. The repositioning of the control panel device allows an operator to clearly view a display on the device from any work area of the mailing machine. For example, if an operator is standing near an input end of the mailing machine, the control panel device can be rotated such that it can be viewed by the operator while standing near the input end of the mailing machine.

Abstract: In a keyboard musical percussion instrument having a series of tone bars mounted to at least first and second, spaced-apart support rails, each tone bar having a body with first and second nodes of its fundamental mode of vibration (Node A and Node B), Node B being spaced from Node A along a longitudinal axis of the tone bar body, and the body defining a bottom surface and a mounting hole formed in the bottom surface at Node A, a tone bar suspension assembly for mounting a tone bar includes first and second suspension bumpers extending from the first support rail and having upper suspension surfaces to engage the bottom surface of the body at spaced apart locations in a plane generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body at Node B, and a suspension pin extending from the second support rail to engage in the mounting hole. A keyboard musical percussion instrument employing the tone bar suspension assembly, and methods for mounting a tone bar and adjusting tone bar ring time are also described.

Abstract: A sustained-release pharmaceutical composition which comprises microparticles comprising an active principle, said microparticles being coated with a coating mixture comprising ethyl cellulose and an acrylic resin which is a polymerizate of acrylic and methacrylic ester, having a molecular weight of at least 100,000 and comprising units of formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sub.2 is methyl or ethyl,R.sub.3 is methyl; andR.sub.4 is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.3 Clthe resin containing 5% of trimethylammonium methacrylate chloride units by weight.

Abstract: A disposable spray shield has a thin, planar sheet of large surface area fabricated with an inexpensive, semi-rigid material, such as cardboard, formed with a structural reinforcing rib along its rear edge. The rib can be used as a handle in combination with a hand hole through the sheet adjacent the rib, or, preferably, a removeable handle is included for removeable attachment to the disposable spray shield. The rib is preferably formed from a portion of the planar shield sheet folded into an elongated, three-dimensional configuration and the handle has clamping jaws and mating surfaces that engage the rib. Disposable handles are also provided as an alternative.

Abstract: A disposable spray shield has a thin, planar sheet of large surface area fabricated with an inexpensive, semi-rigid material, such as cardboard, formed with a structural reinforcing rib along its rear edge. The rib can be used as a handle in combination with a hand hole through the sheet adjacent the rib, or, preferably, a removeable handle is included for removeable attachment to the disposable spray shield. The rib is preferably formed from a portion of the planar shield sheet creased and folded into an elongated configuration having an equilateral triangular cross-section, and the handle has clamping jaws and mating surfaces that engage the rib to orient the axis of the handle parallel to the plane of the shield or, alternately, at an obtuse angle to the plane of the shield. Disposable handles are also provided as another alternative.