Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an aqueous solution of a) a hydrophobically modified alkylene oxide polymer comprising a hydrophobic portion functionalized with a protonated secondary or tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium salt and b) an acid and a salt thereof, which acid is phosphoric acid, nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonic acid, hydrochloric acid, or sulfuric acid. The composition of the present invention is useful for the preparation of an associative thickener that can be stored for long periods, in the absence of ancillary biocides, without spoilage from biodeteriogenic attack.

Abstract: Surgical forceps can include a drive pin an outer tube, a first jaw, a second jaw, and an inner tube. The outer tube can define a longitudinal axis. The first jaw can be pivotably connected to the outer tube. The first jaw can include a pair of flanges located at a proximal portion of the first jaw, where each flange can include a track receiving the drive pin. The inner tube can be located within the outer tube and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The inner tube can include a pair of arms extending from a distal portion of the inner tube. The drive pin can be securable to the pair of arms. The inner tube can be translatable within the outer tube to drive the drive pin along the tracks to move the second jaw between open and closed positions.

Abstract: This is an improved pivot hinge for a collapsible stringed musical instrument providing for easy collapse and assembly of the instrument, such as the neck to the body of the instrument, collapsing into a sturdy, compact, and portable package, without altering the basic industry standard shapes and acoustics, and without twisting, or crimping the instrument's strings.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing high vibration and pulsation levels generated by he discharge of gas-liquid mixtures from compressors. A tuyere is positioned within the compressor housing to separate the gas from the liquid.

Abstract: A guide mat for a slant service or drill rig. The guide mat comprises rearward and forward portions and an open area in the rearward portion which is used to allow access to a wellhead. Adjustable pedestals are provided which move in orthogonal planes to the plane of the guide mat and thereby allow for convenient pinning of the mast of the rig to the mat such that the mast is maintained in its correct operating position while the drilling and/or service operations are underway.

Abstract: Terminal trainer keyboard and display apparatus for teaching keyboard operations and knowledge items and skills, including a keyboard array of touch keys representing individual characters and keyboard operations each having a switch associated therewith, a visual projector to be located within view of the trainee having a viewing screen onto which lesson information is displayed projected from a training film having sensor activating code bars beside the film frames denoting the correct key location for the displayed lesson instruction. The keyboard includes a light emitter at each key for illuminating its associated key, and an electronic circuit is coupled to the switches and receives correct key location signals from the sensors detecting the code bars to activate correct and incorrect readout counters to indicate the number of correct and incorrect key activations and to activate the light emitter at the correct key location when a key at an incorrect location is activated.

Abstract: Scheme and knowledge trainer apparatus for teaching trainees sortation scheme and knowledge items and skill for sorting such as mail sorting and the like, comprising an electronic sortation training console having a switch panel depicting plural horizontal rows and vertical columns of sort blocks symbolizing discrete sort locations each having a touch sensing switch and changeable indicia strips for providing the sort blocks with legends denoting sort location titles therefor. A visual projector is provided for receiving a training film having frames for successively displaying lesson information on a viewing screen depicting sort location legends correlated with the legends on the console blocks and having apparatus for producing correct location signals denoting the correct console sort block location for the displayed legends.

Abstract: A device for printing a message at predetermined intervals along the backing of pressure sensitive adhesive tape. The device comprises a wheel, a peripheral segment of which contacts and supports the adhesive surface of a length of the tape. Raised arcuately disposed surface portions of a heated printing plate defining the message are moved into engagement with a dye impregnated web positioned against the backing of the length of tape supported on the wheel to sublime the dye and thereby print into the backing of the tape. Between printing operations the wheel is rotated to advance the tape along a path so that a new section of the tape is advanced to the wheel and the newly printed portion of the tape is peeled from the surface of the wheel and fed to a tape applying device.

Abstract: An improved box taping device of the type which propels a box past a tape applying head. The device includes means for holding a portion of the tape transverse of the box path so that it will engage the leading surface of the box and subsequently be applied along the top surface of the box as the box is propelled through the device. The device also includes means adapted to extend a U-shaped length of the tape along the trailing surface of the box after the box is taped along its top surface. During such movement one extended portion of the U-shaped length of tape is adhered to the trailing surface of the box. The extended portions of the U-shaped length of tape are separated after they extend entirely across the path and the portion not adhered to the box is retained in that position transverse of the path so that the device is ready to tape another box moved along the path.

Abstract: An improved system and a device for providing air inflated cushioning material which is filled and sealed at the site of its intended use, such as at a packaging line. Included is an elongate flexible layered strip material comprising two heat sealable films fused together in discrete areas to form two rows of inflatable chambers along the strip and a passageway extending the length of the strip between the rows, with each of the chambers having an inlet opening narrower than the main portion of the chamber communicating with the passageway. The strip is shipped uninflated to the site where the cushioning material is to be used, and is then inflated on the device through which the passageway in the strip is propelled over an air nozzle to inflate the chambers through their inlet openings.

Abstract: A system providing an improved inflatable cushion of the type comprising two films of a thermoplastic fused together to provide a plurality of inflatable chambers between the films, with each chamber communicating with a central inlet opening through an inlet passageway; and an improved device for filling and sealing such a cushion. The inlet opening for the cushion extends through only one of the films, and the device has a nozzle which directs air into the opening against the portion of the other film which extends across the opening, so that the air will be evenly deflected through the inlet passageways to simultaneously inflate all the chambers in the cushion.