Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the non-surgical, reversible sterilization of females. In the method of the invention an operation-channel hysteroscope is employed for optical guidance of an obturator tip into alignment with the uterine end of the oviduct. The obturating tip is carried upon the inner of two concentric tubes and a curable elastomer-precursor composition is injected through the inner tube, through an aperture in the obturating tip and into the oviduct in an amount sufficient to fill and mechanically lock to the oviduct portion adjacent to the uterus. The elastomeric composition is allowed to solidify in situ where it adheres to and becomes integral with the tip. Maintaining the outer tube in fixed position, the inner tube is then withdrawn, forcing the obturating tip to be ejected from the inner tube where it now remains integral with the resultant oviduct block. The foregoing procedure is then repeated for the opposing oviduct.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming thermoplastic material from municipal waste wherein the thermoplastic material is separated from the municipal waste and is decimated into fragments which are of a size to pass through a screen of a predetermined mesh, for example a mesh with one-half inch openings. Similarly, fallen leaves are kept segregated from other municipal waste and are shredded or similarly decimated so that they may pass through a screen having a predetermined mesh, for example of a mesh comparable to that through which the plastic must pass. The fragments of thermoplastic material and the leaf fragments are blended so as to be thoroughly intermixed, subjected to sufficient heat and pressure so that the thermoplastic material may coat and bond to the surfaces of the leaf fragments and form a unitary mass of leaf fragments and plastic material. The consolidated mass of leaves bonded by the thermoplastic material is then permitted to set and cure so as to be formed into any desired shape.

Abstract: A batten, adapted to retain at least one of a pair of juxtaposed, unitary, coextruded solar collector panels to the structural members of a building, the batten having a substantially horizontal retention member, portions of which extend over portions of the top of the adjacent collector panels, and a pair of substantially vertical leg members contacting and depending from the retention member and adapted to retain the adjacent collector panels in juxtaposed position, the batten further allowing for thermal expansion in a lengthwise and crosswise direction, while also reducing bowing of the collector panels from their planar configuration. The batten is capable of unitary formation in lengths sufficient to retain the adjacent collector panels in place along substantially their entire length.

Abstract: In a solar thermal energy collection system comprising at least one unitary, coextruded solar collector panel, having an upper, heat insulating region, and a lower, heat absorbing region, each region having channels extending longitudinally therethrough, adapted to contain a fluid therein, and a pair of headers, connected to the collector panel along an interface abutting the ends of the channels of the heat insulating region and the heat absorbing region, and connecting the collector panel to the remainder of the collection system, an improved header is provided; having a wall, which extends outward, initially tangentially, from a point along the interface which is substantially closest to the axial center of the header, and then along the interior of the wall of the header, forming a transitional channel which communicates with the second channels and which uniformly directs a fluid between the second channels and the central cavity defined by the header; and having an inner and outer wall, separating the c

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for non-surgical reversible sterilization of females. In the method of this invention an apparatus to which a removable tip is attached is inserted into the uterus. The tip is aligned with the uterine end of the oviduct. A curable elastomeric composition is injected, through an aperture in the tip, into the oviduct in an amount sufficient to fill the portion of the oviduct adjacent to the uterus. The elastomeric composition is allowed to solidify and adhere to the above noted tip. The apparatus is then removed with the tip being ejected from the apparatus so as to remain adhered to the resulting oviduct block. The above procedure is repeated for the opposite oviduct. The resulting oviduct blocks prevent the passage of ovum from the ovaries to the uterus and sperm from entering the oviduct thereby preventing conception.