Abstract: A process and apparatus for applying to confectionery or ice cream products whereby the coating dispensing devices moves in a path along or between one or more rows of ice cream or confectionery products, thereby applying a patterned coating that is preferably reproducible.

Abstract: A shaft for a probe, especially suited for TEE and nasogastric applications, with superior bite-through resistance in the outermost probe layer. The probe shaft includes a crush-proof monocoil surrounded by coiled sheathing and an outermost layer of heat shrinkable polymer tubing. The heatshrinkable polymer provides superior resistance to lacerations from sharp objects such as patients teeth. Moreover, in an embodiment using clear polymer over darker inner layers marked with light colored depth markings, the depth markings are protected from wearing off. The preparation method includes inserting a monocoil and sheath into a tube of heatshrinkable material and applying heat sufficient to cause the heatshrinkable material to mechanically adhere to the sheath.

Abstract: An improved slice stacking device for a food slicing machine. The machine has a reciprocating carriage to which an elongated food product workpiece is mounted. The workpiece reciprocates through a cutting blade, forming a slice in each cycle. A stacking bed has a textured surface for unidirectional sliding resistance and is mounted to the carriage beneath the blade. Multiple curved fingers are rigidly mounted below an outfeed table and extend downwardly to contact, or be closely spaced from, the upper surface of the stacking bed during a portion of the reciprocation cycle. A slice removed from the workpiece lands on the stacking bed and passes beneath the fingers. During the rearward motion of the stacking bed, the slice is wiped from the stacking bed by the wiper fingers. Another embodiment includes a rake having downwardly extending tines positioned above the stacking bed. The tines extend downwardly into grooves between ridges on the stacking bed.

Abstract: Novel cell lines and methods are provided for inducibly expressing the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome within cultured cells. Cells are stably transformed with an HBV genome under control of an operator/promoter target sequence which can activate expression of the HBV genome when bound by a cognate transactivator protein. The cell lines are also stably transformed with a gene that encodes and expresses a suitable transactivator protein. Cells may be maintained under non-inducing conditions whereby the transactivator protein is unable to interact with the operator/promoter target sequence, so the HBV genome is not expressed. Under appropriate inducing conditions, the transactivator protein is enabled to interact with the operator/promoter target sequence, thereby activating expression of the HBV genome. The inducible system provides an effective and rapid cell-based assay to screen compounds for anti-hepadnaviral activity.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer having a base formed of a transducer backing material for use in supporting an array of active elements. The backing material is formed as a composite of a preform, preferably selected according to a fiber architecture, and an acoustically-attenuating matrix. Preferred embodiments of the preform include linear, planar, and integrated fiber systems. A particularly preferred embodiment includes a macroporous mesh structure provided in the form of stacked sheets, or an integrated fiber system, having therein fibers arranged in spaced relationship. The fibers define a plurality of openings which in turn provide voids that may be filled by the matrix via techniques such as vacuum-impregnation.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly includes an ultrasound transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasound energy and one or more interface elements for conducting transmitted ultrasound energy from the transducer to a patient's body and for conducting received ultrasound energy from the patient's body to the transducer. At least one ultrasound-transmissive interface element is fabricated of a polymeric material. The material preferably has a sound speed that approximately matches the speed of sound in human tissue. The material comprises at least one primary rigid component material and at least one secondary component material, and has a Shore D durometer hardness value of greater than about 60D, and a sound speed of between about 1,450 meters/second and about 1,700 meters/second. The ultrasound-transmissive element fabricated of a polymeric material can be a protective lens cover, an ultrasound lens or lens element, an ultrasound-transmissive window or a sound pipe.

Abstract: A shaft for an invasive bodily probe which includes a central core, a metal sheath surrounding the core and an outer elastomeric coating. A membrane formed of a textile layer disposed between two layers of a flexible, tough film is disposed between the sheath and the outer elastomeric coating. The membrane typically is formed of a woven material whose interstices have been completely filled by two layers of a urethane material. The membrane completely seals the sheath and core to protect the patient from electrical currents carried by wires within the core, and to prevent bacteria and fluids from being trapped in cuts in the shaft. The wires are also protected from damage from bodily fluids and cleaning solutions, since the core is sealed from the environment.

Abstract: A shaft for an invasive probe used for medical applications which includes a central core, a metal sheath surrounding the core and an outer elastomeric coating. A dielectric sleeve is disposed between the core and sheath for electrically isolating the core from the sheath. A dielectric spacer used in conjunction with a fitting disposed at the end of the shaft completely seals the core from other portions of the probe to protect the patient from electrical currents carried by wires within the core. The wires are also protected from damage from bodily fluids and cleaning solutions by the dielectric sleeve and spacer, since the core is sealed from the environment.

Abstract: This invention provides an ultrasonic transducer probe for medical scanning and a lens assembly for use therein. The probe has a housing in which an ultrasonic transducer array is mounted, there being an opening in the housing adjacent the transducer array. A first lens subassembly is mounted to the transducer and moves therewith if the transducer is rotated. A second lens subassembly is mounted to the housing to fill the opening therein, and includes, for example, a thin plastic film covering the opening and bonded to the housing to seal the opening and a film backing lens or layer. The first lens subassembly is preferably a compound lens. The lens subassemblies are formed of materials having relative acoustic properties, and having mating surfaces which are shaped, to selectively focus ultrasonic signals from the transducers.

Abstract: A synchronous protocol data formatter handles all 24-32 channels of a so-called primary rate version of a digital multiplexed interface or ISDN Primary Rates Interface for a communication system. The formatter relieves the host computer of the local area network of some highly specialized tasks, and, at the same time, provides the following augmented capabilities, which exceed those required by the C.C.I.T.T. standard, I.431:1. dynamic channel bandwidth allocation can assign arbitrary (even non-adjacent) time slots to create a super channel;2. a circular interrupt-queue in a shared memory enables the formatter and the host computer of the local area network to interact efficiently in updating and responding to changing conditions; and3. cyclical redundancy codes can be used on a more flexible basis than theretofore, e.g., can be generated upon only address and control fields for digitized voice signals, or, in a relay mode, can substitute an existing cyclical redundancy code to guard against memory errors.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein several embodiments of a pressure responsive discharge valve assembly particularly adapted for use in reciprocating type gas compressors. The valve assembly includes a discharge passage valve seat of frusto conical shape in which a generally complementary shaped light-weight valve member is disposed. The valve member is preferably formed from a polymeric material, but may also be formed of metal. The materials used and the relative geometry of the valve seat and member are such as to reduce clearance or reexpansion volume, provide quiet closure with good sealing, long life and high speed operation, and still have the required flow areas at low valve lifts, thereby providing improved flow characteristics and efficiency. The included angles of the valve and seat are slightly different to provide progressive closing and sealing without permanent deformation.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein several embodiments of a pressure responsive discharge valve assembly particularly adapted for use in reciprocating type gas compressors. The valve assembly includes a discharge passage valve seat of frusto conical shape in which a generally complementary shaped light-weight valve member is disposed. The valve member is preferably formed from a polymeric material, but may also be formed of metal. The materials used and the relative geometry of the valve seat and member are such as to reduce clearance or reexpansion volume, provide quiet closure with good sealing, long life and high speed operation, and still have the required flow areas at low valve lifts, thereby providing improved flow characteristics and efficiency. The included angles of the valve and seat are slightly different to provide progressive closing and sealing without permanent deformation.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein several embodiments of a pressure responsive discharge valve assembly particularly adapted for use in reciprocating type gas compressors. The valve assembly includes a discharge passage valve seat of frusto conical shape in which a generally complementary shaped light-weight valve member is disposed. The valve member is preferably formed from a polymeric material, but may also be formed of metal. The materials used and the relative geometry of the valve seat and member are such as to reduce clearance or reexpansion volume, provide quiet closure with good sealing, long life and high speed operation, and still have the required flow areas at low valve lifts, thereby providing improved flow characteristics and efficiency. The included angles of the valve and seat are slightly different to provide progressive closing and sealing without permanent deformation.

Abstract: A high acceleration umbilical cable deployment system for enabling electrical communication between a ballistic projectile forebody and an afterbody. A cable coiled on a spool is housed within a ballistic casing having a drag funnel at the rear end. The cable is sandwiched between a foam plug and the drag funnel before it leaves the forebody and is secured in a strain relief at the apex of a funnel in the afterbody. On deployment, when the bodies are separated, energies that would tend to rupture the cable are expended by the funnels, plug and strain relief.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and machine for making 3-D structures. Briefly, the 3-D structure is formed by piercing layers of over-lying fabric with needles and then threading filamentary reinforcement through the passages formed in the layers of fabric by the needles to form the 3-D structure.

Abstract: Three-dimensional impregnated filamentary materials and methods for making the same.

Abstract: Three-dimensional impregnated filamentary materials and methods for making the same.

Abstract: A rotary pump of the stationary single vane type wherein the vane is arranged to automatically accommodate for the direction of rotor rotation to provide for the flow of fluid through the pump in a single direction regardless of the direction of rotor rotation, the vane also being operable to automatically relieve excessive pressures in the pumping chambers.

Abstract: Three-dimensional impregnated filamentary materials and methods for making the same.