Abstract: A fluid pump (10) has a body housing (14) a fluid pumping chamber having a rotatable pumping member (16), a drive shaft (12) which passes through an aperture in the body into the pumping chamber to effect rotation of the pumping member in use, a seal (18) between the pump body and drive shaft to inhibit fluid moving along the shaft out of the pumping chamber, and a dividing shroud (32) operably located between the seal and the rotatable pumping member to divide the fluid pumping chamber (30) between the seal and the rotatable pumping member.

Abstract: A hand held and operated set of fastener clip pliers is provided which is useful to secure together reinforcement steel members, for example, those used in concrete construction, upholstery and fencing. The fastener clip pliers are comprised of a lower handle and an upper handle. The lower handle has at least two first prongs which define at least one intermediate slot between. The upper handle is pivotally connected to the lower handle such that the upper handle and lower handle can pivot to an open position and to a closed position. The upper handle has at least one second prong dimension to fit within an intermediate slot in the closed position.

Abstract: A lockable swivel (4) for use in drilling applications which allows the operator to selectively engage and disengage the swivel (4). The lockable swivel (4) is comprised of a locking mandrel (7) carried in a body (3) which engages, upon actuation, splined surfaces (20, 21) within the swivel mandrel (5) thereby locking the two together. Various methods for the use of the lockable swivel (4) in wireline and other drilling operations are demonstrated.

Abstract: The trocar assembly of the present invention includes a tubular body portion, a sleeve, a unidirectional sealing means included within the sleeve and a funnel portion mounted around the sleeve. A perforating tool is insertable through the funnel, through the unidirectional sealing means and thence through the tubular portion of the trocar assembly into the body of a patient. All portions of the trocar assembly of the present invention are formed from materials which may not be readily sterilized by immersion in a sterilizing bath or autoclaving. Thus, the single use trocar assembly of the present invention may be only used once and will be destroyed if an attempt is made to resterilize the entire trocar assembly or any portion thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to wettable fibers or filament having a thermoplastic polymer, a first wetting agent, and a second wetting agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for passively determining the depth and thickness of a subterranean geologic formation bearing hydrocarbons, e.g., oil and/or gas, or commercially important ore deposits, e.g., precious metals. The apparatus has an antenna to pick up extremely low frequency signals naturally emanating from the Earth's surface. In a preferred embodiment, the received signal is amplified and filtered. The signal is then modulated onto a carrier wave. The modulated signal is then filtered to eliminate one of the sidebands, for example, the lower sideband. An oscillator generates a tuning frequency which is then beat against the filtered, modulated signal in order to tune to a particular frequency. The oscillator sweeps through the range of frequencies, e.g., in the upper sideband portion of the filtered, modulated signal.

Abstract: A disinfecting and sterilizing concentrate containing an aromatic dialdehyde and a neutral pH buffering system is provided. Aromatic dialdehyde concentrations of greater than 5 w/w % are achieved while maintaining the stability of the buffering system. A method and a kit for preparing a disinfecting and sterilizing concentrate is also provided.

Abstract: This invention is a composition of matter useful as a compression-ignition fuel. The composition has from about 30 to about 95 mass % of a light synthetic crude or syncrude, preferably from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis or related processes, and from about 5 to about 70 mass % of a blending stock that improves one or more desirable fuel property(s) including but not limited to pour point temperature, viscosity and emissions generated during combustion in a diesel engine. The blend stock preferably has an average molecular weight less than the average molecular weight of the light syncrude. Preferred blending stocks include hydrocarbons and oxygenates, such as alcohols, and ethers, having average molecular weights less than 200, preferably less than 160. The composition may optionally also contain pour point depressants, cetane improvers, carbon-containing compounds which react with water, and/or emulsifiers.

Abstract: Emulsions containing a dermal anchoring/substantive agent, such as glycerin, in high concentration enhance the activity of active ingredients, such as anti-microbial agents like chlorhexidine gluconate. Kits, compositions and methods pertaining to the same are provided. The invention finds application in cleansers such as hand washes, wound cleansers, body washes, mouthwashes, surgical scrubs, etc., and lotions, creams, foams and ointments. Specifically, one embodiment of the emulsion contains greater than 30% of an anchoring/substantive agent such as glycerin and an effective amount of chlorhexidine gluconate. Additionally, the product produced by the process of combining on the skin high glycerin and an anti-microbial is described.

Abstract: Wettable fibers or filaments are prepared from a composition having a polymer which has a wetting agent incorporated therein. The polymer is selected from the group consisting of olefin polymers, polyesters and polyamides. The wetting agent consists essentially of a glyceride selected from the group consisting of a mono-glyceride, a combination of mono-glycerides and a mixed glyceride having a mono glyceride content of at least 85 percent by weight. The fatty ester group or groups in the glyceride each have from about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms. The olefin polymer is preferably polypropylene, LLDPE, LDPE and HDPE, more preferably polypropylene. The polyamide is preferably a nylon 6 and nylon 6,6. The polyester is preferably a polyethylene terephthalate and a polybutylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A method for the enhanced recovery of oil comprises injecting into an oil-containing formation an aqueous surfactant system having at least (1) a blend containing an unmodified Kraft lignin, an oil-soluble amine and a water-soluble sulfonate, and (2) water; driving the surfactant system through the formation and producing the oil mobilized by the surfactant system. A surfactant composition useful for enhanced oil recovery methods is also provided having at least an unmodified Kraft lignin, an oil-soluble amine and a water-soluble sulfonate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for passively determining the depth and thickness of a subterranean geologic formation bearing hydrocarbons, e.g., oil and/or gas, or commercially important ore deposits, e.g., precious metals. The apparatus has an antenna to pick up extremely low frequency signals naturally emanating from the Earth's surface. In a preferred embodiment, the received signal is amplified and filtered. The signal is then modulated onto a carrier wave. The modulated signal is then filtered to eliminate one of the sidebands, for example, the lower sideband. An oscillator generates a tuning frequency which is then beat against the filtered, modulated signal in order to tune to a particular frequency. The oscillator sweeps through the range of frequencies, e.g., in the upper sideband portion of the filtered, modulated signal.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel preparations of polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene copolymers which retain the therapeutic activity of the commercial preparations, but are substantially free from the undesirable effects which are inherent in the prior art preparations. Because the preparations of polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene copolymers which comprise the present invention are a less polydisperse population of molecules than the prior an polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene copolymers, the biological activity of the copolymers is better defined and more predictable.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel preparations of polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene copolymers which retain the therapeutic activity of the commercial preparations, but are substantially free from the undesirable effects which are inherent in the prior art preparations. Because the preparations of polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene copolymers which comprise the present invention are a less polydisperse population of molecules than the prior art polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene copolymers, the biological activity of the copolymers is better defined and more predictable.