Abstract: A coupling device between the bottom end of a plastic instrument and a nipple comprising:an exteriorly threaded ring element rotatably mounted about said bottom end;a nut element mounted for rotation about said nipple and said ring element; andtwo O-rings, one sealingly mounted between the nut element, the ring element and the bottom end, and the second sealingly mounted between the nut element and the nipple;wherein a gap is provided between the nipple and the bottom end.

Abstract: The torque capacity of a torque transmitting device incorporated in a power transmission system between an output shaft of a hydrodynamic power transmission and a drive shaft of a vehicle is so controlled as to provide a predetermined rotation speed difference between the input and output shafts of the hydrodynamic power transmission when the vehicle is in a state of standstill, thereby reducing creeping of the vehicle in the standstill state and also improving the response of the power transmission system at the time of vehicle starting. When the vehicle is to be started, the torque capacity is feedback-controlled so as to change the rotation speed of the output shaft of the hydrodynamic power transmission at a predetermined changing rate, thereby ensuring smooth starting without any appreciable shock.

Abstract: An intelligent slave vehicle follows the movements of a master vehicle without imposing a requirement on the master vehicle to supply towing power for the slave vehicle, the slave vehicle being self powered and self controlling in dependence on movements of the master vehicle.

Abstract: Device for securing together, in end-to-end relationship, a pair of containers each provided with apertures of predetermined sizes and locations adjacent the corners of the end walls thereof, including a female member having a hollow body portion and a locking portion pivotally mounted on the body portion and having a surface forming a continuation of the bore through the body portion. A male member of the securing device includes a shaft portion for location within the bore of the female member and provided with a surface thereon co-operating with that on the locking portion of the female member in the operative position of the securing device to prevent relative movement between the male and female members and to secure the containers together between flange flanges on the male and female members.

Abstract: A self-priming pistonless lift pump has a first elongate tubular cylinder within which a second elongated tubular cylinder is loosely contained and freely slidable, the respective cylinders having inlet valves at their lower ends, and at their upper ends having fluid outlets, the outlet of the second tubular cylinder being transversely aligned with the outlet of the first cylinder when the second cylinder is in a lowermost position of travel within the first cylinder.

Abstract: A person's skin has its pores opened and treated with a non-alcoholic toner, and has subcutaneous blood circulation locally stimulated preparatory to an application to the skin of a lotion preparation massaged onto the skin and into the pores with an electrically inactive heated disk at a beginning temperature of from approximately 109.degree. F. to approximately 111.degree. F., where the heated disk maintains a temperature of over 106.degree. F. during the approximate three and one-half minute treatment. The pores may be cleaned and opened by a cleansing treatment in one aspect utilizing the heated disk having greater than 106.degree. F. temperature. A kit maintains various treatment lotions and liquids at ambient temperatures in an integral container along with the heated or heatable disk and its electrical heating pad.

Abstract: An intake device for an internal combustion engine, in which the intake port is formed to a specific shape without using a partition plate, provided with a valve at its inlet, and the flow direction of intake air to the combustion chambers can be varied by controlling the opening of the valve, thereby providing easy manufacture and reduced cost of the intake port and improved performance when the engine is heavily loaded.

Abstract: A convertible carrying handle and shoulder strap for hand luggage has bails fixed to a top wall of a peripheral frame of the luggage and through which straps are slidable, the straps being attached at one of their ends to a handle positioned between the bails and having fastener members at their free ends for attachment to side walls of the peripheral frame.

Abstract: New processes for preparing new steroid derivatives including ergosta-1,5,7,22-tetraen-3.beta.-ol, 1.alpha.-hydroxyergosteryl diacetate, etc. which are useful intermediates in the synthesis of 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.2. The processes include the new steps of reacting ergosta-1,4,6,22-tetraen-3-one with isopropenyl acetate in the presence of an acid catalyst followed by reduction to ergosta-1,5,7,22-tetraen-3.beta.-ol. The overall yield leading to 1.alpha.-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.2 is dramatically increased.

Abstract: An improved process to benefit colemanite and/or howlite minerals comprising the stages of: treating mineral with sulfuric acid in order to dissolve boron compounds; separating the solution formed from the solids in suspension; reacting said solution with hydrogen sulfide in order to precipitate the arsenic and iron impurities contained in the solution, and separating the impurities precipitated from the remaining solution as a beneficiated colemanite with boron. Said solution of the beneficiated colemanite with boron can be dried by spray fluidizing in order to obtain solid beneficiated colemanite with boron or said solution can be reacted with calcium hydroxide to precipitate a beneficiated colemanite with calcium borate which is separated from the remaining solution. This can be recycled for treatment with sulfuric acid to concentrate the mineral.

Abstract: Improved process for obtaining boric acid from colemanite and/or howlite minerals basically comprising the stages of: treating the mineral with sulfuric acid to dissolve boron compounds; separating a solution thus formed from the solids in suspension; reacting said solution with hydrogen sulfide to precipitate arsenic and iron impurities precipitated from the remaining solution; cooling the remaining solution to precipitate boric acid; and separating the boric acid from the formed suspension. The liquor produced is free from impurities and before cooling can be recycled to the stage where the mineral is treated with sulfuric acid in order to concentrate the mineral. Likewise, the liquor obtained after precipitation of boric acid can also be recycled to said stage in order to concentrate the solution.

Abstract: Fence wires for the confinement of stock animals, zoo animals or wild animals have an electrically conductive synthetic plastic sheath and a tension resisting core which is made of either a textile material or a fence wire. The sheath is rendered conductive by the incorporation of amino compounds which are vulcanized with the chloropolymers of the sheath material, by the incorporation of metallic hairs or conductive plasticizers.

Abstract: A miniature sprinkler has a fixed, vertically extending nozzle having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being for communication with a supply pipe. A flow diverter has an axially extending inlet in register with the outlet of the nozzle, the diverter including bearing apparatus for rotatably engaging the nozzle to rotatably mount the diverter at the top of the nozzle. The inlet in the diverter merges into at least one side outlet which extends generally horizontally and from which the water is emitted in the form of a jet, and a drive apparatus is coupled to the diverter in such a position that at least part of the flow from the diverter outlet impinges on the driver apparatus to cause the rotation of the diverter, the drive apparatus including a turbine slideably and rotatably mounted above the diverter for impingement thereon of the flow to cause rapid rotation of the turbine with a sliding motion.

Abstract: A bore screen for use in filtering fluids which are extracted from bores or wells and which comprises a stack of annular plastics material rings which are clamped together in face-to-face relationship. Each ring is formed on opposite, first and second, faces with aligned, circumferentially spaced bearing pads, the bearing pads on the first face of successive rings contacting those on the second face of adjacent rings and serving to space the rings apart. The bearing pads on the first face of each ring are formed with stepped projections and those which are on the second face of each ring are formed with complementary stepped recesses, and the bearing pads mate in such a way that the spacing between adjacent rings is changed as one ring is rotated relative to another and different pairs of bearing pads are brought into contact with one another.

Abstract: The appliance is intended to remove dust from solid objects and comprises an ionization device (7) which is operatively associated with an incorporated air nozzle (1), which has an obliquely arranged, narrow, linear blowing slot (2) which serves to produce an air jet which sweeps over the surface to be cleaned at high velocity. The ionization device (7) produces positive as well as negative ions in the laminar air jet in order to neutralize the electrostatically-charged dust particles. An air suction nozzle (3) with a corresponding suction slot (4) is arranged at a short distance from the blowing slot (2) and is operatively associated with a flat brush (5) projecting from the appliance, which serves as a baffle, determining the distance of the appliance from the surface to be cleaned, limiting the gap enclosing the laminar air jet and, to a large extent preventing sucking-in of the surrounding air. This arrangement is designed as a portable and industrial cleaning appliance.