Abstract: Unfavorable interaction is prevented between (a) electroconductive particle fillers and (b) organic resin binders of the type which are normally instable with respect to viscosity when aged in contact with said fillers. Moreover, electroconductivity degradation is also avoided. In a preferred mode of the invention, the particle surface is treated with a coating of an interfacial pacifying agent such as a tetravalent tin compound which both enhances the electroconductive performance of the particles and also is sufficiently compatible with the resin binder to migrate into the binder sufficiently to avoid undue gelling of the binder by particle-borne contamination or residues of such contamination.

Abstract: A kit comprising materials for protecting splices of electrical cables. Such splices as must be maintained underground between cables used in providing cathodic protection against corrosion to buried pipelines. The kit contains (a) a malleable butyl rubber composition having good low-temperature brittleness and exhibiting some cold flow characteristics, (b) a restraining fabric impregnated with a curable resin such as moisture-curable polyurethane which is characterized by good shelf life and a controlled curing speed when subjected to moisture. The invention also relates to the novel protected spliced structures which are formed by use of the kit material.

Abstract: A process for preparing hydratropic acids and the esters thereof, of formula Ar--CH(CH.sub.3)--COOR where R=H or lower alkyl and Ar=phenyl possibly substituted. This process consists in reacting on the propiophenones of formula ArCOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, a chlorinating or brominating agent, an alcohol R'OH where R'=lower alkyl, an orthoester R.sub.1 --C(OR').sub.3 wherein R.sub.1 =H or lower alkyl, and metal zinc; then possibly hydrolyzing the esters obtained.With this process can be prepared hydratropic acids known for their anti-inflammatory activity.

Abstract: Multichannel electrophoresis apparatus employing electrophoretic light scattering as a means for characterizing the particles under study. The apparatus is characterized by the ability to measure light scattered simultaneously using a plurality of local oscillators incident at different angles from the same population of particles being subjected to electrophoresis. The apparatus is used with data processing means to analyze the large amount of scattering data which provide information on electrophoretic mobility, particle size, particle charge, electrophoretic mobility, zeta potential. An important aspect of the new apparatus is a markedly improved capability to segregate data related to diffusion effects from data relating to heterogeneous effects.

Abstract: A scoop for picking up particulate, granular, or penetrable solids. The scoop itself is a rugged one-piece construction that has a bucket member which is pushed into solids to be scooped in a normal "open" position. The scoop is constructed in the shape of a wedge to facilitate entry into the mass of solids and allows the force exerted on the scoop by the solids to assist in closing of the scoop.

Abstract: A multiple-function hand useful in automated laboratory operations, particularly liquid transfer operations. A gripper and a piston operated syringe are made compatible on a single function by mounting such that their mechanical actuating mechanisms are operated parallel to one another, while the operating vector of the syphon, i.e., the direction of piston movement and direction of gripper lift are at right angles one to the other.

Abstract: A novel tape testing apparatus of the type which senses errors, stops the tape, and causes the error to be moved to an error-correction or an error-inspection station. The apparatus of the invention is characterized by means to rapidly try to remove the error by additional passes through an error removal station and then, if necessary bring the error-bearing portion of the tape precisely under an inspection station by a precise distance-metering process.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a novel method of coating a substrate, e.g., a transparent glass substrate, with a very thin inorganic coating of predetermined varying composition, e.g. an electrically-conductive tin oxide coating. The coating is carried out in such a way that quality control problems associated with leakage of the coating reactants from the reaction zone are virtually eliminated. The resulting coating can exhibit excellent non-iridescent properties even at thicknesses well below on micrometer.

Abstract: Apparatus and process of removing quantities of heavy metals from blood utilizing immobilized chelating agents which are positioned on the opposite side of an anisotropic membrane from blood flowing across the retentive filter surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell and the method of manufacturing the same. The cell includes a substrate of, e.g., of aluminum, having a layer of sulfur-stabilized cesium fluoride-like material with the outer surface thereof containing a P+ boron doped outer layer. A substantially transparent electrically conductive coating is applied over the surface of said cesium fluoride-like material and appropriate electrical contacts are made to the conductive layer for protective purposes.

Abstract: A torque-sensing rotary tool for use in bottle-capping, and other such applications. The tool (10) is characterized by independent motors (30 and 40) means for gripping and rotating bottles or the like and a rotation-counter which forms means, with associated circuitry (FIG. 9), to determine when an object, e.g. a bottle cap, may be safely lifted by automatic machinery, e.g. by robot means.

Abstract: A process for attaching silver-bearing body electrodes of a multi-layer capacitor blank to a terminating material by using high-intensity heat source to fuse the terminal material to the capacitor blank and body electrode edges exposed on the surface of said blank. A particular advantage is avoidance of silver-migration from the body electrodes.

Abstract: Improved means for evaporating liquid to obtain solid residue. The invention is particularly useful where small quantities of a solid is to be recovered from a first liquid medium and dissolved in another liquid medium. The invention comprises a receptable for holding the liquid to be treated and means to sense the temperature of the evaporating process and terminate the evaporating process at any appropriate predetermined temperature condition, thereby avoiding excessive drying of a particular material.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a novel method of coating a substrate, e.g., including a transparent glass substrate, with a very thin inorganic coating of predetermined varying composition, e.g. an electrically-conductive tin oxide coating. The coating is carried out in such a way that quality control problems associated with leakage of the coating reactants from the reaction zone are virtually eliminated. The resulting coating can exhibit excellent non-iridescent properties even at thicknesses well below one micrometer.

Abstract: A coating composition having surprisingly superior physical properties, particularly when highly-filled with small particles and bonded to a flexible film of a polymeric substrate. The composition consists essentially of (1) a homogeneous binder formed of relatively hard, high-tensile, aromatic polyester compounded with a vinylidene chloride copolymer such that the copolymer serves as means to increase the elongation, toughness and heat resistance of the binder and (2) the filler. The process of forming such a binder comprises formation of a homogeneous polymeric solution wherein each of the polymers is intimately distributed within the same solvent phase.

Abstract: A process for coating a wide moving web with the product of chemical reactants first brought into contact at a point proximate the glass surface. The process comprises a primary distribution of reactants (across the width of the substrate) through a row of small apertures, then a segregation through a secondary passage to a reaction zone at the surface of the substrate. Reactant distribution pipes are advantageously positioned and shaped to form only a gradual increase in width of the reactant flow path as they enter the reaction zone.

Abstract: Apparatus constructed such that it may control various other equipment for the performance of various work tasks, even other equipment yet to be designed for work tasks yet to be designed. The apparatus comprises a central computer control means comprising (1) a dictionary storage means for tagging and storing command-specific parameters for a specific work tasks and that specific robot module to which each of the parameters belongs and (2) sequencing means to schedule said work-tasks for a plurality of said modules. The module also can be activated for the task without use of the sequencing means, e.g. by having the module request one of its own dictionary entries.

Abstract: A self-configuring robotic system and method are disclosed. The system employs a computer having a central processing unit and an operating system containing at least a nucleus, a sequence reprogrammer and task support services. A robotic device and at least one defined task performing device, which may be another robotic device, are used in the system. Each device has a corresponding module that is electrically connected to the device and provides all of the intelligence for the particular device. Each module also provides a control block flag and a starting offset for the computer. The modules are electrically connected to the computer through a plurality of physically separable electrical connections so that all of the intelligence for the devices is on the device side of the associated physically separable electrical connections.

Abstract: A light scattering interfacial tension spectrometer has a laser source of light directed, as an incident beam I.sub.i, through a focusing lens and a diffraction grating. The grating divides the incident beam I.sub.i into a main beam I.sub.m, undiffracted light, and a higher order, diffracted light, reference beam I.sub.r. The beam I.sub.r is passed through an attenuator and a diffraction focusing lens to a region under test, such as a liquid surface. The main beam I.sub.m, from the grating is transmitted through the common diffraction focusing lens to the test region where it is reflected. The reference beam I.sub.r is reflected from the test surface together with scattered light I.sub.s, and directed through an aperture to a photomultipler tube. The output of the photomultiplier is coupled to a pulse amplifier-discriminator and a photon correlator. For a liquid surface under test the output of the spectrometer provides a measure of the surface tension and the viscosity of the liquid.

Abstract: A compact robot of the 3-axis type comprising a base-mounted motor control system with means to sense the position of a robot arm through a servo-system comprising position-sensing potentiometers mounted in the motor control system and a feed-back control system to co-ordinate the vertical and horizontal movement of a robot arm.