Abstract: Container handling apparatus includes container speed adjusting apparatus which cooperates with drive apparatus to sequentially deliver a plurality of containers into contact with the container speed adjusting apparatus. The container speed adjusting apparatus has one or more resiliently compressible components which facilitate alteration of the translational speed of the container, as well as alteration of the rotation thereof. Among the preferred approaches to providing such resiliently compressible means are to have endless belts supported and driven by primary pulleys with secondary resiliently compressible pulleys in engagement with said belt and disposed between the primary pulleys. The endless belts may be provided with specifically configurated resiliently deformable portions, such as weakened portions in the belt, openings in the belt, or radially outwardly projecting elements.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopic analysis of the interior of a specimen which includes positioning the specimen within a main magnetic field, introducing an invasive probe having an elongated receiver coil into or adjacent to the specimen with the coil having at least one pair of elongated electrical conductors, preferably, generally parallel to each other disposed within a dielectric material and having a pair of ends electrically connected to each other. RF pulses are provided to the region of interest to excite magnetic resonance signals, gradient magnetic pulses are applied to the region of interest with the receiver coil receiving magnetic resonance signals and emitting responsive output signals which may be processed by a computer to provide image information for display in a desired manner.

Abstract: An ink supplying and collecting device for an ink reservoir formed between a main roll for applying an ink to a plate cylinder and an auxiliary roll in contact with the main roll, the device being adapted to supply the ink to the ink reservoir by causing the ink to flow out from a nozzle extending downward as directed toward the ink reservoir while moving the nozzle in parallel to axia direction of the rolls, and to collect the ink by lowering the nozzle to a position close to the bottom of the ink reservoir and drawing up the ink with the nozzle while moving the nozzle in parallel to the axial direction of the rolls.

Abstract: An improved method for the lubrication of diamond-like carbon surfaces comprises condensing a layer of perflourinated alkyl halides of the formula C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 X, wherein n is a positive integer from 1 to 13 and X is selected from I, Br and Cl, on the diamond-like carbon surface. Perflourinated alkyl free radicals are then produced by photodecomposing C--X bonds of said perflourinated alkyl halides on the surface. The diamond-like carbon surface is reacted with photochemically produced perflourinated alkyl radicals thereby anchoring photochemically induced photofragments of the perflourinated alkyl halides to the surface forming a perflourinated alkyl layer. The perfluorinated alkyl layer is preferably decomposed on the diamond-like carbon surface to cause the fluorination of the surface by atomic F. The method preferably achieves greater than one fluorine atom per surface carbon atom chemisorbed on the diamond-like carbon.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling strip includes a path of travel for the strip and cooling apparatus having a plurality of elongated gas nozzles within which are disposed water nozzles such that the water nozzles will have a discharge outlet within the gas nozzles and discharge water in generally the same direction as said gas discharge. In a preferred embodiment, the gas enshrouds the water and establishes a cocurrent two-fluid stream which impinges upon the strip moving by the cooling apparatus. Subsequently, heat transfer is enhanced by the air and water dynamics which are provided after impingement by fluid flow fields. The gas nozzles and water nozzles may be coaxial and in one embodiment are each circular. In one embodiment, containment gas is caused to impinge on the strip at a position longitudinally displaced from the regions of impingement of the cocurrent two-fluid stream on the strip so as to resist undesired flow of water.

Abstract: A method of operation of an ion trap mass spectrometer which isolates a first group of ions having a mass-to-charge ratio range is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a cultivation medium promoting germination of plants and growth of the seedlings while precluding the plant from suffering damage from insect pests. The cultivation medium comprises a particulate, granular or fibrous rubber. Particulate, granular or fibrous pieces of plant or soil can further be incorporated into the medium. Seeds of a plant are sown on the cultivation medium or mixed with the medium for cultivating the plant.