Abstract: A tree delimbing device having a self-aligning cutter head for delimbing a tree stem which is mounted on a frame by a rotational and pivotal support. A substantially inelastic flexible member connects the cutter head to the frame to limit movement of the cutter head. A medial portion of the flexible member is connected to a fluid cylinder so as to urge the cutter head toward a centered position. An accumulator may be provided for regulating the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder. The positioning of the fluid cylinder may be adjustable. A tree stem diameter measuring device having a sliding position indicator may also be provided. A tree stem detector may also be included to sense the presence of a tree stem placed within the cutter head for automatically closing and opening the blades around the stem. A removable mount for the cutter head is also included.

Abstract: A peel-open package includes a polymeric film, a lid adhered to the polymeric film along a continuous portion thereof and a product encapsulated between the polymeric film and lid material. The polymeric film is typically a coextruded multiple layer film having a sealable layer and at least one base layer. The sealable layer comprises an ethylene copolymer derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate and alkylacrylates, a talc additive, and an additive which provides peelability to the heat seal layer. The lid material is preferably a microporous layer to allow sterilization and prevent subsequent contamination by bacteria and other microbial organisms. The peel-open package provides a good seal range for uncoated Tyvek.RTM., evidence of seal integrity, reduced Tinting, and a seal strength which is sufficiently low to prevent the delaminating or branching of the lid material when it is removed. The present invention also includes methods of making peel-open packages.

Abstract: A lyophilized fibrinogen is produced which is subjected to a severe terminal virucidal heat treatment in order to inactivate viruses present, while retaining desirable biological properties. In particular the lyophilized fibrinogen has a solubility in water or other aqueous solution to 40 g/l in less than 20 minutes at 20.degree. C., and a clotting time of less than 10 seconds when exposed to at least 200 U/ml thrombin. The product may be heat treated at 80.degree. C. for 72 hours up to 100.degree. C. for 10 hours depending on formulation and water content. In the production process cryoprecipitate is washed with polyethylene glycol solution at 4 to 10.degree. C. and pH 6.8 to 8 at low ionic strength, prior to two-stage freeze drying.

Abstract: The invention provides spinning rings for textile spinning processes having an improved bearing surface formed of a coating of hard nodular chromium which is applied by an electrodeposition process. The spinning rings of the invention can increase the life of travelers that ride on the spinning ring and can provide for high productivity spinning processes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing multi-ply tubular containers for food products is provided including the steps of applying an aqueous adhesive to a surface of a paperboard body ply and then heating the aqueous adhesive to evaporate part of the water content and render the adhesive substantially tacky. The body ply and a polymeric liner ply having a moisture barrier layer are then passed through a nip to adhere the liner ply to the body ply and are wrapped around a shaping mandrel to create the tubular container. Accordingly, an advantageous tubular container can be manufactured having a body ply formed of paperboard which is wrapped into a tubular shape to define an inner surface. The body ply defines a predetermined circumferential length before being wrapped which corresponds to one revolution of the body ply when wrapped in a tubular shape. A polymeric liner ply is adhered to the inner surface of the body ply and defines a circumferential length equal to that of the body ply prior to being wrapped.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for electrostatic substance transfer are proposed. A substance (4, 4') is taken from a substance container (9) by a substance transfer roller (1) and transferred onto a printing form cylinder (2). In order to improve the substance transfer, the printing form cylinder (2) is subjected to local negative charging by means of a spray electrode (6) near to the region in which the substance transfer takes place. The substance (4) is subsequently transferred from the printing form cylinder (2) onto a medium (7) which is pressed against the printing form cylinder (2) by a back-pressure cylinder (3).

Abstract: There is provided a device for filling an inflatable protective cushion to a predetermined air pressure. The inflating device has a handle having an inlet port for receiving compressed air and a valve for opening and closing the inlet port and an air outlet port. A housing having an air chamber is connected to the handle and receives the air from the handle outlet port through an air channel terminating in an orfice which creates a vacuum in the chamber. The venturi effect draws additional air through a muffler connected to the housing chamber during filling. The muffler serves to restrict air flow from and to the atmosphere during and after filling of the cushion. The housing also includes a nozzle connected to the air outlet for insertion into a self-sealing valve in the cushion for filling with air. Also provided is a fill indicator comprising an indicator mount secured in the housing, an indicator button extending through an opening in the mount and moveable upward and downward therein.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydrocarbon solutions of monofunctional ether initiators of the following general structure:M--Z--O--C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)wherein M is an alkali metal; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl groups containing lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, and lower dialkylamino groups, aryl or substituted aryl groups containing lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, and lower dialkylamino groups, and their employment as initiators in the anionic polymerization of olefin containing monomers in an inert, hydrocarbon solvent comprising reacting an omega-protected-1-haloalkyl with lithium metal dispersion having a particle size between 10 and 300 millimicrons in size, at a temperature between 35.degree. and 130.degree. C. in an alkane solvent containing 5 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A decorative and translucent weatherable fabric for covering outdoor backlit structures is provided which includes a reinforcing scrim layer, an inner protective layer formed of a translucent white PVC applied to one side of the scrim layer, and a thicker substrate layer applied to the opposite side of the scrim layer. The substrate is also preferably a substantially translucent white PVC polymer. In one embodiment of the fabric for use with a reader panel of the awning, an outer transparent layer is adhered to the substrate layer and has UV resistant properties. A weatherable pressure sensitive decorative film is applied to certain portions of the transparent layer in a predetermined graphical pattern to create a foreground image. A second pressure sensitive decorative film may be applied to certain other portions to create a background image of a different color.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for an advancing thermoplastic yarn, which is guided along a heated surface over heating ridges. Essential is that the heat flow to the yarn is variable, in particular by a change in height, a change in width of the heating ridges, and/or a change in the contact length with the yarn. In this connection, the heating ridges may be adjustable, and/or the path of the yarn may be made variable by yarn guides.

Abstract: An athletic band structure having a knitted-in distinct design and a method of manufacturing such a band are described. The athletic bands are knit using a jacquard patterning mechanism to form a patterned tubular structure having one or more individual courses, each of which have adjacent wales knit from visually distinct yarns. The tubular structure is formed into a finished band in one of several ways. In one method of the invention, the patterned tubular structure is folded axially and seamed to form a double layer structure. The seam can then be repositioned to a central portion of the athletic band where it is not visible when the band is worn. In the production of a high performance embodiment of the invention, upper and lower sections of the patterned tubular structure are knit from a specialty yarn such as a wicking or insulating yarn, which results in the completed athletic band having superior moisture absorption capabilities as well as an integrally formed design.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to carry out the extraction and purification of DNA in a short period of time. This object is accomplished by DNA extraction and purification apparatus illustrated in the drawing. This apparatus includes a pipetting unit which can be horizontally moved along a rail by means of a transfer device. This apparatus also includes tube racks which can be moved horizontally and vertically. In these tube racks are disposed filter tubes (not shown) for the extraction and purification of DNA. Moreover, a waste liquid vat and a recovery vat are disposed below these tube racks. The waste liquid vat and the recovery vat are each provided with a suction port (not shown) to be connected to a vacuum pump.

Abstract: A knitting machine and needle selection mechanism is provided including a piezoelectric body movable between upper, lower and neutral positions corresponding to knit, tuck and welt positions of the knitting needles, a first driving circuit for displacing the piezoelectric body upwardly, a second driving circuit for displacing the piezoelectric body downardly, a third driving circuit for displacing the piezoelectric body to the neutral position, and a control device for controlling the driving circuits in accordance with a pre-set program.

Abstract: A flexible and potable water hose and ridged conduit support systems in a aircraft provides a self-locating snap-in potable water support bracket which supports a generally cylindrical tray for receiving a potable water hose. The bracket slips over a structural beam flange without requiring that the structural member be drilled or otherwise prepared for fastening of the bracket. Attachment is maintained through frictional compression by the bottom of the bracket.

Abstract: A gas refining system for adsorbing a reducing gas includes a reduced gas stream, a section for adsorbing and removing sulfur-containing compounds in the reducing gas, an adsorbent which contacts the reduced gas stream, an oxygen-gas containing stream which enters the adsorbing and removing section, a calcium-compound containing stream, and a reactor which receives the above streams and allows for the adsorption of sulfur dioxide and precipitation of a gypsum compound.