Abstract: A papermaker's fabric for use in the press section of a papermaking machine having a base fabric layer woven from either oval shaped monofilament yarns or "cabled monofilament oval yarns", which are cabled yarns comprised of two or more oval shaped monofilament yarns.

Abstract: The protective guard for protecting against damage to a vehicle during a trailer coupling operation includes an impact absorbing guard body covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the longitudinal end portion of a trailer hitch housing extending away from the trailer. The guard body includes a compressible, resilient material such that the guard body is capable of cushioning the impact of a vehicle with a trailer hitch housing. The guard body thereby protects the vehicle from inadvertent damage. The guard body includes a concave inner surface defining an arcuate slot extending inwardly into the guard body. The arcuate slot is adapted to receive an outwardly projecting, generally horizontal flange which extends about an exterior portion of the longitudinal end portion of the trailer hitch housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering elongate flexible objects, such as hosiery blanks or pantyhose, in proper orientation for further processing including removing one or more flexible objects from a bundle and presenting a selected end thereof, to ensure proper orientation, to an entry end of a suction tube, transporting the flexible object through the suction tube to an exit and thereof, preparing the leading end thereof for transfer and transferring the leading end of the flexible object onto an object receiving member of a further processing machine.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the clearance of retained pulmonary secretions in a subject using lantibiotics is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the lungs of the subject an effective amount of a lantibiotic. The lantibiotic is preferably administered by topically applying it to the respiratory epithelia, such as by generating an aerosol thereof which is then inhaled by the subject. A preferred lantibiotic for carrying out the present invention is duramycin. The method may be used in treating disorders such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Also disclosed is a method of combatting tuberculosis comprising administering a lantibiotic to a subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for maintaining and dispensing articles in an aseptic environment. The system includes a cabinet of modular units having at least one bank of shelves. Each bank has an open end and a closed end such that the open end is oriented toward a dispensing chute. Each bank contains a plurality of horizontally adjustable shelves laterally disposed in the bank. The shelves are divided by a plurality of dividers to define a series of slots on each shelf. A dispensing chute is located adjacent the open end of the bank and is adapted to provide gravity feed of an article. The articles are feed toward the dispensing chute by a feeding means such as an auger and the leading article is discharged by gravity. The operation of the feed means is controlled by a microprocessor or the like to control the delivery of articles to the dispensing chute. There is also disclosed a prepackaged cartridge of articles for use in the dispensing system.

Abstract: A composite fiber optic and electrical cable having a core which loosely contains at least one optical fiber, one or more electrical conductors having an outer polymer insulating layer, one or more strength members and a surrounding protective jacket. The protective jacket is formed of a polymer material which forms a distinct mechanically separate phase from the polymer material forming the insulation layer surrounding the respective electrical conductors. For example, the jacket can be made of a polymer material having a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the insulating material of the electrical conductors. As a result, the polymer jacket does not bond with the insulating material during production of the cable. The jacket can, thus, be easily stripped from the electrical conductors during installation of the cable to facilitate the attachment of the electrical conductors to a signal repeater, or power source, or other electrical devices.

Abstract: A portable circuit interrupting apparatus for use in association with a circuit isolating device such as a fuse cutout, disconnecting switch, or power fuse. The apparatus has a tubular housing, with a sleeve coaxially and slidably mounted within the housing. A ring engaging terminal is mounted to the housing and engages a ring-like conducting part of the isolating device, and a hook engaging terminal is mounted to the sleeve and engages a hook-like conducting part of the isolating device. The ring engaging terminal is mounted to the housing by a tubular cylinder fixed to the housing, and a shuttle slidably mounted in the tubular cylinder and so as to be lockable in each of at least two axially spaced apart positions, and the ring engaging terminal is fixed to the shuttle. A shunting circuit is connected between the ring engaging and the hook engaging terminal and includes a circuit segment positioned within the housing which is automatically interrupted upon the sleeve being moved to a withdrawn position.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to binary azeotropic mixtures of either trifluoromethyl methyl ether and 1,1-difluoroethane or pentafluorodimethyl ether and cyclopropane. Methods of heat transfer with those mixtures also are taught.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reinforcing structural rebar. The rebar comprises an inner core formed by pultruding reinforcing fibers through a bath of a first resin material, the inner core typically containing at least about 40 percent by weight reinforcing fibers and an outer cladding of a corrosion resistant and reinforced second resin material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cement plaster composition wherein an additive having from about 10% to about 75% of a silicone treated powder and from about 90% to about 25% of a pozzalanic filler is combined with a type I Portland cement and a crushed aggregate to form a water repellent coating for plastering a swimming pool surface. The additive may also include rheology modifiers, water reducing agents, or set time modifiers.

Abstract: An elongate grate capable of securing an edge portion of an artificial turf surface within a drainage channel is provided. The grate includes an elongate central portion defining a plurality of openings to permit runoff from the artificial turf surface to flow into the drainage channel. Connected to at least one exterior edge of the central portion is a downwardly extending wall portion being interior of the exterior edge for applying a downwardly directed engagement force to the edge portion of the artificial turf surface. According to another embodiment of the grate, an elongate slot is integrally defined in the central portion having a width such the edge portion of the artificial turf can be frictionally engaged therein. According to yet another embodiment, a grate is provided with a central portion positioned between opposed edge portions and defines a plurality of openings therein such that an impervious athletic surface can be formed over each of the edge portions.

Abstract: A resilient edge adapter is provided for defining an edge of a drainable athletic playing surface formed of a moldable material. The edge adapter includes a base portion for cooperably engaging an upper portion of a drainage channel and an upstanding portion extending upwardly from the base portion for restraining the moldable material when applied adjacent to the drainage channel, thereby defining an edge of the athletic playing surface. The upstanding portion may be formed of a resilient and elastically deformable material and the base portion may include an elongate continuous plug portion to cooperably engage a corresponding slot defined in the upper edge of the channel. An edge adapter is also provided which has a pair of upstanding portions extending upwardly from a base portion for forming a running track surface over both opposed edges of a grate. Associated methods for forming athletic playing surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: Spring jacks are supported for vertical movement in the grooves of the needle cylinder below the needles and select the needles for the control cam to move from the welting position to the knitting or tucking position and to return the needle to the welting position. Jack actuating cams move the spring jacks upwardly to move the needles into operative position with respect to the control cam. The spring jacks are resilient and deflect from an active position to an inactive position out of operative association with an actuating cam. A pattern mechanism selects individual spring jacks in accordance with a predetermined pattern. A selector jack is mounted in each groove in the needle cylinder below the spring jack for limited inward and outward movement and an upper end portion engages a lower end portion of the spring jack. A stack of selector slides operate with the pattern mechanism and each of the selector slides is mounted for individual movement from inactive positions to active positions.

Abstract: There is provided a method for performing skin tests for biologic response which includes providing an applicator having at least one pick having at least one skin piercing epidermal point and being capable of carrying a load of testing substance such as biologic substances, such as an antigen, for skin testing for each pick, each of said sources being carried in a container having an opening. The applicator is placed in sealing relationship over each of the openings in the container to form a single unit of the combined applicator and source. The unit is then inverted so as to load each pick with an effective amount of substance to perform a skin test, reverting said unit, and the applicator is removed in loaded condition ready for use. The testing substances are epicutaneously deposited by piercing the patient's skin with each pick to a predetermined depth and observing the pierced skin for response to the testing substance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring workpiece and workpiece material characteristics using microwave energy are disclosed. A system includes a chamber, including means for generating variable frequency microwave energy; means for positioning a workpiece within the chamber; means for subjecting the workpiece to a plurality of different microwave frequencies; and means for monitoring characteristics of the workpiece. One or more characteristics of a workpiece, or workpiece material, may be monitored by positioning the workpiece within a chamber having means for generating variable frequency microwave energy; subjecting the workpiece to microwave irradiation at a plurality of frequencies; detecting power reflection for each one of the plurality of microwave frequencies to provide power reflection data; and comparing the power reflection data to a predetermined set of power reflection data.

Abstract: The thickness of a printed product resting on a support is measured by a scanning unit which has two sensing elements which can be pressed back against the force of a spring. In a measuring zone, one sensing element is situated on the support and the other sensing element is situated on the printed product. By means of two laser sensors, the length of the distance between the one laser sensor and a measuring face of the first sensing element is measured and the length of the distance between the other laser sensor and a measuring face of the second sensing element is measured. From the difference between the lengths of these two distances, the thickness of the printed product can be determined. By a comparison of this thickness actual value with a prescribed thickness set value, it can then be established whether the product measured is complete or whether pages, parts, or supplements are missing or whether the product has too many pages, parts, or supplements.