Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature in a kiln in which cement clinker is manufactured. The temperature is controlled by controlling the fuel rate to the kiln. The fuel rate is adjusted according to a calculation that is made of the sulphur evaporation in the kiln, thereby obtaining a measure of the instantaneous temperature in the burning zone. The evaporation factor is calculated on the basis of measurements of the sulphur content in the cyclone material which passes to the kiln or a measurement of the sulphur content in the exit gases out of the kiln.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a target device for laser and particularly aims at providing a target device for laser provided with a plurality of fiber members, using at least one face as a diffusing surface and thereby capable of improving visibility at a light place. In the present invention, a diffusing member transmits and diffuses visible light, a transmitting plate transmits the visible light, and an optical member is formed on at least one face side of the transmitting plate, the optical member comprising a plurality of fiber members which are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are approximately parallel to each other. Consequently, the passing position of light can be represented on a diffusing plate, and the light which has passed through the target device is influenced by diffusion and becomes no longer glaring, whereby the visibility can be improved even at a light place.

Abstract: A DEP device adapted for grey-scale printing comprising a back electrode (105), a printhead structure (106), an array of printing apertures (107) in the printhead structure (106) through which a particle flow can be electrically modulated by a control electrode (106a), a toner delivery means (101), at least one control means (111) for applying an electric field to the control electrodes, wherein:(i) the control means controls each single control electrode to enable the printing through each single printing aperture (107) of pixel dots (PD), each of the pixel dots intended to have a density D, and(ii) the control means controls the printing of the pixel dots through the each single printing aperture as a function of both the intended density (D.sub.intend) and the density (D.sub.prev) previously produced through the single printing aperture, i.e. the control means use "previous correction".

Abstract: A composition of matter containing zinc gluconate gel as an irritant-inactivating agent, and a substance which substantially prevents the irritant-inactivating agent from binding to the surface, wherein the irritant-inactivating agent in the composition is present in an amount effective to inactivate irritants in fluids which contact the composition, is described. Surgical instruments and physical barriers with the aforementioned composition applied thereto are also described. A method of inactivating irritants in a fluid contacting skin comprising applying the aforementioned composition to the skin is also disclosed. A method of inactivating irritants in a fluid contacting skin covered with a physical barrier comprising applying the aforementioned composition to the skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: Cardiac ventricular assist apparatus adapted to be placed by insertion through an incision in the wall of the upper abdomen below the rib cage and an incision in the inferior aspect of the pericardium proximate the heart apex comprises a distensible flexible bladder adapted to be passed through the incision in the pericardium to a position between the pericardial sac and the epicardium. The bladder is of a size such and shape such as to be engageable with a substantial portion of the outer surface of the left ventricle of a heart and is attached to a tube through which a gas can be introduced into it to compress the left ventricle and withdrawn from it to allow the ventricle to fill. A non-dietensible tube joined to the distal edge of the bladder is connected to a source of a fluid by which it can be inflated after insertion of the bladder to deploy the distal edge of the bladder from a collapsed condition in which it is emplaced within the pericardium to an extended condition partly encircling the heart.

Abstract: A chemical sensor for measuring a change in the sensor mass relating to the interaction of a surface of the sensor with a solution comprises a crystal detector oscillator capable of providing a measurement signal based upon the resonant frequency of the crystal detector oscillator. The crystal detector oscillator has a first crystal side for directly contacting the solution, and a second crystal side isolated from contacting the solution. A first electrode is integral to the first crystal side, with the first electrode having an inner and outer perimeter defining an outer portion of the first crystal side which is exterior to the outer perimeter of the first electrode and an inner portion of the first crystal side which is interior to the inner perimeter of the first electrode. A second electrode is integral to the second crystal side.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a process for preparing composite particles. More specifically, this invention relates to a process for preparing polymer-coated composite particle dispersions wherein excess polymer is removed by a controlled washing step. This invention further relates to a process for preparing composite particles wherein the particles have an inner core particle coated with at least one polymer coating and at least one shell particle coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions comprising (i) less than or equal to two percent by weight chlorhexidine or chlorhexidine salt; (ii) less than or equal to 0.1 percent by weight of a quaternary ammonium compound such as benzalkonium chloride; and (iii) less than or equal to two percent by weight of parachlorometaxylenol. The antimicrobial compositions of the invention may be utilized in antimicrobial detergents, soaps, creams, rinses, and emulsions for use in the medical community as well as general public use.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method of performing financial transactions which include a financial card that stores pre-selected transaction instructions corresponding to one or more financial transactions, such as cash withdrawal, or bill payment, or the like. These cards are used with one or more terminals which read the instructions on the card, interpret those instructions and execute the interpreted instructions to conduct one or more of said financial transactions. Preferably, the terminal--after determining from the instructions on the card what functions, i.e., financial transactions, are available to the card user--displays those options. The user then selects one of the financial transactions; the terminal based on the selection and the instructions corresponding to the selected function, executes the transaction.

Abstract: A cooler (1) for cooling particulate material from a kiln, wherein the material upon entry into the cooler (1) is distributed to a material bed on a stationary supporting surface (11) in the form of a tray, while cooling gas, such as atmospheric air, is blown up through the material bed from injectors in the tray in a uniform and evenly distributed manner. The material is conveyed forward across the supporting surface (1) and through the cooler (1) by means of a separate mechanical conveying device (17). It is thus possible to split the three functions of such a cooler, viz. to support the material, to distribute the cooling gas across the supporting surface and to convey the material forward across the supporting surface, into functions which are independent of one another, so that each function can be optimized.

Abstract: A bath toy storage unit has a storage chamber that stores bath toys for tidy clean-up after a bath. The storage chamber is accessible by removing a lid or by removing an exterior cover, and includes a perforated surface to hold the toys and to allow water to drain into a collection chamber underneath the surface. A removal tray may be provided for ease of dispensing of collected water. The exterior of the bath toy storage unit may be shaped in the form of an animal to provide incentive for children to place their toys in the unit.

Abstract: The anchoring of the carcass reinforcing elements 1 is assured by circumferential cables 2, with the interposition of a connecting rubber composition 3. The circumferential cable 2 is arranged in several turns forming one or more helices. These circumferential cables have an operational elongation rate A.sub.f =A.sub.e +A.sub.p of more than 4%. This operational elongation rate does not include the specific elongation A.sub.s of the "cable" effect. The maximum stress R.sub.m of the cable 2 is preferably more than 2000 MPa. The cables have undergone a heat treatment which has, in combination, the features of being a recovery annealing treatment and which is carried out directly on cable comprising wires previously separately covered by an adherent coating.

Abstract: In one embodiment described in the specification, a surgically implantable reciprocating pump employs a check valve as the piston, which is driven by a permanent magnet linear electric motor to assist either side of the natural heart. The pump is implanted in the aorta or pulmonary artery using vascular attachment cuffs such as flexible cuffs for suturing at each end with the pump output directly in line with the artery. The pump is powered by surgically implanted rechargeable batteries. In another embodiment, pairs of pumps are provided to replace or assist the natural heart or to provide temporary blood flow throughout the body, for example, during operations to correct problems with the natural heart.

Abstract: An aramid monofilament having high mechanical properties is provided. This monofilament has a slightly structured skin and resists fibrillation and abrasion. In addition, a process for the production of this monofilament is also provided. The process includes the following steps: (i) a solution of aromatic polyamide(s) is extruded as a liquid jet in a spinneret through a capillary; (ii) the jet is drawn from the capillary in a non-coagulating layer of fluid and (iii) the drawn liquid vein is introduced into a coagulating medium in order to form the monofilament, which is subsequently washed, dried and contacted with a solvent for said monofilament to produce the slightly structured skin. The aramid monofilament is characterized by the following relationships:1.7.ltoreq.Ti.ltoreq.260;50.ltoreq.D.ltoreq.480;T.gtoreq.180-D/3;Mi.gtoreq.1600;Ar>2.00; andEr>20.0 D/30.In the above relationship, Ti represents linear density in tex, D represents diameter in .mu.

Abstract: In a commercial transaction system, a system user uses a card device to interact with sales or transaction terminals to conduct cashless transactions. Each terminal processes data including a balance stored on the card device and updates the stored data at the end of the transaction. The system is specially designed for purchases of items or transactions of relatively small monetary value, where purchases are generally unattended by salespersons. In this manner, the amount of the transaction is deducted from the balance on the card device. When the existing balance associated with the card does not cover the price of the transaction, the system provides an automatic renewal feature which automatically increases the balance of the card device by a predetermined amount. Such a feature allows the purchase to be made without inconveniencing the card user to increase the balance.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a tire which consists of producing a toral carcass reinforcement blank (1) by the helical winding of a cord or cable around a non-deformable, annular building core N, followed by at least one circumferential cut on the radially inner surface of the core N and a cut on the radially outer surface, the two halves of the blank being then separated axially to permit the removal of the core and subsequently brought together and connected for the finishing of the blank of the tire.

Abstract: The present invention allows image recording with plural light beams while eliminating alignment changes of light spots on the inner face of a drum. A light beam output unit 212 combines two circularly polarized light beams having opposite handedness to each other to produce a composite light beam CB. A polarization beam splitter 203 and mirrors 205 and 207 change the course of the light beam towards the inner face of a drum 120. A quarter-wave plate 202 and the polarization beam splitter 203 splits the composite light beam to two separate light beams as a function of the handedness of the circularly polarized light. The optical elements 202, 203, 205, and 207 are integrally rotated around the axis of the drum 120 by a main scanning motor 230, thus scanning a photosensitive material 110 held on the inner face of the drum 120 with the light beams.

Abstract: In the simplified ink jet head described in the specification, a tubular member made of air-permeable, ink-permeable material which is closed at one end and connected at the other end to a source of subatmospheric pressure is inserted into an ink passage in the ink jet head to extract dissolved air through the material of the tubular member from a surrounding body of ink in the ink passage.