Abstract: Highly filled composite materials, e.g. comprising approximately 60 volume % or greater of finely powdered particles of filler in a polymer matrix, are made by dissolving polymer in a volatilisable solvent, adding filler and forming a homogeneous mixture by high shear mixing. Most solvent is then removed while maintaining homogeneity in the mixture, preferably by evaporation in a high shear mill. Then, extruding a thin layer of the composite material and removing remaining solvent, as by heating. Bodies are formed from the dried layer, which are heated and pressed to melt and disperse melted polymer into the interstices between filler particles. Thereby, certain polymers unusable at low solids contents become effective bonding materials at high solids contents. Filler materials are chosen to tailor electrical and physical properties of the articles, which may comprise substrates for electronic circuits. Suitable polymers are certain polyarylene ethers soluble in cyclohexanone.

Abstract: Design improvements in constructing electrolytic cell receptacles for electrowinning and electrorefining of nonferrous metals are disclosed. Also disclosed are formulations for three-layered polymer composite materials and surface sealing coatings, which are used in monolithic formation of receptacles or containers of electrolytic cells.

Abstract: A threaded cable hanger attached to a stud includes a reverse (protuberant) dimple that provides a seat for the end of the stud, and permits the bar to make up to a full final turn to permit the bar to be in a desired orientation. A stud top containing the reverse dimple may be disposed across the path of the stud. The stud stop may slowly bend from a configuration extending toward the stud to a configuration extending away from the stud, during bending absorbing energy and resisting excessive torquing. A pair of overlapping arms may be provided, one of which is internally threaded to receive the stud and guide it toward the reverse dimple and stud stop. When a large external force attempts to pull the bar off the stud, or when torquing is extreme, the arms unfold and create a binding action on the stud.

Abstract: A formulation consisting of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and trisodium phosphate in aqueous solution is applied topically to treat an array of skin and tissue problems. The solution offers antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, and healing properties to skin scratches, cuts, sores, and fungus-infected nails. In addition, the solution dries as a thin film to the applied surfaces, continuously providing antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic activity beneath the protective film long after it has been applied.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising at least 60 volume %, preferably 70 volume %, of particles of finely powdered filler material in a matrix of poly(arylene ether) polymer material are made by forming a mixture of the components, forming the required bodies therefrom, and then heating and pressing the bodies to a temperature sufficient to melt the polymer and to a pressure sufficient to disperse the melted polymer into the interstices between the filler particles. Surprisingly these polymer materials can only be effective as bonding materials when the solids content is as high as that specified, since with lower contents the resultant bodies are too friable. This is completely contrary to accepted prior art practice which considers that composites are progressivly weakened as the solids content is increased, so that such content must be limited.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of quickly and easily grasping and releasing a graft. The apparatus includes a sleeve with an opening through the axis of the sleeve. Within the opening of the sleeve is a shaft with a jaw on one end, and a threaded end on the opposite end. The sleeve has a square tip end that is adjacent to the jaw of the shaft. Furthermore, the shaft near the jaw has a square cross-section so that the shaft is substantially prevented from rotating but allowed to move axially along the opening of the sleeve. A knob is also rotatably coupled to the opening of the sleeve on the opposite end of the tip end. The knob has a protruding end which has an outer thread on the surface of the protruding end and a center thread. The outer thread of the protruding end is adapted to rotatably couple to the opening on the sleeve, and the center thread of the protruding end is adapted to rotatably couple to the threaded end of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for producing a visual effect at a surface of apparel worn by a performer including: a latent image projector which projects light comprising polarizer-encoded latent visual information, such as a color and/or an image, enabling the visual effect, the light being projected along a light path onto the apparel and reflected therefrom toward a viewer along the light path; an analyzer positioned so as to impinge upon the light path and be intercepted by the projected light no sooner in the travel of the light along the light path than substantially at the surface of the apparel; and a polarization maintaining reflective material positioned substantially at the surface of the apparel, whereby the polarizer-encoded latent visual information is resolved by the analyzer no earlier than substantially at the surface of apparel worn by the performer, so that the visual effect is perceived by the viewer at the surface of the apparel but not on other surfaces which do not comprise polarization maintaining reflect

Abstract: An optical virtual touch pad system wherein reflective optics are used to superimpose a virtual image of a television screen display onto a touch-sensitive digitizing surface being operatively contacted by a user-controlled contact member. Alternatively, the system uses reflective optics to superimpose an uninverted virtual image of the digitizing surface and the contact member operating thereon onto the surface of the display. The system thereby, for example, can be used as a user interface to control interactive content on a home television.

Abstract: A tissue stabilizer includes a pneumatic rigidifying bladder which is flexible when at ambient pressure and rigid when at negative pressure or evacuated. Structure such as straps with hook-and-eye fasteners attaches the rigidifying bladder to tissue to be stabilized, such as a broken arm. When positioned on the tissue, the bladder is evacuated, thereby rigidifying the bladder and supporting the tissue. The tissue stabilizer may be configured for use in surgical procedures, such as performing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on a warm, beating heart. In a cardiac embodiment, the tissue stabilizer includes an attaching bladder with a plurality of openings. When suction is applied at a port of the attaching bladder, suction is applied at the openings, which is utilized to attach the stabilizer to the epicardium of the heart. Once in position on the heart, suction may be applied at a port of the rigidifying bladder. When rigid, the heart may be moved as desired to perform CABG procedures.

Abstract: A cleaning solution formulation consisting of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and trisodium phosphate in aqueous solution is presented. Methods of the present invention provide for cleaning a wide variety of surfaces and materials with the cleaning solution of the present invention. In addition, the cleaning solution of the present invention also provides for the elimination or reduction of malodors and prevents the growth of various micro-organisms by and through its action to form a thin encapsulating film.

Abstract: An exemplary reusable mist sprayer according to the present invention includes a container with an opening which has double walls that is vacuum sealed between the walls to provide insulation from the atmosphere. The exemplary sprayer also includes a plunger to pump atmospheric air into the container. The plunger respectively has a hole and hollow opening at the opposing ends, the hole provides a path for atmospheric air to enter the interior space of the plunger. Enclosing the opening of the container is a removable dispenser mechanism having a protruding end adapted to receive the hollow opening of the plunger, and a flange adapted to removably seal the opening of the container. A one-way valve is associated with the protruding end, which only opens to allow the air within the interior space of the plunger to enter the container as the plunger is being pressed relative to the protruding end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning are provided. The systems encompass a loading area for objects to be cleaned, a sub-system for cleaning each object, a reservoir for holding a cleaning solution formulation consisting of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and trisodium phosphate in aqueous solution, a sub-system for drying each object and an area for off-loading the objects after cleaning and drying. In some embodiments of the present invention the cleaning sub-system has scrubbing devices for scrubbing objects having surface texture or grooves. In some embodiments of the present invention no scrubbing devices are employed. Methods of the present invention also provide for cleaning surfaces that contact the objects being cleaned during the object's normal use.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising at least 60 volume %, preferably 70 volume %, of particles of finely powdered filler material in a matrix of poly(arylene ether) polymer material are made by forming a mixture of the components, forming the required bodies therefrom, and then heating and pressing the bodies to a temperature sufficient to melt the polymer and to a pressure sufficient to disperse the melted polymer into the interstices between the filler particles. Surprisingly these polymer materials can only be effective as bonding materials when the solids content is as high as that specified, since with lower contents the resultant bodies are too friable. This is completely contrary to accepted prior art practice which considers that composites are progressivly weakened as the solids content is increased, so that such content must be limited.

Abstract: A load bearing-metal panel and stucco substrate cooperates with adjacent panels to form load bearing studs that are interconnected by a metal lath stucco substrate to which stucco can be applied, each panel being generally in the form of a channel in which insulation can be placed, whereby a wall structure can be formed by adjacent placement and interconnection of panels.