Abstract: A system for minimizing the effects of shock and vibration in a high speed vessel with an inner hull and an outer hull. It is a system of dampers, springs and stabilizer linkages in a high speed vessel that control the relative motion of an inner hull to an outer hull, thereby minimizing the effects of shock and vibration in the inner hull. Leaf spring assemblies may be used or as a substitute, torsion rod assemblies may be used, both in combination with dampers such as shock absorbers.

Abstract: A lightweight flexible electrical heating device for melting snow and ice that may be cut in the field to custom length. The device includes a planar flexible electric heater sandwiched between two vulcanized polymer protective sheets. The heater include an array of resistive heating elements electrically connected in parallel and oriented substantially across the device length, allowing the heater to be cut to any length as needed. Potentially the outside surfaces is equipped with a ribbed non skid pattern that form an array of ribs and channels to increase traction and aid in water drainage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to recording materials characterized in that the recording materials comprise at least one of diphenyl sulfone derivatives represented by the following general formula (I); ##STR1## wherein Y represents a linear or branched (un)-saturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 hydrocarbon group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbon group having an ether linkage, or a group represented by a general formula; ##STR2## wherein R represents methylene or ethylene; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 represent each independently lower alkyl or lower alkenyl; m represents 0 or an integer of 1 or 2,; and n, p, q and r represent each independently 0 or an integer of 1 to 4, provided when n, p, q and r are each 2 or above, the substituents represented by R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be each different from one another.

Abstract: A blade has a proximal end and a distal end and a central axis of elongation. The proximal end is generally rectangular cubic with a flat profile having top and bottom surfaces and short sidewalls, with each sidewall made up of two edges meeting to define an angle of approximately 100.degree. to 140.degree.. The apex of this angle is unsharpened and these sidewalls comprise guide means for guiding movements of the blade through an opening created by the cutting surfaces located on the distal end thereof. The distal end of the blade includes a cutting surface made up of a sharp pointed tip with the cutting edges proximal of the tip defining an angle of 75.degree. to 85.degree.. Two angled surfaces extend laterally and proximally to either side of the tip, each making an angle of 22.degree. to 27.degree. with the bottom surface of the blade. The tip is located between the planes defined by the top and bottom surfaces of the blade. The inventive blade is made from diamond.

Abstract: A process for preparing .alpha.-hydroxy acids represented by the general formula (II): RCH(OH)COOH (wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted C2-C6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkoxy group, an optionally substituted aryl group, an optionally substituted aryloxy group, or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group) by allowing a microorganism to act on .alpha.-hydroxy nitriles (I): RCH(OH)CN (wherein R is as defined above) to hydrolyze and convert the .alpha.-hydroxy nitrites to .alpha.-hydroxy acids (II), wherein the .alpha.-hydroxy acids (II) are produced and accumulated in an aqueous solvent by a microorganism having the concentration resistance to the .alpha.-hydroxy nitrites (I) and/or .alpha.-hydroxy acids (II) and durability preferably in the presence of a cyanide, and harvested. According to this process, the use of the microorganism having the concentration resistance to the .alpha.-hydroxy nitriles (I) and/or .

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing documents which automatically identifies, separates and processes different document types from a single business entity or multiple business entities is disclosed.

Abstract: A wound dressing composition and a method of using that composition to enhance the natural process of topical wound healing. The composition comprises at least one adhesive ingredient that adheres to wet skin selected from the hydrocolloid family such as a pectin, an adhesive that adheres to dry skin selected from the families of synthetic and natural elastomers such as polyisobutylene, a hydrophilic compound such as carboxymethylcellulose and a water substitute compound to protect a wound site during dehydration or desiccation, wherein the water substitute compound is trehalose.

Abstract: An anchor davit comprising an elongated U-shaped frame for receiving a main shank of an anchor; a roller at the outboard end of the frame for guiding the anchor line as it is lowered or raised; means at the outboard end of the U-shaped frame for providing chafe protection of an anchor line when the anchor is deployed and for providing captivity of the anchor when the anchor is being raised and secured; and means at a rear portion of the flat bottom portion juxtaposed the rear of the U-shaped frame for securing the U-shaped frame to a bow, a deck, a gunnel or another structural member of a boat. The means at the outboard end of the U-shaped frame for providing chafe protection of the anchor line and for providing captivity of the anchor comprises a smooth round rod.

Abstract: A low air loss therapeutic air support system which simultaneously prevents the development of pressure sores and skin maceration due to the build up of heat and moisture at points of interface between the device and the patient and has an active feedback system which provides for real time adjustments to the inflation pressure of the support surface in response to an increase in the compressive pressure on a part of the support surface from shifting of the patient's position or other causes which can be used interchangeably with a sleeping surface and a wheelchair seating system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oxazole derivatives represented by the formula ?I!; ##STR1## wherein A represents a nitrogen atom or a R.sub.3 -substituted carbon atom; B represents a nitrogen atom, or an unsubstituted or X-substituted carbon atom; Z represents an oxygen atom, sulfinyl or sulfonyl; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent each independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl or the like; R.sub.3 represents hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, halogen, nitro, formyl or acyl; X represents hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkynyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl or the like; Y represents hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkynyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl or the like; m represents an integar of 1 or 2, and n represents an integar of 1, 2, 3 or 4, and the salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of engraving objects which circumvents the necessity of mechanically scrubbing the engraved surface to remove fillers. Specifically, in the method of the present invention, the fillers are applied directly to the resist stencil instead of being applied to the object to be engraved. Removal of the resist stencil simultaneously removes the filler from the engraved object.

Abstract: A productive, efficient and environmentally friendly Steam Powered Head Device for integral use with an engine which operates at high RPM. The inventive device includes a head block with integral cylindrical rotating valve through a longitudinal cylindrical aperture in the head block. A high temperature seal bearing is circumferentially pressed fit around the cylindrical rotating valve at each end of the aperture within said head block. The head block and cylindrical rotating valve include intake steam ports and larger exhaust steam ports to allow rapid discharge of steam which are aligned and sequentially arranged through the axis of the cam shaft according to the degrees recommended by the manufacturer of the high RPM engine to which the inventive device is adapted. One intake steam port and one exhaust steam port is typically aligned to each cylinder chamber of the high RPM engine to which the inventive device is adapted.

Abstract: A holding device for collecting adjacent an outlet spout the residual contents from a container for eventual complete consumption of said residual contents, comprising a hollow rigid base portion; a flexible conical-shaped hollow upper portion; and the smaller first end aperture at the apex of the flexible conical-shaped upper portion being inserted into the upper end aperture of the rigid base portion and concentrically engaged with the upper edge of the base portion. The device further includes a plurality of concavities at a predetermined radially spaced apart relationship along a bottom edge of the base portion. The upper portion is made from a foam rubber material and the rigid base portion is made from a plastic, a ceramic, a metal, a nylon, or a durable hard-rubber material.

Abstract: A fiber dispensing system for storing and delivering fibrous material includes a housing for receiving and storing the fibrous material. The housing has an activatable dispensing mechanism for selectively dispensing the fibrous material from the housing. A control mechanism is electrically connected to the dispensing mechanism for receiving an activation signal to activate the dispensing mechanism. A load mechanism associated with the housing and electrically connected to the control mechanism measures the weight amount of any fibrous material within the housing and transmits a weight amount data signal to the control mechanism. The control mechanism further activates a solenoid valve which in turn activates a water nozzle spray assembly for wetting of fibrous material prior to discharge into a receptacle.

Abstract: This invention concerns a benzoic acid represented by the formula ?I! ##STR1## or a benzoic acid derivative and a method for the production of a compound represented by the formula ?I!.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a compound of formula ?I!: ##STR1## or a salt thereof in which R.sub.1 is a a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, R.sup.2 is a halogen atom, a C.sub.1-6 alkylthio group, a C.sub.1-6 alkylsulfinyl group or a C.sub.1-6 alkylsulfonyl group, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently hydrogen, a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group or a C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl group, and R is hydrogen or a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group. The present invention is further directed to a compound of formula ?1! or a salt thereof, as described above and in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are methyl, R.sup.2 is chlorine or methylsulfonyl, R.sup.4 is hydrogen, and R is methyl or ethyl. In addition, the present invention is directed to a herbicidal composition, characterized in that it contains as active agent one or more compounds of formula ?I! or salt thereof in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 are as described above.

Abstract: A combination filter and evaporator unit for use in small engine applications includes a filter member that is screw threadedly engaged to the evaporator unit to facilitate replacement of filter media as needed. The design of the unit constrains incoming oil to flow first through the filter media and then to an evaporation chamber. A central hub and a bottom wall of the evaporation chamber are directly heated by a heating element, and the evaporation chamber is closed by an imperforate lid so that heat loss is inhibited.