Abstract: A sterilizable instrument cassette for use in storage and sterilization of medical and dental instruments includes two individual storage trays with base plates carrying silicone instrument-locating rails, and rotatable clamping members provided with silicone compression rails. The two trays may be separated or assembled and latched together, while the rotatable clamping member may be latched in its closed position. Multiple functions are performed by unitary structures simply and economically formed from single sheets of metal by stamping and bending.

Abstract: A process is provided for selectively converting methane and a hydrating agent to C.sub.3 to oxygenates. More particularly, methane is reacted with water in the presence of a nickel metal powder catalyst using microwave irradiation to produce acetone and propanol.

Abstract: A device for feeding documents, such as receipts (K) to a receiver from a printing apparatus which prints information on the documents. The device includes means (9-13) which prevents the documents from being fed out and made available to the receiver until all information has been printed on the document, means (2) for making a document, the feeding of which is prevented through an outlet opening (4), unavailable to the receiver, and means (9-12) for transportation of the document to a place where it does not prevent the feeding of further documents through the outlet opening.

Abstract: An object verification system generates an incremental verification key which can be carried on the object co-extensive with the region of the associated randomly varying characteristic. The incremental key can be formed by measuring values of the characteristic and comparing selected pairs of values. The algebraic sign of the comparison can be used as an indicium for creating a verification key distributable across the region of the object. Alternately, the magnitude of the difference between the selected pairs of values can be also be included in some or all of the indicia.

Abstract: An enclosure is provided for a switch having at least one extending terminal with a first configuration engageable with an adaptor terminal that converts the switch terminal to a second configuration for connection to an electrical lead. The enclosure includes at least one support block defining a switch cavity for receiving at least a portion of the switch and also defines an adaptor terminal cavity for receiving at least a portion of the adaptor terminal with access provided for connection of the electrical lead. Rivets or other fasteners are provided for holding at least the switch and support block together. The support block further includes support surfaces for engaging at least a portion of the adaptor terminal to resist at least some of the force applied to the adaptor terminal as the electrical lead is connected thereto.

Abstract: A method for regenerating the exhausted anion and cation exchange resin in a mixed bed demineralizer which utilizes an interface tank to increase the volume of interface resin that is physically isolated to increase separation efficiencies. An anticipatory interface detection sample flow of cation resin is directed from an intermediate section of the separation vessel through a sample line into the interface tank simultaneously with the transfer of cation resin from the bottom of the separation vessel into a cation regeneration vessel. Upon detection of an interface by the entry of anion resin, or inert material if present, into the sample line, the transfer of cation resin into the cation regeneration tank is terminated. The remaining cation resin from the separation vessel is transferred into the interface tank until an interface is detected by the entry of anion resin, or inert material if present, into the cation transfer line.

Abstract: Reduction-distribution unit for gearshift units, particularly for industrial machines, including a first hydrostatic motor and a second hydrostatic motor which are operatively associated for the transmission of the motion to the axles. The unit also comprises an epicyclic train which adds the power of the hydrostatic motors, the first motor being associated with the shaft of the sun gear and the second motor being associated with the shaft of the crown gear of the epicyclic train. A first brake and a second brake are respectively associated to the shaft of the sun gear and to the shaft of the crown gear.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for treating a porous web (especially fabric) to produce a novel silicone polymer internally coated web. In the process, a starting curable liquid silicone polymer is coated under pressure upon one surface of the web, and the web is then subjected to localized shear forces sufficient to move the silicone polymer composition into interior portions of the web and to distribute the silicone polymer composition generally uniformly therewithin in such planar region. Excess silicone polymer composition is wiped away from a web surface. Thereafter, the resulting web is heated or irradiated to cure the silicone polymer. Preferably a web is preliminarily impregnated with a fluorochemical. Webs produced by this process are breathable, waterproof or highly water repellent, and flexible.

Abstract: Trocar assembly devices that include trocar tubes of different diameters to accommodate small and large diameter implements for providing communication into an anatomical cavity and a unique method of utilizing such devices. The trocar assembly devices include an outer or larger diameter trocar tube and an inner or smaller diameter trocar tube. A distal end portion of the inner trocar tube is tapered and extends distally beyond a distal end portion of the outer trocar tube.

Abstract: A broadband transformer with one-to-one turns ratio provides common mode noise suppression in a transmission line. One winding of the transformer is connected in series with each of the two wires of the transmission line. The transmission line is connected between a multiplexer device, coupled in turn to a plurality of spaced-apart fire detectors, and an output fire alarm control panel. Common mode noise on the transmission line results in only a very small noise current appearing at the central fire alarm panel. As a result, a noise rejection for the system is increased.

Abstract: A noise attenuating assembly for reducing noise levels caused by an endless track assembly during operation of an off-highway implement such as a crawler tractor. The noise attenuating assembly comprises an annular elastomeric ring affixed about an idler wheel on the track assembly. The elastomeric ring is positioned such that pin and bushing assemblies of the track assembly directly and resiliently engage with the periphery of the ring thereby reducing noise as the track assembly rotates about the wheel. A ring retaining assembly which circumferentially extends in recessed relation about the outer periphery of the ring facilitates assemblage of the ring to the idler wheel.

Abstract: Molecules that catalyze the reaction of a cyclic conjugated diene having a fugitive leaving group in a five- or six-membered ring containing the conjugated double bonds and a dienophile that contains a reactive multiple bond to form a reaction product that contains a five- or six-membered ring and at least two endocyclic double bonds from a Diels-Alder [4+2] cycloaddition/fragmentation reaction that is followed by a reverse Diels-Alder reaction are disclosed. The catalyst molecules contain an antibody combining site that immunoreacts with an antigen whose structure (i) includes a [2.2.1] or [2.2.2] bicyclic ring system that is absent from the reaction product and (ii) contains at least one endocyclic double bond fewer than the number of endocyclic double bonds present in the reaction product. Methods of preparing and using the catalyst molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition which is cured upon exposure to ultraviolet light in the absence of solvent is disclosed. The liquid composition is prepared by combining a liquid maleate polyester and at least one of a vinyl compound and an allyl functional compound. A photoinitiator is then added to the polymerizable liquid composition. A substrate is impregnated with the polymerizable liquid composition and exposed to actinic energy of a sufficient dosage for a sufficient amount of time to polymerize the composition to a sufficient degree to impart useful properties to the substrate. The composition can be used as a binder for fiberglass insulation, in the manufacture of transparent or semi-transparent paper and to manufacture paper for use in photocopy machines.

Abstract: A method and bipolar membrane stack for the generation of acid and base solutions from a salt by electrodialysis. The unit cells of the stack comprise a novel arrangement of membranes which provide four liquid flow channels. One of the channels has circulating therein a multivalent acid solution which acts as a buffer and presents leakage of the salt anion through the bipolar membrane, thereby producing base solution of substantially reduced salt-anion contamination. The method can be operated on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating plastic closure includes a plastic closure cap having a top wall portion, and a depending cylindrical skirt portion, and an annular pilfer band depending from the skirt portion. The pilfer band includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced flexible tabs, and an annular interference bead, with the arrangement configured to provide two modes of tamper-indicating interaction with an associated container. In order to facilitate high-speed application of the closure to a container, each of the flexible tabs includes a relatively thick central portion, operative during the second mode of tamper-indication, and an adjacent base portion of relatively reduced thickness for enhanced flexibility.