Abstract: Method and apparatus for the detection of aerobic microbes on non-living surfaces in which electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than 350 nm is directed onto the surface to cause excitation of pyridine nucleotides present in microbial cells to emit radiation having a higher wavelength. That higher wavelength radiation and reflected radiation is then sensed as a measure of the amount of microbial cells on the surface.

Abstract: The viscometer (100) includes a difference amplifier (110) driven by a signal generator (111) which supplies a control signal to shaker (120), which is sufficiently powerful to impose such strains as may be demanded by a controlling reference voltage with a desired form. The shaker (120) drives a shaft (125), and an upper plate (130) is attached to a distal end of the shaft (125). A lower plate (140) is positioned adjacent, and substantially parallel to, upper plate (130), thereby creating a space that may be filled by fluid sample (150). The motion of the upper plate h(t) is measured by a sensor (180). Plate (140) is mounted on force measuring means (160) which keeps lower plate (140) substantially motionless relative to frame (165). Force measuring means (160) provides an output, or force, signal f(t) that is indicative of the force which fluid sample (150) exerts on plate (130 and 140) in response to the movement of upper plate (130).

Abstract: A support beam for a storage rack has a tubular profile, which defines a ledge opening upwardly and inwardly, and which defines a generally flat, indicia-receiving surface facing outwardly and either downwardly or upwardly at an angle from about 20.degree. to about 70.degree. relative to a vertical plane. Alternatively, the tubular profile may define two such surfaces defining an obtuse angle relative to each other, namely an upper surface at an angle from about 20.degree. to about 45.degree. relative thereto and a lower surface at an angle from about 45.degree. to about 70.degree. relative thereto, or a generally arcuate, indicia-receiving surface having a suitable measurement. The indicia-receiving surface enables a person who is standing, or who is sitting on a lift truck, to have a generally perpendicular line of sight to such surface. The support beam may also be used in combination with a properly positioned fire extinguishing device to extinguish a fire in a supported load.

Abstract: A machine for rolling an article, such as a rain gutter, from sheet metal dispensed from a coil comprises an elongate base having an input end, at which sheet metal dispensed from a coil is inputted into the machine, and an outlet end, at which an article rolled by the machine is outputted from the machine. An elongate track mounted on the machine and extending between those ends includes a pair of rails extending between those ends. A dispenser for mounting a coil of sheet metal and for dispensing sheet metal from the mounted coil into the machine at the input end is supported on the elongate track, via two dispenser-supporting rollers engaging each rail, so that the dispenser can be selectively positioned on the elongate track in a loading position, near the input end of the elongate base or in a dispensing position, near the output end of the elongate base. The dispenser can be releasably secured in the dispensing position.

Abstract: A faying plate having a clearance hole is fastened to a tapping plate having a tapping hole by a fastener having a shank with a tapered tip and with a self-tapping thread. The shank, which defines an axis, is adapted to tap a complementary thread around the tapping hole, via the self-tapping thread, when the fastener is driven rotatably. The fastener has a unitary head with a bearing portion having a peripheral edge and a having surface facing the shank, flaring outwardly toward the shank, and frusto-conical at a conical angle of about 5.degree. relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis. Eight torque-absorbing ribs project from the clamping surface, are spaced at regular intervals about the axis, and have ridges that lie on an imaginary, frusto-conical surface flaring outwardly toward the shank at a conical angle of about 1.degree. relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis and at a conical angle of about 4.degree. relative to the clamping surface. Each rib has a depth from not less than 0.

Abstract: An ultrasonic energy amplifier. The amplifier comprises a delivery horn having a solid proximal portion and a hollow distal portion. The hollow distal portion has substantially less cross-sectional area than the solid proximal portion. Ultrasonic energy is transmitted sequentially through the proximal and distal portions and its velocity is amplified because of the lower cross-sectional area of the distal portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of separating substances bound to a first protein in a first liquid by means of a membrane separating the first liquid from a second liquid, the process comprising the steps of: a) impregnating the membrane by passing along the membrane a solution comprising a first acceptor protein having an acceptor function for the substances to be separated; b) dialyzing the first liquid against the second liquid, the second liquid comprising a second acceptor protein having an acceptor function for the substances to be separated, wherein the membrane separating the first and second liquids contains tunnel-like structures that permit passage of the substances to be separated to the second liquid but exclude passage of the first protein and the second acceptor protein.

Abstract: A method for making hollow workpieces such as beverage containers with a circular die in which an aluminum alloy is strip cast whereby the alloy is solidified rapidly without substantial precipitation. Thereafter, the aluminum alloy is formed into a cup which is drawn and passed through one or more dies to iron the walls of the cup and thereby lengthen the side walls thereof using at least one circular die having a die angle of less than about 6 degrees and a chamfer angle of less than 35 degrees. It has been found that the use of such die angles prevents or minimizes galling and tearoffs.

Abstract: There is proposed a plastic closure which serves to close a container (3) with a mouth region (5). The closure (1) has a lid (7) allocated to the container mouth (5) and an annular side wall (9) connected with this. On the inner surface (15) of the side wall (9) there are provided fastening means (16) which coact with corresponding fastening means (14) on the outer surface (11) of the container (3) and are constructed, for example, as screw threads. The closure has, finally, also a sealing means. It is distinguished in that the sealing means (11) has a circumferential pivotable sealing lip (9) projecting from a support (15), which lip coacts with a side wall (25) surrounding the container mouth (21) of the container (19), which in the closing of the container is swung out of a rest position into a sealing position and which in its sealing position is clamped between support and side wall of the container so that it is subjected to a compression.

Abstract: In a drywall corner-trimming assembly providing a "bullnose" configuration, two corner-trimming members and a splice are combined. Each member has a central portion and two flanged portions. The central portion has a generally arcuate profile. Each of the flanged portions extends from one of the lateral edges of the central portion at a step defining a lateral limit of a concave surface of the central portion. The members and the splice are assembled so that the splice straddles such members, so that a portion of one of the expansive surfaces of the splice faces the concave surface of the central portion of each of such members, so that the splice is concealed at least substantially by the central portions of such members are viewed, and so that each of the lateral edges of the elongate splice is pressed firmly against the step at one of the lateral edges of the central portion of each of said members. The splice is secured adhesively to the members, as by adhesive ribbons.

Abstract: A power factor improving circuit capable of obtaining a high power factor for a power supply circuit and at the same time of achieving a smaller size and lower cost of the power supply apparatus by a simple construction. To accomplish this object, a choke coil L1 is connected between the higher potential side output terminal of a rectifier 1 and the primary winding N1 of a transformer T of a converter circuit 2, and one end of a smoothing capacitor C1 is connected to a connecting point between the choke coil L1 and the primary winding N1 of the transformer T. The other end of the smoothing capacitor C1 is connected to the cathode of a first diode D1, to the anode of a second diode D2 and to the anode of a third diode D3.

Abstract: A fitment and closure assembly useful with a gable-topped carton having a gable-forming panel with a pouring hole, through which contents are pourable from the carton, is molded from low density polyethylene. A fitment having a tubular spout formed with an external thread and an annular flange extending outwardly from the tubular spout, below the external thread, is attachable to the gable-forming panel so that the annular flange is attached to the gable-forming panel, around the pouring hole, and so that the tubular spout extends upwardly from the pouring hole. A closure having an upper wall, a tubular skirt with an internal thread and an upper shoulder, and a plug seal forming an annular recess between the plug seal and the upper shoulder is threadable onto the fitment so that the external and internal threads are interengaged and so that the upper end of the tubular spout enters the annular recess with an interference fit.

Abstract: A fascia member and a soffit member are useful for trimming a building structure. The fascia member has a generally vertical panel and a generally horizontal flange projecting from the generally vertical panel at a lower corner. The generally horizontal flange has a locking lip extending along a distal edge. The soffit member has an edge portion having a plurality of spaced locking lips adapted to be engaged with the locking lip extending therealong. A channel member extending along the generally horizontal flange is employed for confining the edge portion of the soffit member within the channel member, when the locking lips of the edge portion of the soffit member are engaged with the locking lip extending therealong, so as to interlock fascia member and the soffit member. The fasca member and the channel member may be a single piece or two separate pieces. In either instance, the channel member has an upper wall, an inner, vertical wall, and an upper wall.

Abstract: A staged, sequentially separated injection molding apparatus for forming a molded container closure includes a mold base portion, a plurality of concentric, separable telescopic mold elements, and an opening therein defined by one of the base portion and the mold elements for injecting a mold material into the apparatus. The elements are configured such that they can be separated or removed from the mold, from the inner most element outward, to provide sufficient free space for the newly molded part to flex inward as the mold elements are removed. The inward flexing of the part, permits ready removal of the next outwardly most mold element, while minimizing the possibility of damage to the molded part. Each of the mold elements includes a mold face, which in conjunction with the base portion, in part defines a mold cavity. The inner and outer mold elements and the intermediate mold element include flange portions opposite of their respective mold faces.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method can be used to pre-process an output signal from an ambient condition sensor. The preprocessing removes noise pulses which are not correlated with an ambient condition being sensed. Preprocessing can be carried out by comparing the present output value to a prior output value and selecting a minimum value there between. The apparatus and method can incorporate storage for two prior values and the present output value can be compared to two prior values and a minimum or a maximum of the three values selected. Additional processing can be carried out by comparing the present output value to a nominal expected clear air output value. If the present value exceeds the nominal expected output value, a minimum is selected among the present output value and one or more prior values. If the present output value is less than the nominally expected value, a maximum is selected from among the present output value and one or more prior output values.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for filling the vacated eyesocket of a deceased person after an eyeball has been donated. A plurality of different sized implant members are positioned within each other, and the larger implant members can be opened to access the smaller implant members. Protrusions are formed on each implant member for engaging the inner surface of the deceased person's eyelids when the implant is positioned within the eyesocket. The different sized implants are also adapted for implantation within the deceased's eyeball when only the cornea and fluid sac have been removed during an in situ excision.

Abstract: A first panel is hinged to a second panel by first, second, and third straps, which are flexible. Each strap is secured to the first panel, near a first end of such strap, and to the second panel, near a second end of such strap. Each strap passes through a slot of the first panel, partly around an edge portion of the first panel, partly around an edge portion of the second panel, and through a slot in the second panel. The first and second straps pass in generally opposite directions between the edge portions of the first and second panels so as to appear to cross each other when viewed along the edge portions thereof. The second and third straps pass in generally opposite directions between the edge portions of the first and second panels so as to appear to cross each other when viewed along the edge portions thereof.

Abstract: A method for reversing tolerance to opiates by implantation of adrenal medullary cells into the CNS is provided.

Abstract: A hand held hearing screening device includes a housing with a spacing element extending therefrom. Word generating circuitry is carried within the housing. A control switch on the housing cycles the generating circuitry to produce one or more output word or phrase sequences.