Abstract: An elongate, flexible sensor for sensing an electrically conductive liquid, such as water, has two flexible electrodes extending along the sensor and two flexible sleeves extending therealong and being attached adhesively to each other along the sensor. Each electrode is a ribbon made from a carbon-filled, silicone rubber material. Each sleeve extends around an associated one of the electrodes and is braided from a filamentary, polyester material so as to define multiple apertures enabling such a liquid reaching the sensor to pass through the sleeves so as to cause a short circuit between the electrodes.

Abstract: A tub grab bar adapted to be removably mounted to a bath tub includes a main body portion having at least one grasping region oriented generally perpendicular to the tub wall. The bar has first and second clamping members adjustably positionable relative to one another in a direction generally parallel to the at least one grasping region. The clamping members are adapted to secure the grab bar to the bath tub wall. The bar farther includes first and second tub gripping elements. The gripping elements are mounted to a respective one of the clamping members. At least one of the gripping elements is multi-accurately, pivotally mounted to its respective clamping member to permit the gripping element to fully engage the bath tub wall when the clamping members are secured to the bath tub wall. The main body portion of the grab bar includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced apart stabilizing elements positioned with at least one of the clamping members therebetween.

Abstract: A reloadable film canister system provides light-tight and dust-free enclosure for 105 mm microfilm and the like. A gear-toothed reel inside the canister meshes with a gear assembly of the canister and linearly drives a detectable element adjacent a sensing element located in a host machine.

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: The firefighter's garment of the invention comprises an inner liner attached to and located within an outer shell of abrasion resistant material. The inner liner consists of a layer of a thermally insulating material attached to a layer of moisture resistant material along a plurality of seams that extend around the periphery of the liner such that the area enclosed by the layers is completely enclosed. A plurality of releasable fasteners are positioned at desired locations in the garment, preferably in the seams, to allow the firefighter to visually inspect the area enclosed by the moisture resistant layer and the thermally insulating layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing aluminum alloy sheet including a continuous, in-line sequence of forming a strip of aluminum alloy and rolling the strip to reduce its thickness and to cool the strip sufficiently rapidly that precipitation of alloying elements is substantially minimized.

Abstract: A discharge valve system is provided for a finger-operable pump with an actuating plunger. In one embodiment, the plunger includes a piston disposed in a pump pressurizing chamber. In another embodiment, the plunger is slidably disposed on a fixed piston so that the plunger and piston together define a pressurizing chamber. In either embodiment, the chamber receives fluid from a container. The actuating plunger defines a discharge passage establishing communication between the ambient atmosphere and the chamber. The discharge valve system includes a valve seat defined by the plunger in the discharge passage.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor is provided that is useful in the selective hydrogenation of olefinic unsaturation in polymers or copolymers. The precursor comprises a palladium salt that is complexed with a complexing agent selected from the gronp consisting of organic phosphates, dialkylidene acetones, and tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxides. The catalyst precursor may be nsed in batch, step-wise addition, or continuous systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vertically scoring a tamper-indicating plastic closure includes a rotatably-driven carousel which includes mandrel assemblies at the periphery thereof. Each mandrel assembly includes a rotatable mandrel on which a respective closure is positioned in operative association, so that the mandrel and closure are moved relative to an associated scoring mechanism. The scoring mechanism includes at least one, and preferably a plurality, of rotatably driven scoring blades, with each blade arranged to engage and cut the pilfer band of a respective closure. Significantly, the system can be operated so as to closely approximate the preferred radial movement of the blade with respect to the closure, thus minimizing "digging" of the scoring blade into the plastic of the closure.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having H.sub.3 histamine receptor antagonist activity of the general formula: ##STR1## where X is H, A is --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --COCH.sub.2 --, --CONH--, --CON(CH.sub.3)--, --CH.dbd.CH--, --C.tbd.C--, --CH.sub.2 --NH--, --CH.sub.2 --NCH.sub.3 --, --CH(OH)CH.sub.2 --, --NH--CH.sub.2 --, --N(CH.sub.3) --CH.sub.2 --, --NHSO.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O--, --CH.sub.2 S--, CH.sub.2 SO.sub.2 --, or --CH.sub.2 S(O)--;R.sub.2 is a hydrogen or a methyl or ethyl group;R.sub.3 is a hydrogen or a methyl or ethyl group;n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; andR.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of (a) C.sub.3 to C.sub.8 cycloalkyl; (b) H; (c) phenyl or substituted phenyl; (d) alkyl; (e) heterocyclic; and (f) bicyclic alkyl; andwhenX is NH.sub.2, NHCH.sub.3, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2, OH, OCH.sub.3, NHR.sub.4, OR.sub.4, SH, SR.sub.4, or SO.sub.2 R.sub.4 ; A is --NHCO--, --N(CH.sub.3)--CO--, --NHCH.sub.2 --, --N(CH.sub.3)--CH.sub.2 --, --NHSO.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --CH.dbd.CHF--, --COCH.

Abstract: A disposable comedone extractor for use in dermatologic surgery fabricated of a synthetic resin reinforced with natural or synthetic fibers. It has been found that the use of a reinforced synthetic resin ensures that the extractor of the present invention is fully disposable, and thus far less expensive to manufacture and use, as compared to conventional extractors fabricated from metals. In addition, the use of a synthetic resin allows greater control of the flexibility of the extractor as compared to rigid metal extractors.

Abstract: Method of reducing scaling of heat transfer surfaces in an evaporation plant of a sulphate cellulose mill when sulphate cellulose is manufactured. In the method, ash to be fed into black liquor is mixed thereto after soap separation when the dry solids content of the black liquor is so low that sodium sulphate and other soluble salts contained in the ash dissolve in the black liquor completely.

Abstract: A building assembly comprises a wooden board, a metal framing member, and a fastener having an elongate shank, an enlarged head, and a generally pointed end and fastening the board to the framing member. The shank has a ringed portion with annular grooves defining annular rings having a uniform, outer diameter, helical grooves intersecting the annular grooves, a cylindrical land having a smaller diameter and dividing the ringed portion into an axially longer subportion nearer to the tip and an axially shorter subportion nearer the head, a cylindrical land between the tip and the ringed portion, and a cylindrical land between the head and the ringed portion. The fastener is driven through the board and through the framing member wall so that the head bears against the board, so that the tip and the shank form, from the wall of the framing member, a generally annular lip projecting toward the tip and so that the lip is disposed around the cylindrical land dividing the ringed portion.

Abstract: After a metallic insert has been used precisely to define a cavity for a microelectronic chip in a laminated, multi-sheet, predominantly ceramic substrate having metallic features, any green sheet and metal-polymer composite paste residues are removed from the metallic insert by immersing the metallic insert in an ultrasonically agitated bath containing a first solvent having a relatively high boiling point for about five to fifteen minutes, replacing the first solvent with a second solvent having a relatively low boiling point, and drying the metallic insert in hot air or hot nitrogen to remove the second solvent. Preferably, the first solvent is an alkoxy alcohol, such as 1-methoxy-2-propanol or 3-methoxy-1-butanol, or a hydroxy ester, such as ethyl lactate, and the second solvent is a lower alkyl alcohol, such as isopropanol. Alternatively, the first solvent may be a ketone or an alkyl ester.

Abstract: An abdominal lift for use in endoscopic surgery is described. The lift defines a substantial portion of a circle. It has a spoke portion and an upstanding member. Its surface may be mechanically compliant and may be coated with an adhesion prevention agent or a lubricous coating. The described method of use includes use of a starter lift followed by insertion of the abdominal lift. The abdominal lift is elevated to establish a pneumoperitoneum at or near ambient air pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl radical or a phenyl, benzyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, dibenzocycloalkyl, dibenzooxepine, dibenzoazepine, dibenzothiepine, benzopyrrolocycloalkyl, benzothienocycloalkyl or naphthyl radical, optionally substituted by one or a number of substituents chosen from halogen atoms and alkyl, aryl acyl, alkoxy and alkyl thio radicals.Z is C.dbd.O, SO.sub.2 or (CH.sub.2).sub.n in which n is between 1 and 5.R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl radical or a phenyl, benzyl, cycloalkyl, pyrrole, furan, pyridinyl or thiophenyl radical, optionally substituted by one or a number of substituents chosen from halogen atoms and alkyl, aryl, acyl, alkoxy and alkylthio radicals.R'.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl radical or a phenyl radical.R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl radical or a benzyl or phenethyl radical.R.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical ophthalmic composition comprising at least one compound of general formula I ##STR1## in which n may have the values 0 or 1,m may have the values 2 or 3,and Het represents a heteroaromatic radical of formula ##STR2## in which X, Y, Z and W, which may be the same or different, represent a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom linked to a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a methyl radical, an ethyl carboxylate radical, a carboxylic radical or a sulphonic radical, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, combined with an ophthalmically acceptable vehicle, in particular for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

Abstract: The invention relates to food ingredients obtained by fermentation of raw materials of vegetable origin with Saccharomyces boulardii yeast, and to foods containing them.

Abstract: A wall mountable timer switch adapted to be installed in standard single and multiple-ganged electrical connector boxes includes an elongated housing having an electrical timer circuit wherein the elongated housing includes first and second unfinished edges. Each of the unfinished edges defines an elongated mating surface which extends along a length thereof. The elongated mating surfaces are configured to receive an associated end termination element having at least one corresponding elongated mating surface for mating with one of the said mating surfaces of the first and second unfinished edges.