Abstract: A container for collecting and processing fluid specimens for analysis includes an elongated tubular member defining an opening. A collection plate is removably secured in sealing engagement around the periphery of the opening. The container is adapted for insertion into a centrifuge cup for centrifugation and deposition of sediment upon the collection plate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously driving a current in a toroidal plasma through r-f induced, asymmetric trapping or detrapping. The method and apparatus may be used to supply ohmic current over a prolonged or indefinite time period and thus provide for steady state operation of toroidal plasma apparatus such as tokamaks.

Abstract: Nonvolatile, integrated metal-oxide semiconductor random access memory systems utilizing integrated floating gate circuit elements, and integrated means for the generation and control of high voltages in the provision of self-contained, nonvolatile electrically-alterable static RAM circuit systems.

Abstract: Peptides have been synthesized which influence the secretion of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland of mammalians, including humans. Some of the peptides promote the release of gonadotropins, while other peptides inhibit the release.

Abstract: A portable self-calibrating pH meter particularly adapted for use by unskilled operators in adverse environment conditions is disclosed which has a minimum of operator controls while preventing operator errors and while providing effective and accurate pH measurement.

Abstract: The invention concerns an article of footwear comprising a footwear upper attached to a footwear base, said footwear base comprising a sole part and a heel part, said heel part having an upper surface on which the weight of a person's foot will press and a lower surface adapted to contact the ground, the area of the lower surface being greater than the area of the upper surface, said lower surface extending outside vertical planes passing through the upper surface at the periphery of the upper surface on both sides of the heel part and behind the heel part, and a peripheral ridge extending upwardly from the surface on which the weight of a person's foot will press, said peripheral ridge flaring outwardly on both sides of the heel part and behind the heel part. The flaring occurs from the top of the ridge to the lower surface of the heel part. The upper inner surface of the heel part is attached to the footwear upper. The article of footwear may be a shoe, especially a running shoe.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for riveting two elements together utilizing upper and lower plate fastener portions wherein means are provided for securing the lower plate fastener portions in an aligned relationship with an underlying anvil base. Also provided are means for securing the upper plate portions aligned with the lower plate portions and the two elements therebetween while the rivets are driven.

Abstract: A system for significantly reducing the dissolved oxygen content of a liquid. Liquid is pumped from a supply source to a deoxygenation chamber through a line containing a sparger for injecting a gas, such as nitrogen, as bubbles having an average size of not greater than about 5 mm. The sparger is spaced a predetermined distance upstream of the chamber to achieve contact at the bubble interface for a desired length of time. The pressure of the liquid is lowered when it reaches the chamber, releasing the nitrogen bubbles which are vented to the atmosphere along with the oxygen stripped from the liquid. The dissolved oxygen content of said liquid can be monitored at a location upstream of the sparger, and adjustments made to the amount of nitrogen being injected based upon the D. O. level monitored.

Abstract: A high protein, whole wheat grain expanded food product is prepared by the process of the present invention. Ground whole wheat is mixed with moisture and an edible acid to provide a dough. The dough is then extruded through a die under particular conditions to provide a high protein, expanded wheat product.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting tubular conduits and the like in end-to-end relation, the connected ends of the conduits having identical external threads formed thereon. The coupling includes inner and outer coupling elements, the inner of which is longitudinally moveable within an internal bore in the outer and both of which have threaded internal bores which enable both elements to be threaded onto either of the conduit ends to a position enabling alignment of the conduits by relative lateral movement therebetween after which the outer coupling element may be threaded onto the other of the conduits so as to draw the adjacent ends of the conduits into aligned abutting relation. In an alternative embodiment, the inner coupling element may be moved longitudinally onto the threaded end of the conduit without requiring threading thereon, after which the inner coupling element may be removed by unthreading.

Abstract: A play feature for a pinball machine is described comprising a plurality of drop targets that are preferably located in-line along a confined lane of a pinball playfield, each of the drop targets extending through an opening in the playfield and being movable between an up and a down position. The play feature further comprises means for releasably maintaining each of the drop targets in the up position until struck by a ball propelled up the lane, resetting means for simultaneously raising the drop targets from the down position to the up position, and driving means for driving the resetting means in response to an electric signal being applied thereto.

Abstract: A coin acceptor apparatus has circuitry for energizing a first coil so as to induce a signal in a second coil while a coin to be tested is passed between the coils. Circuitry is further provided for cancelling the signal induced in the second coil when a genuine coin passes between the coils, so that the resultant signal is reduced below a predetermined level. Also, the apparatus accepts the coin when the resultant signal is below the predetermined level, and rejects it when the signal is above the predetermined level.

Abstract: An electrical connector of the extension type having multiple plug-in receptacles opening onto opposed surfaces of a connector body, a pair of cover plates being mounted on the connector body for selective movement to expose one, two or three of the receptacles for insertion of electrical plugs or to simultaneously shield all of the receptacles. The cover plates may also be employed to insure proper polarization when a polarized plug is used with the connector.

Abstract: Hydrogen iodide is efficiently decomposed to hydrogen and iodine by treatment in the liquid phase with a platinum group metal catalyst. At temperatures between about 0.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C. and pressures sufficiently high to maintain the liquid phase, at least about 50 percent of the hydrogen iodide present can be decomposed at a reasonable rate of reaction. The hydrogen which is created is easily separated as a gas. Exemplary catalysts include platinum particles and supported catalysts, such as ruthenium on a titania substrate and platinum on a barium sulfate substrate.

Abstract: A Bileaflet Heart Valve where two leaflets open and close a cylindrical passageway through an annular body. An improved pivot for the leaflets uses a pair of generally triangular depressions in opposed supports that extend above the body. Each depression includes a curved edge bridging two straight edges that converge to a curved vertex. Elongated guides extend from opposite ends of each leaflet and define the pivotal axis. Each guide pivots on its rounded end in the region of the curved vertex as the leaflets open and close the passageway.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically folding the end closure of a carton of rectangular cross section which includes a cover panel hinged to a rear sidewall of the carton and a pair of flanking gusset panels which are each respectively hinged to one edge of the cover panel and to an adjacent sidewall. The carton is continuously moved along a conveyor path with one of the gusset panels leading and the other trailing. A folding head moves along a parallel conveyor path and translates to a location adjacent the carton. An abutment adjacent the conveyor path contacts the leading gusset panel and folds it inward along a line at about a 45.degree. angle to its hinged edges. An arm mounted on the folding head is caused to swing relative to the conveyor to fold the trailing gusset panel inward along a line at about a 45.degree. angle to its hinged edges.

Abstract: A single die-cut and scored sheet defines a plurality of cells of equal dimensions. The sheet is easily and quickly erected into a partition which, when inserted into an RSC, divides the box into precisely located cells that are adapted for automatic loading. Partitions for packaging 6 items and 3 items are shown.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for slicing raw, whole potatoes into sticks or strips; sorting the sticks with photoelectric scanners, separating out sticks having black or discolored spots thereon, snipping the ends of the separated sticks and sorting the separated sticks after snipping.

Abstract: A nuclear method and apparatus determines the temperature of a medium by injecting fast neutrons into the medium and detecting returning slow neutrons in three first energy ranges by producing three respective detection signals. The detection signals are combined to produce three derived indicia each systematically related to the population of slow neutrons returning from the medium in a respective one of three second energy ranges, specifically exclusively epithermal neutrons, exclusively substantially all thermal neutrons and exclusively a portion of the thermal neutron spectrum. The derived indicia are compared with calibration indicia similarly systematically related to the population of slow neutrons in the same three second energy ranges returning from similarly irradiated calibration media for which the relationships temperature, neutron absorption cross section and neutron moderating power to such calibration indicia are known.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides which possess biological activity in respect to the inhibition of growth hormone, insulin .[.secretion.]. and glucagon secretion .[.are provided.].. The peptides have fewer amino acid components than somatostatin and some of the peptides have dissociated activity. .Iadd.