Abstract: A modular drawer system provides a system of interchangeable components that are easy to assemble. The system requires few fasteners because most of the parts are slidably interconnected. Many parts perform dual functions. A removable lock tray and a tracking mechanism to provide easier steering of a rolling cart are provided. A lock bar assembly with few moving parts is easily assembled. In addition, an accessory track provides two types of attachment means for accessories, a more flexible, snap-on attachment and a more permanent, bolted attachment.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing apparatus which eliminates overheating of the fuser belt when narrow gauge print media is utilized is disclosed. In this apparatus, a detection means determines whether a sheet of narrow gauge recording medium is being fed into the printer. When it is, the fuser heater is deactivated turned to a present lower temperature or is turned off when the narrow gauge recording medium exits the fusing nip. A preferred apparatus additionally contains means which measures the temperature of the heater once it is deactivated at predetermined intervals and, for each measurement, determines the amount of time required to bring the heater back up to the optimum fusing temperature. The preferred embodiment also includes a means for determining the amount of time it will take for the next piece of print media to travel from its current position to the fuser nip.

Abstract: An in-ground receptacle for a fluid meter and/or a valve, comprising a continuous wall defining a chamber for the meter and/or valve. The wall is co-molded in three layers comprising inner and outer layers of plastic with an intermediate plastic layer having high insulative characteristics. The receptacle is provided at its upper end with an appropriate openable closure, substantially at ground level, and permitting inspection of and access to the meter and/or valve. The receptacle may have an annular interior rim near its upper end. The rim supports an insulative pad at the top of the receptacle beneath the openable closure therefor. The pad has a removable center portion enabling inspection and access to the fluid meter and/or valve. The construction of the receptacle is such as to prevent freezing of the fluid meter and/or valve.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for increasing the permeability of epithelial cells to a chloride ion in a subject comprising administering a permeability enhancing amount of a composition comprising a specifically-defined nontoxic, benzimidazole or benzimidazole derivative. The invention also relates to a method of treating cystic fibrosis comprising administering an epithelial cell chloride permeability enhancing amount of a composition comprising a specifically-defined nontoxic, benzimidazole or benzimidazole derivative. The benzimidazole compound having chloride channel activation activity for use in this invention includes a 2-[(pyridyl)-methylsulfinyl or -methylthio]benzimidazole derivatives and salts thereof, for instance. Specifically, these include the compounds omeprazole, lansoprazole, thimoprazole and pantoprazole.

Abstract: An air bag inflator providing a source of gas, releasable upon command, to inflate a supplemental inflation restraint (SIR) system commonly known as an automobile air bag. Provided is a pressure vessel containing one or more separate chambers for the purpose of storing gaseous fuel(s) and gaseous oxidizer(s) or liquid fuel(s) and liquid oxidizer(s) under pressure with helium as the primary filler gas. The primary function of the helium gas is to serve as a kinetic damper to modulate and control the reaction rate of the fuel(s) and oxidizer(s). Because of its low mass, high thermal conductivity and high heat capacity for its mass, helium is an excellent filler gas. In the case of the gaseous fuel(s) and oxidizer(s) a single chamber is provided. In the case of liquid fuel(s) and oxidizer(s), two or more separate housings are provided for storing the liquid fuel(s) and oxidizer(s).

Abstract: The invention provides an improved float and float system for use in the monitoring of fluid levels, particularly in small diameter wells by way of a cable and float system. The float system includes a number of centralizers which hold the float cable near the center of the well casing and thus reduce the friction of the cable on the casing walls. The addition of weights on the float cable, either or both below the float and between the float and the top of the well casing, can improve the accuracy and operation of the system even further. A truncated cone-shaped float is provided, with a number of fins displaced evenly around the circumference of the float.

Abstract: An improved laser cutting apparatus is provided that optimizes the amount of time required to perform all of the required cuts in a piece of sheet material. The optimization minimizes the amount of rapid-travel movement of the laser head, and virtually eliminates all head-up/head-down movements of the laser head. In one embodiment, the present invention performs a method that accepts NC code that has already been created by a conventional software product produced by a CAD/CAM vendor, and analyzes that NC code to create an optimized part program. The NC code is broken down and analyzed as a series of individual shapes to be cut by the laser head. Once the required shapes are known, a "sweep" is made to determine how many cut-outs are in each "band" being analyzed across the surface of the sheet material to be cut. The number of bands and the types of sweep are varied to analyze different possibilities of rapid-travel distance while still eliminating all head-up/head-down movements of the laser head.

Abstract: The sandbag filling stand is provided with a removable top section with at least one opening. This top section rests on side supports, typically, one at each end of the top section. A pivoting sandbag tray is under the top section and pivotally engages each side support. A rotating arm also pivotally engages each side support. With the rotating arm aligned in the vertical plane (up position), the sand tray is held roughly parallel to the ground on which the two side supports rest. When the rotating arm is pushed toward the sand tray pivot points, the sand tray will tilt. With the sand tray tilted at an angle any sandbag resting on the sand tray will tend to slide toward the low side of the tray for easy removal.

Abstract: A motorized shingle removing hand tool comprising a blade assembly shiftable between a normal extended position and a retracted position. The blade assembly is biased to its normal extended position and is shifted to its retracted position by a motor driven cam which thereafter allows the blade assembly to be driven to its extended position by the biasing mechanism. The tool comprises a base on which the motor is mounted. The blade assembly comprises a blade and its support mechanism which is mounted in bushing blocks affixed to the base. The base is provided with an openable cover to keep the motor, the cam, the blade support mechanism, the biasing elements and the bushings free from dirt and foreign material. The tool includes an adjustable handle and an actuating trigger with an associated variable speed control switch, and a carrying strap.

Abstract: Device for suction and collection of the exhaust gases of a vehicle, comprising a slotted suction duct, at least one carriage which is mobile along guide rails, with which there is integral one end of a flexible tube, by means of which the exhaust gases are sucked from the exhaust pipe of the vehicle; which device is characterised in that there are associated with the drive device of the carriage selective means for locking the drive wheel onto a shaft which is rotated by the drive device, and in that in all the operating steps, the drive wheel is always in purely rolling contact with the relative track.

Abstract: A roller assembly for a roller conveyor with a replaceable roller sleeve is provided. An axle assembly with a locking piece that frictionally engages the underside of the roller sleeve allows replacement of the roller sleeve, without the need to replace the axle assembly.

Abstract: Defects in metal strips in a continuous electroplating process caused by surface anomalies in the conductor roll are reduced and/or eliminated by spraying a large volume water on the electroplated surface before it contacts the conductor roll. The water must be sprayed in a volume of at least 0.01 gallon per inch of strip width per minute per conductor roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an engine driven system having the capability of liquefying 100% of the natural gas entering the system. The apparatus is connected to a source of clean natural gas, and comprises an engine or prime mover, a compressor and an expander, all drivingly connected, at least one cooler, at least one heat exchanger, a restrictor, a liquid natural gas collector and connecting conduits. The clean natural gas is provided to the inlet of the compressor and is compressed. The compressed natural gas is passed through the at least one cooler to remove heat of compression. The natural gas is split into two flow portions. The first flow portion is cooled in the at least one heat exchanger and is passed through the restrictor into the collector. The temperature and pressure of the first flow portion are such that a substantial portion flashes to liquid natural gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the partial conversion of natural gas to liquid natural gas. Natural gas, at a high pressure and free of impurities which would hinder the formation of liquid natural gas, is split into first and second flow portions. The first flow portion is conducted through a first heat exchanger and thereafter through a second heat exchanger. From the second heat exchanger, the first flow portion is throttled into a collector, wherein part thereof flashes to liquid natural gas and a part thereof constitutes a cold saturated vapor to be vented from the collector. The vent remainder serves as a coolant for the second heat exchanger. The second flow portion passes through a restrictor and is thereby cooled. The vent remainder from the second heat exchanger is joined with the cooled second flow portion and this combination serves as a coolant for the first heat exchanger before it is conducted to a receiver.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing liquid natural gas (LNG) from a well head or other source of cool, high pressure natural gas. The natural gas from the source is purified and split into first and second flow portions. The first flow portion is split into two parts passing through first and second heat exchangers. The two parts are thereafter recombined and throttled into a LNG tank wherein part thereof flashes to liquid natural gas and a part thereof constitutes a very cold saturated vapor to be vented from the LNG tank. The vent remainder of the first flow portion is used as a coolant for the second heat exchanger and is then conveyed to a low pressure receiver such as a collection pipeline, the vent remainder having a pressure equal to or greater than the receiver. The second flow portion enters an expander wherein its pressure is lowered below that of the receiver and its temperature is lowered accordingly.

Abstract: Provided by the invention is a buckle-plate folding station including a first folding roller and two further contra-rotating fold-forming rollers and an adjustable buckle-plate folding unit. The intention of the invention is to provide a buckle-plate folding station enabling the point in time of fold formation to be determined. For this purpose means for detecting sheet infeed are provided in the buckle-plate folding station. The buckle-plate folding station further comprises means for detecting the deflection of at least one of the fold-forming rollers in forming the fold. Means for determining the sheet length fed between sheet infeed and formation of the fold are also provided.

Abstract: A silica coated substrate comprises a substrate having a zinc containing surface. A plasma polymerized coating is adhered to the surface. The coating consists essentially of silicon and oxygen and contains minimal amounts of carbon.

Abstract: A ripening room is disclosed for ripening perishable products, such as fruits and vegetables, and more particularly bananas, in which the air flow and temperature are closely controlled by the room construction and by a cooling control system that archives uniform ripening of the fruit regardless of the physical location of the fruit within the room. These desired results are accomplished using a minimum quantity of energy and cooling capacity by use of an improved cooling controller that gradually changes the temperature setpoint over time to allow the cooling (refrigeration) system to operate near its full capacity without any periods of intense cooling (due to sudden changes of the temperature setpoint, as in the prior art). The uniform ripening is also achieved by an improved air distribution system that provides a greater back pressure in portions of a ripening room that, in conventional designs, receives far too much air flow.