Abstract: A blending device for mixing a content of a bag in combination with a collection member, the blending device comprising a casing defining a chamber and comprising a mixer and a door. The collection member is adapted to receive therein a bag with a content to be mixed by the blending device and is adapted to be installed in the blending device. When the collection member and the bag are positioned in the chamber and the door is closed, the mixer is operated to act on the bag and cause the content thereof. If the bag ruptures while in the blending device, its content will be collected by the collection member. The collection member is detachably secured at an upper end thereof to the blending device. The collection member typically takes the form of a flexible collection bag that is open-ended at its upper end.

Abstract: An album page for displaying a flat insert such as a photograph. This album page has a generally rectangular configuration and includes an insert-receiving pocket and an album securement portion. The insert-receiving pocket is formed of two sheets disposed in mutually overlying relation and includes at least one open side and at least one sealed side. The album securement portion is contiguous to one side of the pocket and includes at least one aperture, a fold line disposed between the pocket and this securement portion and at least one reinforcement area. The reinforcement area is adjacent to an aperture and is spaced apart from the fold line to define a folding area therebetween and is configured and sized for imparting flexibility to this folding area while substantially avoiding the bending of the flat insert in the pocket when folded. A photo album comprising such album pages is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite electrolyte membranes for fuel cells and methods of making same. More specifically, the present invention is directed to proton-conducting membranes for fuel cell applications. The present invention further describes materials which reach high intrinsic proton conductivity and are suitable for use as electrolytic membranes in methanol fuel cells.

Abstract: Provided herein is a disinfectant wound dressing for treating tissue wounds, said dressing comprising a hydrogel matrix including an absorbent fibrous material comprising alginate salt, said hydrogel matrix being loaded with absorbed components comprising a hydrocolloid moisture retaining component, a salt component compatible with the tissue being treated, and a vulnerary polysacharide component being therapeutically acceptable with regard to wound tissue irritation level and systemic toxicity level. The wound dressing will optionally contain a further disinfectant component.

Abstract: Mutacin are bactericidal substances of proteinaceous natures produced by Streptococcus mutans. Lantibiotics are antibacterial substances containing posttranslationnally modified amino acids such as lanthionine. The present invention teaches a simple method of purifying mutacin B-Ny266 from Streptococcus mutans strain Ny266 to homogeneity. The present invention further teaches the primary amino acid sequence of mutacin B-Ny266 as well as its proposed modified structure. Further, the present invention teaches compositions comprising mutacin B-Ny266 as well as methods for the treatment and/or prophylaxy of bacterial infections comprising an administration of a suitable dose of composition comprising mutacin B-Ny266.

Abstract: A musical instrument case made of foam material is described herein. The case is advantageously made of rigid foam material, such as, for example polypropylene foam, that has been molded to the desired musical instrument shape. In the case of a stringed instrument the body and cover portions of the case, both made of polypropylene foam, are joined by hinges partially embedded in the foam material. The body and cover portions meeting edges are preferably provided with complementary channel and tongue assemblies increasing the structural stability of the case, once closed.

Abstract: Described herein is a photocurable resin composition for stereolithography comprising (a) a photocurable component, liquid at room temperature and comprising a photopolymerizable substance selected from monomers, oligomers, dendrimers and polymers and mixtures thereof, (b) at least one photoinitiator compound, and (c) at least one photoactivated color changing compound. The color changing compound can be adapted to go from essentially colorless to a given color, one given color to another or from a given color to colorless. Optionally, the resin composition will also contain component (d), namely at least one reactive silsesquioxanes (POSS).

Abstract: A track for a snow vehicle is described herein. The track is provided with a lug arrangement defined by two different rows of lugs that together define a generally smooth convex profile. The lugs of the first and second rows are staggered, thereby allowing an adequate traction even when the vehicle is severely tilted, without defining a ski-like outer profile that could cause the snow vehicle to slide sideways.

Abstract: An improvement to a cathode used in an electrorefining or electrowinning of copper. The cathode has a solid copper head bar with a horizontal groove on its undersurface. The upper edge of a stainless steel flat sheet has several holes along its width and is vertically inserted into the groove. The stainless steel sheet is then mechanically attached to the copper head bar by pressing the copper head bar against the stainless steel at the perforated points along the head bar. To increase the joint strength, the stainless steel sheet may be welded to the copper head bar at its upper edges at the underside of the head bar.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for delivering generally flat articles one by one make use of first and second conveyors. The first conveyor has a top article-supporting surface operated at a first linear speed in a forward direction. In operation, a stack of generally flat articles lies on one side on this top article-supporting surface longitudinally of the first conveyor. The second conveyor is installed in series with the first conveyor, operates at a second linear speed higher than the first linear speed in the forward direction, slopes upwardly in the forward direction, and includes a plurality of generally parallel, rotative longitudinal screws having respective threads structured to engage a lower edge of the generally flat articles. According to the method, the generally flat articles are jogged and thereby separated from each other through slipping of the lower edges of these articles on the successive ridges and grooves of the threads of the rotative longitudinal screws.

Abstract: A modular thermoelectric cooling/heating unit is installed through an opening in a wall separating first and second temperature zones. This modular thermoelectric cooling/heating unit comprises a thermoelectric device including a cold surface, a hot surface, and a cooling/heating member between an electrical power supply and the cold and hot surfaces. A heat conducting block has a proximal end for thermally contacting with a first one of the cold and hot surfaces, and a distal end. A first heatsink thermally contacts with a second one of the cold and hot surfaces, a second heatsink thermally contacts with the distal end of the heat conducting block, and a thermally insulated housing covers at least a portion of the heat conducting block between the proximal and distal ends of this block.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated architectural element has a curved profile and has at least one curved brace member. A bendable panel is applied to the curved brace member, bent on this brace member to form the panel with the curved profile, and fastened to the curved brace member. Finally, the pre-fabricated architectural element comprises a uniform, smooth and regular surface finish on an outer face of the panel opposite to the curved brace member. A method of pre-fabricating this curved-profile architectural element comprises providing at least one curved brace member, providing a bendable panel, and applying the panel to the brace member. Application of the panel to the brace member comprises forming the panel with the curved profile by bending this panel on the brace member, and fastening the panel to the brace member. To complete the method, an outer face of the panel, opposite to the brace member, is finished in a uniform, smooth and regular surface.

Abstract: A detector assembly for multi-modality PET/SPEC/CT scanners comprises a first layer for detecting low energy gamma radiation and X-rays and a second layer for detecting high energy gamma radiation. The first layer is generally transparent to high energy gamma radiation. The second layer may advantageously provide measurement of depth of interaction of the high energy radiation. The first layer is preferably in the form of a thin CsI(TI) scintillator, while the second layer includes a pair of LSO/GSO scintillators. The detector assembly includes a photodetector, preferably in the form avalanche photodiode to transform the light signals from the scintillators into electric signals. The detector assembly is advantageously incorporated in a multi-modality PET/SPECT/CT scanner allowing simultaneous transmission and emission imaging with the same detection geometry.

Abstract: A substantially sputtering-free low-profile low-restriction drain valve is used with a fluid reservoir having a drain opening. The drain valve comprises a valve body, a cap and at least one perforation-sealing member. The valve body has a tubular shank installed in the drain opening and defining a fluid ingress, and a tubular head portion generally coaxial with the tubular shank and defining a chamber in communication with the fluid ingress and having a cross sectional area larger than a cross sectional area of the fluid ingress. The tubular head portion comprises an inner transverse wall extending across the chamber and comprising at least one fluid flow perforation, and a distal end opposite to the shank. The cap is movably assembled to the distal end of the tubular head portion between open and closed positions. This cap defines a fluid egress which, in the open position of the cap, is in communication with the perforation to permit draining of fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: A novel process for refining high or low impurity blister copper containing S, As, Sb, Pb, Ni, Bi, Se, and/or Te to anode quality by means of a solution containing sulphates and alkali oxides is provided. More specifically, the process comprises the steps of (1) injecting air/O2 gas mixtures in the presence of an alkali source, over a period of time sufficient to complete the sulphur removal stage, with the innovation of removing the SO2 in situ, thereby forming an effective amount of a molten alkali sulphate on top of the copper bath, the temperature in the bath being maintained between 1100-1300° C.; (2) adding and/or injecting molten or solid alkali sulphates together with basic oxides or carbonates into the copper bath to promote the in situ scrubbing of As and Sb into a solution containing sulphates, while the dissolved oxygen in copper increases from 0.1 to 0.

Abstract: An article display device adapted for use with a shelving structure including a flat shelf. The display device includes a curved article retaining element for retaining articles placed side by side on the shelf. The curved article retaining element is spaced above the shelf and is connected to the shelving structure. The display device further includes support members for connecting the retaining curved element to the shelving structure.

Abstract: A brake wear managing system is disclosed herein. The brake wear managing system comprises a plurality of sensor assemblies, an on-board controller and, optionally, a remote controller. The sensor assembly includes a mounting assembly and a sensor to measure the wear of a brake assembly and to generate a signal accordingly. Each sensor is coupled to the on-board controller. The on-board controller is configured to generate brake wear condition signals in response to the signal generated by each sensor. The optional remote controller is directly connected to the on-board controller or coupled to it via a wireless communication signal. The remote controller is configured to be operated either in maintenance mode or in operational mode.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel enterically-coated pyridoxine HCl and doxylamine succinate rapid onset formulation comprising a disintegrating agent such that the following dissolution profiles are satisfied when measured in 1000 ml phosphate buffer at pH 6.8 and 37° C. in a type 2 dissolution apparatus at 100 rpm: (a) at least about 40% of the total pyridoxine HCl and doxylamine succinate is dissolved after 30 minutes of measurement; (b) at least about 70% of the total pyridoxine HCl and doxylamine succinate is dissolved after 60 minutes of measurement; (c) at least about 80% of the total pyridoxine HCl and doxylamine succinate is dissolved after 90 minutes of measurement; (d) at about 90% of the total pyridoxine HCl and doxylamine succinate is dissolved after 120 minutes of measurement.