Abstract: A gas tank evacuator (10) comprises an evacuator housing (12) into which a neck (80) of a gas tank (82) can be screwed and an elongated valve-removal rod (14) for slidably passing through the evacuator housing and engaging and unscrewing a stem-actuated valve (88) of the gas tank. An elongated valve actuator pin (18) slidably passes through the valve-removal rod to extend from lower and upper ends of the valve-removal rod for independently actuating the stem-actuated valve. The valve-removal rod is moved longitudinally by a valve-removal-rod lever (16) which is pivotally attached to the evacuator housing and valve-removal rod by pivot links (60). The valve-removal-rod lever is pivoted on the evacuator housing to drive a valve-engaging device at a lower end of the valve-removal rod into engagement with the-stem-actuated valve of the gas tank for its removal from the gas tank.

Abstract: A valve body is provided with a gas feed passage having an inlet and an outlet, a tank chamber, and a branch passage having a first portion connected between the gas feed passage and the tank chamber and an outlet extending from the tank chamber to a side of the valve body. A first valve is mounted on the valve body and selectively opens and closes the gas feed passage at a point downstream of the junction of the branch passage with the gas feed passage. A second valve is mounted on the valve body and selectively opens and closes the branch passage at a point between the tank chamber and the junction of the branch passage and the gas feed passage. A vacuum pump is provided to evacuate the tank chamber. When the first valve is open and the second valve is closed, gas may flow from an inlet pipe, through the gas feed passage and the first valve to a semiconductor process chamber.

Abstract: A recording device for recording impressions made by a transfer thermal printer, the device comprising a transfer film paid out from a roll and taken up by a drum, the roll and the drum being disposed inside a cassette having a side wall including a setback defining a print zone, wherein the cassette includes a read window other than the print zone, guides designed to impose a path on the transfer film such that the transfer film passes the window between the roll and the drum, and a support for a contrast surface.

Abstract: A machining head for a water jet cutting machine as well as an aiming device equipping such head, includes:an interchangeable tip (28) coupled to a feed source (A) of water under pressure,an acceleration nozzle (22) fixed to the casing (2) and connected to the interchangeable tip (28),a cutting pipe (60) receiving a water jet (J) emitted by the nozzle (22), anda pipe carrier (62) maintaining the pipe (60) relative to the casing (2), such head being characterized in that it includes regulating means (120a, 120b, 112, 94a, 94b) which permit regulation of the position of the pipe carrier (62) relative to the casing (2) in order to adjust the orientation of the pipe (60) in a manner coaxial to the jet (J) emitted by the nozzle (22).

Abstract: A diesel engine preheat system includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the engine coolant, engine heaters for heating the engine, and a microprocessor for calculating the duration of a preheat cycle. When an ignition switch is turned on, the microprocessor samples the output of the temperature sensor to determine the initial engine temperature. The microprocessor computes the required heating time from the initial temperature and a stored parameter representing the relationship between increase in temperature and heating time of the engine. The microprocessor energizes a relay to connect the engine heaters to a battery for the computed time. During the preheat cycle the microprocessor decrements the computed heating time and energizes a visual display to display the time remaining in the preheat cycle.

Abstract: The collapsible drum comprises flange plates associated with a hub made up of hinged elements, each of which comprises two portions having respective ends that face each other and that are connected together, and respective opposite ends that are connected to respective ones of the flange plates via collapsible hinge means, and at least one reinforcing and locking member extending axially inside the hub and providing a resilient link tending to urge the flange plates towards each other.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein R-R.sub.4 are as defined in the description, have stabilizing activity against UV radiation and are useful in cosmetics and dermatology.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel process for preserving the quality attributes and ascorbic acid content of fresh fruit juices and fruit juice blends. The process involves sanitizing the outer surface of a fruit, extracting the juice from the edible portion of the fruit, gasifying the juice with an oxygen-containing, carbon dioxide-containing gas mixture, filling a high gas-barrier container with the juice; hermetically sealing the container and rapidly cooling the juice in the container. Alternatively, the extracted juice may be filled into the high gas barrier container and then gasified prior to hermetically sealing the container.

Abstract: A method for removing gaseous pollutants from a polluted flue gas stream of an oil or coal-fired combustion furnace. A source of liquified combustible gas and a combustible gas-fired furnace are provided. The polluted flue gas stream is passed through a dust removal apparatus and removes flue dust from the flue gas stream so as to provide a de-dusted flue gas stream. Heat is recovered from the flue gas to generate power therefrom. The de-dusted flue gas is compressed to a pressure of at least 10 psi gauge using the generated power to at least in part compress the de-dusted flue gas. The compressed flue gas and the combustible gas are passed through at least one multi-sided heat exchanger, where the compressed flue gas is first passed through one side thereof and the liquified combustible gas in an at least partially vaporized state is passed through another side thereof. The compressed flue gas is cooled sufficiently by the combustible gas that water and at least one gaseous pollutant of NO.sub.2, SO.sub.

Abstract: A composite endless form for making flexible, windowed, form, fill and seal bags includes an endless strip of flexible, substantially opaque, paper-like material having a print side thereon with printed indicia thereon and an adhesive side, opposite the print side, with an adhesive thereon. The endless strip of paper-like material includes individual bag forms attached side-to-side thereon, each to be used for making a windowed bag, the endless-strip of paper-like material having a window opening cut in each individual bag form. The window openings are oblong and extend diagonal to a direction of elongation of the composite endless form. A heat-sealable film is adhered to the endless-strip of paper-like material on the adhesive side thereof to cover substantially all of the adhesive side. The composite endless form is placed in a roll to be fed to form, fill and seal machines for making windowed bags.

Abstract: A guitar string support insert located between the saddle block of a guitar tremolo and each string passing over the saddle block which is held thereto by a string retaining screw operated device in order to reduce string breakage.

Abstract: An adjustable crutch (10) includes upper and lower assemblies (12, 14) which are slidably interconnected with one another is constructed of hollow aluminum pipes, or tubing, (16, 18, 42, 44) interconnected by glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members (20, 22, 54). Walls of the hollow aluminum tubing extend into annular cavities (26) formed in the glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members, with molded-in bosses, or plugs, (28) of glass or fiber-reinforced nylon material extending into bores of the aluminum tubing. A hand grip support (54) has shear pins (64) for selectively engaging holes (66) in upper shafts (16, 18). A hand grip (68) on the hand grip support is laterally offset and the upper shafts are separated by at least 5 inches. The hand grip defines a holding notch (78) for interconnecting two crutches so that they can be easily held by one hand while only one of the crutches is used. A foam arm cushion (32) has a convex top edge (34) and concave side surfaces (36a, 36b ).

Abstract: The invention concerns a security arrangement intended for the opening and/or closing of at least one door of an automotive vehicle, characterized in that it includes: at least one control keyboard (2) integrated into the coach-work of the vehicle and intended for the introduction of an opening and/or closing code, said keyboard being provided with sensing elements (6) responsive to the touch and furnishing a code corresponding to the actuated keys, a circuit (30, 32, 34, 44) adapted to generate a control signal in response to said code furnished by the control keyboard; and actuating means (36, 38) controlled by said control signal and assuring the latching and/or unlatching of said door.

Abstract: A bouffant headpiece (10) includes a loose bouffant-type cap (12) having an elastic strand (16) attached to, and extending about, a lower edge (17) thereof for contracting the lower edge of the cap onto a wearer's head. The headpiece also includes a head-band strap (50) having two free ends (52, 54) attached to the lower edge of the cap but only at a front portion (18) thereof for being wrapped about the wearer's head, when the cap is on the wearer's head, and being fastened together behind wearer's head to stabilize the position of the lower edge of the front portion of the loose cap. An elongated, flexible, eyeglass retainer member (14) having a proximal end portion (30) attached to the front portion of the cap and a distal end portion (32) for extending below the cap is for passing about a bridge of eyeglasses, doubling back on itself, and fastening to itself.

Abstract: A local call receiver or pager includes a circuit (3) for receiving and demodulating a call signal emitted by a central station and which contains synchronization code words, address code words and message code words. The circuit is connected to the pager energy source (16) through a switching circuit (3b) for cutting off the energy supply when it is not necessary to receive the call signal. The pager also includes a decoder (4) intended to control the switching circuit as a function of the analysis of the call signal synchronization code words. The analysis is effected bit-by-bit and the receiver circuit is disconnected as soon as the synchronization code word is recognized, in most cases following analysis of only a few bits of the code word. Application is in respect of pagers in which a satisfactory compromise must be obtained between dimensions and autonomy, as for instance in pagers combined with a timepiece to be worn on the wrist.

Abstract: About 0.01% to 10% of an antifoam silicone oil having a predetermined viscosity of at least about 100 cp is dispersed in an aqueous solution of a water-soluble gum having a viscosity within about 20% of the predetermined viscosity of the silicone oil. A substrate is contacted with the dispersion so as to form a dispersion-wetted substrate and at least a part of the aqueous solution is removed from the substrate, wherein the silicone oil remains in the substrate.

Abstract: An adjustable crutch (10) includes upper and lower assemblies (12, 14) which are slidably interconnected with one another is constructed of hollow aluminum pipes, or tubing, (16, 18, 42, 44) interconnected by glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members (20, 22, 54). Walls of the hollow aluminum tubing extend into annular cavities (26) formed in the glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members, with molded-in bosses, or plugs, (28) of glass or fiber-reinforced nylon material extending into bores of the aluminum tubing. A hand grip support (54) has shear pins (64) for selectively engaging holes (66) in upper shafts (16, 18). A hand grip (68) on the hand grip support is laterally offset and the upper shafts are separated by at least 5 inches. The hand grip defines a holding notch (78) for interconnecting two crutches so that they can be easily held by one hand while only one of the crutches is used. A foam arm cushion (32) has a convex top edge (34) and concave side surfaces (36a, 36b ).

Abstract: A barge-like vessel for removing floating debris from harbours and canals includes a powered barge section and a front mounted collection basin. The collection basin is substantially the same width as the barge and includes a front opening so that debris floating in the water will pass into the inlet opening as the vessel proceeds across the water. Surface water entering the inlet opening passes through a meshed collection basket and exits aft of the collection basin and ahead of the hull. The vessel includes a haulage system comprising a track so that the collection basket may be lifted from the skimming or collection position and moved rearwardly to dump contents into a hold in the vessel. The track which supports the collection basket during movement may include a switch section so that the basket may be emptied in optional positions by opening the switch section.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a mobile display (2) consisting of a motif (5) composed of n discrete elements P.sub.j that can be selectively activated by a microprocessor or a logic circuit receiving at least one base time signal, and making it possible both to impose the rhythm of increase of the number of activated elements P.sub.j and to effect a random selection of said activated elements, to progressively reveal or mask the motif (5) during the passage of a period of time T and/or the approach of an event E in relation to the functions or the operation of said timepiece.

Abstract: A filter material for filtering leucocytes from a fraction of or whole human blood, comprises a web having a thickness of at least about 1 millimeter and a bulk density of about 0.05 to 0.4 g/cm.sup.3. The web has a plurality of interlocked matrix fibers distributed in the web to form a matrix thereof with spaces between adjacent interstices of interlocked fibers. The matrix fibers are composed mainly of about 1 to 3 micron diameter glass fibers, i.e. at least 75% of the weight of the web being the glass fibers. A plurality of fibrillated particles of textile fiber material, having a surface area of between 5 and 100 square meters per gram are disposed within the spaces of the matrix. The weight ratio of the fibrillated particles to the matrix fibers is between about 1:99 and 40:60. A thermoplastic binder is disposed at least at cross-over portions of the matrix fibers, with the amount of the binder being about 0.1% to 10% by weight of the web.