Abstract: A system for changing the trajectory of the golf ball when struck by the face of a golf club includes a coating of friction altering material applied to the club face. In one embodiment, the friction altering material includes a lubricant for reducing the side spin imparted to the ball struck by the club face thereby reducing the amount of hook or slice in the trajectory of the ball. In another embodiment a friction-increasing material such as an adhesive is used for increasing the amount of hook or slice.

Abstract: A Hg-based superconducting cuprate film on a substrate is disclosed, which comprises a compound having the formula Hg.sub.1-x M.sub.x Ba.sub.2 Ca.sub.n-1 Cu.sub.n O.sub.y, M is a metal cation, x ranges from 0 to 1, n is an integer greater than 0, and y is an oxygen sufficiency factor having a value less than about 10.

Abstract: A modular construction system and modular member are provided for the construction of concatenated structures having interconnected, overlapping, offset or parallel courses. The modular members are provided with substantially planar upper and lower surfaces with the thickness, width and hole spacing of each modular member being predetermined and interdependent. The modular members present holes which receive connectors, and may have holes presenting a plurality of bore diameters. The members may be cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the member midway between adjacent holes to provide compatible modular member segments. The complementally shaped connectors are received in the holes and may include mechanical barbs or threads, or separate retainers for use with the connectors inhibit preventing vertical separation of overlapping adjacent modular members.

Abstract: An improved method of attaching a hair weft (14) to the hair (12) of a wearer (10) is disclosed wherein the hair (12) is first parted along a first parting line (26) corresponding generally to the occipital bone of the wearer (10). Next, an upper portion (28) of hair (12) is folded upwardly relative to the parting line (26) and detachably secured with the hair (12) located above the parting line (26), while a lower portion (30) of hair (12) extends downward relative to the parting line (26). After the lower portion (30) of hair (12) is cleaned, a first segment (34) of the lower portion (30) is folded upwardly relative to the parting line (26) and detachably secured with the hair (12) located above the parting line (26), while a corresponding second segment (36) of the lower portion (30) extends downwardly relative to the parting line (26). The hair weft (14), which includes a plurality of hair stands (18) secured to a base element (16), is next positioned proximal to parting line (26).

Abstract: An improved two-stage process for the preparation of polyester resins is provided which involves an initial reaction of a dicarboxylic acid such as isophthalic acid with an alkylene oxide such as ethylene or propylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst to form an oligoester reaction mixture, followed by a second stage reaction between the oligoester reaction mixture and a dibasic acid or anhydride; a first-stage catalyst is employed which has a thermal decomposition temperature substantially at or below the second-stage reaction temperature. The most preferred first-stage catalyst is benzyltriethylammonium chloride.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring an animal in a stall comprises a sound sensing device arranged to sense sounds in the vicinity of the animal. A control unit is adapted to control an animal related action device, such as an attachment means for automatically attaching teatcups to the teats of an animal, such that it performs an action in a predetermined manner in response to said sensed sound.

Abstract: A magnetic switch assembly (100) for electrically coupling with an electrical circuit of an alarm system (16) and for detecting relative movement between a first, stationary member (102) and a second, moveable member (104) is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a switch means (106) adapted for mounting within the first stationary member and a corresponding electromagnet assembly (108) having an electromagnet (120). The switch means includes a housing (110), a pair of spaced switch elements (112,114) supported in the housing that are electrically coupled with an alarm device or system, a ferromagnetic body (116) such as a ball positioned within the housing and moveable between the switch elements, and a ferromagnetic core (118) positioned above or adjacent one of the switch elements for biasing the body to either its closed or opened position. The electromagnet (120) is coupled with a suitable source of electricity and is switchable between on and off states.

Abstract: A ribbon loom for making a material web at high speed operates through precise control of the weft thread. The ribbon loom comprises a weft insertion needle to insert a loop of weft thread into a shed. The weft thread loop is tied off by a knitting needle on the side of the web away from the insertion needle. The insertion needle is served by a feed device for the weft thread containing a pneumatically operated compensator in the form of a blower and/or a suction device. The insertion needle also has a separate guide eye for the weft thread. This thus provides a particularly effective compensator ensuring precise control of the weft thread when the ribbon loom is running at high speed. The web edges are always tensioned to the set width and maintained at a constant width.

Abstract: A pump apparatus for a milking machine is provided with an oil container for the supply of lubricant to the pump. A joint device is inserted in the container. The joint device comprises a casing enclosing an inlet conduit for bringing back oil to the container and an outlet conduit for the removal of oil from the container and supply to the pump.

Abstract: A tap dance sound producing apparatus (20) utilizes an attachment member (22) and sound producing members (24, 26). The attachment member preferably comprises a sock having a ground engaging surface (36). The sound producing members (24, 26) are preferably grommets which reinforce openings (32, 34) in the ground engaging surface (36) of the sock. An attachment member (22) is pulled onto each of a dancers feet (30, 56) and the sound producing members (24, 26) strike the ground as the dancer dances to produce a tap sound.

Abstract: A pump apparatus for a milking machine is provided with a distribution device for the supply of lubricant to the bearings of the pump. The distribution device comprises an inlet for the supply of lubricant from a container, a distributor and at least two outlets for the delivery of lubricant to the different bearings of the pump. The distributor is provided to guide the lubricant, independently of the incoming amount thereof such that the lubricant is equally distributed to each outlets and hence to each bearing.

Abstract: In an automatic medicament dispensing machine, a vial gripper mechanism includes a rotatable first jaw and a second jaw coupled with the output shaft of a jaw motor. In an open position, the jaws are spaced for receiving a medicament vial therebetween. Actuation of jaw motor rotates the second jaw toward the first jaw for gripping the vial therebetween in a gripping position. Continued rotation of the jaw motor causes rotation of both of said jaws and any vial gripped therebetween to a dispensing position for receipt of medicament into the vial from an adjacent dispensing cell.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus useful for the production of microparticles and nanoparticles are disclosed in which a compressed fluid and a solution including a solvent and a solute are introduced into a nozzle to produce a mixture. The mixture is then passed out of the nozzle to produce a spray of atomized droplets. The atomized droplets are contacted with a supercritical antisolvent to cause depletion of the solvent in the droplets so that particles are produced from the solute. Preferably, these particles have an average diameter of 0.6 .mu.m or less. The invention can be used in the pharmaceutical, food, chemical, electronics, catalyst, polymer, pesticide, explosives, and coating industries, all of which have a need for small-diameter particles.

Abstract: Oligomers for inhibiting expression of interleukin genes are described. It is believed that each oligomer, when introduced into a cell, is capable of forming a transcription-inhibiting complex composed of the oligomer and an interleukin gene. The oligomer preferably binds in the antiparallel orientation to the polypurine strand of a polypurine-polypyrimidine region of the interleukin gene.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine has a suction tube for use in extracting an organ from a membrane-covered socket in the body cavity of a poultry carcass. The tube is connectable with a source of vacuum pressure and provided with an intake opening through which the organ is passes as it is sucked into the tube. A sharp tooth inside the suction tube is disposed for breaking the membrane during extraction of the organ.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying ceiling panels to a light tunnel is provided. The applicator hereof includes a gantry, a frame, and a shifter for vertically shifting said frame relative to said gantry. The frame is presents a pair of generally arcuate spaced-apart rails each having a pair of terminal feet, with a bridge interconnecting the feet. The gantry includes a plurality of towers each having a pair of upright tower legs. The tower legs are attached to a base and preferably further supported by braces to maintain an upright configuration. A shifter is provided to operatively interconnect the gantry and the frame for raising the latter and the panel placed thereon into juxtaposition with a framework of the light tunnel. In accordance with the method, the applicator is placed within the framework of the light tunnel, a panel is placed on the platform, and the platform is shifted to place the panel in position for attachment to the framework.

Abstract: A fenceless animal confinement system comprising portable units attached to the animal and including means for receiving GPS signals and for providing stimulation to the animal. The GPS signals are processed to provide location information which is compared to the desired boundary parameters. If the animal has moved outside the desired area, the stimulation means is activated. The signal processing circuitry may be included either within the portable unit or within a separate fixed station.