Abstract: A vaccine for protecting birds against infection by avian pathogenic gram negative microbes is disclosed. The vaccine is a recombinant Salmonella strain expressing O-antigen of an avian pathogenic gram negative microbe such as an E. coli strain that is pathogenic in poultry. The recombinant Salmonella strain also does not express Salmonella O-antigen. Methods of using the vaccine to immunize birds are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spacing tool is adapted for use with a conveyor that conveys plastic bottle containers of the type having a neck ring, a neck below the neck ring, and a body below the neck. The conveyor has a pair of support flanges that are spaced laterally from one another by a distance smaller than an outer diameter dimension of each container neck ring, but larger than an outer diameter dimension of each container neck. Thus, each container can be supported between the flanges with its neck ring in engagement with upper surfaces of the flanges. The conveyor has a pair of container guide rails that are spaced from one another by a distance larger than an outer diameter dimension of each container body so that each container can move along the conveyor between the guide rails. The spacing tool comprises a spacing member having a head portion, a neck portion below the head portion, and a spacing block below the neck portion. The head portion has a first outer diameter dimension larger than the spacing between the flanges.

Abstract: A passive transponder may be encoded with a binary number or code of 64 bits or more and then associated with or mounted to virtually any implant intended for implantation in a human including temporary implants such as drug release implants and organ displacement devices. After implantation, the transponder's code may be conveniently read with a hand held electromagnetic reader which may merely be brought within proximity of the transponder. The encoded transponder may thus be read in a non-invasive procedure and without the use of any sophisticated or potentially harmful medical equipment or technology such as X-rays. Where the position of the implant in the human changes over time, or is otherwise unknown to attending medical personnel, the transponder and implant can be located by using a strength of signal indicator on the electromagnetic reader.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in placing suture or fasteners in tissue at a remote location such as a laproscopic surgery is comprised of an elongated handle having a coiled projection at its distal end. The coiled projection is employed in penetrating and positioning a length of suture or fastener in tissue, for example, as in tissue proximation.

Abstract: A plastic molded shelf assembly is comprised of rectangular shelf units. Each shelf unit is comprised of a grid having a beam structure which includes a channel depending from the grid periphery and a longitudinal central channel, the channels having generally U-shaped cross-sections.

Abstract: A modular fitting open slit, which is open at its rear end part, for freely inserting a modular plug into and removing it from said modular fitting open slit is provided at a rear end part of a modem card, and said open slit is provided with inner walls which function as a guide part for setting a direction of insertion of a modular plug, an extreme end position setting part for positioning an extreme end of said modular plug which is inserted, a return prevention part for engaging with said modular plug inserted to prevent it from coming off and terminals which function as a terminal connecting part which is electrically connected to the terminals of the modular plug. Said open slit is provided with L-shaped guide members for guiding insertion of said modular plug with their base sides set to be pivotally turnable and said guide members are formed to be freely remountable in said open slit.

Abstract: An oscillating signal light mechanism producing substantially constant angular velocity oscillation cycles of a single light is comprised of at least one signal light assembly mounted on a base for rotation of the light assembly relative to the base, a source of motive power including an output shaft rotated at a constant velocity in a single direction of rotation, and a mechanism mechanically connecting the output shaft to the signal light assembly for converting the constant velocity single direction rotation of the output shaft to cycling movements of the signal light assembly through arc segment oscillations at substantially constant angular velocity.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibiting composition is provided. The composition comprises an intrinsically conductive polymer, e.g. polyaniline or polypyrrole, blended in a binder material, preferably a non-thermoplastic matrix, the blend being capable of adhering to a metal surface to provide enhanced corrosion resistance to the metal. The blend provides corrosion resistance in a variety of corrosive environments such as acidic, alkaline, and salt environments. A method for protecting metal surfaces from corrosive attack by applying the corrosion inhibiting composition is provided, as well as two component corrosion inhibiting coatings, corrosion inhibited thin films of metal adhered to an intrinsically conducting polymer containing substrate, and corrosion inhibited metal bilayers.

Abstract: A mop holder having a frame and a scraper component attached to the frame for removing stubborn materials from floors or baseboards, where the scraper has tapered sides terminating at a scraping edge and is provided with a plurality of teeth.

Abstract: An interface device for an ATM network permits a plurality of ATM devices to be connected to a single ATM switch port. The interface device, in its preferred embodiment, is a modular device which may be interconnected to form a system having various segment arrangements to suit the system operational requirements. Each interface device may include a switch side connector, extension side connector, and a device side connector all on a single card with the interface device being configured in VSLI architecture, and multiple interface devices interconnected to construct the system segments. In an alternate application, the interface device may be used to replace the computer backplane and provide direct connection between a computer's system components and an ATM network. In still another configuration, the interface device may itself be utilized to interconnect a plurality of computers to form a local area network.

Abstract: A water detecting means 5 and an operation designating means for operating a depth measuring function means 6 are arranged. When the water detecting means 5 detects water, the depth measuring function means 6 is forcibly operated by the operation designating means. When a depth state representing a value smaller than a predetermined depth value continues for a predetermined period of time, although the water detecting means detects water, a wet alarm is displayed, and the operation of the depth measuring function means is terminated. Also in a non-diving mode, a 0-m depth reference pressure is measured and stored at predetermined time intervals.

Abstract: A substance delivery and filter system for use in delivering or conveying a dry, fluid powder substance from a closed container to an open receptacle is provided. The delivery and filter system includes a filter housing having a heavy particle cyclone separator, a fine particle filter bag assembly, a substance inlet port positioned just above the heavy particle cyclone separator, a substance outlet port positioned at the bottom of the cyclone separator, and a filtered air outlet port communicating between the clean side of the filter bag assembly and the outside environment. The powder substance in the container is entrained in an air stream and introduced into the filter housing through a conduit connected to the substance inlet port. The heavier substance particles fall downwardly from the swirling air stream caused by the cyclone separator and are discharged into an open-air receptacle from the substance outlet port.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid variety of Hibiscus moscheutos cultivar, particularly distinguished by having flowers of from seven to twelve inches in diameter that are deep red, closely matching Pantone 215u. The flowers have fully overlapping petals. Pedicels about 3" and are distinctive in having a reddish color (Pantone 208U) that is more pronounced on the upper side; the back side is greenish-yellow. Distinguishing characteristics are constant and stable in asexually reproduced plants.