Abstract: Polymers having non-thrombogenic properties can be prepared by copolymerizing monomers of at least three classes selected from (a) monomers having sulphate groups, (b) monomers having sulphonate groups, (c) monomers having sulphamate groups, (d) monomers having polyoxyalkylene ether groups, and (e) monomers having zwitterionic groups. The polymers can additionally be provided with anti-thrombogenic properties by including an additional comonomer having a pendant heparin (or hirudin, warfarin or hyaluronic acid) group. The polymers can be used as coating materials for medical devices, such as tubing or connectors, in order to provide them with non-thrombogenic, and optionally anti-thrombogenic, properties.

Abstract: A mailer blank adapted to be folded into a mailer has front and back sides and adhesive bands on the front side and on the back side for securing the blank in its folded configuration. At least one of the adhesive bands on the front side is aligned with at least one of the adhesive bands on the back side, the aligned adhesive bands on the front side and on the back side comprising a series of spaced shaped patches. The patches comprising the adhesive band on the front side are shaped and spaced with respect to the patches comprising the adhesive band on the back side that when the mailer blanks are stacked one on top of the other, the patches comprising the adhesive band on a side of the mailer blank do not align with the patches comprising the adhesive band on the opposite side of the adjacent blank.

Abstract: A thermostat for control of an AC-operated HVAC unit (or a unit providing only heating or only cooling) is provided with load activation detection sensing for increased reliability of latching relay activation. The thermostat includes a sensing transformer in series with the heating or cooling load (or both, if both are in the system), so that, when activation of the load is called for by the thermostat, current flows in a primary winding of the transformer, inducing a current in the secondary winding. A voltage derived from the current in the secondary winding is sensed by the thermostat controller and used to determine whether the heating or cooling load has been properly activated or deactivated. Sensing of the AC power source in the HVAC unit may also be provided, so that the controller can confirm that the absence of the voltage derived from the current in the secondary winding is actually due to the state of the latching relays rather than to a failure of the AC power source.

Abstract: A conservatory roofing system is constructed of a ridge, eaves and glazing bars supporting glazing material between the ridge and eaves. The ridge, eaves and glazing bars are made of structural aluminium components with visible surfaces covered with plastics cladding members. Onto internal surfaces on the plastics cladding members are mounted timber components to give an appearance from the inside that the conservatory is made of timber.

Abstract: An adjustable flow limiter for adjustably limiting flow, for example through the vent of a diaphragm-type fluid flow regulator. The adjustable flow limiter has a housing with a compartment therein, and first and second ports communicating with the compartment, the ports and the compartment defining a flow passage through the housing. A foam body is disposed in the compartment in the flow path, and a compressor, preferably in the form of a threaded member, can selectively compress the foam body to adjust the flow rate through the flow passage.

Abstract: A barbecue grill having a cooking surface and a retractable light mounted to an upper portion of the lower grill housing and moveable between a first operable position and a second stored position. In the operable position the light is oriented to illuminate the cooking surface of the grill. In the stored position, the top surface of the light is substantially aligned with the cooking surface and the top surface of an auxiliary shelf attached to the grill. The light may also be supplied separately for retrofit on any existing grill.

Abstract: A rotor for a two-pole synchronous reluctance or a switched reluctance motor can be constructed from a stack of flat, planar laminations of grain-oriented materials. To enhance the necessary anisotropy of reluctance, slots are provided in the lamination along the magnetic flux lines in the preferred grain direction. The laminations may be provided with an essentially circular outer perimeter, and slots for a squirrel cage winding provided. A complete, efficient squirrel cage winding can thus be provided for a two-pole synchronous reluctance motor for starting purposes.

Abstract: To present a compact global information providing system which can provide necessary global information without an expensive device in real-time for condition changeable objects, the global information providing system is comprised of a first processing system for positional computing with the global information data and output the result, a second processing system for processing the global information data from the weather or remote sensing satellites and outputs the image data, and a third processing system including a memory unit for storing the image data of aerial photograph or video image, wherein the first processing system is provided with a collelator which determines the time difference based on C/A code included in the global information data sent from the positioning satellites and position computing unit which performs positional computing based on the time difference data determined by the collelator and outputs the result, the second processing system is provided with a wavelength/reflectance

Abstract: A method for screening substances for oncogenic activity is disclosed. The method involves administering the substance to an animal lacking responsiveness to interferon.gamma. and detecting a higher frequency or earlier time of tumor formation in the test animal compared to control animals. In addition, a method is provided for predicting the aggressiveness of a tumor in a patient.

Abstract: An infeed assembly for use with an air conveyor system. The infeed assembly has a guide mechanism configured for engaging an article, such as a lightweight plastic bottle, and guiding it as it is conveyed through the conveyor system, a plurality of air jet conveyor nozzles, a plenum in fluid communication with the conveyor nozzles for forcing pressurized air through the conveyor nozzles and adjacent the guide mechanism in a manner to push the article downstream along the guide mechanism from an inlet end of the guide mechanism to an outlet end of the guide mechanism. The infeed assembly comprises an article alignment mechanism, at least one air jet infeed nozzle adjacent the article alignment mechanism, and at least one conduit providing fluid communication between the plenum and the infeed nozzle. The article alignment mechanism is positionable adjacent the inlet end of the guide mechanism and is configured for directing the article into the inlet end of the guide mechanism.

Abstract: A container comprises a container body, a rearward lid component, a forward lid component and a handle. The container body has a bottom, first and second side walls extending upwardly from the bottom, and first and second end walls extending upwardly from the bottom. The side walls and end walls define a mouth of the container. The rearward lid component is adapted for covering a rearward portion of the mouth. The forward lid component is hingedly attached to the rearward lid component by a first hinge assembly for pivoting movement of the forward lid component relative to the rearward lid component about a first hinge axis. The forward lid component is adapted for covering a forward portion of the mouth. The handle is connected to the first end wall of the container body adjacent the mouth of the container. The handle extends generally along a handle axis.

Abstract: A trigger sprayer is constructed with a removable foamer insert that may be removed to allow the sprayer to dispense liquid only in a spray pattern or may be inserted to allow the sprayer to dispense liquid only in a foaming pattern. In addition, the foamer insert is specifically designed to generate a more even distribution of foam in the foaming pattern.

Abstract: A container assembly comprising a container for containing a fluid and a container closure. The container includes a neck having a mouth therein for passage therethrough of liquid in the container. The container closure comprises a closure cap portion adapted for releasable connection to the neck of the container. The closure cap portion comprises a generally annular-shaped skirt and at least three lugs extending generally radially inwardly from an inside surface of the skirt. The container further includes at least three bayonet provisions on an outer surface of the neck for matably receiving the at least three lugs of the closure cap portion, the bayonet provisions and the lugs being shaped and configured to releasably lock the skirt of the closure cap portion to the neck of the container.

Abstract: A pallet comprising a lower member and an upper member. The lower member includes a base, a plurality of protrusions extending upwardly from the base, and a plurality of holding fingers extending laterally from the protrusions. The upper member is configured for attachment to the lower member. The upper member includes a deck and a plurality of legs extending down from the deck. Each leg has at least one side wall and a notch in the side wall engageable with one of the laterally extending holding fingers of the lower member. The legs are sized and configured to space the deck of the upper member above the base of the lower member when the upper member is attached to the lower member to define tine-receiving channels between the deck and base for receiving the tines of a fork-lift truck.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons, gas mixtures of hydrocarbons, and the like containing hydrogen sulfide are brought into intimate contact with a hydrogen sulfide scavenger prepared by reacting an alkylenepolyamine with formaldehyde, whereby the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the hydrocarbon is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A portable anesthesia machine includes a vaporizer having a combinant chamber for containing a liquid anesthetic agent and a pair of diluent stems extending therein for delivering a carrier gas thereinto and providing a vaporized anesthesia agent therefrom, with a generally arcuately shaped, slotted, baffle covering an orifice in each of the diluent stems and a cotton wick extending along the height of each of a pair of carrier stems. A calibrated knob and piston/cylinder assembly controls flow of carrier gas and diluent gas into and out of the combinant chamber. A flow control manifold allows the connection of a multiple number of carrier gases and calibrated flow of any selected carrier gas into the vaporizer. A well fill port provides a convenient point for filling or draining the combinant chamber.