Abstract: The present invention is a universal blending method for blending the material contents of a silo having a predetermined interior cross-sectional area by layer blending or across vertical columns, column blending, or a combination of layer and column blending.The presently preferred method of the present invention employs either vertical displacement of a partial vertical column of the silo content to provide a representative mixture in every horizontal cross-section in order to reduce the number of necessary recycles to a minimum or substantially simultaneous multilevel displacement, with subsequent uniform discharge over the whole horizontal cross-section of the silo to remix material that may have been segregated during the filling or recycling.

Abstract: A pressure transducer cross-check system (10) in which a pair of low precision pressure transducers (12, 14) which detect parameters related to each other in content are alternately periodically calibrated during the operation of the system by cross-checking by a solenoid actuated valve (18) which alternately connects one of the pair of low precision pressure transducers (12, 14) to its associated pressure input (20, 22) while connecting a common high precision pressure transducer (16) to the other of the related pressure parameter inputs (20, 22) for selectively alternately providing one of the pair of parameter input signals as a high precision pressure responsive input signal to the system controller on alternate cycles of the low precision pressure transducer pair in accordance with the cycling of the valve (18).

Abstract: A grinding tool for metal machining which is provided with matrix-bonded abrasive grains, the hardness of the matrix varying over the grinding area, along which the workpiece moves in a single operation during its passage.

Abstract: There disclose a group of new saponins designated as gynosaponins which have been isolated from a plant of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino of Cucurbitaceae, pharmaceutical use thereof and a method for isolating gynosaponins.

Abstract: A fluorescent liquid crystal display composition comprising a liquid crystal material absorbing little or no near ultraviolet light and a fluorescent material capable of emitting visible fluorescence, and a fluorescent liquid crystal display device comprising two parallel plates with the composition placed therebetween, at least one pair of electrodes and a voltage source for applying voltage to the composition to provide a self-luminescent brilliant active display with low power consumption by varying the luminescence efficiency of the fluorescent material.

Abstract: Improved surgical drape (20) comprises a flexible, drapable main sheet (22) having a fenestration (30) therein, a closure member (38, 40), and means (34) for movably securing the closure member (38, 40) to the main sheet (22) for selectively obstructing at least part of the fenestration (30).

Abstract: A method for collecting market survey data from universal product type code bearing market items is provided in which a lenseless data recorder is employed for collecting the universal product type code encoded market data. The data recorder comprises a housing with the housing having an exposure aperture therein for admitting a source of light therethrough, such as ambient light or artificial light. A photographic recording medium, such as a film having photographic emulsion on opposite sides thereof to permit recording on both sides, is disposed in the housing adjacent the exposure aperture. The exposure aperture is optically alignable with the universal product type code on a market item for which the survey data is to be collected. A keyboard is provided in the housing for enabling the insertion of ancillary market survey information corresponding to the market item whose product code has been recorded.

Abstract: There disclose stable and non-aqueous microbicidal compositions which are useful for controlling slime in pulp and paper manufacturing processes and industrial cooling water systems and which comprise 4,5-dichloro-1,2-dithiol-3-one as the active ingredient, and specific surfactants and hydrophilic organic solvents.

Abstract: A controller (10) for air conditioning units, heating units, and the like is disclosed. The controller (10) regulates the activation and deactivation of an energy consuming component of the unit, such as a compressor (12) or heating coil (14). The controller (10) includes a switch means (42, 66) operatively connected to the component and its energy source, the switch means (42, 66) being operable in a first mode wherein it interrupts the connection between the energy source and the component, a second mode wherein the connection between the energy source and the component is uninterrupted by the switch means (42, 66).

Abstract: A panel of a predetermined geometric shape for use in the construction of buildings and enclosures. The panel is a cast or molded component having a base portion which forms an interior or exterior wall surface for the structure with which is integrally molded a flange extending entirely around the periphery of the base member. The flange is positioned at a 90.degree. angle to the base member or is slightly angled to permit convenient assembly on a flange-to-flange basis with adjacent panels. Optionally, reinforcing ribs and a central boss are integrally formed into and raised from the base portion. Panels, when molded in a triangular configuration, are particularly suited for construction of geodesic domes. Apertures are provided extending through the flanges to permit fasteners to be passed between them and to thereby secure flanges of adjacent panels together.

Abstract: In an improved bowling alley resilient or non-resilient deflection means are removably disposed along both sides of the lane bed for preventing balls for dropping into the gutters of the bowling alley. Exemplary deflection means of the invention are tubes, springs, elastic bands removably disposable in the gutters and conveniently storable elsewhere when removed.

Abstract: A telephone sterilizer apparatus (10) employing a liquid disinfectant (50) saturated absorbent pad (42) which is substantially replenished so as to maintain saturation due to capillarity such as by a wick (44) extending from the pad (42) in capillary communication with a container (36) for the liquid disinfectant (50). The apparatus (10) is mounted on a telephone handset cradle (14) via a complementary mounting portion (12) and includes a receptacle (30) for the handset (16) mouthpiece (31) to be sterilized by the pad (42) which is seated in the receptacle (30) below the upper extent of a surrounding perimetral wall (32).

Abstract: A process for continuous or batch preparation of an .omega.-amino-acid is scribed, comprising the imination of an unsaturated aldehyde acid, the catalytic reduction in a single hydrogenation step of the imine of the ethylenically unsaturated straight chain .omega.-aldehyde acid in the presence of ammonia and an alkaline metal hydroxide whereby the alkaline salt of the imine is obtained, and the acidification of the alkaline salt of the .omega.-amino acid. The imine of formyl alkenoic acid is prepared at most at room temperature adding the acid to an ammonia solution of above 10%, then adding NaOH solution to the ammonia solution. The reductive imination is effectuated in two steps, first at 100.degree.-150.degree. C. and the second at 150.degree.-180.degree. C. under a 20-70 Ate pressure in the presence of a nickel catalyst. High yield and only few by-products are obtained.

Abstract: A device for measuring a predetermined respiratory volume comprises an elongate, air-tight flexible bag of the predetermined volume, the bag being closed at one end and open at the other; and an elongate substantially rigid tubular member extending into the bag through its open end and occupying a major portion of the length of the bag, the bag being secured at its open end to the tubular member for forming an air-tight seal between the bag and the tubular member, the portion of the tubular member extending into the bag having a plurality of distributed apertures along its length and the portion of the tubular member outside the bag having at least one opening defining a mouthpiece.