Abstract: Valves or cocks with rotary plug in which the plug is provided with flexible gaskets of annular shape located symmetrically with respect to the plane passing through the axis of rotation of the plug and the axis of the cylindrical conduit of the plug, sealing seats borne by the valve body, the seats being arranged in such a manner that they come into contact with the gaskets borne by the plug when the latter is in closed position.

Abstract: A process for purifying caprolactame by continuous and/or discontinuous (or atch) vacuum distillation comprises a first stage fast vacuum distillation of the raw caprolactame possibly in the presence of an alkaline and/or alkaline-earth hydroxide, a second stage consisting of a vacuum rectification distillation of the caprolactame obtained in the first stage and a third stage consisting of the fast vacuum distillation of the caprolactame yielded from the second stage, in the presence of an alkaline and/or alkaline-earth hydroxide. The hydroxide amount in the third and possibly the first stage distillation as well varies from 0.05 to 5% preferably from 0.1% to 1%.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkyl; a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl or benzyl; A and B are OH or A and B are OCOOR.sub.4 or B is OH and A is OCOOR.sub.4 ; and R.sub.4 is alkyl which are intermediates for the preparation of antitumor compounds of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkyl; a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl; a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, methoxy, amino or dimethylamino group; phenyl or phenyl substituted with nitro, chlorine or methoxy thiazyl, pyridyl, pyrazyl; or a phenyl-alkyl group of the formula X--Phe--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --, in which X is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, amino, or nitro and n is an integer from 1 to 2; R.sub.2 is hydrogen, hydroxyl or acyloxy (R--COO--); where R is an alkyl having from 1 to 11 carbon atoms; and R.sub.3 is hydrogen or trifluoroacetyl and salts thereof with pharmaceutically acceptable acids.

Abstract: A feed conveyor for loose materials of the kind in which a plurality of spaced apart radially protruding scraping flights are integrally molded on a flexible cable, the improvement being characterized by distributing the stress on the cable more evenly throughout the length thereof when the cable assumes a flexed position, resulting in a concomitant decrease in the frequency of cable failure.

Abstract: A flexible child's slipper (10) has a night light (12) associated therewith which may be selectively actuated by each step of the child as the slipper (10) flexes with each step. The night light (12) includes a hollow transmissive three dimensional character rendition which contains an illumination apparatus (26) inside. The illumination apparatus (26) comprises a transparent waterproof housing (28) which is formed of plastic except for a rubber seal (30) forming part of the surrounding wall. The housing (28) contains a light source (32), a battery (34) and a switch (40). A resilient pusher member (50) having a protrusion (56) is mounted on the front portion (20) of the slipper (10) and is disposed adjacent the switch (40) to act on the switch (40) and close it through the seal (30) during each step to illuminate the light source (32).

Abstract: An electrode device for transcutaneous PCO.sub.2 measurement with a pH-sensitive measuring electrode behind a CO.sub.2 -permeable membrane, a reference electrode, and an electrical heating device for thermostating the measuring electrode and thermally stimulating the blood flow in the skin in the measuring area, the reference electrode being in direct heat-conductive contact with the electrical heating device and being designed so that it surrounds the measuring electrode. This permits compact design of the electrode in a very small size.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for achieving a uniform omnidirectional radiation of sound waves, particularly at high frequencies, and for increasing selectivity and separation at frequencies in the medium to high frequency wave band The apparatus consists of a series of reflector-diffractor barriers which are frequency selective. Each barrier is operative to transmit sound waves of a frequency greater than a selected value and to reflect and omnidirectionally radiate sound waves of a frequency less than the value.

Abstract: An improved verbally interactive telephone interrogation system is provided in which a two-way telephone subscriber network, such as a Touch-Tone type two-way telephone subscriber network, is utilized to enable both telephone call placement and individualized remote variable audio message selection and interrogation of prerecorded audio messages as well as remote response accumulation. The Touch-Tone type telephone, which is employed to maintain normal telephone contact with other subscribers, is also utilized to call-up a multitrack magnetic storage device which provides selectible reproducible conversational responsive audio messages to particular primary reproducible interrogatory message from a plurality of different selectible audio messages stored thereon.

Abstract: A mach airspeed indicator capable of internally determining mach number and VMO from measured altitude and airspeed information directly. An internal microprocessor, capable of storing a plurality of selectable VMO curves and a table of mach number versus q.sub.c /P.sub.s, receives the measured altitude and airspeed information, determines VMO and mach number therefrom, and directly drives the VMO and mach number displays where q.sub.c represents the impact pressure and P.sub.s represents the static pressure. The measured altitude and airspeed signals are analog synchro signals. In order to drive the VMO display, the received analog altitude synchro signals are digitized in a synchro-to-digital converter comprising a single multiplying digital-to-analog converter for both sin .theta. and cos .theta. synchro functions, and fed to the microprocessor which verifies the appropriate VMO from the preselected VMO curve, and drives the VMO analog pointer via a stepper motor servo loop closed by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant steering column lock incorporating an improved combination lock is disclosed. The improved combination lock includes an array of discs, each having an electrically conductive member extending therethrough. The disc at one end of the array is connected to the active terminal of the vehicle's electrical system and the disc at the other end of the array is grounded. When the discs are rotated to align the electrically conductive members, a circuit is completed to a solenoid or the like which regulates movement of a locking bolt between its locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition containing saponin and a method of using the saponin containing composition for preventing and treating adrenal atrophy and other organ diseases.

Abstract: A fitted bed covering comprises two generally rectangular pieces of cloth, each having two adjacent contoured corners and two slits extending transversely from its peripheral edge, each slit being located closely adjacent one contoured corner between that contoured corner and the adjacent non-contoured corner. One of the two pieces of rectangular cloth is disposed in overlapping relation with the other and means are provided for releasably securing the two pieces of cloth together.

Abstract: Method for destroying selected cells in a host without damage to non-selected cells comprises selecting a transmission path from an energy source (12) to the selected cells (30); determining one or more of the resonant frequencies of the selected cells (30); selecting as a destructive frequency one of the resonant frequencies at which the transmissibility of the selected cells (30) is higher than the transmissibility of the non-selected cells in the transmission path; and transmitting energy from the source (12) at the destructive frequency along the path with sufficient intensity to destroy the selected cells (30) without destroying the non-selected cells. Apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the purification of raw caprolactam containing primary amides f the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrocarbon radical having 1-14 carbon atoms is described. The raw caprolactam is treated with at least one compound containing at least one hydroxyl group, in an amount of at least 20% by weight with respect to the raw caprolactam, at a temperature equal to or higher than that at which the ammonia, which is a part of the amide of formula I, is liberated. The caprolactam is then separated and isolated from the hydroxyl containing compound by known methods.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an unsaturated polyester from a glycol and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, maleic anhydride and/or fumaric acid, suitable for the production of an unsaturated polyester resin rapidly loosing its surface tackiness after cross-linking, and furnishing very flexible materials which are resistant to creasing, is described. The glycol employed has at least two ether bridges regularly alternated with --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 -- groups. The reaction is carried out in such a way as to obtain an alkyd essentially exempt from free tetrahydrophthalic anhydride. The resins thus prepared are adapted to the production of putties free from surface tackiness and having good finishing properties for application by spraying and/or by putty knife.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one of substituted bipheny-type and substituted terphenyl-type liquid crystal substances and at least one of substituted phenyl benzoate-type and substituted phenyl thiobenzoate-type liquid crystal substances, the composition further containing at least one substituted cyclohexyl benzene-type liquid crystal substance when desired. The composition has the characteristics of being wide in mesomorphic range, low in threshold voltage, satisfactory in orientation, quick-responsive, highly reliable and capable of exhibiting fully satisfactory performance when driven by a single compact power cell coupled directly thereto. The composition is useful for field effect mode liquid crystal display devices.