Abstract: A bleaching product and a method of removing soils from fabrics by contacting the fabrics in an aqueous wash solution with a product comprising a peracid precursor, a source of hydrogen peroxide and a source for delayed release of an acid into the wash solution to initially permit effective in situ formation of peracid, the acid thereafter reducing the pH of the wash solution for enhancing bleach performance of the peracid. The source of the acid may be included in the bleaching product, for example, as an acid of delayed solubility, an acid coated with a low solubility agent or an acid generating species, or independent of the bleaching product. The acid source is selected to be compatible with the peracid or precursor and adjuncts.

Abstract: A fruit concentrate composition is blended from a hydrolyzed starch of at least 40 D.E., preferably about 50-70 D.E., more preferably about 55-65 D.E. and a fruit concentrate having about 0% insoluble solids, the blended composition having at least about 70%, preferably about 80-95%, more preferably about 90-95% simple carbohydrates, and about 3-20%, preferably about 3-10%, more preferably about 6% complex carbohydrates, on a dry weight basis, with a resulting dual functionality in food formulations for achieving both nutritive sweetening and fat substitution as well as a number of other benefits. The composition is preferably formed by hydrolyzing a starch source to the above D.E. value, blending it with a fruit juice concentrate to form a fruit concentration composition having the above components and reducing water content of the blend to at least about 77%, preferably to about 77-80% soluble solids, the composition having substantially 0% insoluble solids.

Abstract: A thermal pad for use with a portable body heating/cooling system and method of use wherein the system includes a reservoir for hot/cold fluid, supply and return tubes for connecting the reservoir with the pad, pump means for continually circulating fluid between the reservoir and the pad and suitable controls, the thermal pad comprising a single corrugated tube including connectors for connection with the supply and return tubes, the single corrugated tube being folded on itself to form at least parallel passes providing a treatment surface for the pad, a cover extending transversely of the tube passes opposite the treatment surface, strips for securing the ends of the tube passes to the cover and straps for securing the pad in place on the treatment area.

Abstract: A circuit board and method of forming a circuit board with signal and receptor pads arranged on layers spaced apart in a Z direction with a dielectric layer therebetween, parameters of a resulting AC signal transmitting circuit resulting wherein:capacitive reactance is defined by the equation (I) ##EQU1## where F is frequency and C is capacitance; inductive reactance is defined by the equation (II)X.sub.L =2.pi.FLwhere F is frequency and L is inductance;capacitance is defined by the equation (III) ##EQU2## where A is the effective mutual area of the signal and receptor pads, D is Faraday's constant, E is the dielectric constant, and .tau. is the thickness of the dielectric layer; andinductance is defined by the equation (IV)L=0.005 ln (4h/d).mu.H/in.where ln indicates the natural logarithm for the value 4h/d, where h is the distance above a ground plane, and d is the equivalent diameter of a conductor;wherein capacitance and inductance are established in equations I and II with X.sub.C and X.sub.

Abstract: A closer mechanism and method of operation is provided for filter press assemblies and similar applications having a movable plate for opening and closing the assembly. A flexible bladder is arranged adjacent the movable plate and initially pressurized by a low pressure, high volume supply and then a high pressure, low volume supply regulated by sequencing controls. The flexible bladder is preferably enclosed by a rigid confinement assembly while being allowed to expand and contract for positioning the movable plate. The low pressure supply and high pressure supply are preferably of a gas-over-liquid type while including a reservoir and venting controls for conserving operating liquid within the closer mechanism. In one embodiment, the movable plate is rectangular and the rigid confinement assembly is similarly shaped to provide a particularly compact configuration with the bladder having an inflatable cross-section generally equal in area to the movable plate.

Abstract: A gravity operated locking device and method of operation are disclosed for use with an orthotic brace of a type having upper and lower members hinged together for articulation of the brace with flexion and extension of a limb joint, the locking device comprising a housing adapted for ready attachment to or ready detachment from a portion of the brace, preferably the upper brace member, and forming a groove extending along the length of the housing for receiving a drop bolt tapered at its lower end for riding over and locking into engagement with a projecting stop surface on the lower brace member. The drop bolt is preferably formed with an elongated slot captured by a portion of an attachment means for the brace. The locking device may include an overriding lock for securing the brace in either a fixed, fully extended condition or free for articulation. With the overriding lock released, the drop bolt may be manually operated for selectively permitting either articulated or locked operation of the brace.

Abstract: Methods and products for promoting hair growth, preventing or minimizing hair loss, enhancing or restoring hair color or remelanization and treating other hair and skin afflictions are disclosed. The methods includes topical application of the products to the skin or hair follicles being treated. The product includes as an essential component a treatment agent in an amount effective for treating the affliction and selected from the class of chemicals consisting of anol, anethole, analogs of the above, polymers of the above and mixtures thereof. Various combinations of these chemicals may be found in herb families including umbelliferae, magnoliaceae, labiatae and rutaceae. The invention preferably contemplates selecting the treatment agent from the class of herbs consisting of Foeniculum vulgares (fennel seed), Pimpinella anisum (anise), Carum carvi (caraway seeds) and mixtures of the above herbs with each other and/or with other herbs.

Abstract: A process for producing a pressed juice containing an inulin polymer mixture in a stable polymorphic form having cold water solubility according to the present invention includes the steps of pressing juice from inulin containing plants, preferably of the Compositae family and more preferably from dahlia tubers, assaying the juice to determine its initial range and distribution and processing the pressed juice under selected conditions to convert the inulin polymers of the assayed juice to an inulin polymer mixture having greater than 50% of the polymers in the range of about DP 10 to DP 45, more preferably about DP 16 to DP 40, the process including hydrolyzing inulin polymers of greater than about DP 45 into the range of about DP 10 to DP 45 to enhance permeability and unique metabolic value of the mixture as well as selectively promoting Bifidus growth in the gut.

Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a display-ready carton each include an opening formed in one vertical panel both to display articles within the carton and to permit their removal as desired. The opening preferably extends into the top panel of the carton and includes a removable reinforcing element, more preferably a T-bar, extending across the opening. The carton is preferably formed from corrugated material having a horizontal axis of corrugation in the panel forming the opening and a vertical axis of corrugation in the end panels to structurally rigidify the carton. The carton is preferably the same height as the articles and is more preferably formed from a wrap including the front, back, top and bottom panels and end pieces forming the two end panels.

Abstract: An acoustic/shock wave attenuating assembly comprised of porous screens forms an enclosure filled with a suitable pressure wave attenuating medium or material having fluid characteristics. This basic configuration can be suspended or held in place by a rigid structure. When the pressure attenuating medium is a liquid, the attenuating assembly is provided with a lining for containment. Multiple attenuating assemblies can be employed, with adjacent attenuating assemblies separated by a small gap. The pressure attenuating medium may be a liquid, a gas emulsion, an aqueous foam, or a gel (with or without entrained gas). Alternatively, solid particulates having bulk mechanical properties of a fluid may be employed as the pressure wave attenuating medium and may have an adhesive or the like resisting relative movement between particulates to simulate viscous effects.

Abstract: A perhydrolysis system or activated oxidant system for in situ generation of peracid in aqueous solutions is disclosed including a protease enzyme, a source of hydrogen peroxide and an ester substrate having the general structure ##STR1## where R and R' are alkyl groups unsubstituted or substituted with at least one functional group. Preferred substrates are defined which are preferably chemically non-perhydrolyzable. Processes for bleaching and peracid production are also disclosed.

Abstract: A resistor and method of forming the resistor as an annular resistor body between a conductive pad surrounding a through-hole in the PCB and a surrounding conductive layer, the annular resistor body being formed from a conductive material having a selected resistivity, the outer and inner perimeters of the annular resistor body preferably being substantially constant radii whereby the operative resistance of the annular resistor body may be simply determined from the radii of its outer and inner perimeters, an effective thickness of the annular resistor body and its resistivity, the annular resistor body more preferably being formed from a liquid precursor facilitating formation of conductive interconnections at its outer and inner perimeters.

Abstract: A thickened aqueous cleaning composition is viscoelastic, and has utility as a drain opening composition or as a hard surface cleaner having a cleaning-effective residence time on non-horizontal surfaces. In one embodiment the composition comprises a cleaning active, a quaternary ammonium compound, and an organic counterion. In another embodiment, the viscoelastic quality of the composition is advantageously utilized as a drain opener which rapidly penetrates standing water with minimal dilution to deliver active to the clog material. In these embodiments and corresponding methods of use, a free amine is limited with respect to the amount of the quaternary ammonium compound in the composition in order to maintain phase stability and to achieve further enhanced rheological and aesthetic properties in the composition.

Abstract: A portable body heating/cooling system and method of use are provided for thermal treatment of selected body portions such as joints, muscles and the like, a reservoir being insulated for containing hot/cold fluid, an elongated and flexible thermal pad having one surface formed by conductive and flexible tubular conduits for conforming to the selected body portion and for producing thermal treatment by the flow of fluid through the tubular conduits, the tubular conduits being connected with the reservoir by non-collapsible supply and return tubes, and a pump preferably battery operated and preferably located in the reservoir for continually circulating fluid from the reservoir through the tubular conduits and back to the reservoir, the thermal pad being equipped with a retainer for securing the thermal pad in contact with the selected body portion, the supply and return tubes preferably being accordion-like in configuration to assure constant circulation of fluid through the thermal pad, the conduit also pref

Abstract: A depth filtration method employing a depth filter media sheet, a method of forming the depth filter media sheet and the structure of the depth filter media sheet are described wherein the depth filter media sheet is formed from a wet strength layer and a filter septum layer, the filter septum layer being substantially thicker than the wet strength layer and being formed as a matrix from at least one fiber selected to provide substantial loft and pore structure throughout the filter depth of the filter septum layer, the wet strength layer and the filter septum layer being arranged adjacent each other and preferably bonded together with a lateral surface of the filter septum layer being substantially totally exposed for receiving fluid to be filtered with the porous matrix of the filter septum layer being available to receive and capture particulate solids from the fluid, the filter septum layer also preferably including a second fiber or additional fibers selected in combination with the first fiber for defin

Abstract: A transport and display carton is formed from a first generally rectangular element forming a bottom panel for the carton, a second elongated rectangular element including five segments and four interconnecting generally right angle folds and dividing the bottom panel into three generally equal areas, and a third rectangular element having a first straight segment intersecting two parallel segments of the first element and extending substantially along the length of the bottom panel to divide it into six exposed cells for receiving articles to be transported and displayed, the second and third elements being of substantially the same height on the bottom panel to provide structural rigidity for the carton.

Abstract: Aqueous cleaning compositions and methods of use are disclosed with a thickening agent including an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant forming about 0.1 to about 10% by wt. of the composition, a solvent selected from the class consisting of terpene derivatives including a functional group and tertiary alcohols forming about 0.01 to about 10% by wt. of the composition and an electrolyte component in an amount effective for enhancing thickening effects of the alkyl ether sulfate surfactant and solvent. The electrolyte component preferably includes a hypochlorite of an alkali metal and more preferably at least one additional multivalent electrolyte, the additional multivalent electrolyte most preferably being sodium carbonate. With the electrolyte component including a hypochlorite, additional electrolytes and the solvent are selected to be bleach stable, the solvent also preferably being a fragrance for the composition.

Abstract: An in situ method for forming a bypass capacitor element internally within a PCB comprising the steps of arranging one or more uncured dielectric sheets with conductive foils on opposite sides thereof and laminating the conductive foils to the dielectric sheet simultaneously as the PCB is formed by a final lamination step, the conductive foils preferably being laminated to another layer of the PCB prior to their arrangement adjacent the dielectric sheet or sheets, the dielectric foils even more preferably being initially laminated to additional dielectric sheets in order to form multiple bypass capacitive elements as a compound subassembly within the PCB.

Abstract: A compact filter assembly adapted for filter media retrieval comprises an in-line arrangement of a filter stack module, a filter media supply module for introducing filter media to the filter stack module, an extractor and separator module and a rewind module for receiving and collecting the filter media from the extractor and separator module in a condition suitable for storage, reuse or disposal, the in-line modules forming a straight-line path for the filter media and the extractor and separator module including first and second roller means arranged sequentially, each reversing the direction of travel for the filter media, and a lateral conveyor means for receiving and transferring filter solids tending to be separated from the filter media by the first roller means.

Abstract: Five embodiments of a shield assembly for a syringe having a plunger barrel and a mounting at the other end of the syringe for receiving a needle hub, an inner sheath adapted for being secured to the syringe, an outer cylindrical sheath in telescoping relation on the inner sheath and movable between a retracted position and extended position, and locking elements formed on the two sheaths for locking them in extended and/or retracted relation, the locking elements being releasable by relative rotation of the sheaths. The various embodiments include an additional intermediate sheath nested between the inner and outer sheaths with the locking elements functioning through the three sheaths, guide elements for maintaining alignment of the locking elements, a spiral track for effecting relative rotation of adjacent sheaths.