Abstract: An apparatus for continuous hot-dip coating of metal strip is provided. The apparatus includes a first coating pot to hold a molten bath of a first coating metal and a first metal heating means to heat the bath of molten metal in the first pot. The apparatus also includes a second coating pot to hold a molten bath of a second coating metal, which second pot is shallow in relation to the first pot and is positionable within an upper part of the first but removable therefrom, and a second metal heating means operable to heat the molten bath of metal in the second pot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manipulating data models for the transfer of models between a plurality of software engineering tools (Ta, Tb, Tc, Td, etc.) and for the application of transformation rules to a model, wherein the transformation of data models is carried out by means of gateways (Ba, Bb, Bc, Bd, etc.) which make it possible to convert the format of one tool to the format of another tool by passing through a unique neutral intermediate format (NIM). The present process is remarkable in that the development of the gateways, in accordance with the so-called object-oriented approach, is carried out in an executed language, the gateways being executables which allow the transformation of a data model in several steps activated successively, in a systematic or conditional way, by means of a command language which describes a logic for dynamic concatenation of the steps, concatenation being a named, parameterized procedure.

Abstract: A mixing device for mixing flowable materials in a container employs an elongated shaft having one end adapted to be connected to a power source and the other to be inserted into the material, with a pair of elongated, generally helical open centered coil impellers mounted on the shaft at a location to be submerged in the material, with the coils having their longitudinal axes parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the shaft, with the coils being offset on opposite sides of the shaft. Preferably, the coil impellers are supported on a hub mounted for adjustment longitudinally of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatic proving theorems describing physical systems in first order logic. This method is used to produce complex systems and is implemented with the aid of a computer in whose memory a theorem to be proved is represented by at least one binary decision diagram (BDD). The method seeks to reduce the BDD to a constant T, symbolizing truth, by a substitution, by constructing and exploring a search tree of possible substitutions. The tree is constructed by minimizing the branching factor and is explored by maximizing in accordance with the Shannon theory, the information gain obtained at each node of the search tree.

Abstract: A gas flow regulator valve is provided with a metering valve and filter assembly including a drawn, generally cup shaped, or hat shaped filter element having a substantially flat end panel, a generally cylindrical sidewall and an open end opposite the end panel. An integrally formed flange, or rim, is formed around the open end and projects outwardly therefrom to provide means for mounting the filter, in a fluid-tight relation, in the metering valve assembly body. The filter is formed from a substantially planar disc-shaped blank of a multilayered screen material in which the respective layers are welded, or sintered, to one another to form a rigid, porous filter medium. The blank is shaped by a cup drawing operation of a filter mesh made of layers of woven smooth, corrosion resistant, fine gauge, high strength metal.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable rug underlay includes a water impervious woven web of flat monofilament yarn having its opposite surfaces and its interstices coated with a latex acrylic pressure sensitive non-aggressive adhesive forming a water impervious web and a protective releasable polymer film or liner on each of the opposite adhesive surfaces. The product is dimensionally stable and approximately 1 mm in thickness.

Abstract: A device for mounting a first element onto a second element to sandwich an electrical or electronic component therebetween, wherein the device is operable to cause the first element to exert a contact force on the component when the first element is mounted onto the second element and to couple the device to the first element in a manner which exerts a mounting force on the first element which is independent of whether the first element is mounted onto the second element. The first element may be a heat sink and the second element may be a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A system for separation of fluids and drill cuttings received-from a borehole during an under-balanced drilling procedure. The system is designed to cope with significantly varied pressures and flow rates, particularly in relation to gas content of drill fluids returned to the surface during the drilling process in a production zones and to provide effective separation and to reduce the detrimental effect due to the presence of the drill cuttings in the returned drill fluids. In the present invention there is utilized a first stage, high pressure vessel in which a major portion of the gases ad drill cuttings are separated, and a second stages horizontal low pressure vessel, preferably of greater volume than the high pressure vessel, in which further separating is achieved, including the separate removal of the drilling liquid to be returned to the drill tube.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted backing distance gauge is provided, in which an activator bar carried by two side arms, normally biased to an extended position, extends approximately ten inches behind the vehicle, and as the vehicle is backed toward an object such as a loading dock, the activator bar comes into contact with the object and retracts toward a front end of the vehicle. The activator bar is coupled to a plunger beam carried within a casing mounted on the vehicle that moves in concert with the activator bar, and through the use of a bevel gear pair and a follower arm controllably moved by the forward end of the plunger beam, an indicator sign is rotated or pivoted by a shaft coupled to one of the bevel gears from a first position parallel to the side of the vehicle and extending toward the rear of the vehicle, to a diametrically opposed position parallel to the vehicle, but extending toward the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method removes material from the wall of a passage, such as a vein or artery, in a patient's body with a series of bristles that are rotated. The bristles are part of a sweep catheter having a proximal end and a distal end with a tip thereon. Bristles next to the tip extend out from the distal end a shorter distance than the bristles further from the tip. The bristles, which have smaller bristles or sub-bristles thereon, are inclined away from the tip as they extend out from the distal end of the sweep catheter. The bristles push removed materials away from the tip and towards a suction channel of a guide catheter whereby the materials are removed.

Abstract: A coupler for managing communication between a portable data medium and a data exchange device. The coupler includes bistable control circuitry (25) input-activated by at least two control signals (DTR, RTS) delivered by the data exchange device in one of two first and second predetermined input sequences, and arranged to output at least one power supply signal (VCC) and a data medium reset signal (RST) in a predetermined output sequence, such that the portable data medium is activated only when one specific input sequence of the two input sequences is received.

Abstract: Improved medical devices and instruments prepared by an improved method of producing hydrophilic, gamma-irradiation induced polymerized and chemically grafted coatings on plastic surfaces of articles adapted for contacting living tissue, the improvement comprising carrying out the graft polymerization in an aqueous solution under specific combinations of the following conditions:(a) monomer concentration in the range of from about 0.1% to about 50%, by weight;(b) total gamma dose in the range of from about 0.001 to less than about 0.50 Mrad; and(c) gamma dose rate in the range of from above about 2,500 to about 10.sup.8 rads/minute.

Abstract: A method for shaping a consolidated, substantially oxygen-free, equiaxed MoSi.sub.2 /SiC composite body having an average grain size of 10 .mu.m or less, a SiC content of 2 to 60 v/o and relatively low strength and relatively high ductility comprising subjecting the composite body to plastic deformation under conditions of forming temperature and rate of deformation such that grain growth is substantially avoided, the MoSi.sub.2 /SiC composite body being obtained by providing particles of molybdenum, silicon and carbon in a proportion relative to each other required to produce a composite powder of MoSi.sub.2 and SiC having a composition in that segment of the ternary diagram of FIG. 1 designated A, and subjecting the particles to mechanical alloying under conditions and for a time sufficient to produce the composite powder, followed by consolidation of the composite powder.

Abstract: Polyamines having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyl, aralkyl or aryl having up to 10 carbon atoms; anda and b may be the same or different and are integers from 1 to 8; ora salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid. Anti-neoplastic, anti-diarrheal, anti-peristaltic, gastro-intestinal anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, anti-retroviral, anti-psoriasis and insecticidal compositions comprising biologically effective amounts of the above-described amines and biologically acceptable carriers therefor are also disclosed, as well as methods of treatment, administration or application of biologically effective amounts of the polyamines of the invention. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the polyamines of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form for treating neurodegeneration in a human or non-human animal afflicted therewith wherein the active agent is a therapeutically effective amount of a polyamine having the formula: ##STR1## or a salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.6 may be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, hydrocarbyl aryl, hydrocarbyl aryl alkyl, cycloalkyl, or any of the foregoing wherein the alkyl chain is interrupted by at least one etheric oxygen atom;N.sup.1, N.sup.2, N.sup.3 and N.sup.4 are nitrogen atoms capable of protonation at physiological pH's;a and b may be the same or different and are integers from 1 to 4;A, B and C may be the same or different and are bridging groups of variable length.

Abstract: A liquid-absorbing, rot-, chemical-, and skid-resistant mat fastened to an inner folding frame held in place within the area of use by an outer frame adapted to be secured to any surrounding wall. The inner frame is foldable and includes attachments by which the frame and mat, after being folded over itself, can be removed from the area of use by an overhead cabling or on a specially fitted wheeled trolley.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for authenticating a data carrier enables a transaction or access to a service or a location, and the corresponding carrier. The carrier (1) has a specific number (Ns) and an authentication value calculated from the specific number and from information (I) that defines the rights attaching to the carrier by means of an asymmetrical algorithm (F) and a secret key (Ks). Two types of authentication are provided. One is current, in a mode disconnected from the authorizing organization. The other is periodic, in a connected mode. In the disconnected mode, an algorithm (G) correlated with the asymmetrical algorithm (F) and using a public key (Kp) is applied to the authentication value (VA), read from the carrier, in order to verify that the authentication value (VA) is compatible with the specific number (Ns) and the information (I), and that the transaction or service requested is compatible with the information (I).

Abstract: Data validation uses redundant storage of the data on two-layer magnetic tapes. A method and system provide data recording and reading on such magnetic tapes with a high degree of protection from errors and/or fraudulent behavior. The two-layer tape includes a first layer with a high coercive field positioned on a support and a second magnetic layer with a lower coercive field covering the first layer. Synchronous recording is done on the two layers so that all data is recorded on the second layer and some of the date is recorded on the first layer. Data on the second layer is validated upon reading by reading the data in the first layer after erasure of the second layer.

Abstract: A power tool and a replaceable anti-slip pad for use on sloping surfaces roofers is provided wherein the power tool is provided with a sheet or layer of hook fasteners of the hook-and-loop type fastener system disposed on a side surface thereof, and wherein a replaceable anti-slip pad is provided having a sheet or layer of the complementary loop elements provided on a flat surface thereof. The anti-slip pad is constructed of a high density, closed-cell foam that provides greatly improved traction on roofing surfaces, thereby improving the ability to securely place the tool on the sloping surface without substantial slipping of the tool, which improves worker safety and productivity or efficiency, and provides adequate durability to make the replaceable anti-slip pads cost justifiable, when factoring in the improved productivity. The anti-slip pad is installed and removed from the power tool in the conventional manner in which two object are fastened and unfastened by the use of hook-and-loop fasteners.

Abstract: An apparatus for removal of odours from a toilet comprises a vacuum motor and a hose connected to the interior of a toilet pan. The toilet seat includes a hinge comprising a central hollow duct (102) provided with apertures (132) which face the toilet plan for removal of odours therefrom. The odours are sucked from the toilet through the duct and hose and through a vacuum motor assembly and expelled through an outlet in the vacuum motor assembly.