Abstract: A process for the bromination of polystyrenic homo- and co-polymers using bromine as the reaction medium, bromine chloride as the bromination reagent and a Lewis acid catalyst substantially improves product quality and permits controlling the reaction to achieve a desired level of bromination.

Abstract: Solid-phase copolymers of 4-vinylpyridine or 4-vinylpyridine 1-oxide may be employed as catalysts in the formation of acid anhydrides. A water soluble polymer of 4-vinylpyridine 1-oxide may also be employed as a catalyst in the formation of acid anhydrides.

Abstract: There is provided a method and an apparatus for forming the tops of material-filled bags into substantially fin-like shapes suitable for sealing in conventional top-sealing machines. The filled bags may be conveyed at random to a top-forming location in the apparatus where a bag is stopped, a device such as a pair of hinged plates is inserted into the top of the bag, front and back forming plates and side gusseting blades simultaneously engage the outside of the bag, forming the top into a fin-shape, the blades and plates are withdrawn, and the bag is then conveyed from the top-forming location. Bag tops are formed more consistently and with excess air expelled with the present method and apparatus.

Abstract: A valve structure for a swimming pool water filter includes:(a) a hollow body having multiple flow apertures,(b) a rotary plate on the body and having flow porting, the plate being movable toward and away from said flow apertures,(c) seal means between the body and plate,(d) a handle having operative connection to the plate to rotate said plate to bring said plate porting into and out of selected registration with said flow apertures,(e) and means mounting the handle to pivot without rotating the plate, and between a first position in which the handle has moved the plate to energize the seal means to seal off between the body and plate, and a second position in which the handle has moved the plate to de-energized said seal means.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed which can be clamped onto a bone, held in place without the need of a surgical assistant, and which retracts the muscles and tissues away from the bone also without the need of a surgical assistant. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surgical instrument is designed for use on the femur of the hip during hip pinning surgery. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the surgical instrument can be made into different sizes and shapes for utilization on any bone of the body so as to assist in the surgical exposure thereof.

Abstract: Novel silylpyridine monomers and dimers and their N-oxide derivatives and poly(methylpyridinylsiloxane) polymers and copolymers and their N-oxide derivatives have utility as inverse phase transfer catalysts.

Abstract: Antagonist analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) having N-alkylated basic amino acid residues at the 8 position, 8 and 6 positions, 8 and 5 positions, and 8, 6 and 5 positions, having high antiovulatory activity and low histamine release activity, and their use in regulating the release of gonadatropic hormones from the pituitary gland of mannals.

Abstract: Flame retardant MPPE compositions incorporate an effective amount of a polybrominated higher alkylbenzene or mixture thereof as a flame retardant and flow modifier together with an enhancing agent.

Abstract: Flame retardant ABS compositions incorporate an effective amount of a polybrominated higher alkylbenzene or mixture thereof and an enhancing agent.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for quantifying physical properties of gaseous, liquid or solid samples. The near-infrared absorbance spectra of a representative field of calibration samples are measured and recorded using a spectrophotometer. The absorbance spectra of the calibration samples are evaluated by a row-reduction algorithm to determine which wavelengths in the near-infrared spectrum, and associated weighting constants, are statistically correlated to the physical property being quantified. The near-infrared absorbance of actual samples is then measured at each of the correlated wavelengths, and then corrected by the corresponding weighting constants. A reference value for the physical property being quantified is then computed from the corrected measure of the absorbance of the sample at each of the correlated wavelengths.

Abstract: An electronic sequencing system comprised of two groups of three identically operating sequencers and circuitry that combines the outputs of these sequencers so that accurate, flexible and reliable sequencing of devices is obtained. Each sequencer is comprised of a microprocessor, memory, and peripheral circuits. The individual sequencer outputs are combined such that at least one of the corresponding system outputs will activate the device to be sequenced if at least two of three corresponding individual sequencer outputs signal that the device should be activated. Additional reliability is obtained by combining the outputs of each group of the identically operating sequencers to control the devices to be sequenced. Reset circuitry is also provided to simultaneously reset the sequencers and to prevent premature outputs from activating the devices to be sequenced.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for supporting a payload in the cargo bay of a reusable space vehicle, like the orbiter of the NASA Space Transportation System (STS). In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of pad assemblies which are attached to a cradle located in the cargo bay of the orbiter. The pad assemblies are mounted at intervals along the inside surface of the cradle and can be adjusted in the radial direction by means of a screw adjustment. Each pad assembly comprises a pad covering, a rocker pad, and an alignment and adjustment apparatus. The pad covering is bonded to the rocker pad and makes a bearing connection with the payload. The pad covering comprises a plurality of elastomeric pads interleaved with metal sheets. The outer surface of the pad covering is shaped to accommodate a cylindrical payload. The rocker pad is attached to the cradle by means of the alignment and adjustment apparatus.

Abstract: Thio group corrosion inhibitors and aldose group antioxidants when combined provide a synergistic corrosion inhibition system for clear, high density oil and gas completion and workover fluids.

Abstract: A packaging wrap of a paper and shock absorbing material combination in which the lower layers are cut at specified distances from the edges of the wrap to form strips, while the uncut layer provides hinges about which the strips rotate until lying flat upon the uncut layer, where such strips are secured in position. Because the width of each strip is less than one-half the width of the wrap, a hollow gap is formed in which all or a portion of an article may be inserted. The flexibility of the wrap is increased by crimping the wrap along lines substantially perpendicular to the length of the wrap at intervals along the length of the wrap.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for logging the density of a gravel pack installation in a drill hole while the gravel pack installation tool is being withdrawn from the drill hole. After the apparatus is recovered at the earth's surface, the density log is recovered by means of a dedicated surface readout module. The logged data of the density of the gravel packed zone is examined for voids in the gravel pack. If any such void is indicated from the data, remedial action can be taken promptly while the gravel pack equipment is still at the drill hole site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to corrosion inhibitors which can be used with calcium-free drilling, completion and workover fluids in carbonate or sulfate containing wells. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of sodium, ammonium and/or calcium thiocyanate alone, or in combination with specific aldose group antioxidants, as corrosion inhibitors. Aldose group antioxidants include arabinose, ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, gluconic acid, alkali metal, and alkaline earth or other metal ascorbates, isoascorbates and gluconates and mixtures thereof. Additionally, ammonium thioglycolate may be incorporated as a further corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: Normally combustible thermoplastic polyolefins such as polystyrene and polypropylene may be flame retarded without discoloration utilizing a flame retardant additive mixture comprising hexabromocyclododecane and one or more bis-(polybromophenoxy)ethane.

Abstract: A lightweight cradle apparatus for supporting payloads such as an upper stage and a mated spacecraft in the cargo bay of a reusable space vehicle like the orbiter used in the NASA Space Transportation System. The cradle apparatus provides support for the payload during launch, abort, and landing of the orbiter and deployment of the payload. The cradle apparatus comprises a forward cradle and an aft cradle that are connected by longitudinal support members. The forward cradle comprises two radial sections joined by a hinge and by a latch, the aft cradle consists of an aft cradle disc and an aft cradle adapter assembly, each longitudinal support member consists of two longitudinal links. The links are joined together at the forward end where they connect to the forward cradle and the links are separated at the aft end by a spacer and connect to the aft cradle. The cradle apparatus transfers loads to the orbiter by means of a keel pin and trunnion connections.

Abstract: Flexible polyvinyl chloride resin compositions combining a high degree of flame retardancy and thermal stability comprise di-2-ethylhexyl tetrabromophthalate and an optional flame retardant enhancing agent.