Abstract: Macrocyclic compounds having the structures described herein are useful for inhibiting replication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). In preferred embodiments, the compounds are active against both the NS3 protease and the NS3 helicase of HCV.

Abstract: A ball valve comprises a cylindrical casing having an axial bore therethrough for passage of fluids. The ball is mounted between annular upper and lower seats, the latter being compressible and supported by an annular shoulder within the casing. The ball has diametrically opposed slots that receive a pin and a wrench plug, respectively, which are rotatably mounted within diametrically opposed longitudinal apertures in the casing. The ball has a large central bore therethrough whose axis is perpendicular to the ball's rotational axis, so that the fluid path may be opened and closed by rotating the ball. Prior to loading the valve, the ball is in its closed position in which the slots are parallel to the axis of the casing, thereby permitting the ball to float axially between the seats. In order to load the valve under compression, the wrench plug is manually rotated with a wrench until the ball is turned to its open position. This rotation cams the ball downward against the lower seat, compressing the seat.

Abstract: A device for filling containers through a spout on the container includes a sterile chamber that has an opening in a wall through which the spout of the container may be inserted into the chamber, a filling head inside the chamber for connecting with the spout and filling the container through the spout, a cup-shaped cap inside the chamber that covers the opening in the wall to substantially prevent the escape of a sterile gas from the chamber when the spout is not in the opening, a fluid spray head inside the cup-shaped cap for sterilizing the spout before it is exposed to the sterile chamber, and a pair of jaws that fit around the spout when the spout is in the opening to substantially prevent the escape of the sterile gas during the filing operation when the cap is removed.

Abstract: A draft control plate, which automatically opens or closes to provide efficient draft conditions in a furnace, is provided with both horizontal and vertical counterbalance devices which respectively permit adjustment of the initial position of the plate and the sensitivity of its movements. Initially, the plate is partially open where it remains while the furnace is operating under normal conditions. It is then capable of opening or closing in response to changes in the pressure differential across it. Preferably, the plate is horizontally mounted in an auxiliary flue channel which is adjacent to and in connection with the main flue of the furnace.

Abstract: An article receptacle for the disposal of articles, such as trash and litter, includes a flexible bag frictionally retained between two frames. The frames nest together to permit the bag to be inserted and removed without bending or deforming the frames, and to permit the frictional engagement of the frames to strengthen in response to the bag load. Several attachments provide support for the assembled frames: a hip mount supports the frames on a user's belt; a scoop attachment supports the frames in an upright position at ground level and includes a ramp to permit debris to be swept directly into the bag mouth; and a wall mount supports the frames from a vertical surface.

Abstract: A surgical blade remover is disclosed wherein a surgical blade is easily and effectively removed from the tang of a handle. The device is provided with two members which are spaced to form a channel sized to permit the tang to be positioned between them while the blade rests on the upper surfaces of the members. The channel between the members at their lower portions widens to permit the handle to enter the channel sufficiently that the heel of the blade can abut a projection which extends upward from each surface of the members. The handle enters this widened lower portion of the channel while the blade rests against the upper surfaces of the members thereby releasing the heel of the blade from the tang. The blade can then be removed from the handle by pulling the handle out of the channel because the projections prevent the blade from moving with the handle.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves comprising an annular, right cylindrical, metal stent covered with fabric to which a glutaraldehyde-stabilized pericardial valving element formed of three leaflets, each having a plateau on a truncated triangle extending higher at the center than at the edges, and formed as a cylinder having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the stent, and having a low profile is disclosed.

Abstract: A hand racket for use in the game of handball comprises a bowl-shaped base held in the palm of the hand, a racket face, and a strap for attaching the base to the hand. The strap is provided with self-adhering material in order to form adjustable finger and wrist loops, and is mounted on the base so as to permit the simple application of a racket to each hand. The base is also provided with a non-slip surface to prevent slippage.

Abstract: The elevation and angle of a desk top are independently adjustable with the exertion of a minimum of manual force, thereby facilitating the use of the desk by handicapped or disabled persons. The desk is provided with a torsion bar to substantially ease elevational adjustments and with a parallel lever arm construction which permits such adjustments without changing the angle of the desk top. The height and tilt angle of the desk top are each securely fixed by means of a pair of serrated, interlocking discs which are spring loaded to permit them to be easily locked or unlocked with only a few turns of an adjustment handle. In addition, frictional washers are utilized in conjunction with this spring loading to substantially maintain the position of the desk top even after the discs are unlocked, further facilitating angular and elevational adjustments by persons of impaired physical strength.

Abstract: A buoyancy control valve connected to a source of gas under pressure and to the buoyancy control vest of a scuba diver permits, through the manipulation of a pair of actuators, the use of the energy within the compressed air to forcibly exhaust air from the scuba diver's vest to effect a rapid deflation of the vest. In addition, the same valve permits application of the pressurized air to the vest for inflating the vest and also permits deflation of the vest using pressure differentials without forced assistance from the pressurized air source. Included within the same valve is a pressure differential responsive relief valve which opens in response to excessive pressure within the diver's vest to prevent overinflation of pressurized air to a breathing mask and a forcible exhausting of air from the same breathing mask through the manipulation of a pair of actuators so that an unconscious person or animal may be alternately forced to inhale and exhale for resuscitation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming a liquid-tight container having a rectangular cross-section formed from a one-piece, T-shaped blank of paperboard material. The carton preferably includes an access flap and straw element on one side thereof which, when manually lifted, exposes an end of the straw element from which the contents of the carton may be consumed by a user. The apparatus is compact in nature, possessing relatively few transport mechanisms which advance the T-shaped carton blank through a plurality of work stations. A novel method and apparatus for serially applying the straw element and access panel to the carton blank is disclosed, wherein the straw element and a length of polyethylene coated Mylar tape is automatically bonded to the carton blank upon a rotating heat sealing and alignment drum.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder pump for a cryogenic liquid is provided with an unloading system in which the inlet valve of each cylinder can be selectively held open or permitted to close. In the closed position, the operation of the cylinder is normal; while, in the open position, the liquid fails to attain sufficient pressure to exit through the outlet valve, thereby deactivating the cylinder. Preferably, the unloading system comprises several plunger assemblies which may be extended in order to engage the inlet valve and hold it in the open position. Each plunger assembly may be activated by means of a manual thumb screw or in accordance with the change in a pressure differential acting on the plunger. Alternatively, the plunger assembly may be activated electronically by means of a solenoid.

Abstract: A container lid is released at a desired point in a sterilizing cycle with the actuating movement being provided by an expandable chamber having a quantity of sterilizing environment captured during the sterilizing cycle.

Abstract: A flexible covering for placing over an individual's injured limb having a cast or bandage. The covering consists of a tubular piece of flexible material, one end of which is open and the other end of which is closed in a receptacle for the hand or foot of the individual. The tube tapers into a neck at its open end so as to provide a sealing portion which snugly engages the limb of the individual above the upper termination of the cast or bandage. The sealing portion or neck has an interior diameter smaller than the diameter of the limb above the cast or bandage in order to provide a sealing engagement with the limb. The covering is designed for use by the individual with the injured limb when he is bathing in order to protect the cast or bandaged area from contact with water.

Abstract: A surgical blade remover is disclosed having an essentially wedge-shaped support member which tapers from its front side to its back side. The support has one or more mutually parallel latitudinal slots open at one end and along their length extending from the front side of the support into its interior. The slots are sized to receive the tang of the blade holder while preventing the blade itself from passing therethrough. The surface of the support member bordering each slot is covered with an adhesive which holds the blade in place as the blade holder is pivoted downward in the slot away from the blade. When the hilt of the blade becomes detached from the holder, as a result of this pivoting action, the holder is withdrawn from the slot. The blade remains affixed to the adhesive on the support and is retained for its disposal.

Abstract: A draft control plate, which automatically opens or closes to provide efficient draft conditions in a furnace, is provided with both horizontal and vertical counterbalance devices which respectively permit adjustment of the initial position of the plate and the sensitivity of its movements. Initially, the plate is partially open where it remains while the furnace is operating under normal conditions. It is then capable of opening or closing in response to changes in the pressure differential across it. Preferably, the plate is horizontally mounted in an auxiliary flue channel which is adjacent to and in connection with the main flue of the furnace.