Abstract: A hot drawn multilayered structure including a layer of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition containing 70 to 95 wt % of EVOH having an ethylene content of 25 to 60 mol % and a saponification degree of at least 90%; and 5 to 30 wt % of an aliphatic copolymer polyamide containing capramide as a main structural unit, having a ratio of the number of methylene gorups to the number of amide groups satisfying the equation:6.6.ltoreq.CH.sub.2 /NHCO.ltoreq.10having a melting point of 110.degree. to 180.degree. C. and exhibiting a melt index of 0.1 to 10 g/10 mins.; having a thermoplastic resin layer on at least one surface of said layer. The multilayered structure has excellent gas barrier properties and minimized variability in gas barrier properties measured in different areas and minimal gel, hard spots, etc.

Abstract: Upon inhalation of air from the interior of a housing, a flexible diaphragm-type valve exposed to the ambient air surrounding the housing is moved inwardly due to the difference in ambient air pressure to that in the housing to expose the interior of the housing to the ambient air which is then drawn into the housing. Upon movement of the valve, it strikes a lever connected to a toggle linkage arrangement, causing the lever to pivot to break the toggle linkage, enabling a coil spring to extend and move a dispensing nozzle into contact with the valve stem of a medicant-containing, aerosol valve actuated, bottle. The valve stem is urged upwardly by the nozzle and moved into the interior of the bottle dispensing a dose of the medicant to be mixed with the inhaled air, which is inhaled by the user.

Abstract: A central address and programming unit designed to constitute a dialogue system with a plurality of fire alarm detectors in order to characterize an alarm, the place of the disaster, technical incidents, and defects in functioning of the fire alarm detectors which are dispersed over a site includes an electronic control unit B.sub.G, a control and display panel D.sub.A, an electronic programming unit C.sub.p for interfacing the control and display panel D.sub.A and unit BG to the electronic programming unit and a coupling loop A.sub.B for interfacing the control unit B.sub.G to the integrated circuit of the pickups (17) for the fire alarm detctors.

Abstract: A power actuated tool for attaching a protective metal strip to the outside corner formed by two intersecting wall panels is provided. The tool includes a shoe releasably mounted on the tool for holding the tool and the protective strip in alignment along the corner. The shoe is provided in a number of differing shapes, each one of which complements the contour of an associated protective strip, which are interchangeably mountable on a power actuator for activating an attaching means for securing the metal strip to the wall. The shoe is rotatable relative to the power actuator so that a myriad of relative positions may be assumed by the shoe with respect to the power actuator in order to enable the tool to be used where limited space is available to hold and attach the protective strip.

Abstract: Provided are multilayered structures comprising at least 2 layers consisting of a layer of a composition (C) comprising 50 to 95 wt % of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (A) and 50 to 5 wt % of a thermoplastic polyester (B) comprising at least 50 mol % of isophthalic acid base on the total moles of carboxylic acid component and 0.1 to 30 mol % of 1,3-bis (.beta.-hydroxyethoxy)benzene and/or diethylene glycol based on the total moles of diol component, and a layer of a thermoplastic resin (D), said (A) and (D) satisfying the following relationship (I):110.degree. C..gtoreq.X.sub.A -X.sub.D .gtoreq.0.degree. C. (I)wherein X.sub.A represents the melting point of A and X.sub.D represents the melting point or, in the case of no melting point, the softening temperature, of D.

Abstract: The present invention provides resin compositions comprising a blend of two different saponified products of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. The composition is much improved compared to a single EVOH in flexibility without adversely affecting the transparency and gas barrier property. Laminate films comprising at least one layer of said composition are excellent in resistance to dropping shock, ability to prevent air-back, skin-pack adaptability and shrink-packaging capability.

Abstract: A barrier mechanism for isolating a drive chain from an active chamber in a Langmuir trough is provided. The chain drives a substrate mounted on a backing plate through the active chamber in order to coat the substrate. The chain passes through a "C" shaped barrier adjacent to the active chamber. The barrier mechanism comprises a resilient strip biased by a leaf spring to seal a side opening in the barrier. A wedge is mounted to the backing plate to open the resilient strip and leaf spring and thereby permit the backing plate to pass through the side opening as the substrate is driven into the active chamber.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining wire electrode and a process of forming the wire electrode. The electrode comprises a primary constituent selected from the group consisting essentially of brass copper and alloys thereof and a secondary constituent essentially of about 3 to about 40 percent by weight of graphite.

Abstract: Upon inhalation of air from the interior of a housing, a flexible diaphragm-type valve exposed to the ambient air surrounding the housing is moved inwardly due to the difference in ambient air pressure to that in the housing to expose the interior of the housing to the ambient air which is then drawn into the housing. Upon movement of the valve, it strikes a lever connected to a toggle linkage arrangement, causing the lever to pivot to break the toggle linkage, enabling a coil spring to extend and move downwardly a medicant-containing bottle relative to the valve stem of an aerosol valve. The valve stem is urged upwardly relative to a nozzle and moved into the interior of the bottle dispensing a metered dose of the medicant to be mixed with the inhaled air, which is inhaled by the user until the valve automatically closes by extension of the valve stem relative to the nozzle.

Abstract: A granulate for introducing a fibrous filler material into a liquid bitumen mass by adding said granulate to said liquid bitumen mass is provided, said granulate comprising: fibers of said fibrous filler material, said fibers coated and agglomerated into granulates by a binding agent, said binding agent initially binding said fibers when introduced into said bitumen and thereafter losing its binding effect in said liquid bitumen when exposed to heat or the presence of a solvent incorporated in the liquid bitumen thereby effectuating a complete dissolution of said granulate and homogeneous distribution of said fibers throughout said liquid bitumen mass.

Abstract: In a method and a multiple-spindle automatic lathe for machining both sides of workpieces, in order to increase the number of spindle positions available for machining the workpieces, it is suggested that the spindle drum be indexed in single steps, that the feeding of raw workpieces, the removal of finished workpieces and the changeover of half-finished workpieces be carried out in a single spindle position of the spindle drum and that the feeding of raw workpieces and the removal of finished workpieces occur alternately after each drum indexing.

Abstract: An elongated, planar support member is provided with dental floss about its peripheral edge. Multiple notches extending into the support member at various locations about the peripheral edge thereof expose multiple lengths of floss for flossing teeth. The lengths of floss extending across the notches are at various angles with respect to the longitudinal extent of the support member in order that the interdental spaces between various teeth are conveniently and effectively accessed.Preferably, four lengths of floss are exposed across four notches. Two floss lengths are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support member and two floss lengths are at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the support member.The peripheral edge of the support member is provided with a groove. In one embodiment of the invention, the floss is fixed in the groove. In another embodiment, the floss is rotatingly positionable in the groove.

Abstract: An adhesive or coating formulation useful in biomedical application and particularly well suited for use in aqueous environments is provided comprising:(1) a bioadhesive polyphenolic protein component having from about 5 to about 99 weight percent of a proteinaceous substance comprising from about 10 to about 400 of the following repeating decapeptide unit: ##STR1## in which each X is hydrogen or hydroxyl and each R is hydrogen or methyl; (2) from about 1.0 to about 40 weight percent of a cross-linking agent which promotes cross-linking of the decapeptide;(3) one or more additives which promote the desired properties of the formulation, said additives comprising at least one surfactant and being present in an amount of from 0% to about 90% by weight, and(4) a filler compatible with the intended use of the formulation, said filler being present in an amount of from 0% to about 50% by weight.

Abstract: A device for heating a flow of substantially pure gas flowing in a flow direction to temperatures above about 600.degree. C. is disclosed. The device includes a heat exchanger having a heat exchanger surface extending transversely to the flow direction whereby the substantially pure gas flows across the heat exchanger surface. The heat exchanger is made of a ceramic material for heating the pure gas without contaminating the gas flow. An infrared radiation source arranged outside of the flow of pure gas irradiates the heat exchanger surface.

Abstract: In a floodwater and a process for floodwashing workpieces wherein the workpiece is immersed in a bath of washing liquid and a workpiece surface is acted upon by at least one jet of washing liquid issuing from a nozzle, in order to achieve optimum cleaning efficiency of the jets with as low pumping capacity as possible, it is proposed that a free jet be used as jet and that the nozzle be guided at a distance from the workpiece surface which at most is approximately twice the length of the jet core of the free jet.

Abstract: In a foodstuff, the salt content present as such therein and imparting the flavor thereto is reduced by up to 50% by weight, without noticeable detriment to the flavor, by adding collagen hydrolysate.

Abstract: A contour measuring apparatus and method of using the same is disclosed to measure the three-dimensional contour of a surface. Structure is provided to direct first light beams onto the surface being measured. Reflections of the first light beams from the surface are received for generating electrical output signals corresponding to electro-optically measurable optical images. The output signals are electrically processed to determine the radius of curvature of the surface being measured. A higher spatial resolution can be achieved without changing the spacing of the array of light points.

Abstract: This invention provides a gas-barrier multilayered packaging material which comprises an outer layer of a composition comprising 55-97 wt % of an EVOH and 45-3 wt % of a resin selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyolefin, polyester and polycarbonate and an inner layer comprising a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin having a low moisture permeability; and further provides a gas-barrier multilayered packaging material with comprises an outer layer comprising a resin layer having a moisture permeability (measured at 40.degree. C., 90% RH) of at least 40 g/m.sup.2 day, an intermediate layer of a composition comprising 55 to 97% by weight of an EVOH and 45 to 3% by weight of a resin selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyolefin, polyester and polycarbonate and an inner layer comprising a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin layer having a moisture permeability lower than that of the outer layer.

Abstract: A storm umbrella comprises a canopy, a center pole, a first sleeve slidably mounted on the center pole, and a plurality of outer ribs extending outwardly from a top of the pole and forming a frame for the canopy. A plurality of intermediate ribs are each connected at one end to a corresponding one of the outer ribs and connected at another end to the first sleeve to support the outer ribs and open and close the canopy. In one embodiment of the invention, the center pole is divided and a rotational joint is connected between upper and lower portions of the center pole. In a second embodiment, the center pole is not divided and the rotational joint is connected between the center pole and a handle for the umbrella. Consequently, in either embodiment, when the canopy is subject to a torsional force, the canopy can rotate relative to the handle to shunt the force. This avoids damage to the umbrella and makes the umbrella easier to hold by a person.

Abstract: A shelf-frame assembly comprising at least four elongate spaced apart corner upright frame members and at least two pair of transverse frame members. There are means for releasably connecting the upright frame members to the transverse frame members comprising a pair of protrusions defining a pair of vertical slots in each upright member and a downward facing tab formed at each end of each transverse frame member.