Abstract: Disclosed are porous polymer/carrier solid phase reactants which consist of a polymer that consists of fine particles and is situated in the pore space of porous carrier materials. Reactive groups are bound to the polymer. Said groups act as reactants in organic-chemical syntheses. Said solid phase reactants can be produced as bulk material or tubes, plates or rods, can be built in pressure sealed housings and can be used in flow-through apparatuses or microtitration fields for the synthesis of organic products. Potential active agents can be produced at high speed by using the inventive porous polymer/carrier solid phase reactants that can be flown through convectively, whereby production requires only little isolation and cleaning.

Abstract: Insulated shipping container and method of making the same. In a preferred embodiment, the insulated shipping container comprises an outer box, an insulated insert, an inner box and a closure member. The outer box, which is preferably made of corrugated fiberboard, comprises a rectangular prismatic cavity bounded by a plurality of rectangular side walls, a closed bottom end, and top closure flaps. The insulated insert is snugly, but removably, disposed within the outer box and is shaped to define a rectangular prismatic cavity bounded by a bottom wall and a plurality of rectangular side walls, the insulated insert having an open top end. The insulated insert is made of a foamed polyurethane body to which on all sides, except its bottom, a thin, flexible, unfoamed polymer bag is integrally bonded.

Abstract: A temporary protective cover for an electrical box having an open front end includes in one embodiment a plate shaped to enclose the open front end and a pair of wings formed onto the plate for securing the cover onto the electrical box. A line of weakness extends across the rear surface of the plate from the right side edge to the left side edge. A plurality of pins are formed onto the rear surface of the plate and serve to limit longitudinal and lateral movement of the cover when mounted onto the electrical box. The pair of wings are spaced adequately in from the left and right side edges of the plate and extend rearwardly from the rear surface of the plate at an angle away from one another. Each wing is shaped to include a flexible leg and an enlarged foot, the foot including a tapered guiding surface and a substantially flat engagement surface.

Abstract: Cable tie and method of making the same. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises continuously forming a length of strap material using a rotary extrusion process, the strap material having laterally-extending teeth disposed along its entire length. The continuous length of strap material is then cut into individual straps of desired length, with the ends of each strap being shaped to desired profiles. A transverse hole may also be formed in the strap proximate to its front end. A front portion comprising a head is then insert-molded around the front end of the strap and, if present, the transverse hole in the strap. The head is provided with a transverse channel through which the tail end of the strap may be inserted and a locking tang lockably engageable with the teeth once inserted therepast.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell stack comprises, in one embodiment, a plurality of cells arranged in series in a bipolar configuration, each cell including a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers having a density of about 0.2-0.55 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.

Abstract: An apparatus (11) for dispensing individual plastic fasteners from fastener stock (13), includes a housing (27) and a hollow slotted needle (173) mounted onto said housing (27). An indexing wheel (95) is rotatably disposed within the housing (27) and advances a fastener to the rear end of the needle (173). A rocker (177) is slidably disposed within the housing and serves to move the cross-bar of the fastener in parallel with the needle bore. A plunger (179) is disposed within the housing (27) and is capable of being slidably displaced by a trigger assembly. An ejector rod (181) is fixedly mounted onto the plunger (179) and serves to push the cross-bar of the fastener out of the front of the needle (173). An indexing slide (137) separate from the rocker (177) is slidably disposed within the housing (27) and serves to rotatably advance the indexing wheel (95) after the ejector rod (181) pushes the cross-bar of the fastener out the front end of the needle (173).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a nut (1) with a nut body (10) having an enlarged shoulder (15) and a turning plate (20) that is rotationally and inseparably arranged on the nut body, wherein the turning plate is shoved onto the nut body and secured by means of a locking element. According to the invention, the locking element is fashioned as a bead (26) provided on the nut body (10), so that the turning plate (20) is arranged between the enlarged shoulder (15) and the bead (26). Moreover, the present invention concerns a method for fabrication of such a nut, wherein the nut body (10) and the turning plate (20) are made by massive forming and, before or after shoving on the turning plate (20), an upsetting (26) is formed by pressing in the nut body (10), or during the fabrication of the nut body (10) a bead (26) is formed as a single piece in the nut body, so that the turning plate (20) is positioned between the enlarged shoulder (15) and the upsetting or the bead (26).

Abstract: A device for holding a badge and an identification card includes a first strip of material constructed of leather. The first strip of material is shaped to include first and second generally oval-shaped portions which are connected through a neck. The first portion is shaped to include a pair of openings through which the badge can be pinned. A second strip of material constructed of leather is sewn onto the first strip of material along three sides so as to define a generally rectangular-shaped pocket for receiving the identification card, the first strip of material being shaped to include a centered window to display the identification card when disposed within the pocket. The first strip of material can be folded about the neck to form a closed loop. A pair of complementary fasteners are mounted onto the first strip of material to retain the device in its closed loop configuration.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the plastic fastener comprises a flexible filament having a length of about 4.3 mm and a tensile strength of about 2 pounds, a first transverse bar located at one end of the flexible filament, and a second transverse bar located at the opposite end of the flexible filament. The fastener clip, which preferably does not contain a runner bar, comprises a plurality of identical fasteners of the aforementioned type, each of the fasteners being arranged in a parallel, side-by-side, spaced relationship. A connector post connects the first transverse bars of adjacent fasteners, and a connector post connects the second transverse bars of adjacent fasteners. An extra transverse bar is connected by a connector post to the first transverse bar of the last fastener, and another extra transverse bar is connected by a connector post to the second transverse bar of the last fastener, the extra transverse bars not being interconnected by a flexible filament.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible between a bicycle and a scooter includes a frame constructed of a rigid material. The frame comprises a laterally extending post, a pair of spaced apart support tubes formed onto the post, and a footboard fixedly mounted onto the support tubes. Each support tube includes a first section which extends down and forward from the post at an angle of approximately 20 degrees and a second section which extends horizontally forward from the first section. A front fork is mounted onto the frame and supports a handlebar assembly. A front wheel is rotatably mounted onto the front fork and a rear wheel is rotatably mounted onto the frame, each wheel being approximately 12 inches in diameter. A seat assembly is mounted onto the frame and is capable of being pivotally displaced. A pedal assembly is mounted onto the post and serves to rotatably drive the rear wheel.

Abstract: A device and a method for the photolithographic exposure of biological substances is described, which comprises at least one light source, a bundle of optical fibers and a control unit, whereby each of the optical fibers can be controlled by light independently from one another and/or light can be coupled to each fiber independently. The device is particularly suitable for the exposure of DNA, PNA or peptide chips.

Abstract: A device for externally retaining a gastrostomy feeding tube comprises a clip. In one embodiment, the clip is a generally rectangular, unitary structure shaped to include a first end wall, a second end wall spaced apart from and extending parallel to the first end wall, a lower wall extending perpendicularly between and interconnecting the first end wall and the second end wall, and an upper wall having a first end connected to the first end wall and a second end spaced apart from the second end wall. The first end wall, the second end wall, the lower wall and the upper wall together define a tubing storage cavity, with the space between the upper wall and the second end wall defining an inlet to the tubing storage cavity. The first end wall has a top surface, a bottom surface and a bore extending between said top surface and said bottom surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell and method using the same. The fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly comprising a proton exchange membrane having a front face and a rear face. An anode is coupled to the front face of the proton exchange membrane, and a cathode is coupled to the rear face of the proton exchange membrane. A vapor diffusion chamber is positioned in the front of the anode, and a vapor transport member is positioned in front of the vapor diffusion chamber. The vapor transport member is substantially impermeable to an organic fuel/water mixture in a liquid phase but is permeable to the organic fuel/water mixture in a vapor phase. In operation, a liquid fuel mixture delivered to the vapor transport member evaporates from the vapor transport member and is delivered to the anode in vapor form.

Abstract: A cleaning member, specifically a pad or cloth which is preferably saturated with a wet cleansing solution and is retained within a sealed enclosure and attached to, embedded in or in some way captured by a food holding means to facilitate cleansing during and after consuming of said food.

Abstract: A low profile adaptor for use with a medical catheter. In one embodiment, the adaptor comprises a lower connector portion, an upper connector portion and a valve. The lower connector portion comprises a tubular portion and an annular portion, the annular portion radially surrounding the tubular portion along an intermediate length thereof. A helical thread is formed on the inside surface of the tubular portion. A circular lip projects upwardly a short distance from the top surface of the annular portion. The upper connector portion comprises a tubular section adapted for insertion into the tubular portion of the lower connector portion. An external helical thread is formed on the tubular section of the upper connector portion for mating engagement with the thread on the interior of the tubular portion of the lower connector portion. The upper connector portion also includes an annular base.

Abstract: A cell culture preparation and methods are provided which are suitable for production in cells of a first protein in a class of proteins where the medium is deficient in a second protein in a related class, where the second protein is normally present in the serum and capable of interfering with the purification of the first compound.

Abstract: An electric plug includes a plug housing which is formed onto one end of a power cord, the power cord includes a hot line, a neutral line and a ground line. The electric plug includes a lighted rocker switch which provides both circuit breaking and power switching capabilities, the rocker switch being electrically connected to the hot and neutral lines of the power cord. First, second and third conductive terminals project orthogonally out from the plug housing. The first and second conductive terminals are electrically connected to the rocker switch and the third conductive terminal is electrically connected to the ground line. In use, the lighted rocker switch regulates the flow of between the conductive terminals and the power cord in response to overcurrent conditions in the electric plug and manual switching of the power state of the lighted rocker switch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for steering a beam of light. The method and apparatus are based on the discovery that the spectral dispersion of multi-chromatic light pulses by an acousto-optical deflector can be significantly ameliorated by positioning a dispersive element, such as a prism, along the path of the multi-chromatic light pulses in such a way that the dispersive element disperses the multi-chromatic light pulses in a direction opposite to the spectral dispersion caused by the acousto-optical deflector. The dispersive element may be positioned either before or after the acousto-optical deflector. The method and apparatus are particularly well-suited for use with ultrashort laser pulses in the visible and infrared ranges having a bandwidth of up to about 40 nm. The method and apparatus have applicability in, among other things, multi-photon laser scanning microscopy.

Abstract: An apparatus for decorating an object with the heat-transfer label of a heat-transfer label assembly includes a decorating unit for applying the heat-transfer label onto the object during an extended period of decoration a conveying mechanism for continuously, rotationally advancing and supporting the object during the extended period of decoration. The decorating unit includes a preheater for heating the heat-transfer label assembly before the period of decoration, a generally flat, heated contact plate which is adapted to pivot so as to continuously urge the heat-transfer label into contact with the object throughout the extended period of decoration and a transport assembly for advancing the heat-transfer label assembly from the preheater to the heated contact plate. The heated contact plate includes a rubber layer constructed of an 80 durometer silicone and a 0.10 inches thick, TEFLON fiberglass cloth covering mounted on the rubber layer.

Abstract: An individual plastic fastener for coupling together two or more items includes a shortened, cylindrical connector having a first end and a second end, a first disk-shaped cross-member integrally formed onto the first end of the connector and a second disk-shaped cross-member integrally formed onto the second end of the connector. Each of the first and second disk-shaped cross-members include a flat inner surface, a flat outer surface and a rounded side surface. A flat needle is designed for use in dispensing the individual plastic fastener. The needle terminates in a flattened tip and is shaped to define a longitudinally-extending rectangular bore which is dimensioned to receive one of the cross-members of the fastener and a longitudinally-extending slot which is dimensioned to permit the connector to extend therethrough while the cross-member is disposed within the bore.