Abstract: An RFID label assembly and method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the manufacturing method comprises the steps of (a) providing an RFID label assembly, the RFID label assembly comprising a common web, the common web having a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of RFID labels spaced apart from one another and releasably mounted on top of the common web, at least some of the RFID labels being defective and at least some of the RFID labels not being defective, and an eye mark printed on the bottom surface of the common web for each of the RFID labels, each eye mark having a length corresponding to the length of its corresponding RFID label; (b) testing each of the RFID labels for the purpose of detecting defective RFID labels; and (c) removing from the common web all RFID labels found in step (b) to be defective.

Abstract: A medical catheter assembly including a multi-piece connector. In one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a PEG implanting assembly comprising a tubular dilator and a silicone feeding tube having an internal bolster at its rear end. The assembly also comprises a multi-piece connector comprising an inner ring, a fitting and an outer ring. The inner ring has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube and is coaxially disposed within the feeding tube by a friction-fit. The fitting comprises a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion, the intermediate portion including a shoulder having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube. The front portion of the fitting is inserted through the rear end of the dilator and is secured to the dilator by a plurality of barbs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expansion valve and to a method for controlling an expansion valve, in which the opening and closing movement of the valve-closure member is set as a function of the pressure difference which is present in a feed opening on the high pressure side and in a discharge opening.

Abstract: A training device for throwing a baseball includes a plate assembly that is pivotally connected to a support member. The plate assembly includes a flat, rectangular balance plate and a sleeve disposed transversely across the bottom surface of the balance plate. The support member includes an elongated support arm on which the sleeve is adapted to teeter and a generally T-shaped strike plate connected to the support arm. In use, the training device can be used in the following manner to train a pitcher to exert maximum rear leg drive while throwing a baseball. Specifically, the training device is disposed on a flat, level flooring surface such that the plate assembly teeters on the support member. The pitcher then centers his rear foot on the balance plate and lifts his front knee. At this time, the pitcher drives his rear knee forward until the balance plate pivots forward and contacts the strike plate which in turn generates an audible signal.

Abstract: A composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane and method of producing same. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is made by coating a porous polysulfone support with an aqueous solution containing 2 wt % m-phenylenediamine (MPD), and 0.1 wt % di(ethylene glycol) hexyl methyl ether. Next, the excess solution is removed, and the coated support is dipped in 0.1 wt % organic solvent solution of trimesoyl chloride (TMC) in a mixture of alkanes having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms. After draining the TMC solution off, the resulting composite membrane is air dried and then rinsed in a basic aqueous solution. The resultant membrane exhibits a flux of 21.3 gfd and a salt rejection of 98.9% when used at 225 psi for an aqueous solution containing 2000 ppm of NaCl.

Abstract: A system for managing the production of retail tickets in accordance with a ticket order includes a ticketing services bureau adapted to receive the ticket order and a print center to print tickets in accordance with the ticket order. The system additionally includes a client connected to the ticketing services bureau via an electronic network. As part of an interactive ticket proofing process, the client is capable of electronically retrieving an on-screen ticket proof from the ticketing services bureau and, if necessary, dynamically modifying the on-screen ticket proof in real time. The ticketing services bureau then generates an output data file based on the original ticket order, the edited on-screen ticket proof and print characteristics of the printer that will execute the ticket order. In this manner, the print center uses the output data file to generate tickets that closely resemble the on-screen ticket proof approved by the client.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Measuring probe for a device for the measurement of the thickness of thin layers, with a housing (14) comprising at least one sensor element (17), which is accepted along a longitudinal axis (16) of the housing (14) at least slightly movable to the housing (14) and with a contact spherical cap (21) assigned to the at least one sensor element (17) for setting the measuring probe (11) onto a surface of a measuring object, wereby in that the at least one sensor element (17) is accepted by a holding element (18)—along the longitudinal axis (16) of the housing (14)—which is designed spring-loaded resiliently and which is fastened on the housing (14).

Abstract: A tool for dispensing plastic fasteners from a fastener clip includes a housing, a trigger pivotally mounted in the housing, a hollow slotted needle slidably mounted in the housing, an ejector rod disposed to insert back and forth through the hollow needle and an indexing mechanism for advancing the cross-bar of a fastener in the fastener clip into axial alignment behind the needle. The indexing mechanism includes a feed slide coupled to the trigger and a pivotally mounted feed cam connected to the feed slide, the feed cam including a pair of spaced apart projections. A metal feed pawl includes a ratchet shaped tooth and is disposed against the feed cam in a fitted relationship between the pair of projections. A spring mounted on the feed pawl resiliently urges the ratchet tooth into continuous contact with the fastener clip to prevent a jamming condition.

Abstract: The invention concerns an objective (1) for an observation device (10), whereby the objective comprises an objective-lens-system, which consists of a first optical subcomponent (11, 14) on the object side and a second, optical subcomponent (12, 15), whereby the second optical subcomponent (12, 15) is arranged at a distance (d2) to the first optical subcomponent (11, 14) on the optical axis of the objective, and one of the subcomponents (12, 14) possesses a positive refractive power and the other subcomponent (11, 15) possesses a negative refractive power, which is hereby characterized in that the objective (1) has a zooming device. In addition, the invention concerns a microscope, which contains such an objective. Finally, a method for adjusting an objective (1) of an observation device (10) is provided with the invention.

Abstract: An attachment is designed for removable mounting on various types of conventional cookware containers, such as cooking pots, mixing bowls or frying pans. The attachment includes a spout which serves to assist in pouring food products out from the container. The attachment also includes a cover disposed partially across the top surface of the spout, the cover serving to minimize the splashing of the food product during a pouring operation. The attachment additionally includes inner and outer support members which together retain the attachment in its mounted position on the container. With the attachment mounted on the container, the inner and outer support members conform tightly against and frictionally engage the inner and outer surfaces, respectively, of the sidewall of the container.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for attaching a feeding tube to a feeding delivery system is presented. The feeding delivery system is attached to an elongated connecting member that is pivotally attached to a bolster. After attachment, the elongated connecting member is rotated to engage another tube at the base of the pivot. Before pivoting, the passageway is blocked by the interference of the elongated connecting member. As the elongated connecting member is rotated, the conduit system aligns and becomes a passageway to and from the stomach. The device provides a three part rigid plastic fit that does not wear out over a number of uses. The device prevents splash events, which occur when a feeding adapter is opened or when the adapter or valve is forced open by a cough or gastric pressure build up.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration standard, especially for the calibration of devices for the non-destructive measurement of the thickness of thin layers, with a carrier layer (12) consisting of a basic material and a standard (17) applied on the carrier layer (12), said standard having the thickness of the layer to be measured at which the device is to be calibrated, with the carrier layer (12) comprising a plane-parallel measuring surface (16) to its bearing surface (14), that the standard (17) comprises a bearing surface (18) plane-parallel with its measuring surface (19) for bearing on the measuring surface (16) of the carrier layer (12), and that the standard (17) is permanently provided on the carrier layer (12) by means of plating by rubbing.

Abstract: Endothelialization of vascular surfaces. According to one aspect, the invention involves a technique for re-endothelializing an artery whose endothelial layer has been damaged by balloon angioplasty. The technique comprises, in one embodiment, introducing into the bloodstream of a patient, prior to performing the angioplasty, a quantity of a bispecific antibody, the bispecific antibody having a first antigen binding site directed against a surface marker common to both endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) and having a second antigen binding site directed against a subendothelial epitope. The bispecific antibody is introduced in a quantity sufficient to bind a substantial percentage of circulating EPCs and circulating ECs. In this manner, once the angioplasty has been performed and the target epitopes on the subendothelium have been exposed, the bispecific antibodies that have already become bound to the circulating EPCs and ECs also then bind to the subendothelium.

Abstract: A temporary protective cover for an electrical box having an open front end includes a plate sized and shaped to be removably mounted onto the open front end of the electrical box 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: A protective device for transmitting electromagnetic signals of a desired frequency band from a source to a load comprises an outer conductor, an inner conductor extending coaxially within the outer conductor and a quarter wavelength shunt conductor. A radio frequency impedance control (RFIC) tube is used to maintain the proper transmission line impedance for the device. The shunt conductor is connected, at one end, to the inner conductor and extends along a multi-curved path through an opening in the RFIC tube and wraps around the RFIC tube in at least one plane. The other end of the stub is connected to the outer conductor either directly or indirectly by means of distributed capacitance through a dielectric insulator. A plurality of gas discharge tubes may be coupled to the shunt conductor to shunt undesired voltages.

Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, 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, compressible, 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 bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 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: The invention concerns a novel surface-functionalized carrier material with a polymeric surface and at least one linker compound according to the general formula (I), which is covalently bound to the surface. In the formula, P indicates the polymeric surface; R2 has the meaning OR4 or NR4R5 and R1, R4 and R5, independently of one another, indicate H, an alkyl group or an aryl group; R3 indicates H, an alkyl, an aryl, an acyl, an alkoxycarbonyl or an aryloxycarbonyl group; and the alkyl, aryl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl and/or aryloxycarbonyl group of the radicals R1, R3, R4 and R5, independently of one another, are substituted or unsubstituted. The material according to the invention can be very easily produced by photochemical coupling and serves for the solid-phase synthesis of amino acids, peptides, proteins or molecules with at least one peptidic structural unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a sterilisation system, especially for sterilising drinking water and water for industrial use. The precious metal surface of a base material containing precious metal is initially oxidised in an acidic solution and subsequently treated in an aqueous saline solution. The invention also relates to a sterilisation system and use thereof.