Abstract: An improved Surface-Enhanced Raman Optical Data Storage System (SERODS) is disclosed. In the improved system, entities capable of existing in multiple reversible states are present on the storage device. Such entities result in changed Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) when localized state changes are effected in less than all of the entities. Therefore, by changing the state of entities in localized regions of a storage device, the SERS emissions in such regions will be changed. When a write-on device is controlled by a data signal, such a localized regions of changed SERS emissions will correspond to the data written on the device. The data may be read by illuminating the surface of the storage device with electromagnetic radiation of an appropriate frequency and detecting the corresponding SERS emissions. Data may be deleted by reversing the state changes of entities in regions where the data was initially written.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring trash in a sample of trash particles and fibers includes scales for determining the weight of the sample which is transmitted to a computer. The sample is presented to a sensing volume and an optical sensor produces an output signal corresponding at least to the presence of the trash particle in the sensing volume. In one embodiment, the output signal is the waveform corresponding to light extinction caused by the presence of the particle in the sensing volume. In a second embodiment, image analysis of trash particles in a sensing volume provide output signals corresponding to the size, shape or composition of the particles. The computer receives the weight data and the output signal from the optical sensor and produces output data in the form of a count of at least a portion of the trash particles per unit weight of sample.

Abstract: A method for bleaching hydrocarbon tackifier resins which comprises adding a bleaching agent to a molten resin and recovering a bleached hydrocarbon tackifier resin. The bleaching agent comprises from about 0.04 wt.% to about 0.06 wt.%, based on the weight of the reaction mixture, of an iodine supplying compound and from about 2.0 wt.% to about 10.0 wt.%, based on the weight of the reaction mixture, of an activating terpene compound. The iodine supplying compound is selected from the group consisting of elemental iodine and hydrogen iodide. The activating compound is selected from the group consisting of .alpha.-terpinene, .gamma.-terpinene, d-limonene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene and abietic acid.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible stretcher. The stretcher comprises: a mattress section having a rectangular shape, the mattress section being made of a material, which is capable of absorbing air, the mattress section being capable of spreading by absorbing air and being wound from a longitudinal end when air is discharged; a cover section for accommodating the mattress section, the cover section having a rectangular shape; belt holders being provided on both longitudinal edges of the cover section; and a belt being run through the belt holders, the belt being formed into a loop. Having the windable and light mattress section and no long shafts, the stretcher can be easily and rapidly managed even in narrow places.

Abstract: A package having cardboard wall panels and a retractable pour spout (40) is fabricated from an integral cardboard blank with a respective pair of overlapping inner and outer wall panels (10 and 14) whereby the package is opened for content removal by extending said pour spout (40).

Abstract: The specification discloses a golf bag having an external frame. In a preferred embodiment, the bag includes an elongate body formed of a pliable material, such as nylon, which defines a cavity for receiving golf clubs and a rigid frame positioned external to the cavity to support the body. The frame has V-shaped top and bottom sections connected by an elongate spine. The spine is configured to align with the central axis of the body of the bag and is isolated from the golfer by a garment bag positioned to sandwich the spine between the body and the garment bag.

Abstract: A pneumatic table that adjusts to various positions. Pneumatic cylinders controlled by a pneumatic system raise and lower the tabletop to a desired position. Brakes are used to lock the tabletop once it is in its desired position. The tabletop tilts forward and backward to vary the operating position of a piece of machinery located on the tabletop. A self-adjusting foot treadle adjusts when the tabletop height is changed such that the linkage between the treadle and the tabletop is maintained. The treadle also adjusts to various positions for the comfort of the operator.

Abstract: A mowing system capable of being pulled behind a tractor or other prime mover utilizes a support apparatus for supporting a grass cutter adapted to cut grass as the cutter is rotated and moved forwardly into cutting relationship with grass. The support apparatus includes a wheeled frame for supporting the cutter for rotation and including a guard disposed on the forward side of the cutter. A pair of arm members are pivotally connected between the rear of the tractor and the wheeled frame to accommodate pivotal movement of the wheeled frame between an operative position at which the cutter is positioned for cutting grass disposed generally to one side of the tractor and a deflected position.

Abstract: A device for picking up a top layer of limp sheet material from a lay-up of sheet material includes a head assembly including a pair of rollers between which the top layer is retainably gripped and a double-acting cylinder for lifting the head assembly, with the top layer held thereby, to an elevated condition above the remainder of the lay-up. The device compensates for the reduction in the height of the lay-up as the layers are singularly picked up from the layer and includes a controller for automatically controlling the sequencing of operations of the device.

Abstract: A novel filtration medium, preferably of the closed loop belt type, comprising a woven substrate which is overlaid by a disparate layer comprising a plurality of individual thermoplastic resin particulates which are controllably spaced apart from one another and bonded at fixed spaced apart locations to one to another and to the strands of the woven substrate. These resin particulates serve to define the pore structure and pore size for the medium. A method for the manufacture of the filtration medium is disclosed.

Abstract: The specification discloses chromium-niobium alloys which exhibit improved mechanical properties at high temperatures in the range of 1250.degree. C. and improved room temperature ductility. The alloys contain a Cr.sub.2 Nb-rich intermetallic phase and a Cr-rich phase with an overall niobium concentration in the range of from about 5 to about 18 at. %. The high temperature strength is substantially greater than that of state of the art nickel-based superalloys for enhanced high temperature service. Further improvements in the properties of the compositions are obtained by alloying with rhenium and aluminum; and additional rare-earth and other elements.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the surface energy of a surface of an organic polymeric material, particularly polyolefins. The method is comprised of blending from about 99.5% to about 90.0% by weight of the polymeric material with from about 0.5% to about 10.0% by weight of an amphiphile having the formula:RA(CHR.sup.2 [CH.sub.2 ].sub.n A.sup.1).sub.m R.sup.1where R and R.sup.1 are selected from the group consisting of the alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, acyl and arylacyl derivatives of an aliphatic or aliphatic/aromatic mono-acid with a molecular weight of from about 200 to about 500 daltons, A and A.sup.1 are selected from the group consisting of O, and S, R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of H, CH.sub.3 and C.sub.2 H.sub.5, n is from 0 to 3 and m is from 2 to 20.

Abstract: A method of obturating an extirpated root canal and an associated filler material utilizes two classes of gutta-percha, one class of which becomes plasticized at a predetermined temperature and the other class of which becomes plasticized at a temperature which is less than the predetermined temperature. In one embodiment of the method, the second class of gutta-percha is coated about the first class when in a plasticized condition, and in another embodiment of the method, the second class is pre-coated about the first class and the second class is heated to plasticized condition without plasticizing the first class. In either case, the first class of gutta-percha supports the plasticized second class when subsequently introduced into a root canal for filling the canal. To increase the rigidity of the first class of gutta-percha, the first class may be coated with a cured layer of methyl methacrylate before the second class of gutta-percha is coated about the first class.

Abstract: A display unit is formed of a number of individual light boxes which are electrically and mechanically interconnected in one or more rows. Each light box comprises complementary mounting and hook-on strips at two opposite sides for detachable interconnection of the light boxes in juxtaposed rows. Complementary electric connecting means are each arranged at one end of each light box for electrically and mechanically interconnecting light boxes in the same row. Current is supplied to the light boxes from one end of each row of light boxes by means of a conductor rail. To provide a play of lights, the lamp fitting of each light box has a control circuit which is designed as a receiver and whose turning on and off of the lamp fitting is controlled by a transmitter in the power supply circuit of the display unit.

Abstract: The application discloses a handle for an exercise machine having a force resistor such as the cable type wherein a weight stack supplies resistance to movement of the handle along a path through an interconnecting cable system. The handle includes a grip supported on an elongate arm. A base includes structure for connecting the handle to the force resistor. A ball joint connects the arm to the base to enable simultaneous rotation of the arm about its length axis and pivotal movement of the arm in an orbital fashion relative to the base to provide an expanded range of positions of the user's hand during opposed movement of the handle along the path.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the surface energy of a surface of an organic polymeric material, particularly polyolefins. The method is comprised of blending from about 99.5% to about 90.0% by weight of the polymeric material with from about 0.5% to about 10.0% by weight of an amphiphile having the formula:RA(CHR.sup.2 [CH.sub.2 ].sub.n A.sup.1).sub.m R.sup.1where R and R.sup.1 are selected from the group consisting of the alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, acyl and arylacyl derivatives of an aliphatic or aliphatic/aromatic mono-acid with a molecular weight of from about 200 to about 500 daltons, A and A.sup.1 are selected from the group consisting of O, and S, R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of H, CH.sub.3 and C.sub.2 H.sub.5, n is from 0 to 3 and m is from 2 to 20.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the surface energy of a surface of an organic polymeric material, particularly polyolefins. The method is comprised of blending from about 99.5% to about 90.0% by weight of the polymeric material with from about 0.5% to about 10.0% by weight of an amphiphile having the formula:RA(CHR.sup.2 [CH.sub.2 ].sub.n A.sup.1).sub.m R.sup.1where R and R.sup.1 are selected from the group consisting of the alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, acyl and arylacyl derivatives of an aliphatic or aliphatic/aromatic mono-acid with a molecular weight of from about 150 to about 500 daltons, A and A.sup.1 are polar atoms or groups, R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of H, CH.sub.3 and C.sub.2 H.sub.5, n is from 0 to 3 and m is from 2 to 20.

Abstract: Single entities such as fibers are delivered one at a time to a fluid stream, and a nozzle orients the entities so that each entity along its length (major dimension) is generally parallel with the direction of fluid flow. The entity then enters a sample region and a sensor senses entity data such as the speed of the entity as it passes through the sample region. A preferred embodiment includes a collimated beam of light and two side-by-side photo detectors positioned to measure light extinction caused by fibers passing through the sample region. Another sensor may be provided to detect light scattered forward at an angle of about forty degrees (40.degree.). The sensor signals are used to generate data that corresponds to such parameters as length, fiber ribbon width, fineness, cross-sectional area, maturity, cross-sectional circularity, shape, surface roughness, etc. Optical filtering provides information about composition (natural or man-made) and appearance (color and polarization).