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).

Abstract: A method for processing a flexible photosensitive sheet or web material (PSM) including a photographic emulsion on at least one of the flat surfaces thereof and employing a minimum quantity of processing solution including the steps of containing the processing solution in a generally sheet-like geometry, introducing the PSM into the processing solution at a liner face thereof, and substantially immediately upon the entry of the PSM into the processing solution, effecting dispersal of the processing solution onto the emulsion-bearing surface and retaining the solution on such surface for a period of time sufficient to render the surface susceptible to the flow and retention of the processing solution on such surface without external aid. Within the reservoir, the emulsion-bearing surface may be further subjected to one or more further treatments to enhance the development process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring offset data for aligning co-rotatable in-line machine shafts. Two sets of offset data, each set for example representing relative displacement in a radial direction between a reference point referenced to one of the shafts and a particular point on the other of the shafts at given angular positions, are collected at a plurality of measurement angular positions. The measurement angular positions are not necessarily the 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree. and 270.degree. angular positions at which measurements are traditionally taken. Preferably, measured offset data is collected during continuous rotation of the shafts in their normal direction of rotation or at convenient positions where the rotation is halted. Measured offset data may be collected at as few as three angular positions, but preferably is collected at more than three angular positions, and typically at a multiplicity of angular positions such as thirty or forty.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the degree of deterioration in lubricating oil including a grid-like capacitive sensor, that uses the lubricating oil as a dielectric medium, and a magnetic field imposed upon the oil to attract ferromagnetic wear particles into the vicinity of the sensor. Preferably, the magnetic field is generated by a permanent magnet and an electromagnetic aligned such that the magnetic field produced by each magnet acts upon the oil along the same axis.

Abstract: System for separating solids from slurry containing a separable solid in a liquid carrier, such as an industrial waste. The slurry is flowed into a separation chamber positioned over a slower moving foraminous medium to effect cross-flow separation of liquid from the slurry in an initial stage and followed by separation of solids from the slurry in a second stage all the separation being effected employing a single forwardly moving filtration medium. The flow rate of liquid, the rate of travel of the foraminous medium, and the differential pressure across the foraminous medium, as established by the pressure exerted by the flowing liquid on the foraminous medium and the relative pressure underneath the foraminous medium, are controlled at different locations along the length of the separation chamber to provide optimum steady-state separation for a given waste stream.

Abstract: An abdominal support belt of the type which includes an elongated flat waist band adapted to encircle the waist of a user and one or more supplemental elastic (resilient) strap or straps having unattached ends adapted to be grasped and drawn toward the anterior midline of the user's abdomen and releasible secured to the waist band when the belt is secured about the waist of the user for enhancing the support provided by the belt, and including one or more devices for limiting the extent of return of the strap or straps when the unattached end thereof is released from the waist band and the strap or straps is permitted to return toward its relaxed state. The belt further includes improved wear resistance and shape retention properties, particularly associated with the opposite ends of the waist band.

Abstract: A filtration medium especially useful in cross-flow type filtration systems comprising a length of porous strong substrate, preferably woven, and a thin porous membrane, such membrane being bonded to the strands of the substrate by islands of resin uniformly spaced apart and disposed generally between the substrate and the membrane. The islands of resin enhance the integrity of the composite during its use in a filtration system. A method and apparatus for the manufacture of the filtration medium is disclosed.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for the treatment of particulate materials such as soils and sludges containing arsenic compounds which comprises contacting the material with a source of iron (III) ions and a source of magnesium (II) ions to stabilize the material against leaching of arsenic. A preferred source of iron (III) ions is iron (III) sulfate and a preferred source of magnesium (II) ions is magnesium oxide.

Abstract: A wrapper paper for pressure sensitive products bearing on one of its flat surfaces a layer of polyethylene and on the opposite of its flat surfaces a layer of a primer selected from the polyalkyleneimine class, at least portions of the opposite flat coated surfaces facing one another in overlapping relationship when the paper is wrapped about a product, the overlying areas of the wrapper paper being sealed to one another by heat means and the application of very low pressure to the overlapping portions.

Abstract: The specification describes a system for analyzing and processing an input analog signal. This invention provides an analog signal preprocessor which is operated in conjunction with a main instrument for measuring any defects or wear of machinery parts. The analog signal preprocessor operates to preprocess an analog signal by filtering and amplifying a signal from the analog signal to allow a more accurate reading by the main instrument. The preprocessor will adjust itself for optimum operation and communicate the operation modes to the main instrument. Also, the preprocessor can be addressed by the main instrument to setup the operation of the preprocessor according to a program or input entered into the main instrument.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a precursor nonwoven web including consolidating the web laterally and thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web. The resultant nonwoven web is also disclosed as is utilization of the product web as a filter.

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.1R 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: The disclosed invention detects electronic surveillance devices. Should an electronic surveillance device (a bug) be present in a room, the bug will be detecting sounds with a microphone and transmitting on some electromagnetic frequency. In the present invention, these signals are received by a receiver which produces a receiver signal, and a microphone converts the sound present in the room into an electronic reference signal. As may be noted both the received signal from the electronic surveillance device and the reference signal from the reference microphone will have as their source the sounds that are within the room. It is this common sound source of both signals that allows the presence of an electronic surveillance device to be detected. According to the present invention, the phase angle difference between the receiver signal and the reference signal is examined in order to decide if there is any phase correlation.

Abstract: A system for the delivery, storage and disposal of medical supplies including a lidded receptacle for receiving the supplies and facilitating their delivery to a use site, such lidded container subsequently being employed in the collection and ultimate disposal of waste medical supplies. The preferred receptacle includes lid means that serves to temporarily close the receptacle when unused medical supplies are held within the receptacle, and that serves the further subsequent function of lockingly closing and sealing the receptacle when waste medical supplies are contained in the receptacle.

Abstract: The specification discloses a starter drive for starting engines. In one embodiment, a drive gear having a recess on a side thereof transfers motion from a starting motor to a sprag and a rim located in the recess. The rim is integrally formed with an idler gear which in turn transfers its motion to the crankshaft of the engine. After startup, the sprag permits the idler gear and rim to turn independently of the drive gear.

Abstract: A method for removing laser printer and xerographic toner, ink or the like from paper to be recycled comprising pulping the paper to be recycled with water to produce a paper pulp slurry with a consistency of between about 1% and 20%, adjusting the pH of the slurry to between about 6 and about 13, adding between about 0.3 and about 5.0 wt. %, based on the dry weight of the paper, of a surfactant to the slurry, the surfactant having the formula R.sup.1 --R.sup.2 --R.sup.3, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are each selected from the group consisting of rosins, rosin dimers and mixtures of rosins and rosin dimers and R.sup.2 is a polyethylene glycol (PEG) having a molecular weight of between about 220 and about 660 Da, and adding between about 0.01 and about 5.0 wt. % of polyacrylic acid to the slurry, maintaining the slurry at a temperature of between about 30.degree. C. and about 120.degree. C.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel woven multiplex forming fabric defining pockets in one surface thereof into which cellulosic fibers in an aqueous medium are flowed under conditions of flow and rate of water removal that establish high shear fluid flow and result in the orientation of fibers and/or fiber segments at an angle with respect to the plane of the forming fabric and their capture in the pockets and in the areas of the fabric adjacent the pockets.

Abstract: A system embodied within an over-the-road trailer or other carrier for use when transporting frangible sheet material, such as sheets of glass, utilizes a frame, a side section hingedly connected to the frame and a frame structure attached to the side section. The frame includes a bed surface having two opposite side edges and a cutout opening out of at least one side edge of the bed surface. The side section includes a bed surface section and is hingedly connected to the frame for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first position at which the bed surface section is positioned within the cutout so that the bed surface and bed surface section collectively provide a bed for the system and a second position at which the bed surface section overlies and faces downwardly upon the bed surface of the frame.