Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting leaks in rubber or plastic articles such as surgical or examination gloves that, in general, are insulators against an electric current. The apparatus comprises a power source, first and second electrical leads, and structure for measuring the electrical properties between the leads. In the method of the invention the apparatus, together with an ion-containing liquid, complete an electrical circuit between the inside and the outside of the article when a hole in the article permits ions in the liquid to carry electrons through the hole. When used to test for holes in surgical or examination gloves during the use thereof or between such us as in the case of examination gloves, the test can be conveniently carried out while the practitioner washes or rinses his gloved hands under a non-recirculated stream of running tap water or flowing sterile saline solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing fibers includes a single fiber preparation and separation device for separating fibers from a sample of multiple fibers and producing an output of single fibers. A fiber transport means, preferably an air conduit, receives the single fibers and transports them to a removed location where at least one fiber is sampled from the transport means. In the preferred embodiment, the sampler is a hook that is inserted into, and removed from, an air conduit to hook and remove single fibers carried in a stream of air inside the air conduit. A testing apparatus associated with the sampler then determines at least one characteristic of the sampled fiber, such as strength, tension as a function of elongation, or cross sectional characteristics.

Abstract: A tool for use when releasing the kin pin from a fifth wheel coupling mechanism used for coupling a trailer to a tractor vehicle by pulling upon a handle so that the handle moves in a linear direction from a lock position to a release position includes a pair of telescoping shafts and a hook affixed to one end of one of the shafts. The shafts are telescopically movable between a retracted condition and an extended condition, and the hook is sized to be hooked about the handle of the coupling mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employing optical spectrometry techniques to measure metallic wear debris contamination in used motor oil, even in the presence of carbon particulates. Measurement results based on optical spectrometry as disclosed herein correlate closely with results of laboratory analysis based on atomic spectrometry. Variation in transmittance of a sample of oil as a function of wavelength within the approximate range of 300 nm (violet) to 1300 nm (near-infrared) is measured as an indicator of metallic wear debris contamination. Conveniently, measurements may be taken at just two wavelengths within the range, for example 565 nm (green) and 660 nm (red). The ratio of transmittance at the shorter of the two wavelengths to transmittance at the longer of the two wavelengths is determined as an indication of the amount of metallic wear debris contamination, decreases in the ratio from a ratio of unity indicating increasing levels of contamination.

Abstract: An adhesive tape is disclosed. The adhesive tape comprises a high surface energy polyolefin film in combination with a water-dispersed adhesive. The polyolefin is prepared by blending from about 99.5% to about 90.0% by weight of a polymeric material with from about 0.5% to about 10.0% by weight of an amphiphile having the formula:RA(CHR.sup.2 8 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 200 to about 500 daltons, A and A.sup.1 are selected from the group consisting of O, --NR.sup.3 --, carboxyl and S, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are 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 guide facilitating the movement of a carpentry tool, such as a tape rule or hand-held power saw, across an article includes a U-shaped portion which may be compressed with the fingers about an edge section of the tool and a fence portion joined to the attachment portion for sliding movement along the edge of an article. The fence portion includes a planar mid-section which may be moved in sliding engagement with the article edge and arcuate end sections positioned at opposite ends of the mid-section for protecting the fingers used to compress the U-shaped portion from the edge of the article as the guide is moved therealong.

Abstract: A food shelving and cycling system for wrapped food items includes an elongated shelf for storing wrapped food items and unwrapping apparatus for separating each food item from its wrapping. Sensors mounted within the floor of the shelf and a controller monitor the time that a wrapped food item is positioned within the shelf and initiates its removal from the shelf if the food item is positioned within the shelf in excess of a desired period of time. The system includes heating components for heating the food items until removed from the shelf, and the unwrapping apparatus facilitates the division of a food item and its wrapping into edible and non-edible refuse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring moving vehicular traffic, especially adapted for the detailed profiling and counting of airport usage by aircraft employing Doppler radar and sound generated by target aircraft. A primary parabolic reflector operated in the Cassegrainian mode with respect to Doppler radar radiation, employed in combination with a hyperbolic sub-reflector constructed so that it will reflect the radar radiation but remain transparent to sound waves is used to propagate and receive radar radiation, and to receive sound waves emanating from a target aircraft. Sound waves emanating from the target are received by the parabolic reflector and directed toward the parabolic reflector's primary focus where they strike a microphone placed at the primary focus of such reflector. The signal from the microphone and the information from the Doppler radar unit are processed by a central processing unit to provide a variety of information relating to the target aircraft.

Abstract: Methods for verifying the mechanical integrity of an alignment bracket, particularly a multi-configurable alignment bracket, used for aligning co-rotatable in-line machine shafts, and for determining the amount of alignment bracket "sag" to be accounted for when subsequently employing readings taken with the alignment bracket. The invention employs a previously-established relationship between sag and deflection of the alignment bracket under the influence of a known force to determine sag and to verify mechanical integrity of the alignment bracket in situ, avoiding the need for the usual prealignment sag determination on a separate straight pipe or mandrel. In the practice of the method, the alignment bracket is set up in a position for use, on the actual shafts being aligned. The extension bar of the alignment bracket is positioned above the centerlines of the shafts, and a known force is applied by hanging a known weight at a predetermined point on the alignment bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for testing a specimen sample of fibers includes a frame (22), rotatable drums (60) situated at a first station upon the frame for holding a quantity (86) of fibers, a brush (152) situated at a second station along the frame for brushing the fiber specimen and testing equipment (28) situated at a third station upon the frame for performing a series upon the fiber specimen. A comb (34 or 35) is utilized for gathering the fiber specimen from the quantity of fibers held by the drums, and carriages (122 and 136) are movably mounted upon the frame for transporting the comb between the first, second and third stations of the apparatus. When positioned at the first station, the comb gathers a fiber specimen, and the specimen is carded. When the comb is positioned at the second station, the gathered specimen is brushed by the brush, and when the comb is thereafter moved to the third station, the brushed specimen is tested by the testing equipment.

Abstract: The specification discloses a system for in situ bioremediation of soil wherein nutrients are delivered in the vapor phase to the affected area of the soil for utilization by microorganisms to promote the metabolism of organic contaminants by the microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for preparing a pressure stable and pH stable medium for use in high pressure gel filtration chromatography (HPGFC). The method comprises treating aminoalkyl-silica with an aldose or ketose, monosaccharide or disaccharide sugar in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride at a temperature of from about 50.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C. for a period of time of from about 4 hours to about 6 hours, washing the resulting medium, and drying the medium. a pressure stable and pH stable medium for HPGFC is also disclosed.

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: An eye spud designed for use in removing foreign objects embedded in or adhering to the surface of the eye globe with minimal risk of infection or physical damage of the eye globe.

Abstract: A fiber optic-based regenerable biosensor. The biosensor is particularly suitable for use in microscale work in situ. In one embodiment, the biosensor comprises a reaction chamber disposed adjacent the distal end of a waveguide and adapted to receive therein a quantity of a sample containing an analyte. Leading into the chamber is a plurality of capillary conduits suitable for introducing into the chamber antibodies or other reagents suitable for selective interaction with a predetermined analyte. Following such interaction, the contents of the chamber may be subjected to an incident energy signal for developing fluorescence within the chamber that is detectable via the optical fiber and which is representative of the presence, i.e. concentration, of the selected analyte. Regeneration of the biosensor is accomplished by replacement of the reagents and/or the analyte, or a combination of these, at least in part via one or more of the capillary conduits.

Abstract: A phytohormone for inducing root hair curling and root nodulation in the roots of leguminous plants particularly in the absence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The phytohormone comprises a pentassaccharide having a fatty acid condensed on the non-reducing end. a method for treating the roots of leguminous plants for inducing root hair curling and root nodulation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The stiffness of multi-ply paper and board products is increased by dewatering the base ply on the papermaking machine to a consistency of at least about 8% prior to application of the next ply. The desired laminating consistency is more readily achieved through the use of pulp which has been subjected to a heat treatment process comprising heating the pulp at a temperature in the range of 170.degree. C. to 250.degree. in the presence of water for at least about 0.1 minutes, which reduces the water retention valve of the pulp. The heat treated pulp also produces a stiffer multi-ply product in its own right, which augments the stiffness advantage connected with attainment of higher laminating consistencies.

Abstract: A fiber testing apparatus includes two support members for holding a fiber and a positioning mechanism to facilitate placement of the fiber into engagement with the support members. A translation apparatus moves the two support members apart while a monitor records at least one characteristic of the fiber as it is tensioned. In one embodiment, the two support members are first and second clamps and the positioning apparatus includes first and second suctions oriented to draw the fiber in opposite directions and place the fiber in a substantially linear configuration adjacent to both clamps. In another embodiment, a hook and clamp configuration is utilized, and in yet another embodiment a vacuum groove is employed to facilitate positioning of the fiber.