Abstract: For manufacturing a composite foam, having acoustic properties, foam flakes (8) of differing sizes, differing origins, and/or differing material compositions are wetted with a small quantity of a polyurethane dispersion binding agent. The mixture is subsequently combined to a molded part (1) or to continuous web and under the effect of hot (water) steam or microwave energy is cured and subsequently dried. The composite foam can be used for sound insulation purposes in vehicles and in general machinery construction, and also in building construction.

Abstract: An odor-controlling superabsorbent polymer and methods of manufacturing the odor-controlling superabsorbent polymer are disclosed. The odor-controlling superabsorbent polymer has an odor-controlling compound homogeneously distributed therein. The odor-controlling compound is a material selected from the group consisting of a cyclodextrin compound, an amphoteric surfactant, a water-insoluble phosphate, triclosan, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A toy vehicle has a curved cam surface on the upper surface of its chassis, with a forward point on a tangent that is relatively close to the center of mass of the vehicle, and a rearward point on a tangent that is relatively far from the center of mass. The vehicle includes a breaking mechanism that can be used to start the vehicle rotating forwardly. As the vehicle rotates, the point of contact between the vehicle and the supporting surface moves from the front wheels to a leading edge and subsequently to the cam surface. As the vehicle rotates with the cam surface in contact with the supporting surface, the center of mass of the vehicle is forced upwardly, providing sufficient momentum to propel the vehicle into the air.

Abstract: A nozzle in a nozzle plate for an inkjet printhead is formed by directing a laser beam at a nozzle plate. Accurate control of the divergence of the beam is achieved by splitting the beam into sub-beams, each sub-beam having divergence with an origin lying apart from the point at which the beam is created by splitting, and thereafter recombining the sub-beams. Greater accuracy in the taper and inlet shape of the manufactured nozzle is thereby obtained.

Abstract: Vaccine formulations comprising viral capsomeres are disclosed along with methods for their production. Therapeutic and prophylactic methods of use for the vaccine formulations are also disclosed.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a fluid to a surface includes an applicator tip element (5) connected to the end of a substantially rigid stem (1) by a part (3) capable of flexing resiliently as the applicator tip element is stroked across a surface. The application element is conveniently formed as a pad or a molded member of porous material e.g. foam, which can be attached in various ways, e.g. by of adhesive, heat welding or mechanical fixing, to the resiliently flexible connection part.

Abstract: A phyllosilicate material is exfoliated by admixture of the phyllosilicate with water, and a solvent for a water-insoluble oligomer or polymer that is sorbed or electrostatically bonded to the inner surfaces of the phyllosilicate platelets after exfoliation of the phyllosilicate. Intercalation and exfoliation can be achieved via contact of the phyllosilicate with an organic solvent and water to electrostatically bond one or more polar moieties from the organic solvent to a metal cation on the platelet inner surfaces, so that after evaporation of the water used for intercalation of the organic solvent between phyllosilicate platelets, the platelets do not then collapse together, but remain exfoliated. After exfoliation of the phyllosilicate, the exfoliated platelets are contacted with a polymer/carrier composition that includes a water-insoluble polymer or water-insoluble oligomer, and a solvent for the water-insoluble polymer or oligomer.

Abstract: A valve assembly including an actuator and a valve, the valve including a valve body having first and second ports and a valve seat between the first and second ports, a valve member carried on a valve stem and the valve stem being moveable to move the valve member at least one of into or out of engagement with the valve seat to prevent or permit communication between the first and second ports and wherein the actuator includes a stepper motor the rotational movement of which is converted to linear movement of the valve stem by a transmission, the transmission being adapted to maintain the valve stem in a position to which it is moved by the operation of the actuator whereby the transmission means is a non back-derivable transmission.

Abstract: A novel quick connect electrode headbox is provided with an internal assembly positioned within a housing. The internal assembly has at least one support and a plurality of pivotable electrode receptacle bases pivotably mounted to the at least one support. Further, the plurality of pivotable electrode receptacle bases have a plurality of receptacles each adapted to receive an electrode connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat for an automobile vehicle including a seat cushion which supports a seat back and which is intended to be fixed on the vehicle floor by means of feet, the seat cushion comprising a seat cushion structure which includes at least two lateral flanges intended to support the seat back and at least two tubes transversely connecting the two flanges, at least two feet being added on each of the tubes. Each foot is spaced from the corresponding flange by a strut.

Abstract: A pump has a housing defining a pump chamber and having a shaft opening. An impeller shaft extends through the shaft opening and is sized to define a gap between the impeller shaft and the shaft opening. An impeller is attached to the shaft inside the pump chamber. The impeller includes a first set of impeller blades for transporting fluid through the pump chamber and a second set of impeller blades for creating a pressure force which pushes fluid away from the shaft opening. The pump with sealless shaft prevents fluid from leaking through the gap, and therefore is particularly suited for use in a tank-type vacuum cleaner capable of collecting both dry material and fluid. The gap is used in such an application to prime the pump, thereby discharging fluid collected in the tank.

Abstract: A slide rail for a vehicle seat, comprising a fixed section, a mobile section, a memory retaining runner sliding along the fixed section and defining a memorized position of the mobile section, a runner catch, a first control to simultaneously unlock the slide rail and clip the runner to the mobile section, and a second control to only unlock the slide rail. The runner catch is brought resiliently to its unlocked position, and it is moved into its locked position by engagement with a cam surface integral with the mobile section, only when this mobile section leaves its memorized position or returns into said memorized position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring hemostasis. The apparatus includes a torque sensing column having a torque sensing element and a drive ring disposed around a body of the column and in registration with the column so as to allow rotation of the drive ring around a longitudinal axis of the column. The apparatus further includes a first guide shaft rigidly secured to the drive ring, the guide shaft extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column and a cup holder movably attached to the guide shaft, allowing the cup holder to move parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column. The apparatus also includes a sample cup adapted to engage the cup holder on a outer surface and the torque sensing element of the torque sensing column on an inner surface.

Abstract: A composition and method of preventing or inhibiting tumor growth, and of treating malignant melanoma, without toxic side effects are disclosed. Betulinic acid or a betulinic acid derivative is the active compound of the composition, which is topically applied to the situs of tumor.

Abstract: Processes and devices are disclosed for continuously detecting at least one substance in a gaseous or liquid mixture by means of a sensor electrode to which is applied a variable potential. In an alternative, the substances are concentrated at the surface of the sensor electrode, their concentration is determined by measuring the electrode capacity, the thus obtained measurement value is correlated with the substance and the substance. concentrated at the surface of the sensor electrode is then removed. In another alternative, one or several detection cycles are carried out. In each detection cycle, at least one substance is concentrated at the surface of the sensor electrode, the potential is brought to at least one potential characteristic of the electrochemical reaction of at least one substance, the resulting current is measured and the thus obtained measurement values are correlated with the substances.

Abstract: The DNA from the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae is extracted, then completely digested with restriction enzyme Hind III, followed by cloning into a suitable vector to select a probe comprising DNA which is essentially contained in Klebsiella pneumoniae, then the sequence of the probe is elucidated.

Abstract: An organohalide-flame retardant polymer containing as a stabilizer blend: a) an acid scavenger, for example a hydrotalcite or an amorphous basic aluminum magnesium carbonate; b) a heat stabilizer comprising an organotin compound; and c) a polyhydroxyaliphatic costabilizer.

Abstract: Methods, recombinant host cells and kits are disclosed for the production of members of specific binding pairs (sbp), e.g. antibodies, using display on the surface of secreted replicable genetic display packages (rgdps), e.g. filamentous phage. To produce a library of great diversity, recombination occurs between first and second vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding first and second polypeptide chains of sbp members respectively, thereby producing recombinant vectors each encoding both a fist and a second polypeptide chain component of an sbp member. The recombination may take place in vitro or intracellularly and may be site-specific, e.g. involving use of the loxP sequence and mutants thereof. Recombination may take place after prior screening or selecting for rgdps displaying sbp members which bind complementary sbp member of interest.