Abstract: The formation of noxious exhaust gases is prevented in internal combustion engines by passing steam in contact with an element comprising cerium and germanium and then to a location at which the formation of the noxious gases would normally take place.

Abstract: A calculator has an alphanumeric keyboard and an alphanumeric display, in order to enable entry and read out of data corresponding to specified physical quantities or the like. Internally, the calculator comprises means for transforming the input quantities as a function of the type of units entered by way of the keyboard, to a given type of unit for processing. The calculator further transforms a type of unit for display either to a specified type of unit or to a unit that either is most readable and understandable to an operator, in accordance with a given relationship, or has the smallest exponential products.

Abstract: A self contained freezing device for forming a plug of ice within a pipe section. A refrigeration unit supplies refrigerant to a cradle like freezer unit within which the section of pipe to be frozen is held in spaced relation to the inner face of the freezer. The space between the underside of the pipe and the inner face of the freezer is filled with water, for example by spraying. As the water freezes, in contact with the cradle like freezer unit, it covers the outer surface of the pipe section with an ice jacket. Alternatively, a bag of freezable jel may be substituted for the water spray and placed over the inside face of the freezer; and then the pipe section is placed within the fold of the bag. In the case of either alternative, the refrigerant is maintained inside the freezer, and out of contact with the pipe.

Abstract: A method of extruding multi-filament polypropylene yarn in which the polypropylene is extruded at a temperature below 425.degree. F., such as in the range 415.degree. F. to 350.degree. F., particularly about 400.degree. F., into a hot zone having a temperature sufficiently high to retard cooling of the extruded polypropylene yarn. The temperature of the hot zone can be within 60.degree. F. of the temperature of extrusion. The yarn is then passed through a quenching zone across which air is blown to cool the yarn. The swell value of the polypropylene can be less than 3 and its melt flow may be greater than 30. The yarn is drawn down in the hot zone and the filaments may be drawn down to an undrawn denier of less than 40.

Abstract: A gas bottle, such as that using carbon dioxide gas to inflate a flotation device, is opened by cutting off the neck with an explosively driven ram in a tubular body provided with a transverse aperture receiving the neck of the bottle.

Abstract: A fuel supply system comprises a supply tank with a main fuel conduit leading to a combustion zone, such as an internal combustion engine, and a secondary fuel conduit with flow restriction means is provided leading from the lowermost region of the tank to rejoin the main fuel conduit prior to the combustion zone so that any water accumulating in the tank is mixed with fuel to be burned at the combustion zone.

Abstract: A signal pack which is primarily a multiple unit flare launcher, the casing of which provides a signal mirror, and the hand grip of which provides a distress whistle. A compartment is provided in the casing for storing a distress marker dye or an orange smoke signal cannister. The flare units are disposed in verticle side by side compartments from which they are fired by a moveable bolt assembly which, in the embodiment disclosed, is rendered useless after firing the last flare unit.

Abstract: A polyester product is treated with a treatment liquid containing at least one of dibromophenyl derivatives represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein Y is --SO.sub.2 -- or --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is --H, --CH.sub.3, --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, --C.sub.3 H.sub.7 OH, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Br or --(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n H and n is a positive integer of from 1 to 9 to obtain a flame retardant polyester fiber product. The polyester product may be further treated with an oligomer of vinyl phosphonate which is present either in the above treatment liquid with the dibromophenyl derivative or in a separate treatment bath from the above treatment liquid.

Abstract: A headrest for a seat of a motor vehicle and the method of making it are disclosed. The headrest is comprised of a frame attached to the seat and a net fastened to the frame.

Abstract: A hands-free telephone set has both transmit and receive channels open for the reception of signals, while still inhibiting feedback-singing. Two switched attenuators are provided in cascade in each channel. The first attenuator is switched after a syllable delay, and the second attenuator is switched after a yet longer delay.

Abstract: A fabric composed of a fleece or backing of fibrous material with parallel rows of single thread, stitch bonded, run resistant, stitches superimposed thereon; a method of making the fabric and a warp knitting machine which is suitable for the production of the stitch bonded fabric. The fabric can advantageously be used for outer garments, household or space textiles.

Abstract: A device for mounting a windscreen wiper blade on a pivotal arm, of the type in which one of the two parts comprises a projecting pin adapted to cooperate with a bore of the other part. Said pin is provided with locking means adapted to cooperate with the end of said bore opposed to the end through which said pin is introduced.

Abstract: A device is provided for disposition in the bottom of a golf bag to keep the club shafts separated. means are provided for adjusting the dimensions of the device so that it may be disposed in different golf bags. A golf bag including the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a device for the continuous measurement of gas pressures are provided. The gas pressure to be measured is modulated in a small partial volume and the pressure fluctuations thus produced are converted into electrical signals which are proportional to the gas pressure to be measured. The apparatus comprises a housing within which a modulation chamber is formed, that chamber communicating with the volume of which the pressure is to be measured through a defined opening or metering orifice. The modulation chamber is bound on one side by a pressure transducer connected to an alternating voltage source and on the other side, by a receiver for converting the pressure fluctuations into an electrical signal. The distance between the pressure transducer and receiver is kept small relative to the sound wave length at the modulation frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for working additives into polymers, in which a mixture of thermoplastics with additives is heated to a temperature sufficient for the melting process, with the possible introduction of an expanding agent into the melt in which the expanding agent is homogenized, the melt being cooled if necessary to a temperature at which it can be extruded in the form of a foam plastic, the additives being adsorbed on a polymer flocculent matrix having a sufficient specific area, due to having a density of up to 0.6 g/cm.sup.3 and 15 to 99% of open foam cells and being of the same or different polymer composition as the basic polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation of condensable and absorbable gas components having a critical temperature above 30.degree. C. from a mixture with inert gases, being absorbable at most in a little measure and the proportions of the components of said mixture varying widely, by two-stage absorption and simultaneous compression of the cleaned gas and the separated components to different pressures, in which the varying composition of the gas mixture to be separated is equalized in a first absorption stage so that at least temporarily part of the absorbable components of the mixture is absorbed. The remaining gas mixture is compressed and then introduced into a second absorption stage, wherein are obtained an inert gas mixture largely free from absorbable components and a solution rich in absorbable components, from which the absorbable components of the gas mixture are separated through subsequent multi-stage thermal desorption, the absorbent being fed back into the process.

Abstract: A method of processing technical gases such as natural or synthetic gases containing water vapor, acidic and neutral sulfur compounds and/or higher hydrocarbons which comprises treating said gas with an anhydrous solvent containing N-methyl-.epsilon.-caprolactam, an alkanolamine and a glycol to simultaneously remove said sulfur compounds, hydrocarbons and water vapor.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting containers such as bottles according to their shape, size or color in which there is a conveyor along which the containers pass with a plurality of exits. Container recognition apparatus is provided which controls means to direct the different containers to selected ones of the exits.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surface of polymeric substrate materials, such as textile fabric including woven polymeric textile or textile fibers, by means of electron bombardment in a low pressure gas discharge medium to produce chemical and/or physical changes in the thus treated surface thereby improving the technological properties of the polymeric material, e.g., improved anti-static properties, dye absorption, dirt resistance, releasing of dirt absorbed and hydrophilation, among others.

Abstract: Cable connector for the connection of an electrical cable to a near the ear places hearing aid, f.inst. hearing spectacles or a hearing aid placed behind the ear and comprising terminals secured to the cable, said terminals coming into contact with corresponding terminals in the housing during the connecting action, the cable connector comprising a terminal holder secured to the cable, said cable connector being arranged to engage around and come into snap engagement with the hearing aid, pairs of corresponding terminals being mounted with one terminal in the housing of the hearing aid and one terminal in said cable connector secured to said cable in such a way as to be placed opposite each other by connecting operation and to press resiliently against each other.