Abstract: A device for mixing liquids, solids or combinations thereof, particularly viscous liquids and polymeric solids comprises a mixing vessel having therein a substantially cylindrical mixing chamber; a rotor with a cross-section in the shape of a convex-convex lens having outer convex surfaces substantially identical in shape to the inner wall surface of the cylindrical mixing chamber and with a longitudinal dimension substantially identical to that of said cylindrical mixing chamber, the rotor being variably positionable so it's rotating axis is parallel to the axis of the mixing chamber, but eccentric thereto, and mounted within the mixing chamber upon a base having a drive mechanism for the rotor disposed through it; and a lid for tightly sealing the chamber formed by the mixing vessel and the base. The rotor preferably fills from 28 to 100% of the volume of the mixing chamber; most preferably 50 to 75%. The rotor may be heliciform along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A hair curling apparatus for subjecting a tress of hair, previously wound about a cylinder, to a vaporized fluid for imparting a resilient and lasting curl to the hair upon removal of the cylinder. The apparatus comprises, generally, a handle containing a refillable fluid reservoir, a heating element for heating the fluid to vaporization, a barrel extending outward from the handle and containing a plurality of steam releasing holes, a channel for communicating the vaporized fluid from the reservoir to the barrel and a trigger mechanism for activating and metering the volume of fluid passed through the channel.

Abstract: A device relieves a positive pressure difference between the inside of a vessel and the outside of the vessel through an opening in the vessel. The device has a base portion, a cap portion and a biasing means. The base portion has a means for mounting the device in the opening; a cap seat providing an orifice through which the pressure difference may be relieved; and a generally hollow body portion attached to the cap seat and extending concentrically with the cap seat into the vessel. The cap portion has a cap having an external surface with a diameter larger than the diameter of the cap seat to retain the cap external to the cap seat in sealing relationship; a rod mounted concentrically and normal to the internal surface at one end, the other end extending into the body portion and terminating in a piston with a shoulder, the piston being in concentric sliding engagement within the body portion.

Abstract: A reusable openable/closeable clamp comprising an arcuate-like strap having two generally opposing, spaced ends, each of which has been bent outwardly of the general periphery of the clamp to form first and second ears with one of the ears having an aperture therein and the other of the ears having a projection thereon extending outwardly from its respective ear, with the projection being adapted to be received in the aperture in the closed condition of the clamp to hold the strap in closed clamping condition, said strap further having at least two raised segments forming a restraining means between said segments. Removal of the projection from the aperture enables the clamp to spring to open position due to the natural resiliency of the strap portion.

Abstract: A self-reinforced polymer composite in the form of a non-laminated shaped article is prepared by (a) melt blending (I) a matrix polymer which is a melt processable flexible chain polymer or first liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and (2) a fiber forming melt processable second LCP under high strain mixing conditions inducing fiber formation, cooling and stretching the resulting blend, and (b) shaping the resulting blend by injection molding or extrusion at a temperature which is above the minimum melt processing temperature of the matrix polymer but below that of the fiber forming second LCP. By shaping at a temperature below the minimum processing temperature of the fiber-forming LCP, the fiber structure formed during cooling is preserved. The resulting shaped articles have outstanding mechanical properties, e./g., tensile strength, modulus and impact strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating or checking the calibration of vertical photometers. The invention may also provide easy and convenient assay results for diagnostic profiles. The invention comprises pre-dispensed amounts of a suitable reagent, chosen for the particular use, disposed in a vessel with an amount of a wetting agent or other means to yield a reproducible meniscus in the resulting control solution. The control solution is dried to leave a precise amount of dried reagent and other constituents in the vessel which can then be stored and distributed until subsequent use. The dried control solution can then be reconstituted to provide a standard having known absorbance and physical characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous ultrasonic method for breaking the carbon-sulfur (C--S), sulfur-sulfur (S--S), and if desired, carbon-carbon (C--C) bonds in a vulcanized elastomer. It is well known that vulcanized elastomers having a three-dimensional chemical network, cannot flow under the effect of heat and/or pressure. This creates a huge problem in the recycling of used tires and other elastomeric products. Through the application of certain levels of ultrasonic amplitudes in the presence of pressure and optionally heat, the three-dimensional network of vulcanized elastomer can be broken down. As a most desirable consequence, ultrasonically treated cured rubber becomes soft, thereby enabling this material to be reprocessed and shaped in a manner similar to that employed with uncured elastomers.

Abstract: An adjustably tensioned snap-release joint for use as a golf club swing training device is described which includes an upper shaft insert, a lower shaft insert, a screw inserted into a first bore in the lower shaft insert and inserted into a correspondingly threaded second bore in the upper shaft insert, the screw defining a rotation axis of the lower shaft member in relation to the upper shaft member to a transverse axis from a longitudinal axis defined by a linear alignment of the upper and lower shaft inserts in the golf club, an indentation positioned in a co-linear axis with the longitudinal axis of the golf club on an interior surface of the upper shaft insert, and an adjustable spring-biased hollow screw assembly having a ball positioned at the tip of a threaded shaft, capable of exerting pressure on the indentation.

Abstract: Flooring structure having a rigid horizontal base and a tile or terrazzo top flooring layer. This flooring structure also has a crack isolation layer between the base and the top flooring layer. The crack isolation layer comprises a hard, essentially rigid material which is in load bearing relationship with the base and the top flooring layer and which extends over about 50 percent to about 80 percent of the surface area of the crack isolation layer as measured in the horizontal direction. The crack isolation layer may be in the form of a fracturable sheet or in the form of pilings. The remaining portion of the crack isolation layer may be occupied by a deformable material.

Abstract: The invention discloses a magnetic field radiation monitor which comprises at least one sense coil adapted to sense magnetic flux from the electromagnetic field to be measured for both ELF and VLF type of fields. The sense coil is coupled to a detection circuit wherein an EMF generated in the sense coil will be amplified and frequency compensated in the circuit to give an extremely flat frequency response allowing accurate detection of complex magnetic fields. The circuit consists of an ELF and VLF stage, both selectively coupled to the sense coil and incorporated into the circuit by a user activated switch. The output of either the ELF or VLF stages is further processed and the output is provided to a display to indicate the magnetic field strength measured. The magnetic field radiation monitor may be calibrated to yield a true RMS measuring platform using a RMS detector circuit which will give an accurate indication of magnetic energy content for complex waveforms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal fluid fryer which essentially contains an oil-filled cooking channel disposed within a fryer tank support frame, in which the product to be fried is conveyed through the channel on a continuous food conveyor belt. The oil is heated indirectly by at least one heat-exchanger unit disposed substantially vertically in the channel. The heat-exchanger unit has an inlet manifold and an exit manifold, wherein a thermal fluid enters the heat-exchanger unit at the inlet manifold and exits through the exit manifold. The thermal fluid is heated to a higher temperature than the surrounding oil, and imparts its thermal energy to it efficiently by means of the heat exchanger unit. In this configuration, the temperature range distribution of the fryer oil inside the fryer vat is minimized from side to side and along the length thereof.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus designed to be used in association with the housing supporting an indirect ophthalmoscopy optical system is shown. The optical system may include one or more lens elements contributing to the formation of an aerial fundus image. Exact positioning of the lens elements as well as consistent lens housing dimensions insure accurate location of the aerial image relative to an examined eye. Such positioning may be accomplished by means of a contact lens of given thickness and power, in predetermined relationship with the image forming lens(es), or by means of an adapter positioned on the external eyelid of a patient, with the image forming lens(es) supported therein. A reticle is formed on a transparent disc of glass or other material, and is fitted into a supporting structure which is adapted to be selectively retained in association with the housing of the indirect ophthalmoscopy optical system.

Abstract: Method and device for controlling a motor in a powered seat, wherein a certain standard physique classification is set according to the height of an occupant on the seat, and on the basis of such physical classification, several predetermined standard positions are preset in a central processing unit, and wherein such standard positions may be selected and set temporarily by a mode selection switch and position switch for proper motor control, and further, a desired change of position may be made from the standard position by a manual switch.

Abstract: A suspension device for a vehicle seat, which comprises an upper frame, a lower frame, an X-shaped link interposed between the upper and lower frames, a vertically active elastic element for resiliently supporting the X-shaped link in the vertical direction, a slide frame, and a fore-and-aft active elastic element for resiliently supporting the slide frame in the forward and backward directions. The slide frame is connected with one end of the X-shaped link, so that the suspension device is not only active vertically for giving elasticity to the vertical motion of X-shaped link, but also active for allowing fore-and-aft resilient movement of the upper frame.

Abstract: Supercritical drying has distinct advantages in generating microcellular materials. The dimensional stability of the polymer is not affected on drying because the supercritical process does not go through the two phase path and therefore the effect of capillary forces is absent. This helps in maintaining the morphology of the final polymer structure and better control over cell size.Organic microcellular foams were prepared by polymerizing directly in a near-critical fluid and pursuing the supercritical drying in the same reactor. The critical variables are the choice of a diluent with a strong enough solvent power to stabilize the polymer matrix, but with a low enough critical temperature to permit critical point drying without damage to the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A seat back structure for vehicle seat which includes a separated mat member received into a recessed area in the seat back body which incorporates a male latch member formed by being punched out from a part of a plate frame provided in the seat back so as to project outwardly for latching engagement by a female member attached to a separate mat, and that the female latch member has a width greater than an opening defined in the punched-out part of the plate frame to thereby avoid any direct contact of the male member with the edges of the opening, to thus suppresses the noise between the two latch members. This problem occurs in these types of seats normally as an occupant leans back in the seat and there is a relative movement between the separate mat member and the vehicle seat. The purpose of the invention is to suppress or avoid noise because of relative movement between the two latch members.

Abstract: A voltage measuring instrument which generally includes signal conditioning circuitry coupled to input probes for protection against overvoltages and processing of input voltage signals. A VAC/VDC control circuit will determine whether AC or DC voltages are present, and will positively indicate when no voltage is present in a test circuit. The metering circuit of the invention will thereby automatically determine the proper mode of operation for the type of voltage present in a test circuit so as to eliminate user selection of operating parameters and possible errors. Further, the metering circuit is adapted to generate a proper reference voltage for the measured voltage automatically, to again eliminate selection of a voltage range by the user. A power supervision circuit is adapted to automatically shut off the measuring instrument after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, and will automatically shut off power in the event that available battery power drops below a given level.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive laminate composition is described which enables the easy detection of improperly die-cut patterns which has a backing material, a silicone release coating, a non-migratory colorant dispersed in the silicone, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a face stock. Alternatively, a release liner composition is described having a non-migratory silicone coating on a backing material. One colorant used is carbon black. The carbon black is dispersed in the release layer either in a solvent-free system, or in an organic medium, which is preferably a mixed organic solvent, in which at least one of the solvents used is at least partially polar.

Abstract: A device for brewing a cup or other small portion of a beverage to a desired strength is disclosed. The suitable strength is achieved by controlling the volume of hot water contacting a prepackaged, disposable filter containing beverage precursor particles. The device is adapted to control and vary the brewing process by regulating with some precision volume of hot water flowing through the filter and the volume of hot water bypassing the filter and flowing directly into a drinking cup without having contacting the brew particles. Visual indicators are provided to facilitate choosing a brew of desired strength. The process for preparation of a brewed beverage to a desired strength is also disclosed.