Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating liquid-liquid mixtures such as temperature sensitive mixtures, the method converts the liquid mixture into a spray and sparys the mixture against one side of a membrane. This process improves separation.

Abstract: A hanging attachment for hanging an ironing board assembly from an upper edge of a door, the ironing board assembly includes an ironing table and a pair of collapsible legs, where each leg has a foot section for resting on a floor when the ironing board assembly is in a raised state. The ironing table extends generally longitudinally, and the foot section of each leg extends generally transversely with respect to the ironing table. The hanging attachment comprises a first hanger for being transversely arranged on the foot section of one of the legs. The hanger has an attaching portion securely attaching the hanger to the foot section, and a hooking portion secured to the attaching portion. The hooking portion is for being hooked over the upper edge of the door.

Abstract: A method for cutting a portion of a flat or outside animal round into a plurality of meat products including steaks having substantially enhanced value comprises removing substantially all of a fat layer from the exterior surface of the portion of the animal round. A natural seam on the muscle is located and a cut is made along the seam to divide the portion of the beef round into at least two separate portions, a first portion having coarse grains extending in multiple directions and a second portion having generally parallel grains. Substantially all of the cartilage, membrane, fat, and other non-meat tissue is removed from the outside of the first portion. Substantially all of the cartilage, membrane, fat and other non-meat tissue is also removed from the outside of the second portion. The second portion is tenderized and is then cut across the grain in a direction generally parallel to natural seam into a plurality of steaks, each steak being very low in fat content and of relatively high economic value.

Abstract: Magnetic cards are formed by plural, coadjoining, generally planar, parallel layers. Outermost layers form outer sides of each card. At least a first visible image is provided on a first of the outer sides. The card includes a generally planar, permanently magnetized layer formed by one or more permanently magnetizable planar components that are fixedly positioned preferably within a frame between the opaque outer sides or a magnetizable material layer only -part of which has been selectively permanently magnetized. The permanently magnetized layer or permanently magnetized portion of a larger, magnetizable layer has a predetermined configuration which is related at least in informational content to the first visible image. A silhouette of the predetermined configuration can be magnetically reproduced by placing a card on a magnetically actuated fluid display panel.

Abstract: The invention provides probes and primers for amplifying certain regions of genes for structural proteins of cartilage and methods for detecting mutations in these genes isolated from the nucleic acid of cells suspected of exhibiting mutant structural protein gene expression or having mutant structural protein genes. The invention also provides methods for determining a genetic predisposition for a disease that alters the structure or function of cartilage because of a mutation in a gene for a structural protein of cartilage in a mammal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compositions and methods for transfection of cells, particularly airway epithelial cells, with DNA complexed to polylysine substituted with glycosyl residues. The invention also relates to methods of treating humans having respiratory disease comprising administering to a human the composition of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically transferring a predetermined quantity of a sterile liquid to a vial containing a dry medicament for hydrating the medicament and then transferring the hydrated medicament to a container. To hydrate the medicament, a needle is positioned through a vial septum of the vial and an artificial sensor senses when the needle has been positioned through the vial septum and actuates a pump to transfer a predetermined quantity of sterile liquid into the vial. The needle is then removed from the vial septum and the vial is shaken to mix the liquid and medicament. To transfer the hydrated medicament to a container, another needle is positioned through the vial septum. An artificial sensor senses when the needle has been positioned through the vial septum and actuates the pump to transfer the hydrated medicament to the container.

Abstract: A safety system (10) for a materials handling device, for example fork lift truck, conveyor, comprises a sensing head (11) linked to a pressurization control unit (12). The sensing head (11) monitors the level of explosive vapors in proximity to the device relative to low explosive level (LEL). When a level of explosive vapors of below 25% LEL are detected, the pressurization control unit (12) maintains the supply of an inert gas for a supply (13) to at least one sealed enclosure which encloses any hazardous components in the device at substantially atmospheric pressure. When a level of explosive vapors above 25% LEL is detected, the pressurization control device (12) is operable to increase the supply of inert gas to the enclosure (14) to being the pressure in the enclosure (14) to greater than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A multiple lumen catheter assembly and methods for inserting the same are provided. The assembly includes a splittable membrane joining a first catheter and a second catheter for allowing the catheters to be at least partially longitudinally split from each other. Each catheter has at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter. One method for inserting the assembly includes making an incision near the area to be catheterized, at least partially splitting the distal end regions of the catheters from each other by splitting apart the splittable membrane, and inserting the distal end regions of the catheters in a juxtaposed relation through the incision and into the area to be catheterized. In another method, the catheters are first tunnelled subcutaneously by pulling the distal end regions of the catheters in the assembly through a tunnel and outwardly from the tunnel near the area to be catheterized, leaving proximal end regions at least partially within the tunnel.

Abstract: A subcutaneous tunnelling device, a dilator and a method of forming a subcutaneous tunnel are provided. The device includes a trocar having a front end with a point configured for piercing skin, and a dilator which has a front end removably attached to the rear end of the trocar. The dilator is for dilating a section of a subcutaneous tunnel and includes a dilating section having a maximum diameter sized for dilating an interior surface of a subcutaneous tunnel for seating a catheter stabilizing cuff in the subcutaneous tunnel. The method of forming a subcutaneous tunnel includes the steps of inserting a trocar through a first location on a cutaneous surface and moving the trocar through subcutaneous tissue to form a subcutaneous tunnel. The trocar is at least partially removed and a front end of a dilator is attached to the trocar. A section of the tunnel is dilated by moving the dilator partially through the tunnel until the front end of the dilator reaches a first subcutaneous location in the tunnel.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing chocolate includes premixing a charge of cocoa paste, sugar, and optionally powdered milk under application of heat, subsequently conveying the charge to a first grinder, and thereafter treating the resulting paste by tumbling in at least one stirring device under temperature control. In this process, removal of the volatile components as well as the reactions of the charge are conducted in a first operation, the paste is then pulverized, and after that the addition of fat and emulsifiers, and the dispersion and the liquefaction of the paste are implemented in a further operation.

Abstract: A method of making corrugated board having at least one fold region includes the steps of securing at least two sheets of paper liner in complementary facing engagement to create a first multi-layer liner. A first set of ridges of a first corrugated paper medium is secured to the first multi-layer composite liner to create a first single-face web. At least two sheets of paper liner are secured in complementary facing engagement to create a second multi-layer composite liner. A first set of ridges of a second corrugated paper medium is secured to the second multi-layer composite liner to create a second single-face web. A selected portion of the second corrugated paper medium is compressed to create an area to be bent. A second set of ridges of the first corrugated paper medium is secured to the second multi-layer composite liner. Adhesive is applied to the second set of ridges of the second corrugated paper medium, except for the compressed selected portion.

Abstract: A limb guard serves to protect a part of a limb from an external impact force and includes an elongate pad member, an elongate sheet layer mounted on the pad member to form an accommodation space between the elongate sheet layer and the elongate pad member, and a one-piece resilient impact absorbing member. The shock absorbing member is inserted in the accommodation space, and has a longitudinally extending central section of a first thickness adapted to resist and consequently absorb the external impact force applied thereon, and two lateral wing sections which are integrally formed with and which extend laterally from two longitudinal edges of the central section.

Abstract: The method of planning a production schedule of the present invention has a production order preparing unit which, in response to an order, the completed product stock is allocated to the previous production schedule planned before an order change, and which prepares a production order. The production schedule which is previously planned is allocated to the production order which has been subjected to allocation of the completed product stock to the order, in accordance with information such as the product identification, the quantity, and the delivery time. The allocated portion of the previous production schedule is used as it is in the current production schedule.

Abstract: An improved fluid actuated percussive impact tool of the valveless type adapted for down hole drilling is provided. The impact tool includes a casing, a back head, a distributor located at a first end of the casing, and an impact receiving device located at a second end of the casing. A chamber is located between the distributor and the impact receiving device. A cylinder sleeve is located in the chamber adjacent to the distributor. A first pressurized fluid passage is located between the casing and the cylinder sleeve for passing pressurized fluid from the distributor to the chamber. A piston is located in the chamber for reciprocating axial movement. Axially extending ports are located on at least one of the piston, the cylinder sleeve and the casing in the chamber for alternately supplying pressurized fluid to upper and lower chamber portions.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) serves for cleaning surfaces on boards, for instance, and has a cleaning device (2) which is circumferentially continuous and has an upper strand (2) and a lower strand (4) and two guide pulleys (5, 6) in between. The one strand is the cleaning strand which is held by a guide (8) and is pressed onto the surface to be cleaned. A carrier belt (7) is recessed or flattened in some regions of at least one longitudinal side and is therefore narrower in relation to the rest of its longitudinal area. At least one part (8a) at the entrance end of the guide (8) as considered in the feed direction of the cleaning strand, is deflectable or flexible outwardly from the feed direction and can thereby be applied to the inside (7a) of the carrier belt (7). The guide (8) has a substantially C-shaped cross section accommodating the entire width of the carrier belt (7).

Abstract: A system for determining position and orientation of a stationary or moving object projects beams of electromagnetic waves, such as light, onto the object. The beams make lines on the object. A camera senses reflections of the lines. The reflections are converted into pixel data which are used to determine the position and orientation of the object relative to a predetermined coordinate system. The system can also maneuver a robot end effector to the object's position and orientation by interactively viewing representations of the object's position and orientation, and the end effector on a computer screen.