Abstract: A packaging system comprises a first bag portion defining an inflated first chamber and a second bag portion defining an inflated second chamber with the bag portions overlying each other to define a pocket therebetween having an article compressed and retained therein. The bag portions are pivotally conected together at a rearward side of the system and overlying edge portions of the bag portions are heat-sealed together at opposite lateral sides of the packaging system. The frontal side of the packaging system is open to permit insertion of the article into the pocket whereafter the packaging system is preferably inflated with a pressurized fluid, such as air, to compress superimposed panels of the bag portions against the article to retain it within the pocket.

Abstract: A packaging system includes an outer bag having an inner bag suspended therein to define an expandable chamber between the bags and one either side of the inner bag. When the chamber is charged with a filler medium, such as pressurized air, the outer bag will inflate to suspend the inner bag at a fixed position therein. The inner bag defines a pocket adapted to receive and retain an article, prepackaged therein.

Abstract: A dispenser for applying pressure sensitive tabs to an underlying article, such as a sheet of glass or mirror, includes a first tape reel for dispensing a roll of carrier tape therefrom and a second tape reel for winding up the spent carrier tape after the tabs have been removed. A plurality of guide rolls are mounted in the dispenser for maintaining a predetermined tension on the tape and a depositing mechanism, including a bracket for guiding the tape and a nip roll or plunger, is provided for removing the tabs from the tape and for applying the tabs to the article automatically and in a spaced, controlled manner. The dispenser is preferably held in a fixed position and the article moved thereunder to apply the tabs to the article automatically without the need of a workman.

Abstract: A pressure modulated flow control valve, particularly adaptd for water irrigation applications, comprises an unitary elastomeric pin defining at least one flow passage therethrough and a flexible diaphragm overlying the flow passage, adjacent to an inlet to the valve. In operation, the diaphragm is exposed to water pressure prevalent at the inlet to the valve to flex into and vary the size of the passage to control and modulate the flow rate therethrough. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the diaphragm will function to maintain a micro flow rate through the passage "near constant", e.g., selected from within the approximate overall maximum range of from 2.0 gph to 60.0 gph. The pin in interchangeable in a housing of the control valve to effect the desired near constant flow rate and is particularly adapted for use in pressure modulated drip-irrigation systems wherein water is communicated through the valve to a water distributing device, such as a sprayer or drip-type emitter.

Abstract: A patient monitoring unit is used to follow the actual changes in a patient's weight during the course of a surgical procedure. A patients' fluid inventory is vital to the patients' well being and any significant additions to or losses in body fluids are very significant in the proper management of the patient during surgery. Real time changes in a patient's weight are monitored throughout the surgical procedure. A weighing system utilizing strain gauges or other transducers is built into the operating platform and the output from the transducers is communicated into a computer controller. Angle sensors are provided to measure the tilt at which the operating table may be placed thereby causing an apparent change in weight. The apparent weight change is corrected to the true weight. In the event various portions of the operating table are individually articulated, separate weighing systems and angle sensors are provided for each articulated portion.

Abstract: A bag filling machine is adapted to fill a plastic bag with a liquid product through a gland secured to the bag. A carriage assembly is mounted on a stationary frame of the machine and comprises a conveyor for moving the bag along a path to a filling station, including a fill tube adapted for alignment with the gland to fill the bag with the liquid product. The carriage assembly is adjustably mounted on the frame whereby the carriage assembly, along with the conveyor and filling station, can be moved side-to-side on the frame to accommodate bags having their glands disposed at varied preset positions thereon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of a solid thin film containing silicon and nitrogen on a substrate, said film having an aggregate low concentration of inorganic carbon and oxygen of less than about 51 atom percent, which process comprises:(A) contacting the substrate with a gaseous mixture itself comprising:(i) a volatile cyclic organic silicon-nitrogen source, and(ii) a reactant independently selected from hydrogen or a hydrogen-nitrogen source, under plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition conditions of pressure lower than 10 Torr and temperature greater than ambient temperature for a time sufficient to produce a silicon nitride thin film. In another aspect, the invention relates to the silicon-nitride thin film coated article or substrate produced by the process of the present invention. Preferred process conditions evaluates include the RF of 13.56 MHz, 20-80 W Power, power density 0.37 watts/cm.sup.2 to 1.5 watts/cm.sup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid materials for use as electrolyte for a fuel cell, or for a sensor, or as a catalyst. Representative structures include lanthanum fluoride, lead potassium fluoride, lead bismuth fluoride, lanthanum strontium fluoride, lanthan strontium lithium fluoride, calcium uranium, cesium fluoride, PbSnFy, KSn.sub.2 F.sub.4, SrCl.sub.2.KCl, LaOF.sub.2, PbSnF.sub.8.PbSnO, lanthanum oxyfluoride, oxide, calcium fluoride, SmNdFO, and the like. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a composite and a process to obtain it of the formula:A.sub.1-y ByQO.sub.3having a perovskite or a perovskite-type structure as an electrode catalyst in combination with:A.sub.y B.sub.1-y F.sub.

Abstract: An apparatus for making tapered plastic shingles including a conveyor for moving a block of plastic shingle material along a linear path and at least one heated wire extending transversely across the path to cut the block into two or more tapered shingle slabs. The shingle slabs are thereafter cut to form shingles or slotted to resemble individual shingles of desired widths. One end of the wire is adapted to be adjusted vertically to selectively vary the acute angle of the wire relative to the horizontal plane to thus vary shingle taper. A mechanism is also provided for continuously reciprocating the wire vertically to impart a textured surface to opposed, cut surfaces of the shingle slabs.

Abstract: A micro flow control valve is interconnected between a main water line and a water distributing device, such as a mini sprayer. The interchangeable flow control valve is adapted to maintain a predetermined near constant micro flow rate of water to the distributing device within the approximate range of from 2.0 gph to 60.0 gph despite fluctuations in water pressure in the main water line. The control valve comprises a pin having at least one open-top channel defined at an outer surface thereof and a flexible diaphragm at least partially covering the channel. In operation, main line water pressure communicated to the control valve will function to flex the diaphragm into the channel to maintain such predetermined near constant micro flow rate in response to a variable pressure differential produced across the diaphragm.

Abstract: The healing of a surface wound is promoted by contacting the wound surfaces with a suspension of particles of collagen and a glycosaminoglycan that is chemotactic of fibroblasts and/or endothelial cells. Typical glycosaminoglycans that exhibit the desired chemotaxis are heparin, heparan sulfate, and alginate. Two or more glycosaminoglycans can be present in the suspensions. Collagen and glycosaminoglycan are present as a dry powdered suspension of particles. Preferably, collagen is present in the suspension in the order of 7-10 mg/ml; while the glycosaminoglycan is present in much lower concentrations, e.g., 250-350 .mu.g/ml. Application of the collagen/glycosaminoglycan suspension to open wounds greatly increases the rate of healing.The invention includes, an article, useful in the therapy for surface wounds, comprising the suspension of particles on a gauze, bandage tape or the like.

Abstract: Molecular structures of .beta.-adrenergic antagonists are modified to produce biologically active compounds. The .beta.-antagonists are modified to form molecules of the general structure: ##STR1## wherein R is most generally R"--OCH.sub.2 --, and in some instances is R"--, and R"=an aryl or substituted aryl moiety; R'=--H, --CH.sub.3, or a short chain alkyl moiety; and Y=--OH, or more usually, --OAX or --NHAX, where A=an alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl moiety, and X=a terminal grouping, such as --CH.sub.3, --CF.sub.3 or --(CH.sub.2).sub.n COOH; or AX may be a carrier moiety consisting of a defined peptide or protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrically conducting organic polymers useful for spacecraft and other uses. The invention describes a number of conductive organic polymers having an electrical conductivity greater than 10.sup.-2 ohm .sup.-1 cm.sup.-1. The structures of the organic polymers contain heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur which are found in alkylene, aralkyl and aryl groups. Optionally, organic and inorganic dopants are used to increase the conductivity of the polymer. These materials are useful for conductive coatings and shielding applications, in energy storage and conversion devices, as battery anodes or cathodes, semiconductor materials and in integrated electroptics for switching, logic and display.

Abstract: A watering system display stand comprises a display panel having a variety of garden plants graphically displayed thereon and a watering system, including a plurality of authentic interconnected irrigation components, mounted on the display panel to visually portray a typical mock, instructional watering system for the garden plants. A plurality of trays are mounted vertically below the display panel to retain corresponding irrigation components therein for purchase by a consumer. The trays are numerically coded to match corresponding codes imprinted adjacent to corresponding irrigation components mounted on the display panel. Rolls of porting and drip tubing are mounted on the display stand, below the trays. The trays are formed from suitably scored paperboard blanks that are folded to form interlocked panels.

Abstract: A lane barrier system comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected modules adapted to be transferred on a roadway. Each adjacent pair of modules are pivotally connected together by a hinge connection to permit the modules to elongate or contract to assume a composite varied length different from a nominal length. The controlled elongation or contraction of the lane barrier system is particularly advantageous when the barrier is positioned at various radii on a curved roadway. Each hinge connection is preloaded, such as by a torsion spring, to positively return the pivot axes of the hinge connections to their nominal positions and the lane barrier system to its nominal length when they are loaded onto a transfer machine for subsequent placement on a roadway.

Abstract: An implantable helical coil microwave antenna, particularly adapted for interstitial hyperthermia therapy of cancer, comprises a coaxial cable having a distal end of its outer conductor removed and a helical coil mounted on the exposed inner conductor insulator. A proximal end of the helical coil is separated axially from the distal end of the outer conductor and the distal end of the helical coil is connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable feed line. The antenna functions to confine heat to the area immediately surrounding the coil and thus induces substantially identical thermal profiles at varying antenna insertion depths in tissue when the antenna is energized with microwave energy.

Abstract: An improved synthetic lung surfactant consists essentially of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline, a C-14 to C-18 fatty alcohol (preferably hexadecanol), and a non-toxic nonionic surface active agent (preferably tyloxapol). The surfactant is prepared in a powdered lyophilized form that can be stored for extended periods at room temperature. The powdered product can be readily reconstituted by simply adding distilled water.

Abstract: Potentially damaging electrostatic charges on semiconductor wafers or other objects are suppressed during the manufacturing process by generating ions in a flow of nitrogen or other non-reactive gas and by delivering the ionized flow to the product region through an enclosed flow path. The ions are produced by directing X-rays or other ionizing radiation into a shielded chamber portion of the flow path where flow is relatively slow and a large volume of gas is exposed to the X-rays. The ionized flow is then transmitted to the product region through a relatively narrow tubulation in which flow velocity is higher. Inter-relating of the flow rate and the length and diameter of the delivery tube minimizes ion loss from contact with the tube wall and from charge exchange with each other. The process and apparatus do not generate ozone or metallic particles, which can damage the products, as may occur with prior systems which use high voltage electrodes to ionize the air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integral elastic suspension sleeve for use with an artificial limb prosthetic device. Specifically, the invention is an integral flexible elastic support sleeve having two circular ends which encloses and securely grips the residual lower extremity portion of a human being who has had a below the knee (or below the elbow) amputation and also encloses and securely grips the top outer surface of the socket of a shin and foot (or forearm and hand) prosthetic device. The suspension sleeve has a smaller internal cylindrical-like panel which has a fabric surface having a low coefficient of friction. This fabric surface is in contact with the outer intersection line between the prosthetic device and the limb extremity of the human being. This sleeve is at between about 5.degree. and 45.degree. angle, and the described configuration results in improved mobility, decreased dermatological irritation to the wearer and enhances the longevity of the elastic suspension sleeve.

Abstract: An electrode array for implantation in a human cochlea. The array includes a spiral-shaped resilient carrier which generally conforms to the shape of the scala tympani of the cochlea. The carrier supports eight electrode pairs, with each electrode having an associated lead. The leads are arranged in the carrier to form a central rib structure which controls flexing of the array. The individual leads have an elongated cross-section and are individually vertically aligned in the rib structure, so that the array will readily flex in the plane defined by the array spiral. The structure limits flexing in the vertical direction. The restricted flexing serves to avoid injury to the basal membrane located at the upper surface of the scala tympani during implantation.