Abstract: A process for the purification of (±)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one wherein the purification is obtained exclusively by means of extraction procedures.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive stencil sheet, and a method and a composition for perforating the same are provided, in which photothermal conversion materials transferred to the stencil sheet do not blur or spread but are fixed thereon faithfully to desired images, and clear images are printed. The heat-sensitive stencil sheet has on a side thereof a liquid absorbing layer to which the photothermal conversion material is to be transferred, and the liquid absorbing layer comprises a hydrophilic resin and a water-repellent compound, and optionally organic and/or inorganic particulates. The hydrophilic resin and the water-repellent compound may be mixed at a proportion sufficient to provide a contact angle of 20 to 150 degrees between the liquid absorbing layer and the liquid. The liquid, in which the photothermal conversion material is containd, can comprise water and/or a hydrophilic solvent. The liquid absorbing layer preferably has a softening or melting point of 40 to 120°C. and has a thickness of 0.01 to 20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic injector having a drive assembly with an actuator extending from the rearward end portion of the housing and a removal resistant cover for preventing unintended operation of the actuator. The present invention also relates to a sealing arrangement wherein the needle is sealed within a sterilized needle chamber by at least three sealing members which cooperate to form the chamber. Also, the present invention relates to an injector in which the cartridge is mounted to a tubular cartridge mounting portion of the needle carrier with an annular sealing member disposed therebetween. The cartridge mounting portion has at least one generally axially extending groove which allows air to escape from the cartridge mounting portion as the cartridge is being moved forwardly to a medicament supplying position.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use in a sulphuric acid manufacturing plant to effect heat transfer between desired gas streams selected from air, sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide. The exchanger provides for hot or cold split flow gas streams through the exchanger shell with either mixing or splitting into two or more streams to provide for reduced condensible material condensation, corrosion, metal thermal differential stress and capital equipment cost. A preferred exchanger is used in combination with a sulphur burning furnace to provide an improved preheater.

Abstract: A refrigerator capable of being internally illuminated wherein the illumination is provided by an edge-lit panel of a substantially transparent material having two opposed surfaces of which at least one is within the refrigerator and on which a matrix of dots is applied so as to produce a light piping effect internally in to the refrigerator and wherein the light source of the edge-lit panel is located within the enclosed space of the refrigerator. One or more edge-lit panels may be used, which may be shelf of the refrigerator, or its side panels, back panel or roof panel. The edge-lit panel may be form from a transparent acrylic sheet, preferably containing an optical brightner. Protective transparent or translucent layer and a light diffuser may be applied to the surface carrying the matrix of dots.

Abstract: An intake duct capable of reducing intake noise when an engine runs at a low speed and supplying a sufficiently large amount of air when the engine runs at a high speed without using any electron control circuit or electromagnetic valve, which is produced at low costs. The intake duct includes valve adjusting means which restrains the movement of the valve member when the valve member brings a second intake passage from the closed state to the open state, and facilitates the movement of the valve member when the valve member brings the second intake passage from the open state to the closed state. When the second intake passage is brought to the open state from the closed state, the restraining force of the valve adjusting means is great to restrain the movement of the valve member, and when the second intake passage is brought to the closed state from the open state, the valve member readily pivots to open the second intake passage.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a polyimide film, a flexible printed wiring board consisting thereof, and a polyimide molding, wherein various metal compounds are added to improve their properties and to provide them with noble properties.

Abstract: A nozzle wiping apparatus comprises an ink-absorbent sheet placed below the ink discard hole to collect the sucked ink discarded through the ink discard hole and an ink absorbent sheet winding mechanism to wind up the ink-absorbent sheet. The ink-absorbent sheet is kept in contact with a part of the nozzles after completion of the purging operation so the nozzles may be moved relative to the ink-absorbent sheet to thereby wipe ink deposited on the nozzles.

Abstract: A device for the removal of anatomical parts by laparoscopy, comprising a bag to be inserted by means of a tube applicator inside the abdominal cavity. A flexible element is provided along the edge of the mouth of the bag, having such resilient characteristics as to spring back to a loop configuration when it is not subjected to a deformation. According to a preferred embodiment, the flexible element is formed by a helicoidal spring with a ring clip slidingly coupled thereto, so that the resilient action of the spring keeps the mouth open when the bag is inserted in the abdominal cavity, and by making the clip to slide along the spring it is possible to close again the bag when needed.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable is constituted by a cylindrical spacer having on its surface helical grooves reversing their direction at a given pitch in which a stack of ribbon optical fibers is received.

Abstract: A method of nuclear quadrupole resonance testing a sample comprising a first type substance containing quadrupolar nuclei and a second type substance which may give rise to spurious signals which interfere with response signals from the quadrupolar nuclei, comprises applying a pulse sequence to the sample to excite nuclear quadrupole resonance, the pulse sequence comprising at least one pair of pulses; detecting response signals; and comparing, for the or each such pair, the respective response signals following the two member pulses of the pair, the pulse sequence being such that the respective spurious signals following the two member pulses can be at least partially cancelled by the comparison without the corresponding true quadrupole resonance signals being completely cancelled; and for the or each such pair, the two member pulses being of like phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a disc includes an operating member for manually operating an unloading tray from the body of the apparatus when the disc is clamped. The operating member is supported on a shaft and fixed to the main chassis and is thus capable of rotating around the shaft. The operating member is also provided with a protrusion for permitting a cylindrical cam to support the mechanical unit when the disc is being driven. With a supporting member of the operating member and the cylindrical cam positioned on the front side of the mechanical unit, fluctuations in disc can be reduced.

Abstract: A liquid crystal material is injected into a liquid crystal cell while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal cell rendering the liquid crystal molecules parallel to the substrates. The temperature of the vacuum chamber during injection of liquid crystal material is higher than the room temperature to reduce the viscosity of the liquid crystal material, and below the liquid crystal-isotropic transition temperature to maintain the liquid crystal state. To avoid the evaporation of the liquid crystal material, the temperature is preferably lower than the clearing point of the liquid crystal material. The voltage applied to the liquid crystal cell is over the threshold voltage so that the liquid crystal molecules align themselves parallel to the substrate, and the AC voltage having a low frequency of equal to or lower than 60 Hz is preferably used to make the liquid crystal material oscillate laterally.

Abstract: Compacts based on pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide and having the following physical and chemical characteristics: Outer diameter 0.8-20 mm BET surface area 30-400 m2/g Pore volume 0.5-1.3 ml/g Breaking strength 10-250N Composition >99.8 wt. % SiO2 Other constituents <0.2 wt. % Abrasion <5 wt. % Apparent weight 350-750 g/l are produced in that pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide is homogenized with methyl cellulose, microwax and polyethylene glycol with addition of water, dried at a temperature of 80-150° C. and comminuted to a powder, optionally the powder is compressed into compacts, and heat-treated at a temperature of 400 to 1200° C. for a time of 0.5 to 8 hours. These compacts can be used as catalysts or catalyst carriers in vinyl acetate monomer production and ethylene hydration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated bacterial strain capable of oxidizing nitrite to nitrate and a method of use thereof for preventing or alleviating the accumulation of nitrite in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a time-saving height measurement method is used. While in a projection station (105,108,111) the pattern of a mask (129) is projected on the fields of a first substrate (120), the height of the fields of a second substrate (121) is measured in a measuring station (133). In the measuring station, the height of the substrate fields and the height of the substrate holder (113) are measured by a first height sensor (150) and a second height sensor (160), respectively, and the value of the height of the substrate holder associated with the ideal height of the substrate field is determined for each substrate field. In the projection station, only the height of the substrate holder (111) is controlled by a third height sensor (180). The second and third height sensors are preferably part of a composite XY interferometer system extended with a Z measuring axis.

Abstract: An adjustable rear suspension system for a tracked vehicle comprises a slide frame for guiding a portion of the endless track, the slide frame having a pair of substantially parallel slide rails, the slide rails defining a longitudinal direction. The rear suspension system further comprises at least one spring-like member for urging the slide frame away from the chassis. A front suspension arm assembly has an upper end pivotally connected to the chassis and a lower end pivotally connected to the slide frame. A rear suspension arm assembly has ail upper arm pivotally connected to the chassis and a lower end connected to at least one block capable of limited displacement in the longitudinal direction between a front stopper and a rear stopper. The rear suspension system further includes a rocker arm having an upper end connected to at least one block and a lower end pivotally connected to the slide frame.

Abstract: A process and a system for the continuous manufacture of polymeric foams. Reactive chemical components and additives comprising a low boiling blowing agent are mixed under pressure; the mixture is then frothed before chemical reaction takes place by feeding the mixture through a pressure equalizing and frothing device having a pressure-drop zone opening into a frothing cavity having an output aperture to discharge the froth onto a moving substrate.