Abstract: Esters of 2-[4-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-phenoxy]-2-methylpropionic acid and bis-(hydroxyalkylthio)-alkanes of the formula: ##STR1## IN WHICH R is hydrogen or methyl are particularly useful in the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia.

Abstract: A gravity feed inclined retort apparatus provides for a distillation process in which oil is removed from shale ore in the inclined portion of the retort, and the gaseous oil is removed to a vapor condenser/separator in which the vapor is condensed into the product oil. The retorted shale is fed onto a continuous chain stoker, or other similar conveying device, where the coke portion of the retorted shale is burned as fuel for the retort. Hot gases from the combustion zone where air is directed through the burning coke are used to preheat the shale ore above the dew point of the oil, through a heat exchange plate; and the hot gases then flow through the shale ore in the retort chamber, picking up the oil vapors from the heated shale, and carrying this oil-filled gas into a vapor condenser/separator. Some of the oil vapors are also condensed onto cooled side walls extending along the retort chamber and this condensed oil flows into oil collection gutters.

Abstract: A surgical instrument holder and instrument tip protector device has a base of a non-skid sterilizable material for receiving a surgical instrument positioned thereon and a protective layer formed of a sterilizable resilient material and overlying at least a portion of the base to provide a resilient pouch of sterilizable material into which the tip end of a surgical instrument may be placed for preventing the instrument tip from puncturing a sterile container for the instrument, for preventing damage to the instrument tip, and for protecting a user against injury due to contact with the surgical instrument tip while handling the surgical instrument holder and instrument tip protector device.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for rapidly charging a capacitive holding device to a voltage level within a predetermined range of acquired samples. One or more supercharging circuits can be provided to supplement the input signal in charging the signal holding device when the input signal by itself is not capable of providing enough current for rapid operation. The supercharging circuits compare the input signal with the held signal and provide supplemental charging current when the differential between these signals exceeds a predetermined threshold amount. Above this threshold the supplemental charging current varies progressively and preferably linearly with the signal differential, until a terminal point is reached above which the supercharging current remains constant. Provision is also made for inhibiting leakage of the held signal back into the charging circuit.

Abstract: A load or cargo lifting and moving apparatus for use with a hoisting hook includes a sling or cable for securing to a load, and a special pulley for balancing the loaded sling and lifting it. The pulley includes a shackle and a roller having a deeply grooved and knurled surface for engaging the sling, and a pin for locking the roller against rotation in the shackle. In operation the sling is initially secured to the load, the pulley is raised with the roller free to rotate, until the load is balanced, and the roller is then pinned against rotation as the load is moved to its final location. The sling may be provided with hooks for engaging a load, which could be a long unbalanced pipe, for example.

Abstract: A box metering system for use with a box filling and weighing system in which a box forming machine discharges two-piece partially ensleeved box parts in partial assembled relation to a conveyor leading to the box filling and weighing stations. The box metering system includes a reciprocally movable box stop member which in one position stops a box and causes actuation of a box completion assembly device to complete the assembly of the box before advancement to a filling and weighing station. The completely assembled box is released by movement of the box stop member to a retracted position in response to movement of leading boxes toward the filling and weighing stations.

Abstract: A device or attachment for a bag filling and weighing machine in which filled bags of pliant material and containing discrete articles are transferred from the filling machine to a bag closing means including sewing head means and wherein a filled bag is moved in upright position with the upper end of the bag secured in a bag holder and then released from the bag holder for movement in upright position to the sewing head means. The transfer device includes a pair of endless chains having inboard lays which extend from the vicinity of the release of the bags from the bag holder to the reengagement of the bag by bag closing means. The endless flexible members include pointed elements which penetrate and engage upper wall portions of the bag above the contents thereof and below the bag holder so as to retain and guide upper wall portions of the pliant bag to the bag closing means.

Abstract: A bag filling and weighing machine including an endless conveyor with bag holding means carried thereby and releasably suspending pliant bags in open condition. The machine includes an intermittently actuated endless conveyor for stopping the bag holding means at a main feed station and dribble feed station for two-stage filling and weighing. Weighing means are located adjacent to, at one side of, and at the approximate level of the endless conveyor means. One side of each bag-holding means is connected to the endless conveyor means and rotatable disc means concentric with conveyor sprocket means are provided for supporting bag-holder means as the bag holder changes direction around the end of the endless conveyor means. A novel driving and mounting connection for a bag holder to a single drive chain.

Abstract: The present exercising device includes a swivel platform and hand-held control cords which may be operated through a pulley assembly. The swivel platform is made up of a large diameter circular platform rotatably mounted on an equal diameter circular base. The base is similar in shape to an oversized ping pong paddle with a circular head portion and an extending member corresponding to the handle of the paddle. The hand-held cords are connected either directly to the end of the extending member of the base or to pulleys secured to the extending member, to provide balance and coordinated rotation of the swivel platform. When pulleys are used, the two hand-held cords are each run through one of the two pulleys, and then connected to each side of the swivel platform. Each cord may be attached to one of two arms extending laterally from the swivel platform, or to the eyebolts connected to opposite sides of the platform. The cords can be adjusted to fit persons of all sizes.