Abstract: A semi-finished composite material for the manufacture of buoyancy products and related products. The semi-finished composite material includes a plurality of layer of elastic and flexible waterproof material with a specific gravity substantially less than that of water, fastening means adaptable for associating the layers to each other so as to form a plurality of air filled spaces by consecutive ones of the fastening means between adjacent layers, wherein the fastening means of a plurality of quiltings spaced from each other so as to form the air filled spaces with the plurality of layers including the air spaces adapted to being further insertable between a lining and a coating.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device (10) for personal hygiene liquids is wall mounted with a plurality of containers (14) and valves (16). Each valve includes a valve plunger (60) with a head (62) having a flexible periphery (64) that provides increased bypass of liquid upon harder pressing and faster motion of the plunger. The valve has a seat (74) that presses the flexible periphery (64) against the valve inner cylindrical wall (54) of the valve bore (52) at the end of the return stroke. Each valve is also provided with a check valve (90) in an inlet port of the valve to restrict fluid flow back into the container upon actuation of the plunger. Each check valve is provided with a notch (100) that allows some restricted fluid flow of liquid back into the supply container (14) upon excessive pressure with in the valve bore (52).

Abstract: A motor vehicle body has an instrument panel construction that includes a structural instrument panel carrier of plastic material for mounting instrument panel components. The carrier is attached to side pillars located at a juncture of passenger and engine compartments so as to form a cross beam. The instrument panel construction has its external appearance determined by adding facial instrument panel coverings to the instrument panel carrier after the instrument panel components are mounted on the instrument panel carrier. The structural instrument panel carrier may also be integrated with a front of dash (FOD) panel that may be composed of the same material and that provides a second cross beam.

Abstract: Described is a substantially purified human breast epithelial cell (Type I HBEC) displaying the following characteristics: variable cell shape; smooth cell colony boundary; deficiency in gap junctional intercellular communication; positive expression of epithelial membrane antigen and keratin 18; negative expression of keratin 14, .alpha.6 integrin and gap junction genes for connexins (Cx26, Cx32 and Cx43); growth promotion by fetal bovine serum; induction by cholera toxin to differentiate into Type II HBEC (prior art); and acquisition anchorage independent growth by Semian virus 40 transfection. Also described is a method of obtaining the above-identified epithelial cells comprising the steps of: a) development of a mixture of human breast epithelial cells from reduction mammoplasty tissues using the MSU-1 medium; b) eliminating stromal fibroblasts by a trypsin (0.002%) and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (0.

Abstract: An electronic interlock for locking a file cabinet (10, 100) and for limiting the number of drawers (14, 114) to be accessed at any given time. An input keyboard (20, 120) receives an input code to be compared with a prestored access code. If the codes do not match, an unlock signal is not produced. If the input code matches the access code, a processor (28, 148) renders the storage assembly (10, 110) accessible. The processor (28, 128) will receive a drawer selection number from the input keyboard (20, 120) user and will unlock a lock (16, 116) associated with the selected drawer (14, 114). Sensors (34, 134) sense the position of the drawers (14, 114) and disable the processor (28, 128) when one of the drawers (14, 114) is in the open position.

Abstract: A structural reaction injection molded motor vehicle bumper beam comprises a preform formed of layers of interlaced glass fibers and chopped glass fibers wherein most of the interlaced fibers are oriented longitudinally of the bumper beam. A two-component, non-filled reaction injection molding polymeric/pure polyurethane based resin with a neat elongation in excess of about 50% bonds the fiberglass layers together in a composite bumper beam structure wherein the fiberglass provides substantial strength and stiffness and the highly compliant resin allows extensive beam deflection without catastrophic cracking to enable the bumper beam without other assistance to absorb sufficient energy in repeated impacts to meet in-service requirements.

Abstract: A tensile test fixture for applying constant tensile forces to a tensile test specimen comprises two mounting grips, each mounted to one of two lever arms in a pivoted lever arm frame structure. One end of each lever arm is pivotally attached to a compression column while the other end of each lever arm is attached to one end of a force-applying assembly. The mounting grips are pivotally attached to their respective lever arms between the compression column and the force-applying assembly and are designed to hold opposite ends of a tensile test specimen. The force-applying assembly comprises stress and strain modules that are interchangeably installable into the force-applying assembly to selectively subject tensile test specimens to constant strain and constant stress.

Abstract: A sign (10) includes a sign housing (16) having a pair of extension arms (102) extending therefrom for mounting purposes. The sign housing (16) includes light elements (28) to illuminate at least a portion of the sign (10). The sign housing (16) and extension arms (102) include channels therethrough to allow power conductors (52) to extend from the light element internal the sign housing (16) through the extension arms (102) to power source. The extension arm also receives and supports a hollow, L-shaped bushing (112) through which the power conductors extend. The bushings (112) are received in a mounting housing (122) which in turn secured to a support structure, such as a bus (12). The mounting housing (112) includes an actuator connected to the bushing (112) to pivot the sign (10).

Abstract: A top closure arrangement for an oblong rectangular, gable top container, wherein selected score lines are formed on the wider top closure panels defining panel segments for inward folding during the sealing process. A pour spout fitment is thus mounted on one of the narrow, outer flat closure panels for more convenient handling of the container by the consumer during the pouring process.

Abstract: A rowing simulator including a frame, a seat slidably mounted on the frame, a pair of adjustable foot rests, and, on each side of the frame, a rotatably mounted flywheel, a driven wheel secured to the flywheel, a rotatably mounted drive wheel, and connector means interconnecting the drive wheel to the driven wheel. An oar is pivotally connected to a rotatable pivot linked to a first universal coupling. The latter is connected to a drive shaft which, in turn, is connected to a second universal coupling connected to the drive wheel.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method of operating an internal combustion engine during combustion process that makes it possible to breake the increase of the gas pressure at the beginning of combustion, and partially to replace it by a lengthened substantially isobaric process, i.e., a process in which the combustion pressure keeps nearly steady. In this way, the combustion rate and the variation of the combustion chamber in volume can be optimally synchronized for improving the engine operation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for blow-molding hollow articles. The blow-molding apparatus includes a carrousel mounted to rotate within a support frame. The carrousel carries four molds around a circular mold path. Two blow-molding work stations are disposed next to the mold path in fixed positions relative to the frame. The carrousel is indexed to cause each mold to pause by each work station one time during each carrousel revolution. The molds pause by each work station to allow blow-molding operations to be performed in conjunction with each mold at each work station. At one blow-molding work station, located at the 12:00 position of the mold path, an extruder injects parison into each mold. At the other work station, located in the 9:00 position of the mold path, a take-out mechanism extracts blow molded articles from the molds and places them upright on a conveyor.

Abstract: A skiving method comprises forming by milling, along an edge zone of a packaging blank comprised of a liquid-absorbent layer and at least two liquid-barrier layers thereon, a tongue, a recess inwardly of the tongue, a land inwardly of the recess, and a groove inwardly of the land, folding over the edge zone to insert the tongue into the groove, and sealing the edge zone to the remainder of the sheet material, preferably by mechanical pressure alone.

Abstract: A reversible endless track 10 engages a drive sprocket 12 and track rollers 14 of a track type vehicle. The endless track 10 has a plurality of track link assemblies 16 that includes a symmetrical track link 20, wear bars 22 with rail surfaces 24, and track shoes 26. The track link has a central relief port 30. An upper and lower wear bar 22 are slidably mounted onto the upper and lower surfaces 32 and 34 of the track link forming a mortise joint 50. A pair of plow bolts 54 pass through a respective aperture 56 in the wear bar 22 and extend through the entire assembly. The bolts have extending threaded ends 55 that engage an acorn nut 60 in its threaded receptacle 62 to affix track shoe 26 thereon. The head surface 66 of the bolt 54 is flush with the rail surface 24 of the wear bar 22.

Abstract: An illuminated safety helmet includes a pair of LED modules that are mounted at the front and back of the helmet and arranged in an electrical circuit with an on-board battery. The helmet has a chin strap fitted with snap together connectors which when joined operator to secure the helmet on the user's head. A pair of electrical contacts are incorporated into the connectors and operate as a switch which closes and opens the circuit, respectively, with the engagement and disengagement of the connectors.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing overlapped edge portions of laminates folded onto a support member. The arrangement includes a pressure pad assembly and a drive member. An elastomeric disk is retained compressed between the drive member and the pressure pad assembly. A drive unit serves to extend the drive member to thereby urge the pressure pad via the elastomeric disk into pressure sealing engagement with the overlapped laminates on the support member.

Abstract: A sterilizing method includes subjecting material, for example packaging board, to laser UV alone, or substantially simultaneously with laser IR and/or hydrogen peroxide to obtain a synergistic effect between the UV and IR and/or hydrogen peroxide, to render micro-organisms present at said material non-viable.

Abstract: A mixing valve has a cartridge assembly that includes a ball valve with a control stem for adjusting the movable ball valve for controlling the flow rate and temperature mix of the mixed water. The ball valve has a pin extending therethrough that is received in vertically extending slots and in a cartridge housing member. The pin is press fitted int the ball valve to prevent the ball from falling out the lower open end of the cartridge.

Abstract: In order to insure a constantly superior shielding effect for a high-frequency cable over a broad frequency range, the shield consists of a metal foil (3) which is shaped to form a tube and extends axially parallel as well as a number of electrically conductive wires (4) which are connected electrically with the foil (4) and in essence also extend axially parallel. A high-frequency cable constructed in this fashion is protected from interference over a broad frequency range and has a high tolerance against electromagnetic interference. A HF line of this type is particularly suitable as an antenna line, in particular in motor vehicles.

Abstract: A soft panel has a layer formed from thermoplastic fiber clusters comprised of a very high percentage of crooked matrix fibers and a very low percentage of crooked binder fibers with a lower melt temperature and wherein the fibers have a plurality of bends that entangle the fibers together in the clusters. The fiber clusters are blown onto a first foraminous screen that defines a retainer side of the fiber layer and through which air is being drawn. A second foraminous screen is then added to compact the fiber clusters and define a skin side of the fiber layer. Hot air is then circulated through the compacted fiber clusters to melt the binder fibers to fuse the matrix fibers together where they touch to form an integral soft springy fiber cluster layer to the shape of the screens.