Abstract: Conductive polymer sheathed polymeric particulate powders comprise a polymeric core powder; and from about 5 to about 30 percent by weight of an intrinsically conductive polymer forming a sheath around the core powder. A method of providing corrosion protection to metal substrates comprises applying a conductive polymer sheathed polymeric particulate powder to a metal substrate to form a coating at least about 0.5 mils thick; wherein the conductive powder comprises a polymeric core powder; and from about 5 to about 30 percent by weight of an intrinsically conductive polymer forming a sheath around the core powder, the resulting conductive polymer powder having a particle size greater than about 1 micron.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal cell with a monochevron structure includes a pair of opposed substrates each having an alignment layer. The alignment layer includes a conventional polymer and a ferroelectric copolymer. A ferroelectric liquid crystal material is disposed between the pair of opposed substrates and interacts with the alignment layers which force the ferroelectric liquid crystal into a monochevron structure because of the interaction between the ferroelectric liquid crystal material polarization and polarization of the alignment layers.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a seat wherein a surface material of the seat is not crumpled by sliding the surface material on a cushioning body thereof and while a person can sit comfortably in the seat, the seat has adequate hardness such that the weight of the person can be supported. A seat (1) comprises a surface material (2) and a cushioning body (6, 12) covered with the surface material. The cushioning body has a shape corresponding to an outline of the seat and is structured of a first cushioning body (6) as an upper layer and a second cushioning body (12) as a lower layer. The first cushioning body is intergral with at least a part of a back surface of the surface material and is connected with the second cushioning body. The first cushioning body has a contact surface (10) corresponding to the shape of a contact surface (13) of the second cushioning body. The first and second cushioning bodies have fasteners (11a, 11b, 14a, 14b), respectively.

Abstract: An electric gun driver for controlling a solenoid within a dispenser which dispenses a liquid material, such as a heated adhesive, for application to packaging materials. The electric gun driver includes a switch mode power supply for receiving a wide range of input voltages so that the electric gun driver is adaptable to various power supply systems throughout the world. The improved electric gun driver also includes a computer for monitoring and regulating the operation of the dispenser device, a power circuit, and a hysteresis band modulator for receiving a reference current from the computer and a feedback current from an operational amplifier so as to provide a modulation signal to the power circuit. The power circuit includes two switches in the form of insulated gate bipolar transistors respectively controlled by gate driver and detector circuits so as to modulate the solenoid current for controlling and regulating the dispenser.

Abstract: Cement admixtures contain an alkali metal carbonate as component (a) and a mono- or di-carboxylate acid or alkali metal salt thereof or an alkali metal salt of a tricarboxylic acid as component (b).

Abstract: A jewelry organizer (10) includes a housing preferably formed on interconnected housing portions (11, 12). The front of the organizer (10) is provided with an assembly of bins (70) which, when released by a release mechanism (25) open to provide access to the contents of the bins (70). Side doors (53) are hingedly attached to one housing portion (12) and have a hook (60) thereon to carry hangable items of jewelry. A rear open compartment (42) likewise has hooks (51, 52) to carry similar items of jewelry. Like the bins (70), a top compartment (63) having a pivotal cover (64) can also carry smaller items of jewelry.

Abstract: A thermal insulated bottle (10) includes an outer container (12) having an open end (16) and an inner cup (18) which is at least partially received and spaced apart from the outer container ( 12 ) . The inner cup ( 18 ) and outer container (12) engage each other, preferably by a shoulder (24) at the open end (16) of the outer container (12) which encloses the space between the inner cup (18) and the outer container (12) to form a chamber (26). Within the chamber (26), a sleeve (28) of freezable fluid (30) is positioned around the inner cup (18). A thermal insulating material (32) occupies the rest of the chamber (26) between the sleeve (28) and the outer container (12).

Abstract: A container (10) for holding items such as cosmetics, jewelry and the like includes a base portion (12) and a cover portion (11) attached thereto. Within the container (10) is a removable tray (51) which includes a basket portion (52) carried by a surrounding support wall (58). The base (12) of the container (10) supports and holds the tray (51) on a plurality of ribs (77) disposed inwardly on the upturned arcuate side surfaces (33, 34) of the base (12). When the container (10) is open, the tray (51) may be removed and selectively positioned outside the container (10). In addition, the tray (51) may be selectively positioned on the cover (11) which includes similar ribs (80) to those found in the base (12). The tray (51) also includes a mirror assembly (67) which is hingedly attached thereto and may be used as a lid for the basket (52) of the tray ( 51).

Abstract: A connector (10, 110) for joining a plurality of elements (15, 20; 115, 120) having attachment apertures (19, 21; 119, 121) therein including, a pin (25; 125, 125') having a radially extending head (27; 127) and a shank (26; 126, 126') extending axially from the head and having a tapering outer surface (29; 129, 129') over at least a portion of the axial extent thereof, a sleeve (35, 135) insertable in the attachment apertures and having a tapering inner surface (38; 138, 138') over at least a portion of the axial extent thereof for engaging the tapering outer surface of the pin, a discontinuity (37, 137) in the sleeve extending at least a portion of the axial extent thereof, and fastener (45, 50; 145, 150) for axially displacing the sleeve relative to the pin selectively to expand and to permit reduction in the diameter of at least a portion of the outer surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: An air pocket is often formed in fluid (F) in the pitcher (14) of a blender around the rotating mixing blade assembly (24) thereof. The air pocket is of a cross-sectional size defined by an air channel defining member, shown in the form of a bearing housing (23) of the mixing blade assembly (24). After the pitcher (14) is filled with the fluid (F), the plunger portion (12) of an accessory (10) is positioned adjacent to and above the mixing blade assembly (24) and maintained free of contact with the pitcher (14). The plunger portion (12) is of a cross-sectional size approximately the cross-sectional size of the air channel defining member and prevents the formation of the air pocket in the fluid (F) around the blade assembly (24).

Abstract: A life jacket of the type made from a foam buoyant material includes a transversely disposed yoke member having parallel ends which extend from the upper ends of two symmetrically opposed front panels. A body strap and a unique snap and D-ring assembly are also provided. The life jacket provides the wearer a more comfortable position at which to float while more effectively utilizing the buoyancy of the life jacket.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna is provide for radiating a broad bandwidth of input signals. A pair of identical triangular patches are maintained upon a ground plane, with feed pins being connected to conductive planes of the triangular patches at apexes maintained in juxtaposition to each other. Sides of the conductive planes opposite such apexes are grounded and the radiating slots are formed by the other sides adjacent to the apexes and the ground plane. The input signals to the pair of patches are of equal amplitude, but 180.degree. out of phase. The triangular nature of the patches provides a broad range of signal separation such that the resulting microstrip antenna can accommodate a broad range of input signals and radiate the same.

Abstract: A forward facing rowing mechanism (10) for a boat (11) having a bow (12), a longitudinal axis (A.sub.1) and both port and starboard gunwales (21). A mounting bracket (20) is adapted to be supported from each gunwale (21), and a tilting frame (25) is supported from the mounting bracket (20) for pivotal movement about an axis (A.sub.2) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (A.sub.1) of the boat (11). A drive sub-assembly (31.sub.x) is carried on the tilting frame (25) to be pivotal about a first angular rotational axis (A.sub.3). A driven sub-assembly (31.sub.y) is carried on the tilting frame (25) to be pivotal about a second angular rotational axis (A.sub.4). A handle (14) is secured to the drive sub-assembly (31.sub.x) for rotation about a first feathering axis (A.sub.5). A blade (18) is secured to the driven sub-assembly (31.sub.y) for rotation about a second feathering axis (A.sub.6). A first drive (83 and 84) interconnects the drive and driven sub-assemblies (31.sub.x and 31.sub.

Abstract: A torque limiter has an input flange connected to an output hub through a force generating subassembly which includes a pressure plate and a cover plate having a plurality of springs interposed therebetween. The cover plate is fixedly secured to the input hub in fixed spaced apart relationship. A friction material is secured to opposite faces of a circumferential flange which is integral with the output hub. The friction surfaces engage the pressure plate and input hub, establishing the force transmitting interface. The force generating subassembly has a characteristic spring force associated therewith which is slightly increased when the assembly is completed. The total degradation of characteristic torque diminishes by only ten percent over the useful life of the clutch. The springs are color coded and visually verifiable.

Abstract: A syrup dispensing system for use in a soft drink dispenser. Sensors are placed in the syrup dispensing flow path to measure the rate of flow of the syrup at the commencement of a dispensing cycle. In a first embodiment of the invention, a regulatable pressure source is then adjusted during the remainder of the dispensing cycle to assure that a full measure of syrup is dispensed. In another embodiment of the invention, the period of time during which the dispensing valve in open is then modified as a function of the flow rate to assure that a full measure of syrup is dispensed.