Abstract: A joint, particularly for use with banister assemblies, comprises a ball (14) fixed into position within a socket (13). The balls (14) formed at either end of a plurality of balusters (12), and sockets (13), formed in a base rail (10) and hand rail (11) are preformed at a work shop or factory and subsequently used for construction of a banister assembly. During the construction of such an assembly, the base rail (10) is fixed into position and the hand rail (11) placed in parallel, vertically spaced-apart relation to it, supported loosely by newel posts at either end. Next, balusters (12) are inserted between the base rail (10) and hand rail (11) by inserting a bottom ball of each baluster (12) into the base rail sockets (13) and adjusting the hand rail (11) to enable insertion of the upper balls into the hand rail sockets (13). Once all balusters are in position, the hand rail (11) can be firmly fixed into place.

Abstract: A process for treating a substrate, e.g., lignocellulosic pulp or cellulosic pulps, with a mixed peracid solution comprising percarboxylic acid and Caro's acid which results in a higher conversion rate of the active oxygen in the hydrogen peroxide in order to provide an inexpensive and effective delignification and/or bleaching solution and the process for making the mixed peracid solution.

Abstract: A polymeric resin composition comprising a polymeric resin in particulate form coated with an additive agent adhered to the surfaces of the resin particles by a coating of thermoplastic adhesive binder between the particles and the agent.

Abstract: A sewn seam monitoring system for evaluating selected characteristics of seam formed from a plurality of fabric plies is disclosed comprising a vertically displaceable wheel for compressing and monitoring the thickness of a seam being sewn as the seam passes therebeneath and a transducer operatively connected to the wheel to measure vertical movement and generate a signal corresponding to the vertical displacement of the wheel. Computer means is electrically connected to the transducer for analyzing the seam being sewn to detect any defects therein sensed by the wheel when in compressing contact with the seam passing therebeneath.

Abstract: In combination an automated blend waste reclaim apparatus and a pharmaceutical tablet compression machine to facilitate reintroduction of blend into the tablet compression machine and comprising a filter operatively connected to the bulk material container of the tablet compression machine which serves to collect excess blend being pneumatically removed from the tablet compression machine. A blast of compressed air serves to periodically remove blend from the filter, and the blend is then caused to be reintroduced into the bulk material container of the pharmaceutical tablet compression machine.

Abstract: A method for the topical treatment of skin affected with acne, rosacea, or a combination thereof. Sodium chloride in a substantially pure form is topically applied to the affected skin by gently gliding the sodium chloride over the affected skin in a manner insufficient to cause abrasion and debridement of the affected skin. A solid block of about 98% to about 100% by weight sodium chloride free of a carrier and/or free of other topical acne-treatment medicaments and/or free of other topical rosacea-treatment medicaments should be used. The applied sodium chloride is left on the skin. Preferably, the affected skin is pre-moistened with water from shaving, bathing, splashing water on the skin, and the like prior to gliding the sodium chloride thereon.

Abstract: An anatomic X-ray phantom having two layers of radiolucent material, at least one layer of metallic material therebetween, and a test pattern. The metallic layer is of a shape regionally similar to a corresponding human anatomy portion and has X-ray absorptive characteristics similar to the corresponding human anatomy portion. The test pattern is for X-ray quality assurance testing of the imaging system and is positioned inside the phantom in an area having radiopacity/radiolucency characteristics similar to the corresponding human anatomy portion. Other metallic layers also may be disposed between the two radiolucent layers. Preferably, the test pattern is directly adhered to a metallic layer on the side thereof facing the direction of the source of X-ray photons from the X-ray system.

Abstract: A method and device for teaching a given language to one or more users in an entertaining manner is provided utilizing a media series for teaching a given language to one or more users, particularly young children. The media series contains the given language as well as language other than the given language and is made up of series lessons which sequentially contain an increasing percentage of the given language. A user is progressively exposed to the media series by exposing the user to the series lessons in sequential fashion beginning with a first series lesson containing a lowest percentage of the given language and ending with a last series lesson containing a highest percentage of the given language. The given language to be learned is utilized and presented strategically such that the meaning of the given language can be readily and intuitively understood and wherein no supervision is necessary.

Abstract: A medicament carrier for use in a dry powder inhalator device wherein the medicament carrier has at least one carrier screen portion. The carrier screen portion defines a plurality of interstices therein and carries a powdered medicament which is loaded onto the carrier screen portion surface such that the interstices of the carrier screen portion at least partially open and free of the dry powdered medicament.

Abstract: A water-tight optical fiber communications cable constructed without the use of a viscous water-blocking compound other than in the buffer tubes thereof. One or more water swellable yarns are helically wrapped around the central strength member to absorb any water which may be present in the interstices between the central strength member and the buffer tubes. Additionally, a water swellable tape is disposed between the core and the jacket of the cable to absorb water from the interstices between the buffer tubes and elements overlaying the core of the cable.

Abstract: A process for removing both color and odor from wastewater effluent that is contaminated from dye complexes, such as azo dye complexes, used for dyeing textiles to be various colors. The process requires treatment of the effluent with alkali metal permanganate, followed by treatment with hydrogen peroxide, followed by treatment a primary coagulant as a flocculation initiator (together with pH control so that the pH is basic), followed by treatment with a water soluble polymer, and followed by separating precipitated flocculated material from the effluent to obtain a clear effluent free of color and odor.

Abstract: A tar-depleted liquid smoke having total water miscibility, and related method for making same. The tar-depleted liquid smoke may be made from commercially existing liquid smoke products, for instance, by treating such a commercial product with a column filtration process using activated carbon particles packed in the column. The resultant tar-depleted liquid smoke typically will have a phenols reduction of about 10% to about 90% compared to the commercial starting product of liquid smoke. In an alternative embodiment, the tar-depleted liquid smoke made from carbon contact is then vacuum concentrated so that it has a phenols content greater than that of the commercial starting product of liquid smoke, but the concentrate will still be totally water miscible.

Abstract: A baby bidet adapted to be placed on the top of the rim of a toilet bowl in order to facilitate cleaning a baby placed in the bidet, such as when changing a soiled diaper. The bidet is shaped so as to fit within and on the toilet bowl, and includes a sloping surface suitably sized to received the baby's bottom. The bidet also includes at least one rearwardly located ear that acts to engage the rim of the toilet bowl in its rear area and at least one forwardly located detent that acts to engage the rim of the toilet bowl in its front area so as to removably secure the baby bidet in place during use.

Abstract: A security window having one or more vertically movable panels, suitably of a transparent, rigid plastic that is bullet-resistant. The security window is useful for a clerk in a convenience store. The security window is provided with a safety mechanism that is operatively associated with the one or more vertically movable panels, and prevents direct vertical manual movement thereof by a would-be robber.

Abstract: A method in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to use ictal EEG data for clinical determination of the adequacy of an induced seizure in a patient. The method includes employing an ECT device to apply electricity to the patient in an ECT session to induce seizure activity. The electroencephalographic (EEG) data is detected during the seizure and selected EEG data parameters are derived therefrom. Next, the likely adequacy of the induced seizure is computed by comparing the selected EEG data parameters of the patient to ictal EEG data parameters wherein the adequacy of the corresponding seizure or seizures is known, and the computed likely therapeutic adequacy of the induced seizure is displayed.

Abstract: An automated biological cell harvesting apparatus including a fluid dispensing head adapted to move to a lowered position and dispense fluid from a plurality of spray ports, a fixed upper tray positioned beneath the fluid dispensing head for supporting a biological filter plate of the type defining a plurality of fluid permeable wells therein, a vertically movable lower tray adapted to move from a lowermost position to a raised position in engagement with the upper tray. A controller is provided for dispensing fluid from the fluid dispensing head into the wells of the filter plate, and raising the lower tray into its raised position in engagement with the upper tray and then creating a vacuum between the lower tray and the upper tray to draw the fluid from the filter plate supported on the upper tray into the lower tray for collection in a microplate with a corresponding number of wells or, in the absence of a microplate, for removal of the fluid from the lower tray to a remote common waste collection vessel.

Abstract: A fluid seal device comprising an annular body having an inner side, an outer side, a closed end face and an at least partly open end face wherein the at least partly open end face defines a first radial sealing area protruding outwardly from the outer side and a second radial sealing area protruding outwardly from the inner side of the annular body so that the plane defined by the first radial sealing area is spaced apart a further distance from the closed end of the annular body than the plane defined by the second radial sealing area. The at least partly open end face of the fluid seal device defining the first and second radial sealing areas is formed of a less rigid elastomeric material than the remaining portion of the annular body of the fluid seal device so that the radius of the second radial sealing area will tend to hinge and roll and to thereby maintain a generally constant resistance during movement of an element in contact therewith.

Abstract: A method of midspan or end entry accessing of one or more selected optical fibers carried by an optical ribbon fiber. The top and bottom surfaces of a first selected span of the optical ribbon fiber are friction abraded to initiate delamination of the bond between the optical fibers and the matrix encapsulant. The delamination is completed by applying a rolling force to the circumference of the first selected span, and the delamination is then propagated by introducing the first selected span into the bore of a die element and urging the die element along a relatively longer second selected span of the optical ribbon fiber. With the delamination completed, the tip of an elongated tool is inserted through the encapsulant within the second selected span and between one or more selected optical fibers and the remaining optical fibers within the optical ribbon fiber.

Abstract: A method of removing the encapsulant matrix from a selected span of optical ribbon fiber to provide access to one or more selected optical fibers wherein a strip of adhesive tape having a plastic card element attached to one end thereof is placed on a support surface with an adhesive surface of the strip of tape facing upwardly. A selected span of optical ribbon fiber is placed across the exposed top surface of the strip of tape and across the plastic card element. A selected amount of glue is positioned beneath the span length of the optical ribbon fiber overlaying the plastic card element so as to bond the optical ribbon fiber to a portion thereof.