Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for stacked articles, such as stacked plastic or paper bags, includes a frame, and a plurality of sprocket assemblies about which one or more conveyor chains extend. The apparatus includes a plurality of wicket wire holding assemblies mounted on the chains at spaced apart intervals for intermittent, incremental movement along a conveyor path defined by the conveyor chains. Each of the holding assemblies includes a pair of support arms, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the arms. The apparatus includes an arrangement for simultaneously adjusting the spacing between the support arms of all of the holding assemblies, including an adjustment drive chain trained about the sprocket assemblies, and a mechanism for moving the adjustment drive chain relative to the conveyor chains of the apparatus.

Abstract: A variable frequency motor starting system has a variable frequency AC power supply for generating an AC power output signal applied to an AC motor. A controller is coupled to the variable frequency AC power supply for producing a control signal for adjusting the frequency of the AC power output signal produced. Upon initially applying power to an AC motor or detection of a starting current for an AC motor, the controller adjusts the frequency of the power output signal applied to the AC motor. The frequency of the power output signal is adjusted to a value below the value of the typical operating frequency. The value of the frequency can be increased to the final operating value.

Abstract: An alarm system which incorporates a plurality of highly sensitive, early warning, smoke detectors incorporates functionality for distinguishing between detector signals in response to ambient smoke and detector signals in response to the presence of non-smoke, fibrous materials. Detectors are spatially arranged in predetermined regions. Information concerning the arrangement of detectors is stored in the common control unit. Additionally, a performance history for each of the detectors is also stored in the control unit. If one of the detectors exhibits a relatively large output which is large enough to indicate a possible fire, a previously stored history from the outputs of that detector is analyzed. If the previously stored history indicates a fire related profile, such as a relatively gradual increase in smoke level over a period of time, the signal from that detector is regarded as being indicative of smoke and an alarm is indicated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for treating vulvar vestibulitis in a patient, comprising applying to the vestibule or the vestibule and the vagina of a patient an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound which inhibits the release of mediators from mast cells. The method is simple, inexpensive, well tolerated, and effective in the majority of cases.

Abstract: A combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool useful to fasten a dimpled membrane to a foundation wall, via a fastener and a polymeric plug, is arranged to drive a fastener from a nosepiece, through the plug and the membrane, into the wall. An actuating member mounted movably on the tool is movable thereon between an extended, tool-disabling position and a retracted, tool-enabling position. A workpiece-contacting probe is mounted to the actuating member so as to be conjointly movable with the actuating member. The probe includes a plug-holding member adapted to hold the plug as the fastener is being driven, having a tubular wall defining a recess adapted to receive the plug, and having two pointed elements in diametric opposition to each other, each having a point projecting inwardly from the tubular wall so as to press against the plug received in the recess. The workpiece-contacting probe includes a mounting bracket mounted to the actuating member.

Abstract: A heart pacemaker which is arranged to stimulate the apical area of the heart. Stimulation of this area provides synchronous mechanical contraction of the left and right ventricles and overcomes the problem of pacemaker induced left bundle branch block type conduction disturbance. The pacemaker has a base surface which conforms to the apical area of the heart and mounts a plurality of epicardial stimulating electrodes. Selection of electrodes can be made to provide the most clinically appropriate stimulation. An opposite side of the pacemaker is arranged to contact the diaphragm and is provided with sensing electrodes to sense activity of the diaphragm and adjust pacing of the heart in accordance with changes in physical activity of the patient. The electrodes used are preferably of capacitive construction, having first and second capacitive plates either side of a dielectric formed by the body of the pacemaker.

Abstract: Due to the presence of various environmental condition detectors in the home and businesses such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, natural gas detectors, etc., each having individual but similar sounding alarm patterns, it can be difficult for occupants of such dwellings to immediately determine the specific type of environmental condition that exists during an alarm condition. The present invention comprises an environmental condition detector using both tonal pattern alarms and pre-recorded voice messages to indicate information about the environmental condition being sensed. Single-station battery-powered and 120 VAC detectors are described as are multiple-station interconnected 120 VAC powered detectors. The pre-recorded voice messages describe the type of environmental condition detected or the location of the environmental condition detector sensing the condition, or both, in addition to the tonal pattern alarm. Provisions are made for multilingual pre-recorded voice messages.

Abstract: A carbon-based process for the selection of heterotrophically cultured plant cells is contemplated as are plants transformed using that process and a kit useful for effecting such a transformation. Plant cells are transformed with a heterologous DNA segment that contains two expression cassettes. The first cassette contains a gene that encodes a heterologous enzyme that on expression converts a growth-limiting (encrypted) carbon source that does not support growth and proliferation of non-transformed plant cells into a carbon source that supports growth and proliferation of transformed plant cells. The second cassette contains a second gene to be expressed in the transformed plant cells. A mixture transformed and non-transformed plant cells is cultured under heterotrophic culture conditions with the growth-limiting carbon source as the only carbon source.

Abstract: The bearing includes a cylindrical bearing, such as a sleeve bearing or a ball bearing, having a central opening for receiving a shaft and having a first radial surface. The assembly includes a bearing housing having a surrounding wall which defines an open distal end and an open base end. The housing has a second radial surface extending inwardly from the surrounding wall. The assembly includes a support wall arranged adjacent to the open base end of the housing. The assembly includes a plurality of threaded fasteners which are inserted through holes provided on the bearing housing and are threaded onto threaded apertures provided in or behind the support wall. Tightening of the fasteners draws the bearing housing to the support wall. A spring, such as a Belleville washer, is placed between the support wall and the bearing to resiliently press the first radial surface against the second radial surface. When the housing and support wall are drawn tight the spring is compressed under great force.

Abstract: A manufacturing tool configuration for applying one or more levels of interconnect metallization to a generally planar dielectric surface of a workpiece with a minimal number of workpiece transfer operations between the tool sets is disclosed. The tool configuration comprises a film deposition tool set, a pattern processing tool set, a wet processing tool set, and a dielectric processing tool set.

Abstract: A method for making a dispensing structure with a finger well formed after molding of the dispensing structure for a container that has an opening to the container interior. The dispensing structure includes a body or base for extending around the container opening and for defining a dispensing orifice. A lid is molded from at least one synthetic polymer material and is hingedly connected to the body for movement between (1) a closed position over the body dispensing orifice, and (2) an open position spaced from the closed position. The lid includes an occlusion member for occluding the dispensing orifice when the lid is in the closed position. The lid includes a finger well to facilitate opening the lid. The finger well is formed by deflection or deformation of a portion of the lid from an as-molded convex condition to a concave condition relative to the exterior of the lid.

Abstract: In a roofing washer-dispensing and fastener-driving machine, which has a fastener-feeding tube, a fastener-engaging pawl is mounted operatively to the tube, near its upper end. The pawl is pivotable between a normal position wherein the pawl is arranged to engage a fastener dropped into the tube so as to prevent the fastener from dropping through the tube and a pivoted position wherein the pawl is arranged to disengage from the fastener. An elongate rod is arranged to pivot the pawl from the normal position into the pivoted position when the machine is operated.

Abstract: A garment, such as a coat, shirt, or jacket, for a firefighter, a rescue worker, a forestry worker, or another worker having to carry a rope has a back portion and two front portions, each front portion extending from the back portion at one side of the garment. A back pocket extending at least substantially across the backs portion, between the sides of the garment, is adapted to carry a rope placed in a zigzag pattern. A front pocket extending at least partially across one of the front portions of the garment communicates with the back pocket, through a slit in the garment, so that a rope carried within the back pocket is removable through the slit and through the front pocket. A front flap overlies the front pocket and the slit. The back pocket is accessible from the interior of the garment and the front pocket is accessible from the exterior of the garment. A strip coacting with the back portion to define the back pocket has an upper edge and a lower edge.

Abstract: A process for making an internally-reinforced bag assembly includes formation of an outer bag body with a plurality of longitudinally oriented, laterally spaced pleats or tucks therein. An inner reinforcement layer is applied to the outer bag body after formation of the pleats, whereby the inner layer spans and overlaps each of the pleats. An apparatus embodying the present invention effects bag formation in this fashion. Advancement through the forming apparatus effects formation of the outer web into a gusseted tube, and formation of a square bottom seal. The completed bag assembly includes the inner reinforcement layer, which is dimensioned to define a circumference which is less than a circumference defined by the bag body. The resultant bag assembly resists bulging and deformation under the influence of particulate, granular, or other flowable products packaged therein.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for increasing evaporation capacity in a multi-stage evaporation plant of spent liquor of a pulp mill. The method includes increasing the pressure of vapor discharged from an evaporation stage by a separate booster, and supplying the vapor having increased pressure to the following evaporation stage. In the arrangement the booster (A-E) is provided in a conduit through which vapor is supplied from one evaporation stage onwards for increasing the pressure of the vapor conducted in the conduit.

Abstract: A dispensing structure, and a package with a dispensing structure, is provided with a valve. In one embodiment, the dispensing structure is a multi-piece fitment. The multi-piece fitment includes a base for mounting to the container and a valve carrier for mounting to the base. A flexible, self-sealing slit-type valve is mounted within the carrier. In another embodiment, a fitment is mounted in the opening of a thin-walled, flexible, collapsible container, and the flexible valve is mounted in the fitment. In yet another embodiment, a package includes a container having a corner wall defining an opening, and a fitment is sealingly mounted to the corner wall at the opening. A valve is disposed within the fitment. A removable and disposable cover extends from the container over the fitment and at least a portion of the corner wall to define a hermetically sealed volume around the fitment. The cover may be pulled away from the container to expose the fitment.

Abstract: A system for mounting two alarm-indicating or condition-sensing modules side-by-side onto a junction box provides installation flexibility to locate a particular module on the right or left side of the respective other module. A loudspeaker module can be centered on the junction box and a strobe light module can be placed either on the right side or the left side of the junction box by 180.degree. rotation of a common elongated rectangular frame and 180.degree. rotation of the strobe light module with respect to the frame. The loudspeaker module includes fastener receiving holes aligned with fastener engagement holes of a standard 4".times.4" junction box for securing the loudspeaker module and the common frame with the strobe light module attached thereto, to the junction box. The frame includes a recessed region to receive and support the strobe light module.