Abstract: An ice skate, particularly for speed skating includes an upper half-frame provided with means for coupling to a shoe which oscillates on a same plane with respect to a lower half-frame which is associated with a blade which interacts with the ice. The upper half-frame of the skate can perform a forward translatory motion of the heel region and a backward translatory motion of the tip region. This allows the user to improve his skating.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement is provided for rollers in a pressure sealer wherein a folded business form is fed along a processing path between at least one pair of cooperating, rotating, first and second rollers. A support structure is provided for holding the rollers with the first roller in a fixed location while accommodating movement of a second roller along a plane in either of two opposite directions toward and away from the first roller. Each roller has a pressure-applying, cylindrical surface. Each roller has two spaced-apart bearing structures for engaging the support structure to accommodate rotation of a respective one of the rollers and for engaging one of the bearing structures of the other rollers to define a predetermined minimum spacing between the cylindrical surfaces of the first and second rollers. At least one spring is provided for urging the bearing structures of the second roller toward the bearing structures of the first roller.

Abstract: A compound, compound I, is disclosed which inhibits ethylene production in plants. In addition, aqueous formulations comprising compound I are disclosed as well as methods of applying formulations comprising compound I to plants.

Abstract: A method for suppressing plant damage by nematodes which comprises the concurrent administration, to the locus, soil or seeds of plants in need of such treatment, of (a) a metabolite of the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria and (b) a chemical pesticide, as well as synergistic nematocidal compositions useful therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the immunogenicity of an immunogen, an antigen or a hapten, when it is administered to a host, independently of the mode of administration, characterized in that the said antigen or hapten is coupled covalently to a support molecule in order to form a complex, and in that this support molecule is a polypeptide fragment which is able to bind specifically to mammalian serum albumin. The invention also relates to the use, as a medicament, of the product which can be obtained in this way.

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: 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 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: Method for the use of 2,5,-dihydroxybenzenesulphonic derivatives for normalizing endothelial function and treating sexual dysfunctions, the vascular complications of diabetes and vascualr disorders of endothelial origin are disclosed. Preferred 2,5-dihydroxybenzenesulponic derivatives are calcium dobesilate, ethamsylate and persilate.

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 drywall-trimming assembly comprises a drywall edge-trimming strip extruded from polyvinyl chloride and a drywall corner-trimming device molded from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. The drywall corner-trimming device has a projecting tab, which fits under an end portion of the drywall edge-trimming strip so that an outer surface of the projecting tab faces an inner surface of the end portion of the drywall edge-trimming strip. The projecting tab has a pattern of alternating ridges and grooves, which extend between the lateral edges of the projecting tab. An adhesive of a type that adheres comparatively less strongly to a unit of surface area of the outer surface of the projecting tab and that adheres comparatively more strongly to a unit of surface area of the inner surface of the end portion of the drywall edge-trimming strip is used for adhering the outer surface of the projecting tab to the inner surface of the end portion of the drywall edge-trimming strip.

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: 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: 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: 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 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.