Abstract: A machine for coating granular articles and the like includes a rotating drum or a coating pan (1), which receives a predetermined mass of articles to be treated. The machine includes also a tubular manifold (4), whose axis is parallel to the axis of said coating pan (1) and which communicates with an outer first pipe (5). A plurality of perforated hollow bodies (14) extend from said manifold (4) and are dipped into the moving mass of the articles to be treated. A second pipe (6) communicates with the coating pan (1), so as to create a flow of air for ventilating the articles. The perforated hollow bodies (14) are telescopic, so as to allow adjustment of their length in order to change the depth of penetration thereof in the moving mass of the articles inside the coating pan (1). The perforated hollow bodies (14) have a distal part (14b), which is inclined with respect to the hollow body vertical axis and whose cross-section is oblong with pointed ends.

Abstract: According to the method, single compact discs (1) are removed from a magazine (10) by a pick up group (14) which is carried by a drum (13). The drum (13) rotates continuously on a vertical axis. The pick up group (14) is operated to move in a combined translation motion along a vertical axis and along a circumference around the drum (13), so as to move in a direction opposite to the movement direction imposed by said drum (13), from a first remote position, which is situated forward with respect to a median plane (M), to a close disk taking position. The combined translation motion of the pick up group (14) is continued, so as to bring the removed compact disc (1) to a second remote position. The removed compact disc (1) is then transferred to a conveying line (5) by a corresponding combined translation motion of the pick up group (14) with respect to the movement direction imposed by the drum (13), from a remote forward position to a close position, in which the compact disc (1) is released.

Abstract: In a device for collecting and re-cycling articles sent toward feeding channels, a selecting member is situated downstream of a station where the articles are accumulated, for receiving, in a predetermined way, the articles from the accumulation station. The selecting member selects and holds complying articles, separating them from fragments and from powders associated thereto. A linear conveyor member, situated downstream of the selecting member, receives the complying articles and sends them in ordered way to inlets of the feeding channels. Collecting means are situated downstream of the inlets for receiving, from the linear conveyor member, the exceeding articles situated near the inlets. Transferring means receive, from the collecting means, the exceeding articles and transfer them to an initial section of the selecting member, so that the articles are collected, recycled and their compliance is verified again.

Abstract: A coffee pot has a strainer (3) in the form of a bag which extends down into the pot (1). Ground coffee (6) is first poured into the pot (1), and then hot water (5) is filled into the pot, causing the coffee (6) to be stirred up and to be mixed with the water, so that the coffee extraction takes place in a gentle and effective manner. Over time, the ground coffee (6) quietly precipitates on the bottom of the pot. When the coffee is poured out of the pot, the coffee grounds (6) are retained in the pot by the strainer element (3).

Abstract: A method of isolating a monoclonal antibody capable of inhibiting any one of IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 binding to the common receptor &bgr;c or a monoclonal antibody capable of inhibiting the cytokines binding to a receptor analogous to &bgr;c. The method includes the steps of immunizing an animal with a cytokine receptor or portion of a cytokine containing the critical binding site which portion includes the extracellular domain 4 or an analogous domain in the analogous common receptor or part thereof. Antibodies producing cells from the animal are then isolated and fused with a myeloma cell line and then screened for a cell line that produces an antibody of the desired type. A monoclonal antibody, or fragments thereof capable of inhibiting the binding of the cytokines IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 to the &bgr;c receptor, and a hybridoma cell line producing the antibody are also claimed.

Abstract: A method for purifying heat shock protein complexes is provided which comprises the steps of adding a solution containing heat shock protein complexes, in which heat shock proteins are associated with peptides, polypeptides, denatured proteins or antigens, to a column containing an ADP matrix to bind the heat shock proteins complexes to the ADP matrix and adding a buffer containing ADP to the column to remove the heat shock protein complexes in an elution product. Additionally a method for synthesizing heat shock protein complexes and purifying the complexes so product is provided which comprises the steps of adding heat shock proteins to an ADP matrix column to bind them to the matrix, adding a solution of peptides, polypeptides, denatured proteins or antigens to the column to bind them to the heat shock proteins as heat shock protein complexes and adding a buffer containing ADP to the column to remove the complexes in all elution product.

Abstract: The HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 is toxic to rodent and human neurons by indirect mechanisms requiring accessory glial cells. Chemokines are known to block gp120 interactions with chemokine receptors on T cells, macrophanges, and microglia, thereby preventing viral infection. Gp120-induced neuronal killing in rat hippocampal cultures was partially or completely prevented by a specific short peptides related to chemokines, specially IKEYFTS (SEQ. ID NO: 2) and LESYT (SEQ. ID NO: 1). These peptides thus have use in the treatment of neurological degenerative diseases having symptoms associated with neuronal cell death.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan mounted in a laptop computer is assembled to include a casing having an intake opening and a horn-shaped outlet opening for increasing the air outflow, an impeller rotatably mounted in the casing with a reduced diameter and bared inner space for increasing the air capacity, and fan blades attached to the impeller, wherein each of fan blades is chipped at the rim for lowering the noise.

Abstract: A curler for hairstyles and permanent waves includes an elongated body, with cross sections similar to an elliptical profile and changing continuously from a minimum to a maximum extension, in relation to a selected rate. The body has opposite heads and intermediate and central portions situated between said heads. An elastic strip is stretched longitudinally to the curler elongated body and touch the heads while leaving an open space in the remaining part of the curler elongated body for locks of hair to pass therethrough.

Abstract: In a machine (1) for filling containers with a liquid substance, a rotating head (2) is carried rotatingly by a stationary structure (3) and a liquid substance delivering chamber (4) is made inside the rotating head (2). A plurality of distributors (6) are arranged along the edge of the rotating head (2) for delivering the liquid substance to filling nozzles (7) associated with the rotating head (2). A basin (30) is associated to the stationary structure (3) for collecting a sterilizing liquid introduced into the distributors (6) and flowing in the nozzles (7) for sterilizing, by washing, the distributors (6) and the nozzles (7). The basin (30) is closed by a cover (32), fastened to the rotating head (2). A plurality of vertical tubes (34) pass tightly through the cover (32) and extend inside the basin (30), so as to be connected to the nozzles (7) and to the distributors (6) by flexible pipes (25A, 25B).

Abstract: A joint for toothed belt aimed at conveying articles, with the belt including an inner central layer, which defines the belt body, an upper layer, which defines a surface for receiving articles to be conveyed, and a lower layer featuring teeth, includes: first connecting mechanism, attached in an irremovable way to the central layer in the area of the terminal section of a belt first edge to be joined; second connecting mechanism, attached irremovably to the central layer in the area of the terminal section of a belt second edge to be joined. After the first edge had been moved close to the second edge to complete a closed loop formed by the belt, the first connecting mechanism and second connecting mechanism engage with each other and are reciprocally locked in a removable way by locking mechanism, acting crosswise to the belt in the area of the central layer, to join the first edge and second edge.

Abstract: An elevator device in a machine for forming packs of rolls includes an auxiliary plate member, situated between wrapping sheet folders and a constraining plate of a conveying line. The auxiliary plate member moves vertically between a lower end position near and above the folders, and an upper end position in alignment with the constraining plate. When an elevation plate is raised to push a group of rolls partially wrapped with a wrapping sheet against the constraining plate, the auxiliary plate member keeps the rolls and the sheet firm and is moved synchronously with the plate thus carrying the group of rolls and the sheet upwards until they are received within holding means of a conveying line.

Abstract: An eyeglass holding assembly has a first element having a first diameter, and a second element having a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter. A hinge is fixedly engaged to the first element and hingedly engaged to the second element. The hinge preferably has a spring for biasing the second element into close proximity with the first element. In use, an arm of a pair of eyeglasses is slipped between the first and second elements such the pair of eyeglasses are supported by the first element and are retained by the second element which is in proximity with the first element to limit inadvertent upward movement of the eyeglasses.

Abstract: A method for detecting an obstruction in a flow duct is provided. The method includes the steps of directing gas through at least one port of the flow duct, measuring a flow noise level of the gas directed through the at least one port, and comparing the noise level with a predetermined noise level. In the event that the flow noise level exceeds the predetermined noise level by at least a threshold amount, then the method includes the step of indicating the presence of an obstruction in the at least one port.

Abstract: A process for producing substantially optically pure sertraline utilizes chromatographic separation on a solid stationary chiral phase of spherical clay particles having an interlayer containing an optically pure metal-organic complex, and a liquid mobile phase preferably containing at least methyl acetate. The liquid mobile phase is preferably free of acetonitrile. The process is operable at temperatures above 40° C.

Abstract: According to a method for forming a blister band (1) for blister pack (10) in blistering machines (M), a band (1) of heat-formable material is moved stepwise through a preheating station (5), a forming station (6), where a regular series of blisters (20) is formed, a filling station (8), where the blisters (20) are filled with relative articles, a sealing station (9), in which the blister band is sealed with a covering band (11), and a cutting off station (13), where the blister band is cut into single blister packs (10). The method includes gradual heating, during the stepwise movement of the band (1) in the preheating station (5), of selected areas (24a, 24b, 24c) of the band (1). The areas (24a, 24b, 24c) are distributed regularly within a cold grid-like zone and have an extent suitably bigger than the extent of the blisters (2) made in the region of the heated areas (24a, 24b, 24c).

Abstract: In a unit for feeding articles to a blister band, a casing has two apertures for a blister band to enter and come out of the casing. The casing supports and contains operative means for feeding articles to blisters made in the blister band. The casing is connected to a blistering machine for feeding the articles, and is removed from the blistering machine for cleaning and/or sterilizing the casing and the operative means in a suitable area.