Abstract: At least two thermoplastic polymers in a divided state are stirred to produce a homogeneous thermoplastic material. The polymers are inserted into the enclosure and stirred by the blades of the rotor, whereafter the resulting homogeneous material is discharged through the outlet. A sharp increase in the power consumption of the engine indicates that the material has become homogeneous.

Abstract: A chock block holder for installation in a vehicle body includes a hollow, generally triangular body having a central axis and having first and second ends, the first end being closed, and the second end being open, and a peripheral flange on the first end, the peripheral flange lying in a plane not perpendicular to the central axis. A method of storing a chock block in a vehicle body having a vertical side wall, includes the steps of placing a chock block holder in the form of a hollow, generally triangular body having a central axis, and first and second ends, the first end being closed, and the second end being open and having a peripheral flange on the first end, the peripheral flange lying in a plane not perpendicular to the central axis, in an opening in the side wall so that the flange is in contact with the side wall and the first end is downward from the second end; and fastening the flange to the side wall.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising (A) a modified copolymer which is a partial ester of a styrene-carboxylic anhydride copolymer, a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate and, if required, a monovalent alcohol; (B) at least one diluent for the modified copolymer; (C) at least one multifunctional epoxy; and (D) a photoinitiator or a system capable of initiating photopolymerisation; and being characterised in that it further includes (E) at least one catalyst for the reaction between carboxylic acid functions and epoxy functions. The composition is useful for coating substrates by heat and radiation curing.

Abstract: Copolymerizable benzophenone photoinitiators of the formula I ##STR1## wherein 1, k=0, 1, 2.R.sub.1 =divalent organic group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms;R.sub.2 =H or methyl; andR.sub.3, R.sub.4 =organic group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms.X, Y=hydrogen, halogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.25) groups containing N, S, and/or O;and method of making the photoinitiators.The photoinitiators overcome the leaching problem with prior photoinitiators in radiation curable polymer applications. Radiation curable polymers, cured polymers, and coated articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The Invention relates to an apparatus and a method for sorting objects into destination containers arranged along one or both sides of a continuous conveyer belt apparatus wherein appropriate portions of the belt can be raised and lowered at times and locations to cause objects to fall into appropriate destination containers. Air may optionally be directed toward said objects in coordination with the elevation of the belt to assist in causing the objects to fall into the appropriate destination container.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a varix, including the steps of: (a) placing a system for observing whether the varix is open or closed into a region adjacent to the varix; (b) placing a system for sensing pressure into a region adjacent to the varix; (c)temporarily increasing the pressure in the region adjacent to the varix so that the varix collapses; (d) simultaneously observing the varix with the observing system and monitoring the pressure in the region adjacent to the varix with the pressure sensing system when the varix closes or reopens. Also, a device for evaluating a varix, including: (a) a system for observing whether the varix is open and generating an observing system output; and (b) a system for sensing the pressure in the region adjacent to the varix and generating a pressure sensing output.

Abstract: A system is provided for processing matrices of data on an accelerted basis by iterative procedures that significantly reduce the number of steps required to access, move and computationally process the data, achieving significant improvements in operational efficiency. Such acceleration is applicable to, and useful in conjunction with assembly of the data, in performing both spatial filtration and temporal filtration (24) of the assembled data, and in processing the data, once acquired. In general, this is accomplished through optimization of the procedures (i.e. routines) used to handle the data so that significant increases in signal-to-noise ratio and overall processing speed are achieved. Such optimization is accomplished by replacing procedurally intensive routines (in terms of memory movements and computational steps) with more efficient routines for achieving a similar result.

Abstract: Drilling fluid composition adapted for solidification in a borehole and method for solidifying a drilling fluid in a borehole are provided. The drilling fluid composition comprises (1) a drilling fluid, (2) a crosslinking-effective amount of at least one reactive monomer wherein the at least one reactive monomer is a metal salt of an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, a monomethacrylic acid metal salt, an aromatic acid acrylate, an aromatic acid methacrylate, or mixtures thereof, and (3) a polymerization initiator.

Abstract: A process of parthenogenic activation of mammalian oocytes which includes increasing intercellular levels of divalent cations in the oocyte; and reducing phosphorylation of cellular proteins in the oocyte. One method of accomplishing this is by introducing Ca.sup.2+ free cation, such as ionomycin, to the oocyte and then preventing phosphorylation of the cellular proteins within the oocyte by adding a serine-threonine kinase inhibitor, such as 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating signals. According to one embodiment, the apparatus has an oscillator generating a series of signals, an output stage for transforming the series of signals into a second series of signals, and a watchdog for providing a control signal to the output stage to hold the output stage in a selected state and for changing the control signal to enable the output stage in the selected state when the oscillator generates a first signal of the series of signals.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying and correcting computer operations involving two digit year dates. The system includes: a computer and a routine for searching for a subtraction, comparison and sort operations on the computer involving a plurality of two digit quantities representing year dates. The subtraction operation is executed to obtain a difference value between the two quantities. A negative difference value is verified and a plurality of two digit numbers whose sum is 100 is added to the negative difference value so that the subtraction operation yields a correct result for two digit quantities representing years greater than or equal to the year 2000. A similar routine is added to existing computer code involving compare and/or sort operations.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A transformer. According to one embodiment, the planar transformer has a first winding, a first conducting surface adjacent to the first winding, a second winding and a second conducting surface adjacent to the second winding. The first conducting surface is coupled to a first ground and the second conducting surface is coupled to a second ground.

Abstract: Smoothing surfaces of a substrate having a profile and irregular surfaces. According to one embodiment, a layer of fill material is applied to at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the fill material fills irregularities in the at least one surface. The layer of fill material is scraped from the at least one surface to provide a relatively smooth at least one surface.

Abstract: Curable and cured elastomer compositions having approved mold release and methods for their preparation are provided. The elastomer compositions comprise an elastomer, a metal salt of an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated compound, an organic peroxide, and a fatty acid metal salt. The invention provides for improved mold release by the incorporation of the fatty acid metal salt into the elastomer composition, at high levels, without a loss in cured properties of the elastomer.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein X is selected from O, (CH.sub.2).sub.m O, S, (CH.sub.2).sub.m S, NH, (CH.sub.2).sub.m NH, COO.sup.-, (CH.sub.2).sub.m COO.sup.-, .sup.- OOC and .sup.- OOC (CH.sub.2).sub.m ;m is 1 to 6;n is 1 to 100;R.sub.1 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) ester; andA is a saturated organic linking group selected from residues of polyol, polythiol, polyamine, and polyacid, are prepared by reacting compounds according to formula II ##STR2## with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of (a) tungstic acid or its metal salts, (b) phosphoric acid or its metal salts, and (c) at least one phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A circuit and method for reducing an input bias current flowing from an external signal source coupled to an input terminal of the circuit, the circuit being coupled to an input device having a device leakage current related to a device voltage. According to a preferred embodiment, a replica voltage source provides a replica voltage equal to the device voltage. A cancellation device is coupled to the replica voltage source so that the replica voltage is applied to the cancellation device. The cancellation device is further coupled to the input terminal for providing a cancellation current equal to the device leakage current, wherein the input bias current is equal to the difference between the device leakage current and the cancellation current.

Abstract: A curable coating composition comprises a composition containing an epoxy resin and a poly(meth)arylate wherein an adhesive improving amount of a metal di(meth)acrylate such as zinc diacrylate and a polyamine curing agent is added.