Abstract: The invention includes novel separations material of stable polybutadiene coated and crosslinked on a surface of generally spherical metal oxide/hydroxide support particles comprising crystals of metal oxide/hydroxide with the crystals extending radially outward from a central core region and having a shape selected from principally acicular to principally lamellar. A chromatographic packing material for performing high performance liquid chromatography in the reverse phase of polybutadiene coated on alumina in accordance with the present invention provides highly symmetrical chromatogaphic peaks.

Abstract: A method is provided for focusing magnetic fields, reducing magnetic fields and shielding animate or inanimate subjects from magnetic fields. Further a media which has been subjected to a shielded or focused magnetic field is applied to a subject, as for example, topically. The method, in part, interposes between the subjects and the source of a magnetic field, at least one second magnetic field disposed in such a manner that the polarity of the second magnetic field cancels or at least partially neutralizes the magnetic strength of the first magnetic field. The second magnetic field can also be disposed so as to permit only a portion of the first magnetic field to escape shielding and thereby focused in a predetermined direction. Devices which normally emit magnetic energy and containing the shielding of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A method of separating organic materials is disclosed utilizing a chromatographic packing material. This packing material includes a coated support material which is a chromatographically suitable substrate. An immobilized butadiene acrylonitrile polymer coating is provided on the substrate. The copolymer can be crosslinked by gamma radiation, or by means of a crosslinking agent such as dicumyl peroxide. The support material can be silica, alumina, diatomaceous earth, zeolite, porous glass or carbon, but preferably a spherical lamellar shaped crystals of aluminum hydroxide. the aluminum hydroxide crystals are bonded together at a central core and extend radially outward from a central core with a particle density ranging from 0.3 to 2.5 g/cm.sup.3 and a diameter of 2 to 150 microns.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer compositions of the general formula:--(CO--C.sub.6 H.sub.4 O).sub.m --(CO--C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --CO).sub.n--(O--C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --X).sub.p --(O--C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --O).sub.q --(O--C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --S--C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --O).sub.t --where substantially all aromatic substituents are para to one another, where--X-- can be either --O-- or --NH--, andm, n, p, q and t are mole fractions totaling 1.0,wherem is 0 to 0.75,m plus 2p is 0.5 to 0.75,n is 0.125 to 0.5,p is 0 to 0.375,q is 0.125 to 0.25,n equals p plus q plus t, andt is greater than 0.0125, but equal to no greater than 90% of q plus t.Preferably X is --O--, m is from 0.5 to 0.75 and p is less than 0.05. Alternatively, m is less than 0.1 and p is from 0.25 to 0.375.

Abstract: A method of separating organic materials is disclosed utilizing a chromatographic packing material. This packing material includes a coated support material which is a chromatographically suitable substrate. An immobilized butadiene acrylonitrile polymer coating is provided on the substrate. The copolymer can be crosslinked by gamma radiation, or by means of a crosslinking agent such as dicumyl peroxide. The support material can be silica, alumina, diatomaceous earth, zeolite, porous glass or carbon, but preferably is spherical lamellar shaped crystals of aluminum hydroxide. The aluminum hydroxide crystals are bonded together at a central core and extend radially outward from a central core with a particle density ranging from 0.3 to 2.5 g/cm.sup.3 and a diameter of 2 to 150 microns.

Abstract: A protective dressing consisting of a two sided plastic strip, with a first, a second and a third portion. The second portion has a removably affixed perforated cover on one side and a gauze layer, a thick absorbent pad and a non-stick layer on the other side. The perforated cover can be removed and reaffixed to allow for increased or decreased oxygenation.

Abstract: A weight lifting device which allows for varying, in a predetermined manner, weight resistance during exercise motion. The device includes a plurality of weight units which are capable of being flexed relative to one another at a plurality of points along at least a substantial portion of the device. The weight lifting device can include a plurality of weighted sections, each of which include a flexible elongated hollow member. At least one weighted section can include removable closure means at said second end which provides for removal of, or filling with, a high density, flowable substance.

Abstract: A critical angle refractive index detector for production liquid chromatography systems with flow rates as low as 100 ml/min to 25 l/min or higher as the system requires and pressures up to 4000 psi. The detector includes a flow cell with a sensing chamber volume selected to provide maximum detector sensitivity and minimum pressure drop at the maximum flow rate of the system for accurate discernment of critical refractive index peaks of each constituent in the sample. Explosion protected controls for zero and span settings are located to the exterior of a purged safe enclosure containing the system.

Abstract: A novel container is disclosed which can contain rolls of pressure sensitive tape of various widths and which provides for rapid and convenient dispensing of the pressure sensitive tape with the simultaneous separation of a release film from the pressure sensitive tape. The tape dispenser comprises a container a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a back wall. The top wall is provided with a plurality of parallel grooves. Similarly, the bottom wall is provided with a plurality of parallel grooves. The top wall's parallel groove are positioned so as to correspond in position, to the position of the top wall's parallel grooves. The top wall grooves and the bottom wall grooves are parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall. A plurality of divider walls are mounted in corresponding top and bottom wall grooves.

Abstract: An automated bubble trap for a liquid chromatography system includes a bubble trap or reservoir with level sensing devices at spaced elevations so that the liquid chromatography system can be operated unattended on a day to day basis so long as the liquid level is maintained between the liquid sensing elevations. The automated bubble trap will correct a low level condition restoring the liquid level to proper limits. However if a dry line condition is inferred, then the automated bubble trap will shut down the system until the problem is resolved.

Abstract: Hydridospherosiloxanes and soluble hydrogensilsesquioxane resin are produced having the formula (HSiO.sub.3/2).sub.n, where n is an even integer greater than 8. A biphasic reaction medium is prepared, having a first solvent phase and a second solvent phase. The first solvent phase can contain a hydrocarbon solvent, such as an alcohol. The first solvent phase can be methanol or ethanol. The second solvent phase is a concentrated solution of a metal salt, such as Fe(III) in a polar organic solvent and water. A silicon compound represented by the formula: HSiX.sub.3, where X is a group which is hydrolyzable in the solvent of said first solvent phase, is added to the biphasic reaction medium. X can be Cl or OCH.sub.3. The first solvent phase is separated from the second solvent phase and then the separated first solvent phase is treated with a metal salt, such as sodium or potassium carbonate. Slow evaporation of the first solvent phase solvent is employed to isolate a mixture of crystals of (HSiO.sub.3/2).sub.

Abstract: Catheter tubing suitable for medical uses is disclosed, comprising an interior tubular portion and a concentric outer shell, wherein said interior portion extends beyond said concentric outer shell on at least one end of the longitudinal axis, and wherein the hardness of the concentric outer shell exceeds the hardness of the interior tubular portion, the interior tubular portion further comprising at least two resins co-tapered with respect to each other, the hardness of the innermost of which exceeds the hardness of the outermost.

Abstract: The invention relates to the prevention of the odor caused by the action of bacteria on cat urine in a cat litter box. The cat liter box has a base and walls and is provided with a sorbtive-desiccant member for the collection of animal urine. Litter is in direct moisture transfer contact with the sorbtive-desiccant member. The odor prevention process includes the steps of transferring cat urine directly from granular particles, to the sorbtive-desiccant member, sorbing the urine in a sorbtive-desiccant member having high surface area and high urine sorbency, dispensing the urine quickly in said sorbtive-desiccant member, and evaporating said urine from said high surface area sorbtive-desiccant member through the granular particles. The sorbtive-desiccant member maintains the urine in a medium which subjects the bacteria in the urine to the effects of drying.

Abstract: A rail assembly is provided which includes a rail support bracket. The rail support bracket is an extruded member have a rail receiving opening and a pair of legs. Each of the legs has a plurality of parallel locking wedge means. The locking wedge means is transverse to the legs. The legs are capable of being received in a rail structure having locking wedge means at right angles to and positioned for engagement with the plurality of parallel, longitudinally extending, inwardly directed wedge shaped locking means. The assembly can also include first rail member and a second rail member, each having one end received in the rail receiving opening, and a wedge locking means. The wedge locking means has a first region force fit between an end of the first rail member and the bracket rail receiving opening and a second region force fit between one end of the second rail member and the bracket rail receiving opening.

Abstract: A weight lifting device which allows for varying, in a predetermined manner, weight resistance during exercise motion. The device includes a plurality of weight units which are capable of being flexed relative to one another at a plurality of points along at least a substantial portion of the device. The weight lifting device can include a plurality of weighted sections, each of which include a flexible elongated hollow member. At least one weighted section can include a removable closure at the second end which provides for removal of, or filling with, a high density, flowable substance.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a diaphragm pump having a housing, a first chamber within said housing, a second chamber within said housing and a pair of diaphragm elements mounted in said housing between said first chamber and said second chamber, is provided with a failure sensing system for the diaphragm. The failure sensing system including a failure sensing device which is between the two parts of the diaphragm and an indicator circuit which includes the conductive liquid which is being pumped and an alarm. The two parts of the diaphragm element are clamped together proximate their peripheral edge such that a circumferentila fluid tight compression seal region is provided. The sensing device includes an electrically conductive lead which extends from the exterior of the housing, through the circumferential fluid tight seal region into the region peripherally inward of the seal region.

Abstract: A device for detecting a fault in an electrical circuit which includes a plug-in electrical circuit module assembly such as, an I.C. or a printed circuit board. The device has a module socket for receiving the plug-in module and a terminal plug designed to fit in a socket provided for the plug-in module. An isolated test point, a switch and an unisolated test point are in series between each terminal of the module socket and the terminal point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical bottle having a neck region with an open end, pills therein, a fibrous hygroscope member, such as a cotton wad, in the neck region of said bottle and a closure cap sealing the bottle opening. The neck region has on its inner surface a leaflet retaining ring which serves to hold the leaflet in place within the bottle immediately after the insertion. The tendency of the leaflet to unfold or open, causes the edges of the leaflet to engage the retaining ring and to be held in place at least until the bottle is sealed. The leaflet is in compression engagement with the fibrous hygroscope member, such that the pills are substantially prevented from moving relative to one another.

Abstract: A claw resistant sorbent pad laminate is employed for the collection of animal urine. The laminate includes a bottom sheet layer of moisture impermeable material, an intermediate sorbent layer of material having a high sorbency capacity for urine, a top claw resistant screen means. The laminate is secured to a container by means of securing means around the periphery of the bottom sheet layer. In one emodiment of the invention the securing means is an elasticized area or areas around the periphery of the moisture impermeable material. In an alternate embodiment a drawstring is movably affixed to the periphery of the bottom sheet layer.

Abstract: A rail assembly is provided which includes a rail support bracket. The rail support bracket is an extruded member and has a rail receiving opening and a pair of legs. Each of the legs has a plurality of parallel locking wedge ridges transverse to the legs. The legs are capable of being received in a rail structure having locking wedge ridges at right angles to and positioned for engagement with the plurality of parallel, longitudinally extending, inwardly directed wedge shaped locking ridges. The assembly can also include first rail member and a second rail member, each having one end received in the rail receiving opening, and a wedge locking device. The wedge locking device has a first region force fit between an end of the first rail member and the bracket rail receiving opening and a second region force fit between one end of the second rail member and the bracket rail receiving opening.