Abstract: A one-piece snap hinge closure of plastic having a lower part and an upper part connected with each other via a film hinge. The intactness of the closure is assured by a security band. The security band is injection-molded to the upper part via bars which are used as predetermined breaking points. A bar on the lower part is engaged with the security band. The bar on the lower part can be placed in such a way that in the security position of the closure it is attached behind a tab on the upper part.

Abstract: A process for catalytic direct oxidation of hydrocarbons, particularly lower alkanes and single ring aromatics, to acids by dioxygen under mild temperature conditions using specified metal or metal salt catalysts. Turnovers in excess of 1000 for acetic acid formation from ethane and in excess of 100 for formic acid formation from methane have been obtained at reaction temperatures below about 100.degree. C. using palladium catalyst. A coreductant of carbon monoxide in an aqueous system is preferred.

Abstract: A module having a plurality of chambers which are seated relatively close to each other in a flow-through reservoir having a feed inlet and an oppositely located retentate outlet. The chambers include pervaporation chambers which have a permeation-selective layer and heating chambers. The pervaporation chambers and the heating chambers are alternatingly disposed and supported in cutouts within comb-shaped supports. The flow-through reservoir is box-shaped and has removable, tightly secured longitudinal end walls, one of which supports all pervaporation chambers, the other of which supports all heating chambers. The module is highly efficient due to flow and temperature distribution conditions which remain extremely exact.

Abstract: A method for controlling multiple access of a transmission channel wherein a plurality of different patterns are assigned to a plurality of sending stations so that each sending station corresponds to a unique pattern, preferably a pattern represented by a Binomial coefficient. Each unique pattern is transmitted from a corresponding sending station to the transmission channel by way of a control minislot. Ternary feedback is received from the control minislot. A summation of different patterns within each control minislot are analyzed to detect whether a collision exists between the different patterns within each control minislot.

Abstract: A solid-state oxygen microsensor measuring the potential difference (EMF) generated across two electrodes deposited on a solid oxygen ion conducting electrolyte and located in a constant temperature gradient in the same ambient atmosphere is provided. An output voltage of the sensor is proportional to the corresponding temperature gradient established across the electrodes and the oxygen partial pressure of the ambient atmosphere at such time. The solid-state oxygen microsensor is useful in the application of combustion systems, for example, to maintain and improve combustion efficiency levels and reduce undesirable emissions within the exhaust.

Abstract: A solid-state oxygen microsensor which measures the potential difference (EMF) generated by two spaced apart electrodes deposited on a solid oxygen ion conducting electrolyte and located in a known and preferably constant temperature gradient in the same ambient atmosphere. Output voltage of the sensor is proportional to the temperature gradient established across the electrodes and the unknown oxygen partial pressure of the ambient atmosphere. The solid-state oxygen microsensor is useful for application to systems such as combustion systems to maintain and improve combustion efficiency levels and exhaust gas cleanliness.

Abstract: A whirlpool bathtub having devices for generating jets of water and/or air which can be supplied to the tub interior at a plurality of places of the tub wall. An individual device, capable of being powered for generating a water and/or air jet, is installed in an opening in the tub wall and is charged with propulsive power from the outside of the tub. Each device has a pump housing with a pump chamber in which an impeller wheel is disposed on a rotatably seated drive shaft extending perpendicularly to the tub wall. The pump chamber is covered towards the tub interior with a triangular nozzle screen. The impeller wheel aspirates water axially from the tub interior through centered aspiration openings of the nozzle screen and returns it through at least one conduit originating in the pump chamber back into the tub interior. The conduit starts at the portion of the pump chamber which encloses the impeller wheel around its periphery.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating a radioactively contaminated metallic object. A radioactively contaminated metallic object is placed into a first bath and thus contacted with a non-radioactive, aqueous solution containing formic acid until the formic acid is completely stoichiometrically depleted thereby forming an aqueous, stoichiometrically depleted solution. The metallic object is then placed into a second bath of the same chemical composition. The non-radioactive, aqueous solution of the second bath is also preferably completely stoichiometrically depleted. The concentration of the aqueous solution containing formic acid is preferably about 0.3 Mol/l. These steps are repeated until the residual radioactivity level of the metallic object is beneath a permissible threshold level, such as 0.37 Bq/cm.sup.2. The radioactive metallic oxides and metallic hydroxides are sedimented out, and the sludge is solidified with cement and subsequently decontaminated.

Abstract: A cylinder-shaped cutting body for a coal cutting machine with a clearing and loading worm or clearing screw comprising basic parts disposed at even spacings and placed on the cutting body surface so that it projects away from the cutting body surface whereby a chisel holder interchangeably receiving a chisel can be connected to each basic part. The chisel holder has a plug-in neck which, in the direction of a chisel receptacle, has a shoulder for limiting the insertion movement of the plug-in neck into a plug-in receptacle of the basic part. Looking in the direction of running of the cutting body, behind the chisel receptacle of the chisel holder, a pressure screw, accessible from the top of the basic part, is disposed in the basic part and is adjustable with respect to the plug-in neck of the chisel holder so that it exerts a retracting force on the plug-in neck of the chisel holder.

Abstract: A porous matrix, surface combustor-fluid heating apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, a cooled flow distributor proximate an inlet end of said combustion chamber and supporting a stationary porous bed within said combustion chamber, porous bed heat exchanger means embedded in said stationary porous bed and means for introducing a fuel/oxidant mixture into said stationary porous bed said fuel/oxidant mixture burning in said stationary porous bed.

Abstract: A game of patience including two coaxial mutually facing recesses rotatable about a common axis relative to one another including rings or disks comprising elements mounted therein. At lease one relative position of the rings or disks in relation to one another two opposite rebates jointly define accommodation for a pair of elements having two elements. The pair of elements is rotatable by at least one operating means to transfer the elements respectively into the other ring or disk.

Abstract: A dispensing food container having a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the bottom wall, thereby forming an inner chamber. A cover is displaceably mounted with respect to the side wall for varying the volume of the inner chamber. At least a portion of an outer peripheral portion of the cover forms a seal against an inner surface of the side wall. The cover has a cover through hole which is in communication with the inner chamber. A flanged nozzle can be used to facilitate transfer of the fluidized food from within the inner chamber to a cracker, a chip, a vegetable or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for simulation of field fluid flow conditions under elevated temperature and pressure conditions of oil and gas production, refining, cooling towers, desalinization. The process involves evaluating inhibitor action in reduction of a specified chemical reaction under simulated field aqueous flow conditions by forming first and second aqueous flow streams having a preset concentration of anions and cations, respectively, for the specified chemical reaction with at least one of these streams having a concentration of the inhibitor to inhibit the specified chemical reaction. These streams are combined to form a single process stream where the specified chemical reaction may take place. The process is repeated with successive reductions in inhibitor until detecting the specified chemical reaction in the process stream.

Abstract: A flow control valve having a housing in which an insert is positioned. Fluid flows around all sides of the insert. A guide cylinder is positioned within the housing on an inlet side of the housing. A shaft of a first spring-loaded control element is guided and axially displaceable in the guide cylinder. The first control element has a valve disk with a collar. The valve disk has at least one lateral bore. The collar is enclosed by a second control element which is formed as a spring-loaded control sleeve. The second control element is guided and axially displaceable in the housing. In a zero flow-through operating condition, a rim of the valve disk rests against a bottom of the second control element thereby blocking each lateral bore in the collar of the first control element.

Abstract: A separator plate for a fuel cell comprising an anode current collector, a cathode current collector and a main plate, the main plate disposed between the anode current collector and the cathode current collector. The anode current collector forms a flattened peripheral wet seal structure and manifold wet seal structure on the anode side of the separator plate and the cathode current collector forms a flattened peripheral wet seal structure and manifold wet seal structure on the cathode side of the separator plate. In this manner, the number of components required to manufacture and assemble a fuel cell stack is reduced.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus having a rod slidably mounted within a longitudinal bore of a housing. The rod has returnable pivoting action and returnable plunger action, with respect to the housing. A compression spring is used to return the rod to a linear rest position after linear displacement of the rod with respect to the housing. A torsion spring is used to return the rod to a rotational rest position after rotational displacement of the rod with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A perforator has a perforator disk rotatably seated in a U-shaped bearing bracket. The bearing bracket is movable into and out of the path of movement of a piece to be perforated by a piston-cylinder unit which is actuated from either side of the piston. The piston-cylinder unit is housed in a fastening element which can be connected to a machine frame. The bearing bracket has guide bolts which extend into the fastening element to secure the bearing bracket against rotation in respect to the fastening element. The fastening element comprises a cylinder having a blind bore extending from the side of the fastening element facing the U-shaped bearing bracket in which a piston having seal rings is sealingly guided in a displaceable manner.

Abstract: A structural framing member having a base and two opposing side walls projecting from the base in a direction approximately perpendicular to the base. Each side wall has an intermediate flange which is approximately parallel to the base and which divides each corresponding side wall into a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is offset from the upper portion by a distance equal to the width of the intermediate flange. A distance between the lower portions of the side wall is greater than a distance between the upper portions of the side wall. Each side wall has an upper flange directed inward toward each other. Each upper flange has a terminal end portion which is angled downward toward the base and is approximately perpendicular to the upper flange. The terminal end portions are spaced apart from each other thereby defining a continuous slot along a longitudinal axis of the structural framing member. Two structural framing members are positioned on opposing sides of a panel.

Abstract: A microbial process for selective cleavage of organic C--S bonds which may be used for reducing the sulfur content of sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous materials, Microorganisms of Rhodococcus rhodochrous and Bacillus sphaericus have been found which have the ability of selective cleavage of organic C--S bonds. Particularly preferred microorganisms are Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain ATCC 53968 and Bacillus sphaericus strain ATCC 53969 and their derivatives.

Abstract: A packaging cover for bristles of a cleaning apparatus having a base with a neck portion, wherein the bristles are attached to the base. The packaging cover has two webs of flexible sheet material. The packaging cover has a base end and an opposite top end. Both webs are joined at the top end and/or the base end. At least one of the webs has at least one opening near the base end wherein each opening is large enough to accommodate the neck portion of the cleaning apparatus. Both webs have opposing sides which extend between the base end and top end. Both webs are separated from each other along at least a portion of each of the opposing sides.