Abstract: A two-deck apparatus, one deck above the other, is provided for enabling drying of approximately twice as much material with very little increase in heat used to dry the material, when compared to a single deck dryer. The fan usually provided with dryers of this type requires only a small incremental size increase over prior art. The second or upper deck, in operation, experiences a greater pressure below that deck than the pressure above the deck. Solid material flows into the top of the apparatus from above, and then from the upper deck to the lower deck through what is essentially a one-way valve, with air flow moving from below the lower deck through the upper deck, without impeding the material flow downwardly in the apparatus. The same apparatus, but with the use of cold air to cool the product, rather than hot air to heat and dry a product, is also within the teachings of the present invention.

Abstract: A saliva ejector construction prevents tissue at the bottom inside of the patient's mouth from being aspirated by the vacuum action of the saliva ejector, thereby preventing discomfort for the patient; and the structure of the saliva ejector provides a tissue contacting contour, so that it not only rests and acts comfortably at the bottom of the mouth but enables complete suctioning of the saliva. A saliva ejector tip provides the accomplishment of comfort and complete suctioning of the saliva by defining elongated, vertical openings, and a spherical surface to contact the patient's tissue.

Abstract: Novel cyclodepsipeptide intermediates have been prepared from the A21978 complex and used to synthesize new lipodepsipeptide antibiotics. The three intermediates can be readily derivatized to give new families of antibiotics that have potent antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: An implantable magnetic suspension blood pump having a rotor magnetically suspended and having blood flow gaps at the axial ends of the rotor so that blood in the gaps is washed out by flow in a conduit along the axis of the rotor connecting the fluid gaps. The blood pump impeller includes main and secondary blades, an exit diffuser uses a plurality of low divergence blades wrapped circumferentially around the pump axis, and concentric cones are used at the pump outlet, all to eliminate flow separation. The trailing edges of all blades are limited to an included angle of fifteen degrees, also to eliminate flow separation.

Abstract: The disclosure sets forth pre-fabricated deck forms and reinforcement bar connectors for light-weight concrete decks on bridges. The three different types of deck forms disclosed provide light-weight and composite concrete decks for bridges, with reinforcement bars, longitudinal beam stiffeners and thin plates, and the longitudinal beam stiffeners, welded to the thin plates. The thin plates are attached to the bottom flanges of the longitudinal beam stiffeners for the first two types, and to the web plates of those stiffeners, for the third type. The bottom portion of the first two types of deck forms disclosed are filled with filler material, such as styrofoam or similar non-metallic material. In one type, the filler material is provided under the concrete slab only proximate the longitudinal beam stiffeners, and the thin plate is corrugated.

Abstract: This method is for preparing salts of amphotericin B methyl ester and other polyene macrolide esters. The steps of the process involve methylation by use of cesium carbonate for converting to methyl ester and significantly reducing side products, which are over methylation products. The free base-Schiff base mixture is converted to amphotericin B methyl ester hydrochloride or some other salt form, by using tetrahydrofuran-water to dissolve the mixture for acid treatment to obtain the salt. The aldehyde liberated during salt formation is removed by centrifuging, as to any precipitated aldehyde, and the aldehyde remaining in solution is removed by eluting the solution through a reverse phase adsorbent to obtain amphotericin B methyl ester hydrochloride as a yellow powder.

Abstract: A bed roll combination, particularly for children, is shown to include a mattress, with a mattress cover sheet and a top sheet, if necessary, as well as a blanket. The blanket is also used as the carrying bag for the combination, with rings or the like, for attaching a carrying strap. Alternatively, the above combination, for carrying, is placed in a separate carrying bag, also with facility for attaching a carrying strap.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing marine vessel surfaces including track-mounted robots, movable relative to the vessel being finished. The robots are controlled by a computer, with each robot having a plurality of tools attachable to the robots both for mapping the surface contours of the vessel and for painting or otherwise finishing the surface.

Abstract: This invention provides an ultrasonically driven nail cleaner, where the ultrasonic frequency both loosens hand and nail soil, as well as providing motion to at least a pair of brushes for removing the soil from the user's hands and nails. The moving force for the brushes and the ultrasonic loosening action are enabled by linkages providing straight line bilateral motion for both of the brushes. A rechargeable battery and a battery charger are provided for multiple uses for the structure provided, without the necessity of an AC outlet proximate the user.

Abstract: This invention is a non-contact axial flow turbo blood pump for propelling blood, which is composed of a pump housing (24) that defines a pump axis, with inlet, outlet openings at opposite axial ends of the pump housing, a rotor unit (17) that defines a rotor axis, and opposing rotor axial ends. The pump magnetically suspends the rotor within the pump housing at the rotor axial ends so as to avoid causing physical contact between the housing to define fluid gaps between the rotor axial ends, and the magnetic suspension elements (13)(13′).

Abstract: A universal adaptor plug is disclosed as an encased arrangement of elements, which includes a single rotatable knob for attachment to and for rotation of a cam axis for mounting at least three cam elements. The front face of the casing defines openings through which project multiple sets of plug pins movable by the cams and cam followers. Each set of plug pins is attached to a base which causes retracting of the plug pins by the base's attachment to retracting springs. The continuous unidirectional turning of the knob, in turn, projects and enables retraction of a set of plug pins for a certain country or group of countries.

Abstract: A computer controlled method utilizing robots for the fairing and painting of marine vessel surfaces comprising the steps of analyzing the vessel hull and/or superstructure for imperfections; applying a fairing compound to the imperfections; smoothing the imperfections into alignment with the hull and/or superstructure; and applying a final paint finish to the hull and/or superstructure.

Abstract: This invention provides a pair of pads for covering the area of the femur nearest the hip joint to distribute trauma forces to surrounding soft tissue areas, thereby protecting the bones proximate the hip joint from direct insult from injury when a person falls. The pads thereby spare the weak and osteoporatic bone from fractures. Each pad includes an inner core of linear density polyethylene molded to a shape to fit the proximal femur. The inner core of polyethylene or other suitable plastic covers an inner foam layer, with the inner core and inner foam layer being sandwiched between a secondary inner polyethylene foam layer and a primary outer layer of polyethylene foam laminated together at their edges.

Abstract: A method of making a landscaping mulch, using as its primary ingredient, spent stable bedding which has its primary ingredient ripe de bois softwood shavings. The result of the method is a mulch, particularly for landscaping applications, having a relatively high pH value, between 6.5 and 7.5, which is also useful for neutralizing the effects of acid rain. The method involves the steps of mixing agricultural manure in the range of 5%-25%, softwood shavings from spent stable bedding in an amount of greater than 60%, and when necessary, to augment carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, other ancillary ingredients in an amount less than 25%; producing a result by the mixing of ingredients, which has a carbon-to-nitrogen range from 100 to 200 parts of carbon to 1 part of nitrogen. Thereafter, the mixed ingredients are used to form piles, which are then over-saturated with water. Thereafter, liquid is percolated through the mixed ingredients, which liquid is expressed from the bottom of the pile by gravity.

Abstract: An improved vibrating screener includes a tangential input system for the material to be processed, combined with a channel internal to the machine and for directing air down through the center of the unit to assist the screened material flowing down the conical sides of the bottom of the machine to its discharge. In this way, the air bypasses the screening surfaces and screen blinding is avoided.