Abstract: A continuous, self-cleaning, rotary filtering apparatus is provided having a plurality of filter elements within a rotatable filter housing adapted for rotation between an inlet plate having an inlet manifold and an outlet plate having an outlet manifold so that the liquid to be filtered is passed from the inlet manifold through the filter elements and into the outlet manifold. The apparatus is further provided with a backflushing capability whereby the filter housing can be rotated to position where one filter element in alignment with a backflush port independent of the inlet manifold so that a part of the liquid within the outlet manifold will be caused to flow backward through that filter element and backflush port to purge contaminants from the apparatus via the backflush port without interrupting liquid flow through the other filter elements. After backflushing, the filter housing is further rotated to return the backflushed filter element to service.

Abstract: A manifold structure for connecting rows of cartridges (100) to adjacent like rows of cartridges (100). The manifold structure includes a first fluid passage (153, 183) adapted to pass either feed or filtrate through the body of the manifold structure, a second fluid passageway (169, 197) adapted to be coupled to a first passageway of a filter cartridge to provide fluid communication between the cartridge and the first passageway, a third fluid passageway (167, 199) adapted to be coupled to a second passageway of the filter cartridge to provide fluid communication between the cartridge and the first passageway; only one of the second fluid passageway or the third fluid passageway being enabled for fluid communication at any one time.

Abstract: In a dip soldering apparatus, a first scraper blade scrapes the surface of the solder bath before a pot is raised through the surface of the bath, and a second blade then scrapes the surface of solder in the pot when the pot has been lifted through the surface. The blades are swept around in a circle to facilitate operation of the device. A rotary station for feeding components to the soldering apparatus comprises a rotatable table carrying a plurality of pneumatically operated stations to index them sequentially through operating positions. The air supply lines, for pneumatic control and operation of each station, are discrete to the respective operating positions and so it is not necessary to provide a system of supply lines which rotate with the stations. An end of a supply line is sealed to a conduit in the table by a PTFE sealing member which has an inwardly directed, tapered lip. As air pressure in the line is increased (to operate the station) the lip is urged against the underside of the table.

Abstract: Ultraporous and microporous polymer membranes cast from metastable dispersions are significantly improved by limiting the time of environmental exposure to less than about 0.5, preferably less than 0.25 seconds, between casting and quenching, and reducing the casting temperatures about 10.degree. to about 20.degree. C. lower than the usual prior art values. The resulting membranes have far less debris entrained in the membrane, far more consistent and uniform pore sizes, a substantially greater number of skin pores, and greatly increased flow rates for any given pore diameter. The membranes are highly asymmetrical and skinned with a standard deviation in flow rate of less than about 400 and a flow rate covariance of less than about 6, with skin pore diameters of from about 0.001 .mu..

Abstract: High frequency vibrational polishing without substantial loss of fine resolution and detail is provided by employing a tool of a more ultrasonically abradable material than the workpiece, as the oscillating driver of a liquid abrasive slurry. The total is preferentially eroded and conforms to the pattern of the workpiece continuously self-dressing during polishing.

Abstract: The surface parameters and characteristics of a conductive workpiece are determined by applying a voltage between the workpiece and a capacitance probe having proximity sensing capabilities, and moving the probe in two or three co-ordinate axes relative to the workpiece while measuring the capacitance between the probe and workpiece, and controlling the probe velocity and/or direction within a stand-off band adjacent to the workpiece as a function of the capacitance value measured for purposes of effecting significant real time process controls, and determining the workpiece surface parameters as a function of the probe movement and capacitance measured.

Abstract: Microsphere wet cake is mixed with a surface barrier coating effective to prevent agglomeration and surface bonding of the microspheres, and removing water by drying with continuous mixing at high shear. In a subsequent step, by the control of the application of heat and balancing temperature and low shear mixing, it is possible to also control expansion of the microspheres.The surface barrier coating in the present invention is any one of a wide diversity of materials which meet the requirements of the intended function, i.e., to prevent the agglomeration of the microspheres during the process. Suitable materials include, by way of example, dry inorganic pigments or filler materials, and the like, and related organic materials.

Abstract: Ultraporous and microporous polymer membranes cast from metastable dispersions are significantly improved by limiting the time of environmental exposure to less than about 0.5, preferably less than 0.25 seconds, between casting about 10.degree. to about 20.degree. C. lower than the usual prior art values. The resulting membranes have far less debris entrained in the membrane, far more consistent and uniform pore sizes, a substantially greater number of skin pores, and greatly increased flow rates for any given pore diameter.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of preparing conjugates of bioactive compounds and site-specific compounds in which covalent bonding between the compounds is effected by interfacial condensation while protecting the active binding sites from the condensation reaction. This provides very high yields of the bioactive, site-specific conjugate, the products are homogeneous and it provides novel conjugate products. It is of particular advantage for monoclonal antibodies conjugated with cytotoxic agents.

Abstract: A workpiece surface is worked by placing a displacer member adjacent thereto sufficient to create a closed chamber therebetween into which a visco-elastic abrasive medium is deposited. A relative motion is then created between the workpiece and displacer causing the visco-elastic abrasive medium to move about within said chamber sufficient to have a translational movement along the surface of the workpiece thereby working the workpiece surface.

Abstract: The dermal use of non-irritating retinoids such as the esters and amides of 13-cis and 13-trans-retinoic acid for effecting the reduction and reversal of photoaging and skin cancer is disclosed.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having two or more coplanar cylinders radially disposed about a crankshaft, a crankshaft journal bearing arrangement in which the big ends of the connecting rods are each formed as segments of a continuous circular bearing for assembly about a single crankshaft journal. The big end of each connecting rod comprises an internal arcuate bearing segment and concentric external bearing segments. When assembled about the crankshaft journal, the external bearing segments are encircled by two containment rings whereby the internal arcuate bearing segments are maintained in operational engagement with the crankshaft journal. The containment rings are fixed for rotation with the crankshaft and relative sliding movement between the containment rings and the assembled connecting rod big ends occurs at the external bearing segments.

Abstract: The major component of the carbonate fraction of free acids extractable from alfalfa has shown excellent control of symptoms in patients with sickle cell disease. Its structure has been established by proton NMR spectrometry as beign 16-hydroxy-9Z,12Z,14E-octadecatrienoic acid and closely related compounds, such as simple esters, amides, triglycerides, or other derivatives of the carboxylic acid function, and a method for its synthesis from linseed oil or methyl linolenate has been developed. The product from linseed oil, both in the form of the initially formed triglyceride and in the form of its free acid obtained by saponification, is useful for the treatment of sickle cell disease.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical machining a workpiece utilizing an electrolyte that is passivating to the workpiece, wherein the conductive tool is provided with a nonconductive abrasive surface, and said tool and workpiece are brought together with a contacting relative motion so that said abrasive surface will selectively abrade the workpiece to remove any passivation layer therefrom in those areas to be machined and such that the unabraded surface areas will retain the passivation layer to prevent electrochemical machining thereof, and a reciprocally motion between the tool and workpiece is also effected to pump the electrolyte through the gap between the tool and workpiece and prevent it from becoming over-heated.

Abstract: In the present invention, polymer binder systems are filled with inert fillers, such as calcium carbonate, and with specific thermoplastic microspheres bearing a surface coating of an inert particulate material compatible with the polymer binder system. The preferred inert particulate material on the microspheres is particulate or fibrous forms of calcium carbonate. The microspheres have a very low density, and the inert particulate for fibrous coating is thermally bonded to surface thereof. The microspheres may be employed in proportions up to as much as about 70 volume percent of the casting or molding composition, resulting in a product of exceptionally low weight and density.The products of the present invention also provide high impact strength, high resistance to cracking and crack propagation, high tensile and yield strength, and a high modulus of elasticity, particularly compared to the usual cast marble products known to the art.

Abstract: A fluid filter has a bundle of hollow fibres (40) within a casing. At one end of the casing (40) there is a header (41) which has a feed passageway (55) therethrough and in communication with the interior of the casing (40) and the exterior of the fibres. The header (41) also has a filtrate passageway (64) therethrough and in communication with the open ends of the fibres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bottle caps for use with blow-fill-seal type bottles having an upwardly removable seal, the caps having inwardly projecting members, at least one of which is equipped with a blade and preferably an upstanding wall to engage the seal of the bottle, the wall being preferably recurved away from the seal, such caps allowing thicker frangible membranes to be used in the manufacture of the bottles so that there is less wastage, the caps also permitting easier end-use and a higher success ratio for seal-removal.

Abstract: The dermal use of non-irritating retinoids such as the esters and amides of 13-cis and 13-trans-retinoic acid for effecting the reduction and reversal of photoaging and skin cancer is disclosed.