Abstract: A hood and fender assembly mounting and latch system for use with an over-the-highway tractor having a frame supporting an engine, a cab and a hood and fender assembly. A hinge pivotally connects the hood and fender assembly to the frame. A hex-shaped torsion bar and damper are used to assist in the opening and closing of the hood and fender assembly. The latch system includes a receiver assembly attached to the frame. A pin assembly is attached to the hood and fender assembly at a distal location relative to the hinge. The receiver assembly receives the pin assembly when the hood and fender assembly is in a position enclosing the engine and locates and maintains the hood and fender assembly in a predetermined position relative to the frame, independent of the cab. The receiver assembly has a lock lever which is movable between a latched position at which it engages the pin assembly and an unlatched position. A movable handle is located within the cab.

Abstract: A process for purifying a non-ionic surfactant or solvent capable of dispersing and solubilizing a pharmaceutical compound. In the process, a solution of solvent and alcohol is contacted with an activated carbon column and an ion exchange resin column. The process is particularly adapted to the purification of polyethoxylated castor oils. The purified solvent is useful in the preparation of pharmaceutic compositions having enhance shelf life, such as for use with paclitaxel.

Abstract: A media is used to remove species from aqueous solutions, particularly in the treatment of water to enable it to be suitable for drinking. The media includes a material selected from the group consisting of zirconium hydroxide, titanium hydroxide, hafnium hydroxide and combinations thereof. A preferred form of the media is a layer having an aspect ratio of at least 1:1, more preferably, at least about 10:1. Removed from the water are species selected from the group consisting of arsenate, selenate, chromate, borate, perchlorate, fluoride and combinations thereof. In particular arsenite (As+3) containing species are also removed from water. Arsenite may be removed from water to levels not greater than 10 parts per billion with a single exposure to the media. The media is selective for certain species over others.

Abstract: A timing circuit for providing an output to a microcontroller indicating whether an engine is operating, wherein the engine has a magneto. The circuit includes a triac coupled to the magneto for switching output generating circuitry between an engine on condition to an engine off condition in response to an operating condition of the engine. The output generating circuitry provides a signal indicating that the engine is not operating to the microcontroller when the circuitry is in an engine off condition and provides a signal indicating that the engine is operating to the microcontroller when the circuitry is in an engine on condition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes cell wall structure and a chiral nematic liquid crystal material. The cell wall structure and the liquid crystal cooperate to form focal conic and twisted planar textures that are stable in the absence of a field. A device applies an electric field to the liquid crystal for transforming at least a portion of the material to at least one of the focal conic and twisted planar textures. The liquid crystal material has a pitch length effective to reflect radiation having a wavelength in both the visible and the infrared ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum at intensity that is sufficient for viewing by an observer. One liquid crystal material may be disposed in a single region or two or more liquid crystal materials may be used, each in separate regions even without the infrared reflecting layer. One aspect of the invention is directed to a photolithography method for patterning a substrate of the display.

Abstract: A packaging web is disclosed. The web is an elongate, flattened plastic tube having face and back sides delineating the faces and backs of a set of side by side bags. The tube includes an elongated top section and spaced sets of side seals each extending transversely from the bottom to a location near the top section. The side seals of each set delineate sides of adjacent bags such that the sides and bottoms delineate the perimeters of a set of open top bags. The top section is essentially a bottom open tube for providing bag support when the web is fed into a bag loading machine. The web includes superposed, spaced lines of weakness in each of the face and back sides delineating tops of the bags. Each such spaced line of weakness extends substantially across an associated bag top and terminates in spaced relationship with an associate one of the spaced lines of weakness to leave solid sections in the face and back sides.

Abstract: A liquid crystal material for a display device includes a liquid crystal material comprising first chiral nematic liquid crystal component and a second component that exhibits no liquid crystalline phase. The second component is present in an amount not greater than 5% by weight based upon the total weight of the liquid crystal display material and is effective to avoid image sticking of the display device when in use. The liquid crystal material has positive dielectric anisotropy. The second component may have a molecular weight not exceeding 205 grams/mole.

Abstract: A retaining means for evaporative cooler pads comprising a clip wherein the clip is resiliently deformable to enable fitment between a pair of evaporative cooler pads and wherein the evaporative cooler pads are retained in position upon release of the deforming force from the clip. The clip provides support and adjustment to evaporative pads in a single component which is easily installed and adjusted. The clips are always retained on a post inside the cooler, and thereby cannot be lost while servicing the cooler.

Abstract: An improved loading assembly in a packaging system utilizing chains of interconnected preopened bags is disclosed. The assembly includes an elongated chute component including a tubular portion having spaced end loading and exit openings. The chute is movably mounted adjacent a load station for sequential cooperation with bags sequentially registered in and opened at the load station. A gate is mounted on the chute. The gate is movable between a closed position closing the exit opening and an open position for transfer of products being packaged from positions within the chute into registered bags. The gate includes a canning arrangement for moving the gate from its closed to its open position. A spring against the gate for urging the gate toward its closed position. A process of packaging using the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A support ring adapted to support a rupturable rupture disc member in a rupture disc assembly. The support ring includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a central aperture defined by an inner peripheral edge and at least one tear-initiating projection, and having a cutting means extending inwardly from the inner peripheral edge and below the upper surface and adapted to cut the rupture disc member. The cutting means includes a plurality a curved cutting portions, each of the plurality of curved cutting portions including an inner arc section extending closer to the inner peripheral edge than other portions of the curved cutting portion.

Abstract: A support structure for interposition between a base of a sloping base cooler and a roof during installation of the cooler onto the roof. The support structure comprises a transition component adapted to be connected to the cooler and to ducting protruding through the roof to feed cooled air from the cooler into the ducting. The transition component includes a movable prop or flap, separate from or formed with the transition component, to be positioned between the transition component and a horizontal surface such that the transition component, when fitted to a sloping base cooler, maintains the cooler in a vertically upright condition for assembly or transportation or storage.

Abstract: A composition comprising bifluoride salts in a somewhat viscous form for roughening glass, ceramic and porcelain surfaces in preparation for refinishing includes: a. bifluoride salts in an amount ranging from 10.0 to 85.0 parts by weight; b. thickener in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight; c. organic solvent in an amount ranging from 2.0 to 20.0 parts by weight; and d. water in an amount ranging from 7.0 to 75.0 parts by weight. A coating of the composition is applied to a substrate, such as those having low surface tensions and to which paint adhesion is difficult. The coating is left in contact with the substrate for a period of time effective to roughen the substrate. The coating is then removed and discarded or alternatively, collected and reused. The substrate after treatment will have a roughened surface from which improved paint adhesion results.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 to cover the load area of a pick-up truck. The apparatus 10 comprising a number of pivotally interconnected panels 28 extending between a pair of tracks 14. The panels 28 are moveable between a closed position with the panels 28 extending in a generally co-planar manner, and an open position where the panels 28 are folded to lie substantially against each other extending upwardly away from the tracks 14.

Abstract: A system for issuing printed documents exchangeable for value having interconnected printer and feeder modules. The printer module includes a printing station having a printhead supported for reciprocal movement in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the print medium. A sensor carried by the printhead is operative to sense and read preprinted indicia on the print medium. The feeder module includes a receptacle for storing the print medium as a continuous form. A slot is provided for enabling the insertion of print media external to the feeder module. A gate mechanism blocks the feed slot under predetermined operating conditions. A first drive mechanism is operative to feed the print medium from the receptacle towards the printing station. A severing mechanism is operative to sever the lead document from the supply. A severing sensor detects failure of the severing mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming an electrically insulating layer on a steel article such as a stack of electrical steel laminations or an individual, unstacked electrical steel lamination, comprising exposing the article to an oxidation atmosphere, and to a temperature (such as at least about 800° F.) for a time sufficient to form on the article an electrically insulating layer comprising hematite. The hematite layer is effective to provide the article with a surface resistivity characterized by an F-amp value of not greater than about 0.85 at a test pressure of 50 psi and a transfer surface roughness of about 10 microinches (Ra). Also featured is a steel article having the electrically insulating layer formed thereon.

Abstract: A knittable, cut-resistant yarn for use in protective wear, such as gloves, arm protectors, aprons, or the like, including a core with at least one strand of flexible, stainless steel wire having a diameter of about 0.002 inches and at least one strand of an anti-microbial treated fiber. A first wrap is wound in one direction about the core and is a polyester fiber having a denier in the range of 40-600 and a second wrap is wound in a second direction about the core which includes at least one strand of a polyester fiber having a denier in the range of 40-600. The anti-microbial treated fiber may be acetate-based, acryl-based or olefinic. The anti-microbial treated fiber contains an anti-microbial agent, such as Microban-B, where the active ingredient is 5 chlor-2-(2,4 dichlorophenoxy) phenol.

Abstract: A dental appliance includes a lingual section adapted to engage at least one abutment tooth. A first tissue replacement portion extends from one end portion of the lingual section. A second tissue replacement portion extends from another end portion of the lingual section. A buccal or labial gate is adapted to engage the at least one abutment tooth. A hinge is partially formed by an end portion of the gate. A latch may be disposed at another end portion of the gate. The end portion of the gate is comprised of a tissue replacement material. The dental appliance is made by forming the hinge portion and/or the latch portion of the gate as well as corresponding hinge and gate recesses in the tissue replacement portions by application of curable tissue replacement material into exposed regions within investment material or by application of secondary curable material to formed components of cured tissue replacement material to selectively bond to certain portions of the tissue replacement portions.

Abstract: A bath lift for assisting a person into and out of a bath tub is disclosed. The lift includes a tower mounted adjacent or atop a bath tub. The tower includes structure for attachment of the tower to a wall adjacent the tub or to the tub when the lift is in use. The tower defines a spaced pair of tracks, reciprocatably mounting a carriage by rollers engaged with the tracks. An elongate threaded member is rotatably mounted in the tower and operably engaging the carriage. A drive is connected to the member to effect member rotation thereby causing longitudinal movement of the carriage relative to the tower as coaction of the tracks and rollers guides movement when the lift is in use. An occupant chair including a seat and a back is supported by the carriage. The chair as also mounted on the support for rotation about a horizontal axis when the lift is in use to enable adjustment of the chair back for occupant comfort.

Abstract: A pressure relief device comprises an unimpregnated graphite membrane having a gas impermeable coating.