Abstract: An ion conductor/electrolyte especially suitable for lithium batteries is comprised of a chemically inert, electronically nonconducting solid powder and an electrolyte salt solution with an aprotic solvent. The ion conductor has a solid to pasty consistency depending upon the ratio of the mixture's components and has a specific conductivity (.kappa.) of a magnitude >10.sup.-3 S/cm at room temperature. Using this ion conductor, solid batteries can be developed with output capacities similar to those previously available only in connection with liquid organic electrolyte systems. Among others, SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and TiO.sub.2 are favorable solids as carriers, especially with extensive surface areas. The liquid phase, which is immobilized by adsorption on these carriers, is formed of a solution of lithium or sodium salts in propylene carbonate, acetonitrile, gamma-butyrolactone, nitromethane, tetrahydrofuran and dimethoxyethane, or similar solvents.

Abstract: A water kettle is equipped with a handle, a first end of which is joined to lower regions of the side of the kettle by a hinge, and a second end of which is fitted on the diametrically opposite side with a spout lid for covering (and opening) the kettle's spout. When the kettle is in the rest position, as a result of its weight the handle will drop until the handle comes to stop on the spout and the spout lid covers the spout opening. When the kettle is lifted by the handle or tipped into the pouring position, the handle swings back to a stop in the spout and the associated spout lid is removed from the spout opening. Following this swiveling movement, the raised spout lid is brought into a position which deflects steam flowing out of the spout opening in such a way that a user's hand holding the handle is not directly exposed to the steam. The spout lid is provided with a device for emitting an acoustic signal when the boiling point is reached in the interior of the kettle.

Abstract: Envelopes in a bulk-mail processing system are inspected for emptiness, which indicates that all of the contents have been removed. The envelopes are spread apart at an extraction station, for manual or automatic removal of contents. The light transmissivity of the envelope and contents is measured when the envelope is unspread, and then when the envelope is spread. Based on at least the measured transmissivities of the envelope when spread and unspread, a threshold value of transmissivity consistent with the envelope being empty is calculated.

Abstract: The improved golf practicing apparatus has a vertical slider unit that comprises an outer tube, an intermediate tube and an inner tube that are slidably fitted over one another in that order in such a way that the hole in the floor surface can be completely closed with the top surface of the intermediate tube. The apparatus repeats automatically a cycle that consists of automatically supplying a golf ball onto the tee mounted on the inner tube, automatically raising the tee above the floor by a drive mechanism, lowering the tee after hitting the ball on it, placing the next ball on the tee and raising the tee again. The apparatus may be adapted to have the capability of adjusting the height of the tee after it is raised above the floor. It may also be adapted to tilt the floor by a desired angle of inclination.

Abstract: A dental handpiece which can receive one of a number of vibrating instruments for applications in endodontics or periodontal treatment includes an elongate handpiece for defining a body enclosing a non-rotating axle excited mechanically in vibration, mounted in the body by semi-flexible supports which contribute to generating and localizing a vibration node towards the front of the handpiece and to retain the vibrating axle centrally with its housing. A flexible interconnection is provided between the axle and the rotating driven shaft of the operating motor, to develop the vibrations which are desired.

Abstract: Process for removing hydrogen sulfide at low concentration in a gas containing water vapor. The gas is cooled to a temperature below the dew point of water, which condenses and separates the water. The dry gas is scrubbed free of hydrogen sulfide by an H.sub.2 S-absorbent solvent forming a purified gas. The purified gas is contacted and rehydrated with heated water so that the water content as water vapor corresponds to a mass flow rate of water substantially equal to the mass flow rate of the water present in the H.sub.2 S-containing gas before cooling. The condensed water circulates in a closed circuit to contact and rehydrate the purified gas, and then is cooled to the appropriate temperature for cooling the H.sub.2 S-containing gas. An apparatus, appropriate for carrying out the process is disclosed.

Abstract: Process for removing sulfur compounds contained in a residual gas with recovery of said compounds in the form of sulfur, wherein a gas obtained from a residual gas containing H.sub.s S and SO.sub.2 and having a temperature lower than 160.degree. C. is subjected to a catalytic CLAUS reaction phase with deposition of sulfur on the catalyst and periodic regeneration of the sulfur-laden catalyst and cooling of the regenerated catalyst. The gas brought in contact with the CLAUS catalyst is produced by subjecting the residual gas to a hydrogenation and hydrolysis treatment to provide the sulfur compounds in the unique form of H.sub.2 S and to cooling with water separation by condensation and then to catalytic oxidation of H.sub.2 S in CLAUS stoichiometry with cooling of the gas stream obtained from the oxidation step under 160.degree. C. in order to separate the sulfur by condensation. Application to the purification of the residual gases emitted by CLAUS sulfur plants.

Abstract: A system for interfacing an alarm reporting unit with a cellular radio transceiver so that the data which is produced by the alarm reporting unit is effectively matched to the radio transceiver, irrespective of its initial format, includes circuitry for matching the format of the alarm reporting unit to that of the cellular radio transceiver, and circuitry for matching the format of the cellular radio transceiver to that of the alarm reporting unit, to permit interactive communications which assure the reliable transmission of data while allowing suitable acknowledgement signals to be returned to the alarm reporting unit to regulate the effective transmission of data within the system, and isolation circuitry to effectively separate the alarm reporting unit from the cellular radio transceiver so that the alarm reporting unit can communicate with a monitoring facility via the cellular radio transceiver, as well as the wired telephone network.

Abstract: An adjustable chair includes a back, seat, footrest, and support structure, the relative positions of which are adjustable by means of a single retractable jack. The chair includes a seat control mechanism comprising a central pivot and connecting rods extending therefrom to points on the back, seat, and support structure. A footrest control mechanism includes a linkage between the support structure and the footrest, and a spring causing compression between the footrest control mechanism and the seat.

Abstract: In a metal oxide/hydrogen storage battery, preferably formed as a coiled cell or as a button cell, having a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and an intermediate separator, the oxidation-sensitive negative electrode is protected against diffusing oxygen by a metallic covering of the electrode's metal hydride particles, and the oxygen reduction necessary for gas-tight operation is transferred to an auxiliary electrode which is arranged outside of the ionic path between the positive and negative electrodes. Metals with high solubility for hydrogen, such as Pd, Ni and Cu, are suitable as the covering material. The auxiliary electrode is formed as a film based on a mixture of activated carbon, a PTFE binder and conducting graphite, and is either laminated onto the negative metal hydride electrode or is spatially separated from the main electrodes, depending upon the cell's overall construction.

Abstract: A mold for molding a skin covered foamed plastic article capable of dealing with those foamed plastic articles having large curving portions without complicating the manufacturing process relating to the attachment of the skin member on the mold, without a leakage of liquid formed plastic to be poured over the mold. The mold includes a lower mold, over which a skin cover is to be placed, and on which liquid foamed plastic is to be poured onto the skin cover, the lower mold having; a fixed part on top of which the upper mold is to be placed; a movable part which makes contact with the fixed part at a lowered position at which there is a closed space between the fixed part and the movable part; and means for controlling air pressure inside the closed space between the fixed part and the movable part. A method of manufacturing a skin covered foamed plastic article using this mold is also disclosed.

Abstract: Individual manual device for the manipulation and the withdrawal of used needles for injection or for taking samples, which device makes it possible to avoid all contact between the needles and the user and is of the type comprising at least one jaw holding the needle during its withdrawal, wherein the device essentially comprises:a handle (1) for gripping by the user,a conical endpiece (3) for receiving the needle and comprising a fixed jaw,a movable jaw controlled by the user and depositing the needle by cooperating with the fixed jaw.

Abstract: Canal instrument used in endodontics, characterized in that its flexible blade is made at least partially of titanium or of titanium alloy.

Abstract: Non-virulent bacteria are disclosed into which have been cloned heterologous nucleotide sequences encoded for the expression of Streptococcal M protein antigens, which are effective to elicit opsonic antibodies against Streptococcal infections. These bacteria are useful for vaccination against Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.

Abstract: A scanner can read machine-readable code on an object. A scanner has a scanning device, a data device, and a registration device. The scanning device can repetitively scan the code and provide a scan signal repetitively corresponding to at least fragments of the code. The data device is coupled to the scanning device and responds to its scan signal for repetitively storing it. The registration device is coupled to the data device for reconstructing the code from at least two of the fragments of the code by relatively shifting the code fragments until they are in registration.

Abstract: An auxiliary electrode for improving the consumption of oxygen in a gas-tight, sealed alkaline secondary cell is comprised of a synthetic nonwoven fabric and a film rolled onto the fabric. The film is a PTFE-bound activated carbon, and the side of the nonwoven fabric receiving the film is first impregnated with an aqueous cellulose ether mixture to develop a three layer structure including a highly porous, hydrophobic layer made of the nonwoven material, left in its original state and facing the electrolyte or a gas supply, a hydrophilic impregnated layer, and a catalytically active hydrophobic consumption layer electrically connected with the cell's negative electrode and constituting the preferred location for oxygen reduction, at the resulting hydrophobic/hydrophilic transition layer.

Abstract: A coating composition and method of use thereof for coating metal substrates, especially galvanically active metals, containing a resinous organic polymer, a corrosion inhibiting leachable pigment and an ion reactive pigment generally in the form of metallic spheroid particles. Coated materials have improved corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting a plurality of documents received in differing orientations relative to the apparatus, for delivery from the apparatus in a uniform orientation, generally comprises a device for determining the orientation of a document according to characteristic features of that document, and devices for orienting the document in accordance with signals received from the orientation determining device. The orientation determining device can operate upon the magnetic ink markings on a check to determine its orientation according to prescribed criteria representative of the anticipated locations for such markings. The orienting devices can then operate to invert the checks from end to end and/or from top to bottom and bottom to top, responsive to signals received from the orientation determining device.

Abstract: An ultralight cable car for use in conjunction with a "Steadicam.RTM." support apparatus. The cable car generally takes the form of a trolley adapted for traversal along a cable suspended between two fixed end points, and a shaft and concentric sleeve suspended from the trolley. The shaft suspended from the trolley is fixed against rotation, and has a steering surface fixed to its terminating end. The outer sleeve incorporates a mounting for receiving a conventional "Steadicam.RTM." support apparatus, and an opposing seat for the camera operator. Rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the inner shaft is accomplished by the camera operator, by pressing against the steering surface fixed to the base of the inner shaft, in conjunction with desired operations of the "Steadicam.RTM." support apparatus. A brake mechanism is provided to give the camera operator additional control in regulating movements of the trolley, and the apparatus, along the suspended cable which supports it.