Abstract: The hairclip of the invention comprises two elongate branches hinged together at their first ends about a transverse hinge axis, with retaining lugs or a retaining spring for selectively and separably fastening them together at their second ends. Each branch has curved teeth extending laterally from the first lateral edge, curving towards the other branch and interdigitated with the curved teeth of said other branch. This improves the retention of said hair in the hairclip.

Abstract: A cutting element for an endodontic tool is made from an elongated member having a plurality of notches formed along the length of the member. The member is twisted into a helical pattern. The twisted member defines a cutting element which combines the best properties of a conventional dental file, a reamer, and a Hedstrom file, in a single instrument. The number and depth of the notches can be varied, to control the flexibility of the cutting element. Thus, the instrument can be made of a hard metal, such as stainless steel, but the instrument can still be made flexible by proper choice of the dimensions of the notches. The shape of the notches can also be varied to provide an instrument which cuts only during a "push" stroke or a "pull" stroke. The invention saves time and reduces the cost of dental procedures, by providing a tool which can be used in place of three tools of the prior art.

Abstract: A paper pulp defibering or refining plate in accordance with the invention comprises a comminuting surface having a large number of ridges separated by grooves. The plate body is made from a first material such as stainless steel or cast iron providing the overall mechanical strength of the plate in use. The upper part of the ridges is a layer of an abrasion resistant material based on grains of tungsten carbide bound in a metal alloy whose melting and brazing characteristics are appropriate to laser resurfacing on the plate body. The ridges are resurfaced successively by scanning a laser beam and a powder spray nozzle in one or more passes.

Abstract: A necktie includes a wide portion having one or more openings which allow the narrow portion of the necktie to pass through the openings. The openings can take the form of slits or shaped cut-outs. The wide portion preferably contains a first design or color, and the narrow portion contains a second design or color. When the narrow portion is passed through the openings, at least part of the narrow portion becomes visible when the necktie is worn, and the necktie assumes a design which represents a combination of the first and second designs. For example, the wide portion can depict an animal, with the narrow portion depicting the tongue of the animal. In another example, the wide portion can depict a musician, with the narrow portion representing an instrument being played by the musician. The invention therefore provides a necktie in which the narrow portion, which would otherwise be hidden from view and not used effectively, assists in creating an overall design for the necktie.

Abstract: An apparatus including vertebral anchoring elements, such as a bone screw (1) or a hook (2), with a threaded cylindrical portion (5) and a locking plate (7). A nut (8) may be screwed onto the threaded cylindrical portion (5) to tighten the tightening portion of a slide (4) on a rigid connecting rod (3) with a circular cross-section. The rod (3), the slide (4) and the anchoring element (1,2) may be sufficiently rigidly connected by means of non-slip projections on the engaged side of the locking plate (7), on the corresponding side of the slide (4), and on the surface thereof which surrounds the rod (3). The stiffness of the apparatus may thus be enhanced, so that improved support of the vertebrae and easier fitting and adjustment of the apparatus may be achieved.

Abstract: The stabilizing device can be adapted to an anchor such as a hook (1) of the usual shape, with a hook body (4) and an incurved lug (7). The device including a stabilizing staple fastener (3) having a body (21) and staple legs (22-25). Said fastener body (21) is adapted so that the securing member secure the hook (1) to an attachment rod (52) also attach the fastener (3) to the hook (1), by forcing back the legs (22-25) in the direction of the incurved lug (7) so as to pierce a portion of the vertebra located in the hollow of the hook (1). The hook (1) is thereby effectively stabilized on the vertebra.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention includes at least a first device (21) with a rigid elongated body (1) including two main sections angularly coupled with each other by an angular coupling region forming an angle substantially equal to the angular correction to be applied to a bone (18). First anchoring elements (5) shaped as pins are provided to be transversely attached to the proximal portion (24) of the bone (18); second anchoring elements in the form of bone screws (26) are provided to be attached to the diaphysis portion of the bone (18). The first device (21) is positioned on the bone (18) following an opening osteotomy (23). A second device (22) n the form of a four pin clip, may be positioned on an adjacent bone (19) on each side of a closure osteotomy (27) in order to complete the correction. A Hallux Valgus can thus be corrected.

Abstract: A free acid form of a polysaccharide is produced from its alkali-metal salt. In one example, free-form hyaluronic acid is produced by preparing a solution of an alkali-metal salt of hyaluronic acid, dispersing into the solution a strong acid, enclosing the dispersion within a semi-permeable membrane, dialyzing the dispersion in water, and harvesting the product from within the membrane. The strong acid can be hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, orthophosphoric acid, or oxalic acid, for example. The semi-permeable membrane has a molecular weight cut-off large enough to pass the strong acid, and preferably much larger. The invention provides a simple and economical way to produce a product which is not commercially available.

Abstract: A barrier is formed on a metal substrate by coating the substrate with a metal oxide, calcining the substrate, impregnating the coated substrate with an acid, and calcining the impregnated coating at a temperature high enough to cause the metal oxide to form the barrier. The resulting barrier acts as an excellent electrical insulator, and also provides improved resistance to abrasion, and improved adhesion to the substrate. The particles forming the barrier also have improved cohesion. The metal substrate having the barrier of the present invention can be used in electrically heated catalytic converters, where it is necessary to provide closely spaced layers of metal foil that must be electrically insulated from each other. The invention can also be used in other metal structures intended to be placed in the exhaust stream of a chemical or manufacturing process or an engine.

Abstract: A pulp mill includes a digester which contains a raw material, a digesting medium, and a source of steam. Oxygen is injected into the steam line, at a point which minimizes exposure of the oxygen to the steam outside of the digester. The oxygen can also be injected directly into the digester. The oxygen speeds the chemical reactions in the digester, allowing the digesting process to be completed with a reduced quantity of chemicals and/or steam, and at a faster rate. The present invention improves the quality of the effluents from a pulp mill, and makes it easier for the operator of the mill to comply with environmental regulations.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter includes a delivery catheter and a receiving catheter, both having balloons at their distal ends. The balloons are made of a material which, when inflated, assumes the shape of a receptacle. The thrombectomy catheter is inserted, as a unit, into a vessel, and advanced to the vicinity of a clot. Then, the delivery catheter is advanced, while the receiving catheter remains fixed, until the balloons of the two catheters are disposed on opposite sides of the clot. The balloons are inflated to occupy substantially the entire cross-section of the vessel, and the delivery catheter is withdrawn, causing its balloon to draw the clot into the receiving catheter. The clot therefore becomes encased between the balloons. The balloons are partially deflated, and the catheters are withdrawn as a unit, bringing with them the encased clot material.

Abstract: An electronic tour guide overcomes the monotony of an automobile trip. The system includes a GPS receiver, a computer, and a database of pre-recorded information. These components may be contained in one housing, and may be permanently installed in a vehicle. The database contains information pertaining to various geographical regions. The computer receives a signal from the GPS indicating the position of the vehicle. The computer then retrieves information from the database, the retrieved information corresponding to the position determined by the GPS receiver. The information is presented to the traveler, either on a video display or through an audio playback unit. The system can therefore provide information on the history, geography, and/or culture, relating to the region through which the vehicle is traveling. The information can be modified to include specific reference to points of interest with respect to the instantaneous position and orientation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and a printer are provided for printing on a thermosensitive paper by using a thermal head which has a plurality of heating dots arranged along a line extending in a primary scanning direction. The heating dots are selectively actuated according to sets of printing data for heat generation to form printing dots on the paper. The paper is fed pitch by pitch in a secondary scanning direction substantially perpendicular to the primary scanning direction. Each of the heating dots has a heating length in the primary scanning direction and an effective heating width in the secondary scanning direction, the effective heating width being smaller than the heating length.

Abstract: A high-speed constant-horsepower motor includes a rotor and a stator having a plurality of groups of windings which are separately driven. In one mode of operation, the polarity of the voltage applied to each winding is such that the windings behave as distinct electromagnets, each defining a separate magnetic pole. In another mode of operation, the polarity of voltage applied to some of the windings is reversed, such that pairs of adjacent windings behave as single electromagnets. In the latter mode, the effective number of magnetic poles is reduced by a factor of two. Thus, the effective number of magnetic poles of the motor can be varied electronically, even while the motor is operating. The invention makes it possible, in one example, to operate the motor as an eight-pole motor at low speeds, and as a four-pole motor at high speeds. The effective motor constants are changed appropriately from eight-pole to four-pole modes.

Abstract: A high-voltage switching circuit is formed of a series combination of switches, each of which is rated for use at a voltage lower than that of the power supply. The switches are connected in series with inductors, the inductors being magnetically coupled, in an anti-phase manner. A pair of capacitors, having substantially equal values of capacitance, are connected, respectively, in parallel with each series combination of a switch and inductor. The inductors and capacitors together insure that no more than one-half the total voltage of the power supply will ever appear across either switch. The series combination of switches can be used in place of a single switch, and permits the use of switches rated at low voltage to be combined to form an overall switch which works reliably at a higher voltage.

Abstract: A water distribution system facilitates automatic corrosion control. The operator enters a set of values of parameters associated with water in the system. The system automatically and repeatedly measures the temperature and pH of the water. The system then computes a target pH for the water, according to a function which depends on the temperature and the other parameters, and on an index of corrosion. The system then varies the pH of the water, so as to minimize the deviation between the measured pH and the target pH. The system performs this process repeatedly, to maintain the desired properties of the water. In particular, the operator can easily and automatically control the water so as to make it either more corrosive or more scale-forming, in such a manner as to minimize the dissolution of lead or copper into the water while limiting the tendency of the water to form scale.

Abstract: An additive substantially improves the adhesion of ordinary sand. The additive includes gelatin, flour or starch. The additive may also include salt, colored sand, and/or white sand. In use, one adds water to the additive, forming the additive into a homogeneous, sticky paste. Then, one combines the paste with ordinary sand, again mixing the paste with the sand to produce a homogeneous mixture. The result is a sand-based composition having improved adhesion, and which therefore can be used to make semi-permanent sand castles or other sculptures.

Abstract: A sliding door system includes a pair of sliding doors which ride on J-shaped tracks. A stopper, formed of a block of deformable material, has a J-shaped channel which generally matches the contour of the J-shaped tracks. One presses the stopper onto the inner track, at one of the ends of the track. When the inner door is moved to an extreme position, it abuts the stopper, and cannot reach the door frame. Thus, there is a recess between the door frame and the inner door. The recess makes it easy to move the inner door when it is desired to close the closet. Also, the stopper prevents an indentation, formed on the inner door, from being obscured by the outer door, when the inner door is opened. The stopper is made of an elastomeric material so that it can be easily inserted onto the track, without special tools. Thus, the stopper can be easily retrofitted onto existing tracks for sliding door systems, without modifying such systems.

Abstract: An overhang roof of a yacht contains a compartment which stores a flexible canopy. The compartment includes upper and lower clamshell members, the lower clamshell member pivoting with respect to the upper member. When the lower clamshell member is unlatched and pivoted downward, the canopy is exposed, and it can be allowed to drop from the compartment and affixed to suitable parts of the yacht. The lower clamshell member can be closed and latched even when the canopy is hanging down from the compartment. The canopy thus forms a temporary enclosure for the rear deck portion of the yacht. The enclosure can be easily dismantled by returning the canopy to the compartment, and closing and latching the lower clamshell member.

Abstract: A macroporous polymeric adsorbent is used to remove oil mist and oil vapors from compressed air produced by an oil-lubricated air compressor prior to feeding the compressed air to an air separation membrane system. The macroporous polymeric adsorbent, previously known only for its ability to extract low molecular weight volatile organic compounds from liquids and gases, retains its ability to extract the oil for extended periods of time and outperforms the commonly used activated carbon of the prior art.