Abstract: A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is provided which can be easily and effectively used to intubate a patient with an endotracheal tube (ETT). The LMA of the invention is of the type having an inflatable mask and an airway tube connected to the mask. The airway tube comprises a first tube section having a distal end connected to the mask, and a second tube section having a distal end removably connected to the proximal end of the first tube section. The second tube section has longitudinally extending separation lines which allow it to be split apart. This feature enables complete removal of the LMA and successful incubation with the cuff of the ETT below the vocal cords of the patient.

Abstract: A steel building system, of the type having multiple frames, has at least one truss frame comprising a pair of column steel members, a bottom chord having at least one steel member, two top chord steel members, and at least one brace connected between the top chords and the bottom chord. Connecting plates are provided to connect the various steel members together. Such connecting plates have hole patterns which are juxtaposed with "standard" hole patterns near the ends of the steel members.

Abstract: A perpetual calendar is provided which employs movably mounted, elongated strips for displaying the days of the month and corresponding days of the week in a side by side relationship. A first strip has permanently affixed to its outer surface the numbers 1-31 representing days of the month, and a second strip has permanently affixed to its outer surface indicia representing days of the week. The relative positions of the first and second strips can be adjusted to positions appropriate for any month of any year. The calendar also preferably has a third strip having an indicator permanently affixed to its outer surface for indicating the current day of the month and corresponding day of the week.

Abstract: A portable device is provided for drying and removing wrinkles from an article of clothing. The device is for use with a portable dryer of the type having a handle, internal fan, and nozzle from which heated air is blown. The device comprises an inflatable member capable of being hung and having a body portion comprised of an air permeable fabric, a sealing member for sealingly engaging the nozzle so that the nozzle is in communication with the interior of the inflatable member, and a fastener for securing the portable dryer in a fixed position relative to the inflatable member. The inflatable member is maintained in an inflated state by a continuous flow of heated air from the nozzle of the dryer. According to one aspect of the invention, the body portion of the inflatable member fits within and in contact with the article of clothing.

Abstract: A lift apparatus is provided for raising or lowering objects through an opening in a ceiling which has associated ceiling supports, such as ceiling joists. The lift apparatus includes a frame, mounted to and supported by the ceiling supports, having first and second frame members, and a third frame member which extends between and is fixedly connected to the first and second frame members. A receptacle, for holding the objects and sized to fit through the ceiling opening, is fixedly connected to a movable guide mechanism slidably cooperating with at least one of the first or second frame members to allow substantially vertical movement of the receptacle between a retracted position, substantially above ceiling level, and an extended position substantially below ceiling level.

Abstract: A paint trimming device is provided for applying paint to a first surface closely adjacent to an adjoining surface. The device comprises a base having opposing faces and a body portion extending between the faces, a a handle projecting outwardly from one face and having extension capability (such as being connectable to an extension pole), a paint pad having a peripheral edge and being secured to the base upon the other face, and a spacer which extends outwardly from the body portion and has its outermost points defining a closed linear boundary whose perpendicular projection, in a plane in which the paint pad lies, completely surrounds and is spaced from the peripheral edge of the paint pad.

Abstract: A watercraft mooring device is disclosed herein which comprises a tubular member having a rope extending through an interior bore so as to form a loop at each end of the tubular member, and which further extends exterior to the tubular member from a hole in the sidewall of the tubular member to one end of the rope. The other end of the rope is secured in the interior bore. In mooring a watercraft to another object, such as a dock, one loop is connected to a watercraft mooring member (i.e. cleat) and the other loop is connected to a dock mooring member. That portion of the rope extending from the sidewall hole is then cinched around the tubular member. A method of assembling the mooring device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ceramic product comprising both carbon and nitrogen and a method for its production are provided. The product is formed in a reactor having a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone and a reaction zone. A combustible mixture is injected into the combustion zone in a direction generally toward the reaction zone, and is accordingly combusted in the combustion zone to produce hot combustion products. At least one reactant containing carbon, nitrogen and an additional component (i.e. silicon) is injected at the boundary between the zones into the reactor chamber so as to flow with the hot combustion products into the reaction zone and react to form the ceramic product.

Abstract: Winding of multiple tows upon a mandrel to form a desired article, such as a tube, is assisted by passing the multiple tows in contact with an exterior surface of a guide which is heated during the winding operation. The guide includes a first guide portion and a also a second guide portion having longitudinal axes which define an angle with respect to each other. The guide is positioned so that either guide portion is capable of receiving the tows so as to contact the exterior surface of the guide before being wound upon the mandrel. Employing the heated guide in accordance with the invention has been found to assist in aligning and at least partially consolidating the tows in a side-by-side relationship for delivery to the mandrel.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite ceramic powder is provided herein. A precursor product powder is first produced in a reactor from at least one carbide-forming reactant by heating the reactant(s) by means of combustion of a fuel, and the precursor product powder as collected from the reactor is heated in a nitrogen-containing atmosphere to produce a final product comprising a carbide compound as well as a nitride compound.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for producing ceramic products in a reactor so as to minimize deposits therein. The reactor has a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone, into which a combustible mixture is injected, and a reaction zone in which the ceramic product is produced from at least one reactant injected into the chamber at the boundary between the zones. At least a portion of the wall defining the reaction zone is surrounded by at least one passageway through which coolant fluid is passed during ceramic production. Either carbide product or nitride product can be produced in the reaction zone according to the invention.

Abstract: An ethylene oligomerization process is provided wherein ethylene is contacted with an organonickel(II) compound, a phosphine compound and an alkylaluminum compound in a first solvent to produce a precursor reaction mixture, followed by contacting ethylene with the precursor reaction mixture and a fluorinated organoacid, preferably in a second solvent, to produce a product reaction mixture comprising the desired oligomerization product. Results of the process can be optimized by employing phosphorus-containing additives as described herein.

Abstract: An ethylene oligomerization process is provided wherein ethylene is contacted with a nickel(II) halide compound, a phosphine compound, and a carboxylate compound in a solvent to produce a precursor reaction mixture, followed by contacting ethylene with the precursor reaction mixture and a borohydride compound to produce a product reaction mixture comprising the desired oligomerization product.

Abstract: An ethylene dimerization process is provided wherein ethylene is contacted with an organocobalt(II) or organocobalt(III) compound and a borohydride compound in a solvent to produce a product reaction mixture comprising a C.sub.4 fraction of predominantly 1-butene. A phosphine compound can additionally be provided in the solvent with an organocobalt(III) compound to enhance selectivity to 1-butene.

Abstract: An ethylene oligomerization process is provided wherein ethylene is contacted with a nickel(II) halide compound, a phosphine compound and a zinc component in a solvent to produce a precursor reaction mixture, followed by contacting ethylene with the precursor reaction mixture and a fluorinated organoacid to produce a product reaction mixture comprising the desired oligomerization product.

Abstract: An ethylene dimerization process is provided wherein ethylene is contacted with an organonickel (0) compound and a phosphine compound in a fluorinated alcohol solvent to produce a precursor reaction mixture, followed by contacting ethylene with the precursor reaction mixture and a fluorinated organoacid to produce a product reaction mixture comprising a C.sub.4 fraction of predominantly 2-butenes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a product comprising a nitride compound, such as for example silicon nitride. A reactor is provided which has a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone and a reaction zone. A combustible mixture is injected into the combustion zone in a direction generally toward the reaction zone, and is accordingly combusted in the combustion zone. At least one reactant is injected at the boundary between the zones into the reactor chamber in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chamber so as to react to form raw product comprising the nitride compound. According to another aspect, a raw product powder as produced by the reactor comprises silicon nitride as the nitride compound and further comprises elemental silicon.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a product comprising a carbide compound, such as for example silicon carbide. A reactor is provided which has a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone and a reaction zone. A combustible mixture is injected into the combustion zone in a direction generally toward the reaction zone, and is accordingly combusted in the combustion zone. At least one reactant (i.e. silane) is injected at the boundary between the zones into the reactor chamber in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chamber so as to react to form raw product containing the carbide compound.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating the potential productivity of a zone of a formation in regard to hydrocarbons substantially free of water, and according to another aspect the method can determine the residual saturation of any porous media with respect to any particular saturating liquid. At least one sample from a zone is saturated with a saturating liquid, such as a saturating liquid comprising water, and the nuclear magnetization of the liquid is substantially inverted by means of at least one NMR radio frequency pulse. A component of the nuclear magnetization is detected at different delay times following application of such a pulse, from which the delay time (NMR zero time) is determined at which the magnetization component is zero. Potential productivity of dry hydrocarbons from the zone and/or residual saturation of the core sample is determined based on the NMR zero time.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are provided which are of the type which utilize a die set comprising at least one die which defines at least one mold cavity for receiving resin impregnated fibers therethrough. Any one die of the die set comprises first and second mold base sections which are positionable with respect to one another so as to form a mold base which defines a channel therethrough. A mold insert defines a mold cavity completely therethrough and is adapted to be removably mounted in the channel. The die set is removably clamped between first and second clamp members so as to enable easy and convenient addition or removal of dies to or from the die set if desired.