Abstract: A conventional floor cleaning mop has a cleaning pad support platen defining a support cleaning surface region that is arranged to releasably receive and secure a conventional cleaning pad via Velcro hook fasteners on the platen. The cleaning pad has a relatively non-abrasive cleaning surface. A scrub device with a relatively more abrasive surface is releasably or permanently attached to the pad cleaning surface by an attachment device. One or more such scrub devices may be attached to the same pad cleaning surface to cover part or all of the pad cleaning surface. The abrasive scrub devices may have different dimensions to cover different areas of the cleaning pad non-abrasive surface to provide enhanced scrubbing action as desired. The abrasive scrub devices may be provided with different abrasion surfaces having different abrasive values and may be removed to expose the full non-abrasive cleaning surface for non-abrasive cleaning. The mop may have an optional cleaning fluid dispensing spray device.

Abstract: The following constitution provides a vertically oriented liquid crystal display element of higher quality having almost uniform visibility in any direction attained by improving obliquely viewed visibility. The liquid crystal display element comprises a pair of substrates, transparent electrodes having predetermined patterns formed on the respective substrates, vertical orienting membranes respectively formed on the transparent electrodes and rubbed in a predetermined direction and a liquid crystal layer consisting of the liquid crystal molecules sandwiched by the substrates. The substrates are arranged such that respective transparent electrodes face each other. Series of nearly rectangular slits are formed on the respective transparent electrodes by removing portions of the electrodes in a display area formed by the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manhole cover/frame exchange method capable of minimizing the size of a portion to be mended, of eliminating a pressing step by a roller machine, of eliminating/reducing steps and a required mending time and of suppressing vibrations, noises and the like during the exchanging process. The manhole cover/frame exchange method comprises steps of: cutting a portion of a paved road around the manhole cover/frame spherically; removing the spherically cut portion; filling a self-curing highly fluid non-shrink filler into a spherical hollow space formed by the removing step, and filling a surface layer material over the self-curing highly fluid non-shrink filler. Thus, the pressing step by the roller machine is eliminated by the present invention.

Abstract: An electrode head including at least one bio-compatible electrode. The electrode head includes at least one printed circuit board (PCB) having a face area and a thickness and at least one bio-compatible electrode extending from the thickness of the at least one printed circuit board.

Abstract: A plurality of latches are employed for detachably holding a semiconductor wafer to a ring support during processing. Each latch is rotatably mounted on a post which is secured to the ring so that it can move to engage and disengage the wafer, alternately clamping and releasing it from the ring. Each latch has two opposed rollers, one to engage and disengage the wafer and the other to engage the ring. The latches should be freely rotatable into and out of engagement with the wafer. The ring usually has two pairs of opposed dimples such that each roller is in registration with each of the opposed dimples of each pair when it rotates from the engaged to the disengaged position and visa versa. The dimple in registration with the roller when engaged the wafer is sufficiently deep so that the roller does not touch the ring when clamped to the wafer.

Abstract: An inhaler disc cartridge comprises a carrier disc with radially outwardly extending resilient fingers, each with a medicament powder dosage. A sealing disc and an indexing ring are bonded to the disc. A cam sequentially and manually deflects a selected finger causing it to snap against an anvil to release the dosage by momentum energy transfer. In other embodiments, a cassette includes a carrier substrate reel of deposited powder dosages with a dosage sealing tape. The substrate comprises a belt with a plurality of transversely extending triangular fingers, each finger tip with a dosage thereon. Each finger is snapped in sequence against an anvil while a clamp secures the belt as the fingers are deflected. The spring fingers are corrugated in one embodiment cooperating with an anvil having channels and a device for inducing agglomeration breakup air streams through the channels.

Abstract: A prior art security seal is molded one piece thermoplastic having a flag for receiving indicia such as serial number and so on and a strap extending from the flag. A locking socket depends from the flag at the junction with the strap. One or more projections extend from the flag from a surface opposite to the socket. The flag is too small for certain implementations which require a flag for receiving large labels. A large flag capable of receiving such labels is attached to the seal via the seal flag and projection. The flag has a channel for receiving the seal flag in an axial direction parallel to the plane of the flags and an opening for receiving the one or more projections, the opening having a contour that matches that of the projection(s). Snap fit latches secure the seal at flanges thereof as the projection(s) is inserted in the opening in a direction normal to the plane of the flags. The seal flag is releasably held in two normal directions to the large flag.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device employs a male spherical member with a fluid receiving bore and a female housing. The spherical member abuts two axially spaced Teflon ring seats between the member and the housing in the housing chamber. The ring seats reduce friction between the member and the housing and axially retain the member in the housing with no metal to metal contact. A first O-ring provides fluid sealing between the spherical member and housing inner wall in the chamber. A hose receiving nipple member with a fluid receiving bore has a threaded concave end with a peripheral region that engages the first O-ring to hold the O-ring against the spherical member, one of the ring seats and housing chamber wall to seal the interface between the spherical member and housing. The nipple member has a flange which abuts the housing to limit squeezing action on the O-ring to ensure sufficient contact of the O-ring and mating surfaces to obtain a good seal without creating excessive friction loads.

Abstract: A spinal implant tool comprises a steel shaft bifurcated into shaft portions at one end at which a pair of extensions extend from the bifurcated shaft portions. The extensions are flat members which extend from an implant impact element at the end of each of the shaft portions. A spinal bone implant is inserted between the extensions. A shaft portion displacement member has a stud threaded to one of the shaft portions and a knob head for capturing the other shaft portion to the member threaded stud. When the knob is rotated the shaft members are moved apart or closer together. A stop member limits the spread apart distance of the shaft portions.

Abstract: A relatively high perm pliable moisture barrier material pliable sheet material exhibits a breathable perm value, e.g., over 0.4, that repels liquid water applied to a surface thereof and which permits water vapor to permeate therethrough in response to a pressure differential thereacross to preclude substantial condensation collection in the interior of said wall at the opening while providing a water barrier to liquid water applied thereto is applied to corners of the window opening in a wall as a plurality of corner seals with leg portions for application to the face of sheathing and leg portions for overlying the sill, jambs and head of the opening at the corners. Flanges may be included for sealing the sheet material to an interior vapor barrier material. Sill, jamb and head seals are applied over the corner seals and over the sill, head and jambs to completely seal the window opening with the sheet material.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device employs a male spherical member with a fluid receiving bore and a female housing. The spherical member abuts two axially spaced Teflon ring seats between the member and the housing in the housing chamber. The ring seats reduce friction between the member and the housing, and axially retain the member in the housing with no metal to metal contact. A first O-ring provides fluid sealing between the spherical member and housing inner wall in the chamber. A hose receiving nipple member with a fluid receiving bore has a threaded concave end with a peripheral region that engages the first O-ring to hold the O-ring against the spherical member, one of the ring seats and housing chamber wall to seal the interface between the spherical member and housing. The nipple member has a flange which abuts the housing to limit squeezing action on the O-ring to ensure sufficient contact of the O-ring and mating surfaces to obtain a good seal without creating excessive friction loads.

Abstract: A C-shaped or ring shaped implant formed of cortical bone has its C-shaped or inner channel filled with a bone promoting material which is preferably demineralized bone fibers formed as a flexible wet sheet or may be cancellous bone, pressed bone fibers formed from demineralized cortical bone chips soaked in acid, or a flex material formed of demineralized bone growth promoting bone fibers. The discrete bone filler element may be secured by a bonding agent, pins or screws, metal, polymer or bone material. The bone filler material is preferably bonded by filling a section of a long bone medullary cavity with wet bone fibers and then drying the fibers to bond them to the outer bone. A filled bone ring may be sliced to form annular filled sections which are then divided into mirror image C-shaped halves each forming an implant. Flex material of compressed bone fibers may be formed with an opening shaped to receive a cortical bone implant element having a C-shaped channel.

Abstract: An elongated channel protector has an end wall that precludes axial displacement of the protector along an elongated rail car plug door operating handle in one direction. Angle shaped members extend from the protector laterally for engaging a cover appurtenance on the door for precluding axial displacement of the protector in the opposite direction. A pair of legs depend from the protector side walls and have aligned holes for receiving a bolt seal. Tubular elements surround the holes to protect the seal head and locking body. The seal is seated beneath the handle which is covered by the protector locking the protector to the handle.

Abstract: Apparatus for aiding in the identification of tissue type for an anomalous tissue in an impedance image comprising: a first device for providing an polychromic immitance map of a portion of the body; a second device for determining a plurality of polychromic measures from one or both of a portion of the body; and a display which displays an indication based on the plurality of polychromic measures.

Abstract: A rapid cooling apparatus passing hot exhaust gas in a short time along a flow path formed in a cooling setting with piled up arrangement and having a reduced cross-sectional area of the flow path to reduce the volume thereof so as to cool rapidly to a temperature below a dioxin synthesizing temperature so that dioxins are prevented from generating, characterized in that multistage tube bodies for heat exchange to pass coolant therethrough are arranged in a rapid cooling cylindrical body for passing hot gas such as exhaust gas from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, and the cross-sectional area of the rapid cooling cylindrical body is being reduced gradually in a passing direction of the hot gas.

Abstract: An anvil blanket is molded urethane sheet material and formed with a plurality of interlocking fingers at mating opposing blanket ends and includes a depending projection which mates with a channel in the anvil about which the blanket is wrapped. A urethane insert having a hardness greater than the blanket material is molded embedded in the blanket to form a portion of the fingers and a portion of the projection depending from the fingers. A woven fiberglass fabric provides support for the blanket and which fabric is molded to the blanket. The insert has a durometer greater than that of the blanket to minimize the formation of surface recess defects at the projection which might otherwise occur due to the increased thickness of material at the projection. The insert may have other properties different than that of the blanket material including rebound, modulus, and cut and tear strength among others for resisting the formation of blanket surface defects.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of removing earth/sand, waste thread, dust and the like stuck to the washing. In order to realize the objective, the washing machine is constituted so as to be operated as follows: overflowed washing water or rinsing water from washing/dehydrating tank to an annular drainage pipe by reciprocating revolutions of the tank is led to a side pipe, where the water is filtered and circulated to the tank by a pump arranged in the middle of the side pipe for utilizing the washing or the rinsing operation.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing environmentally harmful compounds which participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions to produce for example ozone and undesirable smog constituents from a fluid, in particular a gas, volatile organic compounds (VOC) including hydrocarbons, CO and any other constituent that participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions to produce for example ozone or smog constituents and combustible compounds to be removed from a gas stream for reasons of toxicity, photochemical reactivity or physical discomfort such as irritants, particulates, odor sources and so on, and compounds which may cause upper atmosphere ozone depletion or lower atmosphere ozone formation. The uncoated randomly oriented mesh-like structure preferably has a porosity greater than about 85%. The coated randomly oriented mesh-like structure preferably has a porosity greater than about 65%.

Abstract: An insertion tool for a C-shaped bone spinal wedge shaped intervertebral implant comprises an outer shank with a hollow core in which is placed a shaft with a threaded stud which passes through a bore in the shank at an implant insertion end of the shank. A flat extension member defines a plane and extends from the shank overlying the stud, the stud for receiving a threaded bore of the spinal implant. The shaft has a knob distal the stud for rotatably attaching the stud to the implant. The extension member abuts the implant at mating flat surfaces which are spaced by a medial recess formed by a portion of the medullary canal of a long bone. A cap slides over the shank at an end opposite the extension member to capture the shaft in the shank core. A guide rod is attached to a collar on the shank normal to the plane of the extension member to assist the surgeon in orienting the implant to the disc space orientation during insertion of the implant.

Abstract: A rapid vascular endothelium function examining method with improved reproducibility is provided. An apparatus for the method comprises systems for acquiring ultrasound images by an ultrasound probe, processing the acquired images and moving/rotating the ultrasound probe. The method comprises: a first step where the acquired image is processed so that the center of a blood vessel is laid on the center of the image; a second step where a series of operations for acquiring an image, processing the acquired image and moving the probe based on the processed result, are repeated so that the probe is moved in parallel to the blood vessel; a third step where the similar operations to the second step are executed so that the probe is moved in parallel to and immediately above the blood vessel; a fourth step for determining a blood vessel diameter from the finally acquired image at the third step.