Abstract: A convertible support apparatus, such as a table, which has an expandable upper support surface. The convertible support apparatus is comprised of overlying and underlying support members which are connected by a pivot pin. The overlying and underlying support members slide along a stationary support to center the weight of the expanded apparatus after or during rotation of the overlying support member to a position adjacent the underlying support member. The overlying support member then drops down to a position in which the upper support surfaces of the two support members are generally flush.

Abstract: A security bag having front and rear panels with first and second patterns of openings along upper edges of front and rear panels, respectively, of the security bag. A flap has a lower edge connected to the outside surface of the rear panel so that the flap covers the second pattern of openings. Preferably, the flap extends beyond the upper edge of the rear panel a length permitting the flap to be folded over the front panel and cover at least a portion of the first pattern of openings. An adhesive covers surfaces of the flap that cover the first and second patterns of openings. A release liner covers the adhesive. Upon the release liner being removed and the flap being folded over the front panel to cover the first pattern of openings, an adhesive-to-adhesive seal is created through continuous and contiguous portions of the first and second patterns of openings that extends through the front and rear panels.

Abstract: The precision of an initial image is reduced through image automatic processing in a manner simulating techniques used in the production of a custom art work. The resulting image, although generated without human intervention, has a pleasing, customized appearance which can be desirable to consumers seeking decorative art work. One way of reducing the precision of the initial image is modifying portions of the image to have more uniform luminance, color saturation, or color hue, producing a resulting image appearing to contain brush strokes. Alternatively, the precision of the initial image is reduced by locating contrast edges in the image, and modifying the luminance along these edges, producing a resulting image in which objects and features are outlined and have an enhanced definition from the background.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket and ligature are provided in which the bracket, in the preferred embodiment, includes a cylindrical post, spaced from a bracket base to extend horizontally parallel thereto, and having an archwire slot therein. A spring material ligature band, naturally coiled and secured to a plastic installation strip, is pulled around the post of the bracket until a hooked trailing terminal end of the band catches on the bracket, pulling it loose from the strip, and allowing it to snap around the post to hold and confine the archwire in the slot. Different width ligatures seat to different positions on the post to allow the wire to be held to selected tightnesses in the slot by selection of the ligature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a top panel cover of a mattress to an innerspring core include a plurality of clips attached to an upper border wire of the core. Each clip has one or more barbs that project inwardly with respect to the core. The cover is attached to the core by stretching and wrapping the edges of the cover over and around the border wire and pushing the edges against the barbs so that the barbs pierce the edges and hold the edges in a taut position at least partially wrapped around the border wire.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition of a taxine in a stable oil-in-water emulsion for intravenous administration. The invention also relates to a method for incorporating a taxine into an oil and making a stable oil-in-water emulsion.The composition includes a taxine, an oil, water and a surfactant. In a preferred embodiment, the taxine is taxol, the oil is safflower oil and the surfactant is lecithin, The taxine is incorporated into the oil by dissolving the taxine in a solution of an oil and a taxine co-solvent, such as isopropanol, for example. The co-solvent then is removed to form a solution of the taxine in oil. This solution may be dispersed in water with a surfactant to form a stable oil-in-water emulsion for intravenous administration.

Abstract: A kneeboard is providing having an extending ear to support a hand-held avionics instrument conveniently astride the working surface of the kneeboard.

Abstract: An extension spring overhead door system in which the spring may be quickly and easily placed in tension with the door in a closed position. A spring tensioning device is provided which eliminates the need for multiple installers to lift the full weight of the door and then clamp or otherwise prop the door in an open position. An extension spring containment tube is also provided which surrounds the entire periphery of the spring to fully contain the entire length of the extension spring.

Abstract: An improved powder particle supply and transport apparatus and method include a hopper filled with powder particles, an ejection chamber spaced from the hopper and a movable conveying member with a plurality of cavities formed therein. During operation, the conveying member moves the cavities between the hopper and the chamber, and the cavities are filled with powder particles at the hopper and emptied of powder particles at the chamber. An ejector nozzle sprays pressurized air into the chamber toward an aligned outlet, thereby to: 1) create negative pressure in the chamber to draw powder particles from the cavities as the cavities are moved therethrough; and 2) transport powder particles through the outlet to a spray gun. Additional structure may be used to assure complete powder filling of the cavities at the hopper and/or complete powder emptying of the cavities in the chamber.

Abstract: A transmitter prepares digits for transmission, e.g. as spread spectrum data accompanying commercial radio, using code sequences having exactly zero cross-correlation. The code sequences include phased versions of the maximal length sequence, with an additional "0" bit appended to the end of each phased version. Information signals (which may be analog signals, or digital signals encoded as two or more analog levels) are transmitted by multiplying each information signal by one of the code sequences, and adding the resulting sequences together to form an output sequence for transmission. A receiver that recovers the information signals correlates the received sequence with each of the code sequences, producing results which are directly proportional to the information signals.

Abstract: Tungsten carbide and/or tungsten can be recycled by oxidizing the tungsten composition at a temperature greater than 700.degree. C. to form a water insoluble tungsten trioxide. This is then reduced to form tungsten dioxide. The tungsten dioxide is subjected to a low temperature oxidation which forms monoclinic tungsten trioxide. The monoclinic tungsten trioxide is then dissolved in ammonia to form ammonium tungstate. If present, the binder metal such as cobalt is converted into the soluble ammine complex. This can be spray dried and carburized to form tungsten carbide. If the form composition includes cobalt or other binder metal, the ratio of cobalt to tungsten can be adjusted by adding cobalt salts or ammonium metatungstate to the aqueous solution prior to spray drying to form a precursor composition. This is uniquely suitable for forming a cobalt tungsten carbide composition.

Abstract: A low friction slip surface track for a merchandizing display rack including an extruded plastic base plate and a plurality of co-extruded plastic beads. The beads are formed of a compounded plastic, a mixture of high impact styrene and a percentage of silicone varying from 0.5 percent (0.5%) to 10 percent (10%). The base plate is formed of pure high impact styrene. The silicone in the beads makes the beads of lower surface friction than the base plate, facilitating the transfer of product down the track. The beads are formed of a light color plastic. The base plate is formed of a dark plastic to hide dirt while still creating an attractive merchandizing track and rack employing the track.

Abstract: Emulsions of paramagnetic contrast agents, and processes of making and using them are disclosed. The emulsions contain water, a dispersed oil phase and a complex of a paramagnetic metal ion and an organic acid chelator, for example DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), having a C.sub.10 -C.sub.30 saturated aliphatic group and an hydroxyl group bonded to the nitrogen atom. The emulsions are very stable and therapeutically acceptable for intravenous administration to enhance MRI imaging.

Abstract: An abrading apparatus for cleaning an outer surface of an elongate member, such as a wire. An endless abrasive sanding belt is rotated about a plurality of rollers and orbited about the elongate member. Drive components for both rotating the belt about the rollers as well as orbiting the belt about the elongate member are isolated in an enclosed drive casing containing lubricating fluid, such as oil. A first roller which mounts the endless sanding belt is fixed in a rotatable eccentric support. This eccentric support allows the tension of the endless belt to be adjusted by rotating the eccentric support in one of two directions. One of the rollers includes a mounting portion and a belt supporting portion, with the mounting portion being axially offset or eccentric with respect to the belt supporting portion. A belt engagement and disengagement mechanism is connected to the eccentric mounting portion of the idler roller to allow rotation of the eccentric mounting portion in two directions.

Abstract: A gondola rack stocking system that includes a rack having a base, a plurality of vertical standards spaced along the base and configured to support gondola shelves on gondola shelf brackets thereon is combined with a high density subassembly that includes a pair of horizontal rails connectable to the standards uprights, preferably in fixed lengths corresponding to the spacing of the standards. Vertical rectangular frame uprights connect at any of a plurality of positions along the rails and also at their bottoms to the foot of the rack base. Variable width shelf sets are connectable at vertically spaced positions on the uprights and at the top of the uprights. Conventional gondola rack shelving supplements the shelves to optimize the flexibility of the system configuration. Maximum packout is thereby provided.

Abstract: A casket is provided with an integral memorabilia compartment for the placement, display and storage therein of personal effects and mementos of memorialization of the deceased. In one form the casket comprises a shell, a cap pivoted to the shell, and an openable and closable memorabilia compartment forming a part of the cap. In another form the casket comprises a shell, a cap pivoted to the shell, and an openable and closable memorabilia compartment forming a part of the shell. In both forms the memorabilia compartment is so positioned and configured as to provide convenient access to mourners paying respects to the deceased for placing personal effects and mementos therein and to provide display of the personal effects and mementos placed therein for viewing by the mourners.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster with a booster housing part includes a vacuum chamber and a working chamber separated therefrom by a movable wall, and a valve body part including a control valve assembly and an electromagnet assembly. The control valve assembly can be actuated both by an actuation rod as well as by the electromagnet assembly, in order to make connections between the vacuum chamber and the working chamber, or between the working chamber and the ambient atmosphere. To improve the heat dissipation and to simplify the assembly the valve body part comprises several separate portions at least the first portion of the valve body part being at least partially designed as a magnetic return of the electromagnet assembly and is coupled with the second portion of the valve body part.