Abstract: A quick-change tie bar mechanism includes an actuator having a rod coupled to a first bearing member and a body coupled to a second bearing member. The first and second bearing members are configured to reciprocally move in opposite directions in response to extension and retraction of the rod relative to the body. The bearing members have a first configuration for engaging a nut threaded on a tie bar to fix the tie bar in relation to a platen through which the tie bar extends. The first and second bearing members also have a second configuration for releasing the tie bar to permit removal through the platen so that a part may be accessed for removal and/or replacement.

Abstract: The connection plug (1) has two pins (4, 5) of the jack type, one of the pins having two coaxial conductors (42, 44) and the second having three coaxial conductors (52, 55, 57), said connecting plug comprising two distinct parts (2, 3), each of said parts supporting one of said pins, said distinct parts having members intended for their connection/disconnection and means for their electrical connection, whereby said connection plug can be converted into a connection plug for stereophonic headphones with a single pin.

Abstract: An air-exhaust mixer assembly includes an air intake to supply air and an exhaust gas intake to supply exhaust gas. A mixer is fluidly coupled to the air intake and the exhaust gas intake. The mixer has an inner passage and an outer passage defined therein along a longitudinal axis. The inner passage and the outer passage are adapted to mix the air and the exhaust gas by expanding the air and the exhaust gas in radially opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Electrochromic and photoelectrochromic devices using nanocrystalline semiconductor electrodes with a high specific surface area and surface-absorbed electrochromic molecules are disclosed.

Abstract: Dry, stable, high available halogen sanitizing granular compositions with a rapid rate of dissolution comprising halogenated 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triones and a dissolution accelerant that is an alkali metal salt of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione are disclosed. The disclosed compositions may include inorganic and/or organic disintegration agents. Additionally, these compositions may contain other performance enhancing additives such as water clarifiers, algaestats/algaecides, surfactants, glidants, processing aids, and binders. These UV stable sanitizing compositions contain a high available halogen content, and are stable even when stored in high-humidity environments.

Abstract: The connection plug (1) has two pins (4, 5) of the jack type, one of the pins having two coaxial conductors (42, 44) and the second having three coaxial conductors (52, 55, 57). The head is arranged so as to be able to detach the part (3) containing the pin (4).

Abstract: A device for retracting tissue that includes a cannula and a retractor positionable in the working channel of the cannula. The retractor includes a working tip configured to atraumatically displace tissue as the retractor is manipulated through the tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating the surface of a material or of an object by means of plasma generated by an electric discharge. It also relates to a device for implementing the method. The electric discharge is stabilized by confining said plasma in the form of at least one string, and the surface treatment is performed by putting the surface in contact with the plasma string along said string.

Abstract: A method by which the heat transfer quality of a cooled gas engine component can be quantified for inspection purposes. A system is utilized to determine the heat transfer performance of an internally cooled structure, by analyzing the transient thermal response of the structure based upon a full field surface temperature measurement using an infrared thermal imaging system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of amplifying a nucleic acid sequence present in a first strand of a double stranded nucleic acid molecule wherein said molecule incorporates an unmodified recognition site for a restriction enzyme capable of cutting the first strand at the 5′ end of the sequence therein to be amplified and leaving the 3′-cut region of the second strand projecting beyond the cut site in the first strand. The method further comprises treating said molecule with said enzyme in the presence of a strand displacing polymerase and unmodified nucleotides for incorporation in an extending nucleic acid strand such that there is or becomes hybridised to said 3′-end region of the second strand a primer sequence complementary thereto whereby said primer sequence is extended in the 5′ to 3′ direction using the second strand as a template to regenerate the restriction endonuclease cut site and displace the sequence to be amplified.

Abstract: One embodiment of a hollow spinal spacer (10) includes a curved anterior wall (11) having opposite ends (12, 13), a posterior wall (15) having opposite ends (16, 17), two lateral walls (20, 21), each integrally connected between the opposite ends (12, 13, 16, 17) of the anterior (11) and posterior (15) walls to define a chamber (30). The walls (11, 15, 20, 21) include a superior face (35) and an inferior face (40). The superior face (35) defines a first opening (36) in communication with the chamber (30) and includes a first vertebral engaging surface (37). The inferior face (40) defines a second opening (41) in communication with the chamber (30) and includes a second vertebral engaging surface (42). In one embodiment, a lateral wing projects from an external surface of each of the lateral walls. In another embodiment, the anterior wall defines an anterior superior surface and an anterior inferior surface.

Abstract: A cast heat exchanger, having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passage therebetween, includes a wall structure disposed within the internal passage that defines a series of interconnected chambers through which a cooling medium flows in a serpentine path. The outer surface of the heat exchanger is covered with pin fins that transfer heat away from the hot working medium flowing over the pin fins and into the cooling medium within the chambers of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an elastic ski covering having removable fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the ski covering is made from a stretchable, washable, water-permeable, elastic material and is formed into an elongated tube, similar in configuration to a sock. A pair of skis, arranged bottom-to-bottom are inserted into the ski covering, which stretches to fit snuggly over the skis and their associated bindings. The length of the ski covering, in conjunction with its elastic nature, allow the ski covering to completely cover skis having a widely varying length. The open end of the ski covering includes integral straps for tying the end closed after the skis have been placed therein. A pair of removable fasteners are provided and are placed on either side of the ski bindings in order to securely affix the ski covering to the skis and to securely hold the skis against one another.

Abstract: The invention concerns a prosthesis (2) designed to be inserted between two neighboring vertebrae, comprising a core (4) made of an elastic material and covered, over part of its periphery, with a rigid material coating (6) designed to be in contact with the two neighboring vertebrae. The core (4) comprises, in transverse cross-section, two end portions (8) linked by a median portion (12) and said coating includes two caps provided with a threading and covering at least partially the external periphery of the end portions (8), the distance separating the caps increasing towards the prosthesis front part.

Abstract: Described are non-swelling, crosslinked, bead forms of ampholytic base polymers that can be utilized in the chromatographic-type separation of acids from other compounds. Preferred polymers are prepared by modifying a poly-2 or poly-4-vinylpyridine resin crosslinked with divinylbenzene.

Abstract: A convertible flange insertion machine for the insertion of a pair of internally threaded flanges into a drum head of a shipping container is disclosed. The machine includes a pair of continuously moving drum head conveyor chains running along conveyor supports and between a pair of tooling dies that upon compression insert flanges into the drum head. A pair of flange conveyors run along side the drum head conveyor and include a pair of side rails with two lips for guiding the lips of flanges according to two different flange styles. The flange conveyors terminate at a lateral transfer mechanism. One lateral transfer mechanism includes an indexer with two pawls that sequentially indexes flanges in a two step procedure over a pair of spring loaded stops and into the receiving pocket of a tooling block. The tooling block places the flanges over the tooling die where a release assembly forces the flanges out of the tooling block and onto the die.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement to the method and apparatus for measuring volatile compounds in an aqueous solution. The apparatus is a chamber with sides and two ends, where the first end is closed. The chamber contains a solution volume of the aqueous solution and a gas that is trapped within the first end of the chamber above the solution volume. The gas defines a head space within the chamber above the solution volume. The chamber may also be a cup with the second end. open and facing down and submerged in the aqueous solution so that the gas defines the head space within the cup above the solution volume. The cup can also be entirely submerged in the aqueous solution. The second end of the. chamber may be closed such that the chamber can be used while resting on a flat surface such as a bench. The improvement is a sparger for mixing the gas with the solution volume. The sparger can be a rotating element such as a propeller on a shaft or a cavitating impeller.