Abstract: A laminating machine of the type which laminates documents between sheets of plastic or a document to a substrate comprising a housing together with a first set of rolls within the housing adapted to guide the material to be laminated between upper and lower heating platens and a second set of rolls within the housing arranged to receive the material from the platens. The first set of rolls, the platens and the second set of rolls define a passage through the housing. End supports for the rolls are provided in the housing defines. The rolls are rotatably supported between the end supports. A drive motor is connected to one of the rolls at one of the end supports, and gearing means are positioned on the rolls at the other of the end supports for transmitting rotation of the driven roll to the other rolls. The upper rolls of each pair are journaled in bearing arms which are pivoted to the end supports to permit acceptance of thick substrates.

Abstract: A threshold detecting device including a detecting stage having a first input supplied with a monitored voltage varying between a first and second value, a second input supplied with a reference voltage by a reference source stage, and an output supplying a logic signal indicating crossover of a predetermined threshold by the monitored voltage. Initially, the reference source stage is off and the reference voltage follows the course of the monitored voltage; upon the monitored voltage exceeding a first threshold value, the reference source is turned on and causes the reference voltage to rise more slowly than the monitored voltage, so that an increasing voltage difference is present between the first and second inputs of the reference stage; and, upon the voltage difference exceeding a second threshold value, the detecting stage switches and generates the threshold crossover signal.

Abstract: In application to an external fixator wherein at least one end of a fixator body is equipped with a first ball-joint component that is releasably connected or connectible to a second ball-joint component forming part of a bone-screw clamp, the invention provides a major capacity for enlarging the achievable range of possible angles as between the longitudinal axis of the bone-screw clamp and the longitudinal axis of the fixator body. Three different embodiments are disclosed. In a first disclosed embodiment, the expanded range is achieved by structural modification of the bone-screw clamp per se. In the other two embodiments, the expanded range is achieved by interposition of a connector unit having one of its respective ends a ball-joint connection component that is uniquely compatible with the ball-joint component of the fixator body and at the other of its ends a ball-joint connection component that is uniquely compatible with the ball-joint component of the bone-screw clamp.

Abstract: A power supply regulator comprising a regulated-voltage source; a buffer connected to the voltage source; and a diode connected to the output of the buffer. A bootstrap capacitor is located between the diode and the output of a power stage; and the output of the power stage is switched between a low and a high value by a digital signal also supplied to the input of the buffer which therefore generates a switched regulated output voltage varying between a first value equal to the regulated voltage and a second lower value. The switched regulated voltage switches from the first to the second value before the output of the power stage switches to high, thus immediately disabling the diode and preventing current spikes due to minority carriers in the diode from being transmitted to the regulated-voltage source.

Abstract: A data input/output managing device, particularly for non-volatile memories that comprise at least one matrix of memory cells. The managing device comprises: at least one bidirectional internal bus for the transfer of data from and to the memory; a redundancy management line that is associated with the internal bus; means for enabling/disabling the transmission, over the internal bus, of the data from the memory toward the outside; means for enabling/disabling access to the internal bus on the part of data whose source is other than the memory matrix, for transmission to the memory matrix; and means for enabling/disabling the connection between the outside of the memory and the redundancy line during the reading of the memory matrix and during its programming.

Abstract: A system and method is shown for exercising a user's motor skills and concentration, comprising, in combination, a controller for providing a plurality of visual images and sounds, a first sensor for providing an input to the controller when activated by a hand on a selected right or left side of the user, a second sensor for providing an input to the controller when activated by a foot on the selected side of the user, a third sensor for providing an input to the controller when activated by a hand located opposite the selected side, and a fourth sensor for providing an input to the controller when activated by a foot located opposite the selected side. The system displays a plurality of visual images where each visual image contains four separate quadrants corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth sensors.

Abstract: A machine executed method provides: (1) rapid, automatic, and virtually silent transfer of an incoming 9-1-1 call for service to the proper service provider or providers; (2) automatic transfer of caller identification and location information from a public safety answering point call-taker station to the appropriate service provider without further call-taker intervention; (3) elimination of the need for a call-taker to manually use detailed local maps such as a "KEY-MAP" to determine the location of a caller; and (4) digital recording of incoming calls. The digital voice and associated information is stored in a database to facilitate the rapid retrieval of the recorded call at a later time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-dissipating and supporting structure for a semiconductor electronic device to be encapsulated within a molded plastic material package, of the type having an insulated inner heat sink. In particular, it comprises a heat-sink element which has a first largest surface to be insulated by means of a plastic material layer with a first thickness, and a second largest surface, opposite from the first, to be insulated by means of a layer of plastic material with a second thickness which is thin compared to the first thickness; and a leadframe consisting of a metal strip attached to the heat-sink element on the same side as the first largest surface and comprising a peripheral holder structure located outside the heat-sink element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charge-pump control circuit for a power transistor including a driver circuit connected to a first supply voltage through a diode and to a second voltage through a switch and a first load. The driver circuit is connected to the power transistor, and the power transistor is linked to a pump capacitor. The power transistor is connected between a further supply voltage and a second load. The control circuit of the invention further includes a control logic circuit connected between the first supply voltage and the second voltage. The control logic circuit is connected to the driver circuit and to the switch, and the switch is connected between the power transistor and the first load. The switch is also connected to the driver circuit, and to a circuit for checking the charged state of the pump capacitor which is connected between the switch and the control logic circuit.

Abstract: A method of treatment using a compound of Formula I: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is hydrogen, lower alkanoyl of up to 6 carbon atoms or aroyl selected from benzoyl and naphthoyl;R.sub.2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms or arylalkyl selected from benzyl, phenylethyl and phenylpropyl;R.sub.3 is hydrogen or lower alkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms;R.sub.4 is hydrogen or lower alkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms, or when X is oxygen, R.sub.4 together with R.sub.5 can represent --CH.sub.2 --O--;X is a valency bond, --CH.sub.2, oxygen or sulfur;Ar is selected from phenyl, naphthyl, indanyl and tetrahydronaphthyl;R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are individually selected from hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, lower alkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms, a --CONH.sub.2 -- group, lower alkoxy of up to 6 carbon atoms, benzyloxy, lower alkylthio of up to 6 carbon atoms, lower alkysulphinyl of up to 6 carbon atoms and lower alkylsulphonyl of up to 6 carbon atoms; orR.sub.5 and R.sub.

Abstract: A system for integrated data delivery in 9-1-1 calls for service application. Specifically, the invention describes a machine executed method to provide: 1) the ability to capture and utilize decoded caller data--caller data could be in the format of dual tone multifrequency, multifrequency, or frequency shift keying coding formats; 2) automatically interrogate one or more computer databased using caller data (telephone number) as a search key: 3) intergrate and format the caller information as it is returned by the database search--such information could include the address of the caller, the geopolitical jurisdiction information (e.g., the police, fire, or ambulance service responsible for a particular geographic area), and the ability to integrate this information plus any additional information provided by the calltaker; 4) automatically tramsmit the integrated data via a leased or a dial up telephone line to a radio common carrier such as a paging service for broadcast to the end-user.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a Hepatitis B patient having hepatic decompensation utilizes Hepatitis B virus-reducing amounts of T.alpha..sub.1, administered to a patient having decompensated liver disease so as to render the patient seronegative for Hepatitis B virus DNA.

Abstract: The invention provides aspS polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding aspS polypetides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing aspS polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises a backup power system to supply current to an electromechanical actuator (50) to position a mechanical device (52) to a fail-safe position upon failure of a primary electric power source (12). A capacitor (40) is provided for storing energy. The capacitor (40) is charged by the primary electric power source (12). A relay device (35) is also provided for disconnecting the primary control signal upon failure of the primary electric power source (12) and connecting the capacitor (40) to the electromechanical actuator (50) to supply electric current to the electromechanical actuator (50) to position the mechanical device (52) to a fail-safe position. The relay device (35) comprises a transistor (32) which is kept turned off by the primary electric power source (12) and upon failure of the primary electric power source (12), turns on and energizes an electric relay coil (34).

Abstract: Regulation of the output supply voltage to a load powered by a rechargeable battery of a portable apparatus, typically a telephone, is advantageously implemented by exploiting the switching STEP-DOWN REGULATOR of an in-built battery charger. The regulator circuit configures itself in function of the voltage level at the regulator input to retain an unmodified constant current and constant voltage battery charger function as long as a sufficiently high voltage source is connected to the input. Otherwise the battery voltage is applied to the input of the regulator and configuring means modify automatically the partition ratio of an output voltage sensing divider of the voltage-mode control loop of the charger, isolate the battery pole from the output and disable the current-mode control loop of the charger.

Abstract: A flexible, integral polymer resistance heated conduit is provided that is particularly suitable for use with physiological fluids. The conduit is highly effective in uniformly heating a fluid and in maintaining the fluid at a uniform, predetermined temperature. The conduit is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, and is at least partially transparent or translucent, thereby allowing easy viewing of its contents.

Abstract: A monobloc boiler particularly suitable for hydrocleaning machines, comprising a combustion chamber (6), the outer surface of which is wrapped by a double-coil pipe (8), wherein water to be heated flows; a cylinder wrapping up said chamber (6); a fuel mixing and ignition unit (4); flanges (5) for air distribution and braking in boiler body; a fan system (16) for air inlet in boiler body and an external box (12 wrapping and enclosing all these components. A fan system (16) is fixed on a first rear wall of the external box (12) and generates an air flow in an air gap (18) formed between the external box (12) and the cylinder (10). A mixing and ignition unit (4) is also located within boiler body and is fixed in the center on the other wall of the external box (12), opposite to the first rear wall.

Abstract: A gas elimination device for cellular fluids has a cylindrical chamber that is divided radially into two parts by a cylindrical filter centrally located in the chamber. The fluid inlet is directed tangentially to the outer part of the chamber to create a vortex flow. The vortex flow is stopped by passage of the fluid through the filter, and gas bubbles that have formed rise to the top of the outer part of the chamber. A hydrophobic membrane covers the top of the chamber and allows the gas to exit the chamber to the atmosphere. A one way valve formed in a two part cap covering the chamber prevents flow of air into the chamber. A float valve stops flow when the chamber fills with air.

Abstract: An indicating device (2) for indicating dates upon which events such as procedural steps should take place, said device (2) comprising a first disc (4) having a first field )24) which includes a plurality of first dates and at least one second field (26) which includes a plurality of second dates, the positions of said fields (24, 26) having a predetermined relationship to one another on the first disc, a second disc (6) pivotally connected for relative rotary movement to the first disc (4), the second disc having a first window (12) which can be aligned with a selected one of the first dates and a second window (14, 16, 18, 20) having a predetermined position relative to the first window, the arrangement being such that when the first window is aligned with one of the first dates, the second window is aligned with a second date in the second field thereby indicating the date upon which an event should take place consequent upon selection of one of the first dates.