Abstract: A method of manufacturing beta alkaline alumina parts and in particular beta sodium alumina parts in which the following successive steps are carried out:A. Alumina powder and an alkaline carbonate powder are intimately mixed together in quantities such that a predetermined ratio Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 O is obtained;B. Said intimate mixture is heated in an open crucible;C. Said mixture is allowed to cool freely;D. The powder thus obtained is crushed;E. Said parts are shaped; andF. Said parts are sintered;said parts being disposed for this purpose in a sintering chamber, which is at least partially made of a refractory material which includes a mixture of three ingredients, namely beta alumina fire clay obtained by melting and crushing into grains with a grain size of about 0.5 mm, beta alumina cement or binding agent obtained from an alpha alumina and sodium carbonate mixture by reaction in the solid state and at a temperature of about 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-optic device using a vitreous solid ion-conductive electrolyte which is of the general formula xMaXb, yM'PO.sub.3 wherein M is selected from K, Na, Ag, Li, Pb; X is selected from Br, I, Cl, F, S, SO.sub.4 ; M' is selected from Li, Ag, Na. Said device is particularly used in electro-optic information-display systems.

Abstract: An ultra-rapid electro-optical shutter comprises an electro-optical crystal which receives an incident beam and is able to transmit it when an electric field is applied thereto. The crystal has an electrode disposed on one of its surfaces, with a first silicon joint disposed between two parts of this electrode. An electric field is created in use by applying a voltage between one of the parts of the electrode and the surface of the crystal opposite to that on which the electrode is disposed. A first light beam is used to switch the silicon joint electrically on and off thereby passing and blocking the passage of a second beam through the crystal. The beams may be lasers.

Abstract: A molding assembly for casting soft contact lenses especially such lenses formed of hydrophobic material. Such a molding assembly comprises a molding cavity defined by the dies of the assembly and an annular gasket or sealing member joining the peripheries thereof. The perimeter of largest diameter of the molding cavity is defined by contact between a sealing ridge which is part of the concave die or the gasket or sealing member and a bearing surface which is part of the other of the concave die or the gasket or sealing member.The annular gasket or sealing member may have an annular skirt adapted to embrace the concave die in the closed position of the assembly.The gasket or sealing member is carried by the convex die and may be integrally formed in one piece with the convex mold.

Abstract: The device is conventionally associated to a cigarette packaging machine and comprises a hopper for successively distributing individual layers of adjacently disposed cigarettes into transferring means which successively transfer each layer into compartments intermittently moved in front of said transferring means. A plurality of layers are superimposed in each compartment to form a bundle to be fed to the wrapping means of the packaging machine. During the transferring, the layers are compelled to pass through a passage delimited by side guiding members and by an upper and a lower light-transparent guiding plate, said passage having a width substantially equal to the width of a layer and a height substantially equal to the diameter of a cigarette. The upper plate has a slot in the direction of the transverse dimension of the passage and this slot is subjected to the light rays generated by a light source transversely disposed relative to said passage and above said slot.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the treatment of patients suffering from drepanocytosis, comprising administering to said patients a therapeutically effective dosage of a pyridine derivative having the formula: ##STR1## in which X is oxygen or sulfur; R is oxygen or a phenyl radical optionally substituted with at least a halogen atom or a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino, sufonylamino, aryl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, hydroxymethyl or methylenedioxy group; a styryl, naphthyl, thienyl or benzhydryl radical optionally substituted with at least a halogen atom or a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, aryl, nitro, amino, sulfonylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, hydroxymethyl or methylenedioxy group; or a benzoyl radical optionally substituted with at least a halogen atom or a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino or sulfonylamino group; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent each at least an atom or group selected from hydrogen, halogen, or a hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro or amino group; R.

Abstract: An improved process and heating arrangement for actuating and arresting a heat-forming machine for producing deep drawn containers made of thermoplastic foil band material. The foil band material is paid out in stepwise fashion from one or more storage rollers and is then processed along a process path along which there are arranged in downstream fashion: a heating arrangement, a molding arrangement, a filling arrangement, a stamping arrangement and a driving mechanism. Control circuit means are operatively connected to all of the afore-recited arrangements. The heating arrangements includes heating elements for heating the foil band material to the molding temperature. Screening plates are slidably mounted in the heating arrangement between the foil band material and the heating elements.

Abstract: Two non-concentric rotating assemblies of a double-twist textile twister are connected together for concurrent rotation. Each assembly has fastening members which are connected to fastening members on the other assembly by a substantially unstretchable traction element and a compressively deformable resilient element which is located between the traction element and the respective fastening member.

Abstract: A swim fin which achieves increased efficiency by increasing drive (forward propulsive thrust) and decreasing effort (resistance to vertical motion) to provide a greater drive-to-effort ratio. The blade of the fin which is pivotally mounted to the foot section along a pivot line aft of the leading edge of the blade, has a reversible effective streamlining camber. These features in combination with a large open flow passage defined between the toe portion and blade make possible the attainment of efficient propulsion through vertical motion of the legs of the wearer of the swim fins.

Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus having a barrel provided with a fastening element guide which is pivotally mounted about an axis orthogonal to the barrel axis in order to introduce a fastening element therein.The fastening element guide is pivotally mounted on a support secured to the barrel, and there is provided a sleeve operative to engage the guide and pivot the same, said sleeve being moveably carried on the support for translation along the barrel axis in such manner that a relative sliding movement between the sleeve and support, causes the engagement of the sleeve and the guide for pivoting of the latter.

Abstract: The windscreen-wiper blade comprises a support equipped with two lateral wings through each of which a hole passes, the two holes being aligned on an axis perpendicular to the said wings. The support carries a locking piece sliding longitudinally between the wings while remaining opposite to the two holes and comprising a transverse opening prolonged by a transverse opening of greater height. The locking piece can occupy two stable positions in which each of the openings is respectively opposite to the two holes of the support.The holes of the support are prolonged by collars and the support is provided with a pair of slots in the region of the holes whereby the two wings of an intermediate piece provided with cut-away portions of circular arc form capable of introduction into said slots can engage around said collars to secure said wiper assembly to said wiper arm.This blade is particularly intended for the equipment of windscreen wipers of automobile vehicles.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having an electronic fault sensing and trip initiating unit which provides increased versatility and ability to coordinate the circuit breaker with other interrupting and protective devices in a wide variety of electrical distribution systems. Electronic circuits and components are provided to vary the ampere rating of the breaker, to adjust current carrying capacity, to provide a long time delay trip, a short time delay trip and an instantaneous trip depending on the amplitude of high fault currents, to provide a ground fault trip, to shorten or lengthen the trip time for short time delay faults and for ground faults, and to provide shunt trip capability. The tripping mechanism is magnetic and mechanical, and includes a plunger movable between a trip and non-trip position controlled by an electronic switch in the electronic circuitry, and a toggle mechanism which is unlatched by the plunger when it moves to the trip position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beater roll comprising a body and a saw tooth wire helically fitted to the surface of the body wherein the helical convolutions are in spaced relation and wherein a sealant is employed to seal repetitive gaps or spaces between the base of the wire and the smooth cylindrical surface of the beater roll, such repetitive spaces or gaps being caused by placing the set necessary to accommodate wire clothing to the cylindrical surface of a roll as used in open end spinning.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having an electronic fault sensing and trip initiating unit which provides increased versatility and ability to coordinate the circuit breaker with other interrupting and protective devices in a wide variety of electrical distribution systems. Electronic circuits and components are provided to vary to ampere rating of the breaker, to adjust current carrying capacity, to provide a long time delay trip, a short time delay trip and an instantaneous trip depending on the amplitude of high fault currents, to provide a ground fault trip, to shorten or lengthen the trip time for short time delay faults and for ground faults, and to provide shunt trip capability. The tripping mechanism is magnetic and mechanical, and includes a plunger movable between a trip and non-trip position controlled by an electronic switch in the electronic circuitry, and a toggle mechanism which is unlatched by the plunger when it moves to the trip position.

Abstract: In a machine for packaging articles, in particular cigarettes, an apparatus for folding cutout elements to obtain packets of the hinged-lid type, the apparatus comprising a drum adapted to rotate in a stepped manner and having peripheral recesses each adapted to receive a respective article and to displace the same along a plurality of folding stations, at the first of said stations a first folding operation being performed by simultaneously inserting said articles and the respective cutout elements into the respective recesses; at the last of said stations a last folding operation being performed by ejecting said articles and the respective cutout elements through an aperture; and the intermediate stations comprising fixed cam means engaging said cutout elements during movement of said drum, and mobile folding means engaging said cutout elements when the drum is stationary.

Abstract: Screen printing stencils are prepared by affixing to a printing screen substrate an indicia-defining, ultraviolet-sensitive film and cross-linking the film by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The coating compositions used to form the film comprise copolyacrylate/polyurethane block copolymers, in which the copolyacrylate blocks are copolymers of at least one hydroxy-containing acrylate and at least one acrylate or methacrylate which may be partially substituted with bromine, ultraviolet initiators and cross-linking monomers. Screen printing stencils are provided which are compatible with both water-based and oil-based inks. The disclosed screen printing stencils are used in improved screen-printing methods.

Abstract: A coiler mechanism has a carrousel type can changing apparatus employing a pivoted power operator for engaging through a spring actuated pawl the can moving mechanism which is provided with a brake so that the can changer repeats, accurately positioning successive cans in the same spot beneath a coiler head each time.

Abstract: To fasten by screwing an object on to a metal plate 9 drilled with a noncircular hole 12, recourse is had to a clip made from a moulded plastic material comprising a socket 1 adapted to receive a screw and extended by a flange 5. In the wall of the socket there are provided two grooves 10 in the form of a U each surrounding a thickened portion 7, said portion being connected to the inner edge of the flange by a bridge 11 and nipping, during screwing of the screw into the socket, the edge of the metal plate by bending around this bridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for the generation and measurement of defined forces independent of position or travel of transmitting members for medical examination appliances wherein a lever pivotable about a horizontal axis in a vertical plane carries a probe adapted to be placed in contact with the body of a patient under controlled and measurable pressure. The lever is actuated by an electro-magnetic arrangement, limited in its movement electro-mechanically, and its torque is controlled and measured electronically. The apparatus includes a two-armed lever pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis for movement in a vertical plane, the center of gravity of the lever coincides with the pivot axis of the lever. A contact probe for engaging a body area under examination is attached to the free end portion of the upper arm of the lever. A permanent magnet system and a rectangular coil are secured to the free end of the lower arm of the lever.