Abstract: Dried tea flakes are prepared by vacuum drum drying a tea extract having a solids content of 40-55% which extract is applied to the drum in a film having a thickness of between 0.065 and 0.005 cm. The drum is maintained at an internal temperature of 95.degree.-125.degree. C. Water is evaporated from the film under vacuum from 3-15 torr over a period of from 10-150 seconds to result in a dried product having an apparent density of less than 12 grams per 100 cc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 3-alkoxy-D-homo-C-nor-13.alpha.,14.alpha.-gona-1,3,5(10),6,8-pentaen-17-on e and certain derivatives thereof. The compounds of this invention display valuable pharmacological activities, such as antispasmodic utility.

Abstract: New catalysts are described which are useful over a wide temperature range for purifying exhaust gases from internal combustion engines burning gasoline. The new catalysts are of composite form comprising a water-gas type catalyst and at least one platinum group metal such as platinum, palladium or ruthenium. As water-gas catalyst, use can be made of a mixture or iron oxide and chromium oxide. By using such composite catalysts on a common refractory substrate, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons can be removed to a substantial degree in a single stage.

Abstract: An expansion joint with an elastomer seal having longitudinal frames made from aluminum extrusions extending longitudinally of an expansion joint for pavements and bridge decks. The longitudinal frames are mounted by anchor bolts in the pavement or bridge deck concrete, which pavement or bridge deck has a concrete or asphaltic wear surface. The elastomer seal is fixedly held in the longitudinal frames by elongated tongue and groove means, and the joint space is spanned by at least one shallow, V-shaped elastomer wall which deforms downwardly as the joint width becomes narrower. The longitudinal frames are held in position in steps in the concrete adjacent to the joint by the anchor bolts, which have threaded ends projecting upwardly into an upwardly facing longitudinal channel and the hollow space of a hollow segment of substantially square cross section in the respective longitudinal frames.

Abstract: Compositions containing indole derivatives of the formula ##STR1## are useful in pharmacology.

Abstract: For imprinting characters on a continuous strip of plastics or other material by pressing heated type against a printing ribbon thereon, the strip is fed at constant speed over a platen in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the printing ribbon from payoff reel to takeup reel. The type is mounted on a rotary type carrier over the platen, for revolution in a direction in conformity with the traveling direction of the strip. While the heated type is being pressed against the superposed ribbon and strip over the platen, the ribbon is thereby transported a predetermined distance toward the payoff reel with the strip relative to the platen and, when subsequently released by the type, is pulled back the same distance toward the takeup reel by a spring-energized pullback lever. The ribbon is then wound up onto the takeup reel via a pair of drawoff rollers just by a length corresponding to the width of the character or characters on the typeface.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a soluble fraction of soya proteins which comprises at least partially extracting the proteins present in soya in aqueous medium at a pH value below the isoelectric point of soya proteins to obtain an acid extract of soya proteins, and neutralizing the acid extract in a time of less than about 60 seconds by the addition of alkali in a concentration of higher than about 0.1 N.

Abstract: The alpha alumina part is heated to between 1400.degree. C and 1600.degree. C for 10 to 20 hours in a mass of alkaline carbonate or aluminate. It is then disposed in contact with a blank of the alkaline beta alumina part in a sintering enclosure suitable for establishing an atmosphere which is rich in alkaline metal and in heating this enclosure to between 1600.degree. C and 1700.degree. C for between 30 minutes and 4 hours, so as to sinter the alkaline beta alumina part while effecting the connection thereof to the alpha alumina part. The invention is used in manufacturing sodium-sulphur type electric cells.

Abstract: In a digital angle coder, a revolving disc bears a first series of marks ularly spaced around its axis, capable of being read by two diametrically-opposed fixed heads, and a second series of marks equal in number to the first, regularly spaced around the axis and capable of being read by two diametrically opposed movable heads. Each of the heads includes, for example, a grid reproducing a portion of the series of marks, a photo-emission element and a photo-receiving element. A first auxiliary mark may be read by a fixed auxiliary head and a second auxiliary mark may be read by a movable auxiliary head.

Abstract: A damping system is provided which is a self-adaptive damping system with an energy balance characteristic. The system has a conventional control chain and feedback loop which includes a detection means, an optional corrector, and a controllable damping device. In addition the system further includes an adaptation loop which is at least partly in parallel with the feedback loop and is coupled to and utilizes the information delivered by the detection device. The adaptation loop is coupled to and effects control of the damping device. The adaptation loop includes a comparator, an integrator and two parallel circuits furnishing to the comparator one signal which is a function of the energy of the slow mode of the system to be regulated in the occurrence of the process mode and a second signal which is a function of the product of the energy of the rapid mode and of the relation of the logarithmic decrements of these two modes.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein one of A and B is methyl and the other is hydrogen, the wavy line represents R or S stereochemistry, n is 2-5, and R is hydrogen or lower alkyl having 1-7 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Method for externally connecting a riser pipe, at great depths beneath a body of water, to the B.O.P Stack of a well, said riser pipe and B.O.P Stack carrying registering eccentric tubes.In this process the riser pipe is centered on the B.O.P Stack by resting a bearing surface on the outside of the bottom of the riser pipe on a bearing surface on the outside of the top of the B.O.P. Stack, bringing the eccentric tubes into registration by rotating the riser pipe relative to the B.O.P. Stack and mechanically connecting, seating and locking the riser pipe to the B.O.P Stack, while separating the bearing surface on the bottom of the riser pipe from the bearing surface on the top of the B.O.P Stack and, finally, connecting the eccentric tubes. SPThis is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 668,313, filed Mar. 18, 1976, now abandoned.

Abstract: A calculator adapted to be used with a push button telephone having an array of telephone push buttons for serving both as a calculator and as an enlarger for the push buttons to facilitate the actuation of them, includes a first array of finger discs corresponding to at least some of the telephone push buttons and extending from a cup-shaped housing having an open mouth adapted to fit over the array of telephone push buttons, the first array of finger discs enabling the user to actuate the telephone push buttons. Logic circuits are mounted within the housing for performing mathematical calculations, and a display device mounted on the housing responds to the logic circuits for indicating information concerning the calculations. A first set of switches are mounted on the housing and respond to the finger discs for causing the generation of input information for the logic circuits.

Abstract: 23-Hydroxy-3-oxo-24-norchola-4,17(20)-dien-21-oic acid .gamma.-lactone, intermediates thereto, and antiviral utility thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Rapidly connectable and disconnectable pipe union, comprising a bush on which are fixed one or more pipes provided with a notched flange. It comprises, in addition, a union body on which are fixed one or more pipes. This body comprises an outer threading on which is screwed a nut provided with a toothed rim and a sliding sleeve, connected to the nut by a ring. This nut comprises a toothed rib which meshes behind the notched flange. One application of the present invention is the connection of underwater pipes with one another or onto underwater apparatus by divers or by remotely controlled devices.

Abstract: An oscillator formed of an amplifier with a feedback loop containing two parallel connected crystals in series with a voltage variable capacitance. The two crystals have respective resonance frequencies above and below the limits of a wide band over which the oscillator frequency can be varied by a control voltage. Frequency versus control voltage linearity is improved by inductances inserted in parallel and in series, respectively, with the lower and higher frequency crystals.

Abstract: An improved flexible contact lens is provided having hydrophilic and lipophobic properties which allow extended duration of wear by eliminating or greatly reducing the risk of rupture of the natural tear film produced by the cornea. These properties are achieved by crosslinking a selected water soluble polymer which has been grafted onto a pre-formed substrate, for example crosslinking polyvinyl pyrrolidone which has been previously grafted onto a silicone substrate. The grafting and the crosslinking are accomplished in separate stages.

Abstract: Apparatus for conducting firing adapted to the aiming of a cannon movable bearing and in elevation around a turning axis as a function of aim values given by a firing table corresponding to the cannon and other parameters of firing. The apparatus comprises a telescopic sight with an optical deviator element for displacement of the line of sight, the optical deviator element being mounted on a support coupled in bearing and in elevation with the cannon and being subjected to the action of a cam whose profile is determined by the aim values from the firing table and which is coupled to a motor controlled by a rangefinder device whose transmission and reception beams are connected in bearing and in elevation to the axis of the observation scope of the telescope.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method for treating fungal infections in animals comprising administering to animals in need of antifungal treatment an effective amount of fungal cell lytic enzymes extracted from Coprinus, Lycoperdon, or Bolbitius in conjunction with conventional antimycotic agents such as amphotericin B or Nystatin. The fungal cell lytic enzymes are extracted from Coprinus, Lycoperdon, and Bolbitius by conventional enzyme isolation techniques. These fungal cell lytic enzymes retain their activity in vivo, are relatively non toxic and destroy fungi by degrading fungal cell walls and weakening the fungal cell walls so that conventional antimycotic agents are far more effective. The method of the present invention is particularly useful in treating infections by opportunistic fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans.

Abstract: An adsorbate is removed from a polymeric adsorbent by contacting the adsorbent with a supercritical fluid which is a solvent for the adsorbate. The supercritical fluid containing the dissolved adsorbate is then subjected to a physical treatment which renders the supercritical fluid a nonsolvent for the adsorbate and makes it possible to remove the adsorbate from the supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluid is then subjected to another physical treatment to restore it to a state wherein it is a solvent for the adsorbate so that it may be reused. The process is particularly suitable for adsorbent regeneration in the treatment of wastewaters.