Abstract: The invention provides an improved structure for standing offshore, particularly in arctic environments, and a method for installing this structure. The structure comprises a shield portion which rests on a seabed and primarily resists environmental loads, such as from ice, and a separate support portion which comprises a plurality of piles driven into the seabed to support a deck payload. The method for installing the structure comprises moving a shield portion of the structure to its intended location with piles pre-installed therein, setting the structure on the seabed, driving the piles into the seabed, and then severing any connection between the piles and the shield portion.

Abstract: A dual-chamber composite pressure vessel includes a first enclosure formed of a fiber reinforced resin matrix, having a hollow cylindrical central section, and first and second oblate end sections formed integrally over respective ends of the central section to define a first chamber. Also included is a second enclosure formed of a fiber-reinforced resin matrix, integrally with the first enclosure, and having a second hollow cylindrical section which is joined at one end to and extends from the second end section co-cylindrically with the central section of the first enclosure. The second enclosure also includes a third oblate end section formed integrally over the other end of the second cylindrical section to define a second chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making an aluminum silicon carbide composite material in strip form. The process comprises blending a powdered aluminum matrix material and a powdered silicon carbide material, roll compacting the blended powdered materials in an inert atmosphere to form a green strip having a first thickness, and directly hot working the blended and roll compacted materials to bond the aluminum matrix material particles and the silicon carbide particles and to form a thin strip material having a desired thickness.

Abstract: A support rod assembly for drapery panels in which an elongated horizontal rod is mounted by upper wall brackets on a wall for horizontally supporting an upper portion of a drapery panel and at least one vertical rod is mounted at its upper end on an upper bracket and mounted at its lower end on lower wall bracket for vertically supporting a portion of the drapery panel. The support rod assembly preferably includes front and rear vertical rods that are supported on the upper and lower bracket with the front vertical rod disposed forwardly of the rear vertical rod so that a drapery panel horizontally supported on the horizontal rod can be drawn around the front vertical rod and connected to the rear vertical rod. The wall brackets are preferably adjustable to vary the spacing of the horizontal and vertical rods relative to the wall or other supporting surface. Vertical rods can be provided on only one end of the horizontal rod in some installations and on both ends of the horizontal rod in other installations.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving skin condition through a system whose steps include applying to the skin separately on a plurality of days a first composition that incorporates a C.sub.2 -C.sub.28 .alpha.- or .beta.-hydroxy carboxylic acid in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Once the skin has acclimated to any irritation induced by the first composition, a second composition is applied to the skin daily for a subsequent period of time. The second composition will also include hydroxy carboxylic acid but at a level at least about 10% higher than that employed in the first composition. Once the skin has acclimated to the second composition, subsequent progressive increases of the active hydroxy carboxylic acid can be applied over subsequent periods of time Finally, a maintenance level composition is utilized with the highest level of hydroxy carboxylic acid in the progressive program to minimize potential irritation.

Abstract: Circumferentially spaced bosses concentrically position a male tube end within a female tube end. The bosses have a preferred shape which permits molten brazing material to flow evenly between the tubes, ensuring a void-free joint. The bosses provide a relief clearance at the mouth of the male tube to allow the formation of a continuous annular band of brazing material at this end. Stop tapers on the bosses allow the female tube to be pressed onto the male tube for stability prior to brazing. The bosses also limit the overlap of the two tubes to a maximum distance, ensuring adequate heat conduction to the innermost portion of the male tube. Spacers, integral with the bosses, form an axial gap between the tubes into which the brazing rod more readily melts.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry method in which an improved field comprising two or more trapping fields having substantially identical spatial form is established and at least one parameter of the improved field is changed to excite selected trapped ions sequentially, for example for detection. The improved field can also include a supplemental field of different spatial form. The changing improved field can sequentially eject selected ones of the trapped ions from the improved field for detection (or other purposes). An improved field comprising two quadrupole trapping fields can be established in a region defined by the ring and end electrodes of a three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap, and the amplitude of an RF (and/or DC) component (and/or the frequency of the RF component) of one or both trapping fields can be changed to sequentially excite trapped ions.

Abstract: Substantially non-aqueous liquid cleaning compositions comprising a non-aqueous liquid phase that comprises a polyalkoxylated castor oil derivative and/or polyalkoxylated derivatives of ricinoleic acid (set forth as formula (III)) and/or polyalkoxylated derivatives of analogous fatty alcohols (set forth as formula (IV)).

Abstract: A personal computer (PC) and a programmable controller are used to automatically reposition the turn bars and compensation rollers used in a folder for a web printing press. By providing linear transducers for each of the turn bars and compensation rollers disposed at each level of the folder, analog information as to the actual position of each is provided to the programmable controller. The PC provides digital information to the programmable controller as to the desired position and an error signal is computed for controlling the operation of the drive motors so as to reduce the error signal to zero. When setting up the folder to run a new job, the turn bar settings and compensation roller positions are manually accomplished, but upon command, the settings for that job may be stored in the memory of the PC for use the next time that particular job is to be run.

Abstract: A composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin for reducing, retarding or eliminating hair growth is provided, which comprises:i) an effective amount of an inhibitor of glutamine metabolism in mammalian skin or hair; andii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle for the inhibitor.

Abstract: A detergent composition comprising 1-20 weight percent of a peroxygen or hypohalite bleaching agent, 0.05 to about 10 weight percent cyanuric acid, from 1 to 75 weight percent of a builder; and 0 to 40 weight percent of a surfactant is described. The composition prevents tarnishing of silver and silver plated articles.

Abstract: A holder for a circular cutting knife for slitting sheet metal, comprising a precision ground mounting shaft for attaching the cutting knife, the mounting shaft rotatably retained within a housing by engaging sets of high precision ball bearings. The ball bearings are located within the housing by a set of precision ground bearing spacers and precision ground bearing retainers. The bearings are preloaded in the housing to minimize longitudinal movement of the mounting shaft during operation. Additionally, the housing containing the bearings is tapered on one surface so that the cant of the knife blade can be adjusted by reversing the orientation of the housing.

Abstract: A lighting fixture having a simplified structure is provided with such benefits as a junction box attached either permanently or releasably to the housing, a full reflector for improved optics, and support means for installation in different ceiling structures. The reflector is positionable within the housing, whereby inexact or inaccurate mounting of the housing to the ceiling structure can be corrected by changing the orientation of the reflector. Also provided are novel junction boxes. In various embodiments, the junction box may contain an L-shaped door, to cover an L-shaped opening which allows the interior of the junction box to be inspected from the bottom after installation. Another embodiment of junction box includes side walls flexibly joined to permit installation and removal of the junction box. Preferably, this latter embodiment is installed in a fixture through the bottom opening through which the reflector, socket, bulb, and the like are installed.

Abstract: The invention provides reduced fat spread products which do not contain either preservatives or emulsifiers have acceptable organoleptic properties and to processes of preparing same. These are edible emulsions comprising a dispersion of a 15-60% wt. of a water phase in 40-85% wt. of a continuous fat phase CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the water phase contains less than 0.05% protein, has a D3,3 not more than 2.0 .mu.m and a sigma value for the water drop size distribution of not more than 2.5. In preferred embodiments the spreads are stable in the absence of an emulsifier system but may contain an emulsifier as an anti-spattering agent.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing 1,2-benzisothiazole-1,1-dioxides having structure (1): ##STR1## where R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or aryl radical, the process comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a solution in an anhydrous solvent of a saccharin salt having structure (2): ##STR2## where Z.sup.+ is a metallic cation other than magnesium; and (b) reacting heterogeneously the saccharin salt with an organomagnesium reagent in a relative magnesium to saccharin salt molar ratio of 1:1.

Abstract: A one piece shroud combined with a stack and preferably a pallet. The shroud includes first and second central panels, first and third lateral panels on either side of the first central panel and second and fourth lateral panels on either side of the second central panel.

Abstract: A stable homogeneous liquid detergent composition based on sodium potassium tripolyphosphate, which is either formed in situ or preneutralized, and ortho- or pyrophosphates is described. The composition contains sodium and potassium ions in a K.sup.+ /Na.sup.+ weight ratio of about 0.5 to less than about 1.5, and contains no added alkali silicate.

Abstract: A dental product is provided in a dual-compartment dispenser that includes a first and second composition in respective compartments thereof. The first composition includes a zinc salt while the second composition includes a bicarbonate salt. Preferably the first composition also contains a peroxygen compound or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 carboxylic acid. The zinc salt in combination with the bicarbonate salt achieves an enhanced antitartar effect.