Abstract: A disposable plug for installation in a cylindrical water line to temporarily block the water line to the passage of water therethrough. The disposable plug includes a cylindrically shaped tablet having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the water line so that when installed within the water line, water is prevented from passing the disposable plug. The cylindrically shaped tablet is characterized as being at least partially dissolvable when contacted with water. A water impermeable membrane surrounds at least a portion of the cylindrically shaped tablet to selectively prevent water from contacting it as long as the disposable plug acts to temporarily block the water line. The water impermeable membrane can be selectively disrupted allowing water to contact the cylindrically shaped tablet to selectively remove the disposable plug when no longer needed.

Abstract: Disclosed are ionomers comprising functionalized polyolefins having fluoroalkyl sulfonate pendant groups and ionically conductive compositions formed therefrom by the addition of solvents.

Abstract: Method for performing fixing inside a container for optical connection components, comprising the step of manufacturing a protective packaging from elastomeric material encapsulating at least one optical connection component, inserting said packaging containing said at least one component inside said container, and closing the container itself.

Abstract: A brush including a moulded handle and a support structure formed of a rigid thermoplastic material, the support structure including first and second keying structures provided on opposite sides thereof, the first keying structure having provided thereon a first cleaning element, the second cleaning elements extending in different directions away from the respective keying structures in substantially the same or parallel planes and wherein the first and second keying structures are elongate, having front and rear ends, the front ends being joined together to form an acute angle therebetween and the handle lies in a line which generally bisects the acute angle. There is also provided a combination brush and dustpan, the brush being constructed as described above, the dustpan including a recess which is dimensioned to allow the handle of the brush to be snap fitted into the recess to hold the brush in position.

Abstract: A mechanical screen employs at least one filter chamber which includes a chassis in the form of a frame and a filter panel disposed transversely in the opening of the chassis and appropriately attached to it. Clipping elements between the filter panel and the chassis are used to attach the filter panel to the chassis. The filter panel, the uprights of the chassis and its longitudinal members are preferably made from materials inert to corrosion. Applications include chain filters.

Abstract: A composite photosensitive element, adapted for storage in roll form without the use of a coversheet, and a method for making the same is provided. The photosensitive element has utility for the application of imagable photosensitive layers often used as acid resists and dielectrics. The photosensitive element comprises a base support having a backside and a coating side. The coating side has, in order, (1) a first photosensitive layer and (2) a non-tacky outer layer. The slip force between the backside of the base support and (2) the non-tacky outer layer is less than a predetermined quantity. This permits entrained air to escape when the photosensitive element is wound in roll form and maintains the integrity of the thickness of (l) the first photosensitive layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for lining up micro-balls in accordance with the present invention includes: ball carrying pallets having a plurality of pits for holding the micro-balls, respectively, on its surface, a pallet holder for holding the ball carrying pallets, a lining-up container defining a sealed chamber in association with the pallet holder hermetically fitted thereto, a storing tank for storing liquid carrier in which micro-balls are dispersed, and applying/collecting device for communicating the storing tank with the lining-up container via a passage to supply the micro-balls together with the liquid carrier from the storing tank to the sealed chamber and return the surplus micro-balls together with the liquid carrier from the sealed chamber to the storing tank.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an expandable stent which is relatively flexible along its longitudinal axis to facilitate delivery through tortuous body lumens, but which is stiff and stable enough radially in an expanded condition to maintain the patency of a body lumen such as an artery when implanted therein. The struts of the present invention have a specific trapezoidal, triangular or a reduced radii configuration projecting radially outward that functions to reduce the forces necessary to penetrate the vessel wall thereby minimizing trauma or damage imparted to the wall during deployment. In addition, this design feature of the present invention helps secure the expanded stent so that it does not move once it is implanted and furthermore, minimizes projections into the blood stream.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a chirped optical fibre grating so that the grating has a predetermined desired wavelength-dependent response across an operational bandwidth comprises apodising the grating so that a degree of apodisation at a longitudinal position along the grating corresponds to the desired response at the optical wavelength reflected at that longitudinal position along the grating.

Abstract: Melt fabricable compositions of at least 50 wt % polytetrafluoroethylene are provided, wherein the composition contains polyaryletherketone and optionally part of the polytetrafluoroethylene is PTFE micropowder.

Abstract: Selected partially fluorinated olefins containing terminal unfluorinated vinyl groups, and optionally containing other functional groups, may be copolymerized with other olefins such as ethylene and/or propylene using metallocene or Ziegler-Natta type polymerization catalyst systems. The resulting polymers may be used as molding resins, elastomers, for films and in coatings.

Abstract: An electronic phone book dialing system is combined with a vehicle-installed hand-free system of a cellular phone. In particular, the dialing system can automatically dial out phone numbers including an extension number stored in an electronic memory unit. A person can make use of simple code names, personal names or phonetic sounds as indexes for locating telephone numbers stored in an electronic memory unit. Thereby, a person can make a hand-free system to automatically dial out a selected phone number with an extension in response to a person's simple selection of a representing code name, personal name or phonetic sound. It can thus facilitate a person to dial a phone number in driving.

Abstract: Method of determining the axis of polarization of polarization-maintaining fibers, comprising: a) sending a polarized optical signal along a polarization fiber; b) emitting the polarized optical signal from one end of the fiber; c) inserting a polarizer between the fiber and an optical power; d) rotating the polarizer, and e) rotating the optical fiber.

Abstract: The window covering cord safety assembly includes at least one window covering control cord bearing an eyelet on its free end, preferably about 4 such cords with eyelets, and a safety device connected to the free end of the control cords through the eyelets and adapted to release all but one of the cords at a predetermined pull pressure. The device includes a closed housing having an upper end having control cord openings, an opposite lower end, interconnecting sidewalls and a generally central space. The upper portion of the space has a larger diameter than the lower portion of the space. A retainer is slideably received in the space for movement between the lower portion and upper portion of the space. The lower portion of the retainer is preferably inverted conical. The retainer has spaced pockets in which the eyelets are received and trapped when the retainer is in the lower portion of the space, but are released when the retainer is in the upper portion of that space.

Abstract: The invention concerns a new pharmaceutical agent for oral or topical administration in the treatment of protozoal diseases, in particular of leishmaniasis, which contains as the active substance one or several compounds having the general formula I 1

Abstract: Disclosed are binary azeotrope-like compositions, and uses thereof, of fluoroethane (HFC-161), with hydrofluorocarbons, such as, 2-fluoropropane (HFC-281ea), and 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a), or hydrocarbons, or dimethyl ether.

Abstract: Dispersions containing a liquid vehicle (which can be aqueous, semi-aqueous or non-aqueous), organic or inorganic particles (or mixtures) that are insoluble in the liquid vehicle and a polymeric dispersant, preferably a structured polymeric dispersant, having one or more segments soluble in the liquid vehicle and one or more segments insoluble in the liquid vehicle, have improved stability when the insoluble segment(s) contains cross-linking groups which are cross-linked to itself or a cross-linking compound such as a polyfunctional monomer, oligomer or polymer to form an encapsulation network that entraps the particles which are particularly useful for paints or inks in coating and printing applications.

Abstract: Tube with special scale intended for tests which analyze somatic cell count in milk, comprising a tube-shaped reservoir 130 mm high and 12.1 mm in diameter (inside)×140 mm (height) (1), closed at its bottom (2) and completely open at its top (3), with a 3-mm hole at a height of 78 mm (4), and having a quickly adjustable and hermetically sealing lid or stopper (8), having a central hole with diameter of 1.09 to 1.

Abstract: An optical apparatus, especially a scanning microscope (1), wherein an expanded laser beam (2) is divided into several partial beams (4) by micro lenses (5) arranged next to one another. Each partial beam (4) is focused onto a focal point (11) by a common objective lens (7) to optically excite a sample (8). Fluorescent light emanating from the individual focal points (11) of the sample (8) is registered by a photo sensor (13) arranged behind the objective lens (7) as seen from the sample (8). Each photon of the fluorescent light coming from the sample (8) and being registered by the photo sensor (13) is excited by at least two photons of the laser beam (2).

Abstract: An improved polyamide resin composition for weldable molded articles which comprises: (a) 99.9-30% by weight of a polyamide-containing compound; (b) 0.1-20% by weight of a plasticizing compound selected from the group consisting of esters of low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) having the formula (I) R—COO—(CH2CH2O)n—OC—R  (I) wherein R is a branched or straight chain alkyl group having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, and n is 2 to 20; or a long chain alkyl polyester of formula (II) HOOC—R—CO—(O—R′—O—CO—R—CO)n—O—R′—OH  (II) wherein R is alkyl of 16 to 45 carbon atoms, R′ is alkyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or, wherein R is an alkyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, R′ is an alkyl of 16 to 45 carbon atoms, and n is 2 to 50.