Abstract: A breathable composite sheet material includes a first layer of flash-spun polyethylene plexifilamentary film-fibril sheet and a second layer of a thermoplastic open mesh fabric thermally laminated to the first layer. The composite sheet has an average tensile strength and an average grab tensile strength that are each at least 10% greater than the sum of the tensile and grab strengths of the first and second layers. The average tensile strength of the composite sheet after exposure to 400 mJ/m.sup.2 of ultraviolet light is at least 65% of the tensile strength of the sheet before any substantial exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A composition containing the herbs Plantago major and Piper methysticum is presented. Use of the composition, of the present invention, in a form adapted to be orally ingested produces a diminished desire for tobacco (i.e., nicotine) without the use of nicotine itself and advantageously provides anti-depressive and anti-anxiety effects without sedative or hypnotic effects.

Abstract: A power supply or inverter circuit is provided for regulating power to electroluminescent lamps over a range of lamp sizes. The power supply may have an AC and/or DC input and includes at least one switch having a power input to be coupled to an electrical power source, a control input, and an output to be coupled to an electroluminescent lamp for being switched on and off to generate a drive signal to the lamp having a predetermined constant frequency and current level that is selectable over a range of frequency and current levels. A constant current mode controller has a control output coupled to the control input of the switch for turning the switch on and off so as to maintain a constant current level and frequency of the drive signal to the electroluminescent lamp substantially over its operating life. The voltage applied to the lamp is allowed to increase to a predetermined voltage limiting value in order to provide compensation due to aging of the lamp.

Abstract: A shiftable disk clutch or disk brake having two clutch parts which are rotatable relative to one another about a theoretical axis of rotation. One of the clutch parts has at least one rigid pressure disk which is connected with the clutch part so as to be fixed against movement and rigid. The other clutch part has at least two friction disks which are stiff in the circumferential direction and axially flexible in the manner of a diaphragm and are connected with this other clutch part so as to be fixed with respect to movement and rigid and are arranged on both sides of the pressure disk.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material includes a thin layer or layers of alumina, zirconia, or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5-10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80.degree. C. over a three month period.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polymer thick film conductor compositions comprising conductive metal particles selected from the group consisting of finely divided powders of platinum group metals and mixtures thereof; modified graphite; and a thermoplastic polymer and optionally, graphite and/or a metallized graphite in combination with a surfactant may replace the modified graphite.

Abstract: The present application describes amidinoindoles, amidinoazoles, and analogs thereof of formula I: ##STR1## wherein W, W.sup.1, W.sup.2, and W.sup.3 are selected from CH and N, provided that one of W.sup.1 and W.sup.2 is C(C(.dbd.NH)NH.sub.2) and at most two of W, W.sup.1, W.sup.2, and W.sup.3 are N and one of J.sup.a and J.sup.b is substituted by --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --Z--A--B, which are useful as inhibitors of factor Xa or thrombin.

Abstract: Instead of applying the maximum cooling effect that can be produced, the method and apparatus disclosed applies only a carefully controlled cooling that is adequate to maintain the fluid in the pipe in a frozen condition but which maintains the temperature high enough to prevent damage to the metallurgical structure of the pipe. At the same time, the apparatus creates permanent documentation of the temperatures at selected stations along the pipe throughout the process, thereby providing proof that the pipe sustained no thermal damage.

Abstract: A fastening device for vehicle accessories has a support pad attachable to a windshield of a vehicle, a support base connected with the support pad and connectable with a rearview mirror, and a resilient locking element pressing the support pad and the support base against one another and formed so that during an assembly and a disassembly of the support base and the support pad different stresses are generated such that a stress generated during the assembly of the support base and the support pad is smaller than a stress generated during the disassembly of the support base and the support pad.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and n-alkyl trifluorovinyl ether which further contain either curesite repeat units and/or iodine. Such curesite repeat units, upon exposure to free radicals, may crosslink the copolymers. The iodine is introduced by carrying out free radical polymerization in the presence of an organic iodide chain transfer agent. The polymers according to the invention are especially useful as elastomers and/or as molding resins for articles or parts that may be exposed to a basic environment. The preparation of such polymers by aqueous emulsion polymerization is also disclosed.

Abstract: Tuned optical filters, filter systems, and methods for tuning filters make use of a tilted filter rotated about an oblique axis of a collimating lens or other structure. This rotation varies an angle of incidence of an optical signal directed at the filter at an oblique angle to the axis of rotation. Very fine adjustments of optical filters such as for tuning a first narrow band pass filter to match a center wavelength of another narrow band pass filter, can be provided with small angles between the axis of rotation and a normal to the filter surface, and also between the axis of rotation and the optical path for the incident light. Mechanical adjustment to the filtering frequency is facilitated by making use of a rotational motion about the axis of a GRIN collimating lens.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system for the precision optical coating of substrates and a method of operating the system. The system has a vacuum chamber, a plasma source in the vacuum chamber, a plurality of e-beam evaporation units which generate a vapor of optical coating material in the vacuum chamber, and a plurality of stations, each station holding one substrate and rotating the substrate during deposition of the optical coating material upon the substrate. Each of the stations has an optical monitoring unit which monitors in situ the deposition of the optical coating material upon the corresponding substrate. With the described system, high production rates of precision optical elements, such as narrow bandpass optical filters, can be achieved.

Abstract: An improved process for the polymerization of cyclic ethers to polyethers using strong Bronsted acid catalysts is disclosed. The catalysts are fluorinated sulfonic acid containing polymers. The resulting polyethers are useful as monomers and in adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wax-based composition comprising at least about 0.5-30% water in a water-in-oil emulsion, wherein water is encapsulated in a lamellar lipid vesicle capable of withstanding wax melting point temperatures. The composition is useful in delivering water soluble actives in an anhydrous base, and is particularly well-adapted for uses in lipsticks and lip-care products.

Abstract: A method for determining light scattering efficiency and a method to determine undertone of pigments are described. The methods are based on measuring total transmittance of pigment slurries at a wavelength of at least 600 nm. Transmittance measurements can be used to calculate light scattering efficiencies and undertone which correlate with performance in end-use applications.

Abstract: Inks for ink jet printers contain an aqueous carrier medium; a colorant that is insoluble in the aqueous carrier, a polymer dispersant; and a linear polymer additive selected from the group consisting of an water soluble, elastomeric ABA block polymer comprising an elastomeric B block and non-elastomeric A blocks; anionic polymers selected from neutralized acrylic and methacrylic acid polymers; cationic polymers selected from neutralized or quaternized amine polymers; water-dispersible .beta.-diketone containing polymers and ethylene oxide containing polymers.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing HCFC-133a which includes reacting certain trihaloethene starting materials (e.g., trichloroethene) with HF in the gaseous phase at an elevated temperature in the presence of certain supported metal catalysts containing effective amounts of zinc. A catalyst of metal fluoride on a fluorinated alumina support having an atomic ratio of F to Al of at least 2.7:1 and containing .beta.-aluminum fluoride, is employed.

Abstract: A liquid phase process is disclosed for producing halogenated alkane adducts of the formula: CAR.sup.1 R.sup.2 CBR.sup.3 R.sup.4 (where, A, B, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are defined in the specification) which involves contacting a corresponding halogenated alkane, AB, with a corresponding olefin, CR.sup.1 R.sup.2 .dbd.CR.sup.3 R.sup.4, in the presence of a catalyst system containing (i) at least one catalyst selected from monovalent and divalent copper, and (ii) a promoter selected from aromatic or aliphatic hetercyclic compounds which contain at least one carbon-nitrogen double bond in the heterocyclic ring. When hydrochlorofluorocarbons are formed, hydrofluorocarbons may be formed therefrom by reacting the hydrochlorofluorocarbons with HF.