Abstract: In a proportioner for proportioning a fluid flow (&phgr;) from an input side of a first proportioning element (10) to an output side of a second proportioning element (10), the first and second proportioning elements comprise a membrane (12) provided with at least one opening (16) acting as a flow resistor for a medium to be proportioned, and a pressure sensor (14) integrated in the membrane (12) and used for detecting a pressure difference between the input side and the output side of the proportioning element (10). The proportioner comprises a pressure transducer for input-side application of a pressure to the medium to be proportioned. The first and the second proportioning element (10) are arranged in succession so as to permit, on the basis of the pressure drop across the membranes (12) of the two proportioning elements (10), the detection of clogging or blocking of the respective flow resistor provided in these membranes (12).

Abstract: A cam slide retainer for injection molds includes a hardened wear plate with an elongated latch groove, mounted in a corresponding recess formed in the lower surface of the cam slide. The wear plate is aligned in the direction of travel of the cam slide and has a length that is no less than the length of stroke of the slide. A conventional spring-loaded plunger mounted adjacent the wear plate remains in contact with the wear plate throughout the stroke of the slide, so that the slide itself is not subject to wear from contact with the plunger.

Abstract: Novel addressing schemes for controlling electronically addressable displays include a scheme for rear-addressing displays, which allows for in-plane switching of the display material. Other schemes include a rear-addressing scheme which uses a retroreflecting surface to enable greater viewing angle and contrast. Another scheme includes an electrode structure that facilitates manufacture and control of a color display. Another electrode structure facilitates addressing a display using an electrostatic stylus. Methods of using the disclosed electrode structures are also disclosed. Another scheme includes devices combining display materials with silicon transistor addressing structures.

Abstract: A cutting knife for a cutting tool for cutting through adhesive beads on glass panes of vehicles is disclosed having a cross section that is bent into a U-shape and comprises a first limb, configured as an attachment part, with a receiving opening for attachment to an oscillating drive, and a second limb that is configured as a cutting part and is joined via an intermediate part to the attachment part of the cutting knife. The intermediate part and the cutting part being shaped such that a distance exists in a radial direction between a center point of the receiving opening and at least one cutting edge. The cutting part has, in a middle region between its outer free end and its angled transition to the intermediate part, a width that is greater than the width at the transition.

Abstract: A first process involves the partial electrodialysis of a dialkali metal salt of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid or a dicarboxylic acid to produce the approximate monoalkali metal salt and the alkali metal hydroxide. The monoalkali metal salt is then treated with an acid such as a bisulfate to recover the aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid. The resulting inorganic salt such as sodium sulfate may then be electrolyzed to sodium bisulfate and NaOH. A second process involves the electrodialysis at elevated temperatures of a (di)alkali metal salt of p-hydroxybenzoic acid produce free p-hydroxybenzoic acid and the alkali metal hydroxide. These are efficient and economical methods for recovering the acid and alkali metal hydroxide values, as well as the parent organic compound, from these dialkali metal salts.

Abstract: Electrophoretic displays include a light-emitting layer, a photoconductive layer, and an electrophoretic layer. The light-emitting layer may be an organic, light-emitting material, or organic, light-emitting diode, which is addressable using a multiplex addressing drive scheme. The impedance of the photoconductive layer is lowered when struck by light from the light-emitting layer. As a result of the lowered impedance of the photoconductive layer, the electrophoretic layer, which itself cannot be multiplexed, is addressed at a lower, subthreshold voltage.

Abstract: A holder for a roll of disposable towels has a base and an upstanding member extending upwardly from the base to be inserted into the hollow core of a roll of disposable towels or the like. A suction cup is held to the underside of the base for holding the base securely to a surface such as a counter top upon removal of the towels from the roll. The suction cup has upstanding portions engaging the underside of the base to enable the suction cup to be depressed by movement of the holder downwardly. In preferred form, the base has an opening for receiving a tab connected to the suction cup for releasing the suction cup from the surface.

Abstract: Segmented, melt-processible, semicrystalline copolyimides are disclosed herein. These polymers are comprised of an amorphous or semicrystalline A segment (soft segment) and a semicrystalline B segment (hard segment), wherein the level of semicrystallinity in the A segment is less than that in the B segment. These copolyimides are semicrystalline and exhibit melting points in the range from about 330-395° C. In preferred embodiments, these copolyimides are end-capped and are crystallizable from their melts (i.e., they exhibit recoverable semicrystallinity). These copolyimides either inherently have suitably low melt visocosities to be melt-processible or can be made to have suitably low melt viscosities to be melt-processible by addition of certain additives. Tailoring of the melting points and glass transition temperatures of these copolyimides can be effected by changing their molecular architecture.

Abstract: The invention features a superconducting conductor for use in a preselected fluid cryogen including a composite ceramic superconducting wire having an outer surface along its length; and a sealing structure hermetically surrounding the outer surface to prevent the cryogen from infiltrating into the wire and degrading its superconducting properties, even under pressurized conditions. The superconducting conductor can be used in superconducting cabling and coil applications. The sealing structure can be formed by laminating metallic tapes to the wire, encircling at least one metallic sheet around the outer surface of the wire, welding a plurality of metallic sheets to one another to encircle the outer surface of the wire, or forming a polymer coating completely covering the outer surface of the wire.

Abstract: Titanium oxide particles are prepared from the reaction of an aqueous basic solution with (1) an aqueous acidic titanium salt solution, or (2) an aqueous salt solution of a titanium salt and an aqueous salt solution of a dopant metal salt. In preferred embodiments, the particles may range in size from 0.1 to 10 microns (10-6 meters), and possess relatively high bulk density combined with high surface area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing thin film transistor structures useful in controlling electronic displays. Thin film transistors are fabricated using all-additive methods including printing techniques, soft lithography and material deposition methods. The thin film transistors can be deposited with the gate on the bottom or on the top of the structure. The deposition methods include the possibility of isolating nearly completely the transistor structure from the electronic display devices, so as to minimize or eliminate deleterious interactions therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nail grinder which enables a more clean nail grinding work by preventing grinding efficiency from being reduced and preventing nail powders from being scattered in such a manner that ground nail powders are prevented from being stacked on the surface of an abrasive cloth by wiping nail powders generated in grinding nails right away in its grinding process by arranging abrasive clothes having a different roughness surface to thus gradually perform a nail grinding work and attaching a fabric paper having adsorptivity at one side of a base.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for facilitating bill payment. In particular, the present invention provides for electronically facilitated transactions of money between buyers and businesses over a communications network such as the Interne, while providing a convenient and secure way to conduct these types of person-to-person transactions.

Abstract: Blends of theremotropic liquid crystalline polymers and unfunctionalized poly(phenylene oxides) and a non-conductive filler, in which the dispersed phase domain size preferably is relatively small and present in discrete particles. These blends have excellent comparative tracking index and can be used as molded articles in electronics or electrical applications.

Abstract: A machine tool includes a spindle-headstock structure with a horizontal axis which is displaceable along three mutually orthogonal axes. The headstock structure is mounted so that it slides along an axis Z parallel to the axis of the spindle on a slide. The slide is mounted so that it slides according to a horizontal direction X orthogonal to the axis of the spindle beneath a cross member. The cross member moves vertically between the two uprights of a fixed portal frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a histidine biosynthetic enzyme, imidazoleglycerol-phosphate dehydratase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the histidine biosynthetic enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the histidine biosynthetic enzyme in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Brush filaments having an outer surface which, distal from the filaments' free ends, exhibits sudden directional changes which in use can effect a cleaning action additional to that due to the free ends of the filaments is disclosed.

Abstract: Improved aqueous powder coat dispersion, comprising (a) a powder coating dispersed in (b) an aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase contains a silica compound selected from the group consisting of (i) 0.2 to 2% by weight, based on the weight of the powder coating, of finely divided silicic acid with large BET-surface; (ii) 0.1 to 1.5% by weight, based on the weight of the powder coating, of layered silicates; and (iii) combinations thereof, exhibit improved sedimentation properties and provide coatings with improved sag characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a plant tryptophan synthase beta subunit. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a substantial portion of the plant tryptophan synthase beta subunit, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the plant tryptophan synthase beta subunit in a transformed host cell.