Abstract: A catalytic converter device for cleansing exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The catalytic converter device includes an elongated body having a longitudinal axis. An inlet area is located at one end of the elongated body, wherein the exhaust gas enters the elongated body in the inlet area. A sleeve extends from the inlet area. The sleeve has a catalytic material formed thereon. The sleeve has an active surface for reacting with the exhaust gas, wherein the size of the active surface increases as a distance from the inlet area increases. The sleeve includes a plurality of openings formed therein and at least one depression.

Abstract: A lock which can be used for doors which are fitted on the right or left. The lock includes a nut which can be adjusted from the outside by an actuating element and which is disposed in a housing. The lock enables a bolt to be displaced between a closed position, when it is pushed out from the housing, and an open position, when it is pushed into the housing, by an adjusting element. According to this invention, the bolt is maintained in a closed position, counter to the pretension of a spring, in order to enable the type of lock, which can be optionally used on the left or on the right, to be produced without any additional costs. The nut can be adjusted from the pushed out bolt or the closed position, optionally, in a clockwise direction or in an counter-clockwise direction, in order to move the bolt into an open position.

Abstract: A coextrusion adapter for an extrusion installation with extruders and a tool for producing a composite coextrusion structure of thermoplastic material. The coextrusion adapter has a central conduit with an end at an inlet side for connecting an extruder and an end at an outlet side for connecting the tool. The coextrusion adapter has at least one coextrusion conduit with an inlet end and an outlet end. A second extruder can be connected to the inlet end. At an end facing the outlet end the adjusting elements have a wedge-shape adjusting section with one wedge surface facing the central conduit and another wedge surface facing the outlet end of the coextrusion conduit. The adjusting section of the adjusting elements is pivotal around an axis extending over the width of the outlet end by the actuating drives. When an increase of the inside diameter of the respective transverse section of the outlet end occurs the corresponding transverse section of the central conduit is narrowed, and vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for an internal combustion engine, particularly of a motor vehicle, with a housing, which is assembled from at least two housing portions, telescopically inserted one into another in the throughflow direction of the housing, which is assembled from two housing portions telescopically inserted one into the other. A first monolith is mounted in a first housing portion, and a second monolith is mounted in a second housing portion. In an insertion region, an outer end section of the second housing portion and an inner end section of the first housing portion inserted into the outer end section mutually overlap. A transition zone, in which the monoliths, are spaced apart from one another in the throughflow direction, is formed within the insertion region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contacting unit for a card-type carrier element in electronic component groups with a housing, the contact unit including a bonding pad on one end face, a slot-like slide-in port that joins on the end face opposite the bonding pad, into which the card-type carrier element, especially a chip card in accordance with ISO 7816, can be inserted, and a printed circuit board, arranged in the housing parallel to the slide-in port and electrically connected to the bonding pad, wherein said printed circuit board is equipped on one surface with contact elements for contacting the card-type carrier element, characterized in that said unit is designed in accordance with the PCMCIA Express Card Standard.

Abstract: A device for mixing and dispensing multi-component compositions employs a cap. The cap acts as a closure initially to close the outlet openings of the components and can be moved into the open position by pressure of the components while they are being discharged, so that the components can be mixed by the mixing helix and emerge from the outlet tube. The device also includes a distribution structure that may be a fitted onto or an integral part of the outlet tube.

Abstract: A forearm walking crutch includes an upper part mounted on a stick. The upper part carries a forearm sleeve and includes a grip. The sleeve is adapted to embrace the forearm of a user by more than 270° and is pivotably attached to the upper part. The upper part includes an upper piece and a lower piece, with the upper piece being adjustable relative to a lower piece. A device is provided to fix the upper and lower pieces against relative movement. The sleeve is pivotal between a first position which covers the device and a second position which exposes the device.

Abstract: A microbiological energy source for driving an electrical or mechanical consumer is disclosed, wherein at least one filling body having a piezoelectric or similar effect is received in a bioreactor. This bioreactor encloses waste water flowing through it, and contains a mixture of micro-organisms that form a positive pole and a negative pole of the energy source as a result of the microbiological decomposition of organic matter contained in the waste water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing ketocarotenoids by cultivation of genetically modified organisms which, compared with the wild type, have a modified ketolase activity, to the genetically modified organisms, and to the use thereof as human and animal foods and for producing ketocarotenoid extracts.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of halocarbons in a mixture containing water and at least one of an alkyl or alkenyl glycoside carboxylic acid. The amount of halocarbon is reduced by heating the mixture at a temperature of 50° C. to 120° C. at a pH of from 10-14. The amount of organomonochloro compounds can be reduced to a range of 5 ppm or less and the amount of organodichloro compounds can be reduced to a range of 30 ppm.

Abstract: A motor vehicle lock with a blocking element (2), with a electrical opening drive (3) for the blocking element (2), with control electronics (8) in the motor vehicle lock or separately from it in the motor vehicle, by which individual functions of the motor vehicle lock can be electrically triggered, and a lock mechanism by which individual functions can also be mechanically triggered. The opening drive (3) has a drive element (6) which can be driven in two opposing directions of motion, movement of the drive element in the first direction of motion releases or open the blocking element (2) and movement in the second direction of motion turns on (or off) the second function of the motor vehicle lock. The lock has an especially simple structure since turning off the second function takes place without moving the opening drive (3) in the second direction of motion exclusively by electrical control.

Abstract: A solenoid valve, particularly for hot water, has a diaphragm that is disposed with no folds that accumulate air or vapor bubbles. The diaphragm extends in a smooth curve between its outer edge and its inner edge so that the bubbles are directed to the level where the mouth of the inlet conduit enters the valve chamber. Preferably the center axis of the valve chamber and a solenoid system is tipped back to form an obtuse angle with the center axis of the inlet conduit. In addition, the inlet conduit has a portion of the upper inside wall that slopes upwardly in the direction away form the valve chamber and toward the inlet. In this portion, a discharge channel, such as a groove, extends in the direction from the valve chamber to the inlet. The discharge channel helps direct accumulated air and vapor bubbles from the valve chamber out toward the inlet.

Abstract: A longitudinal guide rail for a motor vehicle seat. The rail includes two elongated guide rails that engage with one another and are displaceable in relation to one another in the longitudinal direction of the rails, a retaining bracket for a seatbelt buckle, which is fastened to one of the two guide rails, a slot that is provided in one of the guide rails, through which a fixing section of the retaining bracket is guided into a space enclosed by the two guide rails and a fixing point, at which the fixing section of the retaining bracket is connected to one of the guide rails. The fixing section when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the rails, extends beyond the slot and the fixing point, also viewed from the longitudinal direction of the rails, is located at a distance from the slot.

Abstract: A door positioner for holding open a side door of a vehicle body, in particular during a surface treatment of the vehicle body, includes a U-shaped bracket with a first limb, a second limb and a connecting element connecting the two limbs. The two limbs are deflectable elastically against one another in a shear plane. Arranged at the free end of the first limb is a fastening piece for the detachable fastening of the door positioner on an inner surface of the side door. Provided at the free end of the second limb is an actuating part for deflecting the second limb relative to the first limb. Located on the second limb between the connecting element and the actuating part is a fixing means for spring locking of the door positioner on a door spar of the vehicle body.

Abstract: An expression vector for eukaryotic cells comprising a gene which codes for a protein of interest, functionally linked to a hamster-ubiquitin/S27a-promoter and a gene which codes for a fluorescent protein. Preferably the expression vector also contains an amplifiable selectable marker gene. The invention also describes host cells, preferably mammalian cells, which have been transfected with the expression vector, processes for producing heterologous gene products and a method of selecting high-producing cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified wheat flour containing sodium metaphosphate Nan[PnO3n] for increasing the suspension stability of the flour. According to the invention, said modified wheat flour can be used as a substitute for starch in paper production.

Abstract: A method for determining an exact centre of a coin introduced into a coin acceptor unit, the method comprising: determining a probable centre of the coin by means of a sensor arrangement; recording an image of the coin to be examined; and developing an edge region of the coin around the probable centre and beyond a probable edge thereof using the image of the coin, the edge region of the coin being imaged as an at least approximately sinusoidal line upon displacement of the probable centre to the exact centre, and the exact centre being determined from analysis of the at least approximately sinusoidal line using an amplitude and phase angle of a chosen starting point.