Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for removing particles from a nonconductive liquid, including: first sensing apparatus to sense a first net electrostatic charge on the particles in the liquid and to provide a first output signal indicative of the first net electrostatic charge; control and power apparatus to receive the first output signal; charging apparatus connected to the control and power apparatus to provide positive and negative electrostatic charging potentials to the particles; mixing apparatus connected to the charging apparatus to receive the liquid therefrom and to permit oppositely charged and noncharged ones of the particles to flocculate; and separating apparatus to remove flocculated particles from the liquid.

Abstract: A speculum includes manually operated scissor arms with keyed shafts at the ends of each arm adapted to receive speculum jaw or blade members supported on the shaft in a desired, adjustable orientation. The speculum blades include a self-contained fiber optic light source. An optional sleeve with shape memory characteristics may be used in combination with the speculum jaw members.

Abstract: A connecting fitting for releasably connecting two platelike furniture members includes two connecting members which are adapted to be secured to respective of the furniture members. A first connecting member is in the form of a casing with a cylindrical shell in which is positioned a spring loaded rotary wedge. The casing has an opening in its cylindrical shell through which the head of the pin-like connecting member is insertable into the casing. The rotary wedge releasably engages the underside of the head of the pin-like connecting member when in the inserted position. A tightening element is provided in the casing and is acted upon by a spring whereby rotation of the tightening element will result in rotation of the rotary wedge and vice versa.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removing the layer of abdominal fat or leaf fat from a slaughtered animal or a part thereof, for instance a pig, of which the abdominal cavity has been opened beforehand, which device has a gripping element for gripping the layer of abdominal fat or leaf fat in addition to a pulling element for pulling loose the layer from the abdominal wall, which gripping element includes at least one suction aperture.In preference the pulling element includes a rotatably drivable winding mandrel which in provided with the at least one suction aperture, which winding mandrel is guided for winding up during rotary driving the layer of abdominal fat or leaf fat gripped by the suction aperture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method by which expression cDNA clone banks are screened by means of IgE antibodies derived from the sera of allergic individuals, or by means of monoclonal or polyconal antibodies. This type of screening is used for the detection of polynucleotides whose open-reading frames code for allergenically active proteins. These proteins are characterized in that their biological activity as allergens is equal to that of plant allergens occurring in nature.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a composite work from a single two-dimensional work having an image thereon. A flat backing member is provided having generally the same shape and size as the two-dimensional work. The work and the backing member are bonded together to form a work piece. The work piece is cut to define a geometrically shaped center section and a separate perimeter section, thereby breaking the image of the two-dimensional work regardless of individual sculptural components of the work so that each of the sections displays the respective portion of the broken image. The center section and border section are then assembled such that the continuity of the image formed by the sections is broken.

Abstract: Present invention provides a new class of polymeric materials having utility in the formation of self assembled polymer layers on a pretreated metallic substrate. The polymeric materials are copolymers and terpolymers of styrene and styrenic derivatives containing a reactive group selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, thiol acetoxy, thioacetoxy, thiocyanate, thiolmethyl, thioacetoxymethyl, carboxy, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A sensor device intended to be implemented at the vicinity or inside a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus, and more particularly on a patient inside the canal of the magnet of a magnetic resonance imager (MRI). The device includes at least two non-metal electrodes intended to be applied to the skin of a patient, and an electro-optical conversion, amplification and filtering module for the electric signals received from the heart by the electrodes. The module is arranged in a shielded casing forming a Faraday cage, and optically connected to a display and/or monitoring apparatus. A support body made of non-magnetic material carries the electrode and the shielded casing containing the module.

Abstract: A method of administration of vitamin C to ensure that a continuously-saturated level is produced in the body of a taker. A dose of about 500 mg taken approximately every 12 hours produces a continuously-detectable level of vitamin C in the urine of an average healthy person, which corresponds to a sufficiently high pool of ascorbic acid in the body to provide anti-oxidant protection. The minimum dosage and regimen found to be effective are respectively substantially higher than the U.S. recommended daily allowance and more frequent than administration rates previously used in clinical trials. Also claimed are kits that permit individuals to monitor for elevated urinary excretion of useful substances which are water soluble, excreted in urine, and non-toxic at physiologically beneficial levels, such that optimal dosages and regimens can be determined.

Abstract: Micro-mechanical flappers for use as an electronic display technology and methods related to the fabrication thereof are disclosed. These methods are consistent with standard silicon based semiconductor processing used to make integrated circuits. One embodiment shows how cross-talk or flapper-to-flapper interference is minimized using a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) to compensate for this undesirable effect. Also disclosed is the construction of a micro-mechanical flapper that uses a combination of two springs, viz. a leaf spring and a torsion spring, to reduce maximum bending stress and to lower operating voltage. Also, the spring construction is made such that axial stability is improved over a single leaf spring approach and a light shield is integrated onto the flapper assembly so that the overhead stationary electrode is simply a supporting glass plate with a transparent conducting layer over its surface.

Abstract: A base station for interconnecting via a wireless full duplex communication path, a plurality of stationary intercom unit stations with at least one portable transceiver unit. A page channel interface arrangement coupled to the stationary units and the base station interconnects the stationary units and the portable units with a common paging arrangement to enable all the users of the system to be alerted about messages to be transmitted.

Abstract: A method for producing leak-proof sites of entry for domestic connection pipes and other feed pipes into sewers. The method includes the steps of widening the site of entry of the feed pipe into the sewer, providing a barrier towards the interior of the sewer at the site of entry, providing a barrier within the feed pipe at a predetermined distance from the site of entry, introducing an expanding solidifying sealing mass into the space between the barriers so as to fill the space and any openings, fissures, or cracks found therein, clearing a path of flow from the feed pipe through the sealing mass and into the sewer, and optionally lining the flow path with a solidifying, insoluble, corrosion-resistant and non-ageing material.

Abstract: A poultry feeder system is described having a driven auger mounted in a distribution pipe. A plurality of poultry feeders depend from the distribution pipe and are supplied with poultry feed via the distribution pipe. To vary the flow of the poultry feed from the auger pipe to the feed pans of the poultry feeders, a flow variation device or insert is provided to control the flow of poultry feed through a poultry feeder tube of one or more feeders. The flow variation device comprises an elongate body connected to an engagement device to engage the flow variation device within the feeder tube. In one aspect, the elongate body is adapted to have a first diameter at one end and a second diameter at the other end, where the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. Preferably, the device has a conical shape. Alternatively, the engagement device comprises an annular ring at one end and the elongate body is substantially cylindrical.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a precision optical distance measuring device which can be used to determine both external and internal target geometries. The beam from a frequency modulated laser diode is split into reference and target beams. A closed loop control system modulates the amplitude of the reference beam to maintain a balance between the power in the target return beam and the reference beam. This enables the sensor to operate with targets of widely varying reflectivity and across a broad range of angles of incidence of the target beam to the target. The reference and target return beams interfere at a detector producing a beat wave. The beat frequency is linearly related to the distance of the target from the sensor. The frequency of the beat wave is determined to high precision, thus giving the position to high precision.

Abstract: The invention is a solid catalyst having acid strength H.sub.o less than -18. Such catalysts are characterized by the ability to react with very weak bases, such as butane, at relatively low temperatures, for example temperatures in the range from 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. The catalysts have exceptionally high activity for various hydrocarbon conversion processes, for example, because of their exceptionally high acid strength.

Abstract: According to the invention a firing mechanism is provided for use in semi-automatic guns of the type which use compressed gas to fire projectiles from a gun barrel. The mechanism has an inlet valve to receive the gas and an automatic outlet valve connected pneumatically to the inlet valve. A compound valve element is biased to move longitudinally from a first position where it is ready for firing to a second position. When the mechanism is actuated the valve element moves to the second position and gas flows from the inlet valve into a gas chamber in the outlet valve. When the gas reaches a selected pressure the valve element is driven back towards the first position before the gas is free to fire a projectile. This ensures that sufficient force is available to recock the gun and that the gas pressure available to drive the projectile is generally constant thereby controlling the muzzle velocity of the projectile.

Abstract: A process for making a layered and puffed pastry is disclosed. The process includes the steps of producing a dough by mixing a raw material with water, wherein the raw material does not contain a wheat flour, shaping the dough into a plurality of layers to obtain a layered dough; baking the layered dough in a thermal cycle oven; and drying the baked layered dough with microwaves, radio waves or infrared rays to obtain the layered and puffed pastry.

Abstract: A machine for continuously laying a track comprised of two rails fastened to ties includes a machine frame having a first carrier frame and a second carrier frame which are supported successively in longitudinal direction of the machine frame on undercarriages for mobility on the track in an operating direction. A joint so detachably connects the first and second carrier frames to one another that the second carrier frame is positioned above the first carrier frame in an area of the joint and movable relative thereto in longitudinal direction of the machine frame. The first carrier frame is provided with a railway track for mobility of a tie transport device that continuously transports ties in longitudinal direction of the machine frame and includes a mobile crane. The second carrier frame is provided in the area of the joint with an auxiliary vertically adjustable undercarriage for mobility on the railway track of the first carrier frame.

Abstract: A connection for connecting structural elements (6, 7) in a butt joint, comprised of rigid connecting elements (B1) having a substantially rectangular cross-section of a predetermined thickness (d), wherein a first connection half formed of the connecting elements (B1) is fastened to the surface of a first structural element (6) to be connected, and a second connection half formed of the connecting elements (B1) is fastened to the surface, or preferably in a recess, of a second structural element (7) to be connected. The connecting elements (B1) each have an offset connecting tab (1) with an offset (V) corresponding to the thickness (d) of a connecting element (B1) ensuring that the connecting tabs (1) engage one below the other without clearance and under positive locking.