Abstract: A method is revealed for the quantitative determination of the proportion of the free form of a thyroid hormone ligand in a sample of a biological fluid in which the ligand is present partly in the free form and also partly in a form in which it is bound to physiological binding proteins. In the first step, a ligand derivative of the thyroid hormone with an immunoglobulin, a labelled specific binder, and a test tube whose walls are coated with an excess of a protein material are provided. In the second step, a sample of the biological fluid containing an unknown amount of the free thyroid hormone ligand, a solution containing a known amount of the ligand derivative, and a solution containing a known, less than stoichiometric amount of the labelled specific binder are added to the test tube to form a liquid reaction mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the treatment of hair. Treating compositions comprising cysteine and/or another active shaping compound, cysteamine and a non-reducing disaccharide are disclosed. The methods of the present invention comprise application of the composition to the hair for permanently altering the natural shape of the hair.

Abstract: A bottle for spraying or dispensing liquids comprising a principal chamber, a siphon tube extending alongside the chamber and a separate trigger bulb connected to the top of the siphon tube. The siphon tube is also pinch molded so that a valve seat is formed therein. When the trigger bulb is decompressed, the liquid that is drawn up into the siphon tube cascades over into the trigger bulb. When the trigger bulb is fully primed, any pressure subsequently applied to the trigger bulb will cause the liquid to be sprayed out of the bottle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for early detection, detection of the severity as well as for a treatment-accompanying assessment of the course of a sepsis as well as means for carrying out said method. According to the invention, the content of the peptide procalcitonin and/or of a partial peptide formed therefrom which is not the mature calcitonin is determined in a sample of a biological liquid of a patient. From the determined presence and amount of the certain peptide, a conclusion is made about the presence of a sepsis, its severity and/or the success of a therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: Novel amidine salts of 7-Amino-3-hydroxymethyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (=HACA), particular guanidine and diaza-bicyclo-alkylene salts, are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of cephalosporins.

Abstract: A screen for sorting fiber suspensions comprising a plurality of screen perforations having a hole type design, with each screen perforation having an ingress area and an egress area for the flow of fiber suspensions, wherein the ingress area is rounded to a convex curvature. The convex curvature increases the velocity of the fiber suspensions through the screen thereby reducing clogging of the suspensions in the screen and increasing the throughput and the sorting integrity of the screen. Alternative embodiments of the screen include an area of constant cross section connecting the ingress area and the egress area, and transitional edges formed in the transition areas.

Abstract: A water based drilling fluid which is environmentally non-toxic containing a sodium alkylsufosuccinate and well drilling additives, said sodium alkylsulfosuccinate is water dispersible and imparts anti-bit balling, lubricity and environmentally non-toxicity properties to said drilling fluid and does not precipitate in the presence of the said well drilling additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in devices for use as grinding cups for grinding the hard metal pins or working tips of drill bits and more specifically, but not exclusively, for grinding the tungsten carbide cutting teeth or buttons of a drilling head and the means for detachably connecting the grinding cups to the grinding machine. The grinding cups consisting of a bottom grinding section and a top body section having top and bottom surfaces. The grinding section is formed from a material capable of grinding the tungsten carbide button bits such as a metal and diamond matrix. The peripheral edge in the bottom surface may be bevelled to facilitate the removal of steel from the face of the bit around the base of the button during grinding. A centrally disposed convex recess is formed in the bottom surface having the desired profile for the button to be ground. The body section has a centrally disposed cavity formed in the top surface of the grinding cup.

Abstract: A hinge for an article of furniture comprising a hinge arm and a mounting plate. The mounting plate is to be mounted on a side wall of said article of furniture and abuts a side face of the side wall with a mounting plane. The hinge arm is connected by means of a hinge axle to a hinge part adapted to be mounted on a furniture door. The hinge arm is fastened to the mounting plate by at least one locking member which is acted upon by a spring and is held on the mounting plate solely by means of the locking member. The mounting plate is provided with pegs extending perpendicularly to the mounting plane. The hinge arm comprising two arms defining an L. A first arm is aligned parallel to a front face of the side wall and a second arm is aligned parallel to the side face of said side wall.

Abstract: A handle for a cooking utensil (1) with a lid (2), of the type including a fixed part (6) rigidly fixed to the lateral wall (17) of the utensil. To the fixed part (6) there is connected a part (8) movable between at least a closed position (C) in which a first portion (8D) of said movable part (8) is in contact with the lid (2) and a second portion (8B) of said movable part (8) is in contact with a first portion (6B) of the fixed part (6) such that on gripping the handle the lid remains fixed to the utensil, and an open position (A) in which the first portion does not interfere with the lid. The lid comprises a plurality of holes in at least one (P) of its parts.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a roulette-type game comprising two sets of concentric indicia. According to a preferred embodiment, players may wager on either set of indicia and on the occurrence of the same indicia from both sets of indicia being indicated. A preferred roulette table comprises two independently rotatable plates each bearing identical indicia, and a mechanism for accurately aligning the indicia from the inner plate with indicia on the outer plate when the plates are not in relative motion.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an improved absorbent insert or core are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the insert comprises a fluff layer physically integrated to at least one layer of laminate consisting of at least one tissue layer and polymer powder secured to it and supported on it. The fluff layer and the laminate are embossed between rollers that physically integrate the two layers and produce transfer sites through which liquid is rapidly transferred into the fluff layer, away from a wearer. In another embodiment, an absorbent insert is produced by embossing a laminate between a smooth roller and a patterned roller and trimming and folding the embossed laminate to produce an insert with a central region with an exposed pattern of embossed depressions and, on each side of the central region, lateral regions with an exposed, smooth surface.

Abstract: A procedure for winding a wrapper (1) around a piece of goods (2) includes the steps of pulling a shrinkable film (5) over the upper part of the goods, winding the wrapper around the goods so that the film is partly impacted under the wrapper, and cutting off and seaming the wrapper. The wrapper is unshrinkable relative to the film. Only the film is heated, and it shrinks and becomes tightened around the upper part of the goods. An apparatus includes assembly for pulling a shrinkable film over the upper part of the goods, assembly for winding a relatively unshrinkable wrapper around the goods, assembly for cutting off and seaming the wrapper, and a heating device for heating only the film wherein the heating device is disposed above the film whereby a hot air is blown against the film. The tightened film supports the upper part of the goods so that the goods cannot fan out during transport or delivery.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for the electrolytical coating of an object of steel on one or both sides. Preferably, the object is a steel strip with zinc or a zinc iron alloy. Zinc or a zinc iron alloy is deposited on the object when the object is connected to form the cathode of a galvanic cell in an aqueous solution of zinc chloride and iron chloride with a pH of 0.1 to 3.0. The zinc chloride solution has a concentration of 50 to 1000 g/l for the deposition of metallic zinc. A partial flow of electrolyte solution is past continuously into a column filled with metallic zinc, where the trivalent iron formed there during the electrolysis is reduced to a bivalent iron, and metallic zinc is dissolved simultaneously therewith. The invention also describes an apparatus for the electrolytical coating of an object of steel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for minimizing the flow instability of molten plastics caused by slippage of the melt at the die wall during the extrusion process. The slippage, and therefore the flow instability, is minimized by removing the air from, or "degassing", the polymer prior to the extrusion process, preferably by subjecting the molten polymer to a vacuum for an extended time, typically 24 hours. Further, air is preferably prevented from being introduced into the molten polymer, the extrusion die or the extrusion process from the ambient conditions surrounding the extrusion process during the extrusion process by creating a vacuum over the polymer hopper, the feed region of the extrusion system, the exit portion of the die, the entire extrusion system or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A remote annunciator system in which the emission of an acoustic signal by a first annunciator is detected by an acoustic signal detector which causes a radio frequency transmitter to transmit a radio frequency signal. A radio frequency receiver which receives the signal operates a second annunciator which is remote from the first annunciator, to cause the second annunciator to emit an audible or visual signal. Preferably, the radio frequency signal is encoded and is decoded at the receiver, and if the first annunciator can emit two different accoustic signals, the transmitted signal is encoded dependent upon which acoustic signal is emitted and the receiver decoder causes the second annunciator to emit an audible signal or a visual signal which depends on the transmitted signal encoding.

Abstract: A portable exercise device for exercising the upper anatomy is provided. The portable exercise device includes a slide assembly having a pair of cooperating curved slides and a rack formed on each of the slides. A spring-biased elastic resistance mechanism having a pinion is interdisposed between the cooperating slides to generate resistance to relative movement of the slides. The resistance mechanism further includes a brake disc assembly in combination with a clutch assembly for providing frictional resistance in a single direction. A grip assembly including a pair of arms pivotally connected at opposite ends of the cooperating slides are positionable between a stowed position for storing and transporting the device, and an extended position for placing the user's arms in the appropriate position for performing the fly type exercise as heretofore described.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of grapevine which is somewhat remotely similar to the "Flame Seedless" grapevine (Unpatented), but from which it is distinguished by producing fruit which are mature for harvesting and shipment approximately August 1, or about two weeks after the fruit produced by the "Flame Seedless" grapevine, and wherein the fruit is of high quality and of dark maroon red to lighter red skin coloration.