Abstract: Process for the preparation of 5-arylhydantoins by reaction of an allantoin acid alkyl ester with an aryl compound in a concentrated inorganic acid at temperatures from room temperature to 150.degree. C., with or without a phase transfer agent.

Abstract: A process for reducing unwanted specific electrochemical conversion in rechargeable batteries with circulating electrolytes and bipolar electrodes with diaphragms therebetween to form anolyte or catholyte chambers. When a working element such as a motor is electrically disconnected from the battery, a regulating and/or control mechanism may also be disconnected and circulation of the electrolyte is stopped. Additionally, or alternatively, the battery may be intermittently charged during disconnection of the working element and stoppage of the electrolytic circulation.

Abstract: A mobile working machine for treatment of a ballast bed or subgrade for a ack comprised of rails fastened to ties includes a machine frame which is defined by a longitudinal axis and supported by undercarriages for movement in an operating direction along a track, and a track lifting unit which is vertically adjustably mounted to the machine frame between two undercarriages for lifting the track. The track lifting unit includes a load-bearing member which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the machine frame and has a length exceeding a tie length. The load-bearing member forms with its drives a structural unit, which encircles the track in a direction transversely to the machine frame during operation and is solely supported by the machine frame, and has a rolling element which is rotatable about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the machine frame for providing a support for the ties of the track.

Abstract: Solid lubricant-dispensing plastics containing: polyethylene with a molecular weight of about 200-700,000; an oil; an optional compatibilizing agent for the oil; and, a bleed control agent that controls the rate of release of the oil. Methods are also disclosed for preparing the lubricant-dispensing plastics that have controlled oil release rates that are dependent upon the amount of the bleed control agent, and are adjustable by changing oil viscosity and the initial amount of the oil in the formulation.

Abstract: A tool for preparing a substrate edge of a counter-top to accept a molded apron having at least two perpendicular appendages. The tool includes cutters for cutting a channel and/or a rabbet into the substrate edge. The spacing between the cutting edges of the cutters corresponds to a spacing between the perpendicular appendages of the molded apron.

Abstract: An automatic screw gun which has a guide housing for the driving blade is equipped with a deflecting member that engages the leading end of the screw supply belt to deflect the leading end of the belt out of the path of the screw being driven, including the screw head or a washer below the screw head, whereby it is prevented that portions of the belt can be clamped between the surface of a work piece and the screw head or washer. A spring biases the deflector member into a rest position and the advancing belt brings the deflector member into a working position in which it holds the leading end of the belt out of the way.

Abstract: Documents and data, patterns, etc., applied thereto, which are present in the form of a surface relief, in particular in the form of embossed characters, are provided partially in the area of this surface relief with luminescent substance which is testable visibly and by machine. The luminescent substance is introduced either into raised or into depressed areas of the surface relief, so that characteristic features of the surface relief are reflected in its spatial distribution. The data can thus be tested for falsification and at the same time for authenticity in a simple way.

Abstract: An electrode has a substrate and a finely divided active material on the substrate. The active material is ANi.sub.x-y-z Co.sub.y Sn.sub.z, wherein A is a mischmetal or La.sub.1-w M.sub.w, M is Ce, Nd, or Zr, w is from about 0.05 to about 1.0, x is from about 4.5 to about 5.5, y is from 0 to about 3.0, and z is from about 0.05 to about 0.5. An electrochemical storage cell utilizes such an electrode as the anode. The storage cell further has a cathode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte.

Abstract: A friction lining comprising an inorganic silicate-containing binder without resin binder components, comprising a mixture of finely divided SiO.sub.2 (constituent a) and at least partially water-soluble silicates (constituent b). The mixture of constituent a and constituent b are cured in the presence of water at low temperatures, thereby forming a three-dimensional inorganic polysilicate matrix. Heterogeneous additive particles are incorporated into the three-dimensional inorganic polysilicate matrix during curing of the mixture at low temperatures, thereby forming a solid body with the additive particles serving as fillers, sliding agents, lubricants or coefficient of friction modifiers. These additive particles do not include resin binder forming agents.

Abstract: A shipping pallet is constructed of multiple laminations of corrugated sheet material, with specific construction details providing advantages in strength and trueness of the completed pallet, and further advantages in the reduction of tooling and labor costs. The stringers or runners, deck boards, and top and (optional) bottom sheets may be sawn from stacks of plural laminations, thus precluding any requirement for costly dies and intensive labor. Asymmetrical corrugated sheets may be used, with one side having a different weight than the other. By laminating two such sheets together with like weighted sides in contact, the tendency of such sheets to curve or warp due to the difference in side thickness is substantially eliminated. Different orientations of the corrugations or flutes of the sheets during lamination and assembly of the pallet, provide advantages in strength for specific applications.

Abstract: A call in-bound remote reading and data collection system for the remote reading of utility meters, including a data processor and a remotely located meter interface unit (MIU) interconnected to at least one utility meter to be read. Also disclosed is a meter interface unit and a method for the remote reading of utility meters and the collection of data. The data processor collects, stores and processes data and includes a modem to interconnect the data processor to conventional telephone lines. The MIU is interconnected to the telephone lines and the data processor, to transmit scheduled meter reading to the data processing means, when a prespecified interval has elapsed. The MIU is also interconnected to transmit unscheduled or demand meter readings when the MIU receives telephone line transmissions requesting such a reading (e.g. receipt of a specified tone). A modem is used to interconnect the MIU so it can communicate over the telephone lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing reconfiguration of a cellular network is provided. Cell parameters of affected mobile switching centers in the network are copied to a database, and the copied parameters are stored. A set of proposed changes to the stored parameters are prepared and the consistency of the prepared set of proposed changes is verified. Any necessary alterations to the set of proposed changes responsive to the verification are made and the verified set of proposed changes are copied to the affected mobile switching centers. The verified set of proposed changes are then introduced into the network. Additionally, at all times, an up-to-date image of all the cell parameters in all the mobile switching centers in the network is maintained in a system parameter database.

Abstract: A central armrest for a motor-vehicle rear seat, comprising an elongated body provided at one end with a mounting structure for a transverse pivot pin supported by two back rest elements spaced apart from each other so as to define a central recess. The armrest is provided at the other end thereof with a headrest member which is integrally formed with the elongated body and is displaceable therewith, relative to the mounting structure of the pivot pin, between a proximal condition and a distal condition.

Abstract: A spreading device for the coating of moving material webs, especially paper or cardboard includes a clamping mechanism adapted to alternatively hold a doctor rod support bed or a coating blade, a pressing tube for pressing a doctor rod mounted on the doctor rod support bed onto a counter roll or a material web guided by a counter roll, and a profile strip having a tip portion adapted to press against a coating blade, the profile strip movable in a direction transverse to the counter roll by a displacement device. A plane defined by a pressing force through a contact region of the pressing tube and the doctor rod support bed and a plane defined by a pressing force through a contact region of the profile strip and the coating blade are disposed transversely with respect to a length of the counter roll and are either parallel or disposed at an acute angle to one another.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for specifying an expert system. Multiple task specifications are formed for specifying tasks as functional units of the expert system. Multiple method specifications are formed for specifying methods for accomplishing ones of the tasks. At least one of the tasks is specified as a subtask of at least one of the methods, such that ones of the task specifications are organized as a structure having multiple levels of tasks.

Abstract: An improved radiator construction comprising a cooling tube having a barbed end, preferably with an adjacent collar, spaced apart sufficient to engage an elastomeric seal. The seal and tube are positioned in the opening of a radiator or heat exchanger header so that the tube barb and collar and the engaged seal cooperate to retain the cooling tube in the header.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a crank of a fishing-rod reel includes universally oting finger engaging members which function to prevent wrist sprains and fatigue and also assure uniform guidance of a lure.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe assembly which is self-sheathing in that use of the syringe activates a locking mechanism which automatically and irreversibly causes a hypodermic needle to be retracted into an outer sheath. As a result, the syringe assembly is automatically and permanently made safe to handle by the user. In addition, reuse of the syringe is prevented by the locking mechanism, in that the locking mechanism serves to puncture the syringe if an attempt is made to reuse the syringe. The syringe includes a tubular-shaped sheathing member having an apertured end through which the hypodermic needle extends when the syringe is in use. Telescopically disposed within the sheathing member is a tubular-shaped insert having one end which is open to receive a plunger, with the other end being provided with an aperture and boss for receiving the hypodermic needle.

Abstract: An automatic filling system for a compressed gas tank includes a controller that measures the rate of fill of a tank being filled in order to provide an accurate estimate of the fill time for the tank, given available source pressure. Compressed gas flow is controlled with on/off valves that are driven open by a motor/gearbox/clutch combination to reduce thermal and physical shocks associated with opening of the valve. Whenever power is removed from the clutch, a spring automatically drives the valves closed quickly to provide fail-safe operation.