Abstract: A liquid colorant system for a plastic molding machine includes a plurality of interconnected tube structures, a tank containing the liquid colorant, and a peristaltic pump. The pump drives a flow of the liquid colorant from the tank to a valve through a delivery tube and a peristaltic tube. During ordinary operation, the valve allows the liquid colorant to flow into the molding machine through a feed tube. However, the valve can be shifted to allow air to be purged through a purge tube, bypassing the feed tube and the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning fecal matter from the interior of an extracted animal intestine is disclosed. The apparatus has a horizontal tube member for supporting an intestine; support members attached to opposite sides of said tube member for supporting the side portions of a slit intestine; a transporter mounted below and adjacent to the bottom side of said tube for moving intestines from adjacent the distal end of said tube towards the proximal end; a cutting blade mounted above said tube member; and a plurality of nozzles arranged at transversely opposite sides of said tube member for directing fluid downwardly and about the top side of said pipe member. A method for cleaning animal intestines using such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air-dropped ammunition includes an ammunition body having a rearward portion; a firing pin accommodated in the rearward portion; a stabilizing band being received in a folded state at least partially in the rearward portion of the ammunition body; and a device for securing the stabilizing band to the firing pin. The device includes a disk having an upturned rim. The disk engages face-to-face one of two overlapping ends of the stabilizing band, and the upturned rim is oriented away from the overlapping ends. The overlapping ends and the disk are firmly attached to the firing pin.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling fluid according to which an inlet passage and an outlet passage are formed in a housing and a choke member is movable in the housing to control the flow of fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage and to exert a back pressure on the fluid. The movement of the choke member from a fully closed position to an open position is dampened.

Abstract: A method of reducing speech delay and improving speech quality in digital transmission systems by implementing a single coder-decoder (codec) for an entire speech path from a calling party to a called party. The method is applicable to calls between mobile subscribers and between a mobile subscriber and an H.323 client terminal in a data network. After obtaining location information for the called party, an indication of a requested codec is sent from the calling party to the called party utilizing Integrated Services Data Network User Part (ISUP) or Primary Rate Interface (PRI) out-of-band signaling during call setup. If the called party supports the requested codec, a confirmation of the requested codec is sent from the called party to the calling party. A speech path is then established between the parties, and a single codec translation is performed for the entire speech path.

Abstract: A telecommunication system is architecturally sub-divided into the concepts of user, subscription and terminal. A database within a cellular radio telecommunication system is provided with separate and independent storage registers for storing information relating to each of user, subscription and terminal. An user register is provided for user information, a terminal register is provided for terminal information and a subscription register is provided for subscription information. The use of three separate registers within the system allow several terminals to be associated with one user, several users to be associated with one terminal, several subscriptions to be associated with one user, and several users to be selectively associated with one subscription.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a fluid flow meter, more particularly a gas meter, includes a sensor well made of a non-magnetic material and a sensor which is removable from the well without depressurizing the fluid line in which the flow meter is located. The sensor well is mounted within a bore formed in a meter body boss and, in a preferred embodiment, extends through the internal rotor housing and includes an inner face contoured to conform to the inner wall of the housing. In certain embodiments of the invention, the sensor is shaped to cover the sensor well mounting bolts so that the well cannot be removed without first removing the sensor. In other embodiments, the sensor well mounting bolts are retained in the sensor well by dowel pins, stakes or retaining rings such that the bolts must be gradually and sequentially loosened to remove the sensor well, in order to prevent improper removal of the sensor well from the meter body boss.

Abstract: An insulative sleeve for a hot drink cup made of essentially transparent and preferably clear thermal plastic material having circumferential bands of insulative flutes thermoformed therein.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating data between an integrated circuit and each of a first device and a second device. Communications between the integrated circuit and the first device use a first interface protocol, while communications between the integrated circuit and the second device use a second interface protocol. Both interface protocols, however, share the same data bus and clock bus. To communicate using the second interface protocol, the first device, which uses the first interface protocol, is first deactivated by sending address data via the shared data bus that does not identify the first device, thereby causing the first device to enter an inactive state until a stop condition is detected on the shared data bus. Then, communications using the second interface protocol can be carried out, provided that a start or stop condition for the first interface protocol is not inadvertently generated on the shared data bus.

Abstract: Wrapping apparatus for winding a web of wrapping foil (F) around an object (1). The wrapping apparatus comprises a ring guideway (2) defining a track of variable curvature and foil dispenser (6). The foil dispenser is provided with idler assemblies (10, 11) supporting the foil dispenser as it moves along the ring guideway. In the idler assembly, an inner idler (12) mounted with bearings on the foil dispenser frame (7) leans by its circumference on an inner rolling surface (3) of the guideway (2). A first outer idler (3) leans by its circumference on an outer rolling surface (4). A lateral idler (14) leans on a lateral rolling surface (5). The idler assembly comprises a second outer idler (15), which leans on the outer rolling surface (4) at a distance from the first outer idler (13). A pivoted frame (16) is mounted with bearings on the frame so that it can turn about a swing axis co-incident with the axis of rotation of the inner idler (12).

Abstract: A fastener forming apparatus comprises a positive stop that prevents workpieces from overshooting the end of a forming stroke. A workpiece transfer mechanism transfers one unformed workpiece at a time into a workpiece gripper and drives completed workpieces out of the workpiece gripper and onto an exit path. A compound hydro-pneumatic cylinder moves the gripper and one workpiece at a time downward on a forming stroke into contact with a rotating forming tool. A limit switch causes the reciprocator to reverse direction at the end of the forming stroke. The forming tool includes a tool adapter head that holds various forming implements such as cutting blades or drill bits. In one embodiment the forming tool is a groover apparatus that cuts circumferential grooves around fasteners. In this embodiment, the lower limit switch signals a controller to hold the reciprocator at the end of the forming stroke while the groover forms the groove.

Abstract: A process for preparing a protein-polysaccharide conjugate includes reacting a protein with a polysaccharide to produce a mixture including a protein-polysaccharide conjugate and free protein. At least one unreacted reagent or low molecular weight component is removed from this mixture, without removing all of the free protein, to provide a purified mixture that contains the protein-polysaccharide conjugate and free protein. This purified mixture can be used as a conjugate vaccine, immunogen, or immunological reagent. Keeping the free protein in the purified mixture with the conjugate saves time and money in the conjugate production process. In another aspect of the invention, the purified mixture of the protein-polysaccharide conjugate and free protein is reacted with a hapten to produce a conjugate mixture including a hapten-protein conjugate and a hapten-protein-polysaccharide conjugate.

Abstract: A fishing apparatus includes a buoyant collapsible pole assembly which has first and second elongated buoyant poles connected by a pivotal connection. The pivotal connection allows the first and second poles to pivot between an extended position wherein the poles extend in opposite directions from the pivotal connection, and a folded position wherein the poles extend in the same direction from the pivotal connection. A plurality of line storage and dispensing stations are attached to the pole assembly at spaced locations along the pole assembly.

Abstract: A water-base drilling fluid for use in drilling wells through a formation containing a shale which swells in the presence of water. The drilling fluid preferably includes: an aqueous based continuous phase, a weight material, and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—CH(CH3)CH2{—OCH2CH(CH3)—}x—NH2 in which x is a value less than 15. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of the shale. Preferably x has an average number between about 1 and about 5 and more preferably x has an average number of about 2.6. Also inclusive of the present invention is a method of reducing the swelling of shale clay encountered during the drilling of a subterranean well, the method comprising circulating in the well a water-base drilling fluid formulated in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are the dbp gene and dbp-derived nucleic acid segments from Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, and DNA segments encoding dbp from related borrelias. Also disclosed are decorin binding protein compositions and methods of use. The DBP protein and antigenic epitopes derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the treatment of pathological Borrelia infections, and in particular, for use in the prevention of bacterial adhesion to decorin. DNA segments encoding these proteins and anti-(decorin binding protein) antibodies will also be of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of Borrelia colonization in an animal. These DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the preparation of vaccines and, also, for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations, and in the formulation of compositions for use in the prevention of Lyme disease.

Abstract: There is described polysaccharides of high molecular weight for use in peritoneal dialysis. The polysaccharides are capable of dialysing human serum for long periods of time without causing damage to the peritoneum and are also capable of preventing loss of polymer from the peritoneum to the serum. There is also described a method of making the polysaccharides and pharmaceutical formulations containing them.

Abstract: A portable communication device (1) has a microphone (5) and a processing device for receiving a handwritten message from a user and converting the received information into digital data.

Abstract: A method of sharing capabilities information between a plurality of nodes in a telecommunications network. The method begins when a new node is installed in the telecommunications network or the capabilities of a node are modified. The new or modified node sends an Exchange Data Directive (EXDATADIR) Invoke message to one or more cooperating nodes in the network. The EXDATADIR message is an intersystem node capabilities declaration message which includes parameters relating to communications capabilities and service support capabilities of the new or modified node. If the node is a new node, this is followed by sending EXDATADIR Return Result messages from each cooperating node to the new node. The EXDATADIR Return Result message is an intersystem node capabilities declaration message which includes parameters relating to services supported by the cooperating nodes.

Abstract: A method, and associated apparatus, prevents misrouting of packet-data in a radio communication system subsequent to an abnormal communication session termination by a wireless host. When a determination is made that a communication session between a wireless host and another host has terminated abnormally, a temporary address used to identify the wireless host is not permitted to be immediately reassigned to identify another wireless host. Misrouting of data to another wireless host subsequent to the abnormal communication session, termination is thereby avoided.