Abstract: A normally-open pressure actuatable switchmat comprising first and second electrically conductive members separated by non-conductive material having a failsafe safety switch is provided. When the switchmat is subjected to an actuation load, there is relative movement between the first and second electrically conductive members to complete an electrically conductive path therebetween. The safety switch comprises a bridging member which includes an electrically conductive spring which is held in a compressed state by frangible restraining element such that, when the switchmat is subjected to a predetermined minimum overload, the frangible restraining element is broken allowing the spring to relax thereby completing an electrically conductive path between the conductive members. This path is maintained after removal of the overload thereby allowing the switchmat to failsafe.

Abstract: A container (10) for longitudinally receiving a plurality of electrostatic sensitive electronic components (12) having a rigid, transparent, elongated channel (14) being open on at least one end. The channel (14) has a transparent, insulative layer (22) and a transparent conductive layer (24) at least partially transversely surrounding the electrostatic sensitive electronic components (24). Optionally, the interior surface of the channel 14 may contain an antistatic layer (27). Further optionally, the exterior surface of the container may contain a transparent protective layer (26).

Abstract: Flat, inelastic, dimensionally stable sheet material is formed by stretching parallel elastomeric strands to several times their relaxed length and then bonding them to one or more flat, inelastic webs with inelastic thermoplastic polymer. When the sheet material is heated, the strands contract and the sheet material shirrs. Strips of the flat sheet material can be incorporated in disposable diapers and subsequently shirred to provide elastic waistbands or leg openings.

Abstract: A method of making a microporous material is provided which comprises the steps of melt blending crystallizable thermoplastic polymer with a compound which is miscible with the thermoplastic polymer at the melting temperature of the polymer but phase separates on cooling at or below the crystallization temperature of the polymer, forming a shaped article of the melt blend, cooling the shaped article to a temperature at which the polymer crystallizes to cause phase separation to occur between the thermoplastic polymer and the compound to provide an article comprising a first phase comprising particles of crystallized thermoplastic polymer in a second phase of said compound, orienting the article in at least one direction to provide a network of interconnected micropores throughout. The microporous article comprises about 30 to 80 parts by weight crystallizable thermoplastic polymer and about 70 to 20 parts by weight of the compound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing the extent of survival of the peripheral sensori-neural elements within the inner ear of a patient by stimulating the patient with one or more pair of electrical stimulus signals having a known amplitude and inter-signal delay, and by measuring the electrical activity within the nervous system of the patient which results from these stimulus signals and comparing the activity which results from the second stimulus signal with the activity which results from the first stimulus signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting facsimile coded data to video data utilizing a programmed digital computer for receiving the facsimile coded data buffering the facsimile coded data and converting the facsimile coded data to a fixed length intermediate code. The fixed length intermediate code is then hardware converted to the video data.

Abstract: An electrical cable (22, 28) with a sheet material (10) used as air electrical shield having a continuous metallic foil (12) having a plurality of transverse folds (14). The transverse folds (14) are flattened to form a plurality of transverse overlaps (16) of the continuous metallic foil (12) such that the elongation of the sheet material (10) exhibits a nonlinear yield behavior upon the application of longitudinal force (42). In a preferred embodiment, the transverse folds (14) form a plurality of pairs of faces (60, 62) with an interior angle (64) of not more than three degrees. A cable (22, 28) is formed by securing the sheet material (10) to at least one insulation (26) encased conductor (24). The sheet material (10) is formed by corrugating a sheet of continuous metallic foil (12) to form a plurality of flattened transverse folds (14) to form a plurality of continuous overlaps (16).

Abstract: Novel, non-crosslinked copolymers of vinyl trifluoroacetate (VTA) and up to 5 weight percent of the VTA of certain comonomers, such as vinyl esters or disubstituted ethylene monomers, are disclosed. Solvolysis of these copolymers provides novel water-insoluble, non-crosslinked, poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers which can be hydrated to copolymers having controllably variable hydrogel properties and high strength. Such poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers are particularly desirable as optical devices such as contact lenses.

Abstract: An article comprises sheet material which may be printed and having an adherent coating of microscopic, rupturable capsules in a binder on at least one surface thereof, the article being capable of undergoing plastic deformation and exhibiting:(a) a yield point on a stress-strain curve of less than 225 kg/cm.sup.2 (3200 psi) for a 127 micrometer (5 mil) thick material,(b) a difference in elongation at the yield point compared to the breaking point of at least 5.0 percent, and(c) an elongation at the yield point of less than 25 percent.

Abstract: A solventless, fluid epoxy resin composition is storage-stable against separation of phases for at least one year, and when cured provides adhesive bonds of improved peel strength at room and low temperatures without loss of lap shear strength at room and elevated temperatures. The composition comprises an epoxide group-containing compound having in situ polymerized, elastomeric particles colloidally dispersed therein, and as curing agent a poly(oxyhydrocarbolene)diamine compound and optionally, and preferably, a cure accelerator.

Abstract: Radioactive seeds contained in a suture material are shielded during shipping and storage inside a curved tube of dense material having two open ends. The suture material protrudes through at least one end of the tube. Preferably, one end of the suture material has removable means for preventing the end from entering the tube prematurely, and the other end is attached to a needle.The seeds spaced from the open ends of the curved tube so as to prevent radiation from escaping from the tube.

Abstract: An epoxy resin latently curable composition including a novel curing agent comprising the liquid salt of a substituted pentafluoroantimonic acid and an aromatic amine selected from the group consisting of aniline and a hindered amine has a desirably long pot life yet cures rapidly with heating to a cured composition.

Abstract: A wound dressing for wounds having a significant amount of exudate comprising a conformable, moisture vapor-permeable, liquid water-impermeable first layer containing at least one hole therein through which exudate can pass, and an imperforate, conformable, liquid water-permeable, moisture vapor-permeable second layer attached to the first layer and overlaying the hole or holes in the first layer and forming a reservoir into which the wound exudate can pass and from which the exudate can evaporate.

Abstract: There is provided a tamper evident container seal comprising a normally transparent polymer film which can be rendered translucent by stretching and transparent by relaxing. There is also provided a polymer film useful as a seal of the same type of film which bears an image which is not readily visible when the film is relaxed, but becomes readily visible when the film is stretched.

Abstract: Acidic cyclic perfluoroaliphaticdisulfonimides, salts thereof, a process for making the same, curable compositions containing acidic cyclic perfluoroaliphaticdisulfonimides or salts thereof and cationically-sensitive monomers, and a process for using acidic cyclic perfluoroaliphaticdisulfonimides and salts thereof as catalysts for the cure of cationically-sensitive monomers.

Abstract: Device which visually indicates exposure to a temperature within a predetermined range for a predetermined length of time. An opaque microporous sheet has a colored stratum on the back and a transparent fusible coating on the face. The coating is a solid solution of amorphous rubbery polymer in crystallizable solvent which, upon melting, gradually penetrates and transparentizes the microporous layer, rendering the colored stratum visible.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having a photopolymerized adhesive coating of a mixture of alkyl acrylate and/or methacrylate and preferably also copolymerizable monoethylenic monomer such as acrylic acid in which is dissolved an oxidizable tin salt such as stannous octoate. The tin salt permits thick layers of the mixture to be photomolymerized in air and allows an unusual tolerance of oxygen when photopolymerizing thin layers to provide pressure-sensitive adhesive coatings.

Abstract: A digital communications system includes a plurality of master stations communicating with a plurality of terminals over a single communication line which carries a plurality of duplex communication channels, each corresponding to a particular master station. A frequency translator coupling each terminal with the communication line permits the remote station to selectively communicate over any of the channels by translating the frequency of a selected channel to that of the terminal's receiver and by translating the frequency of the terminal's transmitter to that of the selected channel. Upon selection of a particular channel, the terminal's transmitter is disabled for a duration sufficient to allow its receiver to pick up a resynchronization signal periodically sent out by the master station whose channel has been selected. The receiver then enables the transmitter in synchronism with any other terminals using the same channel.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is made by coating a sheet backing with a solution of iso-octyl acrylate:acrylic acid copolymer containing a tackifying rosin ester and an anti-oxidant, evaporating the solvent, and crosslinking the adhesive. The resultant adhesive has an excellent balance of the tack, peel adhesion, and shear properties, even at 70.degree. C., and adheres well to low energy surfaces.

Abstract: The cutting rate and useful life of conventional resin bonded coated abrasive products in extremely high pressure abrading operations is significantly increased by using abrasive mineral which consists essentially of fused zirconia. Substantial amounts of diluent may be included, e.g., by blending other less effective abrasive grains with fused zirconia grains or by crushing a hardened co-fusion of alumina and zirconia.