Abstract: A pressure monitor for a breathing system is disclosed which includes three switches, each of which is connected to the breathing system and each of which is preset to be changed in state when the switch is connected to a pressure which is in excess of a predetermined threshold pressure. Each of the switches has a different predetermined threshold with the monitor further including signal means, timing means and selector means. The selector means is connected to one of the switches at a time. The timing means is responsive to the one switch connected to the selector and the signal means is connected to the timing means. The signal means is activated by the timing means whenever the system pressure does not exceed the threshold of the switch connected to the selector means within a predetermined time interval. The selector means includes display means for displaying the threshold pressure of the switch connected to the selector means so that the pressure monitored is readily apparent.

Abstract: Sterol glycosides and esters thereof with monocarboxylic acids of natural or synthetic origin are used to combat human and animal illness in dosages of not over 10 mg per day.

Abstract: The invention relates to the guiding and tilting connector at the ends of the slats of a venetian blind which connector includes a flange secured to the end of a slat, a pivot pin extending from the flange longitudinally outwardly of the slat and a pair of guiding and tilting arms extend radially outwardly from the pivot pin. Tilt cords are secured to the outer ends of the arms. The point of connection of the tilting cords to the arms being such that in the closed position of the blind the points of connection between the arms and the tilting cords are offset horizontally with respect to a vertical plane extending through the axes of the pivot pins and also offset from the effective major vertical plane of the slats when in closed position. Because of this offset the weight of the slats in the closed position can exert a moment of force to maintain the slats tightly closed.

Abstract: Passive frequency measuring circuit comprising a number of frequency discriminators to obtain a digital code representing the frequency of an applied r.f. signal. Each discriminator is tuned to different frequency ranges, and provided with a plurality of similar frequency analysers for the phase detection of the applied r.f. signal passed through different delay lines. As each discriminator delivers an ambiguous code at the boundaries of its characteristic, a digital filter is incorporated to resolve the ambiguity. If such an ambiguity is established, an adjoining discriminator is activated to deliver information for obtaining a digital code representing an unambiguous frequency value.

Abstract: A mixer is provided with a first waveguide part for the transmission of an input signal to be converted to a lower frequency band and with a second waveguide part for the transmission of a signal supplied by a local oscillator. The first and second waveguide parts open into a cavity containing a semiconductor which, disposed of its encapsulation, is mounted on a substrate and is used to obtain an output signal. The frequencies (f.sub.u) of the output signal form a linear combination of the frequencies (f.sub.s) of the input signal and the local oscillator frequency (f.sub.LO). The substrate comprises at least two microwave integrated circuits, forming a connection between the semiconductor and the two waveguide parts, while the mixer further comprises a transmission line for the output signal.

Abstract: Proteinaceous material such as gelatin is hardened by treatment with an aqueous solution of the partial hydrolysis product of a 2,4-dichloro-6-alkoxy-S-triazine with a water-soluble tertiary phosphate and/or a water-soluble borate, wherein the 2,4-dichloro-6-alkoxy-s-triazine corresponds to the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a lower alkyl or alkoxyalkyl group. The proteinaceous material can be a proteinaceous coating such as a photographic silver halide emulsion layer, a backing layer, a protective layer, a filter layer, or any other photographic auxiliary layer.

Abstract: Process for the resolution of certain racemic .alpha.-aminonitriles into optically active enantiomers which includes treating the racemic .alpha.-aminonitriles with (-)-mandelic acid in an alkanol/C.sub.5-8 hydrocarbon mixture to obtain a racemic mixture of diastereoisomeric D and L salts of (-)-mandelic acid, macerating the salts with an alkanol/C.sub.5-8 hydrocarbon mixture; neutralizing the L-form; extracting the neutralized product; and converting it into a stable form.

Abstract: A versatile food preparing machine which includes various attachments for selectively processing many different kinds of foods. The machine is characterized by incorporating a bottomless hopper and a food support pad for restingly supporting the food at various levels as it protrudes downwardly from the hopper. An interchangeable reciprocatable food processable element, e.g., a knife or shredder/grater element, etc., workingly engages the food by cyclically moving between the hopper and the adjustable food support pad, e.g., whereby slices of various thicknesses may be made from certain kinds of foods. Ejector structure cyclically ejects particles of the processed food, e.g., slices of okra and the like, downwardly away from the food processable element. Particular structure is also included for collecting the ejected slices of food to facilitate subsequent storage thereof in a food freezer.

Abstract: An apparatus for irrigating the earth includes a portable vehicle having a hose reel connected to a supply of water under pressure. An elongated hose is carried by the reel and the end of the hose is connected to a travelling carriage having a water gun and such carriage initially is moved away from the vehicle by an external force after which water passing through the apparatus drives a turbine which rotates the reel and coils the hose thereon while pulling the carriage toward the vehicle at a selected speed so that a large area of the earth is watered automatically.

Abstract: A photographic element is described comprising an emulsion layer of low gelatin to silver halide ratio, the emulsion comprising a polymeric compound containing recurring units with ketoiminoguanidinium groups in the side chain to reduce formation of pressure marks.

Abstract: An overload coupling for two members, one rotating the other about a common axis, includes one or more frangible pin-like elements. Upon overload, the pin fractures and relative rotation between the members takes place. A spring or springs automatically urges one of the elements, mounted on one of the members, into engagement with an abutment on the other member to re-establish a rigid connection. The pin or pins can be in holders that extend radially or parallel to the common axis and each pin can be weakened in several areas and re-used. Also, a number of pins can be housed in a cassette that is connected to one coupling member by a release connection. Upon overload, in one embodiment, the spring or springs are mounted to urge the pin or pins only upon a reduction in the rotational speed of the coupling, when centrifugal force is overcome.

Abstract: This invention relates to a locking device for a safety belt retractor comprising a reel shaft and a ratchet wheel provided with locking teeth and engageable with pawls, characterized by the fact that a synchronization disk (5) bearing actuating parts (16) engageable with a pawl (13) and provided with at least a first disengagement device (9), and an axially undisplaceable ratchet wheel (4) with at least a complementary second disengagement device (8) are disposed on said reel shaft (1), that when the synchronization disk (5) and the ratchet wheel (4) rotate relative to each other, at least a part of the synchronization disk (5) is deformed or displaced to actuate locking by the pawl (13) and that actuation chronologically precedes locking.

Abstract: A device for compressing crop, for example grass, hay or the like, into bales comprising a baling chamber and a ram adapted to reciprocate therein, provided with at least one retaining member operating in the compression chamber and removable therefrom, in order to prevent that after compression the crop rebounds so that part of the empty space between the crop already compressed and the retreating ram is re-occupied by the rebounding crop, the freshly introduced quantity of crop being thus reduced.

Abstract: A device for covering the exposure plate of a copying apparatus includes a belt driven at intervals for transporting sheetlike originals from a ready position on the device to a copying position in which an original is covered and pressed on the plate by the belt, and the belt is so mounted and positioned that the same device serves for covering and pressing books and other objects of irregular dimensions placed on the plate for copying. A control circuit is provided which coordinates operations of the belt drive with the starting of operation of the copying apparatus and the presence of a sheetlike original in ready position.

Abstract: A compressive chamber of a baling device is open at both ends. Associated with one end is a movable closure member and a ram projects into the chamber from the opposite end. Drive mechanism directly connects the ram and the closure member so that in one direction of drive the closure member is forced into and held in closed position while the ram travels toward it and, in the opposite direction of drive, the ram and closure member are forced apart to unseat the closure member and move it to open position.

Abstract: A mowing device includes at least a pair of cooperative rotary cutting mechanisms. Each cutting mechanism comprises a driven carrier and at least one cutter pivotally connected thereto and projecting radially therefrom. Mounted below each carrier is a cutting plate having a cutting edge above which the associated cutter sweeps. The cutting edge of the cutter normally lies along a line which defines an acute angle with at least portions of the cutting edge of the cutting plate so as to effect a scissors action therewith, and which line also is angularly offset by more than 90.degree. with respect to a line passing through the center of gravity of the cutter and the axis of rotation of the carrier.

Abstract: A spreader for broadcasting fertilizer, seed or the like which is mounted on the rear of a tractor and has a hydraulic control for covering and uncovering a plurality of ports by closure members for feeding material from a hopper which includes such ports to an underlying rotatable spreading member. The actuating mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder and plunger and a parallel tension spring whereby the cylinder, when supplied with hydraulic fluid under pressure, causes the plunger to extend outwardly to close the ports in a lower portion of the hopper which is cylindrical through a mechanical linkage coupling therewith. The spring tends to force the closure members to open the ports. The linkage coupling to the closure members includes a coupling arm which also functions to indicate relative to an arcuate leg of a supporting member with numbers thereon the amount that the ports are opened by the closure members.

Abstract: Process for the resolution of certain racemic .alpha.-aminonitriles into optically active enantiomers which includes treating the racemic .alpha.-aminonitriles with (-)-dibenzoyl-tartaric acid in polar solvents to obtain a racemic mixture of diastereoisomeric D and L salts of (-)-dibenzoyl-tartaric acid, macerating the salts with dioxane, neutralizing the L-form, extracting the neutralized product, and converting it into a stable form.

Abstract: In a copying apparatus of the type employing a moving image-carrying belt from which an image is transferred to an intermediate support during the action of a device for pressing the belt against and advancing it with intermediate support, which is moved at a speed slightly lower than the speed at which the belt is driven, lengths of the belt leading to and from the belt pressing device are engaged by respective floating rollers which apply first and second forces tensioning the belt. The second tensioning force is kept greater than the first, thus acting when the pressing device is inactive to displace upward the belt lead to the pressing device, and an arrest device limits the upward displacement.

Abstract: Novel polymers, useful as films or filaments, are prepared as by the reaction of a bispiperazide with a reactive derivative of an acid.