Abstract: A probe tip in combination with a seal assembly that prevents debris and other contaminants from entering the probe tip. In the preferred embodiment, the seal comprises a tube with a filter holder assembly attached at the distal end of the holder. The filter holder assembly includes an infrared filter seated inside a screw-on member that is attached to a holder member with a sealing member located directly behind the infrared filter. During manufacturing, a predetermined force is applied to the proximal end of the tube which drives the distal end of the tube and filter holder assembly against the probe tip opening, thereby forming a watertight seal thereto. In alternative embodiments, the seal assembly may be comprised of a collar and gasket combination instead of a filter holder assembly.

Abstract: An installation for decorating profiled strips comprises a conveyor suitable for transporting a plurality of strips, a separation station for separating the strips before they come onto the conveyor, and serving to place the strips in respective target positions in which they are spaced apart and parallel to the conveyor, a print station in which ink is applied to the surfaces of the strips, and a guide station disposed upstream from the print station and having spacer guides for the strips to constrain them to occupy their target positions before entering the print station. The method of decoration includes a step of separating the strips and of placing them in respective target positions, and a step of guiding the strips before printing on them.

Abstract: A dynamic multiple comparison device for real time monitoring of changes in incoming digital words streams. The device includes a memory (12) having N memory cells, a comparison section (13, 11, BD1, BD3, BA1) for making a series of N comparisons, a selection section (RC) for selecting after each N comparison, a digital word, a first writing section (14, BD2, W) for writing the selected N digital words, a reading section (11, BA1, BA2, CL, R) for reading the stored digital words, and a control section (17, LC) for controlling the cyclic operation of the device. The device has applications in nuclear power plant control and monitoring.

Abstract: A device for influencing light has a polarizer, a ferroelectric or electroclinic response type liquid crystal halfwave plate whose liquid crystals are in the smectic phase with bookshelf geometry and have molecular axes which are rotatable around a first direction corresponding to the direction of incoming light in response to an electric field applied across the electrodes on either side of the halfwave plate, a quarter wave retarder plate, and a mirror. The polarizer, plates and mirror are arranged such that incoming light is passed from the polarizer through the liquid crystal plate and the retarder plate, and is reflected by the mirror in a second direction opposite to the first direction back through the retarder and the liquid crystal plate so as to provide a reflected polarized light plane to the polarizer.

Abstract: A rubber-like section with one or several hollow chambers is provided as a sensor receiving section for housing and protecting pressure-actuated sensors, in particular for mounting behind screens and as window guiding sections, in particular for car windows with U-shaped window guiding frames. The design of the mounting space, i.e. the main hollow chamber, allows the sensor to be threaded into the section even over a longer axial distance, to be clamped therein without play and to be firmly held in its mounting position. The inner contour of the main hollow chamber, which is adapted to the sensor use, has a central or eccentric bead-like, heel-shaped projection that extends in the axial direction and projects into the hollow chamber. This geometry allows the sensor housed in the hollow chamber to provide its sensor functions. Other inventions related to the outer geometry of the section result therefrom.

Abstract: A breathable, comfortable, elastic pressure sensitive, permanent tacky, adhesive bandaging material is disclosed. The material includes a fabric formed of stretch and non-stretch filling and warp yarns which are coated with a release agent, a stiffening agent, and an adhesive material. Both the agents and adhesive material are applied to the backside of the fabric, with a small amount of the release agent being absorbed through the fabric to the face surface thereof. The adhesive material may include a solvent which tends to plasticize the stiffening agent to a small degree when applied thereto. The resulting bandaging material exhibits characteristics of good tearability along with a relatively soft face surface and an improved hand. The material is manufactured by applying the agents and adhesive to the fabric when the fabric is in a relaxed state. When subsequently stretched, the adhesive is pulled into a random, nonuniform and discontinuous layer.

Abstract: A tapered single or multi-lumen catheter having an elongated cylindrical tube for injection and removal of fluid is provided with generally constant or gradually increasing diameter internal lumen or lumens which are connected to a tip portion which may be a conical tapered tip that smoothly merges with the cylindrical surface of the tube so that insertion trauma and the possibility of kinking are minimized. The catheter body is generally formed of proximal and distal portions wherein the proximal portion preferably includes a portion which increases in external diameter in the proximal direction to provide a strain relief for the intersection of the catheter body and the hub member of the catheter.

Abstract: A solution for causing a chemiluminescent reaction after it has been mixed with another per se known solution. The solution includes a solvent, an oxalate, a fluorescent dye and a polymer. The dye is rubrene and the polymer is advantageously polyoxyethylene. The chemiluminescent reaction produces a color having a greater stability over time. Adding a polymer incorporating a second red fluorescent dye enables a redder color to be achieved than when rubrene is the sole fluorescent dye.

Abstract: Device for anchoring the foundation of a structure in the ground comprising an anchor (1) and a pull line (8) along an axis (ZZ'), the end (19) of a terminal portion (18) thereof being integral with a fastener (9) secured to the body of the anchor (1). The body comprises a front wing element (2) shaped to go into the ground along an axis (XX') and a rear wing element (3) opposing the pull of the line (8) by abutment in the ground once the anchor is tilted in the ground. In one embodiment, the fastening location (9) is offset to the axis (ZZ') of pull in the direction of the axis (XX') of the anchor body (1). The anchoring device comprises a component (7) for guiding the terminal portion (18) of the pull line (8) between the fastening location (9) and the axis of pull (ZZ'), whereby the fastener is offset. The anchor body (1) comprises a fin-shaped element (6) located on the other side of the plane of the front wing element (2) in relation to the guide component (7).

Abstract: Successive tubular wrappers of cigarette paper, which are conveyed sideways in the peripheral flutes of ail indelible rotary conveyor, receive elongated batches of smokable material during intervals of dwell at a filling station. The batches are introduced by an elongated channel-shaped implement which is reciprocable with a batch into, and without a batch out of, a wrapper at the filling station. The wrappers are propped by the concave surface of a pivotable holder during introduction of batches and the batch-receiving open ends of the wrappers are calibrated by causing them to move axially into a cylindrical portion of a passage in a mouthpiece at the filling station immediately prior to introduction of the batches.

Abstract: A system for recording and broadcast studios for time multiplexed bidirectional transmission and switching high-fidelity audio-analog and audio-digital signals and command and control signals. A first bidirectional transmission medium conveys first frames produced by multiplexing the high-fidelity signals and command and control signals between a transmitter and a master receiver. The system also includes a controller with a man-machine interface (26, 32, 33, 34) receiving the high-fidelity signals transmitted by input circuits included in the transmitter and the command and control signals for monitoring in real time the evolution of the various parameters related to the signals, and for controlling in real time the modifications and configuration adaptions in the transmitter.

Abstract: An incubation limit marker for revealing the growth of contaminants present in a sample includes at least one strain or category of classically contaminant bacteria in dehydrated form which, once regenerated, will be present at a maximum concentration of 10.sup.3 CFU/ml. The incubation limit marker also includes a medium used for the dehydration of the contaminant bacterium or bacteria which includes a substrate capable of being degraded by the bacterium or bacteria. The incubation limit marker further includes an indicator of the growth of the bacterium or bacteria, for example, constituted by a colored indicator of changes in pH. A process for the "in vitro" detection of the susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria to various antibiotics present in MIC (i.e., Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) in culture or antibiogram media is carried out directly from the sample of the infected medium, in the presence of the above marker, used as a signal which limits the reading time of the antibiogram.

Abstract: Equalization method for the amplification of audiofrequency signals that uses a first component for the correction of the response curve for the stationary mode, at least a second component for correction whose gain (GT) is different from the gain (GS) of the first correction component and for correcting the response curve in transient mode, discriminating the transient mode and switching from the first correction component to the second correction component when the transient mode is discriminated, and reverse switching after the transient mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating the seam consisting of an adhesive layer between the longitudinally extending overlapping marginal portions of a running tubular wrapper for tobacco or tobacco filter material has an adjustable elongated infrared heater disposed at a level above and extending in parallel with the path for the wrapper, and a heatable heat transfer member which contacts the seam of the running wrapper. A mirror surrounds the infrared heater and reflects radiant energy toward the heat transfer member. The heater is adjustable in dependency upon the temperature of the seam and/or in dependency upon the speed of the wrapper.

Abstract: An optical fiber of cylindrical construction provides a lateral light outflow. The optical fiber, which is adapted to convey a light flow from one of its ends, the inlet end (6), to the other end, the outlet end (8), comprises at least on a given area (2) of its outer surface a large number of closely spaced degradations (4) of very small size in relation to the fiber diameter, each of said degradations (4) causing the outflow of conveyed light through the point so that the fiber seems globally illuminated. The surface density of the degradations (4) varies in accordance with the direction of propagation of the light flow, which is thus substantially uniformly discharged over the entire length of the fiber.

Abstract: An extrusion device for making a section member of complex section that includes an internal portion and an outer layer. The device includes a first inlet channel for a first molten plastics material, a body including an extrusion channel whose wall defines the external outline of the section member, and an axial extrusion core that serves to define the internal outline of the section member. The device also includes a second inlet channel for a second molten plastics material, and means for adjusting the flow of said second molten plastics material in the second inlet channel so as to ensure uniform distribution of the second plastics material around the external outline of the section member at the outlet end of the second inlet channel.

Abstract: A container which is filled with an array of parallel hollow cylinders of cigarette paper is opened at the top and is overlapped by a retractible temporary cover prior to being partially inverted onto a downwardly sloping top wall of a magazine. The cover is thereupon retracted and the top wall is pivoted to permit entry of cylinders from the interior of the container into a chamber of te magazine. Such cylinders are thereupon caused or permitted to enter the flutes of an indexible drum-shaped conveyor which transports the cylinders seriatim to a station where successive cylinders receive rod-like fillers of particulate material, such as comminuted smokable material.

Abstract: A clematis with purple tepals having a red/purple central stripe distinguished by yellow anthers and a free flowering habit.