Abstract: A thermoelectric refrigerator/warmer using no external power, and a refrigerating/warming method are disclosed. A natural energy such as the solar energy is utilized so as to make an external power needless. Thus a thermoelectric device is made to convert the natural energy into electric power based on the difference between the internal and external temperatures, and this electric energy is converted again into a thermal energy by means of a peltier device, thereby varying the internal temperature of the apparatus. An outer part 4 of a thermoelectric device 3 is attached on the side face of the refrigerator/warmer, and an inner part 5 of it is attached on a bottom plate 7 of the refrigerator/warmer. Thus a thermoelectromotive force is generated based on the temperature difference between outside and inside of the refrigerator/warmer. The voltage thus generated is supplied to a peltier device 6 to cool or heat the bottom plate 7.

Abstract: A thermally imagable business record such as a form, tag, label or the like is provided in which selected areas of the record may be activated to form an image upon exposure to heat. In one embodiment, at least one selected area of a substrate surface contains a thermally imagable coating of initially colorless color formers and color developers while the remaining areas of the substrate are left uncoated. The substrate may be pre-coated to provide a smooth, non-porous base coat for the thermally imagable coating, and may also include a protective coating layer to protect the subsequently printed thermal image.

Abstract: The invention is a sanitary mixer tap with a thermostatic device (1), especially for wall installation, with a thermostat cartridge (3) containing an overtravel unit (9). This unit (9) contains a sleeve (14), at least one pressure spring (15) and at least one pressure component (16) against which the pressure spring (15) acts. At each of its ends the sleeve (14) has a stop (19, 20). One stop (19) at least indirectly takes the thrust of the pressure component (16), the other stop (20) at least indirectly takes the thrust of the pressure spring (15). In order to achieve a simpler and cheaper construction design for the overtravel unit (9) without operational drawbacks, the sleeve (14) can be folded back on the overtravel unit (9) when it is not mounted and both stops (19, 20) will be presented before the pressure spring (15) and the pressure component (16) are inserted.

Abstract: The position of a screw compressor slide valve in a refrigeration system is controlled using compressor discharge gas sourced from a location where the gas is relatively oil-free and has undergone little or no pressure drop subsequent to its discharge from the compressor's working chamber.

Abstract: A faucet fitting system having interchangeable components useable in both single handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. The component system is designed to allow the same putty plate with breast plate, waterway spout, aerator and mounting nuts to be used with the various escutcheons, metering valves and waterways associated with the single handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. Specially constructed water valves, putty plates and escutcheon constructions useable in conjunction with the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A clip for securely retaining a weatherstrip in the upper mounting channel of an upper door frame of an automotive vehicle is described. The clip possesses a plurality of tines that engage various portions of the weatherstrip and the upper mounting channel so as to provide a resistive force against a dislodging force.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a medical instrument having at least one member moveable in at least a first direction against a first bias and a second direction against a second bias stronger than the first bias, includes a housing, a trigger operatively associated with the at least one member and pivotably mounted relative to the housing for pivot around a first limited pivot point and a second pivot point, the trigger being pivotable relative to the housing between a rest position and a pivoted position, wherein pivot of the trigger relative to the housing from the rest position toward the pivoted position results in pivot first around the first limited pivot point and movement of the at least one member in the first direction against the first bias, and subsequently in pivot around the second pivot point and movement of the at least one member in the second direction against the second bias.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst having the elements and the proportions indicated by the following empirical formula:VSb.sub.m A.sub.a D.sub.d O.sub.xwhereA is one or more Ti, Sn, where Sn is always presentD is one or more Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Fe, Cr, Ga, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb, Zr, Mo, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B, Al and Mn whereinm is 0.5 to 10a is greater than zero to 10d is zero to 10x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present,comprising making an aqueous slurry of a mixture of source batch materials comprising compounds of said elements to be included in the final catalyst, followed by drying and heat calcining the mixture to an active catalyst, wherein the source batch material for the tin is a solution which comprises SnO.sub.2.xH.sub.2 O wherein x.gtoreq.0 dispersed in tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide wherein the tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide is defined by the following formula:C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 NOHwherein 5.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.

Abstract: A thermostatic control valve has an expansion composition held in a cavity thereof. The composition contains electrical conductor particles dispersed throughout an electrical isolator. The particles conduct electrical current through the isolator when the electrical isolator has a volumetric size that is less than a predetermined expanded volume. When the isolator expands to the predetermined expanded volume, the distance between the particles is increased to the extend that the electrical current cannot be conducted.

Abstract: A method of absolutely measuring the diffraction grating spacing and apparatus thereof, which solves the disadvantages of conventional techniques for measuring the diffraction grating spacing, and provides a method utilizing a new laser diffractometer capable of transferring the meter standard to the nanometer region. The invention comprises a first method which utilizes a wavelength stable laser for generating a stable laser beam of wavelength .lambda., 0th and 1st order diffracted beams diffracted at the diffraction grating, and a precision rotary encoder; and a second method utilizing two wave lengths .lambda..sub.1, .lambda..sub.2 of the wavelength stable laser, 0th and 1st order diffracted beams, and a precision rotary encoder.

Abstract: A document printer is provided comprising a printer housing, a user interface and an internal printer controller positioned within the printer housing. The internal printer controller is programmed to designate a document format according to a format command entered at the user interface. A data stream input port is in communication with the internal printer controller and is operative to receive a data stream. A document construction module is in communication with the internal printer controller. The document construction module enables the internal printer controller to (i) extract predetermined data fields from the data stream according to the designated document format and (ii) convert the extracted data fields to document data. A document data printing mechanism is responsive to the internal printer controller and is operative to print the document data in the designated document format.

Abstract: A wire dereeling assembly for the continuous removal of wire from adjacent reels of wire includes a frame assembly positioned above the reels and located substantially perpendicular to a centerline extending through the reel axis of each of the reels and a guide member slidably mounted to the frame member and operable between a first position substantially coaxial with the reel axis of one of the reels and a second position where the guide member is positioned substantially coaxial with the reel axis of the other adjacent reel.

Abstract: A condensate drain pan arrangement with a positive slope. The drain pan arrangement comprises a housing including a first wall with a first aperture, a second wall with a second aperture where the first and second walls are spaced; a coil located in the space in the housing and between the first and second walls; and a drain pan having a condensate receiving portion within the housing and located under the coil. The drain pan includes a first end cap with a drainage attachment proximal the first aperture and positively engaged to the first wall, and a second end cap proximal the second aperture. The second end cap includes an engagement portion and a bottom portion. The drain pan arrangement includes an access plate including a lifting portion operably engaged to the bottom portion and raising same predetermined amount, and a securing portion operably engaged with the engagement portion to prevent movement of the second end cap, the second end cap is fixed with relation to the second wall.

Abstract: An improved catalyst for the hydrogenation of maleic acid, maleic anhydride or other hydrogenatable precursor to 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran has been discovered. This hydrogenation catalyst comprises palladium, silver, rhenium and at least one of iron, aluminum, cobalt and mixtures thereof, all on a carbon support.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an air conditioner outdoor unit includes tubing of the microchannel type which is internally partitioned into separate, parallel refrigerant flow passages and a wrapping of heat conductive flexible heat transfer material, commonly known as spine fin. The heat exchanger provides for greater heat transfer and a more compact package. Further, such heat exchangers allow for a reduced refrigerant charge in the air conditioning unit in which they are used.

Abstract: The invention concerns oxidised aluminium or aluminium alloy pigments having a content of metallic aluminium of not more than 90% by weight with respect to the total weight, wherein the pigments are colored, flake-like, shiny and non-agglomerated, a process for the production thereof and use thereof as special-effect pigments and as base pigments for further colouring with organic or inorganic color pigments.

Abstract: A golf putting cup that includes an outer cylindrical wall and a bottom portion disposed therein. The bottom portion forms a ferrule socket and includes at least one passage for directing sand and other debris away from the ferrule socket. The ferrule socket is of minimal surface area to prevent sand or other material from becoming trapped between the ferrule and ferrule socket.