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 unidirectionally operating laser apparatus using a semi-monolithic ring cavity having a compact structure capable of achieving a high frequency stability and a high-speed laser frequency tuning and modulation. The laser apparatus includes a laser active medium having a curved surface exhibiting an anti-reflection characteristic for a pump laser beam from a pump laser incident thereon while exhibiting a high reflection characteristic for an oscillating laser beam, a planar surface exhibiting an anti-reflection characteristic for the oscillating laser beam, and an optically-active polarization rotator attached to one side portion of the planar surface. The laser apparatus also includes an output mirror separated from the laser active medium, the output mirror having a curved surface with a coating exhibiting a higher reflectance coefficient for S-polarized beams than that for P-polarized beams, and a piezo-electric transducer.

Abstract: A method for enclosing an object with a spherical, transparent encapsulation of glass or like hard and scratch-resistant material includes the following steps, to be performed in suitable sequence, of: providing the object having a degradation temperature; arranging this object in a cavity; providing an encapsulating material around this object which melts at a temperature lower than the degradation temperature; carrying the object by a support of transparent material which melts at a temperature lower than the degradation temperature and which is substantially homogeneously fusable with the encapsulating material; and causing this encapsulating material to cure to a transparent encapsulating mass.

Abstract: An installation for the production of pressure has three operating states corresponding to a delivery operation, an idle operation, and a partial delivery operation. The installation contains at least two compression chambers in at least one compressor, each chamber being assigned at least one switchable inlet valve. In the delivery operation, the switchable inlet valves act as check-valves that allow pressure medium to flow into their respective compression chambers. Each compression chamber also contains at least one outlet check valve through which compressed pressure medium flows out to a pressure consuming system in the delivery operation. Each switchable inlet valve also has an idling position that allows pressure medium to flow into the applicable compression chamber and back out again without being substantially compressed. In the idle operation of the installation, each switchable inlet valve switches to its idling position.

Abstract: A business form includes a carrier sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface, and defining a die cut opening there through, with a patch of liner material mounted on the lower surface of the carrier sheet. The patch extends over the opening. The liner material has an upper surface facing the die cut opening in the carrier sheet, and carries a release coating on the upper surface. A two ply label assembly is mounted on the patch of liner material in the die cut opening. The two ply label assembly includes a transparent ply mounted on the upper surface of the patch of liner material, and a label ply mounted on the transparent ply. The form is manufactured by: a.) die cutting an opening in a piece of carrier material; b.) adhesively affixing a patch of liner material to the piece of carrier material; c.) mounting a transparent ply on the patch of liner material within the die cut opening; and d.) mounting a label ply on the transparent ply. The form is used by: a.

Abstract: A grid material for incorporation with a molded housing to provide electromagnetic and radio frequency shielding is described. The unitary grid material includes a calendered and annealed nickel-coated grid material containing between about 1 to 20 percent by weight nickel. Methods of making the unitary grid material are described.

Abstract: A ratchet assembly for a surgical instrument includes a bar having teeth; a pawl having a member for engaging the teeth, the bar being movable relative to the pawl in two directions along an axis, and the pawl being pivotable between a first ratchet position for allowing movement of the bar relative to the pawl in a first direction along the axis and a second ratchet position for allowing movement of the bar relative to the pawl in a second direction along the axis; and a toggle member associated with the pawl and the bar for allowing pivot of the pawl between the first ratchet position and the second ratchet position.

Abstract: The process of the present invention comprises transporting a reactor effluent containing acrylonitrile/methacrylonitrile to a first column (quench) where the reactor effluent is cooled with a first aqueous stream, transporting the cooled effluent into an indirect contact cooler to condensed at least some of the cooled effluent to form a condensate comprising water and acrylonitrile/methacrylonitrile, transporting the remaining cooled gaseous effluent containing acrylonitrile/methacrylonitrile into a second column (absorber) where the cooled effluent is contacted with a second aqueous stream to absorb substantially all of the remaining acrylonitrile/methacrylonitrile into the second aqueous stream, transporting the second aqueous stream containing the acrylonitrile/methacrylonitrile to a first distillation column (recovery column) for separation of the crude acrylonitrile/methacrylonitrile from the second aqueous stream, and transporting the separated crude acrylonitrile/methacrylonitrile to a second distilla