Abstract: A display device for objects having protruding wires is disclosed. The device includes a panel formed from self sealing foam, preferably a polyethylene foam. Preferably, the panel is retained in position by a frame such as a picture frame. In a preferred embodiment, the front side of the panel is painted. The display device is especially well suited for storing and displaying pierced earrings in addition to other items. The earring post can be inserted into the foam panel without removal of the backer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involving the use of a thickness measurement probe having a predetermined resolution to measure the thickness of a wafer over a two-dimensional area of the wafer, the method including sampling the measured thickness of the wafer with the probe to generate an image of the two-dimensional area of the wafer, the image being a two-dimensional array of measurements, each measurement representing a measurement of the thickness of a different region of the two-dimensional area, the two-dimensional array of measurements being represented by a measured column tensor; and left multiplying the measured column tensor by a reconstruction tensor T to obtain an estimate of a desired measurement column tensor, where the reconstruction tensor T is equal to R.sub.dm R.sub.mm.sup.-1, R.sub.dm being a cross-covariance tensor computed for d, a desired measurement column tensor, and m, the measured column tensor, and R.sub.

Abstract: A method for minutia extraction from a digitized fingerprint array by twin tracker border line analysis includes scanning the array to detect ridge pixels, setting up a pair of tracker pixels or trackers on opposite borders of the ridge, moving the trackers along the borders of the ridge, periodically calculating the midpoint between the trackers to generate a centerline between the borders, calculating an average slope of the centerline, and periodically testing between the trackers for the presence of valley pixels. When such a valley pixel is detected, a sequence of aberration tests is conducted to identify the type of aberration. If the aberration tests all fail, the aberration is identified as a ridge diversion, the location and slope of which are stored as a minutia in a minutia location table. Ridge endings are detected by comparing the coordinates of the trackers after each move. If a ridge ending is detected, an attempt is made to jump to another ridge within a given proximity to the current ridge.

Abstract: A distillation column for separating atmospheric gases in which structured packing having varying crimp angles is utilized within at least two sections or subsections of a single section of a distillation column. In the case of the use of structured packing in multiple sections, the crimp angle of the structured packing used in the first section is greater than that of the second section and is selected such that both sections operate at the same maximum design percentage of flooding limit. The increased crimp angle of the first section decreases the HETP of the packing and thereby allows a column design of reduced height. Structured packing having different crimp angles can be used in a single section of a column when such section is subjected to possible variation of vapor rate. Here the crimp angles are again manipulated so that the subsections operate at the same maximum design percentage of flooding limit. The foregoing adaptation improves turndown performance.

Abstract: A gooseneck type hinge (18) for a vehicle body deck lid (16) includes a gooseneck member (20) moved by a control link (42) between a vertically extending orientation in an open position of the deck lid and a horizontally extending orientation in a closed position of the a deck lid so as to limit the extent to which the gooseneck member (20) of the hinge intrudes into the usable space of the associated vehicle body compartment (12). A universal hinge member (30) of the hinge has a first pivotal connection (32) for providing pivoting thereof about a first axis A on a vehicle body mounted member (28) and also has a second pivotal connection (34) that mounts a first end (22) of the gooseneck member (20) with respect thereto about a second axis B that is generally transverse to the first axis A.

Abstract: An application programming interface facilitates development of portable, multithreaded application programs. An application is a collection of instances of agent classes. Agent classes are organized in class hierarchies because new subclass agents may be derived from existing base class agents. Each agent class has its own message dispatching function; this allows the application programmer to alter the message passing framework provided by the application programming interface. Each agent instance within the program is independent because it is a sub-process aware only of its own data and context. Multithreading is provided by the application programming interface which contains a master dispatcher process non-preemptively allocating time to individual agents. Therefore, an application's multithreading capability is independent of the platform's operating system. In addition, a thread of execution may be split when the currently activated agent activates the master dispatcher.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a high purity nitrogen vapor product from the rectification of air within high and low pressure columns operatively associated with one another by a condenser-reboiler. The high pressure column incorporates a sufficient number of theoretical stages to produce a high purity nitrogen vapor which after being condensed by the condenser-reboiler, serves to partially condense a lower purity nitrogen vapor tower overhead produced in the low pressure column through indirect heat exchanger. In such service, the condensed, high purity nitrogen vapor is at least partially vaporized and utilized as a product stream. Since there is no direct heat exchange with the high purity nitrogen produced within the high pressure column and the lower purity nitrogen vapor produced in the low pressure column, the low pressure column can incorporate fewer theoretical stages and therefore can be built at less expense than similar air separation plants of the prior art.

Abstract: A closure including an improved hinge includes a cap member selectively coupleable to a container to cover an opening in the container. The cap member includes a first substantially planar member, a depending skirt and an aperture formed through the first substantially planar member. A solid member integrally formed with the cap member projects out of the first substantially planar member. The solid member includes an upper surface and two opposed side surfaces, with each of the opposed side surfaces having an indentation formed therein. The closure further includes a flip top having a plug wherein, when the flip top is in a closed position, the plug seals the aperture formed in the first substantially planar member and the flip top covers substantially all of the first planar member, wherein the flip top includes a cut-out area to accommodate the solid member so that, when the flip top is in the closed position, the flip top and the upper surface of the solid member form a substantially continuous surface.

Abstract: A shoe construction having an upper formed with a toe cap at one end and a heel receiving surface at the opposite end, a molded outsole and shank attached to the upper with a heel connecting the shank into the upper at the heel receiving surface, a single attachment means securing the connection, an aperture in the heel receiving surface and matching aperture in the shank so that a cushion carried internally of the upper is located in the matching apertures to be visible from the exterior of the upper at the heel as an identification of the shoe construction.

Abstract: An improved sealant for sealing leaks in pipelines and refrigeration and air conditioning circuits includes a partially hydrolized tetra methoxy silane along with another organo silane sealant. The use of a partially hydrolized tetra alkoxy silane, such as partially hydrolized tetramethoxy silane, in place of an unhydrolized tetra alkoxy silane, gives a stronger and tougher and more elastic seal, and the partially hydrolized material is less toxic than the unhydrolized material.

Abstract: Perfluorocarbons are recovered from gas streams by subjecting the gas stream to an adsorption process in a bed of one or more energetically homogeneous adsorbents such as silicon-rich adsorbents of the FAU structure, silicon-rich adsorbents of the BEA structure, silicon-rich adsorbents of the MOR structure. The adsorption process is preferably pressure swing adsorption or temperature swing adsorption.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a planar surface on the distal femur prior to implantation of a femoral knee prosthesis has a femoral plate with an opening therein for exposing both condyles of the femur. A guide with a central aperture is used to align the femoral plate on the distal femur. The guide is releasably secured to the femoral plate and an intramedullary guide rod is placed through the aperture therein and into the intramedullary canal of the femur. After alignment with the intramedullary canal, the femoral plate is pinned to the femur and the rod and guide are removed. A milling guide having two bores, one adjacent each condyle, is then placed on the femoral plate and an end mill is used to mill a planar surface on at least one of the condyles.

Abstract: A gas mixture comprised of nitric oxide and, optionally an inert gas, and containing small amounts of nitrogen dioxide, and perhaps moisture and sulfur dioxide, is purified by passing the gas stream through a bed of metal cation-free alumina-deficient zeolites of types Y or ZSM-5. The concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and moisture in the gas stream are reduced to about 1 ppm or less as the gas mixture passes through the bed of zeolite.

Abstract: A pivotal and extendable bathing door unit is disclosed wherein a first panel is pivotally connected to a supporting wall, and a second panel is extendably connected to the first panel, so that the door can operate to enclose without an overhead track. There are roller tracks and rollers cross-linked to each other while permitting lateral relative movement therebetween. In one form, cam members are associated with the pivotal connection of the first panel to provide a lifting action between bistable positions, and a magnetic member is connected to a handle on the second panel for attraction to a similar second panel of a second similar door unit.

Abstract: A method of depositing a solid substance on the surface of the substrate in which the solid substance is dissolved in a solvent to create a first solution. The solid substance is less freely divided prior to dissolution than when deposited on the substrate and the deposition density of the solid substance on the substrate is regulated at least in part by solid substance concentration. The solid substance is insoluble in a liquified gas and the first solution is soluble in the liquified gas. The solvent also is capable of depressing the freezing point of the liquified gas upon expansion of the liquified gas. The first solution is dissolved in the liquified gas to create a second solution having a sufficient concentration of the solvent relative to the liquified gas that solidification of the liquified gas is substantially prevented upon the expansion thereof. Preferably, this concentration of solvent is a minimum to prevent overuse of environmentally hazardous solvents.

Abstract: A braking system for an in-line skate for use with in-line skates having a chassis and boot assembly and a cuff pivotally mounted thereon, preferably including a plate secured to the cuff at one of the pivot points, to rotate relative to the boot with rotation of the cuff. A cable is attached to the plate a short distance from the pivot point, and is routed to lead rearwardly from the lower edge of the plate and thence through a cable housing connected to the boot and chassis near the heel area, and thence forwardly to the area of the wheels. At least one brake assembly is connected to the cable and is configured such that braking action is initiated when the cable is pulled by rearward rotation of the cuff relative to the chassis/boot assembly.

Abstract: A novel attachment system provides rapid alignment and attachment of adjacent modular panels which eliminates interpanel support members and permits individual panel reversal. The system utilizes pairs of substrates affixed to each panel edge. Each substrate has a plurality of tapered pins and sockets for alignment. Portions of the panel edges are provided with releasable VELCRO-type fasteners for attachment. Disassembly is accomplished by the application of tension to adjacent panels accompanied by a bending force at the junction therebetween.

Abstract: An improved railroad frog bolt-nut assembly is disclosed. The bolt has a square head and a shank. The shank has an unthreaded portion adjacent the head and a threaded portion at its terminal end. The threaded portion is rolled to a diameter equal to the shank's unthreaded portion to produce high fastener strength. A unitary lock nut is formed with an annular boss extending from it's outside end in which indentations intersecting with some of the nut threads are pressed to provide an interference, locking fit with the bolt threads.