Abstract: The present invention pertains to the development of Extracellular Matrix (ECM) scaffolds derived from the forestomach of a ruminant. Such scaffolds are useful in many clinical and therapeutic applications, including wound repair, tissue regeneration, and breast reconstruction. In addition, the present invention features methods of isolating ECM scaffolds from mammalian organs, including but not limited to the ruminant forestomach. The invention further features laminated ECM scaffolds containing a polymer positioned between individual ECM sheets. The polymer may optionally contain bioactive molecules to enhance the functionality of the scaffold.

Abstract: Methods for exterminating pests using compositions comprising at least one protease enzyme. A detergent component may also be utilized in such compositions.

Abstract: An analytical fluorometric method and a kit for use in such method are disclosed for assessing the presence of alkaline sphingomyelinase (SMase) in the stool of a patient in need of such an assessment since alkaline SMase is a marker of serious pathological states, such as colon cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process of neutralizing textile industrial wastewater by a bacterial strain isolated in India. The isolated bacterial strain is capable to bring down the pH of wastewater from 12.00 to 7.00 units within two hours. The neutralization of alkaline textile industrial wastewater by such biotechnological process is highly effective and economical as compared to conventional neutralization by chemical means. This biotechnological process may find wide commercial application in textile industries emanating alkaline wastewater.

Abstract: A composition. The composition comprises aspirin, magnesium, and nattokinase, and either niacin or nitroglycerine. The composition has a structural form of: a chewable form, a dissolvable form, a liquid form, a spray form, or a suppository form. The structural form is suitable for being introduced into the body of a person, such as by means of a body cavity of the person. The composition may be used for mitigating adverse effects of an imminent or actually-occurring pernicious thrombotic event, such as a heart attack or stroke, in the person.

Abstract: A spin welding apparatus is employed for hermetically sealing seamless overpacks. The seamless overpacks are utilized, for example, for isolating corroding 55 gallon drums which contain hazardous materials. The overpacks include a receiver which contains the 55 gallon drum and a cover which is spin welded onto the receiver. The receiver and cover have circular welding surfaces which oppose one another across a horizontal plane. The welding surfaces have a composition of heat fusible plastic. During the spin welding process, the cover is rotationally driven by the spin welding apparatus while simultaneously being forced downward onto the receiver, which is held stationary. Frictional heat melts the opposing welding surfaces. After the rotational motion stops, the opposing welding surfaces cool and solidify to form a seamless weld joint. During the spin welding process, the covers are rendered susceptible to centrifugal imbalance due their large size.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rotary horn intended to be excited at a frequency of from about 18 to about 60 kHz, which horn is a shaped, solid metal object having a rotational axis and a radial surface terminated by a first end and a second end. The horn is radially symmetrical. The thickness of the horn at the rotational axis is greater than the width of the horn at the radial surface.

Abstract: There is provided a molded connection piece and a method of making the same, in particular a boring saddle made of thermoplastic material and having a heating wire capable of conducting an electric current for producing a welded joint between the molded connection piece and an object to be joined with the molded connection piece. The heating wire is embedded in both surfaces of a disk-shaped core, in each case following the course of a spiral-shaped groove, and the core having the heating wire is joined with the molded connection piece. The disk-shaped core is formed of a material which, on melting, combines itself with the material of the molded connection piece.

Abstract: An apparatus which coacts with a fitment supply station to effect continuous motion transfer and application of fitments to carton blanks on a conveyor line. The apparatus includes a rotatable drum having at least one vacuum transfer station disposed in rotational alignment between the fitment supply station and a conveyor release station, and an adjustable backup roll disposed in alignment with the drum and the release station for application of the fitments to cartons. A variable speed drive train matches drum and conveyor line speeds to effect continuous motion fitment transfer.

Abstract: Method and device for forming grid-like coatings on web-like flexible planar structures and manufactured products thereof.The invention relates to a method and device for forming grid-like coatings on web-like flexible planar structures with fusion adhesives in the powder gravure method by spreading fusion adhesive powder in the depressions of a rotating gravure roller (1) and transferring the gravure powder fillings onto the planar structure (8) with the use of a rotating heater roller (5) pressed onto the gravure roller. The invention is based on the object of so configuring a method and a device of this type that without additional expenditure they prevent the necessity for using additional web-like carrier strips for transferring the raster-like coating from the gravure roller onto the surface construction finally to be coated.

Abstract: A moistening arrangement for moistening the flaps of envelopes comprising a guide path for guiding envelopes, a moistener, an arrangement for moving the moistener transversely of the guide path, a first drive for moving envelopes at a first speed onto the guide path, a detector for detecting the first speed, and a second drive for moving envelopes away from the guide path at a second speed. The first and second drives are spaced apart a distance less than the lengths of the envelopes. A sensor arrangement senses the widths of the flaps of envelopes at a determined position between the first and second drives, and a control arrangement is provided for controlling the position of the moistener as a function of the speed of an initial portion of the envelope, and as a function of the speed of a final portion of the envelope.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rotary horn intended to be excited at a frequency of from about 18 to about 60 kHz, which horn is a shaped, solid metal object having a rotational axis and a radial surface terminated by a first end and a second end. The diameter of the horn can vary from about 4 cm to about 19 cm. The width of the horn at the radial surface is in the range of from about 0.6 cm to about 13 cm. The thickness of the horn at its rotational axis is from about 0.6 cm to about 15 cm and is independent of the width of the horn at the radial surface. The horn has a mass in the range of from about 0.06 kg to about 30 kg.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solder leveler and in particular to one including a solder trough assembly having a container, two blowing means and two angular frames, two pneumatic rods mounted on the angular frames and having an elongated case in which there are mounted a horizontal pneumatic cylinder and a plurality of pneumatic cylinders, two conveyer belts mounted at two sides of the solder trough assembly, a jig fitted on the solder trough assembly, an elevated device for moving the jig upwards and downwards, and a revolving means for rotating the jig whereby the printed circuit board is first fed by the first conveyer belt into a clamping unit of the jig, then moved up to an appropriate height by the elevated device, rotated downwards by the revolving means, lowered down into the container for soldering, lifted up from the container, blown by the blowing means so as to remove excess solder thereon, rotated upwards by the revolving means to a horizontal position, released by the jig, and delivered by the s

Abstract: An apparatus for coating samples or small quantities of internally and externally threaded fasteners includes a powder feed, an induction heater, and dust collection system. A reciprocating, magnetized holder engages a friction drive to rotate a stud in front of a spray nozzle. In another embodiment, a nut sample machine includes a reciprocating powder spray nozzle mounted on an air cylinder and a water cooled support block for the nut. In a third embodiment a hydraulically controlled gate is sequenced with the reciprocating powder feed, providing a continuous coating operation. Methods for applying coating to the samples include steps that employ these embodiments.

Abstract: There is disclosed an atomized thin film forming apparatus for forming a thin film by spouting an atomized source solution toward a heated substrate. A pair of inner wall surfaces defined at the upper portion of a film forming nozzle and disposed opposite to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of a film forming chamber are restricted so as to gradually narrow in the interval therebetween toward a spouting opening in a smooth curve. Hence, it is possible to prevent a mist of the source solution atomized by the atomizer from being locally stagnant in the film forming nozzle and prevent a precipitate of the atomized source solution from growing. Consequently, the flow of the mist of the source solution is not hindered by the precipitation of the atomized source solution so that the thin film is formed over the surface of the substrate at a high uniformity for a long period of time.

Abstract: The method of impregnating and the apparatus for impregnating a thin cord with a medicinal solution with the cord to be used in the dental field as an appliance for gingival retraction in conjunction with the teeth of a human being. The cord is immersed in a bath of the medicinal solution, moved from the bath to a squeezing roller assembly so that the medicinal solution evenly permeates the cord, removing excess solution, drying the cord and winding the cord on a wind-up reel prior to being dispensed to the consumer.

Abstract: A thin film forming apparatus which forms a thin film over a surface of a subtrate by spraying a mist of a source solution produced by atomization over the surface of the substrate heated to a given temperature. The film forming apparatus is provided with a pair of guide members for supporting and guiding the substrate at opposite sides of the same. The distance between the opposite inner surfaces of the guide members can be changed according to the width of the substrate to be supported and guided by the pair of guide members. The distance between the respective lower portions of the opposite inner surfaces of the pair of guide members is greater than the distance between the upper portions of the opposite inner surfaces of the same, so that the distribution of the flow rate per unit flow passage area of the mist of the source solution is uniform with respect to the width of the substrate and enables a thin film of a uniform thickness to be formed over the entire surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An improved dispensing apparatus is disclosed which is specifically adapted to provide a supply of wiping material for use in conjunction with the application of coatings to motor vehicle window glass. The dispensing apparatus of the present invention incorporates a spool carrying a substantial supply of the required wiping material and associated support apparatus for supporting the spool in close proximity to its area of use. The support apparatus enables quick and easy replacement of the spools as well as providing a controlled resistance to rotational movement of the spool during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a fastener with head and shank portions is disclosed. The invention includes the steps of and apparatus for transferring the fasteners from a feed mechanism such that the fasteners are positioned for coating. The fasteners are then conveyed through a plurality of operating stations, beginning with a heating station where the shank portions of the fasteners are heated. Subsequently, at a material applying station, a coating material is applied to the heated shank portions. A preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention includes using a magnetic holder to carry the fasteners horizontally by their portions, heating the shank portion to a temperature above the melting point of the applied material and applying the material to the heated shank portion to form a coating thereon. The magnetic holders are part of an endless traveling belt that rotates continually. The fastener carriers have teeth that engage a rack to rotate the fasteners.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying a bonding material such as solder paste or conductive epoxy to a printed circuit board or other substrate surface upon which one or more other electrical components may already have been premounted. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a removable fixture having a screening surface which is generally shaped to conform to the area targeted on the circuit board and which contains holes prepositioned to correspond to electrical contacts of the electrical component to be mounted. The screening surface is connected to a holding frame by at least two vertical sides to allow easy placement of the screening surface on a populated or empty circuit board and to protect other mounted electrical components from damage or displacement during the screening process.