Abstract: A refrigerant recovery system which includes a compressor having an input coupled through an evaporator and through a solenoid valve to the refrigeration system from which refrigerant is to be withdrawn, and an output coupled through a condenser to a refrigerant storage container. The evaporator and condenser are contained within a closed cylindrical canister for heat exchange and oil separation, the canister having an oil drain valve in the bottom. The refrigerant storage container is carried by a scale having a limit switch coupled to control electronics to prevent or terminate further refrigerant recovery when the container is full. The entire system, including the control electronics, is mounted on a two-wheel hand truck to facilitate transport to a job site such as a building air conditioning or heat pump system.

Abstract: In a cleaning system for cleaning venetian blinds, the blinds are stretched with their slats extending vertically on a carrier belt that is mounted to rotate about longitudinally separated drive and idler assemblies. One run of the carrier belt forms a station for loading and unloading of the blinds, and the other run of the carrier belt passes through successively arranged chambers in which both sides of the blinds to be cleaned are sprayed with washing liquid followed by various rinse solutions, whereafter the blind is passed through a drying chamber in which hot air is blown to effect drying. The vertical arrangement of the slats of the blind enable the washing and rinse liquids to drain rapidly and substantially completely so that the energy required for drying is reduced.

Abstract: An improved, reduced calorie, high base content chewing gum composition possesses a greater, more intense initial flavor impact of increased duration. The method of preparation utilizes highly fractionated or rectified flavor oils from which are removed the terpene and sesquiterpene components resulting in an enhanced and sustained flavor release from the gum base. The deterpenated oils have a lesser affinity for the gum base allowing for the use of higher gum base levels for the reduction of calories without the flavor oils being trapped therein. The sustained flavor release is also improved by the complete or partial renewal of several bitter tasting components previously associated with the oils.

Abstract: A purified inhibitor free human neutrophilic granulocyte end-stage maturation factor (GMF) inhibitor-free human neutrophilic granulocyte end-stage maturation factor is disclosed. The GMF is distinct from granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in both physical and biological properties.

Abstract: A nickel-based superalloy is provided which is resistant to deterioration in hydrogen at high operating temperatures and pressures, and which thus can be used in hydrogen-fueled spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle. The superalloy is characterized by a two-phase microstructure and consists of a gamma-prime precipitated phase in a gamma matrix. The gamma matrix phase is a primary solid solution and the gamma precipitated phase will be an intermetallic compound of the type A.sub.3 B, such as nickel aluminide or titanide. Both phases are coherent, ordered, and compatible, and thus will retain most of their strength at elevated temperatures. The alloy consists essentially of (by weight):______________________________________ Ni 50-60% Cr 10-20% Al 2-6% Co 2-5% Ti 3-8% W 5-12% Mo 5-10% Nb 1-3% ______________________________________wherein the ratio W/MO is approximately equal to 1, and Ti/Al ranges from about 1 to about 2.

Abstract: A lanthanide base olefin polymerization catalyst and its use in polymerization are disclosed. The lanthanide based catalyst is prepared by contacting a lanthanide halide with an ether, then contacting the resulting lanthanide composition with an alkali or alkaline earth metal alkyl compound, and depositing the resulting lanthanide product on a particulate support.

Abstract: A programming station for use in programming and servicing two-way radios that include replaceable hardware elements. Both user-only and programming station-assisted steps are simultaneously displayed in a predetermined order. The steps may only be accomplished in a fixed allowed order.

Abstract: A method of producing self-supporting ceramic composite bodies of desired shape by infiltrating a permeable self supporting preform with polycrystalline matrix material comprising an oxidation reaction product obtained by oxidation of a parent metal precursor, such as aluminum, and optionally containing therein metallic constituents. The composite body is formed by contacting a zone of a permeable self supporting preform, having at least one defined surface boundary spaced from said contacting zone, with a body of molten metal which is reacted with a suitable vapor-phase oxidant to form an oxidation reaction product.

Abstract: Resistance welding electrodes and processes using the same are provided. The electrodes have a base portion and an integral nose portion projecting therefrom, with the nose portion terminating in a welding tip face. The nose portion tapers inwardly between said base portion and said welding tip face with a concave profile taper such as a frustum of a vortical surface. The electrodes used may be made up of a conventional copper material having copper combined with one or more metals selected from the group consisting of chromium, zirconium, cadmium, cobalt, nickel, beryllium, tungsten, aluminum, tungsten carbide, iron, and molybdenum; or, may be made of essentally pure copper. The electrodes may be used in a welding process, which provides for a generally linear increase in current stepping with reduced or eliminated conditioning of the electrodes.

Abstract: An improved method for filtering noise bands from seismic data is described. The data is analyzed to determine the frequency component of the undesired noise, and a precise autocorrelation function is generated and used to design a filter to remove the undesired frequency component from the data. The filter can be band pass, band reject, notch, low pass, or high pass, and multiple bands of noise can be removed from the seismic data in a single filtering operation.

Abstract: A helium balloon is attached to, and in communication with a helium bottle and has attached thereto four guide lines so that selected lines can be pulled as needed to guide the balloon through clearings in overhead foliage. When not in use the lines are wound on a spindle to be packed with the deflated balloon. The spindle carries an arrowhead to be extended from one end thereof and driven into the ground to anchor the guide lines.

Abstract: The presence or absence of a nucleic acid sequence associated with AIDS in a sample containing one or more nucleic acids and suspected of containing such sequence can be detected by amplifying the sequence using primers to form extension products as templates and detecting the amplified product if it is present. This may be accomplished by adding a labeled hybridization probe to the amplified product either free in solution or after immobilization on a solid support.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method for treating oils having undesirable color impurities and an oil bleaching composition suitable for use in this method. The method comprises contacting the oil with the oil bleaching composition for a time period sufficient to reduce the amount of color impurities of the oil. The oil bleaching composition includes a neutral bleaching clay and a chelating polycarboxylic acid. The spent bleaching composition resists spontaneous combustion.

Abstract: An organic polymeric material, which is preferably perfluorinated and which comprises a polymeric chain and at least one group pendant from the chain, in which the group pendant from the chain comprises a saturated cyclic group and at least one ion-exchange group or group convertible thereto, and in which the ion-exchange group or group convertible thereto is linked to the polymeric chain through the cyclic group. Also an ion-exchange membrane produced from the polymeric material, an electrolytic cell containing the membrane, vinyl monomers from which the organic polymeric material may be produced and intermediates useful in production of the monomers.

Abstract: A flat flexible strip has a length by means of which it can be reciprocated longitudinally in rubbing engagement with tooth surfaces. The strip is constructed of crossed strands forming cross ridges in surfaces of the strip that produce a frictional scrubbing engagement against teeth surfaces when the strip is reciprocated longitudinally. Strands can be arranged in a woven pattern or a haphazard pressed pattern. The edges of the strip are reinforced in a non-raveling structure. The strip may be of a width up to about 1/2 inch and a thickness up to about 4 mls.

Abstract: A kennel accessory formed of PVC tubing and having a peripheral rail portion for releasable attachment to the inside surface of a portable dog kennel base portion and having legs thereon maintaining the rail elevated from the kennel floor. The rail provides an adequate escape area for newborn pups to prevent the mother dog from laying down on and crushing, or smothering, the pups. The legs of the accessory also permit releasable fixing of a rug type kennel bedding to the kennel floor to prevent the mother dog from digging up the bedding with the subsequent danger of smothering the pups by the bedding.

Abstract: There are provided novel branched alkenylnitroguanidine compounds. A method for inducing cytokinin plant growth regulant activity in crop plants by applying to the crop plants certain alkyl-, alkenyl- and alkynyl-nitroguanidine compounds is provided.

Abstract: Olefins are polymerized with a catalyst composition which forms on mixing a supported chromium oxide catalyst system and a silane compound. This composition allows the production of one or more comonomers in-situ. The resultant polymer has a lower density, a higher melt index, and a higher high load melt index than polymers produced with a similar catalyst system in the absence of a silane compound.

Abstract: Confections containing a volatile oil and designed for dissolving in the oral cavity containing novel volatile oil masking agents are disclosed. The volatile oil masking agents significantly suppress the perception of unpleasant organoleptic sensations such as bitterness or medicinal off-taste initiated by the volatile oil being released in the oral cavity. Masking agents such as fenchone and d-borneol are present in the confection in sensorially undetectable amounts to provide masking of unpleasant characteristics of volatile oils without detracting from the desired organoleptic sensations of taste and the preception of vapor action in the oral cavity.