Abstract: An applicator for coating sheet material has a relatively thick compressible, saturable layer for engaging the sheet which is effective to apply an optically clear coating when saturated with a flood of liquid coating composition. The coated article has virtually no visible defects and has high optical transmission and low haze.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling in a variably controllable fashion the width of an extruder die opening whereby the width of material being extruded may be controllably varied.

Abstract: An actuator suitable for use as an ejection jack for deploying an aircraft mounted ram air turbine is provided. The actuator utilizes a spring powered ballscrew operatively coupled to a centrifugally actuated brake in such a manner that the brake limits the speed of reciprocating movement of the ballscrew. The problems of fluid leakage and slow deployment at cold temperatures, often encountered in prior ejection jacks utilizing hydraulic dashpots for speed control, are thus eliminated. The actuator also includes a locking device for locking the actuator in either an extended or a retracted position. Features are also provided for attaching an external drive mechanism in a manner allowing the ballscrew to be utilized for resetting the actuator to an initial non-extended position.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing corrugated sheet from a supply of material having low melt strength at the forming temperature includes a heater, a pair of interdigitated thermo-forming rollers for corrugating the sheet as it exits the heater and a closely coupled calibrator at the outlet end of the thermo-forming rollers. A carrier maintains lateral tension on the sheet as it is heated, thermo-formed and calibrated so as to maintain its uniform lateral width. The thermo-forming rollers and calibrator form and maintain the corrugations until the material cools to below the glass transition temperature. A method for producing the corrugations is likewise disclosed.

Abstract: A modified IEEE 488.1 bus interface increases, by as much as a factor of eight, the rate at which inter-instrument data transfers can be performed. The bus interface state machines presented in the ANSI/IEEE Std 488.1-1987 have been modified so that if all the devices involved in a particular data transfer are equipped to handle high speed data transfers, then a modified data transmission methodology is used so as to enable multiline messages to be transmitted at a higher speed than would otherwise be possible. If any of the devices involved in a particular data transfer does not have an interface equipped to handle high speed data transfers, this condition is automatically detected by the interfaces with high speed capability, and then the standard data transmission methodology is used. The high speed data transmission mode is totally transparent to the controller software in that it does not require any changes to the controller software nor to the device drivers and device application programs.

Abstract: A novel extrusion method and apparatus are disclosed for varying the width of an extruded article which employs the use of thermal pins in the extruder die body and does not involve the use of any mechanical manipulation of the die configuration.

Abstract: An improved process for the ring-opening polymerization of ring-opening polymerizable cyclic compounds using a fluidized bed.

Abstract: A method is provided for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, by administering therapeutically effective dosages of a drug comprised of ascorbate, lipoprotein(a) binding inhibitors, and antioxidants.

Abstract: A curved tampon applicator and a process for forming the applicator and assembling an absorbent tampon into the applicator is disclosed. The curved tampon applicator can facilitate placement of an absorbent tampon into a woman's vagina. The curved tampon applicator contains first and second arcuately shaped tubular members telescopically joined together. The first member has a stepped outer configuration with an enlarged portion designed to contain an absorbent tampon joined to a finger-grip portion. The enlarged portion is formed on a centerline having a first radius of curvature. The second member is formed on a centerline having a radius of curvature which is different from the first radius of curvature. The second member is sized and configured to slide within the finger-grip portion while being restricted from rotating therein. The second member contains at least one flared end which is sized to prevent separation of the second member from the first member.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical agent are provided for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, particularly cardiovascular disease in the context of diabetic angiopathy, by-pass surgery, organ transplantation, and hemodialysis, by administering ascorbate and substances that inhibit the binding of lipoprotein (a) to blood vessel walls. The use of ascorbate and lipoprotein (a) binding inhibitors such as tranexamic acid in a temporary storage solution for blood vessels and organs prior to transplantation is also demonstrated.

Abstract: A curved tampon applicator and a process for forming the applicator and assembling an absorbent tampon into the applicator is disclosed. The curved tampon applicator can facilitate placement of an absorbent tampon into a woman's vagina. The curved tampon applicator contains first and second arcuately shaped tubular members telescopically joined together. The first member has a stepped outer configuration with an enlarged portion designed to contain an absorbent tampon joined to a finger-grip portion. The enlarged portion is formed on a centerline having a first radius of curvature. The second member is formed on a centerline having a radius of curvature which is different from the first radius of curvature. The second member is sized and configured to slide within the finger-grip portion while being restricted from rotating therein. The second member contains at least one flared end which is sized to prevent separation of the second member from the first member.

Abstract: A preform for drawing superconductive wire is prepared by mixing fine particles of a superconducting material, containing barium, potassium, bismuth and oxygen, with a solvent, containing potassium hydroxide, in a tube. When the preform is heated and drawn, the superconductive material dissolves in the solvent. As the fiber cools, the superconducting material deposits from the solution as a solid network of crystals in contact with one another.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing nitratoalkyl-substituted cyclic ethers which consists of (a) cocurrently mixing a stream of N.sub.2 O.sub.5 and a stream of a hydroxyalkyl-substituted cyclic ether each dissolved in an inert organic solvent, followed by (b) rapidly separating the nitric acid and nitratoalkyl coproducts before they can react together to rupture the ether ring. Step (b) is conveniently performed by quenching the product stream within approximately 15 seconds of its formation, in a basic aqueous solution into which the nitric acid is transferred from the organic phase and is neutralized. Examples of products which may be prepared by this process are nitratoalkyl-substituted oxiranes and oxetanes.

Abstract: A method of preparing a nitrate ester of an epoxy alcohol, which consists of reacting an epoxy alcohol with N.sub.2 O.sub.5 in an inert solvent at a temperature of -10.degree. C. to -40.degree. C., followed by quenching the reaction mixture in aqueous solution. Quenching separates the nitric acid and nitrate ester coproducts into aqueous and organic phases respectively to prevent subsequent reaction between the two. Reaction between the nitric acid coproduct and epoxy alcohol reagent to produce acyclic contaminants is supressed by adding the epoxy alcohol to excess N.sub.2 O.sub.5, thereby rapidly converting available alcohol to nitrate ester.

Abstract: The filter of the present invention continually provides the passenger compartment of a vehicle with a supply of purified air, even in the most severe environmental conditions. The filter comprises an inlet surface, an outlet surface, walls which define a plurality of passages which extend from the inlet surface to the outlet surface, and a filtration means for removing the impurities from the fluid. The filter preferably can be subdivided into a plurality of layers, including an inlet layer, an intermediate layer, an outlet layer. Each layer includes a plurality of cells, the cells having walls with a generally curvilinear shape. A plurality of the passages are preferably in fluid communication with a plurality of other passages. Surface filtration is used to remove the impurities from the fluid flowing through the passages.

Abstract: Stain of fabrics containing terminal amine groups by foodstuffs and other liquid or moist products that contain a dye having sulfonic acid moieties can be prevented or minimized by also including in the product a sulfonated naphthol- or sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde condensation product in non-toxic quantities.

Abstract: Process for preparing high purity solvent-free cyclic esters from alpha hydroxycarboxylic acids via an intermediate oligomer wherein a fluorocarbon or a mixture of fluorocarbons is employed to strip the ester from the oligomer as well as a refrigerant to quench lactide from a gaseous reaction stream comprising, besides cyclic ester, unconverted alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid and water.

Abstract: Discharge tubes formed of metal fluoride gases are used in apparatus for emitting high frequency laser and fluorescent light. The discharge tubes are resistant to corrosion from halogen-containing gas mixtures subjected to high frequency excitation in the apparatus.

Abstract: A lamp socket assembly for a wedge-type lamp bulb having latch means for the lamp bulb that is a separate part of the assembly and is insertable from the base of the lamp socket.

Abstract: An elevator car has a drive mechanism mounted in a compact housing on the upper surface of the car. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable drive shaft, around which is mounted a linear actuator block having a plurality of ball bearings, obliquely arranged relative to the shaft, and firmly touching the shaft. Rotation of the shaft by a motor makes the block move linearly along the shaft. A bracket attached to the block carries an elevator door. Rotation of the shaft therefore opens and closes the door. The direction of movement of the block, and hence the door, depends on the direction of rotation of the shaft. The drive mechanism is compact and simple, and can be applied to new elevators or can be used to retrofit existing elevator cars.