Abstract: A method for forming a fibrous web by wet-laying fibers on paper-making equipment, the web comprising staple length natural or synthetic fibers and wood cellulose paper-making fibers wherein a water furnish of the fibers is made up with an associative thickener in the absence of a conventional surfactant. A preferred associative thickener for use with hydrophobic fibers is a urethane block copolymer having a polyethylene glycol backbone, the associative thickener acting as both surfactant and thickener. With predominately cellulosic fibers, i.e. conventional wood cellulose fibers, or a mixture of conventional and contorted wood fibers, and synthetic cellulosic fibers, such as rayon, a hydroxyethyl cellulose having a long alkyl side chain is preferred. Excellent consistency of the water and fiber dispersion is obtained at relatively low viscosity with rapid drainage of water from the wire and uniform formation of the web.

Abstract: A nonwoven fibrous web is disclosed having high wet tensile strength when packed in a preservative liquid load, yet which breaks up under mild agitation conditions in a wet environment such as by the flushing action of a toilet. The wiper includes a nonwoven web made of a special blend of cellulosic fibers held together only by friction and naturally occurring hydrogen bonding. No binder is necessary to hold together the fibers. Derivatization of the fibers is not necessary for their breakapartability. The nonwoven fibrous web is produced by subjecting a wet-laid web of cellulosic fibers to hydroentanglement and drying the web without addition of a bonding agent.

Abstract: A method of making a quilted cloth-like composite laminate is produced. The method includes the steps of inserting a scrim coated with a thermoplastic binder between two nonwoven layers each of the nonwoven layers being formed of three-dimensional cellulosic fibers bound with a latex adhesive; heating the scrim and the two nonwoven layers to a temperature sufficient to activate the thermoplastic binder while maintaining unequal tension on the scrim and the two nonwoven layers; and pressing the scrim and the two nonwoven layers together to form a quilted cloth-like composite laminate having the nonwoven layers of cellulosic fibers adhered to opposite sides of the scrim. The surface of each nonwoven layer is quilted and interrupted by the scrim.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a fan or similar device to the ceiling of a building or mobile home, the invention also includes methods for installation of the apparatus and encompasses related embodiments of the apparatus. The several apparatus embodiments of the invention find utility within differing environments within which the apparatus is to be installed, certain of the embodiments being particularly useful for mounting a fan to the ceiling of a mobile home or the like and certain other embodiments being configured to facilitate mounting within the structural confines of standard building structures having one or more levels. In an embodiment useful for buildings having clearance above ceiling joists, the invention comprises an elongated bar configured to fit over upper surfaces of adjacent joists and to suspend an electrical outlet box beneath the bar with the fan being supported on a hook, double prong mounting bracket, or a hanging bracket.

Abstract: A method of making a flat cloth-like composite laminate is produced. The method includes the steps of inserting a scrim coated with a thermoplastic binder between two nonwoven layers each of the nonwoven layers being formed of three-dimensional cellulosic fibers bound with a latex adhesive; heating the scrim and the two nonwoven layers to a temperature sufficient to activate the thermoplastic binder while maintaining equal tension on the scrim and the two nonwoven layers; and pressing the scrim and the two nonwoven layers together to form a flat cloth-like composite laminate having the nonwoven layers of cellulosic fibers adhered to opposite sides of the scrim. The surface of each nonwoven layer is planar and interrupted by the scrim.

Abstract: A method of making a cloth-like composite laminate is provided. The method includes: inserting a scrim coated with a thermoplastic binder between two nonwoven layers, each of the nonwoven layers being formed of cellulosic fibers bound with a latex adhesive and heating the scrim and the two nonwoven layers to a temperature sufficient to activate the thermoplastic binder, the heating being performed without pressing the scrim and the nonwoven layers together so as to form a cloth-like composite laminate having a nonwoven layer of cellulosic fibers continuously bound to opposite sides of the scrim. The surface of each nonwoven layer is planar and uninterrupted by the scrim. The nonwoven layer is initially formed by forming two separate layers of three-dimensional cellulosic fibers, applying to each layer of three-dimensional cellulosic fibers a latex adhesive; and drying the latex adhesive to form two separate nonwoven layers of cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: An ultra-thin streaming tape cassette transport has its magnetic read/write head assembly mounted on a rigid transverse beam. The front wall of the transport through which a cassette is loaded is fixedly spaced in front of that beam and tracks exist between the front wall and the transverse beam for guiding the cassette to locating surfaces on that beam so that the cassette is positioned precisely vertically relative to the head assembly. A base plate which supports the drive spindles and cassette locating pins is hingedly mounted relative to the transverse beam and front wall so that it is movable between a position wherein the spindles and locating pins intercept the plane defined by the tracks to precisely position the cassette in the other two directions relative to the head assembly and a loading position wherein the spindles and pins are disposed below that plane permitting the cassette to be inserted into and withdrawn from the transport.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape cassette, the cassette housing is divided between the two roll cores by an elongated isolator extending from the working edge of the cassette to the opposite edge thereof to prevent tape loops formed in the housing adjacent one roll core due to a slack tape condition from propagating to the other core where they could become snagged by tape winding onto that other core thereby causing a tape jam or break. One end of the isolator is pivotally mounted to the housing so that the isolator can swing freely between the two roll cores as the amount of tape wound on the two cores varies and, during operation of the cassette, the isolator does not exert any appreciable drag on the rotating tape rolls.

Abstract: A weld backup mechanism includes an arcuate backup ring segment spring mounted to a support plate for rotational displacement. A plurality of such mechanisms are fixed to clamping members of an internal line-up clamp for radial expansion and retraction therewith.

Abstract: A Cloze-Elide automated testing system and method, utilizing a display surface such as a printed sheet or video terminal. A text of words being presented on the display have distractor words inserted therein to be elided by the examinee, the distractor words being positioned at predetermined surface positions. Means are presented to the examinee for deleting, or eliding the distractor words, and automatic scoring apparatus is provided for determining the positions or identity of the word selected to be elided from the text and for automatically computing an indication of the test score.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a fan or similar device to the ceiling of a building or mobile home, the invention also includes methods for installation of the apparatus and encompasses related embodiments of the apparatus. The several apparatus embodiments of the invention find utility within differing environments within which the apparatus is to be installed, certain of the embodiments being particularly useful for mounting a fan to the ceiling of a mobile home or the like and certain other embodiments being configured to facilitate mounting within the structural confines of standard building structures having one or more levels. In an embodiment useful for buildings having clearance above ceiling joists, the invention comprises an elongated bar configured to fit over upper surfaces of adjacent joists and to suspend an electrical outlet box beneath the bar with the fan being supported on a hook or double prong mounting bracket.

Abstract: A cassette tape transport has a base for supporting the transport's head assembly and drive motors which is tilted appreciably relative to the transport's front plate through which the cassette is loaded into the transport. The unit also includes a cassette holder with a retractable slider and which is swingable relative to the base between a loading position wherein it is aligned with the slot and defines, with the base and plate slot, a right triangle and an operating position wherein it lies adjacent the base so as to position the cassette therein accurately relative to the head assembly.The head assembly can be operated to move the head toward and away from the base against which the cassette is supported by the holder between fixed positions so that the transport can write on and read from a plurality of parallel tracks along the cassette tape.

Abstract: A chart recorder has all of its components mounted in a housing formed of a self-lubricating plastic material. The unit employs a single drive roller which is driven through a speed-reducing gear train by a low-torque motor and belt drive, which produces minimal noise. A special tilt plate is mounted behind the drive roller. The recorder has a swing-down front door which is movable between an open paper-roll-loading position, an intermediate paper-feed position and a closed operating position. When the door is in its paper-feed position, paper drawn from the roll can be fed manually between the roller and the tilt plate so that the recorder can be threaded up without power. When the door is closed, it resiliently biases the tilt plate against the paper trained around the drive roller so that, when the drive train is energized, the paper is advanced promptly and smoothly. A simple wire bail and cam surface locks the door in its intermediate and closed positions while simultaneously raising the recorder stylus.

Abstract: A front loading tape cassette holder comprises a support surface which supports a read/write head and a pair of abutments defining positioning surfaces and mounted to the support surface on each side of the read/write head. A door is hinged to the support surface adjacent the abutment positioning surfaces and the door is swingable between a closed position parallel to the support surface and an open position wherein it is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the support surface. Cantilevered leaf springs are mounted to the surface of the door opposite the abutments. When a cassette is placed on the door, the leaf springs guide the active edge of the cassette to the abutments and, when the door is swung toward its closed position, the springs urge that edge onto the positioning surface in a centered condition with respect to the read/write head. Also, when the door is fully closed, the springs bias the cassette against both the support surface and the abutments.

Abstract: Novel hydrogel compositions of diester crosslinked polyglucans and a process for their preparation are provided. Amylose, dextran, and pullulan succinates and glutarates when crosslinked as described were found to not only have use as general fluid sorbants but also to have exceptional hemostatic activity, adherence to a wound, and bioabsorption without causing undue irritation of the tissue or toxic effects. Reticulated hydrogel sponges made of the crosslinked diesters which are particularly useful as general fluid sorbants, and those of amylose succinate and amylose glutarate are most excellent bioabsorbable hemostatic agents. The sponges are made by lyophilizing water-soluble salts of the mono- or half-esters, such as water-soluble salts of amylose succinate or amylose glutarate, under process conditions of the invention in the presence of a reticulating agent which causes a controlled melting of the salt solution as it nears the dry state during the lyophilizing step.