Abstract: A membrane switch (10) is disclosed having a bottom membrane (12) with an upper conductive surface (16), a top membrane (14) with a lower conductive surface (18), and an intermediate spacer (20) disposed therebetween. The intermediate spacer includes a central aperture (24) and is formed of an intermediate substrate (21) having a lower surface (26) and an upper surface (28). First y-axis electrodes (30A, 30B) including first contact portions (31A, 31B) and second x-axis electrodes (34A, 34B) including second contact portions (38A, 38B) are both formed on the upper surface of the intermediate substrate. The intermediate spacer further includes an upper adhesive layer (45) including predefined first apertures (50) adapted to overlie the first contact portions of the y-axis electrodes and predefined second apertures (47) adapted to overlie the second contact portions of the x-axis electrodes, and a lower adhesive layer (43).

Abstract: An exterior sheathing element includes a first edge portion having a channel, and includes a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion and including a channel. At least a part of the second edge portion has a mounting tab projecting clear of the second edge portion in a substantially co-planar relationship with respect to the main body of the sheathing element.

Abstract: Absorbent devices, and more particularly absorbent devices that are worn interlabially by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, are disclosed. The interlabial absorbent device of the present invention comprises a main absorbent portion and a pair of flexible extensions joined to the main absorbent portion. The main absorbent portion has a distal surface and comprises an acquisition member and at least one storage member, in fluid communication with the acquisition member, that is disposed laterally outboard of the acquisition member. In use, the distal surface of the main absorbent portion is positioned furthest inward into the space between the wearer's labia majora. The pair of flexible extensions extends downwardly and laterally outward from the distal surface, and preferably is capable of maintaining contact with the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia majora when the wearer's body goes through a range of motions, including squatting.

Abstract: A material handling device comprising first and second upper arm members having respective proximal and distal end portions and first and second forearm members having respective proximal and distal end portions. The proximal end portions of the first and second forearm members are pivotally coupled to the distal end portions of the respective first and second upper arm members by respective first and first and second pivot assemblies. The distal end portions of the first and second forearm members are attached together. A material handler is carried by the distal end portions of the first and second forearm members. The first and second forearm members have a retracted position in which the first and second forearm members extend linearly along an imaginary line passing through the first and second pivot assemblies with the distal end portions of the first and second forearm members being disposed approximately midway between the first and second pivot assemblies.

Abstract: An improved catalytic reactor for high temperature reactions having a reaction chamber and a monolithic catalyst structure disposed in the reaction chamber is disclosed wherein the catalyst structure has a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed channels formed by thin metal substrate walls which expand on exposure to the heat generated in high temperature reactions and reactor also includes a monolithic open cellular support structure disposed in the reaction chamber having a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed passageways formed by strips of high temperature resistant metal or ceramic material with the support structure being secured on its outer periphery to the wall of the reaction chamber to limit movement along the longitudinal axis, and being positioned at and abutting against the outlet end of the catalyst structure.

Abstract: The invention concerns chewing gums that contains a chewing gum base, wherein a remainder, which is 0-65 wt. % paraffin or microcrystalline wax and 35-100 wt. % of a triglyceride composition, is present. The chewing gum may not display a major peak in its DSC thermogram above 55.degree. C.

Abstract: A module for a printing composition delivery system of a printing device that is a separable unit from the printing composition delivery system is disclosed. An embodiment of the module includes a printing composition supply station connector, a printing member connector, and a flexible conduit. The printing composition supply station connector is releasably attached to a printing composition supply station of the printing composition delivery system and has a coupler fluidly connectable to a printing composition supply of the printing composition supply station. The printing member connector is releasably attached to the printing device and has a coupler fluidly connectable to the printing member. The flexible conduit includes a first end fluidly connected to the coupler of the printing composition supply station connector and a second end fluidly connected to the coupler of the printing member connector to supply printing composition from the printing composition supply to the printing member.

Abstract: The present invention is a replaceable ink container for use with a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus of the type having out of ink detection. The replaceable ink container includes a fluid reservoir having an outlet. The outlet is configured for connection to a fluid inlet associated with the printing apparatus. Also included in the replaceable ink container is an actuator engagement device for engaging an actuator associated with the printing apparatus. The actuator is of the type that is movable between a first position wherein an out of ink signal is generated and a second position. The actuator engagement device is disposed and arranged to engage the actuator to prevent movement of the actuator from the second position to the first position thereby preventing the out of ink signal.

Abstract: A telephone ringer is light controlled, when the light intensity is below an adjustable preset level the ringer does not ring. The control element includes a SCR switching element, the gate potential of which is controlled by a light dependent resistance. A manual switch element to allow the telephone to be set ON, OFF, or AUTOMATIC is included. The AUTOMATIC setting is the light control element. The control element may be in the telephone set, or in a module insertable between set and system. The module additionally includes circuitry to allow phoning out. Courtesy and indicator light circuits are provided to allow dialing in the dark and incoming calls.

Abstract: A robotic arm comprises a plurality of sequentially pivotally attached links. The proximal end portion of the proximalmost of the links is pivotally mounted to a relatively static structure. An end effector structure has two substantially oppositely extending hands each capable of picking up a workpiece. The end effector structure is centrally pivotally mounted to the distal end portion of the distalmost link. The links, end effector structure and static structure are such as to allow the robotic arm to reverse across the pivot axis of the proximal end portion of the proximalmost of the links. A radial drive serves for driving the links in a manner such that the pivot axis of the central portion of the end effector structure moves only substantially linearly radially along a straight line passing through and perpendicular to the pivot axis of the proximal end portion of the proximalmost of the links and to the pivot axis of the central portion of the end effector structure.

Abstract: High tensile strength, creep and corrosion resistant zirconium alloys containing 7.0-10.0 wt% aluminum, 0-3 wt% in total of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of magnesium, tin, chromium, iron, carbon, silicon, yttrium, niobium, molybdenum and beryllium, the balance zirconium and incidental impurities, are produced by annealing cast alloys at a temperature below about 992.degree. C for a period of time sufficient to produce alloys having a substantially continuous matrix of the ordered intermetallic compound Zr.sub.3 Al. The alloys may initially be hot worked at temperatures above about 1000.degree. C, while in the .beta.Zr-Zr.sub.2 Al two phase region, prior to annealing. Preferred alloys contain 7.5-9.5% aluminum, the balance zirconium and incidental impurities.

Abstract: Braking systems for tractor and trailer combinations.A valve is mounted on the brake pedal of a vehicle and a second pedal pivotally connected to the brake pedal. The second pedal is connected to the spool of the valve by a spring. Depression of the second pedal allows fluid through the valve to the trailer brakes. Pressure in the trailer brakes acts between the spool and the body to bias the spool to compress the spring. This force is reacted by the brake pedal and thus the brake pedal is actuated by a force proportional to the force in the trailer brakes.

Abstract: A break-open firearm where the frame and the barrel assembly are locked in place by a sliding top lock. A top lock lever is pivotally connected to the gun frame and is operatively connected to the top lock by a helical coil spring which biases the top lock forwardly into locking position when the top lock lever is moved in a direction which decreases the diameter of the coil spring. Other embodiments of the invention provide for the helical coil spring to be connected to the frame and to the top lock lever and to the frame and the top lock. In each case, the result is that the helical coil spring is the instrument to bias the top lock forward.