Abstract: A modular worktop, and method of assembly, including a surface member, a front edge, and a backsplash, the components preferably being removably attached to each other. Each of the surface member, front edge, and backsplash may be selected from a predetermined group of decorative surfacing options, resulting in a worktop that is aesthetically pleasing to the consumer or person selecting the components. Additionally, each of the components is sized and configured so as to bring assembly and installation within the skill range of the average consumer. Because the front edge is removably attached, the front edge is changeable at the discretion of the consumer, for example, for aesthetic reasons.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isomerization process wherein hydrogenated aromatic amines are substantially isomerized to their thermodynamic form. These hydrogenated aromatic amines are presented by the formulas: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, R1 and R2 are hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, A is C.sub.1-4 or NH; n is 0-2, x is 1-3 and y is 1 to 2 except the sum of the y groups in Formula I may be 1.The improvement in the process comprises using a catalytic system comprising cobalt preferably in combination with another Group VIII metal selected from rhodium, ruthenium, platinum, and palladium and the metal, copper. Preferably the catalyst comprises cobalt in combination with rhodium or ruthenium wherein the weight ratio of cobalt to rhodium or ruthenium, calculated on metal content, is from about 0.2 to 100 weight parts cobalt per weight part rhodium or ruthenium and the isomerization is carried out in the presence of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite image on an image recording medium from first and second component images, represented by digital image data, comprising the steps of converting the digital image data of each image into electromagnetic radiation image data; and forming the composite image by successively exposing the recording medium to the electromagnetic radiation image data of the first and second images so that the images are created on the medium in overlapping relationship to form a join region. The medium is doubly exposed, first by the image data of the first image and then by the image data of the second image. The intensity of the electromagnetic radiation representing the first image is progressively ramped off in the join region and the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation representing the second image is progressively ramped on in the join region.

Abstract: A process for preparing triethylenediamine and piperazine by passing an ethanolamine, ethyleneamine, piperazine or morpholine over a pentasil-type zeolite at elevated temperature characterized by employing a ZSM-5 zeolite in the hydrogen or ammonium form which has been treated with a passivating agent which is a silicon-containing compound capable of deactivating the acidic sites on the zeolite surface.

Abstract: A hair control device for pools/spas and a method for using the same includes a grate disposable in the pump inlet of a pool/spa with a plurality of elongate flow channels extending between a first end of the grate and a second end of the grate. The elongate flow channels are isolated from one another so as to decrease turbulence and to prevent hair from tangling or knotting behind the grate in such a manner that a person's head is held under water. Preferably, the channels of the grate will be at least 18 inches long. The channels can be linear, or can be disposed in a helical pattern through the housing of the grate.

Abstract: A process for the production of aliphatic amines by reacting aliphatic alcohols with an amino compound in the presence of a catalyst containing at least two inter-dispersed metals, in a multi-metallic structure, in which at least one of the metals is nickel or cobalt, and at least one other metal is palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, or copper.

Abstract: A process for the production of predominantly primary and secondary amines and little or no tertiary amines by the reductive amination of aliphatic alcohols using a metal exchanged crystalline aluminosilicate catalyst. The catalyst has a silica/alumina ratio ranging from about 10:1 to 40:1, contains about 1 to 10% by weight of cobalt or nickel and about 0.05 to 5% by weight of at least one other metal. High conversion rates are achieved at moderate temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Until recently, conducting polymers have been used as protective coatings. lthough these types of polymers appear to be effective in most cases, problems have resulted when attempting to bind these polymers to an aluminum surface. The polymers of this invention adhere extremely well to aluminum and aluminum alloys and thus, provide a very effective form of corrosion protection.

Abstract: A method of reading multiple RFID tags located in a field of an interrogating antenna is based on periodic transmissions from the tags with large, non-transmission intervals between transmissions. The non-transmission intervals are fixed for a given tag, but are random between tags due to manufacturing tolerances in electrical components from which the tag is constructed, such that no coordination of transmissions from the interrogating antenna is required.

Abstract: An equipment for testing electronic circuitry comprising: test connections to said circuitry; measurement means for generating test signals for application to said circuitry and monitoring response signals produced by the circuitry in response to the test signals, said test signals being applied and said response signals being received by way of said test connections; switches for switching the test signals generated to said test connections and the response signals produced to said measurement means; means defining the settings of said switches for a current test of a series of tests required to be performed on said circuitry; first memory means for storing the switch settings for the next test of said series following said current test; second memory means for storing the switch settings for the entire series of tests; and sequencer means for transferring (i) the next switch settings from said first memory means to said means defining and (ii) the switch settings for the test of said series following said n

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for displaying image and facsimile data on a host-based application display. A host computer generates control and download command data for displaying the image or facsimile data. The image and facsimile data is processed by a non-programmable-terminal (NPT) or a programmable work station (PWS) for presentation of a display screen. When a user requests another function, the NPT or PWS stores image information and sends image information to the host computer. The save image information includes cache image counter data, scaling and viewed image screen location data that is used to restore the displayed image and facsimile data when the user returns to the previous function.

Abstract: A thermostatically controlled enclosure for a small computer device includes a housing and a control circuit connected to a temperature signal generator such as a transistor. A circulating fan controlled by the output of the control circuit is mounted to the housing. Also provided is an LED indicator or audible alarm responsive to an over temperature condition within the housing. The control circuit consists of six basic blocks: a temperature to voltage converter; a high current operational amplifier; a fan on/off control; an over temperature sensor network an oscillator; and an LED or alarm driver.

Abstract: A process for preparing triethylenediamine by passing an amine compound over a catalyst at elevated temperature to afford a reaction product containing triethylenediamine and piperazine, the amine compound having, in the molecule, a moiety represented by the following general formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and X is oxygen or nitrogen characterized by adding an ethylating compound containing at least one nitrogen and/or oxygen atom to the reaction product and contacting the reaction product, under conditions sufficient to produce triethylenediamine from the ethylating compound and piperazine, with a condensation/cyclization shape-selective zeolite catalyst demonstrating a triethylenediamine/piperazine weight ratio uptake value of at least 6:1.

Abstract: Acetonitrile is produced directly from alkanes or alkenes by ammoxidation over a catalyst which is a silica-alumina exchanged with a metal of Period 4, Groups VIIA and VIII of the Periodic Table. The silica-alumina can be amorphous but is preferably crystalline zeolite. Preferred zeolite include ZSM-5, beta, NU-87 and USY. Cobalt is the favored metal for exchange. Particularly good results are obtained when the zeolite has been modified with a surface coating of silicon oxides prior to the metal exchange or modified with a boron or phosphorous containing compound followed by calcination. Ammoxidation of alkanes produce alkenes as a byproduct which can be recycled to the reaction to increase acetonitrile yield.

Abstract: A uniform temperature reference block for connection with the cold reference terminations of thermocouples inserted into a plurality of cavities in the block using a novel thermally conducting bridging bar having an electrically insulating covering and a corresponding plurality of electrically conducting uninsulated projections secured at successive spaced points of the bar along the insulating covering thereof and parallely extending transversely from the bar for inserting within the block cavities.

Abstract: A process for preparing triethylenediamine by passing an ethanolamine, ethyleneamine, piperazine or morpholine over a pentasil-type zeolite at elevated temperature characterized by employing a ZSM-5 zeolite in the hydrogen or ammonium form which has been pretreated with an aqueous solution of a chelating agent capable of forming a chelate-aluminum complex.

Abstract: A process for preparing triethylenediamine by passing an ethanolamine, ethyleneamine, piperaziHe or morpholine over a pentasil-type zeolite at elevated temperature characterized by employing a ZSM-5 zeolite in the hydrogen or ammonium form which has been pretreated with an aqueous caustic solution.

Abstract: Improved selectivity to tertiary amine production is obtained by the addition of an aliphatic or aromatic halide to the feed during the catalytic hydrogenation of saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic nitriles.

Abstract: A telephone line power strip-off circuit includes a low loss polarity guard sub-circuit, a low loss line seize sub-circuit, a low loss speech transformer sub-circuit and a high efficiency switched mode power supply which has an output voltage less than the input voltage, arranged to recover 80% approximately of the power presented to the terminals of the phone.

Abstract: An interseeder apparatus and method for dry broadcast distribution of seeds in conjunction with a center-pivot irrigation system. The interseeder apparatus comprises a storage container for storing a quantity of dry seed to be interseeded. The storage container is adapted to be mounted on a center-pivot irrigation system. A seed conveying device is employed for conveying the seed in a dry condition from the storage container outwardly from the storage container. A plurality of dispensing stations are positioned along the main water pipe.