Abstract: A block molded from a polymeric material has a through passageway to contain a percussive shock wave. Angularly related channels communicate with the containment passageway for receiving arcuate segments of detonation cord. Alignment of a plurality of blocks provides a convenient packaging setup for the cord. A percussive signal traveling along the cord can be short-circuited in the packaging setup. A diode version of the block can react to the signal in a given direction of travel.

Abstract: Peptides have been identified that bind to oral surfaces such as teeth and gums. Peptide based oral care reagents have been created by couple such peptides to oral care benefit agents such as whiteners.

Abstract: A small diameter shock tube of unique internal surface configuration such that the powder loading per meter of tubing can be higher than achieved with conventional shock tube. The outside diameter of the tube is less than 0.10?, preferably 0.085? with inner and outer layers of different polymeric material bonded together in a coextrusion process. The inside surface of the shock tube has radially inwardly projecting ribs or protuberances that result in an increase of the internal perphi of the inner surface cross section achieving a 30% increase so that powder loading per meter of the tube can be kept in a safe range.

Abstract: A pet deterrent device is herein disclosed wherein common household pets may be trained away from the negative habit of chewing on various household items. The pet deterrent device generally comprises an absorbent substrate having a non-toxic, foul tasting substance impregnated therein which is adapted to be easily applied to any household item including electrical power cords, family heirlooms, furniture, and the like. Suitable absorbent substrates include various fabric materials and thermoplastic compositions such as polyurethane. Upon biting a typical household item/pet deterrent device assembly, the pet receives a foul taste thereby providing immediate negative reinforcement and thus training the pet away from the negative chewing behavior.

Abstract: Peptides have been identified that bind with high affinity to body surfaces, such as, hair, skin, nails, teeth, gums, and oral cavity surfaces. Diblock and triblock peptide-based body surface coloring reagents formed by coupling a body surface binding peptide to a pigment binding peptide, either directly or through a spacer, are described. The peptide-based body surface coloring reagents may be used in conjunction with pigments to color body surfaces.

Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Abstract: Percussive signal transmission tubes, of contrasting color, are joined along adjacent longitudinally extending portions by an adhesive bead of polymeric material. The tubes can be separated in the field and are provided on spools without any sheath. A small diameter (0.10 inch) tube can be used to reduce the size of the spool, or increase the length of tubing wound on the spool. An apparatus for assembling the product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor, a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Abstract: Process of making polypeptide fibers including the steps of contacting a polypeptide with a solution of formic acid a divalent metal ion salt, or contacting a decrystallized polypeptide with formic acid having a water content less than 3 wt % and concentrating the resulting solution to a polypeptide concentration greater than 10 wt %.

Abstract: This invention pertains to novel fibers made of ?(1?;3) polysaccharides, and a process for their production. The fibers of the invention have “cotton-like” properties but can be produced as continuous filaments on a year-round basis. The fibers are useful in textile applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively expressing one or more selected fluid materials out of a fluid container, including a centrifuge rotor having a round centrifuge chamber of selected volume, a round expandable enclosure disposed within the centrifuge chamber having a rotation axis coincident with the central rotation axis and a flexible wall, a pump for controllably pumping a selected volume of expresser fluid into and out of the expandable enclosure wherein the fluid container is receivable within the centrifuge chamber, and a retaining mechanism for holding the fluid container within the centrifuge chamber in a coaxial position. The flexible wall of the fluid container is in contact with the flexible wall of the expandable enclosure.

Abstract: A system for deploying detonating cord from a reel that allows the user to tell at a glance whether he has left on the reel sufficient cord to complete the task. Before wrapping the cord on the drum, the detonating cord is marked incrementally. Once wrapped the user will have a visual indication of the number of feet, yards, or meters left on the reel.

Abstract: A detonator junction for use in a blasting network is disclosed. A body of the detonator junction includes a chamber for receiving a detonator. A retaining member, attached to the body, creates a slot for retaining one or more transmission lines proximate an explosive output region of a detonator disposed in the chamber. A limiting member, attached to the retaining member, traverses an imaginary longitudinal extension of the slot and limits inadvertent removal of transmission lines from the slot. A clip may interlock with the detonator, which in turn may be locked into the chamber to ensure secure and proper placement of the detonator in the chamber. When the detonator is activated a transmission signal is initiated in transmission lines disposed within the slot.

Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Abstract: Described herein are polypeptide fibers, such as silk fibers, produced by regeneration and methods for making the fibers.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasound bone analysis apparatus having a pair of transducer assemblies. Each transducer assembly has a transducer and a coupling pad, and is movable relative to the other so that a face of each pad can be moved to a position in which they mutually contact at a first compression and to a position where the faces contact body parts at a second compression different than the first compression. The method according to the present application includes transmitting an ultrasound signal from one transducer and receiving a signal corresponding to the transmitted ultrasound signal through the other transducer when the transducer assemblies are in the first position and the second position. A time for the ultrasound signal to pass through the body part is determined, and a width of the body part based on positions of the transducers is determined.

Abstract: An in-line initiator and firing device assembly includes a shock tube assembly. An in-line initiator is provided for initiating a shock wave along the shock tube assembly, and includes an end sleeve having a bore extending between input and output ends. At least a portion of a surface defining the bore toward the output end of the end sleeve is threaded for threadably receiving and forming threads on an outer surface of the input end of the shock tube assembly. A first retaining device is associated with the end sleeve for receiving a shock wave triggering device and securing the triggering device to the input end of the end sleeve. A firing device assembly is activated by a shock wave transmitted through the shock tube assembly. The firing device includes a barrel having a bore extending between input and output ends. The input end of the barrel communicates with the output end of the shock tube assembly and the output end communicates with a firing device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic bone testing apparatus has a foot well assembly and a shin guide assembly which are mechanically coupled to secure a foot and lower leg of patient during the measurement process. The shin guide assembly includes a molded form which has a shin restraint section, an instep guide section and a foot restraint section. An instep support guide having sliding blocks is mounted on the molded form. The sliding blocks are inserted into respective channels of respective bridge brackets of the foot well assembly to attach the shin guide assembly to the foot well assembly. The apparatus further includes a transducer drive mechanism for positioning a pair of transducer assemblies. A controller automatically modifies the positioning of the transducer assemblies until ultrasonic coupling is achieved and a receiving transducer receives a signal of a predetermined quality.

Abstract: An ultrasonic bone testing apparatus has a foot well assembly and a shin guide assembly which are mechanically coupled to secure a foot and lower leg of patient. The shin guide assembly includes a molded form lined with contoured foam lining. An instep support guide having sliding blocks is mounted on the molded form. The sliding blocks attach the shin guide assembly to the foot well assembly. The apparatus further includes a transducer drive mechanism for positioning a pair of transducer assemblies. A controller automatically modifies the positioning of the transducer assemblies until ultrasonic coupling is achieved and a receiving transducer receives a signal of a predetermined quality. The distance between the transducers is continuously measured by a position encoder. The controller uses temperature readings from a temperature sensor to improve the accuracy of the position encoder measurements and correct for temperature dependent inaccuracy in the ultrasound measurement.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasound bone analysis apparatus having a pair of transducer assemblies. Each transducer assembly has a transducer and a coupling pad, and is movable relative to the other so that a face of each pad can be moved to a position in which they mutually contact and to a position where the faces contact body parts. The method according to the present application includes transmitting an ultrasound signal from one transducer and receiving a signal corresponding to the transmitted ultrasound signal through the other transducer when the transducer assemblies are in the first position and the second position. A time for the ultrasound signal to pass through the body part is determined, and a width of the body part based on positions of the transducers is determined. Then, using the time and width values a speed of sound of the ultrasound signal passing through the body part with squish compensation is calculated.