Abstract: A phlebotomy aid provides a capability to expand circulatory members for emphasizing venous appearance and accessibility on an epidermal surface. A warming sheath or sleeve extends over a patient forearm for introducing a thermal source adjacent to a patient blood vessel for emphasizing the vein appearance on the epidermal surface. A beating element in the sleeve is powered and controlled by a low voltage circuit for controlled thermal introduction for mitigating discomfort from overheating and eliminating proximity of potentially harmful electrical exposure.

Abstract: A device for electro-optical signal conversion having a housing containing electro-optical signal conversion means and electrical and optical contact elements coupled thereto. These electrical and optical contact elements are designed for making contact to electrical and optical connector means, respectively. The housing is provided with latching means for detachably locking the connector means to be coupled thereto. Accordingly, with the device an adapter having an electrical and optical make-and-break connection is provided.

Abstract: A hot water heating system for a building has a hot water storage tank, a combustor, a burner for firing the combustor, a plurality of radiators, a pump for circulating hot water to and from the plurality of radiators, a first thermostat for measuring the temperature of the hot water in the storage tank and for controlling the burner in response to such temperature, a heat exchanger in the storage tank, a cold water inlet line, and a hot water outlet line. The improvement comprises a cold water heating element arranged around a portion of the inlet line, a temperature sensing element arranged in close proximity to the heating element, and a second thermostat for anticipatorily controlling firing of the combustor by the burner via the first thermostat. Also, the second thermostat, via an electrical line, shuts off the pump when the second thermostat is causing firing of the combustor by the burner.

Abstract: A novel nonwoven article useful as a scrim support for other materials, such as paper toweling and wiping cloths, or as porous, nonadsorbent coverings for adsorbent packaging such as bandages or sanitary napkins, or a ribbon for packaging and decorative applications, is produced by post drawing certain melt-blown thermoplastic mats under defined conditions of draw ratios and temperatures. A moderate strength yarn or twine can be produced by twisting the post-drawn, melt-blown thermoplastic web.

Abstract: Melt blown non-woven mats prepared from thermoplastic polymer fibers and substantially completely free of polymer shot are produced at high polymer throughput rates in an improved melt blowing process in which thermoplastic polymer resins, preferably polypropylene, having initial intrinsic viscosities of at least 1.4, are degraded, optionally in the presence of a free radical source compound, to have both reduced intrinsic viscosities and an apparent viscosity in the melt-blowing nozzle orifices of from about 50 to about 300 poise.