Abstract: A piezoelectric drive, and the rotor and/or pushers thereof, have long life, e. g. at least about 6000 hours of actual operation. The piezoelectric drive also is highly accurate, and is relatively inexpensive to make. The rotor friction surface and/or pushers are made from a material having a low mechanical quality factor, yet with high strength and stability under the conditions encountered in the ultrasonic fields typical of piezoelectric drives. The material is preferably a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer (e. g. polyarylamide) with filler (e. g. glass particles or fiberglass), e. g. about 30-60% polymer and about 40-70% filler, and can easily make injection molded components or parts or components. A pair of drives may be connected together to form an instrument, for example rotating a shaft connected to a pointer of analog instrument either clockwise or counterclockwise. Analog instruments, such as thermometers, barometers, speedometers, altimeters, pH meters, anemometers, etc.

Abstract: A process for rendering films, film composites, and articles made therefrom less resistant to passage of water vapor by passing a filled precursor film or film composite through the nip of interdigitating grooved rollers. The films or film composites are generally formed using a precursor film of a film forming polyolefin or polyolefin blend, with a relatively high filler loading and optionally an elastomer. A process is disclosed for making diapers or other disposable items where a relatively high water vapor is coupled with a resistance to liquid strikethrough. In one embodiment of the invention, the interdigitating grooved rollers are maintained in a temperature range of from about 91° F. to about 159° F.

Abstract: A process for rendering films, film composites, and articles made therefrom less resistant to passage of water vapor by passing a filled precursor film or film composite through the nip of interdigitating grooved rollers. The films or film composites are generally formed using a precursor film of a film forming polyolefin or polyolefin blend, with a relatively high filler loading and optionally an elastomer. A process is disclosed for making diapers or other disposable items where a relatively high water vapor is coupled with a resistance to liquid strikethrough. In one embodiment of the invention, the interdigitating grooved rollers are maintained in a temperature range of from about 91° F. to about 159° F.

Abstract: A process for rendering films, film composites, and articles made therefrom less resistant to passage of water vapor by passing a filled precursor film or film composite through the nip of interdigitating grooved rollers. The films or film composites are generally formed using a precursor film of a film forming polyolefin or polyolefin blend, with a relatively high filler loading and optionally an elastomer. A process is disclosed for making diapers or other disposable items where a relatively high water vapor is coupled with a resistance to liquid strikethrough.

Abstract: A molluscicidal material having a predetermined size, composed of an interior core having predetermined properties, at least one adhesive, a mollusk attractant and a molluscicide coating, and the process of treating plants and mollusks with the same.

Abstract: A process for rendering films, film composites, and articles made therefrom less resistant to passage of water vapor by passing a filled precursor film or film composite through the nip of interdigitating grooved rollers. The films or film composites are generally formed using a precursor film of a film forming polyolefin or polyolefin blend, with a relatively high filler loading and optionally an elastomer. A process is disclosed for making diapers or other disposable items where a relatively high water vapor is coupled with a resistance to liquid strikethrough. In one embodiment of the invention, the interdigitating grooved rollers are maintained in a temperature range of from about 91° F. to about 159° F.

Abstract: A process for rendering films, film composites, and articles made therefrom less resistant to passage of water vapor by passing a filled precursor film or film composite through the nip of interdigitating grooved rollers. The films or film composites are generally formed using a precursor film of a film forming polyolefin or polyolefin blend, with a relatively high filler loading and optionally an elastomer. A process is disclosed for making diapers or other disposable items where a relatively high water vapor is coupled with a resistance to liquid strikethrough. In one embodiment of the invention, the interdigitating grooved rollers are maintained in a temperature range of from about 91° F. to about 159° F.

Abstract: An apparatus and a concomitant method for promoting hygienic practices is disclosed. The apparatus is a monitoring unit for monitoring the completion of a desired action, e.g., handwashing, by a user. Upon completion of the desired action, the monitoring unit transmits a satisfactory signal to the user.

Abstract: A mobile lifting device includes a car having a gate and a docking plate mechanically interconnected at one end of the car. A low voltage DC control system includes an “up” circuit, a “down” circuit connected in parallel with the up circuit, and a sensor circuit in series with the up circuit and down circuit. The sensor circuit includes a plurality of series connected switches for automatically preventing operation of the lifting device if predetermined conditions are not met. The “up” circuit includes a switch positioned on a stage and connected to the control circuit by a coiled cable. A wand on the switch engages a knob on the side of the car when the car reaches the level of the stage, actuating the switch to stop the car. In the event of a power failure, a battery supplies power for opening a solenoid valve to lower the car. Three control panels are provided, one at each end of the car and one in the middle of the car.

Abstract: A polymer film comprising at least first and second contiguous and coextruded portions, wherein the first portion is extruded from a first polymer composition containing a filler material in an amount sufficient to increase the water vapor permeability of the first portion relative to the second portion, and the second portion is extruded from a second polymer composition such that a tensile strength of the second portion is greater than the tensile strength of the first portion. Such polymer films allow for highly vapor permeability, while providing portions with sufficient strength to allow for taping or attachment of fastening devices.

Abstract: An improved call distribution system is provided for distributing calls and information relating to the calls to different stations serviced by telephones and computers. The call distribution system comprises one or more telephone lines, with or without a PBX or an ACD, a first telephony interface device connected to a computer and to the telephone lines, a second telephony interface device connected to the telephone lines, a call control process that controls the telephony functions on the first telephony interface device, a telephony interface process that controls the telephony functions on the second telephony interface device, and an interprocess message dispatch system that is used to send messages between the call control process and the telephony interface process.

Abstract: An improved process for azeotropic distillation of chloral to anhydrous chloral containing as little as 0.1% water. An azeotropic mixture is used which contains chloral in at least a 1.4:1 ratio with the concentration (% of weight) of a azeotropic agent (preferably ethylene dichloride). The feed stream may contain other components, but will contain at least 60% chloral and less than 40% water. Preferably, the feed stream is substantially free of components other than choral and water. Water is removed from the overhead product of the azeotropic and EDC separation distillations periodically or continuously throughout the process. The azeotropic agent is preferably separated from the anhydrous chloral product. This separation may be performed in the azeotropic distillation column or in a separate distillation column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vector machine control of a tool and a workpiece so as to perform desired electric discharge machine (EDM) operations on the workpiece in accordance with a polar coordinate frame of reference. The method for vector machine control calls for the processing of input data to derive vector magnitude data, vector angle data and Z-axis data. The tool is advanced in the direction of the Z-axis by a given amount to an offset position, and the tool is then successively advanced and withdrawn in the direction of a given vector angle (corresponding to the vector angle data) by a corresponding distance (corresponding to the vector magnitude data). The procedure may be repeated for successive vector angles and magnitudes, and may be further repeated at other offset positions in accordance with other vector angle and vector magnitude data.