Abstract: Described are exemplary embodiments of a grasping mechanism for a powered, handheld positive displacement pipette, the grasping mechanism configured to grasp and releasably retain the piston head of a syringe that is usable with the pipette.

Abstract: An electric vehicle powered by a trailing cable, the vehicle including a cable guide for guiding cable onto a reel as the cable is paid out and taken up. The cable guide comprises a pair of adjacent, double flanged concave rollers in alignment with each other so that their respective flanges are spaced apart by only a small distance substantially less than the cable diameter so that an essentially closed circular path is defined by the concave surfaces of the adjacent rollers so that the cable can not escape the rollers, each of the rollers including a polyurethane core that is hard and slick that creates a natural bearing surface, and an outer portion made of softer polyurethane than the core that aids in gripping and guiding the cable onto the cable reel.

Abstract: A phased array ultrasonic testing system is for examining turbine disc bores and blade attachments for discontinuities, such as stress corrosion cracking. The system is particularly suited to perform an accurate and efficient inspection of components despite their having a relatively complex geometry, such as axial entry blade attachments and bores of associated discs. The system includes a control system with a computer and a controller for programming, emitting, and steering an ultrasonic beam via at least one two-dimensional phased array probe, thereby precisely inspecting the area of interest while simultaneously accommodating the aforementioned complex geometry of the disc or blade attachment. Computer control of the beam permits the number of inspection locations and the number of different probe wedges to be reduced providing for an efficient, timely inspection. Methods of profiling and examining turbine components of known and unknown geometries, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A phased array ultrasonic testing system is for examining turbine disc bores and blade attachments for discontinuities, such as stress corrosion cracking. The system is particularly suited to perform an accurate and efficient inspection of components despite their having a relatively complex geometry, such as axial entry blade attachments and bores of associated discs. The system includes a control system with a computer and a controller for programming, emitting, and steering an ultrasonic beam via at least one two-dimensional phased array probe, thereby precisely inspecting the area of interest while simultaneously accommodating the aforementioned complex geometry of the disc or blade attachment. Computer control of the beam permits the number of inspection locations and the number of different probe wedges to be reduced providing for an efficient, timely inspection. Methods of profiling and examining turbine components of known and unknown geometries, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inspection head where non-destructive inspection is structured to fit into narrow spaces, and to accurately and repeatably move an inspection probe along a surface to be inspected. Movement of the inspection head along an X, Y, Z, ?, and ?-axis is precisely controlled by individual drive mechanisms.

Abstract: The invention discloses bar compositions which are milder than soap but have squeaky feel or rinse associated with soap. This is accomplished by ensuring at least a certain portion (at least 1%), or all, of the soluble surfactant system is ion-sensitive. Further, soluble soap comprises less than 1% by wt. of bar, which helps produce a less alkaline pH bar while allowing squeaky feel to be produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid detergent compositions generally comprising anionic/amphoteric/nonionic surfactant systems. Addition of specific polyol esters wherein the melting temperature and HLB are specifically defined has been found to remarkably enhance the oil/humectant structuring and releasing capabilities of a skin cleansing bar. In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a method for enhancing the bar's capability of including high levels of oil and/or humectant by carefully balancing the polyol ester's weight ratio to the oil and/or humectant. In the third embodiment, the invention relates to a method of enhancing the bar's capability of incorporating high levels of oil and/or humectant and delivering the oil and/or humectant for skin benefit by carefully balancing the polyol ester's weight ratio to the other costructurants such as PEG 8000 and fatty acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to personal wash bar compositions, particuly compositions comprising (1) lathering anionic surfactants (e.g., sodium acyl isethionate or fatty acid soap); (2) specific solid, less hygroscopic amphoteric surfactants (e.g., disodium N-lauryl iminodipropionate). The invention relates to the incorporation of significant levels of said solid amphoteric surfactant into the specific bar compositions to achieve superior skin mildness and bar user properties. The invention especially addresses the advantages of using solid, less hygroscopic amphoteric surfactants to reduce the processing difficulties in extrusion and modified extrusion processes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to specific synthetic bar compositions wherein relatively small amounts of specified alkoxylated nonionic surfactant has been found to enhance mildness of bar compositions without sacrificing processability and desired user properties, such as lather and bar smoothness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cast melt bar composition comprising surfactant, fatty acid, generally lower MW polyalkylene glycol and small amounts of water wherein the ratio of total polyol to water is at least 3:1. By using less water and greater variants of polyol, the bars allow larger amounts of generally insoluble materials to be used and also allow retention of bar integrity using limited amounts of soap (important for mildness).

Abstract: The invention relates to bar compositions comprising an alkali metal salt of hydrophobically modified ethylenediaminetriacetic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making bar compositions comprising salts of hydrophobically modified ethylenediaminetriacetic acid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to synthetic bar compositions wherein relatively small amounts of specified hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycol nonionic polymer has been found to enhance mildness of bar compositions without sacrificing processability and lather property.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid detergent compositions comprising anionic/amphoteric surfactant systems. Low addition levels of specific hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycol wherein ratio of hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycol to anionic surfactant is defined have been found to remarkably enhance mildness without sacrificing processibility and desired user properties. In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a method for enhancing mildness in liquid detergent compositions comprising anionic surfactant by adding said defined hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to mixed fatty acid soap based bar compositions, which may include synthetic surfactants as co-actives, wherein relatively small amounts of specified polyoxyethylene-polypropylene nonionic polymer has been found to enhance mildness and reduced mush of bar compositions without sacrificing the user properties and processability of the formulations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to synthetic bar compositions wherein relatively small amounts of specified polyoxyethylene-polypropylene nonionic polymer has been found to enhance mildness of bar compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid detergent compositions comprising anionic/amphoteric surfactant systems. Addition of specific EO-PO copolymers wherein ratio of anionic to EO-PO polymer is defined has been found to remarkably enhance mildness. In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a method for enhancing mildness in liquid detergent compositions comprising anionic surfactant by adding said defined EO-PO polymers.