Abstract: Apparatus for enabling the use of a computer mouse at a sterile surgical site comprises a pouch for the accommodation of the mouse and an inlet sleeve forming an inlet passage into the pouch. The pouch and sleeve are formed of pliable, preferably transparent sterilizable material. When the mouse has been admitted to the pouch via the passage, the sleeve may be separated from the pouch and the open mouth of the latter rolled to form a seal, thereby retaining the mouse within the pouch.

Abstract: A device is used to determine the presence of and the amount (depth) of visual suppression in a subject. The device includes a first light source emitting a first light and a second light source emitting a second light. Intensities of the light sources are independently controllable. A first filter disposed over one eye of the subject allows transmission of the first light and prevents transmission of the second light. A second filter disposed over the other eye of the subject allows transmission of the second light and prevents transmission of the first light. In a method of using the device, the intensity of at least one of the first and second lights is independently controlled, wherein the difference in intensities of the first and second lights at which the lights appear to be at equal brightness to the subject determines the amount of visual suppression in the subject.

Abstract: A porous solid windscreen formed of metal, plastic or the like covers the microphone without the need for the familiar large foam ball of material over the microphone. In a disclosed embodiment, the windscreen is a monolithic structure formed by sintering the material so as to produce a relatively consistent and desired sized pore structure. The wind screen is preferably sintered while in a mold, thereby allowing it to be formed in a variety of form factors including substantially arcuate structures or non-symmetrical structures and the like to accommodate desired aesthetic and/or acoustic needs.

Abstract: Apparatus for enabling the use of a computer mouse at a sterile surgical site comprises a pouch for the accommodation of the mouse and an inlet sleeve forming an inlet passage into the pouch. The pouch and sleeve are formed of pliable, preferably transparent sterilizable material. When the mouse has been admitted to the pouch via the passage, the sleeve may be separated from the pouch and the open mouth of the latter rolled to form a seal, thereby retaining the mouse within the pouch.

Abstract: The evaporator for a refrigeration device includes a hydrophobic coating on the surface thereof to inhibit the icing of the evaporator during operation and to reduce the generation of noises arising from relative displacements between the evaporator and the ice attached thereto. The evaporator is a lamellar evaporator and has a pipeline through which a refrigerant flows and a surface in thermally conductive contact with the pipeline. The surface is a heat-exchange surface and has a hydrophobic layer of oil thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for significantly reducing the biological load on consumer products such as food products, spices, produce, botanicals, cosmetic ingredients, barrels, pallets, crates, birdseed and medical products is disclosed. The method involves applying a continuous stream of saturated steam to a material in a sealed biological burden reduction chamber. The continuous stream of saturated steam is created in said chamber by correlating a desired temperature to pressure based on the use of Saturated Steam Tables. The apparatus includes: (a) a bioburden reduction chamber; (b) a temperature controller; (c) an air injection system; (d) a steam injection system; and (e) an evacuation system.

Abstract: A light weight and comfortable ear mount for a personal audio-set is disclosed. The ear mount conforms with the anti-helix of a wearer's ear thereby operating substantially as a compression spring between the wearer's anti-helix and tragus to operably secure the personal audio-set in place. In a preferred embodiment, the ear mount is substantially kidney-shaped and includes an opening to prevent the total occlusion of the ear canal by the personal audio-set. Alternatively, the ear mount includes a loop of material sized to operably engage the anti-helix of the wearer's ear. The ear mount is preferably reversible to allow it to be placed in either the wearer's left or right ear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for significantly reducing the biological load on consumer products such as food products, spices, produce, botanicals, cosmetic ingredients, barrels, pallets, crates, birdseed and medical products is disclosed. The method involves applying a continuous stream of saturated steam to a material in a sealed biological burden reduction chamber. The continuous stream of saturated steam is created in said chamber by correlating a desired temperature to pressure based on the use of Saturated Steam Tables. The apparatus includes: (a) a bioburden reduction chamber; (b) a temperature controller; (c) an air injection system; (d) a steam injection system; and (e) an evacuation system.

Abstract: In a disk type data storage device wherein the firmware used to control the device is partitioned with a first portion stored in the control circuitry and a second portion stored in the reserved area of the disk surface, the replacement of one of the portions in the field may cause the drive to have different levels or releases of firmware that will not function together. This disables the drive until diagnosed and connected. The structure disclosed includes identifiers associated with the firmware portions and the provision of a copy of the firmware first portion as well as the firmware second portion on the disk. The firmware first portion on the disk is normally never accessed and is a version compatible with the firmware second portion on the disk. During the power up sequence, the identifiers are checked for compatibility and the sequence normally continues.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming carpet components such as yarn, tufting primary, binder, and secondary backing wherein the carpet is sprayed with a high velocity water spray so as to disjoint the components from one another, and thereafter, separating the secondary backing from the yarn and tufting primary. Desirably, water is removed from the disjointed carpet after spraying the carpet with high pressure water spray. This system is useful for reclaiming components of broadloom carpet and carpet tiles and cleanly and efficiently separates tie components of carpet.

Abstract: A horizontal metal extrusion press has a pair of relatively stationary end plates spaced apart relative to a press axis and a plurality of spaced parallel tie rods extending parallel to the axis between the end plates, fixing same axially together, and each formed with a support face extending parallel to the axis and lying in a plane forming an acute angle with the horizontal and vertical and generally including the axis. A movable plate is displaceable axially between the end plates and carries a ram. A holder support is carried on one of the end plates and a cylinder carried on one of the end plates and braced against the movable plate for axially displacing same. Respective prismatic-section base bars on the support faces of the tie rods each have a generally vertical guide face and a generally horizontal guide face. These base bars are secured on the respective tie rods for limited movement radially of the axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apron conveyor whose mutually overlapping members, consisting of plates with side walls which connect vertically, are arranged on link chains and are partitioned in a way matching the chain divisions. The slats are provided in their overlap area on their oblique edges on one hand with a limb which points upwards away from the plane of the slat and, on the other hand, with an arched recess which covers the raised limb of the adjacent slat. According to the invention, webs connected to the side walls or formed by them are provided along the length of the side walls. These webs connect the chain links laterally. This arrangement allows the use of standardised link chains of which only one in each link pair must be provided with two holes (in particular threaded holes) for connection of the members to the webs.

Abstract: A subsea clamp comprising a drive member and an attachment member for location on respective ones of a first and second subsea structure. The drive member and attachment member can be wedged together by a locking member. In preferred embodiments the locking member is a collet with a deflectable end that can be moved longitudinally from a first position in which it is free to a second position where it wedges the drive member in the attachment member.

Abstract: A method for cleaning automotive or truck wheel surfaces. A cleaning composition containing an acid fluoride salt and having a pH of about 3 to 6.5 is applied to the automotive or truck wheel surface. The cleaning composition contains soluble salt in an amount which provides the composition with a molar ratio of soluble anion to hydrogen ion of about 3.5 or greater. This protects the wheel surfaces cleaned, including those of untreated aluminum, from corrosive attack by the acid fluoride salt.

Abstract: The specification discloses compositions and methods for removing particulate and greasy soils from painted and waxed surfaces without stripping the paint or wax. The composition comprises terpene and a surfactant. When applied to a surface as a concentrate, the composition effectively removes greasy and oily soils such as tree sap, tar, and other soils of this type which are typically difficult to solubilize using standard detergents. The composition can be diluted with cold water and applied to a surface to remove particulate soils. The composition and method are particularly useful for cleaning greasy and particulate soils from automotive surfaces.

Abstract: A fusion bonded carpet in which the pile yarn is secured in a non hot-melt latex adhesive base and methods of manufacture of such carpet.

Abstract: An aqueous cleaning composition is disclosed that is useful for cleaning wheel soils from surfaces of painted steel, painted aluminum, chrome, stainless steel, clear coated aluminum and plastic. The cleaning composition effectively removes organic and inorganic soils from these surfaces without pitting, etching or hazing. The cleaning composition is effective without scrubbing. The cleaning composition comprises at least one acid fluoride salt and at least one organic soil removing agent selected from the group consisting of detergents and organic solvents. The pH of the cleaning composition is from about 3.5 to about 6.0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dual-purpose cleaning composition for removing dirt and grease from painted and waxed surfaces without stripping the wax or paint from that surface. The composition contains nonionic amide and anionic surfactants, along with at least one of a terpene or a fatty acid alkyl ester.

Abstract: A carpet and carpet tile resistant to the growth of Gram negative, Gram positive and fungal organisms which contains a polymeric non-plasticized PVC tuftlock precoat, fusion bonding adhesive, or secondary backing which has incorporated in it a phosphoric acid ester or its salt of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R' are alkyl, oxyalkyl, polyoxyalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl groups of C.sub.1 to C.sub.24, and one of R or R' can be H; X is a Group I metal ion, Group II metal ion, transition metal ion, or NY.sub.1 Y.sub.2 Y.sub.3 Y.sub.4, where Y.sub.1-4 are hydrogen, a hydrocarbon of C.sub.1 to C.sub.24, or a hydroxyalkyl group of C.sub.1 to C.sub.24 ; and there is at least one free hydroxyl group; and when X is NY.sub.1 Y.sub.2 Y.sub.3 Y.sub.4 or a Group I metal ion, n is 1, when X is a Group II metal ion, n is 2; and when X is a transition metal, n is equal to the valence of the metal.