Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for promoting more desirable fluid flow within a section of pipe between upstream and downstream transducers in a fluid meter (e.g., a water or gas meter). To create better fluid flow characteristics, an insert may be installed within the section of pipe. The insert may be configured with an upper portion and a lower portion that are connected in the manufacturing process. The insert may include mirror supports configured to result in low pressure drop and stable flow conditions. The mirror supports (upstream and downstream) reflect the ultrasonic signals sent between the upstream and downstream piezo transducers. A fluid stabilizer may be connected to one of the upper portion or the lower portion of the insert. The fluid stabilizer may include a conical central portion and four blades to smooth fluid flow between the transducers and associated mirrors.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for preserving biological material. The process comprises subjecting the biological material to a fixation process and then packaging the biological material in a container under a controlled atmosphere of noble gas. In the process, the controlled atmosphere of noble gas utilized comprises one or more noble gases selected from argon, xenon, helium, neon, krypton and radon. The process optionally also utilizes one or more additional gases selected from nitric oxide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen. This process allows for the long term storage of the biological material.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for preserving biological material. The process comprises subjecting the biological material to a fixation process and then packaging the biological material in a container under a controlled atmosphere of noble gas. In the process, the controlled atmosphere of noble gas utilized comprises one or more noble gases selected from argon, xenon, helium, neon, krypton and radon. The process optionally also utilizes one or more additional gases selected from nitric oxide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen. This process allows for the long term storage of the biological material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic closing device comprising a pouring part (1) for fixing onto packaging, a screw cap (2) that can be screwed onto the pouring part (1) and a self-opening collar (3) in the pouring part (1) that can be moved downwards with a screw action onto the packaging in order to open the latter. The screw cap (2) has a follower (24), which acts on a stop element (36) of the self-opening collar (3) and which, when the screw cap (2) is first opened, moves the self-opening collar (3) inside the pouring part (1) into a lower position onto the packaging in order to open the latter. When the pouring part (1) is subsequently closed by the screw cap (2), the self-opening collar (3) remains in the lower position. The self-opening collar has several cutting and/or piercing elements (32a, 32b) with a substantially quadrangular basic form. Said form is interrupted by a lower longitudinal edge comprising a sloping and a longer and flatter rising region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for viewing on a client device document data representing at least a part of a document to be printed. The method includes transferring the document to be printed from a client device to a print server, converting at the print server the document to be printed into document data, and transferring the document data from the print server to the client device. The document data are at least part of a raster image file obtained by a raster conversion function, the raster conversion function being used to print the document.

Abstract: A locking system includes a key which has a carrier provided with coded information. The coded information is obtained from an insulating layer containing a plurality of windows in which conductive strips extend. Each window is traversed by at least one conductive strip which is electrically connected to the carrier and with at least another strip which is insulated therefrom. Applying onto the windows is a coating layer which selectively insulates each window by either insulating the one strip or the other strip or the entire window so that each window can be coded by either one of three information modes. Cooperating with the key is a reader which contains reading contacts, a potential supply contact and different types of code contacts arranged in an arbitrary manner and communicates with electrical circuitry to determine the correctness of the key.

Abstract: Electrically-controlled and manually-actuatable lock devices are provided which can be attached in a simple manner to doors of all types. Given remodeling of existing doors, the cylinder lock present in the respective door can remain. The lock device converts a rotational motion introduced at the outside of the door by the turning of a knob, the rotational motion being conducted to the inside of the door below the lock, into a rotational motion of a cam of a cylinder lock and thus allows a traditional lock to be opened and locked. The rotational motion initiated from the outside is connected to the lock cylinder with the assistance of an electromagnetic coupling device that, in turn, actuates a mechanical coupling device. The electromagnetic coupling device is essentially designed without an air gap. This particular provision enables its operation with very low electrical energy. The lock device can therefore be supplied with electrical energy from very small batteries for years.

Abstract: A base with a keyboard for the manual generation of data combinations, e.g. of a code serving to release a lock of a door on which the keyboard is accessibly mounted, has one or more wipers impregnated with a nonvolatile film of liquid such as silicone oil. The wipers are carried on a lid which is pivotally or slidably attached to the base; movement of the lid, or of a detent holding it in closure position, causes the wipers to sweep across coplanar pressure faces of the keyboard and remove any finger marks that could be used by a would-be trespasser to help breaking down the code. The pressure faces are areas of a flexible foil having a rough outer surface for retaining part of the film of liquid spread thereover; the foil may comprise a porous layer underlain by a spongy layer storing some of that liquid.