Abstract: A fully additive method of applying a circuit pattern to a three-dimensional, nonconductive part comprises: pretreating the surface of the part; pad-printing a surface catalyst in a solvent carrier onto the surface in the shape of a desired circuit pattern; and applying an electroless copper deposit onto the surface catalyst, thereby providing a copper layer on the surface in the desired circuit pattern shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a siloxane-oxyalkylene copolymer surfactant having the formula MD.sub.x D'.sub.y M wherein M represents (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2, or R(CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO.sub.1/2, D represents (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO.sub.2/2, D' represents (CH.sub.3)RSiO.sub.2/2, and the value of x+y is from 48 and 220, and the ratio x/y is from 5 to 15 inclusive. In the above formulae for M and D', R is a polyether-containing substituent selected from the group consisting of(1) --C.sub.n H.sub.2n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.a (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R' moieties having weight average molecular weights in the range 2300-3400 and wherein n is 3-4, the ratio a/b is from 0.5 to 1.3 inclusive, R' represents hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-4 carbon atoms or --C(O)CH.sub.3 and(2) --C.sub.n' H.sub.2n' O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.a' (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system includes an instrument panel having an upper pad having a rearward edge and a lower pad having an upper edge. The upper edge of the lower pad is releasably connected to the rearward edge of the upper pad. The air bag restraint system also includes an air bag module mounted forward of the lower pad and including an air bag deployable in a generally rearward direction. Upon air bag deployment, the force of the deploying air bag releases the upper edge of the lower pad from the rearward edge of the upper pad such that the lower pad bends generally rearwardly and downwardly for permitting deployment of the air bag rearward of the lower pad.

Abstract: A computerized source searching system and method for the placement of an order for at least one offer via a terminal having a display is disclosed. The system includes system storage for storing offer information, and for storing electronic reproductions of offer sources corresponding to the offer information. The system includes source searching capabilities for locating an offer source, including a display for displaying electronic offer source images, a filtering mechanism for displaying electronic offer source images corresponding to entered source search criteria, and a selection mechanism for selecting one of the electronic offer source images displayed. One or more of the offers associated with the selected electronic offer source image can be located by displaying a segment of the electronic offer source image, and selecting one or more offers in that segment. A user can thereby locate an offer by searching through an electronic equivalent of the offer source used by the person placing the order.

Abstract: A liquid toner printable thermoplastic film is provided. The film is coated with an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer based coating capable of electrostatic imaging with liquid toner. Optionally, the coating contains acrylic polymer. In a specific embodiment, the coating includes a major proportion of ethylene-acrylic acid and minor amounts of filler such as talc and silica. The coating can also include wax and/or pigment such as titanium dioxide. In a further embodiment, the carboxylate groups of the copolymer are neutralized with metal ions from Group Ia, IIa or IIb of the Period Table of the Elements, specifically, sodium.

Abstract: A method of fluxing a cast light-weight metal substrate for thermally adhering sprayed metallic coatings thereto, comprising: (a) preparing the substrate to be clean of grease and oil and to have a uniform and homogeneous surface energy; (b) electrostatically depositing a dry flux powder coating onto such prepared surface; and (c) thermally depositing melted metal onto and across the flux coated surface to further thermally activate the flux if not already activated, for stripping away any substrate oxides and to thermally metallurgically bond the deposited molten metal to the substrate.

Abstract: A side entry tub includes a stationary section and a movable section with a mechanism of pivoting the movable section away from the stationary section to form an opening for entry and back to the stationary section to form an enclosure for bathing. During pivoting, the movable portion is separated from the stationary section to avoid damage and excessive wear on sealing gaskets.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing a flexible polyurethane slabstock foam by reacting a polyol, an organic diisocyanate, and water in the presence of at least one urethane catalyst, a siloxane-oxyalkylene copolymer surfactant and, optionally another blowing agent, where the surfactant has the average formula MD.sub.x D'.sub.y M where M is (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2 or R(CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO.sub.1/2, D is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiO.sub.2/2, D' is (CH.sub.3)RSiO.sub.2/2, and the value of x+y is 48 to 220, the ratio x/y is 5 to 15 inclusive, R is a polyether-containing substituent selected from the group consisting of (1) --C.sub.n H.sub.2n O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.a (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.b R' group having weight average molecular weights in the range 2300-3400 and wherein n is 3-4, the ratio a/b is from 0.5 to 1.3 inclusive, R' represents hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-4 carbon atoms or --C(O)CH.sub.3 and (2) --C.sub.n' H.sub.2n' O(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.a' (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling an IPX router to enter a network. The router does so by (a) transmitting on the network an RIP general request with null source and destination network designations; (b) receiving replies from other routers and determining therefrom the correct source and destination network designations; and thereafter (c) activating an interface to the network including transmitting a RIP response broadcast with the correct source and destination network designations; and (d) in the event that a reply is not received to the RIP general request within a predetermined time, otherwise activating the interface to the network.

Abstract: A motor vehicle hydraulic system including a power steering pump, a reservoir, a steering assist fluid motor, and a second fluid motor for a radiator cooling fan. A flow control valve remote from the power steering pump divides the total fluid flow from the power steering pump into a high flow branch and a low flow branch. Fluid circulates in the low flow branch at a substantially constant flow rate for a proportional control valve for the steering assist fluid motor and returns to the reservoir through an unrestricted tubular boss on the reservoir. Fluid in the high flow branch issues as a jet stream from a nozzle on the reservoir into a venturi passage submerged in fluid in the reservoir. The venturi passage is connected to an inlet port of the power steering pump. The jet stream aspirates fluid from the reservoir into the venturi passage. The kinetic energy of the jet stream is converted into superatmospheric pressure at the inlet port of the power steering pump to suppress cavitation.

Abstract: A microfabricated wobble motor with a positioning arm attached to the wobble motor rotor acts as a fine positioner with bidirectional movement. The primary application is a rotary actuator for the read/write head in a very small magnetic recording disk drive. An integrated head-arm assembly is attached at one end to the rotor of the wobble motor. The other end of the head-arm assembly has a head carrier that is maintained in contact with the disk. Head position error information is read from the disk and used to provide control signals to each of the stator elements. The stator elements are sequentially addressed by applying a voltage from a driver circuit. This causes the rotor to be electrostatically attracted to the activated stators, so that the rotor is movable bidirectionally. The read/write head can thus be moved bidirectionally to any of the data tracks on the disk and maintained on a desired data track for reading or writing data.

Abstract: A self erecting personal water safety device includes a marker device having a flag portion and a base portion normally in the collapsed state; an erection chamber in the flag portion and a compressible storage chamber in the base portion for storing an actuating fluid and interconnected with the erection chamber for compressing when submerged in water to transfer fluid to the erection chamber and erect the flag portion.

Abstract: A magnetic recording disk drive uses side-by-side read/write heads formed on head carriers that are substantially identical for both top and bottom disk surfaces. Thus, a common head carrier functions as a single manufacturable part usable for both top and bottom disk surfaces. The common head carrier has a trailing end with a pattern of components formed on it that includes three side-by-side transducers and sets of terminal pads. In the read/write/read side-by-side head arrangement, the first element is a center write element, such as an inductive coil, and the second and third elements are read elements, such as magnetoresistive read elements, that are generally equally spaced from the center write element.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of azelea found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female azalea `Karens` and the male Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development of an upright, dense, globose shaped plant with an attractive winter stem and foliage coloration and single purple flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of azalea found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female azalea `White Gumpo` and the male Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development of a dense, globose shaped plant with attrative single pink flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of azalea found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female azalea `Pink Cheer` and the male Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development of a dense, globose shaped plant with attractive single strong pink flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of azalea found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female azalea `Georgia Giant` and the male Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development of an upright, dense, globose shaped plant with attrative large single purple flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of azalea found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female azalea `watchet` and the male Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development of a dense, globose shaped plant with attractive rosebud shaped flower buds and single to semi-double strong red flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of azalea found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female azalea `Carror` and the male Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development of a dense, globose shaped plant with attractive semi-double pink flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of azalea found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female azalea `Pink Cascade` and the male Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development of a low, spreading shaped plant with attractive single salmon pink flowers.