Abstract: An integrated process for the production of an alkenyl carboxylate, such as vinyl acetate which process comprises the steps of (a) contacting in an oxidation reaction zone a C2 to C4 alkane, such as ethane, a molecular oxygen-containing gas, optionally the corresponding alkene and optionally water, in the presence of a catalyst to produce a stream comprising alkene, carboxylic acid and water; (b) separating at least a portion of the stream from step (a) into a fraction comprising the alkene and a fraction comprising the carboxylic acid and water; (c) contacting in a second reaction zone at least a portion of said alkene fraction produced in step (b), a carboxylic acid and a molecular oxygen-containing gas, in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product stream comprising an alkenyl carboxylate, water and carboxylic acid; (d) separating at least a portion of the product stream from step (c) and at least a portion of the carboxylic acid and water fraction produced in step (b) by azeotropic distillation into

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for delivery of commercial cargo containers shore side without container terminals. The present invention utilizes containers made autonomous by coupling a container with a detachable propulsion system, having a motor and navigation and steering controls, permitting the rapid, controlled, efficient and safe delivery of cargo containers individually by water. Ballast units, deployment systems and control via remote units are also disclosed. These improvements allow the containers, utilizing their inherent buoyancy, to approach a shore autonomously according to a preplanned or remote controlled route to a specific location and in a specific order of arrival, thereby reducing the number of cargo handlers required, speeding the delivery process to the shore, and eliminating the need for high-technology pier-side equipment.

Abstract: A seaming assembly for placing seams in a continuously moving web of material. The seaming assembly includes a first support that is movable in a machine direction and a second support which is secured to the first support. The second support is movable relative to the first support in a cross direction. A seaming mechanism is mounted on the second support to place seams in the web that are at least partially in the cross direction. The first support may be movable in the machine direction at a speed that is substantially the same as the web such that the seaming mechanism places seams in the web that are substantially in the cross direction.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the unexpected discovery that particles for pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent that comprise a phospholipid and a sufficient amount of leucine can produce sustained effect of the agent. Specifically, particles for pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent that contain a phospholipid or combination of phospholipids, wherein the phospholipid or combination of phospholipids is present in the particles in an amount of about 1 to 46 weight percent; and leucine, wherein leucine is present in the particles in an amount of at least 46 weight percent, can contribute to sustained effect of the agent. Particles that comprise at least 46 weight percent leucine but that do not contain phospholipids do not exhibit these same sustained effect properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hub and belt assembly for driving a poultry de-feathering machine and more particularly to a multiple bearing heat dissipating hub driven by a serrated timing belt. The hub assembly incorporates seals along a drive shaft to reduce wear caused by dirt. The timing belt synchronizes multiple picking hubs and reduces the friction driving required. The combination of a heat dissipating hub and the placement of seals along the drive shaft within the hub minimize maintenance and replacement.

Abstract: An inhalation device which contains powdered medicament in the form of a medicament compact is provided with a seal comprising a partial ring between the outer wall and inner mandrel of the medicament compact chamber. The medicament is dispensed by abrading the medicament compact by turning the compact relative to the inner mandrel against a blade. Despite only extending around part of the circumference of the mandrel the seal prevents leakage of loose powder from the compact chamber to the rest of the device. The sealing means also provides a frictional braking force on the medicament reservoir sufficient to prevent movement of the medicament reservoir when the drive mechanism for the reservoir is returning to its starting position without making the device difficult to operate by a child or infirm adult.

Abstract: A thin-film rechargeable battery and its method of manufacture having a substrate over which may be formed layered battery components. The layered components include, in series, a first electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer. The layered arrangement reduces reactivity between the layered components and provides improved battery performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification. Also disclosed are compositions and method of use of the compounds.

Abstract: There is provided a device for the administration of an inhalation medicament, including a body defining a through-going air pathway having a longitudinal axis, an air inlet, an air outlet forming a mouthpiece, means for dispensing medicament into the pathway and air flow regulating means, characterized in that the air flow regulating means includes a movable obstructing means adapted to reduce the cross-sectional area of the pathway at a location between the air inlet and the means for dispensing medicament, and biassing means, whereby the obstructing means is biassed into a first resting position in which the cross-sectional area of the pathway is minimum and is adapted to move against the bias of the biassing means to a second position in which the cross-section area of the pathway is maximum in response to a pressure fall at the mouthpiece caused by inhalation and is adapted to move farther to a third position in which the cross-sectional area of the pathway is less than maximum in response to a greater p

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for stripping ionic species from a porous material, such as concrete or soil, are presented. The ionic species include metals and complexes, and may include radioactive species. The contaminated medium can be in bulk or in particulate form and can be treated according to the invention in situ or in a batch container. In the method, a dc potential difference is established across the contaminated material over which an alternating current may be superimposed. Ionic species migrate within the contaminated material under the influence of the potential difference and dissolve in the electrolyte. The electrolyte can be protected from radiation degradation by use of a radioactive-resistant ion exchange material. Ionic species can be desorbed electrochemically from the electrolyte, allowing the electrolyte to be recycled for additional stripping of contaminated media. The recovered ionic species can be used as feedstock for other processes.

Abstract: A chime cover assembly (10) comprising a box-like housing for supporting the electrical components of a door chime and including a cover (12) presenting a front wall (18) and a base (14) for mounting to a wall (16). The assembly characterized by a decorative plate (30) for being covered with wallpaper (32), or the like, and secured to the front wall (18) of the cover (12). The front wall (18) has holes (34) therein and the plate (30) includes integral projections (36) extending therefrom for insertion into the holes (34) for securing the plate (30) to the front wall (18). The cover (12) presents slanted trim areas (44) at the top and bottom of the front wall (18) and trim strips (46, 48) attach to the housing in the trim areas (44).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implanting cells in a host is provided. In an embodiment, an implant assembly for a host tissue is provided comprising wall means defining a chamber for holding cells for implantation, the wall means including means for forming a porous boundary between the host tissue and the implanted cells in the chamber, the pore size of the boundary being sufficient to isolate the implanted cells from the immune response of the host tissue, and port means for providing selective access to the chamber.

Abstract: There is provided a device for the administration of an inhalation medicament, including a body defining a through-going air pathway having a longitudinal axis, an air inlet, an air outlet forming a mouthpiece, means for dispensing medicament into the pathway and air flow regulating means, characterised in that the air flow regulating means includes a movable obstructing means adapted to reduce the cross-sectional area of the pathway at a location between the air inlet and the means for dispensing medicament, and biassing means, whereby the obstructing means is biassed into a first resting position in which the cross-sectional area of the pathway is minimum and is adapted to move against the bias of the biassing means to a second position in which the cross-section area of the pathway is maximum in response to a pressure fall at the moiuthpiece caused by inhalation and is adapted to move further to a third position in which the cross-sectional area of the pathway is less than maximum in response to a greater

Abstract: The present invention relates to semi-trailer support legs. In order to avoid damage to trailer support legs by failure to raise the legs when the trailer is coupled to a towing unit for movement, the present invention provides a pivotal foot at the end of the support leg and an actuator for controlling pivotal movement of the foot between a raised position providing sufficient clearance for normal operation and a deployed position for supporting the trailer on uncoupling of the towing unit. More particularly raising and lowering of the pivotal foot is controlled automatically on coupling and uncoupling respectively of the towing unit and trailer.A particularly convenient arrangement results where actuation of the foot is responsive to the connection and disconnection of a control line between the towing and trailer units. More particularly still, the control line is the emergency brake line which would be connected as a matter of course. The actuator is supplied from a branch off said emergency brake line.

Abstract: Improved Implant assemblies and methodologies provide immuno-protection for implanted allografts, xenografts, and isografts. The assemblies and methodologies establish an improved chamber for holding the implanted cells. The chambers include first and second wall elements and an intermediate sealing element. The first and second wall elements overlie an open area in the sealing member to form a chamber for holding cells for implantation. A sealed region is created between the wall elements and the sealing element body to close the chamber. In one arrangement, the sealed region is created by means of a sonic weld made while the implanted cells are present in the chamber. In another arrangement, the sealed region is created by means of applying an external force to compress the peripheral edges of the wall elements and the sealing element together while the implanted cells are present in the chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for aiding users in visualizing the relatedness of retrieved text documents and the topics to which they relate comprises training a classifier by semantically analyzing an initial group of manually-classified documents, positioning the classes and documents in two-dimensional space in response to semantic associations between the classes, and displaying the classes and documents. The displayed documents may be retrieved by an information storage and retrieval subsystem in any suitable manner.

Abstract: A method for implanting cells into a host tissue is provided. The method comprises the steps of: creating an implant assembly for holding cells including wall means for forming a porous boundary between the host tissue and the implanted cells in the device, the pore size of the boundary being sufficient to isolate the implanted cells from the immune response; implanting the assembly without the cells into a host tissue; and accessing an interior of the assembly to add the cells thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implanting cells in a host is provided. In an embodiment, an implant assembly for a host tissue is provided comprising wall means defining a chamber for holding cells for implantation, the wall means including means for foxing a porous boundary between the host tissue and the implanted cells in the chamber, the pore size of the boundary being sufficient to isolate the implanted cells from the immune response of the host tissue, and port means for providing selective access to the chamber.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding horn is provided that has an insert connected to the body of the horn proximal to the welding edge, the insert being dampened from the ultrasonic operating frequency by attaching it to the horn body at a nodal point that has little or no vibration during the operational vibrational mode of the horn. During a welding operation, the insert is positioned to secure living cell tissue that is between two plastic layers, preventing undesirable vibration of the cell tissue. The welding edge, which extends around the periphery of the insert, contacts the plastic layers around the cell tissue, welding a seal between the layers.

Abstract: Improved Implant assemblies and methodologies provide immuno-protection for implanted allografts, xenografts, and isografts. The assemblies and methodologies establish an improved chamber for holding the implanted cells. The chambers include first and second wall elements and an intermediate sealing element. The first and second wall elements overlie an open area in the sealing member to form a chamber for holding cells for implantation. A sealed region is created between the wall elements and the sealing element body to close the chamber. In one arrangement, the sealed region is created by means of a sonic weld made while the implanted cells are present in the chamber. In another arrangement, the sealed region is created by means of applying an external force to compress the peripheral edges of the wall elements and the sealing element together while the implanted cells are present in the chamber.