Abstract: A method and system are provided for constructing large, continuous, concrete slabs without using conventional shrinkage joints. The system comprises a grid of closely-spaced crack inducers (2) arranged relative to a concrete-pouring surface and adapted to be covered by concrete. The crack inducers (2) may be connected to one another with connectors (10). The crack inducers (2) are of a size, shape and spacing to promote formation of fine cracks in the vicinity of the inducers (2) throughout the slab when the concrete sets.

Abstract: A cover with a top opening for a container having a container rim has a removable top cover. The cover may be used with a straw by piecing or removing the top cover. The top opening has a perimeter and at least a portion of the top opening has a perimeter treated with a bulb or fiber optics or flourescent material which glows in the dark after exposure to light or in reaction to an influx of power. The cover may be removable or permanently attached to the container along the container rim. A brand identifier may also be illuminated. A tab type lever may be used as the illuminated top cover. The flourescent paint may be sealed within a clear container.

Abstract: The invention is a floss holder having an extension for easy holding of the floss within a narrow passage, typically the user's mouth, where both of the user's hands may not easily pass. In order to accomplish this the holder handle defines a chamber for holding a spool loaded with floss. This spool then passes through an opening in the handle and adjacent to a face on an extension which the user may place of finger or thumb of the hand holding the handle to hold the floss in place. At the extremity of the handle is a head around which the floss may be wrapped to further secure it in place. The floss continues off of the head to the desired length and can be held in a similar unit or by wrapping around a user's hand. Since a portion of the extension is preferably thinner than the fingers of the user, it may be more easily placed within the narrow passage to simplify flossing.

Abstract: A tire clamp for immobilizing a vehicle including a fixed bar having a generally L-shaped configuration. The fixed bar is comprised of a horizontal segment and a vertical segment. The horizontal segment is comprised of an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion has a plurality of sharpened teeth extending downwardly therefrom. The vertical segment has an inwardly angled lower portion. The fixed bar is positionable with respect to a tire with the horizontal segment disposed above and extending across the tire with the plurality of teeth abutting the tire and pointed thereat. A movable bar has an inwardly angled lower portion and is coupled with the fixed bar and is slidably mounted thereon. The movable bar is positionable with respect to a tire with both inwardly angled lower portions positioned against an exterior of the rim the tire is mounted on while the sharpened teeth remain oriented toward and abutting the tire.

Abstract: Stable concentrated suspensions readily dispersible in water comprising one or more agricultural solids, a single non-ionic surfactant and a water-soluble glycol liquid. The agricultural solids include fertilizers, adjuvants, herbicides, pesticides and combinations thereof approved for use with foods. The non-ionic surfactant is an alkyl-phenoxy-poly(ethylenoxide)alkanol, an ethoxylated aliphatic C11 to C15 alcohol, an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer or an ethoxylated fatty acid. Preferably, the surfactant has an average molecular weight from about 300 to about 1000. The water-soluble glycol liquid is ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof. The agricultural solid particles are at least about 99 wt. % passable through a Tyler #48 sieve. The suspensions of the invention exhibit physical stability during normal storage conditions, good pourability, and are readily dispersed in water.

Abstract: The invention is a magnetized tool for holding or retrieving nails. This is shown as a hammer having a magnet which may be on a removable cover or an extendable arm, mounted within the shaft or adjacent to the shaft of a hammer on the removable cover. The magnet is removable from the shaft to temporarily magnetize the striking face of the hammer so that a nail mail be held on the striking face temporarily. The magnet may be removably held to the hammer with a magnetic metal, such as another magnet which may be similar in size and shape and may be glued in place on the hammer. In another embodiment, the tool is a paint shield which may have bens to fit under walls. The shield may also serve to hold paint absorbing sheets to prevent spills and to clean up spills. The sheets may define a curving lip which curves upward to catch paint spills.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for defining financial transaction components; defining mapping rules for taking individual financial transactions and breaking them down into their components, such as production services, billing services and settlement services. A data processing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, creates a transaction instance corresponding to a financial transaction, creates a production service instance linked to the transaction instance by a first relation instance, and creates a billing service instance linked to the production service instance by a second relation instance. The data processing system, may also create other production service instances linked to the transaction instance using other relation instances, as well as, other billing service instances linked to the production service instances.

Abstract: A clasp formed of beveled members, one a male member and the other a female member, which interengage together and are retained in their connection through capillary and frictional forces. The female member may contain a slot, to facilitate its resilient widening, to receive the male member, once inserted. The male member may include, at its frontal portion, a slot, to provide for its compression, and formation of a bevel proximate its front end to facilitate its interconnection with the female member into the beveled clasp. A modification includes a beaded type connector that interconnects together through the formation of a bead, interiorly of the female member, and a complementary groove, formed proximate the beveled front end of the male member, to facilitate the interconnection of the clasp together, and to sustain its hold during coupling.

Abstract: In a chemical vapor deposition apparatus for coating semiconductor wafers, the wafer is held face down in the reaction chamber. A radiant heat source above the wafer and outside the reaction chamber. The wafer is held on a ring chuck by means of a retractable clamp heats the wafer from its backside to a temperature in excess of 1000.degree. C. rapidly. The radiant heat source includes cylindrical lamps placed in a radial pattern to improve heating uniformity. In the selective tungsten process the temperature of the wafer is raised from ambient to about 600.degree. C. while flowing process gases. At the upper temperature range the heating source can be rapidly cycled on and off to improve the uniformity of coating.

Abstract: A plasma CVD reactor and associated process use magnetic field enhancement to provide high quality, very high deposition rate metal, dielectric and conformal semiconductor films. The reacter and process are designed for automated, high-throughout, in-line small dimension VLSI integrated circuit fabrication, and are applicable to multistep in-situ processing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to novel protected ketone derivatives, for example dimethyl 3-(3-chlorophenoxy)-2-semicarbazonopropylphosphonate, for use as intermediates in the synthesis of known prostaglandin analogues, and to a process for their manufacture.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to novel protected ketone derivatives, for example dimethyl 3-(3-chlorophenoxy)-2-semicarbazonopropylphosphonate, for use as intermediates in the synthesis of known prostaglandin analogues, and to a process for their manufacture.