Abstract: The invention is directed to a non-destructive method of detecting whether a coating or deposit (30, 34) of (a) SiOxCy or SiNxCy and/or (b) of SiOx is present on or near a surface of an article (12), such as a disposable thermoplastic medical article. The method includes impinging infrared light (216) having a wave number in at least a portion of a desired range onto at least a first surface being examined for the presence of the one or more coatings or deposits. At least a portion (224) of the infrared light impinged on the first surface is collected (at 222) and the response output, which may include for example the maximum intensity and/or peak area of the collected infrared light at an infrared spectroscopy peak, is used to indicate the presence of the one or more coatings or deposits.

Abstract: A liquid concentrate for use in a well that penetrates a subterranean formation comprising: a base liquid; and a strength retrogression additive, wherein the strength retrogression additive consists of particles of silicon dioxide containing crystalline regions, wherein the liquid concentrate has an activity of at least 40%.

Abstract: Thermoforming apparatus and methods are described. To-be-formed polymeric material may be separated initially from a mold surface by a grid or support rail, avoiding the mold surface from drawing heat away from the material while it is being heated to forming temperatures. The grid may retract into the mold when no longer needed to support the material. Plugs or inserts about which material is formed may include skirts, allowing the formed material to be shaped so as to guide coins or other objects into cavities in which the coins or objects are held for presentation or display. Profile plates associated with the molds may include non-stick material on their sides intended to abut to-be-formed polymeric sheets in order to reduce possibility of transfer of printing from the sheets to the plates and reduce undesired transfer of heat from the plates to the sheets.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a non-destructive method of detecting whether a coating or deposit (30, 34) of (a) SiOxCy or SiNxCy and/or (b) of SiOx is present on or near a surface of an article (12), such as a disposable thermoplastic medical article. The method includes impinging infrared light (216) having a wave number in at least a portion of a desired range onto at least a first surface being examined for the presence of the one or more coatings or deposits. At least a portion (224) of the infrared light impinged on the first surface is collected (at 222) and the response output, which may include for example the maximum intensity and/or peak area of the collected infrared light at an infrared spectroscopy peak, is used to indicate the presence of the one or more coatings or deposits.

Abstract: Thermoforming apparatus and methods are described. To-be-formed polymeric material may be separated initially from a mold surface by a grid or support rail, avoiding the mold surface from drawing heat away from the material while it is being heated to forming temperatures. The grid may retract into the mold when no longer needed to support the material. Plugs or inserts about which material is formed may include skirts, allowing the formed material to be shaped so as to guide coins or other objects into cavities in which the coins or objects are held for presentation or display. Profile plates associated with the molds may include non-stick material on their sides intended to abut to-be-formed polymeric sheets in order to reduce possibility of transfer of printing from the sheets to the plates and reduce undesired transfer of heat from the plates to the sheets.

Abstract: A device for absorbing liquid due to mild or moderate male incontinence or post urinary drip. The device includes a waist strap, a pouch, a pocket and a insert for the pocket. The waist strap is secured around the waist of the user so that the pouch extends down along the front of the user and the pocket is adjacent the penis of the user. The pocket can contain an insert for absorbing the liquid. The device can be easily moved aside to allow the user to urinate in a standard, upright position.

Abstract: Equipment supports having irregular lower surface disclosed. Ridges protruding from the lower surface of support (if present) displace soil in use, while recesses in the surface (if present) tend to collect or accumulate the soil. The surface features effectively lock the support in position relative to the ground, inhibiting lateral and rotational movement of the base after the equipment is mounted. In some embodiments, ridges of one pad fit within recesses of another when the pair is stacked with their bottom surfaces in contact, thereby reducing the volume needed to transport the pads between locations.

Abstract: A support or pad for equipment, especially electrical transformers, is disclosed. The pad is designed to permit multi-directional access to its underside; consequently, it need not be positioned specially once a transformer is mounted to it, but rather is accessible in almost any upright orientation to the tines of a fork-lift truck. In some embodiments the tine-receiving recesses do not abut an opening for electrical cables attached to the transformer, the opening instead being bordered by sections of the full depth of the pad. The multiple recesses of the pad thus fail to communicate with the opening, blocking any path along the underside from the periphery of the pad to the cable opening itself.

Abstract: A top sheet and a bottom sheet are thermoformed about a foam core which has feet making spaces for the tines of a fork lift truck. The top and bottom sheets meet at a line on the pallet edge to fuse and bond together and may be applied simultaneously to the core while the core is confined in a mold cavity.

Abstract: A block of expanded polystyerene (EPS) foam is encapsulated with one or more plastic strips within a resilient shell of high molecular weight plastic such as polyethylene. The method and process utilizes heat and pressure (e.g., one hundred fifty tons) to seal and bond the foam in a protective cover with the seam fused together with all the strength and integrity of the original material. The units may be used as part of a dock flotation system.

Abstract: A display frame for holding a magazine or a similar article to display the cover. The frame has a front and rear piece, the rear having a back and walls while the front has a bezel and walls. The walls telescope together and ratchets and pawls hold the set position. Removable tabs in the frame can be broken out or retained to position the magazine within the frame for the desired aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A detachable safety frame is constructed from four individual members which are assembled into a rectangular frame detachably attached at each respective adjacent and adjoining end. The frame is assembled into either existing cable openings of installed transformer and mounting pad installations or may be incorporated into new installations during the installation of the transformer on the mounting pad. In the version used for new installation, the individual frame members are of such size as to extend downwardly into the hole in the ground which is dug for the cables. Each end of each member is provided with a projecting tab and slot for engagement and disengagement to assemble or disassemble the frame.