Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

Abstract: A non-liner electron-optic polymer based, integrated optic, electron-optic device utilizing a non-liner electron-optic polymer for the optical wave guide core layer sandwich between two very thin optically transparent electrically conductive charge sheet poling electrode layers which are, in turn, sandwiched between two electrically passive polymer optical wave guide cladding layers.

Abstract: A thin film culture plate device having a body member including a self-supporting substrate coated on its upper surface with a layer of an adhesive composition and a layer of cold-water-soluble powder and having an apertured spacer member attached to the upper surface of the substrate. These thin film culture plate devices may also include an optional cover sheet, covering at least a portion of the apertured spacer member. Kits including microorganism filters and/or packages containing nutrient mixtures and/or selective agents are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a neutral nonionic latex comprising:(a) about 5 to about 70 weight percent of a nonionic polymer comprising polymerized free-radically polymerizable nonionic monomer, based upon the total weight of the neutral nonionic latex, wherein the free radically polymerizable nonionic monomer comprises:(i) about 90 to about 99 percent by weight of nonionic alkyl acrylate monomer; and(ii) about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of nonionic amide monomer; wherein the weight percentages of (i) and (ii) are based upon the total weight of (i) plus (ii);(b) about 30 to about 95 weight percent of an aqueous phase, based upon the total weight of the neutral nonionic latex; and(c) about 2 to about 10 weight percent of a nonionic emulsifier based upon the total weight of the nonionic polymer plus the nonionic emulsifier;wherein particles of the nonionic polymer are stabilized by the nonionic emulsifier and dispersed within the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A lifting body concept applicable to reusable space launch vehicles in which the propellant tankage is shaped in the form of a closed "vee" made up of intersecting cylindrical segments, and represents a major part of both the structural and aerodynamic configurations. The lifting body is made up of conical, wedge and swept cylinder elements. Absence of wings and large vertical stabilizing surfaces together with a configuration made up of joined straight line element surfaces makes for a low-cost, efficient, lightweight airframe/propellant tank configuration. The windward afterbody composed of flat and fixed radius cylindrical surfaces makes possible a small number of ceramic and/or metallic heat shield tiles and contributes to their easy installation and replacement.

Abstract: A water treatment device which is attached to the feed hose immediately above or behind deep water pool cleaner. Includes a cylindrical body that is slotted on either side within which a water treatment substance is housed. An outer cylindrical sleeve that rotates over the main cylindrical body is used to regulate the flow of water over the water treatment substance such that quiescent conditions prevail inside the holder. The device is equipped with buoyant end caps as to minimize impedance of pool cleaner to which is it attached. Provides distribution of dissolved water treatment substance throughout the entire body of water from the bottom up.

Abstract: An unpowered reusable flying wing glider employed in conjunction with an aerodynamically shaped spacecraft without wings so as to permit existing airfield launch and ascent to orbit for a rocket engine takeoff thrust to vehicle weight ratio of less than 1. After an optimum climb angle is established and before wing weight and wing drag degrade performance, the wing is released for a glide return to the launch site. The flying wing zero stage would contain tank(s) for fuel or fuel and oxidizer so that at wing release, the spacecraft tanks are full or nearly full for the continuing trajectory to orbit.

Abstract: A culture media device comprised of a body member including self-supporting substrate, and coated on its upper surface with a layer of water-based adhesive composition and a layer of a cold-water-soluble powder, is provided. The culture media device can also include an optional cover sheet, covering at least a portion of the body member, and an air-permeable membrane affixed to the upper surface of the substrate to allow for the growth of aerobic microorganisms. In addition, processes of making and using the culture media device are disclosed.

Abstract: A device useful for growing aerobic microorganisms, particularly molds. The device employs a relatively small amount of water-reconstitutable medium that can be sealed in order to prevent desiccation and contamination of the medium yet still provide an adequate supply of air to the medium, by the use of a membrane underlying the medium, to support the growth of aerobic microorganisms.

Abstract: A wand assembly having an elongate rod with a lower end having a groove or grooves formed therein. When contacted with (e.g., touched to) a colony, the lower end is able to ingest a predetermined quantity of bacteria into the groove or grooves by capillary action. The wand assembly is particularly suitable for ingesting very small quantities of bacteria, e.g., on the order of 1.times.10.sup.7 colony forming units, since it is provided with a collar that is releasably attached to the rod, and can be detached from the rod after the lower end has been touched to a colony, in a manner that wipes excess, unwanted bacteria from the peripheral surface of the rod.

Abstract: An across-the-stack gas analyzing spectrometer has a radiation source assembly including a cylindrical tube 22 having, in succession from its outer end toward the stack end a radiation emission assembly 28, a first lens assembly 30, and an AOTF assembly, all in optically aligned arrangement because of the circular perimeter of the elements in the circular tube, the arrangement also including a projecting second lens nozzle 98 received in an air window assembly 104 which forms a venturi with the second lens, the air window having a ball joint arrangement 120 for easy alignment of the directed beam, and also including a small diameter air window tube 142 through which clean air is directed into the stack through a larger diameter stack opening.

Abstract: A detector assembly of a spectrometer device which includes a built-in test gas chamber, has a housing defining a chamber with a first end having a first aperture and a second end having a second aperture opposite the first aperture. While light transmissive windows can be mounted in the opposed apertures to enclose the chamber, it is preferred that a focusing lens be mounted in the first aperture and a detector in the second aperture in order to enclose the housing ends and define the chamber. The chamber has a cone-like inner surface tapering from the first aperture to the second aperture. The housing has a test gas inlet in communication with the chamber and disposed proximate the first end thereof. A test gas outlet is in communication with the chamber and disposed proximate the second end. The test gas inlet is so oriented as to introduce test gas into the chamber on a tangent to the first end, first aperture resulting in a tangential flow path direction within the cone-like chamber.

Abstract: The improved system for remote chemical analysis of this invention includes a quartz halogen bulb as a source of infrared light, quartz fibers leading to and from a sample cell, a non-collinear thallium arsenic selenide, AOTF to perform spectral analysis and a lead selenide detector, Both the AOTF and the detector are interfaced with a microcomputer. Under the control of the microcomputer, this equipment gathers and interprets transmission spectra obtained through the passage of infrared light through the sample cell. Microcomputer interface provides rapid random-access to the RF frequency driving the AOTF, which selects the wavelength of light to be examined and also provides routines for sample averaging and the comparison of various reference spectra. An acousto-optic device mounted in an enclosure which includes input and output crystal fiber connectors is also provided.

Abstract: A method for compensating for pre-reentry errors generated by the weapon ivery system to provide a reduced impact range error dispersion over that provided by a ballistic trajectory after reentry comprising maneuvering the reentry body after reentry so that the terminal flight direction is essentially in line with the line of means of the reentry body's position-error ellipse that exists just prior to reentry. The reentry body trajectory follows a sequence of a ballistic leg from reentry, a dive maneuver including an optional pullup leg and a pulldown leg to establish the required terminal direction, and a terminal ballistic leg to impact. The required maneuvering is accomplished by modulating the aerodynamic lift of the reentry body by controlling the reentry body's roll orientation.

Abstract: An improved automated acousto-optic analyzer system includes an acousto-optic tunable filter which is coupled with a source of radiation to produce pulsed light at predetermined wavelengths. This light is transmitted through a gas stack containing gases to be analyzed, to a distant detector. The configuration of the acousto-optic tunable filter, radiation source on one side of an environment of interest and a detector on the opposite side of an environment of interest produces spatial separation of the tuned, diffracted light from the undiffracted broad spectrum of the light source at the detector. This configuration eliminates the need for polarizers in the system. It also combines the tuning function of the AOTF with a chopping function, allowing extraneous radiation to be discriminated against. Thus the improved configuration of the disclosed invention permits effective operation of the gas analysis system in a gas stack characterized by extremely high ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A device for culturing microorganisms is described comprising a body member comprising a self-supporting, water-proof substrate; a layer of adhesive coated on the substrate, the adhesive being non-inhibitory to the growth of microorganisms; and a cold-water-soluble powder adhered uniformly to the surface of the adhesive, the powder comprising a gelling agent and/or nutrients for growing microorganisms. Another device is described comprising a body member comprising a self-supporting, water-proof substrate; a coating coated directly on the substrate, the coating being substantially water-free and consisting essentially of a cold-water-reconstitutable material comprising a gelling agent and/or nutrients for growing microorganisms; and a cover sheet releasably adhered to the bottom member, the cover sheet being substantially impermeable to bacteria and water vapor. The devices are activated by the addition of water or an aqueous test sample.

Abstract: An improved combustion control system for a jackshaft controlled boiler or the like utilizes a second power actuator, a linkage biasing mechanism and a function generator which provides a position control signal as a function of the boiler load in order to position the linkage biasing mechanism to obtain an automatically calibrated, near optimum relationship between fuel and air. An alternative embodiment of this invention includes a flue gas analysis system where the position control signal is modified to further enhance combustion efficiency. This invention also includes a method for programming a programmable combustion control system according to this invention.

Abstract: An improved combustion control system for a jackshaft controlled boiler or the like utilizes a second power actuator, a linkage biasing mechanism and a function generator which provides a position control signal as a function of the boiler load in order to position the linkage biasing mechanism to obtain an automatically calibrated, near optimum relationship between fuel and air. An alternative embodiment of this invention includes a flue gas analysis system where the position control signal is modified to further enhance combustion efficiency. This invention also includes a method for programming a programmable combustion control system according to this invention.

Abstract: A device useful for growing aerobic microorganisms, particularly molds. The device employs a relatively small amount of water reconstitutable medium that can be sealed in order to prevent desiccation and contamination of the medium yet still provide an adequate supply of air to the medium, by the use of a membrane underlying the medium, to support the growth of aerobic microorganisms.