Abstract: Multivitamin/Multimineral supplements are provided for supplementing iron and desirable nutrients in the diet of mammals. The supplements include an iron-amino acid chelate, a form of iron more bioavailable than traditional iron salts. The supplements may further include a pharmaceutically accepted salt form of iron as well as other nutritional vitamins and minerals. The supplements are useful for providing iron for pregnant and lactating females as well as for persons suffering from anemia.

Abstract: Ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions are provided with a coating material for improving stability thereof. The coating material prevents reactive contact between otherwise incompatible ingredients in the composition. Without contact, incompatible ingredients will not degrade thereby prolonging the stability and shelf life of the composition.

Abstract: Multivitamin/Multimineral supplements are provided for supplementing iron and desirable nutrients in the diet of mammals. The supplements include an iron-amino acid chelate, a form of iron more bioavailable than traditional iron salts. The supplements may further include a pharmaceutically accepted salt form of iron as well as other nutritional vitamins and minerals. The supplements are useful for providing iron for pregnant and lactating females as well as for persons suffering from anemia.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical disk device with a switchable filter for reducing the light intensity from a write level to a read level or an erase level. The filter can further be used to modulate the light intensity between a write level and a gap level for the process of recording data. For semiconductor laser sources, this filter reduces laser feedback noise by allowing the laser to operate at a higher, more stable power level during data sensing, and by reducing the amount of light reflected from the storage disk back to the laser cavity. Because the filter transmission can be high during the write process, the power requirements of the semiconductor laser are not increased in the device of this invention. In one embodiment, the switchable filter of this invention includes a variable retarder with means to select light on the basis of its phase or polarization, for example, with polarizers.

Abstract: A hitch for connecting and disconnecting implements to a tractor. A hitch with a tapered opening that can rotate in any direction is connected to a tractor's lift arms and stabilizer bars. When the hitch has made contact with the implement being used a retaining pin is inserted through the hitch to secure the implement while in use. To disconnect the implement, remove retaining pin from the hitch and store in the tab on the side of the hitch and drive away from the implement.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, there is provided a process for producing a shaped article in which a reaction mixture containing at least two elemental materials is first charged into a die to form a shaped green body. A uniaxial pressure of from about 500 to about 5,000 pounds per square inch of cross-sectional area of the green body is then uniaxially applied to the green body, and the green body is then ignited; during ignition, the uniaxial pressure of from about 500 to about 5,000 pounds per square inch is maintained at a substantially constant level and continually applied to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process for producing a dense composite material by combustion synthesis. In the first step of the process, a reaction mixture comprised of an elemental material is provided. The elemental material is charged to a die, a uniaxial pressure of from about 500 to about 5,000 pounds per square inch is applied to the elemental material within the die, and the elemental material within the die is ignited. Prior to, during, and subsequent to the time said elemental material is been ignited, the uniaxial pressure of from about 500 to about 5,000 pounds per square inch is applied to the elemental material within said die.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided to increase the capacity of spiral track data storage disks while improving the reliability of access to sectors on the disk. In one embodiment, employed when logical tracks on an optical disk are grouped into concentric bands, previously unusable sectors immediately following a band boundary can be reliably accessed. In accordance with this embodiment, when the target sector is, for example, the first sector of band N and a laser beam from a read head lands on a sector in the previous band N-1, the clock governing the data transfer rate is set to the frequency of the band N-1 and a sector in that band is detected and identified. Based upon the period of sectors in the band N-1, a delay interval is computed which ends when the last sector in the band N-1 rotates past the laser beam. Sector mark detection is disabled during the delay interval and the clock frequency changed to that of band N.

Abstract: To sense the presence of written data on an optical disk, the readback signal from the disk is detected, and the intervals between detected signal events are measured. That signal event occurring at an expected time delta after the preceding signal event indicates a valid data signal time delta. Those signal events occurring at an unexpected time delta after the preceding signal event indicates the readback signal to be noise. If the count of valid signal time deltas minus the unexpected time deltas attributed to noise accumulates rapidly along a given track within a given sector of the optical disk that sector is determined to be written. Provision is made for counting signal events in accordance with the specific run-length limited in use.

Abstract: A load carrying sling including a protective sheath 15 over the rope 10 with loops 11,12 at opposite ends, the sheath being formed of a tough resilient plastics material and having a thick protective layer 18 on the inner surface of the sling with a number of openings in the back of the sheath between the side walls 19. The openings can be closed by a removable block 23 when the sling is used as a choke hitch. Alternatively, the whole sheath may be formed of a transparent flexible material to allow inspection of the rope.