Abstract: This invention provides an improved portable holder/carrying system designed to make the transporting of toilet paper easier in situations and locations where there is no or limited access to both toilet facilities and the necessary sanitary products. The system is comprised of a main tube structure with a watertight screw-on-lid, carrying handle and extraction assembly featuring a disc and slotted lever used to remove the toilet paper. The length of the tube allows for an overall capacity of one, two or three rolls that must be manually compressed in terms of their overall diameter in order to fit the narrow gauge of the tube. Furthermore, the handle component also contains two harnessing slots that provide for a variety of storage/carrying options for the entire unit.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system including floor tiles for monitoring the movements of individuals across a floor surface. The system is comprised of a plurality of floor tiles electrically and mechanically interconnected. The floor tiles are monitored to determine where, when and how weight is applied to the floor tiles. The system may also comprise an identification system comprising individual transmitters and a receiver. The receiver is tied into the tile monitoring system to allow the identification of an individual on the floor surface.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system including floor tiles for monitoring the movements of individuals across a floor surface. The system is comprised of a plurality of floor tiles electrically and mechanically interconnected. The floor tiles are monitored to determine where, when and how weight is applied to the floor tiles. The system may also comprise an identification system comprising individual transmitters and a receiver. The receiver is tied into the tile monitoring system to allow the identification of an individual on the floor surface.

Abstract: A surgical needle possesses enhanced needle attributes including needle sharpness and resistance to bending or breaking during use. The surgical needle includes an elongated needle body defining a longitudinal y axis and x and z axes transverse to the y axis. The elongated needle body includes a central shaft and a first end for attachment to a suture and a second needled end for penetrating tissue. The needled end includes lower and upper opposed planar surfaces and a pair of side surfaces extending between the lower and upper planar surfaces and contiguous therewith. The upper surface and side surfaces extend to a pointed tip. The lower surface extends to a cutting edge defined at the intersection of the side surfaces and proximal of the pointed tip. The cutting edge extends in oblique relation relative to the longitudinal axis of the needle body and terminates at the pointed tip.

Abstract: A fluid transfer machine includes a positive displacement, rotary-type pumping mechanism driven by a drive shaft. The drive shaft is lubricated and cooled by locating the drive shaft in a primary flow path in the machine. Fluid is directed from the inlet through a passage that intersects a cavity surrounding the drive shaft, at a location between a pair of journal bearings. The fluid then continues directly to the suction side of the pumping mechanism. The drive shaft could also be located on the pressure side of the pumping mechanism. The primary flow cools and lubricates the drive shaft and drive shaft bearings, and reduces the size and complexity of the machine, as additional cooling and lubrication flow passage(s) are not required.

Abstract: A fluid transfer machine includes a positive displacement, rotary-type pumping mechanism. The pumping mechanism is driven by a drive shaft. The drive shaft is lubricated and cooled by locating the drive shaft in the primary flow path through the machine. The primary flow is directed from the inlet through a passage that intersects the drive shaft, at a location between a pair of journal bearings or sleeves. The fluid then continues directly to the suction side of the pumping mechanism. The drive shaft could also be located on the pressure side of the pumping mechanism. The primary flow cools and lubricates the drive shaft (and drive shaft bearings), and reduces the size and complexity of the machine, as additional cooling and lubrication flow passage(s) are not necessary.

Abstract: A solid nucleophilic reagent for the conversion of benzylic halogen functionality on polymers to other functionalities, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition which may be unvulcanized or vulcanized is provided which comprises a polymer blend of an elastomeric thermoplastic engineering resin and a halogen-containing copolymer of a C4 to C7 isomonoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene. A process for preparing a dynamically vulcanized composition is also provided.

Abstract: A test device and a process for determining the accuracy of positive displacement gear pumps includes hydraulic cylinders which are fluidly connected to the output fluid flow(s) from a test pump. Each outlet flow is directed to a separate hydraulic cylinder. The test pump is driven by a motor for a preset number of revolutions. The length of stroke of the piston in each hydraulic cylinder is then determined, which corresponds to the volume of fluid provided from each pump outlet during the revolution of the gears in the pump. It can then be determined if the volumetric accuracy and efficiency of the pump is within acceptable limits.

Abstract: The invention relates to impact modifiers for polyamide compositions which improve the impact strength of the polyamides without adversely affecting the flexural modulus of the composition. The impact modifiers comprise blends of halogenated copolymers of a C4 to C7 isomonoolefin and an alkyl/styrene with a polyolefin.

Abstract: A solid nucleophilic reagent for the conversion of benzylic halogen functionality on polymers to other functionalities, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition which may be unvulcanized or vulcanized is provided which comprises a polymer blend of an elastomeric thermoplastic engineering resin and a halogen-containing copolymer of a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isomonoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene. A process for preparing a dynamically vulcanized composition is also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing a copolymer of isoolefin having between 4 and 7 carbon atoms and para-alkylstyrene is provided. The process comprises admixing the isoolefin and the para-alkylstyrene in a copolymerization reactor under copolymerization conditions in the presence of a diluent, and a Lewis Acid catalyst, and maintaining the copolymerization reactor substantially free of impurities which can complex with the catalyst or copolymerize with the isoolefin or the para-alkylstyrene.

Abstract: Vulcanizable blends containing a halogenated copolymer of a C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 isomonoolefin and para-alkylstyrene mixed with one or more olefinically unsaturated elastomeric polymers are disclosed. Cure is preferably effected using zinc stearate as a curative at levels below about 3.0 phr which gives rise to vulcanizates having selective interpolymer addition of benzylic halogen present in the halogenated copolymer to the double bond of the unsaturated polymer with no significant self curing of the halogenated polymer taking place.

Abstract: A process for the bromination of a copolymer of an isoolefin having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms and a para-alkystyrene comprising bromating the copolymer in the presence of bromine and a radical initiator thereby providing a brominated copolymer of the copolymer. The brominated copolymer is substantially free of ring bromine and backbone bromine.