Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named Yellow Nova characterized by its flat capitulum form; daisy capitulum type; yellow ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum ranging from 75 to 95 mm. at maturity; uniform nine (9) week photoperiodic flowering response to short days; tall plant height when grown as a single stem cut spray; 10 to 15 cm. peduncles on open, normally terminal sprays, and slow development of tight green discs; tolerance of 13.degree. C. (56.degree. F.) for initiation and development when grown in single stem cut spray programs with a continuous dark period of 13 to 15 hours.

Abstract: A chrysanthemum cultivar named Debonair having flat capitulum form, decorative capitulum type, purple ray floret color, diameter across face of capitulum up to 55 mm., short plant height, compact, spreading branching pattern, average natural season flowering date of Sept. 15, and average flowering response period of seven (7) weeks in photoperiodic controlled short day programs.

Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named Meteor having semi-incurved capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; yellow ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum ranging from 100 to 130 mm. at maturity; uniform nine week photoperiodic flowering response to short days; tall plant height when grown as a pinched disbud pot mum; semi-spreading branching pattern; and dual value as both pinched and standard disbud pot mums.

Abstract: A chrysanthemum cultivar named Viking having flat capitulum form, decorative capitulum type, bronze ray floret color, diameter across face of capitulum up to 75 mm., tall plant height, spreading branching pattern, average natural season flowering date of September 20, and average flowering response period of seven (7) weeks in photoperiodic controlled short day programs.

Abstract: A chrysanthemum cultivar named Totem having flat capitulum form, decorative capitulum type, orange bronze ray floret color, diameter across face of capitulum up to 60 mm., medium plant height, spreading branching pattern, average natural season flowering date of Sept. 20, and average flowering response period of seven (7) weeks in photoperiodic controlled short day programs.

Abstract: An insulated multiple component single plane building structure portal closure embodying as components thereof a portal closure frame with glazing frame transversely disposed parallel tracks aligned the opposite sides thereof and adapted through use of glazing frame hardware in combination therewith to slidably receive therein one or more glazing frame sashes or panels in either a vertically or horizontally operable window or door assembly wherein the respective sash or panel members thereof are displaceable from a contiguous abutting single plane configuration within the portal closure frame track structure for parallelly slidable displaced movement for opening structure inward pivotal tilting, and removal therefrom or replacement thereto, wherein the entire portal closure frame and glazing frame structures incorporate complementary to the single plane secured closure configuration thereof transverse thermal barrier connectors intermediate the building structure interior and exterior exposure surfaces thereo

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument such as an electric guitar or an electric bass guitar is balanced to render the instant comfortable to play, supported by a support plate at its center of gravity. The tuning machines are on the body for the purpose of balance. The neck should be of proper weight and rigidity to sustain greater tone and brilliance.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument includes an electrically heated cutting edge and an automatic control system for maintaining the cutting edge at a constant high temperature for sterilizing the blade, cutting tissue, and cauterizing the incised tissue to reduce hemorrhage from the cut surfaces of the tissues (hemostasis).

Abstract: A motorcycle has an engine with two banks of cylinders. One bank is forward of the other, and its exhaust pipe or pipes passes forwardly, downwardly, and outwardly of the frame, and then rearwardly beneath the side of the engine to reach a muffler and tailpipe. The frame includes a pivoted fork-like rear section with a power transmission. The rear exhaust pipe or pipes extends rearwardly and downwardly between the arms of the rear section, and makes connection with the muffler. In another embodiment for engines with multiple cylinders in each bank, the rear exhaust pipes cross over one another, and extend downwardly outside of the arms. They may also be elongated inside the muffler so the lengths of the forward and rear exhaust pipes are equal. They can connect with one another so as to share outlets into the muffler.

Abstract: A fused abrasive grain, useful for inclusion in coated abrasives and bonded abrasives, consists essentially of alumina; titanium oxide containing from about 0.42 to about 0.84% titaniun, by weight of the abrasive grain, present as a reduced titanium oxide having an average oxidation state lower than in Ti.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; from about 0.05 to about 0.3% by weight carbon; from about 0.02 to about 0.1% by weight Na.sub.2 O; and from 0 to about 0.1% by weight total of calcium and silicon oxides. The grain before roasting has a gain on ignition of from about 0.4 to about 0.7% by weight, and is produced in an electric furnace by fusing high-purity titania, alumina containing Na.sub.2 O as the only significant oxide impurity, and carbon, followed by crushing and roasting the fused grain.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a correction label applying device for a portable label printing machine, which is used to correct the characters printed on price tags. The correction label applying device is detachably secured to the body of the portable label printing machine. The price tag holding device of the label applying device is provided with adjusting means in which the positions of stoppers which receive the tip edge portion of an inserted price tag and the positions of a pair of guides which guide both the side edges of the inserted price tag can be changed. A leaf spring gives elastic force to the price tag holder.

Abstract: There are provided addition-curable silicone release compositions comprised of a vinyl or silanol functional polymer base, a crosslinker containing silanic hydrogen, a precious metal catalyst such as platinum or rhodium, an optional carboxylic ester inhgibitor and silicone vinyl gum cure accelerations effective for allowing thermal cure at relatively lower temperatures while minimizing the necessity of excess metal catalyst.

Abstract: A portable test set is disclosed for rapid pair identification, polarity determination, and half-tap verification in conjunction with modular testing apparatus employed in splicing cables--particularly cables used in the telephone industry for interconnecting telephone switching systems and subscriber equipment. Switchable meters operating in combination as a single indicator are provided for determining individual line pair conditions prior to execution of simultaneous multiple pair splicing operations to prevent customer inconvenience or loss of service. The test set is adapted for mating with contemporary modular splicing equipment through the interface typically provided therein. The test set is particularly characterized by incorporating no internal power supply as is the usual case in such equipment but, rather, operating totally from voltages present in the cables under test.

Abstract: A linear actuator 10 for use as a seismic vibrator includes a reaction mass 12 having an internal cylinder 14, and containing a double acting piston 20 to which are attached upper and lower pistons 26 and 28. Hydraulic fluid under pressure is applied alternately to the upper and lower faces of piston 20 to reciprocate it in alternate strokes relative to the reaction mass. Rolling diphragm seals 38 and 40, secured between piston shafts 26, 28 and reaction mass 12, prevent external contamination from reaching laminar seals 30 and 32. Shafts 26 and 28 include enlarged portions 44 and 46 that are contactable with nests of conical springs 52 and 54, mounted at the top and bottom of reaction mass 12, at the displacement limits of piston shafts. Said conical springs absorb energy and limit rebound between the reaction mass and the piston shaft.

Abstract: A photographically useful alkynyl compound is disclosed which is nonionic under aqueous alkaline photographic processing conditions. The alkynyl compound is comprised of an alkynyl group attached to a methylene group through a divalent chalcogen or an imino group. The methylene group is activated by an electron withdrawing substituent. The alkynyl compounds are useful in direct positive internal latent image forming emulsions as nucleating agents and in negative working surface latent image emulsions to increase speed and/or contrast.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor structure formed in a monolithic silicon semiconductor substrate of p type having a planar surface comprising: a subcollector of n type formed in the substrate; an epitaxial layer of n type formed on said planar surface of said substrate and also having a planar surface, the epitaxial layer having a thickness in the order of 1.0 to 1.

Abstract: A garment waistband comprising an elastic band as well as a fabric web which is attached to the gdhmet body dnd to the elastic band and which covers segments of the upper portion of, and restrains the elongation of, the elastic band. The fabric web does not cover the area of the elastic band near the side seams of the gdrment, however; in this area, the elastic band stretches more easily than in areas covered by the fabric web. This waistband thus allows the garment to fit snugly and resists rolling, yet provides an extra degree of extensibility for comfort and allows a proper fit even where the wearer has experienced weight losses or gains.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for an eye including a lens body having a first sector end and a second sector end which is adapted to be positioned in relationship to the pupil such as in front of or behind the pupil and two sets of resilient support means wherein each of the resilient support means has one end secured to the lens body around the periphery of the lens within the first sector or the second sector and the other ends of the resilient support means which terminate at an annular shaped guide and support element and wherein each of the resilient support means is secured in the periphery of the lens portion in the first sector end or the second sector end in opposed alignment to each other and positioned at a selected diverging angle relative to the other resilient support means in that sector and wherein the resilient support means extend outwardly from the lens body and in substantially the plane of the lens portion enabling the annular shaped guide and support elements to slideably engage tissue in at least

Abstract: A passive dispenser adapted for placement in a body of liquid for codispensing a first solution and a second solution in response to a lowering of the level of the body of liquid from a first elevation to a second elevation, the dispenser comprising a first chamber for storing said first solution having an inlet/outlet pathway comprising an interior conduit and an exterior conduit adapted to discharge said solution by siphon flow and further having a vent conduit extending to the atmosphere, and a second chamber for storing said second solution having a refill/discharge pathway comprising a conduit adjacent the chamber and a conduit adjacent the body of liquid and further having venting means, the refill/discharge pathway and venting means being adapted to isolate said second chamber from the body of liquid by means of the formation of air locks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a passive dispenser having dual sections for use in a toilet tank in which a disinfectant solution to be dispensed is stored in one section and substantially isolated from the water in the toilet tank, the section comprising a product chamber having a venting means and a refill/discharge pathway. The refill/discharge pathway is vented to the atmosphere and has an inclined conduit extending downwardly from the top portion of the pathway to the product chamber. Hydrostatic head obtained by use of refill/discharge pathway venting conduit in conjunction with the inclined conduit retards the outflow of solution from said product chamber during quiescent periods. Constriction means in the refill/discharge pathway venting conduit is preferred to provide turbulence during the refill cycle. In the other section of the dispenser, a soluble composition comprising a detergent, deodorant or other additive materials is stored.

Abstract: The board consists of a planar member having first and second surfaces. The first surface, upon which a dish rack may be placed, is supported by legs at an incline and is provided with upwardly extending protrusions designed to engage the dish rack to prevent same from slipping along the first surface. The effective length of the support legs can be altered to change the incline. Other protrusions extending from the first surface cooperate with upstanding walls to retain utensils. The second surface functions as a cutting board and is supported at an incline, in part, by the dish rack engaging protrusions. Upstanding parallel ribs form a horizontal platform above one of the surfaces.

Abstract: A divan-bed (10) has a frame (11) cooperating with side walls (14) and with a crosswise element (15) that connects said side walls, whereby the frame (11) consists of five consecutive, articulated leaves (12) covered with a one-piece mattress (13) and the two end leaves (12) are placed next to each other to form, in the divan position, the seat (20) and seat back (21) respectively of the divan. The intermediate leaves (12) with their relative portions of mattress (13) are folded and stored in crooked succession within a hidden zone in the base of the divan underneath the zone wherein said end leaves (12) are placed next to each other, all leaves and the mattress being extendable to form the bed.

Abstract: An adjustable break-away stretcher having a pair of complimentary frame parts detachably interconnected at each end, the frame parts including a body section and an extensible leg section each mounting aligned patient supporting panels, the extensible leg section having cylindrical tubular frame members telescopically received in polygonal tubular members in the body section, the polygonal frame members having mating polygonal plugs at their ends adapted to be slidably but non-rotatably received in the polygonal tubes so as to prevent the tubular frame members from rotating relative to the body section, the arrangement preventing misalignment between the patient supporting panels of the leg section relative to those of the body section when the frame parts are detached and, where locking pins are used to fix the position of the extensible leg section relative to the body section, misalignment of the locking pins relative to the openings in which they are received is also prevented.

Abstract: A pillow sham formed from sheet material includes lengthwise-extending elastic strips at the sides for lending an overall gathered appearance to the sham.

Abstract: A pillow sham includes a front panel and an endless skirt attached to the perimeter of the panel. The skirt is gathered throughout to provide a decorative effect and defines a pillow-receiving pocket suited to accommodate a range of pillow sizes.

Abstract: A tension-band bridge having one or more main openings (2) and possibly subsidiary openings (3), comprises a tension band (4) gripped between abutments (5) and possibly taken over supporting pillars (6). The traffic route over the bridge is disposed on a saddling (7), which bends in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, in the region of the main openings (2), while the tension band (4) can be travelled over directly in the region of any subsidiary openings (3) which may be present. The saddling which bends in the longitudinal direction of the bridge preferably consists of a latticework construction (10, 11, 12) which is rigid in the transverse direction of the tension band (4) and which is connected, in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, by means of diagonal struts (13) in each of which shock absorbers (14) are disposed.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting particulate material from a depository surface, such as a roadway, including a front-end collecting vehicle having a front-to-rear extending passageway. Mounted within the passageway is a first or front rotary rake member, a second rotary rake member behind the first rotary rake member, and a rotary brush member behind the second rotary rake member. Preferably mounted behind the vehicle frame is a conveyor mechanism for removing debris from the vehicular frame. Both rotary rake members include a plurality of interdigitating tines which are driven to move in the same forward direction so that the tines moving beneath the rotary axes are moving and collecting the debris rearwardly within the passageway. The rotary brush member is driven in the opposite rotary direction from the rake members to pick up the debris collected by the rake members and to force the debris rearwardly upon the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A bristle for railway roadbed brooms with a trailing edge that has a plurality of spaced apart grooves that are oriented transversely of the bristle in the trailing edge portion.

Abstract: A scrub brush, especially one used for surgical purposes, has a body of polyethylene molded onto a set of bristles made of a thermoplastic rubber such as a styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer. The body is integral with a set of stiffer polyethylene bristles, serving mainly for fingernail cleaning, which may be disposed on the side opposite the softer elastomeric bristles or flanked by the latter.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning lenses, mirrors and the like. A single, elongated piece of essentially flat plastic material has a pair of parallel, transverse grooves which demarcate a pair of jaws with a connecting element there between. By folding along such grooves, the jaws can be positioned to function as a pincer. A cleaning pad is affixed to the free end of each of the jaws for simultaneous cleaning of two parallel surfaces of a lens or a mirror or the like when the jaws are positioned to function as a pincer. Each of the cleaning pads comprises a soft, supple cleaning cloth having a velvety surface finish and a soft, cushiony base of foam or sponge rubber or other similar absorbent material. The velvety surfaces of the cleaning cloths permit effective, non-scratching cleaning of lenses, mirrors and the like, including plastic eyeglass lenses, without the use of water, chemical cleaning solutions or similar liquids.

Abstract: A poultry leg splitting machine adapted to be employed either alone or in combination with a poultry leg/back processor wherein separated whole poultry legs comprised of the joined drumstick and thigh portions are delivered by a flited helical conveyor to a rotating slotted pocket wheel which in cooperative combination with fold-over guide rails automatically bends the drumstick-to-thigh ball-and-socket joint about the joint natural flex arc thereof across the slotted pocket wheel circumferential edge for angled slot blade severing of one set of distended joint side tendons thereby enabling the joint to pop under continued fold-over guide rail pressure and pocket wheel arcuate transport displacement thus permitting continued passage of the angled slot blade through joint tissue and remaining joint connecting tendons only without ball-and-socket joint bone contact to effect a completed transverse splitting of the poultry leg into separated thigh and drumstick cuts.

Abstract: A drawing frame for a spinning machine is provided with a blocking mechanism movable into a position between the upper and the lower feed rollers, in the event of yarn breakage, to lift the roving from contact with the driven roller. The blocking mechanism holds the roving. A roving holder is coupled to the means for actuating the blocking mechanism for synchronous operation and is provided downstream of the inlet roller. It comprises a table extending beneath the roving and a rotatable shaped arm above the roving which arm is movable by the switching mechanism to simultaneously hold the front end of the roving. The table is provided with a guide lug at its free end extending at an upward angle relative to the rotatable arm and the arm is covered with an inclined member having a slope running toward the guide lug.

Abstract: A drawing frame has an electric driving motor (M) and a main shaft (H), which is drivingly connected to several driven rollers (W1-W4, W1'-W4') in the two draw heads (11) of the drawing frame. Between the motor (M) and the main shaft (H) are arranged a belt adjusting gear mechanism (V and HO) and a clutch (K). The transmission ratio of the adjusting gear (V and HO) is automatically gradually reduced from a maximum value to the operating value, so that the main shaft (H) is smoothly accelerated.Cut-off devices are provided for automatically stopping the frame when a disturbance of any kind occurs. The cut-off devices switch off the electric motor (M), release the clutch (K) and actuate a brake (B) which acts upon the main shaft (H), and also an adjusting member of an adjustable disc (V) of the belt-adjusting gear (V and HO). The brake (B) can be relatively small, as it does not have to decelerate the uncoupled motor (M).

Abstract: A double-grip, a one-piece clip is formed by having a single piece of wire being continuous and bent to form two gripping units on one side of the items desired to be gripped and two gripping units on the other side of the items desired to be gripped.

Abstract: A button securing device having a base portion; a standoff post joined to the base portion and formed with a locking slot; and a filament portion joined to the standoff post and adapted to be passed in a single direction through a fabric to which a button is to be attached sufficiently to pull the standoff post through the fabric and position the fabric against the base portion, threaded through holes of the button and finally secured within the locking slot of the standoff post. The height of the standoff post determines the standoff distance or spacing between the button and the fabric.

Abstract: A rigid tie capable of being removably mounted on an end portion of an elongate pliable member such as a bungee cord that has a resilient core covered with a woven fabric, with the tie when so mounted serving as an anchor. A pair of the ties may removably engage opposite end portions of a pliable member to form an endless loop that is adjustable as to length by sliding the pair of ties towards or away from one another. A single tie if desired may be utilized to removably join the end portions of two elongate pliable members together.

Abstract: A single strip member is provided constructed of non-elastic rigid material having minimal flexive properties and the strip member is constructed in the form of an arcuate band of an angular extent greater than 360.degree. with at least slightly overlapped ends. Each of the ends is in the form of a circumferentially extending channel member with one of the channel members being more narrow than the other channel member and at least partially length wise telescoped therein. The side flanges of one of the channel members have an overcenter swingable actuating lever pivotally supported therefrom for swinging in the plane of the arcuate strip member and an overcenter positionable portion of the lever has one end of a stiff expansion spring anchored relative thereto while the other end of the expansion spring is anchored relative to the other channel member.

Abstract: A clip for mounting a wall or ceiling panel structure having a plurality of panels in which the panels have inturned rims on their longitudinal edges and preferably beads on the rims. The clip has a body having downwardly extending first members preferably adjacent one edge and a downwardly extending fourth member preferably adjacent an opposite edge.A second downwardly extending member having lateral lugs is adjacent and spaced from the first member by an amount to accommodate two rims. A pair of third downwardly extending members is shaped to enable two panels to be spaced from one another and is also provided with a lug so that the clip may alternatively be used for mounting a panel adjacent a wall surface.

Abstract: A magnetic clasp which protects magnetic records from being adversely affected by the magnetic induction lines of a magnet characterized in that the lines of magnetic induction inherent to the magnet are conveyed by the ferromagnetic end surface rather than diverged to outside in order to maximize the attracting power of the magnet. The paths of the magnetic induction lines are formed at a center hole bored in the magnet. The invention may be used as a clasp or lock for bags, boxes, bands or chains and has wide application for suitcases, handbags and purses.

Abstract: A fabric abrasion process comprises forwarding fabric along a path which brings a surface of the fabric in contact with a yieldable abrading element, for example, a roller, comprising abrasive particles supported by a yieldable body. Pressure is exerted on the fabric to urge it against the yieldable abrading element and cause a depression therein, thereby producing a pile on said surface of the fabric as the fabric passes over the abrading element. A machine for carrying out the process is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for napping a textile material includes a plurality of rollers for advancing the material to be napped in continual longitudinal movement and a plurality of napping rollers arranged in contact with the material to be napped and adapted for rotational movement. The napping rollers includes one group of napping rollers arranged in contact with one side of the material and a second group of napping rollers arranged in contact with the opposite side of the material. The rollers for advancing the material and the napping rollers are operatively connected to each other. A drive for generating the movement of the material and rotation of the napping rollers is provided in the apparatus. A device for varying a speed and direction of the movement of the napping rollers to provide alternate oscillating movement thereof is arranged in the apparatus.

Abstract: An adjustable holding and alignment device is provided for a workpiece having alignment pins. The device has a plurality of bars separated by spacers which define an alignment hole and an alignment slot through which the workpiece alignment pins may be inserted. The spacers can be removed and different sized spacers can be substituted to accommodate other alignment pin sizes.

Abstract: In a knitted tape manufacturing device of the type designed to stretch and rotate a cylindrical knitted fabric around two drums and one roller and to continuously cut the fabric in a tape shape off from the upper circumferential edge portion thereof along a certain width of the fabric in a bias direction and including a support mechanism of the driven drum for feeding uniform width tape in the knitted tape manufacturing device wherein the support mechanism of the driven drum is adjustable so as to bring the axis of the pivot pin of the driven drum in the support mechanism into substantial agreement with the extended line of a tangent at the entering point at which the upper circumferential edge of the cylindrical knitted fabric enters the driven drum.

Abstract: A vertical milling and turning machine generally comprises a spindle assembly connected to a drive motor. The spindle assembly comprises a hollow ram provided with a tapered opening at the front end thereof for attaching a turning tool and a hollow spindle provided with a tapered opening coaxial with the former opening at the front end of the spindle and the tapered opening of the spindle has a diameter smaller than that of the later opening. An air supply passage is formed in the ram so as to have an end opening opened towards the tapered opening of the ram and a detecting switch for detecting a pressure in the passage is connected to the air supply passage.

Abstract: A throttle controlled induction passage assembly is shown as having a body with an induction passage formed through the body and a throttle shaft extending transversely of the induction passage and carried by the body, the throttle shaft having an axis of rotation about which the throttle shaft is rotatable, a throttle valve is carried by the throttle shaft for rotation therewith, and an abutment arrangement for preventing the throttle shaft and throttle valve from experiencing undue movement relative to the induction passage in both directions along the axis of rotation; a suitable thrust bearing is provided to permit application of the body and shaft in any position.

Abstract: To service an engine (10), it is frequently determined that a cylinder liner (12) and piston (18) must be replaced. It is difficult and time consuming to first install the liner (12) and then the piston (18) with the rings (20) and connecting rod (22). A pre-assembled unit (36) including the liner (12) and piston (18) may be installed on the engine according to a disclosed method. The unitary assembly simplifies steps at the service facility and, if desired, permits assembly of the unit (36) prior to shipment to the service facility to reduce shipping space and cost.

Abstract: Stressing tendons used in prestressing concrete are generally anchored to the concrete by wedge plates which are embedded in the concrete. The anchorage is accomplished by the use of gripping wedges which are placed around the stressing tendons and into the wedge plates.A gripping tool is provided which inserts and seats, in a single operation, gripping wedges. The tool is generally comprised of a holding and guiding piece and a sliding mechanism.

Abstract: A method of converting a tank such as a railway tank car into a heated tank to facilitate dispensing a congealable stored medium, wherein at least one end portion of the tank is removed and an elongated heat exchanger is inserted into the tank through the opened end. The heat exchanger is secured within the tank, a pre-determined distance from the bottom of the tank to define with the bottom a dead air space, the heat exchanger extending substantially longitudinally and transverselly across the entire bottom of the tank and downwardly sloping and extending to a drain valve. The heat exchanger is positioned in a sealed relationship with the walls of the tank. Thereafter, the portion of the removed end of the tank is replaced in a sealed relationship with the heat exchanger. The method includes a particular positioning of the heat exchanger in a heat relationship with the drain valve. The method further includes the positioning of inlet-outlet openings in the heat exchanger adjacent the drain valve.

Abstract: A concentric insulating tubular conduit member for use in forming a conduit string, such as a tubing string in a subterranean well, is disclosed. Each individual concentric conduit comprises an outer tubing and an outwardly flared inner tubing welded to the outer tubing at the end of the flared section. The inner tubing member is formed from an initially straight cylindrical member having enlarged ends and, when outwardly flared, the flared ends, although stretched, have a thickness at least equal to the nominal thickness of the inner tubular member. Insulation may be contained within the annular cavity between the inner and outer tubing members and between inner and outer coupling members at the juncture between adjacent tubing sections.

Abstract: Apparatus for calibrating and testing infrared detection devices is provided. The apparatus comprises a substrate which supports a target pattern of dielectric material which is at least partially absorbing to infrared radiation. A heater is used to supply heat to the substrate. Since the substrate and dielectric material have different emissivities, an apparent temperature difference is perceived by an IR detection device. As a consequence, temperature differences as low as about 0.02.degree. C. and below can be generated for calibrating and testing IR imaging devices.