Abstract: A tether for securing a buoyant structure to the ocean floor. The tether includes a cable or a plurality of cables whose weight is at least partially supported by a buoyancy tank.

Abstract: A developer composition with a conductivity of from about 10.sup.-6 to about 10.sup.-12 (ohm-cm).sup.-1 over a toner concentration of from about 1 to about 6 weight percent, which developer is comprised of a toner containing resin particles, pigment particles and a metal salt of a fatty acid; and carrier particles with rough surfaces thereon.

Abstract: A Silver halide color photographic materials comprising a support having thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer, wherein said material contains (1) at least one type of compound which reacts with the oxidized product of a primary aromatic amine based developing agent and releases a bleach accelerating agent, and (2) at least one type of cyan dye forming coupler represented by general formula (A) below: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, T and l' are defined as in the specification.

Abstract: A process for minimizing or avoiding the corrosion of thermal ink jet heater components by the coating thereof with polycrystalline diamond.

Abstract: A bituminous composition comprising: (a) a bitumen, (b) a block copolymer of at least one conjugated diolefin and at least one vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, and (c) a thermoplastic or low crystallinity polymer.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition comprising a tackifying resin and a polymer which comprises at least one conjugated diolefin and at least one acrylic monomer such as an alkyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A method is provided of increasing the dielectric breakdown strength of tmoplastic films such as thin films of polypropylene obtained from polypropylene resin powder. The method involves melt extruding the resin powder with a small amount of ceresine wax.

Abstract: Polymer blends of improved properties for use in packaging applications comprise blends of a crystalline poly(1-butene) and a selectively hydrogenated block copolymer of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and conjugated alkadiene of the SEBS type.

Abstract: It is herein disclosed, a process for polymerizing butene-1 into homopolymers and copolymers, using a catalyst system containing titanium trichloride, diethylaluminum chloride, and a substituted phenol in specified molar proportions. It is further disclosed, products made by the inventive process, and articles of manufacture made from these products.

Abstract: Polyester molding compositions which contain an unsaturated polyester and an additional monomer for curing the polyester are improved by addition of a block copolymer which is modified with an unsaturated polyester. The block copolymer is an unsaturated block copolymer of a monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene. The block copolymer is preferably produced by polymerizing styrene-butadiene diblock copolymer arms and coupling the arms with a difunctional coupling agent.

Abstract: A control system is provided for igniting and dispensing a smoke pot for ense of a hulled vehicle. The system utilizes a command circuit located inside the vehicle for using the vehicles power source to select smoke pot operations. A user can select an operation to ignite a desired smoke pot or an operation to ignite and release the smoke pot. Two power lines are arranged from the command circuit inside the vehicle to a control circuit located at the exterior of the hull for operating the smoke pot control system. A minimum number of apertures are required in leading the power lines to the control circuit. The control circuit activates the selected operations of the smoke pots.

Abstract: An electrical system which serves to control the firing of multiple grenade aunchers. The system generates multiple coded tone pairs for up to sixteen launchers which are provided to the launchers through a +28VDC line connected to the vehicular power supply. The tone pairs are decoded enroute to each launcher which exercise a firing circuit triggering the grenade launcher's firing squib causing the grenade to launch.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apple tree having a strong vigor, long and narrow leaves, and bearing a slightly small fruit maturing earlier than "Tsugaru". The fruit has a conical to rounded-conical shape, and a deep red to deep reddish orange (ISCC - NBS) skin. The flesh of the fruit is yellowish (ISCC - NBS) white, juicy and has a moderate texture, and further, has a moderate sweet and sour taste. The fruit of the present apple trees ripen for eating and can be picked earlier than other early maturing varieties, thereby providing the fruit with an excellent market value, in particular, in mid-summer.

Abstract: Our new development relates to a distinct variety of nectarine tree which has the following unique combination of features that are desirable in a new variety.1. Heavy and regular production of fruit.2. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color.3. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality.4. Fruit having good storage and shipping quality.5. Vigorous upright growth.6. Relatively uniform ripening of fruit throughout the tree.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree with the following unique combination of desirable features.1. Heavy and regular production of fruit.2. Relatively uniform large fruit throughout the tree.3. Fruit with firm white flesh.4. Fruit with good handling and shipping quality.5. Vigorous upright growth.6. Producing mild, sweet, sub-acid fruit with good flavor and eating quality.7. An attractive fruit having a white ground color with a light red blush.

Abstract: This new, medium height Chrysanthemum cultivar, designated `McCahon's Yellow 11-90`, is distinguished by its vigorous growth habit, self-branching, and yellow flowers. `McCahon's yellow 11-90` is a color sport of the bronze flowered cultivar `Dark Bronze Charm` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,801) with all the growth characteristics which make it a desirable plant for commercial greenhouse production.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Alstroemeria plant particularly distinguished by its continuous and profuse production of medium sized flowers having a purple coloration. The inner petals are highlighted by a Lilac purple base portion. Each of the flowers comprising the bloom, carried on a stem of a length about 30 cm. This new variety of Alstroemeria plant is short stemmed and particularly suited for pot and garden.

Abstract: A new and distinctive Alstroemeria cultivar particularly distinguished by its medium sized flowers having generally white outer petals tipped with red and medially brushed therefrom with a light pink coloring thus providing a pinkish white appearing background for its inside petals which, in general, have a bright yellow color extending from the base for about three-fourths of the petal length and terminating in a tip end having a pinkish coloration substantially covering an otherwise white body, thus providing a flower having a generally white background for its distinguishing pink and yellow coloration; these flowers being carried on short, strong stems branching in a raceme manner from the upper portion of a tall main stem of a strong upright bush.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Impatiens plant named `Peppermint Red` is characterized by the variegated foliage wherein the borders of the leaves are of yellowish-white coloration in contrast to both the darker green and washed dark green patterns of leaves and the single deep red flowers.

Abstract: The new variety `Medallion Dark Red` is characterized by an intense red bloom, a controlled growth habit, rapid basal branching and prolific cuttings for propagation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanical planarization and endpoint detection of a semiconductor wafer or the like. The apparatus includes a polishing head for rotating the wafer under a controlled pressure against a rotating polishing platen. The polishing head is mounted such that the wafer can be moved across the polishing platen to overhang a peripheral edge of the polishing platen and expose the surface of the wafer. Endpoint detection apparatus in the form of a laser interferometer measuring device is directed at an unpatterned die on the exposed surface of the wafer to detect oxide thickness at that point. The laser light beam is enclosed in a column of liquid to clean the wafer surface at the point of detection and to provide a uniform reference medium for the laser light beam.

Abstract: A tubular body supports a fluid actuated tubular piston connected to operate a coupling mechanism for releasably securing the body to a valve fitting on a refrigerant receiving system. The body encloses components which define a center passage connected to the fitting for first evacuating air from the system and then for directing liquid refrigerant into the system. The passage receives an elongated valve opening member which is fluid actuated to a position opening the valve fitting, and a movable valve member closes the passage to the flow of refrigerant. The fluid actuated coupling mechanism provides for convenient and simple insertion of the tool assembly onto the fitting with no insertion force and also for automatic release of the tool assembly from the fitting after charging is completed. A fluid actuated valve member minimizes the volume of residue refrigerant which vaporizes when the tool assembly is removed from the fitting.

Abstract: An animal watering drinker has a tank having end walls with drinking well pockets. A top wall unit mounted on the tank has a continuous baffle surrounding a float valve assembly and bosses closing the backs of the pockets. Lids pivotally mounted on the top wall unit normally close the tops of the drinking well pockets.

Abstract: There is provided according to the invention a method and apparatus for eliminating or minimizing the error due to amplifier offset or drift error in an integrating dual slope analog-to-digital converter. The converter is provided with a switching and control arrangement whereby the integrating capacitor is charged for one-half of the predetermined charging time as a function of the sum of the levels of the unknown signal and the error signal. The integrating capacitor is charged for the remaining half of the predetermined time period as a function of the difference of the levels of the unknown signal and the error signal so that the capacitor reaches a level of charge which is a function of the level of the unknown signal substantially unaffected by the level of the error signal.

Abstract: This invention allows unmodified CCITT Group 3 and 4 facsimile transceivers to interactively select and retrieve facsimile pages from a shared facsimile data base FAX serve system ("FAX server"). The remote facsimile transceiver user marks a paper selector sheet forms using a pencil or pen. The selector sheet is transmitted via the remote facsimile transmitter, preferably in a turn-around polling mode, to the FAX server unit. The FAX server unit processes the facsimile signal rapidly, interpreting the selector sheet and selecting the pages desired to be retrieved prior to the normal CCITT Recommendation T.30 timeout, which would otherwise abort the line connection. The invention allows the requested information to be returned during the same telephone call. If turn-around polling is not available, then the FAX server initiates alternative strategies culminating in an automatic callback with the information desired.