Abstract: Medical implants containing a temporary plasticizer, methods of producing such implants, and methods of using the implants in treating a disease, or ameliorating one or more symptoms thereof, in a subject are provided.

Abstract: A plant receptacle with at least one opening, the receptacle preferably formed of a fibrous web or sheet material, where the web or sheet material preferably is a non-woven cotton fibre material, e.g. vlies, with a first structural strength, where the plant receptacle has at least one structural area with a different and greater strength, where this different structural area is formed by wetting, compressing and subsequent drying of a part of the web or sheet material.

Abstract: A device for drawing fluid from a lumen, and particularly blood from a blood vessel, is disclosed. The device may provide indication of the entry of an intravenous cannula into the lumen. The device may include a central body having an outer wall and an inner fluid passage. The device may include a luer-type adapter to permit the attachment of sample vial guide tube, or an I.V. infusion set of various lengths (“butterfly needle”) and or any luer-type fitting attached to an existing device. The outer wall of the central body of the flexible sleeve may be transparent or translucent to permit the detection of fluid within the inner passage. A front cannula may extend from one end of the central body and a rear cannula may extend from the other end of the central body. Both the front and rear cannulae may communicate with the inner fluid passage. An air-permeable blood-impermeable flexible sleeve may surround at least a tip portion of the rear cannula.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endless belt containing a conductive agent and a polyimide resin whose imidation ratio at an outer circumference surface of the belt and that at an inner circumference surface of the belt are mutually different, and a method of producing the endless belt, an intermediate transfer belt having the endless belt, and an image forming apparatus having the endless belt.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for spinning polyaniline fiber, a method for spinning electrically conductive polyaniline fiber, a method for exchanging dopants in polyaniline fibers, and methods for dedoping and redoping polyaniline fibers are described.

Abstract: Water-soluble salt cores are used in molds for the production of hollow moldings by plastic molding. The production of hollow plastic moldings is effected by positioning a water-soluble salt core in a mold, molding a thermoplastic molding material around the salt core and, after solidification of the thermoplastic molding material, washing out the salt core with a water-containing solvent.

Abstract: A guiding apparatus for aiding a user in at least one of pouring, spreading, applying, shaping, troweling and sloping a predetermined amount of at least one of concrete and cement is provided. Such guiding apparatus includes at least one guide member manufactured from a predetermined material and having a predetermined size and a predetermined shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermosetting resin composition which enables to obtain a molded article that is excellent in mechanical properties, dimensional stability and heat resistance and is further capable of maintaining the shape of the article molded before curing even after the resin composition is cured. The thermosetting resin composition contains 100 parts by weight of a thermosetting resin and 1-100 parts by weight of an inorganic compound dispersed in the thermosetting resin, and the dispersion particle diameter of the inorganic compound is not more than 2 ?m. Not less than 75% of the shape of an article molded before curing is maintained after the resin composition is cured. Also disclosed are a material for substrates and a film for substrates respectively composed by using such a thermosetting resin composition.

Abstract: A dual-purpose packaging for a pet-related product includes a flexible, non-toxic and bite-resistant enclosure filled with a pet-related product. The enclosure includes a retractable valve for selectively dispensing the pet-related product from within the enclosure. The packaging may further include a set of squeak elements associated with a corresponding set of air-filled chambers coupled to the enclosure. Accordingly, the enclosure may be reutilized as a pet chew toy once the pet-related product is substantially dispensed from within the enclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed are a molded article picker for a post-mold device and a related method for the use of the molded article picker for handling a molded article. The molded article picker includes a structure having a surface defining an interior that is configured to surround an end portion of the molded article. A sealing surface disposed on the structure is configured to sealingly cooperate with a surface of an outwardly projecting portion of the molded article in response to an evacuation of the interior, wherein the seal allows for the molded article to be retained with the structure.

Abstract: A stone work simulation system including panels formed from a cementitious material. The panels of the system can be cast or injection molded from cementitious slurry, including hydraulic cement, or gypsum cement and an optional latex/water mixture. A desired amount of the slurry is added to the mold, the surface of which includes several spaced apart depressions formed therein to closely resemble a pattern of stones at least partially disposed in a mortar matrix. Optionally, the mold can include a number of flat spaces formed between the depressions. Optionally, a reinforcing mesh is also provided in the mold. A colorant can be disposed on the bottom mold surface prior to the introduction of the mesh and the slurry to impart a color pattern to the system. After sufficient curing, the panel is removed from the mold and is ready for immediate use and/or further processing, such as additional surface coloring. In use, the system can be mounted to a building surface, such as a wall, e.g.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for the post-treatment of preforms (7) produced in an injection molding mold, comprising at least two post-treatment tools which each have a receiving plate (4) which has a group of receiving cavities (2) and a pin plate (6) which has a group of post-treatment pins (3), and a device for transferring the preforms (7) from the injection molding mold alternately into the at least two post-treatment tools. In order to provide a method of and a system for the post-treatment of preforms produced in an injection molding mold, which on the one hand allows early removal of the preform from the injection molding tool and which on the other hand allows reliable post-treatment in particular of the interior of the preform after removal from the injection molding mold, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the post-treatment pins (3) remain in the preforms for a period of time which is longer than the mold stand time.

Abstract: An article suitable for use as an insulating or coating material comprises a radiation-crosslinked composition comprising a polyethylene, a polypropylene and optionally an ethylene-propylene elastomer. The polyethylene component is selected from high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE) and the polypropylene component is either a homopolymer or copolymer. The composition is predominantly based on the polyethylene component and contains the polyethylene component in an amount of at least 50 percent by weight. The article is radiation-crosslinked to a sufficient degree that it possesses thermoset properties, such that when the article is heated to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, it is softened but does not become liquid.

Abstract: An immunodiagnostic test card includes a plurality of transparent chambers wherein each chamber includes a quantity of testing material that combines with a patient sample, when mixed, to produce an agglutination reaction. A plurality of indicia are disposed to aid in the manufacture and determining the usability of the cards prior to test and also in objectively grading the agglutination reactions that are formed or lack of agglutination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper blade (1) for a windscreen wiper, at least comprising: a connecting member (2) for connecting the wiper blade (1) to a wiper blade holder and a wiping lip (3) having two longitudinal sides (4, 5) and an upper edge (6) connected to the connecting member (2) and an underside (7) which in operation is driven over a smooth surface, the underside (7) of the wiping lip (3) being formed opposite the connecting member (2). According to the invention, at least the wiping lip (3) has, at least partly, a fluorinated surface. The wiper blade (1) according to the invention permits an effective wiping result in the case of relatively small drive motors to be used for driving the windscreen wipers. In comparison with conventional wiper blades, the required driving power can thus be substantially reduced.

Abstract: To produce a signal plate for a railway signal, a casting mold corresponding to an external form of the signal plate is provided. At least one luminous point is inserted into the casting mold, and the casting mold is filled with a free-flowing curable plastic to create a casting. The plastic is cured, and the casting is removed.

Abstract: A self-contained parts kit is created by forming a container around parts formed using a direct manufacturing process. The formation of the container is part of the same process by which the parts are formed. The container can be formed with one or more openings by which the parts can be removed. The container can also be formed with perforations in one or more surfaces to allow the parts therein to be cleaned without removing the parts, such as by shaking or by the external application of a fluid such as pressurized air. Indicia can also be formed on the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing elongate variably shaped bodies at least partially comprising thermoplastic material a profile is extruded from an extrusion system head and engaged in a flexible conduit created by cavities formed inside a series of calibration plates attached flexibly together. The calibration plates slide freely over a rotating mold to adopt the shape of the mold's outer contour. The profile is driven through the flexible conduit and winded around the rotating mould like coils. In an embodiment of the apparatus and method, the profile is winded around a size-variable mould creating three-dimensional objects in real time.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating compressible object are described. These compressible objects may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The method includes selecting an architecture for a compressible object; selecting a wall material for the compressible object; and fabricating the compressible object, wherein the compressible object has a shell that encloses an interior region, and has an internal pressure (i) greater than about 200 pounds per square inch at atmospheric pressure and (ii) selected for a predetermined external pressure, wherein external pressures that exceed the internal pressure reduce the volume of the compressible object.

Abstract: A cuvette for taking up a body fluid sample and for providing the body fluid sample to an analysis comprises an inlet cavity for receiving a body fluid sample to be analyzed, a centrifugation reception cavity, which is arranged in communication with the inlet cavity such that spontaneous flow from the inlet cavity to the centrifugation reception cavity is prevented and such that body fluid from the inlet cavity may be forced into the centrifugation reception cavity by applying a centrifugation force on the cuvette, an analysis sample reception cavity, which is arranged in capillary connection with at least part of the centrifugation reception cavity for providing a sample transport by capillary action from the centrifugation reception cavity to the analysis sample reception cavity, wherein the analysis sample reception cavity has an opening through an outer wall of the cuvette, said opening extending over the entire width of the analysis sample reception cavity.

Abstract: A method comprises injecting a material into a mold to form a molded product, the mold comprising multiple layers of shaping elements extending through a cavity, each layer of shaping elements including multiple shaping elements; and removing the molded product from the mold, the molded product having a porous structure formed by at least some of the shaping elements of the layers of shaping elements. A porous structure (which may be made by the method) includes a multiplicity of ordered structural members defining the porous structure, the multiplicity of structural members intersecting to form structural member intersections, and a multiplicity of the pores defined by the multiplicity of structural members. A mold used to make a structure may include a relatively large number shaping elements within a small area.

Abstract: The disclosure herein includes a grip for a golf club with a flexible tube and a layered sheet. The tube includes a tubular body and raised portions extending from the tubular body. The outer surface of the raised portions cooperates with the layered sheet to form a gripping surface. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness while providing increased variation in the physical characteristics of the gripping surface.

Abstract: An agent for increasing the rejection with a permeable membrane which comprises an ionic macromolecule having a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater; a process for increasing the rejection with a permeable membrane which comprises treating a permeable membrane with the agent; a permeable membrane which is treated in accordance with the process; and a process for water treatment which comprises using the permeable membrane are disclosed. By using the above agent, an increased rejection of inorganic electrolytes and organic compounds soluble in water can be maintained for a long time easily and safely at the location of the use of the membrane without extreme decrease in the flux of permeation in the membrane separation using a selective permeable membrane such as a nano filtration membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane.

Abstract: A carrier system for a high-frequency antenna having at least two electrodes situated at a predefined distance from one another and implemented as essentially flat, a dielectric being situated between the at least two electrodes, is distinguished in that the at least two electrodes are situated on a frame part which is as difficult to deform as possible. The frame part preferably has recesses or openings in such a way that air having ?r=1 is essentially situated between the at least two electrodes as the dielectric.

Abstract: The urisheath provided here includes an element of thin material (a strip) that allows at least two lengths of it to run in a parallel fashion down either side of the sheath. The is obtained by injection moulding the strip in liquid silicone in the silicone injection moulding process for the urisheath, either by one, two or more component injection moulding. The injection moulding takes place in an injection moulding form for a urisheath with a cavity for the body portion and a cavity for the strip portion wherein the cavity for the body portion is connected to the cavity for the strip portion creating an attachment zone between the strip and the sheath.

Abstract: A composition for a slurry for manufacture of a building panel includes one or more fillers, one or more binders and water. One or more fillers is an expanded perlite at least partially covered with a film-forming, thermoplastic polymer coating Some embodiments use calcined or uncalcined gypsum as a binder or filler. One embodiment is a building panel that includes a solid matrix of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals bound to expanded perlite. A method of making the panel includes acquiring expanded perlite and coating it with film-forming, thermoplastic polymer coating. After the expanded perlite is prepared, it is combined with water other optional fillers and one or more binders to form a slurry. The slurry is shaped into a panel and allowed to dry.

Abstract: An article suitable for use as an insulating or coating material comprises a radiation-crosslinked composition comprising a polyethylene, a polypropylene and optionally an ethylene-propylene elastomer. The polyethylene component is selected from high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE) and the polypropylene component is either a homopolymer or copolymer. The composition is predominantly based on the polyethylene component and contains the polyethylene component in an amount of at least 50 percent by weight. The article is radiation-crosslinked to a sufficient degree that it possesses thermoset properties, such that when the article is heated to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, it is softened but does not become liquid.

Abstract: A lacrosse handle having two sidewalls each with a channel and two arched walls extending between the sidewalls is disclosed herein. The channels contribute to increased gripping ability by the user and overall increased strength of the handle. Each channel is capable of receiving an insert that includes individualized information, for example, a school name or colors. Further, one of the arched walls may have a textured surface and the other arched wall may have a smooth surface to provide the user with a more accurate handle to head orientation than conventional lacrosse handles. In an alternative embodiment, one or more strategic portions of the exterior surface of an otherwise conventional lacrosse handle include texture that provides increased grippage and provides the user with a more accurate handle to head orientation than conventional lacrosse handles.

Abstract: Apparatus for treatment of a vascular bifurcation, where a first blood vessel (24) meets a second blood vessel (26). The apparatus includes a balloon (40, 90) for deployment at the vascular bifurcation. The balloon includes a first part (42, 94), which has a first inflation characteristic and is adapted to be deployed in the first blood vessel, and a second part (44, 92), which has a second inflation characteristic, different from the first inflation characteristic, and is adapted to be deployed in the second blood vessel.

Abstract: In preparing dentures, hardened mould material surrounds the denture. This mould material is adhered inside a denture flask with a housing having two separably matable portions. To remove the hardened mould material from the flask, the flask is mounted in a mould press having a shaft, with one of the portions is restrained against movement along an axis of travel of the shaft. A portion of the mould material at an end of the restrained flask portion is available for contact with the shaft along the axis of travel. A capped end of the shaft is forcefully advanced against the adhered mould material therein, thereby breaking the adhesion. After this is done, the denture flask is dismounted from the mould press and the hardened mould material is removed from the first flask portion. If necessary, the process is repeated with the other housing portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing table accessories comprising the steps of obtaining from a sheet-like element made of plastics portions whose dimensions are consistent with a table accessory being provided, removing material at outer edges and in at at least one region of an internal surface to provide a profile of the table accessory and at least one internal pattern, and providing a surface finishing.

Abstract: Molded orthopaedic implants include at least one mesh substrate having opposing upper and lower primary surfaces. At least a major portion of the mesh substrate lower primary surface is integrally moldably attached to the molded implant body. The mesh substrate has at least one selectively exposed region devoid of molded material that exposes at least a portion of the mesh substrate upper surface to at least a partial thickness of the mesh substrate so as to allow for tissue in-growth in the at least one exposed region of the mesh substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a molded article picker for a post-mold device and a related method for the use of the molded article picker for handling a molded article. The molded article picker includes a floating element being configured to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position and biased in the extended position. Furthermore, the molded article picker comprises a pressure structure extending through the floating element. The floating element is cooperable with the molded article to define a substantially enclosed volume including the pressure structure. The pressure structure is configured such that by evacuating the substantially enclosed volume the molded article is sealed to the floating element and the floating element is drawn into the retracted position, thereby transferring the molded article to the molded article picker.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making a rotor blade spar from composite material wherein a multi-component mandrel is used to form the composite spar. The mandrel is made using a number of components, which are assembled to provide a structure that is sufficiently strong to maintain the spar shape during pre-cure lay up, compaction and curing of the composite material. The multiple components used to form the mandrel can be separated from each other and easily removed from the spar either before or after curing of the composite material. The mandrel components can then be re-assembled and re-used to form additional composite spars.

Abstract: A carrier structure for supporting a substrate when being processed by passing the carrier through a meniscus formed by upper and lower proximity heads is described. The carrier includes a frame having an opening sized for receiving a substrate and a plurality of support pins for supporting the substrate within the opening, the opening being slightly larger than the substrate such that a gap exists between the substrate and the opening. The frame comprises a composite core, a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a layer of aramid fabric between the top sheet and the core and a second layer of aramid fabric between the bottom sheet and the core. The top sheet and the bottom sheet being formed from a polymer material. A method of manufacture is also described.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a vacuum sealable storage bag and method in which a pad of material is located within the storage bag and is positioned to block, trap, and/or absorb fluid from product to be stored within the storage bag. The pad of material can comprise fluid-absorbing material, and in some embodiments is positioned between an open mouth of the bag and an interior of the bag in which product is retained.

Abstract: New methods are provided for manufacture ceramic elements that include injection molding of two, three or more distinct ceramic layers or regions that form the element. Ceramic elements also are provided that are obtainable from fabrication methods of the invention.

Abstract: A mask to improve the comfort and eye health of individuals suffering from dry eye syndrome including a substantially vapor impermeable shell with a unitary structure having a substantially planar portion and two eye recesses. Each eye recess forms a generally concave dome shaped region on one side of the substantially planar portion. The shell is adapted to be worn on the face of the dry eye subject. An absorbent material can be positioned in at least one of the eye recesses; so that the absorbent material extends less than the maximum depth of the eye recesses to present the absorbent material to the face in the vicinity of the eyes of the dry eye subject without extending beyond the edge of the substantially planar portion. The invention may also include securing member to secure the shell to the subjects head.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for creating pre-stressed zones in concrete. In one embodiment, a circular blade is coated with a chemical which retards the setting of the concrete. The circular blade is then rolled through the wet concrete, thus transferring the retarding chemical from the blade into the concrete. The region of wet concrete that has the retarding chemical introduced into it does not set until after the surrounding concrete has set and shrunk, thus creating a pre-stressed zone which typically manifests itself as a crack, visible upon setting of the wet concrete. Other embodiments describe alternative ways of introducing the chemical into the wet concrete.

Abstract: The device for conditioning preforms in plastic material comprises a rotating turret (20), having a group of conditioning cavities (22) for inserting preforms, partly through an opening on a first side (A) of the turret and partly through an opening on a second side (B) of the turret. The conditioning cavities (22) which open on the first side (A) are disposed in such a way that for part of their length (L1) they are situated side by side with the cavities which open on the second side (B). In this way the turret becomes more compact. There is also described a conditioning method for the preforms.

Abstract: A concrete dispensing apparatus is used in a manufacturing process for producing pre-cast concrete structures, which are conventionally used to form a foundation for a residential or commercial building. The dispensing apparatus includes a hopper that funnels to a discharge opening extending along the entire transverse length of the dispensing apparatus. A plurality of individually controlled gates cover the entire discharge opening for selectively controlling the length and location of the discharge opening through which concrete is dispensed. The dispensing apparatus also includes a finishing mechanism including a vibratory screed and a rotational finishing roller. The form can be moved relative to the dispensing apparatus or vice versa. A form vibrator induces a vibratory motion into the form to remove air from the dispensed concrete mixture.

Abstract: A high strength hydrogel having a constant swelling pressure upon implantation and thereafter is formed by preparing a hydrogel solution and then injecting the solution into a mold and cause to gel. The molded gel is then washed in a saline solution from about one day to twelve weeks, after which the gel is irradiated for sterilization purposes, dehydrated and packaged. The pre-treatment with the use of a physiologic solution results in an implant which exhibits a constant swelling pressure profile after implantation.

Abstract: A stress stabilized ferrimagnetic material has a retained stress to provide enhanced initial permeability stability over a range of operating temperatures, such as from ?40° C. to 85° C., as well as pressures. Stress is introduced into the ferrimagnetic material, wherein subsequent processing relieves only a portion of the induced stress, and preferably less than 50% of the induced stress.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing non-blocking slats of normally tacky amorphous propylene copolymers. The process entails coextruding the normally tacky amorphous propylene copolymer with a low viscosity polyolefin such as a polyethylene wax forming a core of amorphous propylene copolymer covered with a sheath of polyethylene wax. The coextruded article is cooled, cut (while exposing less than 40 percent of the core) and then coated with a non-tacky powder; thereby, forming non-blocking slats. Disclosed is also a novel amorphous propylene copolymer composition containing no more than 90 weight percent propylene and up to 70 weight percent of an alpha olefin comonomer having a needle penetration greater than 70 to less than 100 dmm at 23° C. and a Brookfield Thermosel Viscosity below 1000 cP at 190° C.

Abstract: A method of preparing a precursor for a composite having wet strength of 2 to 50 kgf/mm2 and a mean surface void diameter of 0.01 to 2 ?m by molding a solution of a rigid polymer having a concentration of 1 to 1.3 times the optical anisotropy lower limit solution concentration C2, thereafter rendering the solution non-flowable by absorbing a coagulant under a condition causing no solvent extraction and thereafter extracting the solvent, and a method of preparing a molecular composite having a mean thickness of 2 to 200 ?m by impregnating this precursor for a composite with a solution of a polymer or reactive molecules.

Abstract: A surface treatment or a two-step injection molding is used to make an inlaid polishing pad. A surface of the inlaid polishing pad has areas of different rigidity to control the rigidity and compressibility of the inlaid polishing pad. Furthermore, methods of making such an inlaid polishing pads are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of storing a material into which a gas saturates, before the material is foamed in a metal mold. The material into which a gas saturates is stored at a predetermined ambient pressure and predetermined ambient temperature to maintain a gas saturated state, thereby preventing escape of the gas from the material into which the gas saturates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter device having a dilatation balloon formed from a polymeric material crosslinked by moisture through —Si—O—Si— linkages, and to a method of making the same. The polymeric material is formed by reacting at least one organofunctional hydrolyzable silane with at least one polymer. The crosslinked polymeric structure is ideal for forming more resilient and durable catheter balloons. In particular, the catheter balloons have excellent abrasion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for baking a food product utilizing a confectionery mould made from silicone. The confectionery mould is obtained by mixing and reacting a crosslinkable silicone, especially methyl-vinyl siloxane (VMQ), and a peroxide as a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Methods for forming openings having predetermined shapes in a substrate and apparatuses with these openings. The methods may be used to form assemblies which include the substrate with its openings and elements which are disposed in the openings. In one example of a method, each of the elements include an electrical component and are assembled into one of the openings by a fluidic self assembly process. In an particular example of a method to create such an opening, the substrate is etched through a first patterned mask and is later etched through a second patterned mask. Typically, the second patterned mask is aligned relative to the opening created by etching through the first patterned mask and has an area of exposure which is smaller than an area of exposure through the first patterned mask.