The present invention comprises a process for the asymmetric synthesis of florfenicol, thiamphenicol or chloramphenicol, from a derivative of trans-cinnamic acid, comprising the steps: (a) converting the acid to an acid chloride using a chlorinating agent, and reducing the acid chloride to a trans allylic alcohol with a reducing agent; (b) asymmetrically epoxidizing the allylic alcohol of step (a)...

The invention relates to a method for unwinding a surplus of thread material from a bobbin during carpet production, which bobbin is fixed in a frame for unwinding rolls of thread material for carpet production, by transporting the surplus thread to a collecting point via at least one surplus thread guide fixed to the frame.

A sealed lead acid dipolar storage battery, in which one or more dipolar electrodes (11) consist of lead or lead alloy foils (13) or of other electroconductive material. The foils (13) are provided with a reticular print (14) for keeping a layer of positive active compound (15) on one side of the foil (13) and a layer of negative active compound (15) on the other side. The electrodes (11) are stac...

Apparatus for determining the position of a mobile vehicle relative to a fixed location marker device (10,20) which comprises a coil (22) energized to emit a magnetic field composed of lines of magnetic flux extending radially and arcuately from the ends of the coil's longitudinal axis (12). A sensor unit mounted on the mobile vehicle comprises four identical sensing coils (A,B,C,D,) each responsi...

Biaxially stretched composite film comprises a 5-50 mu thick polyester base coated with a layer of PVA, having a polymerisation degree (DP) of more than 350, of thickness of most 0.3 mu . The base has an average rugosity (roughness) (RZ) of at most 0.3 mu on the faces coated with PVA, these faces having no more than 20 pics of high at least 1 mu and no more than 150 pics of height 0.4-1 mu . Th...

A system for automatically steering a vehicle through an irregular structure. A flexible lighting tube, in proximity to the back of the structure, communicates with at least one canted video camera. A processor takes the output of the camera, determines the position of the vehicle, and provides guidance to the vehicle's steering mechanism.

PCT No. PCT/AU95/00034 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 19, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 19, 1996 PCT Filed Jan. 24, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/19995 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 27, 1995A method of increasing the adhesion of a rubber (as hereinbefore defined) or rubber-based material which includes treating at least part of the surface of the rubber or rubber-based material with a halogenating agent simultaneously with a stat...

A method of producing a porous material having open pores comprises the steps of preparing an emulsion slurry by vigorously agitating a mixture comprising (i) a glycidyl type epoxy resin, (ii) a first hardener selected from the group consisting of modified polyamine hardeners each being prepared by modifying a polyamine hardener with a modifier, amine hardeners and mixtures thereof, (iii) a second...

Treatment and/or prophylaxis of protozoal parasitic infections, or infections caused by P.carinii, in mammals, comprises admin. of 2-(4-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclohexyl)-3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (I) and prognanil (II). Also claimed are combinations of (I) and (II).

A process is disclosed for the preparation of a shapeable solution of cellulose in an aqueous tertiary amine-oxide from comminuted cellulose. The process includes introducing previously comminuted cellulose material into an aqueous solution of a tertiary amine-oxide to prepare an initial suspension, subjecting the initial suspension to high-consistency milling to further break-up the cellulose mat...

Perfluoropolyether microemulsions of the oil-in-water or water-in-oil type, consisting of perfluoropolyethers having an average molecular weight of from 1,500 to 10,000, the end groups of which are at least partially of the functionalized type, optionally containing peroxide bridges in the chain and consisting of mixtures of products having different molecular weights, of a perfluorinated surfacta...

A method of extruding a foamed thermoplastic plastics material wherein the thermoplastic plastics material, together with a pore regulating agent, is introduced into an extruder and is fused. Gaseous nitrogen, in an amount of 0.2% to 0.5% by weight, and an incompletely halo-substituted hydrocarbon, in an amount of from 0.5% to 2% by weight, are sequentially injected into the fused mixture. The inj...

The present invention provides a method for improving and/or optimizing use of computer hardware and/or computer software, wherein user information obtained from users is entered and stored in a computer system in a standardized manner, wherein the user information is ordered in a number of categories and wherein user information from one or more categories is compared with one or more predetermin...

The invention relates to an information system preferably intended to collect, present and report back information in stores, shops, stocks etc., incorporating preferably one or a plurality of information sensors in the form of sensors for different purposes and information displays in the form of display units and/or computer monitors with information possible to change or search and where this s...

The invention relates to an information system preferably intended to collect, present and report back information in stores, shops, stocks etc., incorporating preferably one or a plurality of information sensors in the form of sensors for different purposes and information displays in the form of display units and/or computer monitors with information possible to change or search and where this s...

The present invention relates to novel multifunctional viscosity modifiers comprising a mixture of derivatized ethylene-alpha olefin copolymers, A and B. Said A copolymer comprising from about 30 to about 60 weight percent monomer units derived from ethylene and said B copolymer comprising from about 60 to about 80 weight percent units derived from ethylene.

Devices for the generation of a light/sound signal in response to a telephone call signal comprise detection means for detecting the telephone call signal and for generating a control signal and a source for generating the light/sound signal in response to a control signal. By providing the device with an input to receive an external signal such as a front-door bell push-button signal and with gen...

The image processing system includes a image input device (3) for generating an image of a workpiece to be extracted and for generating a corresponding analogue signal. An ADC (8) converts the analogue signal from the image input device into a digital signal with a predetermined gradation. A grey image storage device (9) stores image data provided as digital signals. A histogram generating device ...

A motor-vehicle dashboard (1) has a wall (5) projecting from the instrument panel (3) having an aperture (7) within which there is pivotally mounted the flattened body (10) of a liquid crystal video display, which can be moved between a folded rest position, lying in the plane of the wall (5) and an unfolded position of use, substantially orthogonal to this plane.