Abstract: A disposable system for enabling a succession of individuals to be supplied with a sterile medical solution during operative and other procedures utilizes a number of spaced apart, penetrable elastomerically sealed funnels branching from an outlet from the solution container or an attached drip chamber. A standard sterile administration set having a spike end may be inserted into the seal of a first funnel to provide flow to a first individual. After the first procedure is completed the conduit to the first funnel is clamped off and the sequence repeated, but with the spike end of a second administration set inserted for supply to solution to a second individual. This sequence may be repeated for a selectable number of branches, enabling valuable solution from a container to be used with minimum wastage but without danger of cross-contamination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for positioning a transducing apparatus relative to a rotating storage medium through the use of an externally commutated positioning apparatus under control of a processing element. In addition, a control method is disclosed which includes an initial determination of salient parameters associated with the apparatus. Positioning of the transducing apparatus is achieved through a plurality of control modes which are responsive to the determined parameters. In addition, the accuracy with which position of the transducing apparatus is determined varies among the modes with the remaining distance yet to traverse to a desired destination position.

Abstract: In a dot matrix line printer in which an elongated hammerbank and an opposite conunterbalancing assembly are driven in opposing reciprocating fashion by a motor driven cam, the size of the cam drive motor and the current requirements thereof during startup of the printer are greatly reduced by applying current pulses to the motor in a pattern synchronous with the resonant frequency of the reciprocating cam driven system. The current pulses which are considerably smaller in amplitude than the continuous current conventionally used to produce startup are generated during alternate half cycles of the resonant frequency, causing the cam to rock back and forth until eventually the peak resistance presented by opposite lobes on the cam and the consequent maximum compression of springs within the cam followers coupling the cam to the hammerbank and the counterbalancing assembly is overcome.

Abstract: A low cost, vibration resistant high frequency switch includes a conductive housing having bores for receiving a center probe, first and second cantilevered side probes, a floating center contact and a dielectric control rod. The center probe includes an axial bore in one end which loosely receives a first end of the low mass, wire shaped axially extending center contact. Adjacent the opposite, second end of the center contact, free ends of the side probe are spaced in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the axial direction and extend from opposite directions into overlapping relationship with the floating center probe positioned therebetween. A solenoid controls the dielectric control rod which engages the center contact approximately midway along its length to selectively force the second end into engagement with the first or second side contact while maintaining engagement between the first end of the center contact and the center probe.

Abstract: An equipment (100; 200) for thermal stabilization process of photoresist pattern on semiconductor wafer comprises an ultraviolet lamp (20) by which a photoresist pattern formed on a semiconductor wafer (W) put in a process chamber (S) under vacuum pressure is irradiated with ultraviolet rays of a predetermined strength, and a heater (10) for heating the wafer to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A ring mold unit for shaping and tempering a glass sheet includes a shaping ring mold for bending a glass sheet heated to a temperature close to the softening point of glass, in association with upper and lower mold members, and a cooling ring mold for supporting the bent glass sheet while the glass sheet is being quenched and tempered by a cooling medium. The shaping ring mold has a thermally insulating member on its upper surface for supporting thereon, in surface-to-surface contact, the glass sheet inwardly of a peripheral edge thereof. The cooling ring mold is disposed outwardly of the shaping ring mold and having a shape complementary to the shape of the peripheral edge of the glass sheet for supporting the peripheral edge of the glass sheet. The cooling ring mold has recesses defined in the upper surface thereof, and is covered with a punched metal.

Abstract: An electronic security system for monitoring merchandise and the like is provided which is responsive to any change of state in the electrical connections thereto thus providing for the detection of virtually any tampering with the merchandise or security system. Conductive loop sensors attached to the merchandise are releasably coupled to series-connected modular sensor monitoring units which in turn are connected to a single control box enclosing latching and alarm circuits. Each monitoring unit is preferably adapted to receive a plurality of conductive loops. Severing of any of the loops, as well as disconnection or reconnection of the loops, the monitoring units or the control box activates the alarm. A time-out circuit controls the length of time of alarm activation and is switchable between long and short alarm durations.Means facilitating the mounting of the manifold units and control box on existing T-stand and wall rack clothing displays, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas lighter of compact size and of elongated cylindrical configuration has a head assembly joined to a disposable fuel cartridge. The head assembly includes an aluminum fuel vaporization element located immediately above and in communication with the interior of the fuel cartridge via a tapered lower portion of the element which penetrates a thin wall at the upper end of the fuel cartridge when the element of the head assembly is screwed into the fuel cartridge. The aluminum fuel vaporization element heats in response to vaporization and the resulting expanding movement therethrough of pressurized liquid fuel in the fuel cartridge. This enhances the formation and passing of fuel vapors through a filter consisting of a compressed stack of paper disks disposed within a hollow upper end of the aluminum fuel vaporization element to a valve mounted thereabove. At the same time the filter acts as a barrier to liquid fuel.

Abstract: A multiplex transmission system (100) in which any (N.sub.i) of a plurality of nodes (N.sub.1 -N.sub.n) connected loop-like with a bidirectional signal transmission path (1a, 1b) and each respectively connected to control one of a plurality of units of electrical equipment is adapted for transmitting, in a given order (i), a prepared signal (A.sub.i, D) to the signal transmission path (1a, 1b) and for receiving a prepared signal (A.sub.i, D; A.sub.x, D) from the signal transmission path (1a, 1b), wherein any (N.sub.i) of the nodes (N.sub.1 -N.sub.n) has a rise-timing timer (CNT.sub.2), on which a rise-timing time interval (t.sub.i3, t.sub.i4) of a length proper to this node (N.sub.i) is set at a predetermined time point (54, 62, 71, 84, 88), and is adapted for rising to start signal transmission when the rise-timing timer (CNT.sub.2) has timed out.The signal transmission path (1a, 1b) includes a pair of signal transmission lines (1a, 1b), and any (N.sub.i) of the nodes (N.sub.1 -N.sub.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the random coloring of concrete roof tiles during the manufacture of such tiles. This enables the tiles to be installed in random fashion and without following any particular sequence. At the same time a roof is achieved which has an aesthetically pleasing random variation of the tile colors and which is absent the displeasing color patterns which often occur when tiles colored by a simple and frequently repeating pattern are not installed in proper sequence. Newly formed concrete tiles are sequentially advanced by a conveyor beneath a base applicator which sprays a base coat of coloring slurry over essentially the entire top surface of each tile. One or more overspray applicators located downstream from the base applicator then spray additional colors over different portions of the top surfaces of the tiles in intermittent, randomly varying fashion so that the color pattern on each tile is essentially unique and is not repeated on any other tile.

Abstract: This invention concerns an optical system for use with a television camera for detecting the surface location of an object. A preferred optical image having a distinct, unique, recognizable pattern is projected on a surface along a defined path that ultimately falls on an imaging sensor associated with a television camera. The optical configuration causes a maximum light pattern energy to fall on the image sensor when the focal point coincides exactly with the surface of the object being detected. The system is not an automatic focussing system, since best focus is normally considered to be that condition which produces an image of maximum detail and sharpness, and the present invention does not rely on detail or sharpness of image for its operation. The invention can be used as an automatic focussing device if desired, since best focus can be derived as a useful by-product of accurate surface detection. In operation the camera moves in the Z direction through the point of maximum light pattern energy.

Abstract: A powder feed control system employs an arrangement of conduits and valves for selectively directing a gas flow either through a powder feeder or through a bypass so as to quickly and precisely control the introduction of powder into and the removal of powder from the gas flow in a plasma spraying system. The arrangement of conduits and valves includes a two-way solenoid operated valve for directing the gas flow either into a powder feeder through a main conduit or into a bypass conduit which rejoins the main conduit on the other side of the powder feeder at a powder shutoff valve and a bypass and check valve. The bypass and check valve insures that the gas flow in the bypass conduit flows to the output rather than upstream to the powder shutoff valve.

Abstract: A hot/cold water mixing device includes a hot water supply valve disposed in a hot water feed pipe for regulating the amount of hot water passing therethrough, a cold water supply valve disposed in a cold water feed pipe for regulating the amount of cold water passing therethrough, a water mixture pipe connected between the hot and cold water feed pipes and a water outlet, and a control mechanism for controlling an actuating mechanism to open and close the hot and cold water supply valves complementarily to each other.

Abstract: A quick, lightweight cartridge puller for hot and cold water mixing valves operates to provide an increased mechanical force advantage while applying opposed relative forces between a valve cartridge and its value housing to avoid stressing wall and decorative material supporting the valve housing. The puller includes a clamping assembly that securely and positively engages the cartridge, a draw screw, an outer body member slidably receiving the draw screw and transmitting a reactive force to the valve housing and a puller nut which is tightened onto the draw screw to create an extremely high pulling force which quickly and easily extracts the cartridge from the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing a reference scene and a scene under search in separate addressable memories. The reference scene is addressed along a scan line at a selected angle giving the impression that the reference memory has been rotated. The search area information is convolved with a stored reference information to obtain a count representing the number of matches for each search position at a plurality of selected angles. The convolved count is accumulated and the search stopped when the accumulated count exceeds a given threshold value. The X Y coordinates of the best search is determined by evaluating the highest accumulation count. The angle orientation of the search area is determined by addressing each scan line readout of the stored reference area at small angles, convolving the readout against the memory readout, accumulating the count for a selected number of scan angles and determining the angle position having the highest count as a measure of the alignment angle of the search area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for deriving digital signals from analog variations of different sensing elements in a transducer. Each sensing device controls the frequency of a variable frequency oscillator, which is energized when a reading is to be taken for that specific sensing device. The periodic signal is coupled to a first counter which counts a presettable total number of cycles so as to establish a variable time period proportioned to the value represented by the then existing state of the sensing device. Concurrently, a second counter is operated for a like time interval, but counts cycles from a fixed frequency clock source at a much higher frequency. The number of cycles counted by the second counter is proportional to the analog signal from the sensing device. This arrangement enables the analog signals from the sensing devices to be digitized in sequence with compact circuitry having low power drain.

Abstract: A faucet spout attachment is disclosed including a flow-limiting plate having flow-controlling orifices. Downstream of the flow-limiting plate, alternate series of perforated disks and wire screens arrest stream velocity and redistribute the velocity profile of the stream to provide laminar flow. A screen in contact with the downstream surface of the flow-limiting plate suppreses noise. The flow-limiting plate includes a central flow-trimming orifice whose diameter is selected so that the overall flow rate of the device falls just within the lower end of a predetermined flow range thereby maintaining stream-generated noise at a minimum.

Abstract: A toothbrush for improved execution of the modified Bass method of cleaning teeth comprises a handle having a bristle mounting and disposed at a negative angle relative to the principal axis of the handle. In a specific example, a substantially rectangular array of bristle tufts is mounted on the angled end of the handle, the bristle tufts comprising four columns forming eight rows, the columns being substantially equally spaced at the base and the rows being substantially equally spaced. A forward edge grouping of bristle tufts is provided comprising a row of three bristle tufts. The tufts have from 20 to 150 bristles and the bristles are from 5/16" to 9/16" in length. The two outer columns of bristle tufts are angled inwardly at 7.degree. from the vertical and the two center columns of tufts are angled inwardly at 6.degree. from the vertical, to provide greater firmness against the teeth when the handle is rotated than when the handle is reciprocated along the teeth.

Abstract: A "Winchester" type magnetic disk memory apparatus is disclosed that includes an air recirculation system in the clean chamber that assures positive pressure at all points of potential leakage. In conjunction with that feature, the head assembly positioning mechanism is located outside the clean chamber to provide substantial improvements in contamination control. Significant advantages in the manufacture and maintenance of the apparatus also result.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a glass window for use in motor vehicles which comprises a glass sheet, a glass frame integrally fitted over the peripheral edge of the glass sheet and sealingly mounted on a window frame of a vehicle body, a plurality of support members embedded in the glass frame and supporting the glass sheet and a plurality of retainers each partly embedded in the glass frame and joined to the support member, each retainer having one end secured to the window frame of the vehicle. Each support member is so configurated as to provide a predetermined space between the glass sheet and each corresponding retainer joined to the support member.