Abstract: A connector is provided for joining hollow elongate frame members, such as tubes, to a support structure such as an other tube. The connector has a base portion with inner and outer faces, the inner face being shaped to conform to the shape of the adjacent surface of the support structure. The connector has at least one spreading mechanism extending outwardly from the base portion and having external transverse dimensions enabling it to be inserted into an end of the elongated frame member. This mechanism has parallel first and second arms located adjacent to each other. A screw is located in a threaded hole extending transversely through the first arm. This screw can be used to push against the second arm and thereby spread the arms apart. The base portion can have a hole formed therein to receive an elongate fastener used to connect it to the support structure. In a preferred embodiment, the second arm is divided into two parallel prongs separated by a narrow slit.

Abstract: A volume sensing device for determining the volume of liquid present in a standard plastic disposable pipette during a pipetting operation, which operation can be an aspiration or dispensing of liquid. The device comprises a cylinder made of hard synthetic material into which a disposable pipette is lowered at a predetermined velocity. The pipette which is being lowered into the cylinder holds an amount of liquid the volume of which the volume sensing device approximately determines. A pair of metal rings are coaxially mounted near the top end of the plastic cylinder. The pair of metal rings are preferably mounted in mating machined recesses of the plastic cylinder. This pair of metal rings is separated from each other by a small gap which forms the dielectric material of a capacitative circuit when the upper ring is connected to one portion of this circuit and the lower ring is connected to an other portion of the capacitative circuit.

Abstract: A disposable syringe comprising two slidably collapsible cylindrical portions. The first cylindrical portion forms part of a standard disposable syringe which has been slightly altered to include one or more integral protrusions. The second cylindrical portion is slidably movable along the first cylindrical portion from an extended position in which it completely envelopes the needle portion of the disposable syringe to a retracted position in which the needle is fully exposed. Means are provided on the two cylindrical portions to prevent the retraction of the second cylindrical portion after the disposable syringe has been used so as to prevent any reuse of the disposable syringe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the optional removal of packages in the longitudinal or transverse direction onto a conveyor belt of the packing machine, the packages being continuously guided automatically both in their removal in the longitudinal direction and in their removal in the transverse direction by means of a rotary device and an oblique track roller guide system which is provided with an adjustable guide deflector by which guide rollers of a steering gear of the rotary device are automatically guided. By adjusting the guide deflector parallel or obliquely to the direction of travel of the packages, they can be removed in the longitudinal direction or, after being turned through an angle of 90 degrees, in the transverse direction onto a conveyor belt.

Abstract: A connector for assembly of sieve elements consists of a fastener, a securing pin and a mounting element, The fastener is inserted in aligned apertures of the sieve element and the mounting element. A securing pin is inserted into an axial bore of the fastener to secure the connection. The fastener has an upper and a lower collar. Membranes extend longitudinally along the fastener body and are broken out when the securing pin is inserted to the axial bore of the fastener.

Abstract: A method for producing powder cosmetics which utilizes some suitable solvents to convert the powder materials into slurry form, so as to facilitate transportation through pipelines. The slurry is filled into a plastic case through an opening provided at its lower face and the solvent is discharged from the slurry at a reduced pressure. Thus, convert the slurry to a powder cake.