Abstract: A dispenser for a flowable substance more viscous than water includes an applicator member and a cover member that can be separated for use and rejoined for storage. The applicator member has an applicator tip to be used for application purposes, the cover member has a hollow interior that extends to an open end, which open end is dimensioned and arranged to receive the applicator tip, and the cover member contains a supply of the substance and an extrusion mechanism for extruding an amount of the substance toward the open end. The extrusion mechanism includes components for enabling a user to operate the extrusion mechanism by rotating the applicator member relative to the cover member while the applicator tip is within the open end.

Abstract: An airfoil device includes an inflatable structure for attachment to an existing sail to form a sail assembly. The inflatable structure is dimensioned and arranged to extend over a substantial portion of the existing sail and a valve arrangement is included for enabling a user to inflate and deflate the inflatable structure while it is so attached to thereby vary the sail assembly shape. The inflatable structure includes inner and outer layers that define an enclosed interior suitable to contain a pressurized gas for inflation purposes, and they are dimensioned and arranged to provide an airfoil shape to the sail assembly when the inflatable structure is inflated. The inflatable structure may be arranged to be either removably or fixedly attached, and various configurations are disclosed to enable use with various types of sails for all points of sailing under various wind conditions.

Abstract: A section of pipe includes a first body of material disposed in a bell and spigot pipe configuration having a bell portion extending to a bell end, which bell portion defines a radially inwardly facing annular seal groove in which to place a sealing ring to be engaged by a spigot portion of another section of pipe inserted into the bell portion. The seal groove is disposed between first, second, and third circumferentially-extending surfaces, the first surface facing radially inwardly and extending axially between the second and third surfaces, the second surface facing axially toward the bell end and extending radially inwardly from the first surface, and the third surface facing axially away from the bell end and extending radially inwardly from the first surface on an inclined away from the bell end as it extends from the first surface.

Abstract: A door sign device includes an actuator mounted on the inner door surface of a door that has inner and outer door surfaces so that a user can move the actuator between first and second actuator positions, and a follower mounted on the outer door surface so that the follower can be move between first and second follower positions that each correspond to a respective one of the first and second actuator positions. Coupling components are included for coupling the actuator to the follower magnetically so that the follower follows actuator movement, and indicator components responsive to the follower being in the first follower position indicate that a predetermined sign applies.

Abstract: An emitter includes a body member having a head portion. The head portion has an outer peripheral surface that defines an elongated channel and the channel extends along a tortuous path from an inlet end of the channel to an outlet end of the channel. A cover of heat shrinkable material is shrunk over the outer peripheral surface of the head portion covers the channel to form a turbulent flow passage. The head portion may include generally opposed, first and second transverse surfaces between which the outer peripheral surface extends, the cover extending partially over the transverse surfaces to form flanges that engage the transverse surfaces. The heat shrinkable material may be shrinkable both axially and circumferentially for this purpose. One embodiment includes an emitter outlet in the form of an annular basin that is fed with a non-radially disposed slot to produce a self-cleaning vortex action.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in scooping a scoop of ice cream from a container of ice cream includes a handle, a bowl supported on the handle, and a motor for rotating the bowl relative to the handle in order to facilitate the scooping of ice cream with the bowl. One embodiment includes a rotatable wiper blade mounted within the bowl, a first unidirectional clutch device that couples the bowl to the motor drive shaft when the drive shaft is rotating in a clockwise rotation, and a second unidirectional clutch device that inhibits bowl rotation when the drive shaft is rotating in a counterclockwise direction. The cutting edge or lip of the bowl may have sawtooth like projections, and an battery changer apparatus may be included for charging a battery power source housed in the handle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a magazine for containing a plurality of shields so that a user can insert the tip of a hypodermic needle into one of the shields and then slide the shield out of the magazine means as a protective cover over the tip. A plurality of penetrable shields are provided within the magazine. The magazine includes an elongated structure defining a passage having an open end and an outwardly opening channel that extends along the passage to the open end. The passage is dimensioned and arranged to receive the penetrable so that the shields can be individually slid along the passage and out of the open end for dispensing purposes. The channel is dimensioned and arranged so that a user can insert the tip of the hypodermic needle through the channel and into a selected one of the shields and then slide the selected shield along the passage and out of the open end by moving the hypodermic needle along the channel.

Abstract: A label applicator includes a support structure in predetermined relationship with a labeling station at which to apply a label to an article. A label dispenser mounted on the support structure dispenses a label to be applied to the article and a receiver moveably mounted on the support structure transports the label from the dispenser to the labeling station. Receiver mounting components are provided for mounting the receiver on the support structure both to enable generally linear movement of the receiver along a path between a retracted position adjacent the dispenser and an extended position adjacent the labeling station, and to enable pivotal movement of the receiver about a pivot axis between a label-receiving position in which the label receiver can receive a label from the dispenser and a label-applying position in which the label can be transferred from the label receiver to a face of an article at the labeling station.

Abstract: A coupler device for coupling an endoscope to a camera head includes a housing that defines an enclosed light path extending along an optical axis between first and second end portions of the housing together with mounting components for attaching the first end portion of the housing to an endoscope and the second end portion of the housing to a camera head so that the light path extends toward the camera head. A single lens mounted within the housing intermediate the first and second end portions magnifies an image from the endoscope in order to provide a magnified image to the camera head, the lens being a single refracting optical element for magnifying the image from the endoscope that is the sole refracting optical element for magnifying the image. A quick-release arrangement in one embodiment enables attachment of the endoscope by advancing the endoscope axially without a having to rotate it while a focusing ring enables fine focusing adjustments.

Abstract: An intraocular lens includes an optic for implantation in a human eye and first and second fixation members attached to the optic for supporting the optic from the capsular bag of the eye, each of the fixation members having inner and outer legs. The inner legs extend radially outwardly and circumferentially from first and second attachment sites on the optic to intermeidate portions of the fixation members. Each of the outer legs extend along an arc from the intermediate portion of the fixation member to a distal end portion of the fixation member.

Abstract: A labeling system includes a conveyor for moving articles to be labeled in a first direction through a labeling station while allowing the article to be rotated, and a label transport for conveying labels in a generally opposite second direction from a label dispensing station to the labeling station. Label dispensing components are provided for dispensing a label onto the label transport whereby the label transport can convey the label to the labeling station where the label contacts the article so that the label is transferred to the article. The conveyor may employ a nest for rotatably supporting the article that includes at least first and second rollers for supporting the article therebetween.

Abstract: A system for supplying sanitizing gas to a spa includes a sanitizing gas generator for generating sanitizing gas, a conduit for conducting the sanitizing gas from the generator to the spa, and an isolation device coupled to the conduit between the spa and the generator. An arrangement for creating subatmospheric suction pressure in at least a region of the conduit is employed whereby the isolation device is subjected to said suction pressure and the sanitizing gas is caused to flow from the generator to the spa. The isolation device has a drain opening through which liquid can flow to protect the generator from a backflow of water from the spa and a valve responsive to said suction pressure to seal said outlet port sufficiently to prevent significant loss of the suction pressure and of the sanitizing gas when the subatmospheric suction pressure is present.

Abstract: A device for use in withdrawing a catheter such as a balloon catheter from a vessel in the vascular system in order to inhibit damage to the vessel wall includes an assembly defining a passageway through which to pass the catheter. The assembly is dimensioned and arranged to be grasped by a user, and it includes components for coupling the assembly to the catheter so that the user can withdraw the catheter from the vessel by moving the assembly generally axially. The coupling components are adjustable to enable the user to select a desired maximum amount of force that can be coupled from the assembly to the catheter, and for this purpose one embodiment includes a cap-and-compressible-disk arrangement on a body member in which a spring-coupled handle member is telescopingly disposed, graduations along the handle member providing a visually discernible indication of relative handle member position and therefore of the magnitude of a force being coupled by the user to the assembly.

Abstract: A window trimming construction includes a trim portion dimensioned and arranged to cover a portion of a surface of a wall in a position circumscribing a window opening extending through the wall that is defined by a window framing. The window trimming construction also includes a molding portion dimensioned and arranged to cover a portion of the window framing disposed intermediate the surface of the wall and a metal frame mounted on the window framing. The molding portion is arranged to enable adjustment of its width according to an amount by which the metal frame is recessed. One embodiment includes a molding portion having a plurality of sections that each cover a corresponding plurality of sections of the window framing, each one of the molding sections having first and second strips joined together with an adjustable joint that enables adjustment of the width.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing a circuit board to a testing system includes a support structure movably supporting a pair of first and second test heads in confronting relationship, at least the first test head having a plurality of probes with which to contact test points on a circuit board to be tested. Actuating components enable movement of the test heads from a spaced apart loading position to a more closely spaced apart testing position in which each one of the probes is urged into contact with a respective one of the test points. An electrical bus interfaces a separate testing system to at least the first test head, and a plurality of operator accessible, electrically conductive contacts that are each electrically connected to a respective one of the lines of the electrical bus, enables convenient electrical connection to the lines for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A device for electrosurgery includes a curved-tip probe adapted for insertion into an incision, and a resiliently deformable electrode movable longitudinally within the probe so that the distal end can be projected in an offset direction out of the tip of the probe between a closed position wherein the terminal end of the electrode is closely adjacent the tip to an extended position wherein the terminal end is a greater distance from the tip. A shielding member of flexible and resilient composition extends alongside the probe for shielding the terminal end of the electrode from tissue during surgery. The shielding member may be spring biased toward the closed position and include various electrode engaging arrangements that inhibit lateral movement of the electrode relative to the probe. One embodiment includes a slidable shielding member that enables the device to be used for lateral release or meniscal surgery.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing closure tags, includes a support structure on which is mounted a channel member defining first and second channels through which to feed a strip of closure tags. The forward end of the second channel is disposed slightly ahead of the forward end of the first channel to enable placement of a bag into the first tag while a substantial portion of the lower edge of the first tag is still disposed within the second channel. A guide member attached to the channel member defines a surface disposed generally ahead of and facing the second channel that includes a first portion extending from a first position that is generally directly ahead of the forward end of the second channel a distance slightly less than the tag width to a second position that is disposed sideways from the longitudinal axis of the second channel.

Abstract: A device for detecting a specified signal on a conventional telephone line includes a pair of input terminals to which to connect a pair of conventional telephone lines, and a circuit connected to the input terminals that draws a different amount of power from a separate power source when the specified signal is present across the input terminals thant it draws otherwise. A transformer couples the power supply to the circuit while isolating the power source from the input terminals, and power sensing circuitry that senses a difference in power supplied to the transformer generates a control signal that is also isolated from the input terminals.

Abstract: A tube having an elongated core composed of a flexible narrow molecular weight distribution first polymeric composition, a sheath composed of a broader molecular weight second polymeric composition co-extruded over the outer core surface, and a liner composed of a broader molecular weight distribution second polymeric composition co-extruded over the inner core surface. The core may be composed of a composition exhibiting relative poor processability, and the sheath and liner of a composition exhibiting better processability.

Abstract: A method of controlling laser energy removal of plaque or other obstructions from a vessel of the cardiovascular system includes advancing a laser delivery catheter to a position in proximity with a targeted lesion, placing a laser energy sensor device in a monitoring position adapted to sense laser energy from the catheter that passes beyond the lesion, and controlling the laser energy according to the output of the sensor. An intraoperative approach places the sensor external to the vessel, while a percutaneous approach places the sensor within the vessel utilizing an additional sensor fiber on the catheter that extends beyond the lesion to the monitoring position. Each fiber in a multifiber laser delivery bundle may be controlled according to sensor output for precision aiming and improved laser control.