Abstract: A hermetically sealed package for food items, such as loaves of processed cheese, employing plastic film with serrated ends and an accessible tear strip, which together provide points of focus for easy opening of the package without unwanted tearing or undesirable contamination of the food item. A process for forming this package also forms part of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a system for improving the clarity of a voice spoken within an enclosed space. The system comprises a first microphone, positioned at a first location, for receiving the audible communication and for converting the audible communication at the first location into a first audio signal. The system also comprises a loudspeaker for receiving the first audio signal, and for converting the first audio signal into a first reproduced audible communication, the reproduced audible communication also being fed back and received by the first microphone and converted with the audible communication into the first audio signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for determining the adequacy of squamous (ectocervical) cells, columnar (endocervical) cells, neutrophils, and noncellular material in a liquid based cytology specimen. The invention first analyzes a liquid based cytology specimen using light scatter to create a light scatter characteristic representing a predetermined cell. Next the invention determines the presence of squamous (ectocervical) cells versus columnar (endocervical) cells versus neutrophils versus noncellular material using the results of the light scatter. The light scatter characteristic that may be used may be forward light scatter, side light scatter, or both side and forward light scatter.

Abstract: A fan guard for guiding airflow to dissipate heat generated from a heat-generating device has an airflow inlet disposed on an upper portion of the fan guard for introducing the airflow into an interior of the fan guard, an airflow outlet disposed on a lower portion of the fan guard for enabling the airflow to flow out of the fan guard and to the heat-generating device, and a plurality of ribs disposed in the airflow outlet of the fan guard for separating the airflow outlet into a plurality of isolated flow paths. In addition, the inner diameter of the airflow outlet is smaller than that of the airflow inlet, and there is a space formed between the ribs of the fan guard and the heat-generating device for enhancing the heat-dissipating efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use with powdered resin feeders provides a continuous stream of powder to a plurality of threaded or non-threaded fasteners. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus generates a gravity induced powder stream at the free end of a discharge conduit which is intersected by a series of fasteners carried on a conveyor. A vacuum nozzle is positioned adjacent to the powder stream and the conveyor. Both the vacuum nozzle and the free end of the discharge conduit are adjustably positionable relative to the path of the fasteners carried on the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention is an improved piezoelectric noise-making and audible signaling device which produces a distinctive 2 KHz tone that is more pronounced and significantly easier to perceive, especially in a noisy environment. The volume of the audible tone is amplified by using two or three sound-amplifying chambers or cavities.

Abstract: An improved storage rack system having a pick deck that allows for easy access to loads on pallets by order pickers.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus to be used in an automatic sheet feeder having a motor rotatable in a first direction and a second direction is disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having an elongated tubular portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The balloon is attached to the catheter near the distal end portion. At least one reservoir is attached to the balloon. An expandable copolymer gel fills the reservoir and an electrode is operably attached to the expandable copolymer gel. This permits the balloon to change shape in response to a voltage applied to the electrode.

Abstract: An asynchronous system for conveying a pallet between one or more work stations and facilitating work operations upon a fixture located on the pallet. Each work station may include one or more fixed location blocks located adjacent to a conveyor. Each location block may have locating bushings and locating pads. The pallet has engagement pins and tooling pads. A lifting and locking mechanism is provided for removing the pallet from the conveyor and for locking the pallet into a rigid position such that the pallet is brought into registration, along X, Y and Z dimensions, with the one or more location blocks through connection of the engagement pins and bushings, and connection of the locating and tooling pads. Pressurized air and shielding mechanisms may be used to remove foreign particulate which may interfere with registration of the pallet and the location blocks.

Abstract: A container pick and return system is provided having a two-tiered flow rail conveyor system that includes an inclined upper set of feed flow rails forming an input conveyor assembly and a lower set of inclined return flow rails forming an exit conveyor upon which a unit load may roll. At the front end of the system is a transfer conveyor assembly that receives a loaded container. The line worker may then operate a damper control pedal that permits the container to be positioned at any desired angle greater than the angle of the input conveyor. This permits enhanced accessibility of the contents of the container regardless of the height or arm length of the line worker or the size and shape of the container contents. When the container is emptied by the line worker, the transfer conveyor assembly is triggered and the empty container is automatically lowered and transferred to the exit conveyor where it rolls down the exit conveyor to the rear of the system for reloading.

Abstract: A covering system for use in connection with an appliance mount having a at least one self-closing tubular sleeve and a plurality of retaining rings. The retaining rings are adapted to engage a support structure. The sleeve wraps around the support structure and creates an inwardly directed clamping action which secures the sleeve to the rings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an internally threaded prevailing-torque type self-locking fastener which employs a patch of fused thermoplastic material as the locking element and which satisfies the functional torque requirements of both IFI 100/107 (1987) and IFI 101 (1987). In accordance with the present invention the fastener comprises a metal body having a bore extending to its opposing ends, the bore having a threaded surface; a patch of polymeric material applied and fused to a portion of the threaded surface; and the fastener meeting the prevailing-torque characteristics specified in both IFI 100/107 (1987) and IFI 101 (1987).

Abstract: A swivel assembly for use in a seat suspension having a first swivel plate and an opposingly located second swivel plate with a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the swivel plates. The bearings permit the first swivel plate to rotate with respect to the second swivel plate. A lip is located inwardly from the bearings on the first swivel plate with the lip defining an aperture. An adjustment plate having an outer edge engages the lip. The adjustment plate also includes a plurality of sloped adjustment surfaces which increase in height and which have slots formed in the sloped adjustment surfaces. A plurality of fasteners extend through the slots into the second swivel plate and further engage the sloped adjustment surfaces.

Abstract: In an apparatus containing rotating filter media that removes solids from a fluid stream, the invention provides devices and methods for improved cleaning of the filter media. Solids trapped on the filter media are removed by the application of a pressurized fluid spray system. The spray system has nozzles distributed across a spray arm. The nozzles create a generally elliptical spray fan pattern in contact with the filter media. The nozzles are spaced and angularly oriented on the spray arm so that adjacent spray fan contact areas overlap. This distribution and orientation equalizes the distribution of the washing flow and hydraulic energy over the filter area, thereby maintaining the filter material in a more uniformly clean and effective filtering condition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connector for joining fluid flow passegeways in a fluid handling system. The connector may be manually manipulated, without using any tools, to quickly and easily couple or decouple the mating connector components. Those components include a plug having a cylindrical plug wall and a radially extending flange, and a mating socket having a cylindrical socket wall and a pair of diametrically opposed retainers. The retainers each comprise an axially extending flexible lever spaced from the socket wall. The lever is joined to the socket wall at a base or proximal end and has a latch at its free or distal end. The lever is also joined to the socket wall by a fulcrum wall or living hinge positioned intermediate the ends of the lever. A split lock ring is disposed between the socket wall and each retainer and is movable from a position adjacent the base of each retainer to a position remote from the base of each retainer.

Abstract: A handle assembly for enabling an electrical product to work is provided. The electrical product has an activating device for activating the electrical product including a handle moveably connected with the electrical product, a driving element thereon for enabling the electrical product to work when the driving element is in touch with said the activating device of the electrical product, and a locking device for securing said the handle to the electrical product when the driving element is in touch with the activating device of the electrical product.

Abstract: A process for annealing copper or copper-containing components, such as copper tubing, and/or for selecting copper with an appropriate grain size, such that potable water in contact with the properly treated and/or selected copper, has substantially decreased copper emissions, and may comply with ANSI/NSF 61. In one preferred embodiment, an ANSI/NSF 61-compliant water cooler may be constructed using a storage tank with wrapped copper water tubing treated and/or selected in this manner. The storage tank is preferably designed from non-copper components.

Abstract: An intelligent material unit formed of an intelligent gel encapsulated within an enclosure. When the gel is actuated by a change in temperature thereof, such as heat and/or by an externally applied field such as an electrical current, electric field, magnetic field, ultrasonic energy (or sonic), microwave energy, a laser beam or a combination thereof, at least a portion of the wall of the container or enclosure is deformed to perform a mechanical function or operation; such as to valve a fluid or cause movement of the container and gel through a fluid or in a passageway. The container may be a thin-skinned flexible plastic, such as an elastomer and may be elongated or sausage-like in shape, or strip-like. It may be free travelling, cantilever-supported or otherwise mounted or attached to a device, machine or element. It may also carry a drug for delivery therefrom at a select location and time.

Abstract: A safety warning system includes a safety warning transceiver which retransmits safety warning signals received by the safety warning transmitter in order to extend the range of safety warning transmitter systems. The safety warning transceiver also functions as a trainable garage door opener and interacts with the remote keyless entry system of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the safety warning transceiver can be installed and selectively removed from a docking station in the vehicle in order to prevent theft or install the safety warning transceiver into another vehicle.