Abstract: An improved trigger sprayer apparatus is comprised of a venting system that allows air to enter a liquid container connected to the apparatus as the apparatus dispenses liquid from the container, a trigger member of the apparatus that provides reliable operation and prevents the inadvertent disconnection of the trigger member from the apparatus, a gasket connected to the apparatus between the liquid container and the apparatus, and a fluid conduit communicating with a nozzle orifice of the apparatus that centers a fluid spinner of the apparatus relative to the orifice.

Abstract: A resequencing buffer and buffer control circuit is disclosed for resequencing data packets into their timed sequence after traversing a switch fabric which can introduce a misordering of data packets because of the varying time intervals required for data packets to traverse the switch fabric in a non-blocking manner. The resequencing buffer controller includes a plurality of hi-directional shift registers for storing each data packet's age and slot number, each bi-directional shift register having an associated slot control circuit for feeding the age and slot number one bit at a time onto a contention bus to thereby determine the oldest data packet eligible for transmission. The contention bus is an exclusive OR wire bus which interconnects the slot control circuits and an output circuit which controls the buffer to output the slot number containing the data packet of oldest age.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for storing and preserving food products and for selectively dispensing the food products from the apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a container, a flexible bag inserted into and suspended in the interior of the container, and a cover member releasably securable over a top opening of the container. The bag is provided with a sidewall dimensioned to slide vertically through the interior of the container without the sidewall exerting a friction force against the inner surfaces of the container sidewalls with the bag filled with a food product. The bag is constructed of a flexible material that enables a top portion of the bag sidewall to be stretched and folded back over the top opening of the container and the outer surfaces of the container sidewalls to suspend the food product contained in the bag inside the container interior and above the container bottom wall.

Abstract: A sports equipment support rack is a combination of a fixed main frame, a basket, and a hoop and hook assembly. The fixed frame includes bat retainers for supporting a plurality of bats, and parallel guide members for removably supporting such similarly sized balls as basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, and the like. The fixed frame also includes opposite pairs of retaining hooks on the opposite lateral sides of the fixed frame. The retaining hooks releasably retain either the basket or the hoop and hook assembly interchangeably. The basket provides storage for articles of sports equipment including smaller sized balls like footballs or baseballs. The hoop and hook assembly includes a horizontal hoop providing a ring surface portion upon which a ball like a basketball can be removably supported.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for supporting, conveying and diverting a lane of successive articles to supply four lanes so that the articles can be intermittently bunched in successive rows of four articles. The apparatus comprises a horizontal array of rollers arranged in transverse rows longitudinally spaced apart from one another. The rollers are rotatably driven about horizontal axes for providing upper rolling surfaces upon which the articles can be supported and conveyed. The rollers are operably pivotable about vertical axes for steering the articles across the array of rollers along the prescribed sharp-angled zig-zag paths.

Abstract: A liner hoist for a bulk bag in a first embodiment includes a rope and hook for pulling up and tying the liner to prevent its fouling the discharge of material through a bottom pour spout. In a second embodiment, it retracts a liner upwardly from within a bulk bag as dry material is dispensed out the lower end thereof through a pour spout. The second embodiment includes a hook for hooking an eyelet fashioned in the upper end of the liner, a rope attached to the hook and supported by a plurality of pulleys from the bulk bag support framework, a spring extending between the rope and the framework, and cleat through which the rope is threaded to prevent the rope from retracting after the spring is tensioned. In operation, as the liner empties and tends to elongate, the hook lifts the liner from within the bulk bag through the action of the spring, all without operator intervention.

Abstract: A lattice of partition panels is used inside a container to separate articles packaged in the container where the container may be cut along its side walls to remove a top portion of the container to expose the articles packaged therein with none of the partition panels of the lattice obstructing a view of the articles by projecting above a top edge of the container walls.

Abstract: A liquid weigh scale hopper receives a plurality of liquid ingredients for dumping into a receiver/mixer and includes a pair of high flow rate spray nozzles near the top thereof for spraying chilled water into the hopper. As a discharge valve at the bottom of the hopper is opened, chilled water is sprayed into the hopper and fills it to create a gravitational pressure head helping to force the liquid batch out of the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously determining the areal density along a length of a material includes a radioactive source and a scintillating receiver. In a first embodiment, the invention measures the thickness of a traveling web simultaneously at multiple points across its full width. The apparatus includes a radioactive source which extends across one side of the web. A detector array, on the opposite side of the web, detects the emission from the source through the web. The array includes scintillating fibers and multi- or single-anode photomultipliers which may be connected by a scintillating or non-scintillating fiber optic elements to the photomultiplier. In a second embodiment, the invention continuously detects the fill level of a plurality of containers as they are conveyed between the receiver and detector. A scintillating fiber receiver may have its fibers arranged either vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bicycle support rack that includes a shelf piece and a U-shaped bracket. The shelf piece is anchored to a wall along the rear, and has front corners supporting retaining hooks and apertured fixtures. The U-shaped bracket has a base portion anchored to the wall below the rear of the shelf piece. The arms of the U-shaped bracket extend diagonally up from the base to inwardly bent ends. The inwardly bent ends can be removably disposed through the apertures of the apertured fixtures, thereby resulting in a releasable engagement between the shelf piece and U-shaped bracket. The retaining hooks provide removable support for a bicycle by retaining the top tube of the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A filler and pressure indicator valve having a housing with a main valve openable upon depression by a conventional filler tool upon adding air to the tire and automatically closeable upon release of the tire filling tool. A shaft is slidable through the main valve, and on the inner end of the shaft there is a sensor valve. The sensor valve is normally closed but responds to a low pressure condition within the tire to open, moving the shaft inwardly and releasing a pop-up cap on the end of the shaft to trigger a visual sensor element. The device can be adjusted to settings for different desired air pressure levels below which the sensor valve will be actuated.

Abstract: A method for producing a composition having an inhibiting effect on production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and a method for inhibiting the production of TNF in vivo by administering the composition is provided. The composition comprises a solution of pepsin which has been rendered substantially proteolytically inactive by a series of sequential dialysis against running water, deionized water, and distilled water, respectively, for periods of time sufficient to substantially eliminate the proteolytic activity of the pepsin solution. The resulting composition is combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and administered in vivo to partially inhibit the production of TNF induced by a bacterial endotoxin.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prevent variations in sensitivity of the sensor circuits of the respective channels by equalizing the power of oscillation frequency signals to be distributed/supplied from one oscillation circuit to the sensor circuits of the respective channels. Multi-channel sensor circuits are arranged with a common oscillation circuit. A high-impedance conversion circuit is connected to the output terminal of the oscillation circuit. A first impedance matching circuit for performing impedance matching of resonance circuits of the respective channels with reference to the oscillation circuit is arranged on the output side of the high-impedance conversion circuit. Second impedance matching circuits for performing impedance matching of the oscillation circuit with reference to the resonance circuits are connected at the input terminals of the resonance circuits of the respective channels.

Abstract: A reactive energy fluid filled cushioning and stabilizing apparatus in a shoe is comprised of one or more anatomically shaped fluid filled bladders that are positioned in the forefoot, arch and/or heel areas of the shoe. The bladders assume a complementary custom fitting configuration to the contours of a foot inserted in the shoe. In variant embodiments of the apparatus, the fluid filled bladders are positioned separate from each other in the forefoot, arch and heel areas of the shoe and are interconnected in fluid communication by fluid conducting channels, or the bladders are positioned independent of each other in the forefoot, arch and heel areas of the shoe.

Abstract: A joint range of motion evaluation system includes a three-dimensional orientation device which generates Euler angle (azimuth, elevation, roll) data closely corresponding to the permitted angular ranges of motion for many joints in a patient's body. Thus, the system collects angular data corresponding to the same angular movements experienced through the joint to provide greater information with regard to its actual movement. This information is particularly useful in detecting abnormalities and disabilities of movement and in designing and monitoring patient rehabilitation. Specific positional data with respect to specific points on the patient's joint or other surrounding anatomy is not utilized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved air extraction apparatus for continuous package making. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved air extraction apparatus that continuously packages a continuous succession of objects in a continuous length of heat-sealable packaging film. The apparatus extracts air from the packaging film that has been folded in a manner so that margins along opposite longitudinal edges of the film form a seam with two overlapping flaps for heat sealing, wherein just ahead of a heat sealing station, the improved apparatus of the invention extracts air from between the film flaps.

Abstract: A shoe having an insole with a forepart of leather having the characteristics of upper leather and a back part of fiberboard. A sheet layer of foam material, such as microcellular polyurethane, is cemented to the lower surface of the forepart and a foam cushion, preferably molded of microcellular polyurethane, overlies the back part. The back part of the insole has an opening through it and the foam cushion has a central portion that projects downwardly through the opening thereby providing a thickened foam at the central portion to maximize cushioning at the area of the heel strike. The invention is incorporated in shoes of both the welt-type construction and the cement-type construction.