Abstract: A blood sampler of the type employing a double ended hollow needle, one end to be inserted into a vein and the other end to receive thereover a puncturable cover of an evacuated receptacle; the needle is rigidly secured to a slider which is slidable in a barrel having one end through which the needle may be extended out of or fully retracted into the barrel, and a second end through which the evacuated receptacle can be inserted for engagement with the other end of the needle after the latter has been moved and releasably locked in its extended position. A cap is provided to close the one end of the barrel when the needle is fully retracted thereinto.

Abstract: A brake adjuster wherein a thrust block is axially slidable in a cylinder bore and rotatably connected to one of two screw threaded adjuster members which are themselves interconnected by a self-sustaining thread. In use a power spring acts on the thrust block to move it axially within the cylinder bore to apply pressure to a friction pad via the adjuster members. The brake may be released by applying hydraulic pressure to the thrust block, at which time one adjuster member is rotated via a clutch, when a predetermined clearance has been taken up, relative to the other to adjust for pad wear. No relative adjustment occurs during application of the brake under the action of the power spring.

Abstract: In chucking, a workpiece is clamped while drawn to the chuck body for positive contact of the workpiece to stoppers, whereby a degree of machining accuracy is remarkably improved.

Abstract: A convex lens has a geometric axis, defined to be an axis passing through the lens at a central point normally to the general plane of the lens, spaced from its optical axis defined to be an axis passing through the lens between its focal points. The lens may be manufactured from a mould, at least one concave surface of which has a center point spaced from a deepest point, said mould having a feed point at an edge point substantially in a plane extending from said center point through said deepest point to the edge of the concave surface. A transparent plastics material may then be injected into the mould cavity through the feed point.

Abstract: A method of extending the shelf life of foodstuffs comprises the steps of evacuating gas from the foodstuff and treating the foodstuff with carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide either in admixture or sequentially. The gases are then evacuated from the foodstuff, which is sealed into a container under an inert gas. In cases where the preserved foodstuff is likely to exude moisture during storage, water may be removed from the product. Foodstuffs treatable by the method include fruit such as apples.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated valve has its body formed from a plain length of pipe substantially free of any machining or shoulders. The armature and seating are inside, with the armature moving axially, and the solenoid coil is slid over the outside of the pipe. There could be a by-pass and two valves, one with a by-pass and one without, could be mounted in series in a common length of pipe.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying relatively planar articles, e.g. biscuits, comprises a first conveyor comprising a pair of runs of endless belts having operative surfaces defining a first path for biscuits. The operative surfaces of the belts face one another and are symmetrically inclined to the vertical, biscuits being conveyed thereby contacting the belts by their peripheries, and, when at least two biscuits are in contact, assuming an inclined attitude with the upper part of each biscuit leading. A further conveyor providing a further path for biscuits extends upwardly from the outlet end of the first path and, in the region of the outlet end of the first path, means are provided for causing or permitting a change in attitude of the biscuits to bring them to an attitude in which they are substantially parallel to the further path.

Abstract: An actuator for brakes with automatic adjustment suitable in particular for heavy duty vehicles comprises a housing (32) whose axis (A) is surrounded by a cam surface (36). A rotary member (40) is rotatable about the housing axis (A) and comprises a second cam surface (42) with which it bears on the first cam surface (36) to produce an axial displacement dependent on its rotation. A first screw member (50) is likewise rotatable about the housing axis and a second screw member (60) is formed to exert an actuating force on a brake pad. The second screw member is connected to the first screw member by a pair of threaded adjustment members (62). A reset shaft (92) is mounted in the housing (32) and permits a screwing back of the two screw members (50, 60) with respect to each other to replace the brake pad. The reset shaft (92) is disposed with lateral spacing from the housing axis (A) and is connected to one of the screw members (50) via a gearing ( 88, 90).

Abstract: A master cylinder for a vehicle braking system comprises a body (2) with a bore (3) open at the rear end of the body, a reservoir (4), a transverse port (17) in the body opening into the bore (3) and positioned rearwardly of the reservoir, and a passageway defined between the exterior of the body (2) and a sleeve (22) mounted thereon to communicate the transverse port (17) with a chamber (7) of the reservoir. in different disclosed embodiments the sleeve may be integral with the housing of a booster assembled with the master cylinder and an element may be interposed between the sleeve and the master cylinder body and be provided with a tubular extension interconnecting the reservoir with the passageway.

Abstract: A corner post formed of two elongated members, which may be molded plastic, each member has a decorative ridge on the front face, a part of one ridge on one of the members lying along an edge thereof and defining a flange having an inner face which abuts an adjacent edge of the other member and covers the crack between the members. The ridge on the other member is spaced from its edge, the same distance as the first ridge is spaced from the front face of the other member. Additional symmetrically spaced ridges may also be provided.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a hypodermic syringe consists of a compartmented filter unit whose compartments contain filter material. Ports open through a lower wall of the respective compartment, and rotatably fixed to the filter unit is a disc-like fluid passage member having a first fluid passage therein one end of which is selectively movable into alignment with the respective ports and the other end of which is in communication with a second fluid passage through a needle-receiving hub fixed to the lower face of the fluid passage member. By indexing the fluid passage member, fluid pumped into and out of the syringe barrel may be subjected to filtration through fresh filter areas in successive compartments.

Abstract: A dispenser handle for controlling the speed with which flexible sheet material is stripped from a roll. The handle includes a spindle carrying at one end locking means insertable into the overside opening of a hollow cylindrical core on which the sheet material is wound. The spindle is of reduced diameter and carries, with clearance, a collapsible sleeve which the operator may squeeze to brake the spindle and hence the roll and the rate which the material is stripped from the roll.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic comprising a neutral polysaccharide obtained from an acid-fast bacterium. This cosmetic smoothly spreads on the skin without sticking to the skin to give moistness to the skin. Furthermore, the cosmetic covers the skin and shows an excellent moisture-retaining action, and exerts an effect of preventing or moderating the rough skin.

Abstract: In a housing (2) inner guide surfaces (3, 4, 5) and at least one first and one second stop (40, 41) fixed with respect to the housing are formed. A first and a second thrust plate (10, 11) are guided rotatably and axially displaceably at the guide surfaces (3, 4, 5) of the housing (2). Lugs (12, 13) on the thrust plates (10, 11) limit the rotation thereof in one direction of rotation by striking the first and second stop (40, 41). A first and a second set of brake discs (20, 24; 21, 25) are arranged adjacent the first and second thrust plate (10, 11). A first and a second intermediate disc (22, 23) are arranged between the brake discs (20, 24; 21, 25). Between the two thrust plates (10; 11), spreading members (46) are arranged which spread the thrust plates (10; 11) thereby initiating a braking with servo effect. Torque-transmitting connections between the thrust plates (10; 11) and the intermediate discs (22, 23) increase the servo effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disc brakes suitable for use on commercial vehicles, the disc brake incorporating a parking brake facility in addition to a service brake facility. The disc brake of the present invention comprises a housing within which a brake actuator is arranged, the parking brake facility being operable by a lever connected to a cam member which is eccentrically supported on a pivot pin carried by the housing. The cam member is arranged to act on the brake actuator arrangement as the lever is moved, the lever projecting laterally of the cam member, near to the axial mid region of the cam member.

Abstract: The present specification discloses an actuator for use in a vehicle brake. The actuator incorporates an adjuster which automatically provides an adjustment to take account of pad lining wear, to thus maintain a substantially constant brake clearance. The brake actuator of the present invention comprises a hollow piston which is axially slidably located in a cylinder with an elongate shaft extending axially through said cylinder and said hollow piston. Said shaft is fixed in a position within the cylinder and carries a spiral thread and axially extending splines. An adjuster nut is rotatably mounted on said spiral thread and is engaged by detent means mounted on said axial splines. Said detent means are spring biassed against the adjuster nut by a spring which engages said piston.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pad retaining plate assembly which can be operated to allow for pad replacement without any part having to be removed and without the inconvenience of having to deal with nuts, bolts, etc. The pad retaining plate assembly comprises a latch member which is movable relative to a guide, the guide being secured to a brake shoe so that the latch member can then attain an operative position wherein the latch member projects through an aperture in the brake shoe. A spring also mounted on the brake shoe is arranged to grip the latch member and to hold the latch member in the said operative position when this position is attained. The latch member can be moved away by a simple tool against the grip of the spring to facilitate pad replacement.

Abstract: A thiazole derivative represented by the formula I, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, and a process for preparation thereof ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents --COOR.sub.4, ##STR2## or cyano wherein R.sub.4 represents hydrogen or lower alkyl, andR.sub.5 and R.sub.6 may be the same or different and represent hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, amino-lower alkyl, N-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, N,N-di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are joined to form a N-containing heterocyclic group;R.sub.2 represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; andR.sub.3 represents N-containing heterocyclic group.These compounds are useful as cardiotonic agents.

Abstract: A novel 1,4-thiazine derivative represented by the formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, a process for preparation thereof and a cardiotonic agent comprising it as an effective component; ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent respectively hydrogen atom, lower alkyl group, lower alkoxy group, amino group, lower alkyl-amino group, aryl-amino group, hydroxy group, aryl group or 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic residue;R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent hydrogen atom or lower alkyl group; andR.sub.5 represents N-containing heterocyclic residue and is not pyridinyl group when R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent hydrogen atom and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent hydrogen atom or lower alkyl group.