Abstract: An expansion loop for a piping system. The expansion loop has a first flexible conduit with a first end and a second end and a second flexible conduit with a first end and a second end. A first rigid conduit is connected between the first ends of the first and second flexible conduits. Additional rigid conduits are connected to both of the second ends of the flexible conduits. These additional rigid conduits include a stainless-steel elbow, a conversion conduit, and a copper conduit. The expansion loop may be installed wherein the flexible conduits are bent, when fluid flows, the flexible conduits straighten out and are not bent.

Abstract: An expansion loop for a piping system. The expansion loop has a first flexible conduit with a first end and a second end and a second flexible conduit with a first end and a second end. A first rigid conduit is connected between the first ends of the first and second flexible conduits. Additional rigid conduits are connected to both of the second ends of the flexible conduits. These additional rigid conduits include a stainless-steel elbow, a conversion conduit, and a copper conduit. The expansion loop may be installed wherein the flexible conduits are bent, when fluid flows, the flexible conduits straighten out and are not bent.

Abstract: An apparatus having a flexible conduit which includes a flexible member and a rigid member in fluid communication with the flexible member, and a releasable connector. The releasable connector has a first member and a second member. When a releasing force is applied to the flexible conduit, the releasable connector separates. The apparatus also includes a shock absorber to configured to absorb a load when the releasable connector separates. The shock absorber may include elastomeric pads between rigid plates, a rotary dampener, a spring, rod and piston, or an elastic strap.

Abstract: A method for enrolling patient candidates in a clinical trial includes generating first prediction data indicating predicted progression of a condition for a first group of patients that participated in a first clinical trial using a predictive model and clinical data associated with the first group of patients; grouping clinical trial data into subsets based on the first prediction data; analyzing each subset of clinical trial data to generate a measure of efficacy of the treatment; establishing screening criteria for a second clinical trial by identifying at least one subset that has a measure of efficacy that is higher than a measure of efficacy of the treatment for the full first group of patients; receiving clinical data of a candidate for the second clinical trial; generating second prediction data for the candidate; and enrolling the candidate in the second clinical trial when the second prediction data satisfies the screening criteria.

Abstract: An apparatus having a flexible conduit which includes a flexible member and a rigid member in fluid communication with the flexible member, and a releasable connector. The releasable connector has a first member and a second member. When a releasing force is applied to the flexible conduit, the releasable connector separates. The apparatus also includes a shock absorber to configured to absorb a load when the releasable connector separates. The shock absorber may include elastomeric pads between rigid plates, a rotary dampener, a spring, rod and piston, or an elastic strap.

Abstract: A method for enrolling patient candidates in a clinical trial includes generating first prediction data indicating predicted progression of a condition for a first group of patients that participated in a first clinical trial using a predictive model and clinical data associated with the first group of patients; grouping clinical trial data into subsets based on the first prediction data; analyzing each subset of clinical trial data to generate a measure of efficacy of the treatment; establishing screening criteria for a second clinical trial by identifying at least one subset that has a measure of efficacy that is higher than a measure of efficacy of the treatment for the full first group of patients; receiving clinical data of a candidate for the second clinical trial; generating second prediction data for the candidate; and enrolling the candidate in the second clinical trial when the second prediction data satisfies the screening criteria.

Abstract: A pipeline strainer having a body with a straining element therein. One or more magnets are removably inserted into the straining element and configured to be removed from the body without causing liquid within the cavity to drain from the pipeline strainer. A drywell is used to house the magnets. The movement of withdrawing the magnets pulls metal particles along the outer surface of the drywell toward a debris drain.

Abstract: A method for enrolling patient candidates in a clinical trial includes generating first prediction data indicating predicted progression of a condition for a first group of patients that participated in a first clinical trial using a predictive model and clinical data associated with the first group of patients; grouping clinical trial data into subsets based on the first prediction data; analyzing each subset of clinical trial data to generate a measure of efficacy of the treatment; establishing screening criteria for a second clinical trial by identifying at least one subset that has a measure of efficacy that is higher than a measure of efficacy of the treatment for the full first group of patients; receiving clinical data of a candidate for the second clinical trial; generating second prediction data for the candidate; and enrolling the candidate in the second clinical trial when the second prediction data satisfies the screening criteria.

Abstract: A pipeline strainer having a body with a straining element therein. One or more magnets are removably inserted into the straining element and configured to be removed from the body without causing liquid within the cavity to drain from the pipeline strainer. A drywell is used to house the magnets. The movement of withdrawing the magnets pulls metal particles along the outer surface of the drywell toward a debris drain.

Abstract: A closure for a container having a top opening bounded by a rim, includes a generally bowl-shaped body with interior and exterior surfaces and a hole formed on one side of the body. Extending about the body is a connecting section including a skirt and this connecting section seals the body to the container. The interior surface defines an interior space into which the container opens during use of the closure. The body is selectively deformable, upon manual manipulation, between an open configuration wherein fluid can pass through the hole and a closed configuration wherein one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of the body is sealed against the hole. In another embodiment, the closure is formed with a protuberance that projects upwardly from the top surface of the closure.

Abstract: A closure for a container having a top opening bounded by a rim, includes a generally bowl-shaped body with interior and exterior surfaces and a hole formed on one side of the body. Extending about the body is a connecting section including a skirt and this connecting section seals the body to the container. The interior surface defines an interior space into which the container opens during use of the closure. The body is selectively deformable, upon manual manipulation, between an open configuration wherein fluid can pass through the hole and a closed configuration wherein one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of the body is sealed against the hole. In another embodiment, the closure is formed with a protuberance that projects upwardly from the top surface of the closure. A folding lip is arranged on the front of this protuberance and has a sealable hole formed therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a cable bolt from a cable (1) includes first and second clamps (2, 3) adapted to releasably clamp the cable (1) with the cable (1) extending along the longitudinal axis (4) of the apparatus. A first cable displacement device (12) longitudinally displaces the first clamp (2) relative to the second clamp (3) along the longitudinal axis (4). A first clamp rotation device (14) rotates the first clamp (2) relative to the second clamp (3) about the longitudinal axis (4). The apparatus also has a second clamp displacement device (19) for simultaneously longitudinally displacing the first and second clamps (2, 3) along the longitudinal axis (4).

Abstract: An inventory control system and method that tracks inventories of items with RFID tags, includes a reader unit and an intelligent station that tracks RFID tags to determine item information of items to be inventoried. The reader unit transmits and receives RF signals. The intelligent station includes a first RF antenna connected to the reader unit by a first transmission cable through a first switch, and one or more additional RF antennae connected to the reader unit by the same first transmission cable through additional switches. An inventory control processing unit receives item information from the intelligent stations to update inventory information regarding the items to be inventoried.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a cable bolt from a cable (1) includes first and second clamps (2, 3) adapted to releasably clamp the cable (1) with the cable (1) extending along the longitudinal axis (4) of the apparatus. A first cable displacement device (12) longitudinally displaces the first clamp (2) relative to the second clamp (3) along the longitudinal axis (4). A first clamp rotation device (14) rotates the first clamp (2) relative to the second clamp (3) about the longitudinal axis (4). The apparatus also has a second clamp displacement device (19) for simultaneously longitudinally displacing the first and second clamps (2, 3) along the longitudinal axis (4).

Abstract: A furniture assembly system utilizes upright members having a pair of protruding hook portions that cooperate with a similar pair of hook portions of another upright member and mutually interconnect through slots in a shelf to hold the shelf in place. A plug inserts into an aperture formed by the interconnecting hook portions to hold the upright members in place and secondarily to provide further support to the shelf.

Abstract: A furniture assembly system utilizes upright members having a pair of protruding hook portions that cooperate with a similar pair of hook portions of another upright member and mutually interconnect through slots in a shelf to hold the shelf in place. A plug inserts into an aperture formed by the interconnecting hook portions to hold the upright members in place and secondarily to provide further support to the shelf.

Abstract: A rack for supporting vehicle body parts during painting which includes a base frame, the base frame supports oppositely disposed side supports which are prevented from separating spacially by use of oppositely disposed end supports which are secured to the side supports. The side supports and end supports support attachments to which the body parts are secured for painting. The base, side supports, end supports and attachments are made of tubular steel round and square pipes. The square parts are held in a fixed directional position but may be adjusted along a line whereas the round parts may be rotated relative to each other for adjustment of position.

Abstract: A modular illumination device comprising a plurality of rigid hollow illumination housings, means for separably joining each of these housings to an adjacent housing, a plurality of lamps disposed within each of the illumination housings, electrical coupling means for coupling the lamps in adjacent illumination housings, and power coupling means for coupling a power source to the plurality of lamps.

Abstract: Melt extrudable thermoplastic polytetramethylene ether polyurethane-urea elastomers of this invention are prepared by reacting a tetramethylene ether glycol with 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate to form a polytetramethylene ether polyurethane pre-polymer having a number average molecular weight of from about 2,000 to about 10,000. This pre-polymer is water extended to form a thermoplastic bio-compatible elastomer having a number average molecular weight of about 50,000 to about 100,000, and a weight average molecular weight of about 300,000 to about 1,000,000. The elastomer so obtained has a softening point in the range of 127.degree. - 149.degree. C. and may be melt extruded without decomposition to produce articles useful in the field of medicine and surgery.