Abstract: An orthosis for the upper body is provided for controlling the shoulder and the arm. The orthosis employs a connection between the waist band and the upper part of the orthosis, specifically a lateral upright, which has two linked joints. Preferably, the lower joint is attached centrally to the waist band and is a spherical zone joint which accommodates bending at the waist and variation in the shape of the torso. The second joint is a pivot joint which accommodates rotation about an axis parallel to the long axis of the lateral upright upon the lower end of which, preferably, it is mounted.

Abstract: Absorbent members useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine, that have at least one region containing hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer in a concentration of from about 60 to 100% by weight and providing a gel-continuous fluid transportation zone when in a swollen state. This hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer has: (a) a Saline Flow Conductivity (SFC) value of at least about 30.times.10.sup.-7 cm.sup.3 sec/g; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 23 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); and (c) a basis weight of at least about 10 gsm. In addition, the region where this hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is present has, even when subjected to normal use conditions, sufficient wet integrity such that the gel-continuous zone substantially maintains its ability to acquire and transport body fluids through the gel-continuous zone.

Abstract: Absorbent articles are provided having a bolstering waist feature. In its preferred embodiment, the bolstering waist feature expands upon exposure to aqueous body liquids effectively tightening the diaper by stretching of the waist regions of the absorbent article. There is a resulting increase in the contractive forces in the band of lateral tension in the waist regions of the absorbent article with a corresponding reduction in the risk of waist leakage. The bolstering waist feature further provides a member resisting longitudinal bending in the waist regions of the absorbent article, particularly adjacent to a wearer's belly. This member can also act as a "strut" resisting the forces, such as those due to gravity, which tend to cause an absorbent article to slide downward.

Abstract: A fastener feeding apparatus which is adapted for concurrently feeding a plurality of fasteners to respective driving machines, and wherein the fasteners are fed from a vibratory hopper along a single delivery chute to a slide assembly. Upon movement of the slide assembly in a loading direction, the fasteners are loaded into individual slots on the slide assembly, and upon return movement of the slide assembly to a dump position, the loaded fasteners are concurrently released into respective discharge tubes which lead to the fastener driving devices.

Abstract: A fastener introduced into the barrel of the apparatus is received by a movable fastener retainer. The fastener is moved by a fastener positioning member to a ready to drive position prior to being driven from the outlet of the apparatus by a driver member. The shank of fastener in its ready to drive position extends generally parallel to the central axis of the barrel and its pointed free end preferably is adjacent the barrel outlet. A complete cycle of operation of the apparatus ensues in response to operator movement of a trigger of the apparatus.

Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus is disclosed and which includes a fastener driving device into which fasteners are sequentially introduced from a feed assembly. The driving device incorporates a control member which regulates the timing of the introduction of fasteners into the device, and which also limits longitudinal and rotative relative movement between fixed and movable concentric, slotted barrel members of the device. The control member is mounted by a pair of guide tracks, each having abutment surfaces at adjacent ends thereof, for longitudinal movement into and out of engagement with the abutment surfaces and the actuating lever of a control switch.

Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus is disclosed which comprises a vibrating feed hopper, a fastener feed assembly for receiving the fasteners from the hopper and serially delivering the fasteners to a discharge tube which leads to an automatic screwdriver. The fastener feed assembly comprises a body member which mounts a slide for transverse sliding movement between a first position wherein the fastener is received in a notch in the slide, and a second position where the fastener is delivered to a discharge opening which leads to the discharge tube and to the screwdriver. A first air line system is provided for moving the slide toward the first or fastener receiving position, and for concurrently injecting air into the discharge opening to move a fastener previously positioned in the tube to the screwdriver. A second air line is provided for directing a stream of air into contact with the fastener at the second position so as to positively move the fastener into the discharge opening.

Abstract: An automatic fastener feeding and driving apparatus is disclosed which includes a vibrating feed hopper, and a fastener feed assembly for receiving the fasteners from the hopper and serially delivering the fasteners to a delivery line which leads to an automatic hand held driver. The fastener feed assembly comprises a body member having a slide for transverse sliding movement between a first position wherein a fastener is received in a notch in the slide, and a second position where the fastener is delivered to a discharge opening which leads to the discharge line and to the driver. The body member and the slide include an internal air line system by which air is delivered into the lower portion of the notch of the slide and into the discharge opening, only after the slide has essentially reached its discharge position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for detecting small gas leaks in filled, pressurized containers. Each container to be tested, or that portion of each container to be tested, is enclosed and sealed in a test chamber. The space within the test chamber is evacuated to remove any residual gas or liquid within the chamber or on the surfaces of the container. Thereafter, the evacuated chamber is sealed and held for a predetermined period of time to permit any gas leaking from the container to accumulate and diffuse throughout the chamber. A quantity of carrier gas is then introduced into the test chamber and held therein for a predetermined period of time so that the carrier gas and leakage gas may co-mingle and equilibrate. This provides an equilibrated, fixed volume of carrier gas-leakage gas mixture, the leakage gas content of which is dependent only upon the leak rate of the container. The equilibrated mixture is then transferred to a sensor.