Abstract: A bag forming apparatus and method with single drive unit operating a drive roller and a cross-cut mechanism with the drive motor assembly being internalized within the drive roller. The apparatus is particularly designed for feeding, solely through use of a full film width contact drive roller, film material derived from a single supply roll of two ply film material. The arrangement avoids tracking problems, as well as any requirement for a supply roll driving, braking and tension monitoring. The supply roll can be laid in position on underlying, passive support rollers prevented from inertia induced over-rolling by a passive friction device which tension in the film material being fed between the single, cylindrical drive roller and an opposing pair of spaced, driven rollers in a pinching relationship with the film material being fed past the drive roller.

Abstract: A packaging device is disclosed for forming packaging cushions of the type that include a plastic bag filled with a solid foam, and wherein the cushions are initially formed of a plastic bag filled with a foamable material that reacts and then hardens to form solid foam. The device comprises means for advancing a sheet of plastic film material that has been center-folded to form a doubled web with one closed edge defined by the center fold and one open edge defined by the adjacent edges of the sheet. Means are included for injecting a foamable composition into the center-folded web between the two folded portions of the sheet, as are means for forming a substantially linear seal along the open edge and substantially parallel to the open edge to thereby longitudinally seal the open edge of the web.

Abstract: A mixing chamber assembly which has a reciprocating rod received within a mixing chamber of a mixing chamber member. The reciprocating rod is in a non-interference position with the mixing chamber over its entire length within the mixing chamber. The non-interference fit provides for continuous solvent flow about the exterior of the rod and interior of the wall defining the mixing chamber such that solvent drips out the discharge end of the mixing chamber and the rod is free to float or ride on a film of solvent. The term "solvent" can include a combination of solvent and other ingredients such as lubricants, emulsifiers and flow control particles. The ability for the rod to ride on a film of solvent over the entire portion received within the mixing chamber, allows for a much reduced reciprocating motive force requirement and a corresponding freedom to increase the mixing chamber volume.

Abstract: Mixing chamber assembly having a reciprocating rod within a mixing chamber of a mixing chamber member. The rod is in a non-interference position with the mixing chamber over its entire length within the mixing chamber. The non-interference fit provides continuous solvent flow about the exterior of the rod and interior of the wall defining the mixing chamber so solvent drips out the discharge end of the mixing chamber and the rod is free to float or ride on a solvent film. "Solvent" can include a combination of solvent and other ingredients such as lubricants, emulsifiers and flow control particles. The rod's ability to ride on a solvent film over the entire portion received within the mixing chamber, allows for a much reduced reciprocating motive force requirement and a corresponding freedom to increase the mixing chamber volume.

Abstract: A sealing and severing apparatus is disclosed for sealing plastic bags formed in succession from stock plastic film material and then severing the sealed bags from one another. The bags are filled with a foamable composition while they are being formed so that when the formed and filled bags are placed in a container, the foamable composition fills the bag with foam to thereby produce a customized foam cushion for any objects in the container.

Abstract: A sealing and severing apparatus is disclosed for sealing plastic bags formed in succession from stock plastic film material and then severing the sealed bags from one another. The bags are filled with a foamable composition while they are being formed so that when the formed and filled bags are placed in a container, the foamable composition fills the bag with foam to thereby produce a customized foam cushion for any objects in the container.

Abstract: A wound cleansing solution dispenser that indicates the volume of liquid remaining and reduces medical waste. A shield is mounted onto the dispenser to prevent any contaminated fluids from splashing onto the care giver. The dispenser can be brought in a sterile condition to the patient free from any separate power supplies or fluid source lines. The stream pressure of the dispenser may be adjustable but it may be set for a substantially constant pressure over the volume of fluid. The dispenser may be used in any orientation and still deliver wound cleansing solution at the selected pressure.

Abstract: A sealing and severing apparatus is disclosed for sealing plastic bags formed in succession from stock plastic film material and then severing the sealed bags from one another. The bags are filled with a foamable composition while they are being formed so that when the formed and filled bags are placed in a container, the foamable composition fills the bag with foam to thereby produce a customized foam cushion for any objects in the container.

Abstract: A cleaning system is disclosed for pumping compressed air and cleaning solvent to the injection cartridge of a foam-in-place packaging system. The cleaning system comprises a solvent tank for containing a stock supply of solvent; a source of compressed air; and an air-activated submersible solvent pump in air flow communication with the compressed air source. The system also includes an injection cartridge of a foam-in-place packaging system in liquid communication with the solvent pump; and a regulator in air flow communication with the compressed air source, the pump, and the injection cartridge. The regulator distributes compressed air to operate the pump and to travel with solvent to the injection cartridge to provide a cleaning mixture of solvent and air to the cartridge.

Abstract: Method for irrigating a wound and/or abrasion with a liquid wound cleansing solution dispensed from a hand-held container with the liquid wound cleansing solution disposed therein and to be dispensed through a manually operable valve. The method includes the steps of providing a propellant in the container which provides a pressure for propelling the wound cleansing solution through the valve, actuating the manually actuated valve to provide a stream of liquid wound cleansing solution which is substantially equivalent in volume and in pressure to that generated by a human hand-held 30 to 60 milliliter syringe having an 18 gauge needle mounted thereon and directing the stream toward the wound or abrasion to irrigate and cleanse the wound and/or abrasion.

Abstract: The invention is a method of protectively packaging one or more articles in a container utilizing a foam cushion as a protective medium for the article or articles within the container. The method comprises providing a foam cushion forming station wherein cushions are successively formed from plastic film material formed into bags which are moved vertically downwardly with a predetermined amount of a foamable composition deposited in the bags for thereafter substantially filling the bag as the composition foams. Open-topped containers with one or more articles present therein are successively moved in a predetermined pat of travel to and beneath the foam cushion forming station.

Abstract: An inhalation device in the nature of a metered dose inhaler is designed specifically for existing respiratory drugs to be employed in hospitals and/or by patients at home. The device is constructed of a housing which defines an aerosol chamber for a metered dose of a medicant containing aerosol from a cartridge. The cartridge is supported wholly within the aerosol chamber. An actuating valve mechanism is slidingly receiving within an open end of the housing and includes a projecting portion to which a compressive force may be applied. Upon application of the compressive force, for example, by forcing the open end of the housing against a supporting surface, the outlet valve mechanism of the cartridge is activated to dispense a metered dose of medicant into the aerosol chamber in the form of an aerosol.

Abstract: A dispenser is described for extruding a hot melt adhesive obtained by melting a rod of adhesive in a normally closed pressurized melting chamber. The rod is supplied from a remotely located spool through a flexible conduit to an inlet of the dispenser. A seal is placed at the inlet and is cooled by a flow of air so as to maintain the shape of the rod at the seal, prevent its deformation, and inhibit the leakage of melted adhesive back through the seal. A friction drive is used in the vicinity of the spool to push the rod into the melting chamber. A movable section is provided for the melting chamber to absorb expansion of the melted adhesive and a sensor is used to inhibit feeding of the rod when the chamber section expands and enable feeding when it is in a contracted position. A foamable adhesive rod is described wherein an unblown foaming agent is incorporated in the rod and activated in the melting chamber of the dispenser. Several embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for successively forming foam filled bags or cushions of the type wherein a foamable composition is deposited in a plastic bag. The formed bags are adapted to be placed in containers with articles being packaged, and so that when the foam expands, the bags and resulting foam are conformed to the configuration of the articles. The method and apparatus includes advancing a pair of plastic webs through the nip of a pair of drive rollers, while heat sealing the opposing longitudinal side edges of the webs together. Periodically, a predetermined amount of the foamable composition is deposited between the advancing webs immediately above the nip, and the heat sealing along the side edges is periodically and momentarily interrupted to form side edge openings for the subsequent escapement of gases generated during foaming.

Abstract: An elongate flexible syringe for the injection of fluids is formed with an elongate flexible tube and an elongate flexible rod sized to move through the bore of the tube to control the discharge of liquid in the tube. A cartridge is provided to store the flexible rod in a coiled form. The flexible rod is advanced by a syringe actuator having a control housing to which the cartridge is conveniently mounted. The actuator includes a mechanism for energizing the flexible rod and cause it to advance in a precisely controlled manner. A device for detecting motion or the absence of motion of the flexible rod is described so that the proper operation and emptying of the tube can be continually monitored. The elongate flexible syringe is particularly convenient to be carried by a person for the timed regulated injection of medicine such as insulin.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a vial into the delivery tube of an intravenous administration set, the set including a container of fluid connected to one end of a delivery tube with the other end of the delivery tube adapted for insertion into the patient. The apparatus includes a penetrating spike penetrating an end of the vial which provides two pathways into the interior of the vial with two sections of the delivery tube connected to the two pathways of the penetrating spike. The apparatus also includes a frame for maintaining the two sections of the delivery tube adjacent to each other and clamp for releasably closing the adjacent sections of the delivery tube to temporarily prevent flow of fluid through the penetrating spike.

Abstract: A detachable mixing chamber is constructed and arranged to receive a plurality of fluid components from a source thereof for forming a fluid such as a foam to be discharged therefrom. The chamber includes a core having a bore therein and a plurality of inlet openings arranged in communication with the bore for supplying the fluid components from such source to the bore and means for maintaining the core under a restraining force in an axial and radial direction. The chamber is removably secured to a dispensing apparatus in a manner to be accessible from the outside thereof for detachment therefrom.

Abstract: Valved adaptors are disclosed permitting the introduction of a drug-containing vial in the delivery tube of an I.V. administration set. The adaptors have a three position operation characterized by a bypass mode, a dilution mode, and a delivery mode, the adaptors being manually changed from mode to mode. The disclosed adaptors include gravity operated valves, reciprocating spool valves, and rotating spool valves, each including a spike to penetrate the stopper of a vial and a vent to permit air to escape the vial as liquid is introduced to dilute the vial contents.

Abstract: A detachable mixing chamber is constructed and arranged to receive a plurality of fluid components from a source thereof for forming a fluid such as a foam to be discharged therefrom. The chamber includes a core having a bore therein and a plurality of inlet openings arranged in communication with the bore for supplying the fluid components from such source to the bore and a plurality of compressed Belleville washers for maintaining the core under a restraining force in an axial and radial direction. The chamber is removably secured to a dispensing apparatus in a manner to be accessible from the outside thereof for detachment therefrom.

Abstract: A cleaning assembly is provided for a foam dispensing apparatus which intermittently supplies a solvent to the discharge port of the dispensing apparatus for removal of accumulations of dispensed foam therefrom. The cleaning assembly is constructed from a body having a wall forming an opening extending therethrough in communication with the discharge port of the dispensing apparatus. At least one passageway is formed in the body for discharging the solvent from a supply thereof onto the face of the dispensing apparatus surrounding the discharge port.