Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the viscosity of blood comprises a hypodermic syringe including a transparent hollow tube, a needle secured to one end of the tube and a plunger in the tube for creating a vacuum for extracting a predetermined volume of blood and depositing the blood in the transparent hollow tube for immediately performing internal viscosity measurement without substantial change in temperature and without any chemical change (e.g. exidation) in the blood sample. An apertured weight member within the transparent hollow tube is movable by gravity at a rate which is a function of the viscosity of the blood and indicia means, visible on the side of the transparent tube indicates the rate of movement of the apertured weight member through the predetermined volume of blood as a measure of the viscosity of the blood in the tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed an article sorting apparatus and method wherein articles bearing a manually marked code in a grid or code area locatable by one or more guide elements which may be separate and distinct from the manually marked code. For postal articles, such as letters and the like, the code may be the zip code, preferably associated with a unique postage stamp, also disclosed herein, marked on a grid by dots, circles, line "X" or like optical marks. On passsing through a reading station, the articles, particularly postal articles, are turned upside down so as to minimize the amount of adjustment or orientation of the optical reader relative to the code bearing grid and also to accommodate, for example , various sized envelopes. There is also disclosed a reader for the guide elements for determining the location of the grid and orienting manually marked reading device.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for marking and then sorting of articles by code or address marks which bear the identifying marks in a grid or code area locateable by one or more guide elements which may be separate and distinct from the marked code. More particularly, this apparatus and method is directed towards the preparation and sorting of bulk mail including the referencing of the written address as well as the code markings to the guide elements. Before passing the reading station, the articles are turned to use the customary location of stamps to minimize the movement of the optical train reading the identifying marks or a mirror, reflecting said marks to the reader, the movement of the mirror or optical train being synchronized to the movement of the guide elements to give the reader a more continuing image while nearly stationary.

Abstract: There is disclosed an article sorting apparatus and method wherein articles bearing a manually marked code in a grid or code area locatable by one or more guide elements which may be separate and distinct from the manually marked code. For postal articles, such as letters and the like, the code may be the zip code, preferably associated with a unique postage stamp, also disclosed herein, marked on a grid by dots, circles, line X or like optical marks. On passing through a reading station, the articles, particularly postal articles, are turned upside down so as to minimize the amount of adjustment or orientation of the optical reader relative to the code bearing grid and also to accommodate, for example, various sized envelopes. There is also disclosed a reader for the guide elements for determining the location of the grid and orienting a manually marked reading device.