Abstract: A ball collecting apparatus is provided that employs a human-powered ball transport system that moves balls from a collecting surface to a location above the collection surface. The ball collecting apparatus employs no motors or other artificially powered devices to retrieve and transfer balls, which makes it light and easy to maneuver. The ball collecting apparatus is primarily contemplated for use of picking up tennis balls, but other balls of various sizes may be accommodated by the apparatus, as it is scalable.

Abstract: A ball collecting apparatus is provided that employs a human-powered ball transport system that moves balls from a collecting surface to a location above the collection surface. The ball collecting apparatus employs no motors or other artificially powered devices to retrieve and transfer balls, which makes it light and easy to maneuver. The ball collecting apparatus is primarily contemplated for use of picking up tennis balls, but other balls of various sizes may be accommodated by the apparatus, as it is scalable.

Abstract: A ball collecting apparatus is provided that employs a human-powered ball transport system that moves balls from a collecting surface to a location above the collection surface. The ball collecting apparatus employs no motors or other artificially powered devices to retrieve and transfer balls, which makes it light and easy to maneuver. The ball collecting apparatus is primarily contemplated for use of picking up tennis balls, but other balls of various sizes may be accommodated by the apparatus as it is scalable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magazine-based data cartridge library that, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of shelves that are capable of holding a plurality of data cartridge magazines, one or more drives, a magazine transport for moving magazines within the cabinet, and a cartridge transport for moving data cartridges between a magazine and a drive.

Abstract: The present invention provides an architecture for a data cartridge library that has a high data density footprint, i.e., is capable of storing data cartridges such that the density of data stored per area of floor space is high. In one embodiment, the architecture includes a plurality of shelves with each shelf capable of holding at least one data cartridge drawer that holds cartridges such that the face of the cartridges stored therein are substantially parallel to a side of the library.

Abstract: The present invention provides an architecture for a data cartridge library that has a high data density footprint, i.e., is capable of storing data cartridges such that the density of data stored per area of floor space is high. In one embodiment, the architecture includes a plurality of shelves with each shelf capable of holding at least one data cartridge drawer that holds cartridges such that the face of the cartridges stored therein are substantially parallel to a side of the library.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method are disclosed, for receiving, maintaining and growing biological cells ex vivo within a portable cassette, without exposing the cells to the external environment. The portable cassette is used in combination with a processor instrument that facilitates an initial inoculation of the cassette with cells of the kind to be grown and subsequently distributes those cells in a predetermined pattern (e.g., uniformly) throughout a cell growth chamber. Thereafter, the portable cassette is used in combination with an incubator instrument that incubates the cell growth chamber so that the cells are optimally expanded. The same processor instrument then is used to harvest the expanded cells from the portable cassette. Both instruments are configured to condition the portable cassette during stages of the cell growth process, without disturbing the cassette's sterile system.

Abstract: A portable cassette is disclosed, for receiving, maintaining and growing biological cells ex vivo, without exposing the cells to the external environment. The portable cassette is used in combination with a succession of instruments, to inoculate the cassette's cell growth chamber with cells, to then incubate the chamber so that the cells are optimally expanded, and finally to harvest the expanded cells. Each instrument is configured to condition the portable cassette during a stage of the cell growth process, without disturbing the cassette's sterile system. In addition, an updatable memory device associated with the cassette stores significant information about the cassette and its condition during the various steps of the cell growth process. Such information is useful both for subsequent archival purposes and for facilitating a resumption of the cell growth process in the event of any instrument failure or significant alarm condition.

Abstract: A processor apparatus is disclosed, for conditioning a portable cassette as part of a process in which biological cells contained within a sterilizable cell growth chamber of the cassette are maintained and grown ex vivo, without exposing the cells to the external environment. The processor apparatus includes a support configured to removably receive the portable cassette and to be movable in a controlled manner, and it further includes a flow control actuator engageable with a media flow path of the portable cassette, which communicates with the cell growth chamber.

Abstract: A portable cassette is disclosed, for use in receiving, maintaining and growing biological cells ex vivo without exposing the cells to the external environment. The portable cassette is used in combination with a processor instrument that facilitates an initial inoculation of the cassette with cells of the kind to be grown and to distribute those cells in a predetermined pattern (e.g., uniformly) throughout a cell growth chamber. Thereafter, the portable cassette is used in combination with an incubator instrument that incubates the cell growth chamber so that the cells are optimally expanded. The same processor instrument then is used to harvest the expanded cells from the portable cassette. Both instruments are configured to condition the portable cassette during stages of the cell growth process, without disturbing the cassette's sterile system.

Abstract: An incubator apparatus is disclosed, for conditioning a portable cassette such that biological cells contained within a cell growth chamber of the cassette are maintained and grown ex vivo, without exposing the cells to the external environment. The incubator apparatus includes first and second receptacles sized and configured to removably receive first and second casings, respectively, of the portable cassette, and it further includes first and second temperature regulators that regulate the temperatures of the respective first and second receptacles to prescribed values. In addition, the incubator apparatus includes a mechanical interface that is engaged by the portable cassette's first and second casings when they are received in their corresponding receptacles, and this mechanical interface controls the transport of growth media and a gas through the cassette's cell growth chamber, without exposing the cell growth chamber to the external environment.

Abstract: A system (10) for providing radio communication of data between a central processing computer (18) having a first transceiver (20) electrically connected thereto and a remotely located hand held personal computer (12). The personal computer includes an input and output device (28) mounted to the housing to allow interaction by a user. A second transceiver (102) is provided in a transceiver/handle housing (16). The transceiver/handle housing (16) is configured to be grasped by a single hand of a user. A spacing bracket (126) joins the second housing to the housing of the personal computer. An electrical connection provides for electric communication between the personal computer (12) and the second transceiver (102) so that data can be transmitted between the central processing computer (18) and the personal computer (12) by the first and second transceivers.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush is provided with a pair of disc-like rotary brushes mounted for rotation about a axis generally perpendicular to the length of the brush. The rotary brushes are in axially spaced relationship and are provided with inwardly directed bristles. Between the rotary brushes, upper and lower linear brushes are mounted above and below the axis of rotation for linear reciprocating motion generally perpendicular to that axis. The upper brush has upwardly directed bristles, and the linear brushes are mounted to the rotary brushes so as to be brought into reciprocal, linear movement when the rotary brushes are reciprocated angularly.

Abstract: A fiber optic coupling device for providing simultaneous bi-directional transmission of optical signals within a single wavelength band over a single fiber optic link cable, including a coupler/connector which precisely aligns and longitudinally separates transmit and receive lightguide fibers and a fiber optic link cable. The cores of the transmit and receive lightguide fibers are tightly aligned with a minimum thickness of cladding for increased packing efficiency, and the end faces of the transmit and receive lightguides are maintained parallel to and a predetermined distance from an end face of the fiber optic link cable to ensure that reflected signals will not be detected as received signals and allow simultaneous distinguishable bi-directional communication of optical data within a single wavelength band.