Abstract: Vascular closure assembly device and method embodiments may be used to provide hemostasis at vascular puncture site or the like. Such vascular puncture or access sites may be created during a variety of percutaneous or minimally invasive medical procedures.

Abstract: Financing obtained from a lender may be processed by a retailer in a manner similar to a credit card. For example, transaction data associated with a transaction to acquire one or more items from the retailer may be entered at a point of sale terminal of the retailer. A request may be sent for a temporary shopping pass associated with an account of a consumer at the lender. The temporary shopping pass may be used as a virtual payment instrument to access financing (e.g., a loan, a lease, or a credit) provided by the lender. After receiving the temporary shopping pass, the shopping pass data included in the temporary shopping pass, such as a one-time card number, may be entered into the point of sale terminal. The transaction may be completed by processing the shopping pass data as a credit card type tender using the point of sale terminal.

Abstract: An expansion tank for at least temporarily storing a pumped liquid under pressure, the including a thin wailed outer shell and a diaphragm located internally of the tank, and sealingly secured to the inner surface of the shell of the tank to divide the internal volume of the tank into a fluid-tight section for holding a gas under pressure and a fluid-tight section for holding a liquid under pressure. The diaphragm has an enlarged lip around the outer circumference of the diaphragm and being is connected to the interior portion of one of the substantially cylindrical sections via the enlarged lip being fitted tightly into a coupling ring, which in turn presses the enlarged lip of the diaphragm sealingly, circumferentially against the inner circumferential surface of the tank wall when the outer circumferential surface of the coupling ring is sealingly connect to the inner wall surface of one of the tank segments, sealing the enlarged lip against the inner surface of the tank.

Abstract: Financing obtained from a lender may be processed by a retailer in a manner similar to a credit card. For example, transaction data associated with a transaction to acquire one or more items from the retailer may be entered at a point of sale terminal of the retailer. A request may be sent for a temporary shopping pass associated with an account of a consumer at the lender. The temporary shopping pass may be used as a virtual payment instrument to access financing (e.g., a loan, a lease, or a credit) provided by the lender. After receiving the temporary shopping pass, the shopping pass data included in the temporary shopping pass, such as a one-time card number, may be entered into the point of sale terminal. The transaction may be completed by processing the shopping pass data as a credit card type tender using the point of sale terminal.

Abstract: Financing obtained from a lender may be processed by a retailer in a manner similar to a credit card. For example, transaction data associated with a transaction to acquire one or more items from the retailer may be entered at a point of sale terminal of the retailer. A request may be sent for a temporary shopping pass associated with an account of a consumer at the lender. The temporary shopping pass may be used as a virtual payment instrument to access financing (e.g., a loan, a lease, or a credit) provided by the lender. After receiving the temporary shopping pass, the shopping pass data included in the temporary shopping pass, such as a one-time card number, may be entered into the point of sale terminal. The transaction may be completed by processing the shopping pass data as a credit card type tender using the point of sale terminal.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiberglass reinforced plastic pressure tank including a first tank section and a second tank section; a welded diffuser plate having and a weld guide disposed about a circumference of the diffuser plate and including first and second weld grooves; a first weld joint between the first weld groove and the first tank section; a second weld joint between the second weld groove and the second tank section; wherein the welded diffuser plate forms a hermetic seal in an exterior wall of the combined tank sections, and further wherein the welded diffuser plate seals the plastic tank sections together and contains the diffuser plate inside the welded plastic tank.

Abstract: A pre-manufactured fiberglass reinforced plastic (“FRP”) tank may be fitted with one or more conical internal diffuser plates (also termed nozzle plate, filtration plate, or chamber separator plate). To insert the diffuser plate into the FRP tank, a plastic liner is cut perpendicular to the axis of the tank and along the tank sidewall so as to allow complete access to the inside of the tank. The cut results in two opposing and substantially equal surfaces that mate with weld grooves on the diffuser plate. The first opposing face is welded to the mating weld groove on one side of the diffuser plate while the other opposing face is welded to the mating weld groove on the other side of the diffuser plate. The weld creates a hermetic seal between the interior of the tank and the exterior along both welds. The FRP tank may be cut a second time, or more times, to install additional diffuser plates as required.

Abstract: A composite pressure vessel includes an endcap with first and second layers. The first layer is a thermoplastic layer and the second layer is a thermoplastic and glass fiber composite layer. A method for making the vessel includes placing commingled thermoplastic and glass fibers in a heated mold to melt the thermoplastic. The molten thermoplastic and the glass fibers are molded into the endcap shape. An outer surface of the pressure vessel is finished in accordance with another aspect of the invention. A pressurizable bladder with an inwardly facing surface is deflated. The outer surface of the vessel is heated to soften the thermoplastic. The pressure vessel is positioned in the bladder so that the inwardly facing surface of the bladder is adjacent to an outer surface of the pressure vessel. The bladder is pressurized to move the bladder inwardly into contact with the adjacent surfaces to each other.

Abstract: A spill containment assembly includes a support structure or grate, and a flexible containment bag disposed beneath, and secured to, the grate. Fluid filled containers are placed on the grate. The bag defines an available containment volume sufficient to retain a quantity of liquid stored within the containers supported by the grate.

Abstract: A method of forming a fitting assembly in a filament-reinforced pressure vessel, and a pressure vessel having a fitting assembly secured therein. In the method, a first fitting portion is bonded to an inner surface of a thermoplastic liner in a fluid tight manner. A layer of commingled reinforcing filaments and plastic material is applied to an outer surface of the thermoplastic liner to form a vessel wall. A portion of the vessel wall adjacent to the opening bounded by the fluid-tight seal between the first fitting portion and the inner surface of the thermoplastic liner is removed. Then, a second fitting portion is bonded to the first fitting portion so as to define a port for access into the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A composite pressure vessel includes an endcap with first and second layers. The first layer is a thermoplastic layer and the second layer is a thermoplastic and glass fiber composite layer. A method for making the vessel includes placing commingled thermoplastic and glass fibers in a heated mold to melt the thermoplastic. The molten thermoplastic and the glass fibers are molded into the endcap shape. An outer surface of the pressure vessel is finished in accordance with another aspect of the invention. A pressurizable bladder with an inwardly facing surface is deflated. The outer surface of the vessel is heated to soften the thermoplastic. The pressure vessel is positioned in the bladder so that the inwardly facing surface of the bladder is adjacent to an outer surface of the pressure vessel. The bladder is pressurized to move the bladder inwardly into contact with the adjacent surfaces to each other.

Abstract: A composite pressure vessel includes an endcap with first and second layers. The first layer is a thermoplastic layer and the second layer is a thermoplastic and glass fiber composite layer. A method for making the vessel includes placing commingled thermoplastic and glass fibers in a heated mold to melt the thermoplastic. The molten thermoplastic and the glass fibers are molded into the endcap shape. An outer surface of the pressure vessel is finished in accordance with another aspect of the invention. A pressurizable bladder with an inwardly facing surface is deflated. The outer surface of the vessel is heated to soften the thermoplastic. The pressure vessel is positioned in the bladder so that the inwardly facing surface of the bladder is adjacent to an outer surface of the pressure vessel. The bladder is pressurized to move the bladder inwardly into contact with the adjacent surfaces to each other.

Abstract: A spill containment assembly includes a support structure or grate, and a flexible containment bag disposed beneath, and secured to, the grate. Fluid filled containers are placed on the grate. The bag defines an available containment volume sufficient to retain a quantity of liquid stored within the containers supported by the grate.

Abstract: A method of forming a fitting assembly in a filament-reinforced pressure vessel, and a pressure vessel having a fitting assembly secured therein. In the method, a first fitting portion is bonded to an inner surface of a thermoplastic liner in a fluid tight manner. A layer of commingled reinforcing filaments and plastic material is applied to an outer surface of the thermoplastic liner to form a vessel wall. A portion of the vessel wall adjacent to the opening bounded by the fluid-tight seal between the first fitting portion and the inner surface of the thermoplastic liner is removed. Then, a second fitting portion is bonded to the first fitting portion so as to define a port for access into the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: An elastic thermoplastic diaphragm for use in a vessel having an inner surface. The vessel includes a liner that has an inner liner surface and first and second ends. A first endcap is secured to the liner first end and a second endcap to the liner second end. The diaphragm is secured to the inner vessel surface and seals along a peripheral edge to the vessel inner surface so as to define a volume inside the vessel. The diaphragm can flex, and thereby increase or decrease the volume.

Abstract: A spill containment assembly includes a support structure or grate, and a flexible containment bag disposed beneath, and secured to, the grate. Fluid filled containers are placed on the grate. The bag defines an available containment volume sufficient to retain a quantity of liquid stored within the containers supported by the grate.

Abstract: A composite pressure vessel includes an endcap with first and second layers. The first layer is a thermoplastic layer and the second layer is a thermoplastic and glass fiber composite layer. A method for making the vessel includes placing commingled thermoplastic and glass fibers in a heated mold to melt the thermoplastic. The molten thermoplastic and the glass fibers are molded into the endcap shape. An outer surface of the pressure vessel is finished in accordance with another aspect of the invention. A pressurizable bladder with an inwardly facing surface is deflated. The outer surface of the vessel is heated to soften the thermoplastic. The pressure vessel is positioned in the bladder so that the inwardly facing surface of the bladder is adjacent to an outer surface of the pressure vessel. The bladder is pressurized to move the bladder inwardly into contact with the adjacent surfaces to each other.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a composite vessel includes the steps of: A) fabricating a thermoplastic liner for the vessel; B) overlaying a layer comprising fiber and a thermoplastic material (preferably by winding commingled filaments, rovings or yarns) onto the thermoplastic liner to obtain a composite intermediate structure (the fiber and thermoplastic material can be heated if desired during the overlaying, e.g. winding, step); C) heating the composite intermediate structure in a mold while applying at least one force thereto tending to urge the composite intermediate structure against and into the shape of the interior walls of the mold; D) continuing step C) until the thermoplastic liner and the overlaid layer consolidate to form a composite vessel; E) cooling the mold and composite vessel until the composite vessel is solidified; and F) removing the formed composite vessel from the mold.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic filament-wound pressure vessel is disclosed. The vessel has first and second cup-shaped tank liners having circular open mouths which are provided with a seal and diaphragm assembly. The seal assembly includes a pocket formed by an inner wall and shelf associated with the first liner and a ledge associated with the second liner. The shelf, ledge and cylindrical wall cooperate with an inner surface of the second liner to provide an O-ring pocket. An O-ring is provided in the pocket and the O-ring defines the periphery of a flexible diaphragm which divides the interior of the liners into separate pressure chambers. A continuous filament is wound over the surface of the liners in an isotensoid pattern. Each liner has a geodesic dome surface extending between a diameter of the liner and a polar opening. The dome surface is defined by oppositely curving surfaces of revolution of a meridia joined by an inflection point.

Abstract: A tiltable marine steering helm assembly which includes a steering-wheel shaft mounted in a universal joint permitting the steering wheel shaft to be tilted at various angles and providing the full rotational movement of the wheel regardless of the tilt angle. The universal joint includes two pairs of yokes mounted perpendicularly to each other, and a coupling operatively engaged by these yokes. The wheel shaft is able to tilt vertically and to rotate freely due to the design of the universal joint. The components of tilt helm assembly may be reconfigured to permit mounting on either a vertical or a 20 degree tilt dashboard. Also provided in a flexible helm cover which can be installed to the helm assembly without hardware.