Abstract: A used foundry sand, especially one which has been bonded using sodium silicate binder, is reclaimed by agitating the sand with water in a plenum chamber having a suspended floor comprising a porous membrane, stopping the agitation and allowing the solids to settle on the floor. The water passes through and the sand settles on the floor, and the finer particles may then be removed e.g. by air elutriation. Preferably the water mixed with the sand has a pH below 10 and contains a flocculant, and the water recovered from the vessel has suspended solids content below 500 mg/liter.

Abstract: An irradiation device for directing radiation onto a substance in a desired wavelength range for curing the substance, and particularly for use in curing substances on the teeth of dental patients. A light-emitting lamp assembly is located within a plastic housing of the device, and a heat shield surrounds the lamp assembly to divide the housing into an outer chamber between the shield and housing, and an inner chamber within the shield. The housing includes an entrance conduit for receiving pressurized cooling air, and a channeling arrangement is provided for directing the pressurized cooling air from the entrance conduit, through the outer and inner chambers within the housing, and out of the housing through exit passages.

Abstract: A method of casting a metal article in a mould box comprises locating an expendable pattern in the box, the pattern having a gas permeable refractory coating thereon, placing and compacting unbonded particulate material about the pattern and supplying molten metal into the box so as to vaporize or burn away the pattern and form the article of defined shaped while applying a vacuum during casting. According to this invention, the method is improved by compacting the particulate material to a maximum bulk density where it contacts the coated pattern and applying a vacuum to the compacted particulate material so as to create sufficient pressure gradient in the height of the compacted material to maintain the integrity of the gas permeable refractory coating. In this way, the risk of mould collapse, metal breakout, and pollution are reduced.

Abstract: A self-contained penile prosthesis comprising at least one cylinder for implantation in the penis and including a front tip section, an intermediate section, and a rear tail section. The intermediate section includes a tubular chamber which is inflatable, and arranged to assume an elongated rigid and hard state from a flexible, flaccid state upon the application of an operating liquid under pressure thereto. The tip section includes a portion which is arranged to be manually twisted through an acute angle to cause a substantial volume of operating liquid to be transferred by piston means from a reservoir into the inflatable chamber.

Abstract: A volume reducer for liquid scintillation counting is adapted to be used with an outer scintillation-counting vial and includes an elongate member adapted to be inserted into the vial. The elongate member has a bottom surface and a peripheral side surface and the side surface is spaced inwardly from an inner side surface of the vial to define an annular chamber in which the scintillation fluid is adapted to be retained. In certain embodiments the annular chamber is varied to either isolate certain segments thereof from each other or provide segments having differing volumes. The combination of the reducer and vial, as well as methods for preparing a scintillation fluid for testing also constitute parts of the instant invention.

Abstract: A cavity in a body of particulate moulding material has at least one rib-like formation for gripping an object received in the cavity. In the case of a metal casting mould a riser sleeve (1) is inserted into a cavity (9) in the top part of the mould and the cavity (9) is produced by means of a tapered former (5) the exterior of which has a plurality of radially spaced apart recesses (6) extending between the top and towards the bottom of the former and which has a negative taper from bottom to top. The depth of the recesses (6) is such that circles geometrically inscribed inside the base of the recesses (6) have diameters smaller than the corresponding mean outside diameters less three times the standard deviation of the riser sleeves (1) to be used. The recesses (6) form ribs (11) from the moulding sand and the ribs (11) grip the outer surface of the sleeve (1).

Abstract: An electronic scale used for weighing an object or material. The scale includes a platform arranged to move upon receipt of a material thereon. The device further includes frame means, a variable capacitor having a first and a second plate, torsional spring means which is coupled both to the frame means and to the platform means such that movement of the platform means upon receipt of the material thereon causes the torsional means to twist about an axis without incurring non-torsional deformation. This results in one of the plates being displaced relative to the other of the plates to produce an electrical signal indicative of the weight of the material.

Abstract: A rotary drilling drag bit for drilling from the surface deep holes in sub-surface formations e.g. for oil has a body (4) with a diameter of at least 100 mm and having a bore for passage of drilling fluid to its face (3) and rotatable cutting elements (6) having a cutting face comprising an agglomerate of diamond particles so mounted on the body (4) that they are free to rotate in use.The cutting elements are of long life and highly effective in drilling.

Abstract: A buoyant vest for use in a swimming pool. The vest is made of a buoyant material. The vest has first vest loops attached adjacent the shoulder portions. The vest also has second vest loops attached adjacent the waist portion thereof. Adjustabe security lines are attached between the vest loops and anchoring loops located on a frame that is detachably attached to the swimming pool.

Abstract: An electronic scale used for weighing an object or material. The scale includes a weighing platform arranged to move upon receipt of a material thereon. The device further includes support means, a variable capacitor having a first and a second plate, spring means which is coupled both to the frame means and to the platform means such that movement of the platform means upon receipt of the material thereon causes the spring means to twist about an axis. The scale further includes counterbalancing means and energy absorbing connecting means to prevent error from being introduced into the weighing process, should vibrational moments be transmitted to the scale from its external environment. An alternative embodiment of the invention entails a flexure base scale, adapted to be used with counterbalancing means.

Abstract: A packaging machine for forming pouches from a continuous web having confronting sections adapted to provide opposed walls of the formed pouches. The machine includes sealing means for sealing the opposed bag walls together in longitudinally spaced-apart regions to provide the side seals of the formed pouches, and a cutting section for cutting the discrete pouches from the sealed continuous web. The machine has positively driven feed means for directing the continuous web material through the cutting means, and the feed means is adjustable in the machine-direction of movement of the web material for controlling the width of the pouches to be formed. Drive means are associated with the driven feed means and include elements movable with the feed means when the feed means is adjusted to thereby automatically change the speed of the feed means to direct the desired amount, or length of sealed web material past the cutting means between operating strokes of the cutting means.

Abstract: An electronic scale device used for weighing an object or material. The device includes a platform arranged to move upon receipt of a material thereon. The device further includes variable capacitance means arranged to move upon receipt of a material thereon and comprising a first plate and a second plate with one of the plates being movable. Movement of the platform means upon receipt of the material thereon causes a displacement of the movable plate relative to the other plate to produce a signal indicative of the weight of the material being weighed. The displacement of the movable plate is achieved by having the movable plate rotate about a fixed axis of rotation. Moreover, the plates are disposed so as to be non-parallel to each other over the entire operational range of movement of the movable plate, whenever the plates are not abutting each other.

Abstract: A scale used for weighing an object or material. The scale includes a platform arranged to move upon receipt of a material thereon, frame means, a variable capacitor having a movable plate and a stationary plate, springs means which is coupled both to the frame means and to the platform, suspension means for coupling the platform to the frame means and leg support means for supporting the scale on a supporting surface. The suspension means includes an assembly having a horizontally disposed bar which is flexible in the up/down direction so as to permit ready adjustment of that assembly. The movable plate support means includes a bracket member having a thin flexible finger portion which is joined to the frame means so as to preclude distortion of the frame assembly from being transmitted to the upper capacitor plate. The lower capacitor plate is coupled to the spring means by a bracket which includes a thick portion and a thin portion.

Abstract: An orthodontal electrical device for assisting in the repositioning of a tooth in the mouth of a patient is attached directly to the tooth to be repositioned to thereby cause anodic and cathodic electrodes thereof to move automatically relative to the gingival lining as the tooth is being repositioned to thereby continuously maintain the desired orientation between the tooth being repositioned and the anodic and cathodic electrodes of the device. The method of employing low current electrical energy to assist in the repositioning of a tooth by automatically moving anodic and cathodic surface electrodes with the movement of the tooth undergoing repositioning also forms a part of the invention.

Abstract: Tamper-evident closures include a threaded cap and a tamper-evident ring removably connected to each other by break-away tabs adapted to break when the cap is rotated in a direction to remove it from a cooperating container. The cap and ring have cooperating surfaces for transmitting closing rotational movement of the cap to the ring to thereby rotate the cap and ring together during closing of the container to thereby prevent separation of the cap from the ring at the break-away tabs. The ring further includes at least one locking surface adapted to engage a corresponding surface on a container to prevent the ring from rotating in the opening direction of rotation, whereby rotation of the closure to open it will cause relative movement between the cap and ring to sever the break-away tabs. A method of molding the cap, tamper-evident ring and break-away tabs as a single member also constitutes a part of the invention, as well as the particular container constructions adapted to cooperate with the closures.

Abstract: A sleeve adapted to be placed over the knee, said sleeve being configured to anatomically conform to the thigh, knee and upper calf. The sleeve comprises a resilient elastomeric foam sheath having a fabric covering, with the elastomeric foam being adapted to contact the leg. The sheath is formed from a front panel and a rear panel, with the rear panel being basically diamond-shaped, and having upper and lower apices adapted to be positioned in the center of the rear of the leg. The front panel has side edges angled inwardly from the top and bottom, and the rear panel is secured to the front panel along the side edges of the front panel. The sleeve can include an opening over the patella, which permits the patella to project into the opening.

Abstract: A barrier sheet for securement to the cover sheet of a multi-compartment medicinal dispensing device to render the cover sheet impervious to moisture. The device also includes a base to which the cover sheet is secured. The cover sheet includes plural closures releasably secured to one another along weakened lines. The barrier sheet is formed of a moisture impervious plastic and has a central portion, a top edge portion, a bottom edge portion and an opposed pair of side edge portions. The central portion and the edge portions each include an adhesive underside surface. The central portion includes plural weakened lines corresponding to the weakened lines in the closures of the device. Each of the edge portions of the barrier sheet is in the form of an elongated foldable flap.

Abstract: 4.

Abstract: A molded plastic hanger and a clip for use therewith or with other members. The hanger includes a body portion having a diverging pair of arms including slots therein and a crossbar for mounting garment holding clips. A plastic swivel hook is connected to the body portion at a stem. The stem includes a shaft having an annular locking recess in its periphery which is adapted to be received within a mating socket of the hook to connect the hook and body portion to each other while enabling them to be swiveled readily with respect to each other. The clip is arranged for securement to the crossbar of the hanger or to any other rod-like element and is formed of a three piece construction comprising a pair of plastic jaws and a resilient U-shaped member, also formed of plastic, but having a higher tensile strength and resiliency than the plastic of the jaws.