Abstract: A novel handle tab or pull for a zipper which comprises a unitary wire-like resilient member having an integral spring member and including a pair of offset, spring biased gripper members which are squeezed together against the tension of the integral spring member so as to separate the gripper members so that the ends of the gripper members may then be introduced into the slide tang or loop of the zipper after which the tension of the spring biased grippers is released causing the gripper members to lock around the tang or loop of the zipper securing the novel handle, tab or pull to the zipper enabling the zipper to be operated as originally manufactured. A cover member may be employed to increase handling area of the pull. The novel zipper handle, tab or pull may be used by the zipper user to replace a lost, destroyed or damage zipper handle, tab or pull.

Abstract: An apparatus which provides an automatic, signal controlled, sample mixing/resuspending, aspiration and delivery system; wherein a demountable, rotatable carousel temporarily holds a multiplicity of sample containers. Electro-mechanical means, including optical sensors, is programmed to automatically move the carousel to a pre-selected position. A self centering vortexer/mixer lifts a selected sample container from the carousel, sealingly engages the sample container within a sample container support and thereafter orbitally mixes and resuspends the sample container contents. An aspiration probe enters the sample container through the support to receive the sample, which is forced out of the sample container by means of compressed air introduced into the sample container via the sample container support. The sample is delivered to an operably associated flow cytometer via the aspiration probe, after which the probe is washed and readied for the next cycle of operation.

Abstract: Non-invasive, portable, modular testing apparatus for non-invasively testing timepieces for fluid integrity without damaging or dismantling the timepiece and without interrupting the timekeeping function or operation thereof, including a transparent tubular container member capable of providing a high pressure, fluid sealed environment for the timepiece, the container member being open at one end and provided with an enlarged, integral rim portion, the opposite integral end of the tubular container member including an enlarged integral rim portion equal in diameter to the rim portion of the open end providing a rigid, non rockable base for the container, a circular, rigid, transparent closure member for the container securing the closure member to the tubular container member, and a pressure applicator integral with the tubular container member, for automatically pressurizing the internal volume of the tubular container member.

Abstract: An aspiration apparatus primarily including a biohazard-safe aspirating cartridge assembly for use with material which might be hazardous to humans. The cartridge assembly includes a longitudinally expandable and contractible washing chamber, within which a fluid aspirating needle is longitudinally positioned. Opposite ends of the washing chamber are secured to a pair of telescopically slidable mounting members, which are pluggably mountable to an operably associated support. A locking element surrounds one of the mounting members, for preventing accidental/premature telescoping. Intentional release of the locking element enables the pair of slidable members to be telescoped together by the drive means, causing the washing chamber to contract, permitting the tip of the aspirating needle to be extended out of the chamber, for penetration of an operably associated sealed container of material, for example whole blood.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flow through particle analyzing cell differentiating apparatus for optical and electronic measurements on a stream of particles in which a hydrodynamically focoussed stream is passed into and through a point focussed beam of radiated energy whereby the beam is scattered by the stream to impinge upon light responsive signal operating members disposed adjacent the cell at angular positions relative to the beam axis of from about 10.degree. to 70.degree..

Abstract: A fluid container assembly including one large, relatively narrow container having an orthogonally shaped recess or depression in a wall portion thereof, and two small fluid containers nested within the recess. The recess has means therein engagable with mating means on each of the small containers for retaining the small containers within the recess against accidental dislodgement and so that the external walls of the containers are flush. Each fluid container is provided with a tamper indicating insert such that tampering renders difficult withdrawing fluid.

Abstract: Bellows pump and actuating apparatus for automatically aspirating biological sample fluid material into and through an aspirating probe from a source of fluid sample material, into and through a sample segmenting valve for passage through a counting device. A plurality of bellows members, each having an axis of compression and expansion, has one end mounted on a fixed member. Timing and stroke members are provided for actuating movement of the other end of the bellows members, which are free to be moved parallel to their axis. A positioning member positions the timing and stroke members coaxially of the bellows members at preselected times. A drive member moves the timing and stroke members parallel to the axis of compression and expansion of the bellows members. Photo-optical indicating members, cooperating with the positioning member, interrupts the drive to the positioning member when the timing and stroke members are coaxially aligned with the bellows members.

Abstract: Automatic biological sample mixing apparatus for use in flow cytometry, wherein a sample container is secured loosely at its top by means of a multi-reagent dispensing head; and the container is mounted at its bottom on a resilient support disposed on an elliptically rotated member, to cause reagents introduced into the container to be thoroughly mixed with a sample in the container in a fast, efficient, gentle, and accurately repeatable manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting contaminants, including emboli, in a blood sample prior to blood cell analysis, wherein fluid density sensors are arranged on opposite sides of a fluid segmenting valve to provide electrical signals indicative of the degree of optical opacity of the fluid flowing through the sensors. The derived signals are compared against a diluent reference level signal to provide resultant signal outputs indicating the presence or absence of emboili or other contaminants within the segmented portion of fluid.

Abstract: Automatic printing apparatus wherein a single turnaround item-document is utilized as an initial source of intelligible information-data and thereafter by comparing certain of the data on the document with additional data inputted thereto by means of operably associated external hardware and subsequently summarizing the total data on the item effective to provide a final document including both the initially inputted information-data as well as the data resulting from the comparison and summarization.

Abstract: A particle separator for sorting particles suspended in a liquid according to certain characteristics, including a method of and apparatus for detecting a change in the droplet breakoff point of a liquid jet stream which is subjected to vibrations. The vibrations produce amplitude undulations on the surface of the jet stream. The amplitude of the undulations is monitored or interrogated at a fixed point on the jet stream prior to the breakoff point. A change in amplitude of the undulations at that fixed point produces a signal voltage at a masked sense diode the value of which is proportional to the amplitude change. This signal voltage may be used (1) to alert the operator that a change has occurred in the point at which the jet stream is breaking up into droplets, (2) to automatically control the intensity of the vibrations for restoring the amplitude of undulation at that fixed point to its original state, or (3) to automatically disable the sorting portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for precisely edge aligning and offsetting or jogging stacks of sheet items wherein two oppositely disposed alternately actuated continuously rotating paddle members each produce driving forces at right angles to one another effective to force each item first in one direction and then in another direction at right angles thereto such that the sheet items operational with respect to any paddle are caused to be stacked in offset alternating piles against confronting opposite walls of a stacker frame member.

Abstract: A particle analyzing apparatus and method of moving and counting particles in suspension through such an apparatus. The particle analyzing apparatus comprises a particle counting device wherein particles in suspension are caused to be moved through an aperture whose effective impedance is changed with the passage of each particle therethrough and a fluid connection means for drawing a quantity of the suspension through the aperture, including a source of vacuum. The source of vacuum comprises a bellows having an end, and a constant force means connected to the end of the bellows means.

Abstract: Current sensing resistance apparatus in the form of a single piece, unitary, U-shaped conductor fabricated from thin flat ribbon material to provide two parallel leg portions terminating in opposite bifurcated ends each pair of which are dissimilarly sized thereby forming electrical circuit connecting elements.

Abstract: Fluorescent optical switch and keyboard apparatus wherein a plurality of fluorescent optical key switches are arranged in a matrix array of rows and columns with a key disposed at each column-row intersection and wherein each key carries a fluorescent optically reflective element thereon. A single optical photo-diode disposed at each key location is caused to operate in three discrete modes with respect to the fluorescent element. In one mode the diode emits light which is caused to be reflected upon key when the key is depressed. In another mode the reflected light striking the diode causes the diode to act as a photo-receptor effectively indicating key actuation.

Abstract: Novel apparatus (probe) for sensing and controlling the surface charge on an electro-photographic copier drum in which a hollow, cylindrical, tubular shield member provided with a single elongated aperture therein houses a rotatable charge receiving, insulatingly segmented, rod-like fluted member, the latter extending centrally through the shield member. The elongated slot of the outer shield member extends from edge-to-edge of the drum and in close, spaced proximity thereto. One end of the probe apparatus carries an electromagnetic, Hall effect transducer including a phasing paddle wheel member rotatable with the segmented member for timing and synchronizing the rotation of the probe with the drum rotation. The probe is disposed between two spaced apart drum charging corotrons. The probe senses the surface charge on the drum and compares this charge with a known standard charge level.

Abstract: Sheet item stacking apparatus wherein an eccentric drive oscillating articulated arm carries a friction wheel at one end, and wherein an angularly disposed cross link pivoted at one end to the arm and at the opposite end to a fixed support causes the oscillating arm to move both forwardly and rearwardly as well as from side to side effective to edge align incoming sheet items within an operably associated item hopper from which the items are "front" removable.

Abstract: A modular, demountable toner fuser assembly for electrographic printing/copying apparatus wherein oppositely disposed adjustable tensioning members are coupled to a dead center linkage such that a pair of confronting pressure rollers operably associated with the dead center linkage can be moved relative to one another so as to provide suitable fusing pressure while being automatically instantly separables in response to any exigency e.g. items jams, tearing, crumpled paper or other nonfeed conditions.

Abstract: A sheet item reloader-feeder wherein a pivoted item receiving tray is arcuately-angularly movable from a load position in which the tray is empty to a feed position in which the tray is full. A coiled spring biases the item tray vertically to bring the top most sheet item into the nip of a feeding device. A cable connected to the tray is interconnected to an over-center spring biased cam and an external tray handle whereby movement of the handle causes the tray to automatically move against the tension of the biasing spring from the empty position to the loaded position bring the top most sheet item into the nip of the feeding device for automatic feeding. Two such reloader-feeder devices are stacked in vertical offset relation to one another permitting operator reloading during feeding without stopping the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A pivotal feed head for feeding non-rigid paper sheets individually from a feed hopper to a photo-optical utilization station at high speed without interruption, overlap or collision between sheets including oppositely disposed members for applying a normal force between an enlarged resilient tired feed wheel adapted for unidirectional rotation and a conjointly movable, engageable retard roller. The feed head is mounted for pivotal movement about an outboard drive member. A frictional brake for the retard roller is adjustable to provide a preset load at the nip between the feed wheel and the retard roller while a solenoid-actuated one-way clutch operably engages the feed wheel mounting shaft for incremental signal controlled paper feed. A vertical, signal-controlled latching member locks the feed head in a vertical pivoted position at the end of the vertical upward movement of the paper stack platform as the paper is fed into the nip between the feed wheel and the retard roller.