Abstract: A battery pack is effectively transferred between a battery powered vehicle and a cart in order to replace the battery pack with a freshly charged pack. The transfer is facilitated without dropping the battery pack by using a locking mechanism which is operative between a tray which supports the battery pack and a cart upon which the battery pack is transported to the vehicle. The locking mechanism holds the tray in place on the cart until the transfer occurs. The locking mechanism is also operative between the vehicle and the tray to hold the tray and battery pack in place on the vehicle. In order to release the tray from either the cart or the vehicle manual action is required. An attachment mechanism automatically attaches the cart to the vehicle during the transfer to prevent the battery pack from dropping due to unanticipated movement of the cart relative to the vehicle. The attachment of the cart to the vehicle is established upon positioning of the cart in the transfer position.

Abstract: A device suitable for holding a collapsible tube and dispensing the contents thereof is provided. The device has a base which supports and holds the tube, an upper plate pivotally attached to the base and adapted to pivot or rotate one or more times towards said base to compress the collapsible tube and dispense the contents thereof. The device also includes a forward wall having a vertically disposed slot which receives the neck of the collapsible tube and allows the tube to slide vertically as the tube is compressed and the contents are dispensed. Repeated rotations of the upper plate results in a milking of the contents of the tube and thus a controlled dispensing of the contents.

Abstract: The intensity of initial agitation of blood and an activating reagent affects the contribution of platelets to clotting in an activated clotting time (ACT) test. An improved ACT test accommodates the effects of platelet activation by incorporating a platelet activation phase. In the platelet activation phase an activating reagent is mixed with a sample of blood to be tested at a controlled point in time followed by gently agitating the mixture in such a manner and for a period of time sufficient to establish a predetermined and predictable contribution to the ACT from platelet activation. The platelet activation phase is followed by a clotting test phase of the ACT test. A platelet functionality test provides information regarding the functionality of platelets in a sample of blood.

Abstract: An improved reduced fat peanut butter is obtained by removing oil from ground peanuts, preferably by centrifuging the ground peanuts until a supernatant oil layer is formed above the ground peanuts and separating the ground peanuts from the supernatant oil layer. The resulting peanut paste may then be reground. Maltodextrin and modified food starch are added to and blended with the peanut paste, either before or after the optional regrinding. Salt, butter flavoring and/or peanut flavoring may also be added to and blended with the separated peanuts, either before or after regrinding.

Abstract: A device suitable as a closure cap for a medicine container is provided. The device has indicia circumferentially marked on the upper surface of the device representing the time for next taking the medicine in the container. An arm rotatably and pivotably mounted in the center of the device is set to point at the time for next taking the medicine. The arm is releaseably retained in position by cooperating pegs and indentations on the upper surface of the device and the underside of the rotatable arm.

Abstract: Methods of administering aqueous synthetic buffer compositions of an N-substituted aminosulfonic acid and a sodium salt of a different substituted aminosulfonic acid suitable to treat oligemic, respiratory and metabolic acidosis are disclosed. Methods of administering aqueous synthetic buffer compositions of a different N-substituted aminosulfonic acid, a sodium salt of an N-substituted aminosulfonic acid and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane which may be similarly employed are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for decontaminating a contaminated fluid by using photocatalytic particles. The apparatus includes a reactor tank for holding a slurry of the contaminated fluid and the photocatalytic particles ultraviolet light irradiates the surface of the slurry, thereby activating the photocatalytic properties of the particles. Stirring blades for continuously agitate the irradiated fluid surface maintaining the particles in a suspended state within the fluid. A cross flow filter is used for separating the fluid from the semiconductor powder after the decomposition reaction is ended. The cross flow filter is occasionally back flushed to remove any caked semiconductor powder. The semiconductor powder may be recirculated back to the tank for reuse, or may be stored for future use. A series of reactor tanks may be used to gradually decompose a chemical in the fluid. The fluid may be pretreated to remove certain metal ions which interfere with the photocatalytic process.