Abstract: Serum-Plasma separator and transfer apparatus comprising a tube and a hollow stopper-like member fitted into the open end of the tube. The top end of the stopper is of a flexible material with a weight positioned thereon. A rigid capillary tube with one end in the hollow stopper and the other end joined with a flexible capillary tube which, in turn, has its other end attached to a weighted filter. The capillary tube has a port in its side wall at the lower end adjacent the filter. As the serum is centrifuged the weighted filter drops into the tube causing the sample liquid to pass through the filter into the upper portion of the tube. At the same time the weight of the filter forces the flexible capillary tube to extend downwardly thereby opening the port in the capillary tube into the liquid sample. As the centrifuging action slows down, the weight on the stopper tend to return to its normal position.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in hospitals and the like for administering to a patient medicated liquid solutions, or blood. The improvement comprises an improved control valve for regulating and filtering the fluid flow of said solutions into the body. The liquid control valve is of a vernier control type with a selective adjustment to the prescribed rate of fluid flow with limit stops for positive shut-off, and full by-pass. The valve is positioned on the patient adjacent the point of entry of the fluid into the body. The apparatus -- adaptable to the commercial infusion administration single use disposable kits -- comprises a tapered fluid control spool, having a series of longitudinal grooves. With the spool resiliently snapped into and positioned in a housing the grooves are graduated openings that traverse the fluid supply port. The length, depth, shape and spacing of the grooves together with geometric shape of the supply port provides a variable resistance to the fluid flow to provide an exact program of flow.

Abstract: A diamond hone for re-working and correcting lead and involute profile of hardened gears which is characterized by a monolayer of diamond abrasive bonded to a gear hone which is provided with a unique geometry wherein the tip and pitch diameter portions are specifically formed to obtain a predetermined deviation from the true involute form conventionally employed. This new diamond hone and unique geometry imparts the desirable final geometry in the re-worked gear.

Abstract: An improved poultry cutting apparatus which is characterized by a unique combination which includes an inner mandrel adapted to retain a dressed poultry carcass thereon which is movably mounted to advance to a cutting station. The cutting station includes a unique enclosure which is adapted to receive the poultry carcass on the mandrel and cooperatively therewith maintain the proper positioning of the poultry carcass during the actual cutting operation. The enclosure is provided with a plurality of slots adapted to receive movably mounted cutting blades which are selectively disposed and actuated to cut the poultry carcass into a given desired number of selected pieces.

Abstract: An area navigation system capable of operating during an ILS approach to provide the pilot range and bearing with respect to the outer and middle markers for a front course approach, and with respect to the final approach fix and the end of the runway for a back course approach. The system operates by automatically connecting the # 2 NAV receiver to the RNAV during ILS operation while the ILS localizer converter is connected to the # 1 NAV receiver. At the same time the RNAV is disconnected from the left side indicator so this may be used for the localizer.

Abstract: A machine for disassembling damaged pallets of the wood type. The pallet is machine disassembled in a manner wherein the undamaged board or stringers may again be used in a reassembled pallet. The machine includes a platform having means for retaining the manually placed pallet in a fixed lateral position and a plate positionable on the deck side of the wood pallet for retention of the pallet in a vertical position. A hydraulically driven engaging arm is positioned above the platform to engage the stringer longitudinally and in a lateral direction. The arm is moved horizontally from a first, second, or third position to forceably engage one, two, or all three stringers. The retaining means assures that no additional damage is imparted to the slats or spacers.

Abstract: A non-contact optical gauging device in which a laser beam is deflected to produce a bidirectional scan. The beam is split; a measuring portion scans an object being inspected while the other portion scans a calibration reticle having alternating opaque and transparent bands. The alternating transmission and ocultation of the beam through the reticle is used to generate calibration pulses, each representing a predetermined increment of movement of the calibration beam. Ocultation of the measuring beam by the object being measured generates a signal which is used to control counting of the calibration pulses as an indication of the dimension being measured. Bidirectional averaging is employed to minimize errors due to object motion in the direction of beam scanning. Variations are disclosed in which two measuring beams and one or two calibration beams, are employed for measuring large objects or for dual axis measurement, the latter by orthogonal projection onto the object being measured.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vertical guidance computer for general aviation aircraft operating in conjunction with an area navigation system to convert data representing the range from the aircraft to a runway or other target into a measure of the altitude at which the aircraft should be for a given descent rate. Means are provided for adding a correction representing the mean sea level altitude of the runway, and for pre-establishing an adjustable minimum descent altitude. When the range corresponding to the minimum descent altitude is reached, an appropriate warning is given. The system utilizes a time analog of range data and a scaling of the basic system clock in accordance with the desired glide slope or descent rate. The scaling is such that the number of cycles of the scaled clock directly represents the command altitude in feed above mean sea level.

Abstract: An improved diamond abrasive tool and method of manufacture characterized by a direct brazing technique of diamond crystals to a substrate surface which requires no pre-conditioning of the surface of the diamond in order to obtain the necessary wetting thereof. The method employed utilizes readily available, very hard and durable brazing alloys which have been discovered to readily wet the diamond surface to obtain a final product wherein the minimum depth of the alloy bond tends to occur intermediate adjacent diamond crystals with outstanding retention of the crystals and greatly extended tool life.

Abstract: A fluid power control apparatus which comprises the unique combination of a control housing including a cylindrically shaped core member mounted in a sealed relationship within a receptacle member. A plurality of grooves or recesses generated in the outer wall surface of the core member define selected fluid path connections in axial and circumferential directions to radial passages formed in the core and receptacle members to communicate valve elements in the core or receptacle members to one another and to external means in almost any selected manner. This combination forms in a relatively simple and dramatically compact manner any preselected simple or complex fluid control circuit in a single package.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the recognition of hand written alphanumeric characters as they are being formed. The different sequence of strokes for each letter of the alphabet and numbers, as it is written, is codified. The apparatus comprises a minimum number of parallel conductive bars which produce a characteristic signal when crossed or touched with the pen as the alphanumeric character is being formed to reproduce the identifying code. A computer having the distinctive alphanumeric character code stored therein compares the signals derived by contact of the pen with the conductive bars and renders an appropriate readout for utilization. The invention encompasses script writing and word identification as well as the conventional printing of the individual letters.

Abstract: A power circuit including an x and y inverter, an x and y constant voltage transformer, and a filtered d.c. input operable to provide a three phase sine wave output. The three phase outputs from the two transformers are a result of interconnections of the secondary windings of the transformer - in essence connecting the conventional two phase to three phase connections. The circuit is operable to provide a constant three phase output when a balanced load is applied. With an unbalanced load the phase of the output voltages of the two transformers are corrected relative to each other. A feedback circuit that includes an oscillator continuously samples the phase of the output voltage of each of the two transformers and adjusts the phase of one transformer output to that of the other.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for the production of sparkling wine or other similar beverages by applying carbon dioxide to wine already bottled. Specifically a new and improved high pressure cap-type enclosure for the bottle permits the carbon dioxide to be applied through the cap with an applicator in the nature of a hypodermic needle.Upon removal of the applicator the cap self-seals itself at a high pressure and retains and holds for an indefinite time the carbon dioxide. An exact pressure of carbon dioxide is applied to the bottled wine in an amount that closely approximates the pressures of champagne. The sparkling wine may thereafter be aged without deterioration of the cap and hence without loss of pressure.

Abstract: A solar heating system comprising a lens collector arrangement, an insulation area, and a storage section positioned in an enclosing structure, and an associated utilization means. The collector lens is an array of light guide lenses having alternate high and low refractive surfaces. The array is contoured in a capping relationship over a focusing lens to provide an extremely high concentration of solar energy irrespective of the angle of the sun. The light guide lenses increase by several orders of magnitude the amount of solar energy striking the surface of the focusing lens. The focusing lens is a plurality of flat surface type of lenses stacked one over the other in spaced relationship and operable to concentrate the solar energy to a central region. Surrounding the perimeter of the plurality of focusing lenses in an array, in a "wall" configuration, of light guide lenses similar in construction to the aforesaid capping light guide lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to container handling adapter apparatus which is characterized by a construction wherein a well-known type of transporting equipment which is limited to handling a specific type container can be quickly and simply converted to handle other container constructions. The adapter apparatus of the present invention includes a modified understructure which is adapted to be picked up by transport systems, such as manufactured by Dempster Brothers, Inc. The understructure includes a base which is provided with side rails, a power winch and hydraulic couplings to accomodate the loading and unloading of containers manufactured by several of the leading manufacturers which cannot be handled by apparatus such as the Dempster Brothers, Inc. system. Locking or stabilizing mechanisms are provided for safe transportation of the container mounted thereon.

Abstract: A cable splicing apparatus for multiconductor cables which is characterized by a sleeve portion having resilient end portions adapted to receive threaded collar means for securely frictionally gripping the ends of the cable being spliced. The apparatus further includes a novel slideably mounted centerplate integrally carrying electrically conducting pins for connecting the severed conductors to form the splice. The centerplate is adapted to cooperate with guide means to assure positive alignment with the cable and the sleeve to simplify installation and to eliminate improper connections between non-mating conductors. Preferably, after the splice connection has been made and the sleeve is secured, a heat responsive plastic tube is employed to completely shroud the splice joint.

Abstract: A menstrual device for an animal -- particularly a canine bitch -- of the tampon and depositor type. The absorbent tampon is extremely small in comparison to human type and varies in size in dependence on the size of the animal. The composition of the tampon is especially characterized by including a deodorizer and a spermicidal agent to prevent pregnancy. The tampon additonally includes a lubricant rearwardly for ease of removal.

Abstract: A baking pan assembly and a method of using same to make a sandwich bun having separate upper and lower portions. The assembly and method is characterized by an arrangement of three baking pans in vertical substantially sealed relationship. The middle pan in this assembly has a unique shape which not only forms a bowl-like recess in the lower portion of the bun but contributes in the baking process to permit the lower surface of the top portion of the bun and the interior surface defining the recess in the lower portion of the bun to be fully baked in a soft, unbrowned condition.

Abstract: An apparatus to preheat food products prior to actual cooking which is characterized by a tray for carrying the food products mounted for reciprocation within a reservoir filled with water at a given temperature. The reciprocating movement effects efficient mixing of the hot water entering the reservoir to assure that the food products are efficiently exposed to the hottest water available in the reservoir. The apparatus also includes unique combination of valve means and flow control means to effect reciprocation of the tray at given time intervals and a continuous addition of hot water to the reservoir during a complete pre-heating cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in hospitals and the like for administering to a patient medicated liquid. The improvement comprises a control for regulating and visually indicating the rate of fluid flow into the body. The system is equally applicable to intravenous, intrarterial, or subcutaneous. A positive action liquid control valve together with a flow meter is positioned on the patient adjacent the point of entry of the fluid into the body. The apparatus -- adaptable to the commercial single use disposeable kits -- in its preferred embodiment, is strapped to the wrist of the patient. The apparatus is further adapted to receive the conventional injection needle for the addition of other medication.