Abstract: A self-inflating urinary catheter which includes a retention balloon has a fluid reservoir communicating with the balloon, a wall in the reservoir comprising an elastic membrane arranged to retain fluid in an unpressurized state, a plunger arranged to depress the membrane into the fluid and initially displace part of the fluid and membrane through a window opening in one of the reservoir parts so as to stretch the membrane and pressurize the fluid, thereby exerting force on the fluid to expel if from the reservoir to inflate the retention balloon.

Abstract: A self-inflating urinary catheter which includes a retention balloon has a fluid-filled, unpressurized, deformable reservoir communicating with the balloon. An elastic diaphragm is arranged to squeeze the reservoir against another surface so as to pressurize the fluid, thereby exerting force to expel the fluid from the reservoir to inflate the retention balloon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooking a wide variety of foods wherein the food to be cooked is placed in contact with a sheet of conductive material, which has been connected by clamping members to an electrical power source capable of supplying a low voltage, high current. A food may be wrapped in a thin sheet of conductive material, such as a metal foil, and cooked by passing current through the thin sheet or foil. The process is characterized by a high efficiency and short cooking time. Preferred conductive material are disposable, for example aluminum foil, thereby avoiding cleaning after cooking.The apparatus includes means for supplying a high current, at a low voltage. Electrically connected to the current supply means are a pair of clamps for clamping an electrically conductive sheet. Preferably, the clamps are independently operable and each comprise a curved movable member and a fixed member, together with means for moving the movable member.

Abstract: Selected chemical species in fluid media such as solutions, mixtures of liquids, and suspensions are crystallized by indirect cooling of the fluid media. Crystals are prevented from sticking to the heat exchange surface by pulsating the fluid with a component of pulsation parallel to the heat exchange surface. The crystals can then be separated from the residual fluid.

Abstract: A film cleaner and method for cleaning motion picture film. The cleaner includes a friction-driven roll, spools of cleaning tape, take-up rolls to draw the tapes from the spools, means for contacting the tapes with the film, and a gearing mechanism connecting the friction-driven roll with the take-up rolls. The film cleaning method includes driving the friction-driven roll with film running through a film delivery and take-up system, contacting the surfaces of the film with the cleaning tapes, and transferring the movement of the friction-driven roll into movement of the take-up rolls to draw the tapes from the spools. Thus, the take-up rolls are driven by the friction-driven roll and essentially clean portions of the tapes contact the film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a disposable fluid dispensing tube. The apparatus includes a rotatably mounted turret which is adapted to receive tubes. Tubes mounted in the turret are indexed through stations positioned around the periphery of the turret. At each station an operation is performed on the tube and at the final station a filled and sealed dispenser tube is discharged from the turret.In the practice of the preferred method of the invention, operations performed upon the tube include mounting a nozzle on the end of the tube, securing the nozzle to the tube, sealing the end of the nozzle, filling the tube, positioning a plunger in the other end of the tube and releasably securing the plunger to the tube.

Abstract: An improved brassiere is provided having two breast receiving cups, the lower adjacent corners of which overlap in securing the bottom edges of the cups to a bottom edge casing of the bra. The adjacent side edges of the cups cross one over the other forming a surplice neckline. Attached to the side edge of one cup at approximately the point where the cup side edges cross and to the bottom edge casing of the bra is a strip of material, which overlaps the side edge and bottom corner of the other cup, whereby the cups are substantially independent of each other.

Abstract: A central station system in which the central station is normally connected to one or more remotely located bridging points by a dedicated communication path, each bridging point having a plurality of output ports to which one or more remote station devices are connected. In response to address signals generated by the central station, abridging point connects an identified output port to the dedicated communication path to allow communication between the associated remote stations and the central station. All other output ports are electrically isolated from the dedicated communication path. In the event of failure of the dedicated communication path, apparatus is provided for establishing an alternate communication path through the commercial telephone network. The system is highly immune to tampering and other forms of failure because of automatic decision-making capabilities of the bridging point and other features of the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector for reed switches and other similarly configured switches, in which the electrical leads projecting from the ends of the switch are clamped to a connector base by screw-driven terminal clamping plates, thereby establishing electrical contact with the switch. Washers placed between the leads and the connector base improve the reliability of the contact by reducing the amount of deformation of the base material caused by the stress of clamping.

Abstract: A machine and method which withdraws an atmosphere from a bag and substitutes a new atmosphere and thereafter seals the bag. More particularly, a bag is disposed around a manifold and the portions of the bag which extend outwardly from the manifold are heat sealed. Thereafter, the unsealed portions of the bag are temporarily sealed around the manifold, the atmosphere within the bag is exchanged and the bag is then completely sealed while the manifold is positioned within the open end of the bag.

Abstract: A pressure vessel with an alloyed steel wall and having at least one ring of weldable steel secured thereon and wherein a temperature control jacket associated with said vessel is welded to said ring.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes an apparatus and method for bringing a system having high interactive portions to a predetermined temperature distribution. The invention includes a difference controller which provides, through two separate drivers, a fixed total amount of energy to the system being controlled. If the system being controlled also has a long cycle time, second and third temperature controllers may be used to bring the system to the equilibrium temperature with a minimum amount of overshoot. The invention is particularly advantageous when used in connection with a high pressure, high temperature vessel useful in growing quartz crystals.

Abstract: A shipping carton for storage and/or transport of produce under cold and/or humid conditions comprising an erected body wrap and end wall pieces positioned at opposite ends of the body wrap. The end wall pieces are impregnated with a moisture resistant agent and stacking tabs are provided on the top of the carton. Preferably, the tabs have a structure corresponding to the structure of the bottom corners of a second similar carton stacked thereon, whereby they prevent the relative shifting of the cartons.

Abstract: A shipping carton for storage and transport of produce under cold and humid conditions comprising a tray and a cover. The tray has stacking tabs extending upwardly from its top corners and is formed by bottom, end, and side panels secured together by flaps extending between the panels. The cover, adapted to fit over the top of the tray to close the carton, has portions defining openings through which the stacking tabs extend when the carton is closed, whereby a second carton stacked on the closed carton is essentially prevented from shifting.

Abstract: A sprinkler flow detector which can detect and rapidly respond to the onset of water flow in a sprinkler system which results, for example, from the release of one or more sprinklers. The detector senses the pressure vs. time profile of the system or house side of the sprinkler system. An increase in pressure is accurately tracked without causing alarm. If, however, the pressure falls in excess of certain predetermined rates and amounts, and holds in the lower state for in excess of a second certain predetermined amount of time, the detector enters an alarm state. In a preferred embodiment the detector features a trouble state in which it responds to one of several monitored conditions, for example, a component failure in the detector electrical circuitry, excessive pressure in the sprinkler system, or dangerously low pressure in the sprinkler system.

Abstract: An improved weatherproof dunnage bag for use in an open freight transport vehicle is provided. The bag includes an air bladder for expanding the bag and a plurality of air bladder reinforcing sheets enclosing the bladder. The outermost sheet is coated with a moisture resistant material and a moisture resistant overslip is provided surrounding each of two opposite ends of the bag. The overslips are heat sealed to the outermost sheet, so that the overslips and coating on the outermost sheet prevent moisture from pervading the sheets. A valve extending through the sheets from the bladder of the bag protrudes through an opening in one of the overslips, the opening having a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the valve, so that the overslip fits tightly around the valve to prevent moisture from leaking into the bag around the valve. A moisture resistant tape is provided covering each seam in the outermost sheet.