Abstract: A front loading refuse vehicle includes at least one positive displacement pump having an associated valve system in fluid communication with drive mechanism that operates a lifting arm, packer, a rear door of the vehicle, and a hoist for a refuse storage body. The valve system includes at least one closed-centered valve with a spool mechanism having a pressure compensator to maintain a constant flow rate of fluid through the valve regardless of differential in pressure across the valve for any given position of the spool mechanism. Two pumps with two separate hydraulic control systems are used with a side loading refuse vehicle. An electrical/electronic control system including a microprocessor operates the valve systems for each vehicle.

Abstract: A front loading refuse vehicle includes at least one positive displacement pump having an associated valve system in fluid communication with drive mechanism that operates a lifting arm, packer, a rear door of the vehicle, and a hoist for a refuse storage body. The valve system includes at least one closed-centered valve with a spool mechanism having a pressure compensator to maintain a constant flow rate of fluid through the valve regardless of differential in pressure across the valve for any given position of the spool mechanism. Two pumps with two separate hydraulic control systems are used with a side loading refuse vehicle. An electrical/electronic control system including a microprocessor operates the valve systems for each vehicle.

Abstract: A front loading refuse vehicle includes at least one positive displacement pump having an associated valve system in fluid communication with drive mechanism that operates a lifting arm, packer, a rear door of the vehicle, and a hoist for a refuse storage body. The valve system includes at least one closed-centered valve with a spool mechanism having a pressure compensator to maintain a constant flow rate of fluid through the valve regardless of differential in pressure across the valve for any given position of the spool mechanism. Two pumps with two separate hydraulic control systems are used with a side loading refuse vehicle. An electrical/electronic control system including a microprocessor operates the valve systems for each vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a collapsible support structure strut, which may include a strut member; a hollow tubular terminal end portion of the strut member having an inner surface; and a detachable looped eyelet having at least one loop and a pair of extending legs, the legs being springedly biased to engage the tubular terminal end of the strut, thereby frictionally holding the looped eyelet in place at the terminal end of the strut. The apparatus and method may also employ a holding plug, with first and second holding groove opposingly placed in the periphery of the holding plug, having at least a portion thereof that is shaped and sized to frictionally engage the inner surface of the tubular terminal end of the strut, to frictionally hold the holding plug in engagement with the strut. The detachable looped eyelet may also have at least two loop.

Abstract: The presence of occult blood in feces is detected using device including a liquid tight packet containing a sheet of absorbent material impregnated with a liquid solution that reacts with feces to produce a color change when blood is present. The packet is opened manually by tearing the packet apart to access the sheet absorbent material, which is then used to collecting a sample of feces on the impregnated sheet of absorbent material.

Abstract: A helmet includes a head enclosure with an open cavity for the head of a user and a shock detector attached to the head enclosure that provides a signal when the head enclosure is subjected an impact exceeding a predetermined level.

Abstract: A unitary removable barrier for installation in a cylindrical water line to selectively block the water line to passage of water therethrough. The unitary removable barrier is composed of a single piece rubber body having at least one cylindrical section sized to receive upstream and downstream pipes of the water line. A unitary rubber planar disc molded with the cylindrical section is of a circular circumference and which completely blocks the water line but which is selectively removable from the cylindrical section thus removing the barrier to the passage of the waste through the line.

Abstract: An instrument (A) detects in a sample the presence of an analyte. The sample includes electrically readable particles (126) with an agent attached thereto that binds with the analyte or is an analog of the analyte. The instrument includes a port for the sample and a pair of electrodes (25, 30), one of which has a surface portion (30a) with an agent thereat that binds with the analyte or is an analog of the analyte. The electrodes have a first position where they are separated a sufficient distance apart to enable the sample to move between the electrodes and a second position where the electrodes are in close proximity. A detection circuit, including the electrodes, has a first state when the analyte is absent and a second state when the analyte is present. A signaling device provides an indication of the state of the detection circuit.

Abstract: A medical syringe employs a capsule containing multiple doses of medication within a sealed storage chamber formed between concentric inner and outer walls. The inner wall forms a cavity including a delivery chamber from which a single dose of medication is ejected. The syringe includes an ejection port, an axial moveable plunger extending into the cavity and delivery chamber, and a body with a compartment that holds the capsule. With the plunger in a first position, the capsule is closed. With the plunger in a second position, the delivery chamber is filled with a single dose of medication. With the plunger in a third position, the single dose of medication is ejected from the delivery chamber though the injection port.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser comprises a sprayer device and volume meter connected together to form an integral unit that prevents the sprayer device and volume meter from being disconnected without damaging the dispenser. The volume meter has an inlet end portion and a gauge member downstream of the inlet end portion that responds to liquid flowing through the dispenser to provide a visual readout indicating the volume of liquid flowing through the dispenser. A common passageway extends through the sprayer device and volume meter through which liquid flows from the inlet end portion of the volume meter, past the gauge member, and exits the sprayer device at a head end thereof.

Abstract: A coupling used during testing of a water line including an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe connected by the coupling. A removable barrier disk prevents water from flowing through the connected pipes until after testing, when the disk is then detached from the body member of the coupling. A piercing assembly interacts with a groove near the perimeter of the disk to initiate a tear that propagates along the groove as the disk is pulled away from the body member of the coupling. The piercing assembly is attached to the disk by a fulcrum element offset with respect to a center of the planar disk.

Abstract: A gas sensor comprises an electrically conductive housing including a shelf member and a chamber containing an electrolyte. A conductive cathode mounted on the shelf member has a plurality of holes therein and a conductive tail element. A gas permeable membrane overlying the cathode prevents electrolyte from escaping the chamber but allows gas to permeate the membrane. An anode within the chamber is in electrical contact with the electrolyte and the conductive housing. The tail element is adapted to be connected to the anode through an electrical circuit including the conductive housing.

Abstract: A device used to measure intraocular pressure within a patient's eye includes a probe typically having an end to which is attached a resilient member with a hollow interior that decreases in volume as the member is pressed against the eye. The greater the intraocular pressure within an eye, the more the volume decreases. A liquid moves in response to this change and this movement is detected to signal if the intraocular pressure is at a safe level.

Abstract: A medical practitioner creates a prescription using a handheld portable device. The device uses a plurality of interactive screens that display information such as lists of drugs. The medical practitioner enters patient information and selects from the list the desired drug to be prescribed. The device gives the practitioner access to a drug database that may be limited by the drugs prescribable by the medical practitioner. Once a prescription is created, the practitioner can select a drug dispensing location and communicate the prescription to this location. The drug database and the drug dispensing locations may be stored in a removable memory.