Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for re-sizing spent ammunition cartridges, such as spent brass cartridges for hand guns. A pair of forming rails which move with respect to one another to roll the cartridge between the rails in order to restore the cartridge to the original cylindrical specifications. The forming surface of one of the forming rails includes an inclined step which lengthens the cartridge as the bulge is rolled out of the cartridge neck.

Abstract: A blood containment, visualization and tactile confirmation device is provided for use with a vascular entry needle. The device includes a visualization channel and/or a complaint outer wall portion which indicates whether a needle connected to the device has entered a selected blood vessel. The visualization channel is vented to the outside to allow displaced air to escape, but has a gas permeable member to prevent blood from escaping. The visualization channel may have one, two, or more stages, with a first stage chamber which indicates initial penetration of a selected blood vessel, and a second stage chamber which fills more slowly and indicates that the needle remains positioned within the blood vessel. A third stage chamber with entrapped air which compresses slightly due to the heartbeat may also be used. Preferably, a compliant outer wall portion pulses with changes in blood pressure, thereby providing a tactile indication that the needle tip is properly positioned.

Abstract: A nutating disc compressor includes a disc having cone-shaped surfaces and a centrally disposed sphere positioned within a symmetrical, a spherical-segment shaped chamber which is adapted to contain the disc and has a central bearing to movably engage the sphere and to allow the disc to nutate within the chamber. The compressor is driven by an external source of power, preferably through the drive shaft. Preferably, the compressor contains a plurality of stages which are linked together.

Abstract: A lightweight contoured base for a seat cushion is produced by first forming a shaped lightweight foam core with a void corresponding to the ischial tuberosities of a user and then forming a sandwich assembly by placing a layer of foam or foamable material against both upper and lower surfaces of the shaped lightweight foam core to form a sandwich assembly. The sandwich assembly is then molded to produce the finished contoured base for a seat cushion.

Abstract: Pressure-compensating pads such as seats or cushions used in wheelchairs, can be filled with a flowable, pressure-compensating composition comprising a major portion of silicone fluid, a minor portion of amide thickener which is essentially insoluble in said silicone fluid and microballoons. The resulting compositions are particularly characterized by their ability to flow in response to a continuously applied pressure, yet to maintain their shape and position in the absence of applied pressure, and are further characterized by stable viscosity at temperatures generally associated with the presence of the human body and excellent fire retardant properties. The composition may also contain flame-retardant.

Abstract: A multi-layer, coextruded blow-molded plastic bottle consists of a layer of EVOH sufficiently thick to inhibit moisture from inside the bottle from penetrating from the interior surface of the EVOH layer to the exterior portion of the EVOH layer, and a second layer positioned exterior to the EVOH layer, wherein the second layer prevents moisture outside the bottle from reaching the EVOH layer, whereby the interior surface of the EVOH layer functions as an oil barrier and the exterior portion of the EVOH layer function as a oxygen barrier.

Abstract: A bridge fitting (10) for anchoring containers, stacked especially on ship's decks or hatches, is provided with two operatively connected connecting pieces (12, 13) which are arranged at a variable distance to one another and which determine the effective length of the bridge fitting (10). These connecting pieces (12, 13) engage container corner fittings (11) of two adjacent containers and the effective length of the bridge fitting (10) can be adjusted by a steplike shiftability und lockability of at least one of the two connecting pieces (12, 13).

Abstract: An extraction process comprising contracting a material to be extracted with an extracting fluid at elevated pressure within a defined space, and separating the extracted fluid and extract as a mass, from the extracted material while reducing the volume of the defined space and while maintaining the elevated pressure within the defined space. Apparatus for carrying out the process is adapted to separate the extracting fluid and the extract, as a mass, from the extracted material, while maintaining elevated pressure and reducing the volume as the point of separation.

Abstract: A lifter for emptying a container into a cavity of a vehicle. The lifter has a first plate pivotally connected to the vehicle, and a second plate extending at an angle from the first plate. The lifter has a third plate slidably mounted on the second plate, with the third plate having a pair of hooks to grasp bars on the container. The lifter moves between a first lower position beneath the truck to a second upper position with the container located above the cavity to empty the container into the cavity.

Abstract: A nutating internal combustion engine is disclosed including a disc having cone-shaped surfaces and a centrally disposed sphere positioned within a symmetrical, spherical-segment shaped chamber which is adapted to contain the disc and has a central bearing to movably engage the sphere and to allow the disc to nutate within the chamber to turn drive shafts. Preferably, the engine operates on a four cycle principle and combines the intake and compression chambers into a single chamber and the combustion and exhaust chambers into a single chamber to fire every 180 degrees.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for bonding particles into briquettes wherein the particles to be briquetted are mixed with a phenolaldehyde resin and polyisocyanate in the presence of a catalyst, and the resulting mixture is briquetted. A phenolic-urethane polymer is formed to bond the particles and coat the briquette formed of said particles. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is an improved boat hull design for stable operation as a planing-type hull in a wide range of water conditions. The hull is comprised of a substantially V-shaped central hull portion and a pair of adjacent side floats, one on each side of the central hull. The inner walls of the side floats are substantially vertical, and the floats are stepped upwardly at approximately midships, such that the rear portion of the side floats is substantially horizontal, or parallel to the plane of the water surface. At least one pair of flat surfaces are formed along the bottom portion of the hull positioned at the intersection of lowermost strakes and steps formed on each side of the hull, so as to provide substantially improved stability and attitude when running at high speed on rough water. A dihedral tunnel is formed by the concavely-curved surfaces of the central hull in combination with the inner walls of the side floats.

Abstract: 1. Container, especially drinking cup, and process for producing it. 2.1. Drinking cups (20) in particular often have a cup body (21) made of plastic foam. The upper rim (25) of such drinking cups (20) makes drinking more difficult. 2.2. The drinking cup (20) according to the invention possesses a collar (26) attached onto the upper rim (25) of the cup body (21) and made of a compact plastic. This provides a mouth roll which makes drinking easier and which gives the drinking cup (20) according to the invention the properties of drinking cups formed completely from more extensive compact materials. 3. The invention relates, above all, to rotationally symmetrical drinking cups (20) which are used for the dispensing of drinks from automatic machines or as inserts for reusable drinking-cup holders.

Abstract: A wound clotting device is disclosed comprising a clotting device for dispensing a clotting agent onto a selected location in a patient while being retained adjacent to that location, comprising a tube having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; means defining an inflation lumen in said tube extending between said proximal and distal end portions; inflatable retention means carried by said tube at said distal end portion for retaining said distal end at a selected location within the body of a living patient, said retention means being in fluid communication with said inflation lumen; means defining a second lumen in said tube extending between said proximal and distal end portions; means for receiving a quantity of clotting agent located within said second lumen; and means disposed within said second lumen for dispensing said clotting agent from said distal end of said second lumen to deposit said clotting agent at said selected location within a patient.

Abstract: A wheelchair back system provides height adjustability of the back for the user, a lumbar support and bolsters for the back, as well as adjustment of the tilt of the back. The back system is removably affixed to the wheelchair by a pair of vertical channels adapted to partially encircle the vertical wheelchair posts, brackets affixed to the wheelchair posts, and straps which engage the brackets. A twist lock may be used to secure the straps in the brackets.

Abstract: A coreless filter cartridge, and apparatus for adapting a filter housing to support such coreless filter cartridges. A coreless filter cartridge has an elongate array of filtering material which defines an interior cavity. The array is surrounded by a sheath of perforated paper. The ends of the array and sheath are embedded into polyurethane end-caps. The filter housing is adapted to accept coreless filter cartridges by adding a rigid, perforated standpipe that uses a bushing to fit over a housing fluid egress spud. The coreless filter cartridge is placed over the standpipe and secured in place by a retaining spider or by the housing cover, which exerts bias via a compression spring and compression cup. Gaskets on each end-cap prevent fluid by-pass and a stand-off cup is located near the base of the standpipe to provide a surface against which the end-cap gasket can seat.

Abstract: A process of separating materials is disclosed which comprises contacting a solid material with a fluid at an elevated pressure within a defined space, forming a fluid mixture of said fluid and a component of the solid material at the elevated pressure, separating the fluid mixture from the insoluble portion of the solid material at the elevated pressure and discharging the fluid mixture, as a mass, from a defined space, while simultaneously reducing the volume of the defined space at a rate sufficient to maintain the elevated pressure during the discharge step. Optionally, the insoluble portion of the solid material may be compacted during the separation step. The solid material may be selected from animal, vegetable, and mineral sources and the fluid may be selected from CO.sub.2 and other gases or liquids. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic contact material is disclosed for the treatment of a liquid, comprising a plurality of strips made of a plastic material and wherein each of the strips has at least one tension element. A process is also disclosed for manufacturing a biological water treatment contact material made of a plurality of strips of a plastics material, which process comprises providing at least one strand at an elevated temperature, and applying the strand to a strip of plastic material while the strand is still at said elevated temperature.

Abstract: A refractory coating composition, adapted to be applied to a substrate by spraying or gunning, comprising:from about 25 to about 40% by weight alumina;from about 15 to about 25% by weight ceramic fiber;from about 40 to about 60% by weight colloidal silica; andsufficient water to form an aqueous suspension thereof.