Abstract: A method and device for determining the concentration of analytes in a sample. The device has a surface with an extraction coating thereon. The method is carried out while the sample is highly agitated to maintain a substantially constant boundary layer. The sample is brought into contact with the coating for a limited time so that all the analytes that pass through the boundary layer are adsorbed by the coating. The amount of analytes in the coating is determined and the concentration of those same analytes in the sample is then calculated from the diffusion coefficient of the analytes. The device is first calibrated using analytes of known concentration.

Abstract: An adjustable railing support system has a conveyor and a railing extending along each side of the conveyor. The conveyor is used to transport containers of various sizes and shapes in different runs. For each size and shape of container, the support posts must be adjusted and the actuators are connected to a programmable logic controller that is operable and connected to sequentially adjust the support posts relative to the conveyor until all of the support posts have been adjusted as required to transport container of one particular size and shape. The controller has a memory so that the precise location of the support posts for a particular product line can be stored. When switching from one known product line to another, the adjustments can be made automatically from the memory of the controller.

Abstract: An injection hose for use in filling voids in concrete during installation of expansion joints is made from fibre-reinforced plastic and has four longitudinal rows of staggered slits in a side wall thereof. The hose is connected between two elbows having nipples to receive an epoxy source. Epoxy is injected into the tubular members and then into the hose at each end simultaneously. The pressure from the epoxy opens the slits and exits into the void in which the hose is located.

Abstract: A hand-held syringe-like device has needle containing a trap with a barrel and plunger to draw air into and out of the needle through the trap. In a method of operating the device, particulate matter in air is retained in the trap and subsequently analytes from the trap are desorbed in an analytical instrument.

Abstract: A non-linear transmission line has high temperature superconductive elements periodically loaded thereon. The elements have non-linear characteristics that provide voltage dependent non-linearity to the transmission line. The line can have a circuit with a first layer and a second layer with the second layer having several interdigital circuits printed thereon. The line can also have a meandering configuration or a spiral configuration.

Abstract: A flavor plate is used in a gas barbecue to replace the ceramic briquettes or lava rock used previously. The grid that is located above the burner to support ceramic briquettes is also replaced by the flavor plate. The flavor plate has several vertical passages there through but is closed off immediately above a burner of the barbecue to prevent the juices from the food being cooked from contacting the burner.

Abstract: A rotary turret has a plurality of rotatable pedestals thereon, each pedestal being controlled by a separate motor. The location of each motor for each pedestal is fixed so that the motors do not change location as the turret rotatesl. There is a separate ring gear for each pedestal, the ring gear being concentrically mounted relative to one another. Each motor is indirectly connected to a different ring gear. As the turret rotates the pedestals rotate independently of the turret and independently of each other. The motors for each pedestal can be wired in a conventional manner.

Abstract: An HTS microwave circuit has two layers formed with metallic film on a substrate. One layer has a first circuit and another layer has a second circuit, the two circuits being coupled to one another. The second circuit has elements that are incompatible with HTS material such as MEMS technology and flip-chip technology. A microwave switch has a first layer that can carry an RF signal and a second layer that has switch elements that are controlled by a DC. signal. The RF signal and DC signal are isolated from one another. The switch elements include various technologies including a narrow HTS strip. A single layer HTS microwave switch can also be utilized where the switch element is a narrow HTS line. A method of combing HTS technology with incompatible technologies into one device is provided.

Abstract: A trailer has an improved trailer frame that results in a trailer that has the same width as previous trailers on the same axle without the necessity of wheel wells. The height of the trailer above a supporting surface is also the same as previously. The interior of the trailer is a rectangular box with no obstructions. The trailer is constructed by using side brackets with outwardly extending lips that support the side walls beyond the axle brackets and above the axle arms of the axle. The axle is a rubber torsion axle.

Abstract: An improved double wall tank has two or more threaded fittings, with a steel outer tank and a thermoplastic inner tank. The inner tank is formed within the outer tank by rotational molding. The inner tank is bonded to the outer tank in an area of the fittings, but is otherwise separate and apart from the outer tank. Before carrying out the rotational molding process, bonding material is applied to the outer tank in the area of the fittings. The thermoplastic material is in powder form and includes mold release material. The thermoplastic material is inserted into the outer tank before rotational molding. The degree of shrinkage of the inner tank can be controlled by air pressure including an area between the fittings.

Abstract: A dispensing machine is used to dispense rectangularly shaped containers including milk cartons and the like, preferably of a size ranging from approximately one-half liter to approximately two liters or even larger. The machine can be used to dispense various products including juices, soft drinks, milk, candy and virtually any product that can be suitably contained in a square rectangular container. The machine has a vertical channel containing paddles where each paddle supports only some of the containers in the channel when the channel is filled with containers. Since the containers have flexible side walls, the paddles move simultaneously to gently lower the containers one space at a time when the machine is activated. Also, when the containers are in the vertical channel, the lowermost container is not subjected to the weight of all of the containers above it when the channel is filled with containers.

Abstract: A flip top closure has a tamper evident flap and is used on a container with a neck and an opening therein. the neck has an outer surface with retaining means for the closure thereon. The closure has two sections that are hinged to one another and with each section having a lip extending along an edge thereof. When the closures are in a closed position, the two lips form a continuous line of contact with one another and a flap extends across the line of contact. The flap is connected to one section by ultrasonic spot welding. The flap is severable from either or both sections. When the closure is opened the flap separates from one of the sections.

Abstract: A vertical feed mixer has an auger with a center post that has an inclined upper surface that is substantially flat. Flights of varying shapes can be used. The upper part of the flight extends above the upper surface. The inclined upper surface increases the versatility and efficiency of the mixer since feed bales are unlikely to block the mixer.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser has a coin dispenser mounted between a base and an insulated liquid storage container. The dispenser is not connected to an electrical power source. The coin mechanism increases the overall height by approximately {fraction (1/32)} inches and prevents operation of the dispenser unless an appropriate coin or coins are first inserted into a coin slot.

Abstract: A fully monolithic cross-point switch matrix overcomes the isolation problems between unconnected ports of the prior art. An Isolation Enhancement Network (IEN) is connected between each of the input and output transmission lines at each of the cross-points. The switch matrix is comprised of a tiled interconnection of M×N of the 1×1 switch/IEN (SIEN) cells, where N and M are the number of input and output ports respectively. Each of the SIEN cells can be independently configured into one of two operating modes, connected or unconnected. The switching element is configured to provide a high isolation path between the input and output lines in the unconnected mode of operation. In this case, a small fraction of the input signal injected at the input port appears at the output port. This output signal is comprised of two components.

Abstract: A high power superconductive circuit has a thin film of high temperature superconductive material on a substrate. The circuit is formed from wafers that are placed into corresponding grooves within the substrate and held in place by adhesive. The grooves can be blind grooves or they can be through holes and the wafers will have a corresponding size and shape. The wafers include a thin film of high temperature superconductive material and can form resonators or an input or output. A circuit constructed in this manner has a relatively high power handling capability compared to circuits created by etching.

Abstract: A height adjustable bed on a floor provides a two stage continuous adjustment system and method of operation thereof. An upper frame is raised from a lowermost position to a maximum intermediate position with a first set of legs resting on the floor. The upper frame is further raised from the maximum intermediate position to an uppermost position with a second set of legs resting on the floor. The transition from the first set of legs to the second set of legs and vice-versa is smooth and continuous. The system is powered by a reversible electric motor. A much greater range of distance is achieved over previous height adjustable beds. The ratio of uppermost distance of the upper frame off the floor to the lowermost distance can be greater than 2.5. A third set of wheeled legs can be added for mobility when it is desired to move the bed.

Abstract: A dispensing machine is used to disperse plastic water bottles and the like, preferably of a size ranging from approximately one liter to approximately two liters or even larger. The machine can be used to dispense other products in containers as long as the containers are shaped to roll along a shelf. The machine has a vertical channel containing paddles where each paddle supports only some of the containers in the channel when the channel is filled with containers. The paddles move simultaneously to gently lower the containers one space at a time when the machine is activated.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible work support is suitable for use as a desk, table, drafting table, projections table, lectern, trolley, flip chart holder, easel, white board, tack-board stand, notice board, work support in carpentry and other types of work support. The work support has an inner shell that is slideable within an outer shell and releasably lockable in various positions to achieve different heights. A support top can be moved and releasably locked in various positions from horizontal to vertical. A table top can be removably affixed to the support top when a larger work surface is desired. The table top can be folded and stored in the case that results when the work support is collapsed into a case. The work support has wheels to make it mobile.

Abstract: A tamper evident closure for use in the neck of a container has a plurality of severable connectors, connecting a tamper evident band with a hinged flange to the lower edge of a skirt. A support wall is located just inside the connectors where the connectors are attached to the lower edge. The connectors are strong enough to remain in tact during installation and transport, but weak enough to sever when the closure is subsequently removed from the container. The closure has severable connectors connecting a tamper evident band to a lower edge of a skirt. The connectors are at a 45.degree. angle relative to vertical when the container is in an upright position. In a further embodiment, a closure has a block seal that is thin enough to be easily removed from the mold in which the closure is formed without opening the mold in two directions. The block seal is thick enough to provide a solid seal between the closure and the container when the closure is installed on the container.