Abstract: A method of determining the presence of a paraffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient. The method includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution and adjusting the solution to mimic the in vivo clinical conditions of the patient. The method then further includes inoculating the solution with the specimen and then placing in the receptacle a paraffin coated slide to bait the paraffinophilic microorganism. The slide is then analyzed after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of the paraffinophilic microorganism. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution and inoculating the aqueous solution with the specimen. A slide coated with a carbon source is placed into the receptacle. By analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen, the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in the specimen can be determined. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution that does not contain a carbon source and inoculating the aqueous solution with the specimen. A slide having bound thereto a carbon source is placed into the receptacle. By analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen, the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in the specimen can be determined. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the antimicrobial agent sensitivity of a paraffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient. The apparatus includes a receptacle containing an aqueous solution, an amount of antimicrobial agent to be tested and the specimen. The apparatus further consists of a paraffin coated slide placed into the receptacle.

Abstract: The method of the invention involves providing a first receptacle and a second receptacle. The first receptacle contains a sterile aqueous broth and the second receptacle contains an aqueous broth including a carbon source. The method then includes placing into the first receptacle a first support surface having a paraffin wax coating thereon and placing into the second receptacle a second support surface having a hydrophobic material coating thereon. A body specimen, such as sputum, is then introduced into each of the first and second receptacles. The presence of a nonparaffinophilic hydrophobic microorganism in the body specimen is determined by observing (i) a lack of microorganism growth on the paraffin coated material of the first support surface and (ii) a presence of microorganism growth on the hydrophobic material coating of the second support surface.An associated kit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the sensitivity of at least one paraffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to different antimicrobial agents and predetermined quantities thereof includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous solution and adjusting the solution to mimic the in vivo clinical conditions of the patient. The method then includes inoculating the solution with the specimen and then placing into the receptacle (i) a paraffin coated slide to bait the at least one paraffinophilic microorganism and (ii) a predetermined quantity of an antimicrobial agent to be tested. The slide is then observed for paraffinophilic microorganism growth or lack thereof to determine whether the predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent is effective in inhibiting growth of the paraffinophilic microorganisms on the slide. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining sensitivity of at least one paraffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to different antimicrobial agents and predetermined quantities thereof. The apparatus includes a receptacle adapted to contain an aqueous solution, an amount of antimicrobial agent to be tested and the specimen. The aqueous solution is adjusted to mimic the in vivo clinical conditions of the patient. The apparatus further includes a paraffin coated slide adapted to being placed in the receptacle.

Abstract: A method of testing a body specimen taken from a patient for the presence or absence of a microorganism. A transport/isolator assembly is provided which includes a receptacle and a baiting assembly including a baiting section having disposed thereon a coating material. A baiting liquid and the body specimen are then introduced into the receptacle. The method further comprises securing the baiting assembly to the receptacle so that at least a portion of the coated section is introduced into the baiting liquid. The transport/isolator assembly containing the baiting liquid and the body specimen are then transported to a laboratory for subsequent observation of the coated section for growth or lack thereof of the microorganism. A further method of processing the body specimen and an associated isolator/transport assembly kit as well as an associated isolator/transport assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An informational article having a separation control material disposed on a portion of the surface of the article and an information receiving layer overlying at least a portion of the separation control material and a portion of the surface. The information receiving layer is adapted to receive information thereon. A transparent tape is adhesively bonded to the information receiving layer containing the information. The transparent tape is more strongly adhered to the information receiving layer than the information receiving layer is adhered to the separation control material. In this way, removal of the transparent tape from the article removes both (i) the information receiving layer and (ii) the information overlying the separation control material from the remainder of the information receiving layer and the information. Because of this, evidence of tampering is easily, visually, detectable. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the sensitivity of at least one nonparaffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to an antimicrobial agent. The method includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous solution that does not contain a carbon source and inoculating the solution with the specimen. The method further includes placing into the receptacle (i) a slide having bound thereto a carbon source and (ii) a predetermined quantity of an antimicrobial agent to be tested. By observing the nonparaffinophilic microorganism growth or lack thereof on the slide, it can be determined whether the predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent is effective in inhibiting growth of the nonparaffinophilic microorganism on the slide. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A food package for containing a food product. The food package includes a tray having a base with an outer surface and an inner surface and a sidewall extending from the base. The sidewall has outer surface and an inner surface and defines a tray opening. A sleeve is provided which includes (i) a bottom section disposed adjacent the outer surface of the base; (ii) a side section disposed adjacent the outer surface of the sidewall; and (iii) a top section secured to the sidewall and substantially covering the tray opening. In another embodiment, a plastic film is interposed between the tray and the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of automatically testing the sensitivity of a paraffinophilic microorganism to different antimicrobial agents and concentrations thereof includes a plurality of receptacles each containing an amount of liquid medium, an antimicrobial agent to be tested and the microorganism to be tested. A paraffin containing slide is placed in each receptacle after which incubation is effected. A light scatter sensor is employed to automatically and sequentially monitor the extent of microorganism growth on the slides and the growth on each slide is employed to determine which antimicrobial agent and which concentration is effective to resist growth of the paraffinophilic microorganism. The slides are moved sequentially in operative relationship with the light scatter sensor while resisting rotational movement of the slides. Positive and negative control slides are preferably employed as is a computer in receiving and processing the results of the slide testing. Related apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a mold element comprised of metallic pellets and a bonding agent to bond together the metallic pellets. The metallic pellets can be a mixture of ferrous shot and ferrous grit and the bonding agent can be a solvent or a resin. The method comprises conditioning at least some of the metallic pellets by impaction to form a flaky surface.

Abstract: An informational article having a separation control material disposed on a portion of the surface of the article and an information receiving layer overlying at least a portion of the separation control material and a portion of the surface. The information receiving layer is adapted to receive information thereon. A transparent tape is adhesively bonded to the information receiving layer containing the information. The transparent tape is more strongly adhered to the information receiving layer than the information receiving layer is adhered to the separation control material. In this way, removal of the transparent tape from the article removes both (i) the information receiving layer and (ii) the information overlying the separation control material from the remainder of the information receiving layer and the information. Because of this, evidence of tampering is easily, visually, detectable. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shopping bag including a first panel, a second panel and pair of opposed side panels which together form a shopping item container area adapted to hold at least one shopping item. The shopping item container area includes an opening through which the shopping item is placed into the shopping item container area. The shopping bag further includes at least one restraining tab extending from the first panel, the tab including a free end portion having disposed thereon an adhesive. The free end portion can be secured to the second panel in order to at least partially close the opening so as to restrain the shopping items from escaping from the shopping item container area. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A railing assembly for use in association with a deck having a deck surface, the deck including at least one post extending vertically upwardly from the deck surface. The railing assembly includes at least one plastic post cover for covering the post and at least one plastic rail extending from the plastic post cover. The invention further can include a fastener for securing the rail to the post and the post cover. The invention also can include a unique picket assembly, the pickets of the picket assembly being generally vertically oriented and spaced from and secured to the plastic rail. A method of assembling a railing assembly for a deck having a deck surface is also provided.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a tundish, a nozzle for receiving molten metal from the tundish and discharging molten metal into a mold of a caster and a plurality of tubes interposed between the tundish and the nozzle for transporting the molten metal from the tundish to the nozzle. The apparatus further includes a plurality of wear strips having a first end portion secured to the tundish and a second end portion secured to the nozzle. The wear strips secure the nozzle to the tundish, provide a tight secure fit of the tubes to the nozzle and protect the nozzle from wearing.

Abstract: A method of determining the sensitivity of at least one paraffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to different antimicrobial agents and predetermined quantities thereof includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous solution and then inoculating the solution with the specimen. The method then includes placing into the receptacle (i) a paraffin coated slide to bait the at least one paraffinophilic microorganism and (ii) a predetermined quantity of an antimicrobial agent to be tested. The slide is then observed for paraffinophilic microorganism growth or lack thereof to determine whether the predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent is effective in inhibiting growth of the paraffinophilic microorganisms on the slide. An associated apparatus is also provided.