Abstract: A valve bag is provided having a self-closing feature, to preclude sifting losses after filling, but before the bag is fully sealed, while enabling the facilitated final secure closure of the bag.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell using small particle graphite and an electrolytic process wherein the electrolytic cell includes an electrode constructed with a lithium source and another electrode constructed with relatively small graphite particles. The graphite particles possess physical attributes which serve to increase the reversible capacity of the graphite beyond the known theoretical capacity of 372 mAh/g of LiC.sub.6.

Abstract: A rotatable reel apparatus for use in association with an axle and the like, for operably winding, storing, transporting and unwinding various windable materials. A core member, having an inner peripheral surface and an interior region, is operably sandwiched between a first and second corrugated paper platform member. The platform members include a spindle region, a plurality of core attachment flaps and a plurality of spaced apart apertures. Each of the apertures include distal edges and proximal edges wherein each of the proximal edges are operably positioned adjacent the peripheral surface of the core member, and each of the distal edges collectively serve to define the outer periphery of the spindle region. The core attachment flaps operably depend from each of the proximal edges of the spaced apart apertures and are folded inwardly toward, and into operable secured contact with, a corresponding portion of either the inner or outer peripheral surface of the core member.

Abstract: A voltage regulator apparatus for regulating an unregulated voltage supply to in turn provide a regulated voltage. The voltage regulator apparatus includes a pass device, which has a control port, passes a portion of an unregulated voltage through to the regulated voltage output. The apparatus also includes a DC amplifier which provides a large closed loop gain to the regulated voltage output which is fed back to the pass device control port. The portion of the unregulated voltage passed to the regulated voltage output is a function of the output of the DC amplifier. The apparatus finally includes a voltage reference which provides a reference voltage to the DC amplifier. The DC amplifier voltage reference and pass device control port all draw the same operating current from the unregulated voltage supply. Thus, creating a sharp low-drop out characteristic for the voltage regulator apparatus.

Abstract: A novelty item for creating the illusion of an imaginary pet including a hollow, elongated leash with a handle at one end and a collar and harness adjacent the other end. Housed within the handle, which is hollow, is a battery power source and an integrated circuit for producing a plurality of animal sounds. Also carried by the handle are an on/off switch and at least one selector switch for the sound circuitry. Mounted within the collar end of the leash is a micro speaker which is connected by wiring through the hollow leash to the circuitry in the handle.

Abstract: A shipping container apparatus for goods, convertible for use as a display apparatus for the goods. A tray, which holds and displays the goods, has a bottom panel member and at least one tray wall member, which includes at least one integrated separable member. A lid is releasably attached to the tray for covering the goods during shipping. The lid at least one lid wall member positionable over at least a portion of the tray wall member. The lid wall member includes at least one flap member, which is moveable from a substantially closed position to a substantially open position. The flap member of the lid means is positionable over and attachable to at least a portion of the frangibly integrated separable member. Attachment of the flap member of the lid means to a frangibly integrated separable member maintains the lid means and tray means attached to each other as an integrated shipping container.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated and facilitated handling and operation of a biopsy needle system, having a first needle component and a second needle component. The first and second needles are provided with first and second handles, respectively, which are fitted into first and second yokes of the apparatus. The apparatus is configured to maintain the first and second needles in a first position, during insertion of the biopsy needle point into the tissue being sampled. The apparatus is further configured to forwardly move the first and second needles into subsequent positions, respectively, in rapid, automated succession so as to segment and enclose a tissue sample, which may be tested after removal of the biopsy needle system from the tissue.

Abstract: A modular container apparatus for storing and transporting articles, including first and second inner shell members positionable in opposed relation to one another to enclose a storage article volume. First and second outer shell members nestingly receive and are affixed to the first and second inner shell members, respectively. The container also includes interchangeable article positioning members, associated with at least one of the first and second inner shell members, and releasably retained therewithin, for receiving and retaining the articles to be stored and transported.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and electrolytic process wherein the cell includes a metal anode, such as a lithium anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. The surface of the anode is treated with a substantially non-continuous electronically conductive particulate coating, wherein the particulate may consist of carbon. This non-continuously applied particulate coating not only provokes the formation of a stable passivating layer (toward suppression of dendritic growth), but it also serves to lower and substantially sustain interfacial resistance at the surface of the anode during the life of the cell.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator apparatus for generating a desired frequency, set by a tuning voltage, toward modulating a transmission signal on the desired frequency. The voltage controlled oscillator apparatus includes an oscillator transistor the base of which is RF live so as to destabilize the transistor such that it oscillates. The oscillator transistor emitter is operably connected through a capacitor to a tank circuit, which stores RF energy at the desired frequency, based on the tuning voltage, to set the oscillator transistor frequency. The inherent collector-base junction capacitance serves to provide voltage variable capacitance resulting in the generation of a carrier signal. The oscillator transistor collector is electrically connected to an amplifier transistor's emitter, such that the amplified transistor and oscillator transistor are in cascode configuration. The amplifier transistor amplifies the transmission signal input at its base and presents a signal output on its collector.

Abstract: A power control system for controlling the power output of a power amplifier. The power control system draws power from a variable voltage supply, such as a battery, and receives a signal input which indicates the desired power output. The power control system includes a power amplifier for amplifying an electrical signal which draws a current from the variable voltage supply. The power amplifier is of the type wherein the operating current drawn by the power amplifier is indicative of the power output. The power control system additionally includes a current sense circuit, which is operably connected between the variable voltage supply and the power amplifier and which senses the current drawn by the power amplifier and simultaneously produces an output current, which is directly correlated to the sensed current. The output current and the signal input are compared in a controller which produces a control signal for controlling the power output by the power amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the fast-filling of cylinders for natural gas powered vehicles, employing a simplified physical arrangement and an improved control method to obtain maximum safe filling of the cylinders, which takes into account the presence of residual gas in the cylinders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid for thermal conditioning systems for spaces, in which the temperatures of several at least partially thermally separate spaces are monitored and averaged, and compared with a predetermined set point temperature, for purposes of controlling the operation of a source of thermal conditioning. In addition, the temperature differentials between the several spaces are also monitored, for purposes of controlling the circulation of the heat transfer fluid. The present invention permits the continued circulation of the heat transfer fluid, even if no heating or cooling is required, for purposes of reducing the temperature differentials between the several spaces.

Abstract: A cache controller apparatus for controlling an external write back cache memory and arbitrating a system bus, which interconnects a microprocessor having an internal write back cache memory, an external cache memory, a main memory, and one or more DMA controllers. The cache controller apparatus controls the write-back cycle of the external cache by imitating a microprocessor memory write cycle. The cache controller also insures the cache consistency of the cache internal to the microprocessor. When a DMA controller or ISA bus master is master of the system bus and asserts a valid memory command, the cache controller causes the DMA controller or ISA bus master to wait and the microprocessor to perform an internal cache inquiry to determine if the internal cache memory contains modified data to be stored at the memory location desired by the DMA controller.