Abstract: An emulsifying unit, particularly for emulsifying steam, air, and milk to prepare cappuccino and the like, comprising an acceleration duct into which a steam injection nozzle leads, the acceleration duct ending with an emulsifying chamber. The acceleration duct is connected to a milk injection duct that draws from a milk container and is provided with an air injection port in a point that is spaced from the acceleration duct.

Abstract: Abdominal wall lift devices and methods are disclosed that extend a lift device through an opening in the abdominal wall in an entry configuration and subsequently transform the device to a deployed configuration within the abdominal cavity. One embodiment includes a plurality of elongated bar members that may be introduced into an abdominal cavity in a separated end-to-end orientation. The bar members are subsequently interconnected into a deployed configuration within the abdominal cavity. Another embodiment includes a device that may be introduced through a small opening in an abdominal wall in a generally L-shaped configuration and subsequently deployed into a generally T-shaped configuration within the abdominal cavity. A further embodiment includes an umbrella-like device that may be introduced in a slender generally cylindrical configuration and subsequently deployed into an open umbrella-type configuration.

Abstract: A noise immune detection system includes a plurality of detectors that generate respective indicia representative of adjacent ambient conditions. A communications link extends between the detectors. A control element is coupled to the link to receive and process the indicia and to adjust an alarm threshold level in response to noise levels in the system. Respective indicia are filtered twice by the control element. In the presence of noise, as reflected in relative values of the filtered values of the indicia, the threshold value is automatically increased.

Abstract: A filter bed for removing impurities from a liquid stream is described. The filter bed comprises a mat of pliant fibers and relatively stiff fibers. The filter bed may additionally include adsorbent particles. The filter bed can provide desirable filtration efficiencies while exhibiting relatively low operating differentials. A method for separating impurities from a liquid which employs the filter bed is also described.

Abstract: An article of furniture with a drawer movable horizontally within a drawer-receiving receptacle, into and from a closed position and through a range of opened positions, is provided with a footrest having an expansive, cushioned, foot-supportive panel. The drawer has an interior space, walls including outer, inner, side walls, and file-hanging rails mounted within the drawer so as to extend between the outer and inner walls or between the side walls, near the other walls, to accommodate file folders with upper hangers extending above the file-hanging rails. The footrest is mounted to one of the outer and side walls so as to be pivotally movable through at least about 90.degree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cutting a decorative groove in a matboard. The matboard is positioned adjacent a guide. A carrier is adapted to be moved along the guide with two blades oriented in separate planes which intersect each other and which lie at an oblique angle relative to the matboard. One of the blades is inserted into the matboard at a selected first depth. The carrier is moved along the guide for a predetermined length of travel to make a first cut in the matboard defining a first side of the groove. The blade is then retracted. Then the other blade is next inserted into the matboard to a selected depth at least intersecting the first cut. The carrier is then moved back to the initial location to make a second cut in the matboard defining a second side of the groove. In a preferred embodiment, the tips of the blades are offset from each other relative to the length of the groove.

Abstract: A self-cleaning return pump system for use with a clean-in-place system for cleaning vessels includes a recirculation loop for providing flow communication including a return pump, an eductor, and a separator. The return pump is arranged to discharge a liquid through the eductor into the separator and is supplied with a substantially continuous flow of liquid from the separator. A return line provides flow communication between the vessel to be cleaned and a suction port of the eductor. The separator has a top discharge port and a bottom discharge port. The top discharge port is configured to discharge a liquid or a liquid-air mixture therefrom to the clean-in-place system. The return pump causes liquid flowing through the recirculation loop at the eductor to have sufficient dynamic head to draw liquid or a mixture of liquid and air from the vessel through the return line, into the eductor. The liquid or liquid air mixture is discharged into the separator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a D 25 polysaccharide compound whose lipid has been partially removed and to its derivatives, wherein at least 85% by weight, preferably 90% of the compound, exists in aqueous solution in monomeric form. The 30 kD molecular weight polysaccharide compound extracted from the membrane proteoglycan of the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae is mentioned in particular. The amount of palmitic fatty acids which is bound to it in esterified form does not exceed 0.01% by weight of the compound and the amount of palmitic fatty acids which is associated with it in the free form does not exceed 0.1% by weight of the compound.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument and sterile clip for ligating the vessel of a mammal. The clip has a pair of legs which are urged apart by the instrument to allow the clip to be placed on the vessel to be ligated.

Abstract: An anti-tip device is provided for use in cabinets having two or more drawers, for preventing more than one drawer from being opened simultaneously, thereby reducing the likelihood of the cabinet tipping over due to the force of multiple open drawers. The device comprises a series of bars and pivot members disposed within a vertical channel. The pivoting of one of the pivot members to its open position prevents the pivoting of members both above and below the open member. The pivot members engage the drawers of the cabinet such that a drawer may only be opened when its associated pivot member is pivotable to its open position.

Abstract: An alarm system for producing substantially synchronized visual output indicia of the alarm condition includes a common source of pulses which is activated in response to the presence of the alarm condition. The common source of pulses generates a trigger pulse train having a predetermined period. The trigger pulse train is fed, via power supply lines, to a plurality of visual output devices which can be triggered in response to the arrival of each of the pulses in the train thereby producing a synchronized plurality of visual indicia indicative of the alarm condition. The output devices will produce an essentially synchronized plurality of visual indicia in the presence of the alarm condition even in the absence of the trigger pulse train.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for triturating composite materials, particularly for triturating solid urban waste, which comprises a shredding apparatus that is in turn composed of a cutting element provided with multiple blades arranged side by side along an axis, of elements for actuating the blades with a rotary motion about the axis, and of a complementary cutting element which is laterally adjacent to the cutting element. The complementary cutting element cooperates with the cutting element in shredding the material conveyed between the cutting element and the complementary cutting element, and is movable away from the cutting element to allow material that withstands the action of the blades of the cutting element to pass between the cutting element and the complementary cutting element.

Abstract: A lockable container, such as a toy safe, comprises a box having an upper wall, a lower wall, a back wall, and two side walls and having a front opening. A front door hinged to the box is movable between a closing position, in which the front door closes the front opening, and other positions, in which the front door does not close the front opening. A shelf disposed within the box extends from the back wall, between the side walls. A combination lock is mounted on the front door for locking the front door in the closing position and for unlocking the front door upon manipulation of the combination lock in accordance with a combination of alphanumeric characters. The front door has an inner surface, on which the combination is displayed below the shelf.

Abstract: A wheeled cart, such as a luggage cart, comprises a wheeled chassis and a handle portion extending upwardly from the wheeled chassis and having two upright portions spaced laterally from each other and a gripping portion extending laterally between the upright portions and is equipped with a seat for a child. The seat extends between the upright portions and has a bottom portion fixed to the upright portions and a backrest portion hinged to the bottom portion. At least three dividers extend upwardly from the seat and are spaced laterally from one another so as to define open-topped gaps to accommodate the legs of a child sitting on the seat and extending his or her legs through the open-topped gaps. The dividers are shaped so that handles of bags, purses, or like items can be hung over the dividers and, once hung thereover, can be lowered approximately to the bottom portion of the seat.

Abstract: A sealed package is provided for holding a predetermined supply of individual medication units, such as pills. The package includes a base panel defining a predetermined number of sealed compartments. The base panel includes opening means for accommodating the tearing of the base panel from an edge thereof into each compartment to release the pills. A cover panel is provided for overlying the base panel and is hinged to the base panel. A retainer means or latch is provided for releasably engaging the cover panel with the base panel. The cover panel, the base panel, or both present indicia for identifying said medication units and the .[.and.]. dosage therefor.