Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuous pH control of aqueous liquid systems, particularly biological and biochemical systems, by sorption of H.sup.+ and/or OH.sup.- ions with a passive ion acceptor material isolated from, but in contact with liquid of said system in a selectively permeable membrane packet. Liquid systems of interest are those with an initial pH in the range of from about 4.5 to 9.0, and the pH of the system is maintained by the invention at its initial value, or brought within, and maintained in, the range of from about 6.5 to 8.0. The ion acceptor material is selected from an inorganic, relatively water insoluble metal oxide, hydroxide, phosphate or silicate matrix which matrix is capable of maintaining a quasi-equilibrium pH state with the aqueous liquid system of interest. The matrixing metals are preferably selected from Ti, Al and B.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuous pH control of aqueous liquid systems, particularly biological and biochemical systems such as stored blood, by sorption of H.sup.+ andwith a passive ion acceptor material isolated from, but in contact with liquid of said system in a selectively permeable membrane packet. Liquid systems of interest are those with an initial pH in the range of from about 4.5 to 9.0, and the pH of the system is maintained by the invention at its initial value, or brought within, and maintained in, the range of from about 6.5 to 8.0. The ion acceptor material is selected from an inorganic, relatively water insoluble metal oxide, hydroxide, phosphate or silicate matrix, which matrix is capable of maintaining a quasi-equilibrium pH state with the aqueous liquid system. The matrixing metals are preferably selected from Ti, Al and B.

Abstract: A self-oscillating, push-pull inverter circuit is described wherein positive feedback signals are provided alternately to the bases of a pair of switching transistors by a single miniature saturable current transformer. The circuit performance relies on a pair of diodes having special characteristics connected across the base-emitter junctions of the respective switching transistors.

Abstract: A battery-powered fire alarm including a smoke detector circuit, a controllable horn circuit and a battery monitoring circuit. The smoke detector employs a pair of complementary field-effect transistor switches with gates respectively connected to an ionization chamber and a potentiometer of a Wheatstone bridge circuit connected across the battery. The field-effect transistors are biased off to minimize standby power consumption and are connected such that the threshold voltages thereof are offsetting to minimize supply voltage sensitivity of the detector. When the voltage from the ionization chamber assumes a value approximately equal to a preselected alarm voltage at the potentiometer, both field-effect transistors turn on to energize an alarm circuit to sound an alarm. Hysteresis circuitry is provided to ensure that the complementary switches, once turned on, will not turn off and thereby terminate the alarm until after the alarm condition has terminated.

Abstract: Improved fluid for intraocular infusion and irrigation and methods of preparation and use. The fluid is an aqueous physiologic saline solution containing from 2-15% by weight of an artificial, substantially non-antigenic oncotic agent of a colloid type, such as dextran having an average molecular weight in the range of from about 1,000 to 40,000. The solution also contains NaCl, CaCl.sub.2, dextrose and sodium bicarbonate, and is adjusted to have an osmolarity in the range of 260-400 mOsm/L and a pH in the range of from about 7 to 7.8. The solution may be used as a replacement fluid for the aqueous or vitreous humor, for the reestablishment of intraocular pressure during or after surgery, as an irrigating fluid during phacoemulsification, and generally for external eye surface rinsing during cataract surgery. The solution results in improved lens maintenance and corneal endothelial function during procedures such as vitrectomy, irrigation and aspiration of cataracts, and in phacoemulsification.

Abstract: A device for automatically returning a transmission control to neutral including a seat operated linkage connected to a camming member which in turn is connected to a transmission control member whereby in one position of the camming member the transmission control member is free to be placed in either a forward or reverse position and in a second position of the camming member the transmission control member is confined to a neutral position.

Abstract: Device and method for reading indicia embossed, punched or impressed in a sheet of base material, such as credit-type cards and the like. The reader employs a head having a plurality of movable fingers disposed to sense the holes or embossing when the card is moved relative to the head. The fingers carry light guides thereon which are spaced from and disposed to transmit light from a fixed source. A light cut-off shield is disposed between the source of the light and the light guides to intercept and prevent or permit transmission of the light when the fingers pass over the embossed indicia or holes. Light detectors are disposed at the opposite terminus of the light guides to detect the presence or absence of light and produce electrical pulses corresponding thereto. These electrical pulses can be used or processed in any circuitry as information input correlating to the indicia on the base material, e.g.

Abstract: A rotating lamp fixture including a spherical shell member rotatably supported on a vertically extending support member, a platform disposed in the shell member, a drive motor mounted on the platform, a stationary gear secured to a vertical support member, the shell member being rotatably mounted on the support member, the motor being drivingly connected to the stationary gear and being effective when energized to rotate the platform and the shell in which it is supported about the vertical support member, and a light bulb socket suspended within the shell member.

Abstract: A weighted golf club head having disposed therein a plurality of small weights and positioned in a plurality of rows, said rows of weights being disposed substantially parallel to the club head face and at least one of said rows of weights spanning more than half the width of the club face in order to tend to equalize the energy transmitted to a golf ball during a swing of the golf club regardless of where along the club head face the ball comes in contact therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of verification of credit cards, including sensing information thereon and comparing said information with information on a specially designed pre-printed carrier, followed by insertion of one or more cards in the matching carrier as required, folding and stacking card-inserted carriers in a manner ready for subsequent insertion into mailing envelopes. Sensing, input, comparison logic, and timed command circuitry for coordination of operation includes a pause mode of card advance and may optionally include a multiple card search mode to find matching cards when card sequence is improper.

Abstract: High efficiency push-pull inverters minimize undesirable energy losses usually resulting from simultaneous conduction and imperfect switching of the transistor switching means. In each of the disclosed circuits, a saturable inductor and a diode are connected in parallel and across the base-emitter junction of each transistor. Voltage on the base of each transistor causes its associated saturable inductor to saturate, and the saturated inductor then terminates the flow of base current and provides a path for rapid evacuation of the charge carriers stored in the transistor base-emitter junction in order to render the transistor rapidly non-conductive. Each diode provides a drain path for current continuing to flow through its associated saturable inductor after junction evacuation. A novel triggering means initiates oscillation of the inverters.

Abstract: A double-walled, insulated portable cooler chest having a separate, self-contained, removable, non-insulated tapered liquid container disposed adjacent one end wall of said cooler and having a lower end wall hole and a dispenser tap therethrough communicating with the exterior through the end-wall of the chest. Liquid dispenser container is blow-molded of a polyolefin polymer with special lugs disposed on each side thereof to cooperatively engage wedge-shaped retaining shoulders in the interior side walls of the chest. An interior nut is utilized to screw threadably engage an inner extension of the tap in a manner so as to simultaneously maintain the tap and the liquid container in proper positions. The liquid container is provided with a lid closure for a top opening of a sufficient size to permit a person to extend one hand into the container for the purpose of removing the nut from the tap extension to permit removal of said liquid container from the cooler chamber for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: A terrazzo grinding machine including a pair of motor driven rotatable co-axially disposed cutter holding spiders, the spiders being interconnected by means of a flexible coupling said spiders including a plurality of clusters of cutting discs supported on the spiders with their axes substantially parallel to the radii of the spiders.

Abstract: A combined operating microscope and illumination system having a coaxial and/or par focal light source for illumination for precise instrumentation during intraocular and other operating procedures. Stereoscopic view for a surgeon and an assistant is provided with an alternatively selective light diverting system in the assistant's light system for photographic purposes. Coaxial and par focal slit illumination are achieved by a light source movable on an arc shaped tract without reflecting light through the surgeon's lens system thereby permitting additional space for a second light system to the assistant without reducing that available to the surgeon.

Abstract: Improved pneumatic shafts, chucks and lifts for roll stock and methods of construction and operation comprising an air bladder housed within a pair of concentrically disposed, longitudinally slotted sleeves. Upon inflation of the bladder, the outer sleeve expands against the roll stock, or the core supporting the roll stock, providing full length grip. The inner sleeve expands against the outer sleeve while protecting the bladder from being pinched. The bladder is preferably a vinyl polymer plastic containing substantially inelastic roving to provide controlled and limited expansion. The combination permits true centering of rolls for rotational balance and constant tension, true running.

Abstract: A filter assembly for removing lint from water discharged through a hose from a washing machine comprised of an elongate tubular housing, an elongate tubular filter element located within the housing, and a filter removal element with a section underlying the filter element adjacent the end of the body opposite the hose and an elongate stem extending therefrom through the filter element to adjacent the inlet end. The stem is manually accessible through the inlet end of the body for withdrawal of the removal element therefrom, and when withdrawn, the underlying section carries the filter element out of the housing. The underlying section substantially closes the end of the housing opposite the hose to block the flow of water therethrough. The stem is threadably connected to the center of a connector plate which, in turn, is threadably connected to the body at its open end, and a center projection thereon projects from the open end to facilitate manual removal.

Abstract: Device and method for reading indicia embossed, punched or impressed in a sheet of base material, such as credit-type cards and the like. The reader employs a head having a plurality of movable fingers disposed to sense the holes or embossing when the card is moved relative to the head. The fingers carry light guides thereon which are spaced from and disposed to transmit light from a fixed source. A light cut-off shield is disposed between the source of the light and the light guides to intercept and prevent or permit transmission of the light when the fingers pass over the embossed indicia or holes. Light detectors are disposed at the opposite terminus of the light guides to detect the presence or absence of light and produce electrical pulses corresponding thereto. These electrical pulses can be used or processed in any circuitry as information input correlating to the indicia on the base material, e.g.