Abstract: The method of cancer screening allows for a safe, reliable, inexpensive and minimally invasive diagnosis. Cells are first collected through non-invasive or minimally invasive means. The collected cells are stored in a cell culture media to keep them viable. A chemical compound such as 5-ALA is introduced to the cultured cells. The cells are incubated a period of time in order for the interaction to occur between the introduced chemical compound and the collected cells. The cells are then studied under a fluorescence microscope which emits a specific frequency of light which matches the excitation frequency of light which would be required to induce flourescence of abnormal cells. Pre-malignant and malignant cells will fluoresce in response to the interaction with the introduced compound and the specific frequency of light, while normal healthy cells generally will not fluoresce. If necessary, the collected cells may be passed through a flow cytometer to more easily identify the fluorescing cells.

Abstract: A food service kiosk is provided in the shape of a vehicle wherein the engine compartment is used for storage of enough water for food preparation and subsequent cleanup without leaving the food service site. A three-hole sink, a hand sink and a mop sink are located within the body section of the food service kiosk. Gray water from the three-hole sink drains into the mop sink which drains into the gray water tank. The engine compartment provides storage room for a fresh water tank, a hot water heater and a gray water storage tank which is not available in a conventional food service kiosk. Water from the mop sink drains into the gray water storage tank. If required for an extended stay at a food service site, a trailer can be attached to the rear end of the food service kiosk which contains a large fresh water storage tank for resupplying the fresh water tank in the engine compartment.

Abstract: A method is provided for the extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, collectively known as “BTEX,” in a continuous process utilizing a glycol contactor to cause absorption of the BTEX upstream of an amine-based gas sweetening process. The preferred glycol for BTEX absorption is triethylene glycol. The glycol used in the glycol contactor for BTEX extraction may either be fully regenerated (dry), or wet glycol from a downstream gas dehydration system. The method may be achieved with the use of a number of separate absorber/contactor vessels, or the method may be achieved within one combination vessel.

Abstract: An article carrier is disclosed having adjustable support elements for receiving articles of different sizes, in particular for supporting printed circuit boards of different sizes during transport through a reflow soldering system. The article carrier further comprises a frame, wherein especially one frame member of the frame is used as a support for an article to be carried, and at least one additional supporting element which is adapted to be adjusted relative to the frame member, wherein arresting elements are provided for arresting the support element relative to the frame member. One major aspect of the invention is the fact that the arresting elements are adapted to be releasably arrested on guide rods along which the supporting element is displaceable. Thus the article carrier may automatically be adapted to different sizes of printed circuit boards.

Abstract: An aircraft engine shipping system includes a frame assembly for supporting the aircraft engine, and a cradle assembly mounted on the frame assembly for securing the aircraft engine to the frame assembly. The frame assembly includes shock absorbers to provide continual shock absorption to an aircraft engine loaded thereon. The shipping system may be configured in either a truck or air transport mode. In the truck transport mode, the aircraft engine is secured to the cradle assembly by means of an aft ring which attaches to the aft portion of the aircraft, and a pair of cradle arms which attach to the forward portion of the aircraft engine. In the air transport mode, the aircraft engine is attached to the cradle assembly by the aft ring the aft ring, and a forward ring which attaches directly to the fan of the aircraft engine. In the air transport mode, the cradle arms are disconnected from the aircraft engine and rotated away from the engine in a stowed position.

Abstract: A walking beam compressor has a rod collar assembly attached to the top cap of the compressor cylinder with bearings which reduce side loading on the seals and bearing surfaces in the top cap. A top cap assembly supports a pair of vertically stacked seals sandwiched between three inserts. Upper and lower inserts each house a wear ring so that the respective wear rings are above and below the seals. The piston is divided into an upper section and a lower section to facilitate the mounting of a peripheral seal at the mating surfaces of these sections. The peripheral edge of each section has a recess for receiving a wear ring. A structure is provided to facilitate separating the upper and lower sections during disassembly.

Abstract: A light cover is provided for direct attachment to a light bulb of a decorative light. The light cover is made of a flexible material which is dyed to a desired color. The light cover because of its flexible material is adaptable for use with different sized light bulbs. The light cover does not substantially change the diffusion of the light projected, but achieves a desired color change. In a first embodiment, the light cover is cylindrical in shape with an integral cone-shaped cap. In a second embodiment, the cap is eliminated and the light cover is simply cylindrical in shape. The invention in one aspect is a light cover. In another aspect, the invention is a light cover in combination with a standard decorative light. In another aspect, the invention is an artificial Christmas tree of the type having improved decorative lighting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for supplying an additive to enhance the performance of an internal combustion engine. The additive is introduced to the engine through the air intake system, preferably through the PCV line which normally interconnects exhaust gases accumulating from the crankcase to the air intake manifold. In a preferred embodiment, an air regulator provides a controlled flow of air through a container which houses a desired quantity of additive. A resulting air/additive mixture is produced which is introduced through the PCV line into the air intake system of the engine. The additives disclosed are paraffin and mothballs. The apparatus is mounted externally to the engine.

Abstract: An animal ear tag includes a component locking member of novel design. The component locking member has an interior passageway which substantially conforms in shape to the post or pin of an ear tag installation tool to stabilize the connection therebetween which prevents slippage or other undesirable movement of the component locking member when installed on the ear of an animal. The component locking member is characterized by a transverse portion having a pair of opposed flanges, and a substantially planar rear edge. The planar edge is adapted for contact with an inner surface of a jaw of an installation tool which further provides stabilization between the component locking member and the ear tag installation tool. As an ear tag assembly, the invention utilizes the component locking member and an ear tag panel having a grommet which engages the component locking member.

Abstract: An electrocoagulation treatment device includes a plurality of spaced reaction plates disposed within a reaction chamber. A voltage is applied to selected reaction plates to create an electrical field within the electrocoagulation chamber. The plates are arranged vertically with respect to the chamber which induces a vertical flow of liquid through a device. Gases formed in the electrocoagulation process are allowed to rise to the top of the liquid line and can be vented to the atmosphere. The solids which precipitate out of the liquid stream are carried by the liquid stream to secondary separation. Any remaining solids can be removed as sludge through a drain in the bottom of the device. A foam cover is provided to isolate the electrical connections of the plates from moisture. The top cover is provided to isolate the chamber for safety purposes. The device may be manufactured as a large industrial unit, a portable unit or a unit adapted for use within the home.

Abstract: A sterile enclosure is provided having a body portion for encapsulating one or more video monitors used for viewing one or more surgical areas in a sterile operating field. The enclosure may be flexible or rigid and have one or more cable drapes extending from the body to cover one or more cables associated with the video monitor. In some embodiments, the body is flexible. In another embodiment, the body is rigid. The body is transparent in at least an area for viewing the screen of the video monitor and is substantially impervious to liquid and gas. A vacuum line may be connected to the body portion to evacuate air therefrom.

Abstract: A pet toy product for holding one or more animal treats has a body member having an outer surface with one or more recesses for removably holding one or more animal treats. The recesses may be of varying depth so that the treats in the deeper recesses are more difficult for the animal to extract than are the treats in the shallower recesses. The recesses may be circular, triangular, irregular, in the form of a groove or any other suitable configuration. The outer surface of the toy may be raised to accommodate the recesses or the recesses may extend into the surface. The pet toy may have recesses forming openings which extend through the pet toy product for receiving treats. With the structure recited, the pet owner can replenish the treats as often as necessary to maintain the pet's interest in the toy. Different treats can be provided with different nutritional values and tastes.

Abstract: A slide hammer includes three major components, namely, a guide sleeve, a plunger and an impact head. The plunger is inserted within the guide sleeve. The impact head is secured within the distal end of the guide sleeve, and has a portion which protrudes from the guide sleeve distal end. The impact head is able to freely slide within a segmented portion of the guide sleeve distal end. The plunger is slid within the guide sleeve at a selected velocity in order to contact the portion of the impact head slidably secured within the guide sleeve. The force of the plunger striking the impact head is transmitted through the impact head to a targeted object in contact with the protruding portion of the impact head. The impact head may be fitted with various types of tips.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit having core logic with two or more clock domains and at least one signal path originating in one clock domain and terminating in an other clock domain, each signal path having a source control element in the one clock domain and an associated destination control element in the other clock domain, each the control element being a scannable memory element, the method comprising the steps of, for each the control element shifting a test stimulus into all scannable elements in the core logic; placing an associated source control element in a hold mode for a predetermined number of clock cycles prior to a capture operation so that the source control element holds its output constant during the predetermined number of clock cycles; performing a capture operation for capturing the data output in response to the test stimulus by the control element and by all other scannable elements which are not control elements; maintaining an associated source control element in a hold mo

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preventing material to be briquetted from sticking to a roll surface of a briquetting roll press. To be more specific, a sticking of the material to be briquetted to and a sintering of the material on the roll surface are to be prevented. To this end, a lubricant emulsion which is atomized with a gas is sprayed onto the roll surface.

Abstract: A marine escape system has a passage extending between an evacuation point on a vessel and an inflatable life raft. The passage is arranged vertically and is connected to a succession of hoops. The connection between at least one of the hoops and the life raft is achieved by flexible elongate members of differing flexibility These are held in tension so that, as the life rafts move on swell, the passage extends and retracts from the lower end first. This allows the passage to have only one exit which can be within a life raft so that persons can evacuate from the ship without ever being exposed to the elements. The passage may include a helical tube or a tube with angled panels.

Abstract: An improved faucet assembly is provided which includes a standard valve assembly used in basic plumbing systems, and a spout which communicates with the valve assembly to deliver water to a desired area. The valve assembly includes a valve stem which serves as the means by which the flow of water through the valve assembly is controlled. A simplified knob or handle attaches to the valve stem by means of a spring member which minimizes rotational and longitudinal movement of the knob or handle with respect to the valve stem. The spring member may either be a D-shaped spring, or a flat spring, depending upon the specific type of movement which must be restricted with respect to movement between the knob or handle and the valve stem. The use of the spring member and the simplified knob or handle results in a compression or friction type attachment.

Abstract: Surgical devices with removable imaging capability and methods are disclosed. The imaging capability for the surgical devices are provided by a very small microendoscope having processor circuitry at the distal end for providing a video ready signal to a monitor. Because of the small size of the microendoscope, it can be used in conjunction with many surgical instruments which traditionally do not have integral imaging capability. In one application, the microendoscope may be used with Jackson grasping forceps. In another application, the microendoscope may be used with either a stent placement catheter or balloon catheter. In yet another application, the microendoscope may be used with an over-tube tissue separating, dissecting or fulgeration device.