Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shower foundation is disclosed. A base including a curb portion is formed by injection molding. A waterproof membrane is sprayed over the base. The membrane includes three vertical extensions which are contiguous with a flat portion of the membrane. A backer layer is placed over the waterproof membrane, the backer layer being made of a flexible sheet material. A drain is formed through the base and is sealed with respect to the backer layer and waterproof membrane. A threshold is made by the addition of a lip formed over the curb portion of the base. A method is also disclosed for installing the shower foundation made by the method of manufacturing. The installing method includes the steps of sliding the shower foundation into a space designated for a shower unit, attaching the waterproof membrane of the shower foundation to studs surrounding the space, installing walls of the shower unit on the base, and securing the shower walls to the studs.

Abstract: An improved method of injection molding is characterized by an annular flow of resin materials into a mold cavity to produce a molded article. The innermost resin material within the annular stream of material flows in an inside-out pattern and forms the cap layer of the molded article. The inner core material of the molded article concentrically surrounds the cap material during the injection process except for the leading edge of the inner core material which is preceded by the cap material into the mold cavity. The molded article may have two or more layers created by the process wherein each of the layers can be controlled in terms of their thickness and content within the molded article.

Abstract: An elongated elastomeric pet toy includes a longitudinal panel with first and second lips formed along opposite respective longitudinal edges of the panel. These edges are folded over to form respective bights which serve as deformable hollow shape-retaining receptacles for receiving an animal treat. The lip forms a longitudinal slit along the panel through which the treat can be inserted in the respective receptacles. When the animal chews on the pet toy, the treats will be forced out through the longitudinal slit so that the animal can eat them. Also, the receptacles may have open ends through which the treats can be inserted by a person and dispensed from the toy by the animal chewing on the toy. In one embodiment, the lips are folded over on the same side of the longitudinal panel to create bights which form adjacent receptacles. In another embodiment, the lips are folded on opposite sides of the longitudinal panel to create bights which form receptacles on opposite sides of the panel.

Abstract: A slot cabinet and base unit of this invention are provided for maximizing the number of gaming machines within a given floor space. The invention minimizes required floor space by reducing the size of the gaming machine and also enabling a player to sit closer to the gaming machine. The slot cabinet has a narrowed profile which reduced its effective width. The slot cabinet further includes a rear member which complements another slot cabinet placed back-to-back, thus reducing the overall width of two slot cabinets placed back-to-back. The arrangement of the elements of the gaming machine placed within the slot cabinet helps to reduce the overall size of the slot cabinet. The base unit of this invention enables a player to sit closer to a slot cabinet mounted thereon. The base unit may be configured for receiving back-to-back slot cabinets thereon, or may be configured for receiving a single wall slot cabinet. The base unit and slot cabinet may both be modified to achieve weight reduction.

Abstract: An endoscope in one configuration includes an elongated cylindrical core with a transparent window at the distal end thereof. A removable housing is placed within the core along with an objective endoscope lens or optics at the distal end thereof. A photosensitive image sensor is mounted within the core. A transmitting electronic means with multiple conductors each has a distal end connected to the image sensor circuit board or image sensor and a proximal end connected to a video control unit. From the video control unit signals are transmitted to the video monitor which displays the image. A separable and disposable sheath or channel section is provided in a sterile condition and removably receives the core in a defined relationship. The sheath has at least one longitudinal channel formed around its periphery for transmitting fluids or for receiving an operative instrument or carrying light transmitting fibers.

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 containment, collection and disposal device includes a liquid, impermeable bag which has an absorptive member attached to the outer surface of the distal end thereof for absorbing spills or other waste materials. A tab or handle is provided at the distal end of the bag at the inner surface thereof enabling the bag to reversed inside out so that, after a spill has been contained and collected, the material is isolated within the reversed bag. Seals are provided on the outer surface of the bag to enable the absorptive member to be sealed from the environment prior to use, and such seals may also then be used to seal the contaminant-laden absorptive member from the environment after the bag has been placed in the inside-out position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for enclosing a non-sterile camera setup comprising a video camera, its trailing cables, and a standard optical connector for use of the unsterile camera setup in the sterile environment of an operating room. The apparatus includes a coupler having a first end for attachment to the unsterile camera setup and a second end for attachment to a sterile endoscope. A passageway is formed inside the coupler that extends from the first end to the second end thereof providing an optical pathway whereby an image from the endoscope may be transmitted to the unsterile camera setup. A transparent window is mounted transversely across the passageway between the first and second ends of the coupler providing a sterile barrier therebetween. In operation, a sterile drape is positioned over the first end of the coupler and extends over the unsterile camera setup.

Abstract: An improved method of injection molding is characterized by an annular flow of resin materials into a mold cavity to produce a molded article. The innermost resin material within the annular stream of material flows in an inside-out pattern and forms the cap layer of the molded article. The inner core material of the molded article concentrically surrounds the cap material during the injection process except for the leading edge of the inner core material which is preceded by the cap material into the mold cavity. The molded article may have two or more layers created by the process wherein each of the layers can be controlled in terms of their thickness and content within the molded article.

Abstract: An improved vehicle includes fluid conducting apparatuses such as tubing and fittings which make up a piping system installed on the vehicle. The material used to make the fluid conducting apparatuses satisfies a specified ratio between the modulus of elasticity and the yield strength of the material. When the fluid conducting apparatuses are filled with frozen water such that the internal volume of the apparatuses has expanded by 10%, if the material has a modulus of elasticity of less than 20.5 times the yield strength of the material, then the material will not yield but will return substantially to its original shape and dimensions when the stress of the frozen water is removed.

Abstract: An improved vehicle includes fluid conducting apparatuses such as tubing and fittings which make up a fluid conducting system installed on the vehicle. The material used to make the fluid conducting apparatuses satisfies a specified ratio between the modulus of elasticity and the yield strength of the material. When the fluid conducting apparatuses are filled with frozen water such that the internal volume of the apparatuses has expanded by 10%, if the material has a modulus of elasticity of less than 20.5 times the yield strength of the material, then the material will not yield but will return substantially to its original shape and dimensions when the stress of the frozen water is removed.

Abstract: A sterile encapsulated operating room monitor video and video monitor support device are provided to enable a surgeon to more easily conduct endoscopic procedures. A lightweight self-contained monitor module is provided to enable the surgeon to manipulate the image of the surgical area. A video support stand which secures the video monitor in the sterile operating field allows a surgeon to precisely place the video monitor at a desired position. The video support stand includes a monitor mount with a plurality of apertures which communicate with a source of vacuum to hold a sterile drape tightly over the monitor module screen. This structure allows positioning of the video monitor in the natural line of sight of the surgeon as he or she performs an endoscopic procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for selectively cutting sheets of paper of variable length from a paper supply having a continuous web moving from an upstream location to a downstream location through a pair of pinch rollers and along a predetermined path to a rotary cutter. A controller controls the rotation of the rotary cutter. First and second sensors sense the angular positions of the rotary cutter and pinch rollers, respectively, to provide respective input signals to the controller indicative thereof. A format selector, controlled by an operator, provides a third input signal to the controller indicative of the speed and format for cutting individual sheets from the web. The controller is responsive to the first, second and third signals so that the rotary cutter cuts the sheets to the desired length and the pinch rollers feed the web at a desired speed.

Abstract: A sterile operating room video monitor and video monitor support device are provided to enable a surgeon to more easily conduct endoscopic procedures. A lightweight self-contained monitor module is provided to enable the surgeon to easily manipulate the image on the video monitor of a surgical area. A video support stand which secures the video monitor in the sterile operating field allows a surgeon to precisely place the video monitor at a desired position. The video support stand includes a monitor mount which may have a plurality of apertures communicating with a source of vacuum to hold a sterile drape tightly over the monitor module screen. Alternatively, the drape may be eliminated, and a close tolerance fit is made between the monitor mount and video monitor securing it in the sterile field. This invention allows positioning of the video monitor in the natural line of sight of the surgeon as he or she performs an endoscopic procedure.