Abstract: A damperless, controlled speed, coverless, isometric air conveyor and method for conveying lightweight containers en masse or individually at a controlled speed includes a first set of louvers extending through a conveyor surface from a common plenum at an incline to a conveying surface so that the air passing through the louvers has a downstream force vector of a first magnitude. A second set of louvers extend through the conveyor surface from the common plenum at an incline to the conveyor surface so that the air passing through the louvers has an upstream force vector of a second magnitude which is less than the first magnitude thereby creating a vector force differential in the downstream direction at any given location under the bottom of each container to cause movement of the containers in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A static air mixing apparatus for mixing of air passing through a space or duct. The apparatus includes an inner enclosure at least partially traversing the duct, an outer enclosure surrounding the inner enclosure, a first plurality of radial vanes extending outwardly from a center of the inner enclosure to adjacent the inner enclosure, a second plurality of radial vanes extending from between the inner and outer enclosures, and a transition member forming a divergent retention region downstream of the enclosures for prolonging mixing of different temperature airstreams as they pass through the air mixing apparatus. Further, the apparatus are derived from an optimized depth ratio between the depth of the enclosures to the minimum diameter of the outer enclosure of between 0.37 and 0.40 and core ratio between the core area defined by the inner enclosure to the outer enclosure area including the core area of between about 0.60 to about 0.65.

Abstract: An apparatus applies dressing fluid to a bowling lane surface in a discreet pattern laterally across a plurality of zones on the bowling lane. A carriage, for movement along a bowling lane, has an applicator mounted thereon for applying the dressing fluid to the bowling lane surface. Dressing fluid is supplied from a reservoir by a plurality of pulse valves which supply the dressing fluid to a plurality of fluid dispersion chambers, each having an inlet connected to one of the pulse valves and having an outlet positioned to apply dressing fluid to the applicator. The outlet has a width equal to the width of one of the zones. A controller is provided for selectively activating each of the pulse valves to discharge a discrete amount of fluid dressing into each dispersion chamber. Each zone may be the width of one board across the bowling alley so that different discrete amounts of oil can be applied to each board.

Abstract: A contaminated valve containment device is provided which includes a leak-proof housing that is attachable to a leaking pipe member to prevent migration of contaminants to the environment. Disposed inside the housing is a catch pan for collecting contaminates leaking from the pipe member. A drain tube is provided in communication with the catch pan to evacuate the collected contaminates. An environmentally safe container may be connected to the drain tube for storage of the contaminants. At least one removable panel is provided on the wall of the housing to allow access to the leaking pipe member for maintenance purposes. The removable panel may be secured to the housing by either leak-proof or non-leak-proof seals depending upon the toxicity of the liquid carried by the pipe member.

Abstract: A sterile connector and video camera cover is provided including a connector assembly for connecting a sterile endoscope to an unsterile surgical camera and a light fiber cable. The camera cover is extendable over the camera, its trailing cables and the light fiber cable. The connector assembly includes a coupling and a light fiber connection. The coupling includes a transverse window providing a sterile barrier and an optically clear path for light to pass through. The light source connection is mounted on the connector assembly enabling a light fiber cable to be optically coupled with the fiber optics of an endoscope. The coupling and the light source connector have a common exterior surface and are housed within the connector assembly. An adapter is provided enabling connection of the connector assembly with endoscopes having either threaded connections or compression-type fittings.

Abstract: A sterilizable video microscope holder for supporting and positioning a video microscope unit in an operating room is provided which has a sterilizable flexible tubular arm, a bundle of optical fibers running through the arm, a support attached to one end of the arm for supporting it in the operating room and a connector at the same end of the arm for holding an end of the fiber optic bundle in aligned positioned for connection to a light source. The arm includes an inner articulated member which is bendable in all directions and will remain in any position to which it is bent and an outer covering over the inner articulated member to protect it from moisture, body oils and chemicals. The connector includes a tubular member for receiving and supporting the first end of the bundle of optical fibers in aligned position and an adaptor at a distal end of the tubular member connected to the first end of the bundle and being connectable to a light source.

Abstract: A bird nesting box is disclosed for viewing the nesting behavior of birds. The apparatus includes a housing with an opening and a perch. The back wall of the housing is transparent to allow viewing the interior area of the housing. The roof of the housing is preferably translucent to increase the natural lighting of the interior area. For safe and convenient viewing, the bird nesting box is removably attachable to the outside facing surface of a window pane with suction cups. An opaque cover is removably attachable to the inside facing surface of the window pane. In one orientation, the cover entirely covers the transparent back wall. A view port in the cover allows for partial viewing of the inside area with the cover in this orientation. In a second orientation, the cover uncovers the back wall for complete viewing of the interior area. In another embodiment, the housing is supported above the ground by a post. The back wall is transparent hand has a frame.

Abstract: A miniaturized electronic imaging chip has stratified layers wherein a base silicon layer has a peripheral edge defining an area and a thickness which allows passage therethrough of most UV, visible and IR light. A pixel layer is formed on the back side of this first silicon layer. At least one interconnect layer is bonded to the pixel layer. Electric leads are bump bonded to the bonding pads on the outermost interconnect layer and extend away from it within the area for attachment to means for sensing electrical signals generated by an image projected onto the pixel layer through the silicon layer. Preferably, the leads are perpendicular to the chip.

Abstract: In accordance with one form of the present invention, a stereoscopic endoscope is provided which has an elongated thin cylindrical barrel with a pair of CCDs mounted transversely within the barrel adjacent the distal end thereof. A pair of objective optics are mounted within the barrel between the distal end thereof and the respective CCDs for focusing an image observed through the endoscope on the CCDs. Image signal transmitting wires connected to each CCD extend longitudinally through the barrel and out the proximal end thereof for transmitting an image signal to a remote location. Light transmitting fibers are tightly packed around the objective optics and the CCDs. A first connector is secured to the proximal end of the wires for connection to a stereoscopic image producing device and a second connector is secured to the proximal of the light transmitting fibers for connection to a light source.

Abstract: An improved surgeon's chair is disclosed providing adjustable bodily support to a seated surgeon to prevent inadvertent fatigue, and a design enabling access to the chair without compromising the sterility of the surrounding operating area. The chair includes a frame assembly that supports both a seat assembly and a dual pivoting support having a plurality of body pads. A lifting mechanism attached to the seat assembly allows the seat assembly to be positioned at the desired vertical height. A knee rest assembly connected to the frame assembly provides support to the knees and shins of the surgeon. The dual pivoting support includes upper and lower sections that are independently rotatable and which rotate around respective laterally spaced vertical axes. The lower rotational section allows the body pads to be selectively positioned according to the girth and comfort of the surgeon.

Abstract: An endoscope has a sterilizable, elongated, optical capsule section and a separable, disposable, sterile channel section. The capsule has a window at a distal end in front of an image sensor. Image transmitting electronic cables, connected to the image sensor, extend proximally from the capsule. Light transmitting fibers extend from the window proximally for transmitting light to a site under investigation from a remote light source. The cables and the fibers are housed in a common conduit connected to the proximal end of the capsule. The channel section has a distal end removably attached to the capsule and has plurality of longitudinal channels for transmitting fluids or for receiving an operative instrument. A flexible tube is connected to the proximal end of each channel for supplying fluid or for manipulating the operative instrument from a remote location. The separable section is disposable after use. The capsule is sterilizable for reuse with another sterile separable section on the next patient.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention includes a container for holding paste ingredients, a mixing and kneading assembly for preparing the food paste within the container, and an extrusion system for pressing the paste into a desired noodle shape. The mixing and kneading assembly comprises a plurality of mixing blades attached to a centrally located cylinder within the container. In a first embodiment, the assembly further includes a scraper blade and a kneading blade. The scraper blade is fixed at a constant distance from the bottom wall of the container such that paste is scraped from to the bottom wall as the scraper blade is spun. In a second embodiment, the assembly further includes a plurality of kneading blades without a scraper blade. In both embodiments, the kneading blades each have a leading and trail edge that remain substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the container.

Abstract: A hand-held brush is provided for grooming. The brush comprises a body section and a head section connected therebetween. The body section includes two opposing half curved portions and a base portion. The head section includes two opposing half oval portions, first and second protruding ears, and a crown portion connecting the ears. The closed figure achieved by the combination of these elements results in the outline of any number of different types of animals. Attached to a bottom side of the brush are a plurality of cone shaped bristles. The brush is flexible such that the body and head sections flex independently and continuously along the surface of the animal being brushed. The bristles also substantially conform to the surface being brushed and are made of the same material as the body and head sections.

Abstract: A damperless, controlled speed, coverless, isometric air conveyor and method for controlling articles en masse or individually at a controlled speed is provided. A first set of louvers extend through the conveyor surface to a common plenum at an incline to the conveying surface so that the air passing through the louvers has downstream force vector of a first magnitude. A second set of louvers extend through the conveyor surface to a common plenum at an incline to the conveyor surface so that the air passing through the louvers has an upstream force vector of a second magnitude which is less than the first magnitude thereby creating a vector force differential in the downstream direction to cause movement of the articles in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A controlled speed single file conveyor conveys upright cylindrical articles in single file along a deck plate-from an upstream location to a downstream location. A plurality of rows of louvers extend through the deck plate which are generally parallel to one of the side edges. The louvers are at a very shallow angle and some of them are angled so that air discharged therethrough has a force vector component toward the inboard side edge and a force vector in the downstream direction. A vertical wall, above the deck plate and parallel to an inboard edge, is vertically adjustable above the upper surface of the deck plate to control the exhausting of air. The shallow angle of the louvers causes a portion of the air to flow along the deck and under the articles at sufficient speed to the articles toward the deck to hold them in upright position. A second portion of the air travels above the deck to create a mass air flow to move the articles along the deck in a downstream direction.