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.

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 hitch for a goose neck trailer is provided which includes a cross member positionable beneath the cargo bed and between the frame members of a truck. A central opening is provided on the cross member for receiving a socket that is insertable within a sleeve member aligned with the opening. A spring biased pin attached to the sleeve engages a vertical groove formed on the exterior of the socket to secure the ball socket for use. A ball hitch attached to an upper end of the socket protrudes above the cargo bed and is attachable to a goose neck trailer. Removal of the ball hitch and socket is accomplished by aligning the pin with an eccentric groove formed on the socket's exterior, rotating the socket to an area where the groove ends, and pulling upwards. Adjustment means are provided to adjust the hitch to accommodate differing frame and cargo bed configurations found on trucks.

Abstract: A controlled speed single file conveyor selectively conveys a first set of upright cylindrical articles having a smaller diameter and a second set of upright cylindrical articles having a larger diameter in single file along a deck plate, having inboard and outboard edges, from an upstream location to a downstream location. A first set of a plurality of longitudinal, parallel rows of smaller inboard louvers and a second set of a plurality of longitudinal, parallel rows of larger outboard louvers extend through the deck plate at a shallow angle and are angled so that the air discharged therefrom has a force vector component toward the inboard side edge and a force vector component in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A device for retracting and storing a length of hose is provided. The device is housed within a dental cabinet and includes a rectangular compartment formed by integral side walls and front and rear walls. A plurality of spool supports are positioned adjacent to the side walls. A spool is positionable within the compartment. A length of hose anchored at the rear wall is routed under the spool and through an opening in an instrument panel of the dental cabinet. At the distal end of the hose is attached the desired dental tool. In retracted position, the hose hangs in a loop or bight with the spool supported on the bight. The weight of the spool normally keeps the hose under tension. The device is operated by pulling on the distal end of the hose such that the spool is lifted onto and secured by the spool supports. In this position, tension is released from the hose.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a windowed self-centering drape for a surgical camera is provided. The drape includes a generally cylindrical body portion and a flexible and elastic distal end. The body portion is flexible and substantially non-elastic. The proximal end of the body portion may include either a roll fold or an accordion fold in order to reduce the size of the drape for storage prior to use. An optically clear window is formed integrally with the elastic distal end. The window may be coated with substances which filter out certain wavelengths of light.

Abstract: Dilution stack sampling apparatus, for analyzing gaseous components of a gas stream from a stack containing particulate material of varying size therein. A passageway has a first end communicating at an angle with the probe intermediate its ends to receive a sample of gas and to change its flow direction to inertially remove most of the particulate material. An eductor connected to the second end of the passageway mixes dilution air with the sample of gas to provide a diluted sample. A filter upstream of the second end of the passageway removes remaining particulate material from the sample of gas which is not the inertially separated. Instrument air can be provided in a back-flow direction at the upstream side of the filter to periodically remove particulate material from the filter. The diluted sample and the dilution gas are supplied to gas analyzer, and the mass flow rate of the dilution gas and diluted gas are measured.

Abstract: A multi-food processor and juice extractor is provided that includes a container which houses a filter assembly. The assembly is operatively connected to a shaft for rotating the assembly within the container. The food is milled within the filter assembly by a plurality of cutters integral with the assembly, and after filtering, juice and/or particulate food matter is received from a juice outlet. Food dregs collecting along an inside wall of the filter assembly is removed by a stopper. A rotary control knob is provided to place the stopper into either an engaged or disengaged position. The stopper expels the dregs by utilizing centrifugal force created by the spinning filter assembly. A spring attached to the control knob automatically returns the stopper to the disengaged position upon releasing the control knob.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a method and apparatus for removing contaminants from soil is provided. The invention comprises a classifier to separate oversized particles within the soil, a solid and liquid mixer to mix the soil and an added liquid, an agitator to fully mix the soil and liquid into a substantially homogeneous mixture, a separator wherein the soil and liquid are separated such that the contaminants float to the surface of the liquid, and a dryer wherein remaining excess liquid is removed from the substantially decontaminated soil. A material bin receives the oversized classified particles and a crusher/roller is provided to reduce the oversized material and return it to the classifier. The added liquid may include various chemicals to enhance the separability of the soil and contaminates. The solid and liquid mixer, agitator and separator may comprise of a number of sequential containers whereby separation is accomplished in a number of steps.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a convection oven rack is provided which includes a base portion and a plurality of bracket portions attached thereto. Each bracket has a curved interior side that corresponds to the exterior curved shape of a cooking dish insertable between the brackets and on top of the base portion. Attached to the second end of each bracket is a handle portion for gripping. A plurality of padded insulating pads are positioned on the top side of the base portion and the interior side wall of the brackets. In operation, the rack remains attached to the dish during cooking. When cooking is completed, the lid of the dish, which houses a fan and cooking element, is removed so that the rack serves as an insulated holding means whereby food may be served directly from the dish.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a misalignment detector apparatus is provided for a transmissometer with an underfilled reflector. The transmissometer has a transceiver that projects a collimated beam of light of small diameter across a smokestack to a circular reflector of substantially greater diameter than the collimated beam of light so that the reflector is underfilled. The reflector includes apparatus for sensing the position of the collimated beam of light with respect to the center of the reflector and its position on the reflector when it is not on center which allows operator notification of when the beam is on the reflector and when the beam is off the reflector thereby requiring maintenance/realignment.

Abstract: An improved endoscope has been provided which includes an elongated cylindrical shell housing with a transparent window at the distal end thereof. A removable core has an objective endoscope lens or optics at the distal end thereof and an image sensor mounted within the distal end of the core. A transmitting electronic cable with multiple conductors each has a distal end connected to the image sensor circuit board and a proximal end connected to a video control unit. Signals are transmitted from the control unit to the video monitor which displays the image. A sterile separable channel section removably receives the core in a defined relationship and has at least one longitudinal channel for transmitting fluids or for receiving an operative instrument or carrying light transmitting fiber. A flexible tube is connected to the proximal end of the channel for supplying fluid or for manipulating the operative instrument from a remote location. The separable channel section is disposable after use on a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing food paste is provided. The apparatus 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. The assembly further includes a kneading blade and scraper 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. The kneading blade has leading and trail edges that remain parallel to the bottom wall of the container. The mixing blades and kneading blade are reciprocated in a vertical direction and are biased by a biasing means toward the bottom wall of the container. A drive means rotates a spindle which in turn spins the mixing and kneading assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a well for soil sparging and soil vapor extraction is provided. The well comprises a bore hole extending from the surface of the earth for several feet and preferably to the base of the clay layer. An impervious casing having a larger diameter than the bore hole is mounted concentrically around the bore hole and extends from a point above the surface of the earth to a point below the surface of the earth. The impervious casing is sealed at its top end by a cover plate. An injection tube is inserted into the bore hole wherein the injection tube terminates at a point above the bottom of the bore hole. The bottom most portion of the bore hole is filled with granular material. Above the granular material, the bore hole is filled with packing material that is substantially impervious to liquid and gas. Above the packing material, the remaining space in the bore hole is filled with permeable material which allows passage of gas or liquid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a support scaffold with adjustable-height posts having an outer tube (2) and an inner tube (1), and with stiffeners (8) and fastening means (11) arranged between them for the attachment between outer tube (2) and stiffener. The invention consists in the fact that the stiffener (8) can be fastened both to the outer tube (2) and to the inner tube (1). As a result, the stiffener can be arranged at any desired height on an extended post, thus producing very high load-bearing capacity for the scaffold.

Abstract: A slip pallet system for protecting the sides of palletized box loads is disclosed. The slip pallet system includes two sheets of tough pliable material which are arranged back-to-back and positioned between two box loads so that the upper surface of one sheet is in contact with the bottom of the upper box load while the upper surface of the second sheet is in contact with the top surface of the lower box load. Each sheet also includes at least one protective tab for folding along an edge of the sheet to protect a side of a box load from being punctured. At least one tab of each sheet has a tab folding member which extends from the underside surfaces of the tab. The folding members are designed to cooperate with each other when the sheets are arranged back-to-back so that the tabs from which the folding members extend pivot in opposite directions to fold the tabs against the sides of the upper and lower box loads, thereby protecting the box load sides.

Abstract: An ultrasonic invasive instrument such as a biopsy needle has an ultrasonic transducer mounted at one end, with the transducer being electrically coupled to two conductors such as a stylet and central cannula forming the instrument body and transmitting signals from the transducer identifying the instrument's location in a field transmitted by an imaging scanner, the transducer being coupled to at least one of the conductors by an ohmic or capacitive coupling, with for example body fluids serving as the couplant material.