Abstract: An integrated credit card data processing method that allows transactions to be processed either as a payment or as a receipt of payment. The new process is a combination of the regular data processing method for consumer purchases of goods and services similar to those used by credit/charge cards, debit cards, and smart cards and a merchant processing method that allows acceptance of such payments. The second part of the invention is a method to execute an order on the manner of disposition of the proceeds of sale, such as payment by check, application of the excess cash to outstanding debts, investment into a plurality of investment accounts, or retention of the proceeds as a credit to the account. The third part of the invention is a method to provide a report of both purchases and sales itemized together for an account holder.

Abstract: A fluid ladder or a fluid lifter and a method for lifting a liquid or a flowable or fluid-like material such as grains, sand, soil, and the like from one level to a higher level preferably through oscillation. The fluid ladder is capable of lifting fluids without the use of conventionally known pump devices and without the need for energy sources such as electrical energy, combustion energy and the like. The apparatus may be operable using energy sources such as that provided by muscles e.g., the muscle use of a human being or animal or the energy provided by oscillatory wave motion of a body of fluid. The fluid ladder lifts fluid through a series of, or a plurality of, reservoirs.

Abstract: An improved doubles finger, for use in doubles clay target trap machines. The improved doubles finger has a length and shape which is configured to cause a first and a second target each to have a preferred optimum, consistent, reproducible and desirable first target trajectory, second target trajectory, first target velocity and second target velocity. The doubles finger has a target guide portion having an arcuate target contacting and guiding edge. When the doubles finger is assembled onto the trap machine, the contacting and guiding edge is positioned to contact a second clay target, i.e., the outermost clay target of the two clay targets while the second clay target is being launched by the doubles throwing trap machine.

Abstract: A method for making artificial snow using micro particulate material for the performance enhancement of snow making equipment, wherein very small particles of material are mixed into the water supply system which supplies water to the snow making guns at a skiing area. The particles serve as the nucleus for snow crystals to grow upon when sprayed into the atmosphere by the snow making guns. The water, which has the nucleating material mixed into it, is sprayed out of the snow making guns in the form of fine droplets, small enough for the cold ambient air at the skiing slope to freeze the small water droplets into the solid form of snow flakes. The nucleating material, which originally is in the form of a fine powder, may be mixed in a suitable container with a portion of the water, so it can be appropriately metered through a pump, into the water pipe that feeds the snow making guns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the sensing and reporting the relative humidity, moisture content, and temperature of inspired or delivered gases in a patient with an artificial airway. The apparatus includes a humidity sensing device, incorporated into an adapter that is compatible with and connectable in series to standard artificial airway connections of a patient's breathing circuit. The apparatus also includes a display means which receives signals from the sensing device, translates the signals and displays results as percent relative humidity and/or moisture content (water content per volume of gas delivered). One apparatus is connectable in series with the artificial airway just before the artificial airway enters the patient, or two apparati are connectable, one in the inspiratory branch of a breathing circuit, and one in the expiratory branch of the breathing circuit to monitor both inspired and expired gases in patients on mechanical ventilation or anesthesia.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle device for administration of anesthesia to a patient's epidural space comprising a hypodermic needle having a barrel portion with opposed distal and proximal ends, a hub assembly located at the proximal end of the barrel portion of the needle, through which instruments such as a rigid stylet, or a flexible catheter having a pre-affixed connector, may be introduced into the needle, and a slot formed axially along the length of the needle from the distal end through the hub at the proximal end of the needle. The slot has a minimum width dimension not greater than the outer diameter of a stylet or epidural catheter such that during location of the epidural space, and placement of a catheter in the epidural space, the stylet and catheter will not come out of the needle, yet the needle may be easily removed from the catheter once the catheter is in place, by pulling the catheter through the slot in the needle.

Abstract: The invention covers a procedure for measuring hydrostatic pressure, especially that of ground water, with the particularity that air is bubbled into the ground water, the pressure in the measuring pipe is fed to an absolute pressure cell and atmospheric pressure is then applied to the same measurement cell.

Abstract: The invention concerns an elastic hose with a shaped unsymmetrical cross-section for the delivery of liquids or gases through apertures along the hose, the delivery rate being uniform even over long lengths of hose. The hose is optionally housed in an outer tension-proof cover tube with an open cross-section, in particular a tube open along a generatrix, for the reception of additioned liquids or gases.

Abstract: A rapidly deployable protective and structural cover system comprising a frame structure and at least one multilayered flexible cover which is comprised of a flexible cover sheeting and a structural netting. The flexible cover sheeting has a plurality of eyelets arranged over the surface area of the flexible cover sheeting. The cover sheeting is attached at a selected plurality of eyelets to the structural netting at the intersections of horizontal and vertical members or strands of the structural netting. The frame structure is preferably comprised of steel cables attachable at the ends thereof to a rigid support structure; turnbuckles to tension the cables. The multilayered flexible cover is removably attachable along edges of the structural netting to the frame and to the cables.

Abstract: A device/apparatus for using a multilayer fabric of varying deniers for the processing and treatment of fluids which must be treated to remove materials so that the resultant treated fluid may be reused and/or returned to the earth and particularly to the water table. More particularly the multilayer fabric, each layer being of selected denier, is used in combination with conduit in a drainage field or leaching system usually associated with a septic tank or septic system. Most particularly the multilayer fabric of varying deniers is wrapped around corrugated plastic pipe of the type well known in the field of drainage or leaching fields. At least one of the multilayer fabric layers is formed from an unstructured assemblage of fibers. The unstructured assemblage of fibers are supported by an outer sheeting.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inexpensive display device and a method of attaching articles such as pictures, notes and the like to appliances. The invention is substantially a flexible, length-wise deformable band which is extended around the perimeter of the outer surface covering of an appliance. The band may be secured in place by the deformable material of the band creating frictionous contact with the outer surface covering of the appliance. The articles are attached to the display device by inserting them into at least one channel cut length-wise into the band. A plurality of short channels may also be cut at a selected predetermined angle to the length-wise center-line of the band. The preferred angle being between about 30 and 90 degrees. The device may be configured as a continuous stretchable band or may be made having ends which are adjustably attachable each to the other.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle device for administration of anesthesia to a patient's epidural space comprising a hypodermic needle having a barrel portion with opposed distal and proximal ends, a hub assembly located at the proximal end of the barrel portion of the needle, through which instruments such as a rigid stylet, or a flexible catheter having a pre-affixed connector, may be introduced into the needle, and a slot formed axially along the length of the needle from the distal end through the hub at the proximal end of the needle. The slot has a minimum width dimension not greater than the outer diameter of a stylet or epidural catheter such that during location of the epidural space, and placement of a catheter in the epidural space, the stylet and catheter will not come out of the needle, yet the needle may be easily removed from the catheter once the catheter is in place, by pulling the catheter through the slot in the needle.

Abstract: An interlocking split flange connector, with two or three bolt holes, for attaching two pipes or other conduit at attachable and mateable flanged conduit ends such as found in vehicle exhaust systems. Because of the interlocking and split characteristics of the connector it is not necessary to slip the connector over the conduit and can thus be used with the disassembly of parts which may be attached to the conduit ends. The connector is formed from the interlocking assembly of two substantially identical interlocking split members. Each of the assembled interlocking split members has a centrally located aperture and at least two bolt holes or fastening apertures, a first symmetry axis and a second symmetry axis perpendicular to the first symmetry axis. The central aperture is formed by a semicircular inner edge and two substantially straight interlocking edges. The central aperture is preferably symmetric about the first symmetry axis but alternatively may be symmetric about the second symmetry axis.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for extruding and coating foodstuffs, in which the foodstuff is extruded by means of an extruder device and, after the extrusion, is cut off by means of a cutting device (4, 5), the material (11), after leaving the extrusion die (2), being sprayed with at least one additive before it is cut off; furthermore, a device for carrying out the process is disclosed, which has an extruder screw for feeding the material (11) to be extruded, which is extruded through an extrusion die (2) and, after extrusion, is cut off by means of a cutting device (4, 5), at least one additive being sprayed onto the extruded material (1i) by means of at least one spray device (7) before the said extruded material (11) is cut off.

Abstract: A linear vibratory pile driver apparatus, system and method for using the apparatus to drive or to pull pilings. The apparatus is comprised of a lifting shaft isolated from but slideably mounted within a piston assembly which piston assembly is attached to a frame assembly. There is a cylinder assembly attached to a reaction mass and the piston assembly is vibratorily positioned within the cylinder assembly and vibratorily driven by hydraulic fluid at a selectable frequency thereby vibrating the piston/frame assembly (the piston assembly and the attached frame assembly) relative to the cylinder/reaction mass assembly (the cylinder assembly and the attached reaction mass). A clamp device such as jaws is attachable to a clamp-end of the frame assembly and the lifting shaft is attachable to a cable of a lifting apparatus such as a crane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring discharges in partly or completely filled ducts or open channels, utilizing measuring sensors. The device comprises a central simulation system (CS), comprising a numerical model and a high-performance computer and a local measurement and evaluation system (LME) comprising sensors providing measurements of the fluid level or of the pressure head respectively and providing measurements of the flow velocities and comprising a microprocessor providing data evaluation and a data storage device providing the interface between the two subsystems (CS) and (LME).

Abstract: A process for cutting out decorative, artistic designs, and the three-dimensioned decorative and artistic products produced thereby which are incorporatable into articles of manufacture. The process creates relief designs by angle cutting, at predetermined and variable cut-angles and predetermined and variable cut-widths. The decorative cut-out piece, cut from a base piece, is one-directionally removable and one-directionally insertable into the aperture created when the piece is cut from the base piece. The cut-out piece inserts into the corresponding aperture a distance which is determined by a combination of cut-angle and cut-width. The maximum cut-angle and the maximum cut-width is limited by the thickness of the base piece. The cut width is substantially equal to the saw blade cut width or the width of the cut produced by any appropiate cutting device.

Abstract: A holding rail is useful with a storage file having stiff cover sides and an upright clip holding presentation pages. The rail may be used to hold the storage file in a presentation position or to hold the presentation pages contained in the file in a clamped-down position. The rail is also useful for linear measurement. The holding rail is substantially flat with a plurality of upwardly bent legs. At least one upwardly bent leg is located at opposing end portions of the rail. The storage file may be held in a presentation position by placing the edge of each of the stiff cover sides into one of the upwardly bent legs of the rail. The rail thereby supports the storage file with the upright clips racing outwardly and the presentation pages in the presentation position. A plurality of tapered slots or other perforations are formed within the rail. The tapered slots may engage the upright clip, thereby holding the presentation pages of the storage file in a clamped-down position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inexpensive apparatus and a method of use thereof which provides for more safe cleaning of soiled, sharp health care instruments. The instrument to be cleaned is inserted into a flexible, sealed chamber containing a means for controllably brushing and cleaning the instrument. The user compresses the apparatus with one hand while manipulating the instrument with the other hand to clean the instrument. The user is provided more protection than conventional methods and devices against being injured by the instrument and both the user and the environment are provided more protection against being contaminated by debris carried on the instrument during cleaning of the instrument.

Abstract: A method and gas sterilizing unit for gas sterilization of a product. The method and gas sterilizing unit obviates the need of a separate preconditioning area or cell, the need to transfer items being sterilized to a separate sterilizing chamber and the need to further transfer the sterilized items to a separate degassing cell or area or room.