Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pillow shaped in a three-dimensional, tooth-like configuration. This tooth-shaped pillow comprises a top occlusel surface, an upper crown surface and at least one lower root-like projection. Secured to the crown surface is a tooth-and-coin receiving pocket in which the "tooth fairy" may deposit coins and other valuables in exchange for baby teeth which a child places therein.

Abstract: A detector of blood in dialyzing solution, which operates by measuring the optical density of the dialyzing solution, is prevented from improper indication arising from the presence of bubbles in the dialyzing solution, by shaping the fluid passages to channel the bubbles away from the optical sensing path.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus and method for preparing a continuous, hollow, and semipermeable filament for use in a dialyzer which includes a plurality of substantially-equal-length open-ended fibers.The apparatus includes a body having a supply spool of filament and a take-up reel having at least two radially-spaced support means about which the filament is wound. Drive means rotate the take-up reel and a filament guide is provided for laterally positioning the filament on the support member so as to prevent close packing of the filament windings. The take-up reel includes a winding plate for carrying the filament support means and hub-and-locking means for releasably mounting the winding plate on the machine.The method includes winding the filament from the spool onto the take-up reel; grasping each of the sections of filament between the support means; and cutting the filament adjacent the support means so as to form a plurality of bundles of open-ended fibers for use in a hollow fiber dialyzer.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus and method for preparing a continuous, hollow, and semipermeable filament for use in a dialyzer which includes a plurality of substantially-equal-length open-ended fibers.The apparatus includes a body having a supply spool of filament and a take-up reel having at least two radially-spaced support means about which the filament is wound. Drive means rotate the take-up reel and a filament guide is provided for laterally positioning the filament on the support member so as to prevent close packing of the filament windings. The take-up reel includes a winding plate for carrying the filament support means and a hub-and-locking means for releasably mounting the winding plate on the machine.

Abstract: A record album having a circular or disc-shaped plastic cover is disclosed herein. The cover is fabricated from a pair of disc-shaped plastic sheets which are sealed along about one-half of the peripheral edge so as to define a pocket for receiving the record. Indicia may be applied to the cover so as to provide the cover with a record-appearing surface.

Abstract: An elongated, flexible and embossed support member is disclosed herein for use in a coil-type artificial kidney dialyzer to support an elongated, flattened and tubularly shaped semipermeable membrane. The membrane is of cellophane or a cellulose derivative and has the characteristic of stretching further in the transverse direction than in the longitudinal direction. The support member includes an imperforate fluid-impermeable web having angle ribs on one side and skip ribs on the other side for positioning and supporting the membrane within the dialyzer. The angle ribs extend angularly from one longitudinal edge of the member to the other longitudinal edge and the skip ribs are arranged in longitudinal rows, with each row including a plurality of intermittently spaced skip ribs. The skip ribs are higher than the angle ribs and both sets of ribs are of a height effective to prevent the membrane from contacting the web.

Abstract: An elongated, flexible and embossed support member is disclosed herein for use in a coil-type artificial kidney dialyzer to support an elongated, flattened and tubularly shaped semipermeable membrane. The membrane is of cellophane or a cellulose derivative and has the characteristic of stretching further in the transverse direction than in the longitudinal direction. The support member includes an imperforate fluid-impermeable web having angle ribs on one side and high and low skip ribs on the other side for positioning and supporting the membrane within the dialyzer. The angle ribs extend angularly from one longitudinal edge of the member to the other longitudinal edge. The skip ribs are arranged in alternating longitudinal rows of high and low ribs with each row including a plurality of intermittently spaced skip ribs.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a toy bubble-blowing machine which includes a housing and an associated bubble-forming mechanism. The bubble-forming mechanism includes a plurality of elements, with only one--a hand crank--being positioned outside of the housing. The hand crank is rotatable and is connected to a main drive shaft and drive gear. A propeller which is positioned within the housing and above the drive shaft is drivingly interconnected with the drive gear by a gear train for rotation at a speed greater than the speed of the shaft. A bubble dipper is secured to the drive shaft for rotation through a reservoir of bubble-forming liquid within the housing and for forming a film of the bubble-forming liquid. As the dipper is rotated, the dipper positions the film in the airstream from the propeller so as to form bubbles from the film.

Abstract: A method and machine are disclosed herein for cleaning and restoring sand beaches which have become contaminated by oil spills. The machine travels on the beach and sprays liquid nitrogen onto the contaminated area, thereby solidifying the oil and sand mixture so that the mixture can be separated from the underlying uncontaminated sand and be efficiently removed from the beach and transported to a remote site for disposal or further treatment.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a reusable toothpick and container assembly. The assembly includes a toothpick having an elongated blade terminating at one end in a tip for removing debris from between the user's teeth and having at the other end a cap by which the toothpick can be grasped. The container is an elongated vial, for holding mouthwash, into which the blade can be inserted and which can be sealed by the end cap. This provides for storage and cleansing of the toothpick between uses.

Abstract: A support member for use in a coil dialyzer to support an elongated, tubularly-shaped, semipermeable membrane is disclosed herein. The member is embossed and has generally angularly extending parallel ribs on both sides of the web. The ribs are arranged so that on each side there are high ribs and low ribs positioned between said high ribs. The ribs on opposite sides overlap in such a manner to form an angle varying between 60.degree. and 140.degree.. Furthermore, the ribs are arranged in a pattern wherein there are four short ribs positioned between adjacent pairs of high ribs.

Abstract: A flexible, self-biasing switching element is disclosed herein for closing a circuit by flexing the element from an initial non-contacting position to a second contacting position and for opening the circuit by releasing the element and permitting it to return to a non-contacting position from the contacting position. The element includes a flexible non-conductive substrate having on one side thereof a plurality of spaced conductive contacts or areas. A two-sided pressure sensitive adhesive film for mounting the element is die cut and applied to the substrate in a manner so as to surround the conductive contact areas. The adhesive film provides an insulating medium between the contact points so as to prevent transmission of current between the contact points.

Abstract: A connector system for use in a dialyzer is disclosed herein for connecting an external fluid conduit to a tubularly-shaped, semipermeable membrane. The system protects the membrane from forces imposed on the conduit. The system includes a jack member, which is secured within the dialyzer and has a passageway, which at one end is connected to the conduit and which at the other end is connected to a button-type connector which provides communication between the passageway and the semipermeable membrane. The button connector includes a cap and a barrel and has a passageway extending through the cap and barrel.

Abstract: A support member for use in a coil dialyzer to support an elongated, tubularly-shaped, semipermeable membrane is disclosed herein. The member is embossed and has generally angularly-extending parallel ribs on both sides of the web. The ribs are arranged so that on each side there are high ribs and low ribs positioned between said high ribs. The ribs are arranged in a pattern whereby the lower ribs are at least of two different heights so that on each side of the support membrane there are ribs of at least three different heights.

Abstract: A coil dialyzer is disclosed herein which includes a hollow core assembly to which an inlet blood conduit is connected. A semipermeable membrane and a support member are connected to the core and wound about the core. An outlet jack assembly is connected to the other end of the membrane and a blood outlet conduit is connected to the outlet jack. This assembly is positioned within a housing having both a top cap and a bottom cap. Incoming blood flow is directed through the blood inlet conduit through the wound membrane and exits the dialyzer through the blood outlet conduit. Dialysis solution flows upwardly through the wound membrane and support member over the top thereof and back down through the hollow core so as to define a generally inverted U-shape dialysis flow path.

Abstract: A coil dialyzer for use in an artificial kidney system which employs an elongated, open-ended tubularly-shaped, semipermeable membrane is disclosed herein. The ends of the membrane are sealed by forming a flap at each end thereof which defines a fold line extending between the longitudinal edges of the membrane. A wedge-and-groove construction is provided for grasping each folded end of the membrane so as to maintain the fold line and thereby assure the seal.

Abstract: A machine for reproducing an article from a pattern, wherein the pattern and the article are mounted respectively on parallel supporting shafts and driven at the same speed of rotation, and are in contact with a feeler and a tool, respectively. The two shafts are mounted on a table designed to make two perpendicular movements, namely an advance movement in a direction perpendicular to the supporting shafts and a contact movement in a direction parallel to those shafts. The invention is applicable in particular to the roughing out of toric lenses.

Abstract: A button-type fluid connector is disclosed herein for use in a coil dialyzer. The connector provides fluid communication between a fluid conduit and a tubularly shaped, semipermeable membrane. The connector includes a cap and an integral barrel extending from the cap. The barrel has at least one snap-lock recess in its surface and the connector is provided with a passageway which extends through the barrel and cap.

Abstract: The invention concerns a control apparatus for machines designed to operate on a workpiece. The apparatus comprises a programming element consisting of a disc which has concentric tracks of varying transparency or reflectance; an optical scanner comprising an emitter unit emitting light beams to the programming element and a receptor unit for the light beams which have been transmitted or reflected; drive means for rotating the disc by the relative displacement of a tool and the workpiece; and an electric circuit connected to the receptor unit and to a motor for controlling the speed of rotation of the motor as a function of the intensity of the signal given by the receptor unit. The apparatus is applicable in particular to machines for working on plates, pieces of glass or plastics material, for example window panes, plate glass or lenses.

Abstract: A control apparatus for use with cylinder assemblies for cushioning the piston as it reaches the end of its stroke so as to control the speed at which the piston approaches the cylinder ends and to prevent damage to the cylinder assembly. The control apparatus includes a body which has an inlet port that is adapted for connection to the cylinder assembly and an outlet port that is aligned with the inlet port and is adapted to vent to atmosphere or for line connection. An expansion chamber is provided within the body and includes a valve for controllably venting the chamber. A first passageway connects the inlet port, outlet port and expansion chamber, and a second passageway connects the inlet port and the first passageway for controlling flow between the inlet port and expansion chamber.