Abstract: A tank piston is shown with an improved seal and wiper. The piston is used in conjunction with tanks used for transporting semi-solid and viscous materials such as grease, oil, ink, and the like. The improved seal consists of an annular rubber member with a hollow chamber filled with an open cell foam material such as polyurethane, or a gel such as silica gel. The material in the chamber is compressible and expandable to provide a seal about the piston. Optionally, the piston is provided with an annular wiper structure that extends about the outer forward periphery of the piston, and is forwardly angled at about 45° relative to an axis of the piston. The wiper has a beveled end that makes contact with the interior surface of the tank to provide a cleaning action. A complementary second wiper may be added near the outer rearward periphery of the piston. A preferred embodiment is also shown that uses a tiered support assembly.

Abstract: A portable, pneumatic torque tool automatically controls torque applied by it to a workpiece. In a portable hand-held housing, including a trigger control, a pneumatic motor provides an output shaft output shaft to a workpiece with which is associated a torque sensor within the housing for systematically measuring the amount of torque being applied by the shaft. A control module carried by the housing includes a keypad for providing a torque control input by which the operator selects a predetermined torque value. A torque control circuit interconnected with the torque control input and torque sensors operates to compare the torque being applied by the output shaft with the predetermined torque value.

Abstract: Various burner configurations for combustion of a particulate fuel such as sawdust, and many types of varying moisture content biomass fuels such as poultry litter. The burners exhibit a high turndown ratio. the burners include a housing defining an upright combustion chamber lined with refractory material and generally circular cross section, a main combustion region within an upper extent the combustion chamber, an initial combustion zone at a lower end of the combustion chamber of reduced-size cross-section compared to the combustion chamber and a transition region increasing in cross-section from the initial combustion zone to the main combustion region. A principal fuel (e.g., sawdust) is supplied with combustion air to the initial combustion region, and an auxiliary ignition fuel supplies heat to the initial combustion region for igniting the principal fuel.

Abstract: A mortising tool designed to remove a specific quantity of material from a wooden object, such as a door or door jamb, to allow flush mounting of door hinge plates. The tool is comprised of a mortise forming member, a cutting device attached to the lower surface of the mortise forming member, and a longitudinal slot formed through the mortise forming member. The cutting edge of the cutting device and the slot are in alignment. Upon placing the cutting device of the mortising tool to one side of the surface of an object from which a mortise is to be formed, material removal is effected by striking the rear portion of the mortising tool and directing it across the object. Material is removed by the cutting device as the mortising tool is directed across the object, and the slot facilitates waste material removal. The mortising tool is also provided with a shoulder which extends from the lower surface of the mortise forming member for controlling the distance the mortising tool travels when forming a mortise.

Abstract: A therapeutic system for supplying active substances to the skin consists of a backing layer remote from the skin, with at least one active substance depot. The depot may consist of a fluid active substance or a fluid composition comprising an active substance delivery control matrix. There is also included an adhesive fixing device for fixing the therapeutic system on the skin. The therapeutic system is characterized in that the active substance depots (14) consist of at least one adjuvant having a supporting and distributing function by being provided with a planar textile material completely surrounded by matrix (12).

Abstract: A combustor system provides high temperature, high-dwell combustion of emission products, as from charcoal kilns, with inner and outer combustion chambers. Multiple inlets receive emission products from multiple heat exchangers omnidirectionally extending for continuous heat exchange connection between the combustor and emission sources. Hot products of combustion are delivered to each heat exchanger, each with multiple ducts in mutual heat exchange relationship including at least a hot products of combustion duct for receiving at the proximal end hot products of combustion from an outlet of the outer chamber, and conveying the hot products of combustion to the distal end at a respective emission source, an emissions inlet duct for receiving emission products at the distal end from the emission source, and a return products of combustion duct for receiving at the distal end the hot products of combustion and returning them to the combustor.

Abstract: A compression sleeve for treating lymphedema is provided. The compression sleeve is comprised of an outer inelastic fabric layer and an inner flexible sheet padding layer. A plurality of tightening straps are laterally disposed in vertical succession along an exterior side of the sleeve to independently apply circumferential pressure along the length of the sleeve. The sleeve is able to apply a consistent gradient pressure from a distal part of the limb to a proximal end of the limb to help squeeze excess lymph from the limb. The inner padding layer is comprised of a high density foam material provided in a thin, continuous surface, flat sheet and has a high degree of firmness capable of evenly distributing the pressure generated by the tightening straps to prevent pockets of swelling within the sleeve. The compression sleeve can be configured for use with both arms and legs.

Abstract: A shim device is provided for use with a low profile gastrostomy device having a gastrostomy tube fitted in a mature stoma and held in place between an internal retention mechanism disposed within a visceral organ of a patient and an external retention mechanism seated on the outer abdominal wall of a patient. Further, the shim device provides an adjustable shim body which is inserted between the external retention mechanism and the patient for accommodating the gradual growth of the patient during convalescence. The shim device also operates to evenly distribute the weight of the low profile gastrostomy device over a patient's outer body.

Abstract: A method is provided for waterproofing a foundation in which a minimal amount of debris is generated. The method provides for selecting a first limited area of excavation of a floor along a wall. A tunnel is dug laterally below the floor to a location remote from the area of excavation for receiving a drainage pipe underneath the floor. A narrow channel is further excavated within the floor along the wall for receiving accumulated moisture leaking in from the wall. The channel directs and drains the moisture towards the excavated area in the floor and the drainage tunnel. With the limited amount of excavation provided by this method, the amount of concrete to be removed is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A valve device is disclosed which is incorporated into the lower portion of a drip chamber for preventing the free flow of fluid through a tube assembly when the tube assembly is disengaged from a pump of a fluid administration system, while permitting fluid flow when the tube assembly is engaged around a rotor of the pump. The valve device comprises a valve body having a top component sealingly engaged with a bottom component. The top component is integrally formed with the lower portion of the drip chamber and defines a plurality of axial fluid passageways formed around a stationary plunger which seals against a opening formed at the upper portion of the bottom component. The opening is in communication with a lumen that extends into a hollow tube assembly which is attached to the bottom component of the valve body.

Abstract: A therapeutic system for supplying active substances to the skin consists of a backing layer remote from the skin, with at least one active substance depot. The depot may consist of a fluid active substance or a fluid composition comprising an active substance delivery control matrix. There is also included an adhesive fixing device for fixing the therapeutic system on the skin. The therapeutic system is characterized in that the active substance depots (14) consist of at least one adjuvant having a supporting and distributing function by being provided with a planar textile material completely surrounded by matrix (12).

Abstract: A retractable awning for attachment to a golf cart is provided. The awning is comprised of a framework having a plurality of U-shaped rib members and a fabric cover. The U-shaped rib members have ends terminating at a common pivot point to allow respective relative movement to move the awning between an extended deployed position and a retracted closed position over a rear compartment of the golf cart. Each successively adjacent rib member is dimensioned slightly less than its preceding rib member to allow nesting of all the rib members in a common plane so that the framework can lie substantially flat in its retracted position. Sleeve members for receiving the rib members are provided on the underneath side of the awning cover to allow the fabric to deploy and retract over the framework without binding.

Abstract: A shower curtain retaining system for use particularly in connection with shower enclosures above conventional bathtubs for retaining the lower portion of a shower curtain inside the bathtub whenever the shower curtain is forced outward over the lip of the bathtub. Preferably, the shower curtain retaining system comprises a fastening member attached to the lower portion of the shower curtain and a retention member securely attached to the inner surface of the bathtub generally opposite and above the fastening member. Fastening means includes a plurality of hooks spaced equally apart along a lateral strip. The plurality of hooks are adapted to engage at least a portion of a rail which extends outwardly from and laterally along the retention member.

Abstract: A pipe pier system for use in supporting foundations is provided. The pier system is comprised of a plurality of pipe pier sections and pipe connecting insert members. The pipe sections are adapted to be butted end to end to each other in linear arrangement with the pipe connecting insert member being placed within and connected to respective ends of the butted pipe sections. The pipe sections and insert member have aligning holes to allow for a pin to span their diameters for a stable connection. A removable guide cap is provided for the terminal end of the pier assembly to reduce friction as the pier is driven into the ground.

Abstract: An adapter utilized to interconnect a fluid container and a tubing set having a retractable spike and a rolling seal diaphragm for establishing fluid flow communication between a nutrition container and an administration tubing set while maintaining a fluid-tight seal. The rolling seal diaphragm includes a rolling seal portion which sealingly engages the retractable spike which remains engaged with the spike while the spike is biased between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: A tube coupling according to the present invention comprises a coupling body, a separation prevention ring which is disposed in the coupling body to bite into the outer wall of a tube body fitted into the coupling body so to prevent the tube body from coming out, and a release ring which is disposed in the coupling body so to be movable in an axial direction within a predetermined range and releases the separation prevention ring from the tube body by pushing the separation prevention ring, wherein the separation prevention ring comprises a ring portion which contacts a back ring disposed in the coupling body; pushing portions which are radially formed in a large number within the ring portion, has a circular shape, have grooves which extends from the outside of the ring portion to the inside, and are pushed by an inside end of the release ring; and projections which are respectively formed at the tips of the pushing portions and pulled out of the outer wall of the tube body when they are pushed by the inside

Abstract: An improvement for use with a pier installation apparatus of the type employed in lifting and supporting a foundation is provided. The invention comprises a mounting beam assembly for mounting hydraulic power cylinders in a straddling position around a pier to be driven into the ground by the installation apparatus. The beam assembly is a planar member having a central opening for receiving the pier therethrough. It is comprised of opposing plate members upon which the hydraulic cylinders are mounted. The plate members each have an opening which allows passage through of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder. The mounting beam assembly allows for lateral placement around a pier in the installation apparatus, and may be completely disassembled for quick and efficient installation and removal.

Abstract: An exit guard system automatically detects movement of a subject along an exit path in an unauthorized direction. A first video camera is positioned for video imaging movement of a subject along the path, while a second video camera images the subject for identification. Multiple video motion detectors operate in conjunction with the first video camera to determine direction of movement of a subject along the path. A CPU operates with the video motion detectors under an exit guard program to provide a watching mode, during which frames of the second video camera are continuously grabbed and saved. Audible and/or visual alarm signaling devices are operated by the CPU in an alarm mode in response to traffic of a subject in the unauthorized direction. A video monitor displays modes of operation of the system, and control devices allow operator selection and control of modes of operation of the system. Remote access to the system for control, monitoring or other purposes is provided by data modem feature.