Abstract: A method of using a silk screen to form thin, flat, flexible, free standing base shapes or transfers directly on release paper in their final form from fluid base shape material, all in one step. After drying, pictorial images are then silk screened onto the base shapes to produce the final edible image for decorating foodstuffs. Recipies for preparing the fluid base shape material and a novel machine for peeling the base shapes from the release paper with a spring steel blade are also disclosed.

Abstract: A precision, highly reliable, positive displacement, pneumatic lubricant for pumping lubricant to a tool and work piece during machining operations; and for delivering compressed atomizing air thereto. The lubricator pumps lubricant substantially continuously at highly accurate, very low flow rates which can be minutely varied according to the needs of the user. The lubricator's piston delivers one pulse of lubricant for each input air pulse which is supplied to the lubricator from a source of input air pulses. The lubricator includes internal check valves for preventing back flow of lubricant into the lubricator's source, and for preventing back flow of pumped lubricant into the lubricator. The lubricator has an adjustable stop which controls the stroke of its piston, and which thus controls the amount of lubricant which is pumped by each pumping stroke of its piston. The lubricator also has positive stops for the maximum and minimum adjustment of its adjustable stop.

Abstract: A sterilizing tray for holding objects while they are being sterilized in a sterilizing solution. At least one end of the sterilizing tray is equipped with a top pivoting end door whose latch can be released by tipping the end of the sterilizing tray against the work surface. Once the latch is released, the weight of sterilized objects in the tipped sterilizing tray pushes the end door open, thereby depositing the sterilized objects neatly on the work surface without their ever having been touched by the user.

Abstract: A coffee filter paper retainer which comprises a retaining member adapted to fit within the coffee filter paper in the coffee basket of a conventional automatic drip coffee maker. The retaining member is sized and shaped so that during use the coffee filter paper is sandwiched between the retaining member and the inside of the coffee basket, thereby preventing the coffee filter paper from drooping to the point that the coffee grounds spill out of the coffee filter paper into the coffee pot while the coffee maker is brewing the coffee. The retaining member can be sized and shaped to fit the coffee basket of any particular coffee maker. The coffee filter paper retainer may also further comprise a plurality of legs which extend downwardly from the retaining member.

Abstract: At least one seal for a sterilization container system, wherein the sterilization container system comprises a base, a lid, and a gasket for providing a microorganism proof seal between the lid and the base. The seal comprises a belt of shrinkable material having an anchor at each end. Corresponding anchor openings are provided in the base of the sterilization container system for the seal's anchors. The seal is installed by engaging one of its anchors in a corresponding anchor opening on one side of the sterilization container system's base, passing its belt over the lid of the sterilization container system, and then securing its other anchor in a corresponding anchor opening on the opposite side of the sterilization container's base.

Abstract: A molded, one-piece plastic dental treatment tray for applying fluoride or other medication to a patient's teeth. The tray has a pair of elongated locking flanges on one of its handles which engage the lateral edges of the other of its handles to hold the tray folded up with its two teeth receiving troughs in an aligned, assembled relationship. At least one of the handles is molded at an angle with respect to the bottom of its trough to help ensure that when the tray is folded up, the free ends of its troughs are urged into contact with each other, to enable the tray to be inserted more easily into the patient's mouth. The bottoms of the troughs are flat and smooth enough for them to move easily over each other in any direction while in the patient's mouth, so the tray will better accommodate any individual differences in the mouth, jaws or teeth of the particular patient.

Abstract: A multipurpose safety and utility flashlight having a clip by which it can be attached to the user, and having an outwardly extending flashlight bulb which projects a hemispherical beam pattern. The clip and the flashlight bulb are located on opposite sides of the flashlight, so that when the flashlight is worn at the side of the user, the hemispherical beam pattern illuminates objects ahead of, above, behind, to the side of and at the feet of the user. In addition, the hemispherical beam pattern projects light ahead of, above, behind, and to one side of said user to make said user easily visible to others in all of those directions. The flashlight may also include a pair of magnets, one on each side of the flashlight. One magnet is suitable for magnetically mounting the flashlight to any suitable surface so the light from the flashlight shines on a work surface, while the other magnet is suitable for magnetically holding tools and parts, such as nuts, bolts and washers.

Abstract: Modular slotwall members for use with face boards to form a modularized slotwall of any desired size on a wall. The upper and lower edges of the face boards are received in the upper and lower face board channels of adjacent modular slotwall members. Each modular slotwall member is provided with a slot sized to releasably hold a slotwall display fixture. The face board channels in the modular slotwall members are sized, shaped and arranged to enable face boards of different thicknesses to be used, to help ensure the upper and lower edge portions of the face boards contact the front edges of their respective face board channels for a neat appearance, to permit face boards with conventional rectangular edges to be used without modification, and to permit the face boards to be easily inserted into and removed from the face board channels of the installed modular slotwall members for repair, replacement and reversal.

Abstract: A sterilization container system for sterilizing surgical instruments, having a lid secured to a base by latches. The latches are automatically disengaged when the latches' release arms are raised to form handles by which the lid can be easily and securely manipulated; while the latches are automatically engaged when the latches' release arms are lowered, sealing the lid to the base. The base is provided with an outer safety wall, which is lower than and which extends around the base's inner wall, in order to help protect the top of the base's inner wall from inadvertent contamination when the lid is removed. Disposable paper filters are sealed over the vents inside the lid and base by cooperating filter paper sealing flanges provided in the filter papers' retainers, lid and base, in order to maintain the sterility of the contents of the sterilization container system after sterilization.

Abstract: Physical changes induced in the spectral modulation sensor's optically resonant structure by the physical parameter being measured cause microshifts of its reflectivity and transmission curves, and of the selected operating segment(s) thereof being used, as a function of the physical parameter being measured. The operating segments have a maximum length and a maximum microshift of less than about one resonance cycle in length for unambiguous output from the sensor. The input measuring light wavelength(s) are selected to fall within the operating segment(s) over the range of values of interest for the physical parameter being measured. The output light from the sensor's optically resonant structure is spectrally modulated by the optically resonant structure as a function of the physical parameter being measured. The spectrally modulated output light is then converted into analog electrical measuring output signals by detection means.

Abstract: A precision pin gauging system for a sheet metal shearing machine, wherein the pin gauging system comprises a horizontal mounting bar secured to the front of the shearing machine and a pair of pin gauge devices. Each pin gauge device includes clamping means for releasably securing it to the mounting bar as desired. Each pin gauge device also includes a spring loaded, pivoting gauging arm for releasably engaging the gauging holes in the work piece. Each pin gauge further includes a micrometer adjustment screw for precisely setting the exact desired distance between the gauging arm and the shearing means in the shearing machine.

Abstract: Closures for a sterilization container system comprising at least one band of shrinkable material encircling the base and lid of a sterilization container system. The closures are formed from a shrinkable material which, when exposed to a shrinking agent, shrinks to pull said lid and base tightly against each other for the goal of providing a microorganism proof seal to prevent the entry of microorganisms into the interior of the sterilization container system. Also disclosed are the method of using the closures to achieve that goal, and the method of using at least one agent which simultaneously shrinks the at least one band of shrinkable material and sterilizes the sterilization container system and its contents.

Abstract: The lift generated by delta wings is due primarily to large vortices associated with the flow separation near the leading edge. The invention includes a perturbation device to control the separation shedding of those vortices and manipulate their frequency and pairing. This results in different growth rates of the vortices downstream of the device and thus the lift produced by the large bound vortices may be controlled. If the invention is applied to both leading edges, the total lift of the wing will be altered; if the perturbation is preferentially applied on only one side of the wing, the moment around the roll axis of the aircraft is controlled. A first embodiment uses a piston coupled to a cavity and slot to produce the desired perturbation. Alternative embodiments are described which achieve the results without moving parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical devices for sensing and measuring various physical parameters. More particularly, this invention relates to an optical device having a spectral modulation sensor in which the physical parameter being measured causes spectral changes in the reflectivity and/or transmission of the sensor's optically resonant structure, thereby spectrally modulating the output light from the sensor as a function of the physical parameter being measured.

Abstract: A one piece, fiber reinforced, plastic radiator cooling fan for a truck. The fan is reinforced by: a hub extension which extends from the hub into each blade a substantial distance; by directly interconnecting the leading and trailing edges of adjacent blades to form a juncture therebetween in the form of a spiral located radially outwardly from the hub; by having the leading and trailing edges of adjacent hub extensions interconnect in a smoothly curved line tangent to the hub; by strengthening locations of high stress in each blade; and by avoiding sudden changes in thickness and in direction of the various portions of the fan.

Abstract: An inclinometer, adapted to be rigidly secured to an object, for detecting the amount and direction of the inclination of the object in any direction with respect to a horizontal or other reference plane. The inclinometer comprises a fiber optic rod rigidly mounted at one of its ends and having a weight secured to its free end. The free end of the rod has two degrees of freedom of motion with respect to its rigidly mounted end. Light is supplied to the rod's mounted end and light emitted from the rod's free end falls on a continuous two dimensional optical detection surface area of an optical detector which uniquely detects the position of the spot of light falling anywhere on its surface area, regardless of the direction in which the spot of light moves on its surface area. From the position of the spot of light on the surface area, the amount and direction of inclination of the object can be determined.

Abstract: A microscope specimen slide clip comprising a contoured clip blade supported by a brace and a spring. The clip blade includes a protruding actuating portion which, when depressed, causes the clip blade to pivot vertically on the spring to permit a specimen slide to be inserted or removed under the holding portion of the clip blade. The spring may be replaced by a tubular piece of resilient material. The brace may either be directly screwed into the microscope to mount the microscope specimen slide clip or the brace may be secured to the microscope by a screw which passes through a bore in the brace.

Abstract: A device for winding leaders, wherein the device will securely and protectively wind leaders of any length, regardless of whether the ends of the leaders terminate in hooks, swivels or loops. Separate leader winding recesses are provided which encircle the device. For leaders having leader lines with some elasticity, the leader is wound on the device under tension. Alternatively, for leaders having any type of leader line, whether elastic or non-elastic, the wound leaders are passed under tension over an elastic member extending about the periphery of the device, thereby deflecting the elastic member. The tension of the wound elastic leader line or the deflected elastic member maintains tension separately on each wound leader to keep it from tangling and to keep its ends securely anchored. Various anchor points for the hook, loop or swivel on the end of each leader, and different winding paths for each leader are provided to assist in winding leaders of any given length and any given type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching blades to a rotating structure where the blades are clamped by blocks at the leading and trailing edges then to an intermediary member which is attached to the rotating structure.

Abstract: A catheter shield comprising a dome surrounded by a peripheral, skin engaging flange. The dome defines a cavity, has a hole for the catheter, and has a radial slit extending to the edge of the shield to aid in placement of the shield around the catheter. Vents may be provided in the shield. The shield is held in place by holding the shield against the skin, moderately tensioning the catheter, providing means for preventing relative longitudinal motion between the catheter and the shield, and then releasing the catheter so the elasticity of the catheter and of the body parts which anchor it pull and hold the shield in place against the skin. A second method for securing the shield entails positioning the shield around the catheter, pressing the shield firmly downward against the skin, and applying a tape strip with one of its edges firmly against the top of the shield.