Abstract: A novel method of urine specimen preparation comprising intense centrifugation and a lipid wash mitigates or prevents loss of bacteria-containing sediment prior to examination. Modifications of the method facilitate examination of urines with interfering constituents such as glucose, phosphates, and soluble and insoluble proteins. By this method, bacteria have been found in the urine of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and essential hypertension. These bacteria were not detected in standard urine preparations. Administration of antibiotic agents effective against the bacteria detected, such as clindamycin, destroyed these bacteria and provided therapeutic relief.

Abstract: This invention relates to a central coolant system utilized to circulate filtered soluble oil coolant to a plurality of machining stations to flush machining waste from the stations. According to the invention, only the coolant required at the stations is continuously circulated in the system, and the machining waste is allowed to accumulate in the return flumes. This waste is periodically flushed, e.g., for 2-10 minutes every 2 hours or so, by additional coolant injected into the flumes. The flumes can be intermittently flushed by injecting a relatively small additional volume of additional coolant into individual collection flumes in series or by injecting a larger volume of coolant into all of the flumes simultaneously, both for a limited period of time. Substantial savings in pumping energy and overall coolant system size can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention proposes the utilization of a bed of finely divided, naturally occurring, strongly hydrophilic, strongly oleophobic materials for the coalescent removal of oil from water-oil mixtures containing appreciable amounts of entrained gas, such as crude oil. Preferably, the bed materials have a water wetting-to-oil wetting ratio greater than about three and are of a particle size ranging from about 20 mesh to about 60 mesh. Specifically utilized materials include fruit pit shells and nut shells such as apricot pit shells, peach pit shells, walnut shells and the like. The method consists of flowing a water-oil mixture containing entrained gas through a deep bed of fine particles and coalescing the oil internally of the bed into globules of a size incapable of passing through the interstices of the bed.

Abstract: A heat treat furnace wherein the furnace top and side walls are each defined by an outer, gas-tight metallic structural wall, an intermediate perforate metal plate generally parallel to and coextensive with the exterior wall to define a plenum chamber therebetween, and an inner layer of non-metallic, gas permeable insulation, preferably a blanket insulation of appreciable thickness. The gaseous atmosphere of the furnace is injected into the plenum chambers defined between the exterior walls and the perforate plates, and the atmosphere passes through the insulation layer into the interior of the furnace. The inward flow of atmospheric gas (1) replenishes the atmosphere in the furnace, (2) preheats the atmosphere, and (3) reduces any heat loss through the wall structure.

Abstract: A holding device or "cradle" for holding a coil of sheet material so that the material can be unrolled from the coil and cut to length. The cradle takes the form of an open-topped tray having side walls and an end wall, the side walls supporting two horizontally disposed rollers upon which the coil is super-imposed. A third roller projects through the annular coil and is spring biased into contact with the interior of the coil to retain the coil in position. The unrolled sheet material is guided by the curved bottom onto a scoring or cutting bed which has spaced, parallel non-marring surfaces which are raised above the surface of the bed to define a cutting space therebetween. An upper score guide is moveable away from the scoring bed to accommodate the entry of sheet material therebetween and is moveable downwardly into contact with the sheet material to clamp the sheet material in position for cutting and to provide an elongated cutting edge which is aligned with the space between the non-marring surfaces.

Abstract: A brake for bending sheet metal and including a bending leaf which is hinged to the workpiece clamping portions of the break by means of an integrally extruded, pin-less hinge. The bending leaf also is provided with an offset handle, so that the workpiece contacting portion of the bending leaf is of reduced size to fit within a previously formed portion of the workpiece. The hinge design includes interfitting protuberence and recess elements which are assembled by axial sliding movement, but which cannot radially disengage over the entire pivot range of the hinge, which range is sufficient to bend the workpiece over 90.degree..

Abstract: This invention provides a bracket for use in constructing wooden structures, typically a wooden deck for homes. The bracket is intended to interconnect two mutually perpendicular structural elements, such as beams and joists or post and railings. The bracket includes a central web portion, a pair of parallel flanges normal to the web and two support extensions lying in the plane of the web and, in effect, extending the width of the web to provide increased lateral stability. The extensions preferably are cut from the flanges but lie in the plane of the web. The flanges and the extensions have fastener openings in pre-determined patterns to facilitate interconnection of the structural elements by different types of fastners.

Abstract: A blister type container of the type generally intended for a single dispensing use, the container having a reclosable, securable lid which reinforces the container against accidental dispensing of the contents both before and after an initial use. The invention comprises a blister container including a nozzle portion having a frangible segment for forming a nozzle opening and a lid, wherein the nozzle portion is surrounded by an integrally formed flange member sealingly engaged to a flexible backing strip and having (1) a transverse weakened segment aligned with the frangible segment of the nozzle portion for forming a finger tab for facilitating the breaking of the frangible nozzle segment; and (2) an arcuate cross section in the vicinity of the transverse, weakened segment which cooperates with the flexible backing strip to exert a sealing force on the lid when the lid is placed over the nozzle opening.