Abstract: A conveyer for delivering a column of balls to an elevated location has a rotating wheel formed of resilient material. A track has a pair of curvilinear rails which extend along a portion of the circumferential surface of the wheel and which are spaced apart by distance that is smaller than the diameter of the balls. Balls are sequentially fed onto a first portion of the track at which the rails are spaced from the wheel by a distance which causes the balls to be pressed against the wheel. The edges become closer to the wheel at a second portion of the track causing increased clamping pressure against the balls at that portion of the track. A ball delivery tube extends upward from the outlet end of the track. The increased clamping pressure against balls which are momentarily below the base of the upwardly extending column of balls enables elevation of a column of balls to a greater height.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a high speed liquid jet used in forming ophthalmic incisions includes an instrument body having an elongated rectangular portion and a tapered end portion. A cylindrical housing is secured to the tapered end, and is provided with a stepped opening extending axially therethrough. A jet carrier includes a longitudinally extending body, and a pair of high precision crossed roller slides join the carrier and body to permit lateral translation of the jet carrier. A micro-motor assembly secured within the rectangular body portion is joined to a pinion gear which engages a rack gear joined to the jet carrier to drive the jet carrier in lateral translation. The jet carrier includes a proximal connector for a high pressure fluid hose, and a jet nozzle assembly extending from the distal end. A plurality of guide members are provided, all having common structural features adapted to engage the stepped opening of the distal end of the instrument body.

Abstract: Methods of treating headache and functional extraocular and intraocular myotendinitis by applying to the eyes of a patient being treated a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrocortisone, medrysone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, fluoromethasone, rimexolone, and loteprednol ebonate, and combinations of these compounds with other constituents.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus for packing items in selectively variable numerical quantities includes a track assembly adapted to support a plurality of strip items in parallel array. In a first section of the track assembly, a lateral slot receives consecutive batches of strips in parallel array. A plurality of pusher elements extend through a track slot, pushing the strips to impinge on each other in edge-adjacent fashion, and to translate distally from the first stage. A second stage of the track assembly includes a sufficient length of the track to accumulate a large number of strips. At the distal end of the track, a strip collection cylinder receives the strips. One end of the cylinder is configured to receive the open end of a bottle package, and the other receives a plunger to push the accumulated strips from to the bottle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a multi-time indicating container, closure, and pill cup separator, comprising a common post manufactured container, with a round upper portion such as a round neck or a round body. The container further comprises a newly added rotatable pointer which is attached around the upper round portion of the container. The pointer can be attached to any post manufactured container with an upper round portion. The container further includes indicia which is applied around the upper portion of the container just below the rotatable pointer. The container further includes a post manufactured, separable double closure, which is separated using a double closure separator comprising a locking C-clamp having one standard round clamping tip and one newly added separator wedge blade tip.

Abstract: Emulsions containing dense gas, liquid and a surfactant which may have been used for extraction of a solute from a substance or for other purposes are demulsified by passage through a membrane contactor. An emulsion flow path in the contactor is separated from a dense gas and surfactant flow path by membrane having pores which enable passage of the dense gas and surfactant constituents of the emulsion through the membrane while inhibiting passage of the liquid and any solute which may be therein. The membrane may be a plurality of hollow fibers. A portion of the recovered dense gas may be vaporized, temperature adjusted and be repressurized and be redirected into the dense gas and surfactant flow path to increase processing rate. Recovered dense gas and surfactant may be returned to the emulsion source for reuse therein.

Abstract: A paint roller cleaner includes a generally tubular housing having one end open and the other end tapered to join a faucet coupling adapted to be releasably secured to a water source. The diameter of the housing is dimensioned to receive the roller with minimum clearance therebetween for pressurized water flow. The length of the housing is slightly greater than the roller. Adjacent to the open end of the housing, a pair of holes are disposed to removably secure a retaining pin. A roller cap includes one end adapted to be removably secured in an open end of the paint roller, and the other end of the cap includes an outwardly protruding, concentrically disposed cone. To use the paint roller cleaner, the roller cap is inserted in one open end of the paint roller The paint roller is placed into the open end of the housing with the capped end thereof extending innermost. Thereafter, a pin is extended through the opposed holes near the open end to retain the paint roller.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding and delivering a thin web in a longitudinal direction, a web guide for precisely controlling the lateral position of the web includes an assembly formed of a platen and mating cover. The platen is provided with an upper surface having a shallow channel formed therein, the channel being sufficiently deep to receive the thickness of the web. The channel includes opposed parallel edges, either one of which may be designated a reference edge. The channel is dimensioned to be wider than the thin web or film. The platen includes a plurality of shallow grooves extending laterally across the upper surface of the platen and the bottom surface of the channel and spaced longitudinally therealong. The cover includes a generally planar bottom surface that mates with the platen to seal the top of the channel. Air is introduced into the shallow grooves at like ends thereof that are opposite the designated reference edge of the channel.

Abstract: Load bearing capacity of a pile which is driven into the ground to support any of various structures is markedly increased following an initial period of pile driving. The pile includes a hollow pipe having a lower end region with longitudinal grooves which extend upward from an earth piercing shoe at the base of the pipe. An expansive force is exerted on the lower end region after the initial pile driving to rupture the pipe at the grooves and to bend strips of the pipe material outward for a first distance. Further pile driving bends the strips further outward as downward motion of the strips is resisted by the rim of the shoe and by ground which underlies the strips. This enables use of shorter piles and reduces driving time.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the inner wall surfaces of an aquarium tank includes a pair of magnetic assemblies adapted for mutual magnetic engagement. Both assemblies include an outer housing of waterproof material, and a planar surface adapted to impinge on the aquarium walls. A scrubber pad is laminated to at least one planar surface of the assemblies, and a strong permanent magnet is secured within the protective enclosure of each housing. One assembly impinges its scrubber surface on the inner surface of an aquarium wall, and the other assembly is disposed directly adjacent to the inner assembly and in magnetic engagement therewith. Translating movement of the outer assembly causes concomitant movement of the inner assembly, whereby the scrubber surface of the inner assembly is translated across the inner surface of the aquarium wall for cleaning purposes. A float is secured by a line or cord to the magnetic assembly disposed within the aquarium.