Abstract: A peristaltic infusion pump. According to one embodiment, the pump comprises a tubing set and a pump adapted to receive the tubing set. The tubing set includes an elbow with indicating tabs for indicating the size of the tubing set. The pump determines the size of the tubing set from the indicating tabs on the tubing set.

Abstract: A waste decomposition system, having a container and an air circulation system integrated into the container. The air circulation system has a positive air pressure source; and a negative air pressure source. Also a method for decomposition of liquid and solid organic waste, including the steps of: (a) providing a container for collecting the waste; (b) forcing air through the waste with a positive air pressure source; (c) withdrawing air from the container with a negative air pressure source.

Abstract: A process for preventing precipitation of cimetidine from cimetidine injectables which involves thermally treating the cimetidine injectables, which are substantially free of precipitate, is described.

Abstract: A method of providing curable elastomers crosslinked with the aid of metal salts of .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids and, optionally an alkyl aminoalkyl phenol vulcanization inhibitor, having improved adhesive properties is provided. The method of the invention yields cured rubber articles with markedly improved adhesion to metals and synthetic fibers, curable and cured elastomers prepared by the method, and articles comprising at least one polar surface and an adhering cured elastomer, are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 32 H, CH.sub.3 ;R.sub.2 =H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl; andx=1-20; andprocess for preparing such compounds by reacting a compound of the formula ##STR2## with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of (a) tungstic acid or its metal salts, (b) phosphoric acid or its metal salts, and (c) at least one phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus for illumination and imaging of a surface includes an apparatus for illuminating the surface, an apparatus for obtaining an image of the illuminated surface and providing an output signal representative of the obtained image, and an apparatus for limiting the exposure time of the image-obtaining apparatus to a selected fast exposure time less than the video frame rate of the image-obtaining apparatus. The image-obtaining apparatus may be a CCD-based camera. The CCD-based camera and the illumination apparatus may be mounted in a shroud having an opaque side wall. A first polarizing film may be provided intermediate the illumination apparatus and the surface, and a second polarizing film, having a polarization orientation orthogonal to that of the first polarizing film, may be provided intermediate the surface and the image-obtaining apparatus.

Abstract: A method for determining the hip joint laxity of a dog includes the steps of positioning the hip joints of the dog, in a coordinate system having three degrees of freedom, a first degree of freedom for flexion and extension of the hip joint, a second degree of freedom for adduction and abduction of the hip joint, and a third degree of freedom for internal and external rotation of the hip joint, where a neutral position is defined as positioning of an axis of the femur perpendicular to a plane defined by both ischiatic tuberosities and both cranial dorsal iliac spines and where both femoral condyles are perpendicular to the long axis of the pelvis, between 10 degrees of flexion and 30 degrees of extension, between about 10 and about 30 degrees of abduction, and from about zero degrees of rotation to about 10 degrees of external rotation; applying a lateral outward force on the femoral head, the magnitude of the force being sufficient to cause the hip to enter a high stiffness region and, while maintaining the

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively diverting articles being conveyed on a second conveyor path to a first conveyor path includes an apparatus for diverting an article, which diverting apparatus has an upstream end and a downstream end, the diverting apparatus being selectively movable between an activated position and an inactivated position. When the diverting apparatus is in its inactivated position, the diverting apparatus is included in the first conveyor path, and receives at its upstream end articles being conveyed in a first direction on the second conveyor path and conveys the articles along the first conveyor path. When the diverting apparatus is in its inactivated position, the diverting apparatus is sufficiently distant from the first conveyor path not to obstruct articles of a selected maximum size being conveyed on the second conveyor path. There is also provided an apparatus for selectively moving the diverting apparatus between its activated position and its inactivated position.

Abstract: A necklace having a chain and a jewelry element has attaching members at each end of the chain and two pins extending from a rear surface of the jewelry element, with the pins disposed through the attaching members and bent back to the rear surface. A jewelry element having two L-shaped members, with a pin extending from an upright side of each and having an opposite end in close proximity to a base of each L-shaped member is disclosed. A jewelry element may have two pins attached at one end, terminating at the other end in a ball and disposed through attaching members, attached to ends of a chain. A method of making a necklace from a jewelry element having two pins extending from a rear surface thereof and a chain having attaching members at each end includes placing each attaching member over a pin and bending each pin back to the rear surface or heating each pin to form a ball at the end thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating and imaging a surface includes a two-dimensional array of LEDs for providing uniform illumination to the surface, the LEDs being mounted on a planar surface with a centrally defined aperture, and a CCD-based camera with appropriate lensing for obtaining an image of the illuminated surface and providing a signal representative of that obtained image to a processing unit, the CCD-based camera lensing being disposed through the centrally defined aperture in the planar surface of the LED array, and the LED array and CCD-camera lensing being disposed inside an opaque shroud.

Abstract: An apparatus for illumination and imaging of a surface includes an apparatus for illuminating the surface, an apparatus for obtaining an image of the illuminated surface and providing an output signal representative of the obtained image, and an apparatus for limiting the exposure time of the image-obtaining apparatus to a selected fast exposure time less than the video frame rate of the image-obtaining apparatus. The image-obtaining apparatus may be a CCD-based camera. The CCD-based camera and the illumination apparatus may be mounted in a shroud having an opaque side wall. A first polarizing film may be provided intermediate the illumination apparatus and the surface, and a second polarizing film, having a polarization orientation orthogonal to that of the first polarizing film, may be provided intermediate the surface and the image-obtaining apparatus.

Abstract: A propelling device comprises a floating plate and an attached floating body. The floating plate has a hole surrounded by a flange at the upper part, the flange provided along the two sides of the floating body sit on the flange of the floating plate. An electric ON/OFF switch is fixed on the floating body to control a motor provided to drive a propeller, besides, a speed switch is provided to control the speed of the motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an assembly of a hydraulic motor and of a brake which is coupled thereto, comprising in particular a brake shaft which traverses said motor and brake entirely. According to the invention, the brake shaft comprises an axial through recess allowing passage of a link, such as a movement transmission shaft. One application of the invention is the production of a reliable compactor.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a lower surface and a number of article supporting surfaces, each of which is tiltably attached to the lower surface. Inflatable chambers are defined in the belt, the article supporting surfaces being disposed to tilt upon inflation of the inflatable chambers. An article conveyor system includes a belt having a lower surface and article supporting surfaces tiltably attached to the lower surface, a conveyor bed for supporting the belt during motion along a predetermined path, and an apparatus for selectively introducing pressurized air between the lower surface and each of the article supporting surfaces for tilting the article supporting surfaces, thereby causing an article on the selectively tilted article supporting surfaces to be discharged.

Abstract: Robotic hand includes retractable paddles for supporting an article and a vertically-movable top paddle for engaging an upper surface of the article. The top paddle is mounted on an upper free end of a band of sheet-like material, which may be extended above the top surface of a housing of the robotic hand. Inflatable bladders in the retractable paddles have a relatively high coefficient of friction, and the top surface of the paddles has relatively low coefficient of friction. A force sensor may be provided in the lower surface of the top paddles.

Abstract: A bed having a mattress and a vertical wall extending about the entire periphery of the mattress. The wall includes lightweight panels disposed in one or more courses. A gate is provided in one section of the wall by gate panels hingedly mounted at one end and latchably mounted at an opposite end. Panels other than gate panels are rigidly mounted in place with respect to one another. Each panel has a rigid structural exterior section and an interior padded section. The padded sections are disposed so that padding is provided over substantially the entire interior side of the wall when the panels are assembled in the walls.

Abstract: The camera system of the present invention simultaneously searches for a number of differing optical acquisition targets. This system may decode, for example, both bar codes and concentric rings. The scan signal is constantly adjusted according to both a dark reference for correcting offset and a white reference for correcting gain. The gain is also corrected according to the scanning rate as well as the amount of illumination present. A measure of this illumination may be applied directly to the optical scanning device by way of a fiber optic cable which transmits light from the illumination source. Optical calibration is eliminated by fixed optics wherein all optical elements are rigidly mounted at very close tolerances. The illumination source is disposed on one focus of an ellipse wherein the other focus is disposed at the maximum scanning distance and the reflector is formed to define the illumination ellipse to maximize the light applied to the object.

Abstract: An improved lighting apparatus for providing uniform illumination to the surface of an object, primarily surfaces with data in code or alphanumeric format, includes an area diffused light source mounted interior to a light-shielding canopy. The area diffused light source includes at least one electroluminiscent panel. The light-shielding canopy blocks out external sources of light, and has an interior surface that reflects light emitted by the electroluminiscent panel. In operation, the light-shielding canopy completely covers the surface of an object while diffuse, uniform light emanating directly from the electroluminiscent panel or reflected off the interior surface of the light-shielding canopy illuminates the surface of the object.

Abstract: The conveyor system of the present invention provides an endless belt system in which roller assemblies are aligned side by side in rows beneath the upper surface of the endless belt. Each individual roller assembly is provided with a roller and an axis about which the roller rotates. The roller assemblies are disposed in support members by lowering them into a receiving region in the support members. The receiving region is adapted to removably receive the roller assembles when the roller assemblies are lowered into the receiving region at any angle within a ninety degree range to prevent jamming of the assembly during insertion. The support members rotationally immobilize and retain the axis of the roller assembly while simultaneously providing structural integrity to the conveyor system. The roller shaft is maintained within the support member both by gravity acting upon the roller assembly itself and by the weight of the belt resting upon the roller assembly.