Abstract: A method and apparatus for pretreating a patient prior to a therapeutic painful stimulus, comprising the application of pain inhibiting stimuli to a patient prior to an application of the therapeutic painful stimulus. Applying pain inhibiting stimuli comprises the steps of sensing a need for the therapeutic painful stimulus, preparing to deliver the pain inhibiting stimuli to the patient prior to applying the therapeutic painful stimulus, and delivering the pain inhibiting stimuli to the patient prior to applying the therapeutic painful stimulus. The method and apparatus are embodied in modem, fully automatic, fully implantable, single or dual chamber atrial or ventricular cardioverter-defibrillators. The pain inhibiting prepulse method is intended primarily for use in conscious patients but may also be used in sleeping patients.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming stacked article groups by supplying at least two streams of articles; forming a stream of first article groups having at least one article; placing a support base on a top surface of each first article group; and forming a second article group, having at least one article, on top of the support base of each first article group, whereby stacked article groups are formed. The stacked article groups are subsequently packaged.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading stacked article groups into cartons in a continuous motion cartoner assembly. The barrel cam loading apparatus or article group transport mechanism is particularly suited to loading article groups that are unstable or whose articles tend to spin and kick article out of the carton.

Abstract: A down-article indicator which automatically adjusts for the height difference of articles, such as bottles, when article size is changed for a new run on a machine conveying articles. A pivotably mounted height sensing arm, located on one lane of the machine, down stream from an array of freely pivoting detecting arms, is connected by an adjustable mechanical linkage to a pivoting bracket holding a retro-reflective photo eye in proper location with respect to the detecting arms so that the detecting arms do not break a light beam from the photo eye during normal operation. A non-upright article will cause a detecting arm to pivot and break the light beam to stop the machine. As a new group of articles having a different height moves into the down-article indicating station, the height sensing arm automatically moves the photo eye to its proper location for the new height articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the input of articles at the start-up phase of a packaging machine of the type having at least one article conveyance lane and an article grouping mechanism constructed and arranged to meter articles moving in the conveyance lane into predetermined groups, comprising:(a) at least one stop post aligned for extension into the conveyance lane, the stop post further being disposed at an infeed end of the article grouping mechanism;(b) means to actuate the stop post, whereby the stop post is extendible and retractable in the article conveyance lane, the stop post impeding travel of articles in the lane when extended and permitting travel of articles in the lane when retracted; and(c) means to coordinate actuation of the means to actuate with operation of the article grouping mechanism.

Abstract: A covering for an underlying structure comprises a bottom layer of U-shaped sections with gaps between covered by an upper layer of inverted U-shaped sections, the sections having clearance holes and/or flexible edges to permit transverse thermal flexing. The bottom sections are attachable to the structure by clip elements previously attached to the structure.

Abstract: A speed limiting device for a vehicle equipped with a deployable utility device such as a bunker rake. An adjustable mechanical linkage connects a limiting mechanism to the deployable utility device such that when the utility device is deployed, the limiting mechanism is positioned to stop rotation of a pivoting member which controls the output of the power source, such as a hydrostatic drive. The adjustable linkage provides adjustment of the stop position and, therefore, the maximum speed of the vehicle when the utility device is deployed. When the utility device is in the non-deployed position, the limiting mechanism is positioned such that it does not inhibit the motion of the pivoting member, and the vehicle can be operated over its entire speed range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of marking livestock, objects and surfaces comprising:selecting a marker cartridge containing a marking means of a selected type, colour or design;securely engaging the marker cartridge into a marker cartridge receiver;attaching the cartridge receiver to a user's wrist with a strap; andmarking livestock, objects and surfaces with the selected marking means in the marker cartridge.

Abstract: A method for halting the function of a high speed packaging machine of the type having a conveyor based article infeed line conveying articles to a flight bar based selection line. The method is useful for performing a clean out procedure used during maintenance, and product or packaging change over. The method comprises the steps of terminating the operation of the infeed line conveyor at a predetermined position; placing an article follower behind a terminal article in each input lane; activating the operation of the infeed line conveyor whereby the articles in each input lane are conveyed to the selection line; and halting the conveyance of the article follower in the input lane prior to the selection line. An article follower and follower system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An atomic hydrogen source. The source has an elongated cylindrical structure with proximal and distal or inner and outer ends. A head structure is disposed at the proximal end for communicative connection with electrical power, gas, temperature control and related systems. A mounting flange is disposed along the length of the source for connection with an MBE or other apparatus. A tube structure is disposed at the distal end for extension into the apparatus. The tube structure includes gas and power conduction elements, including a high temperature resistive filament for cracking gas.

Abstract: A method for continuously forming stacked article groups, comprising the steps of supplying at least two streams of articles, each at a predetermined vertically distinct level; forming and longitudinally transporting a stream of first article groups having at least one article, at a first level; placing a support base on a top surface of each first article group; and forming a second article group, having at least one article, at a second level on top of the support base of each longitudinally moving first article group, whereby stacked article groups are formed. The stacked article groups are subsequently processed for packaging.

Abstract: An implantable assembly for defibrillation and monitoring and/or regulating the beat of a heart. The defibrillation electrode is flexible and preferably made of braided carbon fiber and conductive metallic wire. It provides a low polarization, low capacitance and low impedance electrical interface with body fluid and/or excitable tissue. The conductivity of the defibrillation electrode is increased over electrodes made only of carbon fiber by the presence of the conductive metallic wire in the preferred embodiment, or by a thin exterior coating of titanium and silver in another embodiment. This electrode delivers energy more efficiently to body tissue than conventional defibrillation electrodes, resulting in lower energy needed to achieve defibrillation, which allows batteries powering the defibrillator to last longer.

Abstract: An apparatus for constructing multi-piece carton pre-forms, comprising a wrap member supply hopper, a wrap/pre-form conveyor, a glue station, a web placement and compression station including a web supply magazine and a reciprocating placer, and an output station. The apparatus processes paperboard pre-forms which are subsequently erected into cartons for fresh produce and the like. An improved packaging member conveyor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cartoning apparatus for loading stacked article groups into carton sleeves. The cartoning apparatus comprises at least two article infeed mechanisms, each supplying at least one stream of articles at a predetermined height or level, an article selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanisms to form and move a stream of stacked article groups of a predetermined pattern, a carton supply and transport mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with said article selection and transport mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups, and an article group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.

Abstract: A stairway step assembly for use as an aid in climbing a stairway. The assembly is particularly useful to elderly and handicapped users who have difficulty climbing a standard stairway due to the height or rise of the steps thereof. The assembly provides a means of quickly, economically, and safely altering the step arrangement of the standard stairway with minimal or no modification to the permanent structure of the stairway. The assembly comprises a plurality of step members having predetermined horizontal dimensions and a predetermined height which is approximately one-half the height or rise distance of a standard step. The assembly further comprises an attachments mechanism for connecting the step members in place on the top or horizontal section of standard steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for constructing multi-piece cartons, comprising a tray member supply hopper, a tray conveyor, a glue station, a web placement and compression station including a reciprocating placer, a preform conveyor, a forming station having at least three vertically aligned mandrels and a carton output conveyor. The apparatus process paperboard cartons for fresh produce and the like. The apparatus is operable in a cartoning mode and a preform mode wherein flat unerected carton preforms are output.

Abstract: A portable aircraft weighing scale, comprising:(a) a base having load cell mounting structures;(b) a plurality of shear beam load cells mounted to the base via the mounting structures;(c) a platform for supporting an aircraft wheel or wheel set; and(d) a mechanism for mounting the platform to the load cells.

Abstract: A flexible, sterile, trimable device which gently and continuously removes unwanted fluid from an operating field during surgery by wicking the fluid into a mat having a high wicking property. A flexible suction tube having one end embedded in the mat removes fluid from the mat, thereby preventing the mat from becoming saturated. One embodiment of the invention is as a surgical swabber where one end of a length of semi-rigid tube is embedded in the mat and the other end is connected to a flexible suction tube. Another embodiment of the invention is as a platform for microsurgery where a membrane having a plurality of holes is applied to one side of the mat. The membrane supports the tissue being worked on and is preferably a contrasting color. Fluid passing into the holes is wicked into the mat where it is subsequently removed by the suction tube. The platform can be oriented in any position and does not slip on the tissue on which it is placed.