Abstract: A disposable electrode assembly for establishing electrical contact with an underlying skin surface includes a relatively thin base member having a central hub portion and an adhesive-coated undersurface, a conductive gel-impregnated sponge contact contained in a downwardly facing recess located in the hub, and a relatively thick and inflexible cover member coextensive with the base member. In storage the cover member is attached to the undersurface of the base member by the adhesive and the sponge is confined within the recess. Prior to use the base member is peeled away from the cover member to expose the adhesive surface, which when applied to a skin surface holds the sponge contact in compression-contact therewith. A thumb recess is provided along the margin of the cover member to facilitate removal of the cover member.

Abstract: A thin-walled tubular container and a mold for making it is disclosed. The container defines a head portion with access means to the contents of the container, and a tail portion defining a sealed line in the tail portion, joining sides of the container into a sealed end with a flat plastic piece being formed integral with the sealed line and extending away therefrom. In accordance with this invention, a pair of spaced rod members are formed as an integral part of the flat, plastic piece, the rod members extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the container. The flat plastic piece also defines a portion thereof between the rod members which is thinner than any remainder of the plastic piece spaced from the rod members. Accordingly, the rod members and intermediate portion therebetween provide an improved and stronger tail seal. A novel method for making such containers is also shown.

Abstract: A supplemental additive indication cap for installation about a tubular access port of a container, which defines at one end thereof gripper means such as gripper arms for engaging the access port, to prevent removal of the cap after installation. An auxiliary sleeve is carried by the cap for enclosing the gripper means, to prevent the manual disengagement of the gripper means from the access port and removal of the cap, and also to force the gripper means into engagement with the access port. The cap prevents the addition of further additives such as medication to a parenteral solution container after it is installed.

Abstract: A flow control device for a fluid flow system includes a conduit having a cylindrical insert member disposed within. The insert member includes an axially-extending depression, and a flow bypass channel of progressively increasing cross-section within the depression. A roller mounted for movement along the wall compresses the wall into the depression to restrict flow to the underlying portion of the bypass channel. By positioning the roller the operative area of the bypass channel is varied to obtain a desired flow rate.

Abstract: There is provided an improved means and method for attaching a flexible tube to a container of the type having a stub tube port with an end of the tube fitted over the stub port. The attaching means includes a resilient ring tightly fitted over the tube end and a retainer cap fitted over the ring and bonded to the container.

Abstract: A dual injection site for use in transmitting parenteral fluid is provided in the illustrative embodiment, by joining a pair of symmetrically shaped members each having a passage serving as either an inlet or an outlet for parenteral fluid flow. A pair of pierceable, self-sealing diaphragms are sandwiched between the members and each diaphragm is aligned with a respective passage.

Abstract: An injection site is provided in the illustrative embodiment, in which a first inlet (to which a parenteral fluid conduit is connected) and a second inlet (adapted to receive injected medication) are parallelly located on one end of a main body portion. An outlet is located on the opposite end of the main body portion, with the second inlet and the outlet being substantially coaxial. The main body portion defines a single chamber that communicates with the inlets and outlets and is constructed to provide unobstructed flow of the parenteral liquid and medication to the outlet. The chamber is of a length that aids in preventing the medication that is injected from dropping through air.

Abstract: A molded collapsible solution container, which is made from a tubular, plastic parison, defines a body portion having an integral neck portion and shoulder portion at one end thereof. The container is sealed at its opposite end. The body portion defines, in as-molded configuration, a generally oval cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis of the container, adjacent the neck and shoulder portion. The cross-section tapers progressively to a flat configuration at the end of the container opposite to the neck and shoulder portion, which facilitates a uniform manner of flat collapsing of the container progressively from the opposite end toward the end adjacent the neck and shoulder portion as the contents thereof are withdrawn through the neck portion, when the container is disposed in neck downward position.

Abstract: A system for indicating the presence of water in a sterile package is shown in the illustrative arrangement by the use of a water soluble pattern of ink or dye behind a gas permeable barrier provided to such package to enable sterilization of the package contents. The pattern is printed either on the paper of the barrier or on the sealing coating provided on the barrier paper for attachment to the package shell or it is printed on a separate member deposited in the package.

Abstract: An improved support means for a safety belt retractor includes: a stationary member, a movable member, and a fastening means. The stationary member is mounted on the retractor. The movable member is mounted on the stationary member. The movable member is adjustable in one plane with reference to the stationary member. An inertia mechanism and an actuating means are mounted on the movable member and are adjustable with the movable member. The fastening means pre-sets the movable member with reference to the stationary so that the movable member supports the inertia mechanism in a desired position when the retractor is tilted for installation in a vehicle. The support means further includes: an adjustment centerline, a pivot axis for the stationary member, and a pivot axis for the movable member. The pivot axis for the stationary member and the pivot axis for the movable member are arranged approximately along the adjustment centerline.

Abstract: A protector cap for establishing a sterile seal over a port having a puncturable section in a container wall and a cylindrical neck portion projecting from the periphery of the wall section. The cap comprises a molded housing having a ring-shaped recess for sealingly engaging the neck member and a chamber formed at least in part within a compressible handle portion. The handle portion is compressed prior to inserting the cap on the neck portion of the port and is subsequently released to establish a partial vacuum in the chamber. The partial vacuum assists in retaining the protector cap in position and prevents trapped air from forcing the cap off during subsequent heat-sterilization of the container.

Abstract: A parenteral liquid infusion set comprises flow tubing, and means for connection to blood vessel penetrating means and a parenteral liquid source at opposite ends thereof. A drip chamber is present in the set having a tubular drop-forming member of reduced inner diameter. An intermediately positioned site is present for providing access to the interior of the set from the exterior, the site being positioned downstream from the drip chamber. In accordance with this invention, a portion of the fluid flow tubing downstream from the connection site defines a bore of reduced diameter, when compared with the remainder of the flow tubing, to prevent the creation of a less than atmospheric pressure in the set and to prevent air from being sucked into the flow tubing through an administration set connected at the intermediately positioned site.

Abstract: An improved flywheel and clutch mechanism is adapted for use in a safety belt retractor which has a vehicle-sensitive mechanism and a pawl. The improvement includes: a polymeric flywheel, a clutch plate, a mechanical member, a biasing means and a retaining means. The flywheel has a recess in the interior thereof. An outer circumferential surface of the flywheel has ratchet teeth thereon. The pawl is located adjacent to the ratchet teeth and can engage a ratchet tooth when the pawl is actuated by the vehicle-sensitive mechanism. The clutch plate is disposed within the recess. The mechanical member is rigidly affixed to the center of the clutch plate and extends from the exterior side of the clutch plate. The biasing means is disposed in the recess of the flywheel adjacent to an interior surface of the clutch plate. The biasing means presses against the clutch plate in a direction urging the clutch plate away from the flywheel.

Abstract: An electric switch is disposed in a cavity of a buckle. The electric switch includes a stationary first contact member, a movable second contact member, a biasing means for the second contact member, and an actuating member. The biasing means biases the second contact member to the closed position of the electric switch. The electric switch has means by which the contact end portion of the second contact member makes a wiping, self-cleaning contact with the first contact member upon actuation by the actuating member. The actuating member, in turn, is actuated by a tongue of the buckle when the tongue is inserted into the buckle.

Abstract: A release means for a safety belt tension-relieving apparatus of a safety belt retractor includes: a sensing means, a locking means, an actuating means, and a baising means. The sensing means is located in a door-jam of a vehicle door for sensing a condition when the door is open and when the door is closed. The locking means is disposed on the retractor. The sensing means causes the locking means to move to its unlocking position when the door is open. The actuating means is mounted on the retractor adjacent to the locking means. The actuating means is mechanically coupled to a portion of the locking means and electrically coupled to the sensing means. The actuating means moves the locking means to its unlocking position, thereby allowing a rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is opened.

Abstract: Method for maintaining preheating equipment used for heating coal at a temperature within a temperature range normally used for heating said coal in said equipment which comprises introducing into said equipment a heat-absorbing liquid at a rate sufficient to maintain said equipment within said temperature range. Typically, the heat-absorbing liquid is an aqueous solution, preferably water, and said temperature range for preheating said coal is from 250.degree. to 700.degree. F.

Abstract: A safety buckle and tongue in combination wherein pressure on the tongue release push button is employed at a mechanical advantage, hence the buckle is unlatched with a minimum of effort even under conditions of stress. A ferrule provides a continuous link between the members of the restraint system to be connected, providing great strength and reliability.A pin, biased downwardly, latches the inserted tongue securely by entering an opening in the tongue. In inserting the tongue, an ejection member within the slot is forced back against its bias. When the pin is extracted from the tongue by the pressing of a push button, the tongue is ejected and the ejection member comes to rest directly beneath the pin, restraining it above the slot until displaced by the reinsertion of the tongue.

Abstract: The safety belt retractor of this invention has a belt-sensitive mechanism and a vehicle-sensitive mechanism, both mounted on an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a mounting plate slidably mounted on the reel shaft for limited rotation and a flywheel having ratchet teeth. The vehicle-sensitive mechanism includes a pendulum assembly and an actuating pawl. When the pendulum assembly oscillates, it lifts the actuating pawl which engages the ratchet flywheel, causing the mounting plate to rotate and actuate a locking pawl. The belt-sensitive mechanism includes a pinion gear and a spur gear which is driven by the reel shaft. When withdrawal of the safety belt exceeds a predetermined level of acceleration, the flywheel lags in rotation and causes the pinion gear to move along an arc of the spur gear, causing the mounting plate to rotate and actuate the locking pawl.

Abstract: An electric switch is disposed in a cavity of a buckle. The electric switch includes a stationary first contact member, a movable second contact member, and a biasing means for the second contact member. The biasing means biases the second contact member to the open position of the electric switch. The electric switch has means by which the contact end portion of the second contact member makes a wiping, self-cleaning contact with a part of the first contact member upon actuation by a tongue of the buckle.

Abstract: The vehicle-sensitive retractor has an improved universal support assembly and pendulum assembly. The support is a gimbal assembly which includes: a pivot ring, a swivel axis for the pivot ring, a trunnion, a swivel axis for the trunnion, and a support member for the trunnion. The pivot ring has an aperture in its bottom central portion through which a pendulum rod extends and a circular support edge upon which a pendulum head is disposed for pivoting movement. The pivot ring is supported by the trunnion, which in turn is supported by the support member for the trunnion. The pivot ring is adapted to pivot in two directions upon its swivel axis with reference to the trunnion. The trunnion is adapted to pivot in two directions upon its swivel axis with reference to the support member for the trunnion. The swivel axis of the pivot ring is disposed approximately perpendicular to the swivel axis for the trunnion.