Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing substantially flat processed meat products and, more specifically, flat casingless hot dogs. In the disclosed methods a material containing substantial amounts of the meat protein is formed prior to cooking into a flat form of a predetermined thickness by pressing the uncooked material. The flat form is then heated either simultaneously with the forming or thereafter to a temperature and for a time sufficient to congeal a sufficient amount of the protein to stabilize the shape of the flat form but insufficient to cause any substantial rendering of the material. The surface of the congealed flat form is then treated by smoke, drying or both to establish its texture and flavor, and the treated flat form is then finally cooked into the food product. The flat form is cut into discrete flat shaped patties either at the beginning of the method or subsequent to cooking or chilling.

Abstract: A mulching mower is provided for mowing and mulching turf vegetation in order to reduce the size of the cut vegetation and more evenly distribute the vegetation once thus cut. Counterrotating, coaxial mowing blade and mulching tool assemblies are provided. The mowing blade assembly is driven by a central shaft rotatably mounted through a drive barrel which drives the mulching tool. The mulching tool assembly includes a plurality of blades, typically pivotally mounted, at least one of the mulching blades being in a lower mulching plane, and at least one other of the mulching blades being in an upper mulching plane.

Abstract: A flying animal or bird feeder is described. The feeder includes first and second faces, each face having a raised periphery. The raised periphery preferably includes sleeves that wrap around peripheral rods. A hinge member permits the feeder to be placed in both an open and a closed orientation. In its open orientation, a source of food, such as suet, may be put on one of the faces. The feeder may then be placed in its closed orientation so that the source of food is compressed between the faces in a sandwich-like fashion. Access to the food can be gained by flying birds, insects and the like through apertures in one or both of the faces. In one embodiment, the raised periphery of the first face engages the raised periphery of the second face when the feeder is in its closed orientation. These raised peripheries prevent consumption of the source of food by non-flying animals, such as squirrels, raccoons and the like.

Abstract: A medical valve element has a first solid portion of circular cross-section, a second cylindrical portion with a frustoconical interior passage, and a third hollow cylindrical portion featuring peripheral grooves. The valve element is made of elastomeric material and the first portion is surrounded by a solid metallic collar. The valve element is used in a medical valve. The valve has a cannula mounded on a hub and fixed in a fluid conduit so that the cannula points upstream. The elastomeric valve element is mounted on the hub within the conduit so as to enclose the cannula. In use, the valve element is compressed by application of a medical appliance to the valve element first portion to cause the cannula point to pierce the first portion to provide a path for fluid flow through the conduit. The collar causes the valve first portion to reseal upon removal of the medical appliance and expansion of the valve element back to its original condition.

Abstract: New and improved lubrifying coatings for reducing the coefficients of friction of surfaces on medical devices include hydrophilic copolymers derived monoethylenically-unsaturated monomers including some monomers having pendant primary amine functionality and some monomers having pendant tertiary amine functionality. The lubricious hydrogel coatings are covalently bondable to epoxy functionalized surfaces on the medical equipment to provide firmly adherent hydrogel coatings that are slippery when wet. Epoxy functionalized surfaces are provided by epoxy functional or epoxy group containing silane coupling agents. The pendant tertiary amine moieties are readily convertible at alkaline pH to quaternary ammonium cations to which anionic anti-thrombogenic agents may be bonded. Three dimensional copolymer matrices may also be provided as coatings on the surfaces by crosslinking the copolymers before or after attachment to the surface being treated.

Abstract: A compact disc storage case for storing a compact disc includes an interior storage compartment which receives the compact disc. A manually manipulatable latch/eject mechanism is incorporated in the storage case and includes an elongated latch/eject member which moves within the storage compartment between two positions. In one position, the latch/eject member engages the inner hole of the compact disc and in the other position, the latch/eject member disengages the disc and forces it partially out of the storage case. The storage compartment includes a ramp which the latch/eject member traverses in its movement between the two positions and the ramp forces the latch/eject member out of disengagement with the compact disc.

Abstract: A photodynamic therapy balloon catheter is provided which has an elongated light-emanating optical fiber, an inner tubular member, a balloon member surrounding the inner tubular member, and fluid material provided between the inner tubular member and the balloon member. Light-reflective material is included in any one or a plurality of the inner member, fluid material, and balloon member in any combination to provide a uniform illumination for activating treatment fluids located on an elongated treatment site within a living body.

Abstract: A system for making multi-site skin tests primarily for use by allergists making use of a multi-head applicator and a matching multi-well dipwell tray. The applicator has an elongated handle with arms extending transversely from opposite sides having downwardly extending legs terminating in multi-pointed ends or heads capable of picking up and retaining small quantities of liquid skin-testing substances. The multi-point ends or heads occupy the same plane and are arrayed in a pattern suited for simultaneously making multi-site skin tests. The applicator cooperates with a multi-well dipwell tray with a plurality of dipwells arrayed in patterns which match the pattern in which the multi-pointed ends or heads on the cooperating applicator are arrayed. The individual dipwells have a capacity to hold quantities of skin testing substances or medicaments equaling many times the volume of a single dose or increment that is picked up by one of the multi-pointed ends or heads on an applicator.

Abstract: Fluid refrigeration compositions comprising a hydrocarbon lubricant, an immiscible refrigerant and an additive capable of reducing the interfacial tension between the hydrocarbon lubricant and refrigerant.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a surveillance camera includes a base plate, a swivel assembly and an elongated housing interconnecting the two. The base plate and housing include wire openings formed therein that cooperate to define a wire pathway through the housing. The swivel assembly includes a ball and socket arrangement by which the position of the camera may be easily adjusted.

Abstract: Coated animal feed agglomerates such as pellets are made starting with uncoated agglomerates or pellets that may be formed of easily agglomerated or pelleted ingredients but which may be lacking in desirable nutritional or other ingredients. A binder such as a viscous aqueous gel is coated onto the uncoated agglomerates or pellets. Thereafter, the damp binder coated agglomerates or pellets are dusted with a powder containing ingredients having a substantial lactose content which usually are not amenable to being extruded. After the dusting powder has been applied, the coated and dusted pellets undergo a curing step before they are dried and cooled.

Abstract: Vehicles, notably heavy duty trucks, equipped with torque reactive suspensions, such as trailing arm air suspensions, are susceptible to driveline vibration and wheel hop due to engine produced torque. According to this invention such driveline vibration and wheel hop can be suppressed by preventing frame rise from occurring. Suppression can be accomplished by providing one of several forms of frame rise control means operative between the vehicle drive axle and the vehicle frame. One form of frame rise control means utilizes rebound control leaf springs on opposite sides of a vehicle. Another form utilizes shock absorbers each of which incorporates a spring mounted on the piston rod. Another form utilizes hydraulic cylinders, each having a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid connected to the chamber of the cylinder on the rebound side of the piston and the chamber on the opposite side of the piston vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A hatch cover locking mechanism for securing a roof member onto a hatch opening of a railway hopper car is provided. The hatch cover lock utilizes camming engagement between an operation handle and a keeper member in order to lock or unlock the keeper member over a hinge pin associated with the hatch roof member. A hook rotates along an orientation generally the same as that of the keeper, and the hook retains the hinge pin as desired when the hinge pin is not locked down by the keeper.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for manufacturing a substantially grit-free calcium salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid having twelve to twenty-two carbon atoms comprising the steps of (1) conveying into a mixing zone at least one aliphatic carboxylic acid having twelve to twenty-two carbon atoms and a calcium hydroxide product having a maximum particle size of 22 microns, (2) applying heat as necessary, (3) mixing until the reaction has progressed to the desired end point, and (4) discharging calcium carboxylate salt from the mixing zone.The disclosed process affords a novel calcium salt of a carboxylic acid such as one comprising a calcium stearate substantially free of grit, characterized by a melting range from 131.degree. C. to 159.degree. C., an ash content in the range from 9 to 12% by weight as calcuim oxide, a free fatty acid content not exceeding 1% by weight, a water soluble salt content in the range from 0.001% to 0.1% by weight, and an apparent density in the range from 15 to 25 pounds per cubic foot.

Abstract: A device for making folds in an angioplasty balloon while attached to the distal and portion of an angioplasty catheter has a plurality of press members. Each press member has a substantially planar balloon-contacting surface and the press members are interconnected so that the balloon contacting surfaces of opposing press members confront each other. One or more of the press members includes a longitudinal passage formed in an associated balloon contacting surface which receives the catheter shaft so that the balloon may be folded between the surfaces flanking the passage.