Abstract: A method and apparatus for simply, rapidly and reliably determining the diagnostically relevant quality and the general reliability of X-ray mammograms. A mammogram quality reference test standard is provided in which particulate matter of selectable form, composition and size is temporarily affixed on the breast itself for exposure to radiation during production of a diagnostic mammographic radiograph. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the test standard utilizes particulate matter which includes smaller particles useful in evaluating resolution in the film as well as contrast, and larger particles useful primarily in evaluating contrast in the film. The test zone itself is clearly delineated by suitable, easily visible markers so as clearly to be identifiable, and the area occupied by the test standard is preferably kept small so as to ensure a minimum of interference with a viewing of the image of the tissues of the breast.

Abstract: A method of making improved liquid smoke products, having increased staining capability, enhanced storage stability, and a reduced concentration of materials separable upon dilution of the liquid smoke. The method effectively removes precipitable tar-like materials from liquid smoke by a prompt and rapid cooling, or "chilling," of the liquid smoke after its production, followed by timely separation of the supernatant from the precipitated phase.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for an articulated, multi-component closure for a dispensing container. The closure includes a generally cylindrical sleeve embracing a neck of the container and secured in place. The sleeve is bridged by a transversely-extending top wall formed with a through port for dispensing the contents of the container. A cap of the closure, which is hingedly mounted on the body of the closure, carries a downwardly-projecting plug for entry into to seal the dispensing port. The hinge assembly intercouples the body of the closure or the sleeve with the lid or cap and includes cap-carried hinge shaft elements seated in cooperating slots or openings formed in the sleeve body and defining a pivot axis extending in a plane paralleling the top wall of the sleeve but displaced downwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An archery bow sight adapted for tree stand use and of the type which includes a pendulum-like element which is pivotal about a support shaft in response to changes in bow attitude, including angular disposition of the bow. The bow sight is characterized in that there is provided a motion-damping assembly for reducing the time duration of oscillation of the pendulum-like or pendulous element and the sight connected thereto as the pendant body seeks a stable rest position correlated with a given elected and selectable bow orientation. The desired damping may be achieved by any of several types of effective mechanisms and techniques including a damping arm or vane impeded by a fluid medium, magnetic friction forces, and dash pot arrangements.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump of the type in which a motor-driven hub rotates hub-carried rollers in stressing engagement against to compress a fluid-carrying tube seated in the pump, thereby to propel the liquid through the tube. The pump is characterized in that the functional positioning or loading of the fluid-carrying tubing into and the removal of the resiliently compressible, fluid-carrying tubing from the pump housing is facilitated by apparatus for retracting the tube-compression, fluid-impelling rollers radially inwardly toward the core or hub of the pump and away from an outer bounding wall of a channel in which the compressible section of the tubing is seated. The improvement described effectively removes the rollers as physical impediments during loading of the tube into, and during unloading of the tubing from the pump.

Abstract: A method of deodorizing articles, devices, and solutions involved in or used in medical and biological procedures including endoscopic procedures and associated solutions and materials. The method is to treat the materials and solutions to be deodorized with 2,4-pentanedione as a chemical deodorant. In a preferred treating composition the 2,4-pentanedione is used as an aqueous solution containing a small amount of an essential oil-type masking agent and an oil solubilizing surfactant.

Abstract: A unitary package for use in the washing and in the conditioning treatment of fabrics in a laundering operation. There is provided a packet in which a multi-layer plug-like laminate is contained in and is bonded within a cup-like water-insoluble and water-impermeable receptacle having an open top. The laminate presents an exposed upper surface to the wash water in the tub of a washing machine. Only after the materials (for example, detergents) in the top layer of the laminate have dissolved and dispersed does the washing water reach to solublize the second layer containing the fabric conditioner (for example, a fabric softener). Thus, the article of the invention ensures the simple and highly reliable manner time-spaced sequential incorporation of two different functional agents into a fabric washing system, even though the agents are added simultaneously.

Abstract: A container for storing, dispensing and applying solid and semi-solid materials, and being fillable, optionally, from the top or from the bottom. The container assembly is characterized by improved seals between a product supporting and elevating platform and the circumscribing body of the container and by simple yet highly effective bottom closure interlocks, seals, and vents rendering feasible the filling of the container conveniently from the bottom as well as from the top.

Abstract: An external combustion engine which utilizes an impulse or velocity compounded turbine in conjunction with a compressor to reduce input energy requirements while delivering an increased work output. The invention is characterized in the use, simultaneously, of cooling and compression, significantly to reduce the compression work requirement of current practices (which utilize interstage cooling between compression cycles). In accordance with the present invention the fluid is cooled in the compressor itself, during the compression cycle, and heat energy losses inherent in conventional cycles are reduced. The efficiency of the engine is increased significantly. An important feature of the invention is that phase change or transformation is eliminated, so that heat energy is conserved. In a second embodiment of the invention, the engine utilizes one or more impulse or velocity compounded turbines, and expansion is limited to a range in which compression is carried out with a minimization of parasitic losses.

Abstract: A visual indicator device and dosimeter in which a liquid crystal composition deposited on an opaque dark-colored carrier substrate undergoes color changes which depend on the concentration, and total quantity, of ethylene oxide to which the device has been exposed. The device serves both to monitor the concentration of ethylene oxide in the environment and to indicate a time-weighted average exposure.

Abstract: A unitary package for use in the washing and in the conditioning treatment of fabrics in a laundering operation. There is provided a packet in which a multi-layer plug-like laminate is contained in and is bonded within a cup-like water-insoluble and water-impermeable receptacle having an open top. The laminate presents an exposed upper surface to the wash water in the tub of a washing machine. Only after the materials (for example, detergents) in the top layer of the laminate have dissolved and dispersed does the washing water reach to solubilize the second layer containing the fabric conditioner (for example, a fabric softener). Thus, the article of the invention ensures the simple and highly reliable manner time-spaced sequential incorporation of two different functional agents into a fabric washing system, even though the agents are added simultaneously.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, adjustable and deformable, self-supporting, ribbon-like band serving both as a display flag for price label, product information, and inventory code use, and also as a protective shield for covering an article-supporting rod or bracket carried by and extending from a peg-board-like panel. A tab assembly at a projecting free end of the band includes a record tag or label adapted to carry thereon visual indicia providing selectable product information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the composition and the concentration of biocidal gas and other gases contained in a reaction chamber during processing of material contained in the chamber and exposed to the treating gas. A valved pre-evacuated gas-sampling vessel is positioned in the reaction chamber and, thereafter, opened by remote control to receive a gas sample representative of the gaseous atmosphere present in the chamber. The sampling vessel is then closed, removed from the treatment chamber, and connected to apparatus for analyzing the gas in the vessel. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the treating gas is thus determined.

Abstract: A unitary, integrally-formed, tubular receptacle serving as a storage receptacle from which fluid or fluid-like material is retrieved and applied by means of an insertable rod-like wand. The receptacle includes a container body of an elongated tubular configuration and integrally connected at its upper open end by means of an annular washer-like flange to a neck of substantially reduced diameter and defining a restricted internal passage having a radially inwardly directed annular wiping ring. The neck opens upwardly into a dish-like open-end throat having a curved lower sector defining a downwardly and inwardly directed wall surface serving as a guideway for entry of a wand downwardly through the restricted passage and also as a drain for facilitating return of excess wand-carried fluid material to the storage reservoir of the receptacle.

Abstract: An improved broadhead assembly for an arrow includes a lightweight hollow hub which is affixed to the arrow shaft through a mounting shaft and sleeve retainer. The lightweight hub is tapered toward the front and includes a broadhead blade receiving slot on the leading end thereof shaped to receive a plurality of such broadhead blades. These broadhead blades are adapted to be retained by the hub slot and extend forwardly thereof to provide a broadhead point which slashes into a target differently than a point, which punches at a target. In one embodiment, the plurality of broadhead blades includes a pair of opposed primary blades having frontal tip portions positioned in overlying relation for added tip strength, and a pair of opposed secondary blades having tip portions adapted to tangentially abut the side of an adjacent primary blade tip while extending substantially to the forward point of the primary blade tip.

Abstract: Heat-sensitive compositions which rapidly develop color upon heating and rapidly discharge their color upon cooling, comprising an intimate mixture of a 3,3-bis (p-aminophenyl) phthalide and an organic acid. The color-producing and color-discharging cycle may be reproduced many times without noticeable change in response. The novel compositions of the invention are useful as temperature indicators, thermal display media, safety papers and validation devices.

Abstract: Phosphate coated ferrous and non-ferrous metal surfaced articles are passivated without treatment by a chromium compound by rinsing with an aqueous solution of urea or a urea derivative, or an acidulated urea or urea derivative in an amount sufficient to form a corrosion resistant barrier on the surface which is receptive to synthetic resinous coating compositions.