Abstract: Practical battery operation of radio-frequency proximity readers is made possible by monitoring activity in the RFID reader's sensing field with a secondary detector such as a passive infrared detector, and powering up the RFID reader only upon detection of activity by the secondary detector. The RFID reader is kept to a low duty cycle relative to the secondary detector which is chosen for relatively low power consumption to achieve a net reduction in operating power requirements of the combined RFID reader and secondary detector.

Abstract: A method for refining a titanium metal containing ore such as rutile or illmenite or mixtures to produce titanium ingots or titanium alloys and compounds of titanium involves production of titanium tetrachloride as a molten slag, by processing the ore in a chlorination procedure and removing various impurities by a distillation or other procedure to form a relatively pure titanium tetrachloride (TiCl.sub.4). Thereafter, the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the plasma focal point of a plasma reactor in a molten sodium environment for the initial reduction of gas phase titanium into titanium molten drops which are collected by a set of skulls. Thereafter, further processing are carried out in higher vacuum and the titanium is heated by electron beam guns in order to maximize titanium purity and, in a final optional stage, alloying compounds are added under yet higher vacuum and high temperature conditions.

Abstract: A reclining seat back replaces a canvas seat back in a wheelchair frame. The reclining back has left and right brackets which attach to existing upright back supports of the wheelchair frame. A reclining back pivoted to the brackets is adjustable to a desired recline position.

Abstract: A splice for concrete reinforcement bars includes two diametrically opposed half-shells spanning the aligned ends of the rebars. The half-shells interlock with upset bar ends to hold the bars together. An internally tapered sleeve is forced axially over the tapered exterior of the half-shells in a taper lock to secure the splice joint.

Abstract: A one piece air mattress suitable for use in health care settings to aid in prevention of bed sores has air cells permanently attached to a common base sheet along a base perimeter of each cell. The air cells and base sheet are of flexible radio frequency weldable plastic material, and all the air cells can be simultaneously welded to the base sheet in a single welding step using a special welding jig. Air supply conduits are defined by strips bonded to the base sheet in overlying relationship to orifices opening the supply conduits to the air cells, thereby eliminating the need for external air hoses and connections. An alternating pressure air mattress can be made by opening different air supply conduits to alternating sets of the air cells.

Abstract: A container for liquid medical specimens such as urine specimens includes a container with a wide mouth opening for facilitating deposition of a urine sample, a removable cap for closing the mouth opening and an impermeable sheet liner under the cap for making a fluid tight seal with the rim. The liner is rupturable with the blunt tip of a laboratory pipette inserted through a small hole in the cap for drawing a sample of a urine specimen without removing the cap of the container. The hole in the cap may remain open after collection of a urine specimen in the container, as leakage is prevented by the liner. Alternatively, a small secondary cap may close the hole in the main cap. An optional decanter may be inserted through the hole in the cap for piercing the liner to facilitate pouring of the contents without removing the cap. A method of using the novel container for conveying a liquid medical specimen from a specimen collection site to a geographically removed laboratory site is disclosed.

Abstract: A self-resealing container cap configured to make a closing engagement with a container and a septum of elastomeric material supported in an opening defined by the cap periphery. The septum is puncturable by a blunt tip of an instrument such as a disposable plastic pipetter tip or a single use plastic laboratory transfer pipette having a tip width substantially greater than the thickness of a central portion of the septum. The septum is further configured to be substantially self-resealing against significant leakage of specimen liquid through the septum following withdrawal of the blunt tip from the punctured septum.

Abstract: Hand, knee and elbow orthosis each have a deformable semi-rigid stiffener having two end plates joined by a narrow midportion and contained between thin foam sheets to make an insert. A launderable cover of terry cloth fabric with permanently attached straps and a zippered opening fully envelops the insert. The hand orthosis has symmetrical left and right thumb extenders for ambidextrous application. The elbow and knee orthosis are symmetrical in length and width for convenient application insensitive to orientation of the orthosis on either a right or left limb.

Abstract: A method and kit of parts for testing heat detectors mounted at an elevated location above a ground surface using a supercorrosive metal alloy composition formulated to react exothermically but non-flammably upon being wetted for sustaining temperatures of about 195 degrees Fahrenheit, permitting testing of heat detectors rated at 175 to 195 degrees F. The composition is formed into convenient wafers which are elevated on an extension pole into proximity to the heat detector by an operator standing on the ground. The wafers may be activated by wetting with a disposable plastic syringe, and may be reheated several times.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress for clinical bed use has a base pad including two sheets joined to define one or more narrow air conduits extending along the pad. A body supporting surface is provided by individually detachable inflatable elements covering the base pad. Each inflatable element is secured across the pad transversely to and communicates with at least one air conduit through apertured fasteners. Air permeable foam in the air conduits holds the conduits open in a gatched condition of the pad. Cushioning material contained between the sheets exteriorly to the air conduits provides body support in the event of deflation of the mattress. Constant pressure and alternating pressure modes of operation are supported with appropriate air supply systems.

Abstract: The invention provides a container for microscope slides incorporating an ejection device. In each of three disclosed embodiments the slides are ejected through an exit slot by manual actuation of an ejector so as to engage a rear of an end slide in a stack and push it forward through the exit slot. In each of the embodiments, the dispenser may be removably mounted on a base or holder. The holder may include a base plate with support arms. The slide dispenser may be factory sealed for clean or sterile slides and then be discarded or recycled when empty. Finally, the dispensing containers may be shrink wrapped at the factory to ensure sterility of the slides until needed.

Abstract: A temperature compensated laser diode transmitter circuit includes a laser diode, a driver circuit for supplying an a.c. drive current to the laser diode, a thermistor arranged to thermally sense the laser diode, a current source having a first and a second current output controlled by the thermistor, the first current output connected to the driver for temperature compensating the drive current, and the second current output connected to supply a temperature compensated bias current to the laser diode.

Abstract: A quick-connect splice joint for concrete reinforcement bars. Two diametrically opposed semi-cylindrical shells span the adjacent bar ends. The two shells are held against axial displacement by mating to raised features such as ridges or threads on the bars, and are held radially by an outer sleeve. The splice is axially preloaded by nuts threaded on the bars.

Abstract: An adjustable tie includes a rafter holder with a partially raised bottom surface, an angular plate, and hinge means between them. The holder and angular plate are rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the hinge.

Abstract: An open-head Foster style backup tong has a number of pivoting jaws in mesh with a ring gear. A gap in the ring gear admits tubing into the center of the ring gear, where the tubing is gripped by the jaws when the ring gear is turned. The tong housing is open sided for convenient access and maintenance, and the removable jaws are indexed for easy installation.

Abstract: A foam contouring machine has first and second rollers mounted to a machine frame for rotation about mutually parallel axes. The first and second rollers have different diameters and define between them a nip. A cutting edge is mounted for cutting foam material drawn through the nip by rotation of the rollers. Each roller has a drive motor, and a controller is connected to each drive motor for independently controlling the speed of rotation of the rollers, the controller equalizing the speed of surface rotation of the rollers for rollers of different diameters. The first roller may be a pattern roller and the second roller may be a backup or compression roller. The machine also has a drive coupling assembly, which has selectable first and second modes of operation for converting operation of the machine between a foam surfacing and a foam profiling operation. The first mode independently couples each of the motors to a corresponding one of the rollers.