Abstract: An automated gas sampling system for connection into an industrial packaging line, wherein packaged products are sealed in a product chamber. Apparatus as provided for obtaining a gas sample from inside the product package and for transferring the sample to a gas analyzer to record gas content during the operation of the product packaging line.

Abstract: The object of the present invention to provide a method for thawing frozen ground for laying concrete primarily at a construction site by use of a continuous length of circulating hose placed on the frozen ground inside and/or adjacent a concrete form or over the area where the concrete will be laid, covering the circulating hose with a layer of aggregate material for insulation from cold air leaving the ends of the circulating hose protruding from the aggregate connecting the ends of the hose to a source of heated liquid to circulate warm liquid through the circulating hose to thaw the frozen ground, laying the concrete over the identified area while continuing to circulate heated liquid in the circulating hose to prevent the concrete from freezing, leaving the portion of the hose in the aggregate under the concrete by cutting the ends protruding from the aggregate, removing the remaining portions of the hose.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the gas transmission rate through contact lens material, and a method of measuring, using a test cell having an upper and lower gas chamber and separating the upper and lower chamber with a layered group of films, including a contact lens film material clamped between an upper and lower guard film, and flowing oxygen through the upper chamber and an inert gas through the lower chamber, the lower chamber being connected to a coulometric sensor to measure oxygen content in the inert gas at defined intervals, to obtain a first series of oxygen transmission rates. A second series of oxygen transmission rates are made with the same apparatus, but with the contact lens material removed from the apparatus, and the transmission rate through the contact lens material is calculated by subtracting the reciprocal of the second measured transmission rate from the reciprocal of the first measured transmission rate, then taking the reciprocal of the difference.

Abstract: The present invention is a shipping container for safely storing articles such as semiconductor wafers. The shipping container has two sidewalls sealingly connected to two end walls to form a generally rectangular interior wafer confinement area. A top cover and a bottom cover are removably attached to the container to protect the wafers during shipping and storage and provide access to the wafers for processing. The wafers are securely held in place in the carrier by a cushioning means to prevent damage to the wafers. Furthermore, the wafers are locked into place to prevent contamination by the wafers generating particles in the wafer confinement area by rubbing against the carrier. The cushioning means for accommodating the flexing of the cover supports and suspends wafers in the wafer confinement area. The cushioning means extends from the top cover and has a plurality of wafer engaging edges. Each edge is formed in a convex arcuate shape with respect to a centerline of the carrier.

Abstract: A computer system with secured data paths consists of a main computer with a main processor, associated main memory, main input/output devices, and main data paths interconnecting the main processor, main memory, and main input/output devices; a security computer with a security processor, security memory, an operator console, and security data paths, connected to the main data paths of the main computer so as to intercept all data flowing along the main data paths; and a test computer with a test processor, test memory, test input/output devices, and test data paths, connected to the security computer. The main computer executes user programs, the security computer executes security programs, and the test computer test-executes user programs.

Abstract: A mechanical shock sensor including a diaphragm suspended about its edge to an elevated pedestal and a pattern of piezoelectric material attached to the diaphragm surface. A proof mass is attached beneath the diaphragm surface and centered along a vertical axis passing through the diaphragm and the concentric piezoelectric materials. Electrical conductors are attached to the first and second concentric electrically conductive layers on piezoelectric material and are connected to a circuit capable of responding to the piezoelectric signals developed thereby.

Abstract: A grain distribution apparatus and method is disclosed for positive positional control of the providing distribution of grain among a plurality of receiving ducts. A housing contains a distribution spout rotated by a drive motor among discharge positions at each receiving duct. A control wheel connected to the spout rotates with the spout to a selected discharge position. The control wheel has a plurality of sensible code clusters and position proof windows, one of each for each discharge position. Each code cluster has a unique series of data digits and a series of sequencing digits adjacent the data digits. The data digits and sequencing digits are serially read by a sensor. The sensor is connected to a control processor for identifying the position of the spout. The control wheel is configured as a driven sprocket and is engaged by the upper portion of a double wide roller chain around the entire periphery of the control wheel.

Abstract: A dry Non-Oil metalworking lubricant that can be applied by a hot melt application. This dry lubricant is completely water soluble, provides rust protection, cleans from surfaces with plain room temperature water, and is more environmentally safe than other lubricants. A polyethylene glycol of sufficiently high molecular weight to be solid at room temperature is combined with amines, rust inhibitors, and metalworking additives to produce a thin film that provides protection for the part and the tooling in a metalworking operation. This lubricant provides further benefits to the overall process such as; easy to clean, weld through capability, excellent paint system compatibility, and environmentally superior to other lubricants.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a transmittance pulse oximeter sensor having an emitter that is offset from the detector. Offsetting the emitter and detector allows more light to pass through a thin tissue pulsating arterial bed than does a vertically aligned design. The offset between the emitter and the detector increases the effective arterial blood component without increasing artifact. Thus, the arterial blood component strength relative to the artifact strength is increased resulting in an improved signal and an improved pulse oximetry reading. The offset pulse oximetry sensor is especially important in veterinary pulse oximeter applications where it is necessary to monitor small animals whose optimal pulse oximetry location is a thin tissue tongue. The offset pulse oximetry sensor is additionally important in the realm of human medicine where often the optimal position for a pulse oximeter sensor is a thin tissue ear or an infant's thin tissue finger or toe.

Abstract: An improved import/export element for a data media storage library for inserting data media into the data media storage library and removing data media from the data media storage library consists of an import/export element base, an import/export element intermediate slider slidingly engaged with the import/export element base, an import/export media drawer holding the media and slidingly engaged with the intermediate slider and extending outside the data media storage library, a motor attached to the import/export element base for moving the intermediate slider into and out of the import/export element base, and a pulley and belt for transmitting the motion of the intermediate slider to the media drawer such that during motion of the intermediate slider the media drawer moves about twice as far as the intermediate slider.

Abstract: A tray for storing an integrated circuit component has an upper side and an array of terminals on a bottom side, four side walls, and four corners. The tray has a substantially planar base having a top surface and a bottom surface and a periphery. A plurality of pocket areas are formed in the top surface of the base within the periphery, each pocket area adapted to hold an integrated circuit component and to center the integrated circuit component within the pocket area. Each pocket area further comprising a plurality of corner guides with component engagement members contacting and supporting the integrated circuit component at the four principal corner portions thereof and the corner guides preventing further contact between the integrated circuit component and the base. The component engagement members supporting the integrated circuit component at its intersection of the side surfaces and bottom surface. The component engagement members comprise an angled guide-in portion and a seating surface portion.

Abstract: A wafer container for transporting or holding wafers in a horizontal axially aligned arrangement has minimal four point regions of wafer support at the edge portion of the wafers. A preferred embodiment has a first container portion and a closeable door. The first container portion has a first molded portion of a static dissipative material having an upright door frame with integral planar top portion. An integral bottom base portion with an equipment interface also extends from the door frame. A second molded portion has a transparent shell which connects to the door frame, to the planar top portion, and to the bottom base portion. Separately molded wafer support columns connect to the top planar portion and to the bottom base portion and include vertically arranged shelves with upwardly facing projection providing minimal point or point region contact with the wafers.

Abstract: A low in-rush current power factor control circuit that provides near unity power factor, is capable of controlling and limiting the in-rush current that occurs when the circuit is initially supplied with an AC mains input voltage and is further capable of controlling the DC output voltage of the circuit from a level above to below the peak AC mains input voltage.

Abstract: A trailer support wheel assembly having a wishbone frame pivotally connected to the trailer frame at two rear mounting points and adjustably connected to the trailer frame at a single forward point. A resilient suspension assembly and spindle is contained by the wishbone frame assembly, and the spindle is further connected to one or more wheels which may be lowered into contact with the ground. The wishbone frame assembly may be adjustably positioned to permit the wheels to carry a greater or lesser load portion of the trailer as it is connected to a vehicle.

Abstract: A picture holder and frame having a graphical image applied to a flat front surface and having a photo recess in the front surface sized to accept a photograph. The graphical image on the front surface provides an ornamental design, and the perimeter edge of the picture holder is conformed to follow the outline of the ornamental design. The rear surface of the picture holder includes a pivotal leg for serving as a stand support member and a magnetic strip for applying and adhering the picture holder to a metallic surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to pH-sensitive immunoliposomes with a conjugated antibody sensitive to cells of the mammalian CNS, a method for introducing genetic material into the cells of the mammalian CNS in vitro through these liposomes, and a method of introducing genetic material into the cells of the mammalian CNS through direct injection of the liposomes into the CNS.