Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for rotating cylindrical downwardly facing threaded caps onto upwardly facing, threaded open ends of containers primarily for use in container capping machines. The apparatus comprises at least one spindle assembly slideably carried by a support frame for movement generally parallel to the vertical axis of the spindle assembly, the weight of the spindle assembly causing the downward movement of the spindle assembly, structure carried by the support frame for controlling the vertical movement of the spindle assembly, and a selectively adjustable device for resiliently urging the spindle assembly upwardly so that the device at least partially supports the weight of the spindle assembly and the container is engaged by a cap with less than the full weight of the spindle assembly pressing downwardly on the container.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing container caps on the open ends of containers so that they may be securely threaded onto the containers by a capping machine. The device comprises a mounting means adapted for attachment to capping machines and a cap guide that comprises a base that is pivotally connected to the mounting means for rotation about one end of the base and has a biasing means interposed between the base and the mounting means that urges the cap guide into a downward position. The top of the cap engages the base rotating the cap guide to a generally horizontal position leveling the cap. Simultaneously the biasing means applies a downward force on the top of the cap to ensure that the threads on the cap will engage with those on the container when the cap is rotated.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent hard wire adaptor for use with existing recessed incandescent can fixtures includes a mounting plate with an electronic ballast which is high power factor and low harmonic. A lampholder is provided mounted in the center of the mounting plate for the insertion of the compact fluorescent lamp. The mounting plate is provided with an arm for securing inside a typical recessed can. The mounting plate is provided with holes for mounting a reflector. Special wire connectors are provided for simple attachment.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a lens surfacing assembly and a method for grinding and polishing glass or plastic optical lenses. The assembly is primarily intended for use with a rigid lapping tool and a typical lens grinding machine. The lens surfacing assembly comprises a strippable adhesive member that is attached to the lapping tool for use throughout the grinding and polishing operation for attachment of a reversible, double sided lens surfacing pad having a coarse surface on one side and a fine surface on the other. After the grinding has been completed, the reversible pad is removed and a polishing cloth is attached to the adhesive member. The combined thickness of the pad and the adhesive member is equal to the compensation designed into the radius of curvature of the lapping tool arcuate surface. The combined thickness of the polishing cloth and the adhesive member is also equal to the compensation designed into the lapping tool.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for laparoscopic repair of hernia defects are disclosed. The apparatus includes an applicator for introducing a section of surgical mesh into the abdominal cavity with that applicator having the structure and capability for spreading a section of surgical mesh within the abdomen of a patient and holding it in place for subsequent attachment over a hernia defect. The procedure involves the use of such an applicator introduced through a trochar into the abdomen of a patient that has been insufflated to establish a pneumoperitoneum, then exposing and reducing the hernia and applying the surgical mesh thereover and affixing it across the hernia defect to prevent the intra-abdominal contents of the patient from extending therethrough and then subsequently withdrawing the applicator and any such trochar and closing any openings made by those trochars through the abdomen wall.

Abstract: A method for removal of undesirable foreign matter from the interior of existing duct systems. The method comprises the insertion of a plurality of members into a stream of air within the existing duct to loosen the dirt adhering to the duct walls. The members are capable of receiving and holding a static electric charge on their exterior surfaces so that when the members are agitated within the stream of air and against the duct, a static electrical charge is placed thereon. The electrical charge causes a portion of the foreign matter to be attracted to and adhere to the members. The stream of air with the members and loose foreign matter entrained therein is then removed from the duct.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing impaired blood flow to an organ. The method is especially useful in patients which cannot undergo stress testing due to risk factors.

Abstract: A modular insulating wall panel system comprising a monolithic insulating panel incorporated within frame construction, and a method for constructing same. The frame skeleton comprises columns, studs, a sole plate and a top plate. The panel, having a plurality of edges, each with a recess therein, is inserted within the frame skeleton so that each recess receives an adjacent structural member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism for animating toy figures, including stuffed animals and dolls. The actuating mechanism includes at least two resiliently deflectable elements that are connected at respective first and second ends so that by urging the first ends toward the second ends the deflectable elements deflect and the middle portion of each element moves away from the middle portion of the other element. The first end of one of at least two tendons is attached to the middle portion of a deflectable element and the first end of the other tendon is attached to the middle portion of the other deflectable element so that a portion of each tendon including the second end extends beyond the opposing deflectable element and when the elements are deflected they pull the first and second tendons past one another and urge the second ends of the tendons toward the deflectable elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for a batch cooking and packing process for pieces of a food product such as fruits and vegetables. The process includes collecting a predetermined quantity of the uncooked food product, depositing that quantity by gravity flow into a closed cooking chamber containing a quantity of liquid for use with the food product, then heating the food product by recirculating the liquid through a heat exchanger to heat the liquid and food product to a cooking and sterilizing temperature and then removing the liquid from the cooking chamber until the total combined volume of liquid and food product remaining substantially equals the desired quantity of food product and liquid desired to be deposited into a predetermined shipping container, and depositing the remaining food product and liquid from the cooking chamber through a cooking chamber delivery port into the shipping container and sealing that shipping container.

Abstract: A device for restricting flow of fluids and reducing noise that minimizes filling losses and muffles the vent noise, for example, while gravity filling cryogenic cylinders from a storage tank. The filling loss reducer part of this device is comprised of valve body, rotor, valve seat, o-ring, springs, and ball bearings. The noise muffler is comprised of a cylinder with tubes inside it. The loss reducer and muffler are assembled together to form the device. In operation, when filling cryogenic cylinders, for example, the device is screwed on to the vent valve of the cryogenic cylinder being filled. During the fill process, vent gases from the cryogenic cylinder pass through an orifice in the device. The size of the orifice can be changed to any one of the multiple discrete sizes by manually turning the rotor. This manipulation of the orifice size changes the pressure difference between the storage tank and the cryogenic cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for agitating and thermally conditioning containers that are carried along a conveyor and engage agitating apparatus in the form of two rollers positioned above the conveyor and adjacent one another and rotatably drive to cause the container to roll against the conveyor and the rollers to effect agitation of the container and the contents while being engaged by a thermal conditioning fluid to effect a temperature change of the container and its contents. One of the two rollers is movable between such a container agitating position and a container passing position that will permit the container to pass over the rollers to move beyond the agitating station and toward an exit from the apparatus.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter for the removal of atherosclerosis, thrombosis, cholesterol deposits, fatty nodules, and other such sclerotic material from within the blood vessels of a patient. According to a preferred construction, the catheter includes no moving parts, and the undesirable material is shaved from the entire inside diameter of the vessel and captured and removed therefrom by the application of negative pressure as the catheter is withdrawn along a longitudinal segment of the vessel. The catheter of this invention is characterized by the absence of any moving parts during the cutting process and its construction to permit removal of atherosclerosis with virtually no danger of harm to the vessel itself.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling vegetation, as well as insect infestation, as are typically encountered in agricultural environments is disclosed. The apparatus is characterized by its construction to include a high pressure pump liquid spray material may be applied to vegetation at a pressure from about 100 psi to as much as about 4,000 psi. The apparatus further includes a heater whereby the liquid spray material may be heated to a temperature of from about 100.degree. F. to about 240.degree. F. before it is sprayed. The apparatus is constructed so that it can be attached to a standard tractor for ease of use. The method of this invention is characterized by its utilization of a high pressure spray so that agricultural chemicals in amounts from virtually 0% to about 50% of their current recommended dose rates can be used with efficacy.

Abstract: A device for removal of solid materials from the beds of bodies of water and the separation and capture of materials having a relatively high specific gravity from lighter solid material. The device is particularly suitable for the extraction of gold from alluvial material. The device is small and lightweight and generally comprises a pipe having an open inlet end and an open outlet end. The pipe has a first opening and a second opening that communicate with a container attached to the pipe. A suction force is applied along the length of the pipe so that water and materials from the bed of the body of water enter the pipe. That material having a relatively high specific gravity is collected within the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative and operative attachment for hearing aids that have a volume control. The attachment comprises a decorative element that is sized to conceal the hearing aid from view and an attaching device for attaching the decorative element to the hearing aid so that the decorative attachment may operatively control the volume of the hearing aid.