Abstract: A combination air and vacuum valve comprises a valve body (20) including a fluid inlet (25) and gas outlet (26), a valve poppet (8) guided to open and close said outlet (26), a float (19) and rod (18) connected operatively thereto in a vertical orientation for allowing said valve poppet (8) to close and open said gas outlet (26), a seat frame (5) for guiding stem of said poppet (8), a fulcrum pivot lever mechanism to which said float rod (18) is attached and which also contains a valve poppet seat (9) for pushing said valve poppet (8) via its stem to close said outlet (26), a fulcrum pivot axis of said fulcrum pivot lever mechanism containing a torsion spring (11); said spring (11) providing an additional upward force which assists the buoyancy effect of the float (19) in closing the valve. As a result, a smaller float may be used to achieve the same buoyant effect which would normally require a larger float.

Abstract: The present teaches new method and apparatus for evaluating ultrasonic images of muscle of an animal or carcass. Method and apparatus are taught for recognizing muscle interfaces of an animal or carcass from an ultrasonic image of a muscle area. Method and apparatus are taught for determining marbling scores of a muscle of an animal or carcass from an ultrasonic image of the muscle. Method and apparatus are taught for detecting an outline of a muscle from an ultrasonic image of an animal or carcass.

Abstract: The present invention includes method and apparatus for grading a poultry carcass intended for human consumption. An ultrasound machine is provided which includes a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals such that the machine is capable of producing a image of a breast muscle of the carcass. The probe is positioned on the carcass parallel to the keel such that the image of the breast muscle of the carcass is detected by the ultrasound machine. A breast muscle size indicator of the breast muscle is determined from the detected image. The calculation of a grade for the carcass is based upon the ratio of the indicator to the weight of the carcass. The determination of the breast muscle size indicator can be performed by an image analyzer and pattern recognition equipment modified to recognize the breast muscle image. The probe can be positioned automatically by probe location equipment automatically.

Abstract: A method is provided for protection of biological materials from the stresses of air-drying and also from destructive reactions, such as oxidation and free-radical attack, which degrade the materials during long-term storage. The method involves drying the materials, which may contain potentially destructive agents such as free-radical generators or reducing sugars, in the presence of a vitrifying substance, and under conditions which allow the protective substance to become vitrified.

Abstract: A mud valve having a plug seat which is made of a resilient material, and which forms the seal at an angle of approximately 28.degree. from the vertical. The valve seat is formed with a matching 28.degree. inclination to mate with the resilient seat.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for sorting agricultural products such as vegetables or fruits from dirt clods, rocks, or other debris, without bruising the desired product. The mixture of desired product and undesired debris is transported by conveyor and allowed to fall freely on a rotating roller. The individual components rebound differentially from the roller, separating the product and the debris. The roller is constructed of a loose-fitting sleeve supported and rotated by resilient disks on a rotating shaft, with the resilience of the disks minimizing the bruising of the product rebounding from the roller.

Abstract: A host microorganism is genetically and stably modified by the insertion into any of its non-essential chromosomal location of a non-homologous, recombinant foreign DNA fragment, maintaining an insertion of a luxAB gene of a selected bioluminescent bacterium such as V. harveyi, such that the expression of the luxAB genes causes the production of a luciferase enzyme which, in turn, catalyzes a light-emitting reaction in the presence of the appropriate substrate. X-ray film can be used to quantify the light being emitted from a microorganism through the use of plural droplets containing the same microorganism, each with a known and related cell (or plasmid) count.

Abstract: A method is provided for protection of biological materials from the stresses of air-drying and also from destructive reactions, such as oxidation and free-radical attack, which degrade the materials during long-term storage. The method involves drying the materials, which may contain potentially destructive agents such as free-radical generators or reducing sugars, in the presence of a vitrifying substance, and under conditions which allow the protective substance to become vitrified.

Abstract: The discovery of this invention is that the use of an aseptic barrier in the form of a layer of material which is impervious to the passage of water in combination with at least one layer of absorbent tissue in the form of a disposable tissue or handkerchief can function to reduce materially the transfer of pathogens such as viruses and bacteria from the bodily internal products, mucous and fluid effluent from inside a person to his hand. The above principles may be embodied in a disposable tissue including an aseptic barrier or in a method of entrapping nasal secretions in such a way that contamination of the environment from infected noses be avoided. This is accomplished by the creation of a trap in the form of a mitten-like bag, resistant to the passage of aqueous liquids, with facial tissue affixed to the outside of this mitten-like bag.

Abstract: An intake manifold relief valve comprising a valve body (13) having at least two openings, one opening being an inlet (22) for gas and another opening being an outlet (23) for gas to relieve excess pressure, a piston (8) for opening and closing said gas inlet (22) and containing an orifice hole (21) to maintain a constant pressure on both sides of the piston (8); said valve body (13) also cooperating with said piston (8) to form an enclosed gas chamber the size of which is decreased as said piston (8) moves to open said valve, a piston spring (5) applying a force on said piston (8) in addition to that provided by the gas pressure within said chamber to maintain it in a closed position under normal conditions, said piston (8) moving to open said gas inlet (22) when excess pressure within the manifold overcomes the force of said piston spring (5), thereby allowing gas to escape through said valve outlet (23); as the pressure is equalized within the valve through said orifice hole (21), said piston spring (5) wi

Abstract: A new bacterial vaccine to protect susceptible equine against S. equi which causes strangles. The vaccine stimulates a nasopharyngeal immune response in a susceptible equine through the presence of antibody activity in the nasopharyngeal mucus. The vaccine is a S. equi strain which contains an M protein fragment of 41,000 mw and is adapted for administration to equine either intranasally or orally as a vaccine. There is described a new strain of S. equi (709-27), a method of making and isolating useful vaccine strain of S. equi bacteria which stimulates an antibody response in the nasopharyngeal mucosa of the susceptible equine.

Abstract: A simple ladder leveling device which slides onto either leg (8) of a ladder. The device is secured onto the ladder by sliding underneath and around rungs of the ladder. Furthermore, the ladder leveler includes a channel sleeve (3) with a slidable intrack leg (5) for adjusting the ladder leveler to the length desired; the intrack leg (5) is secured onto the channel sleeve (3) by an insertable holding pine (10) traversing the intrack leg (5) and the channel sleeve (3).

Abstract: An apparatus which can determine the velocity of a projectile based on distance traveled and time of travel. The apparatus includes a manually operated stopwatch function which can measure elapsed time to at least hundredths of a second, a calculator function which can convert elapsed time and distance traveled by the projectile into velocity of the projectile, and a display to show the velocity. The apparatus can have either a digital or an analog stopwatch function.

Abstract: The present invention is a shaftless bi-directional butterfly valve that does not require a valve housing and may be mounted to a length of pipe by merely drilling a hole into the wall of the pipe. A stuffing box is attached to a pipe by a U-bolt or other conventional means. The stuffing box serves as a drill jig to center the hole that must be drilled in the pipe. A threaded rotatable stem is arranged to penetrate one side of a pipe perpendicularly to the axis thereof. In the interior of the pipe, the stem is threaded into a stem nut which travels along the length of the stem as the stem rotates. Its travel is limited by a stop pin which is located at the extremity of the stem in the interior of the pipe. Two elliptical discs are attached to the stem nut, each by a separate hinge pin protrusion, at points which are diametrically opposite.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining a condemnation condition in a post mortem animal intended for human consumption is taught hereinabove. The apparatus includes an ultrasound machine, including a probe, wherein the probe is positioned on the animal such that a cross-sectional image of the portion of the animal to be examined is shown. An image analyzer determines and identifies a pattern of anatomically distinct tissue and bone outline of the animal shown on the image. Pattern recognition equipment compares the pattern of tissue and bone outline with a norm reference for a healthy animal and at least one known deformation pattern for tissue of animals requiring condemnation. If a greater correlation with one of the known deformation patterns than with the norm reference pattern is shown then, means for indicating a condemnation condition for the animal are activated. Also taught hereinabove, is a method of developing further tests for determining a condemnation condition in an animal.

Abstract: A device which can be placed on or removed from a fishing pole simply. It holds fishing line with the bail on reel open or closed until a fish strikes. Tension can be adjusted to control the amount of pull on the line needed to release the line. A signaling device is provided which will glow in the dark, so as to be used in daylight or dark, is released when the line is pulled loose, indicating the line is loose, and a fish has struck. The device comprises: a spring steel clip on the bottom of device which snaps around a pole for easy installation and easy removal from pole; a plastic pinching device to hold the line; an adjustment screw with nut; and a spring wire with plastic or teflon on one end to indicate a strike.

Abstract: A fermentation starter composition for fermented milk products such as cheese, buttermilk, sour cream and yogurt, formed from an inherently buffered, concentrated milk protein concentrate which is a retentate formed by ultrafiltering milk and a milk fermenting, acid production causing bacteria. The compositions maintain a predetermined pH range for a substantial time period due to the inherent buffering capacity for the composition. The starters are useful in making fermented products.

Abstract: A method and specifically constructed surgical gloves and glove parts for protecting a user of a surgical instrument from protrusion through his own skin by the instrument he is manipulating to cut or suture a patient comprising the following steps:a) the user wearing surgical glovesb) adding a impervious protective pad to the especially selected surface area of the surgical gloves at a location in the hand or hands of the user where it is probable that the use or surgical procedure would result in the penetration by the surgical instrument through the skin of the user through the surgical glove or gloves.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing a braided jacket with fairing members on a cable core using a standard dual sinusoidal path braiding apparatus comprising apparatus to perform the following steps:a) picking up a thread bundle from the selected bobbin-thread tensioning device in at least one sinusoidal pathway by using a hook above the bobbin-thread tensioning device through the use of an extension associated therewith; b) allowing the hook to pull a loop of the thread bundle by the action of the braiding operation; and c) cutting the loop of thread by a cutting edge mounted on the hook when the loop of thread moves up an incline in the hook to the location of the cutting edge as a part of the braiding operation; and d) the cut end of the thread loop being free of the braided jacket so as to function as fairing.