Abstract: An automated container closure opener for screw-type bottle or container caps, lids, caps, covers and the like comprising a housing having a base portion and a relatively vertically movable top portion operatively connected thereto by at least one telescoping shaft. First motorized drive means are provided for actuating the telescoping shaft so as to vertically move the top portion of the housing relative to the base portion, and second motorized drive means are provided for rotatably actuating a bottle cap engagement member which depends from the top portion of the opener housing. Circuit means serve to actuate the first motorized drive means to lower the bottle cap engagement member from an inoperative position adjacent the top portion of the housing into engaging contact with the cap of a bottle and to then deactuate the first motorized drive means and actuate the second motorized drive means to at least partially remove the cap from the bottle.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable of the type having a core comprising a plurality of units wherein each unit comprises a plurality of optical fibers extending generally along the cable and a binder wrapped about the unit. A tube containing a waterblocking material therein is provided to enclose the plurality of units, and a jacket is provided to enclose the tube. The improved cable provides for a binder comprising an interlocking stitch formed of one or more yarns to provide improved fiber unit identification and obviate "microbending" losses due to binder tension.

Abstract: A cargo loading system which includes a spreader bar and overheight attachment wherein the overheight attachment incorporates an automatic latching mechanism for the purpose of locking and unlocking engagement of the spreader bar. The automatic latching mechanism is actuated by the twistlocks of the spreader bar and serves to obviate the need for dock-side personnel and the attendant harzardous working conditions posed to these personnel by conventional mounting pin attachment of the spreader bar and overheight attachment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring oxidative metabolism in an internal organ or tissue of interest wherein a percutaneous intravascular approach is utilized to bring a light-transmitting and receiving scope into contact with the site to be assessed. The tip of the scope is adapted so that the light-transmitting optical fiber(s) and light-receiving optical fiber(s) are in divergent relationship so as to increase the photon pathlength through the tissue of interest to provide optical information from a substantial volume of tissue relative thereto.

Abstract: A pallet assembly for "over-all" garment printing on a multi-station printing machine where the pallet assembly comprises a planar pallet having a pallet support positioned beneath the pallet and hinge means serving to pivotably mount the top edge of the pallet to the top portion of the pallet support. The pallet support includes laterally outwardly extending sleeve support portions on opposing sides thereof, and securement means are provided for releaseably securing the pallet against the pallet support.

Abstract: A breath actuated inhalator having a primary and a secondary air flow conduit wherein regulator means are provided in the secondary air flow conduit to planate maximum air flow velocity through the inhaler. By optimizing air flow and velocity rate, the breath actuated inhalator prevents problems associated with excessive inhalation velocity such as dry powder drug compound impingement upon the outside radius of the throat.

Abstract: A child-resistant, two-piece closure is formed with a resilient wedge in the outer cap member which can be pressed into interlocking relationship with an upstanding locking lug element of the inner cap member to facilitate rotational movement in the closure loosening direction by a healthy adult. An aperture is provided in the outer cap member so that a pencil may be radially inserted therein and into contact with the upstanding locking lug element so as to interlockingly couple the outer cap member and inner cap member for rotational movement in the closure loosening direction with the pencil by an elderly or handicapped individual. The child-resistant closure serves as a duel function device by allowing push-in and turn closure removal by healthy adults and easy removal with an inserted pencil or the like by elderly or handicapped adults while still being resistant to removal by young children.

Abstract: A yarn carrier apparatus particularly suited for use in braiding machinery or the like due to its capability of continuous yarn feeding and retraction of long lengths of yarn. The yarn carrier apparatus comprises a yarn supply spool which is rotatably mounted within the housing, a spring motor also mounted within the housing and operatively connected to the yarn supply spool through a mechanical transmission assembly which is adapted to multiply rotational movement between the first element of the gear assembly operatively connected to the spring motor and the final element of the gear assembly operatively connected to the yarn supply spool. The spring motor is adapted to tension the yarn during both feeding and retraction thereof, and it is further adapted to periodically rotatably slip within the housing and partially unwind so as to allow for continuous withdrawal of a long length of yarn without the spring motor becoming fully wound and preventing further yarn retraction.

Abstract: A hydraulic safety hose with fluid removal conduit is disclosed which protects the operator from injury due to hose rupture as well as preventing environmental damage by containing the flow of escaping hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic hose comprises inner and outer pressure hoses with an annular passageway defined therebetween to receive hydraulic fluid in the event of rupture of the inner hose. A conduit including a shut-off valve fluidly communicates with the annular fluid passageway and extends outwardly and away from the inner and outer hoses so as to drain fluid from the annular passageway to a suitable remote reservoir in the event of rupture of the inner hose. The valve may be closed, as desired, to prevent fluid flow through the conduit and allow for continued emergency use of the safety hose.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of fluid mechanics devices such as fluid-flow valves; piston and cylinder devices; fluid-flow restrictors; fluid reservoirs and fluid-flow manifolds. The devices are build up from stacks of wafer-like components. Which preferably are transparent and in each case, at least one of those components comprises an axial port and a radial port communicating with the axial port, there being concentric annular recesses in the faces of the component to receive an outer "O" ring type static seal between two mating components, and an inner "O" ring dynamic seal which acts between the wafer component and a vale rod piston rod, spindle or like device extending through the aligned axial ports of all the wafer components. Beside provide the double seal (static and dynamic) the arrangement also permits of great versatility of assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides an expansible cannula (particularly useful as a trocar) comprising essentially a conical tube made of metal foil with its proximal end located in a holder, and an expander tube which can be pushed through the stem from the proximal end, to cause the stem to expand from its conical free condition to a distended cylindrical condition. The stem itself comprises a caudex which has only radial motion on expansion of the stem, and a leaf, which in addition to uncoiling on expansion of the stem is also permitted a degree of forward motion, so that the front end of the stem becomes circular in the opened condition.

Abstract: A portable outrigger assembly for use to enhance the stability of a sailboat and the like. The outrigger assembly comprises an inflatable hull, a tube for supporting the inflatable hull in spaced-apart relationship to a sailboat, and hull attachment means for securing the inflatable hull to the tube. The hull attachment means includes means to selectively change the cross-sectional shape of the inflatable hull so as to modify the lift capability thereof as desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring oxidative metabolism in an internal organ or tissue of interest wherein a percutaneous intravascular approach is utilized to bring a light-transmitting and receiving scope into contact with the site to be assessed. The tip of the scope is adapted so that the light-transmitting optical fiber(s) and light-receiving optical fiber(s) are in divergent relationship so as to increase the photon pathlength through the tissue of interest to provide optical information from a substantial volume of tissue relative thereto.

Abstract: A washing machine overflow prevention device for use with an automatic washing machine and a conventional fixed drain conduit. The device includes a float switch adapted to be removably positioned below the drain hose of the washing machine within the drain conduit and to be actuated from a normally open to a closed mode when the water level backs up to a predetermined level in the drain conduit. The float switch comprises an elongated protective cover thereover defining a first closed end positioned proximal to the top of the drain conduit and a second open end positioned distally to the top of the drain conduit to protect the float switch from waste water flowing thereover from the washing machine drain hose.

Abstract: A method for microwave sterilization and densification of infectious waste wherein a supply of infectious waste to be sterilized and disposed of is provided which includes at least 20% by weight of plastic materials. A selected portion of the infectious waste is placed into a pressure vessel of a microwave sterilizer and then the sterilizer is sealed. A selected amount of water is then introduced into the sealed pressure vessel to facilitate treatment of the infectious waste contained therein, and the microwave sterilizer is actuated in order to transform the water in the pressure vessel into steam to elevate the temperature within the pressure vessel to at least 150.degree. C. and the pressure to at least 54 p.s.i.g. The infectious waste within the pressure vessel is sterilized and then densified by melting the plastic materials contained therein to form a unitary mass of reduced volume wherein the melted plastic substantially encases the residual sterilized infectious waste components.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of non-woven fabrics in which an array of weft threads is created and then combined with a substrate, which may in itself comprise a set of warp threads. In the method according to the invention, the array of weft threads is formed by traversing a weft carrier which has a plurality of weft guides, across the weft-space between two sets of weft retainers (300), (302). At the end of each traverse, the weft carrier is jogged, (that is to say moved in the warpwise direction) so that at the next traverse, it lays a further set of weft yarns across the weftspace, and the weft yarns are hooked around the weft retainers.

Abstract: A flavor-imparting powder composition for use with barbecue grills comprising clay and at least one combustible material and which prevents flare-ups and flaming of food juices during grilling.

Abstract: A center portion extends loosely over a person on a mattress such that the person has freedom of movement on the central region of the mattress. The portion is secured by zips at either side to side portions which are secured to tubular members at either side. Movement of the person towards or over one side of the bed is limited by the center portion being placed in tension with the side portions preventing the person from moving towards or over or falling off the side of the bed.

Abstract: A mobile patient lift and transport apparatus for lifting and moving an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person from one location to another in a substantially forwardly leaning and supported position. The apparatus is provided with an elongate frame which pivots about the single rotational axis defined by the wheels thereof in order to facilitate lifting and transportation. Foot rest means, leg support means, and a vertically elevated trunk support means are provided to support the weight of the person being carried in the forwardly leaning position with his center of gravity positioned substantially over the rotational axis of the wheels.

Abstract: Method of weaving a variable cross-sectional shaped three-dimensional fabric which utilizes different weft yarn insertion from at least one side of the warp layers for selectively inserting weft yarns into different portions of the fabric cross-sectional profile defined by the warp yarn layers during the weaving process. If inserted from both sides of the warp yarn layers, the weft yarns may be inserted simultaneously or alternately from each side of the warp yarn layers. The vertical yarn is then inserted into the fabric by reciprocation of a plurality of harnesses which separate the vertical yarn into a plurality of vertical yarn systems as required by the shape of the three-dimensional fabric being formed.