Abstract: A canister for a removable battery comprises a receptacle for receiving the battery therein. The battery is insertable so that its electrical terminals are upwardly facing and exposed for contact. A cover is provided for enclosing the battery in the receptacle and electrical contacts are associated with the cover for contacting the battery terminals when the cover is positioned over the receptacle with the battery inside. An electrical connector is electrically connected to the electrical contacts inside the cover and provides means on the outside of the cover for an electrical connection in order to derive voltage from the battery.A battery pack unit in combination with the canister comprises a plurality of batteries electrically connected to each other and has electrical terminals in contact with the electrical contacts in the cover. The terminals are electrically connected to the batteries in order to provide a source of electrical current from the pack unit.

Abstract: A method of parting a segment from an advancing length of shirred, thin-walled tubing. The method comprises unfolding a portion of the shirred tubing intermediate the ends while the same is advancing by applying a separator to the shirred tubing. After the portion is unfolded, the separator is removed, and the tubing is then parted in its unfolded portion to produce a segment of shirred, thin-walled tubing. This invention also involves an apparatus for parting a segment from a length of shirred, thin-walled tubing. The apparatus includes a support for the tubing and a device for advancing the shirred tubing along the support. A separator is engageable with the shirred tubing to unfold a portion. Parting jaws positioned in advance of the separator are engageable with the tubing for severing the same in its unfolded portion to produce a segment of shirred, thin-walled tubing.

Abstract: A disposable combination of support and mat is used for removing loose dirt from objects coming in touch with the mat. The generally flat support has an area for a mat thereon with a pair of beveled surfaces astride opposed borders of the mat area. Additionally, along at least one edge of the support is means for interlocking the mat combination with similar combinations to provide a linked mat assembly.

Abstract: A bone cutter for shaping a socket, such as a hip socket, comprising a cutter head located at one end of a rotatably driven shaft and having a hemispherical portion with a hemispherical exterior surface, the hemispherical portion containing a closed hollow chamber, and openings, such as slots, in said hemispherical portion connecting between the exterior surface and the chamber, the trailing portion of each of the openings having a cutting edge raised slightly above the hemispherical surface to move material from the socket into the chamber during rotation of the cutter head, and quick release means for connecting and disconnecting the cutter head and the shaft.

Abstract: A hub assembly for use in the filtration of fluids comprising a hub with a tapered bore extending therethrough, and a filter membrane in the bore. The filter membrane has a first portion extending across the bore and a second portion extending from the first portion in substantial contact with the hub around the bore. Means within the bore presses the second portion into tight contact with the hub around the bore to secure the filter membrane therein.A method of fabricating a filter membrane and inserting the same into a hub having a bore extending therethrough, the bore being substantially circular in cross section and tapered to define a large opening at its proximal end and a small opening at its distal end, includes forming a substantially flat, circular filter membrane from a filter medium, the membrane having a diameter larger than the large opening of the bore.

Abstract: A nozzle formed by the mating of two separable parts, a housing and a plug insert, having smaller diameter orifice formed at a first mating interface of these two parts, a Venturi chamber connected to the smaller orifice, being formed at a second mating interface of these two parts and a larger diameter orifice extending through the plug insert part being connected to the Venturi chamber.

Abstract: An improved artificial sphincter for occluding a duct. The basic sphincter includes means to increase the occlusive force about the duct and means to control the increase of such occlusive force. To protect the duct from excessive or damaging occlusion the basic sphincter is improved by including means for preventing increase of the occlusive force about the duct beyond a predetermined position. An additional improvement includes means for adjusting the occlusive means after the sphincter has been implanted in a human or animal body to account for variations in fit about different ducts.

Abstract: An improved sausage stuffing horn for use in packing stuffing materials and emulsions into sausage casings. The improvement lies in the inclusion of a fixed deflecting member in the channel connecting the intake and discharge openings of the horn. The inner portion of sausage stuffing material in the confined channel flows against the deflecting member, and exchanges the inner portion of stuffing material with the outer portion of stuffing material.

Abstract: An improved tacky floor mat for removing loose particles of dirt, dust and the like coming in contact therewith from shoes, wheels, etc. The floor mat includes a stack of adhered, peelable sheets with a layer of adhesive on the upper surface of each sheet. As the adhesive ability of each sheet is diminished it is peeled from the stack to expose the next fresh sheet. To improve the peeling of the sheet a thin coating of non-adhesive material is print deposited on the adhesive layer in a corner of the upper surface of each sheet. To inform the user which corner has been treated the thin coating is generally a different color than the sheets.

Abstract: An improved attaching means for affixing a headrest cover to a mounted fastener on seat backs. The improvement comprises an attachment strip having two portions: a first portion which is secured to the headrest cover, and a second portion which extends from the attachment made by the first portion. The second portion of the attachment strip is flexible and has a plurality of openings sufficient to engage the upstanding hook-like elements of the mounted fastener.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly is comprised of a flexible, compressible housing, a filter pouch in the housing formed from membrane filter media and having a fluid opening in one end thereof, a fluid inlet extending into the housing in fluid communication with the interior of the filter pouch through the fluid opening, and a fluid outlet extending from the housing in fluid communication with the interior of the housing external of the filter pouch. Fluid may pass through the fluid inlet into the interior of the filter pouch, then pass through the membrane filter media of the filter pouch into the interior of the housing external of the filter pouch and finally exit from the housing through the fluid outlet. The unique filter pouch may be made by providing a filter sheet of membrane filter media and folding the sheet substantially in half to form a filter pouch configuration having a folded edge, two edges adjacent the folded edge and an edge opposite the folded edge.

Abstract: A dental floss threader which is adapted to lock dental floss thereto. The threader includes a semi-rigid shank with smooth surfaces, and an eyelet attached to one end of the shank, the eyelet also being semi-rigid with smoothy surfaces. Associated with the eyelet is locking means responsive to insertion of dental floss therein for locking the dental floss to the threader.

Abstract: An edible collagen casing for sausages and the like comprising at least two layers of hardened ropes of collagen wherein the ropes of one layer are helically directed in one direction and the ropes of the other layer are helically directed in the opposite direction and wherein the collagen fibrils and/or fibers in said ropes are, at least on the surface, substantially aligned in the direction of the rope.A method of making an edible collagen casing for sausages and the like which includes providing at least two collagen gel sources having fibrils and/or fibers therein, dividing each source into a plurality of ropes by subjecting the ropes to mechanical force to thereby orient, at least on the outside surface, the fibrils and/or fibers in the direction of movement of said ropes, directing said ropes into two layers in a tubular form with the ropes of one layer helically directed in one direction and the ropes of the other layer being helically directed in the opposite direction.