Abstract: An automatic retractable lancet assembly includes a housing with a sharp-pointed lancet movably mounted therein. A depressible plunger and slide mechanism actuates the movement of the lancet outwardly from the housing. After this outward movement is completed, the actuator elements become dissociated from further movement of the lancet. Subsequently, the lancet is automatically retracted back inside the housing by virtue of a spring element.

Abstract: An automatic retractable lancet assembly includes a housing with a sharp-pointed lancet movably mounted therein. A depressible plunger and slide mechanism actuates the movement of the lancet outwardly from the housing. After this outward movement is completed, the actuator elements become dissociated from further movement of the lancet. Subsequently, the lancet is automatically retracted back inside the housing by virtue of a spring element.

Abstract: This invention relates to single-step coating methods for coating substrates such as plastics or glass to impart properties to the substrate which are anticoagulant and hydrophobic, and to substrates so coated. The method is particularly useful in coating the internal surfaces of blood test vessels, such as microcontainers or VACUTAINERS.RTM. for receiving blood samples for subsequent testing. The method herein imparts the desired properties to the vessel in a single step by combining silicone containing material in a water vehicle to which has been added a quantity of an anticoagulant, such as heparin or ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), followed by air drying.

Abstract: An automatic retractable lancet assembly includes a housing with a sharp-pointed lancet movably mounted therein. A depressible plunger and slide mechanism actuates the movement of the lancet outwardly from the housing. After this outward movement is completed, the actuator elements become dissociated from further movement of the lancet. Subsequently, the lancet is automatically retracted back inside the housing by virtue of a spring element.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing protective work gloves and other wearing apparel, having a variety of different protective and surface characteristics, as desired, without any separate cutting, knitting or sewing operations, and wearing apparel so produced by such methods. The method includes, for example, developing a work glove including its liner in a series of steps applied sequentially to a single form moving through a production line. The method eliminates the need for a separate operation for producing fabric liners including cutting, sewing and the manual loading of each individual liner on a form for subsequent dipping and coating operations. The resulting gloves may be moisture impervious or breathable, and have a variety of textured surfaces for various uses.

Abstract: An improved slip and/or skid resistant surface is provided for work gloves, work shoes, floor coverings in work areas and the like. The surface of the invention provides a porous gripping surface particularly useful in greasy and oily environments where it is necessary for a workman to be able to grip mechanical devices or loose objects having a coating of oil or grease. The surface of the invention is a foam surface laminated to a substrate. The foam, prior to lamination, may be foamed with varying amounts of air depending upon the degree of abrasion resistance required. The foaming may be by mechanical or chemical means.

Abstract: An improved abrasion and cut resistant surface is provided for work gloves, work shoes and like wearing apparel. The surface of the invention provides a porous surface particularly useful in work environments where it is necessary for a workman to use gloves, but which gloves are breathable and have moisture absorbing properties. The surface of the invention is a foam surface laminated to a substrate. The foam, prior to lamination, may be foamed with varying amounts of air depending upon the degree of abrasion resistance required. The foaming may be by mechanical or chemical means.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer is provided, and the process for making it, which utilizes a piezoresistive element or gage which is crystallinally the same as the base or substrate upon which it is supported. The gage of the invention is a force gage, and is derived from its substrate by etching in a series of steps which, ultimately, provide a gage with substantially reduced strain energy requirements, because the volume of the gage may be as small as 33.times.10.sup.10 cubic centimeters of stressed material. In its most preferred form, the element or gage is etched free of its substrate to provide, in effect, a "floating gage. " This is achieved by defining the gage in its substrate or in material rigidly bonded to its substrate, etching away immediately adjacent material, and leaving the gage free in space, while supported at each end on the substrate.

Abstract: A capacitance keyboard switch is provided which reduces in a keyboard the overall space requirements therefore while providing at the same time the property of increasing the switch module force curve in the activating movement thereof. The tactile feel construction includes a reduced number of integrally molded inexpensive parts.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing, simultaneously and automatically, a plurality of small quantities of powder under improved conditions of control. The arrangement is such that precise amounts of micro quantities of hard-to-handle powder may be dispensed into containers such as blood collection tubes. Included herein is a brush mechanism that reciprocates over a plate in a controlled manner, for sweeping a slug of powder deposited automatically on the plate in a controlled manner through a number of openings in the plate, and into an equal number of containers. The openings are dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the sweeping action of the brush, so that a desired precise quantity of powder is deposited through each opening into the waiting containers.

Abstract: A composite closure arrangement is provided for blood sample collection tubes, and particularly evacuated blood collection tubes for reducing exposure of a technician to any blood droplets or blood aerosol during removal of a sample of the blood from the container. The device also hides and contains any such aerosol or droplets. Moreover, the device provides enhanced ease of removal of the stopper, when desired. A cap is configured to be placed over and fitted onto the rubber stopper of the tube, with the top portion of the cap extending over and spaced from the top of the stopper to define a cavity between the overlying portion of the cap and the top of the stopper. The center of the overlapping portion of the cap includes a sample needle access bore providing access to the stopper diaphragm. Cooperating opposed abutments on the cap and the stopper maintain the cap on the stopper.

Abstract: An automatic retractable lancet assembly includes a housing with a sharp-pointed lancet movably mounted therein. A slidable plunger is mounted in the housing in the end thereof opposite from the lancet for loading the assembly prior to use. An actuating mechanism releases the lancet for outward movement from the housing. After this outward movement is completed, the actuator elements become dissociated from further movement of the lancet. Subsequently, the lancet is automatically retracted back inside the housing by virtue of a spring element.

Abstract: An improved membrane cap assembly is provided for polaragraphic oxygen sensors in which a preassembled cap is provided with a membrane mounted for receiving the electrodes thereagainst when the assembly is mounted on the sensor body in such a way that the secured portions of the membrane may slide or move in the secured state to accommodate or receive the electrodes. This has the effect of preventing destructive tension forces against the fragile membrane. Also, because of this arrangement, a more effective quantity of electrolyte is retained by the membrane adjacent the electrodes. This, in turn, has the effect of increasing the life of the assembly prior to electrolyte depolarization, and reducing the times necessary to dismantle and replace the assembly with a new cap, and a fresh quantity of electrolyte.

Abstract: A needle assembly preferably suitable for single sample blood collection and for determining vein entry when collecting a blood sample from a patient into a vacuum collection device. This assembly includes a housing with an interior chamber having a blood inlet needle on one side of the housing and a blood outlet needle on the other. The outlet needle extends interiorly into the chamber, is open at its distal end and includes a side hole therethrough. A vent plug covers the side hole by surrounding the outlet needle inside the chamber, while a sealant plug covers the open end of the outlet needle. This arrangement prevents liquid from flowing into the holes while allowing gas to flow through the vent plug into the side hole for escape from the assembly whereby the prevented liquid may then be viewed by a user through a transparent portion of the housing.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing a laminate particularly useful in producing warm moisture-resistant wearing apparel for industrial applications and sportswear. The laminate is superior in flexibility and comfort when worn while still providing appropriate moisture protection. In addition, the method includes procedures for providing a combined textured and creped surface for varying the appearance and degree of flexibility and "feel" to garments comprised of the laminate. The methods include joining a non-woven fibrous web such as a needled felt to a foamed synthetic resin web, such as polyurethane foam, and thereafter, through controlled tension, temperature and roll pressure, joining a film, such as a synthetic resin film, to the exposed foam surface through a heated roll nip, followed by embossing. The degree of "crepe" and texture or embossing imparted to the laminate varies inversely to each other, as desired, to provide a variety of different appearing and appealing fabric surfaces.

Abstract: A one-way valve is provided for a multiple blood sample needle which valve is self-sealing between the taking of each sample. The valve is a cup valve which utilizes an annular spike arrangement adjacent the bottom of the skirt of the valve for enhancing the sealing effects thereof. In addition, the pedestal-like internal support for the valve is configured to reduce the degree of deflection inwardly of the skirt of the valve, upon opening, which reduction has the effect of reducing the degree of convolution of the circumferential extent of the skirt during the deflection. The revised internal pedestal support reduces, also, any tendency of the valve to cock out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the valve and its internal support in its normal position.