Abstract: A heart valve prostheses crimping apparatus and method for deducing the diameter of stents containing heart valve prosthesis. A medical prosthesis catheter loading apparatus, including a crimping assembly for reducing the diameter of a prosthesis; and a catheter clamp for holding a catheter adjacent to the prosthesis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing the diameter of a medical prosthesis, including a base, a crimp head connectable to the base, and an actuation mechanism connected to the base and connectable to the crimp head to actuate the crimp head. Also disclosed is a method of loading a medical prosthesis into a catheter, including the steps of reducing the diameter of a prosthesis from its normal deployed state to a diameter less than that of the lumen of the catheter; holding a catheter adjacent to the reduced diameter prosthesis; and moving the prosthesis into the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system comprises a plurality of barrier posts interconnectable by flexible barrier material, and a dispenser device upon which the posts can be carried and from which the posts can be dispensed, in sequence, to erect a barrier.

Abstract: A knife comprises a body, a feed blade store, a return blade store, a feed path along which a blade can be fed from the feed blade store to an operative position, and from the operative position to the return blade store, and control means operable to ensure that a returning blade is returned to the return blade store.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hydrodischarging and hydrocharging substrates and articles to produce enhanced ability to avoid attraction of contaminants or improved capability of removing contaminants from fluids are disclosed. In another form the method involves removal of electric charges or neutralization of charge on or within substrates. Also disclosed are methods of making using electret substrates and articles for removing particulates and mists from fluid streams.

Abstract: A charcoal cooking grate which is hinged to fold up to trap charcoal in a tight pile that is necessary for efficient burning. The grate folds completely over the top and lays flat to allow for three sheets of crumpled up newspaper to be placed under one side. Both sides then fold up to trap the charcoal in the middle of the grate. There are also two hinged sides which fold up to trap the charcoal. These hinged sides wrap around the grate to complete the enclosure. The charcoal can then be loaded onto the center of the cooking grate. Because you have a defined area to pour the charcoal, you get the exact amount of charcoal that is needed to use the grill. After the coals have become hot enough to cook with, then the chains can simply be pulled to release the hinged sides and the end grates to their original positions. The charcoal is automatically dispersed across the charcoal grate as the end grates are lowered back down to a flat position.

Abstract: A device for removing an information-bearing layer of an optical disc comprises a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, a mount to selectively mount an optical disc having an information-bearing layer adjacent the first chamber, a cutter within the first chamber, a drive mechanism operatively connected to the cutter, and a passageway between the first and second chambers. The cutter causes the information-bearing layer of the disc to form particulate matter, and the particulate matter is caused to move through the passageway into the second chamber. The resulting particulate matter has a particle size less than about 326 microns to meet the standards of the Department of Defense and NIST for digital data destruction.

Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing the covers of a book using a surface material and cover pieces glued to it. In order to glue the cover pieces to the surface material, a device equipped with a work table is used, on top of which the surface material is positioned. The cover pieces are glued to the surface material by supporting one end of them, in the initial stage, free of the glue surface with the aid of a shelf-like support piece and commencing gluing from a point farthest from the said end.

Abstract: A separator device comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a magnetic separator rod or element being located within the housing to collect and separate from the flow of fluid through the housing magnetic particles carried by the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A bottom friction feeder comprises a material magazine assembly, a gate assembly including a guide subassembly and a singulation gate subassembly, a back wedge assembly, and a bottom friction belt assembly.

Abstract: A beam construction, particularly a so-called doctor beam, for use mainly in pulp and paper mills to carry blade holders (7) intended to hold doctor blades. The beam (1) is a composite-construction hollow beam, which also includes at least one composite construction pre-tensioning rod (9, 10, 12). The construction has an essentially triangular cross-section.

Abstract: D-glyceric acid has been found to enhance alcohol metabolism and thereby prevent adverse effects of alcohol consumption. D-glyceric acid is administered concurrently with alcohol, to accelerate the elimination of the alcohol from the body. D-glyceric acid is converted into D-glyceraldehyde and further into glycerol in reactions catalysed by NADH-aldehyde dehydrogenase and NADH-alcohol dehydrogenase complexes, which are produced in excess during alcohol oxidation, in the cells of alcohol-metabolising tissues. In these reactions, the NADH complexes become NAD-aldehyde dehydrogenase and NAD-alcohol dehydrogenase complexes. These complexes in turn accelerate the oxidation of alcohol, which is paralleled by enhancement of acetaldehyde oxidation to metabolically harmless acetic acid. D-glyceric acid or its salt or ester is used for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical preparation for enhancing the metabolism of alcohol.

Abstract: A weighing system for use in retrofitting a pallet handling apparatus to provide weighing functionality. The system comprises a control unit and two fork units. The electronic control unit has a display, an electronic weight calculation controller, and at least one control switch. Each fork unit is for substitution with one fork of the pallet handling apparatus. Each fork unit comprises a rigid frame member having an elongated configuration, a plurality of load cells fixedly connected to the frame member, the load cells being disposed in laterally oriented pairs, and a fork member communicatively connected to the frame and engaging the load cells.

Abstract: An insulated frame member 10 comprising first and second frame components 12, 14 interconnected by first and second thermally insulating connectors 24, 26 each connector 24, 26 defining, with the first and second frame components 12, 14 a channel 28, 30 containing a resin material 32, the connectors 24, 26 being off-set from one another.

Abstract: A system and method for tagging individual bales of hay as they are baled and recording information regarding the moisture, weight, preservative applied, field position, quality and other information available at the time of baling, all sequenced to the formation of the bale by a timing and positioning device.

Abstract: A fishing accessory is provided which includes a body defining a longitudinal passage in which a fishing line is receivable, and defining a slot extending laterally from the passage to an outside of the body. A resilient helical element is axially receivable within the passage with an interference fit, and extends helically from a rear end of the body to engage a fishing lure, disposed on a fishing hook. The accessory is secured on the fishing line by passing the fishing line through the slot into the passage, winding the fishing line through adjacent coils of the helical element, sliding the helical element into the passage, and securing a rear end of the helical element to the lure. A locking member may also be inserted into the passage. The fishing accessory may be installed on the fishing line without having to untie the fishing line from the fishing hook.