Abstract: A flashlight with a rotatable lamp head is provided. The lamp head pivots about two cylindrical coaxial electrical connectors. The lamp head also includes reflector having a major parabolic reflective surface and a minor reflective parabolic surface. The reflector is configured so that the minor reflective surface is nested within the major reflective surface. The flashlight also includes a series of fluid-tight seals to insure that the flashlight is waterproof. In addition, a flapper valve is provided to function as a one-way valve allowing the release of gases produced by the use of the batters, and preventing fluid from entering the flashlight. A battery charger is also provided to recharge a battery pack for the flashlight.

Abstract: A self-contained automatic lubricator for automatically dispensing fluent lubricant over a period of time is provided. The lubricator comprises a cylinder having a front wall with a discharge outlet, a rear wall and cylindrical side walls. A piston is movable within the cylinder from a rear position to a forward position. The piston and the side and front walls of the cylinder define a variable volume chamber for containing the lubricant to be dispensed, and a spring for moving the piston from its rear position towards it front position to reduce the volume of the variable volume chamber over a period of time for expelling lubricant through the discharge outlet. The lubricator further comprises a controller including gearing and an escapement mechanism, for controlling the transfer of energy from the spring to the piston and an electrical element controlling operation of the escapement mechanism (12).

Abstract: A cosmetics package (1) comprising a base unit (2) having upper storage means (5), lower storage means (6a-6h) and side walls (8a, 8b), and a lid (3) movable relative to the base unit (2) between open and closed positions, the upper storage means (5) having locating means (11-14, 11b) for locating a plurality of first cosmetics products (11a-14a, 11c) in defined positions which are readily accessible when the lid (3) is in its open position but which are inaccessible when the lid (3) is in its closed position, the lower storage means (6a-6h) comprising a plurality of cavities opening into the, or at least one of the, side walls (8a, 8b) and extending beneath the upper storage means (5) for receiving second cosmetics products (7a-7g). The cosmetics package enables individual cosmetics products to be accessed easily for immediate application to a user.

Abstract: Needle-bearing medical devices are provided for fluid infusion, fluid transfusion, and inserting a guide wire. After use the needle is shielded to render the contaminated needle safe to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes a housing and a needle having a sharpened tip. A biasing element biases the needle toward a position in which the sharpened tip is shielded.

Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be substantially permanently retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a patient's mouth in an open position during a medical procedure is provided. The device includes a cylindrical body configured to be received in the patient's mouth. A flange extending from an edge of the body is configured to engage the face of the patient, and preferably, the device includes a retainer for retaining the body in the patient's mouth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aseptic biological production of cells and/or microorganisms are provided. The apparatus includes a support housing having an interior chamber, a disposable flexible sterile plastic liner lining the interior chamber and a head plate attached to the liner forming a sealed chamber with the liner to form a reservoir. After use the liner can be thrown away and the apparatus can be reused with a new liner. In this way, the apparatus simplifies cleaning and ensuring validation required by pharmaceutical and food industry standards. Aerating fluid is introduced during culturing of cell or microorganisms in the reservoir. A growth characteristic can be used to vary flow rate and/or composition of the aerating fluid. Another reservoir may be used for circulation between two reservoirs.

Abstract: A safety stand for safely holding a heavy slab of material is provided. The stand is configured so that a heavy slab can be safely leaned against it. Once the slab is leaned against the stand, the top edge of the slab is in a position such that a lifting clamp or similar device can be attached to the slab. With the stand in place, one person can safely prepare the slab for lifting.

Abstract: A vapor compression apparatus and a method for operating a vapor compression system are provided. A working fluid is conveyed through a vapor compression system having a fluid line. A magnetic field generator is connected to the fluid line to direct a magnetic field through the working fluid. The magnetic field is operable to disrupt intermolecular forces and weaken intermolecular attraction to enhance expansion of the working fluid to the vapor phase, increasing the capacity, performance and efficiency of the system components, and reducing system cycling, mechanical wear and energy consumption.

Abstract: A flashlight with a rotatable lamp head is provided. The lamp head pivots about two cylindrical coaxial electrical connectors. The lamp head also includes reflector having a major parabolic reflective surface and a minor reflective parabolic surface. The reflector is configured so that the minor reflective surface is nested within the major reflective surface. The flashlight also includes a series of fluid-tight seals to insure that the flashlight is waterproof. In addition, a flapper valve is provided to function as a one-way valve allowing the release of gases produced by the use of the batters, and preventing fluid from entering the flashlight. A battery charger is also provided to recharge a battery pack for the flashlight.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device includes a tube holder, a fluid container, a double ended needle with forward sharpened tip, and rearward sharpened tip. Fluid is withdrawn or injected into a patient from the tip, and into fluid contained.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing mail by severing an edge of each envelope in a stack of mail. The apparatus includes an input bin for receiving a stack of mail. An agitator confronting the stack of envelopes in the input bin reciprocally displaces the bottom envelope in the stack of mail to provide separation between the bottom envelope and the remaining envelopes in the stack. A feeder feeds the bottom envelope from the input bin to a transport that conveys the envelope along an envelope path. A cutter positioned along the envelope path severs one edge of the envelopes. The transport discharges the opened envelopes onto a return conveyor that conveys the opened envelopes to a stacking area where the opened envelopes are stacked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. The mail is serially fed from a stack of mail into a system transport. The system transport conveys the mail to an imaging station, which scans the mail to obtain image data corresponding to at least a portion of each piece. From the imaging station, the mail is conveyed to a buffer, which selectively maintains the mail while the address printed on the mail is determined. After the address for a piece of mail is determined, the piece is conveyed out of the buffer to a printer, which prints a POSTNET barcode onto the piece. The POSTNET barcode corresponds to the address that was determined for the piece. Optionally, the apparatus may include a labeler for applying a blank label onto the mail, and the POSTNET barcode can then be printed onto the label after it is applied to the mail. After the POSTNET barcode is printed on a piece, it is conveyed past a verifier, which scans the printed POSTNET barcode to ensure that the barcode was printed properly.

Abstract: A device is provided for inserting medical instruments, such as pacemaker leads, into a patient. The device includes a flexible needle with a sharpened tip surrounded by a sheath and catheter. A biasing element biases the needle toward a position in which the needle tip is enclosed within the sheath. A method for inserting a medical instrument, such as a pacemaker lead, is also provided, in which the needle is inserted into a patient, followed by the sheath and catheter. The needle is then retracted so that the sharpened tip is enclosed within the sheath. The needle remains in the sheath as the sheath and catheter are curved into alignment with a blood vessel and advanced through the blood vessel. The needle and sheath are then pulled out, and a pacemaker lead or other instrument is fed through the catheter and into the vessel.

Abstract: A needle-bearing device for injecting medicinal fluid from a pre-filled vial is provided. After use, the needle is retracted into the body of the device to prevent inadvertent contact with the sharpened end of the needle. In one embodiment, the invention provides a manually actuable button that effectuates retraction of the needle after use. In another embodiment, retraction is effectuated automatically after the injection is complete.

Abstract: A trading card and method for producing a trading card are provided. The trading card includes a picture printed on a substrate. The card is mailed to obtain a postmark printed on the card from the postal service. Preferably, a date and/or location is selected to correspond with an event associated with the picture on the card. The trading card is then mailed to obtain a postmark having a date and/or location corresponding with the selected date and/or location. After the card is mailed it may be trimmed to a smaller size. More specifically, the card may be trimmed to a size having a length and/or height that is smaller than the minimum height and/or length allowed for mailing under postal regulations. The mailed cards are then packaged either individually or with other mailed or unmailed cards.

Abstract: A method for producing the conveyor assembly is also provided. A plurality of layers of reinforcing material are arranged in overlapping relation. A binding material such as thermoset urethane is deposited on the reinforcing material to bind the reinforcing materials together, thereby forming a composite material. A gripping material is deposited on the composite material, forming a gripping layer. The combined gripping layer and composite material are cured so that the gripping layer permanently bonds to the composite material. The combined gripping layer and composite material are then cut into a plurality of belt links, such that the gripping layer of each belt link is coextensive with the upper surface of the belt link. The belt links are then assembled to produce a link belt having a gripping surface formed from the gripping layers of the individual belt links.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device is provided that includes an insertion needle that is retractable into the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. The needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position against the bias of the biasing element. When the catheter is removed from the insertion device, the needle retainer automatically releases the needle, which is propelled rearwardly into the device. A device for inserting a guide wire into a patient is also provided. The device includes an insertion needle that is retractable into the housing of the device after use. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position against the bias of the biasing element. The needle retainer engages the guide wire so that when the guide wire is removed from the insertion device, the needle retainer automatically releases the needle, which is propelled into the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail in a continuous and automatic procedure includes an operative combination of processing stations including an input station for receiving incoming mail in bulk fashion and for separating the pieces of mail for individual delivery to the remainder of the apparatus a station for detecting irregularities in the contents of the envelopes, such as metal items, folded contents, or oversized items; a station for outsorting envelopes rejected in accordance with determinations made at the detection station; a station for opening the envelopes, preferably along multiple edges; a station for removing the contents from the opened envelopes, for subsequent processing of the contents; and a series of stations for handling and orienting the contents for subsequent delivery to a plurality of output stackers.