Abstract: The liquid removal system of the present invention is designed to permit efficient liquid removal as needed through the use of an interface device. The interface device is provided with a membrane which has and is capable of maintaining a vacuum on one side so that when liquid contacts the opposite side of the membrane the liquid passes through the membrane and is removed from the interface device by a maintained vacuum to a receptacle for disposal. When used as a female external catheter system, the present invention is designed to remove urine from incontinent female hospital and nursing home patients and even patients under home care.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for processing a brake element having a frame supporting a fixture for locating a brake element. The brake element has an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface. The fixture has a first surface to engage the inner concave surface. A clamp arrangement removably clamps the brake element to the fixture which has a plurality of rivet extraction elements, each being arranged to align with a corresponding rivet in the brake element. The fixture has a second surface and a cam element is provided with a cam surface adjacent to the second surface and the rivet extraction elements are arranged to engage the cam means at the second surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transformer assembly, comprising a toroidal transformer element including a ring and a secondary winding wound around the ring; the ring being arranged to receive a main therethrough to form a primary winding; and a recording medium containing a set of successive incremental factors, each of the factors relating a measurement of a power component for one increment of power flowing through the secondary winding with an expected value of the power component for the increment of power flowing through the secondary winding, both the measurement and the expected value corresponding to a flow of power through the primary winding, wherein the transformer element, together with the set of factors, is capable of generating measurements of power with improved accuracy when corrected by the factors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming cross-linked polymer microspheres, comprising the steps of:forming a reaction mixture essentially free of stabilizer and comprising a polymerization medium, a di-vinyl cross-linking agent, a functional co-monomer which is copolymerizable with said cross-linking agent and a radical initiator, with said cross-linking agent, said functional co-monomer and said initiator being soluble in said polymerization medium;subjecting said reaction mixture to conditions selected to form microspheres with two modes of stabilization, a first being provided by cross-linking, and a second being provided by short stabilizing chains extending outwardly from the microsphere and into said medium, said stabilizing chains having a sufficient concentration of said functional co-monomer to have steric stability in said medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foot operated therapeutic exercise device comprising a saddle, a load and drive means to propel the load; the drive means further including a pair of pedal mechanisms, each of the pedal mechanisms including a pedal and a pedal support, the pedal support being mounted for rotation about a pedal axis; a pair of coupling means, each to independently couple a corresponding one of the pedals to the support in a manner to allow the position of the pedal to be adjusted relative to the pedal axis, according to the range of motion of a corresponding knee of a patient; adjustment means to independently adjust the pedal axis of each of the pedal mechanisms relative to the saddle, according to the corresponding leg of the patient, thereby allowing the exercise regimen for each leg to be adjusted according to its individual limitations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for nesting articles of the type having a nesting surface with a number of formations thereon, comprising first locating means for locating a first article and second locating means for locating a second article, actuating means for actuating the first and second locating means to cause the articles to nest together at the nesting surfaces, the actuating means including a first mechanism to actuate the first locating means and a second mechanism to actuate the second locating means, the first mechanism being arranged to actuate in advance of the second mechanism, in order to nest the articles with the formations in staggered relationship. A technique is also disclosed for nesting articles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique for calibrating a transformer element, comprising the steps of providing a transformer element with a primary winding and a secondary winding; providing a memory to store a range of expected values of a power component, each value being representative of a flow of power expected through the secondary winding for a corresponding flow of power through the primary winding; establishing a flow of power at a first level through the primary winding, thereby to establish a corresponding flow of power through the secondary winding; measuring the power component for the flow of power through the secondary winding to obtain a first measurement thereof; comparing the first measurement with a corresponding expected value and calculating a first factor according to the difference there between; and storing the first factor; varying the flow of power in the primary winding to a second level; measuring the power component for the flow of power through the secondary winding to obtain a second

Abstract: A retail check stand device has a conveyor and a pair of side walls, each of the side walls further including a side wall section presenting an inner planar surface on a respective side of the conveyor to confine articles. One of the side wall sections has a cavity adjacent the planar surface. A sensing means is provided to sensing objects on the conveyor. An opening is formed in the side wall section to provide access to the cavity. A check stand controller is responsive to the sensing means and is arranged to fit through the opening and be located in the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a single crystal film of sodium-beta"-alumina, comprising the steps of providing a single crystal substrate with one surface being arranged to minimize nucleation sites thereon, at least a portion of the substrate including alumina. A single crystal substrate is then deposited in a chamber, along with a precursor in the chamber. The precursor has a sufficient quantity of sodium species in a vapor phase and at an energy level sufficient to react with the alumina to form sodium-beta"-alumina. The precursor also includes a sufficient quantity of a stabilizing ion with a valence equal to or lower than aluminum to minimize decomposition of sodium-beta"-alumina to sodium-beta-alumina.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an arm rest for a chair comprising a frame member and an arm support member, a coupling device to couple the arm support member with the frame member for rotation about an axis, the arm support member having a portion which is offset from the axis, wherein rotation of the arm support member relative to the frame member results in horizontal and vertical adjustment of the arm rest.

Abstract: A sterilizable multiple layer packaging film comprising a first outer layer comprising polypropylene or propylene copolymers, a core layer comprising polyisobutylene modified high density polyethylene and a second outer layer of about 100% to 10% polyisobutylene modified high density polyethylene or at least one copolymer thereof.

Abstract: The present assembly relates to a wheel chair having a base frame, a seat frame and a back frame, and a control device for rotating the back frame relative to the seat frame. The back frame includes a back support to receive a trunk portion of a user, the back support being displaceable by another control device relative to the back frame. A control unit communicates with the control devices for rotating and for displacing, the control unit being adjustable to vary the displacement of the back support according to the rotation of the back frame to minimize shear forces between the user's trunk and the back support.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting juice and pulp from vegetables and fruits is provided having a base containing an electric motor, and a bowl removably attached to the base. The motor has a drive shaft which projects into the interior of the bowl for receiving process tools. The bowl is provided with a strainer which is equipped with a skirt which fits inside the central tube surrounding the drive shaft. The driving shaft has a spindle fitted thereon in two orientations, one in which the strainer remains static during operation and one in which the strainer is driven rotationally when the driving shaft is turning.

Abstract: A stretcher which is adapted to be hingedly attached to the inside surface of a transportation means is disclosed. The stretcher is provided with orifices through the top and bottom surfaces of the stretcher such that the location of the orifices corresponds to the arrangement of the windows in the transportation means so that the passenger's view is not blocked by the stretcher when the stretcher is not in use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical fiber device comprising an optical fiber; the fiber having a first portion with an endface, the endface having a core and a peripheral area around the core, the endface having defined thereon a first region adjacent the core and a second region adjacent the peripheral area; a layer of reflective material located on the endface and confined to the first region, thereby forming a localized reflector thereon.

Abstract: A scooter that may be easily assembled and assembled without requiring lifting any heavy parts. The scooter may be easily broken down into a main frame, a drive portion, a motor portion and a power transmission portion.

Abstract: A method of reducing residual stresses in a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite laminate having at least one free edge includes the step of heating a region adjacent the free edge using a platen for a time period sufficient to form a localized melt zone of the thermoplastic in the region. The heating step is however done under a sufficient pressure to prevent delamination of the laminate. After this is done, the region is cooled for a time period and under a pressure sufficient using a platen to solidify the region and to prevent the lamination thereof.