Abstract: A non-invasive, electro-optical sensor probe and a method for its use are disclosed. The sensor probe measures light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused tissue. A malleable layer makes the sensor particularly well-suited for attachment to a central site, such as the patient's tongue, cheek, gum or lip, to provide accurate oxygen saturation and pulse rate readings for patients with lowered or inconsistent peripheral circulation.

Abstract: A sensor for trans-illumination of a blood perfused portion of flesh to measure light extinction during trans-illumination is disclosed. The sensor is preferably mounted on a fingertip but any digit or blood perfused portion of flesh will work. The sensor includes a first end for disposition on one side of the trans-illuminated flesh and a second end for disposition on the opposite and opposed side of the trans-illuminated flesh. A light source is mounted to the first side and a photo-sensor is mounted to the second side. If an elongated flexible strip is used, it is provided with adhesive and is suitably windowed that light is allowed to take an optical path through the finger. If no flexible strip is used, the two ends are aligned and secured to the flesh such that the light emitted takes an optical path through the finger.

Abstract: A probe apparatus for use with an optical oximeter is disclosed. A pair of light emitting diodes emit light of known narrow wavelengths through an appendage of a patient onto a photosensor. A resistor of coded known resistance is used to enable the oximeter to calculate the co-efficient of extinction of the wavelengths of the LEDs. The resistor, LEDs and photosensor are mounted on self-attaching hook and eye tape for mounting the probe onto the appendage of the patient. The probe is detachably wired to the oximeter, rendering the probe completely disposable. The oximeter is programmed at the factory to calculate the co-efficients of extinction of any LEDs which may be encountered in a series of disposable probes. From the co-efficients of extinction, the pulse rate and degree of arterial oxygen saturation is computed and displayed by the oximeter.

Abstract: Data processing methods and apparatus for managing vehicle financing are disclosed. The data processing system provides information to assist in granting a loan applicant credit, processes the loan, and determinates at the time of making the loan a residual value of the vehicle at a predetermined option date.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a continuous incident laser beam into a pulsed laser beam, with a duty cycle of pulsation that is substantially continuously variable between a minimum value and a maximium value, is disclosed. The apparatus uses a rotatable disc of nontransmissive material which has a plurality of apertures and adjacent nontransmissive portions disposed in an annular zone. The ratio of the width of each aperture to the width of the adjacent nontransmissive portion substantially continuously varies radially from a minimum ratio to a maximum ratio. As the disc is rotated, the beam is alternately transmitted and blocked, so that a pulsed output beam emerges. The duty cycle of the beam can be adjusted by radially varying the point of incidence of the incident beam within the annular zone so that it impinges on the zone at a radius at which the ratio of widths is at a desired value. Such apparatus can be used in a system for perforating a web of sheet material with a pulsed laser beam.

Abstract: Optical apparatus for converting a single, continuous incident laser beam into a plurality of pulsed laser beams is disclosed. The apparatus uses a rotatable first optical refracting element to cause the incident laser beam to sweep the surface of an imaginary cone. A circular or elliptical array of fixed, second optical refracting elements is placed in the path of the sweeping beam. The array is mounted in a holder of nontransmissive material. As the beam sweeps past each of the fixed second optical refracting elements, it is transmitted by that element and then interrupted by the nontransmissive material separating that element from the next fixed second optical refracting element. As the beam sweeps a complete circle or ellipse, a pulsation effect is created by the repetitive transmission and interruption, giving rise to a plurality of pulsed output beams. Such apparatus can be used in a system for perforating a web of sheet material with pulsed laser beams.

Abstract: Automatic wraparound packaging machinery comprising a carton blank feeding station, can accumulator, lowerator platform and gluing and sealing station is provided with a loading head adapted for receiving the supply of articles (e.g., cans) to be packed and for forming the articles into discrete groups. The apparatus further comprises a retractable loading curtain associated with the loading head and means associated with the loading head for retracting the loading curtain to release the group of articles formed in the loading head and for returning the loading curtain to its normal position for supporting the next group of articles formed in the loading head. In one embodiment, the articles are packed in the carton in one tier. In another embodiment, releasable lifting means are provided for lifting every other group or articles to form an upper and a lower tier of articles, thus producing a two-tiered arrangement of articles to be packed.

Abstract: An illumination system for a workstation having a backwall, a substantially horizontally disposed work surface, and a visual display terminal adapted to be viewed by an operator in a direction substantially perpendicular to the backwall is disclosed. The system provides a backlighting component of illumination as well as task lighting and ambient lighting.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of detecting and measuring the presence and degree of corrosion damage in pipe by using a probe which forms a capacitor with the wall of the pipe is disclosed. The probe is moved interior to and longitudinally of the pipe, and the variation in capacitance occuring whenever the probe passes a corrosion portion of the interior pipe wall is detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for dispensing flexible, elastic flanged containers from a nested stack of such containers. In that apparatus and method, the sidewall of the bottommost container is compressed causing the remainder of the stack of containers to move vertically upward and a separator is inserted into the gap created between the flange of the bottommost container and the flange of the next-to-the bottommost container. Thereafter, the bottommost container is dispensed from the remainder of the stack of containers. In the preferred embodiment, compression is provided by a set of cammed spacemaker blades.

Abstract: A dunnage bag provided with an adhesive strip for attaching the uninflated bag to the surface against which it will bear when inflated. An attachment tab which is an extension of the material of the bag itself provides a means for attaching the adhesive strip to the bag, and thus a means of attaching the bag to the surface against which it will bear when inflated.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming a non-woven, fibrous web, a device for making a uniform density dispersion of the fibers in an aqueous fiber slurry and depositing the dispersion onto a web former, while maintaining its integrity. The device includes a generally laterally divergent channel, in which the greatest depth of the flowing stream of fiber slurry is at its fiber slurry entry end, having rolls for uniformly dispersing the fibers, rolls for uniformly spreading the dispersion laterally throughout the channel, and means in cooperation with the rolls for moving the dispersion to an exit end of the channel adjacent the web former. Preferably, the device is equipped with air doctors directed at the rolls for insuring the separation of the dispersion from each roll as it is moved to another roll.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector for reed switches and other similarly configured switches, in which the electrical leads projecting from the ends of the switch are clamped to a connector base by screw-driven terminal clamping plates, thereby establishing electrical contact with the switch. Washers placed between the leads and the connector base improve the reliability of the contact by reducing the amount of deformation of the base material caused by the stress of clamping.