Abstract: A colorized fire retardant composition comprising a fire retardant and a colorant, wherein the colorant is an aqueous dispersion of a pigment formed by polymerizing at least one monomer in the presence of at least one dye. The composition is particularly useful in combating and controlling fires by discharging the composition towards the fuel, or potential fuel, of a fire.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a container, a spigot, a lid, and a food support. The container has a bottom surface and a side wall that extends upwardly from the bottom surface to a top edge of the side wall. The spigot is attached to the container side wall and has a valve member that is selectively positionable between opened and closed positions. The spigot valve member allows liquid contents of the container to drain from the container when in the opened position, and prevents the contents from draining out of the container when in the closed position. The food support is comprised of a perforated horizontal member with a perforated side wall extending upwardly from the horizontal member. A plurality of vertical members spaced around the periphery of the horizontal member extend upwardly from the horizontal member.

Abstract: A catheter and needle system includes a solid piercing needle, a catheter, and a needle tip enclosure, as well as a method of utilization. The solid needle reduces the possibility of transmitting infectious agents to a user otherwise resulting from accidental needle punctures. The system has two configurations, a first for inserting the assembly into a patient, and a second for withdrawing and disposing of the piercing needle. The catheter has means for receiving, delivering and viewing fluids at the insertion site. The needle and enclosure operate cooperatively to enable medical procedures to be conducted without hinderance, and to automatically cleanse and enclose the piercing portion of the needle upon withdrawal. The system also provides for the safe withdrawal of the needle without the need to disturb the catheter once it is inserted.

Abstract: A wheel balancer and method of mounting a wheel/tire assembly on a wheel balancer are provided. The wheel balancer includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit and manual input are also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor.

Abstract: A method of adding oil and fat to porous feed is disclosed wherein porous feed together with oil and fat are continuously inserted into a partially evacuated chamber of an oil and fat adding apparatus while, simultaneously, porous feed that has remained therein for a specified time is continuously being removed from the chamber. The continuous nature of this method allows porous feed having high fat and oil content to be produced more rapidly than previously possible.

Abstract: A multi-layer, multi-web, laser printable, page-sized form with an identification band blank comprises a multi-layered web die cut with a first paper label portion for receiving a printed image and an adhesive backed transparent film layer approximately twice the width of the paper layer so that upon separation from a carrier, the transparent film may be folded over and completely encapsulate the paper layer to moisture proof it and protect it. The transparent film layer includes a pair of adhesive backed tabs at the ends to facilitate its attachment about a patient's wrist or ankle. The band blank web is joined to a second multi-layer web with an overlapping glued joint, the second multi-layer web having a plurality of adhesive backed labels die cut into it.

Abstract: An agent and method for the prevention and treatment of toxicity caused by heavy metals such as depleted uranium, tungsten and nickel and metals such as iron, lead and copper. The agent is a chelating agent such as picolinic acid or derivatives thereof. The agent chelates and inactivates the metals which can be carcinogenic or poisonous. The agent can be administered to chelate excessive copper as a result of Wilson's disease. The agent can be administered orally or by other systemic routes such as injections and the like.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a sensor assembly for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly for measuring vibration of the wheel/tire assembly as the wheel/tire assembly is rotated, a motor operably connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying a generally radial force to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation of the wheel/tire assembly and a sensor for measuring the lateral force between the load roller and the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit is also included that is responsive to the measured vibration of the wheel/tire assembly to determine wheel imbalance, and responsive to the measurement of lateral force to provide information relating to the measured lateral force to the user.

Abstract: A fan has a plurality of blades that are each configured to induce radial-flow adjacent the trailing edge of the blade while also being configured to induce both radial-flow and axial-flow near the base end of the blade. This is achieved by splitting each of the blades into two sections and orienting the chord-line of the blades near the hub of the fan at angle relative to the axis of the hub while maintaining the chord-line of the blades parallel to the axis near the trailing edges of the blades. This results in an increased ability of the fan to draw air in axially as compared to conventional radial-flow fans. The fan of the preferred embodiment also makes use of an annular ring joining the trailing edges of the blades.

Abstract: A shape-adjusting mechanism for a backrest has a lumbar basket which includes a pair of supports spaced apart along a predetermined axis. Resilient axial ribs are fastened between the brackets, and resilient transverse ribs are fastened to the anal ribs. The axial ribs are structured to flex as the supports are drawn together, to achieve a profile that better conforms to the shape of a user's spine. To that end, each axial rib is stamped with reinforcing flanges that extend partially along its length and produce lengthwise rib sections of different bending resistance that determine the profile of the lumbar basket in its flexed state.

Abstract: A shroud is provided for a dynamoelectric device such as an electric motor comprising a rotor and a wire wound stator, where the shroud fully contains the end turns of the stator wire windings, provides terminal connections for winding leads, and includes a circuitry compartment to house a temperature and current protective device.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related medical instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening as used during general anesthesia, intensive care, or critical patient care. The mask includes an inflatable positioning shield formed to fit within a patient's oropharynx and seal around the circumference of the laryngeal opening, the shield having an inflatable annular toroid peripheral portion, a contoured rear portion, and a recessed front. The mask also includes a flexible respiratory tube having an proximal end lumen, a gently curved tubular body of sufficient size to permit passage of endo-tracheal tubes, and related medical instruments, and a distal end passing through and secured to the proximal edge of the annular toroid peripheral portion.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a sensor assembly for measuring the rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly for measuring vibration of the wheel/tire assembly as the wheel/tire assembly is rotated, a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying a force greater than 150, pounds in a generally radial direction to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation of the wheel/tire assembly and a control circuit responsive to measurements from the vibration sensor assembly to determine imbalance.

Abstract: The invention is a cleaning tool housing assembly and a replaceable cleaning assembly. The manifold, in combination with a fluid intake element, also delivers fluid (under pressure through holes in the manifold located in a longitudinal channel) to a sponge. Two spaced apart fluid barriers are longitudinally disposed in the sponge. As fluid is introduced into the center of the sponge, between the fluid barriers, the fluid travels toward the opposite surface of the sponge. The fluid is prevented from traveling laterally due to the fluid barriers. As vacuum pressure, negative pressure, is exerted on the outer portions of the sponge (on each side of the fluid barriers), fluid is pulled back through the sponge, through the manifold and through the nozzles into the hollow housing body.

Abstract: A method for attaching an electric conductor to an electrically conductive terminal. The electric conductor has a wire and a cladding surrounding the wire. The wire has an exposed end portion extending from an end of the cladding. The method includes placing a sleeve over the electric conductor. The sleeve is an electrically insulative material. The method further includes positioning the exposed end portion of the wire adjacent the terminal, securing the exposed end portion of the wire to a first portion of the terminal in a manner so that the exposed end portion of the wire is mechanically secured to and electrically coupled to the terminal, moving the sleeve along the electric conductor to a position in which a portion of the sleeve is adjacent the terminal, and securing the sleeve to a second portion of the terminal in a manner so that the sleeve is mechanically secured to the terminal.