Abstract: The combination of an external male catheter and an applicator to facilitate properly fitting the catheter on a patient, as well as the methods of use and making, are disclosed. The catheter is preferably of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,409 and the applicator takes the form of a relatively rigid open-ended tube and a flexible, torous-shaped sleeve that continuously and rotatably surrounds the wall of the tube and slides easily against the outer and inner surfaces of the tube. A user applies the catheter by gripping and pulling the exposed outlet section of the catheter to extract the catheter from one end of the applicator tube while the interior surfaces of the catheter sheath at the opposite end of the applicator tube are in contact with the penis.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for inserting valves between the front and back panels of inflatable bodies, such as air or helium inflated novelty balloons or air-inflated dunnage bags, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of conveying an upper web and lower web through a conveyor assembly in a contiguous relation and conveying the webs to a spreader bar which projects between the peripheral edges of the webs to form an open zone between the peripheral edges of the webs. A valve insertion mechanism separates the webs at the open zone and inserts the valve between the top and bottom webs at the open zone. As the valve insertion mechanism is withdrawn from between the webs, the webs are brought back into a contiguous relation which frictionally retains the valve between the webs. The webs are then further conveyed, with the valve now frictionally retained in position therebetween, to a downstream die station without any attachment of the valve to either of the webs prior to reaching the die station.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inertial filter which utilizes differential fluid velocity of a fluid flowing through fluid passageways to remove particulate matter entrained in the fluid. The filter has a plurality of baffle plates located within a housing. Each baffle plate has a medial deflector plate from which extends a pair of lateral deflector plates. The plates have flanges and adjacent plates are cooperable in use to form a fluid passageway through the filter. The orientation and configuration of the flanges and plates form at least two areas where fluid flowing between the plates is alternately speeded up and slowed down. As the fluid flows centrifugal force flings particulate matter entrained in this fluid outwardly where it collects on the plates, flows operatively downwardly along the plates, is collected in a channel towards the operative bottom of the filter and is removed.

Abstract: A self-contained time-release artificial insemination device which introduces a bolus of semen into the cervical canal or uterus over a period of hours is disclosed. The device includes a cervical cap adapted to conform and adhere to the cervix and includes an elongated nipple that extends in a perpendicular direction from the cap for insertion into the cervical canal or uterus. A time-release mechanism is provided in communication with the nipple for delivering semen through the nipple and includes a tubular body which defines a semen chamber and expansion chamber. A plunger is slidably mounted in the tubular member for separating the semen and expansion chambers. A reservoir is provided in communication with the expansion chamber for providing a quantity of fluid thereto, and a sealable aperture is provided for withdrawing and introducing fluids to both the reservoir and expansion chamber.

Abstract: An automatic taco machine can automatically make both soft and hard tacos. Storage compartments for soft tortillas and hard taco shells are mounted above a V-shaped conveyor. A soft tortilla is removable from a stack of tortills by a vacuum pick-up head and is heated and is inserted between a pair of heated plates where it is compressed and heated. A pusher bar moves downwardly through slots in the heater plates to fold the tortilla and push it onto the conveyor. A hot food dispenser and a cold food dispenser dispense hot and cold food onto the tortilla as it is moved by the conveyor. A hard taco shell is removable from a stack of taco shells by a reciprocably mounted peeler which separates the bottom taco shell from the stack and supports the stack while the bottom taco shell drops to the conveyor. The conveyor moves the taco shell past the hot and cold food dispensers.

Abstract: An improved trench drain or so-called channel drain system is disclosed which provides a universal drainage unit, preferably formed of injection molded plastic in a standard length, for installation in concrete floors, airport areas, driveways, service station aprons, EPA-mandated on-site collection and disposal areas, and the like. The trench drain unit terminates at one end in a female end and at the other end in a male end. Such drain ends can respectively receive male and female end caps, whereby the drain operates as a single unit drain, or instead can receive the molded interlocking male and female ends of an adjacent trench drain unit, whereby a connected series drain system is created. The mating interlocking male and female ends so encapsulate one another as to create a substantially watertight connection. Drain openings covered by knock-out membranes, with downwardly-extending pipe flange connectors, are located proximal each respective end of the universal drain unit.

Abstract: A system for ultrasonic energy coupling includes an ultrasonic transducer, a horn member defining a passageway, and a pump for moving fluid through the passageway and outwardly of the horn. The method used to accomplish the energy coupling or transfer includes vibrating the horn member with an ultrasonic transducer and pumping fluid through the passageway in the horn member and onto an object.

Abstract: A handle assembly for carts and wheeled luggage includes a pair of tube assemblies disposed in substantially parallel relation and connected by a handle member. The tube assemblies carry locks that cooperate with the tubes to releasably lock the tube assemblies in an extended or a retracted position.

Abstract: An aluminum foil to be etched for use as the electrolytic condenser electrodes is composed of a foil body of an aluminum purity of 99.9% or higher, and an oxide layer 20-70 .ANG. thick and formed due to contact of the foil body with an oxidizing atmosphere. At least one etching nuclei-forming element is concentrated in a boundary region and/or in an outermost surface region of the oxide layer, the boundary region being disposed between the foil body and the oxide layer, and both the regions having a thickness of 20 .ANG. or less. The ratio in ion intensity of a maximum concentration of the elements in these regions to a concentration of the elements in the inner layer of the foil body is 1.2-30. There are three patterns in distribution of the elements, so that the maximum concentration is in a predetermined ratio to the concentration in the surface region, the inner layer or a minimum concentration appearing between the regions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing zipper closure bags from a continuous tube which includes advancing the tube along a continuous path for travel with a rotating metering roll, the metering roll having circumferentially spaced apart ports corresponding to a bag width, and a receiving conveyor having vacuum port-equipped sealing bars for receipt of the tube from the metering roll and for providing across seals defining adjacent paths.

Abstract: A stack type evaporator including tubular elements 1 each having a plurality of inwardly protruding recessed ribs 7 which extend from an upper header portion 1a of the element to a lower header portion 1b, with the ribs serving as straight drain canals 7a. A hydrophilic resin coating of a specific composition covers the outer surfaces of the tubular elements 1 and fins 2 each interposed between two adjacent tubular elements. The combination of straight drain canals with the specific hydrophilic resin coating is effective to facilitate the drainage of condensed water so that the waterdrops are perfectly prevented from flying out of the evaporator, and that any stinking mold or mildew is not permitted to grow within a reduced amount of remaining adherent water. Also, the hydrophilic coating itself does not emit any unpleasant smell which has been inevitable to the prior art water glass coating, thus an air-conditioned environment always remains comfortable.

Abstract: An attachable flashlight includes a housing for containing a power source and a light source. The housing has an elongate opening, a generally round opening and a hook disposed on one of its sides for allowing a user to releasably secure the flashlight to a support.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant, such as the bone-implantable portion of a joint prosthesis, in which a rigid stem is dimensioned to be received in the intramedullary canal of a bone, and in which the stem has at least a portion of its length encased in a preformed mantle consisting of a self-reinforced poly(methylmethacrylate) fiber composition where the fibers are oriented in predetermined directions with respect to the axis of the stem, are of a diameter within the range of about 5 to 500 microns (.mu.m), and have aligned molecular chains that provide such fibers with longitudinal heat relaxation ratios of no less than about 6 to 1 is disclosed. Also disclosed are the methods for making such an implant and for securing it in an intramedullary canal.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a probe used in analytic equipment--for example, that used in analysis of body fluids--in order to reduce carry-over of materials from one sample to the next. A probe wash is provided in which the simultaneous introduction of pressurized air and water creates a turbulent flow including the use of a pressurized gas stream of short duration to blow the residue of the previous sample out of the probe prior to washing with additional diluent liquid. Also, a waste receptacle is provided which uses a filtered air vent and a liquid saturated material around the probe receiving opening to prevent the escape of aerosols from the receptacle.

Abstract: A coreless surface winder and method wherein two of the winding drums are slightly spaced apart by a distance less than two web thicknesses which then operate to cause a folded leading edge on a transversely severed web to roll upon itself and develop an incipient log which thereafter is completed in a conventional three drum cradle to provide a coreless retail sized roll.

Abstract: A surface rewinder and method for cyclically and convolutely winding web logs wherein a three drum cradle includes spaced apart first and second winding drums and a rider drum and wherein the speed and/or space relationship of the drums is between the drums and a web being wound on a core as by moving one of the drums through a closed loop each cycle of winding.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance, and a low-profile coupling ring assembly therefor, in which the rings have relatively large flat flanges that extend in close proximity when the rings are coupled and in which the assembly has a radial/axial aspect ratio, with the radial dimension being measured outwardly from the stoma-receiving opening of the assembly, of at least 1.5 to 1, and preferably at least 2.5 to 1. One ring has an integral collar with an external latching shoulder and an annular sealing surface extending outwardly from the shoulder and merging with one of the side surfaces of the flange of that ring. The other ring includes a tapered, flexible, axially extending sealing lip that faces towards the first ring and is sealingly engagable with the sealing surface of the first ring when the rings are coupled together.

Abstract: A set of golf clubs has a constant projected topline angle, which is the angle between the topline and the leading edge of a clubhead as viewed by a golfer at address. The loft angle and the topline angle varies for each club in the set, but the projected topline angle is constant throughout the set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of coreless rewinding of retail-sized logs wherein the logs are developed alternately side-by-side on small diameter elongated mandrels.