Abstract: A patient identification bracelet is composed of a flexible strap and a clasp, the clasp being formed of thermoplastic material and having a base member fixed to one end portion of the strap and a hinged cover member projecting laterally from the strap when the clasp is open. Holding elements project from at least one of the opposable surfaces of the cover and base member for engaging and holding the opposite end portion of the strap when the clasp is closed, and a mating post and socket are provided for locking the clasp in its closed condition. The post and socket are constructed so that the clasp, if forced open, cannot be reclosed. A relatively weak portion of the strap, located between the end portion of the strap that is fixed to the clasp and the identification-receiving portion of the strap, and also located between the base and cover members when the clasp is closed, defines a break-away zone for the strap when pulling forces of predetermined magnitude are applied thereto.

Abstract: A straw attaching apparatus for attaching straws to beverage-filled sheet bags, the apparatus comprising a transportation means for transporting the beverage-filled sheet bags, a supply means for supplying a straw stripe to the beverage-filled sheet bags, and a pressing means for respectively pressing a straw to a beverage-filled sheet bag, and a corresponding method. A second supply means is provided for supplying a second straw stripe, with a control unit matching the speeds and operational sequences of the transportation means of the first and second supply means such that the first supply means attaches straws to the first, third, fifth . . . sheet bag supplied, and the second supply means attaches straws to the second, fourth, sixth . . . sheet bag supplied.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding, stacking, and/or upending products includes a pair of indexing star wheels. A conveyor advances a row of products toward an upstream star wheel. One or more products are metered into one of the notches in the upstream star wheel, and the upstream star wheel indexes to transfer the products to the downstream star wheel. The upstream star wheel can stack products by indexing twice before the downstream star wheel indexes. The downstream star wheel indexes to upend the products, and the upended products are moved away from the downstream star wheel.

Abstract: Treatments are disclosed which comprise formulations of one or more terpenes in aqueous solutions. No resistance to the formulation of the invention has been seen. When used on the scalp or body no extended dwell time is required. The formulations do not have unpleasant odors associated with prior art shampoo treatments for lice and are preferable on grounds of safety to neurotoxins, which are the usual active ingredients associated with prior art treatments. The formulations are directed towards providing topical preparations which may be used on the scalp and hairy body parts, a spray for use on fabrics, a dipping solution for combs and a laundry additive.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is provided with increased torsional stiffness by making the outside diameter of the tip end larger. The torsional stiffness per unit weight of the shaft is greater than the torsional stiffness per unit weight of prior shafts. The shaft can be attached to a clubhead by inserting the tip end over a male hosel or over a shaft adapter which is attached to a female hosel.

Abstract: A system for comparing two complex entities, particularly appropriate for assisting in matching recipients with potential organ transplant donors or prostheses, utilizes a set of data corresponding to multiple diverse parameters representing a first complex entity, graphically represented on a helical structure having a discrete primary zone for each parameter and a series of secondary zones within each primary zone to establish scale means for quantitative representation of the data. The data is represented in a visual manner by means of shading in the secondary zones, with the shading increasing in hue and density with increasing distance of the secondary zones from the longitudinal axis of the helical structure, and terminating at a quantitative value for each parameter.

Abstract: A method and system for calcining gypsum to recover gypsum in a form consisting essentially of calcium sulfate anhydrite is disclosed. The method includes the steps of feeding the ground gypsum material into a first kettle and heating the ground gypsum in the first kettle to the first predetermined temperature. The first predetermined temperature is preferably below 400.degree. F. so that the gypsum will still contain a sufficient amount of chemically-combined water so that it will self-fluidize by release of water vapor so that it will flow through the apparatus. The ground gypsum is then overflowed through at least one subsequent stage and heated to a final predetermined temperature to produce an anhydrite product. To produce insoluble calcium anhydrite or dead burn material, the final predetermined temperature is greater than 900.degree. F. and preferably within the range of about 900.degree. F.-1300.degree. F.

Abstract: A wound dressing is disclosed in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, preferably of a soft, pliant adhesive composition having one or more hydrocolloids dispersed therein, is backed by an elastomeric film and has its opposite (bodyside) surface covered by a removable primary release sheet and a release strip, with at least a portion of the release strip being interposed between the adhesive layer and the primary release sheet along one side edge of the dressing. The primary release sheet and the release strip have superposed or overlapping tab portions that project outwardly beyond a side edge portion of the dressing. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive and backing layers are translucent and the release strip is visible therethrough by reason of sharp color or tonal contrast in relation to the primary release sheet.

Abstract: A detector plate for an overload clutch, the detector plate having at its peripheral edge a flat metal spiral retaining ring for providing improved detection by an adjacent proximity switch device. The spiral retaining ring provides an appropriate metal motion detection surface, for the customary plastic detector plate, any movement of which can be detected by the proximity switch. As an alternate embodiment, a metal surface coating can be formed onto the plastic detector plate to permit proximity switch detection of any movement of the detector plate.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance is disclosed, one component being a collection pouch and the other an adhesive faceplate for peristomal attachment to a patient. The two components are provided with coupling rings for mechanically and detachably joining them together. One of the rings has a bead-providing collar and a rocking wedge body as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,008. The other ring is of channel-shaped cross section having spaced concentric inner and outer side walls each provided with ribs positioned in direct opposition and extending into the channel along a single plane normal to the axis of that ring. In a preferred embodiment, the rib of the outer wall is interrupted to provide at least one wide notch or recess and an integral pull tab projects radially outwardly from the outer wall at the location of the notch for initiating either partial or complete separation of the rings during use of the appliance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for filling sausage casings, comprising a filling machine in which the filling material is ejected through a filling tube into a sausage casing, said casing being twisted off after a portion which is representative of an individual sausage has been filled in, so as to form individual sausages, the filled sausage casing being discharged at a speed which is set in dependence upon a set filling-material output characteristic. For obtaining sausages of identical length and volume in a natural casing, the sausage discharge speed is controlled according to the invention in compliance with a function which is applied to the set filling-material output characteristic and comprises charge-dependent parameters, the function simulating the actual filling-material output characteristic.

Abstract: A surgical retracting device includes a body, at least one pivotable finger, and an actuating assembly that moves the finger between open and closed positions. The body defines a passageway and openings that allow suctioning and irrigating through the device. In addition, the device includes a cauterizing assembly for cauterizing tissue of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an electric motor comprising a stator with an internal permanent magnet and a tubular magnetic return sleeve surrounding said permanent magnet whereby an annular air gap is formed therebetween, said magnetic return sleeve being held at its axial and radial positions relative to said permanent magnet by a frame of plastic material injected around these two components and being connected to said permanent magnet by said plastic frame. The present invention aims at improving the manner in which the two structural components are attached to and positioned on one another.

Abstract: A collapsible cart includes a pivotable platform, a pivotable handle, and collapsible and adjustable tube assemblies for placing the cart in an extended or retracted position. The cart opens to a two-wheel hand truck or a four-wheel cart. It also closes to a compact configuration, making it highly portable and easy to store.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making contoured hydrocolloid-containing adhesive dressings in which, in the final product, a soft pliant adhesive layer having one or more hydrocolloids dispersed therein is sandwiched between a top backing layer of stretchable film or fabric and a bottom release layer of flexible but substantially non-stretchable material. In a combined contouring and cutting step, the layers are compressed and heated to reshape the adhesive material and are simultaneously cut to form the finished dressing. In a preferred embodiment, three steps of laminating, contouring and cutting are performed simultaneously at a single station.

Abstract: A center driven unwind system for core-equipped parent rolls includes a frame for supporting the parent roll while it is being unwound, a parent roll placement cart for moving a parent roll from a loading position to the unwinding position on the frame, and a core removal cart for removing an unwound parent roll from the frame.

Abstract: A game ball comprises an inflatable carcass, panels of cover material secured to the carcass so that portions of the carcass are not covered with cover material, and pieces of material having good grippability which are secured to the portions of the carcass which are not covered by the cover material. The laid-in material can form channels or a logo on the ball.

Abstract: A rake for sand golf course bunkers having an egg-shaped head shape, a row of tines extending outward from one surface of the head, each of which taper from a wide oval shape at the surface of the rake head to a round tip, and a ridge on the opposite surface of the head for smoothing over lines formed in the sand by the tines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the continuous calcining of gypsum material in a high-efficiency, refractoryless kettle preferably heated by a multiple series of separate immersion tube burner coils, each coil operating within a specific calcining zone inside the kettle. The lowest, i.e., initial, burner tube coil is formed with a low profile to permit use of a small initial gypsum charge, and hence, a quick kettle start-up cycle. That low profile initial burner design also helps keep the agitator motor's load at a minimum during cycle start-up. Due to the immersion tube burner coil construction, no refractory structure for the kettle is required. Also, no separate hot pit structure is required, as the kettle is used to merely hold the material being calcined and no residual heat is present. A relatively thin kettle can be constructed, as it need only withstand relatively low operating temperatures.