Abstract: A method of relieving irritation to a patient's mucous membrane is provided and comprises contacting the mucous membrane with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, such as diclofenac sodium, that may be instilled as a spray of drop-wise into the nasopharynx mucosa. The same methodology can also be employed to relieve irritation of a patient's nasopharynx mucosa resulting from anesthesia by endotracheal intubation. A method of administering anesthesia in order to reduce irritation of the tracheal mucosa is also provided and comprises the steps of instilling a quantity of diclofenac sodium solution into the patient's tracheal mucosa, allowing the diclofenac sodium to operate for a selected interval of time, intubating the patient with an anesthesia delivery tube after this interval of time, and delivering a selected anesthesia to the patient.

Abstract: A tandem seal device is provided for interposing and compressing between joined pieces of pipe in a flow line to prevent fluid leakage therebetween. The tandem seal device comprising a retainer body having an inner pair and an outer pair of continuous grooves. A first pair of seal elements, fabricated from a first material, being disposed in the inner pair of grooves. A second pair of seal elements, fabricated from a second material, being disposed in the outer pair of grooves.

Abstract: An apparatus dispenses flowable material from a source and includes a dispensing nozzle that reciprocates along an axis. A metering assembly includes a metering cylinder, a metering element reciprocally movable in the interior of the metering cylinder and a switching valve to switch the metering assembly between a metering mode wherein material flows into the metering cylinder and thereby displaces the metering element and a discharge mode. A metering element drive moves the metering element into the metering cylinder during the discharge mode to displace material thereby to dispense material through dispensing nozzle. A lift bracket is mounted for common equidistant movement with the metering element, and the dispensing nozzle is interconnected to the lift bracket for equidistant movement in one direction.

Abstract: A decorative packaging system and kit for containing and displaying objects, the system including a basket, a flexible bag and a bag closure fastener. The bag is adapted to enclose the bag, and the fastener is adapted to close the mouth of the bag over the handle of the basket. The bag has a bottom that may include a bellows structure. The kit includes a packet that is adapted to receive the bag and fastener therein and that is adapted to be secured on the basket.

Abstract: A method of processing a feed liquid in the form of an extraction solution containing taxane solutes that is an extraction product of a biomass utilizes at least one semipermeable membrane to remove at least one taxane solute from the solvent by reverse osmosis. The feed liquid is placed in a first region on one side of the membrane and pressure is supplied to transport constitutes of the feed liquid across the membrane to a second region as a first permeate while retaining a first retentate in the first region. The taxane solute may be either retained or transported. Where the taxane solute is transported, the method can further include the use of a second semipermeable membrane of a pore size different from the first membrane and supplying a pressure to transport some of the first permeate across the second membrane as a second permeate while retaining a majority of the desired taxane solute as a second retentate.

Abstract: A golf ball sighting device for use as a teaching aid by encouraging a golfer to keep his head stationary while executing a golf swing comprising a sighting element having a viewing portion therein which is sized and configured to allow a golf ball to be viewed therethrough and a mounting member disposed on the sighting element to interconnect the sighting element to an item worn by the golfer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for ejecting workpieces from machines, especially lidded containers from lid seamers, that have a forming station including a chuck element and a forming roller and that have a positioning mechanism that advances to move the workpiece into engagement with the forming station. The apparatus and method utilize a resilient element to exert an ejecting force. The resilient element is disposed on the chuck element in a manner so that engagement of the workpiece operates to compress, either by compression or deflection, the resilient element so that it exerts a restorative force that ejects the workpiece. Where a lid seamer is sued with a pull opener (e.g., pop top) lid, the contact with the resilient member occurs a location spaced from the opener and its connecting elements. The resilient element is preferably cup-shaped having a central panel and a longitudinally and radially outwardly projecting lip.

Abstract: A lock box apparatus is adapted for mounting onto mounting structure to secure a protected item thereto. The lock box apparatus comprises an anchoring plate, a door, and a latching assembly. The door is connected to the anchoring plate to provide a housing which is fastened to the mounting structure. The housing has an interior sized to receive the item to be protected. The door is operative to move between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the interior is enclosed thereby preventing access to the protected item. In the open position, the interior is exposed thereby permitting access to the protected item. The latching assembly has a secured state and an unsecured state. In the secured state, the door is locked onto the housing in the closed position thereby preventing access to the protected item. In the unsecured state, the door is movable between the closed and open positions thereby allowing access to the protected item.

Abstract: An improvement for use with protective panels that buttress the walls of an excavation is in the form of a knife structure that is releasably connected to the bottom edge of a protective panel by means of a plurality of cooperative connectors. The knife structure includes first and second knife walls attached at an acute angle to form a vertex edge. When secured by the connectors, the knife structure extends coextensively along the bottom edge of the panel. The knife structure preferably includes a top wall attached between the first and second knife walls, and the top wall and the first knife wall may be at a ninety degree angle to one another. Triangularly-shaped end plates and gusset plates may be included in the knife structure. Parallel guide walls may be mounted on the top wall to form a channel adapted to receive the bottom edge of the panel, and guide posts are located in the channel to mate with holes in the lower edge of the panel, if desired.

Abstract: A seal device is adapted to be interposed and compressed between joined pieces in a flow line that is operative to convey a flowing fluid. The seal device comprises an inner seal member and an outer seal retainer member. The inner seal member has a central opening extending therethrough to accommodate the flow of the fluid and has a channel structure that provides a channel opening which faces the central opening and extends therearound. A pair of lips are disposed opposite each other and extend around an inner peripheral portion of the inner seal member. The lips operate to apply a sealing force against the joined pieces when interposed and compressed therebetween. The outer seal retainer member surrounds the inner seal member. The inner seal member and the outer seal retainer member are sized and adapted to seal a space between the joined pieces in the flow line when interposed and compressed between the joined pieces to allow fluid to flow therethrough.

Abstract: A process for making dough products having alternating bands with different characteristics, such as color, flavor or composition, includes several processing steps. First, a plurality of dough masses are formed into dough sheets of an initial thickness with each dough sheet having a selected characteristic. The dough sheets are layered on top of one another into a composite sheet having outer exposed surfaces. The composite sheet is cut through its thickness into a plurality of elongated strips, and these strips are laid on their sides with the uncut surfaces of the strips, as defined by the former exposed surfaces of the composite sheet, being placed in contact with one another to form an ensemble sheet. The ensemble sheet is then compressed to reduce the ensemble sheet thickness and to Join the strips to produce a production sheet. Roll forming may be used to produce the production sheet. The uncut surfaces of the strips may be coated with a material to increase their adherence to one another.

Abstract: A toy toilet training system utilizes a kit to teach children toilet skills. The kit includes a doll that receives a fluid, such as water, through a mouth opening and can discharge the fluid from an outlet to simulate urination. A toy toilet, sized in proportion to the doll, has a bowl portion to receive the discharged fluid, and a decorated sheet of dissolvable material is sized to be placed in the bowl portion. When the fluid is discharged onto the sheet, it disappears, thus making the simulated toilet event of greater interest to the child. The toy toilet preferably has a ledge in the bowl interior to support the sheet, and a drain opening with removable drain plug facilitates cleaning. The kit may also include toy training pants, with pull-ups loop tabs, a toy bottle for the fluid, and an instruction/storybook. Preferably, a plurality of dissolvable sheets are provided in the kit and are packaged in a matchbook style packet.

Abstract: A thermally-protected display includes at least one display panel, a cover panel, a manifold and a blower mechanism. The display panel has a front panel surface and a rear panel surface and supports at least one signal element on the front panel surface. The cover panel is disposed in a spaced-apart relationship forwardly of the front panel surface to form a plenum chamber therebetween. The manifold is in fluid communication with the plenum chamber. The blower mechanism is in fluid communication with the manifold and supplies an airflow to the plenum chamber. The airflow enters an air inlet disposed at one end of the display panel and into the plenum chamber so that the airflow moves across the display panel and the signal element between the front panel surface and the cover panel thereby anticipating heat therefrom before the airflow exits the plenum chamber through an exhaust outlet disposed at an opposite end of the display panel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an insulated container that is used to inhibit heat transfer between liquid contained in the interior of the insulated container and the exterior ambient environment. The container has an inner body and an outer shell. The outer shell has an opening which receives the inner container body in a close fitted, telescopic engagement. Respective concavities on the inner body and the outer shell engage one another to help lock the inner body and the outer shell together. The insulated container includes a cap structure that is removably connected to the inner body and retains the liquid in the interior of the insulated container. Protrusions on the inner body are used to maintain a spaced-apart relationship between the sidewalls when the inner container body. The cap structure may include a valve assembly from which to dispense the liquid.

Abstract: A carrier device is supported on the hip of a wearer in order to hold and carry an infant or toddler. The carrier device has a wide belt that encircles and adjustably fits on the waist o the wearer, and the belt has a pouch adjacent one hip of the wearer. A hollow shell including a shell body and a removable lid is received in the pouch to form a platform on which the child sits and to provide a storage space for auxiliary care products or other items. The shell has curved side walls which diverge upwardly and outwardly from a crescent-shaped bottom wall at small obtuse angles. Reinforcing webs support a central portion of the lid which is crescent-shaped and a rib and registration tabs are provided to seat the lid on the shell body. The lid is centrally creased to have upwardly and outwardly flared wings. The lid is canted at a small acute angle so that, with its shape and orientation, the supported child is urged toward the wearer's torso.

Abstract: A napkin ring that receives a napkin is formed as an elongated strip of flexible material with head portions on the opposite ends thereof. Slots are provided, either in the strip, in the head portions or at the juncture therebetween so that the strip may be configured in a loop that is retained in a fastened state by the mated engagement of the slots so that the loop may encompass a napkin. When fastened in the loop, the head portions are located adjacent one another and together provide a flat exposed viewing surfaces with a portion thereof on each head portion. The head portions are provided with distinct design elements such that, in the fastened state, a coordinate theme is presented. The head portions together can form a single object or distinct objects that together create a uniform theme. The slots may extend from opposite lateral sides of the strip or from a common side. If desired, the slots can have enlarged mouths, and the head portions can be enlarged.

Abstract: A collapsible void filler is provided which, when in an expanded state, prevents relative movement between cargo during transit. The void filler is formed as a pair of side panels, a pair of bases secured to the side panels, and at least one beam structure located in the interior defined by the side panels and the two bases. The side panels include side panel portions which fold about a longitudinal axis when the void filler is collapsed. The bases, which may be formed from one or more base panels, extend transversely between the side panels and move toward and way from one another when the void filler is collapsed and expanded. The beam structures may have several different configurations, each of which has a pair of beam panels hingedly connected to the bases and foldable with respect to one another. The beam structures operate to support the side panels against transverse compression when the void filler is expanded. The void filler is preferably made from a unitary piece of material.

Abstract: A space filling unit for use in a container for cargo shipment to prohibit shifting of the cargo is formed by flat first and second panels, with first and second slots formed in each so that, when assembled, an x-shaped structure is formed. When placed in the container, respective end edges of the panels are supported on the bed of the cargo container while the other of the panel's end edges engage the container's sidewalls. The panel side edges form a pair of x-shaped bases which serve to support the cargo against movement toward the end wall of the container. An anti-slip element may be included on the respective end edges, braces may engage the panels proximate respective end edges, and panel wear on the cargo. An auxiliary bearing penal may also be used adjacent at least one of the x-shaped bases. A plurality of x-shaped structures may be utilized in the present invention, with a corresponding plurality of bearing panels interposed between the x-shaped structures.

Abstract: A golf club stand device is adapted for use with a conventional golf club employed for striking a golf ball laying on a support surface. The golf club includes a shaft having a shaft end portion attached to a club head. The golf club stand device generally comprises a connector and a leg structure. The connector is adapted to connect to a portion of the shaft of the golf club. The leg structure is secured to the connector and includes a pair of legs. Each leg terminates in a distal end portion and adapts to contact the support surface so that in cooperation with the club head, when it is in contact with the support surface, the golf club is supported in an upright state. The legs are interconnected for common movement and are operative to move relative to the connector between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the legs are disposed alongside the shaft of the golf club.

Abstract: A door latch actuator is adapted for use in association with a bolt receiver which is to be engaged by a latch bolt of latch bolt assembly on a door mounted for movement between a first door position and a second door position. The latch bolt assembly includes a latch bolt having a distal end which slideably moves between an extended state and a retracted state. In the extended state, the latch bolt assembly is operative to engage a bolt receiver to retain the door at the first door position in a secured condition. Broadly, the door latch actuator comprises an actuator element and a driver. The actuator element is disposed in proximity to the distal end of the latch bolt when the door is at the first door position in the secured condition and moves between a first actuator position and a second actuator position. In the first actuator position, the actuator element allows the distal end of the spring latch bolt to engage a bolt receiver in the extended state.