Abstract: A safety syringe is disclosed. The syringe includes a syringe barrel, a plunger, a needle, a needle sleeve, and a pushrod. At one of the pushrod is attached to the needle sleeve while the other end of the pushrod protrudes slightly into the needle end of the syringe barrel. When the injection is administered to the patient, the plunger travels all the way to the needle end of the syringe barrel. The plunger contacts the pushrod which causes the sleeve to cover the needle point automatically as the injection is given.

Abstract: A compartmentalized carrying bag is provided comprising a containment structure formed from wall members whose interior surfaces form a sealable interior cavity having a fixed maximum volume. The cavity is divided into separate sealable chambers by a dividing member attached to the interior surfaces. Each separate chamber is accessible from outside the containment structure by separate sealable access portals. The dividing member is structured to permit the volume of each separate chamber to vary from approximately the fixed maximum volume to approximately zero, wherein at all times the sum of the volumes of the separate chambers is equal to approximately the fixed maximum volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination valve and back pressure valve which in one embodiment performs as a two-way check valve, and in another embodiment performs as a back pressure valve. The invention contains both apparatus and method claims. The valve includes a cylindrical member having an inlet port and an outlet port, with a bore therethrough. A valve sleeve is disposed within the bore. A valve stem is also slidably disposed within the bore. A selective dis-attachment assembly is incorporated into the valve and includes pre-selected shear pistons.

Abstract: A robotic tank cleaning system is provided, comprising a light-weight, collapsible, and robotically controllable frame having an articulatable washing nozzle for spraying a petroleum-based solvent on a surface to be cleaned. Hydraulic power and control units are also provided which allow an operator to control the motion of the frame and washing nozzle from outside the tank, as well as a solvent supply system for delivering solvent to the washing nozzle. A hoisting mechanism is included to allow placement and retrieval of a waste removal pump, and a clearing blade is attached to the frame to assist movement of waste material to the waste removal pump. Waste material comprising dislodged oil sludge and expended solvent is collected in waste fractioning tanks where the collected oil sludge is allowed to settle below the expended solvent. The separated solvent in the waste fractioning tanks is redirected through the solvent supply system and is reused for further spraying of the tank interior.

Abstract: A floating media filter is provided, comprising a tank having a filtration chamber and an expansion chamber, wherein the filtration chamber is above and fluidically connected with the expansion chamber; floating filter media in the tank for forming a floating media pack, having a top portion, in the filtration chamber when the tank is filled with liquid and the filter media are undisturbed; an upper screen having openings adapted to prevent the filter media from passing therethrough, positioned in the tank near the top portion of the floating media pack; an inlet line fluidically connected to the tank below the filtration chamber; a sludge line having an output end, fluidically connected to the tank below the lower screen; a sludge valve, positioned in the sludge line; an outlet line fluidically connected to the tank above the upper screen; a lower screen having openings adapted to prevent the filter media from passing therethrough, positioned in the tank below the filter media and above the sludge line; and

Abstract: A bait for catching Ictalurid catfish, and fish with similar feeding behavior, containing the free amino acids: L-proline, L-alanine, and L-arginine, and mixtures thereof, at concentrations above those normally found around fish's natural foods is provided to increase the likelihood of snapping or biting of the bait or lure by the fish.

Abstract: A valve cutter for arterial bypass surgery is provided and includes a blade assembly for cutting the venous valves, a shaft for guiding the blade assembly through the bypass vein, an expansion means for preventing the blade assembly from contacting the walls of the bypass vein and for helping to propagate the incisions made in the valve leaflets by the blade assembly, and a control means for controlling the expansion and contraction of the expansion means in order to allow for use of the invention in a variety of bypass vein diameter sizes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the horizontal pressure gradient of n earth formation penetrated by a borehole. This is done by:(a) establishing, through the wall of the borehole and isolated from fluids within the borehole, two direct fluid flow paths for communication with an adjacent formation to be tested, said direct fluid flow paths being on the same horizontal axis in the borehole but on opposing sides of the wall;(b) drawing a fluid sample from the wall of the formation through each of said direct fluid flow paths, and(c) measuring and recording the difference in pressure between the two fluid flow paths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing subsurface formations, particularly a formation having a permeability less than about 10 millidarcies is disclosed. The test is made by use of a down hole test tool designed in such a way as to control the decompression of the fluid as it enters the tool. The formation characteristics are determined by analyzing the pressure versus time plot resulting from the test. Such characteristics as flow rate of liquid phase mud through the mud cake, formation permeability, formation pressure, invasion diameter, and the extent of supercharging, can be determined. The entire test takes no longer than a few minutes, versus hours and sometimes days for more conventional techniques and test tools.

Abstract: An oxidation ditch for circulating a waste water stream and having a channel formed by a continuous vertical outside wall extending upward from a bottom and having at least one section shaped to form a curved area into which a vertical turbine is operatively positioned and by a partition wall also extending upward from the bottom and positioned inside the outside wall with one of its ends adjacent the vertical turbine, the improvement of which comprises a baffle positioned in the channel upstream of the vertical turbine to minimize the mixing of the upstream waste water with the backwash created by the vertical turbine.

Abstract: A versatile hunting stand is provided which may be supported by a tree, ladder or tripod. The stand has a collapsible seat assembly which serves as a foot bar when used as a climbing stand. Adjustable arms may be used as a component of the climbing bar assembly or when a ladder is connected to the front of the stand, the arms may be used to brace the ladder. Instead of supporting the back end of the stand against a tree, tripod legs may be inserted into sockets in the stand.

Abstract: In combination with a wheeled transport tank or marine transport tank, such as a railroad tank car, highway tank trailer, or marine barge having a reservoir, a sample extraction system, comprising a suction line extending into the reservoir; a pump having a suction port and a discharge port, the suction port being connected to the suction line; a discharge line having a first end and a second end, connected at the first end to the discharge port; a sampling unit, for removing a sample from the discharge line, having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being connected to the second end of the discharge line; a return line, connected on one end to the outlet of the sampling unit and terminating within the reservoir.

Abstract: A particle examination system is provided, including a surface which provs a background such that particles on or suspended above the surface are distinguishable from the background; a video camera, for producing an image of the particles against the surface; and an image processor, connected to the video camera, for digitizing the image. A computer is utilized to analyze the digitized data from the image processor, allowing various types of comparisons to be made between the particles examined and a known standard. Additionally, the invention may include a vacuum device which, through holes on the surface, holds the particles in position for examination. A transparent/translucent or transparent surface may be provided, enabling illumination from beneath such plate, allowing analysis of particles for cracks and fissures.

Abstract: A portable liquid-solid separator for handling sludge in bulk with an upright vessel having a bed with a drain and surrounding sides. A grate overlays the interior of the vessel, bed and sides. A filter overlays the grate, extending up the sides and overlapping the side grate. The separator is filled with a sludge which is then separated by gravity filtration and the wicking action of the filter. Liquid is drained out the bottom of the vessel and the solids are transported within the vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the vessel is a bath tub style trailer with dumping capabilities.

Abstract: A cover for the access opening of utility poles is provided which has a shell dimensioned to overlie the opening. The shell has a flanged perimeter which conforms to the outside diameter of the pole. The shell is held in place by a bolt which extends through the shell and into the interior of the pole to engage a bar positioned within the pole, across the access opening. Preferably, the head of the bolt is seated within a recess in the shell to thwart unauthorized removal of the shell.

Abstract: A combination grill and deep fryer is provided having a plurality of horizontal, parallel tubes with an intake manifold at one end and an exhaust manifold at an opposite end. Combustion gases are delivered to the tubes via the intake manifold and drawn through the tubes by an exhaust fan. Food may be grilled on the heated tubes or the tubes may be submersed in a pan containing a liquid cooking medium such as water or cooking oil.

Abstract: A sample injection device is provided, comprising a vented needle having a body, the body having an upper end and a lower end, a point on the lower end, an injection passageway running axially through the body and communicating between the upper end and the lower end, and a vent passageway, running through the body and communicating between the lower end and the exterior of the body. The upper end of the body is connectable to a valve, and the lower end is connectable to a receptacle for receiving samples.

Abstract: A skimmer system is provided for structures having a floor, two side walls and at least one open end, the structure being semi-submersibly positionable in a moving liquid stream. The skimmer system comprises at least one side trough having a bottom, an interior trough wall and an exterior trough wall. The exterior trough wall is coincident with the interior side of one side wall of the structure and is provided with at least one opening communicating betweeen the interior of the trough and the exterior of the structure. The interior trough wall is provided with at least one opening communicating between the interior of the trough and the interior of the structure.

Abstract: A splatter shield is provided for a conventional paint roller having an offset roller arm integrally connected to a roller shaft, comprising an inner end wall; an outer end wall; and two side walls, all connected so as to have substantially parallel lower edges which define a first plane; a top wall connected to the upper edges of the end walls and side walls so as to define a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, the inner end wall having an opening therein, the opening communicating with the lower edge of the inner end wall by a cut between the opening and the lower edge of the inner wall, the outer end wall having an aperture for receiving the end of the roller shaft; and an annular shoulder member, fixedly attached to the inner end wall and concentric with the opening, the shoulder member having a plurality of raised ridges, radially spaced about the shoulder member, forming corresponding indentations approximately equal in width to the diameter of the roller arm.