Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in a peristaltic pump 20 which prevents an inadvertent free flow condition prior to loading or after removal of an I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20 and which also prevents the inadvertent occlusion of a loaded I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20. A standard I.V. tube 26 has a slide clamp 109 provided thereon. The apparatus includes an I.V. tube groove 29 into which the I.V. tube 26 is positioned, a slide clamp receiving area 62 into which the slide clamp 109 is inserted, and a biased sliding member 81 which the inserted slide clamp 109 engages such that the I.V. tube 26 cannot be loaded into the apparatus without the slide clamp 109 occluding the I.V. tube 26. The present invention also contemplates a slide clamp 109, compatible with the apparatus having a surface pad 125 for facilitating automated identification of the slide clamp 109, in cooperation with a nonobstructive sensor 85 in the safety apparatus.

Abstract: An analog proportional pressure control 3-way valve includes an elongate cylindrical valve housing having an axial through bore defining an interior chamber, one end of the housing comprising an end port opening, a plurality of axially spaced side port openings defining an inlet and an outlet, and an axial opposite end comprising a sleeve end receivable in a solenoid, in use. A valve member is movable in the chamber at the port end for selectively controlling fluid pressure through the chamber between the end port opening and the outlet in the neutral position or between the inlet and the outlet in a regulated position. A solenoid plunger is movable in the chamber at the sleeve end and is operatively associated with the valve member for positioning the valve member. A stop is mounted to the housing at the sleeve end for retaining the plunger in the chamber.

Abstract: A filtration system 10 for use to separate contamination from a liquid is provided, including an elongated tubular housing 14 which has a closed end 16 and an open end 18. Located within the housing 14 is an elongated perforated tubular member 20 which has openings 22. A separating baffle 24 for prohibiting flow between the housing 14 and the tubular member 20 is located near the closed end 16 of housing 14. A first fluid port 39 in the housing 32 is located between the filter element 12 and the open end 18. A second port 32 is located in the housing 14 between the filter element 12 and the closed end 16. The filter element 14 is installed and removed through the open end 16 of the housing 14 and is installed between the housing 14 and the member 20. A cover 66 is placed over the open end 16 of the housing 14 in order that fluid which is contained within the housing 14 may be sealed therein.

Abstract: An ice maker for use in a domestic refrigerator makes clear ice bodies. The ice maker comprises a support arranged to have an ice body formed thereon. The support is refrigerated to a below-freezing temperature and a container adapted to hold a body of water is moved to move liquid water contained therein uniformly about the support suitable to cause a clear substantially symmetrical ice body to build up outwardly on the refrigerated support.

Abstract: A more even distribution of manure during spreading, a more efficient pickup of loose and gummy material, a more efficient pickup of manure in irregular feedlots, and avoidance of spillage of manure during transport are accomplished by employing a method of handling manure from a feedlot including providing a tank with a rear pickup mechanism. The tank and attached rear pickup mechanism rotate fore and aft by means of a pintle attached to a frame. The tank is so placed relative to the pintle that, as the frame is raised relative to the wheels, the tank first tilts backward and then forward, preventing overspills. The tank is partially filled with water and then the tank and pickup mechanism rotate to keep the mechanism in contact with the area to be cleaned. The mechanism then deposits manure from the area in the tank. A pump mixes the manure with the water to form a slurry and discharges the slurry from the tank.

Abstract: Contamination of the sampling portion of an observation well is avoided while providing axial float between the observation well cover and observation well liner by this observation well cover. The observation well cover includes a manhole ring that is set in a raised area of concrete. A manhole cover is fit on the ring and a liner cover fits underneath the ring. The liner cover has a trap to collect contamination. The walls of the screen cover slidingly mate with a wall and, of an 8-inch to 12-inch observation well liner and, respectively. The inner wall of the trap access hole slidingly mates with the outer wall of a 2-inch or a 4-inch observation well liner. This observation well cover provides axial float of the liner relative to the observation well cover while maintaining sealing integrity.

Abstract: An improved device for machining workpieces in a chamber surrounded by a housing. The housing has a hollow space defined by housing walls. A blasting nozzle is positioned in the chamber and is connected by a line to a supply of blasting medium in a container. The chamber is separated by partition walls from the hollow space of the housing. A carrying structure in the hollow space carries the container through a loading opening defined by the housing walls. The loading opening can be closed by a wall. The carrying structure for the blasting medium container is movable between a working position in the housing through the loading opening into a loading position where a filling opening in the medium container is outside the housing.

Abstract: Low efficiency in an evaporator for a refrigerant may be increased by providing the evaporator with at least two passes (10, 12) defined by two rows of tubes (20) and four elongated header passages (24, 26, 28, 30) with the header passages (24, 26) being in fluid communication with the tubes (20) in the pass (10) and the header passages (28, 30) being in fluid communication with the tubes (20) in the pass (12). The pass (10) is downstream from the pass (12) and includes an inlet (32) to the header passage (24) intermediate the ends thereof. An outlet (34) is located in the header passage (28) for the pass (12) and intermediate the ends thereof.

Abstract: The combination of: a) a portable vacuum unit useable independently in a portable vacuum mode and having a housing defining an intake opening into which debris to be picked up is drawn and an outlet opening in communication with the intake opening, and structure for developing suction at the intake opening and for directing debris drawn through the intake opening to the outlet opening for expulsion thereat; and b) a mobile support for the portable vacuum unit and having a frame and structure on the frame for facilitating movement of the mobile support against and relative to a subjacent surface carrying the mobile support. The combination further contemplates cooperating structure on the mobile support and portable vacuum unit for releasably holding the portable vacuum unit in an operative position on the mobile support wherein the vacuum unit intake opening is positioned to pick up debris on a subjacent surface on which the mobile support is carried.

Abstract: A hand held utensil has a blade with an arcuate working edge and radially spaced concave and convex surfaces. The utensil has a grip which is axially spaced from the arcuate edge and has a convex surface which is grasped by the hand of a user for manipulating the blade. The convex surface of the blade and the convex surface of the grip have congruent spherical curvature with spaced apart centers of curvature. The grip comprises a volume of wood, plastic, metal, or other suitable material which conforms to the space bounded by a pair of intersected eccentric spheres which each have a radius equal to the radii of curvature of the blade and the grip.

Abstract: An effluent metering system includes an adapter connectable between the air outlet port on a vacuum cleaning appliance and a supplemental effluent metering device. The adapter preferably has a tubular shell which defines an inlet for receiving a flow of air discharged from the air outlet port. The adapter also has a pair of outlets. A first fluid passage in the shell connects the inlet with a first one of the outlets for exhausting air into a filter. A second fluid passage in the shell connects the inlet with a second one of the outlets for exhausting air into the supplemental metering device.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a refrigerant container in the form of a bag, or pouch, made from two sheets of multi-layer barrier film material which are heat sealed adjacent their edges to form a closed pouch which has an interior space. The bag may be connected to an access valve provided in a line of a sealed refrigeration system for capturing the refrigerant therefrom. The barrier film material is specially formulated to prevent outward permeation of a refrigerant and to prevent inward permeation of air. A valve system is provided for filling and emptying the bag.

Abstract: A closure is used with a container having an annular end portion defining a radially outwardly opening annular recess. The closure comprises a generally circular closure wall, a generally cylindrical continuous sidewall having an upper edge connected to the closure wall and a continuous annular lower edge. The sidewall has an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the container annular end portion, and a radially inwardly extending ridge on an inside of the sidewall between the upper and lower ridges. The ridge has an inner diameter less than the container annular end portion outer diameter yet greater than an outer diameter of the annular recess so that when the closure is installed on the container at least one of the container end portion and the sidewall is temporarily deformed to permit reception of the ridge in the recess to lock the closure on the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in a peristaltic pump 20 which prevents an inadvertent free flow condition prior to loading or after removal of an I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20 and which also prevents the inadvertent occlusion of a loaded I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20. A standard I.V. tube 26 has a slide clamp 109 provided thereon. The apparatus includes an I.V. tube groove 29 into which the I.V. tube 26 is positioned, a slide clamp receiving area 62 into which the slide clamp 109 is inserted, and a biased sliding member 81 which the inserted slide clamp 109 engages such that the I.V. tube 26 cannot be loaded into the apparatus without the slide clamp 109 occluding the I.V. tube 26. The present invention also contemplates a slide clamp 109' compatible with the apparatus having a surface pad 125 for facilitating automated identification of the slide clamp 109' in cooperation with a non-obstructive sensor 85 in the safety apparatus.

Abstract: A single sheet business form construction printable in an impact or a non-impact printer includes a base sheet of face stock having a front, a back, a top, a bottom, and first and second sides. The base sheet is adapted to receive a first line of weakening in a first desired location extending adjacent and parallel to the first side to define a first tear strip on the base sheet between the first desired location and the first side. The base sheet is adapted to receive a second line of weakening in a second desired location extending adjacent and parallel to the second side to define a second tear strip on the base sheet between the second desired location and the second side. A first transverse line of weakening is intermediate and parallel the top and the bottom and extends between the first and second desired locations. A lateral strip of adhesive is parallel to the first transverse line of weakening between the transverse line of weakening and the bottom.

Abstract: A protectively coated sliding member comprises a sliding member body, an anchor layer formed thereon and which consists of (a) a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon-based plasma polymer film, (b) a diamond-like film, or (c) an ion-plating film of a metal or metallic compound, and a protective coating formed on the anchor layer and which consists of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon-based plasma polymer film in case where the anchor layer consists of (a), a diamond or diamond-like film in case of (b), or an ion-plating film of a metallic compound in case of (c). The protective coating is of greater hardness than the anchor layer.

Abstract: In order to maximize postal discounts in connection with binding line operations, a system and method for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications to their intended recipients is disclosed. The system and method contemplate preparing and addressing copies of each of the diverse publications on at least one binding line. Mailing information is then recorded for each of the diverse publications exiting from the binding line. The diverse publications are then each assembled in a predetermined order as the copies exit from the binding line following which each of the diverse publications is placed in position for feeding each of the copies to a co-mailing line in a predetermined order relative to the order of exit from the binding line. Mailing information is then assembled for all of the diverse publications to control or otherwise facilitate the operation of the co-mailing line by permitting the diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes.

Abstract: A reinforcing bar trussing member for maintaining at least two reinforcing bars in a spaced relationship. The reinforcing bar trussing member has an elongate member having at least two opposite ends. Hooks for receiving a portion of the reinforcing bars are preformed at each of the ends of the elongate member. The hooks are deformable to hold the reinforcing bars therein.