Abstract: A system (A) for providing single continuous dose of a gaseous heliox mixture to a patient with breathing difficulty includes a device (1) providing a constant and continuous flow of the heliox mixture, and a gas storage tank (2) for the mixture. A flow control is selectively operated to initiate flow of the heliox to the patient. It has a locking mechanism to prevent it from being turned off after the flow begins. The regulator can be reset for reuse by a service entity.

Abstract: Control valve (10) for a user-donnable breathing device selectively switches from a normal breathing oxygen source to a pressurized emergency bottle. A valve body (12) has a normal oxygen source inlet and also an emergency source inlet for oxygen flow to the user of the device when donned. A poppet (30) permits normal source oxygen flow into the valve body (12), normally keeping a piston (32) in a spring-biased cocked position spaced from a seal of the emergency bottle. A user-operated release permits the poppet to move to a position for blocking the normal source inlet but allowing the piston to become uncocked and so be driven by spring force to pierce the emergency bottle seal. Only emergency breathing oxygen from the bottle then flows to the user for emergency breathing. The device can be an escape hood for an aircraft passenger.

Abstract: A pressure release valve which is simple, compact, and easy to assemble for small applications, such as may be found in a flow control device on an oxygen container. A poppet of the valve has a resilient compressible cone providing spring-like characteristics to the poppet, eliminating any requirement for a separate spring, so that the pressure release valve is springless. A stem of the poppet carries a button manual actuation of the poppet. The cone resides in a slightly compressed state within a valve chamber, and the stem is loosely fitted inside the bore of a threaded insert. The poppet is normally seated in a sealing relationship with the insert. Pressing the button shifts the poppet toward an inner valve chamber, compressing the cone further, and allowing the release of gas about the stem. The resilient cone restores the sealing relationship upon button release.

Abstract: A ribbon cutting apparatus which solves the problems of lateral shifting, stretching and shrinking of a printed web of material by providing a plurality of blade carrying blocks each of which may be independently positioned with respect to a travelling web. Each blade carrying block supports between 2 and 9 circular blades. Each of the blades in turn is connected to a small pneumatic cylinder which presses the blades against a platen roller so as to crush cut the web of material passing through. An electric eye detects the location of a registration line that is located substantially near the center of the web. The blade carrying blocks are normally located symmetrically on opposite sides of the registration line. If the web is out of registration the take-off roll is driven horizontally to compensate for the mis-positioning. Each of the blade carrying blocks is independently positionable by a manual adjustment mechanism, such as a wheel connected through a gearing mechanism to each blade carrying blocks.