Abstract: A yogurt cultivator includes a heat insulative pan, a heat-resisting carrier plate mounted within the heat insulative pan, the heat-resisting carrier plate defining a plurality of cells for holding respectively a fermentation container that holds cow's milk and milk solids and bacteria for fermenting into yogurt, each cell having an annular inside flange, a plurality of heat conductive top plates and a plurality of electrically insulative bottom plates respectively mounted in the cells and fixedly fastened to the respective annular inside flanges at top and bottom sides, a plurality of ceramic heating plates respectively mounted in the cells within the respective annular inside flanges between the heat conductive top plates and the electrically insulative bottom plates and controlled to produce heat, and a transparent covering covered on the carrier plate.

Abstract: An intravaginal pessary for treating prolapses includes a flexible core having a longitudinal axis and being disposed in a three dimensional configuration. The longitudinal dimension of the core along its longitudinal axis is modifiable within limits by manual pressure, both before and after insertion of the pessary into a vagina, the core being non-resiliently expandable and contractible within limits to modify the longitudinal dimension. A first longitudinal portion of the core is meshingly engageable with a second longitudinal portion of the core intersecting the first longitudinal portion of the core to lock within limits the longitudinal dimensions of the core intermediate the first and second longitudinal portions. The first and second longitudinal portions are manually separable, both before and after insertion of the pessary into the vagina, to unlock the longitudinal dimension of the core intermediate the first and second longitudinal portions.

Abstract: Baffle inserts or shims are disclosed for controlling the flow circuiting in plate or tube type heat exchangers of the kind having a plurality of stacked, hollow plate pairs or tubes including mating end bosses or areas or spacers having communicating openings formed therein to form a manifold for the flow of fluid through the plate pairs. The baffle inserts are located between preselected adjacent end bosses in the area of the end bosses only, to define different flow circuits through the plate pairs or tubes without having to use specially shaped plates or inserting obstructions into the flow passages inside the plate pairs or tubes. A method of using the baffle inserts is disclosed in which the baffle inserts are inserted during preassembly of the heat exchanger prior to the brazing operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pivoted lifting device having a main support frame selectively pivotable about a horizontal axis and engagement arms connected to the main support frame by a pivot pin. The engagement arms include an engagement surface. The pivoted lifting device allows the entire engagement surface to contact an article prior to the article being moved from an at rest position. The invention includes hydraulically actuated spring biased shaft having an unlocked position and also a locked position wherein it is located adjacent the engagement arms to lock the engagement arms in an upright position.

Abstract: A finger protector, for use by surgical personnel under a surgical glove during a surgical procedure to prevent a finger puncture or cut, includes a puncture- and cut-resistant flexible, thin tube. The tube is open at one end and closed at an opposite end, the tube tapering outwardly from the closed end to the open end. The tube is adapted to extend over the entire circumference of a finger from a fingertip to at least the third metacarpal-phalangeal joint, and combines levels of proprioception and flexibility suitable for surgical purposes. Preferably the tube is formed of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), about 0.080 cm thick, and extends substantially over at least the palmar surface and sides of the remainder of the finger, at least up to the second metacarpal-phalangeal joint.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adjustable yoke assembly adapted to pivotally connect components of a continuous haulage system designed for use in underground excavation environments. The yoke assembly is vertically adjustable relative to the component it is carried on by selectively securing the assembly to the component through a series vertically aligned openings.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of enhancing wound healing utilizing scatter factor, either alone or in combination with a growth factor.

Abstract: A battery charger and electronic device assembly is provided for recharging stackable electronic devices in multiple orientation or rotation with respect to each other without the need for either removing batteries or plugging devices into charging racks. In one embodiment of the present invention, a battery charger and rechargeable electronic device assembly includes multiple rechargeable electronic devices with opposing stackable surfaces having a plurality of electrical terminals extending therethrough to place each electronic device in electrical communication with each other device and the battery charger base unit without regard to the orientation the terminals or rotation of the device.

Abstract: METHOD OF SCREENING PHYSIOLOGICAL SAMPLES for elevated levels of heat shock proteins due to chronic exposure to sublethal levels of stressors, and kits for carrying out the method, are disclosed.

Abstract: A plate type heat exchanger as disclosed having a plurality of stacked plate pairs. Each plate pair has opposed inlet and outlet openings that are in registration to form respective inlet and outlet flow manifolds for the flow of fluid through the plate pairs. Each of the inlet and outlet openings has an inner peripheral edge portion including opposed, flange segments extending inwardly and being joined together to prevent expansion of the manifolds under pressure.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically maintaining the drill steel on its proper path during drilling. The drill is mounted at the end of an extendable boom, the extension of which can be controlled hydraulically. The orientation of the drill steel with respect to the boom is also controlled hydraulically. The boom can be elevated by a hydraulic system to drive the drill steel into the strata above. The position of the drill is calculated by a controller by means of several sensors. The controller then controls the extension of the boom and boom angle as well as the orientation of the drill with respect to the boom in order to maintain the drill steel in the proper position throughout the drilling process.

Abstract: A knife blade has an edge provided with a recessed portion of a wavy profile and extending from the heel to the tip of the blade. The recessed portion of the edge is composed of a plurality of thick segments and thin segments. The thick segments press against the sides of an incision of the cut surface such that the thin segments and the cut surface form a plurality of gaps to accommodate air or fluid so as to prevent the sides of the incision of the cut surface from attaching to sides of the edge.

Abstract: An offset strip fin for use in compact automotive heat exchangers is disclosed. The offset strip fin has multiple transverse rows of corrugations extending in the axial direction wherein the corrugations in adjacent rows overlap in order that the oil boundary layer is continually re-started. The fin dimensions have been optimized in order to achieve superior ratio of heat transfer to pressure drop along the axial direction. In one aspect, .?.an.!. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.compact concentric tube heat exchanger has an offset set strip tin located in an annular fluid flow passageway located between a pair of concentric tubes. The preferred range of lanced lengths is determined to be between 0.035" to 0.075" for periodically developed flow. Maintaining the lanced length in the regime of periodically developed flow is advantageous in that it gives a higher heat transfer coefficient than is achievable with fully developed flow.