Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel apparatus and method of manufacturing an ear plug assembly wherein the plug member is made of foam or similar material. By creating an assembly where the plug member can be confined in a chamber while gas is blown into the chamber, the plug member becomes semi-rigid and permits a piercing object to cut a slit in the plug member without causing it to buckle. If the speed of the cutting blade is at least 75 inches per second, the speed will compensate for the non-rigidity of the plug and it is not necessary to blow gas into the plug. Adhesive added at the location of the slit acts as a lubricant to permit a cord to be inserted into the plug member while at the same time acting as a bonding agent.

Abstract: A urine discharge measuring system for medical use which includes a gimbal mounted frame supporting a urine container of fixed dimensions to collect urine from a urinary catheter attached to a patient. An ultrasonic transceiver mounted above the container and operated in conjunction with a microprocessor based control unit, positioned adjacent to the transceiver, periodically and automatically measures the height of the urine collected within the container. The measured fluid height is converted to fluid volume by the control unit. To maintain the sterility of the container, the transceiver transducer(s) is mechanically isolated from the urine container by elements which allow the ultrasonic energy to be transmitted to and received from the interior of the container. In one described embodiment, desired measured volume accuracy is achieved by employing a reflective target within the urine container at a known fixed distance from the transceiver transducer.

Abstract: A switch control system particularly well suited for use in a electromechanical vibrator drive. Solid-state switches and diodes are used in combination with a DC power supply to alternately switch energy between the electric field of the power supply filter capacitor and the magnetic field of the actuator coil of a vibrator in a power resonant mode. The control system includes a variable frequency oscillator and a controllable pulse generator which respectively provide signals for controlling the closing and opening of the switches whereby the frequency and amplitude of movement of a vibratory feeder may be adjusted.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a conical seamless bra pad preform for subsequent molding into a finished pad. The material used is fiberfill or the like and a blank, cut from such a sheet, or from a sandwich of two sheets, and is indented by a conical member which has pins spaced over the surface of the cone for engaging the material. Variable thinning of the material is achieved by the action of the pins in engaging the material successively. A second embodiment involves a series of coaxial rings to grasp the blank. Non-uniform displacement of the ringsets causes the desired uneven stretching of the blank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved uni-directional meter prover apparatus which includes a prover barrel having first and second ends, a piston disposed within the barrel which is propelled through the barrel by the flow of liquid therethrough, means for detecting the passage of the piston and comparing the volume of liquid displaced thereby with the volume of liquid measured by a meter being proved and means for transferring the piston from the second end of the prover barrel to the first end thereof. By the present invention, the first end of the prover barrel is positioned below the second end thereof and a piston transfer conduit is connected between the first and second ends of the prover barrel. First and second valve means are disposed within the transfer conduit for preventing liquid communication between the first and second ends of the prover barrel and for selectively retaining the piston therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a conical seamless bra pad preform for subsequent molding into a finished pad. The material used is fiberfill or the like and a blank, cut from such a sheet, or from a sandwich of two sheets, is indented by a conical member which has pins spaced over the surface of the cone for engaging the material. Variable thinning of the material is achieved by the action of the pins in engaging the material successively. A second embodiment involves a series of coaxial rings to grasp the blank. Non-uniform displacement of the ringsets causes the desired uneven stretching of the blank. Permeating the fiberfill sheet with cold acrylic resin prior to the curing of the preform in a mold counteracts deterioration of the bonding of the individual fibers which occurs during the intermediate drawing process.