Abstract: A weight determining system is for use with non-singulated and non-spaced arrangements of items on a conveyor system. The system includes an array of load cells, a scanning apparatus, and processors. Each of the items bears upon one or more of the load cells. Each of the load cells bears one or more of the items, and generates load data associated with them. The scanning apparatus generates scan data for the arrangements of the items on the conveyor. Based on the scan data, the processors: apportion the load data from each load cell to the items bearing on it; allocate to each item the load data apportioned from the various load cells; and determine a weight for each item. Also disclosed are a corresponding weight determining method, as well as a computer readable medium containing executable instructions to encode the processors to perform as aforesaid.

Abstract: A weight determining system is for use with a non-singulated and non-spaced arrangement of items on a conveyor. The system includes an array of load cells, a scanning apparatus, and processors. Each of the items bears upon one or more of the load cells. Each of the load cells bears one or more of the items, and generates load data associated with them. The scanning apparatus generates scan data for the arrangement of the items on the conveyor. Based on the scan data, the processors: apportion the load data from each load cell to the items bearing on it; allocate to each item the load data apportioned from the various load cells; and determine a weight for each item. Also disclosed are a corresponding weight determining method, as well as a computer readable medium containing executable instructions to encode the processors to perform as aforesaid.

Abstract: An adjustable speed control system includes a reader, databases, processors and a conveyor controller. The databases store data concerning conveyor stops and failed attempts by the reader to identify conveyed items. Based on the failed attempts and the conveyor stops, the processors calculate an optimal speed of the conveyor. The controller adjusts the conveyor speed towards the optimal speed to increase the conveyed items successfully identified by the reader. Also disclosed are a corresponding method and computer readable medium on which is stored instructions to, upon execution, adjustably control the conveyor speed.

Abstract: A system includes a sender application transmitting sender data for delivery items. A portable device carried by a courier transmits courier data for the items. Courier processors automatically generate a manifest which reconciles the sender data and courier data for each item. A courier database electronically stores the manifest. The system and included portable device, along with a corresponding method and computer readable medium, facilitate cost recovery for the items delivered by the courier.

Abstract: A weight determining system is for use with a non-singulated and non-spaced arrangement of items on a conveyor. The system includes an array of load cells, a scanning apparatus, and processors. Each of the items bears upon one or more of the load cells. Each of the load cells bears one or more of the items, and generates load data associated with them. The scanning apparatus generates scan data for the arrangement of the items on the conveyor. Based on the scan data, the processors: apportion the load data from each load cell to the items bearing on it; allocate to each item the load data apportioned from the various load cells; and determine a weight for each item. Also disclosed are a corresponding weight determining method, as well as a computer readable medium containing executable instructions to encode the processors to perform as aforesaid.

Abstract: An adjustable speed control system includes a reader, databases, processors and a conveyor controller. The databases store data concerning conveyor stops and failed attempts by the reader to identify conveyed items. Based on the failed attempts and the conveyor stops, the processors calculate an optimal speed of the conveyor. The controller adjusts the conveyor speed towards the optimal speed to increase the conveyed items successfully identified by the reader. Also disclosed are a corresponding method and computer readable medium on which is stored instructions to, upon execution, adjustably control the conveyor speed.

Abstract: An oil filter relief valve having a tension spring housing with oil inlets and a first end and a second end, the first end being located adjacent the mounting plate of the filter, a base being fixedly connected to the second end of the spring housing and tension abutting and extending into the centertube of the filter element, a valve seat having a pointed surface and being located in the base with a channel formed therein for conducting oil therethrough, a resilient piston normally abutting the valve seat in sealing relation, a relatively rigid piston support on the piston, and a tension spring positioned between the first end of the tension spring housing and the piston support to urge the piston into sealing relation against the valve seat. This relief valve opens when the pressure of the oil entering the oil inlets and the channel in the valve seat exceed a particular threshold amount, thus exerting a force on the piston greater than the downward force naturally exerted by the spring.

Abstract: A fluid sealing gasket device for a spin-on, throwaway filter having an annular sealing gasket with a groove of a particular shape in cross-section, the groove being formed circumferentially at the outer peripheral wall thereof; a substantially correspondingly shaped annular, metal reinforcing member positioned in and extending from the correspondingly shaped groove; and an annular gasket retaining channel formed in the filter end plate for retaining the reinforced sealing gasket therein. The gasket has a lower portion positioned in the retainer channel and an upper portion extending therefrom, with the annular groove and reinforcing member located in the upper portion of the gasket. Alternatively, the reinforcing member effectively fills a "void" when the gasket is molded therearound. This fluid sealing gasket device retains the gasket's structural integrity upon installation on the filter mount and during use when high fluid pressures are exerted on the gasket from the inside of the filter.

Abstract: A bag for collecting, storing and administering medical fluids and having an integral filter for such fluids disposed at the bottom section of the bag in substantially a vertical plane to the flow of the fluid.The present invention is directed to an improved medical fluid bag which incorporates an integral filter with said bag.

Abstract: As exemplified by an automobile engine oil filter, the usual pleated filter paper is internally supported by an interpleated layer of high tear and tensile strength material which is substantially more flexible than the paper. With the ends of both layers anchored conventionally in the element's end caps rigidly held apart by the usual perforated center tube, the flexible material is subjected to a tensile stress when the paper attempts to move inwardly, the paper being thereby supported against rupturing or pleat tear. The flexible material thus functioning as a back-up layer for the paper, can be pretensioned to provide greater additional resistance to inward movement of the paper.

Abstract: A filter end cap interference fit structure between the internal wall of a closed end pressure vessel and the outer circumference of an end cap for centering and maintaining a filter element in position internally of the pressure vessel. The structure is arranged so as to take up and account for any differences in manufacturing tolerances of the internal parts which could destroy the proper working relationship thereof. The internal parts are solidly secured between the closed dome end of the pressure vessel and the support mounting plate of the vessel to securely hold a filter element therebetween while assuring take-up of manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: A filter of the throw away spin-on type having a housing body with a closed end and an open end, a filter element mounted within said body, a cover plate secured to and closing said open end, a gasket retainer secured to the end closure cover plate, fluid input and output apertures provided in both the cover plate and the gasket retainer, the gasket retainer having a recessed pocket extending circumferentially around the fluid flow openings, inwardly of the outer circumference of the gasket retainer, said gasket pocket having a base at a specified angle relative to the surface plane of the cover plate, and a resilient flexible gasket member of special shape retained by the gasket retainer pocket. The specially configured sealing gasket member is preferably of rhomboid shape and thus a cross section thereof forms a parallelogram with oblique angles and opposite sides equal. The top and bottom surfaces of the sealing gasket form an angle of approximately 10.degree.

Abstract: A filter relief valve assembly for a simple, easy to assemble use with filter structures of the common oil filter throw away type which will function to permit oil bypass of the filter element whenever the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value. The assembly unit is complete unto itself, but when assembled with the other filter components support and center one end of the filter element and also center and align an associated check valve in cooperation with the filter end closure.

Abstract: The improvement in a blood filtration unit for filtering multiple units of blood comprising means for filtering air entering the unit.

Abstract: A media for filtering blood consisting of a layer of fibers having a thickness of at least 0.015 inches. The fibers in the layer are interlocked with one another by frictional entanglement and the layer may have a larger pore opening size on one surface than on the opposite surface.

Abstract: An improved blood filter media comprising a woven fabric having a pore size distribution rating of 20 microns and being woven with monofilament yarns in a regular, even-sided twill weave.

Abstract: An improved extracorporeal circuit blood filter of the type using filter media in the form of a cartridge wherein the improvement comprises an internal bypass directly through the cartridge. The bypass is actuated should the filter media become blocked.

Abstract: A blood filter unit comprising an assembly for supporting a filter cartridge, a filter cartridge, and a housing for the assembly and cartridge. The assembly for supporting the cartridge comprises a permeable cylindrical core with a bottom member and a top cap. The filter media, in the form of a cartridge, is disposed about the periphery of the core and extends between the bottom member and top cap. The core contacts the media only at intermittent areas spaced longitudinally and circumferentially about the core. The core, media and walls of the housing are tapered with respect to each other.

Abstract: A self-priming filter unit for filtering intravenous solutions. The filter unit is substantially rectangular in shape with an inlet at the bottom portion of the filter. The inner surface of the housing on the downstream side of the filter medium is grooved so as to cause air to flow to the outlet as the filter unit is being filled with liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling oil filter components is disclosed. The components include a spring guide element which centers a filter element when assembled within a filter canister. Invention is based on the discovery that when the spring guide element is pushed horizontally into the canister by the filter element, the leading edge of the spring guide element automatically slides up the dome shaped bottom of the canister to its proper upright position without need for manual (individual) handling. An assembly machine is also disclosed which provides feed chutes for supplying the canisters, spring guide elements, and filter elements to troughs on a conveyor belt. A stationary bar cam is provided for effecting a force vector in a direction which pushes the filter element and, in turn, the spring guide element into the canister. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed wherein the components may be assembled by centrifugal force, gravity or direct plunger action.