Abstract: A device for cutting a wire line is disclosed. Generally, the device comprises a tubular member having an inner diameter therethrough for placement of the wire line. A power mandrel is associated with the tubular member. A housing is operatively associated with the mandrel. Also included will be a rotatable cutting blade pivotally attached to the housing, and selective attachment means (operatively associated with the mandrel and the housing) for selectively attaching the mandrel and the housing together. The device may contain an activating member for activating the rotatable cutting blade into engagement with the wire so as to cut the wire. The device may further comprise a wire wedge member, positioned within the mandrel slot, that is adapted to wedge the wire into engagement with the mandrel. In one embodiment, the rotatable cutting blade comprises a disc member having a channel therethrough for receiving the wire, with the channel having sides contoured to cut the wire.

Abstract: The present invention is a food storage cabinet that develops and maintains a warm, humid environment in its interior for storage of the food. The food is supported within a storage compartment in the cabinet, and a water bath is provided to produce the warm, humid environment to keep the food warm and moist. A support is positioned within the storage compartment at an angle so that when the door to the storage compartment is opened, ambient air enters the storage compartment and initiates air flow therein. The ambient air drops down through a front gap between the support and the front wall of the storage compartment, thus causing warm, humid air generated by the water bath to rise through a rear gap and "roll" over the food toward the front of the storage compartment. Therefore, by opening the door to the storage compartment, air flow is initiated within the storage compartment to quickly cover the food in warm, humid air.

Abstract: A stabilizer link for a steering and suspension assembly for a bus or other vehicle comprising a pair of shafts and a housing that is defined by a pair of cylinders that are joined together by a rod or stem. Each cylinder defines a pair of contiguous tapered bores opening in opposite directions for receiving one of the shafts. Each shaft secured to the housing by replaceable components, namely, a pair of washers, a pair of bushings, and a nut secured to the other threaded end of the shaft. Each pair of bushings is matingly received within bores.

Abstract: A spray nozzle includes a central resin nozzle and peripheral catalyst nozzles as well as air nozzles designed to emit streams of air to shape the flow of the resin material from the resin nozzle. The resin nozzle is mounted on a rotary fitting allowing the direction of the resin nozzle to be reversed 180.degree. to permit cleaning of the resin nozzle. The air nozzles consist of passageways through the rotary fitting that are aligned with respective sources of air pressure when the rotary fitting is positioned to permit spraying of resin through the resin nozzle.

Abstract: A device and method are set forth for shuffling a stack of N cards. The stack is positioned at a cutting station where the card stack is cut into unequal portions (N/2)-A and (N/2)+A. The cards from each portion are then deposited in an interleaving fashion. The additional quantity of cards A of one of the portions is transported from proximate the center of the stack N to the top of the shuffled stack. Further cutting and interleaving randomly distributes the cards in the stack.

Abstract: A combined cutting blade and heat bar for use with a vacuum packaging device having a lid for sealing over the cavity of a base is disclosed. The cutting blade and heat bar are connected to one another and movable via a single actuating mechanism mounted to the lid. In use, in one step the combined mechanism is lowered with the heat bar unheated and the cutting element cuts slits in the bag for evacuation of the air. After air evacuation, the combined mechanism is lowered with the heat bar heated, melting the bag closed behind the slitted area of the bag.

Abstract: A process for providing a temporary, non-intrusive electrical connection to bond pads of a semiconductor die permitting test and burn-in of bare die. Modified tape automated bonding (TAB) techniques are used with gold bumped die bond pads for providing known good die (KGD). After test and burn-in, the temporary connection to the die is removed without the need to reform the gold bumps prior to use in a multichip module. Gold inner leads of a TAB tape are diffusion bonded to gold bumps wherein the bonding is sufficient for providing electrical connection during the testing and burn-in of the die yet sufficiently weak for removal of the leads from the die after testing and burn-in. The process provides the KGD necessary for acceptable first assembly yields and long term reliability of multichip modules (MCM). Bare die with gold bumped, sealed bond pads are provided simplifying interconnection during testing and ultimate module use.

Abstract: A device for cleaning gravel and breaking up clusters of gravel in a fish pond comprises an integral body having a lower housing into which gravel is received and an upper housing which has an outlet for connection to a pump for drawing water and gravel into the integral body. The upper housing has a greater cross-sectional area than the lower housing so that the lower housing limits the size of gravel clusters entering the integral body from the pond bottom. A manifold encircles the lower housing of the integral body and has aligned perforations therein with the lower housing so that water introduced into the manifold radially and inwardly projects into the lower housing for breaking up the gravel clusters.

Abstract: A medical electrode provides the ability to simultaneously connect at least two medical-electrical monitoring or testing instruments to an electrode positioned at a specific location on a patient's body. The electrode includes a conductive layer with a tab portion extending from a body. The body includes an aperture which is sized and configured to receive a conductive post of the electrode. The tab portion extends outwardly from the body with the aperture receiving the conductive post of the electrode such that the tab portion provides an attachment point for a conventional clip of an auxiliary piece of electrical instrument. The tab portion of the electrode does not interfere with the attachment of an electrical connector of a primary electrical instrument to the conductive post of the electrode.

Abstract: Fish foods and food supplements are provided that comprise an amount of preserved immature insects, e.g., dried housefly or soldier fly larvae or pupae, effective to improve the growth, feeding efficiency, or coloration of fish, including, but not limited to, koi, trout, bass, catfish, and tropical aquarium fish. Also provided are related methods of improving the growth, feeding efficiency, or coloration of fish.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly having a body with a chamber for receiving a filter element supported by the body. At least one cleaning device is positioned adjacent the inlet side of the filter element. The cleaning device includes a hollow duct for collecting dislodged particulate matter, an adjustable scraper or brush and a deflector substantially equal in length to the scraper or brush. Nozzles may be provided for directing pressurized cleaning fluid toward the cleaning device.

Abstract: An airhouse for supplying conditioned air to the interior area of an enclosed building. The airhouse incorporates one or more blowers having variable speed controllers enabling them to be operated at variable volumetric flow rates. The airhouse housing includes variable area dampers for controlling the inlet of outside or building return air. A dedicated controller is provided for adjusting the inlet areas of the two inlet pathways to provide a constant flow velocity through a direct fire burner through a range of blower volumetric output settings. In addition the units may include variable area diffuser units which tend to maintain constant discharge velocity pressure at various blower volumetric flow rate settings. In addition various control and operating strategies are provided for the individual airhouse units and a distributed array of such units in a large building structure controlled by a central computer.

Abstract: A crimping tool used to secure a cap onto a bottle or vial. The tool has vertical handles, a crimping action involving combined horizontal movement of a movable handle controlling the vertical movement of the crimper, and an in line screw stop to limit the downward movement of the crimper.