Abstract: A drainage platform supports an expendable container on a receptacle in a stable and appropriate orientation to assist in draining residual contents from the mouth of the container into the receptacle for the separate disposal of the container and the residual contents, the drainage platform including a pan with a downwardly sloping bottom and a sump with a drain, the sump being offset from the center of the drainage platform to register the drain with a corresponding offset opening in the receptacle, and a plurality of ribs establishing an essentially horizontal support for the container above the downwardly sloping bottom such that the residual contents are drained into the sump and then through the drain into the receptacle for collection and disposal of the residual contents separate from the disposal of the expendable container.

Abstract: An isolating chamber (1) with an annular connector (5) defines an access opening with one dimension greater than that perpendicular thereto and with an internal wall (5A) of constant section to allow the hermetic sliding of successive closure pieces (7,7X) which have a closure membrane (14,14X), and an annular cutting device (9B) for the membrane and for another membrane joined thereto. Each transfer machine (3) has a passageways slot and a closure membrane (22). The two membranes are designed to adhere to each other during the joining up of the two confined volumes (1,3) and are cut by the annular cutting device (9B) to define a discoid (D) with two at least peripherally joined thicknesses. The discoid can be removed into one of the confined volumes to provide the passage between the two the confined volumes; a subsequent uncut closure piece (7X) can be installed in the connector (5) from the interior of the isolating chamber (1), in order to replace the previous closure piece (7) which thus can be removed.

Abstract: A reusable isolation structure features an easily cleanable shell. The opening of the shell includes a groove formed around the periphery thereof and is preferably not more than slightly smaller than an interior cross-section of the shell. A closure member (door) of the isolation structure is dimensioned to fit within the opening and has a resilient seal member clamped to the periphery of a backbone by front and rear plates. The front and rear plates cooperate with grooves formed in the backbone to define a preferred form of manifold for coupling pressure or a vacuum to the interior of the resilient seal member whereby the resilient seal member may be collapsed to allow removal of the closure member or allowed to expand or pressurized to provide secure closure member. A vacuum structure for handling the closure member simultaneously provides for evacuation and controlled collapse of the resilient seal member as well as containment of contamination of the exterior thereof.

Abstract: A cup holder includes a platform adapted to radially pivot outward from an inclined vehicle structure such that the platform when fully extended in the outward position is substantially horizontal. The platform includes a front wall portion and rear wall portion, and a retaining member connected between the front and rear wall portions forms an upper horizontal surface. A pair of side walls pivotally connected to the platform cooperate with the retaining member and platform to form a cavity for holding a beverage container.

Abstract: A protection system is provided for the transfer of toxic liquid from a bulk container through a first conduit to a connector for a delivery device such as a dosage syringe. A second conduit connects the connector to a waste receptacle. The first and second conduits penetrate the closed end of a flexible barrier bag. The bag is initially retracted from the bulk container to allow manipulation of the bulk container. The bag is subsequently extended over and sealed around the bulk container and waste receptacle to protect the health care provider during liquid transfer to the deliver device.

Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: inserting a substance into a receptacle with at least one filling stage of fixed duration during which filling is performed at a servo-controlled flow rate using a servo-control loop including a weighing member, a weighing processor unit, and a flow rate control member; measuring the weight of substance contained in the receptacle after filling; comparing the weight of substance contained in the receptacle with a reference weight; and adjusting the servo-control relationship as a function of a difference between the weight of substance contained in the receptacle and the reference weight. An apparatus is provided to accomplish the above functions.

Abstract: An extended flexible polyurethane inner hose defines a fuel supply passage and is surrounded by an unbonded braided nylon reinforcement filament. The inner hose extends within a molded polyurethane and flexible corrugated outer hose which defines an annular fuel vapor return passage around the inner hose. Corresponding end portions of the hoses are connected to a fuel dispensing nozzle by a tubular metal inner coupling member, a tubular nylon outer coupling member, and a nylon nut. A small flexible fuel evacuation tube extends within the lower portion of the vapor return passage adjacent the inner hose, and an annular rotary coupling or union member and ring seals are confined between the inner and outer coupling members to define a fuel evacuation passage which connects the evacuation tube to a corresponding tube within the dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing filler material in a fluid carrier into a measuring chamber in rapid succession is described. The apparatus includes a delivery subsystem for introducing the filler material into the fluid carrier. The delivery subsystem provides the fluid carrier and filler material to a diverter subsystem which separates the stream into two separate streams. The two separate streams are directed into a rotating concentrator subsystem that separates the fluid carrier from the filler material and compresses the filler material. The filler material is further compressed and dewatered in a taper subsystem and drain subsystem. The filler material is then dispensed from the drain subsystem into a measuring chamber where it is cut by a knife plate that includes two blades with overlapping cuts. The apparatus is capable of introducing controlled weights or volumes of filler material into a measuring chamber at high speeds.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically evacuating blood aspiration tubes has an arraying table supporting a number of stoppered blood aspiration tubes which are to be evacuated, an air suction needle for evacuating air from inside the stoppered blood aspiration tubes, and an arm supporting the air suction needle on a needle rest and moving it horizontally and vertically over the arraying table. A drive control moves the air suction needle downward into the stopper of each of the blood aspiration tubes in turn, causes the needle to evacuate air from the tube, then withdraws the needle upward from the stopper. A presser is mounted to a lower part of the needle rest and presses the stopper during the upward movement of the needle in order to maintain the air-tight stoppering of the tube.

Abstract: A collapsible wheelchair assembly is provided that may be folded for storage with attached toilet seat. A waste pan is interlocked with wheelchair braces to sit under a flexible plastic seat, having a toilet opening, that hinges when the wheelchair is folded. Thus, a portable collapsible toilet facility is afforded incontinent patients for use in transit whenever necessary.

Abstract: A car storage system is disclosed which mounts to the ceiling of an automobile to provide storage for small items carried by a vehicle operator such as cassette tapes, compact discs, gloves, sunglasses, nasal tissue, and/or maps. The car storage system is adjustably mountable to the ceiling of an automobile such that any of the above items are easily within reach of a vehicle operator. The car storage system comprises a support member which is adjustable to any ceiling width and is mounted using pivotable flanges secured behind the trim molding normally placed about a vehicle's ceiling. A storage member which comprises a plurality of individual storage compartments is removably connected to the support member in order to provide the storage area for any of the above items.

Abstract: A multi-stage, batch or continuous, manual or automated process and apparatus for safely depressurizing, de-capping (decrimping plus pulling caps), and recycling aerosol cans, propellants, solvents, chemicals, dip tubes, and can tops. The apparatus includes a synchronized sorting and loading unit for guiding the cans onto an advancing line. The cans are first depressurized by a vacuum head unit comprising a vacuum seal and a reciprocable hollow needle which punctures the can recessed top cap and removes the propellants by suction for later reuse or disposal. The cans are advanced to a decapping unit where the cap member is removed by decrimping to crack the seal followed by being vertically pulled off without damage to the can's rolled lip.

Abstract: A panel switch for use in electronic apparatus and a method for making same, the panel switch employing a diaphragm whereby the operator turns on the switch with a feeling of security. To locate a diaphragm, a sheet having an adhesive layer on one side is used instead of a conventional spacer, and the diaphragm is secured to an insulated substrate with the sheet. The non-use of the spacer saves cost and labor, thereby producing panel switches more economically.

Abstract: An improved method and related apparatus for filling a plurality of containers more accurately with a predetermined net weight or volume of fluid by filling means located at a filling station on a line. The weights are determined upstream of the filling station. The containers are filled according to a set point, then the containers are moved to a gross weighing station where they are weighted full and tare weight is deducted therefrom. Corrections based on net values of tare weight and gross weight are applied to the set point of the filling means. The specific gravity of the fluid is input to processing means to allow the net volume of the contents of the containers to be calculated.

Abstract: A safety tank apparatus is provided for installation to receive and store a liquid hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons, or the like, and from which the liquid may be withdrawn. It comprises tank structure including an inner metallic tank; an outer metallic tank protectively receiving the inner tank with accessible interior space laterally of the inner tank; a barrier wall between that interior space and the inner wall: an opening in the outer tank sidewall adjacent that interior space; and a closure closing the opening, the closure movable to expose the interior space to access from the exterior; and tank liquid flow control structure accessible through the side wall opening, for controlling filling of the liquid into the inner tank from the exterior of the safety apparatus, and for controlling liquid removal from the inner tank.

Abstract: A toilet which uses a reduced amount of water is disclosed. In one aspect there is a toilet having a bowl with an upper lip and a lower wall having a sump portion at its base. The sump is connected through a bowl outlet to a siphon for the discharge of cleaning liquid and waste from the bowl. A hollow rim receives cleaning liquid, the rim having a rim floor adjacent the upper lip of the bowl and being constructed to allow cleaning liquid to enter the bowl through a first and a second hole in the rim floor. A well is formed in the rim floor. The second hole is in the well floor. A partial block is also provided in the well and the well floor is sloped.

Abstract: A luggage rack (14) of the type suitable for installation on the roof (12) of an automotive vehicle (10) is improved through the addition of a mechanism for reducing the noise generated by wind passing over cross members (16,18) of the luggage rack (14). The mechanism is a strip (34) having irregular outer surfaces (40,42) secured to outer surfaces of at least one of the cross members (16,18). The irregular surfaces (40,42) operate to vary the cross section of the cross member (16,18) as it extends transversely of the vehicle (10), and the strip (34) may be formed as a tape having an adhesive layer (36) for securement to the luggage rack (14).

Abstract: A harness supported bag adapted to be carried on the back of a person is adapted for storing a liquid refreshment such as water, fruit juice or the like. A tube extending from the bag to the front of the person enables the latter to draw liquid refreshment during ambulation. In one alternative embodiment, a transparent pocket is superposed over the bag for receiving indicia to identify the person during a race (e.g. a marathon) whereas in another alternatively preferred embodiment, supplementary reservoir means are provided having a passage connected to the bag and manually activatable valve means for selectively enabling a person to transfer the contents of the supplemental reservoir to the bag during running or other physical activity.

Abstract: An automotive reservoir arrangement is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a reservoir body capable of holding fluid to a first elevation, a vent cap connected with the reservoir body above the first elevation, a conduit connected with the reservoir at a level below the first elevation, a cylinder fluidly connected with the conduit at a second elevation below the first elevation, the cylinder having a flange, a filler tube sealably slidably inserted within the cylinder being spring biased to extend to a third elevation higher than the first elevation, and a cap for sealing the filler tube and the cap engaging with the flange of the cylinder to retain the filler tube at a fourth elevation below the first elevation.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained, portable vacuum toilet system having a sump for collecting waste liquids by means of gravity, a differential pressure-operated discharge valve for regulating withdrawal of waste liquids from the holding sump for transport to a vacuum collection tank during a transport cycle, differential pressure-operated sensor and controller valves for regulating operation of the discharge valve in response to a hydrostatic pressure condition inside the holding sump, and a push button-operated water valve for adding water to the toilet bowl during and immediately after a flush cycle. A sink and its own push button-operated water valve may also be provided.