Abstract: A sortation conveyor has a divert guide path which is configured to guide pushers to engage articles disposed on an endless conveying surface at an initial impact which does not result in an out of control situation even at high speeds. The divert guide path is disposed at a plurality of divert angles, and guides pushers to engage articles at a low initial contact divert angle and first lateral speed and to accelerate the articles to a final divert angle and second, higher, lateral speed. The pushers may be undergoing lateral acceleration at the time initial contact is made with the articles.

Abstract: A sortation conveyor has a divert guide path which is configured to guide pushers to engage articles disposed on an endless conveying surface at an initial impact which does not result in an out of control situation even at high speeds. The divert guide path is disposed at a plurality of divert angles, and guides pushers to engage articles at a low initial contact divert angle and first lateral speed and to accelerate the articles to a final divert angle and second, higher, lateral speed. The pushers may be undergoing lateral acceleration at the time initial contact is made with the articles.

Abstract: A sortation conveyor has a divert guide path which is configured to guide pushers to engage articles disposed on an endless conveying surface at an initial impact which does not result in an out of control situation even at high speeds. The divert guide path is disposed at a plurality of divert angles, and guides pushers to engage articles at a low initial contact divert angle and first lateral speed and to accelerate the articles to a final divert angle and second, higher, lateral speed. The pushers may be undergoing lateral acceleration at the time initial contact is made with the articles.

Abstract: A sortation conveyor has a divert guide path which is configured to guide pushers to engage articles disposed on an endless conveying surface at an initial impact which does not result in an out of control situation even at high speeds. The divert guide path is disposed at a plurality of divert angles, and guides pushers to engage articles at a low initial contact divert angle and first lateral speed and to accelerate the articles to a final divert angle and second, higher, lateral speed. The pushers may be undergoing lateral acceleration at the time initial contact is made with the articles.

Abstract: A sortation conveyor has a divert guide path which is configured to guide pushers to engage articles disposed on an endless conveying surface at an initial impact which does not result in an out of control situation even at high speeds. The divert guide path is disposed at a plurality of divert angles, and guides pushers to engage articles at a low initial contact divert angle and first lateral speed and to accelerate the articles to a final divert angle and second, higher, lateral speed. The pushers may be undergoing lateral acceleration at the time initial contact is made with the articles.

Abstract: A sortation conveyor has a divert guide path which is configured to guide pushers to engage articles disposed on an endless conveying surface at an initial impact which does not result in an out of control situation even at high speeds. The divert guide path is disposed at a plurality of divert angles, and guides pushers to engage articles at a low initial contact divert angle and first lateral speed and to accelerate the articles to a final divert angle and second, higher, lateral speed. The pushers may be undergoing lateral acceleration at the time initial contact is made with the articles.

Abstract: A sortation conveyor has a divert guide path which is configured to guide pushers to engage articles disposed on an endless conveying surface at an initial impact which does not result in an out of control situation even at high speeds. The divert guide path is disposed at a plurality of divert angles, and guides pushers to engage articles at a low initial contact divert angle and first lateral speed and to accelerate the articles to a final divert angle and second, higher, lateral speed. The pushers may be undergoing lateral acceleration at the time initial contact is made with the articles.

Abstract: A protective cover for the stepped-down shelf of a step-front cabinet is provided by a transparent plastic cover sheet, a pair of cover sheet supports which engage the cover sheet at its opposite ends, and a pair of forwardly-extending rods fixed to the cabinet. When the supports are slid onto the rods, the cover sheet cannot be removed.The cover sheet can be used in conjunction with a condiment tray situated on the shelf and held in engagement with a vertical panel of the cabinet by means of flanged bushings on the cabinet in engagement with keyhole slots in a rear wall of the tray. The protective cover overlies the rear wall of the tray when the cover is in place, and prevents the keyhole slots from being disengaged from the flanged bushings.

Abstract: A respiration unit for supplying a preselected limited volume of breathing gas to a patient at limited positive pressures, and at a preselected limited flow rate is disclosed. The system includes an air delivery cylinder having a drive weight which is free to move up and down. A diaphragm connected to the weight divides the cylinder into an upper control chamber and a lower delivery chamber. A vacuum source is connected to the control chamber through a first solenoid-controlled valve to regulate the lifting of the weight, and a second solenoid-controlled valve regulates the bleeding of air into the control chamber to release and regulate the rate of fall of the weight, thereby driving breathing gas under pressure out of the lower chamber. A control system regulates the lift and lower cycles of the drive weight to provide the required operation of the system, with various sensors being provided to allow patient control of the system under selected conditions, and to assure patient safety.

Abstract: A humidifier system for delivering breathing gases such as air or oxygen from a respirator, anesthesia machine, oxygen source, or the like to a patient under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity is disclosed. The humidifier comprises a support housing adapted to receive a removable water tank, the housing also containing a low water sensing system, a water heating means, and a system for sensing and for regulating the temperature of the water in the tank. The tank includes an air inlet leading to a diffuser chamber, from which air flows through a diffuser plate, through the water to the humidifier, and thence to an outlet for delivery to the patient. The diffuser plate incorporates a plurality of cone-shaped apertures which create air turbulence in the water so that as the breathing gases are forced through the water tank under positive pressure, the gases are uniformly heated and humidified prior to delivery.

Abstract: A respiration unit for supplying a preselected limited volume of breathing gas to a patient at limited positive pressures, and at a preselected limited flow rate is disclosed. The system includes an air delivery cylinder having a drive weight which is free to move up and down. A diaphragm connected to the weight divides the cylinder into an upper control chamber and a lower delivery chamber. A vacuum source is connected to the control chamber through a first solenoid-controlled valve to regulate the lifting of the weight, and a second solenoid-controlled valve regulates the bleeding of air into the control chamber to release and regulate the rate of fall of the weight, thereby driving breathing gas under pressure out of the lower chamber. A control system regulates the lift and lower cycles of the drive weight to provide the required operation of the system, with various sensors being provided to allow patient control of the system under selected conditions, and to assure patient safety.

Abstract: A humidifier system for delivering breathing gases such as air or oxygen from a respirator, anesthesia machine, oxygen source, or the like to a patient under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity is disclosed. The humidifier comprises a support housing adapted to receive a removable water tank, the housing also containing a low water sensing system, a water heating means, and a system for sensing and for regulating the temperature of the water in the tank. The tank includes an air inlet leading to a diffuser chamber, from which air flows through a diffuser plate, through the water in the humidifier, and thence to an outlet for delivery to the patient. The breathing gases are forced through the water tank under positive pressure and thereby are heated and humidified prior to delivery.

Abstract: A cylinder for delivering at limited positive pressure a preselected limited volume of breathing gas at a preselected limited flow rate. The cylinder includes a cylindrical housing which is substantially closed to the atmosphere. A drive weight is movably mounted within the cylinder, with a rolling diaphragm being connected between the wall of the cylinder and the weight to divide the cylinder into upper and lower chambers. A vacuum source is connected to the upper chamber to draw the weight and diaphragm upwardly, expanding and drawing breathing gas into the lower chamber. By controllably releasing the vacuum in the upper chamber, the weight is allowed to fall downwardly, solely under the force of gravity, to cause the lower chamber to contract. This creates a positive pressure in the lower chamber, forcing the breathing gas out of an outlet for delivery to a patient.