Abstract: An implantable medical system includes a medical lead including an insulating sheath and a conductor and an anchoring device. The anchoring device defines an inner lumen adapted to coaxially receive the medical lead, where the inner lumen has an effective diameter. The anchoring device includes a sleeve including a substantially elongate body defining an outer surface and an inner bore. The anchoring device also has a compression member including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends. The compression member is at least partially embedded in the sleeve such that compression of the first and second ends of the compression member toward one another causes the effective diameter of at least a portion of the inner lumen of the anchoring device to reversibly increase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food product dispenser that includes a food delivery mechanism and a cleansing mechanism. The food delivery mechanism includes a food source, a food conduit associated with the food source for receiving a food component therefrom, and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense servings of the food component from the conduit. The cleansing mechanism includes a cleansing conduit associated with the food delivery mechanism to direct a cleansing fluid along a fluid path in cleansing association with the food delivery mechanism under conditions for performing a cleansing operation on the food delivery mechanism. A controller can be provided for automatically conducting cleansing operations based on predetermined conditions. The controller, delivery mechanism and cleansing mechanism can be configured to switch between the dispensing of the servings and the cleansing operation at a plurality of intervals during a day without substantial intervention from an operator.

Abstract: A conversion system for a gasoline engine based generator enables the use of heavier fuels. A vertically disposed vortex separation chamber includes an inlet proximate the bottom of the chamber and tangential to the longitudinal axis of the chamber for delivering to the chamber partially vaporized fuel in an air-fuel mixture from a carburetor associated with the engine. An outlet proximate the top of the chamber also tangential to the longitudinal axis of the chamber for delivering vaporized fuel from the chamber to the engine. An electric heater is in communication with the bottom of the chamber for heating the chamber wall to vaporize any fuel thereon so vaporized fuel is reintroduced in swirling air-fuel mixture in the chamber. A battery source charged by the generator provides power to the electric heater. A jacket is disposed about and spaced from the chamber wall creating an annulus between the jacket and the chamber wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line dispensing the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that may enter into contact with the fluid. The invention hygienically supplies microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container that has a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit. The unit includes a coupling mechanism adapted to connect the terminal connecting portion and a component for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion. Thus, during cleaning or rinsing, the cleaning or rinsing fluid can be discharged within the terminal connecting portion up to a closing point of the container assembly, thus demarcating a closing point, downstream of which is a part that is maintained clean, and upstream of which is a part of the container that is maintained sterile.

Abstract: An implantable medical system includes a medical lead including an insulating sheath and a conductor and an anchoring device. The anchoring device defines an inner lumen adapted to coaxially receive the medical lead, where the inner lumen has an effective diameter. The anchoring device includes a sleeve including a substantially elongate body defining an outer surface and an inner bore. The anchoring device also has a compression member including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends. The compression member is at least partially embedded in the sleeve such that compression of the first and second ends of the compression member toward one another causes the effective diameter of at least a portion of the inner lumen of the anchoring device to reversibly increase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of in place cleaning of an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention and for cleaning the same in place.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a method of using and machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line dispensing the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that may enter into contact with the fluid. The invention relates to a device for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container that has a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit. The device includes a coupling mechanism adapted to connect the terminal connecting portion and a component for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion.

Abstract: Medical devices for removing gasses, such as gas bubbles and/or dissolved gasses, from a liquid to be delivered to a patient, and methods of use and making of such devices. In at least some embodiments, a gas permeable membrane material is used in the construction of the gas removal devices. In some embodiments, layers of gas permeable membrane material are used to construct a filter structure for removing gas from the liquid. In other embodiments, hollow tubes and/or fibers of the gas permeable membrane material are used to construct a filter structure for removing gas from the liquid. The gas removal devices may be used in any of a broad variety of liquid delivery systems and/or configurations.

Abstract: A method of forming a mold having cavities for molding loop-engageable, hook-shaped fastener elements, includes: supporting a first plate having an outer surface that defines a plane; manipulating a material-cutting beam of a laser along a predetermined curved profile to cut a cavity into the outer surface of the first plate, the predetermined curved profile being generally hook-shaped, the cavity defined by a wall extending into the first plate from the outer surface; in a series of subsequent actions, repeatedly indexing the first plate relative to the laser to direct the material-cutting beam at further positions on the first plate and repeating the step of manipulating the material-cutting beam of the laser relative to the first plate to form a series of cavities, each having a hook-shaped profile; and positioning a second plate adjacent the outer surface of the first plate, the second plate providing a side wall surface for each of the cavities of the first plate, the first plate and the second plate in

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a method of using and machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for an apparatus for continuously molding small fastener elements integral with a base web from a flowable resin. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical mold roll rotatable about an axis and defining small fastener element-shaped mold cavities in the surface thereof, and pressure-applying means to apply operating pressure to force the resin into the cavities at a pressure zone. The pressure-applying means and mold roll define a mold gap therebetween for forming the base web. The advantageous use of relatively long mold rolls, to produce a correspondingly wide web, and the use of higher molding pressures, e.g. to form very small fastener elements, is enabled by various improvements, including means to maintain the mold gap at a desired thickness profile across the length of the molding region of the mold roll under operating pressure. In some cases the pressure-applying means includes a pressure roll, in other cases it includes a resin nozzle assembly or pressure head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of in place cleaning of an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention and for cleaning the same in place.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid or beverage dispensing device having self-cleaning dispensing nozzle. The device includes a body provided with a conduit having a first end to which a dispensing nozzle is connected, and a second end to which a fluid inlet line is intended to be connected. The device further includes a collector member that can move relative to the body between a first dispensing position in which the outlet of the nozzle is released from the collector member and a second cleaning position in which the collector member is placed in front of the nozzle outlet to collect any fluid that exits the outlet.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for an apparatus for continuously molding small fastener elements integral with a base web from a flowable resin. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical mold roll rotatable about an axis and defining small fastener element-shaped mold cavities in the surface thereof, and pressure-applying means to apply operating pressure to force the resin into the cavities at a pressure zone. The pressure-applying means and mold roll define a mold gap therebetween for forming the base web. The advantageous use of relatively long mold rolls, to produce a correspondingly wide web, and the use of higher molding pressures, e.g. to form very small fastener elements, is enabled by various improvements, including means to maintain the mold gap at a desired thickness profile across the length of the molding region of the mold roll under operating pressure. In some cases the pressure-applying means includes a pressure roll, in other cases it includes a resin nozzle assembly or pressure head.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a method of using and machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for forming shaped food products from an emulsion or batter. A stuffing tube includes a wall defining a central passage for emulsion, and a treating fluid passage positioned within the wall and radially outside of the central passage. The stuffing tube is slideably mounted coaxially within a mold tube. Emulsion and treating fluid are deposited into the mold tube during retraction of the stuffing tube from the mold tube, where the depositions occur substantially without relative motion between the emulsion and the treating fluid, or between the emulsion/treating fluid and the inside of the mold tube. A production machine incorporating an array of stuffing tubes can be indexed with a plurality of arrays of mold tubes.

Abstract: An inflatable sport ball, such as a basketball, a football, a soccer ball, a volley ball or a playground ball, is provided with a self-contained inflation mechanism for inflating or more likely adding pressure to the ball. The mechanism is a pump which is inside of the ball and which is operable from outside of the ball to pump ambient air into the ball.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line dispensing the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that may enter into contact with the fluid. The invention relates to a device for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container that has a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit. The device includes a coupling mechanism adapted to connect the terminal connecting portion and a component for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion.

Abstract: A method of forming a mold having cavities for molding loop-engageable, hook-shaped fastener elements, includes: supporting a first plate having an outer surface that defines a plane; manipulating a material-cutting beam of a laser along a predetermined curved profile to cut a cavity into the outer surface of the first plate, the predetermined curved profile being generally hook-shaped, the cavity defined by a wall extending into the first plate from the outer surface; in a series of subsequent actions, repeatedly indexing the first plate relative to the laser to direct the material-cutting beam at further positions on the first plate and repeating the step of manipulating the material-cutting beam of the laser relative to the first plate to form a series of cavities, each having a hook-shaped profile; and positioning a second plate adjacent the outer surface of the first plate, the second plate providing a side wall surface for each of the cavities of the first plate, the first plate and the second plate in