Abstract: An assembly that includes a specimen-containing vessel and a cap in sealing engagement. The assembly contains a specimen retrieval device having a handle, an end of which is positioned between a depending inner wall of the cap and a closed side wall of the vessel. The inner wall of the cap is adapted to be penetrated by a plastic pipette tip.

Abstract: A vehicle screening method and system. A vehicle occupant can be identified utilizing one or more biometric identifiers input by or obtained from the vehicle occupant via a biometric input device. A barcode can also be provided by the vehicle occupant from a scanned card or other structure upon which the barcode is maintained. Additionally, a unique identification number can be provided by the user in order to match the unique identification number against a database of identification numbers, thereby permitting the vehicle occupant to be remotely screened and verified for entry into a secure facility based on the biometric identifier(s), the barcode and the unique identification number.

Abstract: A method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device having a cap and a fluid-holding vessel in fixed association. The method includes penetrating one or more materials of the cap with an air displacement pipette, thereby forming one or more passageways for venting air displaced from within the collection device, where the pipette includes structure for forming the one or more passageways. A fluid present in the vessel is drawn into the pipette before the pipette is removed from the collection device.

Abstract: A method for obtaining the contents of a fluid-holding vessel having a cap secured to an open end thereof. The method includes penetrating a surface of the cap with a fluid transfer device and forming one or more air passageways between the penetrated surface of the cap and the fluid transfer device to allow air to be vented from the vessel. At least a portion of the contents of the vessel is then drawn into the fluid transfer device before the fluid transfer device is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A method for obtaining the contents of a fluid-holding vessel having a cap secured to an open end thereof. The method includes penetrating a surface of the cap with a fluid transfer device and forming one or more air passageways between the penetrated surface of the cap and the fluid transfer device to allow air to be vented from the vessel. At least a portion of the contents of the vessel is then drawn into the fluid transfer device before the fluid transfer device is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A plastic cap having multiple wedge-shaped sections that are structurally interrelated to a closed side wall and adapted to be moveably engaged by a fluid transfer device penetrating the cap. A seal fixed to the cap covers the wedge-shaped sections.

Abstract: A collection device comprising an open-ended vessel for receiving and holding a fluid substance and a cap configured to position a specimen retrieval device along an inner surface of the vessel when the cap is fixedly associated the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.

Abstract: A cap comprising a generally conical wall positioned beneath an opening in the cap and having a plurality of striations formed therein to facilitate penetration of the cap by a fluid transfer device.

Abstract: A method for removing a fluid substance from a closed collection device comprising a cap and a fluid-holding vessel, where the method aids in venting air from the collection device when a surface of the cap is punctured by a fluid transfer device used to withdraw a fluid substance from the vessel. Venting is aided by incorporating a pause step between puncturing the cap surface and contacting the fluid substance held by the vessel with the fluid transfer device or by contacting the surface of the cap at a slower speed than the fluid transfer device enters the collection device after the cap surface has been punctured.

Abstract: A collection device comprising an open-ended vessel for receiving and holding a fluid substance and a cap configured to position a specimen retrieval device along an inner surface of the vessel when the cap is fixedly associated the vessel.

Abstract: A passenger boarding bridge for use by passengers in an airport terminal for embarking to and disembarking from a parked aircraft is provided with a resilient canopy that conforms to the shape of the outside surface of a parked aircraft without the aid of any external driving assembly or linkages directly attached thereto. The resilient canopy is useful with a wide range of airplanes sizes and, in contrast to existing steel framed weather shielding bellows, the canopy is particularly suited to the rapidly changing curvature of smaller planes and significantly inexpensive to construct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.

Abstract: An engagement structure adapted for securement to the end of an aircraft boarding bridge includes a bumper assembly formed of a first bumper and an auxiliary bumper. The auxiliary bumper is mechanically associated with a drive assembly adapted for displacing the auxiliary bumper relative to the first bumper to provide a dimensionally adjustable floor area of a boarding bridge proximate the interface of the bridge and an aircraft serviced by the bridge. The engagement structure may also include bifurcated arrangement wherein a sliding floor element is associated with a length adjustable bumper subassembly. The engagement structure provides a structure whereby the floor structure of the boarding bridge can be opened to provide a passageway for an opening or closing aircraft door.

Abstract: The aircraft brake vibration damper (30, 60) comprises a mesh material (30, 60) located at axially extending spaced-apart side walls (22) of a spline (12) of a torque tube (10) so that the mesh material (30, 60) is located between the spline (12) and a metal cover cap (20, 50) for the spline (12). The mesh material (60) can extend about the torque tube (10) and splines (12) and completely over a top surface (17) of each spline (12). The mesh material (80) can be located in a cavity (75) of heat shield segments (70) located between the splines (12). The mesh material (30, 60, 80) may be a knit or woven damping material (30, 60, 80) that dampens vibrations during brake operation.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated piston (78) is slidably carried in a fluid pressure actuated cylinder (50) which, in turn, is slidably carried in a fixed carrier or casing (21). Movement of the cylinder (50) is resisted by a breakable or displaceable coupler (90, 94, 184, 185) which engages the cylinder (50). Fluid pressure acting upon the cylinder (50) and piston (78) causes the coupler (90, 94, 184, 185) to break or be displaced and release the cylinder (50) for axial movement in the direction of movement of the pressure responsive piston (78).

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated piston (78) is slidably carried in a fluid pressure actuated cylinder (50) which, in turn, is slidably carried in a fixed carrier or casing (21). Movement of the cylinder (50) is resisted by a breakable or displaceable coupler (90, 94, 184, 185) which engages the cylinder (50). Fluid pressure acting upon the cylinder (50) and piston (78) causes the coupler (90, 94, 184, 185) to break or be displaced and release the cylinder (50) for axial movement in the direction of movement of the pressure responsive piston (78).

Abstract: In a brake assembly (10) having an infrared fiber optic element (54) for transmitting an operational signal to a sensor (66) through which an indicator (68) is provided with a substantially instantaneous indication of the temperature of the brake stack (26).