Abstract: A chiropractic table cushion drop release mechanism wherein a latch member which is spring biased into engagement with a detent mechanism to hold the cushion in an elevated position is restrained from inward movement after it has released the detent so that the frictional drag of the spring biased latch is removed and the cushion can drop freely to a desired lower position.

Abstract: A patient treatment table is provided wherein a patient table which is pivotally mounted on an upper frame may be tilted from a position near the vertical to a horizontal position in engagement with the upper frame and the upper frame and patient table are elevated to a desired adjustable height relative to a fixed lower base member in one smooth continuous motion. Conversely, when a patient is to be removed from the table the upper frame and table are lowered to a minimum height position and the table is tilted to a near vertical position again in one smooth continuous movement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for quickly, efficiently and with minimum human contact removing the contents of flexible or collapsible containers, for example, frozen blood from the plastic pouches in which it is collected from human donors. The container is positioned and retained between a pair of plates which are relatively movable to compress the container to discharge the contents. The plates are preferably mounted on a continuous conveyor for automatically moving the container from a loading station where the container is inserted between the plates, to an opening area where a portion of the container is removed to provide access to the contents, and from there to a compression position where the plates are forced together to discharge the contents from the container through the access opening. For frozen contents, the plates and container may also pass through a thawing area where the container is heated sufficiently to free it from the frozen contents.