Abstract: A pump and stopper combination for vacuum or pressure sealing a container. The stopper has a pour opening and a one-way valve movable between an operative position to permit one-way flow of fluid into or out of the container when the pour opening is in the closed position, and an inoperative position when the pour opening is in the open position. A vacuum/pressure pump that connects to the stopper includes a drive adapted to convert rotational movement of a motor to reciprocating motion of a pump piston in a chamber, and one-way pump valves mounted in a selectable flow control member. The selectable flow control member is movable between pressure and vacuum positions to permit passage of fluid only into or out of the pump chamber. The pump also includes an indicator for indicating when a desired level of vacuum or pressure has been reached The pump may be incorporated into a container lid.

Abstract: A pump and stopper combination for vacuum or pressure sealing a container. The stopper has a pour opening and a one-way valve movable between an operative position to permit one-way flow of fluid into or out of the container when the pour opening is in the closed position, and an inoperative position when the pour opening is in the open position. A vacuum/pressure pump that connects to the stopper includes a drive adapted to convert rotational movement of a motor to reciprocating motion of a pump piston in a chamber, and one-way pump valves mounted in a selectable flow control member. The selectable flow control member is movable between pressure and vacuum positions to permit passage of fluid only into or out of the pump chamber. The pump also includes an indicator for indicating when a desired level of vacuum or pressure has been reached. The pump may be incorporated into a container lid.

Abstract: A roasting apparatus for coffee beans comprises a housing and a horizontal drum on the housing rotatable about an axis with an opening on a first end thereof for receiving and discharging beans and a plurality of openings on a second end opposite the first end of size sufficient to pass air and insufficient to pass the beans. The apparatus includes a heater in the housing capable of heating the drum to roast the beans and a fan adapted to move air through the first and second ends of the drum. A pair of doors pivotally mounted on a common hinge between the fan and the drum are movable between a closed position during roasting substantially blocking passage of free flow of air through the drum and an open position permitting free flow of the air once the beans are sufficiently roasted. A chaff collector is secured to the housing at an end opposite the drum first end. The collector has a plurality of openings of size sufficient to pass air and insufficient to pass chaff from the beans.

Abstract: A roasting apparatus for coffee beans and other food includes a removable drum on the housing rotatable about a horizontal axis and drive means on the housing for supporting and rotating the drum. The drum has a plurality of internal vanes arranged such that i) as the drum is rotated in one direction the beans are stirred and retained by the vanes within the drum, and ii) as the drum is rotated in the opposite direction the beans are moved by the vanes toward the drum opening for dispensing from the roasting apparatus. A removable cover includes a safety interlock which, when activated, prevents opening of the cover when the drum is at bean roasting temperature and which automatically deactivates upon cooling of the drum to permit opening of the cover to remove the drum.

Abstract: A self-blunting needle assembly comprises a hollow needle, which may be of conventional construction having a needle mouth and a needle shank terminating in a puncture tip, has mounted within it a blunting member including an elongate probe which slidably fits within the bore of the needle shank. The probe terminates in a distal tip which is initially positioned short of the puncture tip of the needle so as not to interfer with injection of the needle either into a patient or into a connecting device. After injection, the blunting member is advanced to an extended position in which its distal tip protrudes beyond the puncture tip, thereby effectively blunting the needle. This protruding probe disables the needle from a re-use and blunts it sufficiently to prevent or greatly reduce accidental needlestick wounds. A mechanical extension member, such as a pin or fluid flowing through the needle may be used to advance the blunting member to its extended position.

Abstract: The tag for attachment to hotel keys and the like is disclosed herein. The tag includes a base panel and an aperture frame portion defined by upwardly extending sidewall portions and inwardly extending peripheral flange disposed in spaced opposed relation to the outer edge portions of the base panel. A slot is provided through one of the sidewall portions of the flange for insertion and removal of a resiliently flexible card bearing advertising indicia and the like for display within the frame portion of said tag. The undersurface of said flange adjacent to the slot includes a shoulder adapted to engage the outer edge of said card for retaining the card within the frame. The upper surface of the base panel is of stepped construction having a lower lever disposed adjacent to and communicating with the slot and an upper surface level along the portion of the tag opposite the said slot.