Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to processing samples. In particular, the technology provides articles of manufacture, apparatuses, and methods related to purifying an analyte from a sample matrix using magnetic particles.

Abstract: A fish fighting apparatus for assisting an angler in the capture of large hooked fish. The fish fighting apparatus includes a rotational platform that attaches to a fish fighting chair for use by an angler in pulling a hooked fish into a boat using a fishing rod. The platform includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface and an attachment plate which attaches said platform to the deck of the boat. The base is rotatably connected to the attachment plate via the bottom surface of the base. The base can be rotated substantially independent of the pull on the fishing rod since the position of the point of rotation of the chair attached to the platform is offset from the point of rotation of the base of the platform. An accessory attachment bar is mounted to the attachment plate and a vertical chair support member is pivotally fastened to the accessory attachment bar allowing a slidable seat to pivot back and forth.

Abstract: A container for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The container is fittable to an adapter having an adaptor feature therewith. The adaptor is associated with the developer unit. The container includes a body defining a chamber for storing particles therein. The body defines an aperture in the periphery of the body. The container also includes a cover for use in covering the aperture and a securing feature. The securing feature is associated with the cover. The securing feature cooperates with the adapter feature on the adapter to radially secure the cover with respect to the adaptor.

Abstract: A container for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The container is fittable to an adapter associated with the developer unit. The container includes a body and a cover. The body defines a chamber for storing particles therein. The body further defines an aperture in the periphery thereof. The cover is for use in covering the aperture. The container also includes a latching member having a latched position wherein said cover is fixedly positioned with respect to said body. The latching member also has an unlatched position wherein the cover is movable with respect to the body. The latching member is moved from the latched position to the unlatched position as the container is fitted into the adapter.

Abstract: A supply cartridge for a printer or copier retains a quantity of dry marking material. The cartridge defines a round structure on an exterior thereof, with a collar rotatable about the round structure. The round structure and the collar both define openings, and the cartridge can dispense marking material when the openings are aligned. A pad is attached to an inner surface of the collar to enhance urging of the collar against the opening of the cartridge when the cartridge is closed. The pad itself urges against the round structure at a point on the circumference of the round structure opposite the opening therein. Alternately, a protrusion can be provided in the round structure at a point opposite the opening.

Abstract: A method which includes: (a) selecting a flexible strip which has an adhesive material on a part of the first side, thereby defining an adhesive coated portion on the first side, and the second side of the strip being free of any adhesive material; and (b) applying heat and pressure to the adhesive coated portion on the first side, by pressing a heating element directly against the adhesive coated portion on the first side, to adhere a part of the adhesive free second side to a strip attachment region on a member, wherein there is absent any adhesive material disposed between the adhered part of the adhesive free second side and the strip attachment region.

Abstract: There is disclosed a shutter assembly including: (a) a surface defining a surface opening; (b) a housing associated with the surface which defines a passageway in communication with the surface opening, wherein the housing surface defining the passageway includes a housing hole; and (c) a resilient material defining an end surface, which is disposed in the passageway and covers the housing hole, wherein the size of the end surface permits the application of an external force against the end surface to compress the resilient material to uncover the housing hole, and whereby the resilient material spontaneously expands to cover the housing hole when the external force ends.

Abstract: An improved Backgammon playing board that has easily changeable playing surface inserts. The playing board inserts can be printed in accordance with the players stylistic preferences. For example, players who enjoy the variant of the Backgammon called Acey-deucey would most likely enjoy a military motif since many such players learned the game while in the Marines or Merchant Marine. The board also features a unique bar that stores the dice, checkers and doubling die. The bar also features a ramp that automatically places a checker within easy reach whenever one is removed from the bar.

Abstract: A flow collector/distributor for a water treatment tank comprises a housing proportioned to communicate through a wall of the water treatment tank to provide flow communication between the tank interior and the tank exterior. The collector/distributor defines an inner end to project inwardly from the tank wall and an outward end to face outwardly from the tank wall. A plurality of slots are defined in the tubular housing, positioned to communicate with the tank interior when the collector/distributor is seated in the tank wall. The slots are of a width which is narrow enough to permit water flow therethrough while substantially preventing passage therethrough of water treatment material present within the tank.

Abstract: A portable device for adapting a toilet for use as a bidet comprising a rigid conduit having a generally horizontal portion sized to fit in the gap between the bottom surface of the toilet seat and the top surface of the toilet bowl rim, and a generally U-shaped portion for upwardly discharging a column of water. The end of the horizontal conduit portion remote from the U-shaped portion is connected to a water supply line. The adaptor further comprises a second rigid conduit having a horizontal portion sized to fit between the toilet seal and the toilet bowl rim with a donwwardly opening end, and a diverter valve operable to selectively direct water into either of the two conduits. The two conduits are horizontally spaced apart to provide stabilization. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second onduits are in major part defined by hollow passageways within an integrally formed plastic body member.

Abstract: A portable device for adapting a toilet for use as a bidet comprises a rigid conduit including a generally straight, horizontal portion sized to fit in the gap between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl rim, and a contiguous U-shaped portion for discharging a column of water upwards. The end of the horizontal conduit portion remote from the U-shaped portion is connected by a water supply line to a convenient bathroom faucet. The horizontal conduit portion is of sufficient length to permit movement of the conduit along the axis of the horizontal conduit portion in order to permit positioning of the upwardly discharging column of water over the bowl at various distances from the rim. Separate diversion means may be provided for discharging the stream of water downwardly into the toilet bowl while maintaining the U-shaped portion in its upwardly open position.

Abstract: An improved trailer jacking device and method. The device comprises a trailer tongue frame, an adjustable pivotal strut mounted medially of said frame, and caster and wheel provided with a lock at the lower end of the strut. To connect a vehicle to a trailer equipped with such device, the strut stands in a position back past vertical, holding the tongue and female hitch member at a predetermined height, and the vehicle above the elevation of the hitch ball is backed toward the trailer tongue. As the vehicle pushes the trailer tongue backward, the strut will pivot forward, lowering the female member on the ball hitch and removing the weight of the trailer tongue from the strut. The strut is then moved upward to stowage position, or removed for stowage in the vehicle.