Abstract: A plurality of sleeve members for receiving and maintaining a dowel bar therewithin can be provided so that the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. The sleeve members can comprise (a) at least one hollow interior compartment for receiving and supporting said dowel bar, and (b) at least one aperture for receiving a bracket member. The dowel bar can have a tapered configuration and a pair of end sections. The dowel bar can be located within the hollow interior compartment for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete, and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs. The dowel bar can move in a lateral and/or longitudinal path within the hollow interior compartment and exerting interactive forces in response to the expansion and contraction of the concrete.

Abstract: A sleeve assembly system, a concrete dowel slab joint system, a method for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs, and a concrete slab including a plurality of concrete dowel slab joint systems are provided. The concrete dowel slab joint system comprises the sleeve assembly for receiving and maintaining the dowel bar therewithin. The sleeve assembly is designed so that the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directly determining the hemoglobin content (CH) of individual sphered red blood cells and for directly determining the width of the cell hemoglobin distribution of a red blood cell sample. Such apparatus and method monitors the light reflected by individual sphered cells as they are made to pass through an optical flow cell while being irradiated by a suitable source of radiation.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting light scattered by a small particle (e.g., a blood cell) irradiated by a light beam comprises one or more photodetectors and a plurality of optical fibers that serve to optically couple the scattered light and the photodetector(s). To enhance the efficiency of such optical coupling, a portion of each of the optical fibers in the vicinity of its light-collecting end is supported so that its optical axis extends towards the light-scattering source. By this arrangement, scattered light enters each fiber from a direction substantially parallel to the fiber axis. Preferably, the light-collecting ends of the optical fibers are supported on a concave surface and so that the respective optical axes of the fibers converge at a point representing the apparent position of the light-scattering source, taking into account the refractive effects of an optical flow cell through which scattering is detected.

Abstract: A disposable biodegradable snap-on lid for a recappable annular walled paper container having an annular rim around its upper open end. The lid has a top wall and a depending annular skirt formed by the downward extension of the top wall. The lower portion of the skirt is turned inwardly and upwardly and defines an annular locking ring within the skirt spaced upwardly from the lower end of the downwardly open skirt. The locking ring is sized for snap-over engagement with the rim on the container to releasably secure the lid in capping relation to the container. The annular opening at the lower end of the skirt is sized to receive therein and complement the upper end portion of another lid of like kind to facilitate stacking for dispensing and packaging concepts.

Abstract: Improvements in the air circulatory system, counterbalance system, an integrally contained facial tanning unit and an audio console, all of which form components of an ultraviolet light generating tanning system, are disclosed. The air circulatory system utilizes cooling air intake vents, a series of exit fans and a pair of channeled panels having a plurality of apertures formed therein. A series of air baffles or dams are mounted beneath the panels. The facial tanning unit utilizes a series of separate facial ultraviolet lamps, each operatively connected to a separate ballast. The counterbalance system uses a pair of pivot arms mounted in parallel fashion, an axle coupled to and extending between each of the arms, and a pair of torsion springs, each of which is wound around and offset from opposite ends of the axle. The audio console has a housing shaped to match the contours of the tanning system and utilizes a set of controls positioned in an inverted fashion for greater accessibility.

Abstract: Improvements in the air circulatory system, counterbalance system, an integrally contained facial tanning unit and an audio console, all of which form components of an ultra-violet light generating tanning system, are disclosed. The air circulatory system utilizes cooling air intake vents, a series of exit fans and a pair of channeled panels having a plurality of apertures formed therein. A series of air baffles or dams are mounted beneath the panels. The facial tanning unit utilizes a series of separate facial ultraviolet lamps, each operatively connected to a separate ballast. The counterbalance system uses a pair of pivot arms mounted in parallel fashion, an axle coupled to and extending between each of the arms, and a pair of torsion springs, each of which is wound around and offset from opposite ends of the axle. The audio console has a housing shaped to match the contours of the tanning system and utilizes a set of controls positioned in an inverted fashion for greater accessibility.

Abstract: Improvements in the air circulatory system, counterbalance system, an integrally contained facial tanning unit and an audio console, all of which form components of an ultraviolet light generating tanning system, are disclosed. The air circulatory system utilizes cooling air intake vents, a series of exit fans and a pair of channeled panels having a plurality of apertures formed therein. A series of air baffles or dams are mounted beneath the panels. The facial tanning unit utilizes a series of separate facial ultraviolet lamps, each operatively connected to a separate ballast. The counterbalance system uses a pair of pivot arms mounted in parallel fashion, an axle coupled to and extending between each of the arms, and a pair of torsion springs, each of which is wound around and offset from opposite ends of the axle. The audio console has a housing shaped to match the contours of the tanning system and utilizes a set of controls positioned in an inverted fashion for greater accessibility.

Abstract: A door guard for wedging an entry door into a closed position thereby preventing unauthorized, forced opening of the entry door. The door guard includes a base plate which rests on the floor area behind an entry door. A lower brace member is pivotally attached at one end to the base plate. An upper brace member is pivotally attached to the lower brace member with the upper brace member including a plastic coated yoke member which is placed under and partially around the doorknob of an entry door. A spring is positioned to coact between the upper and lower brace members to bias the brace members into an aligned relationship. The overall length of the door guard can be adjusted by connecting the upper brace member to the lower brace member at different openings along the lower brace member. After the upper and lower brace members are brought into an aligned relationship, a rectangular buckle lock is positioned to lock the members together.

Abstract: Improvements in the air circulatory system, counterbalance system, an integrally contained facial tanning unit and an audio console, all of which form components of an ultraviolet light generating tanning system, are disclosed. The air circulatory system utilizes cooling air intake vents, a series of exit fans and a pair of channeled panels having a plurality of apertures formed therein. A series of air baffles or dams are mounted beneath the panels. The facial tanning unit utilizes a series of separate facial ultraviolet lamps, each operatively connected to a separate ballast. The counterbalance system uses a pair of pivot arms mounted in parallel fashion, an axle coupled to and extending between each of the arms, and a pair of torsion springs, each of which is wound around and offset from opposite ends of the axle. The audio console has a housing shaped to match the contours of the tanning system and utilizes a set of controls positioned in an inverted fashion for greater accessibility.