Abstract: A tool and methods of use is described. The tool tightens or loosens a fit of torque-limited fittings to respective ports of a fluid-handling device. The tool includes a torque application assembly disposed within a fitting receiving end of a tool body to receive a fitting. The tool body includes a slit between ends to receive a fitting tube. The torque application assembly includes an internal feature and a notch to align with the slit and receive the tube. In both a compressive direction of rotation under a threshold torque and an opposite, decompressive direction of rotation, the internal feature is configured for engagement with a resilient feature of the fitting such that rotation of the torque application assembly causes a fitting rotation. In a compressive direction of rotation at or above the threshold torque, rotation of the torque application assembly fails to cause a fitting rotation.

Abstract: Fluidic coupling assemblies include a fitting body having a single integral piece or separable pieces such as male and female fittings such as luer fittings. The assemblies further comprise a rotatable fastening assembly having a drive collar and a driven member, and at least one resilient member having a spring bias that defines a threshold torque of the rotatable fastening assembly. The spring bias may be directed axially or radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fluidic coupling assembly. The resilient member is configured to prevent overtightening of the fluidic coupling assembly by allowing the drive collar to rotate the driven member only when less than a threshold torque is applied. Rotation of the rotatable fastening assembly imparts a compressive force on the resilient member, and the resilient member yields when the compressive force exceeds the spring bias of the resilient member.

Abstract: A high efficiency diametrically compact, radial oriented piston hydraulic machine includes a cylinder block with a plurality of cylinders coupled to a first port by a first valve and to a second port by a second valve. A drive shaft with an eccentric cam, is rotatably received in the cylinder block and a cam bearing extend around the eccentric cam. A separate piston is slideably received in each cylinder. A piston rod is coupled at one end to the piston and a curved shoe at the other end abuts the cam bearing. The curved shoe distributes force from the piston rod onto a relatively large area of the cam bearing and a retaining ring holds each shoe against the cam bearing. The cylinder block has opposing ends with a side surface there between through which every cylinder opens. A band engages the side surface closing the openings of the cylinders.

Abstract: Fitting assemblies are disclosed that include a threaded conduit and a releasable longitudinal restrictor comprising a compressible port securement. The threaded conduit can be configured to engage a complementary threaded portion of a fluid port and include a fluid channel traversing a longitudinal axis of the threaded conduit. The releasable longitudinal restrictor can engage an outer periphery of the threaded conduit and may be configured to advance along the longitudinal axis of the threaded conduit in a first direction towards the port while releasably restricting movement along the threaded conduit in a second direction, opposite the first direction. A leading edge of the compressible port securement may also be configured to engage an engaging surface of the port such that the compressible port securement compresses to permit spring-loaded advancement of the releasable longitudinal restrictor in the first direction and restrict rotational movement of the threaded conduit relative the port.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a multi-use torque fitting, a length of tubing, and a compressible ferrule, wherein the assembly is configured to couple an end of the length of tubing to a port of a fluid-handling device in a hermetically sealed or substantially leak-proof manner. Generally, the fitting is configured to provide a degree of compression to the compressible ferrule sufficient to prevent fluid leakage at the ferrule/port interface. This fitting generally comprises a threaded body portion and a torque-limiting body portion, wherein the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are arranged concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the fitting.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a multi-use torque fitting and a length of tubing. The torque fitting generally comprises a threaded body portion and a torque-limiting body portion, wherein the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are arranged substantially concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the fitting. The length of tubing, meanwhile, generally comprises a compressible seal formed at its end. Generally, the torque fitting is configured to couple the length of tubing to a fluid port in a hermetically sealed or substantially leak-proof manner by providing a degree of compression to the compressible seal of the length of tubing sufficient to prevent substantial fluid leakage at the tube/port interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an assembly comprising a multi-use torque fitting, a length of tubing, and a compressible ferrule, wherein the assembly is configured to couple an end of the length of tubing to a port of a fluid-handling device in a hermetically sealed or substantially leak-proof manner. Generally, the fitting is configured to provide a degree of compression to the compressible ferrule sufficient to prevent substantial fluid leakage at the ferrule/port interface. This fitting generally comprises a threaded body portion and a torque-limiting body portion, wherein the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are arranged substantially concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the fitting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embodiments of an assembly comprising a multi-use torque fitting and a length of tubing. The torque fitting generally comprises a threaded body portion and a torque-limiting body portion, wherein the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are arranged substantially concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the fitting. The length of tubing, meanwhile, generally comprises a compressible seal formed at its end. Generally, the torque fitting is configured to couple the length of tubing to a fluid port in a hermetically sealed or substantially leak-proof manner by providing a degree of compression to the compressible seal of the length of tubing sufficient to prevent substantial fluid leakage at the tube/port interface.

Abstract: Additive dispensing units and methods of using same are provided. In an embodiment, the modular dispensing unit comprises a support, a plurality of containers attached to the support and a plurality of pumps attached to the support. For example, each of the containers can include an additive. The pumps are operatively connected to the containers for dispensing one or more of the additives from the containers. The dispensing unit is so constructed and arranged to be attached to and operatively associated with a beverage dispensing machine.

Abstract: Fastening devices and apparatuses for providing an appropriate amount of torque in a fastening system. Particularly, fastening devices and apparatuses configured to inform a user when an appropriate amount of torque as been used when fastening the fastening device to a designated object.

Abstract: A merchandiser for displaying and warming previously baked dough products, such as a filled pastry shell or other baked dough product, under controlled drying conditions, including an enclosure having one or more wall members that define an interior space, with at least a portion of one of the wall members being transparent, an opening for access into the interior space, a removable support member within the enclosure that includes at least one support surface for previously baked dough products and a spacing arrangement configured and adapted to reproducibly position the support member within the interior space of the enclosure member to facilitate substantially uniform airflow around each support surface and throughout the enclosure, and a heating system for providing heated air in the enclosure, wherein the substantially uniform airflow provides controlled drying of the previously baked dough products in the enclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for ensuring more uniform heating of food by microwaves. The method includes providing food in a portion having a predetermined size and shape; and providing a container adapted for receiving and reheating the portion of food in a microwave oven. The container forms a supporting cavity having peripheral sides and a bottom side, with the portion of food placed within the supporting cavity. The peripheral sides of the container are circumferentially shielded by a microwave reflective material that forms a circumference having axial and transverse distances that are determined so as to change the wavelength of resonant modes inside the food thereby resulting in a more uniform heating food pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for ensuring more uniform heating of food by microwaves. The method includes providing food in a portion having a predetermined size and shape; and providing a container adapted for receiving and reheating the portion of food in a microwave oven. The container forms a supporting cavity having peripheral sides and a bottom side, with the portion of food placed within the supporting cavity. The peripheral sides of the container are circumferentially shielded by a microwave reflective material that forms a circumference having axial and transverse distances that are determined so as to change the wavelength of resonant modes inside the food thereby resulting in a more uniform heating food pattern.

Abstract: A feeder system for sequentially supplying a plurality of cuvettes or other objects to a conveyor track. The system includes a cassette, an escapement, and an actuator. The cassette retains the objects/cuvettes in at least one substantially vertical stack over the conveyor. The escapement is movable between a first position in which the escapement supports the bottom object in the stack, a second middle position in which the escapement supports both the bottom object and the object above it and a third position in which the escapement continues to support the object in said stack above the bottom object and releases the bottom object to be deposited on the conveyor. The actuator moves the escapement between the first, second and third positions. Novel apparatus for use in the system, including a stick for loading cuvettes into a cassette and a cuvette particularly adapted for stacking, are also provided.

Abstract: A feeder system for sequentially supplying a plurality of cuvettes or other objects to a conveyor track. The system includes a cassette, an escapement, and an actuator. The cassette retains the objects/cuvettes in at least one substantially vertical stack over the conveyor. The escapement is movable between a first position in which the escapement supports the bottom object in the stack, a second middle position in which the escapement supports both the bottom object and the object above it and a third position in which the escapement continues to support the object in said stack above the bottom object and releases the bottom object to be deposited on the conveyor. The actuator moves the escapement between the first, second and third positions. Novel apparatus for use in the system, including a stick for loading cuvettes into a cassette and a cuvette particularly adapted for stacking, are also provided.