Abstract: A counting device includes a shaft, a handle affixed to a first end of the shaft, and a locking unit mounted in the handle spaced from the shaft. A locking plate has an opening for accommodating the shaft. The locking plate has a plurality of recesses facing the locking unit for cooperating with the locking unit. A position indicating assembly is coupled to the shaft to move as the handle is rotated. The recesses are arranged in a circular pattern on the locking plate such that the locking unit engages each recess as the handle is rotated around the shaft. The recesses are configured to permit one-way rotation of the handle.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region. A cap is sealable on the holder. An opening is defined in the body or cap that forms a single tortuous ingress and egress path communicating the interior chamber with the environs. An insulating layer is disposed over the body and cap to fully insulate the body and cap other than over the opening so as to not interfere with the ingress and egress path. The insulating layer reduces the heat transference from the environs to the interior chamber region.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region and a sleeve positionable within the internal chamber. A cap is sealable on the holder and a plug is positioned in the body. The plug has a wall having a spiral formed groove therein in communication with the internal chamber region. An opening in the holder provides for a flow path for communication between the environs and the internal chamber, and another opening(s) provides for a second flow path for communication between the internal chamber and the inner chamber of the sleeve. An indicator tube carries a biological indicator and has openings therein.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region. A cap is sealable on the holder. A plug is positioned in the body. The plug has a wall having a spiral formed groove therein in communication with the internal chamber region. An opening provides for a single flow path for communication between the environs and the internal chamber via the groove.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region. A cap is sealable on the holder. A plug is positioned in the body. The plug has a wall having a spiral formed groove therein in communication with the internal chamber region. An opening provides for a single flow path for communication between the environs and the internal chamber via the groove.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region and a sleeve positionable within the internal chamber. A cap is sealable on the holder and a plug is positioned in the body. The plug has a wall having a spiral formed groove therein in communication with the internal chamber region. An opening in the holder provides for a flow path for communication between the environs and the internal chamber, and another opening(s) provides for a second flow path for communication between the internal chamber and the inner chamber of the sleeve. An indicator tube carries a biological indicator and has openings therein.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region. A cap is sealable on the holder. An opening is defined in the body or cap that forms a single tortuous ingress and egress path communicating the interior chamber with the environs. An insulating layer is disposed over the body and cap to fully insulate the body and cap other than over the opening so as to not interfere with the ingress and egress path. The insulating layer reduces the heat transference from the environs to the interior chamber region.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region. A cap is sealable on the holder. A plug is positioned in the body. The plug has a wall having a spiral formed groove therein in communication with the internal chamber region. An opening provides for a single flow path for communication between the environs and the internal chamber via the groove.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region. A cap is sealable on the holder. A plug is positioned in the body. The plug has a wall having a spiral formed groove therein in communication with the internal chamber region. An opening provides for a single flow path for communication between the environs and the internal chamber via the groove.

Abstract: A cover for a medical probe comprises a generally tubular membrane having a closed end and an open end. A mounting ring is provided, having a bond to the tubular membrane adjacent to the open membrane end. The mounting ring preferably has a first ring portion shaped to lock into engagement with the medical probe while the probe has a forward portion extending into the tubular membrane. The mounting ring also has a second ring portion which carries the bond to the tubular membrane, and which is attached to the first ring portion in a resilient manner, to permit the membrane and mounting ring to be longitudinally stretched by the medical probe when mounted therein, with the first ring portion being locked on the probe in said engagement. Typically, the tubular membrane comprises an inner tubular membrane portion and an outer tubular membrane portion. The outer tubular portion comprises the closed end, and is made of typically an infrared-transparent plastic material.

Abstract: A protective sheath for an endoscope probe comprises a pair of elongated plastic sheets peripherally sealed together at the sides and distal ends thereof, while being unsealed at the proximal ends. A first of the sheets is transparent, having greater optical clarity than the other sheet. The other sheet has better frictional slip characteristics than the first sheath. Also, an intermediate plastic sheet may be provided between the pair of plastic sheets, so that the endoscope probe slides into the sheath between the other sheet and the intermediate sheet. The intermediate plastic sheet may have better frictional slip characteristics than the first sheet, to render easier the advancement of the probe into the sheath. The intermediate sheet terminates short of the distal ends of the sheet pair.

Abstract: A sheath for a probe comprises a flattened probe sheath having an open end and a closed end. The sheath also defines a pair of peripherally connected flat sides. Each flat side of the sheath defines a distal portion and a proximal portion connected together by a transverse seal area. The proximal portion is typically made of a material which is of greater penetration strength than the distal portion. The sheath is proportioned to fit into the human mouth with the teeth normally engaging the proximal portion. Thus, the sheath is capable of substantially preventing bite-through in human mouths when enclosing a glass thermometer or other probe, while the distal end is preferably made of a softer material than each proximal portion, for an improvement in comfort.

Abstract: A sheath for a probe comprises a flat probe sheath having an open end and a closed end with the sheath defining a pair of peripherally connected flat sides. By this invention, each flat side of the sheath defines a portion, positioned at least intermediate the sheath ends, which portion comprises a pair of joined inner and outer plastic layers. The inner plastic layer is made of a material readily heat sealable with itself and the material of the outer plastic layer. The outer plastic layer is made of a material of a strength and thickness capable of substantially preventing bite-through in human mouths.

Abstract: A packaged sheath for a probe comprises a backing web, a flattened probe sheath having an open and a closed end and made of a pair of connected flat sides, and first and second tab members sealed to respective flat sides of the sheath adjacent the open end. The tab members serve as a gripping handle for the sheath, the first tab member having an outer end projecting beyond the second tab member. An upper web is peripherally sealed to the backing web at side areas, the first and second tab members projecting outwardly beyond the ends of the backing web and upper web adjacent the sheath open end. This permits easy grasping of the tab members without grasping of the backing or upper web, having advantages as described.

Abstract: A packaged sheath for a probe such as a medical thermometer or the like comprises a backing web, and a flattened probe sheath having an open end and a closed end. The sheath defines a pair of connected, flat sides, with a portion of one flat side of the sheath being sealed adjacent its open end to the backing web. A tab member is sealed in an area to the other flat side of the sheath adjacent its open end. An upper web is peripherally sealed to the backing web at side areas. A preferred design of packaged sheath in accordance with this invention can be opened in a variety of different ways, to conform to varying, customary procedures to which the user has been previously trained.

Abstract: A process for wrapping articles and providing a reclosable plastic container is disclosed. A plastic sheet is conveyed in a feed direction and a stiff closure member is aligned with the plastic sheet substantially parallel to the feed direction. The article to be wrapped is fed into the plastic sheet and one side of the plastic sheet is folded over the article and alongside the closure member. The other side of the plastic sheet is folded alongside the closure member in the opposite direction so that portions of the plastic sheet alongside the closure member face each other. Portions of the platic sheet facing each other on opposite sides of the closure member are heat sealed so as to enclose the closure member within heat sealed portions of the plastic sheet. The overfolded plastic sheet is heat sealed and cut transversely to form the container.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a reclosable plastic bag formed of heat sealable material. A web of the material is fed to a main folding station. A continuous length of a closure strip, capable of being bent manually and retaining its bent shape, is provided. The closure strip overlies the web adjacent one longitudinal side thereof but inwardly a sufficient distance to permit a portion of the web to be folded over the closure strip. The overfolded web portion is heat sealed to the web to form a pocket receiving the closure strip. Thereafter, the web is folded longitudinally at the folding station and the folded product is conveyed to a heat sealing and cutting station.The resulting product comprises a reclosable plastic bag having a front wall, a back wall, a closed bottom and heat sealed side edges. The closure strip extends transverse the width of the bag substantially from one side of the bag to the other side.

Abstract: A flexible closure strip capable of being bent manually and retaining the bent shape is interposed between the front ply and the back ply of a thermoplastic bag. The front and back plies are heat sealed to each other to form a pocket in which the stiffener strip is located and a bag mouth is formed under the heat seal.

Abstract: The back wall of a plastic bag formed of heat sealable film-type material is folded over a stiffener strip and is sealed to itself. The stiffener strip is intermediate at least two plies formed from the overfolded back wall and a bag mouth portion is located intermediate the stiffener strip and the bottom of the bag.

Abstract: Heat sealing apparatus is provided in which a heat seal head defines longitudinal slots which underlie a wire heating element and communicate with a cooling fluid path to provide rapid cooling to the heating element. The longitudinal slots have a width that is narrower than the width of the wire to provide wall supports on opposite sides of the wire.