Abstract: An automated slide stainer with slides mounted in a horizontal position on a rotary carousel. Reagents and rinse liquids are automatically dispensed onto tissue sections or cells mounted on slides for the purpose of performing chemical or immunohistochemical stains. The rinse liquids are removed by an aspiration head connected to a source of vacuum. The aspiration head is a hollow chamber with a flattened bottom aspect. Eight holes in the bottom of the aspiration head provide for fluid communication between the exterior and interior of the aspiration head. To aspirate liquid off of a slide, the aspiration head is lowered so that the bottom aspect contacts the liquid. The liquid is sucked into the hollow interior of the aspiration head and collected into a liquid waste collection bottle. Several different liquid waste collection bottles are placed in parallel, between the source of vacuum and the aspiration head. A solenoid valve is positioned in line with each liquid waste collection bottle.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing cartridge pump suitable for dispensing reagent in an automatic system includes a compressible metering chamber suspended from a reservoir bag mounted within a rigid housing. Check valves between the reservoir and metering chamber and at a lower end of a metering chamber are formed of flexible membranes having apertures which close against conical projections on rigid disks. The reservoir and metering chamber pivot as a compression member squeezes the metering chamber against a back surface.

Abstract: This invention describes a cartridge pump and dispensing assembly for applications where cartridges containing liquid reagents are interchanged often. The cartridge pump comprises a reagent reservoir which directly empties into a metering chamber. A valve is at each end of the metering chamber. The two valves are aligned in the same direction so as to allow unidirectional liquid flow. The metering chamber is made of a compressible material, such as flexible tubing, so that when an external compression is applied to the chamber, the liquid contained therein is forcibly expelled. As the compression is removed, the metering chamber resumes its former shape and draws liquid into the chamber from the reagent reservoir. A dispensing assembly with electromechanical actuators for compression of the metering chamber and a means for sensing the amount of liquid contained within the reagent reservoir are also shown.

Abstract: A power recoilable rule has an elongated bumper for cushioning the recoil impact of the blade hook when the blade is refracted into the casing. The casing has an opening at a juncture between the bottom wall and front wall, and a bumper is mounted in the casing within the opening for linear sliding movement relative to the casing in a path along the bottom wall. The opening in the front wall and the outer end of the bumper cooperate to provide an exit aperture for the elongated blade which extends outwardly through the exit aperture and has a hook on its outer end. A shock absorbing compression spring acts between the inner end of the bumper and the housing, and it is compressed by the inward movement of the bumper to absorb energy imparted by the hook when it impacts the bumper.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved pressure transfer module having, in one embodiment, two double-diaphragm pumps each having its diaphragms connected to one another by a respective drive shaft for reciprocating motion. Spool valve assemblies are mounted directly on the connecting shafts of each pump and arranged to maintain the operation of the two diaphragms of the pumps 90.degree. out of phase in that each such assembly constitutes pressurized water control valves for the other pump. The two pumps are mounted with the drive shafts at 90.degree. to one another, and arranged to pump in sequence so that a complete pumping cycle comprises four pumping strokes, one every 90.degree.. To insure reversal of motion of the shafts in proper phase, the invention includes either two, meshed square cams and cam surfaces formed on respective shafts connecting the pumping surfaces, or a floating crankshaft with each end pivoted in one of the connecting shafts.

Abstract: This invention describes a cartridge pump and dispensing assembly for applications where cartridges containing liquid reagents are interchanged often. The cartridge pump comprises a reagent reservoir which directly empties into a metering chamber. A valve is at each end of the metering chamber. The two valves are aligned in the same direction so as to allow unidirectional liquid flow. The metering chamber is made of a compressible material, such as flexible tubing, so that when an external compression is applied to the chamber, the liquid contained therein is forcibly expelled. As the compression is removed, the metering chamber resumes its former shape and draws liquid into the chamber from the reagent reservoir. A dispensing assembly with electromechanical actuators for compression of the metering chamber and a means for sensing the amount of liquid contained within the reagent reservoir are also shown.

Abstract: This invention describes a cartridge pump and dispensing assembly for applications where cartridges containing liquid reagents are interchanged often. The cartridge pump comprises a reagent reservoir which directly empties into a metering chamber. A valve is at each end of the metering chamber. The two valves are aligned in the same direction so as to allow unidirectional liquid flow. The metering chamber is made of a compressible material, such as flexible tubing, so that when an external compression is applied to the chamber, the liquid contained therein is forcibly expelled. As the compression is removed, the metering chamber resumes its former shape and draws liquid into the chamber from the reagent reservoir. A dispensing assembly with electromechanical actuators for compression of the metering chamber and a means for sensing the amount of liquid contained within the reagent reservoir are also shown.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier includes a pair of pivotal housing sections on which are provided a pair of clip actuating jaws. An elongated clip sleeve which receives a plurality of surgical clips arranged front to back in a row is mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement between the housing sections. The clip sleeve includes a pair of clip retaining jaws adjacent to its open front to receive and hold a surgical clip advanced from the clip sleeve between the clip actuating jaws on the housing sections. A pusher is mounted on the clip sleeve for engaging the rearmost clip in the row. The surgical clip applier includes a ratchet mechanism which is operable each time the clip sleeve is reciprocated to advance the pusher and the row of clips by one step corresponding to the length of one surgical clip in the row. The ratchet mechanism includes a first ratchet on the clip sleeve and a second ratchet on one of the housing sections which are engaged by pawls on opposite sides of the pusher.

Abstract: A combination space heating and tankless hot water heater includes a vertical closed tank, having upper and lower ends, adapted to hold a large reservoir of liquid heat transfer medium therewithin. A high-efficiency gas/liquid heat exchanger, having upper and lower ends, is disposed within the tank, with the upper end of the gas/liquid heat exchanger at the upper end of the tank and the lower end of the gas/liquid heat exchanger at the lower end of the tank. A burner is disposed at the lower end of the gas/liquid heat exchanger to provide hot gases to flow upwards through the gas/liquid heat exchanger for transfer of heat from the gases across the walls of the gas/liquid heat exchanger and to the heat transfer medium. Means for withdrawing and returning the heat transfer medium from and to the tank for forced circulation for space heating are provided and a heat exchanger is disposed within said tank for receiving cold water and supplying domestic hot water.

Abstract: A machine for automatically producing a sandwich having a variety of fillers such as sliced meat, sliced cheese, shredded lettuce, and sliced pickles. A plurality of cannisters for storing the fillers are positioned above apertures formed in the base of the machine along a straight row. Dispensing means associated with each cannister permit selective removal of sandwich filler. A carriage having support means for carrying the sandwich facing, such as a submarine roll or Pullman bread, is mounted for reciprocation beneath the row(s) of apertures. As the carriage passes beneath selected apertures, sandwich filler is dispensed through the apertures onto the sandwich facing. Control means permit user selection of sandwich fillers and controls operation of the dispensing means and movement of the carriage beneath the apertures in accordance with user selection.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring device including a housing, a rubber bulb connected to the housing for providing fluid under pressure to a cuff and a gauge on the housing for indicating the pressure of the fluid in the cuff. In the housing there is a piston and rolling diaphragm assembly arranged so that the piston is moved by the fluid under pressure. The piston in turn moves the free end of a leaf spring operatively connected to the gauge needle whereby movement of the piston causes the needle to rotate with respect to its dial. The leaf spring is engaged by an adjustable fulcrum that can be moved on one axis to adjust for the zero setting of the gauge needle and on another axis to control the spring rate of the spring. By controlling the spring rate, the gauge can be accurately calibrated. The adjustments for the fulcrum are accesible from the exterior of the housing. The device also includes a valve for bleeding the fluid under pressure and a trigger element for operating the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus which simulates the exercise obtained while climbing stairs includes two hydraulically phased steps retained in adjacent inclined tracks in which the steps are supported in a hydraulically open-ended system, with the phasing of the steps being controlled by a pair of in-line hydraulic actuators, one each associated with a step, in which fluid forced from one actuator with a downward movement of the associated step is channeled through a variable restricted orifice to the other actuator to raise the other step. In one lightweight, compact embodiment, the device is collapsed down to a compact size through the use of steps which are foldable to the track, and through the use of a track foldable to the frame. In its open position the lower portion of the frame props up the track at an appropriate climbing angle, with upper portions of the frame extending above the track to serve as handles positioned above the center of travel of the steps.

Abstract: A portable water distiller having an insulated container for raw water and a removable cover for the container with a low pressure seal which engages the container wall. A condenser coil is provided in the cover along with a motor-driven fan, and inlet and outlet ports are provided about the periphery of the cover to allow cooling air to be drawn into the cover over the condenser coils and motor. An inlet tube connected to the condenser coil receives steam from the container generated by a heater connected to the container bottom.

Abstract: An automatic cooking apparatus wherein a rotating wide-mouthed vessel closed with a lid is supported in a stationary, handle-equipped basket frame by the frame and the lid which engages driving means. Heating means are provided along a portion of the vessel circumference and are controlled to maintain food contained within the vessel at a predetermined temperature for a preset time. Means are provided to sense the temperature of the cooking food and to generate a signal to which both temperature controlling and timing means are responsive. In one embodiment of the apparatus microprocessing control means are used to achieve a desired cooking protocol.

Abstract: An animal trap, of the rotating frame type, having an improved frame construction is disclosed. The trap of the present invention is constructed so that adjacent connecting end portions are substantially parallel when in the closed position, and with the connecting end portions, when in an upright position, being located at an angle relative to the vertical of from about 5 to about 10 degrees. Such a construction results in increased force during closure of the trap, thus providing a trap which is more humane.

Abstract: A swim fin which achieves increased efficiency by increasing drive (forward propulsive thrust) and decreasing effort (resistance to vertical motion) to provide a greater drive-to-effort ratio. The blade of the fin which is pivotally mounted to the foot section along a pivot line aft of the leading edge of the blade, has a reversible effective streamlining camber. These features in combination with a large open flow passage defined between the toe portion and blade make possible the attainment of efficient propulsion through vertical motion of the legs of the wearer of the swim fins.

Abstract: A pump type dispenser for dispensing a spray of liquid has a container for containing the liquid to be dispensed, a piston-cylinder device for drawing liquid out of the container and pressurizing it, a dispensing head into which the pressurized liquid is pumped, with a free piston chamber therein in which is a free piston spring loaded toward the direction from which the pressurized liquid comes, and a nozzle opening out of the free piston chamber through the dispensing head. A check valve between the piston-cylinder device and the free piston chamber blocks return of the fluid once it has been forced into the free piston chamber, so that the free piston acts on the liquid in the free piston chamber to dispense it in a spray through the nozzle while the piston-cylinder device recovers from its actuated to its unactuated position and the next actuation thereof is started.

Abstract: An animal trap of the leghold type having low impact force is disclosed. The means for lessening the impact force of the jaws when they close takes one of three forms. The first is an inertial snubber. The second is an escapement mechanism. The third is a programmed control of the impact force by changing the shape of the bearing surface of the jaws on which the spring rides.

Abstract: An automatic cooking apparatus wherein a rotating wide-mouthed vessel closed with a lid is supported in a stationary, handle-equipped basket frame by the frame and the lid which engages driving means. Heating means are provided along a portion of the vessel circumference and are controlled to maintain food contained within the vessel at a predetermined temperature for a preset time. Means are provided to sense the temperature of the cooking food and to generate a signal to which both temperature controlling and timing means are responsive. In one embodiment of the apparatus microprocessing control means are used to achieve a desired cooking protocol.