Abstract: A punch assembly having a head with an approximately flat top, an engagement projection and a groove; and a cylindrical punch having a tip end and a head engaging end, wherein the head engaging end has mounted thereon opposing pivoting arms having projections; the arms held by pivot pins and a compression spring mounted between the arms in a closed position; wherein the engagement projection of the head is pressed between the arms and snaps into place; and the projections are securely engaged in the groove.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A transport tube receives pills from the hopper. The transport tube has a controllable aperture for facilitating or inhibiting delivery of pills to the transport tube. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the transport tube, and the input aperture. Optionally, a feed chute can be operatively connected between the hopper and the transport tube. The system can self-calibrate the mechanism for counting and dispensing pills by dynamically adjusting the input aperture based upon the stored information representative of the pulse width signal and the amplitude signal.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A transport tube receives pills from the hopper. The transport tube has a controllable aperture for facilitating or inhibiting delivery of pills to the transport tube. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the transport tube, and the input aperture. Optionally, a feed chute can be operatively connected between the hopper and the transport tube. The system can self-calibrate the mechanism for counting and dispensing pills by dynamically adjusting the input aperture based upon the stored information representative of the pulse width signal and the amplitude signal.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A feed chute having a detector mechanism is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the feed chute, and the detector mechanism. The microcontroller calculates the volume of each of the pills transiting the detector mechanism based on occluded electromagnetic signals detected by the detector mechanism and the time of transit of each pill relative thereto.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A transport tube is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom, the transport tube having an input aperture. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the hopper, the transport tube, and the input aperture. A mechanism accepts a desired number of pills to be delivered by the transport tube by an operator. The microcontroller is adapted to determine whether the actual average number of pills delivered by the transport tube is equal to the desired number of pills specified by the operator. If the actual average number of pills is greater than the desired number, the microcontroller decreases the opening of the input aperture. A mechanism connected to the inlet aperture controls opening and closing operations thereof, pursuant to instructions transmitted by the microcontroller.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A feed chute having a transport spiral therein is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom. The transport spiral has an outlet and controllable aperture. A vibrating plate is disposed proximate the outlet. A drive mechanism is connected to the vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto. The drive mechanism can abruptly stop the vibration of the vibrating plate. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the transport spiral, and the drive mechanism. The system can self-calibrate the mechanism for counting and dispensing pills.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A feed chute is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom. The feed chute has an outlet and controllable aperture. A vibrating plate is disposed proximate the outlet. A drive mechanism is connected to the vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto. The drive mechanism has a mechanism for abruptly stopping the vibration of the vibrating plate. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the feed chute, and the drive mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is related to treated filler and processes for producing said treated filler. Untreated filler slurry can be treated with a treating material and, optionally, a coupling material and then subjected to conventional drying method(s), to produce the treated filler of the invention. Treated filler has a wide variety of applications including but not limited to battery separators and rubber compositions such as tires.

Abstract: The present invention is related to treated filler and processes for producing said treated filler. Untreated filler slurry can be treated with a treating material and then subjected to conventional drying method(s), to produce the treated filler of the invention. Treated filler has a wide variety of applications including but not limited to battery separators and rubber compositions such as tires.

Abstract: The present invention is related to treated filler and processes by which it can be produced. Untreated filler slurry can be treated with a treating material and then subjected to conventional drying method(s), to produce the treated filler of the invention. Treated filler has a wide variety of applications including but not limited to battery separators and rubber compositions such as tires.

Abstract: The present invention is related to treated filler, processes for producing said treated filler and the use of said treated filler in polymeric compositions. In particular, filler can be treated with at least one non-coupling material and at least one coupling material, then subjected to conventional drying method(s), to produce the treated filler of the present invention. The resultant treated filler has a wide variety of applications including polymeric compositions such as but not limited to rubber compositions such as tires.

Abstract: An ignition coil, spark plug, and pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine are, in a preferred embodiment, integrated into a single assembly and mounted directly on a plug hole of an internal combustion engine. A hard spark plug shell serves as a pressure member and on which a strain gage is affixed. Changes in the pressure in the combustion chamber deform the shell, causing a corresponding change in the resistance of the strain gage. A bridge circuit or the like is used to measure the resistance change thereby providing a direct indication of cylinder pressure.

Abstract: A monitoring system for adjusting a light source for a counting cell signal in a counting and dispensing system, which light deteriorates over time as a result of dust accumulation from the handling of pills, capsules, and tablets. The monitoring system uses electronics to adjust the light relative to the dust accumulation, thus maintaining an accurate counting cell signal, so that the system can continue to function. In this respect, the monitoring system provides for longer intervals between required maintenance operations, and therefore reduces the cost of operation.