Abstract: An injection molded assembly forming a Membrane Pipette Tip having at least one bottom portion including a apex end for receiving a calibrated first volume of fluid, a cavity for holding said volume of fluid and a opening with shoulder for receiving the filter membrane. The pipette tip includes at least one upper body having a first opening for communication to a pipetter and a second opening for receiving the shoulder of the bottom portion. The bottom portion fused at the shoulder to the second opening of the upper body with the membrane therebetween to permanently attach the membrane filter to the pipette tip. The 2 part Membrane Pipette Tip can be constructed as a single tip or a plurality of upper and bottom portions with optional tubular members that can include overflow wells for containing fluid in excess of the first volume of fluid drawn into the Membrane Pipette Tip cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for safely and effectively restraining a person having hands restrained by handcuffs joined by a connecting element is disclosed. An enclosure is placed around the hands and handcuffs the person to be secured. The enclosure includes a pair of walls defining an opening, each wall having a top peripheral edge and an aperture spaced apart from the top peripheral edge. A fastening element is extended through the apertures of the walls and fastened to restrict the movement of the hands and handcuffs of the person. The fastening element encircles the opening and top peripheral edges of the walls of the enclosure but does not encircle the connecting element of the handcuffs.

Abstract: An umbrella base is comprised of a body portion containing a power source for powering umbrella lights or electrical devices or appliances used around the umbrella or other furniture accessory held by the base. A power console is provided for use on or above the base to provide connectivity to the power supply.

Abstract: A light sensor for an ultraviolet lamp system of the type having an electrodeless lamp excited by microwave energy includes a detector configured to detect light generated by the electrodeless lamp. An elongated channel is configured to be interposed between the detector and the electrodeless lamp. The elongated channel has a first aperture and a second aperture defined at opposing ends thereof. The first aperture is configured to receive light generated by the electrodeless lamp. The second aperture is positioned proximate the detector to transmit at least a portion of light received in the first aperture to the detector.

Abstract: An improved liquid handling needle device for use with the reconstitution of toxic drugs such as those used in chemotherapy and other applications. When diluent, in this example, is added through a septum into a sealed container, a positive pressure builds up. Aerosols containing the reconstituted drugs can be release through the punctured opening exposing personnel to potential contamination. This improved needle device provides a low-cost aerosol resistant vent channel between the outside diameter of the needle and the inside diameter of the tubular member holding it allowing gas diffusion from inside of the sealed container through the vent channel to the outside of the container when said needle device is inserted into the sealed container.

Abstract: A wiping cap closure device used for removing the non-calibrated residue fluid attached to the outside surface of a pipette tip during the fluid transfer from a container. The wiping cap is constructed using a conical shaped resilient wiper section extending to a conical tip. The conical shaped wiper section is configured to include at least one helical formed slot extending from said conical tip forming at least one wiping finger. The wiping finger is resiliently held against the outside surface of the pipette tip inserted therethrough during the fluid transfer. The wiping finger provides squeegee like means to remove all of the non-calibrated residue fluid inadvertently attached to the outside surface of the tip as the pipette tip is withdrawn from the container leaving the non-calibrated residue fluid within the container for further evaluations or tests.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed pipette tip that can be securely mounted to a barrel of a pipetter yet is designed to substantially reduce the axial force necessary to install and eject the pipette tip from the pipetter. The ergonomic pipette tip includes molded-in expansion joints and/or the addition of a second elastic material to decrease the amount of force necessary to radially expand the entrance to the pipette tip when the pipetter barrel is guided and stability oriented towards the sealing region of the pipette tip. Also disclosed is an ergonomic adapter with similar features as the tip that can also be mounted to the barrel of the pipetter and attached to a standard pipette tip or a combination of tips. Therefore, the relatively small axial forces necessary for mounting and ejecting the new ergonomic tip and adapter can substantially help to reduce the hand and thumb forces, that due to repeated use, will sometimes result in repetitive stress injury.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacture for a pipette tip having a membrane filter includes a pipette tip having an interior annulus for receiving an exterior perimeter of the membrane filter. A shear plate overlying the pipette tip defines an aperture having a dimension equal to the exterior perimeter of the membrane filter. A cylindrical punch has a path of motion for passing through the aperture in the shear plate to the interior annulus of the pipette tip. Membrane filter material is placed over the shear plate in the path of motion of the cylindrical punch. By the expedient of moving the cylindrical punch through the membrane filter material, the aperture in the shear plate, to the interior annulus of the pipette tip to place sheared filter material over the annulus of the pipette tip. Specific embodiments of pipette tips are illustrated including tips having a first filter for filtering material drawn into the pipette tip and second filters from preventing contamination of the pipette.

Abstract: A lubricated ball bearing for use in ball bearing sets is disclosed. The lubricated ball bearing features a lubricating coating applied to its outer surface. The lubricating coating preferably comprises silver, and enables the ball bearing to be utilized in bearing assemblies environments where other lubricants may not be acceptably used, such as in the high vacuum environment of an x-ray tube. The lubricating coating is attached to the ball bearing via an intermediate bonding layer that is interposed between the outer surface of the ball bearing core and the lubricating coating. The intermediate bonding layer, preferably comprising nickel, is chemically bonded to both the ball bearing core and the lubricating coating. This produces a lubricating coating having a high-strength adhesion to the ball bearing such that flaking or degrading of the coating will not occur in the high heat, high vacuum environment of the x-ray tube during x-ray production.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reagent vial designed for use with automated processing devices. In one aspect, the present reagent vial comprises a container portion configured to contain a volume of liquid reagent, and having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the container portion is configured to provide access to the contents of the container portion by a probe, typically of a type used by an automated processing apparatus to withdraw the liquid reagent therein contained. The lower end of the container portion is configured to provide a chamber aligned with the probe access, and having a lesser cross sectional area than the main container portion. The chamber is thus configured to contain a portion of the volume of liquid reagent of the container to provide a means for reducing the residual volume of reagent which can not be withdrawn from the vial by the probe.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided that dispenses minute quantities of liquid material, such as, for example, pharmaceutical suspensions, while maintaining substantial homogeneity of the suspension. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a mixing device that stirs, agitates or otherwise imparts motion to the suspension that is contained in a reservoir. For example, a mixing device is realized in the form of a magnetic impeller, mixer or stirrer that is disposed within the suspension. A series of magnets external to the reservoir are rotated to produce a rotating magnetic field that induces rotation of the impeller.

Abstract: Techniques for encoding data identifying media type and roll length information on a print media for a large format printer. A method for described for identifying at least a media length value for a roll-type media to be printed upon to a printer controller in a printer. The method includes in one embodiment, keeping track of the length of media used during printing operations, prior to removing the roll from the printer, printing an indicia on a remaining portion of the roll which identifies at least the remaining length of the print medium, removing the roll from the printer, reinstalling the removed roll in the printer, reading the indicia to determine the remaining length of the media, and using the remaining length information during subsequent printing operations. The data can be encoded as a grayscale code which is read by the printer's optical sensor, or be a human-readable indicia.

Abstract: A sealable container is formed by a cylindrical member and a sealing cap for mating with the cylindrical member. A flexible tether is integrally connected to the sealing cap and the cylindrical member. The tether has a slide ring with at least one frangible bridge connecting the ring to the cylindrical member. Alternatively, the slide ring of the tether has at least one frangible bridge connecting the ring to the sealing cap. The sealing cap can have a frangibly connected lower skirt which fractures when the sealing cap is opened. Alternatively, the slide ring connected to the sealing cap by at least one frangible bridge can have a frangibly connected lower skirt which fractures when the sealing cap is opened. The cylindrical member may be a container or a fitment with a flange to attach to a container.

Abstract: A 90° swivel connector capable of rotating 360° has threads on one end that screw into a threaded hole in a boss on a compressor portion of a turbocharger and has barbs on the other end of the swivel connector for receiving and retaining a hose. The 360° rotation enables alignment of the swivel connector with the hose to prevent kinking of the hose when the relative angular position of the connector and hose is varied to facilitate diverse engine usage.