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of liquid reagent of the container to provide a means for reducing the residual volume of reagent which can not be withdrawn from the vial by the probe.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: 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: 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 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.

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: 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: An injection molded assembly forming a sealing device for a threaded or non-threaded container using a double cap concept with pressure responsive convex sealing; also disclosed is a wiping mechanism, a one piece construction, a tamper resistant construction, a limited air exchange construction while allowing easy access to fluid contents, a sterile air venting and filter construction, a one piece tamper evident closure with a tethered container, and a frangible tether means molded with the formation of the sealing device.

Abstract: A monolithic earplug being compressible or deformable. The earplug is fabricated from an extruded, elastomeric thermoplastic in order that it may be rapidly and efficiently produced, and then the extrudate is cut at the die face, as it emerges therefrom, into discrete pieces to form earplugs having convex end portions and a skin extending over its entire outer surface.

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.

Abstract: An improved sealing device for a container is provided with a sealing member that varies the sealing capacity of the device in response to pressure changes within the container. The sealing member is further provided with very small vent channels that aid in the sterile air venting of the container. In further embodiments, the sealing device is constructed with a pipette tip wiping mechanism, a tamper evident tethered one piece assembly, filtering capability and the ability to store chemicals, tissue samples etc. in the closure itself for ease of testing and/or evaluations.

Abstract: An apparatus to dispense a droplet of liquid, such as solder flux, onto the surface of a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, and thereafter flatten the droplet with a burst of pressurized air directed onto the droplet. A dispenser has a dispenser body, which has a liquid supply passageway adapted to connect to a source of liquid. A nozzle body connects to the dispenser body and includes a liquid discharge passageway in fluid communication with the liquid supply passageway. The nozzle body also has an air discharge orifice which is adapted to connect to a source of pressurized air for selectively discharging bursts of pressurized air. The air discharge orifice is configured and aligned with the liquid discharge passageway so that the discharged bursts of pressurized air impinge upon one of the droplets of liquid dispensed from the liquid discharge passageway so as to flatten that droplet and thereby increase the contact area between the droplet and the substrate.

Abstract: A pocket door angle drill having a right angle driver with a truly telescopic handle portion that may be extended to reach into confined spaces. The right angle driver has a casing and an internal gear assembly for translating rotary motion from a horizontal drive shaft to a vertical drive shaft. The drill further includes a telescopically extendable primary drive shaft portion that may be operatively connected to a power rotary device, and, optionally, an extension pole having an extension drive shaft for providing access to remote confined spaces.

Abstract: A method of assembling electronic components using a dispenser having a nozzle in fluid communication with a source of viscous liquid having a high surface tension and having an air discharge passage in fluid communication with a source of pressurized air. A droplet of the viscous liquid is dispensed from the nozzle onto a printed circuit board to form an initial contact area between the droplet and the printed circuit board and the high surface tension of the droplet causes the initial contact area to remain substantially constant. A burst of air is then discharged from the air discharge passage for impinging the droplet after the droplet contacts the printed circuit board, which increases the initial contact area between the droplet and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a small amount of a viscous liquid material onto a substrate, the apparatus comprising a housing and piston positioned within the housing and having a lower surface and a flow bore extending therein, the flow bore having an inlet for receiving the viscous liquid material and an outlet. The apparatus further includes a compressible dispensing element positioned within the housing below and in liquid tight sealing engagement with the lower surface of the piston and having a passage extending therethrough, the passage having an inlet in liquid communication with the outlet of the flow bore and an outlet. The lower surface of the piston is capable of applying a force to compress the dispensing element causing the passage to at least partially close expelling a small amount of the viscous liquid material from the outlet of the passage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dispensing droplets of liquid or viscous material. The apparatus generally comprises a valve operated dispenser and a control for moving the valve member with respect to a valve seat in rapid succession. This rapidly accelerates liquid or viscous material in a stream from the dispenser outlet and immediately breaks the stream into a minute droplet. Various embodiments of the valve seat include both rigid valve seats and resilient valve seats. Resilient valve seats are especially useful for dispensing solder pastes as they can prevent material flaking, compacting and clogging conditions. Low friction polymer or plastic material for dispenser components such as the valve member and outlet structure can also prevent such problems.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for identifying a media type to be printed upon and communicating the identification to a printer. The method includes the steps of: reading data printed on a leading edge of the media to at least identify the media type; storing the data and employing information from the data to establish printer control parameters; removing the leading portion of the media which contains the data and thereafter printing on the media, as required. Upon occurrence of a later event, data identifying the media is reprinted on a leading edge of the media, which data is derived from data that was stored when the data from the media was initially read. The data printed on the leading edge, in addition to identifying the media type, preferably indicates a remaining length of media available for printing.

Abstract: Turbochargers experience tensile loads due their high rotational speeds. These tensile loads tend to expand surface defects present about a bore portion of a compressor wheel. Expansion of these surface defects may ultimately result in failure of the compressor wheel. Removing these surface defects or imparting residual compressive stresses on the bore portion reduces failure of the compressor wheel caused by tensile loading.