Abstract: A back support for a human user includes an elastic support belt having first and second free ends, members secured to the support belt for releasably joining the free ends for maintaining the belt in a closed position in which it forms a closed surface adapted to encircle a human user, and structure secured to the support belt for releasably maintaining the belt in an open position in which the support belt free ends are unattached to each other. A related back support garment includes a garment body having a garment front and a garment back defining an inside and an outside of the garment, the garment body being suitably sized for a human wearer. An elastic support belt is disposed inside the garment body and secured thereto. The elastic support belt has first and second free ends and also has structure for releasably joining the free ends for maintaining the support belt in a closed position in which the support belt forms a closed surface adapted to encircle the human wearer.

Abstract: A collapsible fluid collection device is provided which includes a container having upper and lower relatively movable telescopically disposed members, and sealing means for the container sealing the container against ambient air flowing between the members and into the container.

Abstract: A blood collection device for collecting and separating whole blood into its relatively low and high density phases includes a collection container, and a housing having an enlongate passageway in the housing. Gel-like material having a specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of the separated high and low density phases is disposed in the passageway. A piston having a specific gravity greater than that of the gel-like material is disposed in the passageway and sized to allow gel-like material to flow past it at a low flow rate and to retard the movement of the piston during centrifugation of the device. Means for preventing the flow of the gel-like material from the housing and toward the interface of the phases until the piston has moved out of the passageway is provided.

Abstract: A specimen collecting and transporting device is provided which includes a container, a swab in the container connected to a closure cap closing one end of the container, and a reservoir attached to the other end of the container and containing a liquid culture-sustaining medium sealed in a chamber of the reservoir. The bottom end of the container has an opening covered by an absorbent pad and which is in contact with the swab tip. The container has a projection which when moved relatively toward the reservoir, pierces the chamber seal to allow the medium to flow through the opening to the pad and swab tip.

Abstract: Medicinal fluid to be injected into a patient is drawn into a hypodermic syringe barrel through the valve portion of a combination valve and filter assembly, and is ejected through the filter, thereby preventing particulate contamination of the injected medicine. The valve and filter assembly comprises a generally cylindrical, porous filter element, and an elastomeric valve having a generally annular skirt portion overlying the distal end of the filter element and a central portion extending into the central passage in the filter. The central portion of the valve has a slit therein which opens to permit the flow of medicinal fluid therethrough in a distal-to-proximal direction, but closes to block the flow of fluid therethrough in a proximal-to-distal direction.

Abstract: A blood collection tube is provided with a stopper adapted to be pierced by a needle cannula for introducing a sample of blood into the collection tube, and a valve disposed within the tube which allows blood to flow from the proximal end of the needle into the blood collection chamber of the tube but prevents the reflux of blood from the collection chamber to the patient.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for simultaneously extruding two lengths of plastic tubing wherein each of said lengths includes alternate axial sections of materials having different characteristics (e.g., a harder material and a softer material). The apparatus includes two extruders which feed plastic extrudate to a dual die head having first and second dies for forming tubular lengths. Valves are operatively associated with each extruder for selectively feeding plastic extrudate from each extruder to either of the dies. The valves are intermittently operated so that during one cycle extrudate from the first extruder is fed to the first die and extrudate from the second extruder is fed to the second die, and during alternate cycles extrudate from the first extruder is fed to the second die and extrudate from the second extruder is fed to the first die. A cooling tank receives the tubular length from the dies for setting the plastic material.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying an elastic band around the cuff of an elastic glove which includes extruding a stripe of elastomeric material around the cuff of the glove while on a glove form and curing the stripe. A tray carrying a row of glove forms, each having a glove thereon, is stopped to position one of the forms at a band applying station. A mast having an extruder nozzle adjacent the cuff edge is moved circumferentially about the cuff in a generally elliptical path to avoid engagement with adjacent forms while allowing the forms to be closely spaced for economical manufacturing.