Abstract: A system for providing medical services over the Internet is disclosed, having a patient system at a patient location, and a medical service provider system at a provider location. The patient system includes a monitoring system having various monitoring devices, each of which produce an electronic signal indicative of a particular physical or medical characteristic of a patient. Using these electronic signals, the monitoring system produces an output signal to an interface device which, in turn, provides input to a communication device adapted for communicating via the Internet. The medical service provider system includes apparatus for receiving the information sent by the patient system. In response, the provider system sends medical advice to the patient system, via the Internet, or, if the information received tends to indicate an emergency situation might exist, notifies emergency care givers in the vicinity of the patient location that emergency services are needed at the patient location.

Abstract: A soap dispenser of the type in which a disposable soap cartridge is maintained in a wall-mounted housing is configured for automatic operation. A quantity of soap is dispensed when a user's hand, detected by optical reflectivity, is located proximate to the dispenser housing. In order to prevent reliance on AC power, the device is powered from self-contained batteries and/or solar power cells. In one embodiment, a generally flat battery may be included with the disposable soap cartridge such that a new battery is provided each time the cartridge is replaced. Alternatively, or in addition, solar panels may be located on the dispenser housing. The solar panels may be used to charge energy storage components located in the housing, such as a rechargeable battery or storage capacitors. The solar panels are preferably of a type which is suitably efficient in fluorescent (blue) lighting conditions.

Abstract: An adaptor for supporting rolls of toilet tissue of greater than conventional diameter from an existing toilet roll holder designed to support rolls of toilet tissue of conventional diameter. The adaptor includes telescoping mandrel or spindle for rotatably supporting a roll of toilet tissue of greater than conventional diameter. A side member is attached to each end of the spindle, each side member including a journal for insertion into the holes of the existing toilet roll holder. There is a spring biasing the side members away from each other. A slide pin mechanism including a thole is associated with a slot in each of the side members. The slide pin mechanisms are moveable to any position along their respective slots by a user such that the tholes abut against a portion of the existing toilet roll holder to limit the amount of downward pivotal movement of the side members and the spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus and package for liquid or granular materials includes two pivotally mounted dispensing blocks associated with a dispensing arm, whereby upon application of an actuating force to the dispensing arm, a resilient tube of the package is pinched shut by one dispensing block and the other dispensing block opens a slit diaphragm valve disposed within the resilient tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and package for liquid or granular materials includes two pivotally mounted dispensing blocks associated with a dispensing arm, whereby upon application of an actuating force to the dispensing arm, a resilient tube of the package is pinched shut by one dispensing block and the other dispensing block opens a slit diaphragm valve disposed within the resilient tube.

Abstract: A portable chemical spraying apparatus has an electric motor/compressor mounted inside of two halves of a lightweight housing. A compressed air output of the motor/compressor connects directly to a compression chamber. Compressed air inside of the compression chamber moves through the venturi of a nozzle into a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber opens to atmosphere through a vortex of compressed air received via spiral passages connecting to the compression chamber. Chemicals may be drawn into the mixing chamber through a needle, which may perforate a seal of a disposable chemical container at the time the chemical container is connected to the portable spraying apparatus. Simultaneously, the needle seals with a metered conduit which extends to the inside bottom of the chemical container.

Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser is characterized by a yieldable lever arm pivotally connected within a casing. The lever arm carries a rigid dispensing block thereon. In response to the imposition of an actuating force to the lever arm, the arm pivots to bring the tip of the dispensing block into contact with a resilient flexible tube extending from a viscous liquid reservoir. The resilient tube is constricted between the tip of the dispensing block and a predetermined impact point located on a movable back-up block provided adjacent to the resilient tube and opposite from the dispensing block. The lever arm yieldably responds to the continued application of an actuating force to compress a portion of the resilient tube immediately below the constriction between the dispensing block and a predetermined dispensing surface disposed on the back-up block.