Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.

Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.

Abstract: A hitch coupler (10) including an E-shaped frame (11), a pin (30) and a conical spring (36). The frame (11) includes a back plate (12), a top plate (14), a middle plate (16) and a bottom plate (18). The top (14), middle (16) and the bottom (18) plates include aligned openings. The pin (30) extends through the aligned holes (21, 23, 27) in the top (14), middle (16) and bottom (18) plates, with the pin (30) being configured to slide within the aligned openings (21, 23, 27). The conical spring (36) surrounds and engages the pin (30). The conical spring (36) biases a bottom of the pin (30) through the middle plate (16) and the bottom plate (18). The pin (30) includes a retainer (38) that extends through a slot (37) in the top plate (14) as the pin (30) is pulled against the bias of the spring (36). The retainer (38) abuts against a top of the top plate (14) when the retainer (38) is located above the top plate (14). The retainer (38) is located between the pin (30) and the spring (36).

Abstract: A hitch coupler (10) including an E-shaped frame (11), a pin (30) and a conical spring (36). The frame (11) includes a back plate (12), a top plate (14), a middle plate (16) and a bottom plate (18). The top (14), middle (16) and the bottom (18) plates include aligned openings. The pin (30) extends through the aligned holes (21, 23, 27) in the top (14), middle (16) and bottom (18) plates, with the pin (30) being configured to slide within the aligned openings (21, 23, 27). The conical spring (36) surrounds and engages the pin (30). The conical spring (36) biases a bottom of the pin (30) through the middle plate (16) and the bottom plate (18). The pin (30) includes a retainer (38) that extends through a slot (37) in the top plate (14) as the pin (30) is pulled against the bias of the spring (36). The retainer (38) abuts against a top of the top plate (14) when the retainer (38) is located above the top plate (14). The retainer (38) is located between the pin (30) and the spring (36).

Abstract: A venous reservoir bag subassembly is provided which is adapted to cooperate with a mounting assembly having a bracket frame and a front plate reproducibly relatively movable to enable constant accurate blood volume readout, cooperating means between the subassembly and the mounting assembly to provide against unduly low blood volume, and angled conduit means cooperating with the bag and recesses in the subassembly and assembly to provide further failsafe against passage of the undesirable gas.

Abstract: A venous reservoir bag subassembly which is adapted to cooperate with a mounting assembly having a bracket frame and a front plate reproducibly relatively movable to enable constant accurate blood volume readout, a cooperating mechanism between the subassembly and the mounting assembly to provide against unduly low blood volume, and an angled conduit cooperating with the bag and recesses in the subassembly and assembly to provide further failsafe against passage of the undesirable gas.

Abstract: A venous reservoir bag subassembly is provided which is adapted to cooperate with a mounting assembly having a bracket frame and a front plate reproducibly relatively movable to enable constant accurate blood volume readout, cooperating means between the subassembly and the mounting assembly to provide against unduly low blood volume, and angled conduit means cooperating with the bag and recesses in the subassembly and assembly to provide further failsafe against passage of the undesirable gas.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch has a single swinging jaw, i.e., pivotal lock element, a unique cam arm, a locking plunger, a release arm, and release handle that all specially function in an interrelated manner to clearly indicate the locked or unlocked condition of the lock element. The release handle has special notches for cooperative interengagement with the top plate, specifically a lock notch and an unlock notch, engageable with a flange of the fifth wheel plate to cause the release handle to be located in specific positions. A cam surface on a finger of the pivotal lock element operates the novel cam arm to shift the release arm, for shifting it out of the unlock notch when the fifth wheel uncouples from the kingpin. The cam arm is held over center when the jaw is open, preventing the jaws from closing until the kingpin enters. When the release handle is pulled to release the locking plunger, the lock notch engages the top plate to retain the pull handle until released from this notch.

Abstract: A medical and surgical dressing has an expansion system designed to cover, yet be spaced apart from, a healing wound when the dressing is applied. In its expanded configuration, the dressing is bubble shaped. The dressing includes an adhesive material for adhering to the skin of a patient surrounding the wound, and further includes several layers of material which permit circulation and filtration of air entering the space defined by the expanded bubble. The dressing and expansion system avoid direct contact with the healing wound, yet fully protect the wound from the outside environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the preparation of what is commonly known as "fast foods" such as french fried potatoes. The method of the present invention pre-cooks food in a non-fat environment such as a microwave oven. Thereafter, the food is transported by a conveyor system through different cooking stations, at least one of which sprays the pre-cooked food with closely monitored quantities and concentrations of heated oil. The sprayed oil may be mixed with water or air and sprayed under pressure at elevated temperatures. In this manner, the prepared food has the appearance, taste and texture as though it were cooked in the traditional way, but is not saturated with oil as it would be if it were immersed in a heated vat. In other aspects of the invention, the conveyor system may provide an oscillating or lateral movement to the food that it is transporting to uniformly distribute the sprayed oil over the surface of the food, and to shake excess oil from the food.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the preparation of what is commonly known as "fast foods" such as french fried potatoes. These foods are generally cooked in a vat of heated oil and, as a result of such preparation, include a high concentration of polyunsaturates and cholesterol in levels which may be detrimental to the health of the consumer over long periods of time. The method of the present invention pre-cooks food in a non-fat environment such as a microwave oven. Thereafter, the food is transported by a conveyor system through different cooking stations, at least one of which sprays the pre-cooked food with closely monitored quantities and concentrations of heated oil. In this manner, the prepared food has the appearance, taste and texture as though it were cooked in the traditional way, but is not saturated with oil as it would be if it were immersed in a heated vat.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fifth wheel hitch having a set of jaws removably retained in a pocket on the underside of the bearing plate, replaceable by like jaws or jaws accommodating a different size kingpin. The hitch can be of forged aluminum, for on-highway or off-highway usage. A swinging jaw is pivotally connected to a fixed jaw, and has a lower closure finger contacted by the head of a properly elevated kingpin to close the jaws. The jaws are locked closed by a locking plunger actuated with full jaw closure, by means of a trigger release mechanism. The trigger and plunger are retracted by a slide cam having actuators extending from both sides of the hitch. Adjustment of the jaws for wear is from the hitch exterior, and effectual whether the hitch is coupled or uncoupled.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fifth wheel hitch having a set of jaws removably retained in a pocket on the underside of the bearing plate, replaceable by like jaws or jaws accommodating a different size kingpin. The hitch can be of forged aluminum, for on-highway or off-highway usage. A swinging jaw is pivotally connected to a fixed jaw, and has a lower closure finger contacted by the head of a properly elevated kingpin to close the jaws. The jaws are locked closed by a locking plunger actuated with full jaw closure, by means of a trigger release mechanism. The trigger and plunger are retracted by a slide cam having actuators extending from both sides of the hitch. Adjustment of the jaws for wear is from the hitch exterior, and effectual whether the hitch is coupled or uncoupled.