Abstract: Systems and methods for managing surgical sponges. A dispenser assembly coupled to a main support includes an internal or first storage location to removably receive a carton of sponge sorters, and an external or second storage location to removably support a carton of surgical draping. At least one arm may be supported on the housing and movable between an undeployed position and a deployed position. The arm may include weighing means to measure a weight of the surgical sponge being disposed in a sponge sorter supported by the arm. The arm may be a cantilever and abeam load cell may be disposed within a channel of a beam. A processor may determine fluid weight based on measured weight and dry weight correlated with the surgical sponge being counted out as detected with a data reader. The processor may estimate blood loss to be displayed on a display.

Abstract: Waste water assessment apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided. The waste water assessment apparatus comprises: transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a microwave signal and to receive one or more reflections of the microwave signal; and processing circuitry configured to process the one or more reflections of the microwave signal to determine one or more characteristics of waste water flowing through a conduit.

Abstract: Waste water flow quantifying apparatus, a method and a computer program is provided. The waste water flow quantifying apparatus comprises microwave transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a first microwave signal into a closed conduit and configured to receive a first superposition microwave signal formed from a combination of the first microwave signal and a reflection, from within the closed conduit, of the first microwave signal. The microwave transceiver circuitry is configured to transmit a second microwave signal into the closed conduit. The second microwave signal has a different frequency from the first microwave signal or is out of phase with the first microwave signal. The microwave transceiver circuitry is configured to receive a second superposition microwave signal formed from a combination of the second microwave signal and a reflection, from within the closed conduit, of the second microwave signal.

Abstract: Waste water assessment apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided. The waste water assessment apparatus comprises: transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a microwave signal and to receive one or more reflections of the microwave signal; and processing circuitry configured to process the one or more reflections of the microwave signal to determine one or more characteristics of waste water flowing through a conduit.

Abstract: Waste water assessment apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided. The waste water assessment apparatus comprises: transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a microwave signal and to receive one or more reflections of the microwave signal; and processing circuitry configured to process the one or more reflections of the microwave signal to determine one or more characteristics of waste water flowing through a conduit.

Abstract: An on-line system is disclosed for enabling and maintaining a plurality of separate user specific versions of a user configurable electronic textbook. The textbook includes a template stored in a master database table and an associated user specific database table for storing personalized subject matter. The template may include certain images and textual content as well as subject matter organizational outline. The system allows a user to upload images to the system under a specific heading of the organizational outline in the template. The images can be annotated and stored in a user specific database. The user specific database is not accessible to other users of the on-line system. Thus, users may create a personalized electronic textbook. In one embodiment of the invention, the administrator can upload images from the various users to the master database table so that those images can be made available to other users.

Abstract: Waste water assessment apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided. The waste water assessment apparatus comprises: transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a microwave signal and to receive one or more reflections of the microwave signal; and processing circuitry configured to process the one or more reflections of the microwave signal to determine one or more characteristics of waste water flowing through a conduit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic or self plumbing device and method for maintaining survey or data collection or reflection equipment in a vertical plumb position despite horizontal and/or vertical changes of position of the device or vehicle with the device attached thereto. The invention also provides a means for maintaining survey or data collection or reflection equipment in a vertical plumb position and at a constant height above ground or surface to be surveyed. The invention provides a means for mounting or attaching the device to a vehicle or other mobile prime mover and a means for remotely changing the position of the device mounted on the vehicle from within the vehicle for accurate, efficient, and timely collection of data while the device and vehicle are stationary or in motion.

Abstract: A fabric is provided for use in safety apparel, including a first yarn type comprising at least about 60 percent modacylic fibers and a second yarn type comprising an intimate blend of anti-static fibers and other fibers selected from the group of fibers consisting of polyester, nylon, rayon, modacrylic, cotton, wool, and combinations thereof. The fabric meets the American Society for Testing and Materials standard ASTM F-1506 for flame resistance, Federal Test Method Standard 191A, Method 5931 for electrostatic decay, and the Electrostatic Discharge Association Advisory ADV11.2-1995 voltage potential.

Abstract: An ink containment and dispensing device for an ink-jet printer is provided with a main reservoir in the form of a flexible pouch, which is typically maintained at ambient pressure. The main reservoir is coupled to a variable volume chamber via a one-way valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and prevents the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet, which is normally closed to prevent the flow of outward ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer. The pump has a linearly acting pumping member and a flexible diaphragm that overlies the pumping member, the diaphragm being impervious to the transmission of oxygen and moisture therethrough to prevent degradation of the ink within the chamber.

Abstract: A retaining means for evaporative cooler pads comprising a clip wherein the clip is resiliently deformable to enable fitment between a pair of evaporative cooler pads and wherein the evaporative cooler pads are retained in position upon release of the deforming force from the clip. The clip provides support and adjustment to evaporative pads in a single component which is easily installed and adjusted. The clips are always retained on a post inside the cooler, and thereby cannot be lost while servicing the cooler.

Abstract: A support structure for interposition between a base of a sloping base cooler and a roof during installation of the cooler onto the roof. The support structure comprises a transition component adapted to be connected to the cooler and to ducting protruding through the roof to feed cooled air from the cooler into the ducting. The transition component includes a movable prop or flap, separate from or formed with the transition component, to be positioned between the transition component and a horizontal surface such that the transition component, when fitted to a sloping base cooler, maintains the cooler in a vertically upright condition for assembly or transportation or storage.

Abstract: A method of expanding a tube of plastics material in which a longitudinally travelling tube is progressively diametrically expanded in internal fluid pressure in an expansion zone between an upstream plug and an expandable downstream plug. Expansion of the tube is controlled in response to parameters which directly or indirectly indicate variation in the relative velocity at which material is delivered to and removed from the expansion zone, such as detecting upstream velocity, early expansion diameter, axial force on a sizing device or the tube diameter just before the expansion zone.

Abstract: An ink containment and dispensing device for an ink-jet printer is provided with a main reservoir in the form of a flexible pouch, which is typically maintained at ambient pressure. The main reservoir is coupled to a variable volume chamber via a one-way valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and prevents the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet, which is normally closed to prevent the outward flow of ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer. The pump has a linearly acting pumping member and a flexible diaphragm that overlies the pumping member, the diaphragm being impervious to the transmission of oxygen and moisture therethrough to prevent degradation of the ink within the chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides, in a first form, an expandable plug for regulating pressure or flow within a tube. The plug has an inflatable bladder (12) for diametral expansion by internal fluid pressure introduced by inlet (14). The plug is reinforced by an envelope (26) of cords (28) which spread laterally upon inflation of the bladder to provide diametral support to the bladder. In a second form of the invention, an inflatable plug positioned in a tube of internal diameter d is controlled according to the equation P.sub.p =.DELTA.P+P.sub.d wherein P.sub.d is the internal pressure in the plug, .DELTA.P is the differential pressure across the plug and P.sub.d is the plug free expansion pressure for diameter d.

Abstract: A sizing sleeve for controlling the diameter of plastic tube includes pressurized sizing sleeve portions in which fluid is injected under pressure about the tube circumference to form a lubricating layer. Drainage zones axially separate and isolate adjacent pressurized portions to allow independent temperature and pressure control. Each pressurized portion has flow stabilizer reducing variations in flow responsive to changes in the lubricating layer pressure. The flow stabilizer may comprise a high pressure fluid source and high pressure drop constrictor comprising fine apertures, which may be formed as grooves milled into end surface of abutting sizing sleeve segments.

Abstract: An ink container for an inkjet printing system is described, including an assembly of a simple housing with caps bearing indicia and protective surfaces to enable effective handling, aligning, keying and latching of the ink container. The ink container includes an ink container housing, the housing including an ink reservoir and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with said reservoir. The fluid outlet is for providing ink to the inkjet printhead. The container further includes a separately fabricated first cap attached to an end of the housing, the first cap having a plurality of mechanical features that provide mechanical functions for the ink container. The end of the housing is a leading end relative to a direction of insertion of the ink container into the printing system. The mechanical functions can include positioning the ink container relative to the supply station, a keying function for preventing installation of an ink container in the supply station without a cap providing the keying function.

Abstract: An ink containment and dispensing device for an inkjet printer is provided with a main reservoir in the form of a flexible pouch panel, which is typically maintained at ambient pressure. The main reservoir is coupled to a variable volume chamber via a one-way valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and prevents the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet, which is normally closed to prevent the flow of outward ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer. The pump has a linearly acting pumping member and a flexible diaphragm that overlies the pumping member, the diaphragm being impervious to the transmission of oxygen and moisture therethrough to prevent degradation of the ink within the chamber.

Abstract: A DC to DC power converter having reduced switching loss for operation at high frequencies. As disclosed, a buck, or forward, converter includes a first FET as the switching device in series with an inductor and a second FET as the flywheel device. At the common node to which the two FET's and the inductor are connected, there is sufficient capacitance that the FET's may be turned off without appreciable voltage change across the FET's. The value of the inductor is chosen, with respect to the input and output voltages and frequencies of operation involved, to insure that the inductor current polarity reverses each cycle, raising the node voltage to the level of the input voltage, substantially eliminating turn-on losses of the first FET. Control circuitry is provided for regulation of the power converter to control the peak-to-peak current in the inductor and to insure that at least a selected minimum value of the inductor current is present for each cycle of operation of the converter.

Abstract: A transformer-coupled transistor base drive circuit is disclosed wherein the transformer primary control circuit includes a switching transistor, a bias supply, and a RC biasing network arrangement. The biasing arrangement is designed to ensure that the transformer core will never enter the positive saturation region of its hysteresis characteristic; regardless of variations in the power transistor duty cycle. The base drive circuit also features provision of high sweep-out current in the power transistor base during turn-off, reverse base-emitter voltage during the power transistor off state, and regenerative current drive to minimize storage time and to control the bias power drain.