Abstract: A davit arm holder 30,50 for a davit arm 11-18 for suspending lines 4 from elevated heights by mounting the davit arm 11-18 on a structural substrate 1. The davit arm holder 30,50 comprises a base 50 formed from one or more planar layers 52 of sheet material adapted to lie parallel to the plane of a surface of the substrate 1, and an attachment 30 adapted to be fixedly attached to the base 50 and to provide a connection 32 to engage a davit arm 11-18. The base 50 includes an outer layer 52 and at least one inner mount 60. The outer layer 52 has a plurality of first engagement portions 70 that are radially spaced from a centre point 54 of the base 50. The at least one inner mount 60 is integrally formed with the outer layer 52, is fixedly securable to the substrate 1 and is adapted to space an inside surface 68 of the outer layer 52 from the substrate 1 to form a gap 66 under the outer layer 52. The base 50 is adapted to have a low-profile when anchored to the substrate 1.

Abstract: A method of using a bioelectric stimulator for delivering an electrical signal to a subject's tissue, wherein the bioelectric stimulator utilizes the electrical signal to precisely control protein expression and/or release in the tissue on demand so as to increase milk production in a subject, the method including: delivering selected electrical signals to the subject so as to precisely control protein expressions and/or release to increase milk production in the subject.

Abstract: Drinking glasses are used to drink water and wine. A glass has a cup and a base. A wine glass has a cup portion, a stem and a circular base. A magnet that is attached to the drinking glass. A marker has a magnet and an ornamental side. The marker is held in place against an outer surface of the glass by the magnetic attraction of the cup magnet and the marker magnet.

Abstract: A drinking glass has a cup and a base that are releasably coupled to a rod. A plurality of beads are placed on the rod and held between the cup and the base. The beads that are mounted on the rod may be different colors and shapes. By mixing the beads, different patterns are formed on the stem which may be purely ornamental or used for identification purposes.

Abstract: Methods of preparation for cultured milk based products and products prepared thereby are provided wherein a yogurt is produced containing 0.1% to about 5% confectionery filaments. The process involves providing a cooled fermented yogurt base at a temperature of 0° C. to 5° C.; injecting a liquid fat-bearing compound having a total fat concentration of 24% to about 40% into the cooled yogurt base; whereby the liquid fat-bearing compound is shattered into filaments upon contact with the cooled fermented yogurt.

Abstract: A tool for lifting, relocating, rotating, and holding a commercially available flat-panel display/TV screen and other associated operating components within any computer operator's or TV viewer's optimal viewing and reaching positions, as are necessary to suit the requirements of an operator who chooses to work in any upright or neck supported reclined type chair/bed bodily position.

Abstract: A safe child passenger system that can be mounted on bicycles of differing sizes and designs. The system is able to be mounted to bicycles regardless of the size or placement of their top tube or even if there is no top tube present. The system of the present invention is attached to a bicycle by engagement between the handlebar stem of the bicycle and the seat post of the bicycle. The child passenger system attaches to a bicycle through a quick release engagement mechanism. This enables the system to be easily and quickly attached and removed.

Abstract: A safe child passenger system that can be mounted on bicycles of differing sizes and designs. The system is able to be mounted to bicycles regardless of the size or placement of their top tube or even if there is no top tube present. The system of the present invention is attached to a bicycle by engagement between the handlebar stem of the bicycle and the seat post of the bicycle. The child passenger system attaches to a bicycle through a quick release engagement mechanism. This enables the system to be easily and quickly attached and removed.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a user interface with a computer based training tool comprising the steps of listing domain objects on a display; listing domain object values in response to a selection of one of the domain objects; generating a plurality of inquiries in response to a user selection of one of the domain object values; replying with a predetermined answer; identifying a new domain object value in the predetermined answer; and adding to the plurality of inquiries a new inquiry which incorporates both the selected domain object value and the new domain object value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for formulating and responding to an inquiry through an interface which is topically organized. The dialogue system interface is comprised of various topical objects wherein each domain object has a set of object values. Selection of a desired object value of a domain object yields a set of potential inquiries, corresponding to the selected value, for selection. A selected inquiry is transmitted to an underlying system for formulation of a response. The formulated response of the underlying system is then transmitted to the user through the dialogue system interface. The dialogue system generates and displays further domain objects, object values, and inquiries that are logically anticipated from the selected inquiry.

Abstract: The household appliance is for receiving the cap of a screw-top jar, and for gripping the cap so firmly that a person can bring all available force to bear to crack open the cap. The appliance includes flanges (one of which is toothed) which are bent up from a flat panel. The flanges are rigid and strong, whereby they do not deflect under the gripping forces.

Abstract: A vial transport apparatus which is capable of storing and retrieving samples and then transporting them from one location in a sampling system to another without the complexity and expense of robotic arms or gripper elements is provided. A passive hook arrangement is utilized to engage the vials for transport and can be operated using a standard three motor system for transport in the X, Y, and Z directions. The hook supports the vial from beneath and at least partially surrounds the vial to entrap it during transport thereof.

Abstract: A degassing system is provided and includes a module for conditioning a liquid to be analyzed. The module includes a container holding a liquid, a degassing chamber, and a holder for the liquid container mounted on top of the degassing chamber. The holder provides stability to the module and contains any liquid spills. In another embodiment, the system includes an autosampler in conjunction with a degassing unit which includes a degassing chamber, a vacuum pump, and tubing for conducting liquid through the degassing chamber, which tubing is permeable to gases in the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for effective vacuum degassing of a liquid is provided for liquid chromatography applications. The liquid to be degassed is heated in the vacuum chamber by a radiator of electromagnetic energy, in one embodiment, or is heated before it enters the vacuum chamber. The liquid may also be agitated while in the vacuum chamber. In a preferred form, the vacuum degassing unit includes a vacuum chamber including a vacuum pump for creating a vacuum therein, a source of liquid, and gas permeable tubing for conducting the liquid through said vacuum chamber. The tubing includes first and second larger diameter blocks having at least one hole therein interconnected by at least one length of small diameter tube to form a leak-tight seal therewith.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for effective vacuum degassing of a liquid are provided for liquid chromatography. The bottles with the liquid are mounted above the vacuum degassing unit to provide a head pressure to the LC pump and physical stability to the bottles. The liquid is heated in the vacuum chamber by a radiator of electromagnetic energy (in one embodiment, infra-red light). Alternatively the liquid is heated before it enters the vacuum chamber. The liquid is in an agitated state in the vacuum chamber. In one variation, the liquid is conducted through the vacuum chamber through tubes wound around bobbins so as to expose a greater portion of the surface area of the tubes to vacuum. Circuitry stops the vacuum pump for a duration of a chromatographic run. The circuitry controls the LC pump and the vacuum pump so as to optimize the chromatographic conditions in the liquid chromatography analytical system.

Abstract: A structural member is an elongated, generally rectangular panel having at least 2 substantially parallel fold lines extending the length of the panel parallel its long sides, preferably defining 3 subpanels. When the panel is folded along the fold lines, preferably by hand, the interior angles at each fold occur on the same surface of the panel, are approximately 90 degrees, and the member has a generally C-shaped cross-section when folded. At least one male/female lock holds each of the panels at a fixed angle relative to the adjacent panel, each male/female lock having a male component affixed to one of the subpanels and a mating female component affixed to the adjacent subpanel such that when said one subpanel is folded with respect to the adjacent subpanel, the male component inserts into the female component and is retained therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method controls a dual piston pump for a liquid chromatography system so as to pump a flow of solvent through the liquid chromatography column at a constant flow rate and with a solvent composition which is substantially equal to the desired solvent composition despite changing conditions of compressibility of the solvent. A computer is used which measures the time it takes the pump shaft to move through an overlap region in the pump cycle when both pistons are simultaneously pumping as normalized to the time taken by the pump to move through a constant velocity portion of the piston travel defined by the user. This time is compared to the time stored in the computer for the particular flow rate used to measure the time defined above for the pump to move through the overlap region for an incompressible solvent at low pressure as normalized to the time taken by the input piston to move through the same user defined segment of the constant velocity portion of the travel of the input piston.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus and method for controlling a dual piston pump for a liquid chromatography system so as to pump a flow of solvent through the liquid chromatography column at a constant flow rate and with a solvent composition which is substantially equal to the desired solvent composition despite changing conditions of compressibility of the solvent. The control system uses a computer which measures the time it takes the pump shaft to move through an overlap region in the pump cycle when both pistons are simultaneously pumping as normalized to the time taken by the pump to move through a constant velocity portion of the piston travel defined by the user.

Abstract: A sampler for taking samples from multiple sources has a fixed, non-moving needle at a sampling station. A sample vial is lifted from a tray at the sampling station. The needle pierces the septum of the vial and enters the sample as the vial is lifted toward the needle.The sample vial is also rotated as it is lifted, and a bar code reader makes a number of spaced apart, helical reads on a bar code label attached to the vial for label identification of the sample.The needle includes an inner, sample needle and an outer, gas-pressurization needle. The sample is withdrawn by the positive displacement of a syringe connected to the sample needle. The combination of the gas pressurization within the vial and the positive displacement of the syringe insures movement of the sample and accurate control of the volume removed independent of the viscosity of the sample.

Abstract: A multiple piston assembly pump of the kind which provides an overlap between the flow output of the piston assemblies during a portion of the strokes of the piston assemblies incorporates a method and apparatus for reducing pulsations in the flow during the time when the pump is changing over from one piston pumping to the other piston pumping. A first fast control loop responds to pump output pressure and is operatively associated with a second slow control loop which responds to average pump speed. A sudden pump speed change is detected, and the pump is run in a constant pressure mode until the speed returns to normal.