Abstract: An impact buffer has a retaining part for fitting to a loading ramp, a stop part for a vehicle to be loaded at the loading ramp to strike, and a buffer part for cushioning the stop part against the retaining part. The stop part is supported on the retaining part with at least one pivot lever.

Abstract: An infusion pump has an optical cassette detection system for determining whether or not a cassette of an administration tubing set is properly loaded in the pump. Operation of the pump may be enabled or disabled based on a determination of the cassette detection system. The cassette detection system includes a light emitter and a corresponding photosensitive detector, and a window carried by the cassette that includes a fluorophore. When the cassette is properly loaded in the pump, an excitation light beam from the emitter enters the window and excites the fluorophore, causing emission light in a wavelength band distinct from that of the excitation beam to be transmitted out of the window for receipt by the detector. The detector signal is evaluated by signal evaluation electronics to determine if the signal level is above a predetermined threshold, indicating the cassette is loaded.

Abstract: An infusion pump has an optical detection system for determining whether or not a cassette of an administration tubing set is properly loaded in the pump. Operation of the pump may be enabled or disabled based on a determination of the optical detection system. The optical cassette detection system includes a light emitter and a corresponding light detector on non-coincident emission and detection axes, and at least one optical element carried by the cassette. When the cassette is properly loaded in the pump, light from the emitter is redirected by the optical element from the emission axis to the detection axis for receipt by the detector, which registers an increased signal level. The detector signal is evaluated by signal evaluation electronics to determine if the detector signal level is above a predetermined threshold, indicating presence of the cassette.

Abstract: An infusion pump has an optical cassette detection system for determining whether or not a cassette of an administration tubing set is properly loaded in the pump. Operation of the pump may be enabled or disabled based on a determination of the cassette detection system. The cassette detection system includes a light emitter and a corresponding photosensitive detector aligned along an optical axis, and window carried by the cassette. When the cassette is properly loaded in the pump, a light beam from the emitter enters the window, where a portion of the beam is absorbed and another portion of the beam is transmitted for receipt by the detector. The detector signal is evaluated by signal evaluation electronics to determine if the cassette is loaded. The determination may be based on an expected attenuation of the light beam corresponding to a predetermined light absorptance property of the window.

Abstract: An infusion pump has an optical detection system for determining whether or not a cassette of an administration tubing set is properly loaded in the pump. Operation of the pump may be enabled or disabled based on a determination of the cassette detection system. The optical cassette detection system includes a light emitter directing a light beam along an optical axis to a corresponding light detector aligned on the optical axis. The cassette detection system also includes a tab carried by the cassette and arranged such that when the cassette is properly loaded in the pump, the tab intersects the optical axis and blocks at least a portion of the light beam from reaching the detector. The detector signal is evaluated by signal evaluation electronics to determine if the detector signal level is below a predetermined threshold, indicating presence of the cassette.

Abstract: A rock crushing assembly is provided in the form of a pulverizing tumbler. The apparatus comprises a faceted tumbler having a plurality of faceted end walls, a pair of parallel sidewalls, and an open interior. A power source and a drivetrain assembly attach to the sidewalls of the tumbler and rotate the same. Within the tumbler is adapted to be placed rocks and minerals to be pulverized, wherein pulverizing media is placed in the tumbler with the rocks to break down the rocks into fine, granular material. One of the end walls of the tumbler is removable to allow access to the tumbler interior. One or more gaps or apertures through one or more of the end walls allow the pulverized material to exit the tumbler during operation, thereby reducing build-up of loose material that can dampen impacts within the tumbler.

Abstract: Inline pumps with rear attachable syringes are disclosed. The pump and the syringe are each designed so that the pump syringe system may be easily coupled and decoupled in the field. An end mount block on the pump has a slot shaped to accept a similarly shaped plunger button and plunger rod on the syringe. A user aligns the plunger button of the syringe next to the slot on the mount block of the pump, and slides the plunger button and rod into the inner cavity of the pump. Both the pump and the syringe have threaded couplers which securely couple the pump to the syringe by rotating the couplers with respect to each other.

Abstract: A battery lift jack assembly for lifting batteries comprising: a platform for placement of a battery, where the platform is suspended on a platform pedestal, where the pedestal moves vertically to raise the platform to a desired height; a base that is provided on wheels, where the platform pedestal is secured on the base; a jack assembly for moving the platform pedestal vertically; and a connector, where the connector joins the platform pedestal to the jack assembly and moves vertically along the jack column. The jack assembly includes a jack handle and jack column. The platform may further include lips, which help to secure the battery in a stationary position while the platform, is moved vertically.

Abstract: A chirped pulse amplification (CPA) system and method is described wherein the dispersion of the system is tuned by actively tuning one or more system components, for example, using a temperature or strain gradient, or using actinic radiation. In other embodiments, an additional element, such as a modulator, is added to the CPA system to actively to tune the pulse. A pulse monitor is added to the system to measure an output pulse and provide feedback to one or more active tuning elements.

Abstract: A chirped pulse amplification system includes one or more polarization compensator configured to compensate for polarization altering elements with the chirped pulse amplification system. The polarization compensator is responsive to a sensor configured to provide feedback to the polarization compensator. In some embodiments, the chirped pulse amplification system further includes a controller configured to automatically adjust the polarization compensator responsive to the sensor. The sensor is optionally a power sensor.

Abstract: A chirped pulse amplification (CPA) system and method is described wherein the dispersion of the system is tuned by actively tuning one or more system components, for example, using a temperature or strain gradient, or using actinic radiation. In other embodiments, an additional element, such as a modulator, is added to the CPA system to actively to tune the pulse. A pulse monitor is added to the system to measure an output pulse and provide feedback to one or more active tuning elements.

Abstract: A cap is configured to mount on a can to cover a product dispenser included in the can. The cap is formed to include a passage arranged to vent vapor extant in an interior region of the cap to the surroundings outside of the cap while the cap is mounted on the can.

Abstract: Injection molding method and apparatus for ejecting a molded plastic article from a mold. A lifting structure and/or step is provided with a lifting portion which is configured to contact substantially one half of an end of the molded plastic article along a line substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction. Since the molded plastic article is lifted by its end, the article does not have to be solidified at its interior, thus allowing earlier removal of the article from the mold, reducing cycle time. A tapered surface forms an acute angle with respect to the lifting portion to form a tight seal with the mold, preventing leakage. Preferably, the neck ring engages only an outer circumferential portion of the molded plastic article during a majority of a mold opening stroke.

Abstract: A cap is configured to mount on a can to cover a product dispenser included in the can. The cap is formed to include a passage arranged to vent vapor extant in an interior region of the cap to the surroundings outside of the cap while the cap is mounted on the can.

Abstract: Phase-stable concentrated liquid fabric softener compositions having controlled viscosity are possible through the use of borate salts as processing aid, stabilizer and viscosity control agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable, relatively low concentration of an aqueous fabric softening composition having a viscosity of from about 30 cps to about 2000 cps. The composition has a pH such that it is microbial stable and of commercially acceptable viscosity. This invention is predicated on the discovery that the use of weak acids such as lactic or citric to reduce the pH of the composition not only gives appropriate microbial efficacy but does not adversely affect the use of viscosity enhancing agents and the viscosity of the finished product is easily controlled.