Abstract: A container having signaling capability is disclosed for use with medicine and other pharmaceutical related products. The container preferably includes a conventional bottle-type body with a rotatably secured closure. A sensor means is structured to determine the position of the closure and thereby provide an indication of cap rotation indicative of the patient using the medicine. A processing means and display means are also included in the container to provide an indication of the current state of the container with respect to its contents. In addition, the container can include a button means to permit a user of the container to scroll through indicia shown on the display means. In another aspect of the container, a base station is provided for transmitting data to/from a signal means incorporated into the container. The base station includes a body having at least one receptacle for suitably receiving a container therein. A method of using the container is also provided.

Abstract: A compound motion cutting device for cutting a work piece includes a tubular member having first and second ends, a pair of operating members and a drive rod having first and second ends and extending longitudinally into the tubular member. One of the operating members is secured to the first end of the tubular member and the first end of the drive rod is secured to the other of the operating members. An anvil is supported proximate the second end of the tubular member and includes a surface for supporting the work piece and a slot extending through the support surface. A cutting member includes a first end pivotally attached to the second end of the drive rod and a cam slot extending laterally therethrough. A pin is supported proximate the second end of the tubular member an extends through the cam slot in the cutting member.

Abstract: Disclosed are pre-filled syringes equipped with an improved plunger having a plunge insert and a plunger rod, characterized by a leak-proof seal and easy sliding property.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying a radially self-expanding stent includes proximal and distal sleeves respectively containing proximal and distal end portions of the stent in a reduced radius delivery configuration. The sleeves can abut one another and thus contain the entire length of the stent, or may be used in combination with an outer catheter surrounding the sleeves and containing the medial region of the stent. In either event, once the stent and sleeves are positioned at the intended fixation site, the sleeves are moved axially with respect to one another to permit radial self-expansion of the stent only over its medial region, while the sleeves continue to contain the axially outward regions of the stent. Eventually, upon sufficient movement of the sleeves axially relative to one another, the stent becomes totally free of the sleeves, resulting in radial expansion over the entire stent length.

Abstract: A thermal printing device or the like and a tape or tape-ribbon cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device and cartridge of the present invention includes a tape drive system for driving the tape or tape and ribbon through the thermal printing device including a drive roller connected with the machine and a corresponding drive roller mounted within the cartridge and biased toward the machine drive roller. The device and cartridge of the present invention also includes an alignment system comprising a floating alignment member for insuring proper transfer alignment between the platen and the printhead.

Abstract: A switch (10) which uses optical signals propagating through an air media is disclosed. Transmitters (14a-14n) radiate light along projection openings (40) through a solid, opaque housing (12). The projection openings (40) parallel each other and substantially reside in a lower plane (32) within the housing (12). Periscopic plugs (30) reflect such light upward along an intermediate direction (38) within the plugs (30) and out from the plugs (30) into incidence openings (42). The incidence openings (42) parallel each other and substantially reside in an upper plane (34) within the housing (12). Optical receivers (16a-16n) receive light propagating in the incidence openings (42). The incidence openings (42) reside substantially perpendicular to the projection openings (40).

Abstract: A flushing mechanism for flushing a toilet bowl with a reduced amount of water. The flushing mechanism includes a containment vessel adapted to fit in a standard-sized toilet tank and means within the containmment vessel for forcing water out of the vessel into the bowl to be flushed. In a first embodiment, the containment vessel includes an elastic bladder which is filled with the liquid and expands to provide the additional pressure. In a second embodiment, a piston spring system forces liquid out of the containment vessel to flush the bowl. A hydraulic actuation system is also provided for actuating the flushing mechanisms.

Abstract: A flushing mechanism for flushing a toilet bowl with a reduced amount of water. The flushing mechanism includes a containment vessel adapted to fit in a standard-sized toilet tank and means within the containment vessel for forcing water out of the vessel into the bowl to be flushed. In a first embodiment, the containment vessel includes an elastic bladder which is filled with the liquid and expands to provide the additional pressure. In a second embodiment, a piston spring system forces liquid out of the containment vessel to flush the bowl. A hydraulic actuation system is also provided for actuating the flushing mechanisms.

Abstract: A flushing mechanism using a phase change fluid for flushing a toilet bowl with a reduced amount of water. The flushing mechanism includes a containment vessel adapted to fit in a standard-sized toilet tank and means within the containment vessel for forcing water out of the vessel into the bowl to be flushed. The containment vessel includes a collapsible bladder which is loaded with a phase change fluid. Water in the containment vessel is forced into the toilet bowl when the phase change fluid changes from a liquid to a vapor state. A hydraulic actuation system is also provided for actuating the flushing mechanism.

Abstract: A thermal printing device or the like and a tape or tape-ribbon cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device and cartridge of the present invention includes a tape drive system for driving the tape or tape and ribbon through the thermal printing device including a drive roller connected with the machine and a corresponding drive roller mounted within the cartridge and biased toward the machine drive roller. The device and cartridge of the present invention also includes an alignment system comprising a floating alignment member for insuring proper transfer alignment between the platen and the printhead.

Abstract: A thermal transfer device or the like and a tape-ribbon cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device and cartridge of the present invention includes a tape-ribbon drive system for driving the tape and ribbon through the thermal transfer device including a drive roller connected with the machine and a corresponding drive roller mounted within the cartridge and biased toward the machine drive roller. The device and cartridge of the present invention also includes an alignment system comprising a floating alignment member for insuring proper transfer alignment between the platen and the printhead.

Abstract: An in-line switch and mixer control including a first restriction adjacent the outlet of a mixing device having a cleaning fluid and water inlet for controlling the flow rate from the mixer and a second restriction connected to the water inlet for varying the restriction of the water inlet to determine the mixing ratio. Initially, the first restriction is totally closed preventing any flow from the mixer and the second restriction is initially unrestricted. The first and second restrictions include a common actuator for sequentially operating the first and second restrictions to various intermediate restrictive positions.

Abstract: A separator for a cleaning device having the air-liquid mixture introduced tangentially about the periphery of the conical shroud and the air outlet being interior the shroud.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable locking mounting arrangement is provided for a box-like structure to secure the structure, such as a drip coffeemaker, to an overhead support as the bottom of kitchen cabinetry to support the coffeemaker off the counter space. The mounting comprises a horizontal channel in each vertical end wall of the coffeemaker and a pair of spaced identical brackets opposite each channel to secure to the overhead support. Each bracket has a rail-like horizontal hanger removably secured thereon and the hangers are formed to slidingly nest in the channels carrying the coffeemaker structure on the cabinet support. Releasable mechanism locks each hanger to its bracket in only one but multiple selected vertical positions and locks the hanger in the channels to variably and releasably vertically position the coffeemaker structure on the cabinet support in a suspended position off the counter. The brackets are formed of plastic in the shape of open-faced trays with equally spaced honeycomb cells.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing mercury and tablets comprising:(a) a housing having a main discharge port;(b) a normally closed mercury reservoir extending from the housing, the reservoir including a discharge port;(c) a tablet container extending from the housing, the container having a discharge port;(d) a passageway within the housing, part being below the mercury discharge port and another being above the main discharge port, the passageway being adapted to receive a slidable member, the slidable member being adapted to slide within the passageway between first and second positions;(e) a vent including a passage communicating with the interior of the mercury reservoir near the top and with the passageway when the slidable member is not in the first position, but is sealed from the passageway when the slidable member is in the first position;(f) a mercury metering cavity within the slidable member to receive mercury from the reservoir through the discharge port when the slidable member is in one of the

Abstract: A separation means is disclosed which effectively isolates the resultant salts of a carbonation reaction while permitting the transfer of gaseous carbon dioxide in a substantially pure, non-contaminated form to a liquid to be carbonated. The separation means comprises a passageway with a plurality of restricted gas communicating apertures and a one-way valve attached to the end of the passageway which is proximate to the liquid to be carbonated. The gas communicating apertures and one-way valve function to retain the chemical by-products of the reaction from the carbonated beverage.

Abstract: An improvement in a pressurizable container used to prepare a carbonated beverage from a water-based liquid and carbon dioxide generating chemical reactants comprises the use of a carbonation chamber having an upper compartment for holding the chemical couple and a lower compartment with a bottom sparger surface for releasing, as uniformly small bubbles, the generated carbon dioxide into a beverage to be carbonated. The bottom sparger surface permits the rapid carbonation of a beverage without agitation and also minimizes the transfer of the resultant products of the chemical reaction to the beverage.

Abstract: A substantially salt-free carbonated beverage is produced using a pressurizable container comprising a carbonation chamber having an upper compartment for holding the chemical reactants, a means for separating gaseous carbon dioxide and solid or liquid reaction by-products and a lower compartment having a bottom sparger surface for releasing, as uniformly small bubbles, the generated carbon dioxide into a liquid to be carbonated. The separation means and sparger surface function to retain the chemical by-products of the reaction from the carbonated beverage.