Abstract: A formulation for collecting a biological sample of saliva or nasal fluid and capturing nucleic acids in the collected sample has non-toxic chaotropic agents, ethanol, and coloring and/or flavoring agents. The formulation is receivable within an oral cavity or nasal cavity to collect the sample and the non-toxic chaotropic agent(s) lyse the sample cells. A device has a sample port for receiving the sample-containing formulation and a solid-state membrane in fluid communication with the sample port. A first pump causes the sample-containing formulation to flow across the solid-state membrane and into a waste chamber. The ethanol binds nucleic acids in the lysed cells of the sample to the solid-state membrane. A second pump causes the eluent to flow from an eluent chamber across the membrane, elute captured nucleic acids from the membrane, and flow with the captured nucleic acids into an eluent reservoir.

Abstract: Devices and methods for diagnosing and administering drug overdose countermeasure. In some embodiments, a device includes a analyzer with a decision support application electronically connected to a drug of abuse detection device and a non-invasive blood gas device that support specific identification of drugs of abuse within a patient's system. In some embodiments, a method includes inputting patient demographics into the analyzer, inputting a patient's saliva, blood, and/or urine sample into the drug of abuse detection device, operatively affixing a non-invasive blood gas device to a patient, and administering a proper countermeasure dosage analyzer to the patient experiencing drug overdose.

Abstract: An intermediate casing for use in a gas turbine engine comprises inner and outer casing walls 2, 4, a support plate 6, supporting an axial end of each of the casing walls 2, 4, a splitter 8, and an array of vanes 10. At least one of the casing walls 2, 4, the support plate 6, the splitter 8 and the array of vanes 10 is formed from at least one blank of sheet material, such as steel. The formation of one or more components of the assembly from a flat blank of material provides a significant reduction in manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An intermediate casing for use in a gas turbine engine comprises inner and outer casing walls 2, 4, a support plate 6, supporting an axial end of each of the casing walls 2, 4, a splitter 8, and an array of vanes 10. At least one of the casing walls 2, 4, the support plate 6, the splitter 8 and the array of vanes 10 is formed from at least one blank of sheet material, such as steel. The formation of one or more components of the assembly from a flat blank of material provides a significant reduction in manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An exercise device having two chambers, underlying two elastic membrane portions, in a position to closely support above the ground, the left and right foot respectively, of a user. A support structure such as a housing for the first and second membrane portions permit raising and lowering, as by shifting body weight, of the left and right foot in a stair stepping action, preferably without raising each foot from contact with the membrane portions to elastically stretch the membrane portions in succession. A fluid underlies the first and second elastic membrane portions. The fluid preferably is displaced by the stretching of each membrane portion and in the preferred embodiments, it acts with the membrane portions to support the body of a user in use.

Abstract: A beer foam reducing apparatus disposed for placement into the beer delivery lines between a keg and a beer serving spout to prevent pressurized carbon dioxide from entering the delivery line between the apparatus and the serving spout when a keg empties of beer. The apparatus comprises a base with a shallow receptacle disposed to receive an inverted, clear plastic container for sealed, threaded engagement. The plastic container is easily removed for cleaning or replacement and easily sealed for operation. The apparatus also comprises an inlet and outlet in the base, a float disposed for releasably sealing the outlet of the base when a keg empties, and a flow control column secured in the base and extending upwards into the inverted container. Single handed manipulation of a handle leveraged against a mounting bracket regulates operation of the flow control column, and specifically the venting of pressurized carbon dioxide and releasing of the float to begin delivery of beer through the outlet.

Abstract: An exercise device having two chambers, underlying two elastic membrane portions, in a position to closely support above the ground, the left and right foot respectively, of a user. A support structure such as a housing for the first and second membrane portions permit raising and lowering, as by shifting body weight, of the left and right foot in a stair stepping action, preferably without raising each foot from contact with the membrane portions to elastically stretch the membrane portions in succession. A fluid underlies the first and second elastic membrane portions. The fluid preferably is displaced by the stretching of each membrane portion and in the preferred embodiments, it acts with the membrane portions to support the body of a user in use.

Abstract: A dispenser for a viscous substance includes a disposable plastic container for the substance and a pump permanently unreleasably mounted to the top of the container for pumping the substance from the container. The pump includes a housing communicating with the interior of the container and a pumping assembly including a movable housing wall and a tubular member connected to the wall and being movable along a motion axis between extended and retracted positions relative to the housing. An actuator is provided for the pump which includes a support member removably mounted to the cartridge, a target member movably mounted to the support member and linkage for releasably linking the target member to the tubular member so that when the target member is moved in one direction, the pumping assembly is moved to its extended position in the housing and when the target member is moved in another direction, the pumping assembly is moved to its retracted position in the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a discharge nozzle for flexible dispensing tubes containing paste-like or semi-liquid substances. It solves the problem of having to contact the discharge opening of the dispensing tube against a secondary surface to cut off the flow of substance. This is advantageous for eliminating the transfer of germs between the discharge opening of the dispensing tube and the secondary surface. Additionally, it solves the problem of eliminating unwanted accumulation of substance at the nozzle discharge, even when the dispensing tube is used in a repetitive manner, over a long period of time. The nozzle is small in size, has a symmetrical interior surface, and has a discharge portion formed at least partially from a material possessing a low coefficient of friction. This discharge portion has an elongated slit and is attached to a tubular neck. The elongated slit may be configured in the shape of an "I" to form two displaceable tongues.

Abstract: A self-contained automatic lighting device for universal use in furniture, drawers, cabinets, boxes and other enclosures without the need of additional elements comprising a backing plate, cover means, light sources and pivoting switch means wherein said switch means has a contacting face terminating in an extension. The lighting device further includes a photosensor to prohibit activation when light is sensed in the area of the device and timer means to deactivate the light sources after the switch means has been opened for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing paper product supported on a roll comprising a pair of open-sided members which are hinged together along one longitudinal edge thereof. Each of the open-sided members comprises a curved base portion and has a pair of opposed end walls, and one or both of the open-sided members has an elongate slot for dispensing the paper product. Each open-sided member is provided with a flap area each of which carries one component of a mating interlocking mechanism so that when the open-sided members are pivoted about the hinge, the mechanisms releasably engage one another and the open-sided members substantially enclose a roll of paper product therein. An enlarged end portion is provided in each flap area, remote from the open-sided member, along with a pair of support holes.

Abstract: A method and device for assisting a user with transferring an object supported by the device into a flexible storage container, the device comprising a substantially flat base member having a pair of opposed side edges and a pair of opposed end edges, a side wall extending substantially perpendicular from one surface of the base member along each of the two opposed side edges, and a protrusion member projecting substantially normal from the opposite surface of the base member, for providing a pivot about which the device can pivot, the protrusion member being positioned substantially along a traversed axis of the device and being spaced from each of the opposed end edges so that when the device is placed upon a flat support surface and the protrusion member engages that support surface, the device is pivotable about the protrusion member whereby only one end edge of the base member is able to contact that support surface at any given time thereby facilitating engagement with a storage container and transfer o

Abstract: A device for squirrel-proofing bird feeders includes a flexible covering sheet mounted above or to the upper end of the bird feeder. The sheet is dimensioned and located with respect to the feeder so that when a squirrel attempts to walk on the sheet, the sheet will flex and bend downwardly under the influence of the squirrel's weight. The squirrel will slide off the sheet and with no means or opportunity to grab onto any portion of the sheet or the feeder which it covers.

Abstract: A bird feeding device is provided with a perch which can be adjustably positioned with respect to the feeding opening to selectively accommodate different sizes of birds. The perch is movable toward and away from the feeding opening so that for larger birds the perch is positioned farther from the feeding opening than for smaller birds. The disclosed embodiment also includes a simultaneous heightwise adjustment for the position of the perch so that it is lowered when in its more extended position. Also disclosed is an improved arrangement for attaching the perch and feeding device to the container of the bird feeder. Another aspect of the invention relates to a bird feeder having a storage and feeding tube which is detachably connected to an overhead support by a quick disconnect device which provides for quick and simplified filling of the feed tubes as well as an arrangement which minimizes spilling or loss of bird seed.