Abstract: Devices for insulating the electrical terminals of cylindrical batteries, such as lithium-ion cells, to prevent the occurrence of shorting. One configuration is a device or apparatus which covers one or more terminals of the cell, thereby providing an insulative barrier, while still allowing the cell to be used. Another configuration is a cell covering partially covering the topmost portions of the negatively charged exterior cell case, closest to the positive terminal of the cell, and attaching the covering via a circumferential appendage which locks onto the cell. In another configuration the cell covering extends axially down the side of the cell case to cover part of, or the entirety of, the side of the negatively charged case.

Abstract: Provided herein are face masks, systems, and methods for using the face masks and systems. The face masks disclosed herein include a dome-shaped structure sized to cover a user's nose and mouth. The face masks include an inlet for passage of a tubing and a septum that divides the face mask into a nose chamber and a mouth chamber. The septum may include an opening or a gate. The gate may be configured to open downwards in response to exhalation from the nose of the user and to stay closed in absence of exhalation. The face mask may also include a filter located in the dome-shaped structure in an area adjacent to the mouth. The face mask may also include a filter located in the gate. The filter is configured to capture microscopic particles and nanoparticles. The systems provided herein may include a face mask as provided herein, an air pump comprising a filter, a tubing for delivering air from the air pump to the face mask. Alternatively, the face mask may be a nose mask that only covers the nose.

Abstract: Devices for insulating the electrical terminals of cylindrical batteries, such as lithium-ion cells, to prevent the occurrence of shorting. Certain embodiments are directed to devices which cover one or more terminals of the cell, thereby providing an insulative barrier, while still allowing the cell to be used. Various embodiments are described including partially covering the topmost portions of the negatively charged exterior cell case, closest to the positive terminal of the cell, and attaching the covering via a circumferential appendage which locks onto the cell. In another embodiment the cell covering extends axially down the side of the cell case to cover part of, or the entirety of, the side of the negatively charged case.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing valve assembly is provided with a vacuum release feature. The valve assembly is adapted to be fastened to a container opening. The assembly includes a unitarily formed one-piece cylindrical base having a vertical center axis. The base a mounting collar; an enclosure portion connected to the mounting collar forming an inner cavity within the base; a spout connected to the enclosure portion having an interconnected axial core substantially positioned within the spout forming an annular liquid passageway; and a gas passageway having at least one inlet orifice located on an outer surface of the spout, the gas passageway including at least one generally horizontally oriented radial pipe section having one end connected to the at least one inlet orifice and another end connecting to a vertically configured pipe section having an exit orifice. The valve assembly may further include a cap having a drain port, wherein the cap adapted to slip fit over the spout.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for maintaining a medical assembly, e.g., a blood chemistry electrode assembly, filled with a bubble-free storage liquid for an extended storage time period. The apparatus achieves this result by connecting to the assembly a pressurized reservoir that supplies additional storage liquid, to replenish any storage liquid lost due to diffusion from the medical assembly.

Abstract: Hollow fiber membrane modules are manufactured by weaving hollow fiber membranes into a web while the fibers still contain a residual amount of the organic liquids used in the extrusion of the fibers. The web once formed is then passed through a final solvent extraction stage, followed by drying and heating to fix the final form and permeation characteristics of the membranes, and finally rolling the web into a bundle which forms the interior of the module. The hollow fibers are woven as fill in the web.

Abstract: A method for bonding homopolymers or copolymers of vinylidene chloride to polyamides which method comprises blending the polymer or copolymer with low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, homopolymer or copolymer of propylene, or a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and a small amount of copolymer of ethylene and a lower alkyl or hydroxyalkyl ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid and then contacting the blend of polymers with the polyamide under heat and pressure. Unexpected adhesion between the Saran blend and the polyamide was found.

Abstract: A novel and improved ultra tough polymer plastic material wherein a first polymer portion of the material has substantially non-oriented molecules forming a matrix within which there is a second polymer portion of the material having substantially oriented molecules, the first and second portions forming substantially continuous interface regions therebetween in which the first and second portions are highly diffused with each other. In a particular novel process for forming such material, one or more fibers of the material are formed and the molecules thereof are selectively oriented, the fibers are then processed to increase the thermal stability of the selectively oriented molecules so as to maintain the selected orientation thereof and a selected arrangement of the processed fibers are molded at a selected temperature and pressure, the pressure being maintained throughout the heating and cooling step of the molding process to prevent any change in the selective orientation of the molecules.