Abstract: The safety systems enhance the safety of confined spaces which can present a danger to human occupants who may become entrapped within the confined space during a dangerous condition. The safety systems are particularly useful with confined spaces having access openings and a door or other movable barrier for the access opening. The safety systems having movable safety gates proximate the access openings. The disclosed safety gates are movable from a closed position where the safety gate forms a physical barrier which inhibits human entry into the confined space to a safety position where the safety gate prevents the door from closing and entrapping a person within the confined space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide safety systems for operating equipment having confined spaces which, during normal use, have conditions, such as extreme temperatures, pressures and/or caustic/toxic chemicals or other harmful gases which can be fatal to an otherwise healthy adult human. To protect humans inadvertently trapped in the confined space after the start of a normal operation cycle, the safety systems not only stop the equipment which is creating the harmful condition, such as a cutting off a supply of high pressure steam, but also remove the harmful condition or render it survivable. Versions also open access doors permitting escape and/or rescue of persons trapped in the confined space.

Abstract: The safety systems enhance the safety of confined spaces which can present a danger to human occupants who may become entrapped within the confined space during a dangerous condition. The safety systems are particularly useful with confined spaces having access openings and a door or other movable barrier for the access opening. The safety systems having movable safety gates proximate the access openings. The disclosed safety gates are movable from a closed position where the safety gate forms a physical barrier which inhibits human entry into the confined space to a safety position where the safety gate prevents the door from closing and entrapping a person within the confined space.

Abstract: The safety systems enhance the safety of confined spaces which can present a danger to human occupants who may become entrapped within the confined space during a dangerous condition. The safety systems are particularly useful with confined spaces having access openings and a door or other movable barrier for the access opening. The safety systems having movable safety gates proximate the access openings. The disclosed safety gates are movable from a closed position where the safety gate forms a physical barrier which inhibits human entry into the confined space to a safety position where the safety gate prevents the door from closing and entrapping a person within the confined space.

Abstract: Safety systems for operating equipment have a source of visible light, a first signal light transmitter, a first signal light receiver, preferably a second signal light transmitter and second signal light receiver. A fiber optic bundle with at least one section of illuminated cable emits the visible light and carries the signal light. The signal light follows an optical circuit through the fiber optic bundle from the signal light transmitters to the signal light receivers. The signal light receivers are connected to suitable controls of the system such that if a predetermined light signal is not received by the signal light receiver(s), the operating equipment will stop and/or alarms will be generated. The fiber optic bundle is connected to optical pull switches which interrupt the light circuit if a person applies a predetermined pull force to the optical fiber bundle.

Abstract: The safety systems enhance the safety of confined spaces which can present a danger to human occupants who may become entrapped within the confined space during a dangerous condition. The safety systems are particularly useful with confined spaces having access openings and a door or other movable barrier for the access opening. The safety systems having movable safety gates proximate the access openings. The disclosed safety gates are movable from a closed position where the safety gate forms a physical barrier which inhibits human entry into the confined space to a safety position where the safety gate prevents the door from closing and entrapping a person within the confined space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide safety systems for operating equipment having confined spaces which, during normal use, have conditions, such as extreme temperatures, pressures and/or caustic/toxic chemicals or other harmful gases which can be fatal to an otherwise healthy adult human. To protect humans inadvertently trapped in the confined space after the start of a normal operation cycle, the safety systems not only stop the equipment which is creating the harmful condition, such as a cutting off a supply of high pressure steam, but also remove the harmful condition or render it survivable. Versions also open access doors permitting escape and/or rescue of persons trapped in the confined space.

Abstract: Safety systems for operating equipment have a source of visible light, a first signal light transmitter, a first signal light receiver, preferably a second signal light transmitter and second signal light receiver. A fiber optic bundle with at least one section of illuminated cable emits the visible light and carries the signal light. The signal light follows an optical circuit through the fiber optic bundle from the signal light transmitters to the signal light receivers. The signal light receivers are connected to suitable controls of the system such that if a predetermined light signal is not received by the signal light receiver(s), the operating equipment will stop and/or alarms will be generated. The fiber optic bundle is connected to optical pull switches which interrupt the light circuit if a person applies a predetermined pull force to the optical fiber bundle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dispensers of bedding materials for laboratory animal cages. According to one embodiment of a dispensing unit, materials are drawn into a storage chute by a vacuum and dispensing is accomplished in a dispenser comprising a plurality of dispensing chutes having dispensing openings through which material is dispensed into cages. While in a first position, a material directing gate allows the materials to be dispensed through one of the dispensing chutes into a first number of cages, and through another one of the dispensing chutes into a second number of cages while in a second position. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum from the vacuum blower is utilized to remove dust from the dispensing area where material is dispensed into cages. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for aligning, indexing and drying laboratory animal cages which have already been cleaned in a cleaning station.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dispensers of bedding materials for laboratory animal cages. According to one embodiment of a dispensing unit, materials are drawn into a storage chute by a vacuum and dispensing is accomplished in a dispenser comprising a plurality of dispensing chutes having dispensing openings through which material is dispensed into cages. While in a first position, a material directing gate allows the materials to be dispensed through one of the dispensing chutes into a first number of cages, and through another one of the dispensing chutes into a second number of cages while in a second position. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum from the vacuum blower is utilized to remove dust from the dispensing area where material is dispensed into cages. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for aligning, indexing and drying laboratory animal cages which have already been cleaned in a cleaning station.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dispensers of bedding materials for laboratory animal cages. According to one embodiment of a dispensing unit, materials are drawn into a storage chute by a vacuum and dispensing is accomplished in a dispenser comprising a plurality of dispensing chutes having dispensing openings through which material is dispensed into cages. While in a first position, a material directing gate allows the materials to be dispensed through one of the dispensing chutes into a first number of cages, and through another one of the dispensing chutes into a second number of cages while in a second position. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum from the vacuum blower is utilized to remove dust from the dispensing area where material is dispensed into cages. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for aligning, indexing and drying laboratory animal cages which have already been cleaned in a cleaning station.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dispensers of bedding materials for laboratory animal cages. According to one embodiment of a dispensing unit, materials are drawn into a storage chute by a vacuum and dispensing is accomplished in a dispenser comprising a plurality of dispensing chutes having dispensing openings through which material is dispensed into cages. While in a first position, a material directing gate allows the materials to be dispensed through one of the dispensing chutes into a first number of cages, and through another one of the dispensing chutes into a second number of cages while in a second position. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum from the vacuum blower is utilized to remove dust from the dispensing area where material is dispensed into cages. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for aligning, indexing and drying laboratory animal cages which have already been cleaned in a cleaning station.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a shaft and a plurality of radially outwardly extending vanes surrounded by a circular cylinder. A truncated conical segment screen is in each compartment formed by the vanes dividing each compartment into inner and outer subcompartments. Apertured top and bottom face plates are respectively above and below the vanes. A housing includes top and a bottom plates to which the rotor assembly shaft is rotatably secured. A material inlet hose and dust exhaust pipe are attached to the top plate and are in simultaneous successive fluid communication with each outer and inner subcompartments respectively as they rotate. A discharge port is in the bottom plate for discharging separated material in an outer subcompartment downstream from the outer subcompartment then receiving material from the inlet hose. The top and bottom plates are spaced a small gap from the rotor face plates to provide fluid seals therebetween to fluid isolate the compartments from each other.