Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed relating to food preparation in commercial kitchens and food processing plants. The disclosed extreme vacuum cooling (EVC) technology and apparatus can work in ultra low pressure conditions with adaptive pressure control to avoid potential liquid splash inside the vacuum chamber caused by un-controlled low pressure conditions. Clean air is added into the vacuum chamber to allow the chamber pressure to track a setpoint trajectory that may have ramp up periods in order to avoid liquid splash events. The apparatus enables the user to cool various kinds of foods quickly, save energy, and meet food safety regulations.

Abstract: A molten metal flow controller (10) for a metal melt furnace having a tap hole (T) to release the molten metal from the furnace, where the controller (10) is configured to controllably release the flow of molten metal through the tap hole (T) using an actuator (14) that controllably moves a plunger (110) into and out of the tap hole (T) in response the increase or decrease in the molten metal flow rate through the tap hole (t) as measured by a sensor (130).

Abstract: A molten metal flow controller (10) for a metal melt furnace having a tap hole (T) to release the molten metal from the furnace, where the controller (10) is configured to controllably release the flow of molten metal through the tap hole (T) using an actuator (14) that controllably moves a plunger (110) into and out of the tap hole (T) in response the increase or decrease in the molten metal flow rate through the tap hole (t) as measured by a sensor (130).

Abstract: A device 60, for administering medicated cream, includes a cartridge 62 for containing the cream, a plunger head 100 for moving the cream from within the cartridge, and a stem 106 for moving the plunger head within the cartridge. The plunger head 100 includes a tapered receptor opening 148 for reception of a tapered stem structure 114. A rib 156 is formed on the cartridge 62, and a plurality of ribs 164 are formed on the stem 106, cooperate to provide tactile notification to a patient-user that measured doses of the cream have been administered.

Abstract: The output of a wheel speed sensor is sampled at dithered time intervals and the samples used to construct a pair of histograms representing high and low sample values. A minimum voltage threshold is determined as a function of the output voltage associated with the dominate histogram value for the low sample values. The output voltage associated with the dominant histogram value for the high sample values is compared to the minimum voltage threshold to determine whether a potential sensor wiring problem is developing.

Abstract: A system for isolating an object in a broadcast signal is disclosed. The system scans the broadcast signal for at least one identifiable object and selectively filters the broadcast signal. In selectively filtering the broadcast signal, the identifiable object is selectively passed or removed from the broadcast signal. The identifiable object can include, but is not limited to, an image or a logo (such as a company or brand image, which may or may not be a trademarked image). The identifiable object can also include, but it not limited to an audio clip, such a word, phrase, or name. In various preferred embodiments, each frame of the broadcast signal is scanned and analyzed for the identifiable object.

Abstract: An automatic injection and retraction device having a longitudinal axis is provided that includes an injection assembly, a retraction assembly, and a pre-filled syringe cartridge. The injection assembly has an activation-prevention feature moveable between an on position and an off position. The retraction assembly has a needle guard that is removable in a direction along the longitudinal axis upon application of a removal force. The pre-filled syringe cartridge has a hypodermic needle with a needle sheath thereon. The retraction and injection assemblies are secured to one another so that the pre-filled syringe cartridge is in the retraction assembly with the needle sheath secured to the needle guard. The retraction and injection assemblies are configured so that, upon application of a twisting torque to the injection and retraction assemblies, the activation-prevention feature moves from the on position to the off position simultaneous with applying the removal force to the needle guard.

Abstract: An applicator 80b is attachable to a cream—containing cartridge 62 of a device 60 for administering the cream onto an area to be treated within a body cavity of a patient. An axial passage 82 is formed in a body 81 of the applicator 80b. A plurality of slots 204 are formed laterally and radially through the body 81, which are in communication with an intermediate portion 205 of the axial passage 82 and are contiguous with an outside surface of the body. A flange 226 extends radially from the outside surface of the body 81, and is formed with a contoured surface, which provides tactile notification when the applicator 80b has been inserted within the body cavity to a desired depth.

Abstract: A device 560, for administering multiple single doses of a medicated cream, includes a cartridge 562 having a barrel 564 for containing the cream, a plunger 608 for moving the cream from within the cartridge, and a stem 610 for moving the plunger within the cartridge. A carrier 612 is formed with a cartridge-receiving nest 712 for receiving the barrel 564. A plurality of spaced, transaxial grooves 726, 728, 730 and 732 are formed in the carrier 612 for receiving a flange 572 of the cartridge 562 during the dispensing of multiple, successive, single doses of the cream. The carrier 612 is formed with a pair of resilient ears 750 and 752 and a passage 738 for removably retaining the stem 610 with the carrier while allowing axial movement of the stem.

Abstract: An auto-injection syringe is provided that includes an injection assembly and a retraction assembly operatively securable to the injection assembly. The retraction assembly includes a hypodermic needle having a needle hub, an end cap having a lower seal through which a portion of the hypodermic needle can pass, a retraction spring disposed between the needle hub and the end cap and maintained in a partially compressed condition therebetween, an upper seal urged against a facially sealing surface of the retraction assembly by the force of the retraction spring on the needle hub so that a sealed area is defined between the upper and lower seals, and a vent device in fluid communication with the sealed area for pressure equalization between the sealed area and an exterior of the retraction assembly.

Abstract: A fixed needle syringe having a medicine compartment, a hypodermic needle, a piston, and a plunger is provided. The hypodermic needle is in fluid communication with the medicine compartment. The piston is slideably disposed in the medicine compartment. The plunger is secured to the piston. The plunger has a bore defined therethrough, where the bore allows access to the piston through the plunger.

Abstract: A coupling for selectively securing a spring to a plunger is provided. The coupling has a first end defining a spring rest for receiving the spring and a second end defining a shoulder. The shoulder is moveable to a first position into contact with the plunger and to a second position out of contact with the plunger. The shoulder is normally in the second position and is resiliently moveable to the first position.

Abstract: An automatic injection and retraction syringe having a medicine cartridge, an injection assembly, and a retraction assembly is provided. The retraction assembly is selectively securable to the injection assembly to house the medicine cartridge. The retraction assembly includes an end cap, a hypodermic needle, a retraction spring, and an upper seal. The retraction spring is maintained in a partially compressed condition between the needle hub and the end cap. The upper seal is urged against a sealing surface by the retraction spring in the partially compressed condition to form a hermetic seal. In some embodiments, the injection assembly includes an injection spring, a plunger engaged to the injection spring, and a safety element to prevent the plunger from escaping the injection assembly if the injection spring is released from the normally stressed condition before the assemblies are secured to one another.

Abstract: An applicator 80b is attachable to a cream-containing cartridge 62 of a device 60 for administering the cream onto an area to be treated within a body cavity of a patient. An axial passage 82 is formed in a body 81 of the applicator 80b. A plurality of slots 204 are formed laterally and radially through the body 81, which are in communication with an intermediate portion 205 of the axial passage 82 and are contiguous with an outside surface of the body. A flange 226 extends radially from the outside surface of the body 81, and is formed with a contoured surface, which provides tactile notification when the applicator 80b has been inserted within the body cavity to a desired depth.

Abstract: An optical shock sensor 22 which includes a light generator 40 adapted to generate light 46 and a light detector 44 which are an optical communication by means of a moveable hemispheric dome 48. Specifically, an intrusion, tampering, motion, and/or shock, applied to vehicle 11, causes the moveable dome 48 to move, and to interrupt or change the amount tyoe, focus and/or intensity of the light 46 which is reflected or communicated to light detector 44, thereby causing a tampering output signal to be selectively produced.