Abstract: A warming device (30) for warming the lens portion (2) of an optical instrument (I), such as a laparoscope, to a temperature above ambient to prevent lens fogging comprising: a double walled cylindrical tube (3) having an intemal wall (3b), and an external wall (3a), an upper surface and an open distal portion (7) with a central cavity (4) therebetween; a protrusion (9) extending from said upper surface, sized and shaped to receive the lens portion; a circular cap (5) sized to attach to said distal portion of said double walled cylindrical tube; and, a heating element (15) enclosed within said central cavity and thermally coupled to said insulation layer.

Abstract: A warming device (30) for warming the lens portion (2) of an optical instrument (I), such as a laparoscope, to a temperature above ambient to prevent lens fogging comprising: a double walled cylindrical tube (3) having an intemal wall (3b), and an external wall (3a), an upper surface and an open distal portion (7) with a central cavity (4) therebetween; a protrusion (9) extending from said upper surface, sized and shaped to receive the lens portion; a circular cap (5) sized to attach to said distal portion of said double walled cylindrical tube; and, a heating element (15) enclosed within said central cavity and thermally coupled to said insulation layer.

Abstract: A warming device (30) for warming the lens portion (2) of an optical instrument (I), such as a laparoscope, to a temperature above ambient to prevent lens fogging comprising: a double walled cylindrical tube (3) having an intemal wall (3b), and an external wall (3a), an upper surface and an open distal portion (7) with a central cavity (4) therebetween; a protrusion (9) extending from said upper surface, sized and shaped to receive the lens portion; a circular cap (5) sized to attach to said distal portion of said double walled cylindrical tube; and, a heating element (15) enclosed within said central cavity and thermally coupled to said insulation layer.

Abstract: A warming device (30) for warming the lens portion (2) of an optical instrument (1), such as a laparoscope, to a temperature above ambient to prevent lens fogging comprising: a double walled cylindrical tube (3) having an internal wall (3b), and an external wall (3a), an upper surface and an open distal portion (7) with a central cavity (4) therebetween; a protrusion (9) extending from said upper surface, sized and shaped to receive the lens portion; a circular cap (5) sized to attach to said distal portion of said double walled cylindrical tube; and, a heating element (15) enclosed within said central cavity and thermally coupled to said insulation layer.

Abstract: A warming device (30) for warming the lens portion (2) of an optical instrument (1), such as a laparoscope, to a temperature above ambient to prevent lens fogging comprising: a double walled cylindrical tube (3) having an internal wall (3b), and an external wall (3a), an upper surface and an open distal portion (7) with a central cavity (4) therebetween; a protrusion (9) extending from said upper surface, sized and shaped to receive the lens portion; a circular cap (5) sized to attach to said distal portion of said double walled cylindrical tube; and, a heating element (15) enclosed within said central cavity and thermally coupled to said insulation layer

Abstract: A filter system for dishwasher with a sump having inlets leading to a wash pump and a drain pump in the bottom wall. The filter assembly includes a vertical filter retainer an overlying perforate hood, a multiple porosity filter element carried on the filter retainer and a back wash sprayer rotatably mounted inside the filter retainer with at least one backwash nozzle directed toward the filter assembly. The inlet leading to the wash pump is positioned inside the filter element and the inlet to the drain pump is located outside the filter element. The filter element has openings that vary in size from the top to the bottom of the filter element. The filter element openings can be arranged in bands of different porosity openings including fine, medium and coarse porosity openings. The perforate hood can have coarse porosity openings.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher having a wash chamber is provided with a filter for filtering wash liquid circulated in the wash chamber. The filter includes a filter chamber outside the wash chamber. An inlet to and outlet from the filter chamber in a wall of the wash chamber allows wash liquid circulating in the wash chamber to enter the filter chamber and to flow out of the filter chamber through a filter element back into the wash chamber for filtering particulate material from wash liquid circulating in the wash chamber. A drain outlet at the bottom of the filter chamber allows wash liquid and material filtered by the filter to flow to the household drain. Sensors can be provided to detect a clogged or partially clogged filter and initiate a purge cycle to remove wash liquid and material filtered by the filter to the household drain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an applicator for flowable materials which comprises a generally cylindrical housing having a chamber, a discharge opening, a wick projecting through said discharge opening, and a projecting structure for shielding the user from flowable materials and for preventing placement of the applicator in inappropriate receptacles. Further, the present invention relates to a storage and shipping rack for said applicators and to a method of dispensing flowable materials onto a surface. Preferably, the applicator is filled with metal coating and treating compositions such as aqueous acidic chromate compositions. Most preferably, the acidic compositions contain a very low concentration of a fluorinated surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an applicator for flowable materials to facilitate the repair of damaged metal coatings by allowing the user to quickly, safely, and accurately apply a metal coating solution to a specific portion of a metal surface, alleviating the need to re-immerse the entire metal item in a coating bath. This is particularly advantageous where the metal item is a portion of an automobile chassis or an aircraft which cannot be easily removed. Further, the applicator is a hand-held device which features a safety collar which protects the user from potentially harmful treatment solutions and, because the applicator enables the user to deliver metal coatings accurately and efficiently, chemical waste is essentially eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an applicator for flowable materials which comprises a generally cylindrical housing having a chamber, a discharge opening, a wick projecting through said discharge opening, and a projecting structure for shielding the user from flowable materials and for preventing placement of the applicator in inappropriate receptacles. Further, the present invention relates to a storage and shipping rack for said applicators and to a method of dispensing flowable materials onto a surface. Preferably, the applicator is filled with metal coating and treating compositions such as aqueous acidic chromate compositions. Most preferably, the acidic compositions contain a very low concentration of a fluorinated surfactant.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically dispensing chemicals into the well bore of a hydrocarbon producing well utilizes a double acting cylinder and piston to sequentially operate a plurality of valves associated with the well. The handles of each valve have a spring steel tine secured thereto which engages with a portion of the piston shaft which actuates the operation of each valve.

Abstract: A hydraulically powered compressor has infinitely variable capacity control through use of a variable displacement hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic control and power system provides the infinitely variable capacity control with a proportionate change in required power. Components may be mounted in an air duct.

Abstract: An axial flow combine harvester with a frame and an axial flow threshing and separating rotor rotatably mounted on the frame in a tubular casing. Feed means are provided for feeding crop material from a crop harvesting table to the axial flow threshing and separating rotor. The feed means includes an auger beater with a shaft rotatably journaled on the frame, at least one spiral flight section with a right hand helix attached to the shaft and at least one spiral flight section with a left hand helix attached to the left. The auger beater receives a mat of crop material, moves both edges of the mat toward the center and then feeds the mat to the axial flow threshing and separating rotor.

Abstract: A grain saving apparatus for a combine disposed at the discharge end of the combine includes a vaned member rotated relative to a straw support in the form of an open grate concave to receive a mixture of straw and grain from straw walkers in the separating sections of the combine and to change direction and velocity of movement of the material and direct it between the vaned member and straw support to separate grain and straw so that the heavier grain is collected for processing in the combine and the lighter straw is discharged by the vaned member to the rear of the combine.

Abstract: A crop gathering table for combine harvesters has a pair of auger tubes each supported on bearings at one end of the table and bolted together at the center. Supported on the fastening bolts are a plurality of anti-friction rollers lying between the adjacent ends of the augers. A circular track forms a support for the rollers and is self-supported from the main frame of the table.