Abstract: A seam sealed heat resistant glove or mitt includes a front portion having a periphery and a rear portion having a periphery. The front and rear portions are joined to one another along a portion of their respective peripheries to define seams. The front and rear portions, when joined to one another, define an interior with seams formed at the interior and at an exterior of the glove or mitt with seams formed at the exterior. A welded thermoplastic material is disposed over the seams on at least one of the interior and the exterior of the glove or mitt and is cured by the application of ultrasonic energy. A method of making a seam sealed glove or mitt is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for sanitizing articles including a rectangular apparatus defining an enclosure through which the articles may be transported, a tank for sanitizing solution, sprayers for spraying sanitizing solution on the top and bottom of articles in the enclosure, and a container for catching used sanitizing solution; a mechanism for moving the articles through the rectangular enclosure from the first entry end and out of the enclosure at the second exit end; a mechanism for automatic triggering of release of water from the tank when an article enters the enclosure; a mechanism for carrying used water to either the container for sanitizing solution or a drain system; and a sanitizing solution capable of disinfecting the articles when sprayed on the articles without requiring rinsing of the articles after the articles have been sprayed with the sanitizing solution.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making self-supporting bodies from particulate materials. The apparatus includes a mold with opposed first and second walls defining a particulate chamber therebetween. The second wall is advanceable and retractable toward and away from the first wall. A plurality of chamber reducers may be removably mounted over each of the walls. Thick-walled members can be incrementally built up by pressing successive batches of particulate material at low and high pressures respectively. The chamber reducers can be successively removed between such batches, or can be used to vary the mold for making bodies of different sizes. A long body can be built up in increments, using a shorter mold, by forming a first increment, displacing the increment lengthwise in the mold, adding another batch of particulate material in overlapping relation to the first body increment, and then pressing such other batch to form a second increment bonded to the first.

Abstract: A venous return catheter is provided having a first diameter distal portion suitable for insertion in a vena cava, a second, larger diameter proximal portion, and a transition portion forming a smooth transition between the first and second diameter portions. Drainage openings are provided in both the proximal and distal catheter portions. The catheter is of unitary construction, having a smooth bore through its entire length. It is also constructed from a soft, resilient material, but is reinforced with a harder, stiffer material in the region of the proximal drainage openings. The catheter may also be provided with wire reinforcement. The catheter is manufactured by a dip-molding process utilizing a male mandrel as a form.

Abstract: A dispensing bag for particulate matter is closed at one end by a two layer closure formed by an openable outer closure, and an inner dispersion panel with apertures of suitable size therethrough. Opening the outer closure exposes the apertures in the dispersion panel and permits particulate matter to be dispensed therethrough. The bags may be conveniently mass produced from sheet material, such as flexible plastic, in the form of a continuous strip or flattened tube, by appropriate cutting, folding, and joining operations. The invention provides an inexpensive container from which particulate matter may be conveniently dispensed in controlled fashion, and which resists accidental opening and spillage.

Abstract: A dispensing bag for particulate matter is closed at one end by a two layer closure formed by an openable outer closure, and an inner dispersion panel with apertures of suitable size therethrough. Opening the outer closure exposes the apertures in the dispersion panel and permits particulate matter to be dispensed therethrough. The bags may be conveniently mass produced from sheet material, such as flexible plastic, in the form of a continuous strip or flattened tube, by appropriate cutting, folding, and joining operations. The invention provides an inexpensive container from which particulate matter may be conveniently dispensed in controlled fashion, and which resists accidental opening and spillage.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the manufacture of articles of thermosetting plastics and other materials. In a first stage, a solid article is formed from a particulate material by introducing such material into a first chamber defined partially by the backing surface of a backing member and partially by the opposed pressing surface of a pressing member. The backing member is frangible and is removably mounted on a support. The first chamber is then closed and the pressing member advanced toward the backing surface to contract the first chamber and compress the particulate material between the pressing and backing surfaces to form the solid article. The pressing member is then retracted, the first chamber is opened, and the backing member and solid article are removed from the support as a unit. Finally, the backing member is fractured and the fragments are removed from the solid article. In a second stage, the convoluted article, or any other similar body is supported in a chamber structure.

Abstract: An expandable member is disclosed that includes a molded body of elastomeric material with a core embedded therein. At least a portion of the core is not bonded to the body. A fluid conduit is provided through which fluid can be injected between the core and the unattached portion of the body to move the core and the unattached portion apart and expand the member.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the manufacture of articles of thermosetting plastics and other materials. In a first stage, a solid article is formed from a particulate material by introducing such material into a first chamber defined partially by the backing surface of a backing member and partially by the opposed pressing surface of a pressing member. The backing member is frangible and is removably mounted on a support. The first chamber is then closed and the pressing member advanced toward the backing surface to contract the first chamber and compress the particulate material between the pressing and backing surfaces to form the solid article. The pressing member is then retracted, the first chamber is opened, and the backing member and solid article are removed from the support as a unit. Finally, the backing member is fractured and the fragments are removed from the solid article. In a second stage, the convoluted article, or any other similar body is supported in a chamber structure.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the manufacture of articles of thermosetting plastics and other materials. In a first stage, a solid article is formed from a particulate material by introducing such material into a first chamber defined partially by the backing surface of a backing member and partially by the opposed pressing surface of a pressing member. The backing member is frangible and is removably mounted on a support. The first chamber is then closed and the pressing member advanced toward the backing surface to contract the first chamber and compress the particulate material between the pressing and backing surfaces to form the solid article. The pressing member is then retracted, the first chamber is opened, and the backing member and solid article are removed from the support as a unit. Finally, the backing member is fractured and the fragments are removed from the solid article. In a second stage, the convoluted article, or any other similar body is supported in a chamber structure.

Abstract: Corrugated pipe is bent by pinching the spiral corrugations on one side of the pipe to decrease their pitch and increase their amplitude as compared to the undeformed corrugations on the opposite side of the pipe, thereby shortening the pipe on one side. A machine for effecting deformation of the corrugations includes inner and outer clamp mechanisms which provide an inner spiral rib extending partially around the inside of the pipe and a pair of outer spiral ribs extending partially around the outside of the pipe. The clamps include hinged together clamp sections which are pivoted by hydraulic cylinders between a pipe engaging position for bending the pipe and a release position permitting advancement of the pipe. The cylinders drive the outer ribs toward one another as well as inwardly into grooves of the corrugations where their force is opposed by the inner rib which acts against the inside pipe surface at a ridge of the corrugation.

Abstract: A method and system for connecting the ends of a pair of tubular conduits for use at the bottom of a body of water in which terminal portions of said conduits, adjacent to and including said ends, are buoyantly supported in a generally elevated attitude within the body of water with the ends in a zone of the body of water below the surface thereof. The ends are positively fixed against movement relative to each other but permitted limited movement, as a unit, relative to the bottom of the body of water. The connection of the conduit ends is made within the aforementioned zone of the body of water.